News and Press Releases
2009: Jan | Feb | Mar | April | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec
December 2009
December 31, 2009
U.S.Attorney Beth Phillips takes the oath of office from U.S. Chief District Judge Fernando J.
Gaitan. (A high-resolution version of this photo is available to download here.)
Beth Phillips sworn in as U.S. Attorney
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Beth Phillips was sworn in today as the United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri following her appointment by President Obama and unanimous confirmation by the U.S. Senate. Phillips is the 32nd presidentially-appointed U.S. Attorney in the Western District of Missouri, and the first woman to be appointed to the office.
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December 30, 2009
Business owner charged with bank robbery; used company van as getaway vehicle
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - An owner of a Kansas City, Mo., heating and cooling business was charged in federal court today with robbing Metcalf Bank after his company van was identified as the getaway vehicle. Mark McAvinew, 52, of Kansas City, was charged in a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City with stealing $3,170 from Metcalf Bank on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2009.
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December 21, 2009
Motorcycle club member sentenced for meth conspiracy
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A motorcycle club member was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. William Eneff, also known as “Muff,” 59, of Lee’s Summit, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan this morning to seven years in federal prison without parole.
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Springfield accountant indicted for fraud, tax evasion
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Springfield, Mo., accountant and tax preparer has been indicted by a federal grand jury for misappropriating trust fund proceeds and tax evasion, including failing to report the illegal income to the IRS. Murphy M. Hubbard, 63, of Springfield, was charged in an 11-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2009.
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Louisiana man pleads guilty to transporting 15-year-old girl for illicit sex
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Violet, La., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to transporting a minor across state lines to engage in illegal sexual activity. Neil Scott Kramer, 40, of Violet, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard E. Dorr this morning to the charge contained in an April 2, 2009, federal indictment.
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Jasper man pleads guilty to child porn
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Jasper, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to possessing and distributing child pornography over the Internet. Donald Lee Zaerr, 58, of Jasper, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge James C. England this morning to the charges contained in a Nov. 23, 2009, federal indictment.
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December 18, 2009
Final defendant pleads guilty to sex trafficking of a child
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - An Overland Park, Kan., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to the attempted commercial sex trafficking of a child. This conviction is the result of Operation Guardian Angel, a unique undercover law enforcement investigation targeting the demand for child prostitutes in the Kansas City metro area. As a result of this investigation, a total of seven defendants have been indicted and convicted in the nation’s first-ever federal prosecution of the alleged customers of child prostitution under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. Steven E. Mikoloyck, 47, of Overland Park, pleaded guilty before U.S. District judge Gary A. Fenner this morning to the charge contained in a Feb. 3, 2009, federal indictment.
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December 17, 2009
Owner, associates of realestate company indicted for $11 million fraud scheme;
17 defendants charged with wire fraud, money laundering conspiracies
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - The owner of a Springfield, Mo., real estate company is among 17 defendants indicted by a federal grand jury today on 52 counts related to a nearly $11 million mortgage fraud scheme that involved more than two dozen residential properties. Charles E. Walker, 56, and his wife, Linda F. Walker, 57, of Springfield, their son, Lee Edward Walker, 34, address unknown, Frankie R. Powell, 67, of Republic, Mo., Juan A. Johnson, 41, of St. Louis, Mo., Charles V. Pursley, 82, of Tulsa, Okla., James H. Powell, also known as “Jimmy,” 71, William Wagoner, 56, Steve Casarez, Jr., 32, Vincent Cantrell, 40, Eddie Lee Rohrs, 37, Christopher Forrester, 29, Robert C. Barnica, 35, Jess Kevin Cypret, 51, Linda D. Hanks, 38, Tammy R. Fedel, 53, and Laura Greer, 41, addresses unknown, were charged in a 52-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield.
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Nixa woman sentenced to 17 years for distributing child porn
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Nixa, Mo., woman was sentenced in federal court today for receiving and distributing child pornography over the Internet. Amy Vogt, 35, of Nixa, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard E. Dorr this morning to 17 years and six months in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Vogt to serve a lifetime of supervised released following her term of imprisonment.
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December 16, 2009
Columbia man pleads guilty to violating federal sanctions against Iraq;
Former IARA fund-raiser admits to transferring money to Iraq
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Columbia, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to illegally transferring funds to Iraq in violation of federal sanctions. Ahmad Mustafa, 55, of Columbia, a citizen of Iraq and a lawful permanent resident alien of the United States, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Nanette K. Laughrey this afternoon to the charge contained in a Jan. 16, 2008, federal indictment. That indictment charges a charitable organization and six individuals, including a former member of the United States House of Representatives, with violating various laws, including federal economic sanctions, money laundering, theft of public money, impairing and impeding the Internal Revenue Service, prohibited transactions with a specially designated global terrorist, conspiracy, and obstruction of justice.
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Jury convicts physical trainer of secretly videotaping female teens;
Faces 15-year minimum prison sentence for sexual exploitation of children
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A former physical trainer at St. John’s Hospital was convicted at trial today of sexually exploiting children by secretly videotaping minor females at the hospital’s training facility. Scott Johnson, 30, of Springfield, Mo., was found guilty of eight counts of the sexual exploitation of a child. Johnson was taken into federal custody to await sentencing.
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Two Iowa men, one Nebraska man plead guilty to dog fighting conspiracy
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Three more defendants have pleaded guilty in federal court to their roles in a conspiracy to promote and participate in dog fights. Zachary R.Connelly, 32, of Ogden, Iowa, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith this afternoon to the charge contained in a June 23, 2009, federal indictment. Ryan J. Tasler, 42, of Woodward, Iowa, and Julio Reyes, 29, of Tecumseh, Neb., pleaded guilty to the same charge on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009.
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December 14, 2009
Iowa man pleads guilty to dog fighting conspiracy
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Jefferson, Iowa, man pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a conspiracy to promote and participate in dog fights. Kevin P. Tasler, 51, of Jefferson, Iowa, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith this morning to the charge contained in a June 23, 2009, federal indictment.
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December 11, 2009
Former Vatterott director pleads guilty to financial aid fraud;
KC school received $344,000 in federal aid for ineligible students
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A former employee at the Kansas City, Mo., campus of Vatterott College pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a conspiracy to fraudulently obtain more than $344,000 in federal financial aid for ineligible students by providing false general equivalency diplomas (GEDs) and falsifying financial aid forms. Kevin Earl Woods, 46, of Louisville, Ky., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner this afternoon to the charge contained in a Feb. 5, 2009, federal indictment.
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Two motorcyle club members plead guilty to meth conspiracy
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Two members of a local motorcycle club pleaded guilty in federal court today to their roles in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Eric G. Burkitt, also known as “Little Eric,” 25, and Robert E. Stewart, 52, both of Kansas City, Mo., pleaded guilty in separate appearances before U.S. Chief District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine between Jan. 1, 2002, and July 31, 2007.
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December 9, 2009
KC restaurant owner sentenced to 30 years for $2.3 million cocaine conspiracy, money laundering
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The owner of a Kansas City, Mo., restaurant was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute large quantities of cocaine from Mexico into the Kansas City area, as well as laundering $2.3 million in drug-trafficking proceeds. Juan Delgado, also known as “Cachetes” and “Marana,” 35, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Nanette K. Laughrey this afternoon to 30 years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Delgado to forfeit to the government more than $2.3 million that was received from the distribution of cocaine – including $880,296 that was seized during the course of the investigation, of which approximately $140,000, which was hidden in the bottom of a clothes hamper, behind a fake wall and in a closet of the Delgado home, was seized at the time of the arrest of Juan and his wife and co-defendant, Sylvia Delgado, 30. The court also ordered the forfeiture of several real estate properties, including 120 acres and a manufactured home in Benton County owned by Juan and Sylvia Delgado, two lots and a cabin in Camden County owned by Juan Delgado, and three residential properties in Kansas City owned by Juan and Sylvia Delgado.
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Flemington woman pleads guilty to $6 million meth conspiracy
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Flemington, Mo., woman has pleaded guilty in federal court to her role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. This conviction is a result of Operation Family Tree, a multi-agency investigation into shipments of large quantities of methamphetamine from Arizona for distribution in Greene County, Mo. Lori G. Weese, 49, of Flemington, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge James C. England on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2009, to her role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Greene County from December 2004 to November 2006. Weese also pleaded guilty to her role in a money-laundering conspiracy involving drug-trafficking proceeds.
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KC man indicted for selling firearms to juvenile
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Mo., man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for selling firearms to a juvenile. Montell F. Ross, 27, of Kansas City, was charged in a two-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2009.
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December 4, 2009
West Plains man sentenced for illegal gambling business, must pay $200,000
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A West Plains, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business. Morris Guy Ramseur, 63, of West Plains, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard E. Dorr this morning to three years of probation. The court also ordered Ramseur to pay, within the first six months of his probation, the remaining balance of $23,655 that is still owed against a total $200,000 forfeiture, representing the proceeds Ramseur obtained from his illegal gambling business.
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December 3, 2009
KC man sentenced for illegal firearm following police shooting
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing a firearm following a gunfight with police officers in which an officer was severely injured. Kyle A. Gardenhire, 26, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Nanette K. Laughrey this afternoon to three years and one month in federal prison without parole.
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Seven Northland residents indicted in Parkville mortgage fraud scheme
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Seven Kansas City, Mo., residents have beenindicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in a mortgage fraud scheme that involved the purchase of a $605,000 house in Parkville, Mo. Lloyd Claerhout, 26, Scott J. Schirmer, 32, William R. Wonder III, 31, David E. Twitty, 27, Cameron D. Bennett, 34, Jennifer R. Hernandez, 37, and Katherine S. Sartain, 53, all of Kansas City-North, were charged in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City.
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Raymore man indicted for $2.2 million investment fraud scheme
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Raymore, Mo., man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for his role in a $2.2 million investment fraud scheme. Carl R. Todd, 57, of Raymore, was charged in a six-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City.
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December 1, 2009
Former bank president indicted for bank fraud
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The former president of Hume Bank in Bates County, Mo., was indicted by a federal grand jury today for bank fraud. Jeffrey W. Thompson, 39, of Hume, Mo., was charged in a 13-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City.
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Kansas man sentenced to 15 years in prison for attempted sex trafficking of a child
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - An Ottawa, Kan., man was sentenced in federal court today for the attempted commercial sex trafficking of a child. Richard J. Oflyng, 32, of Ottawa, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Scott O. Wright this morning to 15 years in federal prison without parole. Oflyng pleaded guilty to a federal indictment on June 29, 2009.
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New Jersey man sentenced for distributing cocaine;
24 kilos seized in highway interdiction
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A New Jersey man has been sentenced in federal court for possession with the intent to distribute cocaine after law enforcement officers discovered 24 kilos of cocaine hidden in his tractor trailer. Jose D. Rosario, 30, of New Jersey, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard E. Dorr on Monday, Nov. 30, 2009, to seven years in federal prison without parole.
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Six defendants plead guilty to meth-related charges;
Stolen pseudoephedrine used tomanufacture over $1 million worth of meth
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Six defendants have pleaded guilty to charges related to manufacturing and distributing methamphetamine following the theft of a 50-kilogram (110 pounds) drum of pharmaceutical pseudoephedrine powder in an armed robbery at the Sanofi-Aventis U.S., LLC pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Kansas City, Mo. The pseudoephedrine was used to manufacture more than $1 million worth of methamphetamine. Shawn Anthony Clinkenbeard, 38, and John Robert Christian, 25, both of Peculiar, Mo., and Clair John Easterbrook, Jr., also known as “Homie,” 46, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple today to the charges contained in a May 19, 2009, federal indictment. David Douglas Margita, 29, of Kansas City, Mo., and Jimmy Wayne O’Neal, 36, and Robert William Webb, also known as “Butch,” 62, both of Kansas City, Kan., pleaded guilty on Monday, Nov. 30, 2009.
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November 2009
November 30, 2009
Columbia man pleads guilty to child porn
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - A Columbia, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to distributing child pornography. James Lee Melvin, 57, of Columbia, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge William A. Knox this morning to the charge contained in a March 2, 2009, federal indictment.
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November 25, 2009
Two motorcycle club members plead guilty to meth trafficking
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Two members of local motorcycle clubs pleaded guilty in federal court today to charges related to methamphetamine trafficking. John B. Angell, 43, of Kansas City, Kan., and Nicholas E. Donkersloot, 35, of Spirit Lake, Iowa, pleaded guilty in separate appearances before U.S. Chief District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan this morning.
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Monett, Arkansas residents indicted for meth conspiracy
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Two residents of Monett, Mo., and two residents of Lowell, Ark., have been indicted by a federal grand jury for participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Barry County, Mo. Igancio Servin-Chavez, also known as “Naco,” 32, and Maria Guadalupe Rodriguez-Rodriguez, 26, both of Lowell, and Ricardo Grimaldo, also known as “Rico,” 38, and Joe L. Lizcano, 43, both of Monett, were charged in a 10-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Springfield on Monday, Nov. 23, 2009.
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November 23, 2009
Jasper man indicted for child porn
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Jasper, Mo., man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for possessing and distributing child pornography. Donald Lee Zaerr, 58, of Jasper, was charged in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield.
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November 20, 2009
Three defendants sentenced for wire fraud conspiracy;
Women hired man to stage assault in attempt to influence sexual harassment lawsuit
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Three defendants were sentenced in federal court today for their role in a wire fraud conspiracy related to a scheme between two women and a man hired to physically and sexually assault them. The women were hoping to force a higher settlement of their sexual harassment lawsuit against a former employer. Gordon F. Reabe, Jr., 52, of Lee’s Summit, Mo., Julie R. Bernet, 40, of Bucyrus, Kan., and Lindsey D. Crawford, 24, of Kansas City, Mo., were sentenced in separate hearings before U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith. Reabe was sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison without parole. Bernet was sentenced to serve five months in a residential reentry center followed by five months of home confinement. Crawford was sentenced to three years of probation. Each of the defendants has paid $5,259 in restitution to the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department for the costs it incurred during the investigation of this case.
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November 19, 2009
Mississippi man sentenced for sex trafficking of a child
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - An Amory, Miss., man was sentenced in federal court today for the attempted commercial sex trafficking of a child. This case is the result of Operation Guardian Angel, a unique undercover law enforcement investigation targeting the demand for child prostitutes in the Kansas City metro area. As a result of this investigation, a total of seven defendants were indicted in the nation’s first-ever federal prosecution of the alleged customers of child prostitution under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. Christopher M. Cockrell, 34, of Amory, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple this afternoon to 10 years in federal prison without parole.
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KC man pleads guilty to bank robbery;
Nervous thief left his wallet behind, identified from driver's license
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to robbing First Federal Bank. Albert Vincent Perkins, 40, of Kansas City, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert E. Larsen this morning to the charge contained in a June 23, 2009, superseding indictment.
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November 18, 2009
Lee's Summit man indicted in $1 million fraud scheme
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Lee’s Summit, Mo., man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for a $1 million fraud scheme against his former employer. Randy Wilson, 50, of Lee’s Summit, was charged in a six-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009.
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Two Mexican nationals sentenced for large-scale cocaine conspiracy;
Government alleges $10 million worth of cocaine smuggled from Mexico
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Two Mexican nationals were sentenced in federal court today for their roles in a large-scale conspiracy to distribute cocaine. The government believes more than $10 million worth of cocaine was smuggled from Mexico for distribution in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Felipe Garcia-Lopez, also known as Eduardo Zazueta, 29, and Humberto Saucedo-Lobatos, 28, both citizens of Mexico residing in Kansas City, Mo., were sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan this morning. Garcia-Lopez was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison without parole. Saucedo-Lobatos was sentenced to nine years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Garcia-Lopez and Saucedo-Lobatos to forfeit to the government $151,430 that was seized by law enforcement officers.
