Federal Charges

Missouri General News

St. Louis News: Arnold Man, Dennis M. Suellentrop, Sentenced to 120 Years for Child Pornography

St. Louis, MO – Dennis M. Suellentrop, Jr., 38, Arnold, Missouri was sentenced December 20th to 120 years in prison for production and possession of child pornography.  He appeared in federal court before U.S. District Court Judge Catherine D. Perry. According to court documents, between August 19, 2016 and January 1, 2017, Suellentrop produced child … Continue reading St. Louis News: Arnold Man, Dennis M. Suellentrop, Sentenced to 120 Years for Child Pornography →

Business

CFTC News: CFTC Charges Chicago-area Trader, Dro Kholamian, with Ongoing Forex and Commodity Fraud

Washington, DC — The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) announced the filing of a civil enforcement action against Dro Kholamian of Barrington, Illinois, and his company, Blue Star Trading, LLC (Blue Star), an Illinois limited liability company with an office in Park Ridge, Illinois.  The CFTC Complaint charges that the Defendants fraudulently solicited potential clients … Continue reading CFTC News: CFTC Charges Chicago-area Trader, Dro Kholamian, with Ongoing Forex and Commodity Fraud →

Politics

WASHINGTON | Trump praises witness who refuses to testify against him

WASHINGTON— President Donald Trump praised a key witness in the Russia investigation Monday for having the “guts” not to testify against him, and said his former lawyer — who cut a deal with prosecutors — should head straight to prison. In a pair of politically charged tweets, Trump made clear that he is closely watching … Continue reading WASHINGTON | Trump praises witness who refuses to testify against him →

Politics

WASHINGTON | Trump on Manafort pardon: ‘I wouldn’t take it off the table’

WASHINGTON — A pardon for Paul Manafort is “not off the table,” President Donald Trump said, drawing swift rebuke from critics who fear the president will use his executive power to protect friends and supporters caught up in the Russia probe. The president’s discussion of a possible pardon in an interview Wednesday with the New York … Continue reading WASHINGTON | Trump on Manafort pardon: ‘I wouldn’t take it off the table’ →

Missouri General News

Missouri News: Eight Indicted for $2.1 Million Meth Conspiracy

KANSAS CITY, MO – Eight defendants were indicted by a federal grand jury today for their roles in a $2.1 million conspiracy to distribute nearly 100 kilograms of methamphetamine. Juan Guzman, also known as “Flaco,” 37, Luis Carlos Ramos Caraveo, 23, and Maria De La Cruz Nava, 22, all citizens of Mexico residing in the … Continue reading Missouri News: Eight Indicted for $2.1 Million Meth Conspiracy →

General

Maryland News: Chevy Chase Man, Jonathan Mark Oldale Who Secretly Videotaped Children In His Home Pleads Guilty To Federal Charges Of Production And Possession Of Child Pornography

Investigation Began When Camera Discovered in Bathroom of Gymnastics Facility; Produced Images of Dozens of Children Using Hidden Cameras in the Bathrooms of His Home Greenbelt, Maryland – Jonathan Mark Oldale, age 55, of Chevy Chase, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to federal charges of production and possession of child pornography, arising from Oldale secretly filming … Continue reading Maryland News: Chevy Chase Man, Jonathan Mark Oldale Who Secretly Videotaped Children In His Home Pleads Guilty To Federal Charges Of Production And Possession Of Child Pornography →

General

SEC News: SEC Charges Businessman, Lawyer, Robert A. Ferrante, Marilyn R. Thomassen, in Fraudulent Eb-5 Scheme

Securities and Exchange Commission v. Robert A. Ferrante and Marilyn R. Thomassen, et a, , No 18-cv-01758-DOC (C.D. Cal. filed Sept. 27, 2018) WASHINGTON – The Securities and Exchange Commission charged a businessman and a California-based attorney with defrauding investors seeking to participate in the EB-5 immigrant investor program, stealing their money to fund personal … Continue reading SEC News: SEC Charges Businessman, Lawyer, Robert A. Ferrante, Marilyn R. Thomassen, in Fraudulent Eb-5 Scheme →

