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Post by Local News on Apr 11, 2007 18:51:58 GMT -5
Halliburton sentenced for contrabandLONDON, Ky. — Temeka Halliburton, 28, was sentenced to serve three months in prison for conspiracy to introduce contraband into a federal prison and conspiracy to distribute heroin by United States District Court Judge Gregory F. Van Tatenhove, after pleading guilty in January of this year. Halliburton, was part of a conspiracy to smuggle heroin into Eastern Kentucky and then into the United States Federal Penitentiary Big Sandy. Alice Marie Stapleton, a former correctional officer at USP Big Sandy, would smuggle in prohibited items, such as marijuana and heroin, for inmate Personee McGhee, in exchange for money. Correctional officers and their belongings are not subject to search when they report for duty. During the conspiracy, inmate McGhee would call his mother Clady McGhee, and ask her to pick up “legal papers,” code for drugs, from different individuals including Maria Mimms, on several occasions throughout late 2005 and early 2006. Halliburton admitted in the course of her guilty plea that she drove Clady McGhee on at least two occasions to pick up items, including heroin, from Mimms in her hometown of Indianapolis, In. Halliburton and Clady McGhee would then travel to Paintsville, Ky. to meet Stapleton at a motel. Stapleton would pick up the contraband items in exchange for about $800 to $1,000 each time. Mimms was found guilty by a federal jury for conspiracy to provide an inmate with prohibited objects, and conspiring to distribute controlled substances. She is scheduled for sentencing at 11 a.m. on June 8, 2007. Stapleton’s sentencing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on June 8, 2007. Stapleton and Mimms each face up to 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine and three years supervised release. Clady McGhee, 56, pleaded guilty in October of last year to conspiracy to provide an inmate of a federal prison with contraband items and possession of heroin with the intent to distribute, and was sentenced to three years probation in February of this year. Personee McGhee, 36, pleaded guilty in October of last year to conspiracy to introduce contraband items into a federal prison and conspiracy to distribute heroin. He was sentenced to two years in prison, which will be consecutive to the life sentence he is currently serving. Under federal law, Halliburton must serve 85 percent of her prison sentence and upon release, will be under the supervision of the United States Probation Office for three years. The investigation was conducted jointly by the United States Bureau of Prisons - Special Investigative Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Robert M. Duncan, Jr, and Patrick H. Molloy, and Special Assistant United States Attorney Kevin Walasinski. The preceding was a press release from....U.S. Attorney's Office for Eastern District of Kentucky
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Post by Local News on Apr 11, 2007 22:37:02 GMT -5
Rochon sentenced to 20 years for child pornLONDON, Ky. — A Bell County man was sentenced to serve 20 years in prison for the possession and distribution of child pornography by United States District Court Judge Danny C. Reeves, after pleading guilty in December of last year. Charles Michael Rochon, 39, admitted in the course of his guilty plea that from December of 2005 until about April of 2006, he knowingly distributed videos and images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct through either electronic mail or posting images and/or video on websites. Rochon distributed multiple videos containing child pornography on a website created for the purpose of trading videos and images of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Rochon also admitted to possessing over 400 videos and over 1000 images of child pornography. Amul Thapar, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, was appreciative of the work done by the FBI, the Kentucky State Police and Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin May, in helping to put another child predator behind bars and under supervision for the rest of his life. “These images of child exploitation are not of faceless victims,” Thapar said. “Each time a picture is created and/or traded, that is another instance of a child’s innocence being taken away.” Under federal law, Rochon must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence and upon release, will be under the supervision of the United States Probation Office for the rest of his life. The investigation was conducted jointly by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Kentucky State Police - Electronic Crimes Sections. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin J. May. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/The preceding was a press release from....U.S. Attorney's Office for Eastern District of Kentucky
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Post by Local News on Apr 12, 2007 15:36:37 GMT -5
36 months for a $165 Money-OrderLONDON, Ky. —A Knox County man, Steve Allen Garland, 46, was sentenced to serve 36 months [three years] in federal prison and ordered to pay a restitution of $165 to the U.S. Postal Service for possession of stolen money orders, by United States District Court Judge Danny C. Reeves. In September of last year, a burglary occurred at the Bimble Post Office in Knox County, where four blank money order forms in the total amount of $650 belonging to the U.S. Postal Service were taken, along with various amounts of cash and stamps. Garland, who pleaded guilty in December of last year, admitted that in September he cashed one of these stolen money orders at Messer’s Food Mart in Barbourville, Ky. for $165. Under federal law, Garland must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence and upon release, will be under the supervision of the United States Probation Office for three years. The investigation was conducted by United States Postal Inspection Service. The United States was represented by Assistant United States Attorney Robert K. McBride. The preceding was a press release from....U.S. Attorney's Office for Eastern District of Kentucky
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Post by Local News on Apr 25, 2007 16:27:45 GMT -5
Hodson sentenced for possession of child pornographyA Bell County Man, Michael Hodson, Jr., was sentenced today to serve 71 months in prison and lifetime supervision upon release for possession of child pornography by U.S. District Court Judge Danny C. Reeves, after pleading guilty in January of this year. Hodson, 42, of Middlesboro, Ky., acknowledged during his guilty plea that received multiple images of child pornography in December of 2002 and possessed the images on his computer in February of 2006. Along with possessing child pornography, Hodson also engaged in a sexually explicit chat with what he believed was a 12 year old boy, but was actually an undercover detective for the Kentucky State Police. Amul R. Thapar, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and John Jack Adams, Commissioner, Kentucky State Police, jointly made the announcement today after the sentencing. The investigation was conducted by the Kentucky State Police, Electronic Crime Section. Assistant United States Attorney Erin May represented the United States in the case. For Information Contact (859) 685-4811 Department of Justice USA.gov Privacy Policy Project The preceding was a press release from....U.S. Attorney's Office for Eastern District of Kentucky
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Post by Local News on Apr 25, 2007 16:36:57 GMT -5
Turner gets one year for vote buyingJohnny Ray Turner, Kentucky State Senator for the 29th District, was sentenced today to one year probation, three months home detention by United States District Court Judge Karen K. Caldwell, after pleading guilty in December of last year. Turner pleaded guilty to an information charging non willful vote buying, a misdemeanor, associated with his run in the May 2000 Primary for State Senate. During the May Primary Campaign in 2000, Turner, along with Loren Glenn and Ross Harris, were accused of funneling large sums of money from Harris into the campaign using straw contributors and then used this money to illegally pay people to vote for Turner. They issued the checks under the guise of “vote hauling” and “campaign work” and filed false reports to the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance in order to cover up the contribution and expenditures illegalities. Amul R. Thapar, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Steven H. Gurley, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation in Louisville, Ky., jointly made the announcement today. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Pikeville. Assistant United States Attorneys Kenneth R. Taylor and Patrick H. Molloy represented the United States in the case. For Information Contact (859) 685-4811 Department of Justice USA.gov Privacy Policy The preceding was a press release from....U.S. Attorney's Office for Eastern District of Kentucky
