BATON ROUGE, LA – United States Attorney David R. Dugas, West Feliciana Parish District Attorney Samuel C. D’Aquilla, and West Feliciana Parish Sheriff J. Austin Daniel announced that ALAN D. BEVERS, age 52, of St. Francisville, Louisiana, was sentenced today in federal court on charges of sexual exploitation.

BEVERS pled guilty on September 12, 2007, to an indictment charging him with two counts of sexual exploitation. The indictment charged that BEVERS produced child pornography on two separate occasions involving a thirteen-year-old female and an eight-year-old female. BEVERS was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Frank J. Polozola to a term of imprisonment of 210 months per count, to be served consecutively, for a total term of imprisonment of thirty-five years. Judge Polozola ordered that this sentence be served consecutive to a seven-year sentence BEVERS is currently serving that was imposed on him by a Pennsylvania state court.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as identify and rescue victims.

This investigation has involved the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Louisiana; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the West Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s Office; the Office of the District Attorney for the 20th Judicial District; and the London County, Pennsylvania, Sheriff’s Office. This matter was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Corey R. Amundson, who serves as the Project Safe Childhood Coordinator for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Louisiana.

26 June 2008 Montgomery Indictment

INDICTMENT IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, ON CHARGES OF HEALTH CARE FRAUD AND MONEY LAUNDERING

United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced that a federal grand jury returned an indictment yesterday charging CLEOPATRA LACOUR MONTGOMERY, age 52, of Port Allen, Louisiana, with twenty-two counts of health care fraud and three counts of money laundering.

The indictment alleges that MONTGOMERY billed Medicare $188,247 for twenty-two power wheelchairs and accessories, and was paid $103,982, when she actually provided less expensive scooters, or nothing at all, to Medicare beneficiaries.

The case was investigated by agents of the United States Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

If convicted of the health care fraud charges, MONTGOMERY faces a maximum sentence of ten years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, or both, per count. If convicted on the money laundering charges, MONTGOMERY faces a maximum sentence of twenty years imprisonment, a fine of $500,000, or both, per count.

Mike Fields, Special Agent in Charge of the Dallas Regional Office, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General, said “Medicare fraud is a major and increasingly serious problem that costs taxpayers billions in lost and wasted dollars while depriving vulnerable beneficiaries of the care and support they need. Every dollar that we save or recover allows us to better serve those who really need and deserve our help. Today’s action sends a message to those who corruptly take advantage of the Medicare system. The Office of Inspector General will continue to work aggressively with our law enforcement partners like the FBI to eliminate this type of corruption in our health care system.”

NOTE: An indictment is a determination by a grand jury that there is probable cause to believe that offenses have been committed by the defendant. The defendant, of course, is presumed innocent until and unless she is proven guilty at trial.

26 June 2008 Larry Wright Conviction

CONVICTION IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, ON CHARGES OF ATTEMPTED POSSESSION WITH THE INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE COCAINE AND POSSESSION OF A FIREARM IN FURTHERANCE OF A DRUG TRAFFICKING OFFENSE

BATON ROUGE, LA – United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced that a federal jury in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, convicted LARRY WRIGHT, age 27, of Zachary, Louisiana, yesterday of attempted possession with the intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. WRIGHT is a former deputy with the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office.

U.S. District Court Judge John V. Parker presided over the three-day jury trial. Assistant United States Attorneys Joseph Blackwell and Walt Green prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.

On the charge of attempted possession with intent to distribute cocaine, the defendant faces a sentence of not more than twenty years imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, or both, and a term of supervised release after imprisonment of at least three years. On the charge of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, the defendant faces a sentence of not less than five years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both, and a term of supervised release not to exceed five years. Judge Parker will sentence the defendant following the completion of a pre-sentence investigation.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office. J. Milton Bonaventure, Resident Agent in Charge of the Baton Rouge Field Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, stated: “ATF wants to express its tremendous gratitude to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and to the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office for their hard work and perseverance in this case. Illegal drugs and guns are a scourge in our society and in this case the defendant was a law enforcement officer who brought shame on himself and on the uniform that many good people wear every day.”

25 June 2008 FEMA Fraud - St. Cyr conviction

CONVICTION IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, ON CHARGES OF MAIL FRAUD AND ILLEGAL USE OF A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER

BATON ROUGE, LA – United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced that a federal jury in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, convicted KIMBERLY N. ST. CYR, age 23, a resident of Baton Rouge, yesterday on one count of mail fraud and one count of illegal use of a Social Security number.

The indictment charged that ST. CYR filed false and fraudulent applications with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for Hurricane Katrina disaster assistance benefits using fictitious New Orleans addresses and Social Security numbers that had not been assigned to her by the Social Security Administration.

Chief U.S. District Court Judge Ralph E. Tyson presided over the two-day jury trial. The defendant faces a maximum sentence of up to twenty years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000, or both, for mail fraud, and a maximum sentence of up to five years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both, for the illegal use of a Social Security number. Judge Tyson will sentence the defendant following the completion of a pre-sentence investigation.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General with assistance from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General and the Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Alan A. Stevens and M. Patricia Jones.

The number of individuals who have been charged in the Middle District of Louisiana with violations related to hurricane disaster relief funds stands at one hundred forty-five.

