Return of FBI Top Ten Fugitive Michael Jason Registe to Columbus, Georgia

Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Gregory Jones, FBI Atlanta, and Chief Ricky Boren, Columbus, Georgia Police Department, announce the return of FBI Top Ten Fugitive Michael Jason Registe to Columbus, Georgia.

Michael Jason Registe, wanted for the July, 2007 double murders of Columbus State University students Bryan Kilgore and Randy Newton Jr. at Columbus, Georgia, was arrested by St. Maarten police officials in conjunction with the Antilles Director of Public Prosecution and through coordination with the FBI’s Legal Attaché, Bridgetown, Barbados.

Registe, accompanied by FBI agents as well as a Columbus, Georgia police officer, landed at Columbus, Georgia via government jet and, upon landing on U.S. soil, was turned over to local authorities for processing. Registe has been indicted by a grand jury and will now await arraignment on those state charges.

The public is reminded that all persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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Mayor and Council President Statement on Former Boxing Champion Vernon Forrest

"Our deepest sympathy and prayers go out to Vernon Forrest's family in light of his untimely death this weekend. This intolerable criminal behavior is yet another tragic reminder to all of us at City Hall that we must work together to find the resources to support APD and community as it works to restore law and order to our streets. Making Atlanta safe must be our top priority."

Shirley Franklin, Mayor
Lisa Borders, City Council President

Phil Hunnicutt, chairman of the Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission, issued the following statement regarding the death of Vernon Forrest:

“Vernon Forrest was determined, dedicated and an excellent role model both in and out of the boxing ring. The public knew him for his accomplishments as an Olympic boxer and holder of professional titles in two weight divisions. He also personally touched many lives through his commitment to various charities for underprivileged and handicapped children.

“These children, their families, the boxing community and Vernon’s fans will greatly miss him. However, we will not forget him.”

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Ex-boxing champ, Vernon Forrest, 38, was a 1992 Olympian with a 41-3 pro record. According to autopsy reports released yesterday, Forrest was shot during an apparent robbery in southwest Atlanta.

Per Chief Medical Examiner Michele Stauffenberg, death was caused by "multiple gunshot wounds involving the torso and thigh."

According to police reports, Forrest was robbed at gunpoint at a gas station where he stopped to put air in the tires of his Jaguar. He then grabbed his gun and chased the suspects.

Atlanta Police Detective Lt. Keith Meadows told the Atlanta Journal Constitution that "Vernon walked up to the guy" he was chasing, "then, at some point, (Forrest) turned and walked away."

Forrest was shot seven or eight times in the back, Meadows stated.
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FEMA Administrator Meets With Governor Perdue and Other Governors To Discuss Emergency Preparedness

This week, the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate met with several of our nation's governors to discuss emergency preparedness and ensure that as many resources and plans as possible are in place prior to any potential emergency.

"FEMA is committed to protecting and assisting our states and citizens during disasters," said Administrator Fugate. "By working together and strengthening relationships at the state level, we can continue to build the national emergency response team which includes FEMA, as well as state, local, tribal and federal partners, the private sector and faith-based organizations. The work we are putting in now to build this team will go a long way during the next disaster."

This past Sunday Fugate addressed governors from across the country at the National Governors Association conference in Biloxi, MS, where he discussed how FEMA can best support the states and their citizens as we prepare for and respond to emergencies and disasters. While in Biloxi, Fugate met privately with Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue as well as Iowa Governor Chet Culver. After returning to Washington, Fugate met Monday with Governor John deJongh Jr. of the U.S. Virgin Islands and Tuesday with North Dakota Governor John Hoeven.

The NGA meeting, as well as the individual meetings with governors, built on efforts already underway to strengthen the national emergency response team. FEMA's primary responsibility as a member of this team is to support governors and ensure that all members of the team work together to better prepare for and respond to all types of emergencies. As part of the meetings, Administrator Fugate stressed the key role the public plays in these preparedness efforts. The more Americans do now to prepare their families, including developing a family emergency plan, the more effective our response team will be.