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Post by Local News on Apr 25, 2007 16:59:40 GMT -5
Barnett gets 480 monthsA Mt. Sterling man, James Clifton Barnett, 39, was sentenced today to 480 months for car jacking; attempted murder of FBI Agent; assaulting, resisting, opposing, and impeding an FBI Agent; use of a firearm during a crime of violence; and felon in possession of a firearm by District Judge Joseph M. Hood. Barnett was designated as an armed career criminal. He was convicted by a federal jury in January of this year. On April 7, 2005, Barnett car jacked his victim at knife-point and took off with her Ford Explorer, after the victim escaped by jumping out of the moving vehicle. Local law Enforcement attempted to arrest Barnett a few days later, but he fled from police and remained in hiding for almost a year. In April 2006, FBI agents learned Barnett, a convicted felon, was staying with his girlfriend in Mt. Sterling, Ky. Agents obtained a search warrant and attempted to execute it on April 12, 2006. Before the agents tried to perform the search, they made contact with Barnett inside the residence and found he was armed with a Kel-Tec .380 caliber semiautomatic pistol. Barnett refused to surrender, and an eight hour stand-off ensued. During the standoff, Barnett was in constant communication with FBI negotiators. At the end of the day, agents tried to open the back doors of the house and FBI Special Agent Brian Smith was assigned to open the doors. Barnett fired a round from his pistol through a windowpane in the interior door, in an attempt to keep the agents out. The bullet missed hitting Smith in the head by inches. After firing at Smith, Barnett surrendered and admitted that he fired at the agents at the backdoor. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert M. Duncan, Jr. and Hydee Hawkins represented the United States in the case. For Information Contact (859) 685-4811 Department of Justice USA.gov Privacy Policy. The preceding was a press release from....U.S. Attorney's Office for Eastern District of Kentucky
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Post by Local News on Apr 27, 2007 15:36:59 GMT -5
Federal Grand Jury returns indictmentLONDON, Ky. — Stephen Malcolm, 34, of Lexington, Ky., was indicted by a federal grand jury today for maliciously damaging several buildings by fire in downtown Frankfort, Ky. and making false statements to a federal agent. The indictment alleges that on March 4, 2007, Malcolm set fire to numerous buildings located on St. Claire Street in Frankfort. The buildings housed several businesses including The Brick Alley, Tink’s Bar-B-Que and Deli, The Downtown Bar, and Serafini Restaurant, along with seven apartments located above the businesses. The indictment also alleges that during the investigation into the arson, Malcolm made false statements to a U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) agent. On March 9, Malcolm told the ATF agent that early morning on March 4, after leaving Two Keys Tavern in Lexington with the tavern disc jockey, he went to the near by Huddle House to eat, and then went to his home in Lexington, arriving there around 4:30 a.m. or 5:00 a.m. However, it is alleged that he did not go home, but traveled to Frankfort. If convicted, he faces a minimum of five years and up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years supervised release. Any sentence following conviction will be imposed by the Court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and applicable federal statutes. The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives The Indictment was presented to the grand jury by Assistant United States Attorney James Arehart. Appearances before the United States District Court in London, Ky. have not yet been set. The indictment of a person by a grand jury is an accusation only, that person is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. The preceding was a press release from....U.S. Attorney's Office for Eastern District of Kentucky
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Post by Local News on May 1, 2007 5:25:07 GMT -5
$6000 fine results from false ginseng saleAn Estill County man, Marcus Thacker, pleaded guilty today to two counts of violating the Lacey Act by submitting false records regarding purchases of ginseng roots to the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. As part of his sentence, United States District Court Magistrate Judge James Todd ordered Thacker to pay a $6,000 fine. The Lacey Act makes it a federal violation to import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase in interstate or foreign commerce any fish, wildlife or plants, taken, possessed, transported, or sold in violation of any law or regulation of any state. Thacker, 68, of Ravenna, Ky., also forfeited 62 pounds of processed wild ginseng root to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The investigation, conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement, in cooperation of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, began in November of 2004, when special agents with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service started making undercover sales of ginseng to licensed and unlicensed ginseng dealers across Kentucky. During the course of the 21-month undercover investigation a 95 percent violation rate was documented with 30 percent of Kentucky's ginseng dealers investigated. The most common violations were ginseng dealers buying ginseng outside the established state ginseng season and the submission of false documents to conceal those out of season purchases. The Kentucky ginseng digging season opens August 15 of each year, and the selling season opens September 1. The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service The United States was represented in the case by Assistant United States Attorney Roger West The preceding was a press release from....U.S. Attorney's Office for Eastern District of Kentucky
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Post by Local News on May 25, 2007 12:47:28 GMT -5
Hodge sentenced for receiving and distributing child pornographyA Whitley County man, Derek Hodge, was sentenced to 97 months in federal prison for receiving and distributing child pornography by United States District Court Judge Danny C. Reeves, announced U.S. Attorney Amul R. Thapar. Hodge pleaded guilty to the charges in February of this year. Under federal law, Hodge must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Also as part of his sentence, upon release, Hodge will be under the supervision of the United States Probation Office for the rest of his life. In the course of his guilty plea, Hodge, 37, of Corbin, Ky., admitted from about November of 2005 through March of 2006, in Whitley County, he knowingly received numerous images of minors engaged in various forms of sexually explicit conduct. Hodge received the images via computer, including by numerous subscriptions to “newsgroups,” and admitted that these images portrayed children ranging in age from infants to teenagers. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Corbin Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Erin J. May represented the United States in the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov. The preceding was a press release from....U.S. Attorney's Office for Eastern District of Kentucky
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Post by Jim Wilson on Jun 21, 2007 10:00:37 GMT -5
A dozen law enforment agencies combine for drug convictionFour men from Woodbine, Ky. in Whitley County, Donnie Burke, Jimmy Elliott Sr., Jimmy Elliot Jr., and Terry Elliott Sr., were sentenced on Monday, June 18 to a combined 456 months in federal prison by United States District Court Judge Danny C. Reeves. All four pleaded guilty in March of this year to conspiracy to possess marijuana with the intent to distribute. These sentences end a three year investigation by federal, state, and local law enforcement that revealed loads of marijuana were being sent in from Chicago, Ill., Tampa, Fla. and Beaumont, Texas. Jimmy Elliott Sr., 50, received 202 months and eight years supervised release; Jimmy Elliott Jr., 24, received 160 months and five years of supervised release; Terry Elliott Sr., 48, received 42 months and four years supervised release; and Donnie Burke, 46, received 52 months and four years supervised release. In the course of his guilty plea, Jimmy Elliott, Sr. admitted that he was responsible for the distribution of approximately 2000 pounds of marijuana. Jimmy Elliott, Jr. admitted that he was responsible for the distribution of approximately 3,000 pounds of marijuana. Terry Elliott, Sr. admitted that he was responsible for the distribution of approximately 800 pounds of marijuana Burke admitted in the course of his guilty plea that he was responsible for the distribution of approximately 3,000 pounds of marijuana. The period of time of the conspiracy was from approximately January 2003 through December 2006. The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau for Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), United States Forest Service (USFS), Operation UNITE, HITDA, Kentucky State Police - Drug Enforcement Special Investigations, Kentucky State Police - Post 11 in London, Ky., Laurel County Sheriff’s Department, Lake Cumberland Area Task Force and the London Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Roger West represented the United States in the case. For Information Contact (859)233-2661, Ext. 104 Department of Justice USA.gov Privacy Policy Project Safe Neighborhoods PSN Grants www.regulations.gov The preceding was a press release from....U.S. Attorney's Office for Eastern District of Kentucky