In September 2005, Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales created the Hurricane Katrina Fraud Task Force, designed to deter, investigate and prosecute disaster-related federal crimes such as charity fraud, identity theft, procurement fraud and insurance fraud. The Hurricane Katrina Fraud Task Force – chaired by Assistant Attorney General Alice S. Fisher of the Criminal Division – includes the FBI, the U.S. Inspectors General community, the U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Executive Office for United States Attorneys and others.

For further information, contact David R. Dugas, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Louisiana, or Lyman Thornton, First Assistant U.S. Attorney, at (225) 389-0443. Anyone suspecting criminal activity involving disaster assistance programs can make an anonymous report by calling the toll-free Hurricane Relief Fraud Hotline, 1-866-720-5721, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, until further notice. Information can also be emailed to the Hurricane Katrina Fraud Task Force at HKFTF@leo.gov or sent by surface mail, with as many details as possible, to Hurricane Katrina Fraud Task Force, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-4909.

24 June 2008 Arnita Horne Sentenced

DEFENDANT SENTENCED ON HEALTH CARE FRAUD CHARGE IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA

BATON ROUGE, LA – United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced that ARNITA JEFFERSON HORNE, age 57, of Pineville, Louisiana, was sentenced today before U.S. District Court Judge Frank J. Polozola to a term of imprisonment of twenty months, $345,804 in restitution, and three years of supervised release following imprisonment. The sentence is a result of HORNE pleading guilty to Count One of an indictment charging her with health care fraud.

The indictment charged that HORNE owned and operated Professional Counseling, LLC (Professional), operating from Monroe, Louisiana. Professional was approved to participate in the Medicare Program, a federally funded health care benefits program, in the State of Louisiana. Beginning on or about June 25, 2004, and continuing through September 2004, HORNE was charged with submitting fraudulent claims to Medicare, representing that a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), working through Professional, had furnished psychotherapy counseling services to a Medicare beneficiary, when, in fact, the LCSW had not worked for Professional on the dates indicated, nor did the beneficiary receive any psychotherapy counseling services from HORNE or her employees. The indictment charged that in the overall scheme, HORNE submitted fraudulent claims to Medicare totaling $978,914 and as a result, collected payments of approximately $345,804 from Medicare.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General. Mike Fields, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, stated, “The Office of Inspector General will continue to aggressively investigate those who defraud the Medicare system. Greed, at the expense of our most vulnerable citizens, will not be tolerated.” The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rene Salomon.

19 June 2008 FEMA Fraud - Two more Indicted and Three more Sentenced

TWO MORE INDICTED AND THREE MORE SENTENCED ON DISASTER RELIEF FRAUD CHARGES IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA,

BATON ROUGE, LA – United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced today that two more Louisiana residents have been indicted and four more have been sentenced on fraud charges related to hurricane disaster relief programs.

CHARLES P. JENKINS, JR., age 37, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was charged in a two-count indictment by a federal grand jury with making a false and fraudulent claim for disaster assistance benefits and with making false and fraudulent statements to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The charges resulted from an investigation conducted by the U.S. Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General. If convicted, JENKINS faces a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both, per count.

KIALA T. LEE, age 23, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was charged in a three-count indictment with mail fraud (Counts One and Two) and with making a false and fraudulent claim for disaster assistance benefits (Count Three). The charges resulted from an investigation conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General. If convicted on Counts One and Two, LEE faces a maximum sentence of twenty years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both, for each count. If convicted on Count Two, LEE faces a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both.

MARK A. JOHNSON, age 33, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, pled guilty on July 23, 2007, to Count One of an indictment charging him with making a false and fraudulent claim for disaster assistance benefits. JOHNSON was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Ralph E. Tyson to a term of imprisonment of three months and $8,016.80 in restitution. After JOHNSON completes his term of imprisonment, he will be placed on supervised release for a period of three years. The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General, with assistance from the U.S. Secret Service.
DENEATRICE D. CAGE, age 29, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, pled guilty on March 4, 2008, to Count One of an indictment charging her with mail fraud. CAGE was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge James J. Brady to a term of probation of three years and $2,000.00 in restitution. The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service with assistance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General.

LESLIE A. SMITH, age 31, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, pled guilty on October 18, 2007, to Count One of an indictment charging her with mail fraud. SMITH was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Ralph E. Tyson to a term of probation of three years and $4,358.00 in restitution. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General.

Today’s indictments bring the total number of individuals who have been charged in the Middle District of Louisiana with violations related to hurricane disaster relief funds to one hundred forty-five.

19 June 2008 Willcutt Guilty Plea

GUILTY PLEA IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, ON CHARGE OF SEXUAL EXPLOITATION

United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced that LANCE EARL WILLCUTT, age 33, of Zachary, Louisiana, pled guilty today before U.S. District Court Judge Frank J. Polozola to two counts of a superseding indictment charging him with sexual exploitation of a minor.

The indictment charged that WILLCUTT produced a visual depiction of a person under the age of eighteen engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

As a result of his plea agreement, WILLCUTT faces a penalty of not less than fifteen years and not more than thirty years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both, per count.

This case was investigated by the Zachary Police Department, and Louisiana Cybercrimes Task Force members from the Louisiana State University Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rich Bourgeois.