General

NEW YORK | Pipe bombs suspect appears at Election Day court hearing

NEW YORK  — The man accused of sending pipe bombs to prominent critics of President Donald Trump was ordered held without bail after his first court appearance in New York on Tuesday. Cesar Sayoc, who was transferred from federal custody in Florida, hugged his lawyer after a hearing in which Assistant U.S. Attorney Jane Kim … Continue reading NEW YORK | Pipe bombs suspect appears at Election Day court hearing →

General

WASHINGTON News: District Man, Bijon Brown Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges for Escaping From Halfway House and Possession of a Handgun

Defendant Had Been Serving Time After Series of Earlier Crimes WASHINGTON – Bijon Brown, 23, of Washington, D.C., pled guilty today to federal charges stemming from his escape from a halfway house and his subsequent arrest in possession of a loaded semi-automatic pistol, announced U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu. Brown pled guilty in the U.S. … Continue reading WASHINGTON News: District Man, Bijon Brown Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges for Escaping From Halfway House and Possession of a Handgun →

General

MIAMI | Pipe bomb suspect in court for bail, removal hearing

MIAMI — The Florida man accused of sending pipe bombs to prominent Democrats and critics of President Donald Trump is due in court for a bail hearing. Federal prosecutors contend that 56-year-old Cesar Sayoc should remain jailed until trial, given the magnitude of the charges and the strong evidence against him. Sayoc is accused of … Continue reading MIAMI | Pipe bomb suspect in court for bail, removal hearing →

General

Connecticut News: Two Men Plead Guilty to Federal Charges Stemming from the Illegal Manufacture of Machine Guns

Connecticut – John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that two men have pleaded guilty in Hartford federal court to charges related to the illegal manufacturing and possession of machine guns. According to court documents and statements made in court, between July 2017 and April 2018, SEAN DEY, 39, … Continue reading Connecticut News: Two Men Plead Guilty to Federal Charges Stemming from the Illegal Manufacture of Machine Guns →

General

MIAMI | Bomb suspect set for Florida court appearance

MIAMI  — The Florida man accused of sending packages containing explosive material to prominent Democrats and other opponents of President Donald Trump is due to make his first court appearance. An initial hearing is set Monday afternoon in Florida federal court for 56-year-old Cesar Sayoc, who faces five federal charges. Sayoc was arrested Friday in … Continue reading MIAMI | Bomb suspect set for Florida court appearance →

General

PITTSBURGH | The Latest: Synagogue victim ‘trusted confidant and healer’

PITTSBURGH — The Latest on a deadly shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue (all times local): 11:40 a.m. Condolences and remembrances of the 11 victims of the deadly attack on a Pittsburgh synagogue Saturday are beginning to roll out on social media and in emails. They were professors and accountants, dentists and beloved doctors. Former Allegheny … Continue reading PITTSBURGH | The Latest: Synagogue victim ‘trusted confidant and healer’ →

Politics

WASHINGTON | The Latest: Florida man accused of sending mail bombs

WASHINGTON — The Latest on pipe bombs sent to prominent critics of President Donald Trump (all times local): 10 p.m. Federal authorities have captured a Florida man with a criminal history and a fervor for President Donald Trump and accused him of sending at least 13 mail bombs to prominent Democrats. Justice Department officials have … Continue reading WASHINGTON | The Latest: Florida man accused of sending mail bombs →

General

WASHINGTON News: Maryland Man, Anthony Brooks Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison On Federal Charges Involving Sexual Abuse of 14-Year-Old Girl

Defendant Had Tutored the Girl in an Afterschool Program WASHINGTON – Anthony Brooks, 29, of Indian Head, Md., was sentenced today to 10 years in prison on federal charges of transporting a minor across state lines with intent to sexually abuse her. The minor was a 14-year-old girl whom Brooks tutored as part of an … Continue reading WASHINGTON News: Maryland Man, Anthony Brooks Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison On Federal Charges Involving Sexual Abuse of 14-Year-Old Girl →