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Post by Local News on Jun 21, 2007 10:03:01 GMT -5
William Allen Love, was chosen to fill the position of Law Enforcement CoordinatorThe former Chief of Police for Versailles, Ky., William Allen Love, was chosen to fill the position of Law Enforcement Coordinator for the United States Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky. As Law Enforcement Coordinator, Love will be responsible for improving the collaboration and partnerships between law enforcement groups at all levels to enhance their effectiveness in investigations. "The Law Enforcement Coordinator is a critical role in our office that helps to maintain coordination and cooperation between local, state and federal law enforcement," Thapar said. "Mr. Love's extensive experience in law enforcement will prove valuable to our district in continuing the success of the criminal justice system." Prior to starting his service in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in May 2007, Love has had a long career in law enforcement. After his retirement form the Versailles Kentucky Police Department where he served as Chief of Police for 12 years, Love worked with the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy. Prior to his tenure as Police Chief, Love worked for the Richmond Kentucky Police Department where he attained the rank of Assistant Police Chief. Love is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, Eastern Kentucky University and a certified police instructor for the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council. He was named Police Chief of the Year in 1999 and received the Governor's Award for Outstanding Contribution to Kentucky law Enforcement in 2002. For Information Contact (859)233-2661, Ext. 104 Department of Justice USA.gov Privacy Policy Project Safe Neighborhoods PSN Grants www.regulations.gov The preceding was a press release from....U.S. Attorney's Office for Eastern District of Kentucky
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Post by Local News on Jul 6, 2007 9:52:46 GMT -5
Clean Air Act, EPA may cause rate increase for Jackson Energy customersEast Kentucky Power Cooperative, a coal-fired electric utility based in Winchester, the main supplier of power to Jackson Energy, will spend approximately $650 million on pollution controls and pay a $750,000 penalty to resolve alleged violations of the Clean Air Act at its three plants, the Department of Justice and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today. The utility will install state-of-the-art pollution control equipment to reduce emissions of pollutants that cause acid rain and smog by more than 60,000 tons per year. These actions will reduce annual emissions of smog-forming nitrogen oxides by approximately 8,000 tons and sulfur dioxide by more than 54,000 tons per year from its plants in Spurlock, Dale and Cooper, Ky., when the controls are fully implemented. By installing these pollution control measures, the plants will emit 50 percent fewer nitrogen oxides and 75 percent less sulfur dioxide as compared to 2005 operations. In addition, the utility will construct and demonstrate new technology to significantly reduce sulfuric acid mist emissions, a known public health threat, from coal-fired power plants. “Today’s settlement is another example of the Justice Department’s continued commitment to aggressively enforcing the Clean Air Act,” said Ronald J. Tenpas, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “The emissions reductions from this settlement are substantial, and we are pleased that East Kentucky has agreed to bring its facilities into compliance with important provisions of the Clean Air Act.” “This agreement will reduce harmful air pollutants by more than 60,000 tons per year,” said Granta Nakayama, EPA assistant administrator for the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides can cause serious respiratory problems and exacerbate asthma conditions. This settlement will improve air quality and protect public health for the residents of eastern Kentucky and surrounding areas.” East Kentucky will also improve its control of particulate matter from each of the three plants as part of the settlement. “One of the most important things in our nation is having a healthy environment in which our children can grow,” Amul R. Thapar, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky said. “Companies must be held responsible for the well-being of the whole community they serve, including the health of the citizens and the environment.” “The combined reductions in sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter mandated by this settlement will greatly improve the air quality for the citizens of Kentucky,” said Jimmy Palmer, EPA Regional Administrator in Atlanta. “This settlement has tremendous significance for our ongoing effort to ensure cleaner air for our citizens.” In 2004, the United States filed a lawsuit against the utility for illegally modifying and increasing air pollution at two of its coal-fired power plants. Specifically, the government cited the utility for constructing modifications at its plants without first obtaining necessary pre-construction permits and installing required pollution control equipment. Without the required permits or pollution control equipment, the modifications allowed the facilities to increase their electricity and steam production rates and, as a result, emit more pollutants. The Justice Department and the EPA have negotiated settlements with 12 coal-fired power plants nationwide to resolve Clean Air Act New Source Review violations and to reduce air pollution. Collectively, these settlements require the companies to spend approximately $6 billion on pollution control equipment that, when fully effective, will reduce emissions of harmful pollutants by more than one million tons per year. Today’s proposed agreement, lodged in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, is subject to a 30-day public comment period and final court approval. A copy of the consent decree will be available on the Justice Department Web site at www.usdoj.gov/enrd/Consent_Decrees.html. The preceding was a press release from....U.S. Attorney's Office for Eastern District of Kentucky
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Post by Local News on Jul 25, 2007 9:37:55 GMT -5
Sex Chat brings 175 Months in PrisonLONDON, Ky. —Terrill Derry, 48, of Harlan, Ky., was sentenced Monday morning to serve 175 months by United States District Court Judge Danny C. Reeves for receipt of child pornography, after pleading guilty in April of this year. Derry was indicted in October of last year after he was found to be engaging in sexually explicit chat with a person he thought was a 14 year-old girl from Ohio, when it was actually an undercover police officer. During the course of the chat that took place in June of 2006, Derry sent two images of child pornography to the undercover police officer, along with pictures of himself. As part of the investigation by Kentucky State Police Electronic Crimes Unit and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Derry’s email accounts revealed that from June of 2005 and continuing through September of 2005, he distributed multiple movies and images of child pornography through e-mail. Derry admitted in the course of his plea that he knew these images contained minor children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The United States was represented in the case by Assistant United States Attorney Erin J. May and was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov. The preceding was a press release from....U.S. Attorney's Office for Eastern District of Kentucky
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Post by Press Release on Jun 11, 2011 7:11:28 GMT -5
California Man Accused in Bogus Investment Scheme Makes First Court Appearance
The following press release was issued by the Office of the United States Attorney Eastern District of Kentucky. The Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) assisted federal authorities in the investigation of this case.