For further information, contact David R. Dugas, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Louisiana, or Lyman Thornton, First Assistant U.S. Attorney, at (225)389-0443.

16 June 2008 Ruiz Guilty Plea

GUILTY PLEA IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, ON CHARGE OF DISTRIBUTION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

BATON ROUGE, LA – United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced PAUL G. RUIZ, age 48, of Denham Springs, Louisiana, pled guilty today before Chief U.S. District Court Judge Ralph E. Tyson to a Bill of Information charging distribution of child pornography.

As a result of his conviction, RUIZ faces a minimum sentence of not less than five years imprisonment and not more than twenty years, a $250,000 fine, or both.

The charge resulted from an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the cooperation of the Baton Rouge City Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Richard L. Bourgeois, Jr.

This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, U.S. Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims.

For further information, contact David R. Dugas, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Louisiana, or Lyman Thornton, First Assistant U.S. Attorney, at (225) 389-0443.

12 June 2008 FEMA Fraud Roberts Sentencing

ANOTHER SENTENCED IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, ON DISASTER RELIEF FRAUD CHARGES

BATON ROUGE, LA – Another Louisiana resident was sentenced in federal court on fraud charges related to a hurricane disaster relief program, United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced today.

IRIS L. ROBERTS, age 27, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, pled guilty on October 29, 2007, to Count One of an indictment charging her with making a false and fraudulent claim for Hurricane Katrina disaster assistance benefits. ROBERTS was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Ralph E. Tyson to three years of probation and $2,000 in restitution to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The U.S. Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation of this matter.

The number of individuals who have been charged in the Middle District of Louisiana with violations related to hurricane disaster relief funds stands at one hundred forty-three.

3 June 2008 Thompson Third Supersiding Indictment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: DAVID R. DUGAS
TUESDAY, JUNE 3, 2008 (225) 389-0443
WWW.USDOJ.GOV/USAO/LAM FAX: (225) 389-0561

INDICTMENT IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, ON CHARGES OF CONSPIRACY, WIRE FRAUD, MAIL FRAUD,
MONEY LAUNDERING, ACCESS DEVICE FRAUD, AGGRAVATED IDENTITY THEFT, BANK FRAUD, COMPUTER FRAUD, AND OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE

BATON ROUGE, LA – United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced today the unsealing of a 25-count third superseding indictment returned by a federal grand jury on May 22, 2008. The indictment was placed under seal pending the arrest of certain of the defendants charged in the indictment. The third superseding indictment charges that ROBERT THOMPSON and others engaged in two conspiracies to obtain and use the personal and financial information of over 55 individuals and businesses, without their knowledge or authorization, to steal from their bank accounts and use their credit to obtain things of value, including attempting to steal $20,000,000 from one victim’s bank accounts.

The first conspiracy allegedly occurred from June 2006 until September 2007 and included THOMPSON bribing a prison guard $10,000 to provide him with cell phones to further the conspiracy. The second conspiracy allegedly occurred from April 5, 2008, until May 1, 2008, and included THOMPSON and others using an apartment to store fraudulently obtained items.

The charged defendants include:

ROBERT THOMPSON, a.k.a. John Lawson, age 41, of Zachary, Louisiana, charged with multiple counts of conspiracy, wire fraud, mail fraud, money laundering, access device fraud, aggravated identity theft, bank fraud, computer fraud, obstruction of justice, and forfeiture

ECKNOZZIO C. JACKSON, age 38, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, charged with conspiracy, mail fraud, and bank fraud. He has pled guilty to mail fraud and bank fraud in connection with his agreeing to a $10,000 bribe from Thompson

CHARLENE B. JACKSON, age 40, of New Iberia, Louisiana, charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering

SEDRIC L. JACKSON, age 35, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and object justice and wire fraud

DACOBIA L. HAMILTON, age 31, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and obstruct justice

ZELBONY O. TAYLOR, age 32, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and obstruct justice

KATHY J. STERLING, age 39, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and obstruct justice and wire fraud

TERILYN L. JACKSON, age 35, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and obstruct justice

MURKEL L. PARKER, age 33, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and obstruct justice

Two other individuals have also been charged in this investigation. BARBARA J. THOMAS, a former corrections officer at J.B. Evans Correctional Center, has pled guilty to wire fraud in connection with her involvement in this matter. KELVIN ARCHIE has been charged in a bill of information with one count of use of an authorized access device and awaits trial. A total of 11 individuals have been charged in this investigation.

This ongoing investigation is being led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the security and investigations staff of the Elayn Hunt Correctional Center. Many other agencies have assisted in the investigation, including the Madison Parish Sheriff’s Office; the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office; the East Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s Office; the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office; the Hardeman County, Tennessee, Sheriff’s Office; the Bolivar, Tennessee, Police Department; the Baton Rouge Police Department; and the Louisiana Department of Corrections.

This matter is being prosecuted by Deputy Criminal Chief Corey R. Amundson.

NOTE: An indictment is a determination by a grand jury that there is probable cause to believe that offenses have been committed by the defendants. The defendants, of course, are presumed innocent until and unless they is proven guilty at trial.

