Category: MIL-OSI

Source: US FBI

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A federal judge sentenced a federal inmate for assaulting a corrections officer, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and FBI Special Agent in Charge Carlton Peeples.

U.S. District Court Judge R. David Proctor sentenced Christopher McCallum to 51 months in prison based on his September 2024 guilty plea to assault of an officer.

According to the plea agreement, McCallum was a federal inmate of the Bureau of Prisons at FCI Talladega, serving a sentence for a previous federal conviction.  On February 29, 2024, McCallum became disruptive, walked toward the staff with clinched fists, and ultimately assaulted a female corrections officer.  McCallum punched her in the head and upper torso area. The corrections officer sustained multiple injuries.

FBI investigated the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad Felton prosecuted the case.  

Source: US FBI

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A federal grand jury has indicted four Birmingham men with multiple crimes related to three separate carjacking events in Jefferson County, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and FBI Special Agent in Charge Carlton Peeples. 

Those indicted in January include:

• Dearrius Dontrell Pace, 30, who was charged with carjacking and kidnapping. This incident occurred on July 16, 2024;
• Charles Avery Pruitt, 22, who was charged with carjacking and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.  This incident occurred on July 10, 2024; and
• Kyone D’Mias Harris and Brandon Taylor Ezell, both 24, who were charged with carjacking and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.  This incident occurred in October 2024.

FBI investigated each case.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys John G. Camp, Daniel S. McBrayer, and Darius C. Greene are prosecuting these cases.

An indictment contains only charges.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Source: US FBI

      LITTLE ROCK—Raymond Tetzlaff, an inmate incarcerated at the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) in Forrest City, Arkansas, will spend an additional 10 years in federal prison after his current sentence is complete following his conviction for an assault causing serious bodily injury in which the victim ultimately died. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down today by United States District Judge James M. Moody, Jr.

      Following a three-day jury trial, Tetzlaff, 41, of Great Falls, Montana, was convicted by a federal jury on June 12, 2024. The jury found Tetzlaff guilty on one count of assault causing serious bodily injury.

      Tetzlaff is currently serving a 216-month federal sentence for drug crimes from a 2017 case out of Montana. That sentence is expected to expire in 2032. Tetzlaff’s 120-month sentence in the assault case will begin to run when the sentence from the drug case is complete. In addition to the 10 years’ of imprisonment, Judge Moody sentenced Tetzlaff to five years of supervised release. The sentence is the maximum amount of imprisonment under law Tetzlaff could serve. There is no parole in the federal system.

      “It is my sincere hope that today’s sentence will bring a level of comfort and peace to the victim’s family,” said Jonathan D. Ross, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas. “Prisoners should be safe while serving their term of imprisonment. The significant sentence handed down by the judge should serve as a warning to all inmates that if you cause harm to a fellow prisoner, our office will work to hold you accountable.

      “The defendant showed no remorse and the sentence is reflective of the defendant’s callous indifference to the loss of another man’s life.”

      Tetzlaff was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 1, 2023, in a two-count indictment that charged him with one count of manslaughter and one count of assault causing serious bodily injury. The jury returned a verdict of guilty on assault but did not reach a verdict on the manslaughter charge.

      Through an investigation, it was revealed that on October 29, 2022, at the federal prison in Forrest City, Tetzlaff punched an inmate in the face, knocking him to the floor. The victim of the assault sustained a fractured skull when he hit the floor. Three days after the assault by Tetzlaff, the victim succumbed to the injuries. It was discovered during the investigation that Tetzlaff assaulted the victim over concerns for a missing contraband cell phone. 

      Witnesses at trial testified that Tetzlaff punched the victim when the victim was not paying attention and was turning away from him. After being punched, the victim was knocked unconscious and crashed to the floor, resulting in a fracture to his skull. Witnesses reported the victim later had a seizure and fell from his top bunk onto the floor. The victim was taken to the hospital, but never regained consciousness.

      In pronouncing the sentence, Judge Moody pointed out Tetzlaff’s lack of remorse and violence of the act, as well as numerous previous incidents in which he had used violence in criminal activities, as reasons for the sentence. 

      This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the BOP. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Bart Dickinson and Chris Givens.

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Additional information about the office of the

United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at

https://www.justice.gov/edar

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Source: US FBI

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A Birmingham man was sentenced for drug trafficking and possessing a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Carlton L. Peeples.

U.S. District Court Judge Madeline H. Haikala sentenced Courdarius Lamont Hall, also known as “Skinny,” 26, to 123 months in prison. In April 2024, Hall pleaded guilty to distribution of methamphetamine and fentanyl, possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

According to the plea agreement, during three separate controlled drug transactions in 2023, Hall sold methamphetamine and fentanyl to a confidential source. Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office deputies obtained a search warrant for Hall’s house.  Deputies recovered a substantial amount of methamphetamine and fentanyl from his daughter’s Minnie Mouse backpack; a Glock .40 caliber pistol equipped with a machinegun-conversion device, commonly referred to as a “Glock switch;” a Draco.223 caliber firearm; and a loaded, extended drum magazine.

