Recent Press Releases
May 4 , 2009
Former Harrisonville man sentenced for child pornography
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A former Harrisonville, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for receiving child pornography over the Internet. William Alan Corkill, 33, of Surprise, Ariz., formerly of Harrisonville, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith this afternoon to five years in federal prison without parole.
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Greenwood woman sentenced for using a firearm in bank robbery
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Greenwood, Mo., woman was sentenced in federal court today for using a firearm during the armed robbery of Union Bank in Lee’s Summit, Mo. Linda Jo Spooner, 42, of Greenwood, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith this morning to five years in federal prison without parole.
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Indpendence man pleads guilty to bank robbery;
Also admits to robbing credit union
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - An Independence, Mo., man admitted in federal court today that he robbed both a bank and a credit union in Independence within the same week during November 2008. Jimmy Lee Bozeman, 48, of Independence, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan this morning to the charge contained in a Dec. 15, 2008, federal indictment.
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May 1 , 2009
Jury convicts KCK man of three armed bank robberies
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Kan., man was convicted by a federal jury today of three armed bank robberies in Gladstone, Mo., Independence, Mo., and Kansas City, Mo. Wyatt J. Ellison, 36, of Kansas City, was found guilty of three counts of armed bank robbery and three counts of using a firearm in the commission of a violent crime.
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Licking man pleads guilty to guiding illegal hunts in Mark Twain National Forest
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Licking, Mo., man has pleaded guilty in federal court to illegally guided hunts in the Mark Twain National Forest. Charles Richard Wade, 66, of Licking, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge James C. England on Thursday, April 30, 2009, to the charge contained in a federal information that was filed against him on Feb. 19, 2009.
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April 30, 2009
Alvin Brooks honored at annual commemoration;
KC event celebrates 25th anniversary of Victims of Crime Act
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Alvin Brooks was honored today as the recipient of the 2008 Crystal Kipper & Ali Kemp Memorial Award. The award is presented by the U.S. Attorney’s Office each year during the local observance of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week to recognize the outstanding work of an individual or organization in protecting children from exploitation.
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KC man sentenced to 25 years inprison for carjacking;
Shot police officer during pursuit
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for carjacking. Frederick D. Darrington, Jr., 20, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan, this morning to 25 years in federal prison without parole.
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April 29, 2009
Two Missouri brothers among those indicted in $4 million nationwide spamming conspiracy;
Millions of e-mail addresses illegally harvested from computers at 2,000 schools
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Two Missouri men and their company are among those indicted by a federal grand jury in a nationwide e-mail spamming case that victimized more than 2,000 colleges and universities in a scheme that sold more than $4 million worth of products to students. Amir Ahmad Shah, 28, of St. Louis, Mo., his brother, Osmaan Ahmad Shah, 25, of Columbia, Mo., their business, I2O, Inc., Liu Guang Ming, a citizen of China, and Paul Zucker, 55, of Wayne, New Jersey, were charged in a 51-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo., on Thursday, April 23, 2009.
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KC man sentenced for carjcacking
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Mo., man has been sentenced in federal court for carjacking. Michael R. Toombs, Jr., 24, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Nanette K. Laughrey on Tuesday, April 28, 2009, to 14 years in federal prison without parole.
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April 28, 2009
Three men indicted for trafficking in counterfeit DVDs, CDs;
Grandview man charged with illegally recording movie at Lee's Summit theater
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Three men have been indicted by a federal grand jury, in separate and unrelated cases, for trafficking in counterfeit DVDs and CDs. Among those defendants is a Grandview, Mo., man charged with using a camcorder to illegally record a movie at a Lee’s Summit, Mo., theater. Robert L. Henderson, 41, of Grandview, and Reginald R. Collier, 26, and Stephen Garrett, 34, both of Kansas City, Mo., were charged in separate indictments that were returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City on Tuesday, March 10, 2009.
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April 27, 2009
Ozark business owner sentenced for $1 million tax evasion
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The owner of an Ozark, Mo., business that manufactures welded steel trailers was sentenced in federal court today for tax evasion. Kyle Jon Thompson, 47, of Ozark, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard E. Dorr this morning to two years and six months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Thompson to pay $1,073,959 in restitution to the government.
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April 22, 2009
North Kansas City man pleads guilty to wire fraud, money laundering;
Former employee embezzled over $3 million from Ferrellgas
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A former employee of Ferrellgas, Inc., pleaded guilty in federal court today to wire fraud and money laundering, related to his embezzlement of more than $3 million from the company. Scott J. Beeson, 52, of North Kansas City, Mo., waived his right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple this afternoon to the charges contained in a federal information.
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Ethnic grocery owner indicted for laundering drug-trafficking money, structuring financial transactions
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The owner of The African Market in Kansas City, Mo., was indicted by a federal grand jury today for structuring financial transactions and laundering the proceeds of illegal drug trafficking. Emmanuel Chinedu Okonta, 48, of Kansas City, Mo., was charged in a 13-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City. Okonta owns West African Groceries, which does business as The African Market, an ethnic grocery store in Kansas City.
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April 16, 2009
Former Nixa employee charged with embezzling city funds
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A former street department employee in Nixa, Mo., has been charged in federal court with embezzling nearly $10,000 from the city. David W. Griggs, 44, of Springfield, Mo., was charged in a criminal complaint filed under seal in the U.S. District Court in Springfield, Mo., on Wednesday, April 15, 2009. The complaint was unsealed and made public today upon Griggs’ arrest and initial court appearance.