30 May 2008 Bignar Sentencing

FORMER COLEMAN TOYOTA GENERAL MANAGER SENTENCED IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, ON CHARGES RELATED TO THEFT OF DEALERSHIP FUNDS

BATON ROUGE, LA – United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced that LOUIS W. “CHIP” BIGNAR, former General Manager of Coleman Toyota, was sentenced yesterday by United States District Court Judge John V. Parker for his part in the theft of almost $1 million of dealership funds.

BIGNAR pled guilty on October 12, 2007, to Counts Five and Seven of an indictment charging him with wire fraud and engaging in an illegal monetary transaction. Count Five of the indictment charged that on or about September 3, 2004, BIGNAR caused a false and fraudulent financial statement for Coleman Toyota to be submitted to Gulf States Toyota by interstate wire. This statement, dated August 31, 2004, contained false entries that inflated the profit of Coleman Toyota by at least $1,700,000. The indictment charged that BIGNAR caused checks totaling $917,835 to be issued by Coleman Toyota to a bogus advertising company that BIGNAR had created, falsely recording that the checks were written for marketing expenses. Other false entries on the financial statement included inflated inventories of recreational vehicles, used cars, and contracts in transit, referring to sales listed as pending, but not yet completed. Count Seven of the indictment charged that on or about June 22, 2004, BIGNAR deposited a Coleman Toyota check in the amount of $11,800 into a checking account at Whitney National Bank that BIGNAR had opened in 2002 in the name of Louis W. Bignar d/b/a Marketing Concepts. According to the plea agreement, this check was not a payment for marketing expenses, as it was deposited into an account that BIGNAR controlled so that it could be cashed by BIGNAR for his personal benefit. Pursuant to his guilty plea, BIGNAR was sentenced to fifty-one months imprisonment and ordered to pay restitution to the dealership in the amount of $917,835.

BIGNAR was the second person sentenced as a result of the fraudulent scheme. On February 7, 2007, pursuant to a guilty plea to two similar counts of fraud, Judge Parker sentenced Lesa W. Callegan, the dealership’s former office manager and controller, to four months imprisonment and four months home confinement for her part in creating the false financial statements. Callegan had worked directly under BIGNAR.

The case resulted from an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Richard B. Launey and Ian F. Hipwell.

For further information, contact David R. Dugas, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Louisiana, or Lyman E. Thornton III, First Assistant U.S. Attorney, at (225) 389-0443.

30 May 2008 FEMA Fraud - Nelson Sentencing

ANOTHER SENTENCED IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, ON DISASTER RELIEF FRAUD CHARGES

BATON ROUGE, LA – Another Louisiana resident was sentenced in federal court yesterday on fraud charges related to a hurricane disaster relief program, United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced.
DONALD R. NELSON, age 31, of Port Allen, Louisiana, pled guilty on July 24, 2007, to Count One of an indictment charging him with making a false and fraudulent claim for Hurricane Katrina disaster assistance benefits. The Indictment alleged that NELSON had caused another individual to file a fraudulent application for disaster relief benefits in NELSON’s name, falsely claiming that NELSON had been living in Metairie, Louisiana, at the time of the storm and that NELSON had suffered storm-related damage in Metairie.
NELSON was sentenced yesterday by Senior U.S. District Court Judge John V. Parker to a term of imprisonment of twelve (12) months and $4,358 in restitution to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). NELSON was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release following his release from incarceration. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General.
The number of individuals who have been charged in the Middle District of Louisiana with violations related to hurricane disaster relief funds stands at one hundred forty-three.

22 May 2008 FEMA Fraud - Buggage Sentencing

ANOTHER SENTENCED IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, ON DISASTER RELIEF FRAUD CHARGES

BATON ROUGE, LA – Another Louisiana resident was sentenced in federal court on fraud charges related to a hurricane disaster relief program, United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced today.

NADINE A. BUGGAGE, age 36, of Napoleonville, Louisiana, pled guilty on
November 6, 2007, to Count One of an indictment charging her with wire fraud in connection with obtaining disaster unemployment benefits for alleged losses resulting from Hurricane Katrina. BUGGAGE was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Ralph E. Tyson to five years of probation and $5,381 in restitution. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation of this matter.

The number of individuals who have been charged in the Middle District of Louisiana with violations related to hurricane disaster relief funds stands at one hundred forty-three.

19 May 2008 Auzine Guilty Plea

GUILTY PLEA IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, TO UNLAWFUL DISPENSATION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES

BATON ROUGE, LA – United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced today that DONALD P. AUZINE, age 38, of Prairieville, Louisiana, pled guilty before U.S. District Court Judge John V. Parker to a Bill of Information charging him with the unlawful dispensation of controlled substances.

The Bill charges that AUZINE was a physician registered by the DEA to dispense controlled substances in the course of his professional practice, and that between June 2007 through March 2008, AUZINE either prescribed or directed the dispensing of the following controlled substances without a legitimate medical purpose and not in the usual course of medical practice: Adderall, a Schedule II controlled substance; Oxycodone, a Schedule II controlled substance; Hydrocodone, a Schedule III controlled substance; and Benzphetamine, a Schedule III controlled substance.

In his plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, AUZINE agreed not to contest the forfeiture of $275,962.93 seized in search warrants in this case on April 3, 2008. As a result of his guilty plea, AUZINE faces a maximum sentence of twenty years imprisonment, a fine of $1,000,000, or both.

