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Western District of Missouri

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Recent Press Releases

July 24, 2008

Jury convicts KC man of marijuana-growing conspiracy
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., man was convicted by a federal jury today for his role in a marijuana-growing operation in Daviess County, Mo. Jhanmay Molina-Perez, 29, of Kansas City, Mo., was found guilty of participating in a conspiracy to manufacture marijuana from May 1 to Oct. 31, 2006, and of managing the property that was used for growing marijuana.
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Kansas man sentenced for assault in post office armed robbery
KANSAS CITY - A Shawnee, Kan., man was sentenced in federal court today for assaulting postal employees during the armed robbery of a post office in south Kansas City. Tony J. Lee, 19, of Shawnee, Kan., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Scott O. Wright this morning to seven years and three months in federal prison without parole.
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July 24, 2008

KC man pleads guilty to carjacking
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to carjacking. Demarko L. Collins, 19, of Kansas City, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan, this morning to the charge contained in a Sept. 11, 2007, federal indictment.
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July 22, 2008

Cox Medical Centers signs $60 million settlement agreement
SPRINGFIELD - The United States has reached a $60 million settlement with the Lester E. Cox Medical Centers. As part of the settlement, Cox will pay $35 million immediately, followed by five yearly payments of $5 million (plus 4 percent interest). In addition, Cox has entered into a comprehensive Corporate Integrity Agreement with the Office of Inspector General of the United States Department of Health and Human Services to ensure its continued compliance with federal health care benefit program requirements.
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Mexican national pleads guilty to conspiring to hire illegal aliens for roofing companies
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a conspiracy to hire illegal aliens to work for several area roofing companies. Luis Hernandez-Bautista, also known as Miguel Hernandez, 33, of Kansas City, Mo., a citizen of Mexico who is a lawful permanent resident of the United States, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah W. Hays this morning to the charges contained in a May 29, 2007, federal indictment.
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Springfield man convicted for illegal firearms
SPRINGFIELD - Springfield, Mo., man was convicted today for illegally possessing firearms. Karlin Kelley, 51, of Springfield, was found guilty following a two-day bench trial before U.S. District Judge Richard E. Dorr of being a felon in possession of firearms.
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July 21, 2008

Indiana man charged with attempting to entice a minor for sex, distributing child pornography
KANSAS CITY - An Evansville, Ind., man has been charged in federal court after traveling to Independence, Mo., to meet a person he believed was a mother who was going to make her two children available to him for illegal sexual activity. Michael A. Stratton, 26, of Evansville, was charged in a three-count complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., on Friday, July 18, 2008.
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Jefferson City man pleads guilty to possessing anabolic steroids
JEFFERSON CITY - A Jefferson City, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to possessing anabolic steroids with the intent to distribute. Today’s guilty plea is the result of Operation Raw Deal, an international investigation targeting the illegal manufacturing and trafficking of anabolic steroids and its raw materials, mainly from China. The related investigation in the Western District of Missouri is called Operation Juice Box. Jason Varner, 34, of Jefferson City, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge William A. Knox this morning to the charge contained in an Oct. 18, 2007, federal indictment.
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KC man pleads guilty to carjacking, faces 25 years in prison
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to carjacking. Frederick D. Darrington, Jr., 19, of Kansas City, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan, this morning to the charges contained in a Sept. 11, 2007, federal indictment. By pleading guilty today, Darrington admitted to the carjackings, as well as shooting and wounding a police officer during a pursuit prior to his arrest. By accepting today’s plea agreement, the court is bound by the terms of the agreement, under which Darrington will be sentenced to 25 years in federal prison without parole.
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Columbia man indicted for distributing cocaine
SPRINGFIELD - A Columbia, Mo., man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for distributing cocaine in Greene County, Mo. James M. Brondell, 27, of Columbia, was charged in a two-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Springfield on May 7, 2008. The indictment was unsealed and made public today following Brondell’s initial court appearance.
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July 18, 2008

Nixa man pleads guilty to $180,000 steroid conspiracy
SPRINGFIELD - A Nixa, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a $180,000 conspiracy to smuggle anabolic steroids from the Peoples Republic of China and sell them over the Internet to customers in the United States, as well as to a related money-laundering conspiracy. Today’s guilty plea is the result of Operation Raw Deal, an international investigation targeting the illegal manufacturing and trafficking of anabolic steroids and its raw materials, mainly from China. The related investigation in the Western District of Missouri is called Operation Juice Box. Mikal Gunn Schrage, 29, of Nixa, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge James C. England this morning to the charges contained in an Oct. 3, 2007, federal indictment.
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July 15, 2008

Lee's Summit woman sentenced for mortgage fraud, identity theft
KANSAS CITY - A Lee’s Summit, Mo., woman was sentenced in federal court today for a mortgage fraud scheme in which she used stolen identities to purchase homes in Lee’s Summit. Kimberly M. Davis, 43, of Lee’s Summit, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner this morning to four years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Davis to pay $191,000 in restitution.
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July 11, 2008

Lee's Summit man sentenced for child pornography
KANSAS CITY - A Lee’s Summit, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for possessing child pornography. William E. Macklin, Jr., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith this morning to 10 years in federal prison without parole, due to his prior felony conviction for sexual abuse of a child in Utah. The court also ordered Macklin to serve the rest of his life on supervised release following the prison term, and to forfeit to the government a laptop computer that was used to commit the offense.
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July 10, 2008

Springfield man sentenced for transporting child pornography over the Internet
SPRINGFIELD - A Springfield, Mo., man has been sentenced for attempting to transfer child pornography over the Internet. Travis Wayne Claxton, 35, of Springfield, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard E. Dorr on Wednesday, July 9, 2008, to 12 years and seven months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Claxton to forfeit a computer and hard drive that were used to commit the violation.
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KC man sentenced to 20 years, six co-defendants also sentenced for massive ecstasy conspiracy
KANSAS CITY - Seven co-defendants have been sentenced in federal court for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute hundreds of thousands of ecstasy pills, worth approximately $2 million, as well as PCP in Jackson County, Mo. Raphael L. Donnell, 33, also known as “Rags,” Jeffery E. Morgan, also known as “Mooch,” 29, Arron Hall, 28, Jason D. Cross, 23, Adrian Washington, also known as “AD,” 27, and Simona S. Bryant, also known as “Mo,” 36, all of Kansas City, Mo., and Wayne A. Williams, 24, of Kansas City, Kan. were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner on Wednesday, July 9, 2008. Donnell was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison without parole.
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July 9, 2008

Former Shell Knob man indicted for illegally taking paddlefish eggs, selling caviar
SPRINGFIELD - A former Shell Knob, Mo., man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for harvesting the eggs from paddlefish caught in illegal nets at Table Rock Lake, in Barry and Stone Counties, Mo., which were processed into caviar and sold to a Tennessee company. Thomas Jerry Nix, Jr., 38, of Memphis, Tenn., formerly of Shell Knob, Mo., was charged in a seven-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield.
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Former loan officer sentenced for $740,000 bank fraud
JEFFERSON CITY - A former loan officer for two Columbia, Mo., banks was sentenced in federal court for bank fraud related to a scheme that the government believes resulted in a loss of more than $740,000 for Boone National Savings and Loan Association in Columbia. Brian Russell Nutter, 35, of Columbia, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Nanette K. Laughrey on Tuesday, July 8, 2008, to 15 months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Nutter to pay $748,866 in restitution. Nutter is a former loan officer for Boone National Savings and Loan Association and, prior to that, Boone County National Bank.
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July 8, 2008

KC man sentenced to 20 years for $2 million cocaine conspiracy; Florida man pleads guilty
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute large amounts of cocaine in the Country Club Plaza area. A Florida man pleaded guilty to his role in the cocaine trafficking conspiracy. Jacques Lavigne, also known as Frank Moran, 64, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith this afternoon to 20 years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Lavigne to forfeit any property derived from the proceeds of the offenses, including $2,010,390 that was received in exchange for the distribution of cocaine as well as property seized from Lavigne at his apartment, which included $461,722, jewelry with an estimated value of $51,000, various paintings, sculptures and other artwork with an estimated value of $33,866, two flat screen televisions, a projection television and a 2003 Mercedes-Benz.
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Former Johnson County firefighter sentenced for enticing a minor for sex
KANSAS CITY - A former Johnson County, Kan., firefighter/EMT was sentenced in federal court today for using the Internet to entice a minor to engage in illegal sex, then traveling to Missouri to engage in sex with the minor. Kyle D. Brewer, 32, of Shawnee, Kan., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner this morning to 10 years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Brewer to forfeit to the government a cell phone, laptop computer and desktop computer that were used to commit the offenses.
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Lee's Summit tax preparer sentenced for stealing IRS payments
KANSAS CITY - A Lee's Summit, Mo., tax preparer was sentenced in federal court today on charges related to a scheme to embezzle $389,000 that his clients entrusted to him to make their tax payments to the Internal Revenue Service. James C. Richards, 58, of Lee's Summit, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner this morning to six years and 10 months in federal prison without parole, which is a longer prison term than what is recommended under the federal sentencing guidelines. The court also ordered Richards to pay $389,187 in restitution and ordered him to be taken into custody immediately to begin serving the sentence.
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July 7, 2008