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April 15, 2009
Indiana man sentenced for cocaine conspiracy;
Co-defendants attempted to smuggle more than 1 kilo of cocaine via Greyhound bus
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Muncie, Ind., man was sentenced in federal court today for participating in a conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute more than a kilogram of cocaine. Arnold E. Childress, 39, of Muncie, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Scott O. Wright this morning to 10 years in federal prison without parole.
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Former tax preparer pleads guilty to $1 million tax fraud
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A former Kansas City, Mo., tax preparer pleaded guilty in federal court to fraudulently preparing nearly 300 tax returns that falsely claimed more than $1 million in business losses for his clients. Donald Bushnell, 56, of Kansas City, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner on Tuesday, April 14, 2009, to the charge contained in an April 11, 2008, federal indictment.
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April 14, 2009
Former Buchanan County official sentenced for stealing $119,000;
Embezzled Social Security payments from 120 disabled clients
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A former Buchanan County, Mo., official was sentenced in federal court today for embezzling approximately $119,000 from Social Security payments intended for dependent or disabled clients served by her office. Bonnie Sue Lawson, 68, of St. Joseph, Mo., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner this morning to three years and one month in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Lawson to pay $119,063 in restitution.
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April 13, 2009
Twelve St. Joseph residents indicted for distributing meth in Buchanan County;
Leader of criminal enterprise faces mandatory life sentence
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Twelve defendants from the St. Joseph, Mo., area, have been indicted by a federal grand jury for distributing large quantities of methamphetamine in Buchanan County, Mo. Gilberto Lara-Ruiz, also known as “Hill,” 29, a citizen of Mexico, was charged with being the leader of a continuing criminal enterprise that distributed at least 10 kilograms of methamphetamine from Jan. 1, 2005, to Dec. 27, 2006. If convicted as charged, Lara-Ruiz could be subject to a mandatory sentence of life in federal prison without parole.
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April 10, 2009
Nixa man pleads guilty to transporting stolen painting;
'Summer Clouds' by Edgar Payne sold to California gallery for $175,000
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Nixa, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court to transporting a painting across state lines after he stole it from a nursing home patient and sold it to an art gallery for $175,000. Micah Owen Shatswell, 29, of Nixa, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge James C. England on Thursday, April 9, 2009, to the charge contained in a Dec. 17, 2008, federal indictment.
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Former Jackson County deputy indicted for civil rights violation;
Charged with sexually abusing teen girl while whe was detained
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A former Jackson County, Mo., sheriff’s deputy has been indicted by a federal grand jury for violating the civil rights of a teenage girl whom he forced to perform sexual acts in his patrol car. Steven W. Burgess, 35, of Independence, Mo., was charged in an indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City on Tuesday, April 7, 2009.
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KC man sentenced to 64 years inprison for three armed robberies
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in the armed robberies of two banks and a credit union. John L. Williams, 46, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith this morning to 64 years and eight months in federal prison without parole.
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April 9, 2009
South Carolina man indicted in $4 million fraud scheme
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A South Carolina man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for his role in a nearly $4 million fraud scheme. Christopher Levato, 46, of Simpsonville, S.C., was charged in a two-count indictment returned under seal on Thursday, April 2, 2009, by a federal grand jury in Springfield. The indictment was unsealed and made public today. Levato’s businesses – Southern Logistics and Distribution, Inc., Levato Properties, LLC, and Quality Logistics, Inc., were also charged in the federal indictment.
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Raymore home builder pleads guilty to $12.6 million mortgage fraud;
Conspiracy involved new upscale homes in Lee's Summit, Raymore
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The owner of a residential construction business in Raymore, Mo., pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a $12.6 million mortgage fraud scheme that involved 25 upscale residential properties in Lee’s Summit, Mo., and Raymore. Jerry R. Emerick, 39, of Raymore, waived his right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan this afternoon to a federal information that charges him with conspiracy to commit mortgage fraud and wire fraud and to transfer funds obtained by fraud across state lines.
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KC man indicted for filing false tax returns
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Mo., man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for filing false tax returns. William E. Schroff, 71, of Kansas City, was charged in a three-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City. During the time of the alleged offenses, Schroff owned and operated several businesses, including an industrial sandblasting and painting company known as ANS Company.
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April 8, 2009
Mexican national sentenced for large-scale meth conspiracy
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role as an “enforcer” for a drug-trafficking organization that distributed large amounts of methamphetamine in Jackson County, Mo. Alfonso Cisneros-Gutierrez, 29, a citizen of Mexico who was residing in Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs this morning to 16 years and three months in federal prison without parole.
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Stockton property owner, two others indicted for arson
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - The owner of a business property in Stockton, Mo., along with a Stockton woman and her son, have been indicted by a federal grand jury for an arson fire at the building. DanThornton, 38, of El Dorado Springs, Mo., Dina Larson, 39, of Stockton, and her son, Jacob Smith, 18, address unknown, were charged in an indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Springfield on April 1, 2009.
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April 7, 2009
Massage parlor owner sentenced for coercing prostitution
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The owner of an Olathe, Kan., massage parlor pleaded guilty in federal court today to inducing persons to travel across state lines and national borders to engage in prostitution and illegal sexual services. Hongmei Madole, also known as Hongmei Zhou, 33, of Olathe, Kan., was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Fernando Gaitan this morning to two years and nine months in federal prison without parole, followed by five years of supervised release, and is subject to deportation. Madole, the owner of Asian Touch Massage in Olathe, is a native of China who is a conditional resident alien in the United States based upon marriage to a U.S. citizen.