Prior to this week's meetings, Administrator Fugate had already met with a number of governors from across the country, including participating in a video teleconference with governors and officials from over a dozen hurricane prone states on his first day as Administrator.

FEMA leads and supports the nation in a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation, to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the nation from all hazards including natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters.

Armed Bank Robbery in Darien, Georgia

Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Gregory Jones, FBI Atlanta, in conjunction with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), the McIntosh County Sheriff’s Office, and the Darien, Georgia Police Department, provides the following information regarding yesterday’s armed bank robbery at the Heritage Bank, 1142 Highway 17 North, Darien, Georgia.

On Monday, July 20, 2009, at approximately 12:24 p.m., three black males entered the Heritage Bank, 1142 Highway 17 North, Darien, Georgia, brandishing a .30 cal. carbine rifle, a handgun, and possibly a shotgun. The robbers forced those in the bank to get down on the floor. Two of the robbers then jumped over the teller counter and accessed the teller stations, obtaining an undisclosed amount of money. The robbers then fled in a burgundy in color Kia van.

As the robbers attempted to depart the bank, a witness called in to 911 dispatch. The subsequent 911 dispatch call alerted a Darien Police Department officer who happened to be across the street from the bank at that time. Pursuit of the robbers began immediately, resulting in a multi agency high speed pursuit along northbound Highway 17. The chase ended in the Eulonia area with the robbers bailing out into the woods after having hit a tree. Two of the suspects were arrested at the scene by responding McIntosh County Sheriff’s Deputies. The third suspect remains at large.

Arrested were Alfredo Germain Mason, 20 years old, from Opa Locka, Florida, and Aaron Jermaine Jackson, age 19, from West Palm Beach, Florida.

The third individual, who remains at large, is Michael David Palmer, age 50, recently a resident of the Miami, Florida area but originally from the Darien, Georgia area. Palmer is considered armed and dangerous.

State charges of armed robbery have been filed on all three individuals. Federal charges are anticipated.

Anyone with information which may assist law enforcement should contact the McIntosh County Sheriff’s Office at (912) 437-6622 or the FBI at (404) 679-9000.

The public should be reminded that the above are merely allegations and that persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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Head of Atlanta-Based Foreign Exchange Brokerage Firm Sentenced to Prison for Defrauding Investors

CARLIN KING, 43, of Decatur, Georgia, was sentenced July 17 by United States District Judge Marvin Shoob to serve 3 years in federal prison on a charge of wire fraud, in connection with his operation of the foreign exchange investment house “Hanover Stevens” based in Atlanta.

United States Attorney David E. Nahmias said of the case, “This case involves yet another scheme by an investment professional who earned the trust of many individuals and then defrauded them out of their savings. Whether there are $2 million or $200 million in losses, these are devastating crimes to the victims. This fraudster now will join many others in federal prison.”

KING was sentenced to 3 years in prison to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $2.5 million. KING pleaded guilty to the charge on February 23, 2009.

According to United States Attorney Nahmias and the information presented in court: KING was a professional securities broker, who traded equity stocks and commodities for clients at various financial firms, mostly in Atlanta, since the 1990s. In approximately 2002, KING founded and began operating “Hanover Stevens,” a retail foreign exchange brokerage firm. Beginning in approximately February 2006, however, KING stopped actually investing client money in foreign exchange transactions. The evidence shows he began lying to clients about the returns their investments were supposedly making, and he began operating a fraudulent “Ponzi” scheme. Instead of investing client money in the foreign currency markets as he promised, KING began using those funds to pay Hanover Stevens’s increasing operating expenses, investors who had requested distributions, and substantial personal expenses (including living expenses at luxury hotels). To create the impression that their investments were profitable, KING provided account statements to his investors containing fabricated numbers as to the balances in their accounts and supposed investment gains. Because there were no actual investment gains – and because the balances being reported to investors were fabricated – the only way that KING could pay any requested distributions was to use newly-invested funds from new investors.

By December 2007 – when the unsustainable scheme collapsed – the losses to the investors exceeded $2.5 million.