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Owners of Guaranty Title indicted for $2.6 million bank fraud, wire fraud, money laundering conspiracies
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - The owners of Guaranty Title, formerly headquartered in Nixa, Mo., have been indicted by a federal grand jury for participating in a $2.6 million conspiracy to commit bank fraud, wire fraud and money laundering. Richard G. “Rick” Burton, 59, of Nixa, and Kathy Cyrena Allen, also known as Kathy Stanton, 66, of Sarcoxie, Mo., were charged in a 19-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009.
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November 17, 2009
Former police officer indicted for producing child porn
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A former Noel, Mo., police officer was indicted by a federal grand jury today for producing and possessing child pornography. Casey Nanez, 27, of Noel, was charged in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield. Casey was formerly a police officer for the city of Noel.
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Branson man indicted for producing child porn
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Branson, Mo., man was indicted by a federal grand jury today on charges related to producing and distributing child pornography. Ronald Darling, 45, of Branson, was charged in a three-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield.
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California man sentenced to 22 years in prison for meth conspiracy
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - An Ontario, Calif., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute millions of dollars worth of methamphetamine in Barton County, Mo., and elsewhere. Jose Lopez, also known as David Cerpa, 40, of Ontario, Calif., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith this afternoon to 22 years and six months in federal prison without parole.
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Joplin man sentenced for cocaine, marijuana conspiracy
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Joplin, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine and marijuana. Domonic Dewight Johnson, 37, of Joplin, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith this morning to 10 years and three months in federal prison without parole.
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Lake Ozark woman sentenced for $470,000 bank fraud, money laundering scheme
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - A Lake Ozark, Mo., woman has been sentenced in federal court for a scheme to defraud her former employer of approximately $470,000. Lorraine Jeanette Hess, 51, of Lake Ozark, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Nanette K. Laughrey on Monday, Nov. 16, 2009, to two years and six months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Hess to pay $470,190 in restitution to her former employer.
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Ash Grove man sentenced to 19 years in prison for illegally possessing ammunition
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - An Ash Grove, Mo., man has been sentenced in federal court for illegally possessing ammunition. Michael Adkins, 56, of Ash Grove, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith on Monday, Nov. 16, 2009, to 19 years and seven months in federal prison without parole. Adkins was sentenced as a career criminal due to his prior felony convictions.
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Three defendants sentenced for distributing steroids
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Three defendants have beensentenced in federal court in separate but related cases arising from Operation Raw Deal, an international investigation targeting the illegal manufacturing and trafficking of anabolic steroids and its raw materials, mainly from China. The related investigation in the Western District of Missouri is called Operation Juice Box. Bryan Greggory Wilson, 40, of Kansas City, Mo., formerly of Columbia, Mo., his former wife, April Dawn Wilson, 35, of Columbia, and Jason Varner, 35, of Jefferson City, were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Nanette K. Laughrey.
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November 16, 2009
Arizona man sentenced for meth conspiracy
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Litchfield, Ariz., man was sentenced in federal court today for participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. This is the first sentencing resulting from Operation Family Tree, a multi-agency investigation into shipments of large quantities of methamphetamine from Arizona for distribution in the Springfield, Mo., area. Juan Avila, also known as “Whopper,” 31, of Litchfield, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith this afternoon to 10 years in federal prison without parole.
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November 12, 2009
Two Columbia men sentenced for $3 million investment fraud
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Two Columbia, Mo., men were sentenced in federal court today for their roles in a multi-million dollar investment fraud. Daryl Miles Brown, 32, Sylvester L. Mitchell III, 39, both of Columbia, were sentenced in separate hearings before U.S. District Judge Nanette K. Laughrey. Brown, who was chairman of The Vertical Group, located in Columbia, and principal of Cerberus, Inc., located in Fulton, Mo., was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Brown to forfeit to the government $2 million, which represents the proceeds of the investment scheme. Mitchell was sentenced to four years probation.
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Former Jackson County Deputy pleads guilty to Civil Rights violation
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A former Jackson County, Mo., sheriff’s deputy pleaded guilty in federal court today to violating the civil rights of a teenage girl whom he sexually assaulted in his patrol car. Steven W. Burgess, 35, of Independence, Mo., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith this afternoon to the charge contained in an April 7, 2009 federal indictment. Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, the government and Burgess agree that a sentence of 14 years in federal prison without parole is the appropriate disposition in this case. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
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November 5, 2009
Joplin man charged with illicit sex with a minor while traveling overseas
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Joplin, Mo., man was charged in federal court today with engaging in illicit sex with a minor while traveling overseas. Colby L. Williams, 24, of Joplin, was charged in a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Springfield, Mo.
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November 4, 2009
Federal building worker pleads guilty to Social Security fraud
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The former food service director at the Richard Bolling Federal Building in Kansas City, Mo., pleaded guilty in federal court today to assisting an illegal alien who was using a false Social Security number in order to work in the cafeteria. Christopher Wenell, 44, waived his right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Greg Kays this afternoon to a federal information that charges him with Social Security fraud.
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November 3, 2009
Raymondville man pays $500 fine for illegally poisoning wildlife
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Raymondville, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for using a pesticide to poison wildlife in Texas County, Mo. Eric Laney Bryant, 45, of Raymondville, was ordered to pay a $500 fine after pleading guilty to all three counts of a misdemeanor information before U.S. Magistrate Judge James C. England on Monday, Nov. 2, 2009.
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IRS employee pleads guilty to stealing mail
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - An IRS employee pleaded guilty in federal court today to stealing mail that had been delivered to the IRS service facility on Pershing Road. Latrice Antionette Murray, 38, of Kansas City, Mo., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple this afternoon to the charges contained in a Sept. 8, 2009, federal indictment.
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October 2009
October 28, 2009
Gladstone man sentenced for receiving child porn over the Internet
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Gladstone, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for receiving child pornography over the Internet. Calvin Anthony Lear, also known as Tony Lear, 41, of Gladstone, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Nanette K. Laughrey this afternoon to 78 months in federal prison without parole.
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Kansas man pleads guilty to illegally possessing firearms;
Illegal alien admits to buying, selling guns
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Guatamalan national pleaded guilty in federal court today to illegally possessing firearms that he purchased at a local gun show and intended to sell to an intermediary who would deliver them to Mexico. Mynor Guerra, 25, a citizen of Guatamala who was residing in Overland Park, Kan., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner this morning to being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm. Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, the government and the defendant agree to request of the court a sentence of four years and nine months in federal prison without parole.
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Raytown man sentenced to 40 years in prison for meth conspiracy resulting in murder of Independence man
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Raytown, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. That conspiracy led to the murder of an Independence, Mo., man. Vincent V. Gallegos, 29, of Raytown, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple this morning to 40 years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Gallegos to pay $11,880 in restitution for the victim’s funeral costs.
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October 27, 2009
St. Joseph man pleads guilty to distributing child porn over the Internet
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A St. Joseph, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to distributing child pornography over the Internet. Daren L. Holcomb, 48, of St. Joseph, waived his right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs this afternoon to the charge contained in a federal information.
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October 26, 2009
Kansas man pleads guilty to murder-for-hire scheme
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Prairie Village, Kan., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to arranging the murder-for-hire of his ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend. Doby S. McClellan, 30, of Prairie Village, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple this afternoon to using a cell phone and traveling across state lines to hire another person to commit murder.
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Sturgeon woman pleads guilty to identity theft, credit card fraud of former employer
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - A Sturgeon, Mo., woman pleaded guilty in federal court today to an identity theft and credit card fraud scheme in which she targeted her former employer. Jennifer Lynette Furlong, 39, of Sturgeon, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge William A. Knox this morning to three counts of credit card fraud and three counts of aggravated identity theft.
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October 22, 2009
Nixa woman pleads guilty to meth conspiracy, money laundering
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Nixa, Mo., woman pleaded guilty in federal court today to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine as well as a money-laundering conspiracy. Today’s guilty plea is a result of Operation Family Tree, a multi-agency investigation into shipments of large quantities of methamphetamine from Arizona for distribution in the Springfield, Mo., area. Sarah A. Weese, 23, of Nixa, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge James C. England this morning to the charges contained in a Nov. 19, 2008, federal indictment.
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KC business owner pleads guilty to nearly $1 million in unlicensed money transfers
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court to operating an unlicensed business that transmitted nearly $1 million to several Middle East countries. Hassan Al-Hassani, 40, of Kansas City, Mo., waived his right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Scott O. Wright on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009, to the charge contained in a federal information.
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October 21, 2009
Clever man pleads guilty to large-scale meth, money-laundering conspiracies;
Faces at least 20 years in prison, forfeits $333,000
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Clever, Mo., man has pleaded guilty in federal court to his role in a conspiracy to distribute large amounts of methamphetamine in Greene County, Mo., and Christian County, Mo., as well as to his role in a money-laundering conspiracy. Jason D. Clark, 39, of Clever, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge James C. England on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009, to the charges contained in a June 24, 2009, superseding indictment.
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Local team earns prestigious national award for prosecuting racially-motivated murder;
Recognized by Attorney General Holder at annual awards ceremony
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The prosecution team involved in the successful investigation and conviction of a racially-motivated murder has received the prestigious Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David M. Ketchmark and D. Michael Green and Financial Analyst Elsie Robinson received the Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service, the department’s second-highest award for employee performance. Seventeen Distinguished Service awards are presented this year. Ketchmark, Green and Robinson were honored for their work in prosecuting Gary L. Eye and Steven Sandstrom, who received multiple life sentences after being convicted at trial for the racially-motivated murder of William McCay on March 9, 2005.
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Two KC men indicted for child porn
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Two Kansas City, Mo., men were indicted by a federal grand jury today in separate cases related to child pornography. James Phillip “Phil” Edwards, 60, of Kansas City, was charged in a three-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City. Jonathan D. Kindrick, 23, of Kansas City, was charged in a nine-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City.
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Tulsa man pleads guilty to attempting to entice a minor for sex, crossing state lines for illicit sex
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Tulsa, Okla., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to attempting to entice a person he believed was a 13-year-old girl to engage in illicit sex and to traveling across state lines to engage in illicit sex. Robert Dean Graef, 29, of Tulsa, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard E. Dorr this morning to the charges contained in a May 14, 2009, federal indictment.
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October 20, 2009
KC mother, son indicted for assaulting federal postal inspector
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Mo., mother and son were indicted by a federal grand jury today for assaulting a federal postal inspector. Christopher Sims, 19, and his mother Denise Sims, 48, were charged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City. Today’s indictment replaces a federal criminal complaint that was filed against Christopher Sims and Denise Sims on Sept. 25, 2009.
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Diamond man charged in armed bank robbery
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Diamond, Mo., man was charged in federal court today with the armed robbery of the U.S. Bank in Neosho, Mo. Richard Allan Bratt, 57, of Diamond, was charged in a federal criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Springfield. Bratt remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing on Friday, Oct. 23, 2009.
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October 19, 2009
Former naval recuiter sentenced for attempted sex trafficking of a child
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - An Olathe, Kan., man was sentenced in federal court today for the attempted commercial sex trafficking of a child. Shane Allan Childers, 32, of Olathe, Kan., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs this afternoon to 15 years in federal prison without parole.
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October 16, 2009
Former tax preparer sentenced for $1 million tax fraud
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A former Kansas City, Mo., tax preparer has been sentenced in federal court for fraudulently preparing nearly 300 tax returns that falsely claimed more than $1 million in business losses for his clients. Donald Bushnell, 56, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009, to three years in federal prison without parole.
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October 15, 2009
Two former top executive of the American Italian Pasta Company sentenced to prison for conspiracy to fraudulently overstate earnings and deceive investors
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Two former top executives of the American Italian Pasta Company (AIPC) were sentenced in federal court today for their roles in a conspiracy to fraudulently overstate earnings and deceive investors. Timothy S. Webster, 47, of Mission Hills, Kansas, the former President and CEO of AIPC, and Warren B. Schmidgall, 59, of Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois, AIPC's former CFO, were sentenced in separate appearances before U.S. District Judge Greg Kays. Webster was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison without parole. Schmidgall was sentenced to 13 months in federal prison without parole.
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Christian County Assessor indicted for mail fraud; failed to assess her own property for taxes
Husband, employee also indicted for bank fraud, false cattle theft claim
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - The Christian County Assessor has been indicted by a federal grand jury for mail fraud after failing to assess herself for personal property taxes. Her husband and an employee were also indicted, in two separate cases, with bank fraud related to a false cattle theft claim. Sandra Bryant-Littles, 50, of Clever, Mo., was charged in a four-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Springfield on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009. Her husband, Lonnie Utah Littles, 61, and an employee, Jesse D. Rice, 56, both of Clever, were charged in two separate indictments that were also returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Springfield on Wednesday. All three indictments were unsealed and made public today upon the arrests and initial court appearances of the defendants.
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October 14, 2009
Leader of Asian massage parlor scheme sentenced for coercing prostitution, money laundering, identity theft
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The owner and operator of Asian massage parlors in Johnson County, Kan., was sentenced in federal court today for leading and organizing a criminal scheme to coerce her employees, whom she recruited from China, to engage in prostitution. Ling Xu, also known as “Cherry,” 48, a citizen of China residing in Overland Park, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan to eight years and two months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Xu to forfeit to the government $452,500, which represented the proceeds of the unlawful activity, as well as $60,497 that was seized by the FBI during the execution of federal search warrants. Xu is subject to deportation upon the completion of her sentence.
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St. Joseph man pleads guilty to dog fighting conspiracy
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A St. Joseph, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to participating in a conspiracy to promote and participate in dog fights. Rick P. Hihath, 55, of St. Joseph, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith this morning to the charges contained in a June 23, 2009, federal indictment.
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KC man sentenced to 14 years for distributing child porn
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for distributing child pornography to a person he believed to be a 13-year-old girl, but who was in reality an undercover law enforcement officer. Steven E. Robbins, 53, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner this morning to 14 years in federal prison without parole.
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New charges against Springfield man indicted for child porn, sexual exploitation of a child
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A former YMCA camp employee was indicted by a federal grand jury today on additional charges of sexual exploitation of a child. Matthew O’Dell, 26, of Springfield, Mo., was charged in a two-count superseding indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield. Today’s superseding indictment replaces the original indictment, which was returned by a federal grand jury on Sept. 15, 2009. The superseding indictment includes one count of sexual exploitation of a child as well as the original charge of possessing child pornography.
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October 13, 2009
Two owners/operators of Asian massage parlors sentenced for coercing prostitution, money laundering;
Forfeit more than $500,000 from prostitution
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Two owners and operators of Asian massage parlors in Johnson County, Kan., were sentenced in federal court today for coercing their employees, whom they recruited from China, to engage in prostitution. Zhong Yan Liu, also known as “Lucky,” 37, and Cheng Tang, also known as “Tom,” 23, both citizens of China residing in Overland Park, were each sentenced by U.S. District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan to five years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Liu, and Tang to forfeit to the government $452,500, which represented the proceeds of the unlawful activity, as well as $60,497 that was seized by the FBI during the execution of federal search warrants at the defendants’ residences and businesses. Liu and Tang are subject to deportation upon the completion of their sentences.
