MIL Security Engine-1

Source: US FBI

SANTA ANA, California – An Orange County man, who ran a business in which he served as the executor of the estates of wealthy people, pleaded guilty today to embezzling nearly $6 million from his clients over a period of several years.

David Robert McDonnell, 74, of Laguna Beach, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.

According to his plea agreement, from 2018 to January 2024, McDonnell ran a Laguna Beach-based company, McDonnell Business Services. Through his company, high-net-worth individuals hired McDonnell to be the executor of their trusts. As an executor, McDonnell’s job was to manage the trusts’ assets and – when the individuals died – to sell the assets and distribute the proceeds to the trusts’ beneficiaries. Instead of doing this, McDonnell liquidated the assets and diverted funds to his personal bank accounts.

McDonnell admitted in his plea agreement to misappropriating approximately $5.9 million from approximately four trusts.

For example, in August 2020, McDonnell wrote a check for $300,000 from the account of a victim trust located in Capistrano Beach to his own personal bank account. These funds were processed by Bank of America through computer servers in Texas.

United States District Judge James V. Selna scheduled a December 9 sentencing hearing, at which time McDonnell will face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.

The FBI and the Laguna Beach Police Department are investigating this matter.

Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer L. Waier of the Santa Ana Branch Office is prosecuting this case.

Source: US FBI

Director Christopher Wray has named James A. Dawson as the special agent in charge of the Little Rock Field Office in Arkansas. Mr. Dawson most recently served as the SAC of Criminal and Cyber Division of the Washington Field Office.

Mr. Dawson joined the FBI as a special agent in 1999 and first worked on the Organized Crime and Drug Squad in the Milwaukee Field Office. He transferred in 2001 to the Kenosha Resident Agency, a satellite of the Milwaukee office, to cover multiple types of crimes. In 2003, he moved to the McAlester Resident Agency of the Oklahoma City Field Office, where he focused on public corruption. Mr. Dawson was named supervisory senior resident agency of the Muskogee Resident Agency in 2011, overseeing four offices in eastern Oklahoma.

In 2015, Mr. Dawson was promoted to assistant section chief of the Surveillance and Aviation Section in the Critical Incident Response Group. As assistant section chief, Mr. Dawson served as the national program manager of the FBI’s ground surveillance program. In 2016, he was appointed to lead CIRG’s front office—in charge of intelligence, finance, security, facilities, and technical units.

Mr. Dawson was promoted to assistant special agent in charge in the Criminal Division of the Washington Field Office in 2017. He supervised 12 squads, including those that worked public corruption, civil rights, and complex financial crimes. He returned to CIRG in 2018 as the section chief for the Counter Improvised Explosive Devices Section.

He was promoted to SAC of the Mission Services Division of the Washington Field Office in 2019, then transferred to SAC of the Criminal and Cyber Division in the office in 2020.

Mr. Dawson graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and served as a surface warfare officer before joining the FBI.

Source: US FBI

LITTLE ROCK, AR—Special Agent in Charge (SAC) James Dawson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Little Rock Field Office is pleased to announce the 2020 FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award will be presented to Dr. Rajesh Nayak, a valued member of the FBI Little Rock InfraGard group.

“Dr. Nayak’s work in promoting FBI partnerships within our community is outstanding,” said SAC Dawson. “As an FBI ambassador in Arkansas, his ability to educate businesses, organizations, and neighbors on the multitude of threats we work helps protect our state. FBI Little Rock cannot fulfill our mission of protecting the American people without Arkansans like Dr. Nayak.”

Dr. Nayak’s tireless work with FBI Little Rock’s InfraGard program actively encourages the sharing of cyber-threat information with community and business leaders. The information he circulates in Arkansas educates and protects numerous businesses, hospitals, and schools from malicious cyber actors. Additionally, Dr. Nayak’s informed articulation of the threats Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) pose encourages businesses and private organizations to contact FBI Little Rock for targeted briefings.

“I am incredibly humbled and honored to be the recipient of the FBI’s DCLA award,” said Dr. Nayak. “As President Roosevelt once stated, ‘This country will not be a good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a good place for all of us to live in.’ I share this recognition with the FBI Little Rock Field Office staff and members of the FBI Citizens Academy. They work tirelessly with the community groups, businesses, and the public to disseminate critical infrastructure threat information— thereby protecting Americans and safeguarding our way of life. I am exceptionally gratified working with these honorable men and women who strive every day to make our community a better and safer place to live.”

The FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award was formally created in 1990 to honor individuals and organizations for their efforts in combating crime, terrorism, drugs, and violence in the United States. Every year, FBI field offices throughout the country select a community partner to receive the prestigious award. Last year’s Arkansas recipient was Sophia Said, an advocate for hate crime and terrorism education throughout law enforcement organizations and within various communities.

FBI Little Rock congratulates Dr. Rajesh Nayak and thanks him for his work in protecting our Arkansas communities.

Source: US FBI

      LITTLE ROCK—Law enforcement authorities have announced the results of a targeted effort to curb violent crime in Little Rock. “Operation Ceasefire” took place each day last week and resulted in 61 arrests of some of Little Rock’s most wanted. These efforts are part of a series of law enforcement actions that combine federal, state, and local resources to reduce gun crime.

      Beginning on June 7 and continuing through the rest of last week, law enforcement identified the most violent targets in the Little Rock area, focusing on individuals who had active warrants for their arrests. The United States Marshals Service, Little Rock Police Department (LRPD), and the FBI’s Gang Enforcement Task Force—known as GETROCK—combined their resources to identify, locate, and arrest 61 wanted individuals in the Little Rock area.

      Those arrested were wanted for crimes including capital murder, rape, aggravated assault, battery, terroristic act, aggravated robbery, and various drug and other charges. Approximately 10 of these targets were arrested for federal indictments charging them with being a felon in possession of a firearm. The 61 people who were arrested have been charged with 78 total felonies and 27 total misdemeanors. During the arrests, authorities seized 12 firearms and $16,095 in cash associated with criminal activity.

      Statistics collected by LRPD indicate violent crime has increased 16% from 2020 to 2021. These arrests are part of a continued effort to combat violent crime in the Little Rock area and were conducted by the United States Marshals Service, the FBI GETROCK task force and their participating agencies: LRPD, Arkansas State Police, North Little Rock Police Department, Arkansas Department of Community Corrections, Pine Bluff Police Department, and Arkansas Air National Guard Counter Drug Unit.

      An indictment contains only allegations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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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

FORT SMITH – A Fort Smith physician, Donald E. Hinderliter, was sentenced today to 4 years in federal prison followed by 1 year of supervised release on one count of Distribution of a Controlled Substance without an Effective Prescription. The Honorable Judge P. K. Holmes III presided over the sentencing hearing in the U.S. District Court in Fort Smith.

According to court documents, Hinderliter, 85, of Fort Smith, pleaded guilty to a felony Information charging unlawful distribution of a controlled substance namely, alprazolam. From approximately January 2016 and through November 8, 2018, Hinderliter was an owner and practitioner at Hinderliter Pain Clinic that operated as a pain management clinic in Barling, Arkansas. In May 2017, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) received several anonymous complaints that Hinderliter was operating a “pill mill” under the name Hinderliter Pain Clinic. The complaints stated that Hinderliter and his associate, Dr. Cecil W. Gaby, charged cash, prescribed hydrocodone and benzodiazepines in the same amount to patients regardless of a particular patient’s prognosis or need, and that patients traveled great distances within the state of Arkansas and surrounding states seeking large quantities and dangerous combinations of oxycodone, hydrocodone, alprazolam, and methadone, among other controlled substances. As part of the plea, Hinderliter admitted that he prescribed opioids and benzodiazepines to more than 150 individuals, often not for a legitimate medical purpose and not in the usual course of professional practice. Specifically, on October 17, 2016, Hinderliter prescribed 84 alprazolam 2mg pills, a Schedule IV controlled substance to a patient that was not for a legitimate medical purpose and not in the usual course of professional practice.

On May 27, 2021, Dr. Cecil W. Gaby was sentenced to 120 months imprisonment for his role in the Hinderliter Pain Clinic and Gaby Medical Clinic in Fort Smith, Arkansas. On the same date, Dr. Robin Cox was sentenced to 36 months imprisonment for distribution of opioid medications outside legitimate medical practice at an unrelated clinic in Rogers, Arkansas.

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

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), DEA Diversion Little Rock, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS), Arkansas State Medical Board and the Fort Smith Police Department investigated the case.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne Gardner and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Carter prosecuted the case for the United States.

Source: US FBI

            LITTLE ROCK—A former Little Rock gang leader of the Wolfe Street Crips has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for his role in a marijuana conspiracy as well as possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Thursday afternoon, United States District Judge Kristine G. Baker sentenced Machita Mitchell, Jr., aka “Frog”, 45, to 180 months’ imprisonment.