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Former Assistant Treasurer Sentenced to Federal Prison for Embezzling $139,000 from Charitable Organization

PAMELA D. JONES, 36, of Tucker, Georgia, was sentenced July 15 by United States District Judge Orinda D. Evans to serve 18 months in federal prison on charges that she embezzled more than $139,000 from ServeHAITI, a charitable organization that receives federal funds.

United States Attorney David E. Nahmias said, “This defendant was the Assistant Treasurer for ServeHAITI, a charitable organization that provides medical, financial, and other assistance to impoverished areas in Haiti. Abusing her position, she embezzled more than $139,000 and used the money for her own selfish purposes, depriving the needy people who were intended to benefit. Stealing from a charity is disgraceful criminal conduct that should lead to time in prison.”

JONES was sentenced to 18 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. She has repaid $10,000 of the embezzled amount and was ordered to pay the remaining $129,454.79 in restitution to ServeHAITI. JONES pleaded guilty to the charges on May 5, 2009.

According to United States Attorney Nahmias and the information presented in court: While working as a records management assistant at an Atlanta law firm, JONES was assigned to work part time as Assistant Treasurer of ServeHAITI, Inc., a non-profit organization that receives federal funding and provides assistance to certain parts of Haiti. ServeHAITI’s initial projects included sponsoring a program for water purification and construction of a medical clinic. In 2006, ServeHAITI was the recipient of a three-year award of $1.17 million funded by USAID under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, to provide HIV-related education and prevention services in Haiti. ServeHAITI also receives private contributions.

While acting as Assistant Treasurer, from June 2007 through December 2008, JONES diverted a total of $139,454.79 from ServeHAITI’s bank accounts to her own personal accounts. She initially wrote checks to herself or “cash” and then, in July 2008, began using wire transfers to divert the money. During the course of her embezzlement scheme, JONES changed the on-line password to ServeHAITI’s bank accounts, advised the bank that only her authorization was necessary to effect wire transfers, and instructed the bank to stop mailing wire confirmations to the Treasurer of ServeHAITI. Once she had exclusive authority to effect wire transfers, she was able to transfer money on-line from ServeHAITI accounts to her own on dozens of occasions while concealing her actions from the Treasurer and without making any verbal request of the bank. JONES used the embezzled money to purchase a car, clothes, and other personal items for herself, and to take a trip to Las Vegas.

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Newnan Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Embezzling More Than $1.2 Million from Wachovia Bank

Judy Yvette Rosser, 41, of Newnan, Georgia, was sentenced July 16 by United States District Judge Charles A. Pannell, Jr. to serve over three years in federal prison on a charge of embezzling more than $1.2 million from Wachovia Bank.

United States Attorney David E. Nahmias said of the case, "This defendant, who was a trusted and long-time employee of Wachovia Bank with access to the bank's general ledger system, violated the trust that the bank had placed in her by embezzling more than $1.2 million of the bank's money over the past eight years. She will now face the consequences of her abuse of trust in federal prison. "

ROSSER was sentenced to three years, five months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $1,296,353 in restitution. On April 13, 2009, ROSSER pled guilty to a Criminal Information, which charged her with embezzlement by a bank employee.

According to United States Attorney Nahmias and the information presented in court: ROSSER was employed by Wachovia Bank for the past 22 years and worked at the bank's Atlanta Operations Center in Hapeville, Georgia, where her responsibilities included processing exception transactions, including suspense and expense items, within the bank's general ledger system. From August 2000 through January 2009, ROSSER electronically transferred a total of approximately $1.2 million of the bank's money into her personal checking account by creating and processing a complex series of fictitious debits and credits, which went undetected for over eight years.

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Georgia Temp Company and Its Owner/President Agree to Plead Guilty to Making a False Statement to the U.S. Small Business Administration

/PRNewswire/ -- A Georgia temporary staffing company and its owner/president have agreed to plead guilty to making a false statement to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the Department of Justice announced today.