The FBI investigated the case along with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Vice and Narcotics Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brittany T. Byrd prosecuted the case.  

Source: US FBI

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – A Madison man was sentenced for attempted enticement of a minor, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Carlton L. Peeples.

U.S. District Court Judge Madeline H. Haikala sentenced Anthony Ray Lawrence, 38, of Madison,  to 120 months in prison, followed by a life term of supervised release. In October, Lawrence was convicted by a jury of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. This conviction will require Lawrence to register as a sex offender in accordance with the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

According to evidence presented at trial, between April and May 2023, Lawrence used a social media application to engage with someone he thought to be a 14-year-old female but who actually was an undercover law enforcement officer. He told the undercover officer that he used the application to meet up with younger girls. On May 1, 2023, Lawrence traveled from Madison, Alabama, to Homewood, Alabama, to engage in a sexual act with a minor. At the time of his arrest, Lawrence possessed condoms and sexual lubricant. He had rented a hotel room nearby.

If you suspect or become aware of possible sexual exploitation of a child, please contact law enforcement. To alert the FBI Birmingham Office, call 205-326-6166. Reports can also be filed with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) or online at www.cybertipline.org.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet and to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The FBI investigated the case along with the Homewood Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel S. McBrayer and R. Leann White prosecuted the case.  

Source: US FBI

FAYETTEVILLE – The final member of a Northwest Arkansas drug trafficking organization was sentenced to federal prison for crimes related to the distribution of fentanyl. The Honorable Judge Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearings in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.

According to court documents and evidence presented at the trial of Claude Dukes, agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) initiated an investigation into a drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing fentanyl pills in the Western District of Arkansas from November 2022 to June 2023. Evidence presented at trial showed that Claude Dukes, Jr., of Newport, Arkansas, was identified as the source of supply for fentanyl being distributed by co-conspirator, Justin Ellis.  Dukes was found to be responsible for over 400 grams of fentanyl distributed in the conspiracy through his own conduct and the conduct of co-conspirators. Co-conspirators Justin Ellis and Derrick Bradley pleaded guilty to distributing fentanyl in Northwest Arkansas for their respective roles in the offense. The pills distributed by this group contained fentanyl made or pressed to look like M-30 Oxycontin prescription pills.

“This case is an example of the outstanding results that are possible when dedicated law enforcement officers and agencies work together to dismantle drug trafficking operations,” said David Clay Fowlkes, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas. “We are so proud to partner with our federal, local, and state law enforcement agencies to address this deadly controlled substance.  Fentanyl continues to be an extreme danger to our communities in Western Arkansas.  This drug trafficking operation was responsible for distributing significant amounts of this deadly substance in Western Arkansas.  This sentence reflects the serious nature of their crimes and should send a strong message to others who would seek to smuggle and distribute fentanyl in Western Arkansas.”

Those members of the drug trafficking organization indicted federally have been sentenced as follows:

Claude Dukes, Jr.: age 42, Newport, Arkansas – Conspiracy to distribute more than 400 grams of a mixture or substance containing fentanyl– 300 months imprisonment and 5-year term of supervised release. Dukes’ sentence was subject to enhanced penalties due to his status as a career offender.

Justin Alexander Ellis: age 36, Fayetteville, Arkansas – Distribution of a mixture or substance containing fentanyl – 172 months imprisonment and 3-year term of supervised release. Ellis’ sentence was subject to enhanced penalties due to his status as a career offender.

Derrick Scott Bradley: age 43, Rogers, Arkansas – Distribution of a mixture or substance containing fentanyl – 96 months imprisonment and 3-year term of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.

The Drug Enforcement Administration in Fayetteville investigated the case with assistance by the following agencies:  Federal Bureau of Investigation, Fourth Judicial Drug Task Force, Benton County Drug Unit, Benton County Sheriff’s Department, Bentonville Police Department, Rogers Police Department, and the Newport Police Department.  

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sydney Butler Stanley, Kevin Eaton, and Dustin Roberts prosecuted the case for the United States.

This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

Source: US FBI

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A convicted felon has been sentenced for illegal possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and FBI Special Agent in Charge Carlton Peeples.

United States District Court Judge Annemarie Carney Axon sentenced Curtoine Lamar Jackson, 35, of Bessemer, to 64 months in prison.   Jackson previously pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. On December 30, 2023, Jackson possessed a Taurus 9mm pistol. Jackson is prohibited from having a firearm because of multiple previous felony convictions. 

