Federal Prosecutors Indict Seven in Copper Theft Ring www.privateofficer.com

 

Ohio June 6 2013 Seven people were indicted in federal court for their roles in a conspiracy to steal copper from two dozen different substations in Northeast Ohio owned by First Energy or Cleveland Public Power, said Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, and Stephen D. Anthony, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Cleveland Office.
“These defendants risked the safety of utility workers and the well-being of people served by these substations,” Dettelbach said. “This is a far cry from vandalism or simple theft. The targeting of energy facilities poses a significant threat to our critical infrastructure. The theft of copper and other scrap metal is a serious problem and will not be tolerated.”
“These defendants chose to enrich themselves while risking lives and posing serious threats to our community,” Anthony said. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will aggressively pursue and bring to justice those individuals who threaten our critical infrastructure.”
Indicted are: Christopher M. Butts, 26, of Cleveland; Michael T. Butts, 33, of Brooklyn; Jon T. Lefort, 25, of Cleveland; William Bertini, 25, of Olmsted Township; Jason B. Kauffman, 34, address unknown; Keven Wenson, 22, of Lakewood; and Julio Torres, 45, address unknown.
The thefts took place between January and May 2013 and included substations in Brooklyn, Parma, Brecksville, Fairlawn, Medina, Cleveland, Wadsworth, Lakewood, Cuyahoga Heights, Independence, Vermillion, Lorain, Avon Lake, Westlake, and Valley View, according to the indictment.
The 24 substations listed in the indictment have copper material around its base that facilitated the transmission of electricity. Removal of the copper material from a substation causes a substantial risk of electrical blackouts as well as possible injury or death to utility company employees responsible for maintaining, servicing, and repairing the substations, according to the indictment.
According to the indictment, Christopher and Michael Butts instructed Lefort, Bertini, Kauffman, Wenson, and Torres how to remove the copper material from the substation in a way that would minimize the risk of physical harm to the person cutting the wire or cable. The defendants used bolt cutters to cut fencing and/or locks protecting the substations.
The defendants then unlawfully extracted the copper wire and materials from the substations, manually carrying it in garbage cans, duffel bags, contractor bags, and other containers to “staging areas.” From there, the copper material was transported to scrap yards, where it was sold for cash, according to the indictment.
The indictment details 25 copper thefts and five attempted thefts. It also lists 53 instances where at least some of the defendants sold stolen copper to area scrap yards between January and April 2013.
The defendants collectively sold the stolen copper for more than $15,000, although repairs to the substations will likely cost more than $100,000, according to the indictment.
Count one charges all seven defendants with conspiracy to damage energy facilities. Counts two through six charge specific individuals with destruction of an energy facility, in violation of a federal statute specifically directed at protecting facilities that produce, distribute, and store energy, such as electrical substations.
This prosecution is part of an on-going effort to focus on the damage to critical infrastructure that is caused by the theft of scrap metal. Earlier this year, representatives of approximately 20 federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and prosecutors’ offices attended a conference hosted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Northeast Ohio Regional Fusion Center, and the Cleveland Clinic addressing best practices to target these theft rings.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas E. Getz and M. Kendra Klump following an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Avon Lake Police Department, Brecksville Police Department, Medina County Sheriff’s Office, Middleburgh Heights Police Department, Valley View Police Department, and Northeast Ohio Regional Fusion Center and assistance from the Medina County Prosecutor’s Office.
If convicted, the defendants’ sentences will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal records, the defendant’s role in the offenses, and the characteristics of the violation.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Police charge man for hiding cameras and skimmer in ATM machines www.privateofficer.com

 

Wilmette IL June 1 2013  Police have arrested a man for allegedly placing what appears to be two pinhole cameras and a credit/debit card skimming device into two ATM machines at Chase Bank at 50 Skokie Blvd. in Wilmette, police reports state.
Miroslav M. Slavov, 26, of Niles is being charged with a felony count of burglary and one felony count of identity theft, according to police. Slavov was arrested by Wilmette Police after a Chase Security Officer provided information and a description of Slavov. Police then set up surveillance at the bank. An officer observed a subject matching Slavov’s description approach the ATM at approximately 12:30 p.m. However, he did not remove the pin hole camera. At approximately 5:25 p.m., the Chase Security officer advised Wilmette Police that the subject removed one of the cameras. Officers arrested Slavov with the camera as he was returning to his vehicle.
Police then recovered a second camera from a second ATM, as well as a credit/debit card skimming device hidden in the ATM card reader to the door of the bank. Police also recovered two additional pinhole cameras and an additional card skimming device — among other evidence — from Slavov’s vehicle and residence.
Police advise that there have been other incidents of credit/debit cards compromised in the area by ATM skimming operations. To help keep your accounts secure, cover your PIN with your other hand when entering it in ATM, briefly look for any suspicious devices near the machine and only use ATMs in well-lit areas. If you notice any suspicious activity on your account, notify police immediately.

TN father charged after child accidentally shot www.privateofficer.com

 

Tullahoma TN May 16 2013 A 13-month-old girl was listed in critical but stable condition Tuesday at Vanderbilt University Children’s Hospital and her father has been charged with aggravated assault after accidentally shooting her in the chest, according to police.
Kevin Sayre Jr., 26, of Eastgate Apartments on Silver Street, was arrested Monday afternoon by Nashville Metro Police on the charges after they were notified that Sayre was at the Nashville hospital.
Around 11:15 p.m. Sunday, Tullahoma officer Tommy Elliott was dispatched to Eastgate Apartments in reference to a gunshot wound to an infant. While the officer was on his way to the apartment, he was notified by the Coffee County Communications Center that the parents were transporting the child by private vehicle to Harton Regional Medical Center.
A witness, Amy Potts, told officers that when Sayre and girlfriend Kayla Ventress returned to their residence he was showing his handguns and demonstrating how the slides would interchange on two pistols.
The police report states that he dropped the clip, pulled the trigger to release the slide and the 9mm pistol fired, a bullet striking the little girl in the chest.
Medical personnel at Harton stabilized the child and she was then airlifted to the Nashville hospital.
Sayre was being held in the Metro-Nashville Jail awaiting transport to Coffee County, where he is scheduled to appear in Coffee County General Sessions Court Thursday. His bond was set at $20,000.
Tullahoma Detective Tyler Hatfield is investigating the shooting incident.

Charlotte Woman Pleads Guilty to $4.8 Million Medicaid Scheme, Aggravated Identity Theft, and Other Charges www.privateofficer.com

 CHARLOTTE, NC April 3 2013—A Charlotte woman pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court for her involvement in a health care fraud scheme that attempted to defraud Medicaid of $4.8 million for sham mental and behavioral health services, announced Anne M. Tompkins, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