Anderson man pleads guilty to receiving child pornography
SPRINGFIELD - An Anderson, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to receiving child pornography over the Internet. Quentin Venter, 33, of Anderson, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge James C. England this morning to the charge contained in a May 7, 2008, federal indictment.
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June 30 , 2008

KC man sentenced for carjacking
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for carjacking a vehicle at a Northland convenience store. Roy Lee House, 28, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Nanette K. Laughrey this afternoon to 11 years and five months in federal prison without parole.
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Former KC radio DJ pleads guilty to child porn, faces 15 years in prison
KANSAS CITY - A former radio DJ pleaded guilty in federal court today to receiving child pornography over the Internet. Gregory D. Sage, 26, of Lee’s Summit, Mo., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Scott O. Wright this morning to the charge contained in a Jan. 4, 2007, federal indictment. Sage, formerly an on-air personality for Mix 93.3 FM radio station, also operated a business that sold photos of high school athletes from a Web site.
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June 26 , 2008

Former superintendent of West Plains truck-driving school pleads guilty tomail fraud conspiracy
SPRINGFIELD - The former superintendent of a truck driving school in West Plains, Mo., pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a scheme that provided fraudulent commercial driver’s licenses to large numbers of Somali and Bosnian nationals. Dean P. Proffitt, 73, of West Plains, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge James C. England this morning to the charge contained in a Sept. 20, 2006, federal indictment. Proffitt is the eighth co-defendant to plead guilty.
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Blue Springs man pleads guilty to trafficking in counterfeit goods
KANSAS CITY - A Blue Springs, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to selling counterfeit athletic shoes, sports jerseys and handbags at several area retail businesses. Jehad R. H. Shalabi, 40, a permanent residence alien of Jordan who resides in Blue Springs, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Scott O. Wright this afternoon to the charges contained in an Aug. 8, 2008, federal indictment.
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Three men indicted for armed bank robberies
KANSAS CITY - Two Kansas City, Mo., men and a Kansas City, Kan., man have been indicted by a federal grand jury for three armed bank robberies in Gladstone, Mo., Independence, Mo., and Kansas City, Mo. Wyatt J. Ellison, 35, of Kansas City, Kan., Luis Rodriguez, 44, and Charles Williams, 44, both of Kansas City, Mo., were charged in a six-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City on Wednesday, June 25.
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June 25 , 2008

Kenyan woman pleads guilty to $15 million tax fraud conspiracy
KANSAS CITY - A Kenyan national pleaded guilty in federal court today to her role 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. Loretta Wavinya, 31, a citizen of Kenya residing in Kansas City, Mo., pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Maughmer this morning to the charges contained in a July 18, 2007, federal indictment.
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State prison inmate pleads guilty to Wal-Mart threat
KANSAS CITY - A Missouri prison inmate pleaded guilty in federal court today to threatening to lace Wal-Mart food products with cyanide unless the store paid him $200,000. Hugh L. Riley, Jr., 34, an inmate at the Jefferson City Correctional Center, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Maughmer to a federal information that charges him with mailing a threatening communication.
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Former appraiser, straw buyers sentenced for mortgage fraud conspiracy
KANSAS CITY - A former Lee’s Summit, Mo., appraiser and a husband and wife from Kansas City, Kan., were sentenced in federal court today for their roles in a mortgage fraud conspiracy. Jeremy A. Plagman, 30, of Lee’s Summit, formerly an appraiser doing business as JET Appraisals in Lee’s Summit, and Larry E. Barshaw, 57, and Linda M. Thompson-Barshaw, 58, of Kansas City, Kan., were sentenced in separate appearances before U.S. Chief District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan, Jr.
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June 24 , 2008

Jury convicts KC man for illegal firearm
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., man was convicted in federal court today for illegally possessing a firearm. Jerry W. Jenkins, 51, of Kansas City, was found guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
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KC woman indicted for Social Security fraud, theft of HUD, food stamp benefits
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., woman was indicted by a federal grand jury today for Social Security fraud and for receiving housing and food stamp benefits for which she was not eligible. Patricia Ann Foreman, 50, of Kansas City, was charged in a four-count superseding indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City. Today’s superseding indictment replaces an Oct. 2, 2007, federal indictment that contained only the Social Security charges.
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KC woman indicted for identity theft scheme
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., woman was indicted by a federal grand jury today for her role in an identity theft and bank fraud scheme. Margie P. Shephard, 44, of Kansas City, was charged in a five-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City.
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Mexican nationals indicted for document fraud, drug trafficking
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for selling counterfeit government documents, and charged along with an Independence, Mo., man with drug-trafficking offenses. Juan A. Gallegos, also known as “Fernando,” 29, of Kansas City, and Enrique Aguilera-Vasquez, also known as “Kike,” 43, of Independence, who are both citizens of Mexico, were charged in a 14-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City.
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June 20 , 2008

KC man pleads guilty to illegal firearm after pointing handgun at officer, attempting to flee
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court to illegally possessing a firearm that he pointed at a police officer while trying to flee during a traffic stop. Deshun L. Robinson, 25, of Kansas City, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner on Thursday, June 19, 2008, to the charge contained in an April 14, 2008, federal indictment.
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June 19 , 2008

Mountain View man sentenced to 15 years for meth, marijuana, illegal firearms
SPRINGFIELD - A Mountain View, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing methamphetamine, marijuana and firearms. Joseph Pulliam, 44, of Mountain View, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith this afternoon to 15 years in federal prison without parole. Pulliam was sentenced as a career offender due to his prior felony convictions.
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Jury convicts former Sturgeon man for drug-trafficking, money-laundering conspiracies
JEFFERSON CITY - A Rockport, Texas, man has been convicted by a federal jury for his role in drug-trafficking and money-laundering conspiracies responsible for transporting hundreds of pounds of marijuana, as well as cocaine, from Texas. David Elby Shafer, 48, of Rockport, formerly of Sturgeon, Mo., was found guilty on all counts of a Nov. 6, 2006, superseding indictment related to drug-trafficking and money-laundering conspiracies.
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June 18 , 2008

Springfield man sentenced for child pornography
SPRINGFIELD - A Springfield, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for receiving child pornography over the Internet. Scott Wayne Kahlenbeck, 23, of Springfield, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith this morning to 10 years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Kahlenbeck to serve the rest of his life under supervised release following his incarceration, and to register as a sex offender.
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Joplin man sentenced for $1 million securities fraud, filing a false tax return
SPRINGFIELD - A Joplin, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for a securities scheme that defrauded his victims of more than $1 million and for filing a false federal income tax return. Mark Leon Henry, 37, of Joplin, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard E. Dorr this afternoon to six years and six months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Henry to pay $966,107 in restitution to multiple victims and $102,126 in restitution to the government, for a total restitution order of $1,068,233. Henry is also prohibited from working as an investment adviser while serving a three-year term of supervised release following his incarceration.
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June 17 , 2008

Jury convicts Mountain View man for illegal firearm
SPRINGFIELD - A Mountain View, Mo., man was convicted by a federal jury today for illegally possessing a firearm. James Dooley, 34, of Mountain View, was found guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
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June 12 , 2008

Columbia man sentenced to 20 years for child pornography
JEFFERSON CITY - A Columbia, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for distributing child pornography. Raymond Darrell Ford, 49, of Columbia, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Scott O. Wright this morning to 20 years in federal prison without parole.
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June 11 , 2008

KC man sentenced to life in prison for double homicide, drug trafficking
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for the 2002 double homicide of Anthony Rios and Olivia Raya. Michael L. Dale, also known as Gin, 34, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple this afternoon to three consecutive terms of life in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Dale to pay restitution for the cost of funerals for the victims.
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KC gang member sentenced to 15 years for drug trafficking, illegal firearms
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a drug-trafficking conspiracy and for illegally possessing firearms. Jamal T. Norris, 25, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan this morning to federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Norris to forfeit $23,341, representing the proceeds of illegal drug trafficking, which was seized by law enforcement officers from Norris and from his residence.
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June 10 , 2008

Pakistani national pleads guilty to marriage scheme
KANSAS CITY - A Pakistani national pleaded guilty in federal court today to falsifying immigration documents related to a scheme to obtain permanent residency in the United States by marrying a U.S. citizen. Syed Amjad Mehmood Shah, 50, a citizen of Pakistan, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple this morning to aiding and abetting false statements on an immigration application.
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June 9 , 2008

KC man sentenced to 20 years for massive ecstasy conspiracy
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for leading a conspiracy to distribute hundreds of thousands of ecstasy pills, worth approximately $2 million, as well as PCP in Jackson County, Mo. Derrick T. Seals, also known as “D,” 28, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner this afternoon to 20 years in federal prison without parole.
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Lee's Summit man sentenced for child pornography
KANSAS CITY - A Lee’s Summit, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for possessing child pornography. Jeremy Stan, 33, of Lee’s Summit, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple this afternoon to six years in federal prison without parole.
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Mexican national sentenced to 17 years formeth conspiracy
KANSAS CITY - A Phoenix, Ariz., man was sentenced in federal court today for participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Jesus Manuel Reyes-Ruiz, 30, a citizen of Mexico who was residing in Phoenix, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple this afternoon to 17 years and six months in federal prison without parole.
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June 5 , 2008

