Month: August 2022

Source: United States Department of Justice News

NASHVILLE –Tennessee State Representative Glen Casada, 63, of Franklin, Tennessee, and his former Chief of Staff Cade Cothren, 35, of Nashville, were indicted by a federal grand jury yesterday and charged with conspiracy to commit the following offenses: theft from programs receiving federal funds; bribery and kickbacks concerning programs receiving federal funds; honest services wire fraud; and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Both were arrested at their homes this morning by FBI agents and will make initial appearances before a U.S. Magistrate Judge later today. 

The announcement was made by Mark H. Wildasin, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee and Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. 

The 20-count indictment, unsealed this morning, also charges Casada and Cothren with using a fictitious name to carry out a fraud; theft concerning programs receiving federal funds; eight counts of money laundering; six counts of honest services wire fraud; and two counts of bribery and kickbacks.

According to the indictment, beginning in and around October 2019, Casada, while representing Tennessee House District 63, Cothren, and another conspirator, also a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives, engaged in a fraudulent scheme to enrich themselves by exploiting Casada and the other conspirator’s official positions as legislators to obtain State approval of Phoenix Solutions as a Mailer Program vendor to provide constituent mail services to members of the Tennessee General Assembly.  Casada, Cothren, and the other conspirator further sought to obtain State funds for Phoenix Solutions, Casada’s political consulting business, and a political consulting business owned by the other conspirator.   It was further part of the conspiracy for Casada and the other conspirator to enrich themselves by obtaining bribes and kickbacks from Cothren, in exchange for securing the approval of Phoenix Solutions as a mailer program vendor. 

The indictment alleges that Casada and the other conspirator told members of the Tennessee General Assembly that Phoenix Solutions was run by an individual named “Matthew Phoenix,” an experienced political consultant who had previously worked for a Washington, D.C.-based consulting firm. In fact, Cothren operated Phoenix Solutions, and Casada, Cothren, and the other conspirator knew that “Matthew Phoenix” was a fictitious person and secretly profited from the fraudulent venture.  Casada, Cothren, and the other conspirator concealed their involvement in Phoenix Solutions by submitting sham invoices to the State of Tennessee in the names of political consulting companies owned by Casada and the other conspirator, for the purpose of secretly funneling money from the State to Phoenix Solutions through the bank accounts of these companies.  In 2020, these companies and Phoenix solutions received approximately $51,947 from the State in payments associated with the mailer program. 

The indictment also contains a forfeiture allegation  in which the United States seeks to recover all proceeds of the crimes, including a money judgement representing the value of the proceeds traceable to any offense of conviction.  

If convicted, Casada and Cothren each face up to 20 years in prison.  A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

This case was investigated by the FBI.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda J. Klopf and Trial attorney John P. Taddei of the Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section are prosecuting the case. 

An indictment is merely an accusation.  The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

# # # # #

Source: United States Department of Justice News

Richard G. Frohling, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on August 22, 2022, Raymon A. Fuller, Jr. (age: 26) of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was sentenced to 90 months in federal prison by Senior District Judge William C. Greisbach. 

Fuller pled guilty to a federal “Hobbs Act” robbery charge and a separate charge of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. According to his written plea agreement, on August 28, 2020, Fuller was armed with a 9 mm Glock handgun with an extended magazine when he robbed a van full of people in Oshkosh, obtaining a small amount of marijuana and a wallet containing a small amount of cash.

In pronouncing sentence, Judge Griesbach noted the serious nature of the offense, the strong need for deterrence, and the need to protect the public from Fuller. In addition to 90 months’ imprisonment, Fuller was ordered to spend five years on supervised release.

This case was investigated by the Oshkosh Police Department and the Outagamie County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.

###

For further information contact: Kenneth.Gales@usdoj.gov

(414) 297-1700

Follow us on Twitter

Source: United States Department of Justice News

United States Attorney Clint Johnson today announced the results of the August 2022 Federal Grand Jury B.