Rodnisha Sade Cannon, 26, of Charlotte, also pleaded guilty to stealing a therapist’s identity to commit the fraud, money laundering conspiracy, and attempting to sell her Mercedes-Benz in order to prevent law enforcement agents from seizing the vehicle.
U.S. Attorney Tompkins is joined in making today’s announcement by Attorney General Roy Cooper, who oversees the North Carolina Medicaid Investigations Division (MID); Roger A. Coe, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division; Jeannine A. Hammett, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CI); and Derrick Jackson, Special Agent in Charge, Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Office of Investigations, Atlanta Region.
Cannon appeared this morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge David Cayer and pleaded guilty to one count of health care fraud conspiracy, one count of aggravated identity theft, and one count of money laundering conspiracy. Cannon also pleaded guilty to a single count of attempting to remove property subject to seizure, namely, a 2010 Mercedes-Benz CLS550, in a related case. At today’s plea hearing, Cannon admitted that from 2010 to 2012, she and others submitted in excess of $4.8 million in false claims to Medicaid. According to filed court documents and statements made in court, Cannon and her co-conspirators operated after-school and summer childcare programs in Gastonia and Shelby, North Carolina. Although therapists initially performed some services at these programs, Cannon and others devised a scheme to defraud Medicaid by using the Medicaid provider numbers assigned to other companies and individual therapists for all therapy services supposedly provided at their programs regardless of whether those companies and individuals actually provided the claimed services. In many instances, the claimed mental and behavioral health services were never provided at all. Cannon and others accomplished this scheme by re-directing Medicaid payments away from the Medicaid providers’ bank accounts and to bank accounts controlled by Cannon and her co-conspirators.
According to the criminal bill of information and court documents, Cannon was not licensed or qualified to provide mental and behavioral health services and she was not approved by Medicaid. Instead, Cannon and others stole the identity of Medicaid-approved providers who had some relationship with the programs in order to accomplish the fraud. For example, court documents indicate that Cannon hired M.B. to work for her company in or about May 2012, and M.B. worked there for a single day. Cannon stole M.B.’s Medicaid provider information and redirected all Medicaid payments to M.B. to be deposited into a bank account controlled by Cannon and others. Cannon and others then billed claims to Medicaid in excess of $800,000 for services that M.B. never provided, including claims for dates of service before M.B. worked for Cannon and her co-conspirators. In total, from 2010 to 2012, pursuant to the scheme to defraud, Cannon and her co-conspirators submitted approximately $4.8 million in false and fraudulent claims to Medicaid, resulting in payments of over $2.5 million to Cannon and her co-conspirators.
According to documents filed in court, Cannon also worked with Victoria Brewton, who pleaded guilty in January 2013 to carrying out a similar $8 million Medicaid fraud scheme in Shelby. Cannon assisted Brewton by providing and selling Medicaid beneficiary identification numbers and information to be used in Brewton’s fraud scheme. Brewton’s sentencing date has not been set yet.
As part of her plea, Cannon also admitted that she used the proceeds of her scheme to defraud Medicaid to purchase a 2010 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 for the purchase price of $59,500. In September 2012, law enforcement agents sought and obtained a warrant to seize this vehicle as the proceeds of Cannon’s health care fraud scheme. According to court documents, when Cannon learned that agents had a seizure warrant for the vehicle, she attempted to sell the Mercedes-Benz in order to avoid seizure of the vehicle. Cannon has agreed to forfeit the Mercedes-Benz as part of her plea today.
“Stealing money from Medicaid degrades the integrity of our health care system and victimizes those who rely on this important health care program for legitimate patient care,” said U.S. Attorney Tompkins. “The money that Cannon stole through her health care fraud scheme was intended to cover patient needs, not to purchase luxury items. Cannon will be held accountable for her actions,” Tompkins added.
Attorney General Roy Cooper stated, “Cheating Medicaid hurts needy patients, wastes taxpayer money, and drives up health care costs. Our Medicaid Investigations Division attorneys and investigators will continue to work closely with federal officials to root out fraud in North Carolina and make wrongdoers pay.”
“Money gained through illegal sources, such as health care fraud, is part of the untaxed, underground economy. This untaxed underground economy poses a threat to our voluntary tax compliance system and undermines the overall public confidence in our American system of taxation,” stated Charlotte Field Office Special Agent in Charge Jeannine A. Hammett, IRS-Criminal Investigation.
At sentencing, Cannon faces a mandatory two years in prison consecutive to any other term of imprisonment and a $250,000 fine for the aggravated identity theft charge; a maximum term of 10 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine for the health care fraud charge; a maximum term of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 for the money laundering conspiracy charge and maximum term of imprisonment of five years and a $250,000 fine for the attempted removal of property to prevent seizure. In her plea agreement, Cannon has agreed to pay full restitution to Medicaid for any losses resulting from her criminal scheme. The final restitution amount will be determined by the court at Cannon’s sentencing hearing, which has not been scheduled yet.
Cannon has been in local federal custody since her arrest on the attempted removal of property to prevent seizure charge on September 28, 2012.
The investigation into Cannon was handled by the FBI, MID, IRS, and HHS-OIG. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelli Ferry of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte.
The investigation and charges are the work of the Western District’s joint Health Care Fraud Task Force. The task force is multi-agency team of experienced federal and state investigators, working in conjunction with criminal and civil Assistant United States Attorneys, dedicated to identifying and prosecuting those who defraud the health care system, and reducing the potential for health care fraud in the future. The task force focuses on the coordination of cases, information sharing, identification of trends in health care fraud throughout the region, staffing of all whistleblower complaints, and the creation of investigative teams so that individual agencies may focus their unique areas of expertise on investigations. The task force builds upon existing partnerships between the agencies, and its work reflects a heightened effort to reduce fraud and recover taxpayer dollars.
If you suspect Medicare or Medicaid fraud, please report it by phone at 1-800-447- 8477 (1-800-HHS-TIPS) or e-mail at HHSTips@oig.hhs.gov. To report Medicaid fraud in North Carolina, call the North Carolina Medicaid Investigations Division at 919-881-2320.

Police charge Virginia man in shooting death of security officer www.privateofficer.com

Spotsylvania County VA April 1 2013 Lavon Chew, 26, of Spotsylvania County was arrested in connection with Saturday’s early morning drive-by shooting death at a Fredericksburg night spot.

Chew is charged with use of a firearm during commission of a felony and felony firing from an occupied vehicle, Capt. Jeff Pearce, Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson, said. It is not clear whether Chew is the shooter who killed the victim.

  “Chew has not been charged with homicide at this point, because there are additional persons of interest who were in the vehicle with him,” Pearce said. There were two different groups involved in an altercation at the Q-Ball Cafe.

Witnesses told police a fight broke out inside the club. One group was ejected and become involved in another altercation in the parking lot at about 12:45 a.m., according to police. A short time later, subjects drove by and fired shots at the front of the club.

A club security guard was standing at the entrance and was hit by a bullet, Natatia Bledsoe, City of Fredericksburg Police spokesperson, said.  “Fredericksburg police arrived first on the scene, and Officer Joe Young performed CPR until rescue units arrived,” Bledsoe said.

The victim was identified as Marcellus “Bull” Greene, Sr., in his mid 40s, according to Pearce.  The Culpeper County High School graduate played defensive end and offensive tackle for the Prince William Monarchs, a semi-professional football league, according to the Star Exponent.

  He was named an MVP in the North American Bowl’s United States Football Association’s National Championship in 2008. Monarchs Head Coach Ray Scott told the Star Exponent that he and Greene spoke on the phone almost daily, and that he felt “like I lost a son.

” “He cared about his family first and foremost,” longtime friend and Monarchs teammate Justin Maymi told the Star Exponent. “And he did anything he could to provide for them. That’s the whole reason he was bouncing and detailing cars for the extra money to make ends meet.” The investigation is ongoing.

“We’ve been working around the clock, following up on evidence from the scene and on tips we’re receiving,” Pearce said.

Anyone with information in the case should call the Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office  at 540-582-7115, or Crime Solvers at 800-928-5822 or 540-582-5822.

You can also leave a tip anonymously at Web Tips; or text a tip using: SEE911 to CRIMES (274637).

Torrance shoplifting spree nets 4 reputed SoCal gang members www.privateofficer.com

Torrance CA March 13 2013 Four reputed gang members are suspected of committing more than 50 shoplifting crimes at stores in Torrance and across the county, stealing women’s clothing, leaving without paying, then selling the merchandise for profit, police said Monday.

The men’s arrests follow a three-month Torrance police investigation that linked the crimes to a Compton-based gang, Torrance police Sgt. Robert Watt said. The District Attorney’s Office filed charges against them last week.

“They were stealing from Marshalls, T.J. Maxx, and Ross in our city and they were fencing the property for cash,” Watt said. Charged with multiple counts of commercial burglary, conspiracy to commit a crime and possession of stolen property are: Javon Jerry Zachery, 21, of Compton; Dean Hampton, 26, of Lynwood; Reginald Wilson, 20, of Compton; and Avion Speed, 21, of Bellflower.

Zachery was arrested Feb. 28, and Hampton on Feb. 21. Warrants were issued for Wilson’s and Speed’s arrest. Torrance investigators pinned them to 16 commercial burglaries in Torrance and at least 34 crimes throughout Los Angeles County, Watt said.

“It all started with a routine traffic stop by patrol which uncovered the initial theft at Marshalls and, through their investigation with work from our gang detail, they were able to uncover the bigger picture,” Watt said. The men, police said, entered department stores, selected large amounts of women’s clothing – especially dress shoes and purses – hid it under their clothing, and left without paying. They then sold it. Thousands of dollars worth of property was taken, Watt said.

“It was a pretty organized plot,” Watt said. Detectives served warrants in Compton and Bellflower recently, discovering stolen property that linked them to the crimes, Watt said. The investigators tied the men to a street gang in Compton, which allowed prosecutors to add gang enhancements to all of the suspects’ charges, Watt said.