Sedalia business owner indicted for embezzling from employee 401(k) plan
KANSAS CITY - The owner of a Sedalia, Mo., business was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges related to embezzling nearly $86,000 from the company’s employee benefit plan. Raymond A. Potts II, 51, of Sedalia, was charged in an 11-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City on Wednesday, June 4, 2008. Potts is the owner of Potts Contracting Group, Inc., a Sedalia industrial and commercial construction firm that specializes in government contracting.
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Former MU student indicted for obscenity
JEFFERSON CITY - A Columbia, Mo., man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for attempting to transfer obscene material over the Internet to a minor. Akshaya Kumar Swain, 29, of Columbia, a citizen of India who was a graduate student and employee at the University of Missouri-Columbia, was charged with attempting to transfer obscene matter to a person he believed to be a 14-year-old girl on Nov. 8, 2007.
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Former Lee's Summit firefighter sentenced for enticing a minor for sex
KANSAS CITY - A former Lee’s Summit, Mo., firefighter was sentenced in federal court for using the Internet to entice a person he believed to be a 14-year-old girl to engage in illegal sexual activity. Christopher D. Snyder, 28, of Lee’s Summit, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith on Wednesday, June 4, 2008, to five years in federal prison without parole.Columbia, Mo., man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for attempting to transfer obscene material over the Internet to a minor. Akshaya Kumar Swain, 29, of Columbia, a citizen of India who was a graduate student and employee at the University of Missouri-Columbia, was charged with attempting to transfer obscene matter to a person he believed to be a 14-year-old girl on Nov. 8, 2007.
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Minnesota man pleads guilty to anthrax hoax
KANSAS CITY - An Appleton, Minn., man pleaded guilty in federal court to mailing an envelope containing a white powder purporting to be anthrax to an Internal Revenue Service facility in Kansas City, Mo. Jonathan Kenneth Joyner, 21, of Appleton, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs on Wednesday, June 4, 2008, to the charge contained in a Feb. 7, 2008, federal indictment.
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June 4 , 2008

St. Joseph husband, wife plead guilty to $184,000 identity theft, mortgage fraud
KANSAS CITY - A St. Joseph, Mo., married couple pleaded guilty in federal court today to their roles in a fraud scheme that used stolen identities to obtain loans on several residential properties in St. Joseph totaling more than $184,000. Tyrone L. Davis, 40, and Stephanie E. Davis, 49, both of St. Joseph, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple this morning to the charges contained in an Oct. 3, 2007, federal indictment. The Davises are co-owners of Davis Custom Homes in St. Joseph. Stephanie Davis also worked as a loan originator for Gateway Mortgage Group, LLC (formerly known as American Home Lending).
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May 29, 2008

Springfield man pleads guilty to meth conspiracy, firearms violations
SPRINGFIELD - A Springfield, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court to his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Greene County, Mo., and to various firearms violations. Michael W. McClain, 34, of Springfield, pleaded guilty on Wednesday, May 28, 2008. McClain admitted that he participated in a conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine from July 1, 2005, to Aug. 2, 2006. McClain also pleaded guilty to three separate charges related to illegally possessing firearms.
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KC man charged with armed robbery of credit union
KANSAS CITY - One of the two men believed to be involved in the armed robbery of United Labor Credit Union was charged in federal court today. Theotis A. Muhammad, 24, of Kansas City, was charged with armed robbery in a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo..
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May 28, 2008

Photographer pleads guilty to producing, possessing child pornography
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to producing and possessing child pornography. Stephen B. Brewer, 53, of Kansas City, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith this morning to the charges contained in an April 4, 2007, federal indictment.
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May 27, 2008

Former Clay County sheriff's deputy charged with excessive force, obstructing justice
KANSAS CITY - A former deputy with the Clay County Sheriff’s Department was charged in federal court today with violating a defendant’s civil rights by using unreasonable force during an arrest and with obstruction of justice. Donald A. Devens, 59, of Smithville, Mo., waived his right to a grand jury and was charged in a two-count information filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City. Devens was a Clay County deputy for four years before resigning on Oct. 7, 2005.
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Jury convicts KC man for murder related to meth trafficking
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., man was convicted by a federal jury today in the 1998 murder of an Independence, Mo., man to prevent the victim from cooperating with law enforcement authorities investigating illegal methamphetamine trafficking. Darren A. Frank, also known as Derwood, 42, of Kansas City, was found guilty of the charges contained in a Sept. 25, 2006, second superseding indictment related to the murder of Douglas C. Weil of Independence, whose body was discovered on Feb. 9, 1998.
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May 22, 2008

Seven Pulaski County residents, two others indicted for drug trafficking
SPRINGFIELD - Seven Pulaski County, Mo., residents and two out-of-state residents have been indicted by a federal grand jury in six separate cases for distributing crack cocaine and ecstasy in Pulaski County. Claudell J. Haggard, 31, of St. Robert, Mo., and Tammy Renee Keeling, 42, of Waynesville, Mo., were charged as co-defendants in an indictment that alleges they participated in a conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine in Pulaski County. Jedediah E. Carter, 24, Chaddell Leroy Carter, 19, and Jessika Lei Tabone, 21, all of St. Robert, and Shaun Benton McClure, 28, of Chicago, Ill., were each charged in separate indictments with distributing crack cocaine in Pulaski County. Anthony Dontrell Haggard, 25, and Laken Sierra Haggard, 22, both of St. Robert, were charged as co-defendants in a conspiracy to distribute ecstasy in Pulaski County. Anthony and Laken Haggard, who are married, were arrested in St. Louis by U.S. Postal Inspection Service agents. Norris Ray Robertson, 25, of Katy, Texas, also charged in the ecstasy conspiracy, remains at large.
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May 21, 2008

Retired school teacher pleads guilty to producing child pornography
KANSAS CITY - An Independence, Mo., man, who was an elementary school teacher before retiring, pleaded guilty in federal court today to secretly videotaping four minor boys in order to produce child pornography. John Edward Enness, 69, of Independence, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Nanette K. Laughrey this afternoon to the charge contained in a May 29, 2007, federal indictment. Enness, a longtime teacher in the Kansas City, Mo., school district, remains in federal custody.
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KC man sentenced to 19 years for identity theft conspiracy
KANSAS CITY - Two more defendants were sentenced in federal court today for participating in an identity theft conspiracy. Carlton Strother, 40, of Kansas City, Mo., and Chandra L. Jenkins, 29, of Plano, Texas, were sentenced in separate appearances before U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith. Strother was sentenced to 19 years and six months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Strother to pay an amount of restitution not to exceed $580,225. Jenkins was sentenced to two years and one month in federal prison without parole.
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May 20, 2008

Two defendants sentenced for identity theft conspiracy
KANSAS CITY - Two defendants were sentenced in federal court today for participating in an identity theft conspiracy. Tarik I. Liwaru, 34, of Kansas City, Kan., and Michelle Rene Williams, 40, of Kansas City, Mo., were sentenced in separate appearances before U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith. Liwaru was sentenced to five years in federal prison without parole, which is the statutory maximum penalty. The court also ordered Liwaru to pay $160,272 in restitution. Williams was sentenced to 30 months federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Williams to pay $114,283 in restitution.
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KC man pleads guilty to bank robberies in Springfield, Sweet Springs
SPRINGFIELD - A Kansas City, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to robbing Great Southern Bank in Springfield, Mo., and First Community Bank in Sweet Springs, Mo. Steven Kyle Baugh, 45, of Kansas City, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge James C. England this afternoon to the charges contained in a May 7, 2008, federal indictment.
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May 19, 2008

Two Kansas City men to be sentenced to life in prison for racially motivated murder
KANSAS CITY - A federal jury has returned special verdicts for two Kansas City, Mo., men who were convicted in the racially motivated murder of William McCay on March 9, 2005. The jury returned special verdicts which will result in the imposition of sentences of life imprisonment for Steven Sandstrom, 22, and Gary L. Eye, 21, both of Kansas City, Mo. The jury reached its sentencing verdict for Sandstrom on May 16, 2008, and for Eye on May 12, 2008.
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May 16, 2008

Five more defendants charged with armed robbery of Omnicare Pharmacy
KANSAS CITY - Five more defendants were charged in federal court today in connection with the armed robbery of Omnicare Pharmacy. DaVida Moore, 25, and Antonio Parker, 34, both of Grandview, Mo., Ryan Morris, 24, and Darnell O’Connor, 27, both of Overland Park, Kan., and Abdullah Taylor, 28, address unknown, were charged with armed robbery in a federal criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City.
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Mountain Grove man sentenced for mailing pipe bomb
SPRINGFIELD - A Mountain Grove, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for mailing a pipe bomb with the intent to injure and intimidate another person. Donald W. Schamber, 60, Mountain Grove, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard E. Dorr to 10 years in federal prison without parole, which is the statutory maximum sentence for the violation.
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May 15, 2008