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KC man pleads guilty to carjacking, illegal firearm
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to carjacking and illegally possessing a firearm. Brannon D. Taylor, 28, of Kansas City, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah W. Hays this morning to the charges contained in a July 15, 2008, federal indictment.
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April 6, 2009
Fayette man indicted for illegal firearm
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - A Fayette, Mo., man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for illegally possessing a firearm. Donald Ray Gerlt, 47, of Fayette, was charged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Jefferson City on Friday, April 3, 2009.
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Horton man sentenced for multi-million dollar methamphetamine conspiracy
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Horton, Mo., man has been sentenced in federal court for participating in a conspiracy to distribute millions of dollars worth of methamphetamine in Barton County, Mo., and elsewhere. Dustin L. Vittetoe, 34, of Horton, Mo., was sentenced on Thursday, April 2, 2009, by U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith to 10 years in federal prison without parole.
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April 3, 2009
Houston woman indicted for embezzling from her father's business
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Houston, Mo., woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for a mail fraud scheme in which she embezzled more than $100,000 from her father’s business bank accounts. Shirley Ann Scheets, 49, of Houston, Mo., was charged in a two-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Springfield on Wednesday, April 1, 2009. The indictment was unsealed and made public upon Scheets’ arrest and initial court appearance on Thursday, April 2, 2009.
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April 2, 2009
KC man pleads guilty to distributing child pornography
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to distributing child pornography to a person he believed to be a 13-year-old girl, but who was in reality an undercover law enforcement officer. Steven E. Robbins, 52, of Kansas City, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner this morning to the charge contained in an April 11, 2008, federal indictment.
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April 1, 2009
Jury convicts KC man following high-speed chase, shoot-out in Brookside area
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Mo., man was convicted by a federal jury today of illegally possessing marijuana and a firearm following a high-speed car chase and shoot-out in the Brookside area. Trae L. Winn, 22, of Kansas City, was found guilty of possessing with the intent to distribute marijuana and of possessing a firearm during and in relation to that drug-trafficking crime.
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Daycare owners, operators sentenced for nearly $123,000 fraud;
First Steps operated 10 daycare centers in southern Missouri
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Four family members involved in the ownership and operation of 10 daycare centers in southern Missouri were sentenced in federal court today for participating in a conspiracy to submit false documentation to receive nearly $123,000 in reimbursements for federally funded programs. Suzanne Smith, 57, and Stephen R. Smith, 57, who are married, and their daughters, Stephanie Smith, 31, and Christina Ann Thomas, 33, all of Bruner, Mo., were sentenced in separate hearings before U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith today. The co-defendants were officers of First Steps Daycare, Inc., d/b/a First Steps of Southwest Missouri, Inc., which owned and operated 10 child daycare centers in Missouri, including Springfield, Nixa, Mt. Vernon, Monett, Aurora and Branson.
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Former Republic postmaster indicted for misappropriating $40,000
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - The former postmaster for the Republic, Mo., Post Office was indicted by a federal grand jury today for misappropriating more than $40,000. Donna Rippee, 62, of Republic, was charged in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield.
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Former Laclede County jailer indicted for child pornography
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A former employee of the Laclede County Sheriff’s Department has been indicted by a federal grand jury for receiving and possessing child pornography. Martin Denson, 44, of Lebanon, Mo., was charged in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield on Tuesday, March 31, 2009. Denson was employed as a jailer for the Laclede County Sheriff’s Department at the time of the alleged offense.
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March 31, 2009
West Plains woman charged with steaing $750,000 from employer;
Indicted for bank fraud, forging securities
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A West Plains, Mo., woman was indicted by a federal grand jury today for bank fraud and forging securities as part of a scheme to embezzle at least $750,000 from her employer. Mary Elizabeth Hurtt, 57, of West Plains, was charged in a seven-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield.
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Former Branson man indicted for identity theft, fraud
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A former Branson, Mo., man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for identity theft and fraud. Edward Lee Raifsnider, 49, who used a number of aliases, formerly of Branson, was charged in a five-count superseding indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield. Today’s indictment replaces an Oct. 22, 2008, indictment and adds two additional counts of aggravated identity theft to the original fraud charges.
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Federal inmate indicted for murder attempt
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - An inmate at the U.S. Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield, Mo., was indicted by a federal grand jury today for assaulting another inmate in a murder attempt. Rusty Rex Rean, also known as “Starface,” 29, was charged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield.
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March 30, 2009
Stover man sentenced for child pornography
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - A Stover, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for possessing and receiving child pornography through the mail. Anthony Glenn Woskow, 45, of Stover, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Nanette K. Laughrey this morning to seven years and three months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Woskow to serve 10 years of supervised release following his prison term.
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March 26, 2009
Jury convicts two men in multi-million dollar methamphetamine conspiracy
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Two men were convicted in federal court of participating in a conspiracy to distribute millions of dollars worth of methamphetamine in Barton County, Mo., and elsewhere. Ronald Willis, 63, of Lamar, Mo., and Juan Lara, 61, of Ontario, Calif., were found guilty of conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of pure methamphetamine from December 2005 to Aug. 31, 2007. Willis was also found guilty of possessing methamphetamine on Feb. 28, 2007, in Barton County.