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October 8, 2009
Two motorcycle club members sentenced for meth conspiracy
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Two motorcycle club members were sentenced in federal court today for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Robert R. Peters, 52, of Kansas City, Kan., and Robert L. Mays, also known as “Goose Rob,” 54, of Kansas City, Mo., were sentenced in separate appearances before U.S. District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan. Peters was sentenced to eight years in federal prison without parole. Mays was sentenced to five years in federal prison without parole.
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Joplin Man sentenced to 12 years for child porn
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Joplin, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court for receiving child pornography over the Internet. Sira Noithip, 37, a citizen of Thailand who is residing in Joplin, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard E. Dorr on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009, to 12 years and seven months in federal prison without parole.
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October 7, 2009
Two men plead guilty to trafficking in counterfeit DVDs, CDs
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Two men pleaded guilty in federal court today, in separate and unrelated cases, to trafficking in thousands of counterfeit DVDs and CDs worth nearly $120,000.
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Moldovan national pleads guilty to forced labor trafficking
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Moldovan national pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a forced labor trafficking scheme that victimized workers in 14 states, including employees at hotels in the Kansas City area and in Branson, Mo. Alexandru Frumusache, 24, a citizen of the Republic of Moldova residing in Kansas City, Kan., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith this afternoon to the forced labor trafficking charge contained in a May 6, 2009, federal indictment.
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October 6, 2009
Northwest Missouri man pleads guilty to dog fighting conspiracy
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Gilman City, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to participating in a conspiracy to promote and participate in dog fights. Cris E. Bottcher, 48, of Gilman City, Mo., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith this afternoon to the charges contained in a June 23, 2009, federal indictment.
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Former corporate executive pleads guilty to failing to file tax returns
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A former Springfield, Mo., resident pleaded guilty in federal court today to failing to file tax returns on millions of dollars in income. Ronald E. Kirkland, 64, of Atlanta, Ga., formerly of Springfield, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge James C. England this morning to a two-count federal information that charges him with failing to file tax returns.
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October 5, 2009
Columbia residents plead guilty to drug trafficking charges
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Two Columbia, Mo., residents – including the mother of two co-defendants – have pleaded guilty in federal court to their roles in connection with illegal drug trafficking in association with members of the Cut Throats gang. William Harold Rogers, 42, of Columbia, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Nanette K. Laughrey this morning to his role in a drug-trafficking conspiracy. Co-defendant Donna C. Coats, 39, of Columbia, pleaded guilty on Friday, Oct. 1, 2009, to using a telephone to facilitate the conspiracy.
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October 1, 2009
Jury convicts Independence man of growing marijuana;
Hundreds of plants found in two homes
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - An Independence, Mo., man was convicted by a federal jury today of growing hundreds of marijuana plants in two houses in Independence and Blue Springs. Tam Ba Tran, 47, of Independence, was found guilty of conspiracy to manufacture marijuana and two counts of manufacturing marijuana. Law enforcement officers found 421 marijuana plants growing in the basement of a Blue Springs residence and 136 marijuana plants growing in the basement of an Independence residence. A total of 557 marijuana plants were found in the two residences, both of which were leased by Tran.
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Wichita, Carl Junction men plead guilty to mortgage fraud scheme
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Wichita, Kan., man and a Carl Junction, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court to their roles in a $1.2 million mortgage fraud scheme. Ricky Dean Unruh, 43, of Wichita, waived his right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard E. Dorr on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009, to a three-count information that charges him with mortgage fraud. Steven Ray Spencer, 48, of Carl Junction, also pleaded guilty yesterday to the charges contained in a Nov. 20, 2008, federal indictment.
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September 2009
September 30, 2009
Columbia men plead guilty to drive-by shooting, drug trafficking, illegal firearms
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Two Columbia, Mo., men pleaded guilty in federal court today to their roles in a drive-by shooting. Along with a third Columbia man, they also pleaded guilty to their involvement in illegal drug trafficking and firearms in association with members of the Cut Throats. Brandon James Isom, 19, and Diondre Jamel Cooper, 20, both of Columbia, pleaded guilty in separate appearances this afternoon before U.S. District Judge Nanette K. Laughrey to the charges contained in an April 3, 2009, superseding indictment. Co-defendant Demarco Laron Burnett, 25, also of Columbia, pleaded guilty on Friday, Sept. 28, 2009, to two counts of distributing crack cocaine.
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September 29, 2009
KC man pleads guilty to possessing child porn
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to possessing child pornography. Joseph A. Wiswell, 57, of Kansas City, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan this afternoon to the charge contained in an April 8, 2009, federal indictment.
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September 28, 2009
Ethnic grocery owner pleads guilty to structuring financial transactions
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The former owner of The African Market in Kansas City, Mo., pleaded guilty in federal court today to structuring financial transactions. Emmanuel Chinedu Okonta, 48, of Kansas City, Mo., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith this afternoon to the charges contained in an April 22, 2009, federal indictment.
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September 24, 2009
Former Blue Springs man, woman plead guilty to sex trafficking of daughter;
Child sold as sexual dominatrix for both online, in-person sessions
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A former Blue Springs, Mo., man and woman pleaded guilty in federal court today to the sex trafficking of the woman’s daughter. Todd B. Barkau, 37, of New York, and a co-defendant, both previously of Blue Springs, pleaded guilty in separate appearances before U.S. District Judge Nanette K. Laughrey to the charges contained in a Feb. 26, 2009, superseding indictment.
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September 22, 2009
Macks Creek man pleads guilty to counterfeiting
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Macks Creek, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court jury today to his role in a conspiracy to pass counterfeit money in the Springfield, Mo., area. Gregory Harrison, 35, of Macks Creek, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge James C. England this afternoon to the charge contained in a May 14, 2009, federal indictment.
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Columbia man pleads guilty to $4 million drug-trafficking conspiracy
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - A Columbia, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a $4 million conspiracy to distribute marijuana in Boone County, Mo. Robert Allen Hocks, 28, of Columbia, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge William A. Knox this afternoon to his role in the drug-trafficking conspiracy, which involved distributing 100 kilograms or more of marijuana.
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September 18, 2009
Stockton property owner charged with arson, additional crimes
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - The owner of a business property in Stockton, Mo., has been indicted by a federal grand jury for additional crimes related to an arson fire at the building. Dan Thornton, 38, of El Dorado Springs, Mo., was charged in a three-count superseding indictment that was returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo., on Sept. 9, 2009.
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Stockton mother and son plead guilty to arson
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Stockton, Mo., woman and her son have pleaded guilty in federal court to their roles in an arson fire. Dina Larson, 39, of Stockton, and her son, Jacob Smith, 19, have pleaded guilty to the charge contained in an April 1, 2009, federal indictment.
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September 16, 2009
Northland man pleads guilty to attempted sex trafficking of a child
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to the attempted commercial sex trafficking of a child. This conviction is the result of Operation Guardian Angel, a unique undercover law enforcement investigation targeting the demand for child prostitutes in the Kansas City metro area. As a result of this investigation, a total of seven defendants were indicted in the nation’s first-ever federal prosecution of the alleged customers of child prostitution under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. Steven C. Albers, 40, of Kansas City-North, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan this afternoon to the charge contained in a March 10, 2009, federal indictment.
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September 15, 2009
Former YMCA camp employee indicted for child pornography
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A former YMCA camp employee has been indicted by a federal grand jury for possessing child pornography. Matthew O’Dell, 26, of Springfield, Mo., was charged in an indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Springfield on Sept. 9, 2009. That indictment was unsealed and made public today upon O’Dell’s arrest and initial court appearance. O’Dell was formerly employed at YMCA’s Camp Wakonda in Lawrence County, Mo.
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Two KC men sentenced for manufacturing meth resulting in woman's death;
Liberty woman died after accidentally ingesting chemicals
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Two Kansas City, Mo., men were sentenced in federal court today for manufacturing and distributing methamphetamine, which resulted in the death of a Liberty, Mo., woman. Benjamin T. Clarkson, 39, and John D. Williams, 30, both of Kansas City, Mo., were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs on Monday, Sept. 14, 2009. Clarkson was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison without parole. Williams was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison without parole.
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Independence man pleads guilty to child porn;
Faces at least 15 years in prison
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to charges related to possessing and distributing child pornography. Gordon P. Grant, 43, of Independence, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Scott O. Wright this morning to the charges contained in a Feb. 4, 2009, federal indictment.
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Missouri processing plant pays $450,000 fine for hiring illegal aliens
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A southwest Missouri poultry-processing plant where 136 illegal alien workers were arrested in 2007 has paid a $450,000 administrative fine. This fine resulted from a worksite enforcement investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). George’s Processing, Inc., paid a $450,000 fine on Friday, Sept. 14, 2009, as part of a settlement agreement.
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Owner of Bolivar roofing company pleads guilty to hiring illegal aliens;
Will pay $185,000 forfeiture plus $36,000 fine
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - The owner of a Bolivar, Mo., roofing company pleaded guilty in federal court to hiring illegal aliens. Russell D. Taylor, 31, of Bolivar, waived his right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge James C. England on Monday, Sept. 14, 2009, to the charge contained in a federal information. Taylor did business as Taylor-Made Roofing, also known as Taylor-Made Contractors.
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IRS employee indicted for stealing mail
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - An IRS employee has been indicted by a federal grand jury for stealing mail that had been delivered to the IRS service facility on Pershing Road. Latrice Antionette Murray, 38, of Kansas City, Mo., was charged in a five-count indictment that was returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City on Sept. 8, 2009.
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September 10, 2009
Former north Missouri farmer sentenced for false statements
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Trimble, Mo., man who had a large farming operation in Buchanan and Clinton counties has been sentenced in federal court for making false statements to obtain loans and for selling some of the crops that were supposed to secure loans. Dustin Ray Sherwood, 37, of Trimble, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009. The court ordered Sherwood to pay $553,185 in restitution and serve nine months (including a halfway house). The restitution amount includes $348,761 to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and $204,423 to Patriots Bank, related to a loan that was fraudulently obtained.
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September 9, 2009
Retired school teacher, convicted sex offender sentenced for child pornography
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A retired elementary school teacher with a prior sex conviction was sentenced in federal court today for possessing child pornography. David R. Davies, 55, of Independence, Mo., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Scott O. Wright this morning to 10 years in federal prison without parole.
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Four Springfield residents indicted for identity theft, counterfeit check conspiracy;
More than $100,000 in counterfeit checks, including GreeneCounty Sheriff's Department
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Four Springfield, Mo., residents were indicted by a federal grand jury today for their roles in an identity theft and check-counterfeiting conspiracy. The scheme involved false identification documents that were used to negotiate more than $100,000 in counterfeit checks, including thousands of dollars worth of fraudulent checks drawn on a Greene County Sheriff’s Department bank account. John Dennis Sedersten, 33, Max R. Snodgrass, 31, Bryan Thomas Ray, 32, and Karen Ann Harris, 45, all of Springfield, were charged in a 25-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield.
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September 4, 2009
Eldon man pleads guilty to dog-fighting conspiracy
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - An Eldon, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a dog-fighting conspiracy and to selling dogs for fighting purposes. Jack Ruppel, 35, of Eldon, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge William A. Knox this morning to the charges contained in a July 1, 2009 federal indictment.
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September 3, 2009
KCK man sentenced to 66 years in prison for three armed bank robberies
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Kan., man was sentenced in federal court today for three armed bank robberies in Gladstone, Mo., Independence, Mo., and Kansas City, Mo. Wyatt J. Ellison, 36, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple this afternoon to 66 years in federal prison without parole. Ellison was sentenced to nine years for three armed robbery counts – the maximum sentence under the federal sentencing guidelines – plus 57 years, to be served consecutively, for using and brandishing a firearm during each robbery. The court also ordered Ellison to pay $91,682 in restitution.
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Mexican national sentenced for meth conspiracy in Chillicothe area
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Kan., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in the Chillicothe, Mo., area. Adan Perez-Patino, 36, a Mexican national residing in Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs this morning to 11 years and six months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Perez-Patino to forfeit to the government $23,778, a 1999 Jeep, a 1999 Chevrolet truck, a 2001 GMC truck and a 2000 Nissan Maxima, all of which represent proceeds of the drug-trafficking conspiracy or were used to commit the drug-trafficking offense.
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September 2, 2009
Jury convicts Joplin woman of meth conspiracy
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Joplin, Mo., woman was convicted by a federal jury today of participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Jasper County, Mo. Luz Barron, 47, of Joplin, was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of a substance containing methamphetamine between Feb. 23 and April 6, 2009. Two co-defendants remain fugitives from justice.
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August 2009
August 31, 2009
Two men plead guiltY to meth conspiracy
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Two men pleaded guilty in federal court today to their role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Cole and Moniteau counties. Scott Wayne Winter, 50, of Jefferson City, Mo., and Timothy Berle Tate, 49, of Clarksburg, Mo., pleaded guilty in separate appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge William A. Knox this morning to the charge contained in a Nov. 20, 2008, federal indictment.
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Jury convicts three men of conspiracy to use fake diplomatic identification
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Three men with connections to the sovereign citizen movement were convicted by a federal jury today of participating in a conspiracy to use fraudulent diplomatic credentials. David L. Robinson, 66, of Lawrence, Kan., Daniel W. Denham, 50, of Kingsville, Mo., Larry P. Goodyke, 52, of Henderson, Nev., were found guilty of all charges contained in an Aug. 6, 2008, federal indictment.
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Raymondville man charged with illegally using pesticide to poison wildlife
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Raymondville, Mo., man was charged in federal court today with illegally using a pesticide to poison wildlife in Texas County, Mo. Eric Laney Bryant, 44, of Raymondville, was charged in a three-count federal information filed in the U.S. District Court in Springfield.
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August 27, 2009
Former Nixa employee pleads guilty to mail fraud conspiracy, theft and money laundering;
Admits role in schemes totaling $756,000
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A former employee for the city of Nixa, Mo., pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a series of mail fraud and money laundering schemes totaling more than $756,000. David W. Griggs, 44, of Willard, Mo., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard E. Dorr this afternoon to the charges contained in a May 14, 2009, federal indictment. Griggs pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud, theft from an organization receiving federal funds, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
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Nine defendants sentenced for multi-million dollar drug-trafficking conspiracy;
California man sentenced to life in prison
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Nine defendants were sentenced in federal court this week for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute millions of dollars worth of methamphetamine in Barton County, Mo., and elsewhere. Operation Buckshot was a multi-agency investigation into a large-scale drug-trafficking conspiracy that involved the distribution of methamphetamine from California through Kansas City, Mo., and into southwest Missouri. That successful investigation resulted in the seizure of more than 38 pounds of methamphetamine, in excess of $100,000, four vehicles and 89 firearms, along with more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition and blasting caps. Numerous federal, state and local law enforcement agencies in both Missouri and Kansas participated in Operation Buckshot.
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KC man pleads guilty to illegalfirearm following police shooting;
Faces 30 years in federal prison
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to illegally using a firearm following a gunfight with police officers in which an officer was severely injured. Bryan K. Walker, 23, of Kansas City, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Nanette K. Laughrey this morning to the charges contained in a Sept. 7, 2007, federal indictment. Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, the government and Walker agree to request a sentence of 30 years in federal prison without parole.
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August 25, 2009
Licking man sentenced for guiding illegal hunts in Mark Twain National Forest
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Licking, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for illegally guiding hunts in the Mark Twain National Forest. Charles Richard Wade, 67, of Licking, was sentenced by U.S. Magistrate Judge James C. England this morning to two years of probation, with the conditions that he surrender his hunting license for six months and not operate his commercial hunting guide business for six months.