Neosho man pleads guilty to illegal firearms; two officers injured in shoot-out
SPRINGFIELD - A Neosho, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to illegally possessing stolen firearms. Adam Bridgewater, 21, of Neosho, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard E. Dorr this afternoon to the charges contained in an April 11, 2007, federal indictment.
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Overland Park man charged with armed robbery of pharmacy
KANSAS CITY - An Overland Park, Kan., man was charged in federal court today with the armed robbery of Omnicare Pharmacy. Richard W. Baker, 53, of Overland Park, was charged with armed robbery in a federal criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City.
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May 13, 2008

KC-area man charged with attempting to steal bank ATM
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., area man was charged in federal court today with attempting to steal a bank’s automated teller machine. Steven A. White, 50, address unknown, was charged with bank burglary in a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City.
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May 12, 2008

Former Blue Springs man, woman indicted for sex trafficking of a child
KANSAS CITY - A former Blue Springs, Mo., man and woman have been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges related to the sex trafficking of the woman’s daughter. Todd B. Barkau, 35, of New York, previously of Blue Springs, was charged in a seven-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City on May 7, 2008.
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May 9, 2008

KC man indicted for cyberstalking
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for cyberstalking. Shawn D. Memarian, 28, of Kansas City, was charged in an indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury on Thursday, May 8, 2008.
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Former airline pilot indicted for extortionist threats, false statementss to FAA
KANSAS CITY - A Platte City, Mo., man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for making extortionist threats to employees of the Federal Aviation Administration and for making false statements to the FAA. Matthew Harker, 37, of Platte City, was charged in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury on Thursday, May 8, 2008. Harker was a commercial pilot prior to having his Airman Medical Certificate suspended on Jan. 7, 2002.
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May 8, 2008

Jury convicts two men for racially-motivated murder
KANSAS CITY - Two Kansas City, Mo., men were convicted by a federal jury today for the racially-motivated murder of William McCay on March 9, 2005. Gary L. Eye, 21, and Steven Sandstrom, 22, both of Kansas City, were found guilty of shooting and killing McCay because of his race and because he was using a public street. Eye and Sandstrom were also found guilty of shooting and killing McCay in order to prevent him from communicating information about the attack to a federal law enforcement officer. Under federal statutes, Eye and Sandstrom are subject to either the death penalty or life in federal prison without parole for those convictions.
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April 25, 2008

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jane Pansing Brown (at left) receives the Outstanding Prosecutor Award
from David Barton, director of Midwest HIDTA.

Assistant U.S. Attorney honored for narcotics prosecution
KANSAS CITY - Assistant U.S. Attorney Jane Pansing Brown has been honored for making significant contributions to reducing drug trafficking in the region. The Midwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), a program of the Office of National Drug Control Policy to combat drug trafficking in a six-state region, presented Brown with the Outstanding Prosecutor Award for 2007 in recognition of her prosecution of a significant drug trafficking organization in the Kansas City metropolitan area.
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April 24, 2008

Massage parlor owner pleads guilty to coercing prostitution
KANSAS CITY - 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, 32, of Olathe, Kan., waived her right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief District Judge Fernando Gaitan this morning to the charge contained in a federal information. 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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April 23, 2008

Kansas man receives longer prison term for attempting to entice a minor for sex
KANSAS CITY - A Lawrence, Kan., man received a longer prison term at a resentencing hearing in federal court today for attempting to entice a 14-year-old girl to engage in illicit sexual activity. Tyler M. Leach, 26, of Lawrence, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs this afternoon to 10 years in federal prison without parole. Leach had previously been sentenced to six years in federal prison, but the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated that sentence on the government’s appeal and remanded the case for resentencing.
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April 22, 2008

Jury convicts Salvadoran felon of illegally reentering the U.S.
KANSAS CITY - A Salvadoran national with a prior conviction for carjacking was convicted by a federal jury today of illegally reentering the United States. Jose Mauricio Bonilla-Siciliano, 36, a citizen of El Salvador residing in Kansas City, Mo., was found guilty of the charge contained in a Sept. 14, 2006, federal indictment.
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Jury convicts KC man of illegally possessing a firearm
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., man was convicted by a federal jury today of illegally possessing a firearm. Darnell Rodgers, 34, of Kansas City, was found guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
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April 18, 2008

Former Northland EMT pleads guilty to producing child pornography
KANSAS CITY - A former North Kansas City Fire Department emergency medical technician pleaded guilty in federal court today to producing child pornography, distributing child pornography over the Internet and possessing child pornography. Toby L. Rice, 34, of Blue Springs, Mo., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs this afternoon to the three charges contained in a Sept. 7, 2007, federal indictment.
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Former Marshall radio announcer pleads guilty to attempting to entice a minor for illicit sex
KANSAS CITY - A former Marshall, Mo., radio announcer pleaded guilty in federal court today to using the Internet to attempt to entice a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity. Ethan D. Handel, 29, of Marshall, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner this morning to the charge contained in a July 19, 2007, federal indictment. Handel, who was a sports and weather announcer for KMMO Radio in Marshall, has been in federal custody since his arrest and will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service until his sentencing hearing.
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Carl Junction man sentenced for $215,000 wire fraud, money laundering
SPRINGFIELD - A Carl Junction, Mo., man has been sentenced in federal court for a wire fraud and money laundering scheme in which he purchased 21 used cars at an auto auction for more than $215,000. Christopher Ryan King, 33, of Carl Junction, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith on Thursday, April 17, 2008, to eight years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered King to pay $208,00 in restitution, which represents the actual amount of loss sustained by the victim, Adesa Auto Auction.
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KC man charged in Springfield bank robbery
SPRINGFIELD - A Kansas City, Mo., man has been charged in federal court with robbing Great Southern Bank in Springfield. Steven Kyle Baugh, 45, of Kansas City, was charged with bank robbery in a federal criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Springfield on Thursday, April 17, 2008.
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April 17, 2008

KC firefighter pleads guilty to identity theft, credit card fraud
KANSAS CITY - A firefighter with the Kansas City, Mo., Fire Department pleaded guilty in federal court today to identity theft and credit card fraud. Mark M. Braden, 38, of Kansas City, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs this morning to the charges contained in a Dec. 5, 2007, federal indictment.
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Anderson man charged with receiving child pornography
SPRINGFIELD - An Anderson, Mo., man has been charged in federal court with receiving child pornography over the Internet. Quentin Venter, 33, of Anderson, was charged in a federal criminal complaint filed on Tuesday, April 15, 2008, at the U.S. District Court in Springfield, Mo.
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April 16, 2008

Lee's Summit man sentenced to 21 years for child pornography, illegally possessing ammunition
KANSAS CITY - A Lee’s Summit, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for receiving child pornography over the Internet and illegally possessing ammunition. Jeffrey Dewain Dueker, 39, of Lee’s Summit, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs this morning to 21 years in federal prison without parole.
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Two defendants plead guilty to wire fraud in $13.1 million tax fraud scheme
KANSAS CITY - Two co-defendants pleaded guilty in federal court today to wire fraud for their roles in a multi-million dollar scheme that involved stealing the identities of hundreds of victims, primarily nursing home residents, then using the stolen identities to seek more than $13.1 million in fraudulent tax refunds. Vincent Niagwara Ogega, 24, a citizen of Kenya residing in Independence, Mo., and Rashira Lewis, 20, of Kansas City, Mo., pleaded guilty in separate appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Maughmer this afternoon to the charge contained in a July 18, 2007, federal indictment.
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April 15, 2008

Two Lake City employees indicted for sabotage of war materials;
Charged with stealing thousands of pounds of copper used to manufacture bullets
KANSAS CITY - Two employees of a firm operating at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant in Independence, Mo., have been indicted by a federal grand jury 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, 45, of Odessa, Mo., and Timothy Duane Langevin, 36, of Independence, Mo., were charged in a 10-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City on Monday, April 14, 2008.
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Joplin River of Life, family members indicted for health care fraud, money laundering
SPRINGFIELD - A nonprofit agency operating five long-term residential care facilities in southwest Missouri, along with three family members involved in the agency, have been indicted by a federal grand jury for health care fraud and money laundering. Robert J. Dupont, Jr., 63, his wife, Laverne D. Dupont, 72, and his daughter, Kelley A. Wheeler, also known as Kelley Liveoak, 45, all of Joplin, Mo., along with Joplin River of Life, Inc., were charged in an 18-count superseding indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Springfield on April 2, 2008.
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KC man sentenced to 21 years for illegal firearm
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing a firearm. Alphonzo Henderson, 45, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith this morning to 21 years and 10 months in federal prison without parole.
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April 11, 2008