The enhancements, which allege the crimes were committed for the benefit of their gang, could result in longer jail sentences and make them ineligible to be set free from prison early under the state’s early release program for non-violent offenders.
Source: dailybreeze.com

Former Jackson Police Officers Sentenced for Accepting Bribes www.privateofficer.com

U.S. Attorney’s Office
FBI Press Release

JACKSON MS March 2 2013—Former Jackson Police Officers Monyette Quintel Jefferson, 27; Terence Dale Jenkins, 25; and Anthony Ricardo Payne, Jr., 26, were sentenced in U.S. District Court today for accepting bribes from an undercover FBI agent, U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Davis and FBI Special Agent in Charge Daniel McMullen announced.
Monyette Quintel Jefferson was sentenced to 10 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution to the FBI in the amount of $20,500.
Terence Dale Jenkins was sentenced to 10 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution to the FBI in the amount of $10,000.
Anthony Ricardo Payne, Jr. was sentenced to nine years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution to the FBI in the amount of $10,000.
On June 10, 2010, Monyette Quintel Jefferson made an agreement with an undercover FBI agent, whom he believed was a drug trafficker, to protect a shipment of 100 kilograms of cocaine that would be coming into Hawkins Field Airport in Jackson, Mississippi.
On June 25, 2010, the undercover FBI agent, posing as a drug trafficker, met with Jefferson and Anthony Ricardo Payne, Jr. at the Metro Center Mall in Jackson. Jefferson and Payne agreed to protect a shipment of cocaine that was coming into Jackson that day. They also agreed that Jefferson, Payne, and another police officer would receive payment for protecting the shipment of cocaine coming into Jackson.
Jefferson arrived at Hawkins Field in his JPD patrol vehicle and met with the undercover FBI agent. At approximately 3:50 p.m. that same day, JPD Officer Terrence Dale Jenkins, driving a JPD patrol vehicle, met with the undercover FBI agent in the parking lot of Hawkins Field for the purpose of providing police protection for a drug transaction. The undercover FBI agent informed Jenkins that the total drug shipment involved approximately 100 kilograms of cocaine. At approximately 3:55 p.m., another FBI agent, working in an undercover capacity, arrived and simulated the purchase of approximately 20 kilograms of cocaine from the first undercover FBI agent in the presence of Jenkins. After the exchange took place, the first undercover FBI agent paid Jenkins $5,000 for his assistance in protecting this drug transaction. Jenkins then provided further protection by following the second undercover FBI agent from Hawkins Field to Interstate 20 in Jackson.
At approximately 4:10 p.m., JPD Officer Anthony Ricardo Payne, Jr., driving a JPD patrol vehicle, met the first undercover FBI agent in the main parking lot of Hawkins Field for the purpose of providing police protection for another purported drug transaction. The undercover FBI agent informed Payne that the total drug shipment involved approximately 100 kilograms of cocaine. At approximately 4:15 p.m., a different undercover FBI agent arrived and simulated the purchase of approximately 20 kilograms of cocaine from the first undercover FBI agent in the presence of Payne and Jefferson. After the exchange, the first undercover FBI agent paid Payne $5,000 for helping to protect the simulated drug transaction. Payne then provided further protection by following the third undercover FBI agent from Hawkins Field to the vicinity of Hanging Moss Road in Jackson.
After the simulated drug transactions were completed, at approximately 4:30 p.m., the undercover FBI agent paid Jefferson $6,000 in the Hawkins Field parking lot for providing protection for the first undercover FBI agent during the aforementioned simulated drug transactions.
“The vast majority of police officers work hard every day to protect the citizens and the communities they serve,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Davis, “but these officers chose to use their law enforcement positions to protect illegal drug transactions. Their corrupt conduct is deserving of the sentences imposed today.”

Four MS. shoplifters charged with felonies in thefts www.privateofficer.com

Pontotoc MS Feb 24 2013 Police Chief Larry Poole said that two Derma residents and two Calhoun City residents were arrested by officers February 2 and charged with felony shoplifting.
The alleged shoplifting occurred around 2 a.m. at Wal-mart in Pontotoc, Poole reported.
Those arrested and charged with felony shoplifting included:
-Resheka Shonta Stovall, 24, of Underwood Drive, Derma;
-Maurice William Buchanan, 23, of Underwood Drive, Derma;
-Camilla Jean Penson, 26, of Johnson Avenue, Calhoun City;
-and Trane Anastacia Foxx, 32, of Simmons Drive, Calhoun City.
Poole said officers stopped the suspects’ vehicle on McCord Road shortly after they left Wal-Mart.
Poole said that alleged shoplifted items recovered during the arrest included three electric scooters, several children’s Innovation Tablets, household items and clothes.
“The items we retrieved totaled $1,250.16,” Poole reported.
Bond was set at $5,000 each for the four suspects, who will await action of the grand jury in April, he said.
“Foxx is on probation through MDOC and is being held for a probation revocation hearing, and the other three were released on bond,” Poole said.
Source-Pontotoc Progress

Newark Man Admits Role in Scheme to Steal Checks from U.S. Mail www.privateofficer.com

NEWARK, NJ Feb 23 2013 —A Newark man today admitted his role in a scheme to gain access to personal checks from the U.S. mail, fraudulently endorse them, and deposit them into personal checking accounts, U.S. Paul J. Fishman announced.

Kurtis Steele, 26, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Kevin McNulty in Newark federal court to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud.

According to the documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Steele and his conspirators gained access to blank checks that were sent via U.S. mail and stolen from unsuspecting victims. Steele and his co-conspirators then fraudulently endorsed the blank checks for a certain sum and deposited those checks into legitimate bank accounts that defendants and unnamed conspirators opened at the banks, including TD Bank, Bank of America, Capital One Bank, Garden State Community Bank, Hudson City Savings Bank, PNC Bank, and Valley National Bank. Before the victims and banks discovered the checks were fraudulent, Steele and his conspirators had withdrawn the funds either via automated teller machine (ATM) or by entering the banks and filling out a withdrawal slip. During the investigation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and FBI agents were able to obtain bank video surveillance which captured Steele making fraudulent deposits of the stolen checks and withdrawals of the proceeds of those checks.

Steele and his conspirators deposited $1.5 million in fraudulent checks stolen from 122 victims, which were deposited into 258 different banks. Steele and his conspirators’ conduct resulted in approximately $625,000 in losses.

Steele faces a maximum potential penalty of 30 years in prison on the conspiracy charge and a maximum fine of $1 million or twice the gross gain or loss resulting from the offense. Sentencing is scheduled for May 29, 2013.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Philip Bartlett; and special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge David Velazquez.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dara Aquila Govan of the Organized Crime/Gangs Unit in Newark.

Defense Counsel: Stephen A. Turano Esq., Newark

Thirty People Indicted in Massive Florida-Arizona Drug Conspiracy www.privateofficr.com

U.S. Attorney’s Office
Press Release

Florida Feb 22 2013
Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; Michael B. Steinbach, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office; Antonio J. Gomez, Acting Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Miami Field Office; and Ric L. Bradshaw, Sheriff, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, announce the arrests of 30 individuals engaged in a massive drug conspiracy that trafficked drugs from Arizona to Florida. The defendants were arrested earlier today and are expected to make their initial appearances today in federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dave Lee Brannon in West Palm Beach at 1:00 p.m.

Charged in the 12-count indictment are George Evans Bivins, Jr., a/k/a “Ziggy,” 30, of West Palm Beach; Antonio Markeith Beverly, a/k/a “Tony,” 29, of West Palm Beach; Daniel Emmanuel Torrez, 31, of Tucson, Arizona; Lavaris Reshard Bivins, a/k/a “Varis,” 22, of West Palm Beach; William Alvarenga, a/k/a “Chico,” 19, of Boynton Beach; Jessica Marie Arvizu, 30, of Tucson, Arizona; Michael Maxwell Barkley, a/k/a “Tater,” 38, of Lake Worth; Jerrick David Bartee, 30, of West Palm Beach; Kirk Douglas Bivins, a/k/a “Kirky,” 38, of Riviera Beach; Demetri Pernell Cobb, a/k/a “Meechi,” 23, of Lake Worth; Darren Duane Donnally, 39, of Palm Springs; Quatavious Carnell George, a/k/a “Jelly Boy,” 26, of Riviera Beach; Wellington Timothy Glinton, a/k/a “Timmy,” 20, of Lake Worth; Javaris Reshad Bartelmy, 24, of Boynton Beach; Ernest Andrew Holiday, a/k/a “Bam,” 30, of Riviera Beach; Jean Innocent, a/k/a “Barko,” 20, of Lake Worth; Demetrice Lemane Jones, 37, of Riviera Beach; Dominic Perry Lamare, 33, of Port St. Lucie; Patrick Jarrod Lowe, 24, of Lantana; Richard John Mercy, 30, of North Palm Beach; Frank Davis Moore, Jr., a/k/a “Bow Head,” “Bodeen,” 33, of Royal Palm Beach; Evens Pierre Louis, a/k/a “E-Bo,” 27, of Palm Springs; Theresa Lashai Razz, 28, of West Palm Beach; Lori Beth Mae Saccoman, 50, of West Palm Beach; Jeannot Saintelus, a/k/a “Jit,” 23, of Lake Worth; Calvin Leon Sirmans, Jr., a/k/a “CJ,” 28, of Lake Worth; Jamie Toby, 24, of Lake Worth; Monica Deloris Toby, 47, of Lantana; Eric Lanard Williams, a/k/a “Baby Boy,” 29, of Lantana; and David Lendell White, a/k/a “Popper,” 25, of Lake Worth.

