MIL Security Engine-1

Source: US FBI

      LITTLE ROCK—A Russellville woman was sentenced today for her role in two kidnappings carried out on behalf of a white supremacist gang. Amanda Rapp, 40, was sentenced to 262 months, or 21.8 years, in federal prison by United States District Judge Brian S. Miller.

      Rapp pleaded guilty on October 29, 2020, to two counts of Kidnapping in Aid of Racketeering. In addition to the term of 262 months’ imprisonment, Judge Miller also sentenced Rapp to five years of supervised release following her term of imprisonment. 

      The investigation began in 2016, when local and federal agencies initiated a joint investigation to identify, infiltrate, and dismantle drug trafficking organizations in Russellville. Agents identified multiple individuals who were trafficking methamphetamine in the Pope County area. The investigation revealed that Rapp was an associate of the New Aryan Empire (NAE), a white supremacist organization that began as a prison gang and functioned as a drug trafficking organization.

      In May 2017, Rapp and other NAE members and associates kidnapped two individuals who they suspected of cooperating with law enforcement, which violated the rules imposed by leaders of NAE. The two victims were held against their will for over 24 hours, during which time NAE members and associates restrained the victims and assaulted them. During the kidnapping, one of the assailants heated a knife with a torch and placed the hot knife on the face of one of the victims, causing severe and permanent disfigurement.

      “Today’s sentence in Operation ‘To The Dirt’ is an important step in pushing back against the turmoil brought about by gang activity in the River Valley,” said Jonathan D. Ross, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas. “We will continue to investigate the violent activities that stem from drug trafficking in this as well as other corrupt organizations.” 

      “This case was a joint effort with our state, local and federal partners and stands as a great example of a cooperative and complimentary investigation,” stated Clayton R. Merrill, Resident Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). “ATF continues to remain committed to stopping those who use firearms to further their criminal activities and who are preying on our communities.”

      “Our neighborhoods deserve to exist without fear and intimidation inflicted by violent drug gangs like the New Aryan Empire,” said Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Brad L. Byerley. “The unprecedented collaboration between all law enforcement agencies represented in this region exemplifies the continuing unified goal of keeping our neighborhoods safe and secure. The sentencing of this individual will undoubtedly convey a strong and unified message to those who continue to engage in criminal activities, threatening the safety of our citizens.”

      “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service will always prioritize cases involving violent crimes and narcotics.  We are proud to have investigated this case with our federal and local law enforcement partners to achieve this end,” said Thomas Noyes, Inspector in Charge of the Fort Worth Division.  “We thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their dedication to this case as well.  Working together, we will continue to identify, and bring to justice, those who threaten our communities.”

      “I greatly appreciate the cooperative investigative effort of our investigators in conjunction with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners that resulted in successful resolution of these cases,” said David Ewing, Chief of the Russellville Police Department. “The teamwork displayed by those involved shows that our cumulative efforts reinforces our commitment to safeguarding our respective communities from this type of criminal behavior.”

      Rapp was charged on September 3, 2019, in a federal indictment that charged more than 50 people from the Pope County area with violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering, and numerous gun and drug violations. The case is named “To The Dirt,” a reference to the NAE slogan referring to the rule that members must remain in the NAE until they die. The charges allege acts involving attempted murder, kidnapping, maiming, and conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Of the 55 total defendants charged in “Operation ‘To The Dirt,’” 49 defendants have pleaded guilty, and nine of those defendants have already been sentenced to prison terms: Jared Dale, 84 months; Britanny Conner, 120 months; Keith Savage, 120 months; Joseph Pridmore, 150 months; Daniel Adame, 262 months; Justin Howell, 155 months; James George, 70 months; Amos Adame, 121 months; and Skippy Don Sanders, 262 months. The remaining defendants are awaiting trial.

      The investigation was conducted by ATF, DEA, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Pope County Sheriff’s Office, Fifth Judicial Drug Task Force, and the Russellville Police Department, with assistance from the FBI.

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This news release, as well as 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

Twitter:

@EDARNEWS

Source: US FBI

An Ohio man pleaded guilty today to sending threatening communications to an election official with the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office. 

“The Justice Department has no tolerance for illegal threats that target those who administer our elections, and it will not hesitate to investigate and prosecute such criminal conduct,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “These threats endanger election workers and their families, and they endanger our democracy.”