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Former Lake Ozark city official sentenced for failing to report sewage discharge into Lake of the Ozarks;
Investigation prompted by citizen's tip through EPA Web site
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - A former public works director for the city of Lake Ozark, Mo., was sentenced in federal court today for failing to report the discharge of raw sewage into the Lake of the Ozarks. Richard L. Sturgeon, 54, of Eldon, Mo., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Nanette K. Laughrey this morning to three years of probation. The court also ordered Sturgeon to pay a $5,000 fine.
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August 21, 2009
Platte County man pleads guilty to possessing child porn
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Platte County, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to possessing child pornography. Scotty B. Cain, 49, of Platte County, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Greg Kays this morning to the charge contained in a Feb. 24, 2009, federal indictment.
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August 20, 2009
Neosho company pays $200,000 fine for illegally distributing pesticides
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Neosho, Mo., company was ordered in federal court today to pay the maximum fine for violating federal statutes that regulate the sale and distribution of pesticides. Greenleaf, L.L.C., which operated a facility at 13960 Palm Rd., Neosho, was ordered by U.S. Magistrate Judge James C. England this afternoon to pay a $200,000 fine, which was paid immediately. Greenleaf, represented in court today by owner Tom Smith, received broken bags and unwanted pesticides from every Wal-Mart store across the country last year then resold the products. Greenleaf had agreed to pay the fine amount under the terms of its plea agreement, which was entered on Nov. 19, 2008.
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California man pleads guilty to mortgage fraud, money laundering;
$12.6 million scheme involved new, upscale homes in Lee's Summit, Raymore
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - An Anaheim, Calif., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a $12.6 million mortgage fraud conspiracy that involved 25 upscale residential properties in Lee’s Summit, Mo., and Raymore, Mo. Jerome Shade Howard, 40, of Anaheim, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan this morning to the charges contained in an Oct. 29, 2008, federal indictment. Howard admitted that he received more than $900,000 in illegal kickbacks as part of nearly $8.5 million in fraudulent mortgage loans.
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August 18, 2009
KC man pleads guilty to bank robbery
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to bank robbery. Joseph D. Morales, 57, of Kansas City, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Scott O. Wright this morning to the charge contained in an April 8, 2009, federal indictment.
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Blue Springs woman indicted for bank fraud, money laundering
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Blue Springs, Mo., woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for bank fraud and money laundering after embezzling approximately $750,000 from her employer. Shanna M. Hutchens, who worked as a bookkeeper for Richardson Hauling, Inc., in Sugar Creek, Mo., was charged in a four-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury on July 14, 2009.
Grand Jury Indictment
August 13, 2009
Lee's Summit man pleads guilty to wire fraud conspiracy;
Hired to stage assault against two women
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Lee’s Summit, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a wire fraud conspiracy related to a scheme between two women who hired him to physically and sexually assault them. The women were hoping to force a higher settlement of their sexual harassment lawsuit against a former employer. Gordon F. Reabe, Jr., 52, of Lee’s Summit, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith this morning to the charge contained in a Feb. 4, 2009, federal indictment.
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Former mortgage broker pleads gulty to $1.2 million mortgage fraud scheme
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A former mortgage broker pleaded guilty in federal court to his role in a $1.2 million mortgage fraud scheme. Charles M. Davis, 34, of Rogersville, Mo., pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge James C. England on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009, to the charges contained in a Nov. 20, 2008, federal indictment.
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Former federal employee sentenced for embezzling $600,000
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A former federal government employee was sentenced in federal court today for embezzling nearly $600,000 from the government. Michael T. Harrington, 44, of Lee’s Summit, Mo., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple this afternoon to three years and one month in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Harrington to pay $593,549 in restitution.
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Two KC men sentenced for $1 million stolen vehicle, chop shop conspiracy
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Mo., man and a Raytown, Mo., man were sentenced in federal court today for their roles in a conspiracy to steal a number of vehicles, which were disassembled at several chop shops and the parts sold for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Darin L. Yohe, 39, of Kansas City, and David L. Reiff, 42, of Raytown, were sentenced in separate appearances before U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner this morning. Yohe was sentenced to six years and five months federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Yohe to pay $88,670 in restitution. Reiff was sentenced to two years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Reiff to pay $8,900 in restitution.
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KC man sentenced to 15 years for illegal firearm, marijuana
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing a firearm and for possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute. Ishmael K. Harris, 29, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Scott O. Wright this morning to 15 years in federal prison without parole. Harris was sentenced as an armed career offender due to his prior violent and drug trafficking felony convictions.
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August 12, 2009
Five more defendants sentenced for meth conspiracy
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Five co-defendants in a large-scale conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine were sentenced in federal court today. Jeremiah L. Harris, also known as “Luke,” 30, of Independence, Mo., Shelli M. Smith, 44, Shawn P. Berkstresser, 42, and Tracy J. Kerr, 39, all of Kansas City, Mo., and Eric V. Cares, 46, of Lee’s Summit, Mo., were sentenced in separate appearances before U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple. Harris was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison without parole. Smith and Berkstresser were each sentenced to 11 years and three months in federal prison without parole. Kerr was sentenced to 10 years and 10 months in federal prison without parole. Cares was sentenced to five years in federal prison without parole.
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Former police officer, wife indicted for identity theft conspiracy
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A former officer for the University of Central Missouri Police Department and his wife were indicted by a federal grand jury today for their roles in an identity theft conspiracy. James B. Drake, 45, and Amanda J. Drake, 29, both of Warrensburg, Mo., were charged in an indictment that was returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009.
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August 11, 2009
Platte County man sentenced to life in prison following meth lab explosion, shoot-out with police;
Two co-defendants sentenced to 20 years for meth conspiracy
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Three Platte County, Mo., residents were sentenced in federal court today for their role in a large-scale conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine. While attempting to flee from police officers, one of the defendants detonated an explosion at his residence and engaged in a shoot-out and high-speed car chase with officers. Bryan G. Leonard, 33, Melissa J. Fox, 43, and April D. Coots, 26, who shared a residence in Platte County, were sentenced in separate appearances before U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple this afternoon. Leonard was sentenced to life in federal prison without parole, plus a mandatory consecutive sentence of 10 years in federal prison, without parole. Fox and Coots were each sentenced to 20 years in federal prison without parole.
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Three Branson family members indicted for tax evasion
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Three members of a Branson, Mo., family who owned a business together have been indicted for tax evasion and for structuring financial transactions in order to avoid detection by the government. Thomas A. Wood, 57, his son, Denver A. Wood, 33, and his brother-in-law, David D. Large, 50, all of Branson, were charged in a 15-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Springfield on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009.
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August 4, 2009
Nixa man sentenced for steroid conspiracy, forfeits $333,000 to the government;
Steroids smuggled from China, sold online
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Nixa, Mo., man has been sentenced in federal court for his role in a conspiracy to smuggle anabolic steroids from the Peoples Republic of China and sell them over the Internet to customers in the United States, as well as to a related money-laundering conspiracy. Mikal Gunn Schrage, 30, of Nixa, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan on Monday, Aug. 3, 2009, to 20 months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Schrage to forfeit $333,379 to the government, which includes $36,701 that was seized by law enforcement officers, a $167,665 money judgment, all money or property (including $82,783) that was the subject of illegal wire transfers to the People’s Republic of China and $46,230 in lieu of forfeiting the residence at 1173 Marble Drive, Nixa, as well as a 2002 Cadillac Escalade.
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July 2009
July 31, 2009
Husband, wife plead guilty to mortgage fraud
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Mo., husband and wife pleaded guilty in federal court today to their roles in a mortgage fraud scheme. Joseph Silvestro, 52, and his wife Julie Silvestro, 43, each waived their right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith this afternoon to a federal information that charges them with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud.
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July 30, 2009
Kansas man sentenced to 15 years for child pornography;
Clandestine videos also found at residence
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Kan., man was sentenced in federal court today for receiving child pornography over the Internet. James E. Rincon, 41, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple this afternoon to 15 years in federal prison without parole.
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KC man sentenced to 17 years for carjacking, illegal firearm
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for carjacking and illegally possessing a firearm. Brannon D. Taylor, 28, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Nanette K. Laughrey this morning to 17 years and five months in federal prison without parole.
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July 28, 2009
Wyoming man pleads guilty to fake diplomatic identification
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Cheyenne, Wyo., man with connections to the sovereign citizen movement pleaded guilty in federal court today to buying fraudulent diplomatic credentials. Blake W. Bestol, 47, of Cheyenne, Wyo., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple this afternoon to the charge contained in an Aug. 6, 2008, federal indictment.
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KC man pleads guilty to illegal firearm following police shooting
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to illegally possessing a firearm following a gunfight with police officers in which an officer was severely injured. Kyle A. Gardenhire, 25, of Kansas City, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Maughmer this morning to being an unlawful user of marijuana while in possession of a firearm.
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July 27, 2009
Former Lee's Summit man pleads guilty to $2.7 million mortgage fraud scheme
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A former Lee’s Summit, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a nearly $2.7 million mortgage fraud scheme. Matthew Tucker, 31, a California resident who is formerly of Lee’s Summit, waived his right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan this morning to a federal information that charges him with wire fraud.
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July 22, 2009
California woman pleads guilty to mortgage fraud conspiracy;
$12.6 million scheme involved new, upscale homes in Lee's Summit, Raymore
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Santa Fe Springs, Calif., woman pleaded guilty in federal court today to her role in a $12.6 million mortgage fraud conspiracy that involved 25 upscale residential properties in Lee’s Summit, Mo., and Raymore, Mo. Cheryl Ann Romero, 51, of Santa Fe Springs, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan this morning to the charge contained in an Oct. 29, 2008, federal indictment.
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July 21, 2009
Ozark mortgage broker pleads guilty to $500,000 mortgage fraud scheme
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A former mortgage broker pleaded guilty in federal court today to her role in a $500,000 mortgage fraud scheme. Cheryl Joan Kassebaum, 43, of Ozark, Mo., pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge James C. England to the charges contained in a Nov. 20, 2008, federal indictment.
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July 17, 2009
Russellville father, son indicted for illegal firearms
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - A father and son from Russellville, Mo., were indicted by a federal grand jury today, in separate cases, for illegally possessing firearms and for possessing stolen firearms.
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July 16, 2009
Chillicothe man pleads guilty to selling children for prostitution
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Chillicothe, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to child sex trafficking involving the sale of at least five minor victims for prostitution. Randal G. Jennings, 42, of Chillicothe, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Greg Kays this afternoon to the commercial sex trafficking of children from Oct. 1, 2007, to Jan. 29, 2009.
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Mississippi man pleads guilty to sex trafficking of a child
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - An Amory, Miss., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to the attempted commercial sex trafficking of a child. Christopher M. Cockrell, 34, of Amory, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple this morning to the charge contained in a March 10, 2009, federal indictment.
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23 defendants indicted for drug trafficking, money laundering conspiracies;
Sold nearly $3 million worth of marijuana, plus cocaine and ecstasy
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Twenty-three defendants have been indicted by a federal grand jury, in three separate but related cases, for their roles in drug-trafficking and money-laundering conspiracies.
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July 15, 2009
KC man indicted for $3.6 million mortgage fraud
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Mo., man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for his role in a mortgage fraud conspiracy that involved loans on 34 properties totaling more than $3.6 million. Quentin Henley, 36, of Kansas City, was charged in a seven-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City.
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Naval recruiter pleads guilty to sex trafficking of a child
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - An Ottawa, Kan., man pleaded guilty in federal court to the attempted commercial sex trafficking of a child. Shane Allan Childers, 32, of Olathe, Kan., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs this afternoon to all of the charges contained in a March 10, 2009, federal indictment.
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KC man sentenced following high-speed chase, shoot-out in Brookside
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing marijuana and a firearm following a high-speed car chase and shoot-out in the Brookside area. Trae L. Winn, 23, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays this morning to 10 years and six months in federal prison without parole.
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July 10, 2009
Two men charged in armed bank robbery conspiracy;
Series of armed robberies culminated in shoot-out with officers
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Two men have been charged for participating in a conspiracy that involved several armed bank robberies this week and culminated in a vehicle pursuit and shoot-out with law enforcement officers. William Alan Wolfe, 28, of Fulton, Mo., and Michael A. Leak, 18, of Columbia, Mo., were charged in separate criminal complaints filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo.
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Former Northland CEO pleads guilty to child porn
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The former CEO of a North Kansas City, Mo., company pleaded guilty in federal court today to attempting to possess child pornography. Ronald Earl Elmquist, 63, of Dallas, Texas, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith this afternoon to the charge contained in a Dec. 12, 2008, superseding indictment. Elmquist was the CEO of QualServ Corp., a North Kansas City company, until November 2006.
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Three brothers plead guilty to drug trafficing, illegal firearms
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Three Columbia, Mo., men pleaded guilty in federal court today to their involvement in illegal drug trafficking and firearms in association with members of the Cut Throats gang. Eric Sherron Coats, 21, and his two brothers, Koda Alshawn Coats, 23, and Dametrell Koda Washington, 28, all of Columbia, pleaded guilty in separate appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge William A. Knox to the charges contained in an April 3, 2009, superseding indictment.
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Kansas woman pleads guilty to wire fraud conspiracy;
Two women staged assault in attempt to influence sexual harassment lawsuit
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Bucyrus, Kan., woman pleaded guilty in federal court today to her role in a wire fraud conspiracy related to a scheme between two women who hired a man to physically and sexually assault them. The women were hoping to force a higher settlement of their sexual harassment lawsuit against a former employer. Julie R. Bernet, 39, of Bucyrus, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith this morning to the charge contained in a Feb. 4, 2009, federal indictment.
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July 9, 2009
Arkansas woman sentenced for meth, money laundering conspiracy;
Forfeits $208,000 and 14-acre property
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - A Mountain Home, Arkansas woman was sentenced in federal court today for possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and to her role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and engage in money laundering. Kathleen M. Novy, 50, of Mountain Home, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays this morning to six years and six months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Novy to forfeit to the government $208,118 that was seized by law enforcement officers from her residence and vehicle, as well as a 14-acre property that was purchased with the proceeds of illegal drug trafficking.
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Four defendants plead guilty to drug trafficking, illegal firearms
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Three Columbia, Mo., men and a Kansas City, Mo., man have pleaded guilty in federal court to their involvement in illegal drug trafficking and firearms in association with the Cut Throats gang. Cheviss Caron Denny, 21, and Ryan Montez Kee, 22, both of Columbia, and Robert Lee Jones, 19, of Kansas City, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, July 7, 2009, before U.S. Magistrate Judge William A. Knox to the charges contained in an April 3, 2009, superseding indictment. Dajuan Anthony Harris, 26, of Columbia, pleaded guilty on Wednesday, July 8, 2009.
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July 8, 2009
Seven defendants from three states indicted for dog fighting;
investigation also resulted in charges in three other districts
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Seven defendants from Missouri, Iowa and Nebraska have been indicted by a federal grand jury for participating in a conspiracy to promote and participate in dog fights. This indictment is part of a multi-state investigation that also resulted in 19 additional defendants being charged in separate cases in three other districts. Rick P. Hihath, 55, of St. Joseph, Mo., Cris E. Bottcher, 48, of Gilman City, Mo., Julio Reyes, 28, of Tecumseh, Neb., Jill D. Makstaller, 43, of Perry, Iowa, Zachary R. Connelly, 32, of Ogden, Iowa, Kevin P. Tasler, 51, of Jefferson, Iowa, and Ryan J. Tasler, 42, of Woodward, Iowa, were charged in a five-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City on June 23, 2009.
