MIL Security Engine-1

Source: US FBI

FORT SMITH – A Fort Smith man was arrested yesterday in Austin, Texas on criminal charges related to his alleged possession of an unregistered destructive device; namely, an improvised explosive bomb, which was not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record as required by law. Mehta’s arrest ended a six-day manhunt, in which the public’s assistance was solicited in locating the defendant, who was assumed to be armed and dangerous.

According to court documents, Neil Ravi Mehta, 31, was found to be in possession of an “improvised explosive bomb” during a federal search warrant executed at his residence on Free Ferry Road, in Fort Smith, Ark.  Law enforcement officers located the device in the top left corner of the kitchen island.  The device was x-rayed by bomb technicians on-scene, made safe, and the evidence was collected.  The following images were taken during the execution of the search warrant: 

Mehta is charged in a Criminal Complaint with a single count of Unlawful Possession of an Unregistered Destructive Device. A Grand Jury will later hear evidence related to this investigation and determine whether additional criminal charges will be filed against Mehta.  If convicted of the charge of Unlawful Possession of an Unregistered Destructive Device, Mehta faces a maximum penalty of ten years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

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

This is a joint investigation involving the following federal law enforcement agencies:  the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), Office of Export Enforcement (OEE); the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI); and the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of the Inspector General (DOL-OIG).

Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Mohlhenrich and First Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth Elser are prosecuting the case.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Source: US FBI

La oficina del FBI en Little Rock advierte de una estafa de secuestro virtual dirigida a individuos de habla hispana en Arkansas. La estafa engaña a las víctimas por teléfono para que paguen un rescate para “liberar” a un ser querido que creen que ha sido secuestrado, cuando en realidad, los estafadores no han secuestrado a ninguna persona. Sin embargo, mediante engaños y amenazas, obligan a las víctimas a pagar inmediatamente el rescate antes de que se descubra la estafa. En promedio, las familias envían miles de dólares a los criminales antes de contactar a la policía.

El agente especial encargado del FBI en Little Rock, James A. Dawson, expresó que “Los secuestros virtuales dependen de la velocidad, el miedo y la expectativa de que las víctimas no contacten a las fuerzas del orden. Los estafadores saben que sólo tienen un tiempo limitado para recibir un rescate antes de que su plan se deshaga. Queremos que las posibles víctimas contacten al FBI inmediatamente para que podamos identificar y acabar con estas empresas criminales.”

En los últimos meses, las oficinas del FBI en los Estados Unidos han notado numerosas llamadas procedentes de Centroamérica y México dirigidas a códigos de área específicos en diferentes estados. La investigación del FBI de estas llamadas ha determinado que los criminales están revisando las cuentas de las redes sociales en busca de personas que viajan fuera del país. Estos estafadores luego llaman a los seres queridos del viajero, diciendo que el viajero está en peligro o ha sido secuestrado. Los criminales entonces piden a las víctimas que envíen dinero lo antes posible. Si recibe este tipo de llamada, ya sea una extorsión o un secuestro internacional legítimo, póngase en contacto con el FBI inmediatamente.

Para evitar ser víctima de esta estafa, tenga en cuenta estas señales de advertencia:

• Las llamadas se realizan generalmente desde un número de teléfono internacional o muestran un código de área fuera del estado.
• Los estafadores pueden llamar varias veces en un esfuerzo para hablar con sus víctimas.
• Los estafadores harán todo lo posible para mantenerle en el teléfono.
• Los secuestradores virtuales ponen grabaciones de gritos en el fondo para hacer que la llamada suene más real.
• Los criminales intentarán evitar que usted llame o localice a la víctima “secuestrada”.
• El dinero del rescate sólo se acepta a través de transferencias bancarias.

Para afrontar esta estafa, tenga en cuenta los siguientes consejos:

• Mantenga la calma y evite compartir información sobre usted o su familia durante la llamada.
• Solicite hablar directamente con la víctima; pida una “prueba de vida”.
• Escuche atentamente la voz de la víctima secuestrada y haga preguntas que sólo la víctima sabría contestar.
• Solicite a la víctima secuestrada que le devuelva la llamada desde su teléfono móvil personal.
• Intente contactar a la víctima a través de sus cuentas legítimas en las redes sociales.
• No acepte pagar un rescate y nunca proporcione ninguna información financiera.