The charge resulted from an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Internal Revenue Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Baton Rouge City Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joseph E. Blackwell.

For further information, contact David R. Dugas, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Louisiana, or Lyman Thornton, First Assistant U.S. Attorney, at (225) 389-0443.

13 May 2008 FEMA Fraud - Myles Sentenced

ANOTHER SENTENCED IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, ON DISASTER RELIEF FRAUD CHARGES

BATON ROUGE, LA – Another Louisiana resident was sentenced in federal court on fraud charges related to a hurricane disaster relief program, United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced today.

COREY A. MYLES, age 39, of Donaldsonville, Louisiana, pled guilty on September 12, 2007, to Count One of an indictment charging him with mail fraud. MYLES was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge James J. Brady to a term of imprisonment of one month, three years of supervised release, and $2,000 in restitution to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation of this matter.

The number of individuals who have been charged in the Middle District of Louisiana with violations related to hurricane disaster relief funds stands at one hundred forty-three.

9 May 2008 Willcutt Indictment

INDICTMENT IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA,
ON CHARGE OF SEXUAL EXPLOITATION

United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced that a federal grand jury returned an indictment yesterday charging LANCE EARL WILLCUTT, age 33, of Zachary, Louisiana, with sexual exploitation of a minor.

The indictment alleges that WILLCUTT produced a visual depiction of a person under the age of eighteen engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

If convicted, WILLCUTT faces a penalty of not less than fifteen years and not more than thirty years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.

This case was investigated by the Zachary Police Department, and Louisiana Cybercrimes Task Force members from the Louisiana State University Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rich Bourgeois.

NOTE: An indictment is a determination by a grand jury that there is probable cause to believe that offenses have been committed by the defendant. The defendant, of course, is presumed innocent until and unless he is proven guilty at trial.

9 May 2008 FEMA Fraud - Whitfield J - Robertson Guilty Pleas

TWO MORE PLEAD GUILTY IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, TO DISASTER RELIEF FRAUD CHARGES

BATON ROUGE, LA – Two more Louisiana residents pled guilty yesterday in federal court on fraud charges related to a hurricane disaster relief program, United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced.

JIMMY RAY WHITFIELD, age 22, of Zachary, Louisiana, pled guilty yesterday before U.S. District Court Judge James J. Brady to Count Two of an indictment charging him with access device fraud in connection with the filing of fraudulent applications for disaster assistance benefits. The factual basis alleges that WHITFIELD was involved with his sister, Latasha Whitfield, in carrying out a scheme to defraud the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and LDOL by filing false claims for disaster unemployment benefits for losses incurred due to Hurricane Katrina. Latasha Whitfield was sentenced on April 29, 2008, to a 54-month prison term for her leadership in a wide-reaching scheme involving the creation and use of over eighty fraudulently obtained disaster unemployment debit cards. The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General. As a result of his guilty plea to Count Two, WHITFIELD faces a maximum sentence of ten (10) years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both. As part of the plea agreement, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will dismiss the remaining counts of the indictment when WHITFIELD is sentenced on Count Two.

MARY A. ROBERTSON, age 35, of Plaquemine, Louisiana, pled guilty yesterday before U.S. District Court Judge James J. Brady to Count Five of an indictment charging her with mail fraud. The factual basis alleges that ROBERTSON filed a fraudulent application for FEMA benefits and caused FEMA to disburse five disaster assistance benefit checks to ROBERTSON totaling more than $25,000. The case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General, with assistance from the Plaquemine Police Department. As a result of her guilty plea, ROBERTSON faces a maximum sentence of twenty (20) years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both. As part of the plea agreement, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will dismiss the remaining counts of the indictment when ROBERTSON is sentenced.

The number of individuals who have been charged in the Middle District of Louisiana with violations related to hurricane disaster relief funds stands at one hundred forty-three.

6 May 2008 AUZINE Bill of Information

BILL OF INFORMATION IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, CHARGING UNLAWFUL DISPENSATION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES

BATON ROUGE, LA – United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced DONALD P. AUZINE, age 38, of Prairieville, Louisiana, was charged in a Bill of Information yesterday with the unlawful dispensation of controlled substances. If convicted, AUZINE faces a maximum sentence of twenty years imprisonment, a fine of $1,000,000, or both.

The Bill alleges that AUZINE was a physician registered by the DEA to dispense controlled substances in the course of his professional practice. The bill charges that between June 2007 through March 2008, AUZINE either prescribed or directed the dispensing of the following controlled substances without a legitimate medical purpose and not in the usual course of medical practice: Adderall, a Schedule II controlled substance; Oxycodone, a Schedule II controlled substance; Hydrocodone, a Schedule III controlled substance; and Benzphetamine, a Schedule III controlled substance.

For further information, contact David R. Dugas, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Louisiana, or Lyman Thornton, First Assistant U.S. Attorney, at (225) 389-0443.

NOTE: A bill of information is merely an accusation by the United States Attorney that an offense has been committed by the defendant. The defendant, of course, is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty at trial.

30 April 2008 FEMA Fraud - Two more Plead Guilty

TWO MORE PLEAD GUILTY IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, ON DISASTER RELIEF FRAUD CHARGES

BATON ROUGE, LA – United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced that two more Louisiana residents pled guilty today in federal court on fraud charges related to a hurricane disaster relief program.