Jackson was convicted on March 15, 2012, in the Circuit Court of the Bessemer Division of Jefferson County, Alabama, of the offenses of Robbery, First Degree; Burglary, First Degree;  and Robbery, First Degree.  He was convicted in the same court on or about December 4, 2017, of the Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance.

FBI and Bessemer Police Department investigated the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney W. Lee Gilmer prosecuted the case.

Source: US FBI

      LITTLE ROCK—Freddie “Bankroll Freddie” Gladney, III, will spend the next 150 months in federal prison after being convicted of multiple narcotics offenses, including a firearms offense, which involved a conspiracy to distribute large amounts of marijuana in and around central Arkansas. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down today by United States District Judge James M. Moody, Jr.

      Following a four-day trial, Gladney, 30, of Helena, was convicted by a federal jury on April 12, 2024. The jury found Gladney guilty of one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana, one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and one count of using a telephone in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

      In addition to the 150 months’ total imprisonment, which is more than twelve years, Judge Moody sentenced Gladney to three years supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Gladney was also ordered to pay a $242,000 money judgment as part of his conviction. 

      Gladney was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 3, 2023, in a 32-count superseding indictment that charged him with numerous offenses related to a conspiracy that was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

      Two FBI operations, each focused on a rival gang, were created to address violence and drug trafficking in the corridor between Pine Bluff and Little Rock. The investigations focused on rival gangs responsible for violence throughout central Arkansas, with one operation focused on the EBK or Every Body Killas gang and resulting in the indictment of 35 defendants.

      An investigation revealed that on April 14, 2022, an Arkansas State Police trooper observed a black truck speeding and conducted a traffic stop in Marion. The trooper noted the odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle and asked Gladney to exit the vehicle. Gladney began to exit the vehicle but then reentered and started reaching for something in the vehicle. Because Gladney refused to exit the vehicle, the trooper was forced to remove him.

      During a search of Gladney’s vehicle, law enforcement officers located in the passenger seat near the area where Gladney had been reaching, a Romarm/Cugie Model Micro Draco 7.62x39mm caliber firearm and a Polymer 80 Model PF940C, 9mm privately made firearm (also known as a “ghost gun”). Additionally, during a search of the back seat of the vehicle, law enforcement officers located a duffle bag containing 21.4 pounds of high-grade marijuana and $33,662, which was located in the center console along with seven magazines, five of which were extended and fully loaded.

      At sentencing, Gladney received a 4-level increase for being an organizer or leader of criminal activity that involved five or more participants. Gladney received a 2-level increase in his guideline range for obstruction of justice related to a May 25, 2021, wiretap call in which he instructed a codefendant to remove guns and scales used for weighing illegal drugs from his Helena residence in anticipation that it would be searched by law enforcement. 

GLADNEY III:           So where, what you got in the house in Helena?

CODEFENDANT:     I got everything out of there.

GLADNEY III:           You got everything out of there already?

CODEFENDANT:     Yeah.

GLADNEY III:           Scales and everything?

CODEFENDANT:     Naw, I gotta, gotta, lemme call them. Send em back in to get that. I gotta find out where all they at.

GLADNEY III:           Scales and shit. Get everything out the house. Any guns, anything.

CODEFENDANT:     Alright, let me..

GLADNEY III:           Where that MAK-90 at?

CODEFENDANT:     It’s not there.

GLADNEY III:           Alright get everything else out that house before they go search that b***h.

CODEFENDANT:     Alright.

      Judge Moody cited the ghost gun in increasing Gladney’s sentence 2.5 years above the guidelines range. Judge Moody noted that based on trial testimony, it was apparent that Gladney’s ghost gun, which did not have a back plate, was either ready to receive a “switch,” or had recently had a “switch” on it, that would turn the ghost gun from a semi-automatic firearm to a fully-automatic firearm. Judge Moody also recognized that Gladney was on probation from a drug and gun case in Memphis at the time he was intercepted on the wiretap in this case. 

      This investigation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

      The investigation was conducted by the FBI with assistance from Arkansas State Police, Arkansas Department of Community Corrections, Little Rock Police Department, North Little Rock Police Department, Pine Bluff Police Department, and Jonesboro Police Department. FBI’s GETROCK Task Force was formed in 2017 in response to the escalation in gang and gun violence in Little Rock. The unit’s investigations and operations are coordinated out of FBI Little Rock’s field office, and GETROCK continues to serve as the clearinghouse for gang-related law enforcement activity in Central Arkansas. Additional support was provided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Homeland Security Investigations; United States Postal Inspection Service; Arkansas National Guard Counterdrug Joint Task Force; and the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory. These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Julie Peters, Amanda Fields, and Reese Lancaster.

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Additional information about the office of the

United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at

https://www.justice.gov/edar

X (formerly known as Twitter):

@USAO_EDAR