According to court documents, on or about Aug. 2, 2022, on the date of Arizona’s primary elections, Joshua Russell, 44, of Bucyrus, left the following voicemail for an election official with the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office (Victim‑1): “This message is for traitor [Victim-1’s full name]. You’ve drug your feet, you’ve done nothing, to protect our election for 2020. You’re committing election fraud, you’re starting to do it again, from day one. You’re the enemy of the United States, you’re a traitor to this country, and you better put your sh[inaudible], your [expletive] affairs in order, ’cause your days [inaudible] are extremely numbered. America’s coming for you, and you will pay with your life, you communist [expletive] traitor [expletive].”

“Election officials are the first responders of democracy,” said U.S. Attorney Gary M. Restaino for the District of Arizona. “We best vindicate the work of these public servants when we locate, investigate, and prosecute those who make threats against them.”

Additionally, on or about Sept. 9, 2022, Russell left the following voicemail for Victim-1: “This message is for terrorist [Victim-1’s last name]. The only reason you’re still walking around on this planet is because we’re waiting for the midterms to see you prosecuted for the crimes you have done to our nation. You are a terrorist. You are a derelict criminal. And you have a few short months to see yourself behind bars, or we will see you to the grave. You are a traitor to this nation, and you will suffer the [expletive] consequences.”

“This case is another successful result from the hard work of the Election Threats Task Force,” said Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “The FBI and our partners will continue to investigate anyone who threatens election officials working to keep America’s elections fair and free.”  

Finally, on or about Nov. 15, 2022, Russell left the following voicemail for Victim-1: “This message is for communist, criminal, [Victim-1’s full name]. We will not endure your crimes on America another day. You’ve been busted, over and over again. We will not wait for you to be drugged through court. A war is coming for you. The entire nation is coming for you. And we will stop, at no end, until you are in the ground. You’re a traitor to this nation. You’re a [expletive] piece of [expletive] communist, and you just signed your own death warrant. Get your affairs in order, cause, your days are very short.”

Russell pleaded guilty to one count of making a threatening interstate communication. The sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 13, and the defendant faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI Phoenix Field Office is investigating the case, with the assistance of the FBI Cleveland Field Office, Mansfield Resident Agency.

Trial Attorney Tanya Senanayake of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean K. Lokey for the District of Arizona are prosecuting the case.

This case is part of the Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force. Announced by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and launched by Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco in June 2021, the task force has led the Department’s efforts to address threats of violence against election workers, and to ensure that all election workers – whether elected, appointed, or volunteer – are able to do their jobs free from threats and intimidation. The task force engages with the election community and state and local law enforcement to assess allegations and reports of threats against election workers, and has investigated and prosecuted these matters where appropriate, in partnership with FBI Field Offices and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country. Two years after its formation, the task force is continuing this work and supporting the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and FBI Field Offices nationwide as they carry on the critical work that the task force has begun.

Under the leadership of Deputy Attorney General Monaco, the task force is led by the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and includes several other entities within the Department of Justice, including the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section of the Criminal Division, the Civil Rights Division, the National Security Division, and the FBI, as well as key interagency partners, such as the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. For more information regarding the Justice Department’s efforts to combat threats against election workers, read the Deputy Attorney General’s memo.

To report suspected threats or violent acts, contact your local FBI office and request to speak with the Election Crimes Coordinator. Contact information for every FBI field office may be found at www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/. You may also contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or file an online complaint at www.tips.fbi.gov. Complaints submitted will be reviewed by the task force and referred for investigation or response accordingly. If someone is in imminent danger or risk of harm, contact 911 or your local police immediately.

Source: US FBI

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Vanessa Rene Dundon (a.k.a. Sioux Z, a.k.a. Suzie Q), 38, of Indian Wells, Arizona, was sentenced last week by United States District Judge Diane J. Humetewa to three years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. As a condition of her supervised release, Dundon cannot travel to, or be on, the Hopi Reservation. Dundon pleaded guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.

 “Drug trafficking causes particular harm for tribal communities,” said United States Attorney Gary Restaino. “The exclusion of defendant from the Hopi Reservation is an additional tool to prevent future harm, and an extra measure of protection for Hopi villages.”