U.S. Attorney Wifredo Ferrer stated, “Today, the streets of Lake Worth and the surrounding areas are just a little safer, thanks to the concerted efforts of the FBI, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office. Thanks to their hard work, we have removed more than two dozen drug traffickers from our streets.”

“Through the combined efforts of local and federal law enforcement, this massive drug trafficking conspiracy is out of business,” said Michael B. Steinbach, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Miami. “Drugs and the violent gangs that profit from them have a devastating effect on our communities and we will continue to work with our partners to make South Florida a safer place.”

Antonio J. Gomez, Acting Inspector in Charge for the U.S. Postal Inspection Service stated, “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and all of our law enforcement partners in making our communities safer by working to eradicate narcotics from the U.S. mail stream.”

More specifically, the indictment, filed on February 7, 2013 and unsealed today, charges the defendants with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base and/or cocaine hydrochloride, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base and/or cocaine hydrochloride, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), and 846. If convicted, the defendants each face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison up to a statutory maximum term of life in prison.

According to statements made in court, this conspiracy involved multiple kilograms of cocaine hydrochloride that were shipped from Tucson, Arizona to Palm Beach County for sale and distribution as both cocaine hydrochloride and cocaine base. Much of the cocaine was sold in and around the streets of Lake Worth, Florida.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the FBI, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rinku Tribuiani and Robert Waters.

An indictment is only an accusation and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Former Albuquerque Corrections Officer Pleads Guilty to Obstruction of Justice www.privateofficer.com

WASHINGTON DC Feb 21 2013 —Matthew Pendley, 26, a former corrections officer at the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Albuquerque, New Mexico, pleaded guilty today to one count of obstructing justice when he lied to law enforcement during their investigation of the assault on an inmate at the hands of another corrections officer.

According to court documents, during the early morning hours of December 21, 2011, Pendley was assigned to the Receiving-Discharge-Transfer (RDT) Unit at MDC where individuals are brought to be booked soon after they are arrested. During the course of his shift, Pendley entered the shower room/dress out area and witnessed Demetrio Gonzales, another corrections officer, assaulting an inmate. The inmate was not posing a physical threat to anyone, and therefore, the assault was not justified. There was no legitimate law enforcement purpose for Gonzales to use force on the inmate. As a result of the assault, the inmate sustained injuries and began bleeding. When the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) began investigating, instead of telling detectives that he witnessed the assault, Pendley lied, claiming that he did not remember what Gonzales was doing in the shower room/dress out area.

A sentencing date has not yet been set.

Demetrio Gonzales previously pleaded guilty to violating the civil rights of the inmate by choking and striking the inmate multiple times. He was sentenced on January 8, 2013, to 33 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised released.

A third former MDC corrections officer, Kevin Casaus, was also indicted by a federal grand jury in June 2012 on related charges. Casaus is charged with violating the victim’s civil right rights when he shoved and struck the victim while in the shower area/dress out area. Casaus is further charged with obstruction of justice and falsification of records, first for making false statements to detectives of the BCSO and then for falsifying his incident report. Casaus’ trial is set for March 4, 2013. He is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

This case is being investigated by the Albuquerque Division of the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark T. Baker for the District of New Mexico and Trial Attorney Fara Gold of the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Eleven South Florida Residents Charged in $34 Million Stolen Identity Tax Refund Scheme www.privateofficer.com

U.S. Attorney’s Office /FBI
PRESS RELEASE

Miami Fla Feb 13 2013

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; Jose A. Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI); Michael B. Steinbach, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office; and Paula Reid, Special Agent in Charge, United States Secret Service (USSS), Miami Field Office, announced the unsealing of a 43-count indictment charging defendants 11 South Florida residents with stolen identity tax refund fraud.
Charged in the indictment are Henry Dorvil, aka “D,” 35, of Hollywood; Herve Wilmore Jr., 29, of Aventura; Dukens Eleazard, aka “DK,” 33, of Pembroke Pines; Marie Eleazard, aka “Fanfan,” 32, of Miami; Jesse Lamar Harrell, 26, of Miramar; Luckner St Fleur, aka “Nene,” 32, of Miami; Ruth Cartwright, aka “Princess,” 30, formerly of Plantation; Miguel Patterson, 35, of Miami; Brandon Johnson, 29, of Miami Gardens; John Similien, 24, of Plantation; and Marc Leroy Saint Juste, 26, of Tamarac. Defendants Dorvil, Harrell, Patterson, Johnson, and Saint Juste made their initial appearances in federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lurana S. Snow in Fort Lauderdale at 1:00 p.m. today. Defendant Cartwright was arrested in the Northern District of Georgia and will make her initial appearance there. Defendants Wilmore, both Eleazards, St Fleur, and Similien remain at large.

Specifically, each defendant is charged with one count of conspiring to defraud the Internal Revenue Service, commit wire fraud, and commit aggravated identity theft, all in violation of Title 18, U.S.C. § 371; as well as two counts of wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, U.S.C., §§ 1343 and 2. In addition, defendants Dorvil, Wilmore, Dukens Eleazard, Marie Eleazard, Harrell, St Fleur, Cartwright, Patterson, Johnson, and Similien are charged with two counts of aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, U.S.C. §§ 1028A(a)(1) and 2. The indictment also seeks the forfeiture of $443,449.07 seized from a bank account; a 2011 Cadillac Escalade EXT Premium Sport and 2010 Nissan Maxima registered to defendant Dukens Eleazard; a 2011 Infiniti M37 registered to defendant Marie Eleazard; and a 2010 Porsche purchased by defendant Wilmore.

According to the indictment, the defendants recruited knowing participants and unknowing victims to put businesses, bank accounts, and Electronic Filing Identification Numbers (EFINs) in the defendants’ names. The defendants used this information to execute their fraud scheme, including tax refund fraud. The defendants also used the personal identification information of real people, including some deceased, to file false income tax returns with the IRS. In this way, the defendants received IRS refund checks [U.S. Treasury checks and Refund Anticipation Loan (RAL) checks] at addresses and bank accounts that they controlled. To avoid having the fraud discovered, the defendants negotiated the fraudulently obtained income tax refund checks at each other’s businesses.

According to the indictment, from about January 2009 through March 2012, the defendants filed with the IRS approximately 6,961 federal income tax returns, requesting refunds totaling approximately $34,096,321. Of the 6,961 field tax returns, 2,763 used the identities of deceased individuals.

U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer, “Stolen identity refund fraud is spreading in South Florida like an out of control wildfire. Two days ago, we announced charges against 14 individuals in six separate cases on charges of stolen identity refund fraud. Today, in just one case, we are charging another 11 individuals who used stolen identities, including that of almost 3,000 deceased persons, to file fraudulent returns seeking close to $35 million in tax refunds. My office, in conjunction with the members of the South Florida Identity Theft Tax Fraud Strike Force, will continue to prosecute these thieves, not just to punish them, but also to deter others from thinking they can get away with stealing honest taxpayers’ hard-earned refunds.”

Special Agent in Charge Jose A. Gonzalez stated, “These defendants conspired to use the personal identification information of taxpayers, including deceased individuals, to file false income tax returns with the IRS. These actions not only pose a serious problem for taxpayers but adversely affect the integrity of our tax system. Together with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to remain vigilant in identifying, investigating, and prosecuting those individuals who seek to willfully defraud the United States Treasury and have a blatant disregard for the victims of their schemes.”