LONDON — A former fugitive wanted by the FBI for allegedly defrauding individuals in multiple states out of hundreds of thousands of dollars made his first court appearance in the Eastern District of Kentucky today. Harold Carmical Jr., 62, who recently lived in Somerset, Ky., was arrested on May 5 in California pursuant to a federal indictment filed January 27 in Kentucky that charged him with three counts of wire fraud, two counts of mail fraud and one count of interstate transportation of stolen property.
After his arrest in California, Carmical was sent to Reno, Nev. where he was detained until authorities extradited him to Lexington, Ky. Carmical pleaded not guilty to the charges. His trial is set for August 8 in London, Ky. A detention hearing is set for June 21 to determine whether Carmical will be detained before trial. He will remain in custody until the hearing.
The indictment alleges that starting in November 2006 and continuing to early 2008, Carmical represented himself to be an elite investment broker who had previously conducted business with Charles Schwab. In reality, Carmical was not an elite investment broker and only held a Charles Schwab individual investment account that was essentially his personal bank account.
According to the indictment, Carmical never invested any money he received from the individuals; instead, he used the money for his own personal benefit. The indictment alleges that Carmical obtained approximately $900,000 from several investors located in Somerset, Ky.; Loveland, Ohio; and Chicago, Ill., by using several different tactics such as:
* Guaranteeing million dollar returns on their investments and specific dates they would receive such returns.
* Promising to pay one investor’s medical bills.
* Attending church services with potential investors.
* Sent one investor to a health spa in Puerto Rico.
* Offering jobs to some potential investors.
* Promising to pay living expenses to some investors.
* Promising two investors a Cadillac.
* Fabricating his credentials as an investor and information on phony investment opportunities.
One investor allegedly cashed out his retirement fund and gave the money to Carmical to invest; but, according to the indictment, Carmical just deposited the cash into his own personal investment account. In early 2008, the same investor, now retired, moved from Kentucky to Florida upon Carmical’s encouragement.
Carmical allegedly told the investor he would purchase a new Cadillac for him as an investment bonus and pay his rent and utilities. Carmical never provided the Cadillac and stopped paying the investor’s living expenses in Florida after a short time.
Carmical allegedly expressed interest in buying another investor’s house and promised her half of all the profits he received from his investments if she would keep it available for him and not put it on the market. Carmical neither purchased the home, nor shared half of his investment profits with this investor.
Carmical also obtained money from other investors to invest in oil and gas stocks. Again, according to the indictment, the money was never invested and simply deposited into his own personal investment account instead.
In 1974, Carmical incorporated Tennessee Fried Rabbit, Inc., ostensibly to engage in the restaurant business.
Kerry B. Harvey, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Robin Dalgleish, Postal Inspector in Charge, United States Postal Inspection Service; Charles A. Vice, Commissioner of the Commonwealth of Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions, Division of Securities; and Elizabeth A. Fries, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, jointly made the announcement today.
The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Commonwealth of Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions, Division of Securities and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The U.S. Attorney’s Office was represented by Assistant United States Attorney Lindsay Hughes Thurston.
If convicted, Carmical faces a maximum prison sentence of 20 years. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the United States Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of sentences.
The indictment of a person by a grand jury is an accusation only, and that person is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
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Post by Press Release on Jun 28, 2011 7:58:15 GMT -5
Florida Doctor Sentenced Four Years for Pill Conspiracy U.S. Attorney’s Office Eastern District of Kentucky Press Release
LEXINGTON—A Florida doctor who previously admitted in federal court that he illegally prescribed thousands of pain pills to Kentuckians was sentenced to 48 months in prison today and three years of supervised release. U.S. District Court Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove sentenced Michael Shook, 52, to conspiracy to distribute Oxycodone and Methadone before U.S. District Court Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove. Shook acknowledged that he unlawfully prescribed approximately 25,000 pain pills to Eastern Kentuckians who traveled to see him at Lauderhill Medical Clinic located in Oakland Park, Fla. According to the plea agreement, Shook wrote prescriptions for numerous Kentuckians who were arrested in October of 2009 as part of the largest drug roundup in Kentucky’s history that included more than 500 people. Court documents state that by late 2008 and early 2009, 90 percent of the clinic’s patients were from Kentucky. During some of the visits by Kentucky patients, Shook performed a limited examinations if any at all before writing the prescription. All the Kentuckians paid for their examination in cash. After Shook wrote the prescriptions, the patients filled them at the clinic’s in house pharmacy. Shook was the only doctor employed by the clinic. He was paid as much as $6,000 per week and split all the profits with two men identified in the plea agreement. These individuals provided the funds to open the clinic and filled the prescriptions written by Shook. The FBI has seized more than $200,000 from the clinic representing the profits gained from the conspiracy. Shook is the second Florida doctor to enter into a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Kentucky for conspiring with Kentuckians to illegally distribute pills. In November 2008, Roger Browne, who practiced medicine in Coral Springs, Fla., pleaded guilty to a conspiracy that involved nine defendants from Eastern Kentucky. Also, former doctors Lloyd Naramore in Ohio and Randy Weiss in Philadelphia were previously convicted for pill conspiracies with Eastern Kentuckians. Court documents show that some of the patients that visited Shook also received prescriptions from Weiss and Naramore. Kerry B.Harvey, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Elizabeth A. Fries, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Rodney C. Brewer, Kentucky State Police Commissioner, and Frank Rapier, director of Appalachian HIDTA, jointly made the announcement after the sentence. The investigation was conducted by the FBI in Kentucky and Miami, DEA in Miami and Ft. Lauderdale, Kentucky State Police, and Appalachian HIDTA. The U.S. Attorney’s Office was represented in the case by Assistant United States Attorney Roger West.
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Post by Press Release on Jul 28, 2011 17:39:01 GMT -5
Salyersville Man Convicted of Buying Votes in 2010 General Election U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Kentucky
PIKEVILLE, KY—The United States Attorney’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office jointly announced today that a federal jury in Pikeville, Kentucky convicted a Salyersville man yesterday evening on vote buying charges that stem from the 2010 general election in Magoffin County. Randall E. Salyer, 54, was convicted on two counts of vote buying and acquitted on two other counts. The trial lasted two days and the jury deliberated for approximately three hours. Evidence at trial proved that Salyer paid or offered to pay several individuals for their votes in November 2010. Trial testimony proved that Salyer paid $100 to each voter who brought him their absentee ballot. The general election was held in part to select a candidate for the office of the United States Senate which made the case eligible for federal prosecution. Salyer was indicted in February of this year. The investigation was conducted by the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kenneth R. Taylor. Salyer is scheduled to be sentenced on November 9 at 9 a.m. He could face up to five years in prison. However, the sentence will not be imposed until after the court considers the United States Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of sentences.