The following individuals have been charged with violations of United States law in indictments returned by the Grand Jury. The return of an indictment is a method of informing a defendant of alleged violations of federal law, which must be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt to overcome a defendant’s presumption of innocence.

Mark Allan Barnes. Bank Robbery. Barnes, 39, of Bartlesville, is charged with robbing Armstrong Bank of Bartlesville on July 19, 2022, by threatening the teller with a knife. The FBI and Bartlesville Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex M. Scott is prosecuting the case. 22-CR-265

Florentino Bautista-Sanchez. Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien. Bautista-Sanchez, 40, a Mexican national, is charged with unlawfully reentering the United States after having been removed on Feb. 8, 2007, at or near El Paso, Texas. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations is the investigative agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam C. Bailey is prosecuting the case. 22-CR-278

Daniel Lewis Brandon. First Degree Burglary in Indian Country (Counts 1,2). On Oct. 15, 2020, Brandon, 52, of Quapaw, allegedly broke into and entered a residence through a floor vent with the intent to commit a crime while the home was occupied. He is further alleged to have forcibly broken the same victim’s outer door and entered the victim’s residence with intent to commit a crime on May 1, 2021. The FBI and Quapaw Nation Marshals Service are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shakema M. Onias is prosecuting the case. 22-CR-285

Ricardo Esparza Lopez. Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien. Esparza, 33,  a Mexican national, is charged with unlawfully reentering the United States after having been removed on Aug. 24, 2017. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations is the investigative agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles M. McLoughlin is prosecuting the case. 22-CR-268

Jeremy Mikal Glazier. Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition (Counts 1-3); Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute (Count 4); Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime (Count 5). Glazier, 34, of Tulsa, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Walther .380 caliber semi-automatic pistol on Nov. 29, 2020; being a felon in possession of a Taurus 9 mm caliber semi-automatic pistol and two rounds of ammunition on Jan. 16, 2021; and being a felon in possession of a Smith and Wesson 9 mm caliber semi-automatic pistol and four rounds of ammunition on July 26, 2022. He is further charged with possessing with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of marijuana on July 26, 2022. Finally, Glazier is charged with possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crime on July 26, 2022. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam C. Bailey is prosecuting the case. 22-CR-266

Shanon Eugene Graham. Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition. On June 22, 2022, Graham, 48, of Chouteau, allegedly possessed an Aero Precision LLC 5.56 caliber semi-automatic rifle and 25 rounds of ammunition after being convicted of four felonies. The FBI and Mayes County Sheriff’s Office are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan H. Heatherman is prosecuting the case. 22-CR-286

Oscar Efrain Hernandez. Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien. Hernandez, 27, is charged with unlawfully reentering the United States after having been removed on July 15, 2020, at or near Laredo, Texas. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations is the investigative agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas E. Buscemi is prosecuting the case. 22-CR-267

Cody Wayne Horn. Coercion and Enticement of a Minor in Indian Country. Horn, 27, of Tulsa, is charged with coercing and enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity from Nov. 26, 2021, to Nov. 28, 2021. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie A. Childress is prosecuting the case. 22-CR-287

Genesia Nan McKinney. Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to do Bodily Harm in Indian Country. On Aug. 28, 2020, McKinney, 28, of Tulsa, allegedly assaulted an individual by stabbing the individual repeatedly with a knife. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin G. Bish is prosecuting the case. 22-CR-269

Aleydy Navarrete-Gutierrez. Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien. Navarrete-Gutierrez, 24, of Tulsa, is charged with unlawfully reentering the United States after having been deported and removed on or about July 16, 2016, at or near Del Rio, Texas. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations is the investigative agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles M. McLoughlin is prosecuting the case. 22-CR-270

Glenn David Nickols. Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor Under 12 Years of Age in Indian Country; Sexual Exploitation of a Child.  Nickols, 39, of Afton, is charged with engaging in a sexual act with a child younger than 12 years of age from March 1, 2020, to Aug. 31, 2020. He is further charged with sexually exploiting the same child by coercing the victim to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing child sexual abuse material. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is the investigative agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Nassar is prosecuting the case. 22-CR-271