“Unfortunately, this is another example of the rapidly growing wave of stolen identity tax refund fraud,” said Xanthie C. Mangum, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Miami Division. “The FBI continues to actively target these fraudsters who seek illicit gains by victimizing hard-working taxpayers.”

Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Paula Reid stated, “The existence of identity theft in the South Florida region is an unfortunate criminal epidemic. At any time, anyone is subject to being a victim. The investigative efforts of the law enforcement community must remain strong and unwavering as the offenders’ continuous success and harm with this stealthy crime cannot prevail.”

If convicted, the defendants face a possible maximum statutory sentence of five years in prison for the conspiracy count, 20 years in prison for each count of wire fraud and two years consecutive in prison for each count of aggravated identity theft.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of IRS-CI, FBI, and USSS. Mr. Ferrer also thanked the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, Department of Labor, and the Social Security Administration for their help on this matter. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil Karadbil.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls.

Ex-TSA Officer Sentenced for Conspiring to Smuggle Drugs Through Hartsfield-Jackson www.privateofficer.com

US ATTORNEY”S OFFICE
FBI
PRESS RELEASE

ATLANTA GA Feb 1 2013—Two now-former TSA officers who conspired and attempted to smuggle drugs through Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport security have been sentenced by United States District Judge Charles Pannell. Today, Richard C. Cook, II, 28, of Henry County, Georgia, was sentenced to 11 years in prison; and on January 4, 2013, Timothy G. Gregory, 26, of DeKalb County, Georgia, was sentenced to six years in prison.

United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said, “The defendants abused their positions as TSA officers to smuggle drugs through the world’s busiest airport. The citizens of this district deserve better than Mr. Cook and Mr. Gregory—they deserve officers who obey the laws that they are entrusted to enforce. These significant prison sentences should serve as stinging reminders that corruption will not be tolerated.”

James E. Ward, Special Agent in Charge, Department of Homeland Security, Office of the Inspector General (OIG), Atlanta Field Office stated, “Let today’s sentencing demonstrate to the public that federal and local law enforcement agencies stand committed to eradicate corruption, particularly among the few who choose to tarnish their badge and oath of office. DHS-OIG and its law enforcement partners will continue to hold such shameless individuals accountable.”

Mark F. Giuliano, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Atlanta Field Office, stated, “As officers of TSA, these two defendants abandoned their positions of trust, and today, they will answer for their actions. The FBI remains committed in working with its various law enforcement partners in bringing forward for prosecutions all matters concerning public corruption.”

According to United States Attorney Yates, the charges, and other information presented in court: Beginning in January 2012, on multiple occasions, Cook and Gregory misused their positions as officers with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to smuggle what they believed to be illegal drugs through Atlanta’s airport security.

The investigation began after authorities received information from various sources that Cook was willing to use his position to smuggle contraband into secure facilities. Based on that information, federal law enforcement officers initiated an investigation into Cook’s activities. Specifically, on January 11, 2012, Cook met with two undercover officers, both of whom were posing as drug cartel members. During the meeting, the undercover officers provided Cook with three kilograms of fake drugs, which Cook believed to be heroin, and $3,500 in cash, which was partial payment to Cook to smuggle the drugs through airport security. Thereafter, Cook, who was wearing his TSA uniform, went to the airport, transported the drugs through the TSA security checkpoint, and delivered the drugs to an undercover officer inside the terminal. Cook was then paid another $4,000 in cash, which was the remaining payment for smuggling the drugs through security.

Similarly, on January 26, 2012, Cook met with an undercover officer before reporting for his TSA shift at the airport. During this meeting, the undercover officer provided Cook with three kilograms of fake drugs that Cook believed to be heroin and $4,000 in cash, which was partial payment to Cook to smuggle the drugs through airport security. Thereafter, Cook, who was wearing his TSA uniform, went to the airport, transported the drugs through the TSA security checkpoint, and delivered the drugs to another undercover officer in the terminal. The undercover officer then paid Cook $3,500, which was the remaining portion of Cook’s fee for smuggling the drugs through security. In both sting operations, Cook believed that he was smuggling heroin through airport security.

In February 2012, Cook resigned from the TSA. However, Cook recruited TSA Officer Gregory to assist with the drug smuggling operation. Cook introduced Gregory to the undercover officers who were posing as drug traffickers and received a referral fee of $1,000.

On February 24, 2012, an undercover officer provided Gregory with five kilograms of fake cocaine and $5,000 in cash. Thereafter, Gregory, who was wearing his TSA uniform, went to the airport, transported the cocaine through the TSA security checkpoint, and delivered the drugs to another undercover officer in the terminal.

On May 4, 2012, undercover officers provided Gregory with 10 kilograms of fake cocaine, which Gregory had agreed to transport from Atlanta to Commerce, Georgia.

Today, Cook was sentenced to 11 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, and fined $16,000. On January 4, 2013, Gregory was sentenced to six years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, and fined $5,000.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Homeland Security-Office of the Inspector General, and the United States Marshals Service.

Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey W. Davis prosecuted this case.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Atlanta recommends parents and children learn about the dangers of drugs at the following website: http://www.justthinktwice.com.

For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Information Office at USAGAN.Pressemails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao/gan.

Former Maryland Correctional Officer Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Obstruct Justice www.privateofficer.com

U.S. Department of Justice
FBI

PRESS RELEASE
WASHINGTON DC Feb 1 2013—Ryan Lohr, 26, a former correctional officer at the Roxbury Correctional Institution (RCI) in Hagerstown, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to conspiring to obstruct justice and destroy evidence from a March 9, 2008 assault of an inmate by RCI officers.

According to court documents filed in connection with his guilty plea, Lohr opened the door to inmate K.D.’s cell to allow other correctional officers to assault K.D. in retaliation for a prior incident involving K.D. and another officer. Lohr watched RCI officers use their fists and feet to strike K.D., who was restrained at the time of the assault. After Lohr learned that there would be an investigation into this beating, he met with other RCI officers and agreed to cover up the assault. Lohr directed others to clean up blood in K.D.’s cell and watched a supervisor use what appeared to be a magnetic device in an effort to destroy surveillance video footage. A supervisor also told Lohr not to write a report about inmate K.D. and his injuries.

Lohr further admitted in court documents that he lied to RCI investigators and the Maryland State Police when these agencies asked him about K.D.’s injuries. Lohr also told RCI officers to provide investigators with false information.

“Mr. Lohr admitted that he opened the door so that other correctional officers could assault an inmate, watched other correctional officers assault the restrained inmate, and conspired with others to cover up the assault,” said Assistant Attorney General Thomas E. Perez. “The U.S. Constitution protects inmates and the Justice Department will continue to vigorously prosecute correctional officers who use their official position to assault inmates or to cover up crimes committed by their fellow officers.”

Lohr faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000. Sentencing is set for June 18 before U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar.

The case is ongoing and is being investigated by the Frederick Resident Agency of the FBI and is being prosecuted by Special Litigation Counsel Forrest Christian and Trial Attorney Sanjay Patel of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, with the assistance of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland.

Salisbury Cops Hurt and Two Men Charged in Bon-Ton Theft www.privateofficer.com

Salisbury PA Dec 15 2012 Two men were arrested on charges they stole polo shirts from the Bon-Ton at South Mall, and two Salisbury police officers who responded to the call Thursday were injured in the incident, police said.
King David III, 28, of 557 Ontario St., Bethlehem, and Nathan A. Markham, 26, of 947 Fernwood St., Emmaus, have each been charged with retail theft, criminal conspiracy, criminal mischief and receiving stolen property.
David is also charged with persistent disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.
The names of the two Salisbury Township Police Officers injured were not disclosed. One of the officers received treatment at the Lehigh Valley Health Network-Cedar Crest.
David also was treated at the hospital and released back into police custody.
According to police, police were dispatched to the Bon-Ton at the South Mall at 4:05 p.m. on Thursday to investigate a report of a retail theft in progress.
Bon-Ton security guards told police that two men came into the store with an empty bag, grabbed polo shirts from the store and headed to the dressing room. The security guards said they saw the men leave the store.
Police arrived and David allegedly began to fight with officers in the parking lot and tried to flee, police reported. David and Markham were eventually taken into custody.
David and Markham were transported to the Lehigh County Central Booking Center, where they were processed and arraigned.
David was sent to Lehigh County Prison under $40,000 straight bail. Markham was sent to Lehigh County Prison under $30,000 straight bail.
Several members of the Emmaus Police Department, including their K9 unit, assisted at the scene.