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Post by Press Release on Aug 3, 2011 19:15:38 GMT -5
Indiana Man Charged with Traveling to Kentucky to Engage in Sexual Conduct with Minor U.S. Attorney’s Office Eastern District of Kentucky
LONDON—The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation jointly announced today that an Indiana man was indicted yesterday on charges that he traveled to Richmond, Ky. to engage in sexually explicit conduct with a 13-year-old minor. A federal grand jury sitting in London, Ky. returned an indictment that charges 31-year-old James Michael Young, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, with online enticement, travel to engage in illicit sexual conduct, receipt of child pornography, and transporting child pornography. Young was originally charged in a criminal complaint filed July 1. According to an affidavit filed in July by an FBI agent in support of the complaint, Young traveled from Indiana to the minor’s home in Richmond for the purposes of having sex with the minor in March of this year. When he arrived at the minor’s home, Young engaged in sexually explicit conduct with her. The complaint also alleges that Young sent nude photos of himself to the minor from his cell phone. Young allegedly met the minor online in December of 2010. A date for Young to appear before the United States District Court has not yet been set. If convicted, he faces a maximum of 30 years in prison. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the United States Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of sentences. The indictment of a person by a grand jury is an accusation only, and that person is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
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Post by Press Release on Sept 3, 2011 19:55:14 GMT -5
FBI News Former Williamsburg Police Officer Sentenced 112 Months for Pharmacy Burglary and Pill Conspiracy U.S. Attorney’s Office Eastern District of Kentucky Press Release
LONDON—A former Williamsburg police officer was sentenced today to 112 months in federal prison for burglarizing a Williamsburg pharmacy and for his involvement in a prescription pill conspiracy. U.S. District Court Judge Gergory Van Tatenhove sentenced Kenneth Bradley Nighbert, 34, of Lexington, Kentucky, for conspiracy to distribute oxycodone and conspiracy to burglarize a pharmacy. Nighbert was also ordered to pay $9,832 in restitution to the insurance company that covered the financial damages to the pharmacy. According to court documents, in 2006, Nighbert and another co-defendant robbed a Whitley County pharmacy of approximately $500 worth of controlled substances. The substances consisted primarily of oxycodone pills. Nighbert was a Williamsburg police officer at the time of the robbery. Nighbert also admitted that from December 2005 until May of 2007, he participated in a conspiracy with other co-defendants to distribute thousands of oxycodone pills in Whitley County. The conspiracy was responsible for distributing 10,000 pills. As part of the conspiracy, Nighbert traveled to Detroit, Mich. on two occasions to obtain oxycodone pills according to his plea agreement. Nighbert admitted that he then supplied those pills to a co-defendant who ultimately distributed the pills. The plea agreement states that the Laurel County Sheriff’s Department arrested Nighbert for DUI in May of 2007 and discovered $32,000 in cash in his vehicle. Court documents state that Nighbert planned to use that money to pay his pill supplier in Detroit. Some of Nighbert’s co-defendants were also sentenced for their roles in the conspiracy. Michael Ball received 108 months and Joritta Petrey received 24 months. In April of 2010, Nighbert and his co-defendants were indicted for their respective roles in the burglary and the prescription pill conspiracies. Kerry B. Harvey, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Elizabeth A. Fries, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Division; and Rodney Brewer, Kentucky State Police Commissioner, jointly made the announcement today. The investigation was conducted by FBI, KSP, and the Williamsburg Police Department.
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Post by Press Release on Nov 8, 2011 6:32:30 GMT -5
Nine Indicted for Buying Votes in Breathitt County U.S. Attorney’s Office Eastern District of Kentucky
LEXINGTON—A federal grand jury in Lexington returned two separate indictments today that charge a total of nine people with a conspiracy to buy votes in the May 2010 primary elections in Breathitt County. In addition to the conspiracy allegation, all nine defendants allegedly paid individuals for their votes. One indictment charges 47-year-old Michael Salyers with seven counts of vote buying, while Naomi Johnson, 61, and Jackie Jennings, 61, are charged with two vote buying counts; Earl Young, 44, was charged with one vote buying count. The other indictment charges Paula Jean Noble, 43, with five counts of vote buying; Joseph Strong, 50, with three vote buying counts; Richard L. Turner, 53, with two vote buying counts. George Daniel Strong, 53, and 37-year-old Woodrow Glenn Burton were each charged with one count of vote buying. According to the indictment, Noble also committed perjury in March of this year when she provided false statements to the grand jury about her knowledge of the vote buying activity. The defendants in both indictments are all from Breathitt County except Richard Turner, who is from Owsley County. These cases were subject to federal prosecution because the election was held in part to select a candidate for the U.S. Senate. Kerry B. Harvey, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Elizabeth A. Fries, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Jack Conway, Attorney General of Kentucky, Office of the Attorney General, jointly made the announcement today after a federal grand jury in Lexington, Ky., returned the Indictments. The investigation preceding the Indictments was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office. The Indictments were presented to the grand jury by Assistant United States Attorney Kenneth R. Taylor. A date for the defendants to appear in U.S. District Court in Lexington has not yet been set. If convicted each defendant faces a maximum prison sentence of five years. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the United States Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of sentences. The indictment of a person by a grand jury is an accusation only, and that person is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
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Post by Press Release on Dec 3, 2011 16:16:24 GMT -5
Hydrocodone being shipped to veterans in Clay County too much of a temptation for Lexington postal workers U.S. Attorney’s Office press release
FRANKFORT — The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General jointly announced today that two U.S. mail carriers have admitted to stealing mail packages containing prescription pills. Pamela J. Hawkins, 40, pleaded guilty today to theft of mail matter and in a separate case, James Carter, 40, pleaded guilty to the same charge yesterday. Hawkins admitted that she took 10 to 11 drug parcels, over the past year and a half, that were intended for veterans living in Lawrenceburg, Ky. The parcels contained hydrocodone pills. Carter admitted that while working for the Lexington Processing and Distribution Center, he stole up to 60 drug shipments, consisting primarily of hydrocodone, that were intended for veterans living in Lexington, Georgetown, Louisville, Morehead, Nicholasville, Danville, London, Corbin, Pikeville, and Manchester among other cities in Kentucky. According to Carter’s plea agreement, on February 11, 2009, investigators conducted surveillance on Carter while he was working and approached him as he was about to leave work for the day. They found drugs in his pockets, sock and vehicle. The investigation into both cases started after the Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General received complaints from individuals who weren’t receiving the drug parcels mailed to them by the Department of Veterans Affairs. There is no evidence in either case that the defendants were distributing the pills. The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney David A. Marye represented the U.S. Attorney’s Office in this case. Hawkins will appear for sentencing in Frankfort on March 13 and Carter will appear in Lexington for his sentencing on March 1. If convicted, both defendants face a maximum prison sentence of five years. However, any sentence following a conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the United States Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of sentences.