Patriot Services Inc. and its owner/president, Stephanie Blackmon, have each agreed to plead guilty to a one-count charge of making a false statement to the SBA, which was filed today in U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Kan. Patriot supplies temporary staffing services to various agencies and departments of the U.S. government at various locations throughout the United States. Under the separate plea agreements, which are subject to court approval, Patriot and Blackmon have agreed to cooperate with the Department's ongoing investigation.

Blackmon admitted to providing false information to the SBA so that Patriot could qualify for certification under Section 8(a) of the Small Business Act, a designation given to businesses owned and operated by socially and economically disadvantaged persons. Specifically, Blackmon concealed the involvement of her former employer, who was not a socially and economically disadvantaged person, in the management and operations of Patriot because revealing his involvement would have compromised Patriot's chances of receiving 8(a) certification. By securing 8(a) certification, Patriot qualified for government contracts specifically set aside for 8(a) companies.

According to court documents, Blackmon purchased and became the president of Patriot in November 2003. Although Blackmon was the actual owner/president of Patriot, she was primarily a figurehead whose status as an African-American was used to obtain 8(a) certification for Patriot, thereby enabling Patriot, and her former employer, to obtain government 8(a) set-aside contracts. In fact, Patriot was actually controlled and operated by her former employer and others, who operated another temporary staffing company that was not eligible for the 8(a) program. Blackmon's status as a service-disabled veteran also was used by Patriot to try to secure government contracts.

Although Blackmon knew that her former employer and others were actually running Patriot, she concealed their involvement so that the company could secure 8(a) certification. SBA regulations prohibit a former employer of any disadvantaged owner of an 8(a) applicant company from being involved in the management of the applicant company unless the SBA determines that the former employer does not have actual control of the applicant company or the potential to control the applicant company. Based in part on Blackmon's misrepresentations, the SBA granted Patriot 8(a) status in November 2006. Shortly thereafter, Patriot entered into three 8(a) contracts to provide temporary staffing services to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Consolidated Mail Outpatient Pharmacy (CMOP) in Leavenworth, Kan., one of seven such VA pharmacies throughout the nation that process and distribute medical prescriptions to veterans. Those contracts were valued at approximately $5.4 million.

Blackmon faces a maximum sentence of two years in prison and a fine of $5,000 for the false statement charge and Patriot faces a maximum fine of $5,000.

Today's charges stem from an ongoing investigation into fraudulent conduct involving contract operations at CMOPs in Hines, Ill., and Leavenworth, Kan. On July 24, 2008, Joel M. Gostomelsky, the director of the Hines CMOP, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and to accepting illegal gratuities in connection with awarding temporary staffing and supply contracts. On May 5, 2009, the associate director of the Hines CMOP, William J. Brandt, his wife, Esperana A. Brandt, and her company, Pronto Staffing Inc. each pleaded guilty to being part of a conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud the VA and the SBA. William Brandt also pleaded guilty to wire fraud.

Today's charges reflect the Department's commitment to protecting U.S. taxpayers from procurement fraud through its creation of the National Procurement Fraud Task Force. The National Procurement Fraud Initiative, announced in October 2006, is designed to promote the early detection, prosecution and prevention of procurement fraud associated with the increase in contracting activity for national security and other government programs.

The ongoing investigation into fraudulent conduct involving the VA's CMOPs is conducted jointly by the Department of Justice Antitrust Division's Chicago Field Office and the VA's Office of Inspector General, with assistance from the SBA's Office of Inspector General; the Department of Defense, Criminal Investigative Service; and the U.S. Secret Service.

Anyone with information concerning bid rigging, fraud, kickbacks, bribery or other crimes relating to violations of federal procurement laws meant to foster competition concerning any of the VA CMOPs should contact the Chicago Field Office of the Antitrust Division at 312-353-7530 or the VA's Office of Inspector General at 1-800-488-8244. Anyone with information about fraud in any SBA program should contact the SBA's Office of Inspector General at 1-800- 767-0385 or www.sba.gov/ig/.