El FBI en Little Rock estima que numerosos secuestros virtuales siguen sin ser reportados debido a que muchos hispanohablantes en Arkansas tienen miedo a contactar a las fuerzas del orden debido a la preocupación sobre su estatus migratorio. Los investigadores del FBI únicamente tienen la labor de poner un alto a estas estafas. Nuestra principal prioridad es ayudar a las víctimas de delitos federales y llevar a la justicia a los criminales que están cometiendo estas estafas.

El FBI continúa trabajando con las fuerzas del orden a nivel estatal, federal e internacionales para localizar y arrestar a los criminales responsables de estas estafas. Si llega a ser víctima de esta estafa, por favor repórtelo al FBI en www.ic3.gov o llamando al 1-800-225-5324.

Source: US FBI

Press release available in both English and Spanish.

FBI Little Rock is warning of a virtual kidnapping scam targeting Spanish-speaking individuals in Arkansas. The scheme tricks victims over the phone into paying a ransom to “free” a loved one they believe has been kidnapped, when in fact, the scammers have not kidnapped anyone. Instead, through deceptions and threats, they coerce victims to quickly pay the ransom before the scheme is discovered. On average, families send thousands of dollars to criminals before contacting law enforcement.

“Virtual kidnappings depend on speed, fear, and the expectation that victims won’t contact law enforcement,” said FBI Little Rock Special Agent in Charge James A. Dawson. “Scammers know they only have a limited time to receive a ransom before their plot unravels. We want potential victims to contact the FBI immediately so we can identify and disrupt these criminal enterprises.”

Over the past several months, FBI offices across the United States have seen numerous calls originating out of Central America and Mexico targeting specific area codes in different states. The FBI’s investigation into these calls has determined that criminals are scanning social media accounts for people traveling out of the country. These scammers then call the traveler’s loved ones, stating that the traveler is in danger or has been kidnapped. The criminals then request victims to send money as soon as possible. If you get this type of call— whether you think it’s an extortion scheme or a legitimate international kidnapping— contact the FBI immediately.

To avoid becoming a victim of this scheme, be aware of these warning signs:

• Calls are usually made from an international phone number or display an out-of-state area code.
• Scammers may call multiple times in an effort to speak with their targeted victims.
• Scammers will go to great lengths to keep you on the phone.
• Virtual kidnappers play recorded screams in the background to make the call sound more realistic.
• Criminals will try to prevent you from calling or locating the “kidnapped” victim.
• Ransom money is only accepted via wire transfer service.

To counter this scam, consider the following advice:

• Stay calm and avoid sharing information about you or your family during the call.
• Request to speak to the victim directly; ask for “proof of life.”
• Listen carefully to the voice of the kidnapped victim and ask questions only the victim would know.
• Request the kidnapped victim call back from their personal cell phone.
• Attempt to contact the victim via their legitimate social media accounts.
• Don’t agree to pay a ransom and never give out any financial information.

FBI Little Rock believes numerous virtual kidnappings remain unreported as many Spanish-speaking Arkansans are hesitant to contact law enforcement due to concerns about their immigration status. FBI investigators are only working to stop these scams. Our main priority is to help victims of federal crimes and bring justice to the criminals perpetrating these schemes.

The FBI continues to work with state, federal, and international law enforcement partners to locate and arrest the criminals responsible for these schemes. If you encounter or fall victim to this scheme, please report it to the FBI at www.ic3.gov or by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI.

