U.S. Department
of Justice
Classic Energy and Associated Cases
PENDING CRIMINAL DIVISION CASES
Classic Energy
United States v. Matthew Clark (22-CR-55)
United States v. Marcus Schultz (20-CR-270)
United States v. John Ed James (20-CR-695)
United States v. Mathew Webb (21-CR-233)
United States v. Lee Tippett (21-CR-364)
United States v. Peter Miller (21-CR-570)
Court Assigned: The cases for defendants Schultz, James, Webb, Tippett, and Clark are assigned to U.S. District Judge George C. Hanks and the case for defendant Miller is assigned to U.S. District Judge Charles Eskridge, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Bob Casey U.S. Courthouse, 515 Rusk Avenue, Houston, TX 77002.
On July 1, 2024, defendant Marcus Schultz was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day of imprisonment, two years supervised release, and further ordered to pay a fine in the amount of $669,750.00. Restitution is to be determined at a later date. On this same date, defendant John Ed James was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day of imprisonment and three years supervised release. Restitution is to be determined at a later date. On this same date, defendant Mathew Webb was sentenced to 24 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release. Restitution is to be determined at a later date.
On June 20, 2024, defendant Peter Miller was sentenced to 5 months of imprisonment and 29 months of supervised release with 5 months of that time to be served on home confinement. Defendant Miller has been ordered to surrender on August 20, 2024 by 2:00 PM to Otisville Satellite Camp.
On June 7, 2024, Matthew Clark was sentenced to 78 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release. He was ordered to pay $5.5 million in forfeiture and $6.5 million in restitution.
On February 20, 2024, defendant Lee Tippett was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 33 months to be followed by 3 years supervised release. A determination of restitution will be made at a later date. Defendant Tippett has been ordered to self-surrender to FPC Montgomery by 2:00 PM on May 30, 2024.
Overview: The conspiracy involved commodities traders and brokers who traded natural gas futures contracts using misappropriated material, non-public information. They also engaged in fraudulent, noncompetitive trades and prohibited fictitious sales, including prearranged trades in natural gas futures contracts for their own personal gain. By entering into the fictitious sales, the individuals are alleged to have caused prices to be reported, recorded, and registered that were not true, bona fide prices.
For more information about United States v. Marcus Schultz, please see below:
Press Release
Criminal Information
For more information about United States v. John Ed James, please see below:
Press Release
Criminal Information
Plea agreement
For more information about United States v. Matthew Webb, please see below:
Press Release
Criminal Information
Plea agreement
For more information about United States v. Lee Tippett, please see below:
Press Release
Criminal Information
Plea agreement
For more information about United States v. Peter Miller, please see below:
Press Release
Indictment
Plea agreement
For more information about United States v. Matthew Clark, please see below:
Victim Impact Statement: If you would like to submit a Victim Impact Statement, you may do so by mailing the Victim Impact Statement below (or a letter to the court) to: Victim Witness Unit, U.S. Department of Justice, Criminal Division, Fraud Section, 10th & Constitution Avenue, NW, Bond Building, Room 453, Washington, DC 20530-0001. You also may submit the Victim Impact Statement via email at Victimassistance.fraud@usdoj.gov or by fax at: (202) 514-3708. Please note that during the Department’s period of telework in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, responses to faxes may be significantly delayed.
The information on this website will be updated as new developments arise in the case. If you have any questions, please call the Victim Assistance Line toll-free at (888) 549-3945 or email us at VictimAssistance.fraud@usdoj.gov.
Crime Victims’ Rights Act and Right to Retain Counsel: The Crime Victims’ Rights Act (18 U.S.C. § 3771) applies only to victims of the counts charged in federal court, and thus individuals may not be able to exercise all of these rights if the crime of which the individual is a victim was not charged. Section 377I(c)(2) of this Act requires that we advise you that you have the right to retain counsel. Although the statute specifically sets forth your right to seek advice of an attorney with regard to your rights under the statute, there is no requirement that you retain counsel. The Government may not recommend any specific counsel, nor can the government (or the court) pay for counsel to represent you. Government attorneys represent the United States.
If you elect to obtain counsel to represent your interests, please have your attorney notify this office in writing at: U.S. Department of Justice, Criminal Division, Fraud Section, 10th & Constitution Avenue, NW, Bond Building, 4th Floor, Washington, DC 20530, Attention: Victim Witness Unit; fax: (202) 514-3708; or email: VictimAssistance.fraud@usdoj.gov. If you elect not to retain counsel to represent your interests, you do not need to do anything.