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March 25, 2009
Jury convicts Gladstone man of receiving child pornography over the Internet
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Gladstone, Mo., man was convicted in federal court today for receiving child pornography over the Internet. Calvin Anthony Lear, also known as Tony Lear, 41, of Gladstone, was found guilty of seven counts of receiving child pornography over the Internet and one count of possessing child pornography. Lear was taken into federal custody at the conclusion of the trial.
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March 24, 2009
Alton man pleads guilty to Social Security fraud
SPRINGFIELD - An Alton, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to Social Security fraud. James Sisco, 48, of Alton, waived his right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge James C. England this morning to a federal information that charges him with Social Security fraud.
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March 20, 2009
Former West Plains teacher sentenced for child pornography
SPRINGFIELD - A former high school teacher in West Plains, Mo., was sentenced in federal court today for possessing and receiving child pornography over the Internet. Michael Wilson, 45, of West Plains, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple this morning to five years in federal prison without parole.
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Springfield couple pleads guilty to illegally receiving Social Secruity payments
SPRINGFIELD - A Springfield, Mo., husband and wife pleaded guilty in federal court today to receiving nearly $50,000 in Social Security payments to which they were not entitled. Janice Sue Karnis, 59, and Kenneth David Karnis, 64, both of Springfield, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard E. Dorr this morning to theft of public money.
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March 19, 2009
Sedalia business owner pleads guilty to making false statements;
Admits embezzling more than $160,000 from employee 401(k) plan
KANSAS CITY - The owner of a Sedalia, Mo., business pleaded guilty in federal court today to making false statement to a government agency as part of a scheme to embezzle more than $160,000 from the company’s employee benefit plan. Raymond A. Potts II, 52, of Sedalia, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Scott O. Wright this morning. Potts is the owner of Potts Contracting Group, Inc., a Sedalia construction firm that performs sheet metal roofing work on state and federal government building contracts.
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Retired school teacher, convicted sex offender pleads guilty to child pornography
KANSAS CITY - A retired elementary school teacher with a prior sex conviction pleaded guilty in federal court today to possessing child pornography. David R. Davies, 55, of Independence, Mo., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Scott O. Wright this morning to the charge contained in an Aug. 19, 2008, federal indictment. Davies was an elementary school teacher in Brush, Colo. Davies, who was convicted of possessing child pornography in Colorado, had been placed on probation on June 20, 2007. Davies was living in Independence while on probation at the time of the federal offense.
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Gang member sentenced to 20 years for crack cocaine
KANSAS CITY - A member of the 24th Street gang in Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced in federal court today for possession with the intent to distribute crack cocaine. Rickey A. Cubit, 31, of Kansas City, was sentenced before U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith this morning to 20 years in federal prison without parole.
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March 18, 2009
Louisiana man charged with transporting 15-year-old girl for illicit sex
SPRINGFIELD - A Violet, La., man was charged in federal court today with transporting a minor across state lines to engage in illegal sexual activity. Neil Scott Kramer, 39, of Violet, was charged in a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Springfield, Mo. Kramer remains in the custody of the St. Bernard Parish, La., Sheriff’s Department.
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Indian national charged with selling counterfeit purses
SPRINGFIELD - An Indian national was charged in federal court today with trafficking in counterfeit Coach purses and wallets. Navin Chandra Patel, 38, a citizen of India who was working as the manager of a Springfield, Mo., convenience store, was charged in a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Springfield.
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March 17, 2009
Two Mexican nationals plead guilty to large-scale cocaine conspiracy;
Government alleges $10 million worth of cocaine smuggled from Mexico
KANSAS CITY - Two Mexican nationals pleaded guilty in federal court today to their roles in a large-scale conspiracy to distribute cocaine. The government believes more than $10 million worth of cocaine was smuggled from Mexico for distribution in the Kansas City metropolitan area.
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March 12, 2009
Smithville man indicted for $3 million in fraudulent tax refunds
KANSAS CITY - A Smithville, Mo., man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for filing false tax returns that resulted in nearly $3 million in refunds that he was not entitled to receive. Gary R. Doss, 52, of Smithville, was charged in a six-count indictment that was returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo., on Wednesday, March 11, 2009.
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Milan man sentenced to 25 years in prison for producing child pornography
KANSAS CITY - A Milan, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for producing child pornography. Carol Danny Phillips, 55, of Milan, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Scott O. Wright this morning to 25 years in federal prison without parole.
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KC man sentenced for marijuana-growing conspiracy
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a marijuana-growing operation in Daviess County, Mo. Jhanmay Molina-Perez, 30, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner this morning to 11 years and three months in federal prison without parole.
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March 10, 2009
Naval recruiter among four men indicted for sex trafficking of a child;
Undercover sting leads to first-ever human trafficking chages for attempting to pay for sex with children
KANSAS CITY - Four men – including an active duty Naval recruiter, an insurance manager at a Plaza-area office, an out-of-state car dealership’s finance manager and a truck driver – were indicted by a federal grand jury today, in four separate cases, on charges related to the sex trafficking of children. Today’s indictments are the result of Operation Guardian Angel, a unique undercover law enforcement investigation targeting the demand for child prostitutes in the Kansas City area. As a result of this investigation, a total of seven defendants have been charged within the past month in the nation’s first-ever federal prosecution of the alleged customers of child prostitution under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act.
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March 5, 2009
O'Fallon woman pleads guilty to transporting illegal aliens
SPRINGFIELD - An O’Fallon, Mo., woman pleaded guilty in federal court today to transporting illegal aliens. Alicia Catherine Goebel, 24, of O’Fallon, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge James C. England to the charge contained in a Nov. 18, 2008, federal indictment.