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July 7, 2009
Arkansas man sentenced to 12 years for illegally possessing a machine gun;
Declared 'dead' after 1980 disappearance, agents found firearms, explosives at house
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Fayettville, Ark., man who was declared dead when he disappeared nearly 29 years ago was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing a machine gun and for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Robert Thomas, also known as Christian Tadlock, 61, of Fayettville, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard E. Dorr this afternoon to 12 years and seven months in federal prison without parole.
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Liberty man pleads guilty to bank robbery
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Liberty, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to robbing Platte Valley Bank in Dearborn, Mo. David W. Busick, 26, of Liberty, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner this afternoon to the charge contained in a Feb. 25, 2009, federal indictment.
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July 2, 2009
Michigan business owner pleads guilty to fraudulently marketing dietary supplements;
Internet businesses generated nearly $12 million with false claims to prevent, cure diseases
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Michigan business owner pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a conspiracy to fraudulently market dietary supplements over the Internet with illegal claims that these supplements could prevent, treat or cure a number of diseases. Several Web sites were used to sell nearly $12 million worth of the products in 2005 and 2006. Tony T. Pham, 40, of Grand Rapids, Mich., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard E. Dorr this afternoon to the charges contained in an April 2, 2009, superseding indictment.
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KC woman pleads guilty to wire fraud in staged rape, assault;
Woman offered to pay for attack in attempt to influence sexual harassment lawsuit
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Mo., woman pleaded guilty in federal court today to her role in a wire fraud conspiracy involving a scheme between two women to hire a man to assault them. The woman was hoping to force a higher settlement of her sexual harassment lawsuit against a former employer. Lindsey D. Crawford, 23, of Kansas City, waived her right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith this morning to a federal information that charges her with conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
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July 1, 2009
Two Chillicothe men sentenced for meth conspiracy
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Two Chillicothe, Mo., men were sentenced in federal court today for participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in the Chillicothe area. Allen O. Anderson, 47, and David W. Boley, 50, both of Chillicothe, were each sentenced in separate appearances before U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs this morning to five years in federal prison without parole.
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St. Joseph man sentenced for meth, illegal firearm
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A St. Joseph, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today in two separate federal cases for distributing methamphetamine and illegally possessing a firearm. Michael R. Weiser, 26, of St. Joseph, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs this afternoon to 10 years in federal prison without parole.
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June 2009
June 30, 2009
Overland Park man sentenced for armed bank robbery
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - An Overland Park, Kan., man was sentenced in federal court today for armed bank robbery. Jeffrey A. Baker, 20, of Overland Park, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays this afternoon to 10 years and 10 months in federal prison without parole, to be served consecutively to his sentence in an unrelated Johnson County, Kan., case.
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Kansas man pleads guilty to attempted sex trafficking of a child
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - An Ottawa, Kan., man pleaded guilty in federal court to the attempted commercial sex trafficking of a child. Richard J. Oflyng, 32, of Ottawa, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Scott O. Wright on Monday, June 29, 2009, to the charge contained in a March 10, 2009, federal indictment.
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KC man sentenced for brandishing firearm during carjacking
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for brandishing a firearm during a carjacking. Cornelius D. Felton, 22, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan this afternoon to seven years in federal prison without parole.
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June 25, 2009
McDonald County man charged with illegally possessing firearms
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A McDonald County, Mo., man was charged in federal court today with illegally possessing firearms following a search of his 200-acre property in southern Missouri. Robert Neil Joos, 56, of McDonald County, was charged in a federal criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Springfield, Mo., on Wednesday, June 24, 2009, with being a felon in possession of firearms.
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June 24, 2009
Indiana man sentenced for attempting to entice minors for sex, distributing child porn
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - An Evansville, Ind., man was sentenced in federal court today for using the Internet to entice a minor for illicit sex and for distributing child pornography over the Internet. Michael A. Stratton, 27, of Evansville, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple this morning to 10 years in federal prison without parole.
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KC woman pleads guilty to $1 million drug-trafficking conspiracy
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Mo., woman pleaded guilty in federal court today to her role in a $1 million drug-trafficking conspiracy that primarily operated in the Northeast area of Kansas City. Dora Elena San-Miguel, 44, a citizen of Mexico residing in Kansas City, Mo., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs this morning to participating in a conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, five kilograms or more of cocaine, and 50 kilograms or more of marijuana since Jan. 1, 2006.
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June 23, 2009
Music teacher pleads guilty to child pornography
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A former music teacher at two Kansas City-area schools pleaded guilty in federal court today to possessing child pornography and receiving child pornography over the Internet. William Harold Laursen, 56, of Kansas City, Mo., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs this afternoon to all the charges contained in a six-count indictment that was returned by a federal grand jury on Sept. 23, 2008. Laursen was a music teacher at Kansas City Academy in Kansas City, Mo., and at CS-1 Junior High School in Prairie Village, Kan.
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Raytown man sentenced to 25 years in prison for meth conspircy resulting in murder of Independence man
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Raytown, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. That conspiracy led to the murder of an Independence, Mo., man. Scott P. MacDonald, 30, of Raytown, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple this morning to 25 years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered MacDonald to pay $11,880 in restitution for the victim’s funeral costs.
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June 17, 2009
KC man sentenced for cyberstalking;
False Web site ad invited strangers to victim's home for sexual encounters
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today to cyberstalking. Shawn D. Memarian, 29, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Nanette K. Laughrey this afternoon to two years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Memarian to pay $3,550 in restitution to the victim.
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Independence man sentenced to 15 years after stealing agent's firearm
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - An Independence, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing a firearm after breaking into a police officer’s vehicle and stealing a federal agent’s handgun. Daryl E. Diemer, 42, of Independence, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan this morning to 15 years in federal prison without parole. Diemer was sentenced as a career criminal due to his prior violent felony convictions.
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June 16, 2009
Business owners plead guilty to distributing tainted ingredient used in pet food;
Thousands of pets suffered illness, death throughout the United States
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Nevada company and its owners pleaded guilty in federal court today to distributing a tainted ingredient used to make pet food, which resulted in a nationwide recall of pet food and the death and serious illness of countless pets across the United States in 2007. Sally Qing Miller, 41, a Chinese national, and her husband, Stephen S. Miller, 55, both of Las Vegas, Nev., along with their company, Chemnutra, Inc., pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge John Maughmer this afternoon to some of the charges contained in a Feb. 6, 2008, federal indictment, and agreed that the conduct charged against them in the remaining counts could be considered by the court as relevant conduct and used against them at the time of sentencing.
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June 12, 2009
26 defendants indicted for smuggling cocaine from Mexico to distribute in KC;
Drug-trafficking organizatino charged in multi-million dollar conspiracies
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Twenty-six defendants have been indicted by a federal grand jury, in two separate but related cases involving one of the largest cocaine trafficking rings in the Kansas City area. Operation Blockbuster, a multi-agency investigation, uncovered evidence of a drug-trafficking organization that was smuggling hundreds of kilograms of cocaine worth millions of dollars from Mexico to distribute in Kansas City, Mo.
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Versailles man indicted for producing child pornography
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - A Versailles, Mo., man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for producing child pornography. Timothy Lee Senkowski, Sr., 46, of Versailles, was charged in a superseding indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Jefferson City on Thursday, June 11, 2009. The superseding indictment replaces an indictment that was filed against Priscilla Ramirez Flores, 37, of Clarksburg, Mo., on March 2, 2009, by adding Senkowski as a co-defendant.
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June 11, 2009
Sex offender charged with failing to register;
KC man arrested for exposing himself on St. Joseph bus
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A homeless man living in Kansas City, Mo., was charged in federal court today with failing to register as a sex offender after being arrested by St. Joseph, Mo., police officers for exposing himself on a public bus. Anthony Elliott Barnes, 40, of Kansas City, was charged in a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo. Barnes was arrested for sexual misconduct on Wednesday, June 10, 2009, by St. Joseph police officers, and remains in custody.
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June 10, 2009
KC man sentenced for armed bank robbery
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for armed bank robbery. Rashaud S. Shelton, 19, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays this afternoon to 11 years and nine months in federal prison without parole.
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June 9, 2009
Arizona man pleads guilty to meth conspiracy
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Youngstown, Ariz., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Today’s guilty plea is a result of Operation Family Tree, a multi-agency investigation into shipments of large quantities of methamphetamine from Arizona for distribution in the Springfield, Mo., area. Edward Ortiz, also known as “Juante,” 22, of Youngstown, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge James C. England this morning to the charge contained in a Nov. 19, 2008, federal indictment.
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June 8, 2009
Former KC woman pleads guilty to computer fraud
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A former Kansas City, Mo., woman pleaded guilty in federal court today to computer fraud. Erica R. Smith, 27, of Dallas, Texas, formerly of Kansas City, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan this morning to the charge contained in a Dec. 2, 2008, federal indictment.
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June 4, 2009
Platte County man pleads guilty to high-tech fencing scheme;
Merchandise shoplifted, auctioned on eBay
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to organizing a scheme to shoplift merchandise then sell the stolen property on the Internet auction site eBay. John Charles Chass, 41, of Kansas City, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple this afternoon to the charge contained in a June 3, 2008, superseding indictment.
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Lake Ozark woman pleads guilty to $441,000 bank fraud, money laundering scheme
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - A Lake Ozark, Mo., woman pleaded guilty in federal court today to a scheme to defraud her former employer of more than $441,000. Lorraine Jeanette Hess, 51, of Lake Ozark, waived her right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Nanette K. Laughrey this afternoon to a federal information that charges her with bank fraud and money laundering.
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KC man charged with two bank robberies
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Mo., man has been charged with two bank robberies that occurred within a block of each other last month. Charles J. Fuentes, 44, of Kansas City, was charged in a two-count criminal complaint that was filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City on Wednesday, June 3, 2009.
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June 3, 2009
Jefferson City woman sentenced for credit union robbery
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Jefferson City, Mo., woman has been sentenced in federal court for robbing the River Region Credit Union last year. Amanda Danielle Messer, 24, of Jefferson City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Scott O. Wright on Tuesday, June 2, 2009, to three years and one month in federal prison without parole.
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Nixa man sentenced for failure to file federal tax returns;
Mortgage broker owes more than $450,000 to IRS
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Nixa, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his failure to file federal tax returns for three years. Terry Edward Elliott, 54, of Nixa, was sentenced by U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge James C. England this morning to 21 months in federal prison without parole.
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Two more motorcycle club members plead guilty to meth conspiracy
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Two motorcycle club members have pleaded guilty in federal court to their roles in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. William Eneff, also known as “Muff,” 59, of Lee’s Summit, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan this afternoon to participating in a conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine between Jan. 1, 2002, and May 31, 2007.
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June 2, 2009
KC man sentenced for armed robbery, illegal firearm
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for the armed robbery of a credit union and, in a separate and unrelated case, for illegally possessing a firearm after shooting into a vehicle that was occupied by a woman and her infant child. Yacub E. Williams, 24, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple this morning to 11 years and nine months in federal prison without parole.
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June 1, 2009
St. Joseph man sentenced for distributing child pornography
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A St. Joseph, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for distributing child pornography over the Internet. Eddie Dean Randall, 58, of St. Joseph, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple this afternoon to 13 years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Randall to forfeit to the government two desktop computers, a laptop computer, six computer hard drives, 119 CDs, 105 floppy diskettes, memory sticks and other media that were used to commit the offense.
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West Plains man pleads guilty to illegal gambling business, faces $200,000 judgment
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A West Plains, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court to his role in a conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business. Morris Guy Ramseur, 62, of West Plains, waived his right to an indictment and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard E. Dorr on Friday, May 29, to a federal information that charges him with participating in a conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business.
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May 2009
May 27, 2009
Eight Uzbekistan nationals among 12 charged with racketeering, human trafficking, immigration violations;
$6 million scheme to employ illegal aliens at hotels, other sites in 14 states
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Eight Uzbekistan nationals were among 12 defendants indicted by a federal grand jury on RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) charges related to labor racketeering, forced labor trafficking and immigration and other violations in 14 states.
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May 22, 2009
Local leader of nationwide meth conspiracy sentenced to 15 years in prison
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Six more defendants were sentenced in federal court this week for participating in a conspiracy to distribute millions of dollars worth of methamphetamine in Barton County, Mo., and elsewhere. Operation Buckshot was a multi-agency investigation into a large-scale drug-trafficking conspiracy that involved the distribution of methamphetamine from California through Kansas City, Mo., and into southwest Missouri.
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Polo man indicted for using a child to produce child pornography
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Polo, Mo., man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for using a child to produce child pornography and for receiving and possessing child pornography. Terry R. Ingerson, 44, of Polo, was charged in a four-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City on Wednesday, May 20, 2009.
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Columbia man pleads guilty to gang-related shooting, drug trafficking
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - A Columbia, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court to his involvement in a gang-related shooting and to selling crack cocaine to members of the Cut Throats gang. Robert Darnell Simmons, 36, of Columbia, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Nanette K. Laughrey on Thursday, May 21, 2009, to the charges contained in an April 3, 2009, superseding indictment.
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Former Sturgeon man sentenced to 15 years in prison for drug trafficking, money laundering
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - A Rockport, Texas, man has been sentenced in federal court for his role in drug-trafficking and money-laundering conspiracies responsible for transporting hundreds of pounds of marijuana, as well as cocaine, from Texas. David Elby Shafer, 49, of Rockport, formerly of Sturgeon, Mo., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Nanette K. Laughrey on Thursday, May 21, 2009, to 15 years in federal prison without parole.
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May 21, 2009
22 defendants indicted in meth-related cases;
More than $2 million worth of pseudoephedrine used to manufacture meth
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Twenty-two defendants have been indicted by a federal grand jury in three separate and unrelated cases involving a total of more than $2 million worth of pseudoephedrine, which is used to manufacture methamphetamine.
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Raytown man sentenced to 34 years in prison for meth conspiracy resulting in murder of Independence man
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Raytown, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. That conspiracy led to the murder of an Independence, Mo., man. Gordon D. Summers, 53, of Raytown, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple this afternoon to 34 years and four months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Summers to pay $11,000 in restitution for the victim’s funeral costs.
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May 20, 2009
Three more defendants plead guilty to $12.6 million mortgage fraud
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Three more defendants have pleaded guilty to their roles in a $12.6 million mortgage fraud conspiracy that involved 25 upscale residential properties in Lee’s Summit, Mo., and Raymore, Mo. Steven M. Salas, 35, of Hacienda Heights, Calif., pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan this morning to the charge contained in an Oct. 29, 2008, federal indictment. James F. Simpson, 40, of Lee’s Summit, Mo., pleaded guilty to the conspiracy on May 4,2009, and Willie Charles Cadenhead, 39, of Grandview, Mo., pleaded guilty to the conspiracy on May 13, 2009.
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Former Camdenton car dealership owner sentenced for money laundering
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The former owner of a car dealership in Camdendton, Mo., was sentenced in federal court today for laundering the proceeds of check kiting and bank fraud schemes. Michael T. Shepherd, 49, of Camdenton, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Nanette K. Laughrey this afternoon to three years and four months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Shepherd to pay $2,103,998 in restitution, which includes $27,258 in restitution to former employees for IRA plan contributions.
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May 19, 2009
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate Mahoney received the 2008 Outstanding Prosecutor Award
from David Barton, director of Midwest HIDTA.
Assistant U.S. Attorney honored as 'Outstanding Prosecutor'
45 defendants indicted in multi-million dollar drug-trafficking conspiracies
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate Mahoney was honored today for making significant contributions to reducing drug trafficking in the region. The Midwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), a program of the Office of National Drug Control Policy to combat drug trafficking in a six-state region, presented Mahoney with the Outstanding Prosecutor Award for 2008 in recognition of her involvement in several significant drug-trafficking investigations.