QUENTIN C. DUNN, a/k/a CARLNEL WHITFIELD, age 26, of Jackson, Louisiana, pled guilty today before U.S. District Court Judge Frank J. Polozola to Count Three of an indictment charging him with access device fraud. The indictment charged DUNN with carrying out a scheme to defraud the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Louisiana Department of Labor (LDOL) by causing two fraudulent applications for disaster unemployment assistance (DUA) to be filed on his behalf. The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Labor, the Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. As a result of his guilty plea to Count Three, DUNN faces a maximum sentence of ten (10) years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both. As part of the plea agreement, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will dismiss Counts One and Two of the indictment when DUNN is sentenced on Count Three.

CHIQUITA L. WILEY, a/k/a CHIQUITA L. GRIFFIN, age 34, of Port Allen, Louisiana, pled guilty today before Chief U.S. District Court Judge Ralph E. Tyson to Count One of an indictment charging her with making a false and fraudulent claim for disaster assistance benefits. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General. As a result of her guilty plea to Count One, WILEY faces a maximum sentence of five (5) years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both. As part of the plea agreement, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will dismiss Count Two of the indictment when WILEY is sentenced on Count One.

The number of individuals who have been charged in the Middle District of Louisiana with violations related to hurricane disaster relief funds stands at one hundred forty-three.

30 April 2008 Four Sentenced theft of funds from a Hurricane Disaster Relief Program

FOUR SENTENCED IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, ON CHARGES RELATED TO THEFT OF FUNDS FROM A HURRICANE DISASTER RELIEF PROGRAM

BATON ROUGE, LA – United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced that four Louisiana residents were sentenced yesterday by United States District Court Judge John V. Parker for their part in a conspiracy to defraud a federal hurricane disaster relief program of over $150,000.

All four defendants are residents of Zachary, Louisiana, and were charged in connection with Hurricane Katrina disaster relief fraud. LATASHA WHITFIELD, age 32, was sentenced to a 54-month prison term pursuant to her guilty plea to one count of mail fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. She was also ordered to serve a three-year term of supervised release after her imprisonment, and to pay $150,223 in restitution to the Louisiana Department of Labor (LDOL), which administered the federal disaster unemployment assistance (DUA) program. DUA provides financial assistance to individuals whose employment has been lost or interrupted as a result of a major disaster declared by the President of the United States.

LAKEITHA WRIGHT, age 23, was sentenced to a four-month term of imprisonment pursuant to her guilty plea to one count of wire fraud and one count of illegal use of a Social Security number. She was also sentenced to a three-year term of supervised release following her imprisonment, which includes a four-month term of home detention with electronic monitoring by probation officers, the costs for which she must pay. In addition, she was ordered to pay $61,347 in restitution to the Louisiana Department of Labor.

DOMONEIK WHITFIELD, age 22, was sentenced to five years probation pursuant to her guilty plea to one count of wire fraud and one count of illegal use of a Social Security number. She was also sentenced to a four-month term of home detention and ordered to pay $32,732 in restitution to the Louisiana Department of Labor.

TONI WHITFIELD, age 44, was sentenced to five years probation pursuant to her guilty plea to one count of access device fraud. She was also sentenced to five years probation and ordered to pay $7,742 in restitution to the Louisiana Department of Labor.

All four defendants were originally charged in a forty-one count indictment by a federal grand jury charging that from November 4, 2005, through June 25, 2006, the defendants knowingly conspired to file at least fifty fraudulent DUA claims with the LDOL, seeking DUA payments of over $120,000.

The case resulted from an investigation conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Louisiana State Police, and the Zachary, Louisiana, Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ian F. Hipwell.

The number of individuals who have been charged in the Middle District of Louisiana with violations related to hurricane disaster relief funds stands at one hundred forty-three.

25 April 2008 Al-Alousi Sentencing

OPERATION ZENITH DEFENDANT SENTENCED ON CHARGES OF MAIL FRAUD, BRIBERY, AND MAKING A FALSE STATEMENT TO A FEDERAL AGENT

BATON ROUGE, LA – United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced that Humam S. AL-ALOUSI, age 50, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was sentenced yesterday before Chief U.S. District Court Judge Ralph E. Tyson to sixty months imprisonment, a $100,000 fine, $220,401 in restitution, three years of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $300 special assessment. The sentence is a result of AL-ALOUSI being convicted of mail fraud, bribery, and making a false statement to an agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

This case is part of Operation Zenith, a long-running investigation into fraud and corruption in the collection and payment of sales and payroll taxes. AL-ALOUSI’s sentence was based upon (1) his fraudulent under-reporting of taxable sales from his business by approximately $2,448,901, (2) his participation in a scheme to bribe a City-Parish auditor to conceal the fraud, and (3) his lies to the FBI concerning both the fraud and the bribery. Operation Zenith has resulted in charges against seven individuals, five of whom have pled guilty. AL-ALOUSI is the first of the defendants to be sentenced. Jamal M. Roman and Mohamed H. Ruman have pled not guilty and a trial date for their cases will be set next month. Mr. Roman faces charges of conspiracy, mail fraud, and bribery, including allegations that he funneled $700,000 to Syria as part of the conspiracy.