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March 4, 2009
Texas man sentenced to 15 years for massive ecstasy conspiracy
KANSAS CITY - Another defendant has been sentenced in federal court for his role in a conspiracy to distribute hundreds of thousands of ecstasy pills, worth approximately $2 million, in Jackson County, Mo. Dung A. Nguyen, 35, of Texas, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner this afternoon to 15 years and eight months in federal prison without parole.
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Clarksburg woman indicted for producing child pornography
JEFFERSON CITY - A Clarksburg, Mo., woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for producing child pornography. Priscilla Ramirez Flores, 37, of Clarksburg, was charged in a federal indictment that was returned under seal on March 2, 2009.
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Licking man charged with guiding illegal hunts in Mark Twain National Forest
SPRINGFIELD - A Licking, Mo., man appeared in federal court this morning on the charge that he illegally guided hunts in the Mark Twain National Forest. Charles Richard Wade, 66, of Licking, was charged with conducting a guided hunt for feral hogs in the Mark Twain National Forest in Texas County, Mo., on April 17, 2008, in violation of federal law and U.S. Forest Service regulations. Wade operates Rich’s Guide Service, which advertises guided hunts for feral hogs and other animals.
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KC man sentenced for carjacking
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for carjacking. Demarko L. Collins, 20, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan this morning to six years and eight months in federal prison without parole.
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Former Lee's Summit mortgage loan officer, two Kansas men plead guilty to $12.6 million mortgage fraud;
Conspiracy involved new upscale homes in Lee's Summit, Raymore
KANSAS CITY - A former Lee’s Summit, Mo., mortgage loan officer and two Kansas men have pleaded guilty in federal court to their roles in a $12.6 million mortgage fraud scheme that involved 25 residential properties in Lee’s Summit and Raymore, Mo. Stefan M. Guerra, 30, of Lee’s Summit, and Daryle A. Edwards, 37, and Leon T. Jones, 42, both of Olathe, Kan., pleaded guilty in separate appearances before U.S. Chief District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan on Tuesday, March 3, 2009, to the charge contained in an Oct. 29, 2008, federal indictment.
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February 25, 2009
Kansas man pleads guilty to child pornography;
Clandestine videos also found at residence
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Kan., man has pleaded guilty in federal court to receiving child pornography over the Internet. James E. Rincon, 41, of Kansas City, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2009, to the charge contained in a July 15, 2008, federal indictment.
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February 24, 2009
KC man sentenced for crack cocaine;
Arrest followed pursuit, shoot-out with police
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for distributing crack cocaine. This is the final defendant to be sentenced among three co-defendants who were originally arrested and charged following a police shooting incident on Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2007. Demetrius Briggs, 24, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs this morning to 10 years in federal prison without parole.
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Former federal employee pleads guilty to embezzling $600,000
KANSAS CITY - A former federal government employee pleaded guilty in federal court today to embezzling nearly $600,000 from the government. Michael T. Harrington, 44, of Lee’s Summit, Mo., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple this afternoon to the charges contained in an Oct. 30, 2008, federal indictment.
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Noel man sentenced for failing to register as a sex offender
SPRINGFIELD - A Noel, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for failing to register as a sex offender after moving from Arkansas to Missouri. Today’s court action marks the first sentencing in the Western District of Missouri for a conviction under the federal Sexual Offender Registration and Notification Act. Charles Foster, 47, of Noel, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard E. Dorr this morning to 15 months in federal prison without parole.
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February 23, 2009
KC man sentenced to 15 years for crack cocaine, illegal firearms;
Arrest followed pursuit, shoot-out with police
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine and illegally possessing firearms. The defendant was originally arrested and charged following a police shooting incident on Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2007. Dionysus D. Spriggs, 24, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs this morning to fifteen years in federal prison without parole.
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February 19, 2009
Arkansas man pleads guilty to illegally possessing a machine gun;
Declared 'dead' after 1980 disappearance, agents found firearms, explosives at residence
SPRINGFIELD - A Fayettville, Ark., man who was declared dead when he disappeared nearly 29 years ago pleaded guilty in federal court today to illegally possessing a machine gun and to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Robert Thomas, also known as Christian Tadlock, 61, of Fayettville, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard E. Dorr this morning prior to a jury trial that was scheduled to begin today in the U.S. District Court in Springfield.
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February 18, 2009
U.S. Attorney John F. Wood announces resignation
KANSAS CITY - John F. Wood, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that he has submitted his resignation to the President, effective February 28, 2009.
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February 17, 2009
Phoenix man pleads guilty in 57-kilo cocaine highway interdiction
SPRINGFIELD - A Phoenix, Ariz., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to being in possession of nearly 57 kilos of cocaine when his tractor-trailer unit was stopped while traveling on I-44 through Greene County, Mo. Daniel Miranda, 49, of Phoenix, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard E. Dorr this morning to the charge contained in a Feb. 27, 2008, federal indictment.
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February 12, 2009
Three former Vatterott employees indicted for financial aid fraud;
Students recieved fake GED certificates, falsified federal aid forms
KANSAS CITY - Three former employees at the Kansas City, Mo., campus of Vatterot College have been indicted by a federal grand jury for fraudulently obtaining federal financial aid for ineligible students by providing false general equivalency diplomas (GEDs) and falsifying financial aid forms. Dominic L. Campbell, 37, of Kansas City, Mo., Dale Odei Marbell, 32, a citizen of Ghana residing in Indianapolis, Ind., and Kevin Earl Woods, 46, of Louisville, Ky., were charged in a 37-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City on Feb. 5, 2009.