Source:Salisbury Patch

Orland Square Mall and Orland Park Place theft ring busted www.privateofficer.com

 

 

Orland  Park IL Nov 30 2012 Retail theft rings targeting Orland Square Mall and Orland Park Place were uncovered earlier this month during a coordinated law enforcement effort, officials said.

Orland Park Police report the covert operation resulted in 12 felony and 10 misdemeanor charges, and recovered stolen property valued at $18,970. Several law enforcement agencies participated in the investigation and arrests on Nov. 7 through Nov. 9.

Arrested and charged were:

* Eona Adams, 23, Chicago - theft from Carson Pirie Scott & Co. on Nov. 9,

* Monique Carter, 22, Chicago - theft from H&M Clothing and Gilly Hicks on Nov. 9,

* Jasmine Dabbs, 19, Orland Hills – theft from Buy Baby Buy on Nov. 8,

* Fantasha Evans, 27, Chicago - theft from Nordstrom Rack, fleeing and eluding on Nov. 9,

* Omosunuaola Femidada, 20, Country Club Hills – forgery at Old Navy and driving with a suspended license on Nov. 8,

* Tasia Ford, 23, Chicago - theft from the Children’s Place and obstruction on Nov. 9,

* Debra Horner, 57, Orland Park - theft from H&M clothing store on Nov. 9,

* Ebonee Johnson, 27, Chicago - theft from H&M Clothing and Gilly Hicks on Nov. 9,

* Patrick Lane, 33, Chicago - identity theft at Sears, the Apple Store and Helzberg Diamonds on Nov. 7,

* Ebony McClain, 26, Chicago - theft from Nordstrom Rack on Nov. 9,

* Tiffany McEwen, 23, Chicago - retail theft at H&M on Nov. 8,

* Andrew Mendez, 23, Chicago - theft from JC Crew and Banana Republic on Nov. 8,

* Leannett Scott, 37, Sauk Village - theft from Macy’s on Nov. 9,

* Ingrid Shoat, 45, Park Forest - theft from Macy’s on Nov. 9,

* Jacqueline Vaughn, 19, St. Anne – theft from Abercrombie & Fitch on Nov. 9 and

* two juvenile offenders – theft from JC Penney’s on Nov. 9.

Participating in the Orland Park effort were the Cook County States Attorney’s Regional Organized Crime Unit, 12 local law enforcement agencies and an unspecified number of retail store loss-prevention agents.

Orland Park Police credit two other arrests to the interagency effort:

* Richard Ivnik, 26, of Lockport was taken into custody Nov. 8 on a possession of drug paraphernalia charge during a traffic stop in Orland Park near 151st Street and 94th Avenue.

* Adam Sonne, 23, of Tinley Park was charged with retail theft on Nov. 8 by Tinley Park Police in connection with an alleged incident at a Jewel-Osco store in Tinley Park.

Mercer County corrections officer is shot to death on deck of Trenton restaurant www.privateofficer.com

 

TRENTON NJ Nov 12 2012 – A Mercer County Corrections officer was shot to death at the Baldassari Regency banquet hall early Sunday by a gunman who opened fire on a second-floor rear deck from a parking lot below, police said.

Carl Batie, 26, of Willingboro, was off-duty and a patron at a function at the bar and restaurant on Morris Avenue when the shooting occurred.

Batie was not alone on the second floor deck, but none of the other people with him were injured, Lt. Steve Varn said. Police would not say whether or not he was the intended target, but Regency owner Eddie Baldassari is certain Batie was an innocent victim.

“It’s, really, a real tragedy for that family,” Baldassari said. “Unbelievable. I can’t imagine this happening.”

A verbal confrontation between a man who tried to get into the event and security officers who denied him entry was followed by the shooting by about 20 minutes, Baldassari said. The gunman opened fire on the deck, which is used as a smoking area, when about 25 to 30 people were gathered there, including a guard with “security” written across the back of his shirt.

Baldassari believes the two events are connected, and said it’s possible the shooter was trying to hit the security guard. Late yesterday morning, more than 20 police evidence markers likely denoting shell casings were left from the 1:15 a.m. shooting.

County corrections officials were notified of the death of Batie, who graduated the agency’s training academy in May 2008.

“We notified them early this morning, right after it occurred,” said Varn, head of the department’s detective bureau.

Batie was on the deck around when “numerous” shots were fired from the Regency parking lot behind the building, Varn said. Police believe a single gunman was responsible.

“Carl Batie was an exemplary officer who had a special place as a member of the first graduating class of corrections officers,” Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes said in a statement. “He was a dedicated public servant, a first-class officer, and respected by all who worked with him.”

Trenton police officers working an off-duty security side job at the Regency reacted immediately after the shooting, searching the area for a suspect, but without success. No other injuries were reported.

Detectives will review security camera footage at the Regency and in the area as part of their investigation, Varn said. No arrests have been made and no suspect description was immediately available.

Batie’s killing is the 20th homicide in Trenton this year. Four homicides each were reported in the months of October and September.

Detective Scott Paterson is the lead investigator, assisted by Detective Bryan Cottrell of the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office. Anyone with information on the crime should call police at (609) 989-4170, or the Confidential Tip Line at (609) 989-3663.

source-nj.com

Former Westfall Kmart employee sentenced to prison for thefts www.privateofficer.com

Westfall PA Nov 1 2012 A Westfall Kmart employee has been sentenced to the Pike County Correctional Facility for two to 23 months, plus three years of probation, for on-the-job theft.

In March, Kristina Faasse, 26, of Hamburg, N.J., stole jewelry and other merchandise from the jewelry case by slipping it up her sleeve, according to Pike County District Attorney Ray Tonkin.

Faasse then went to a desk where she stored a blood sugar test kit and dropped the merchandise in that storage bag. Other times, she took items from the sales floor, placed them in a Kmart shopping bag in a cart, and took the cart outside, where she put the bag in her car and then returned to work. The items later were given to an associate and sold for cash.

In total, 19 pieces of jewelry valued at $20,500; and 15 pieces of assorted merchandise valued at $220, were taken.

In a written statement to Eastern Pike Regional Police, Faasse admitted the theft, according to a criminal complaint.

She has been ordered to pay a fine of $500 and restitution of more than $20,000 for theft by unlawful taking, Tonkin said.

Multi-state drug ring busted in Nashville-29 people arrested www.privateofficer.com

 

NASHVILLE, Tenn.Oct 31 2012 – A six month long investigation has led to the arrest of 29 people involved in a multi-state drug trafficking conspiracy.

Police said the investigation revealed that hundreds of pounds of high grade marijuana were being shipped from California, Arizona, and Nevada to two men in Nashville.

“This investigation is noteworthy in that, while 21 of the defendants are from the Nashville area, 3 are from Nevada, 2 are from California, 2 are from New Mexico and 1 is from Arizona,” Chief Steve Anderson said. “The message being sent is that drug trafficking involving Nashville is very much on the radar of our detectives, regardless of where the defendants live. Serious conduct will be met with serious charges, including engaging in a marijuana conspiracy, money laundering and the requested judicial forfeiture of property.”

The two main distributors of the drugs were found to be James E. Roberts Jr., 55,  and William Gupton III, 28. Roberts was also a volunteer assistant basketball coach at Martin Luther King, Jr. Magnet High School, but police said there was no evidence that he was distributing the drugs at school. Police estimated that both Roberts and Gupton had been working in the Nashville area since 2008.

A local Nashville realtor was also found to be involved in the nationwide trafficking. Police said that 60-year-old Alexis Mayes used homes that were for sale in the Nashville area as a place to receive drug shipments.

A Nashville’s General Sessions Court drug treatment manager was also alleged to have been involved. Officials said that William Scott Ross, 44, was charged with engaging in a marijuana conspiracy after it was discovered that he had tipped off a co-defendant about the drug investigation. Ross later resigned his position within the courts.

Other persons charged in this case are:

 •Tifphany Wilson, 39, Roberts’ girlfriend, of Candlewood Drive, Nashville. She is accused maintaining a stash house.

 • Shelly Roberts, 48, Roberts’ wife, of Hawkins Street, Nashville. She is accused of taking part in the marijuana conspiracy.

 •Vanessa Roberts-Fuqua, 48, Roberts’ sister, of Meharry Boulevard, Nashville. She is alleged to have accepted marijuana parcels on behalf of Roberts.

 •Markia Gupton, 36, Gupton’s wife, of Riverchase Boulevard, Madison. She is accused of engaging in the marijuana conspiracy, attempting to take part in a money laundering conspiracy and attempted forgery.