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Springfield pharmacist indicted for diluting drugs, illegally possessing hydrocodone
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Springfield, Mo., pharmacist has been indicted by a federal grand jury for diluting prescription drugs and for illegally possessing a controlled substance. Jeffrey M. Gregory, 54, of Springfield, was charged in a four-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Springfield on Friday, May 15, 2009.
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May 15, 2009
Former Nixa employees indicted for mail fraud schemes totaling $756,000;
Charges also include money laundering, embezzlement
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - The former street department superintendent for the city of Nixa, Mo., along with his wife and another former city worker, have been indicted by a federal grand jury for a series of mail fraud and money laundering schemes totaling more than $756,000. Larry W. Covington, 49, and his wife, Paula K. Covington, 52, both of Ash Grove, Mo., and David W. Griggs, 44, of Willard, Mo., were charged in a 51-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Springfield on Thursday, May 14, 2009. That indictment was unsealed and made public today upon the arrest and initial court appearance of Griggs. The federal indictment replaces a criminal complaint that was filed against Griggs on April 15, 2009.
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Jury convicts Carthage surgeon, brother of $1.6 million tax fraud
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Carthage, Mo., surgeon and his brother, who worked as his office manager, were convicted today of a tax fraud conspiracy in which they attempted to avoid paying federal income taxes on nearly $1.6 million earned by the medical practice. Brian Keith Ellefsen, 46, and Mark Edward Ellefsen, 39, both of Carthage, were found guilty of all the charges contained in an April 12, 2007, federal indictment.
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Pleasant Hope man indicted for child pornography
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Pleasant Hope, Mo., man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for possessing child pornography. Phillip M. Brumfield, 58, of Pleasant Hope, was charged in a single-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Springfield on Thursday, May 14, 2009.
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Former Laclede County jailer pleads guilty to receiving child pornography
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A former employee of the Laclede County Sheriff’s Department pleaded guilty in federal court today to receiving child pornography over the Internet. Martin Denson, 44, of Lebanon, Mo., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard E. Dorr this morning to the charge contained in a March 31, 2009, federal indictment.
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Branson man pleads guilty to conspiracy to defraud the IRS, filing false tax returns
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Branson, Mo., man has pleaded guilty in federal court to his role in a conspiracy to defraud the Internal Revenue Service and to filing false income tax returns. Jeffery Allen Davis, 46, of Branson, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard E. Dorr on Thursday, May 14, 2009, to the charges contained in an April 4, 2008, federal indictment.
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May 14, 2009
Macks Creek men indicted for counterfeiting
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Three men were indicted by a federal grand jury today for their roles in a conspiracy to pass counterfeit money. Gregory Harrison, 35, and Robert Boushell, 23, both of Macks Creek, Mo., and Ronald Moyer, 41, address unknown, were charged in a six-count indictment returned by a federal grand in Springfield.
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Tulsa man indicted for attempting to entice a minor for sex, crossing state lines for illicit sex
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Tulsa, Okla., man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for attempting to entice a minor to engage in illicit sex and for traveling across state lines to engage in illicit sex. Robert Dean Graef, 29, of Tulsa, was charged in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield.
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May 12, 2009
Joplin daycare owner sentenced for $113,000 fraud;
Scheme targeted federal program serving low-income families
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - The owner of a Joplin, Mo., daycare center was sentenced in federal court today for stealing more than $112,000 from a federal program that serves low-income families. Tabitha Bailey, 36, of Joplin, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard E. Dorr this afternoon to 15 months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Bailey to pay $112,242 in restitution to the Missouri Department of Social Services, Children’s Division.
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May 8, 2009
KC man charged in bank robbery after leaving behind his driver's license
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Mo., man has been charged with robbing First Federal Bank in Kansas City after being identified from his driver’s license photo when he left his wallet at the bank. Albert Vincent Perkins, 39, of Kansas City, was charged in a federal criminal complaint that was filed at the U.S. District Court in Kansas City on Thursday, May 7, 2008.
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May 4, 2009
Former Harrisonville man sentenced for child pornography
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A former Harrisonville, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for receiving child pornography over the Internet. William Alan Corkill, 33, of Surprise, Ariz., formerly of Harrisonville, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith this afternoon to five years in federal prison without parole.
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Greenwood woman sentenced for using a firearm in bank robbery
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Greenwood, Mo., woman was sentenced in federal court today for using a firearm during the armed robbery of Union Bank in Lee’s Summit, Mo. Linda Jo Spooner, 42, of Greenwood, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith this morning to five years in federal prison without parole.
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Indpendence man pleads guilty to bank robbery;
Also admits to robbing credit union
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - An Independence, Mo., man admitted in federal court today that he robbed both a bank and a credit union in Independence within the same week during November 2008. Jimmy Lee Bozeman, 48, of Independence, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan this morning to the charge contained in a Dec. 15, 2008, federal indictment.
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May 1 , 2009
Jury convicts KCK man of three armed bank robberies
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Kan., man was convicted by a federal jury today of three armed bank robberies in Gladstone, Mo., Independence, Mo., and Kansas City, Mo. Wyatt J. Ellison, 36, of Kansas City, was found guilty of three counts of armed bank robbery and three counts of using a firearm in the commission of a violent crime.
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Licking man pleads guilty to guiding illegal hunts in Mark Twain National Forest
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Licking, Mo., man has pleaded guilty in federal court to illegally guided hunts in the Mark Twain National Forest. Charles Richard Wade, 66, of Licking, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge James C. England on Thursday, April 30, 2009, to the charge contained in a federal information that was filed against him on Feb. 19, 2009.
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April 2009
April 30, 2009
Alvin Brooks honored at annual commemoration;
KC event celebrates 25th anniversary of Victims of Crime Act
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Alvin Brooks was honored today as the recipient of the 2008 Crystal Kipper & Ali Kemp Memorial Award. The award is presented by the U.S. Attorney’s Office each year during the local observance of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week to recognize the outstanding work of an individual or organization in protecting children from exploitation.
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KC man sentenced to 25 years inprison for carjacking;
Shot police officer during pursuit
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for carjacking. Frederick D. Darrington, Jr., 20, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan, this morning to 25 years in federal prison without parole.
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April 29, 2009
Two Missouri brothers among those indicted in $4 million nationwide spamming conspiracy;
Millions of e-mail addresses illegally harvested from computers at 2,000 schools
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Two Missouri men and their company are among those indicted by a federal grand jury in a nationwide e-mail spamming case that victimized more than 2,000 colleges and universities in a scheme that sold more than $4 million worth of products to students. Amir Ahmad Shah, 28, of St. Louis, Mo., his brother, Osmaan Ahmad Shah, 25, of Columbia, Mo., their business, I2O, Inc., Liu Guang Ming, a citizen of China, and Paul Zucker, 55, of Wayne, New Jersey, were charged in a 51-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo., on Thursday, April 23, 2009.
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KC man sentenced for carjcacking
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Mo., man has been sentenced in federal court for carjacking. Michael R. Toombs, Jr., 24, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Nanette K. Laughrey on Tuesday, April 28, 2009, to 14 years in federal prison without parole.
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April 28, 2009
Three men indicted for trafficking in counterfeit DVDs, CDs;
Grandview man charged with illegally recording movie at Lee's Summit theater
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Three men have been indicted by a federal grand jury, in separate and unrelated cases, for trafficking in counterfeit DVDs and CDs. Among those defendants is a Grandview, Mo., man charged with using a camcorder to illegally record a movie at a Lee’s Summit, Mo., theater. Robert L. Henderson, 41, of Grandview, and Reginald R. Collier, 26, and Stephen Garrett, 34, both of Kansas City, Mo., were charged in separate indictments that were returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City on Tuesday, March 10, 2009.
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April 27, 2009
Ozark business owner sentenced for $1 million tax evasion
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The owner of an Ozark, Mo., business that manufactures welded steel trailers was sentenced in federal court today for tax evasion. Kyle Jon Thompson, 47, of Ozark, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard E. Dorr this morning to two years and six months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Thompson to pay $1,073,959 in restitution to the government.
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April 22, 2009
North Kansas City man pleads guilty to wire fraud, money laundering;
Former employee embezzled over $3 million from Ferrellgas
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A former employee of Ferrellgas, Inc., pleaded guilty in federal court today to wire fraud and money laundering, related to his embezzlement of more than $3 million from the company. Scott J. Beeson, 52, of North Kansas City, Mo., waived his right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple this afternoon to the charges contained in a federal information.
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Ethnic grocery owner indicted for laundering drug-trafficking money, structuring financial transactions
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The owner of The African Market in Kansas City, Mo., was indicted by a federal grand jury today for structuring financial transactions and laundering the proceeds of illegal drug trafficking. Emmanuel Chinedu Okonta, 48, of Kansas City, Mo., was charged in a 13-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City. Okonta owns West African Groceries, which does business as The African Market, an ethnic grocery store in Kansas City.
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April 16, 2009
Former Nixa employee charged with embezzling city funds
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A former street department employee in Nixa, Mo., has been charged in federal court with embezzling nearly $10,000 from the city. David W. Griggs, 44, of Springfield, Mo., was charged in a criminal complaint filed under seal in the U.S. District Court in Springfield, Mo., on Wednesday, April 15, 2009. The complaint was unsealed and made public today upon Griggs’ arrest and initial court appearance.
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April 15, 2009
Indiana man sentenced for cocaine conspiracy;
Co-defendants attempted to smuggle more than 1 kilo of cocaine via Greyhound bus
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Muncie, Ind., man was sentenced in federal court today for participating in a conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute more than a kilogram of cocaine. Arnold E. Childress, 39, of Muncie, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Scott O. Wright this morning to 10 years in federal prison without parole.
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Former tax preparer pleads guilty to $1 million tax fraud
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A former Kansas City, Mo., tax preparer pleaded guilty in federal court to fraudulently preparing nearly 300 tax returns that falsely claimed more than $1 million in business losses for his clients. Donald Bushnell, 56, of Kansas City, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner on Tuesday, April 14, 2009, to the charge contained in an April 11, 2008, federal indictment.
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April 14, 2009
Former Buchanan County official sentenced for stealing $119,000;
Embezzled Social Security payments from 120 disabled clients
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A former Buchanan County, Mo., official was sentenced in federal court today for embezzling approximately $119,000 from Social Security payments intended for dependent or disabled clients served by her office. Bonnie Sue Lawson, 68, of St. Joseph, Mo., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner this morning to three years and one month in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Lawson to pay $119,063 in restitution.
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April 13, 2009
Twelve St. Joseph residents indicted for distributing meth in Buchanan County;
Leader of criminal enterprise faces mandatory life sentence
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Twelve defendants from the St. Joseph, Mo., area, have been indicted by a federal grand jury for distributing large quantities of methamphetamine in Buchanan County, Mo. Gilberto Lara-Ruiz, also known as “Hill,” 29, a citizen of Mexico, was charged with being the leader of a continuing criminal enterprise that distributed at least 10 kilograms of methamphetamine from Jan. 1, 2005, to Dec. 27, 2006. If convicted as charged, Lara-Ruiz could be subject to a mandatory sentence of life in federal prison without parole.
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April 10, 2009
Nixa man pleads guilty to transporting stolen painting;
'Summer Clouds' by Edgar Payne sold to California gallery for $175,000
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Nixa, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court to transporting a painting across state lines after he stole it from a nursing home patient and sold it to an art gallery for $175,000. Micah Owen Shatswell, 29, of Nixa, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge James C. England on Thursday, April 9, 2009, to the charge contained in a Dec. 17, 2008, federal indictment.
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Former Jackson County deputy indicted for civil rights violation;
Charged with sexually abusing teen girl while whe was detained
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A former Jackson County, Mo., sheriff’s deputy has been indicted by a federal grand jury for violating the civil rights of a teenage girl whom he forced to perform sexual acts in his patrol car. Steven W. Burgess, 35, of Independence, Mo., was charged in an indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City on Tuesday, April 7, 2009.
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KC man sentenced to 64 years inprison for three armed robberies
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in the armed robberies of two banks and a credit union. John L. Williams, 46, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith this morning to 64 years and eight months in federal prison without parole.
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April 9, 2009
South Carolina man indicted in $4 million fraud scheme
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A South Carolina man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for his role in a nearly $4 million fraud scheme. Christopher Levato, 46, of Simpsonville, S.C., was charged in a two-count indictment returned under seal on Thursday, April 2, 2009, by a federal grand jury in Springfield. The indictment was unsealed and made public today. Levato’s businesses – Southern Logistics and Distribution, Inc., Levato Properties, LLC, and Quality Logistics, Inc., were also charged in the federal indictment.
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Raymore home builder pleads guilty to $12.6 million mortgage fraud;
Conspiracy involved new upscale homes in Lee's Summit, Raymore
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The owner of a residential construction business in Raymore, Mo., pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a $12.6 million mortgage fraud scheme that involved 25 upscale residential properties in Lee’s Summit, Mo., and Raymore. Jerry R. Emerick, 39, of Raymore, waived his right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan this afternoon to a federal information that charges him with conspiracy to commit mortgage fraud and wire fraud and to transfer funds obtained by fraud across state lines.
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KC man indicted for filing false tax returns
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Mo., man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for filing false tax returns. William E. Schroff, 71, of Kansas City, was charged in a three-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City. During the time of the alleged offenses, Schroff owned and operated several businesses, including an industrial sandblasting and painting company known as ANS Company.
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April 8, 2009
Mexican national sentenced for large-scale meth conspiracy
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role as an “enforcer” for a drug-trafficking organization that distributed large amounts of methamphetamine in Jackson County, Mo. Alfonso Cisneros-Gutierrez, 29, a citizen of Mexico who was residing in Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs this morning to 16 years and three months in federal prison without parole.
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Stockton property owner, two others indicted for arson
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - The owner of a business property in Stockton, Mo., along with a Stockton woman and her son, have been indicted by a federal grand jury for an arson fire at the building. DanThornton, 38, of El Dorado Springs, Mo., Dina Larson, 39, of Stockton, and her son, Jacob Smith, 18, address unknown, were charged in an indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Springfield on April 1, 2009.
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April 7, 2009
Massage parlor owner sentenced for coercing prostitution
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The owner of an Olathe, Kan., massage parlor pleaded guilty in federal court today to inducing persons to travel across state lines and national borders to engage in prostitution and illegal sexual services. Hongmei Madole, also known as Hongmei Zhou, 33, of Olathe, Kan., was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Fernando Gaitan this morning to two years and nine months in federal prison without parole, followed by five years of supervised release, and is subject to deportation. Madole, the owner of Asian Touch Massage in Olathe, is a native of China who is a conditional resident alien in the United States based upon marriage to a U.S. citizen.
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KC man pleads guilty to carjacking, illegal firearm
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to carjacking and illegally possessing a firearm. Brannon D. Taylor, 28, of Kansas City, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah W. Hays this morning to the charges contained in a July 15, 2008, federal indictment.
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April 6, 2009
Fayette man indicted for illegal firearm
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - A Fayette, Mo., man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for illegally possessing a firearm. Donald Ray Gerlt, 47, of Fayette, was charged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Jefferson City on Friday, April 3, 2009.
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Horton man sentenced for multi-million dollar methamphetamine conspiracy
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Horton, Mo., man has been sentenced in federal court for participating in a conspiracy to distribute millions of dollars worth of methamphetamine in Barton County, Mo., and elsewhere. Dustin L. Vittetoe, 34, of Horton, Mo., was sentenced on Thursday, April 2, 2009, by U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith to 10 years in federal prison without parole.