Source: US FBI

FORT SMITH – The Justice Department announced today that a federal Grand Jury returned an Indictment charging former Crawford County, Arkansas, Sheriff’s Deputies Levi White, age 32, and Zackary King, age 27, with federal civil rights offenses for using excessive force on a 27-year-old man during the arrest of that man at a gas station in Mulberry, Arkansas, on August 21, 2022.
Specifically, Count One of the Indictment alleges that, while the arrestee was lying on the ground, White struck him multiple times. Count Two of the Indictment alleges that King struck the arrestee multiple times, also while the arrestee was lying on the ground. The Indictment further alleges that the arrestee suffered bodily injury as a result of White and King’s actions.
If convicted, White and King face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for the excessive-force charge; both defendants also face up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.
United States Attorney David Clay Fowlkes for the Western District of Arkansas, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, and Special Agent in Charge James A. Dawson of the FBI Little Rock Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI Little Rock Field Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dustin Roberts and Devon Still for the Western District of Arkansas and Trial Attorneys Anna Gotfryd and Michael J. Songer of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.

Source: US FBI

Defendant Illegally Entered Office of the Speaker of the House

            WASHINGTON – An Arkansas man was found guilty in the District of Columbia today of felony and misdemeanor charges for his actions during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol Breach. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the presidential election.

            Richard Barnett, 62, of Gravette, Arkansas, was found guilty of all charges including: obstruction of an official proceeding, interfering with a police officer during a civil disorder, entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds with a dangerous or deadly weapon, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds with a dangerous weapon, all of which are felonies.  He was also found guilty of entering and remaining in certain rooms in a capitol building, disorderly conduct in a capitol building, theft of government property, parading or demonstrating in a capitol building.

            Barnett was arrested on January 8, 2021 in Little Rock, Arkansas. U.S. District Court Judge Christopher R. Cooper scheduled a sentencing hearing for May 3, 2023.

            According to the government’s evidence, U.S. Capitol Police learned that an individual had entered the restricted office area of the Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi and was photographed with his feet propped up on furniture. Those photos were circulated on numerous news media platforms which identified the individual as Barnett. A search of law enforcement databases confirmed that the individual in the news photographs did in fact appear to be Barnett. 

            Evidence established that Barnett carried a Zap Hike ‘N Strike Walking Staff with spike electrodes with him as he traveled through the Capitol, and that he exposed those spike electrodes as various points that day, including during a face to face encounter with a Metropolitan Police Officer. During that encounter, Barnett threatened to call in the mob and push through the line of officers if the officer did not go and retrieve Barnett’s flag, that he had left in the officers of the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi. 

             Barnett faces a maximum penalty of 47 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

            This case is being investigated by the U.S. Capitol Police and the FBI’s Little Rock, Arkansas and Washington Field Offices, with the assistance of the Justice Department’s National Security Division.

            In the 24 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 950 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including over 284 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing. 

            Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

Source: US FBI

      LITTLE ROCK—Former Arkansas State Senator and State Representative Henry (Hank) Wilkins IV was sentenced today to 12 months and one day in prison for conspiring to accept over $95,000 in bribes in exchange for influencing Arkansas state legislation and transactions, including steering approximately $245,000 in Arkansas General Improvement funds to his co-conspirators, which included executives at a Missouri-based health care charity.

      As part of the conspiracy, Wilkins also admitted to devising a scheme to conceal the bribe payments as donations to St. James United Methodist Church in Pine Bluff, where Wilkins also served as a pastor.

      United States District Court Judge Brian S. Miller sentenced Wilkins today. In addition to the federal prison sentence, Judge Miller ordered Wilkins to serve three years of supervised release and repay $123,000 in restitution. Wilkins must report to prison by March 7, 2023.

      Wilkins, 68, previously pleaded guilty on April 30, 2018, to a federal Information charging him with conspiracy to commit bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds, and conspiracy to devise a scheme and artifice to defraud and deprive the citizens of Arkansas of their right to honest services.

       According to court documents, Wilkins admitted as part of his plea that from 2010 to 2014, while serving in the Arkansas General Assembly, he accepted a series of bribes from lobbyists and non-profit organizations that were transmitted both in the form of cash and checks funneled from lobbying firms to a discretionary fund held in St. James’ name where Wilkins had access to the deposited funds. In exchange for the cash and check bribes, Wilkins performed, and agreed to perform, official acts in his capacity as an Arkansas legislator including filing shell bills, sponsoring full bills, voting in favor of specific legislation, and steering approximately $245,000 in General Improvement funds to entities that funneled bribes to Wilkins through his church.