Richmond woman sentenced for embezzling from seniors program
KANSAS CITY - The former director of a federal program for senior citizens in Ray County, Mo., was sentenced in federal court today for embezzling from the program. Jennifer J. Rugg, 61, of Richmond, Mo., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith this morning to four months in federal prison without parole, followed by four months of home detention in conjunction with three years of supervised release. The court also ordered Rugg to pay $84,436 in restitution.
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Former tax preparer indicted for $1 million tax fraud
KANSAS CITY - A former Kansas City, Mo., tax preparer was indicted by a federal grand jury today for fraudulently preparing nearly 300 tax returns that falsely claimed more than $1 million in business losses for his clients. Donald Bushnell, 55, of Kansas City, was charged in a 20-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City. Bushnell was the owner of Bushnell Contract and Labor Service, a sole proprietorship that prepared individual federal income tax returns.
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April 10, 2008

Meth lab operators charged in woman's death, another lab caused explosion;
Eleven defendants indicted for meth manufacturing, trafficking
KANSAS CITY - Eleven defendants were indicted by a federal grand jury today in two separate and unrelated cases that involve the manufacturing and trafficking of methamphetamine. According to the indictments, one methamphetamine manufacturing operation resulted in the death of a Smithville, Mo., woman and another caused a violent explosion in a Riverside, Mo., residential neighborhood.
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Former car dealership manager pleads guilty to wire fraud
KANSAS CITY - A former general manager of a Kansas City, Mo., car dealership pleaded guilty in federal court today to a wire fraud scheme that involved falsifying paperwork on car leases in order to obtain higher commissions for himself. Duane C. Clark, 55, of Kansas City, waived his right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith this afternoon to a federal information that charges him with wire fraud.
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April 9, 2008

Five Branson, Nixa residents indicted for tax evasion, impeding the IRS
SPRINGFIELD - Four Branson, Mo., residents and a Nixa, Mo., man have been indicted by a federal grand jury, in three separate and unrelated cases, for evading the payment of income taxes, impeding the work of the IRS and other offenses.
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Granby man pleads guilty to pipe bombs, illegal handgun
SPRINGFIELD - A Granby, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to illegally possessing pipe bombs and a handgun. Jered Jackson, 29, of Granby, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard E. Dorr this morning to the charges contained in an April 11, 2007, federal indictment.
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April 8, 2008

Springfield man pleads guilty to child porn
SPRINGFIELD - A Springfield, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to possessing child pornography. Michael E. Conner, 31, of Springfield, formerly of Nixa, Mo., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard E. Dorr this afternoon to the charge contained in a Jan. 18, 2006, federal indictment.
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New York man pleads guilty to bank robbery
SPRINGFIELD - A Brooklyn, New York man pleaded guilty in federal court today to robbing Guaranty Bank in Springfield. Joseph W. Jean-Louis, 55, of Brooklyn, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard E. Dorr this morning to the charge contained in an Aug. 31, 2007, federal indictment.
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Former Everton postmaster pleads guilty to misappropriating funds
SPRINGFIELD - A former Everton, Mo., postmaster pleaded guilty in federal court today to misappropriating thousands of dollars of postal funds. Wayne A. Misner, 39, of Everton, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard E. Dorr this morning to the charge contained in a Jan. 23, 2008, federal indictment.
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April 4, 2008

Lisa Montgomery receives death penalty for kidnapping resulting in death
KANSAS CITY - Lisa M. Montgomery, 40, of Melvern, Kan., was sentenced to death in federal court today for kidnapping a baby girl in December 2004, resulting in the death of the infant's mother.
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April 2, 2008

The Kansas City Metropolitan Crime Commission was this year's recipient of the Crystal Kipper & Ali Kemp Memorial Award.
Present for the award ceremony was Carl DiCapo, Crime Commission board member, Anna Kipper-Rea, the
mother of Crystal Kipper, Rick Easley, president of the Crime Commission, Ray Yakovich, Crime
Commission board member, Roger Kemp, the father of Ali Kemp, and U.S. Attorney John F. Wood.
A high-resolution version of this photo is available to download.

U.S. Attorney lauds work of KC Crime Commission
KANSAS CITY - The Kansas City Metropolitan Crime Commission 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. Rick Easley, president of the Crime Commission, accepted this year’s award on behalf of the organization.
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Fort Leonard Wood woman indicted for murder of infant daughter
SPRINGFIELD - A woman at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., was indicted by a federal grand jury today for killing her infant daughter. Kristin Marie Phillips, 33, of Fort Leonard Wood, was charged with killing her 11-month-old daughter, Alexis Phillips, by depriving her of nourishment in the perpetration of child abuse. Today’s indictment replaces a federal criminal complaint that was filed against Phillips on March 13, 2008.
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April 1, 2008

Former tanning salon owner pleads guilty to producing child pornography; faces at least 15 years in federal prison for secretly videotaping customers
SPRINGFIELD - The former owner of a Springfield, Mo., tanning salon pleaded guilty in federal court today to producing child pornography by secretly videotaping teenage girls who were customers of his business. Brett Patrick Kent, 35, formerly of Springfield, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge James C. England this morning to the charge contained in a July 26, 2007, federal indictment. Kent is the former owner of 360 Degree Tan in Springfield. Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, Kent also agreed to plead guilty to 22 counts of felony invasion of privacy in the Circuit Court of Greene County, Mo.
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Edwards man pleads guilty to producing child pornography
SPRINGFIELD - An Edwards, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to sexually exploiting a child to produce child pornography. James Ray Starling, 46, of Edwards, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge James C. England this afternoon to the charge contained in a July 26, 2007, federal indictment.
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March 31, 2008

Bank robber pleads guilty
KANSAS CITY - A defendant pleaded guilty in federal court today to robbing the Bank of America in North Kansas City, Mo. Lorenzo A. Moore, 38, no known address, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs this morning to the charge contained in a Feb. 7, 2008, federal indictment.
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March 28, 2008

Independence man sentenced for bank robbery
KANSAS CITY - An Independence, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for the armed robbery of the First National Bank of Missouri in Independence. Raymond A. Delacruz, 26, of Independence, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs this morning to 13 years and one month in federal prison without parole.
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March 27, 2008

Kansas man pleads guilty to transporting, storing explosive materials
JEFFERSON CITY - A Bonner Springs, Kan., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to illegally transporting and storing explosive materials. Robert B. McGee, 35, of Bonner Springs, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge William A. Knox this morning to the charges contained in an Aug. 23, 2007, federal indictment.
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Raytown man sentenced to 25 years for crime spree
KANSAS CITY - A Raytown, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his involvement in a two-month crime spree that involved a series of armed robberies, carjackings and firearms violations and ended in a high speed chase and collision. Morris Mitchell, 48, of Raytown, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Scott O. Wright this morning to 25 years in federal prison without parole.
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March 26, 2008

Jury convicts Raytown man in meth conspiracy resulting in murder
KANSAS CITY - A Raytown, Mo., man was convicted in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, which resulted in the murder of an Independence, Mo., man. Scott P. MacDonald, 29, was found guilty of participating in a conspiracy to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine in Jackson County, Mo., from Oct. 1, 2005, to Oct. 16, 2006. MacDonald was also convicted of aiding and abetting others to use a firearm in relation to a drug-trafficking crime, by shooting and causing the death of Michael Scoville of Independence in relation to the conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
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March 25, 2008

KC man charged with illegal firearm after pointing handgun at officer, attempting to flee
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., man was charged in federal court today with illegally possessing a firearm after allegedly pointing the pistol at a police officer while trying to flee during a traffic stop. Deshun L. Robinson, 25, of Kansas City, was charged in a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
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KC man sentenced to 15 years for illegal firearm
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing a firearm. George L. Gordon, 28, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan this morning to 15 years in federal prison without parole. Gordon was sentenced as an armed career offender due to his prior violent felony convictions.
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March 24, 2008

Springfield man pleads guilty to armed bank robbery
SPRINGFIELD - A Springfield, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to the armed robbery of Bank of America. Nathan Allen Forrest, 27, of Springfield, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge James C. England this afternoon to the charges contained in a Feb. 27, 2008 federal indictment.
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March 20, 2008

KC man pleads guilty to $2 million cocaine conspiracy
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a conspiracy to distribute large amounts of cocaine in the Country Club Plaza area. Jacques Lavigne, also known as Frank Moran, 64, of Kansas City, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith this afternoon to all of the charges contained in a Jan. 16, 2008, superseding indictment.
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Jury convicts Monett man for meth conspiracy
SPRINGFIELD - A Monett, Mo., man was convicted by a federal jury today for participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Barry County, Mo. Ramon Hernandez-Pacheco, 29, of Monett, a citizen of Mexico with lawful permanent residence status in the United States, was found guilty of participating in a conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine from July 2006 to Aug. 16, 2006, in Barry County.
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March 18, 2008

KC man pleads guilty to crack cocaine, illegal firearms;
Arrest followed pursuit, shoot-out with police
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to participating 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. Montae T. Robertson, 20, of Kansas City, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs this morning to the charges contained in a Sept. 6, 2007, federal indictment.
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March 17, 2008