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April 3, 2009
Houston woman indicted for embezzling from her father's business
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Houston, Mo., woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for a mail fraud scheme in which she embezzled more than $100,000 from her father’s business bank accounts. Shirley Ann Scheets, 49, of Houston, Mo., was charged in a two-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Springfield on Wednesday, April 1, 2009. The indictment was unsealed and made public upon Scheets’ arrest and initial court appearance on Thursday, April 2, 2009.
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April 2, 2009
KC man pleads guilty to distributing child pornography
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to distributing child pornography to a person he believed to be a 13-year-old girl, but who was in reality an undercover law enforcement officer. Steven E. Robbins, 52, of Kansas City, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner this morning to the charge contained in an April 11, 2008, federal indictment.
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April 1, 2009
Jury convicts KC man following high-speed chase, shoot-out in Brookside area
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Mo., man was convicted by a federal jury today of illegally possessing marijuana and a firearm following a high-speed car chase and shoot-out in the Brookside area. Trae L. Winn, 22, of Kansas City, was found guilty of possessing with the intent to distribute marijuana and of possessing a firearm during and in relation to that drug-trafficking crime.
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Daycare owners, operators sentenced for nearly $123,000 fraud;
First Steps operated 10 daycare centers in southern Missouri
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Four family members involved in the ownership and operation of 10 daycare centers in southern Missouri were sentenced in federal court today for participating in a conspiracy to submit false documentation to receive nearly $123,000 in reimbursements for federally funded programs. Suzanne Smith, 57, and Stephen R. Smith, 57, who are married, and their daughters, Stephanie Smith, 31, and Christina Ann Thomas, 33, all of Bruner, Mo., were sentenced in separate hearings before U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith today. The co-defendants were officers of First Steps Daycare, Inc., d/b/a First Steps of Southwest Missouri, Inc., which owned and operated 10 child daycare centers in Missouri, including Springfield, Nixa, Mt. Vernon, Monett, Aurora and Branson.
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Former Republic postmaster indicted for misappropriating $40,000
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - The former postmaster for the Republic, Mo., Post Office was indicted by a federal grand jury today for misappropriating more than $40,000. Donna Rippee, 62, of Republic, was charged in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield.
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Former Laclede County jailer indicted for child pornography
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A former employee of the Laclede County Sheriff’s Department has been indicted by a federal grand jury for receiving and possessing child pornography. Martin Denson, 44, of Lebanon, Mo., was charged in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield on Tuesday, March 31, 2009. Denson was employed as a jailer for the Laclede County Sheriff’s Department at the time of the alleged offense.
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March 2009
March 31, 2009
West Plains woman charged with steaing $750,000 from employer;
Indicted for bank fraud, forging securities
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A West Plains, Mo., woman was indicted by a federal grand jury today for bank fraud and forging securities as part of a scheme to embezzle at least $750,000 from her employer. Mary Elizabeth Hurtt, 57, of West Plains, was charged in a seven-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield.
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Former Branson man indicted for identity theft, fraud
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A former Branson, Mo., man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for identity theft and fraud. Edward Lee Raifsnider, 49, who used a number of aliases, formerly of Branson, was charged in a five-count superseding indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield. Today’s indictment replaces an Oct. 22, 2008, indictment and adds two additional counts of aggravated identity theft to the original fraud charges.
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Federal inmate indicted for murder attempt
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - An inmate at the U.S. Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield, Mo., was indicted by a federal grand jury today for assaulting another inmate in a murder attempt. Rusty Rex Rean, also known as “Starface,” 29, was charged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield.
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March 30, 2009
Stover man sentenced for child pornography
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - A Stover, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for possessing and receiving child pornography through the mail. Anthony Glenn Woskow, 45, of Stover, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Nanette K. Laughrey this morning to seven years and three months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Woskow to serve 10 years of supervised release following his prison term.
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March 26, 2009
Jury convicts two men in multi-million dollar methamphetamine conspiracy
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Two men were convicted in federal court of participating in a conspiracy to distribute millions of dollars worth of methamphetamine in Barton County, Mo., and elsewhere. Ronald Willis, 63, of Lamar, Mo., and Juan Lara, 61, of Ontario, Calif., were found guilty of conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of pure methamphetamine from December 2005 to Aug. 31, 2007. Willis was also found guilty of possessing methamphetamine on Feb. 28, 2007, in Barton County.
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March 25, 2009
Jury convicts Gladstone man of receiving child pornography over the Internet
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Gladstone, Mo., man was convicted in federal court today for receiving child pornography over the Internet. Calvin Anthony Lear, also known as Tony Lear, 41, of Gladstone, was found guilty of seven counts of receiving child pornography over the Internet and one count of possessing child pornography. Lear was taken into federal custody at the conclusion of the trial.
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March 24, 2009
Alton man pleads guilty to Social Security fraud
SPRINGFIELD - An Alton, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to Social Security fraud. James Sisco, 48, of Alton, waived his right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge James C. England this morning to a federal information that charges him with Social Security fraud.
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March 20, 2009
Former West Plains teacher sentenced for child pornography
SPRINGFIELD - A former high school teacher in West Plains, Mo., was sentenced in federal court today for possessing and receiving child pornography over the Internet. Michael Wilson, 45, of West Plains, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple this morning to five years in federal prison without parole.
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Springfield couple pleads guilty to illegally receiving Social Secruity payments
SPRINGFIELD - A Springfield, Mo., husband and wife pleaded guilty in federal court today to receiving nearly $50,000 in Social Security payments to which they were not entitled. Janice Sue Karnis, 59, and Kenneth David Karnis, 64, both of Springfield, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard E. Dorr this morning to theft of public money.
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March 19, 2009
Sedalia business owner pleads guilty to making false statements;
Admits embezzling more than $160,000 from employee 401(k) plan
KANSAS CITY - The owner of a Sedalia, Mo., business pleaded guilty in federal court today to making false statement to a government agency as part of a scheme to embezzle more than $160,000 from the company’s employee benefit plan. Raymond A. Potts II, 52, of Sedalia, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Scott O. Wright this morning. Potts is the owner of Potts Contracting Group, Inc., a Sedalia construction firm that performs sheet metal roofing work on state and federal government building contracts.
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Retired school teacher, convicted sex offender pleads guilty to child pornography
KANSAS CITY - A retired elementary school teacher with a prior sex conviction pleaded guilty in federal court today to possessing child pornography. David R. Davies, 55, of Independence, Mo., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Scott O. Wright this morning to the charge contained in an Aug. 19, 2008, federal indictment. Davies was an elementary school teacher in Brush, Colo. Davies, who was convicted of possessing child pornography in Colorado, had been placed on probation on June 20, 2007. Davies was living in Independence while on probation at the time of the federal offense.
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Gang member sentenced to 20 years for crack cocaine
KANSAS CITY - A member of the 24th Street gang in Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced in federal court today for possession with the intent to distribute crack cocaine. Rickey A. Cubit, 31, of Kansas City, was sentenced before U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith this morning to 20 years in federal prison without parole.
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March 18, 2009
Louisiana man charged with transporting 15-year-old girl for illicit sex
SPRINGFIELD - A Violet, La., man was charged in federal court today with transporting a minor across state lines to engage in illegal sexual activity. Neil Scott Kramer, 39, of Violet, was charged in a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Springfield, Mo. Kramer remains in the custody of the St. Bernard Parish, La., Sheriff’s Department.
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Indian national charged with selling counterfeit purses
SPRINGFIELD - An Indian national was charged in federal court today with trafficking in counterfeit Coach purses and wallets. Navin Chandra Patel, 38, a citizen of India who was working as the manager of a Springfield, Mo., convenience store, was charged in a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Springfield.
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March 17, 2009
Two Mexican nationals plead guilty to large-scale cocaine conspiracy;
Government alleges $10 million worth of cocaine smuggled from Mexico
KANSAS CITY - Two Mexican nationals pleaded guilty in federal court today to their roles in a large-scale conspiracy to distribute cocaine. The government believes more than $10 million worth of cocaine was smuggled from Mexico for distribution in the Kansas City metropolitan area.
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March 12, 2009
Smithville man indicted for $3 million in fraudulent tax refunds
KANSAS CITY - A Smithville, Mo., man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for filing false tax returns that resulted in nearly $3 million in refunds that he was not entitled to receive. Gary R. Doss, 52, of Smithville, was charged in a six-count indictment that was returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo., on Wednesday, March 11, 2009.
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Milan man sentenced to 25 years in prison for producing child pornography
KANSAS CITY - A Milan, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for producing child pornography. Carol Danny Phillips, 55, of Milan, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Scott O. Wright this morning to 25 years in federal prison without parole.
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KC man sentenced for marijuana-growing conspiracy
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a marijuana-growing operation in Daviess County, Mo. Jhanmay Molina-Perez, 30, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner this morning to 11 years and three months in federal prison without parole.
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March 10, 2009
Naval recruiter among four men indicted for sex trafficking of a child;
Undercover sting leads to first-ever human trafficking chages for attempting to pay for sex with children
KANSAS CITY - Four men – including an active duty Naval recruiter, an insurance manager at a Plaza-area office, an out-of-state car dealership’s finance manager and a truck driver – were indicted by a federal grand jury today, in four separate cases, on charges related to the sex trafficking of children. Today’s indictments are the result of Operation Guardian Angel, a unique undercover law enforcement investigation targeting the demand for child prostitutes in the Kansas City area. As a result of this investigation, a total of seven defendants have been charged within the past month in the nation’s first-ever federal prosecution of the alleged customers of child prostitution under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act.
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March 5, 2009
O'Fallon woman pleads guilty to transporting illegal aliens
SPRINGFIELD - An O’Fallon, Mo., woman pleaded guilty in federal court today to transporting illegal aliens. Alicia Catherine Goebel, 24, of O’Fallon, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge James C. England to the charge contained in a Nov. 18, 2008, federal indictment.
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March 4, 2009
Texas man sentenced to 15 years for massive ecstasy conspiracy
KANSAS CITY - Another defendant has been sentenced in federal court for his role in a conspiracy to distribute hundreds of thousands of ecstasy pills, worth approximately $2 million, in Jackson County, Mo. Dung A. Nguyen, 35, of Texas, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner this afternoon to 15 years and eight months in federal prison without parole.
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Clarksburg woman indicted for producing child pornography
JEFFERSON CITY - A Clarksburg, Mo., woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for producing child pornography. Priscilla Ramirez Flores, 37, of Clarksburg, was charged in a federal indictment that was returned under seal on March 2, 2009.
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Licking man charged with guiding illegal hunts in Mark Twain National Forest
SPRINGFIELD - A Licking, Mo., man appeared in federal court this morning on the charge that he illegally guided hunts in the Mark Twain National Forest. Charles Richard Wade, 66, of Licking, was charged with conducting a guided hunt for feral hogs in the Mark Twain National Forest in Texas County, Mo., on April 17, 2008, in violation of federal law and U.S. Forest Service regulations. Wade operates Rich’s Guide Service, which advertises guided hunts for feral hogs and other animals.
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KC man sentenced for carjacking
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for carjacking. Demarko L. Collins, 20, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan this morning to six years and eight months in federal prison without parole.
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Former Lee's Summit mortgage loan officer, two Kansas men plead guilty to $12.6 million mortgage fraud;
Conspiracy involved new upscale homes in Lee's Summit, Raymore
KANSAS CITY - A former Lee’s Summit, Mo., mortgage loan officer and two Kansas men have pleaded guilty in federal court to their roles in a $12.6 million mortgage fraud scheme that involved 25 residential properties in Lee’s Summit and Raymore, Mo. Stefan M. Guerra, 30, of Lee’s Summit, and Daryle A. Edwards, 37, and Leon T. Jones, 42, both of Olathe, Kan., pleaded guilty in separate appearances before U.S. Chief District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan on Tuesday, March 3, 2009, to the charge contained in an Oct. 29, 2008, federal indictment.
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February 2009
February 25, 2009
Kansas man pleads guilty to child pornography;
Clandestine videos also found at residence
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Kan., man has pleaded guilty in federal court to receiving child pornography over the Internet. James E. Rincon, 41, of Kansas City, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2009, to the charge contained in a July 15, 2008, federal indictment.
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February 24, 2009
KC man sentenced for crack cocaine;
Arrest followed pursuit, shoot-out with police
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for distributing crack cocaine. This is the final defendant to be sentenced among three co-defendants who were originally arrested and charged following a police shooting incident on Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2007. Demetrius Briggs, 24, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs this morning to 10 years in federal prison without parole.
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Former federal employee pleads guilty to embezzling $600,000
KANSAS CITY - A former federal government employee pleaded guilty in federal court today to embezzling nearly $600,000 from the government. Michael T. Harrington, 44, of Lee’s Summit, Mo., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple this afternoon to the charges contained in an Oct. 30, 2008, federal indictment.
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Noel man sentenced for failing to register as a sex offender
SPRINGFIELD - A Noel, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for failing to register as a sex offender after moving from Arkansas to Missouri. Today’s court action marks the first sentencing in the Western District of Missouri for a conviction under the federal Sexual Offender Registration and Notification Act. Charles Foster, 47, of Noel, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard E. Dorr this morning to 15 months in federal prison without parole.
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February 23, 2009
KC man sentenced to 15 years for crack cocaine, illegal firearms;
Arrest followed pursuit, shoot-out with police
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine and illegally possessing firearms. The defendant was originally arrested and charged following a police shooting incident on Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2007. Dionysus D. Spriggs, 24, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs this morning to fifteen years in federal prison without parole.
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February 19, 2009
Arkansas man pleads guilty to illegally possessing a machine gun;
Declared 'dead' after 1980 disappearance, agents found firearms, explosives at residence
SPRINGFIELD - A Fayettville, Ark., man who was declared dead when he disappeared nearly 29 years ago pleaded guilty in federal court today to illegally possessing a machine gun and to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Robert Thomas, also known as Christian Tadlock, 61, of Fayettville, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard E. Dorr this morning prior to a jury trial that was scheduled to begin today in the U.S. District Court in Springfield.
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February 18, 2009
U.S. Attorney John F. Wood announces resignation
KANSAS CITY - John F. Wood, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that he has submitted his resignation to the President, effective February 28, 2009.
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February 17, 2009
Phoenix man pleads guilty in 57-kilo cocaine highway interdiction
SPRINGFIELD - A Phoenix, Ariz., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to being in possession of nearly 57 kilos of cocaine when his tractor-trailer unit was stopped while traveling on I-44 through Greene County, Mo. Daniel Miranda, 49, of Phoenix, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard E. Dorr this morning to the charge contained in a Feb. 27, 2008, federal indictment.
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February 12, 2009
Three former Vatterott employees indicted for financial aid fraud;
Students recieved fake GED certificates, falsified federal aid forms
KANSAS CITY - Three former employees at the Kansas City, Mo., campus of Vatterot College have been indicted by a federal grand jury for fraudulently obtaining federal financial aid for ineligible students by providing false general equivalency diplomas (GEDs) and falsifying financial aid forms. Dominic L. Campbell, 37, of Kansas City, Mo., Dale Odei Marbell, 32, a citizen of Ghana residing in Indianapolis, Ind., and Kevin Earl Woods, 46, of Louisville, Ky., were charged in a 37-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City on Feb. 5, 2009.
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Belton man sentenced to life in prison for crack cocaine conspiracy
KANSAS CITY - A Belton, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine. Chris Coleman, 34, of Belton, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan this morning to life in federal prison without parole.
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Kansas City man sentenced to 20 years in prison for crack cocaine
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine. Michael E. Craddock, 21, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan this morning to 20 years in federal prison without parole.