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Belton man sentenced to life in prison for crack cocaine conspiracy
KANSAS CITY - A Belton, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine. Chris Coleman, 34, of Belton, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan this morning to life in federal prison without parole.
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Kansas City man sentenced to 20 years in prison for crack cocaine
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine. Michael E. Craddock, 21, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan this morning to 20 years in federal prison without parole.
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February 10, 2009
Defendant charged with armed bank robbery; allegedly robbed bank twice
KANSAS CITY - A defendant was charged in federal court today for the armed robbery of U.S. Bank in St. Joseph, Mo. Russel Lee Singletary, 65, address unknown, was charged in a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City with stealing $5,630 from U.S. Bank, 800 N. Belt Highway, St. Joseph, on Monday, Feb. 9, 2009. According to an affidavit filed in support of the federal complaint, Singletary used a handgun to rob the bank on two separate occasions.
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KC man sentenced for armed robbery
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for robbing an Independence, Mo., convenience store at gunpoint. Mandingo Sanders, 29, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Scott O. Wright this afternoon to 10 years in federal prison without parole.
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February 9, 2009
Jury convicts KC restaurant owners, others in $2.3 million cocaine,money laundering conspiracies
KANSAS CITY - The owners of a Kansas City, Mo., restaurant along with two co-defendants were convicted by a federal jury today of participating in a $2.3 million dollar conspiracy to distribute large quantities of cocaine from Mexico into the Kansas City area, as well as a money laundering conspiracy to conceal drug-trafficking profits through the restaurant and through real estate transactions.
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February 5, 2009
Former Liberty pathologist sentenced for failing to file tax returns
KANSAS CITY - A former Liberty, Mo., pathologist has been sentenced in federal court for failing to file federal income tax returns. Miles J. Jones, 56, of Liberty, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison without parole on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009. The court also ordered Jones to pay a fine of $20,000. Jones must also pay $79,225 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service.
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KC man sentenced to 20 years for crack cocaine
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for possession with the intent to distribute crack cocaine. Andre L. Dean, 31, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith this morning to 20 years in federal prison without parole.
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Sex offender sentenced for illegal firearm
SPRINGFIELD - A Licking, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing a firearm. Edmond J. Jacob, 50, of Licking, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary F. Fenner this morning to eight years in federal prison without parole.
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February 5, 2009
Chillicothe man indicted for sex trafficking children
KANSAS CITY - A Chillicothe, Mo., man was indicted by a federal grand jury today on charges related to child sex trafficking involving five minor victims. Randal G. Jennings, 42, of Chillicothe, was charged in a 13-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City.
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Tax preparer indicted for aiding in the filing of fraudulent tax returns
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., tax preparer has been indicted by a federal grand jury for aiding his clients in the preparation and filing of fraudulent tax returns. Etienne E. Mathurin, 43, of Kansas City, was charged in a 31-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2009. Mathurin is the owner of Caribbean Tax & Transfer Service, 3622 Independence Ave., Kansas City.
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February 4, 2009
Three Kansas men indicted for sex trafficking of a child;
Charged with attempting to pay for sex with children
KANSAS CITY - Three Kansas men have been indicted by a federal grand jury, in three separate cases, on charges related to the sex trafficking of children. These indictments mark the first time that the U.S. Department of Justice has utilized the Trafficking Victims Protection Act to prosecute customers who allegedly attempt to pay for sex with children. Steven E. Mikoloyck, 47, of Overland Park, Kan., Ryan S. Doerr, 33, of Silverlake, Kan., and Jimmy “Steven” Johnson, 22, of Olathe, Kan., were charged in three separate indictments returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo., on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2009.
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Indictment adds another charge against Kansas woman, Lee's Summit man for staging assault;
Women staged attack in attempt to influence sexual harassment lawsuit
KANSAS CITY - A Bucyrus, Kan., woman and a Lee’s Summit, Mo., man were indicted by a federal grand jury today for their roles in a wire fraud conspiracy related to a scheme between two women who hired the man to assault them. The women were allegedly hoping to force a higher settlement of their sexual harassment lawsuit against a former employer. Julie R. Bernet, 39, of Bucyrus, and Gordon F. Reabe, Jr., 51, of Lee’s Summit, were charged in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City.
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February 3, 2009
Two KC men indicted for stealing ATF money;
Instead of selling gun, defendants allegedly used it to rob confidential informant
KANSAS CITY - Two Kansas City, Mo., men were indicted by a federal grand jury today for stealing government property – ATF funds that were supposed to be used by a confidential informant to purchase a firearm. Instead of selling the firearm to the confidential informant, the defendants allegedly used the handgun to rob the informant. Leron L. Morris, 23, and Johnny L. Bell, 27, both of Kansas City, were charged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City today.
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Former Shell Knob man sentenced fro illegally taking paddlefish eggs, selling caviar
SPRINGFIELD - A former Shell Knob, Mo., man has been sentenced in federal court for his role in a conspiracy to harvest the eggs from paddlefish caught in illegal nets at Table Rock Lake, which were processed into caviar and sold to a Tennessee company. Thomas Jerry Nix, Jr., 39, of Memphis, Tenn., formerly of Shell Knob, Mo., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith on Monday, Feb. 2, 2009, to one year and one day in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Nix to pay $30,002 in restitution to the Missouri Department of Conservation. Nix will forfeit to the government a 20-foot Bumblebee 200 Pro boat and trailer, with 225 HP Mariner motor, a GPS unit, and miscellaneous equipment such as three gill nets with anchors and a digital scale, all of which were used to commit the offense.
