PRESS RELEASES - October 2006
October 4, 2006 - GRAYSON, Daniel Ray
October 23, 2006 - ELSTON, Larry Charles; a/k/a WILSON, Larry Charles
October 23, 2006 - JORDAN, Chelly Louise
October 24, 2006 - EUBANKS, Jimmy Woodrow; a/k/a/ EUBANKS, Woody
October 26, 2006 - SALLIS, Brandon Lamar; a/k/a "Triple X Gangsta";
SALLIS, Randon Tamar; a/k/a Mr. "T"; and
JOHNSON, Demarcus Kaine; a/k/a "MAC-10"
October 27, 2006 - REDDEN, David Dwain
October 27, 2006 - PHILLIPS, Curtis Charles
October 31, 2006 - ELECTION DAY PROGRAM FOR EDOK
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FOR RELEASE: October 4, 2006
SUBJECT: GRAYSON, Daniel Ray
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - Sheldon J. Sperling, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced that on Wednesday, October 4, 2006, after nearly three days of trial, DANIEL RAY GRAYSON, age 27, of Ardmore, Oklahoma, was found guilty of Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and distribution of methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846 and 841 (a)(1) and (b)(1)(A).
GRAYSON was one of nine federal defendants indicted in the Eastern District of Oklahoma as a result of the March 2006 arrests on drug related charges in South Central Oklahoma and Northern Texas. There were fifteen Federal Indictments for Conspiracy and Distribution of methamphetamine, and eighty-seven State of Oklahoma and State of Texas Indictments for additional drug charges.
“This trial reflected a huge investigative effort,” noted U.S. Attorney Sperling. “This remarkable jury verdict is a testimonial to a massive intergovernmental prosecution.”
“This task force began when Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) supervisors committed resources to an ambitious undertaking,” U.S. Attorney Sperling commented. “OSBI agents did doubletime on this enterprise, while performing many other duties for an unfunded mandate to investigate internet sexual predators of children.”
“OSBI agents did the legwork to parlay information from the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, District 20 District Attorney’s Office Task Force, Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, Ardmore Oklahoma Police Department, Carter County Oklahoma Sheriff’s Office, Gainesville Texas Police Department, Chickasaw Nation Lighthorse Police, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Chicago Illinois Police Department, Denton County Texas Sheriff’s Office, Denton Texas Police Department, United States Marshal Service, and Bureau of Indian Affairs. This interstate enterprise operated from Oklahoma and Texas and was connected to a violent Chicago street gang known as Satan’s Disciples.”
“Over 100 drug defendants were successfully prosecuted by state and federal prosecutors. District Attorney Craig Ladd handled the lion’s share of the state defendants. U.S. Attorney Matt Orwig tackled a significant number of federal defendants in the Eastern District of Texas,” reflected U.S. Attorney Sperling.
“You have to see an assembly of 200 local, county, state and federal agents who gather in the middle of the night to serve more than 100 arrest warrants, in order to fully grasp the magnitude of this operation,” U.S. Attorney Sperling noted.
“Assistant United States Attorney Rob Wallace led the troops on the ground. We are gratified that arrestees were safely apprehended and law enforcement officers returned home without injury or incident.”
“The guilty verdict today serves as a reminder to the people of Oklahoma that members of the law enforcement community will diligently work until the last drug dealer is prosecuted and put behind bars. The seizure of over 20 pounds of methamphetamine demonstrates the strength of this organization, whose players are now serving time in prison,” said James L. Capra, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration, Dallas Field Division.
Chief U.S. District Judge James H. Payne presided over the nearly three day trial in Muskogee. Sentencing will be scheduled following the completion of a presentence report. The defendant could receive ten (10) years to life imprisonment and or up to $4,000,000.00 in fines.
ELIJAH SALAZAR, ROCKY SALAZAR, CODY JOE SHELL, MATTHEW JOHN HORN, ISRAEL HERNANDEZ, CODY ALLEN PIERCE, IRAN LEWIS ROLON, AND SARA CATHERINE BRULE were indicted with GRAYSON. All eight have pled guilty and have been or are awaiting sentencing.
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FOR RELEASE: October 23, 2006
SUBJECT: ELSTON, Larry Charles; a/k/a WILSON, Larry Charles
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - Sheldon J. Sperling, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced that LARRY CHARLES ELSTON, a/k/a Larry Charles Wilson, age 35, of Muskogee, Oklahoma, pled guilty today to Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
ELSTON was arrested during the execution of a search warrant at a Muskogee residence by agents from the Muskogee Police Department Special Investigations Unit and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. ELSTON was in possession of a .38 caliber pistol, in violation of 18 United States Code § 922(g)(1).
The Honorable Steven P. Shreder, Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted ELSTON’s plea, and ordered the completion of a pre-sentence report. Sentencing guidelines allow for up to ten (10) years imprisonment and or up to $250,000.00 in fines.
Rob Wallace, Assistant United States Attorney, represented the government at today’s hearing.