General

Tennessee News: Serial Bank Robber, Timothy Weakley Facing Federal Charges

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – October 25, 2018 – Timothy Weakley, 52, of Nashville, Tennessee, was charged yesterday in a criminal complaint with three counts of bank robbery, following the morning robbery of the Rivergate Branch of Regions Bank in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, announced U.S. Attorney Don Cochran of the Middle District of Tennessee. According to the complaint, … Continue reading Tennessee News: Serial Bank Robber, Timothy Weakley Facing Federal Charges →

General

WASHINGTON News: Two Maryland Women Arrested on Federal Charges Alleging They Defrauded D.C Medicaid Program

Defendants Worked as Personal Care Aides WASHINGTON – Two Maryland women who were employed as personal care aides were arrested today on separate federal charges. Both are charged with engaging in a scheme in which they allegedly submitted a combined $1.7 million in false claims to the District of Columbia’s Medicaid program. The announcement was … Continue reading WASHINGTON News: Two Maryland Women Arrested on Federal Charges Alleging They Defrauded D.C Medicaid Program →

General

New Mexico News: Texas Man, Justin Riley Brafford Facing Federal Charges Arising Out of In-Flight Incident Resulting in Emergency Landing in New Mexico

Defendant Charged with Intimidating and Interfering with Flight Crew and Simple Assault of Fellow Passenger ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Justin Riley Brafford, 29, of Denton, Texas, made his initial appearance this morning in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., on a criminal complaint charging him with interfering with and intimidating members of a flight crew and flight … Continue reading New Mexico News: Texas Man, Justin Riley Brafford Facing Federal Charges Arising Out of In-Flight Incident Resulting in Emergency Landing in New Mexico →

General

Louisiana News: NEW ORLEANS, Two Local Women Plead Guilty To Federal Charges

NEW ORLEANS, La – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that BRITTANY THEOPHILE, age 30, and RACHELLE KELSON, age 25, both of the greater New Orleans area, pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown, to charges relating to their use of a telephone to commit, cause or facilitate the commission of … Continue reading Louisiana News: NEW ORLEANS, Two Local Women Plead Guilty To Federal Charges →

Entertainment

NASHVILLE, Tenn. | Texas man allegedly sent threatening letters to Taylor Swift

NASHVILLE, Tenn.  — A 26-year-old Austin, Texas, man has been arrested on federal charges for allegedly sending threatening letters to pop star Taylor Swift and showing up at her record label in Nashville, Tennessee. Federal prosecutors in Nashville said in a press release Thursday that Eric Swarbrick has been charged with interstate stalking and sending … Continue reading NASHVILLE, Tenn. | Texas man allegedly sent threatening letters to Taylor Swift →

Missouri General News

Missouri News: Kansas City Man, Robert J. Gross, Faces More Stalking Charges

Originally Indicted for Stalking, Illegal Firearms KANSAS CITY, MO – Additional charges were filed today against a Kansas City, Missouri man for stalking two more victims. Robert J. Gross, 66, of Kansas City, was charged in a 10-count superseding indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo.  Today’s superseding indictment replaces an … Continue reading Missouri News: Kansas City Man, Robert J. Gross, Faces More Stalking Charges →

General

Tennessee News: Two Nashville Men Facing Federal Charges for Rite Aid Robbery

Security Guard Shot During Inside-Job Robbery NASHVILLE, Tenn. – August 22, 2018 – A criminal complaint was unsealed yesterday charging two Nashville, Tennessee men with federal crimes relating to the armed robbery of the Rite Aid on West End Avenue in October 2017, announced U.S. Attorney Don Cochran for the Middle District of Tennessee. Carlos … Continue reading Tennessee News: Two Nashville Men Facing Federal Charges for Rite Aid Robbery →

General

SAN DIEGO | US Rep Duncan Hunter, wife indicted on corruption charges

SAN DIEGO — U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter and his wife were indicted Tuesday on federal charges that they used more than $250,000 in campaign funds for personal expenses that ranged from groceries to golf trips and lied about it in federal filings, prosecutors said. Hunter, a Republican, and his wife Margaret Hunter were named in … Continue reading SAN DIEGO | US Rep Duncan Hunter, wife indicted on corruption charges →