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February 2, 2009
Chillicothe man charged with transporting two minors for prostitution
KANSAS CITY - A Chillicothe, Mo., man has been charged in federal court for transporting two minor females across state lines for prostitution. Randal G. Jennings, 42, of Chillicothe, was charged in a complaint that was filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City on Friday, Jan. 30, 2009.
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January 29, 2009
Sixteen Cut Throats gang members, associates indicted for drug-trafficking conspiracies, drive-by shootings, illegal firearms
JEFFERSON CITY - Sixteen members and associates of the Cut Throats gang in Columbia, Mo., have been indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in two drug-trafficking conspiracies that involved several drive-by shootings and firearms violations. Eric Sherron Coats, 21, his brother, Koda Alshawn Coats, 22, their mother, Donna C. Coats, 39, another brother, Dametrell Koda Washington, 27, William Ricky Boyd, 21, Demarco Laron Burnett, 24, Tarron Montez Cason, 25, Cheviss Caron Denny, 20, Dajuan Anthony Harris, 25, Brandon James Isom, 19, Ryan Montez Kee, 22, William Harold Rogers, 42, Diondre Jamel Cooper, 19, and Robert Darnell Simmons, 36, all of Columbia, Michael Lee Stapleton, 22, of Fayette, Mo., and Robert Lee Jones, 19, of Kansas City, Mo., were charged in a 34-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Jefferson City on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009.
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January 27, 2009
Physical trainer indicted for secretly videotaping female teens;
Child pornography charges carry 15-year minimu prison sentence
SPRINGFIELD - A former physical trainer at St. John’s Hospital has been indicted by a federal grand jury for producing child pornography by secretly videotaping minor females at the hospital’s training facility. Scott Johnson, 29, of Springfield, Mo., was charged in a 10-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Springfield on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.
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St. Joseph pesticide company, owner plead guilty to illegally storing, discharging pollutant
KANSAS CITY - A St. Joseph, Mo., company that produces pesticides and herbicides, as well as the company’s president, pleaded guilty in federal court today to illegally storing and discharging pollutants into the city’s sewer system. William Garvey, of St. Joseph, and HPI Products, Inc., with its main plant at 222 Sylvanie St., St. Joseph, and operations at several additional locations, waived their right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs this morning to separate federal informations. Garvey is the president and majority owner of HPI.
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Two former Columbia men plead guilty to $3 million investment fraud conspiracy
JEFFERSON CITY - Two former Columbia, Mo., men pleaded guilty in federal court today to participating in a $3 million investment fraud conspiracy. William Colwell McNeely, 77, of Millersburg, Mo., and Craig F. Swoboda, 73, of Lake Ozark, Mo., pleaded guilty in separate hearings before U.S. District Judge Nanette K. Laughrey this morning to the charge contained in a Nov. 16, 2007, superseding indictment.
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January 26, 2009
Third defendant added to $4 million drug-trafficking conspiracy;
Columbia man indicted for marijuana trafficking
JEFFERSON CITY - A Columbia, Mo., man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for his role in a $4 million conspiracy to distribute marijuana in Boone County, Mo. Galen Cutter Baxley, 25, of Columbia, was charged in a nine-count superseding indictment that was returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Jefferson City on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009. Previous indictments charged two additional defendants, Eric Scott McCauley, 27, and Robert Allen Hocks, 27, both of Columbia, in the marijuana conspiracy. This fourth superseding indictment replaces the previous indictments and adds Baxley as a co-defendant.
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January 23, 2009
Branson man sentenced to 15 years for meth, illegal firearms
SPRINGFIELD - A Branson, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Taney County, Mo., and illegally possessing firearms. John David Sheridan, 38, of Branson, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays this morning to 15 years and one month in federal prison without parole.
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Kansas man sentenced for counterfeit driver's licenses;
Produced counterfeit ID documents, trafficked in stolen identities
SPRINGFIELD - A Kansas City, Kan., man was sentenced in federal court today for possessing dozens of counterfeit driver’s licenses as well as implements used to make more identification documents. David Lorenzo Fletcher, 42, of Kansas City, Kan., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays this afternoon to eight years and five months in federal prison without parole.
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January 22, 2009
Kansas woman, Lee's Summit man charged with wire fraud related to sexual assault for hire;
Women staged attack in attempt to settle sexual harassment lawsuit
KANSAS CITY - A Bucyrus, Kan., woman and a Lee’s Summit, Mo., man were charged in federal court today for wire fraud related to a scheme between two women who hired the man to assault both women, sexually assaulting one of them. The women were allegedly hoping to force a higher settlement of their sexual harassment lawsuit against a former employer. Julie R. Bernet, 39, of Bucyrus, and Gordon F. Reabe, Jr., 33, of Lee’s Summit, were charged in a federal criminal complaint that was filed under seal on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2009, in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo.
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New Jersey man sentenced for $92,000 fraud; court bars defendant from entering Wal-Mart stores
KANSAS CITY - A North Bergen, N.J., man was sentenced in federal court today for using fraudulent bar code stickers to defraud Wal-Mart stores of more than $92,000. Faris Nayel Salem, 28, of North Bergen, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple this morning to 21 months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Salem to pay $92,142 in restitution. As a special condition of his release, the court ordered that Salem not enter any Wal-Mart store during three years of supervised release following his prison term.