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FEMA Teams Up With Minor League Baseball And Boy Scouts To Help Families Prepare For Emergencies

On the heels of the 2009 All-Star Games, the Federal Emergency Management Agency is joining with Minor League Baseball and the Boy Scouts of America to kick off the second half of their campaign to ensure fans and their families are Ready when emergencies strike. In partnership with FEMA's Ready Campaign, Dozens of baseball teams and local Boy Scout councils across the nation are stepping up to the plate and encouraging fans to prepare for all types of emergencies and disasters. The Ready Campaign is a national public awareness effort designed to help all Americans prepare their families before the next emergency or disaster, by making a kit and getting a plan.

"As we enter hurricane season, the partnership with Minor League Baseball will help educate thousands of baseball fans about the need to prepare our families now, before disaster strikes," said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. "Preparing your family now, will have an impact on the outcome of the next disaster. That's why through FEMA's Ready Campaign we are encouraging all Americans to get an emergency supply kit, make a family emergency plan and be informed about the different types of emergencies that can occur in their areas We appreciate the continued support of Minor League Baseball, the Boy Scouts and all of the organizations helping us to spread this critical message to American families."

"Minor League Baseball is proud to team up with the Boys Scouts of America in advancing the Ready Campaign," said Minor League Baseball President Pat O'Conner. "Through the years we have seen Minor League Baseball communities seriously impacted by hurricanes and other natural disasters. We are convinced the Ready Campaign is a valuable resource to citizens in harms way and our teams enthusiastically support spreading this important message."

Throughout the 2009 season, Minor League Baseball teams are participating in a variety of ways, including featuring the Ready public service advertisements on their monitors and in game programs as well as partnering with local Boy Scouts, Emergency Management Agencies, and Citizen Corps Councils to distribute Ready's emergency preparedness materials. These brochures and educational materials provide valuable information to help individuals and families prepare for emergencies and are also available at www.ready.gov.

Local Boy Scouts taking part in this effort can work toward earning their Emergency Preparedness merit badge and a Good Turn for America Award, which fosters joint community service projects between the Boy Scouts and organizations like the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

"Personal preparedness is a fundamental principle we teach all of our scouts, so it makes great sense that our scouts would help share that message with others through our partnership with the Ready Campaign," said Bob Mazzuca, Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America.
To learn more about how your local team can get involved and to find out what teams are doing, please visit www.ready.gov.
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Operator of Employment Agency Sentenced to Federal Prison for Harboring Illegal Aliens

LAING YANG, 37, of Duluth, Georgia was sentenced today by United States District Judge Timothy C. Batten to serve 5 years in federal prison on charges of conspiring to harbor illegal aliens.

United States Attorney David E. Nahmias said, “Operating out of a strip mall in Chamblee, five employment agency owners have now been convicted for finding jobs for illegal immigrants in Chinese restaurants up and down the eastern United States. This defendant knew the workers would not be asked for work authorization and would be willing to pay referral fees to him. He profited for a time from his exploitation of the immigration laws and the illegal workers, but his prison sentence should remind those who employ or find jobs for illegal aliens -- alien harboring can be a costly crime.”

“All too often, illegal alien workers are exploited in some fashion by the businesses that hire them, and that is unacceptable,” said Kenneth A. Smith, Special Agent in Charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in Atlanta. “We will continue using our investigative tools to pursue those who take advantage of illegal labor for personal profit.”

YANG was sentenced to five years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. YANG was convicted of these charges on April 23, 2009, after a trial.

According to United States Attorney Nahmias and other information presented in court: YANG had previously operated an employment agency in Atlanta from 2001 to 2003, which found jobs in Chinese restaurants, predominantly for illegal Hispanic workers. YANG returned to the employment agencies and his illegal activity in November 2007. YANG was fluent in Spanish and two Chinese dialects and he served as the broker between the illegal workers and Chinese restaurants looking for cheap labor. YANG was able to place these illegal workers in jobs in Chinese restaurants and also provide the illegal workers’ transportation to the restaurants without any initial payment by the workers. The transportation fee and YANG’s commission would be paid up-front by the restaurant owner, who would then deduct that cost from the wages paid to the worker.