General

Tennessee News: Four Individuals Including Two Illegal Aliens Facing Federal Charges in Deadly Fentanyl & Heroin Distribution Conspiracy

Three Suspected Overdose Deaths in Maury County on the Same Day Tennessee – Four individuals, including two who are illegally in the United States, are facing federal drug distribution charges following drug overdoses last March in Columbia, Tennessee, announced Don Cochran, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee. A federal grand jury sitting in … Continue reading Tennessee News: Four Individuals Including Two Illegal Aliens Facing Federal Charges in Deadly Fentanyl & Heroin Distribution Conspiracy →

General

Missouri News: Federal Indictment Details Years of Drug Trafficking, Homicide, Deadly Drug Overdoses at Clinton-Peabody Housing Complex

ST LOUIS, MO – A Federal Indictment unsealed yesterday alleges a conspiracy to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance that is deadly in doses of only a few milligrams, centered in the Clinton-Peabody public housing complex on the near south side of the City of St. Louis.  Many of … Continue reading Missouri News: Federal Indictment Details Years of Drug Trafficking, Homicide, Deadly Drug Overdoses at Clinton-Peabody Housing Complex →

General

WASHINGTON News: Two Men Plead Guilty to Federal Charges in Attack on ATM Employee

Victim Was Pistol-Whipped and Robbed in Broad Daylight WASHINGTON – Richard Reid, 43, of Washington, D.C. and Dwonne Washington, 43, of Silver Spring, Md., have pled guilty to federal charges for robbing and beating a man who was servicing ATM machines last fall in Northwest Washington, announced U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu, Matthew J. DeSarno, … Continue reading WASHINGTON News: Two Men Plead Guilty to Federal Charges in Attack on ATM Employee →

General

New Mexico News: Previously Convicted Sex Offender, James Highfield from Albuquerque Arraigned on Federal Child Pornography Charges

If Convicted, James Highfield Faces Enhanced Penalty of Statutory Mandatory Minimum of 35 Years to Life Imprisonment Due to Prior Sex Offense Convictions; Prosecution Brought Under Project Safe Childhood ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – James Highfield, 63, of Albuquerque, N.M., was arraigned this morning in federal court on an indictment charging him with child pornography offenses and … Continue reading New Mexico News: Previously Convicted Sex Offender, James Highfield from Albuquerque Arraigned on Federal Child Pornography Charges →

General

Texas News: San Antonio, Crips East Terrance Gangstas Ringleader, ringleader Alvin Clark and Two Others Face Additional Federal Charges

Antonio,Texas – In San Antonio 40-year-old Crips East Terrance Gangstas ringleader Alvin Clark (aka “Ray Ray”) and two other gang members face additional federal charges stemming from their arrests last November on a federal “crack” cocaine distribution conspiracy charge, announced United States Attorney John F. Bash, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs … Continue reading Texas News: San Antonio, Crips East Terrance Gangstas Ringleader, ringleader Alvin Clark and Two Others Face Additional Federal Charges →

General

South Carolina News: Columbia, White Supremacist, Benjamin Thomas Samuel McDowell Sentenced for Federal Gun Charges

Columbia, South Carolina – United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon stated today that Benjamin Thomas Samuel McDowell, age 31, of Conway, South Carolina, was sentenced in federal court in Florence for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g). United States District Judge … Continue reading South Carolina News: Columbia, White Supremacist, Benjamin Thomas Samuel McDowell Sentenced for Federal Gun Charges →

General

Missouri News: Ohio Man, Camario A. Richardson, Pleads Guilty to Cheating NFL Players in $25,000 Charity Fraud Scheme

KANSAS CITY, MO – An Ohio man who defrauded multiple NFL players – including a player for the Kansas City Chiefs – out of nearly $25,000 earmarked for charitable causes, pleaded guilty in federal court today. Camario A. Richardson, 39, of Maple Heights, Ohio, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to one … Continue reading Missouri News: Ohio Man, Camario A. Richardson, Pleads Guilty to Cheating NFL Players in $25,000 Charity Fraud Scheme →