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Former Springfield police officer sentenced for fraud scheme
SPRINGFIELD - A former Springfield, Mo., police officer was sentenced in federal court today for using his ex-wife’s identity in a scheme to defraud a credit card company and an online payment service. Charles Edward Johnson, 45, of Springfield, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard E. Dorr this morning to 15 months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Johnson to pay $5,218 in restitution.
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Greenwood woman pleads guilty to usding a firearm in bank robbery
KANSAS CITY - A Greenwood, Mo., woman pleaded guilty in federal court to using a firearm during the armed robbery of Union Bank in Lee’s Summit, Mo. Linda Jo Spooner, 42, of Greenwood, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2009, to using and carrying a firearm during a crime of violence.
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Accountant, former attorney sentenced for wire fraud scheme
KANSAS CITY - An Overland Park, Kan., man who was an accountant and former attorney has been sentenced in federal court for a wire fraud scheme to embezzle more than $69,000 from a Bosworth, Mo., business. Christopher Lucas, 44, of Overland Park, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2009, to 20 months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Lucas to pay $69,032 in restitution.
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January 21, 2009
St. Joseph restaurant owner pleads guilty to distributing child pornography
KANSAS CITY - The owner of a St. Joseph, Mo., restaurant pleaded guilty in federal court today to distributing child pornography over the Internet. Eddie Dean Randall, 58, of St. Joseph, waived his right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple this morning to a federal information that charges him with one count of distributing child pornography. Randall is the co-owner of Ford’s Drive In restaurant in St. Joseph.
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KC man indicted for bank robbery
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for robbing the Bank of America. Keeyon M. Dunbar, 22, of Kansas City, was charged with bank robbery in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City.
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January 20, 2009
Springfield man sentenced to 15 years for illegal firearms
SPRINGFIELD - A Springfield, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing firearms. Karlin Kelley, 52, of Springfield, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard E. Dorr this morning to 15 years in federal prison without parole. Kelley was sentenced as an armed career offender due to his prior felony convictions.
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Four Buchanan County residents sentenced for meth conspiracy
KANSAS CITY - Four Buchanan County, Mo., residents were recently sentenced for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute methampetamine.
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January 15, 2009
Two former Lake City employees sentenced for sabotage of war materials;
Stole thousands of pounds of copper used to manufacture bullets for the Army
KANSAS CITY - Two former employees of a firm operating at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant in Independence, Mo., were sentenced in federal court today for stealing more than 16,000 pounds of copper components used to manufacture ammunition for the U.S. Army, which they sold for scrap metal. Charles Dale Osborn, 46, of Odessa, Mo., and Timothy Duane Langevin, 36, of Independence, Mo., were sentenced in separate appearances before U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs. Osborn was sentenced to three years in federal prison without parole. Langevin was sentenced to two years in federal prison without parole.
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Four defendants sentenced for $15 million tax fraud conspiracy
KANSAS CITY - Four more defendants have been sentenced in federal court for their roles in a multi-million dollar conspiracy to defraud the Internal Revenue Service. The wire fraud scheme involved stealing the identities of hundreds of victims, primarily nursing home residents, which were used to seek more than $15 million in fraudulent federal tax refunds.
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January 14, 2009
Jury convicts KC man of armed robbery of a post office
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., man was convicted by a federal jury today of the armed robbery of a post office in south Kansas City and the use of a firearm during a crime of violence. Robert E. Newsome, Jr., 35, of Kansas City, was found guilty of the charges contained in a Feb. 6, 2008, superseding indictment.
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January 8, 2009
Jury convicts Somalian national of mail fraud
SPRINGFIELD - A Somalian man residing in Kansas City, Mo., has been convicted by a federal jury for his role in conspiracy to provide fraudulent commercial driver’s licenses to large numbers of Somali and Bosnian nationals. Elias Mohamed, 28, a citizen of Somalia living in Kansas City, was found guilty of the charge contained in a Sept. 21, 2006, federal indictment.
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Gladstone insurance agent pleads guilty to $12.6 million mortgage fraud
KANSAS CITY - A Gladstone, Mo., insurance agent pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a $12.6 million mortgage fraud scheme that involved 25 residential properties in Lee’s Summit and Raymore, Mo. Ronald E. Brown, Jr., 39, of Gladstone, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan this morning to the charge contained in an Oct. 29, 2008, federal indictment.
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Former Harrisonville man pleads guilty to child pornography
KANSAS CITY - A former Harrisonville, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to receiving child pornography over the Internet. William Alan Corkill, 33, of Surprise, Ariz., formerly of Harrisonville, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith this morning to the charge contained in a June 25, 2008, federal indictment.
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Jefferson City man pleads guilty to illegal firearm
JEFFERSON CITY - A Jefferson City, Mo., man has pleaded guilty in federal court to illegally possessing a firearm. Barnard Lamount Reed, 38, of Jefferson City, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Scott O. Wright on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Reed’s jury trial on that charge had been scheduled to begin the same day.
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January 7, 2009
KC man pleads guilty to cyberstalking; false Web site ads invited strangers to victim's home for sexual encounters
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to cyberstalking. Shawn D. Memarian, 29, of Kansas City, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert E. Larsen this afternoon to using the Internet – including e-mails and Web site postings – to cause substantial emotional distress to his victim and place her in fear of death or serious bodily injury.
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