Dundon was stopped in her vehicle on the Hopi Reservation in April 2021, March 2022, and April 2022. On each occasion, she had controlled substances in her vehicle. At the change of plea hearing, Dundon admitted that on April 17, 2022, she possessed 58.4 grams of pure methamphetamine and that she intended to deliver it to other individuals in exchange for payment.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Phoenix Field Office, and Hopi Law Enforcement Services conducted the investigation in this case. The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.
 

CASE NUMBER:           CR-22-08043-PCT-DJH
RELEASE NUMBER:    2023-128_Dundon

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.

Source: US FBI

An Iowa man was sentenced yesterday to two and a half years in prison for sending threatening communications to an election official on the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors and to the then-Attorney General of Arizona. 

“This sentence makes clear that individuals who illegally threaten election officials and others associated with the electoral process will face meaningful penalties,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The Justice Department will diligently investigate and prosecute attempts to illegally threaten, intimidate, and coerce the individuals administering the nation’s free and fair elections.”

According to court documents, on or about Sept. 27, 2021, Mark A. Rissi, 64, of Hiawatha, said the following in a voicemail message he left for Clint Hickman, an election official with the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors: “Hello Mr. Hickman, I am glad that you are standing up for democracy and want to place your hand on the Bible and say that the election was honest and fair. I really appreciate that. When we come to lynch your stupid lying Commie [expletive], you’ll remember that you lied on the [expletive] Bible, you piece of [expletive]. You’re gonna die, you piece of [expletive]. We’re going to hang you. We’re going to hang you.”

“Those who weaponize election protests threaten our civility and our democracy,” said U.S. Attorney Gary M. Restaino for the District of Arizona. “Thanks to our partners with the Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force and the FBI for ensuring accountability.”

Additionally, on or about Dec. 8, 2021, Rissi said the following in a voicemail message he left for then-Attorney General of Arizona Mark Brnovich: “This message is for Attorney General Mark Brnovich . . . . I’m a victim of a crime. My family is a victim of a crime. My extended family is a victim of a crime. That crime was the theft of the 2020 election. The election that was fraudulent across the state of Arizona, that the Attorney General knows was fraudulent, that the Attorney General has images of the conspirators deleting election fraud data from the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors computer system. Do your job, Brnovich, or you will hang with those [expletive] in the end. We will see to it. Torches and pitchforks. That’s your future, [expletive]. Do your job.”

Rissi pleaded guilty to two counts of sending a threatening interstate communication.

“The FBI works to ensure that threats to election officials will not impact election results, but will result in legal consequences,” said Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “Today’s sentencing represents the FBI and our partners’ dedication to keeping American elections impenetrable from criminal influences.” 

The FBI Phoenix Field Office investigated the case, with assistance from the FBI Omaha Field Office, Cedar Rapids Resident Agency.

Trial Attorney Tanya Senanayake of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean K. Lokey for the District of Arizona prosecuted the case.

This case is part of the Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force. Announced by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and launched by Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco in June 2021, the task force has led the Department’s efforts to address threats of violence against election workers, and to ensure that all election workers – whether elected, appointed, or volunteer – are able to do their jobs free from threats and intimidation. The task force engages with the election community and state and local law enforcement to assess allegations and reports of threats against election workers, and has investigated and prosecuted these matters where appropriate, in partnership with FBI Field Offices and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country. The task force is continuing this work and supporting the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and FBI Field Offices nationwide.

Under the leadership of Deputy Attorney General Monaco, the task force is led by the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and includes several other entities within the Justice Department, including the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section of the Criminal Division, the Civil Rights Division, the National Security Division, and the FBI, as well as key interagency partners, such as the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. For more information regarding the Justice Department’s efforts to combat threats against election workers, read the Deputy Attorney General’s memo.

To report suspected threats or violent acts, contact your local FBI office and request to speak with the Election Crimes Coordinator. Contact information for every FBI field office may be found at www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/. You may also contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or file an online complaint at www.tips.fbi.gov. Complaints submitted will be reviewed by the task force and referred for investigation or response accordingly. If someone is in imminent danger or risk of harm, contact 911 or your local police immediately.

Source: US FBI

FAIRBANKS – A former substitute teacher from Kivalina, Alaska, was sentenced to 10 years in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Ralph R. Beistline for soliciting nude photos and sex from multiple girls ages 11 to 16 years old.