Former prisoner, former state employee sentenced for $160,000 fraud, identity theft
JEFFERSON CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., man who was formerly incarcerated in a state prison and a Jefferson City, Mo., woman who was formerly employed by the Missouri Department of Revenue were each sentenced in federal court today for participating in a $160,000 fraud conspiracy that involved stealing the identities of other persons and using them to provide cell phone service to state prison inmates. Clayton J. Deardorff, 30, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Scott O. Wright this morning to five years and five months in federal prison without parole. Co-defendant Erica Daniece Kelley, 29, of Jefferson City, was sentenced to five years of probation. The court also ordered Deardorff and Kelley to pay more than $160,000 in restitution, for which they are jointly and severally liable.
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March 14, 2008

More charges against owners/operators of Asian massage parlors
KANSAS CITY - A second indictment has been returned in the investigation of a group of Asian massage parlors in Johnson County, Kan., and additional charges have been brought against the Chinese nationals who were previously indicted by a federal grand jury for transporting persons across state lines and national borders for the purpose of prostitution.
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March 13, 2008

Fort Leonard Wood woman charged with killing infant daughter
SPRINGFIELD - A woman at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., was charged in federal court today with killing her infant daughter. Kristin Marie Phillips, 33, of Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., was charged with killing her 11-month-old daughter, Alexis Phillips, by depriving her of nourishment in the perpetration of child abuse in a federal criminal complaint that was filed in U.S. District Court in Springfield. Phillips’ husband is a soldier who was deployed to Iraq at the time of the alleged offense but has since returned to Fort Leonard Wood.
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Florida man sentenced for bank robbery
SPRINGFIELD - A Florida man was sentenced in federal court today for robbing the Bank of America in Springfield. Raymond Lynn Patterson, 46, of Florida, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard E. Dorr this morning to five years and 10 months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Patterson to pay $1,232 in restitution.
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March 12, 2008

Peruvian national pleads guilty to credit card conspiracy that targeted elderly women
KANSAS CITY - A Peruvian national pleaded guilty in federal court today to participating in a conspiracy to steal credit cards from elderly women, then make thousands of dollars in purchases with the stolen credit cards. Felix Jimmy Vega-Iturrino, 36, a citizen of Peru living in California, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner this afternoon to the charges contained in an Oct. 3, 2007, federal indictment.
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New Bloomfield man sentenced to 15 years for marijuana trafficking
JEFFERSON CITY - A New Bloomfield, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute hundreds of pounds of marijuana in Cole County, Mo. Shawn D. Reno, 34, of New Bloomfield, Mo., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Nanette K. Laughrey this morning to 15 years and eight months in federal prison without parole.
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March 11, 2008

Raytown man pleads guilty to meth conspiracy resulting in murder of Independence man
KANSAS CITY - A Raytown, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, which resulted in the murder of an Independence, Mo., man. Gordon D. Summers, 52, of Raytown, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple this morning to the charges contained in a Dec. 6, 2006, federal indictment.
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March 10, 2008

Independence man sentenced to 15 years for illegal firearm
KANSAS CITY - An Independence, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing a firearm. William R. Wasmer, 34, of Independence, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple this afternoon to 15 years and eight months in federal prison without parole. Wasmer was sentenced as an armed career offender due to his prior violent felony convictions.
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March 7, 2008

Seven defendants sentenced for cocaine, marijuana trafficking
JEFFERSON CITY - Seven co-defendants were sentenced in federal court today for their roles in conspiracies to distribute cocaine and hundreds of pounds of marijuana in Cole County, Mo.
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March 6, 2008

Two armed career offenders sentenced for illegal firearms
KANSAS CITY - Two Kansas City, Mo., men were sentenced in federal court today in separate and unrelated cases involving illegally possessing firearms. Today’s sentencings were the result of successful investigations under Project Ceasefire, the district’s ongoing anti-crime initiative. Each of the defendants was sentenced as an armed career offender due to his prior violent felony convictions.
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March 5, 2008

Belton man sentenced to 26 years for child pornography
KANSAS CITY - A Belton, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today on charges related to child pornography over the Internet. Kamron E. Dehghani, 22, of Belton, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner to 36 years in federal prison without parole. The sentence is an upward departure from the federal sentencing guidelines as a result of the court’s ruling that Dehghani had threatened judges, attorneys and others and that he had made plans to escape from custody. The court also ruled that Dehghani had obstructed justice by testifying falsely under oath, that he had exposed his 4-year-old daughter to online child pornography, had an inappropriate relationship with an 11-year-old girl to whom he was sexually attracted, and that he had an extensive obsession with child pornography.
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KC man sentenced to 21 years for illegal firearm
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing a firearm. Today’s sentencing is the result of a successful investigation under Project Ceasefire, the district’s ongoing anti-crime initiative. Reginald L. McGlothen, 38, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Scott O. Wright this afternoon to 21 years and 10 months in federal prison without parole. McGlothen was sentenced as a career offender due to his prior criminal felony convictions.
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March 4, 2008

Blue Springs man sentenced for identity theft; soldier stationed in Kuwait among victims
KANSAS CITY - A Blue Springs, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for stealing the identity of an Army major who was stationed in Kuwait. Richard Stanley, 34, of Blue Springs, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner this afternoon to one year and six months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Stanley to pay $36,475 in restitution to several victims and to forfeit to the government three laptop computers, seven cell phones, 27 computer hard drives, and 96 American Cash Advance cards and assorted credit cards in other people’s names, financial documents in other people’s names and a birth certificate in another person’s name.
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Lee's Summit helicopter dealer pleads guilty to wire fraud, money laundering
KANSAS CITY - The owner of a Lee’s Summit, Mo., company that purchases damaged helicopters and repairs them for resale pleaded guilty in federal court today to wire fraud and money laundering related to the fraudulent sale of a damaged engine compressor from a helicopter that crashed into the ocean. Robert A. Schlotzhauer, 68, of Lee’s Summit, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner this morning to the charges contained in a Nov. 6, 2007, superseding indictment. Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, Schlotzhauer has liquidated the assets of his Lee’s Summit businesses, Falcon Helicopter, Inc., and Lee’s Summit Turbine, LLC, and agreed to surrender all repair-related FAA certificates. The plea agreement also stipulates that an appropriate sentence in this case is a $550,000 fine, $63,854 in restitution to Rainbow Air, Inc., 12 months of home confinement at Schlotzhauer’s expense, and a period of probation to be determined by the court.
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KC man sentenced for computer hacking
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for hacking into his former employer’s computer network. Harold James Boomer, 24, of Kansas City was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple this morning to 10 months in federal prison without parole. Boomer has paid $24,000 in restitution to Midwest Technology Connections.
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Cassville man sentenced for machine gun, illegal firearms
SPRINGFIELD - A Cassville, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing a machine gun and other firearms. William Mansfield, 52, of Cassville, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard E. Dorr this morning to six years and six months in federal prison without parole.
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February 28, 2008

Springfield business owners, Michigan associates indicted for fraudulently marketing dietary supplements
SPRINGFIELD - Two Springfield, Mo., business owners, along with their local companies and their business associates located in Michigan, have been indicted by a federal grand jury for fraudulently marketing several dietary supplements over the Internet with illegal claims that these supplements could prevent, treat or cure a number of diseases. The Springfield businesses sold the products to a Michigan business, which used several Web sites to sell more than $16 million worth of the products in 2005 and 2006. Charles C. Thao, 40, and his wife, Mai Lor, 23, both of Springfield, along with two businesses that they own and operate in Springfield, Nutrapha Research, LLC, and Bio Nutrasource, LLC, and Shua G. Vang, 40, also of Springfield, and Tony T. Pham, 40, and his business, Techmedica Health, Inc., and Tong B. Vang, 42, all of Grand Rapids, Mich., were charged in a 40-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008.
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Jury convicts California man in large-scale PCP conspiracy, cocaine possession
SPRINGFIELD - A California man has been convicted by a federal jury for participating in a conspiracy to distribute large quantities of PCP and for possessing with the intent to distribute large quantities of PCP and cocaine. This conviction stems from a seizure of the illegal narcotics in a highway stop in Newton County, Mo., which at the time was the largest recorded seizure of PCP in the United States. Marzett L. Parker, 37, of San Francisco, Calif., was found guilty on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008, of the charges contained in a Dec. 13, 2007, superseding indictment.
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February 26, 2008

Springfield man charged with armed bank robbery
SPRINGFIELD - A Springfield, Mo., man was charged in federal court today with the armed robbery of Bank of America yesterday afternoon. Nathan Allen Forrest, 27, of Springfield, was charged with armed bank robbery in a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Springfield.
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February 21, 2008