Operation Zenith is the result of the combined efforts of the United States Attorney’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Louisiana State Police Criminal Intelligence Unit. The investigation was greatly assisted by the cooperation of the East Baton Rouge Parish Auditor’s Office. Other governmental agencies and entities also provided assistance, including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Louisiana State University Police Department, the Louisiana Department of Labor, the Louisiana Department of Revenue, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Government of Lebanon. U.S. Attorney Dugas stated, “With help from concerned citizens and our federal, state and local partners, this office will continue to pursue those that seek to exploit our communities and its taxpayers through fraud and corruption. Operation Zenith demonstrates the success that can come when federal, state, and local governments come together in a cooperative law enforcement effort. The Louisiana State Police Criminal Investigative Unit was particularly instrumental in the success of this investigation.”

Operation Zenith is being prosecuted by Deputy Criminal Chief Corey R. Amundson.

22 April 2008 FEMA FRAUD - Dabney T , Major K Sentencings

TWO MORE SENTENCED IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, ON DISASTER RELIEF FRAUD CHARGES

BATON ROUGE, LA – Two more Louisiana residents were sentenced in federal court on fraud charges related to a hurricane disaster relief program, United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced today.

KIM W. MAJOR, age 48, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, pled guilty on October 11, 2007, to Count One of an indictment charging her with mail fraud. The indictment charged that from on or about September 23, 2005, through on or about April 4, 2006, MAJOR, under materially false and fraudulent pretenses and representations, received more than $25,000 in expedited disaster assistance. MAJOR was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge John V. Parker to four years of probation, including four months of home detention, and restitution in the amount of $25,069.00 payable to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The United States moved to dismiss the remaining counts of the indictment pursuant to the plea agreement. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Secret Service conducted the investigation of this matter, with assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s office of Inspector General.

TAMMY T. DABNEY, age 36, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, pled guilty on July 20, 2007, to Count One of an indictment charging her with making a false and fraudulent claim for disaster assistance benefits. DABNEY was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge John V. Parker to three years of probation, twenty-five hours of community service, and restitution in the amount of $2,000 payable to FEMA. The United States moved to dismiss the remaining count of the indictment pursuant to the plea agreement. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation of this matter.

The number of individuals who have been charged in the Middle District of Louisiana with violations related to hurricane disaster relief funds stands at one hundred forty-three.

11 April 2008 Postal Indictments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: DAVID R. DUGAS
FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 2008 (225) 389-0443
WWW.USDOJ.GOV/USAO/LAM FAX: (225) 389-0561

INDICTMENTS IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, ON CHARGES OF MAKING A FALSE CLAIM AND MAKING FALSE STATEMENTS, DELAY OF MAIL, MAKING FALSE WRITINGS AND DOCUMENTS, CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT BANK FRAUD, BANK FRAUD, AND THEFT OF MAIL

BATON ROUGE, LA – United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced that a federal grand jury in the Middle District of Louisiana returned indictments yesterday against eight individuals who were either employees of the United States Postal Service (USPS), contract employees with the USPS, or non-employees, charging them as follows.

L’DESHA D. ANDERSON, age 25, of Baker, Louisiana, MORRIS BUTLER, JR., age 40, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and MICHAEL A. GOZA, age 36, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, were each charged in an indictment with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud. The indictment also charges ANDERSON with four counts of bank fraud and GOZA with three counts of theft of mail. The indictment alleges that from on or about April 2007 through June 2007, GOZA, who was employed as a highway contract route carrier with the USPS, stole checks from the mail totaling over $3,400. The indictment further alleges that GOZA gave the stolen checks to BUTLER and ANDERSON to be fraudulently endorsed and cashed. It is alleged that ANDERSON, BUTLER, and GOZA shared the proceeds from the stolen checks. If convicted on the conspiracy charge, ANDERSON, BUTLER, and GOZA each face a maximum sentence of thirty years, a $1,000,000, or both. If convicted on the bank fraud charges, ANDERSON faces a maximum sentence of thirty years, a $1,000,000 fine, or both, per count. If convicted on the theft of mail charges, GOZA faces a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both, per count. The case was investigated by the USPS Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Secret Service.

JOYCE G. MAYFIELD, age 52, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was charged in a two-count indictment with making a false claim and making false statements. The indictment alleges that in September of 2005, MAYFIELD, while a USPS employee, filed a false and fraudulent claim with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for Hurricane Katrina disaster assistance benefits, falsely claiming that she had been living in Gretna, Louisiana at the time of the storm and that the storm caused her to have an essential need for food, clothing, and shelter. If convicted, MAYFIELD faces a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both, per count. The case was investigated by the USPS Office of Inspector General, with assistance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General.

JIMMIE ARMSTRONG, JR., age 20, and SHYRONE ALEXANDER, age 28, both of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, were each charged in indictments with delay of mail. The indictment against ARMSTRONG alleges that in April of 2007, while a USPS employee, ARMSTRONG threw more than 100 pieces of U.S. mail into a dumpster instead of delivering it. The indictment against ALEXANDER alleges that in April of 2007, while a USPS employee, ALEXANDER threw more than 50 pieces of mail into a canal. If convicted, ARMSTRONG AND ALEXANDER each face a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both. The case was investigated by the USPS Office of Inspector General.