Justin Leon Pritchett. Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to do Bodily Harm in Indian Country (Counts 1,2). Pritchett, 55, of Oaks, is charged with assaulting two victims with a vehicle on July 2, 2022. The FBI is the investigative agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shakema M. Onias is prosecuting the case. 22-CR-272

Juan Carlos Rincon-Castro. Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien. Rincon-Castro, 34, is charged with unlawfully reentering the United States after being removed on June 22, 2013, at or near Del Rio, Texas. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations is the investigative agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas E. Buscemi is prosecuting the case. 22-CR-273

Jesus Sanchez-Reyes. Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien. Sanchez-Reyes, 32, a Mexican National, is charged with unlawfully reentering the United States after having been removed on July 13, 2015, at or near Hidalgo, Texas. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations is the investigative agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam C. Bailey is prosecuting the case. 22-CR-279

Michael Wayne Tiffany; James Allen Quapaw. Felon in Possession of Firearms and Ammunition (Counts 1,4); Sale and Disposal of a Firearm to a Prohibited Person (Count 2); Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime (Counts 3,8); Possessing and Selling Stolen Firearms (Count 5); Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute (Count 6); Carrying a Firearm During and in Relation to a Drug Trafficking Crime (Count 7). Quapaw, 41, of Miami, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Ruger .270 caliber rifle and four rounds of ammunition from Dec. 30, 2021, to Jan. 4, 2022. Quapaw is also charged with selling the firearm and ammunition to Tiffany, 37, of Miami, who is a prohibited person. From Dec. 30, 2021, to Jan. 4, 2022, Tiffany allegedly possessed firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, namely possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Tiffany is further charged with being a felon in possession of a Ruger .270 caliber rifle, a Remington .243 caliber rifle and eight rounds of ammunition on Jan. 5, 2022. Tiffany and Quapaw are both charged with aiding and abetting each other to possess and sell the Ruger .270 caliber rifle, Remington .243 caliber rifle and eight rounds of ammunition on Jan. 5, 2022. Additionally, Tiffany is charged with knowingly possessing with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on July 16, 2022, and with carrying a firearm during the crime. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle M. McWaters is prosecuting the case. 22-CR-222

Atanael Vasquez-Ixlaj. Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien. Vasquez-Ixlaj, 29, is charged with unlawfully reentering the United States after having been removed on July 18, 2012, at or near Harlingen, Texas. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operation is the investigative agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam C. Bailey is prosecuting the case. 22-CR-280

Tony Darnelle Warledo. Robbery in Indian Country; Carrying, Using, and Brandishing a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence within Indian Country. On May 30, 2022, at a Tulsa QuikTrip, Warledo, 22, of Tulsa, allegedly robbed the victim of a firearm, wallet and cell phone by force, violence, and intimidation. He is further charged with carrying, using, and brandishing a firearm during the crime. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas E. Buscemi is prosecuting the case. 22-CR-281

Charlotte Deann Wasson; Joshua Halfmoon Wasson. Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud (Count 1); Bank Fraud (Counts 2-8; Counts 16-26; Counts 38,39); Aggravated Identity Theft (Counts 9-13; Counts 27-37). Charlotte Wasson, 53, and her son, Joshua Wasson, 31, of Talala, conspired with at least one other person to commit bank fraud. The conspirators worked as labor contractors for an environmental remediation company in Collinsville, which had an account with Blue Sky Bank in Tulsa. Together, the conspirators stole then altered and forged at least 22 of the company’s checks, making the checks payable to themselves in amounts that they specified. The conspirators then presented the checks for payment to a bank and a check cashing business in Tulsa. Charlotte Wasson is charged with bank fraud after she presented seven fraudulent company checks for payment, totaling $8,853.85. She is further charged with aggravated identity theft after forging another individual’s signature on those checks. Joshua Wasson is also charged with bank fraud after he presented eleven of the fraudulent checks for payment, totaling $12,260.85.  He is further charged with aggravated identity theft after forging another individual’s signature on those checks. Finally, Charlotte Wasson is further charged with bank fraud for presenting two altered and forged checks as payment for a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu and a 2013 Honda Civic. Those checks were illegally drawn from a Bank of Oklahoma account in the amounts of $6,000 and $7,000. The U.S. Secret Service and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard M. Cella is prosecuting the case. 22-CR-282