      Several of Wilkins’s co-conspirators, including former Arkansas State Senator Jeremy Hutchinson and two executives at the Missouri-based health care charity, pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.

      The FBI investigated this case. Senior Litigation Counsel Marco A. Palmieri and Trial Attorney Jacob Steiner of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section; Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Mazzanti, and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick C. Harris of the Eastern District of Arkansas; and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Wulff of the Western District of Arkansas prosecuted the case. This is a combined investigation with the Public Integrity Section of the Department of Justice, the Eastern District of Arkansas, Western District of Arkansas, and the Western District of Missouri.

# # #

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

A former local district court judge in Arkansas was arrested today in Little Rock on criminal charges related to his alleged solicitation of sex in exchange for agreeing to take action on a criminal case pending before his court.

According to court documents, Thomas David Carruth, 63, of Clarendon, was an elected judge of the Monroe County district court. In April 2022, Carruth allegedly solicited sex from the girlfriend of a defendant in exchange for expediting that defendant’s trial date. Carruth allegedly lied to FBI agents when questioned about the incident.   

Carruth is charged by indictment with three counts of honest services wire fraud, three counts of using a facility in interstate commerce in furtherance of unlawful activity, one count of bribery, one count of making false statements, and one count of obstruction of justice. If convicted, Carruth faces up to 20 years in prison on the top counts.

Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Jonathan D. Ross for the Eastern District of Arkansas, Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, and Special Agent in Charge James A. Dawson of the FBI Little Rock Field Office made the announcement.

The FBI Little Rock Field Office is investigating the case with the assistance of the Arkansas State Police.

Trial Attorney Lauren Britsch Slater of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney J. William Crow for the Eastern District of Arkansas are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Source: US FBI

      LITTLE ROCK— A teacher’s assistant has pleaded guilty to three counts of production of child pornography. Augustus “Gus” Shenker, 22, of Little Rock, who was initially charged in a criminal complaint in May 2021 and indicted in June 2021, pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge Lee P. Rudofsky.

      In May 2021, FBI received a cyber tip that Dropbox user Augustus Shenker, using an email address that contained his name, possessed seven videos containing child pornography. Investigators determined Shenker’s address and learned that he was employed at Miss Selma’s School in Little Rock, an early education school with children from 18 months old to fifth grade.

      FBI agents obtained a search warrant for Shenker’s home and made contact with him at the school where he worked. Law enforcement seized Shenker’s iPhone and advised him a search warrant was being executed at his residence. Shenker was interviewed and admitted he used to have a problem with child pornography several years ago but no longer viewed child pornography. He also confirmed the email address and Dropbox account from the cyber tip belonged to him.

      A review of items seized from Shenker’s residence revealed six videos created in March 2021 that showed Shenker touching the buttocks and vagina of a preschool-age child in a classroom at Miss Selma’s School. His iPhone contained a hidden folder with 19 additional videos, all of which were taken in the same preschool classroom where Shenker worked. Shenker’s face is visible in several of the videos. In addition to the videos of abuse that Shenker produced himself, law enforcement located more than a thousand images of child sexual abuse on Shenker’s phone and other devices.

      Shenker was first charged in a criminal complaint on May 18, 2021, when the FBI received the initial cyber tip. On June 1, 2021, after the discovery of the videos on his phone, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Shenker with 22 counts of production of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. On Tuesday, Shenker pleaded to three of the production counts.

      “This defendant violated the trust parents placed in him each day by placing their children in his care,” said United States Attorney Jonathan Ross. “Using his position to exploit preschoolers is an unthinkable abuse, especially in their own school—the very place we expect children to be protected. We appreciate the hard work of the FBI in identifying and arresting this defendant and hope this conviction deters others who would harm children.”

      “Today’s conviction of Mr. Shenker demonstrates the unwavering dedication and adamant determination of the investigators who serve on our Violent Crime squad,” said FBI Little Rock Special Agent in Charge James A. Dawson. “FBI agents, professional support staff, and local law enforcement partners worked tirelessly to uncover Mr. Shenker’s abominable crimes while ensuring his victims and their families received assistance. Alongside our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s office, FBI Little Rock’s Violent Crime squad will continue to relentlessly identify, investigate, and prosecute predators who seek to harm children within our community.”