According to court documents, while Jayson Knox, aka “Birdie,” 23, was a substitute teacher at the Kivalina school, he used social media and text messages to contact 10 young girls asking them for nude photos and to meet up with him to engage in sexually explicit conduct. Knox persisted in his behavior even after being confronted by some of the victims or their family members. He admitted that he was particularly attracted to underaged girls because he thought it was easier to get them to have sex. In addition to asking for nude photos, Knox also sent explicit photos of himself to several of the girls. Knox became the subject of a federal investigation when the Alaska State Troopers contacted the FBI concerning allegations that Knox had engaged in inappropriate conduct with minors in Kivalina. Knox pleaded guilty to one count of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor in September 2021.

“Child predators like Knox are every parent’s nightmare,” said John E. Kuhn, Jr. of the District of Alaska. “Fortunately, this sentence will protect the community for years to come. I commend our prosecutor, the FBI and the Alaska State Troopers for their excellent work in securing this conviction and sentence.”

“In his position of trust, the defendant sexually exploited innocent children, and betrayed his entire community in the process,” said Special Agent in Charge Antony Jung of the FBI Anchorage Field Office. “Whether it’s an urban area or a small coastal village on an island, the FBI will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify, investigate, and hold accountable anyone who seeks to harm children.”

“Child sexual exploitation is a problem in all of Alaska, but thanks to the dedication of skilled investigators and coordination with our federal and local partners, offenders such as Mr. Knox are being brought to justice,” said Alaska State Trooper Capt. Andrew Gorn, Commander of the Alaska Bureau of Investigation. “There is no place in society for these acts on children and we will continue to vigorously pursue those who perpetuate these crimes.”

The FBI and the Alaska State Troopers investigated the case as part of the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Doty prosecuted the case.

This investigation is part of the Rural Alaska Anti-Violence Enforcement (RAAVEN) Working Group’s ongoing efforts to build the capacity of federal, state, and tribal law enforcement in rural Alaska. The RAAVEN Working Group, led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, encourages extensive collaboration among law enforcement at all levels, rural communities, Alaska Native groups, victim service organizations, and care providers. Current law enforcement members of the working group include the U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO), State of Alaska Department of Public Safety (DPS), State of Alaska Department of Law (DOL), the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), FBI, DEA, ATF, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), and the Anchorage Police Department (APD).

The investigation is also part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood combines federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visitwww.justice.gov/psc

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Source: US FBI

ANCHORAGE – A Wasilla, Alaska, medical doctor was sentenced in federal court by Chief U.S. District Judge Sharon L. Gleason to 34 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release and fined $25,000 for illegally dispensing and distributing controlled substances to patients in his medical practice at the Camelot Family Health Clinic.

According to court documents, David Chisholm, 64, illegally prescribed his patients thousands of pills of highly addictive controlled substances, including oxycodone, methadone, hydrocodone, morphine, tramadol, fentanyl, hydromorphone and buprenorphine. An extensive undercover investigation revealed that Chisholm routinely distributed the controlled substances without administering a medical exam and without a legitimate medical purpose. He also did not develop pain management plans for his patients and his record keeping was virtually non-existent.   

Between January 2014 and October 2019, Chisholm wrote 20,524 prescriptions to approximately 350 patients amounting to nearly 2 million total dosage units of various opioids including more than 7,500 prescriptions for oxycodone, 3,600 prescriptions for methadone and 1,300 prescriptions for hydrocodone. Chisholm frequently wrote numerous prescriptions to patients under multiple variations of their names, allowing them to continue to refill their drugs without raising red flags from Medicare or their private insurance. At one point Chisholm’s practices became so egregious that Walmart refused to continue filling prescriptions he had written. In response, he instructed his staff to tell patients to go to other pharmacies. Chisholm often prescribed combinations of medications, including concurrent opioids, benzodiazepines, sedatives and carisoprodol. These combinations increased the likelihood of drug abuse and overdose among his patients. As part of the plea agreement, Chisholm acknowledged that his prescriptions were a significant contributing factor in the overdose deaths of five of his patients between 2016 and 2018.

“Dr. Chisholm’s reckless conduct reflects a shocking disregard for the welfare of his patients. Nothing can excuse his opioid prescribing practices in light of what is today universally understood about the risks of opioid use disorder and opioid overdose,” said U.S. Attorney John E. Kuhn, Jr. of the District of Alaska. “The United States Attorney’s Office, DEA, and FBI – together with our state and local partners – will investigate and prosecute any medical professional who jeopardizes the health and safety of patients with opioids and other addictive substances.”