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FOR RELEASE: October 23, 2006
SUBJECT: JORDAN, Chelly Louise
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - Sheldon J. Sperling, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced that CHELLY LOUISE JORDAN, age 32, of Seminole, Oklahoma, pled guilty on Monday to a misdemeanor charge of Simple Assault, in violation of 18 United States Code §§ 1151, 1152, and 113(a)(5). JORDAN was indicted before a federal grand jury in September 2006.
Charges arose from an investigation by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The defendant assaulted a minor under the age of 12 years old at the Mekusukey Mission Head Start, on Seminole Nation land in Seminole County, Oklahoma. JORDAN, a teacher’s assistant at the facility at the time of the incident, physically assaulted the student during an attempt to discipline the child.
The Honorable Steven P. Shreder, Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted JORDAN’s plea, and ordered the completion of a pre-sentence report. Sentencing guidelines allow for up to one year imprisonment and or up to $100,000.00 in fines.
Trent Shores, Assistant United States Attorney, represented the government at today’s hearing.
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FOR RELEASE: October 24, 2006
SUBJECT: EUBANKS, Jimmy Woodrow; a/k/a/ EUBANKS, Woody
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - Sheldon J. Sperling, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced that JIMMY WOODROW EUBANKS, a/k/a Woody Eubanks, age 31, of Stilwell, Oklahoma, pled guilty today to committing Bank Fraud. EUBANKS was indicted before a federal grand jury in July 2006.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in which it was revealed the defendant, a former branch president of the Arvest Bank in Stilwell, Oklahoma, had defrauded three banks in Eastern Oklahoma. EUBANKS obtained in excess of $250,000.00 from Arvest Bank in 2003 and 2004 by creating loans in the names of customers without their knowledge and consent and by making false representations about the existence of personal property which he had pledged as collateral. In 2004, EUBANKS obtained in excess of $145,000.00 in loans from the Stilwell, Oklahoma branch of Armstrong Bank by making false representations about the existence of personal property which he pledged as collateral for the loans. EUBANKS also attempted to obtain an additional $155,246.12 loan from the Tahlequah, Oklahoma branch of BancFirst in April 2005 by again making false representations about the existence of personal property which he wanted to pledge as collateral.
The Honorable Steven P. Shreder, Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted EUBANKS’ plea on three counts of Bank Fraud and ordered the completion of a presentence report. Upon completion of the report a formal sentencing date will be set. Each count of Bank Fraud has a possible punishment of up to thirty (30) years imprisonment and up to a $1,000,000.00 fine or both. At the sentencing, the Court may also order EUBANKS to pay restitution.
Chris Wilson, Assistant United States Attorney, represented the government at today’s hearing.
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FOR RELEASE: October 26, 2006
SUBJECT: SALLIS, Brandon Lamar; a/k/a "Triple X Gangsta"; SALLIS, Randon Tamar; a/k/a Mr. "T"; and JOHNSON, Demarcus Kaine; a/k/a "MAC-10"
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - United States Attorney Sheldon J. Sperling announced that BRANDON LAMAR SALLIS, aka “TRIPLE X GANGSTA”, RANDON TAMAR SALLIS, aka Mr. “T”, both age 24, of Muskogee, and DEMARCUS KAINE JOHNSON, aka “MAC-10”, also of Muskogee, were sentenced to prison today. All these sentences are nonparolable.
“BRANDON SALLIS was sentenced to four hundred twenty (420) months imprisonment,” reported U.S. Attorney Sperling. “He was convicted by a federal jury for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and criminal forfeiture. The defendant was also ordered to serve sixty (60) months supervised release and pay a special assessment fee of $100 per count.”
“RANDON SALLIS was sentenced to three hundred sixty (360) months imprisonment. A federal jury had convicted him of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, falsifying a government form in the acquisition of a firearm, receiving a firearm while charged by way of Information, possession of xanax (alprazolam) with intent to distribute, possession of ecstasy with intent to distribute, and criminal forfeiture. The defendant was also ordered to serve sixty (60) months supervised release and pay a special assessment fee of $100 per count.”
“DEMARCUS KAINE JOHNSON received a sentence of 5 years imprisonment. A federal jury had convicted him of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana. JOHNSON will serve thirty-six (36) months supervised release after his release from prison. He was ordered to pay a special assessment fee of $100.”
“The charges arose from a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Muskogee Police Department, Muskogee County Sheriff’s Office, District 15 District Attorney’s Drug Task Force, Tahlequah Police Department, Tulsa Police Department, and Stillwater Police Department,” commented United States Attorney Sperling.
“After returning guilty verdicts at the eight-day long trial in April, the jury also returned a decree of forfeiture for illegally acquired assets. The items, which now belong to the United States, include a 2000 Jag, a 1998 Cadillac, and a 2003 Chevrolet Truck,” recalled U.S. Attorney Sperling.