Heath Raymond Wells. Assault of an Intimate/Dating Partner by Strangling and Attempting to Strangle in Indian Country. Wells, 31, of Tulsa, is charged with assaulting an intimate partner by strangling and attempting to strangle her on June 13, 2022. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie A. Childress is prosecuting the case. 22-CR-288

Audie Wayne Woolman. Child Abuse in Indian Country; Child Neglect in Indian Country; Assault by Striking, Beating, and Wounding. Woolman, 51, of Jay, allegedly assaulted an intimate partner on March 27, 2022, exposing two children to the abuse. He further physically abused one of the children during the incident. The FBI and Delaware County Sheriff’s Office are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie A. Childress is prosecuting the case. 22-CR-289

Source: United States Department of Justice News

CHICAGO — A man has been sentenced to nearly four years in federal prison for illegally possessing a loaded handgun during an altercation on a Chicago street.

JULIAN ALMANZA, 22, of Chicago, illegally possessed the gun on the afternoon of Jan. 14, 2021, in Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood.  At one point during the altercation Almanza stood in the middle of a street and pointed the gun at multiple individuals.  When Chicago Police officers began arriving on the scene, Almanza slid the firearm under a truck.  The officers quickly discovered the gun, which was equipped with an extended magazine and loaded with 25 rounds of ammunition.

Almanza had previously been convicted of two firearm felonies in state court and was not legally allowed to possess the gun.  He was on parole for the more recent firearm offense at the time of the federal charge.

Almanza pleaded guilty earlier this year to a federal charge of illegal possession of a firearm.  U.S. District Judge John Z. Lee imposed a 44-month prison sentence Thursday after a hearing in federal court in Chicago.

The sentence was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Kristen de Tineo, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and David Brown, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department.  Valuable assistance was provided by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick M. Mott represented the government.

Holding illegal firearm possessors accountable through federal prosecution is a centerpiece of Project Safe Neighborhoods, the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction strategy.  In the Northern District of Illinois, U.S. Attorney Lausch and law enforcement partners have deployed the PSN program to attack a broad range of violent crime issues facing the district, particularly firearm offenses.

Source: United States Department of Justice News

A Tulsa man was sentenced Monday in federal court for participating in an attempted robbery and home invasion that ended in two deaths.

“Justin Harjo received an 18-year prison sentence for taking part in a home invasion that resulted in the deaths of an individual living in the home and Harjo’s accomplice,” said U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners will continue to confront and deter violent crime in communities across northeastern Oklahoma and hold offenders accountable.”

U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan sentenced Justin Tvmvmapky Harjo, 25, of Tulsa, to 216 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release. On Oct. 15, 2021, Harjo pleaded guilty to conspiracy to carry, brandish, and use a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

According to his plea agreement, Harjo admitted that he conspired with Chauncey Thomas to carry, brandish, and use a firearm during a robbery committed on May 23, 2019. He admitted that he and Thomas planned to conduct an armed robbery of victim Dion Carr’s residence. Harjo drove Thomas to Carr’s residence and attempted follow Thomas through a window into the victim’s home. Carr confronted Thomas who was armed with a gun as he entered the residence. Witnesses in the home reported a struggle over the firearm that resulted in both Thomas and Carr getting shot. Carr died at the scene while Harjo helped his accomplice escape. Harjo drove Thomas to a Tulsa hospital, pulled him from the vehicle, and left him at the entrance. Harjo later burned the vehicle used in the robbery in a rural field to destroy evidence and conceal the conspiracy. Thomas died three days after he was left at the hospital.

The Tulsa Police Department and FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher J. Nassar and Sandra M. Urban prosecuted the case.