Jury convicts four men in $2 million drug trafficking conspiracy
KANSAS CITY - Four defendants were convicted by a federal jury today for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute hundreds of thousands of ecstasy pills, worth approximately $2 million, in Jackson County, Mo. Dempsey Johnson, 28, and Raphael L. Donnell, 32, both of Kansas City, Mo., Boun Rattanavong, 31, of Grand Prairie, Texas, and Dung A. Nguyen, 34, of Texas, were found guilty of participating in a conspiracy to distribute ecstasy in Jackson County from Nov. 9, 2004, to Nov. 28, 2006. Johnson was also found guilty of participating in the conspiracy by distributing crack cocaine.
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Former Lee's Summit firefighter pleads guilty to enticing a minor for sex
KANSAS CITY - A former Lee’s Summit, Mo., firefighter pleaded guilty in federal court today to using the Internet to entice a person he believed to be a 14-year-old girl to engage in illegal sexual activity. Christopher D. Snyder, 28, of Lee’s Summit, waived his right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith this morning to a federal information that charges him with using the Internet to entice a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity. Snyder was employed as a firefighter at the time of the offense.
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Former loan officer pleads guilty to bank fraud
JEFFERSON CITY - A former loan officer for two Columbia, Mo., banks pleaded guilty in federal court today to bank fraud related to a scheme that the government believes resulted in a loss of more than $740,000 for Boone National Savings and Loan Association in Columbia. Brian Russell Nutter, 35, of Columbia, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Nanette K. Laughrey this morning to the charge contained in a Nov. 6, 2006, federal indictment. Nutter is a former loan officer for Boone National Savings and Loan Association and, prior to that, Boone County National Bank.
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Springfield man sentenced for three bank robberies
SPRINGFIELD - A Springfield, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for committing two bank robberies in Springfield and a third bank robbery in Alabama. Jody Lee Keller, 49, of Springfield, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple this morning to six years and three months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Keller to pay $27,487 in restitution.
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Nelson promoted to executive assistant
KANSAS CITY - Dan Nelson has been appointed as the Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney to replace Brent Powell, who has been appointed to the Office of Circuit Judge of the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit.
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February 20, 2008

Jury convicts Mountain View man of meth, marijuana, illegal firearms
SPRINGFIELD - A Mountain View, Mo., man has been convicted by a federal jury for illegally possessing methamphetamine, marijuana and firearms. Joseph Pulliam, 44, of Mountain View, was found guilty on Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2007, of being a felon in possession of firearms and of being in possession of methamphetamine and marijuana.
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February 15, 2008

Jefferson City man sentenced to 21 years for marijuana trafficking
JEFFERSON CITY - A Jefferson City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute hundreds of pounds of marijuana in Cole County, Mo. Rodney Keith Rodebaugh, 30, of Jefferson City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Nanette K. Laughrey this afternoon to 21 years and 10 months in federal prison without parole.
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February 14, 2008

Area pharmacy owner, Texas physician among those indicted in conspiracy to illegally distribute nearly $1 million in prescription drugs
KANSAS CITY - The owner of a Belton, Mo., pharmacy, along with a Texas physician and three other defendants have been indicted by a federal grand jury for participating in a conspiracy to illegally distribute nearly $1 million in prescription drugs. Mary Lynn Rostie, 57, and Cynthia S. Martin, 49, both of Belton, and Christopher L. Elder, M.D., 36, Troy R. Solomon, 43, and Delmon L. Johnson, 49, all of Houston, Texas, were charged in a 24-count indictment that was returned under seal on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2008, by a federal grand jury in Kansas City.
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February 8, 2008

Cole Camp business owner pleads guilty to wire fraud, tax evasion
JEFFERSON CITY - A Cole Camp, Mo., business owner pleaded guilty in federal court today to wire fraud and tax evasion related to a nearly $950,000 scheme to sell farm supplies at bargain prices. Robert Thomas Bain, 42, of Cole Camp, waived his right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge William A. Knox this morning to a federal information that charges him with wire fraud and tax evasion. Bain operated Heartland Farm Supply, which he incorporated as Heartland Farm Services, Inc., in February 2004, a retail business selling propane and farm equipment.
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Mountain Grove man pleads guilty to mailing pipe bomb
SPRINGFIELD - A Mountain Grove, Mo., man has pleaded guilty in federal court to mailing a pipe bomb with the intent to injure another person. Donald W. Schamber, 60, Mountain Grove, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard E. Dorr on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2008, to the charge contained in a June 21, 2007, federal indictment. Under the terms of the plea agreement, Schamber will serve a sentence of 10 years in federal prison without parole, which is the statutory maximum sentence for the violation.
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KC man sentenced to 10 years for illegally possessing ammunition
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., man has been sentenced in federal court for illegally possessing ammunition. Joshua R. Clifton, 27, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Nanette K. Laughrey on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2007, to 10 years in federal prison without parole, which is the statutory maximum penalty.
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Marshall man sentenced for illegal firearms
KANSAS CITY - A Marshall, Mo., man has been sentenced in federal court for illegally possessing firearms. Charles O. Cassidy, 44, of Marshall, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008, to two years and nine months in federal prison without parole.
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February 7, 2008

Arizona truck driver charged with possessing cocaine
SPRINGFIELD - An Arizona man was charged in federal court today with possessing cocaine after law enforcement officers discovered 57 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a trailer during a compliance inspection. Daniel Miranda, 48, of Arizona, was charged in a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Springfield, Mo.
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Minnesota man indicted for anthrax hoax
KANSAS CITY - An Appleton, Minn., man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for mailing an envelope containing a white powder purporting to be anthrax to an Internal Revenue Service facility in Kansas City, Mo. Jonathan Kenneth Joyner, 21, of Appleton, was charged with engaging in conduct with the intent to convey false or misleading information regarding a biological weapon in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City.
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February 6, 2008

U.S. Attorney John F. Wood announced the indictment at a press conference in Kansas City, Mo.
(A high-resolution version of this image is available to download.)

Chinese, American business owners indicted for importing tainted ingredient used in pet food
KANSAS CITY - Two Chinese businesses and their top executives, along with a United States company and its owners, were indicted by a federal grand jury today, in separate but related cases, for their roles in manufacturing and importing a tainted ingredient used to make pet food, which resulted in the death and serious illness of countless pets in the United States last year.
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February 5, 2008

Former Johnson County firefighter pleads guilty to enticing a minor for sex
KANSAS CITY - A former Johnson County, Kan., firefighter/EMT pleaded guilty in federal court today to using the Internet to entice a minor to engage in illegal sex, then traveling to Missouri to engage in sex with the minor. Kyle D. Brewer, 32, of Shawnee, Kan., waived his right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner this afternoon to a federal information that charges him with using the Internet to entice a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity, and traveling across the state line to engage in sex with a minor. Brewer worked as a firefighter/EMT with the Johnson County (Kansas) Fire District #2 at the time of that criminal conduct.
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February 4, 2008

Seven defendants indicted for $1.2 million high-tech fencing scheme;
Merchandise shoplifted, auctioned on eBay
KANSAS CITY - Seven defendants have been indicted by a federal grand jury for participating in a scheme to shoplift merchandise then sell $1.2 million worth of stolen property on the Internet auction site eBay. John Charles Chass, 40, and Joshua L. Zimmerman, 22, both of Kansas City, Stacie M. Emmerich, 33, of Independence, Mo., Barbara J. Sharp, 52, and Michael Dale Ivester, Jr., 27, both of Gladstone, Mo., and Tina Deann Cox, 38, and Daniel G. Moody, 30, both of Gower, Mo., were charged in an eight-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City on Friday, Feb. 1, 2008.
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KC man indicted for armed bank robbery
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for the armed robbery of Bank of America. Marlon Jaye Larry, 33, of Kansas City, was charged in a three-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City.
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January 31, 2008

State fire investigator charged with enticing a minor, transferring obscene material over the Internet
KANSAS CITY - A Warrensburg, Mo., man was charged in federal court today with using the Internet to attempt to entice a minor to engage in illicit sexual activity and with transferring obscene images to a minor over the Internet. Lee E. Johnson, 48, of Warrensburg, was charged in a two-count federal criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Kansas City. Johnson is a fire investigator with the Office of the State Fire Marshal, Missouri Department of Public Safety.
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Grandview man sentenced to 30 years for child pornography
KANSAS CITY - A Grandview, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for possessing and receiving child pornography over the Internet. Robert Edward Hall, 58, of Grandview, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs this morning to 30 years in federal prison without parole. Hall has prior state felony convictions for abusive sexual conduct involving a 2-year-old girl in Cass County, Mo., and a 5-year-old girl in Texas.
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January 30, 2008

Bosnian national pleads guilty to conspiracy to provide fraudulent licenses at West Plains school
SPRINGFIELD - A Kansas City, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to participating in a conspiracy to provide fraudulent commercial driver’s licenses to large numbers of Somali and Bosnian nationals. Adil Majlovic, 21, a citizen of Bosnia who resides in Kansas City, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge James C. England this morning to the charge contained in a Sept. 20, 2007, federal indictment.
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January 29, 2008

Two Branson men sentenced for failing to file tax returns
SPRINGFIELD - Two Branson, Mo., men were sentenced in federal court today, in separate but related cases, for failing to file income tax returns. Martin R. Dingman and Shane O. Grady, both of Branson, were sentenced by U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge James C. England this morning to three years of probation. In addition to the back taxes that both defendants have fully paid to the Internal Revenue Service, Dingman and Grady have cooperated with the government by participating in a series of radio and newspaper interviews.
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January 24, 2008