      Shenker will be sentenced by Judge Rudofsky at a later date. The investigation is being conducted by the FBI Little Rock Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kristin Bryant.

# # #

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

As we enter the 2022 holiday season, Arkansas residents must remain mindful of criminals who care less about giving and more about stealing. Shoppers looking for a good deal this holiday season need to be aware of aggressive and deceptive scams designed by criminals to steal money and personal information. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), Americans lost over $6.9 billion to fraudsters just in 2021, including more than $335 million in online shopping and non-delivery scams. This year, FBI Little Rock wants Arkansas shoppers to enjoy a scam-free holiday season by remaining vigilant against the below schemes.

Online Shopping Scams: Criminals often offer too-good-to-be-true deals via phishing emails, text messages, and fake advertisements on social media. Perhaps you were looking to buy tickets to an upcoming concert and found just what you were looking for—at a good deal—in an online marketplace? Those tickets could end up being bogus. Or maybe you just located a new, hard-to-find gaming system… but in reality, you clicked on a link which gave a criminal the ability to download malware onto your device. Bottom line is if a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is! Stay clear of unfamiliar sites offering unrealistic discounts on brand-name merchandise. Scammers frequently prey on bargain hunters by advertising “One-Day Only” promotions for recognizable brands. Without employing a skeptical eye, consumers may end up paying for an item, giving away personal information, and receiving nothing in return except a compromised identity.

Fraudulent Social Media Posts: Consumers should beware of posts on social media sites that appear to offer special deals, vouchers, or gift cards. Some may appear as holiday promotions or contests. Others may be sent by friends who shared a link on popular social media sites. These scams frequently lead consumers to participate in online surveys designed to steal personal information. Before you click on a social media advertisement, do your due diligence and check the legitimacy of the website before providing any personal or credit card information.

Charity Scams: Charity-related frauds increase during the holidays as individuals look to donate money to those less fortunate. Criminals use phone calls, email campaigns, and fake websites to solicit on behalf of fraudulent charities. Scammers target people who want to donate to charity, then hoard well-intentioned donations while those most in need never see a dime.

Steps to avoid holiday fraud schemes:

• Before shopping online, secure all your financial accounts with strong passphrases. Additionally, use different passphrases for each financial account.
• Routinely check bank and credit card statements, especially after making online purchases and in the weeks following the holiday season.
• Never give personal information— such as your date of birth, Social Security number, or home address— to anyone you do not know.
• Be highly suspicious of promotions and giveaways which require your personal information.
• Prior to donating to any charity, verify they have a valid Taxpayer Identification Number by visiting their website or calling the charity directly.

Reporting fraud: Shoppers who suspect they’ve been victimized should immediately contact their financial institution, then call their local law enforcement agency or FBI Little Rock at (501) 221-9100. Victims of holiday scams are also encouraged to file a complaint with the FBI at www.ic3.gov.

Source: US FBI

      LITTLE ROCK—A Conway man was sentenced yesterday afternoon for attempting to produce child pornography. United States District Court Judge Billy Roy Wilson sentenced Kenneth Avance, 26, to 30 years in federal prison.

      In May 2021, FBI received a report that Kenny Avance had contacted an individual on Snapchat and asked for photos of “you doing sexy things with your little ones.” Avance was aware the individual had children ages 9 and 13. Avance asked the person to “show them naked or naked and you touching them,” and the individual responded they were not comfortable doing that. Avance then sent two images of a female toddler, completely naked, with a naked adult male’s genitalia in the photo.

      During the investigation, FBI agents discovered Avance had two cell phones, both of which contained images of child sexual abuse. Forensic examination revealed these phones contained 630 photos and 74 videos of child sexual abuse material.

      Avance was indicted in June 2021 and pleaded guilty in August 2022. In addition to the 30-year prison term, Avance was sentenced to ten years of supervised release following his imprisonment. The case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Allison Bragg.

# # #

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