“Dr. Chisholm intentionally distributed highly addictive and potentially lethal dosages and quantities of opioids to his patients,” said Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Seattle Field Division. “Today’s sentence sends a strong message that the DEA and law enforcement partners will fight the opioid epidemic through coordinated enforcement operations targeting medical professionals like Dr. Chisholm who betray their profession and use their prescription pads to further addiction and add fuel to the opioid epidemic.” 

Chisholm pleaded guilty in June 2021 and is required to surrender his Alaska State medical license.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Wasilla Police and the Alaska State Board of Pharmacy investigated this case as part of the Alaska Health Care Fraud Task Force (AHCFTF), a partnership of local, state, federal, and private agencies focused on the investigation of health care fraud, waste, and abuse in Alaska or affecting Alaskan interests. For more information and how to report health care fraud, please visit the FBI’s AHCFTF website: https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/anchorage/alaska-health-care-fraud-task-force

Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Schroeder prosecuted the case.   

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Source: US FBI

ANCHORAGE – Four Anchorage individuals involved in a bribery and fraud scheme to obtain Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) government contracts with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) have been sentenced in federal court.

Donald Garner, 50, owner of Veteran Ability, was a government contractor who provided various services to the U.S. government, including the VA in Anchorage. Richard Vaughan, 74, worked at the Anchorage VA as a contract officer representative responsible for awarding and managing numerous contracts for the VA, including a $700,000 SDVOSB contract to perform snow removal services at the Anchorage VA.

Between 2015 and 2017, Garner directed his bookkeeper Yalonda Moore, 52, to deliver more than $29,000 in bribe payments to Vaughan. In exchange, Vaughan gave preferential treatment to Garner by selecting Veteran Ability to complete dozens of “purchase card” jobs at the Anchorage VA, totaling more than $100,000. Vaughan also approved numerous invoices submitted by Garner related to the snow removal contract for work that was either unnecessary or never actually performed, causing the government an estimated $347,000 in losses.

Garner and Vaughan each pleaded guilty to one count of bribery involving a public official and were sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. They must also pay $347,000 in restitution to the VA.  

Additionally, between 2014 and 2016, Dale Johnson, 50, owner of ADALECO General LLC, conspired with Garner to perpetrate a “pass-through” scheme in which Johnson allowed Garner to use ADALECO’s name to bid on and obtain SDVOSB set-aside contracts for which Garner’s company was not eligible, including the VA snow removal contract. Although ADALECO was expected to perform the work, Garner’s company illegally assumed control of the contract and received the majority of the profits. In return, Garner paid Johnson a percentage of the contract as a kickback, totaling $54,302.

Johnson pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and was sentenced to five years’ probation and ordered to pay $54,302 in restitution. 

The FBI and the VA Office of the Inspector General began investigating Garner, Vaughan, and Johnson in 2016.  During that investigation, Moore, who worked as a bookkeeper for both Veteran Ability and ADALECO, intentionally obstructed the government’s investigation by tipping off Garner about the FBI’s investigation plans. Prior to that Moore had been purporting to cooperate with the government’s investigation. Moore recently pleaded guilty to one count of obstruction of justice and was sentenced to three years’ probation.

“The bribery and fraud scheme by these defendants not only cheated the government, but simultaneously diverted work from eligible, law-abiding service-disabled veterans,” said John E. Kuhn, Jr. U.S. Attorney for the District of Alaska. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will prosecute every unlawful attempt to corrupt the government contracting process and will work to ensure that no one profits from such efforts.”

 “At the expense of U.S. taxpayers, these individuals traded their integrity for greed, and undermined the VA’s efforts to lawfully contract with service-disabled veteran-owned businesses in Alaska,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Shawn Peters of the FBI Anchorage Field Office. “Dismantling criminal enterprises involving bribery and corruption will always be a priority for the FBI, and together with our law enforcement partners, we will hold those accountable who take part in such schemes.” 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General, the Small Business Administration Office of the Inspector General, and the General Services Administration Office of the Inspector General investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Tansey prosecuted the case.