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February 10, 2009
Defendant charged with armed bank robbery; allegedly robbed bank twice
KANSAS CITY - A defendant was charged in federal court today for the armed robbery of U.S. Bank in St. Joseph, Mo. Russel Lee Singletary, 65, address unknown, was charged in a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City with stealing $5,630 from U.S. Bank, 800 N. Belt Highway, St. Joseph, on Monday, Feb. 9, 2009. According to an affidavit filed in support of the federal complaint, Singletary used a handgun to rob the bank on two separate occasions.
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KC man sentenced for armed robbery
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for robbing an Independence, Mo., convenience store at gunpoint. Mandingo Sanders, 29, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Scott O. Wright this afternoon to 10 years in federal prison without parole.
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February 9, 2009
Jury convicts KC restaurant owners, others in $2.3 million cocaine,money laundering conspiracies
KANSAS CITY - The owners of a Kansas City, Mo., restaurant along with two co-defendants were convicted by a federal jury today of participating in a $2.3 million dollar conspiracy to distribute large quantities of cocaine from Mexico into the Kansas City area, as well as a money laundering conspiracy to conceal drug-trafficking profits through the restaurant and through real estate transactions.
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February 5, 2009
Former Liberty pathologist sentenced for failing to file tax returns
KANSAS CITY - A former Liberty, Mo., pathologist has been sentenced in federal court for failing to file federal income tax returns. Miles J. Jones, 56, of Liberty, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison without parole on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009. The court also ordered Jones to pay a fine of $20,000. Jones must also pay $79,225 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service.
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KC man sentenced to 20 years for crack cocaine
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for possession with the intent to distribute crack cocaine. Andre L. Dean, 31, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith this morning to 20 years in federal prison without parole.
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Sex offender sentenced for illegal firearm
SPRINGFIELD - A Licking, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing a firearm. Edmond J. Jacob, 50, of Licking, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary F. Fenner this morning to eight years in federal prison without parole.
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February 5, 2009
Chillicothe man indicted for sex trafficking children
KANSAS CITY - A Chillicothe, Mo., man was indicted by a federal grand jury today on charges related to child sex trafficking involving five minor victims. Randal G. Jennings, 42, of Chillicothe, was charged in a 13-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City.
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Tax preparer indicted for aiding in the filing of fraudulent tax returns
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., tax preparer has been indicted by a federal grand jury for aiding his clients in the preparation and filing of fraudulent tax returns. Etienne E. Mathurin, 43, of Kansas City, was charged in a 31-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2009. Mathurin is the owner of Caribbean Tax & Transfer Service, 3622 Independence Ave., Kansas City.
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February 4, 2009
Three Kansas men indicted for sex trafficking of a child;
Charged with attempting to pay for sex with children
KANSAS CITY - Three Kansas men have been indicted by a federal grand jury, in three separate cases, on charges related to the sex trafficking of children. These indictments mark the first time that the U.S. Department of Justice has utilized the Trafficking Victims Protection Act to prosecute customers who allegedly attempt to pay for sex with children. Steven E. Mikoloyck, 47, of Overland Park, Kan., Ryan S. Doerr, 33, of Silverlake, Kan., and Jimmy “Steven” Johnson, 22, of Olathe, Kan., were charged in three separate indictments returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo., on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2009.
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Indictment adds another charge against Kansas woman, Lee's Summit man for staging assault;
Women staged attack in attempt to influence sexual harassment lawsuit
KANSAS CITY - A Bucyrus, Kan., woman and a Lee’s Summit, Mo., man were indicted by a federal grand jury today for their roles in a wire fraud conspiracy related to a scheme between two women who hired the man to assault them. The women were allegedly hoping to force a higher settlement of their sexual harassment lawsuit against a former employer. Julie R. Bernet, 39, of Bucyrus, and Gordon F. Reabe, Jr., 51, of Lee’s Summit, were charged in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City.
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February 3, 2009
Two KC men indicted for stealing ATF money;
Instead of selling gun, defendants allegedly used it to rob confidential informant
KANSAS CITY - Two Kansas City, Mo., men were indicted by a federal grand jury today for stealing government property – ATF funds that were supposed to be used by a confidential informant to purchase a firearm. Instead of selling the firearm to the confidential informant, the defendants allegedly used the handgun to rob the informant. Leron L. Morris, 23, and Johnny L. Bell, 27, both of Kansas City, were charged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City today.
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Former Shell Knob man sentenced fro illegally taking paddlefish eggs, selling caviar
SPRINGFIELD - A former Shell Knob, Mo., man has been sentenced in federal court for his role in a conspiracy to harvest the eggs from paddlefish caught in illegal nets at Table Rock Lake, which were processed into caviar and sold to a Tennessee company. Thomas Jerry Nix, Jr., 39, of Memphis, Tenn., formerly of Shell Knob, Mo., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith on Monday, Feb. 2, 2009, to one year and one day in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Nix to pay $30,002 in restitution to the Missouri Department of Conservation. Nix will forfeit to the government a 20-foot Bumblebee 200 Pro boat and trailer, with 225 HP Mariner motor, a GPS unit, and miscellaneous equipment such as three gill nets with anchors and a digital scale, all of which were used to commit the offense.
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February 2, 2009
Chillicothe man charged with transporting two minors for prostitution
KANSAS CITY - A Chillicothe, Mo., man has been charged in federal court for transporting two minor females across state lines for prostitution. Randal G. Jennings, 42, of Chillicothe, was charged in a complaint that was filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City on Friday, Jan. 30, 2009.
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January 2009
January 29, 2009
Sixteen Cut Throats gang members, associates indicted for drug-trafficking conspiracies, drive-by shootings, illegal firearms
JEFFERSON CITY - Sixteen members and associates of the Cut Throats gang in Columbia, Mo., have been indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in two drug-trafficking conspiracies that involved several drive-by shootings and firearms violations. Eric Sherron Coats, 21, his brother, Koda Alshawn Coats, 22, their mother, Donna C. Coats, 39, another brother, Dametrell Koda Washington, 27, William Ricky Boyd, 21, Demarco Laron Burnett, 24, Tarron Montez Cason, 25, Cheviss Caron Denny, 20, Dajuan Anthony Harris, 25, Brandon James Isom, 19, Ryan Montez Kee, 22, William Harold Rogers, 42, Diondre Jamel Cooper, 19, and Robert Darnell Simmons, 36, all of Columbia, Michael Lee Stapleton, 22, of Fayette, Mo., and Robert Lee Jones, 19, of Kansas City, Mo., were charged in a 34-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Jefferson City on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009.
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January 27, 2009
Physical trainer indicted for secretly videotaping female teens;
Child pornography charges carry 15-year minimu prison sentence
SPRINGFIELD - A former physical trainer at St. John’s Hospital has been indicted by a federal grand jury for producing child pornography by secretly videotaping minor females at the hospital’s training facility. Scott Johnson, 29, of Springfield, Mo., was charged in a 10-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Springfield on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.
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St. Joseph pesticide company, owner plead guilty to illegally storing, discharging pollutant
KANSAS CITY - A St. Joseph, Mo., company that produces pesticides and herbicides, as well as the company’s president, pleaded guilty in federal court today to illegally storing and discharging pollutants into the city’s sewer system. William Garvey, of St. Joseph, and HPI Products, Inc., with its main plant at 222 Sylvanie St., St. Joseph, and operations at several additional locations, waived their right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs this morning to separate federal informations. Garvey is the president and majority owner of HPI.
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Two former Columbia men plead guilty to $3 million investment fraud conspiracy
JEFFERSON CITY - Two former Columbia, Mo., men pleaded guilty in federal court today to participating in a $3 million investment fraud conspiracy. William Colwell McNeely, 77, of Millersburg, Mo., and Craig F. Swoboda, 73, of Lake Ozark, Mo., pleaded guilty in separate hearings before U.S. District Judge Nanette K. Laughrey this morning to the charge contained in a Nov. 16, 2007, superseding indictment.
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January 26, 2009
Third defendant added to $4 million drug-trafficking conspiracy;
Columbia man indicted for marijuana trafficking
JEFFERSON CITY - A Columbia, Mo., man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for his role in a $4 million conspiracy to distribute marijuana in Boone County, Mo. Galen Cutter Baxley, 25, of Columbia, was charged in a nine-count superseding indictment that was returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Jefferson City on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009. Previous indictments charged two additional defendants, Eric Scott McCauley, 27, and Robert Allen Hocks, 27, both of Columbia, in the marijuana conspiracy. This fourth superseding indictment replaces the previous indictments and adds Baxley as a co-defendant.
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January 23, 2009
Branson man sentenced to 15 years for meth, illegal firearms
SPRINGFIELD - A Branson, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Taney County, Mo., and illegally possessing firearms. John David Sheridan, 38, of Branson, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays this morning to 15 years and one month in federal prison without parole.
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Kansas man sentenced for counterfeit driver's licenses;
Produced counterfeit ID documents, trafficked in stolen identities
SPRINGFIELD - A Kansas City, Kan., man was sentenced in federal court today for possessing dozens of counterfeit driver’s licenses as well as implements used to make more identification documents. David Lorenzo Fletcher, 42, of Kansas City, Kan., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays this afternoon to eight years and five months in federal prison without parole.
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January 22, 2009
Kansas woman, Lee's Summit man charged with wire fraud related to sexual assault for hire;
Women staged attack in attempt to settle sexual harassment lawsuit
KANSAS CITY - A Bucyrus, Kan., woman and a Lee’s Summit, Mo., man were charged in federal court today for wire fraud related to a scheme between two women who hired the man to assault both women, sexually assaulting one of them. The women were allegedly hoping to force a higher settlement of their sexual harassment lawsuit against a former employer. Julie R. Bernet, 39, of Bucyrus, and Gordon F. Reabe, Jr., 33, of Lee’s Summit, were charged in a federal criminal complaint that was filed under seal on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2009, in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo.
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New Jersey man sentenced for $92,000 fraud; court bars defendant from entering Wal-Mart stores
KANSAS CITY - A North Bergen, N.J., man was sentenced in federal court today for using fraudulent bar code stickers to defraud Wal-Mart stores of more than $92,000. Faris Nayel Salem, 28, of North Bergen, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple this morning to 21 months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Salem to pay $92,142 in restitution. As a special condition of his release, the court ordered that Salem not enter any Wal-Mart store during three years of supervised release following his prison term.
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Former Springfield police officer sentenced for fraud scheme
SPRINGFIELD - A former Springfield, Mo., police officer was sentenced in federal court today for using his ex-wife’s identity in a scheme to defraud a credit card company and an online payment service. Charles Edward Johnson, 45, of Springfield, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard E. Dorr this morning to 15 months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Johnson to pay $5,218 in restitution.
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Greenwood woman pleads guilty to usding a firearm in bank robbery
KANSAS CITY - A Greenwood, Mo., woman pleaded guilty in federal court to using a firearm during the armed robbery of Union Bank in Lee’s Summit, Mo. Linda Jo Spooner, 42, of Greenwood, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2009, to using and carrying a firearm during a crime of violence.
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Accountant, former attorney sentenced for wire fraud scheme
KANSAS CITY - An Overland Park, Kan., man who was an accountant and former attorney has been sentenced in federal court for a wire fraud scheme to embezzle more than $69,000 from a Bosworth, Mo., business. Christopher Lucas, 44, of Overland Park, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2009, to 20 months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Lucas to pay $69,032 in restitution.
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January 21, 2009
St. Joseph restaurant owner pleads guilty to distributing child pornography
KANSAS CITY - The owner of a St. Joseph, Mo., restaurant pleaded guilty in federal court today to distributing child pornography over the Internet. Eddie Dean Randall, 58, of St. Joseph, waived his right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple this morning to a federal information that charges him with one count of distributing child pornography. Randall is the co-owner of Ford’s Drive In restaurant in St. Joseph.
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KC man indicted for bank robbery
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for robbing the Bank of America. Keeyon M. Dunbar, 22, of Kansas City, was charged with bank robbery in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City.
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January 20, 2009
Springfield man sentenced to 15 years for illegal firearms
SPRINGFIELD - A Springfield, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing firearms. Karlin Kelley, 52, of Springfield, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard E. Dorr this morning to 15 years in federal prison without parole. Kelley was sentenced as an armed career offender due to his prior felony convictions.
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Four Buchanan County residents sentenced for meth conspiracy
KANSAS CITY - Four Buchanan County, Mo., residents were recently sentenced for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute methampetamine.
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January 15, 2009
Two former Lake City employees sentenced for sabotage of war materials;
Stole thousands of pounds of copper used to manufacture bullets for the Army
KANSAS CITY - Two former employees of a firm operating at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant in Independence, Mo., were sentenced in federal court today for stealing more than 16,000 pounds of copper components used to manufacture ammunition for the U.S. Army, which they sold for scrap metal. Charles Dale Osborn, 46, of Odessa, Mo., and Timothy Duane Langevin, 36, of Independence, Mo., were sentenced in separate appearances before U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs. Osborn was sentenced to three years in federal prison without parole. Langevin was sentenced to two years in federal prison without parole.
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Four defendants sentenced for $15 million tax fraud conspiracy
KANSAS CITY - Four more defendants have been sentenced in federal court for their roles in a multi-million dollar conspiracy to defraud the Internal Revenue Service. The wire fraud scheme involved stealing the identities of hundreds of victims, primarily nursing home residents, which were used to seek more than $15 million in fraudulent federal tax refunds.
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January 14, 2009
Jury convicts KC man of armed robbery of a post office
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., man was convicted by a federal jury today of the armed robbery of a post office in south Kansas City and the use of a firearm during a crime of violence. Robert E. Newsome, Jr., 35, of Kansas City, was found guilty of the charges contained in a Feb. 6, 2008, superseding indictment.
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January 8, 2009
Jury convicts Somalian national of mail fraud
SPRINGFIELD - A Somalian man residing in Kansas City, Mo., has been convicted by a federal jury for his role in conspiracy to provide fraudulent commercial driver’s licenses to large numbers of Somali and Bosnian nationals. Elias Mohamed, 28, a citizen of Somalia living in Kansas City, was found guilty of the charge contained in a Sept. 21, 2006, federal indictment.
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Gladstone insurance agent pleads guilty to $12.6 million mortgage fraud
KANSAS CITY - A Gladstone, Mo., insurance agent pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a $12.6 million mortgage fraud scheme that involved 25 residential properties in Lee’s Summit and Raymore, Mo. Ronald E. Brown, Jr., 39, of Gladstone, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan this morning to the charge contained in an Oct. 29, 2008, federal indictment.
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Former Harrisonville man pleads guilty to child pornography
KANSAS CITY - A former Harrisonville, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to receiving child pornography over the Internet. William Alan Corkill, 33, of Surprise, Ariz., formerly of Harrisonville, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith this morning to the charge contained in a June 25, 2008, federal indictment.
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Jefferson City man pleads guilty to illegal firearm
JEFFERSON CITY - A Jefferson City, Mo., man has pleaded guilty in federal court to illegally possessing a firearm. Barnard Lamount Reed, 38, of Jefferson City, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Scott O. Wright on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Reed’s jury trial on that charge had been scheduled to begin the same day.
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January 7, 2009
KC man pleads guilty to cyberstalking; false Web site ads invited strangers to victim's home for sexual encounters
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to cyberstalking. Shawn D. Memarian, 29, of Kansas City, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert E. Larsen this afternoon to using the Internet – including e-mails and Web site postings – to cause substantial emotional distress to his victim and place her in fear of death or serious bodily injury.
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