The investigation included surveillance and undercover agents posing as undocumented workers seeking jobs from YANG at “Dong Sheng Employment Agency,” located in the Chamblee area. Neither the undercover agent nor the other aliens present and seeking employment were ever asked for documentation that they were authorized to work in this country. The undercover agent captured on tape the defendant offering a job working 7 days a week, for 12 hours a day, for the salary of $1,000 per month. Two men who had driven the aliens to jobs in Ohio, Kentucky, Alabama, South Carolina and Georgia testified at trial against YANG and stated that they would drive the workers to the Chinese restaurant where they would be paid a referral fee that ranged from $800 to $1,000 per worker, and they would return that fee to YANG. Testimony at trial showed that YANG was placing up to 10 workers a week. The drivers were also paid based on the number of illegal aliens they transported. Today the Court found that YANG harbored over 100 illegal aliens in a 4 month period and YANG received the maximum sentence of five years in federal prison.

YANG was the only defendant in this network of employment agency owners and operators who went to trial. The remaining operators pleaded guilty to similar charges. Defendant Pik To Cheng, a/k/a “Shirley Wise,” and defendant Lin Chen received lesser sentences of 18 months and 15 months respectively, based in part on their cooperation in the investigation. Another defendant, Hong Mei Li, will be sentenced on July 17, 2009, before United States District Judge Julie Carnes.

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Former Georgia Attorney Pleads Guilty to Multi-Million Dollar Real Estate Ponzi Scheme

STEVEN H. BALLARD, 53, of McDonough, Georgia pleaded guilty today in federal district court to committing a real estate investment scam that lasted over five and a half years and defrauded over a dozen victims in Georgia, Florida and Tennessee.

United States Attorney David E. Nahmias said, “Real estate investors in three states relied on this defendant, who was the attorney in control of their escrowed funds, to use their money to purchase properties and make investments as he represented he would. Instead, he repaid prior investors and diverted funds for his personal benefit. For that criminal violation of trust, he will soon face a prison sentence.”

Clayton County District Attorney Tracy Lawson said of the plea, “I am gratified that the U.S. Attorney’s Office pulled together the many victims in this fraud case. In Clayton County alone, our victims lost over $200,000, but there were more victims spread out well beyond our county limits, and now the federal prosecution and this plea addresses the justice that these victims deserve.”

According to United States Attorney Nahmias and the information presented in court: BALLARD, a former real estate and business law attorney based in McDonough, operated a fraudulent real estate investment scam, commonly known as a “Ponzi” scheme. From September 2002 through May 2006, he collected over $2 million dollars. In Georgia alone, he solicited funds from investors in Duluth, Dunwoody, Fayetteville, Jackson, Jonesboro, Newnan, Palmetto, Peachtree City, and Whitesburg. BALLARD also solicited funds from victims in Florida and Tennessee. He told the victims that he was making “lucrative” real estate and other investments which were not actually transacted. He often used bogus HUD-1 Settlement Statements, Warranty Deeds and Sales Contracts to reflect non-existent property purchases, while using a portion of the scheme proceeds to repay former victim investors. The repayments included their principal plus substantial “returns” often exceeding 50% of the initial investment, but those repayments were all funded with money from new victim investors. BALLARD’s law license was suspended by the State Bar of Georgia in September 2005, and he was disbarred in May 2006.

BALLARD was charged in a Criminal Information in June 2009 with one count of wire fraud, which encompasses the entirety of his five and a half year scheme. He pleaded guilty to that charge today. He could receive a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, plus full restitution to all victims who have not been repaid to date. Sentencing is scheduled for September 29, 2009, at 10 a.m., before United States District Judge Thomas W. Thrash, Jr. In determining the actual sentence, the Court will consider the United States Sentencing Guidelines, which are not binding but provide appropriate sentencing ranges for most offenders. There is no parole in the federal system.

This case is being investigated by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Clayton County District Attorney’s Office, assisted by the Henry County Police Department and the Peachtree City Police Department.