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Note to Editors:

• Garner case: 3:19-cr-00120-SLG-DMS
• Vaughan case: 3:19-cr-00120-SLG-DMS
• Johnson case: 4:19-cr-00018-RRB-SAO
• Moore case: 3:21-cr-00084-JMK-MMS

The United States Small Business Administration (SBA) is an independent agency of the federal government responsible for aiding, counseling, assisting and protecting the interests of small business concerns. The SBA and VA administer a program to award SDVOSB contracts which can only be awarded to small businesses owned and controlled by qualified Service-Disabled Veterans (SDVs)

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) is a small business that is 51% unconditionally owned and controlled by a service-disabled veteran. Through the SDVOSB, the federal government aims to award at least three percent of all federal contracting dollars to SDVOSBs each year. Competition is limited for certain federal contract opportunities to businesses that participate in the SDVOSB program.

More information about veteran assistance programs can be found here: https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/veteran-assistance-programs#section-header-11

Source: US FBI

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Two Birmingham men pleaded guilty to the charges of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, Distribution of Methamphetamine, and Possession with the Intent to Distribute Heroin announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp, Jr.

Darius Emale Craig, Jr., 23, pleaded guilty on February 24, 2022, to Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, and two counts of Distribution of Methamphetamine.  His sentencing is scheduled for June 15, 2022, before Judge Madeline Hughes Haikala.  Horace Dantai Burgess, Jr., 25, pleaded guilty on March 15, 2022, to Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine involving his brother Darius Emale Craig, Jr., two counts of Distribution of Methamphetamine, and one count of Possession with the Intent to Distribute Heroin.  His sentencing is scheduled for July 20, 2022, before Judge Haikala.

The maximum penalty for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine is 40 years in prison and a fine of not more than $5,000,000.

Both men are linked to the Hard to Kill gang.  Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigated the Hard to Kill gang, better known as H2K. This gang operates in the Birmingham, Alabama area and is known to be involved in acts of violence, illegal drug distribution, and illegal firearm possession.

These cases are a part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. 

FBI investigated the case along with the Birmingham Police Department, and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Kristy Peoples and Darius Greene prosecuted the cases.

Source: US FBI

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A Birmingham man plead guilty this week to the charges of sex trafficking of a minor and production of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp, Jr.

Jeremy Lynn Alexander, 36, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Karon O. Bowdre to one count of sex trafficking of a minor and one count of production of child pornography.  According to the plea agreement, on or about July 16, 2021, FBI Birmingham’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force received a priority lead regarding a 14-year-old female reported missing out of Madison, Wisconsin. FBI Birmingham and Homewood Police Special Investigations Unit launched an immediate investigation to find and recover the child.  They located her through an advertisement on a website known for commercial sex advertisements.  A task force officer responded to the number posted in the advertisement, the minor victim replied, and provided the address to meet.  Members of the task force responded to a local hotel and located the juvenile victim in the hotel room with Alexander.  Further investigation revealed child pornography involving Alexander and the juvenile victim located on Alexander’s cell phone.

FBI Birmingham’s Child Exploitation Human Trafficking Task Force investigated the case, with the assistance of the Homewood Police Special Investigations Unit.  Assistant United States Attorneys Darius Greene and R. Leann White are prosecuting the case.

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.

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Source: US FBI

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – A federal judge on Friday sentenced a Huntsville man for carjacking, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp, Jr.

U.S. District Judge Abdul K. Kallon sentenced Deondre Cleveland Day, 22, to 120 months in prison. Day pleaded guilty in August 2021 to one count of carjacking, and one count of conspiracy to discharge a firearm during a crime of violence.

According to the plea agreement, on September 24, 2019, Day and a juvenile co-defendant robbed the victim, stealing his car keys, guns, and cell phone. During the robbery, the victim was struck in the head with a handgun. Day and the juvenile then fled in the victim’s car. Later, when Huntsville Police spotted the car, Day led officers on a high-speed chase and shots were fired from the vehicle, striking the windshield of a Huntsville Police vehicle several times. Day and the juvenile then fled on foot.

“Combating violent gun crimes is a priority for my office and this district,” U.S. Attorney Escalona said. “Today’s sentence shows the seriousness of this offense, and I am grateful for the tireless efforts of our partner agencies on this case.”

“I want to thank the members of the North Alabama Violent Crime Task Force, and particularly our partners with the Huntsville Police Department, U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force, and the Madison County Sheriff’s Office for their work in bringing Day to justice,” SAC Sharp said. “The FBI will continue to work closely with our partners to address violent crime in north Alabama.”

FBI investigated the case along with the Huntsville Police Department, North Alabama Violent Crime Task Force, U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force, and the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell Penfield prosecuted the case.

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