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Post by Press Release on Dec 9, 2011 15:06:33 GMT -5
Bachor arrested halfway through child porn video U.S. Attorney’s Office Eastern District of Kentucky
ASHLAND — A Flatwoods, Ky. man was sentenced today to 102 months in prison for receiving child pornography images through the mail. U.S. District Judge David L. Bunning sentenced 52-year old Charles Frank Bachor for receipt of child pornography. Bachor previously admitted that he ordered two videos of child pornography from an undercover agent with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. On December 8, 2010, a postal inspector delivered the videos to Bachor’s home, waited approximately ten minutes, and then entered the residence to execute a search warrant. According to his plea agreement, Bachor had already viewed one video and started watching the second one when agents entered his home; he was immediately arrested. Agents conducted a forensics examination of Bachor’s home computer and discovered more than 1500 additional images of child pornography. The investigation started in September of 2010 when Bachor emailed an undercover agent requesting videos of child pornography. On the money order form, Bachor requested videos involving eight-year oldchildren engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Under federal law, Bachor must serve at least 85 percent of his prison sentence and will have to register as a sex offender for life. Kerry B. Harvey, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky and Robin Dalgleish, Special Agent in Charge, United States Postal Inspection Service, jointly announced the plea today. The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Postal Service. The U.S. Attorney’s Branch Office in Covington handled the litigation in this case.
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Post by Press Release on Dec 13, 2011 20:20:41 GMT -5
Eagle Scout sentenced for trading child porn with 13 year old U.S. Attorney’s Office Eastern District of Kentucky
LEXINGTON — The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI jointly announced today that an Estill County man who previously admitted to trading child pornography with a minor was sentenced yesterday to 135 months in prison by U.S. District Court Judge Joseph M. Hood. Robert Emmanuel Evans, 21, of Estill County, Ky. pleaded guilty to one count of distribution and one count of receipt of child pornography. Judge Hood enhanced Evans’ sentence because he distributed child pornography to a minor and ordered Evans to be under supervision for the rest of his life once he’s released from prison. Evans, an Eagle Scout, admitted that between August of 2010 and February 2011, he distributed child pornography to a 13-year-old in Texas. Evans, who was 19 at the time he started distributing child pornography, acknowledged that some of the child pornography images he sent and received were of children younger than twelve years old engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Evans acknowledged he sent numerous images that included diaper changes of young children. The photos focused on the children’s genitalia. According to the plea agreement, Evans also sent the minor pictures of himself posing in diapers. This investigation started when a lead from the FBI in Texas resulted in the execution of a federal search warrant at Evans’ residence in Irvine, Ky., on February 13, 2011. Evans was present during the search and admitted to having child pornography on his computer and to receiving and sending child pornography. A forensic examination of the computer revealed numerous videos and photographs of minors engaged in sexual explicit conduct. Under federal law, Evans will have to serve 85 percent of his prison. The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Lexington Field Division, FBI San Antonio, and the Irvine Police Department. This case was brought as part of a Project Safe Childhood, a Department of Justice initiative dedicated to protecting children from online exploitation and abuse.
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Post by Press Release on Dec 14, 2011 17:46:29 GMT -5
Bank President sentenced for stealing 70 percent of shareholders’ equity U.S. Attorney’s Office Eastern District of Kentucky
COVINGTON — The former president and chief executive officer of a Falmouth, Ky. bank was sentenced to 78 months for embezzling more than two million dollars from her bank. U.S. District Court Judge Danny C. Reeves sentenced Donna J. Wood, 51, for embezzlement. Reeves also ordered Wood to pay full restitution. Wood previously admitted that from March of 2003 until January 26 of this year she embezzled $2,244,506.44 from United Kentucky Bank in Pendleton County. Court documents state that Wood’s criminal actions caused 131 stockholders with the bank to suffer a financial loss. During the course of her scheme she stole approximately 70 percent of shareholders’ equity. “Mrs. Wood continued her fraud year after year until it snowballed completely out of control and destroyed the bank, harmed the directors and shareholders and left a void in the community which no longer benefits from an independent community bank,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Voorhees in her sentencing memorandum. According to the plea agreement, Wood transferred money belonging to the bank into accounts owned by her husband and her two sons. Wood then falsified bank records to conceal her criminal conduct from auditors. Over the course of the fraud, Wood prepared approximately 94 false monthly bank reconciliation reports. Court documents say that Wood prepared bank records which dramatically overstated the bank’s capital and liquidity leaving the bank’s board of directors and auditors unaware of the bank’s dire financial state. As a result of her fraud, the bank’s board of directors agreed to sell the bank to Bank of Kentucky on October 28 of this year. Wood worked as the bank president for two years. Prior to that she had worked as the bank’s vice president since the bank opened in 1992. Wood previously signed an agreement with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation which stipulates that she will never work in banking again. Under federal law, Wood will have to serve at least 85 percent of her prison sentence and will be on supervised release for five years following her release from prison. Kerry B. Harvey, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky and Elizabeth A. Fries, Special Agent in Charge of FBI’s Louisville Field Division jointly made the announcement today. The investigation was conducted by the FBI. The United States was represented in the case by Assistant United States Attorney Laura K. Voorhees.