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Captors Sentenced to Decades in Prison for Kidnapping and Abusing Drug Dealer Over Drug Debt

VICTOR ABILES GOMEZ, 20, OMAR MENDOZA-VILLEGAS, 19, and GERARDO SOLORIO REYES, a/k/a “Gera,” 23, all illegal immigrants from Mexico, have been sentenced to federal prison on hostage-taking and related charges, arising from the week-long kidnapping and abuse of a drug dealer.

United States Attorney David E. Nahmias said of the case, “This case demonstrates the danger inherent in the illegal business of drug-dealing. All of these drug dealers—captors and victim—have now been sentenced to federal prison. Fortunately this violent episode did not spill over to innocent members of our community.”

DEA Atlanta Field Division Special Agent in Charge Rodney G. Benson said, “Drug trafficking and violence go hand-in-hand. Traffickers will take extreme measures in order to protect their drugs and money. The capture and eventual prosecution of these individuals was possible because of the concerted efforts of our federal, state and local law enforcement counterparts. These defendants will now spend well deserved time in prison.”

Both GOMEZ and MENDOZA-VILLEGAS were sentenced to 24 years, six months in federal prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. REYES was sentenced to 26 years, seven months in federal prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. The defendants pleaded guilty to the charges on March 21, 2009.

According to United States Attorney Nahmias and the information presented in court: On the afternoon of July 11, 2008, acting on information about a possible hostage taking, federal and local authorities established surveillance of a house located at 755 East Fork Shady Drive, Lilburn, Georgia. Three individuals inside the house apparently saw the police presence and began to flee. DEA Strike Force and FBI SWAT agents, working in conjunction with Gwinnett County authorities, quickly and successfully rescued the victim, later identified as Oscar Reynoso, 31, who is originally from the Dominican Republic but more recently from Rhode Island. At the time agents rescued Reynoso, he appeared to be severely dehydrated and badly beaten. Agents found him bound and gagged, chained to a mattress in the unfinished basement of the home, which is described as a middle-class neighborhood residence in Gwinnett County. Also found in the basement were flex cuffs and firearms, including an assault rifle. When authorities found Reynoso inside the basement, he appeared to be hyperventilating. Agents immediately removed his gag and provided him with fluids and medical attention. VICTOR ABILES GOMEZ, OMAR MENDOZA-VILLEGAS, and GERARDO SOLORIO REYES, each took part in the capture and the beating of the victim, as well as playing roles in keeping him from escaping and threatening him verbally as well as with a weapon.

In speaking to Reynoso, as well as one of his captors, agents learned that Reynoso had been lured to Atlanta from Rhode Island, purportedly to complete a vehicle purchase transaction with an individual identified as “Tio.” Reynoso had met Tio at a nearby fast food restaurant, from where the two then rode to the 755 East Shady Fork Drive residence. Upon entering the garage, Reynoso was ambushed and assaulted by eight men carrying firearms. After being beaten, he was imprisoned in the basement where the agents ultimately found him. While holding Reynoso, his captors, including Tio, contacted Reynoso’s friends and relatives in Rhode Island in an effort to collect the drug debt of $300,000. Reynoso was constantly threatened and beaten during the ordeal. Tio is considered to be a fugitive.

Reynoso pleaded guilty to conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute at least five kilograms of cocaine and was sentenced to serve three years, 10 months in federal prison.

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Twenty Defendants Sentenced in Million-Dollar Stolen Car Conspiracy Ring

Edmund A. Booth, Jr., United States Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, announced June 30 that 20 defendants were sentenced over the last month on their convictions arising from their involvement in a stolen car conspiracy ring centered in Statesboro and Savannah, Georgia.

Booth stated that these defendants were indicted on December 13, 2007, by the federal grand jury for the Southern District of Georgia in a 56-count Indictment. The Indictment charged conspiracy to commit certain offenses against the United States, including trafficking in stolen motor vehicles, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2313; alteration of motor vehicle identification numbers (VINs), in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 511; trafficking in motor vehicles with altered VINs, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2321; possession of counterfeit state motor vehicle titles with the intent to defraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 513; and false statements to investigating federal law enforcement officers, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001.