“The evidence at trial established that the SALLISES, identical twins, and JOHNSON obtained multi-kilogram quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana from various sources in Oklahoma and California. One source testified that the SALLIS twins had obtained over $400,000.00 of cocaine from him in a 10-month period. The defendants then arranged for distribution of the drugs in Muskogee and surrounding counties.”
“The jurors heard evidence that in a 2 year period, RANDON SALLIS, who was unemployed at the time, deposited over $140,000.00 into his bank account, of which over $100,000.00 was cash,” continued U.S. Attorney Sperling.
“The Honorable Ronald A. White, District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over today’s sentencing. Assistant United States Attorneys Dean Burris and Mike Littlefield represented the government.”
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FOR RELEASE: October 27, 2006
SUBJECT: REDDEN, David Dwain
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - Sheldon J. Sperling, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced that DAVID DWAIN REDDEN, age 58, of Roland, Oklahoma, pled guilty today to Money Laundering, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, § 1956(a)(1)(B)(1).
“Charges arose from an ongoing investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation,” commented United States Attorney Sperling. “REDDEN, the former City Manager of Roland, issued checks for cash from the City of Roland’s bank account to McKinney Grocery & Station, a business in Roland.”
“REDDEN submitted vouchers for office supplies to McKinney’s for which he received cash. McKinney’s then submitted invoices to the City of Roland, which were paid for by city funds. The amount of loss is believed to be approximately $300,000.00.”
“The Honorable Kimberly E. West, Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted REDDEN’s plea and ordered the completion of a presentence report. Sentencing will be scheduled once this report is complete. The defendant could receive up to twenty (20) years imprisonment and or up to $500,000 in fines.”
“Dennis Fries, Assistant United States Attorney, represented the government at today’s hearing.”
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FOR RELEASE: October 27, 2006
SUBJECT: PHILLIPS, Curtis Charles
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - Sheldon J. Sperling, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced CURTIS CHARLES PHILLIPS, age 50, of Kingston, Oklahoma, pled guilty to False Statement and Obstruction of Justice.
“Charges arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department,” commented United States Attorney Sperling. “The defendant corrupted, altered, destroyed, mutilated, and concealed a computer, digital camera, and video camera, and made false statements to the FBI about their disposal. These items were used to take and distribute pictures of himself having sex with an adult mentally-disabled female he brought to Oklahoma from another state for that purpose.”
“The Honorable Steven P. Shreder, Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma accepted the defendant’s guilty plea. After completion of a presentence report, the Court will schedule sentencing. The charges are in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001, and 1512(c)(1) and (2). PHILLIPS could receive up to twenty (20) years imprisonment and or up to $250,000.00 in fines. “
“Assistant United States Attorney Linda Epperley represented the government at today’s hearing.”
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FOR RELEASE: October 31, 2006
SUBJECT: ELECTION DAY PROGRAM FOR EDOK
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - Sheldon J. Sperling, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced today that Gregory Dean Burris, Assistant United States Attorney, has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer.
“AUSA Burris will lead the district’s efforts with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 7, 2006 general elections,” reported U.S. Attorney Sperling. “He will be responsible for overseeing the district’s handling of complaints of election fraud and voting rights abuses in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters.”
“On October 8, 2002, Attorney General Ashcroft established a Department-wide Ballot Access and Voting Integrity Initiative,” U.S. Attorney Sperling continued. “The goals of this Initiative are to increase the Department’s ability to deter election fraud and discrimination at the polls and to prosecute these offenses whenever and wherever they occur - to make voting easier and cheating harder.”
“Both goals are equally important. It is imperative that in pursuing voter integrity, ballot access is not in any way diminished or harmed. The Department’s long-standing Election Day Program furthers the goals of the Initiative.”
“The Program also is intended to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the election process by providing local points of contact within the Department where the public can report possible election fraud and voting rights violations while the polls are open on election day.”
“The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise exercise it, while those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice.”
“In order to respond to complaints of election fraud or voting rights abuses on November 7, 2006, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSA Burris will be on duty in this district while the polls are open. AUSA Burris can be reached by the public at 918-684-5100.”
“The FBI will also have an agent available in the Eastern District to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses. The public can reach the election day agent at 918-687-7500.”
Complaints about ballot access problems or discrimination can also be made directly to the Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section in Washington at 1-800-253-3931or 202-307-2767.
United States Attorney Sperling said, “Election fraud and voting rights abuses dilute the worth of votes honestly cast. They also corrupt the essence of our representative form of government. As crimes against both the individual and the government, they will be dealt with promptly and aggressively. Anyone who has information suggesting electoral corruption or voting rights abuses should make that information available immediately to my office, the FBI, or the Civil Rights Division.”
The Eastern District of Oklahoma includes the following counties: Adair, Atoka, Bryan, Carter, Cherokee, Choctaw, Coal, Haskell, Hughes, Johnston, Latimer, Leflore, Love, Marshall, McCurtain, McIntosh, Murray, Muskogee, Okfuskee, Okmulgee, Pittsburgh, Pontotoc, Pushmataha, Seminole, Sequoyah, and Wagoner.
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