SHANTELLE D. MARSHALL, age 33, and KERALA R. BARROW, age 36, both of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, were each charged in indictments with making false writings and documents, knowing that the documents contained false and fraudulent statements and entries. The indictment against MARSHALL alleges that between January and June of 2006, while working at a Postal Service facility, MARSHALL submitted 16 fraudulent time-sheets in which she (a) claimed that she had worked on days that she had not; (b) claimed that she had worked more hours, or that she had worked longer shifts, than she actually had; and (c) forged the initials and/or signatures of her supervisors. The indictment against BARROW alleges that she used a similar scheme and submitted 19 fraudulent time-sheets. If convicted, MARSHALL AND BARROW each face a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both. The case was investigated by the USPS Office of Inspector General.

USPS Office of Inspector General Area Special Agent in Charge Max Eamiguel said, “These indicted postal employees, contractors and non-employees, who were charged with committing a variety of postal crimes, all share one common thread – their alleged actions damaged the integrity of the postal system here in Baton Rouge. The Office of Inspector General for the United States Postal Service vigorously investigates individuals who steal mail and commit fraud, with the full intent of restoring the integrity of the Postal Service and its employees. Fortunately, these incidents are not common and the vast majority of the 700,000 postal employees are hard-working and dedicated, delivering and processing over 700 million pieces of mail daily.”

NOTE: An indictment is a determination by a grand jury that there is probable cause to believe that offenses have been committed by the defendants. The defendants, of course, are presumed innocent until and unless they are proven guilty at trial.

8 April 2008 FEMA Fraud - ONE MORE SENTENCED AND FOUR MORE INDICTED

ONE MORE SENTENCED AND FOUR MORE INDICTED IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, ON FRAUD CHARGES RELATED TO A HURRICANE DISASTER RELIEF PROGRAM

BATON ROUGE, LA – One more Louisiana resident was sentenced in federal court, and four more individuals have been indicted, on charges of fraud related to hurricane disaster relief programs, United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced.
EDWIN L. FRANKLIN, age 26, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, pled guilty on October 31, 2006, to an indictment charging him with one count of making a false and fraudulent claim for disaster assistance benefits and one count of making false statements. FRANKLIN was sentenced on April 3, 2008, by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Ralph E. Tyson to sixteen (16) months in prison and $9,553.76 in restitution to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General, with assistance from the West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office.
On April 2, 2008, a federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment charging MARLON D. RANDOLPH, age 32, of Baton Rouge, with one count of mail fraud and one count of illegal theft or conversion of government property, both in connection with a fraudulent claim for Hurricane Katrina disaster assistance benefits. The charges against RANDOLPH resulted from an investigation conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. If convicted of mail fraud, RANDOLPH faces a maximum sentence of twenty years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both. If convicted of theft of government property, RANDOLPH faces a maximum sentence of ten years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both.

A federal grand jury also returned indictments on April 2, 2008, against KIMBERLY N. ST. CYR, age 23, and ANGELA M. JARVIS, age 27, both of Baton Rouge. Each is charged with mail fraud and the illegal use of a Social Security number. The indictments allege that both individuals filed false and fraudulent applications for Hurricane Katrina disaster assistance benefits, using fictitious New Orleans addresses and Social Security numbers that had not been assigned to them by the Social Security Administration. If convicted of mail fraud, ST. CYR and JARVIS each face a maximum sentence of twenty years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both. If convicted of illegal use of a Social Security number, each face a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both.

Finally, LAKEISHA L. ATKINS, age 24, of Baton Rouge, was charged in a three-count indictment with two counts of making false statements and one count of wire fraud in connection with disaster assistance benefits fraud. ATKINS is charged with making false and fraudulent statements and representations to FEMA in connection with an application for disaster assistance. ATKINS is also charged with fraudulently claiming and receiving disaster unemployment assistance benefits that the U.S. Department of Labor and the Louisiana Department of Labor made available to individuals who became unemployed as a result of Hurricane Katrina. ATKINS faces up to five years imprisonment on each of the false statements counts, and up to twenty years imprisonment for wire fraud.

The charges against ST. CYR, JARVIS, and ATKINS resulted from a multi-agency investigation led by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, with assistance from the Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General.

Last week’s indictments bring the total number of individuals who have been charged in the Middle District of Louisiana with violations related to hurricane disaster relief funds to one hundred forty two.

3 April 2008 Ruiz Bill of Information

BILL OF INFORMATION IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, ON CHARGES OF DISTRIBUTION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

BATON ROUGE, LA – United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced PAUL G. RUIZ, age 48, of Denham Springs, Louisiana, was charged today in a Bill of Information with distribution of child pornography. If convicted, RUIZ faces a minimum sentence of not less than five years imprisonment and not more than twenty years, a $250,000, or both.

For further information, contact David R. Dugas, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Louisiana, or Lyman Thornton, First Assistant U.S. Attorney, at (225) 389-0443.

NOTE: A Bill of Information is a determination by the U.S. Attorneys Office that there is probable cause to believe that an offense has been committed by the defendant. The defendant, of course, is presumed innocent until and unless he is proven guilty at trial.

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