 •Matthew Hoffman, 37, of Strada Mia Court, Las Vegas, Nevada. He is alleged to be one of theNevada suppliers of marijuana that was shipped to Nashville.

 •Crystal Zornes, 27, Hoffman’s fiancée, of Strada Mia Court, Las Vegas, Nevada. She is accused of assisting Hoffman in supplying marijuana to Nashville from Las Vegas.

 •Enrique Gomez “Pig” Ahumada, 39, of Fillmore Street, Phoenix, Arizona. He is alleged to be anArizona supplier of marijuana that was shipped to Nashville.

 •Anthony Guajardo, 28, of Waterlilly View Street, Henderson, Nevada. He is alleged to be aNevada supplier of marijuana that was shipped to Nashville.

 •Richard (Rick) Valmonte, 35, of Medinah Street, Fontana, California. He is alleged to be aCalifornia supplier of marijuana that was shipped to Nashville.

 •Michael Hummer, 29, of Lyndie Lane, Temecula, California. He was arrested with Valmonte after a parcel of marijuana was sent to Gupton.

 •David Davis, 30, of Packard Drive, Antioch. He is alleged to be a local distributor of marijuana received from Gupton.

 •Carl Dunn, 40, of Saunders Avenue, Nashville. He is alleged to have received marijuana parcels on behalf of Gupton.

 •Mark Gerald, 45, of West Yorkshire Court, Old Hickory. He is alleged to have bought large amounts of marijuana from Roberts.

 •Antonio Swinger, 32, of Blackstone Avenue, Madison. He is accused of buying large quantities of marijuana from Roberts.

 •Mamie Brinkley, 59, of Kirkwood Avenue, Nashville. She is charged with accepting marijuana parcels on behalf of Roberts.

 •Mable Anita Sowell, 55, of N. 2nd Street, Nashville. She is alleged to have accepted marijuana parcels on behalf of the organization.

 •Joseph Travierso, 48, of Green Harbor Court, Old Hickory. He is accused of buying marijuana from Roberts and investing in the organization.

 •Rudolph Woodberry, 55, of Chateau Valley Drive, Nashville. He is charged with buying large amounts of marijuana from Roberts.

 •Michael Phillips, 54, of Setter Court, Nashville. He is accused of picking up marijuana parcels on behalf of Roberts.

 •Jubal Boyce, 34, of Wright Avenue, Alamogordo, New Mexico. He is charged with driving marijuana to shipment points on behalf of Roberts.

 •Jennifer Boyce, 26, Jubal Boyce’s wife, of Wright Avenue, Alamogordo, New Mexico. She is accused of accompanying her husband in the transportation of marijuana to shipment points.

 •James Keith Kephart, 53, of Old Horton Highway, Nolensville. He is accused of buying large amounts of marijuana from Roberts.

 •Corey Clemons, 36, of Apple Valley Road, Madison. He is charged with buying large amounts of marijuana from Gupton.

 •John Scott Orr, 52, of Illinois Avenue, Nashville. He is charged with taking part in the marijuana conspiracy.

 •Donald Halbert Lauderdale, 65, of Sam Davis Boulevard, Smyrna. He is accused of taking part in the marijuana conspiracy.

Trio charged with burglary in Vallejo theft www.privateofficer.com

 

Vallejo CA Oct 31 2012 Telling police she needed clothes for a trip, a woman filled a red suitcase full of expensive clothes from Kohl’s department store and allegedly tried to steal them, Vallejo Police Sgt. Herman Robinson said Monday.

The woman, plus two others, went to Kohl’s early Sunday afternoon, and filled a cart with $1,000 worth of clothes, found a large suitcase and packed the clothes inside, Robinson said.

The three left the store and got into a black Pontiac which security officers followed. Police stopped the car at Redwood Street and Fairgrounds Drive.

“She told officers she was going on a trip and wanted to see how much would fit into the suitcase,” Robinson said.

Officers arrested Racquel Parkinson, 26, and Roy Hellman, 34, both of Antioch; on suspicion of burglary and conspiracy.

Jillian Beasley, 33, of Concord was arrested on suspicion of burglary, Robinson said.

Horry County teacher arrested for sending sex texts to male student www.privateofficer.com

CONWAY, S.C. Oct 25 2012- An Horry County school teacher was arrested Tuesday for sending obscene material to a 13-year-old male student.

According to J Reuben Long Detention Center’s website, Shane Watson, 26, of Surfside Beach is charged with communicating obscene messages to another person and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

According to a police report,  the 13-year-old boy began receiving sexually suggestive text messages on his cell phone on October 13.

The investigation revealed the messages were linked thought a masking service known as “Textem” allowing the sender to remain anonymous.

Based on the tone and context of the messages, the complainant believed the author of the messages was not a classmate of the victim as indicated, but an adult individual who was attempting to engage the victim in a sexually based conversation, the report said.

Watson’s information was recognized by the complainant as a teacher at The Academy for Arts, Science and Technology where the victim attends 9th grade.

According to several of Watson’s social media pages, he is currently a social studies teacher at the school.  Watson claims to also be a SC State Constable as well as an EMT.

Watson remains in custody at the detention center.

Source-wbtw

Five people convicted in shooting death of Brinks guard during robbery www.privateofficer.com

 

Broward County Fla Oct 19 2012 Five people, including a man from Broward County, have been convicted for the shooting death of a Brinks guard during an armed robbery at the Calder Casino and Race Course in Miami Gardens, U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer announced Wednesday.

Uri Ammar, 27, of Hollywood, was found guilty in Miami federal court on Monday and faces up to life in prison for his role in the Aug. 21, 2011 robbery and fatal shooting, prosecutors said.

Vladimir Louissant, 26, of Miami Gardens, Reginald Mitchell, 28, of Miami Gardens, VictoriaBarkley, 27, of Miami Gardens, and Byron Kyler, 24, of Miami, had already pleaded guilty to the charges before going to trial. Louissant and Mitchell face a maximum sentence of life in prison while Kyler and Barkley are looking at up to 20 years behind bars, according to court records.

No sentencing dates have yet been set.

According to authorities, Ammar and Mitchell worked security jobs at Calder Casino. They conspired to rob the Brinks guard as he made a scheduled cash pickup. Mitchell recruited Louissant, Barkley and Kyler for the job. On the day of the robbery, Mitchell drove Louissant to Calder in Kyler’s truck, which Kyler had falsely reported stolen, according to trial evidence.

Ammar escorted the Brinks guard through the casino to an open area where Louissant was waiting. Louissant rushed at the guard with gun drawn. The guard pulled out his weapon. In the crossfire, Louissant was wounded and the guard killed, the evidence showed.

After shooting the guard in the head and chest, Louissant grabbed the Brinks money bag with about $345,000 inside, sped away in a truck and later switched to a getaway car to complete his escape with Mitchell, Kyler and Barkley, prosecutors said.

Louissant went to Memorial Regional Hospital to be treated for a leg wound while Mitchell and Barkley went to the Seminole Hard Rock Casino to gamble with some of the stolen money. Police questioned Louissant at the hospital where he eventually admitted to his role in the hold-up and fatal shooting. Before long, the others were implicated and arrested, court records show.

Mansfield man hiding in bathroom at Kohl’s store charged with burglary www.privateofficer.com

 

MANSFIELD TWP.NJ Sept 8 2012 — On Sept. 2 at 11:22 p.m., police were dispatched to the Kohl’s department store for a motion burglar alarm.

Police gave the following account:

While checking the interior of the store, police found James Foster, 26, of Port Murray in a men’s bathroom stall.

Foster said he entered the store while it was open and stayed in the bathroom while it was closed.

Foster said he intended to steal jeans and planned on walking out of the store once it opened in the morning.

Foster was arrested and charged with burglary and criminal trespass.

Foster has been lodged in the Warren County Jail on default of $1,000 bail.

Source:nj.com

Alaska hunter dies in shooting accident www.privateofficer.com

 

Trapper Creek AK Sept 4 2012 A hunting trip with two friends ended in death Saturday night when one of the men accidentally shot the other while manipulating his rifle in a cabin, Alaska State Troopers said.

Kyle Strong, 29, of Wasilla, and Cody Parry, 26, of Trapper Creek, were staying in a cabin owned by Parry’s family about a half-mile off the Parks Highway at the Alaska Railroad crossing, around Mile 169 near Denali State Park. They had scouted around on Saturday and planned to go moose hunting Sunday, troopers said.