            The case is the result of an investigation by the Little Rock Police Department (LRPD) with assistance from Arkansas Community Corrections into a drug conspiracy involving members of the Wolfe Street Crips. In June 2017, probation officers and LRPD conducted a home visit at Mitchell’s residence. Mitchell was on active supervision with a search waiver on file. Officers located four firearms, a gallon size bag of marijuana, and several trash bags full of marijuana. Mitchell admitted the marijuana was his and that he possessed the firearms to protect the marijuana and the money he made from it.

            Mitchell was charged in January 2018 with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. In exchange for his October 2019 plea to the conspiracy and the firearm charge, the possession of marijuana charge was dropped.

            In February 2016, Mitchell was accused of making threats to kill two individuals and brandishing a firearm. Testimony from a LRPD detective indicated that Mitchell had made these threats over allegations that someone had stolen cash and marijuana. Mitchell was charged and arrested, and further investigation revealed he bribed the two individuals he threatened to drop their complaints against him in exchange for cash.

            Mitchell also faces state charges of capital murder and aggravated robbery, to which he had pled not guilty and which he contests, stemming from the shooting death of a 14-year-old boy who was present in an apartment that allegedly contained marijuana.

            In addition to the 15-year prison sentence, Judge Baker sentenced Mitchell to serve three years of supervised release. The investigation was conducted by the FBI GETROCK Task Force and the Little Rock Police Department with assistance from Arkansas Community Corrections.

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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

Source: US FBI

TUCSON, Ariz. – A federal grand jury in Tucson returned a six-count superseding indictment yesterday against Eric Ridenour, 58, of Douglas, for Arson of Property Used in Interstate Commerce, Obstruction of Free Exercise of Religious Beliefs by Fire, and Using Fire to Commit Federal Felony.

The superseding indictment alleges that Ridenour burned down two historic churches in Douglas: Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church and First Presbyterian Church. Both churches are located on Church Square, in a historic district in the border town of Douglas, approximately two hours southeast of Tucson. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, it is the only block in the nation containing churches from four different denominations: Southern Baptist, Presbyterian, Episcopal, and Methodist. According to the superseding indictment, further investigation and evidence elicited in court testimony alleges that Ridenour intentionally started the fires in both churches because of his hostility toward their progressive doctrines, particularly their practice of having women and members of the LGBTQ community serve as church leaders. Ridenour was arrested on May 23, 2023, and charged by complaint with maliciously damaging or destroying both buildings by means of fire, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 844(i). On June 22, 2023, he was initially indicted on two counts of the same.

A conviction for Arson of Property Used in Interstate Commerce carries a minimum penalty of five years imprisonment and maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A conviction for Obstruction of Free Exercise of Religious Beliefs by Fire carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A conviction for Using Fire to Commit Federal Felony carries a penalty of 10 years in prison. A second conviction for Using Fire to Commit Federal Felony carries a penalty of 20 years in prison. Any conviction and subsequent mandatory term of imprisonment under Using Fire to Commit Federal Felony shall run consecutively to any other conviction.

An indictment is simply a method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Douglas Police Department are handling the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adam Rossi, District of Arizona, Tucson, and Ben Goldberg, District of Arizona, Phoenix, are handling the prosecution.
 

CASE NUMBER:           CR 23-00908-TUC-SHR
RELEASE NUMBER:    2023-152_Ridenour

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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

TUCSON, Ariz. – Alan Flores, 53, of Sells, Arizona, was sentenced on Monday by United States District Judge John C. Hinderaker to 107 months in prison, followed by a lifetime term of supervised release. Flores pleaded guilty to Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury to a Child Under the Age of 16 Years and Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.

On September 17, 2021, Flores, an enrolled member of the Tohono O’odham Nation, assaulted a 12-year-old juvenile by stabbing the juvenile in the face with a knife. Flores, who is a convicted sex offender, also failed to abide by his registration requirements and was not living at the address listed on his sex offender registration documents. These offenses occurred on the Tohono O’odham Indian Reservation.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Tohono O’odham Police Department conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Frances M. Kreamer Hope, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.
 

CASE NUMBER:           CR 22-1321-TUC-JCH
RELEASE NUMBER:    2023-151_Flores

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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

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Fernando Ray White, 42, of Santan, Arizona, a member of the Gila River Indian Community, was sentenced on Monday by United States District Judge Diane J. Humetewa to 210 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. On December 9, 2019, White shot the victim multiple times, killing her. The defendant pleaded guilty on July 14, 2023, to Second Degree Murder.

The Gila River Police Department and the FBI conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Raynette Logan and Vinnie Lichvar, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.

CASE NUMBER:           CR-21-00766-PHX-DJH
RELEASE NUMBER:    2023-143_White

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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.