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Post by Press Release on Dec 16, 2011 21:30:49 GMT -5
�Bad Hair Bandit� and his wife indicted by federal grand jury U.S. Attorney�s Office Eastern District of Kentucky
LONDON � A Williamsburg couple was indicted yesterday for charges related to the robbery of a Federal credit union in Whitley County. Jason Fox, aka, the �Bad Hair Bandit,� 30, and his wife, Tasha K. Fox, 26,were indicted by a federal grand jury in London for armed bank robbery and conspiracy to carry and use a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Jason Fox was also charged with using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. The indictment alleges that on December 1 of this year, the defendants used force, violence, or intimidation to rob the L&N Federal Credit Union of $3,270.00. Kerry B. Harvey, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Elizabeth A. Fries, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Whitley County Sheriff�s Office (WCSO), and the Williamsburg Police Department jointly made the announcement. The investigation preceding the Indictment was conducted by the FBI London; FBI Knoxville; FBI Louisville; Barbourville Police Department; Kentucky State Police; Williamsburg Police Department; Jellico Police Department; Corbin Police Department, and WCSO. The Indictment was presented to the grand jury by Assistant United States Attorney W. Samuel Dotson. The couple is in custody and will appear in U.S. District Court in London for an arraignment on January 20. Jason Fox faces a mandatory prison sentence of seven years on the firearm charge, and a maximum prison sentence of 25 years on the remaining charges. Tasha K. Fox faces a maximum sentence of 25 years. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the United States Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of sentences. The indictment of a person by a grand jury is an accusation only, and that person is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
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Post by Press Release on Dec 16, 2011 21:32:01 GMT -5
Iraqi National Pleads Guilty to 23-Count Terrorism Indictment in Kentucky U.S. Department of Justice Press Release
BOWLING GREEN, KY—Iraqi citizen Waad Ramadan Alwan pleaded guilty to federal terrorism charges today in U.S. District Court before Senior Judge Thomas B. Russell, announced Lisa Monaco, Assistant Attorney General for National Security; David J. Hale, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky; and Elizabeth A. Fries, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Louisville Division. Alwan, 30, a former resident of Iraq, pleaded guilty to all counts of a 23-count indictment charging him with conspiracy to kill U.S. nationals abroad; conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction (explosives) against U.S. nationals abroad; distributing information on the manufacture and use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs); attempting to provide material support to terrorists and to al Qaeda in Iraq; as well as conspiracy to transfer, possess and export Stinger missiles. Alwan was indicted by a federal grand jury in Bowling Green, Ky., on May 26, 2011. Alwan faces a maximum sentence of life in prison under the sentencing guidelines and a mandatory minimum of 25 years in prison. His sentencing is scheduled for April 3, 2012, at noon in federal court in Bowling Green before Judge Russell. Alwan’s co-defendant, Mohanad Shareef Hammadi, 24, is charged in the same indictment with attempting to provide material support to terrorists and to al Qaeda in Iraq, as well as conspiracy to transfer, possess and export Stinger missiles. Hammadi has entered a plea of not guilty to all charges and is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. A trial date for him has not been scheduled. Hammadi and Alwan were first arrested on criminal complaints on May 25, 2011. “The successful investigation, arrest, interrogation, and prosecution of Mr. Alwan demonstrates the effectiveness of our intelligence and law enforcement authorities in bringing terrorists to justice and preventing them from harming the American people,” said Assistant Attorney General Monaco. “I applaud all the dedicated professionals in the law enforcement and intelligence communities who are responsible for this successful outcome.” According to the plea agreement and other court documents filed in this case, from about 2003 through 2006, Alwan knowingly conspired to kill U.S. nationals in Iraq. During this period, Alwan was in Iraq where he conspired with others to plant and detonate numerous IEDs against U.S. troops in Iraq. For instance, Alwan admitted that he and his co-conspirators planted an IED in a road near the Salah ad Din province in Iraq in an attempt to kill U.S. troops that traveled on this particular road. In addition, the FBI found two latent fingerprints belonging to Alwan on a component of a separate IED that was recovered by U.S. forces in Iraq in 2005. Alwan also admitted today that from about October 2010 through May 2011, he knowingly taught and demonstrated to another individual in Kentucky how to manufacture and use an IED. Specifically, Alwan drew diagrams of different types of IEDs and also provided detailed oral instructions on how to manufacture and use those IEDs. He provided these diagrams with the intent that they be used to train others in the construction and use of such IEDs for the purpose of killing U.S. nationals overseas, including officers and employees of the United States. In addition, Alwan admitted that from about September 2010 through May 2011, while in Kentucky, he knowingly attempted to provide material support and resources to terrorists and to al Qaeda in Iraq, including money, weapons, and expert advice and assistance. On multiple occasions, for example, Alwan transferred money believing it would be provided to al Qaeda in Iraq for the purpose of murdering U.S. employees or U.S. nationals overseas. In addition, he also transferred Stinger surface-to-air missile launcher systems, rocket-propelled grenade launchers, C4 plastic explosives, grenades, machine guns and sniper rifles, believing these items would be provided to al Qaeda in Iraq for the purpose of murdering of U.S. employees or U.S. nationals overseas. Finally, Alwan admitted that on March 16, 2011, while in Kentucky, he conspired with another individual to transfer, receive, possess and export two Stinger surface-to-air missile launcher systems. Neither the bomb-making instructions, nor the Stinger missiles nor the other weapons or money transferred by Alwan while in Kentucky were actually provided to al Qaeda in Iraq, but instead were carefully controlled by law enforcement as part of an undercover operation. “Today in open court, Waad Alwan admitted to engaging in terrorist activities both here in the United States and in Iraq. He acknowledged he had built and placed numerous improvised explosive devices (IEDs) aimed at killing and injuring American soldiers in Iraq, and he admitted that he tried to send numerous weapons from Kentucky to Iraq to be used against American soldiers,” said U.S. Attorney Hale. “Bringing Alwan to justice is the result of a comprehensive effort by many in our law enforcement and intelligence communities. The FBI agents of the Louisville Division, along with the federal and local law enforcement members of the Joint Terrorism Task Forces here in Kentucky and our many other partners are to be commended. Their collaborative effort successfully thwarted the ongoing intentions of an experienced terrorist. The guilty plea today sends a strong message to anyone who would attempt similar crimes that they will face the same determined law enforcement and prosecution efforts.” This case is being investigated by the Louisville Division of the FBI. Assisting in the investigation were members of the Louisville and Lexington Joint Terrorism Task Forces, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Bowling Green Police Department. This prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mike Bennett and Bryan Calhoun from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Kentucky and Trial Attorney Larry Schneider from the Counterterrorism Section of the Justice Department’s National Security Division.