Strong cleaned his 30.06 rifle and was still working with it when a round discharged around 10:30 p.m., troopers said. Parry was on the couch and the round entered and exited his leg, inflicting a lot of damage, troopers said.

Strong called 911 on his cellphone and the call went first to Palmer police then was patched through to troopers.

An off-duty trooper based in Cantwell headed to the scene, as did medics from Trapper Creek.

In the meantime, Strong tried CPR and take Parry to the highway. They got on a four-wheeler but it overturned on the narrow trail to the road, trooper spokeswoman Beth Ipsen said, adding the trail was bumpy and ran through a swamp.

“He ran out to the road and flagged someone down to help him right the four-wheeler so he could bring his friend out,” Ipsen said. Strong and the motorist who stopped were able to turn over the four-wheeler and the group made it to the highway, she said.

Medics from Trapper Creek pronounced Parry dead.

His body was sent to the state medical examiner for an autopsy, but troopers said they don’t suspect foul play.

Source:www.adn.com

Florida National Guardsman at RNC accidentially shoots another guardsman www.pirvateofficer.com

 

Tampa Fla Sept 1 2012 A member of the Florida National Guard providing security for the Republican National Convention shot another guardsman Thursday night in an apparent accident at a St. Petersburg hotel room, deputies said.

No charges were filled against Jeffrey A. Spurr, 26, of Bronson, for shooting the gun’s owner Michael Wdowiak, 21, of Weirsdale, in the upper body and left hand, said Marianne Pasha, spokeswoman for the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.

The guardsmen were at the La Quinta hotel, 4999 34th St. N., at 10:22 p.m. with at least three other people, Pasha said.

Spurr was looking at the grip on Wdowiak’s personal .357 revolver when it fired, hitting Wdowiak, Pasha said. No one else was hurt.

Wdowiak underwent surgery for his injury, Pasha said. His condition was not available.

Alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the shooting, Pasha said.

The men are members of the National Guard contingent in Ocala. They were in the Bay area helping with security for the convention in Tampa.

Lancaster SC woman stole more than $1,000 worth of merchandise at Kohl’s www.privateofficer.com

 

ROCK HILL SC Aug 24 2012 A Lancaster woman was arrested this weekend after she and a teenage girl stole more than $1,000 worth of merchandise from Kohl’s Department Store, according to police.

The woman kicked a loss prevention employee in the groin area as they tried to get away.

Around 6:35 p.m. Saturday, police were called to Kohl’s on Meeting Boulevard after a loss prevention employee said Leslie Knight, 26, and a 16-year-old girl from Lancaster concealed and carried out $1,102 worth of merchandise without paying, according to a Rock Hill police report.

The worker told police that while Knight and the girl were sampling fragrances, she heard White say, “We need to smell good if we are going to rob this place,” the report states.

When another loss prevention employee tried to stop Knight and the girl in the parking lot, Knight began resisting and kicked the male employee in the groin, the report states.

Two witnesses told police they saw Knight assault the man, the report states. Police arrested Knight and found five pink pills of Endocet, a pain medication, in her purse.

Knight was charged with shoplifting, criminal conspiracy, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, third-degree assault and battery and possession of a Schedule II drug.

The girl’s father took custody of her after police issued her a juvenile summons.

Source:www.charlotteobserver.com

Man arrested at Mercy Hospital videotaped people in restroom www.privateofficer.com

 

Springsfield MO Aug 24 2012 Police arrested a man at Mercy Hospital Wednesday after he allegedly videotaped people in a restroom.

Jason E. Draheim, 26, of Willow Springs, was arrested Wednesday morning at the hospital. A police incident report lists three victims, including one male and one 43-year-old woman.

A woman found the camera in a unisex restroom in Patient Tower, the primary hospital building on the Mercy complex, and alerted security, Sonya Kullmann, Mercy spokesperson, said. Security then called police. Kullman did not know where in the building the restroom is located. It’s unclear how long the camera was there.

Draheim was not a patient, Sherry Royal, with Springfield Police, said. Kullmann said Draheim has no affiliation with Mercy but did not know why he was at the hospital.

Neither Kullmann or Royal could speak to how Draheim was identified as a suspect or how he was located. A police report lists an incident time of 7:24 a.m. According to Draheim’s arrest report, he was arrested at 8:20 a.m. at the hospital.

Police arrested Draheim on charges of first-degree invasion of privacy, misdemeanor possession of less than 35 grams of marijuana and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, his arrest report says.

When asked if Mercy was concerned about security after the incident, Kullmann said the hospital has a good security team because of its round-the-clock operations.

“We’re a facility that’s open to the public 24/7,” Kullmann said.

As of Thursday afternoon, formal charges had not been filed against Draheim and his name did not appear in the Greene County Jail roster.

A police incident report classifies the case as “miscellaneous” but Royal said police plan to treat it as a sex crime.

In 2008, Draheim pleaded guilty to failure to display plates, not wearing a seat belt and operating a vehicle without a valid license. Draheim was charged in Howell County.

Source:news-leader

Houston police searching for security officer murder suspects www.privateofficer.com

 

 

Houston TX Aug 23 2012 Authorities are searching for two men wanted in the shooting death of a security guard during a robbery at a game room in east Harris County in early August.

Rafael Gomez Soliz, 26, and Santiago Jaimes Gonzalez, 28, are charged with capital murder in the shooting, which occurred at the game room in the 7300 block of the East Freeway about 7:45 a.m. Aug. 5, according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies identified the victim as Juan Pardo-Gonzalez,

Deputies said Pardo-Gonzalez was working as a guard at the game when three men who were inside playing machines pulled out guns and confronted him.

During a fight, Pardo-Gonzalez was fatally shot. The gunmen took cash from the office and left in a dark-colored vehicle similar to a sports utility vehicle.

Anyone with information about the suspects’ whereabouts is urged to contact the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Homicide Unit at 713 967-5810 or Crime Stoppers at 713 222-TIPS (8477).

Santa Rosa police arrest three men in armored car robbery www.privateofficer.com

 

SANA ROSA CA Aug 10 2012– Santa Rosa police have arrested three men in connection with the investigation of an armed robbery at an armored car service in Santa Rosa a year ago, a police lieutenant said.

Police and the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office’s SWAT team served search warrants beginning early Tuesday morning at six homes and two businesses in Sonoma County, Santa Rosa police Lt. Steve Bair said.

The sheriff’s SWAT team arrested Juan Manual Dominguez, 26, of Santa Rosa, at a home at North Jefferson Street in Cloverdale on Tuesday, Bair said.

“Recent developments” led to other search warrants and arrests Tuesday, Bair said.

Monico Dominguez, 39, of Santa Rosa, was arrested in his car on Sonoma Avenue at Yulupa Avenue.

Both men were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy, attempted robbery and attempted kidnapping, Bair said. They will be arraigned Thursday afternoon in Sonoma County Superior Court.

Monico Dominguez is being held under $5 million bail in the Sonoma County jail and Juan Dominguez is being held under no bail on a probation hold.

Shawn Geernaert, 33, of Santa Rosa, was arrested in his car Tuesday at Hearn and Dutton Avenues for conspiracy and possession of an assault weapon. He posted bail and will appear in court Monday morning.

The armed robbery by suspects wearing masks occurred as an armored car arrived at Garda Armored Car Service at 1650 Northpoint Parkway in southwest Santa Rosa around 10:45 p.m. on Aug. 11, 2011.

The suspects left the business with an undisclosed amount of money and closed the steel doors behind them, leaving the victims inside, Santa Rosa police said.

The FBI and a Garda Armored Car Service security representative assisted police with the investigation, Bair said.

The armed robbery remains under investigation.

Source: CBS SF

Anchorage man arrested for threatening to shoot security officers www.privateofficer.com

 

 

Anchorage AK Aug 7 2012 An Anchorage man was arrested after threatening to shoot others, including security officers, at a concert Saturday evening in Girdwood, Alaska State Troopers said.

Troopers responded to the Alyeska Resort day lodge at 9:12 p.m. because of reports that a man was threatening to shoot people at the 36 Crazyfists concert.

An investigation revealed that Ryan Suchan, 26, of Anchorage had threatened to shoot someone at the concert and then threatened to shoot the four security officers who were escorting him out, troopers reported. Troopers said that they recovered a handgun during the investigation and alcohol was a factor.

The suspect was arrested and taken to the Anchorage jail on charges of assault and terroristic threatening, troopers aid.

Source:www.adn.com