KC man sentenced for illegal firearm
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing a firearm. George L. McGill, 54, 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 business owner sentenced for $326,000 bank fraud
JEFFERSON CITY - A former business owner in Columbia, Mo., was sentenced in federal court today for a bank fraud conspiracy that resulted in a loss of more than $326,000 for Boone National Savings and Loan Association in Columbia. John T. Sobaski, 43, formerly of Columbia, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Nanette K. Laughrey this morning to two years and six months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Sobaski to pay $326,318 in restitution.
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January 23, 2008

Three Lee's Summit residents plead guilty in $2.8 million heroin conspiracy
KANSAS CITY - Three Lee’s Summit, Mo., residents pleaded guilty in federal court today to charges related to a multi-million dollar conspiracy to distribute large quantities of heroin. Bryant L. Griffin-Bey, also known as Vincent Warren, 43, Aleceia C. Griffin-Bey, also known as Aleceia C. Thompson, 37, and Valencia Lockett, also known as Vera or Valencia Staley, 43, all of Lee’s Summit; pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah W. Hays this afternoon to the charges contained in a Feb. 8, 2007, superseding indictment.
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Lee's Summit tax preparer pleads guilty to stealing IRS payments
KANSAS CITY - A Lee's Summit, Mo., tax preparer pleaded guilty in federal court today to charges related to a scheme to embezzle $389,000 that his clients entrusted to him to make their tax payments to the Internal Revenue Service. James C. Richards, 57, of Lee's Summit, waived his right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner this morning to a four-count federal information that charges him with embezzling funds that were intended for the IRS, attempting to defeat the assessment of tax, falsely claiming to the IRS that he was a CPA and fabricating documents purported to be from the IRS in an effort to conceal his theft.
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Kansas man pleads guilty to assault in Post Office armed robbery
KANSAS CITY - A Lenexa, Kan., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to assaulting postal employees during the armed robbery of a post office in south Kansas City. Jesse Cardell Melton, 19, of Lenexa, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Scott O. Wright this morning to the charge contained in an Aug. 7, 2007, federal indictment.
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Arizona man indicted for cocaine
SPRINGFIELD - A Yuma, Ariz., man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for possession with the intent to distribute cocaine. Carlos R. Delgado, Jr., 48, a citizen of Mexico currently residing in Yuma, was charged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield with being in possession with the intent to distribute in excess of five kilograms of cocaine on Oct. 28, 2006, in Greene County, Mo.
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Two West Plains men indicted for stealing, possessing firearms
SPRINGFIELD - Two West Plains, Mo., men were indicted by a federal grand jury today for stealing firearms from a local pawn shop. JonLuc Ettinger, 19, and Patrick Mitchell, 23, both of West Plains, were charged in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield.
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Former Everton postmaster indicted for misappropriating funds
SPRINGFIELD - A former Everton, Mo., postmaster was indicted by a federal grand jury today for misappropriating nearly $53,000 in postal funds. Wayne A. Misner, 39, of Everton, was charged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield with misappropriating postal funds from March 2006 to Sept. 21, 2006.
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January 22, 2008

Lathrop woman sentenced for embezzling $427,000 from employer
KANSAS CITY - A Lathrop, Mo., woman was sentenced in federal court today for embezzling more than $427,000 from her employer. Margaret A. Plowman, 60, of Lathrop, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith this afternoon to one year and six months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Plowman to pay $427,691 in restitution.
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Excelsior Springs man pleads guilty to illegal firearm
KANSAS CITY - An Excelsior Springs, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to illegally possessing a firearm. Today’s guilty plea is a result of Project Ceasefire, the district’s ongoing anti-crime initiative. Donald D. Martin, 23, of Excelsior Springs, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Scott O. Wright this morning to the charge contained in a Nov. 7, 2007, federal indictment.
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January 18, 2008

Jury convicts Billings man for marijuana, illegal firearms
SPRINGFIELD - A Billings, Mo., man has been convicted by a federal jury for distributing marijuana in Christian County, Mo., and illegally possessing several firearms. Joseph Mehl, 48, of Billings, was found guilty on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2008, of distributing marijuana, possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, manufacturing marijuana, being a drug user in possession of firearms and possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.
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California woman sentenced for identity theft
KANSAS CITY - A Vallejo, Calif., woman was sentenced in federal court today for identity theft after using fraudulent credit cards to purchase nearly $100,000 in merchandise at several Kansas City area Target stores during a three-day spending spree last summer. Sharlita Y. Proctor, 31, of Vallejo, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs this morning to three years and five months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Johnson to pay $94,220 in restitution.
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January 16, 2008

U.S. Attorney John F. Wood displays a satellite image of the terrorst-controlled property referenced in a superseding indictment that contains new criminal charges against IARA.
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Islamic charity charged with terrorist financing; former U.S. Congressman indicted for money laundering
KANSAS CITY - A A federal grand jury in the Western District of Missouri has returned a superseding indictment that charges the Islamic American Relief Agency (IARA) and several of its former officers with eight new counts of engaging in prohibited financial transactions for the benefit of U.S.-designated terrorist Gulbuddin Hekmatyar. The indictment also charges former U.S. Congressman Mark Deli Siljander with money laundering, conspiracy and obstruction of justice in the case. IARA, the Islamic charitable organization named in today’s indictment, was headquartered in Columbia, Mo., and was formerly known as the Islamic African Relief Agency-USA. IARA was officially formed in 1985 and closed in October 2004, when it was identified by the U.S. Treasury Department as a specially designated global terrorist organization. Mubarak Hamed, 51, of Columbia, Mo., a naturalized U.S. citizen from Sudan, served as IARA’s former executive director and is named as a defendant in the indictment. Also charged in today’s superseding indictment is Mark Deli Siljander, 57, a former U.S. Congressman from Michigan (1981-87) who serves as the owner/director of Global Strategies, Inc., a planning, marketing and public relations company located in the Washington, D.C. area. Other defendants named in the indictment are Ali Mohamed Bagegni, 53, formerly of Columbia, Mo, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in Libya and a former member of IARA’s board of directors; Ahmad Mustafa, 55, of Columbia, a citizen of Iraq, and a former fund-raiser for IARA; Khalid Al-Sudanee, 56, a citizen and resident of Jordan, and the regional director of the Middle East office of the Islamic African Relief Agency (also known as the Islamic Relief Agency, or ISRA); and Abdel Azim El-Siddig, 51, of Palos Heights, Ill., a naturalized U.S. citizen born in Sudan, and formerly vice president for international operations for IARA.
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Jury convicts George's Processing employee for harboring illegal aliens
SPRINGFIELD - A Monett, Mo., woman who was involved in hiring employees at George’s Processing, Inc., in Butterfield, Mo., has been convicted by a federal jury for harboring an illegal alien and inducing an illegal alien to enter or reside in the United States. Another former George’s Processing employee recently pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft in a separate but related case. Dora Ruiz, 33, of Monett, was found guilty on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2008, of two counts contained in an Oct. 16, 2007, federal indictment. In a separate but related case, Sinthia Valadez-Ramirez, 23, address unknown, pleaded guilty on Jan. 8, 2008, to aiding and abetting others to commit aggravated identity theft. Both Ruiz and Valadez-Ramirez formerly worked in the human resources department at George’s Processing and were involved in the hiring process at the plant.
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KC, Florida men indicted for $2 million cocaine conspiracy
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., man and a Pembroke Pines, Fla., man were indicted by a federal grand jury today for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute large amounts of cocaine in the Country Club Plaza area. Jacques Lavigne, also known as Frank Moran, 64, of Kansas City, and Oscar A. Torres, Jr., 38, of Pembroke Pines, were charged in a nine-count superseding indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City. Today’s superseding indictment replaces a Nov. 7, 2007, indictment, adding Torres as a co-defendant.
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Stewartsville man indicted for two St. Joseph bank robberies
KANSAS CITY - A Stewartsville, Mo., man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for robbing two financial institutions in St. Joseph, Mo. Donny James Eskridge, 49, of Stewartsville, was charged in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City. Today’s indictment replaces a federal criminal complaint that was filed against Eskridge on Dec. 20, 2007 and includes an additional bank robbery charge.
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KC woman, man indicted for computer crime, identity theft
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., woman and man were indicted by a federal grand jury today for using stolen identity information to make fraudulent credit purchases at area retail stores. Kimberly Ann Mavis, 30, and Jerry Bagby, 51, both of Kansas City, were charged in a 12-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City.
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January 15, 2008

Kansas man sentenced for bank robberies
KANSAS CITY - A Leavenworth, Kan., man was sentenced in federal court today for participating in a conspiracy that involved a series of bank robberies in the Northland and in Kansas. Christopher C. Pinkston, 28, of Leavenworth, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs this morning to12 years and seven months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Pinkston to pay $28,050 in restitution.
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January 10, 2008

KC man sentenced for recruiting minors for prostitution
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for recruiting minors for prostitution. Don L. Elbert II, 26, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith this afternoon to eight years in federal prison without parole, followed by a 15-year term of supervised release. The court also ordered Elbert to pay $524,571 in restitution to the victims.
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January 7 , 2008