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Post by Press Release on Jan 11, 2012 17:56:54 GMT -5
Collins Indicted for Threatening to Harm Kentucky Senator U.S. Attorney’s Office Eastern District of Kentucky
LEXINGTON — A Lexington woman was indicted today for making threats toward former President George W. Bush and Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell. Susan Mary Collins, 49, was indicted today on one count of mailing threatening communication and one count of threats against former presidents. The Indictment alleges that on September 2, 2011, Collins mailed one letter addressed to McConnell and another to Bush threatening to injure them. Kerry B. Harvey, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Paul R. Johnson, Special Agent in Charge, United States Secret Service, jointly made the announcement today after a federal grand jury in Lexington returned the Indictment. The investigation preceding the Indictment was conducted by the United States Secret Service. The Indictment was presented to the grand jury by Assistant United States Attorney David A. Marye. Collins’ appearance before the United States District Court has not yet. If convicted, Collins faces a maximum prison sentence of 10 years on count one and five years on count two. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the United States Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of sentences. The indictment of a person by a grand jury is an accusation only, and that person is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
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Post by Press Release on Jan 15, 2012 13:39:36 GMT -5
Couple Pleads Guilty to Social Security Fraud by living together U.S. Attorney’s Office Eastern District of Kentucky
COVINGTON — The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Social Security Administration (SSA) jointly announced today that over the past two months eight people living in Northeast Kentucky have admitted to defrauding the Social Security Administration (SSA). The eight individuals defrauded the SSA out of combined $517,647.16. All eight defendants have pleaded guilty to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) fraud. Two of the eight individuals are Donna Kay Lewis, 52 and her husband Glennis Belmount Lewis 62, both of Hillsboro, Ky. Donna Lewis pleaded guilty on December 9 and Glennis Lewis pleaded guilty on January 6 of this year. Both collected more than $117,000 combined in SSI benefits that they were not entitled to receive. According to court documents they made false statements on SSI applications and in various statements over the course of approximately 17 years. In order to receive a greater amount of SSI, both stated they had separated from each other, when in fact they lived together. As a result of the fraud, Donna Lewis illegally obtained $55,267.49 in SSI money from September 1995 through September of 2011. Glennis Lewis fraudulently obtained 62,041.92 from January 1994 through September 2011. “We want to serve notice on those who would steal from the people of the United States by committing SSI fraud that this conduct will not be tolerated,” said United States Attorney Kerry B. Harvey. “We intend to protect these resources for those who are truly in need. Our prosecutors will continue to work closely with the Social Security Administration to protect this important program from this sort of criminal conduct.” Six other people have also pleaded guilty to SSI fraud. Each individual agreed to pay full restitution for the amount of money they fraudulently received. The other defendants are from Vanceburg, Ky., Louisa, Ky., Grayson, Ky., and Mt. Olivet, Ky. All eight defendants were indicted in separate cases in October of 2011. SSI is a program designed to help aged, blind and disabled people who have little or no income. It provides money to meet basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter. Special Agent in Charge Guy P. Fallen, Office of the Inspector General, Social Security Administration stated, “SSA Supplemental Security Income Benefits are a lifeline for many Americans who are unable to work due to a temporary or permanent disability. Our office is gratified by the U.S. Attorney’s shared commitment to preserving Social Security funds for deserving beneficiaries. We have no higher priority than ensuring that those who obtain benefits fraudulently are swiftly detected and prosecuted. Social Security fraud affects all Americans and these indictments and guilty pleas are testament to our serious commitment to pursuing those who victimize Social Security Programs." The investigation was conducted by the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Christopher L. Nasson represented the U.S. Attorney’s Office in these cases. Both Donna and Glennis Lewis will be sentenced on March 23 in Federal court in Covington. Both face a maximum prison sentence of five years. However, any sentence would be imposed by the court after consideration of the United States Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of sentences.
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Post by Press Release on Jan 16, 2012 14:07:28 GMT -5
Johnny "Boy" Hall Pleads Guilty to Receivng Hundreds of Pounds of Marijuana U.S. Attorney’s Office Eastern District of Kentucky
PIKEVILLE — A Wheelwright, Ky., man admitted in federal court yesterday that he conspired to distribute at least 100 kilograms of marijuana in Pike and Floyd Counties. John Hall, aka, “Johnny Boy Hall,” 43, pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana and attempt to possess with intent to distribute 50 kilograms or more of marijuana. Hall admitted that from January 2009 until December of 2010, he received between 220 and 880 pounds of marijuana. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and Hall agreed to a prison sentence of 10 years. Hall has a prior drug felony conviction which subjected him to a higher sentence for the offenses. U.S. District Court Judge Amul Thapar must approve the 10 year sentence before it becomes official. Hall is scheduled to be sentenced in May of 2012. The investigation started in December of 2010 when authorities in South Carolina discovered approximately 150 pounds of marijuana in a vehicle operated by a co-defendant. The co-defendant claimed he was driving the marijuana to Floyd County to deliver it to Hall. Kentucky State Police (KSP) and the FBI worked in an undercover capacity to coordinate the delivery to Hall. Shortly after Hall showed up to buy the marijuana he was arrested. Follow up investigation revealed Hall had been receiving shipments of marijuana prior to December 2010. Kerry B. Harvey, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Elizabeth A. Fries, Special Agent in Charge, FBI and Rodney C. Brewer, KSP Commissioner jointly made the announcement. The investigation was conducted by FBI, KSP, Drug Enforcement Administration in North Carolina and Henderson County Sheriff’s Office in North Carolina. The U.S. Attorney’s Office was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Roger West.
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Post by Press Release on Jan 18, 2012 20:33:23 GMT -5
Chicago Company Owner Pleads Guilty to Smuggling Prescription Drugs from Mexico to Kentucky U.S. Attorney’s Office Eastern District of Kentucky
LEXINGTON — The United States Attorney’s Office, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), FBI, IRS and the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Division of Police jointly announce that the president of a Chicago corporation admitted Tuesday that he smuggled illegal prescription medication from Mexico to the United States for further distribution to stores in Kentucky and elsewhere. Candelario Pelayo Garcia, 62, his company, Garcia Brambila Enterprises Company, DBA Importaciones, Inc., and another employee Alejandro Moran, 40, pleaded guilty to charges of smuggling goods, money laundering, delivery of smuggled goods in interstate commerce, wholesale distribution of prescription drugs in interstate commerce and conspiracy. Garcia admitted that in early 2010, he and Moran traveled throughout the Midwest distributing unapproved prescription medication to stores in Lexington, Kentucky, Minnesota, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin, among others. According to the plea agreement, Garcia transferred the sale proceeds to bank accounts in MexiCounty Garcia profited an estimated $1 to $1.6 million from the scheme. A cooperating witness in Lexington bought medication from Garcia on numerous occasions in early 2011. Subsequently, the FDA determined that the medication was prohibited from introduction and distribution in the U.S. The medication was purchased in Mexico, smuggled across the border to California and shipped to Garcia’s store in Chicago. Garcia was involved in the legitimate distribution of health and beauty products. He often delivered these products along with the illegal medication. Moran drove Garcia and assisted with the distribution and deliveries. The investigation was conducted by the FDA, FBI, IRS’ Criminal Investigations Division and Lexington-Fayette Urban County Division of Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Roger West represented the U.S. Attorney’s Office in this case. Garcia and Moran will appear for sentencing on April 5, 2012. They face a maximum prison term of five years and up to a $250,000 fine. The company also faces up to a $250,000 fine.
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Post by Press Release on Jan 19, 2012 17:42:28 GMT -5
Illegal Alien, convicted rapist sentenced 71 Months for reentering the U.S. a Second Time U.S. Attorney’s Office Eastern District of Kentucky
COVINGTON — The U.S. Attorney’s Office and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) jointly announced that an illegal alien, previously convicted of an aggravated felony, was sentenced yesterday to 71 months in prison for illegally entering the U.S. a second time. Jose Antonio Gonzalez-Meija 29, was discovered as an illegal alien after he was serving time in the Carroll County Detention Center in July of 2011. Gonzalez-Meija’s previous conviction of rape in Henry County, Kentucky in 2006 enhanced the federal prison sentence he received yesterday. He was deported in 2008 and admitted that he did not apply for admission into the U.S. The investigation was conducted by ICE. The U.S. Attorney’s Office was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dave Marye. Gonzalez-Meija will have to serve at least 85 percent of his prison sentence.
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