Booth said that during the course of the charged criminal conduct, members of the conspiracy stole dozens of vehicles (worth over $1 million total), altered the vehicle identification number, or VIN, on those stolen vehicles, and sold the stolen vehicles, along with counterfeit motor vehicle titles, at a steep discount to their co-conspirators. The stolen vehicles were registered by the purchasers at local tag offices using the counterfeit title and altered VIN. Some purchasers then later faked the theft of their vehicles with the help of the conspiracy in order to claim an inflated insurance loss.

From April to June 2008, many of the defendants plead guilty to the offenses charged in the Indictment. One defendant, WESLEY BERNARD AIKENS, was convicted by a federal court jury at trial in June 2008.

According to Booth, the defendants were sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge William T. Moore, Jr. in U.S. District Court in three separate sessions held in May and June 2009 as set forth below:

* RONNIE LEE, JR., age 27, of Savannah, Georgia, convicted of possession of a counterfeit state security: 77 months' imprisonment; three years' supervised release; $175,978.74 restitution; and $100 special assessment.
* JAMES WESLEY EDENFIELD, age 38, of Statesboro, Georgia; convicted of false statements to investigating federal law enforcement officers: six months' imprisonment; three years' supervised release; $1,000 fine; and $100 special assessment.
* ADISHA JABARI BRYANT, age 31, of Savannah, Georgia, convicted of conspiracy: 46 months' imprisonment; three years' supervised release; $82,546.28 restitution; and $100 special assessment.
* WESLEY BERNARD AIKENS, age 33, of Union City, Georgia, convicted of conspiracy: 51 months' imprisonment; three years' supervised release; $16,364.50 restitution; and $100 special assessment.
* RANDALL LEE CHAMBERS, age 48, of Statesboro, Georgia, convicted of conspiracy: 18 months' imprisonment; three years' supervised release; $32,808.55 restitution; and $100 special assessment.
* JOHN ALLEN WILLIAMS, age 38, of Duluth, Georgia, convicted of conspiracy: 18 months' imprisonment; three years' supervised release; $32,808.55 restitution; and $100 special assessment.
* JOHN FITZGERALD JONES, age 45, of Statesboro, Georgia, convicted of possession of counterfeit state security: 27 months' imprisonment; three years' supervised release; $37,154.62 restitution; and $100 special assessment.
* ARCHIE DOUGLAS FINCH, age 60, of Portal, Georgia, convicted of conspiracy: five months' imprisonment; three years' supervised release; and $100 special assessment.
* ALAN MICHAEL TILLMAN, age 31, of Bluffton, South Carolina, convicted of conspiracy: 18 months' imprisonment; three years' supervised release; $31,851.12 restitution; and $100 special assessment.
* WOODARD HOOK LEWIS, JR., age 50, of Statesboro, Georgia, convicted of conspiracy: 21 months' imprisonment; three years' supervised release; $54,441.70 restitution; and $100 special assessment.
* TROY JASON EDENFIELD, age 41, of Statesboro, Georgia, convicted of trafficking in vehicles with altered VINs: 60 months' imprisonment; $300,684.29 restitution; three years' supervised release; and $100 special assessment.
* LEON SPENCER PATTERSON, age 41, of Snellville, Georgia, convicted of possession of counterfeit state security: 80 months' imprisonment; $425,770.99 restitution; three years' supervised release; and $100 special assessment.
* JIMMY LEE EVERETT, age 41, of Brooklet, Georgia, convicted of trafficking in vehicles with altered VIN: 108 months' imprisonment; $332,450.34 restitution; three years' supervised release; and $100 special assessment. Everett was also sentenced on the same date for bank fraud in connection with the embezzlement of over $200,000 from a local pavement marking business (see separate press release).
* JUSTIN WAYNE PRINCE, age 25, of Statesboro, Georgia, convicted of possession of counterfeit state security: five years' probation; $47,520.78 restitution; and $100 special assessment.
* DAISY VICTORIA SCOTT, age 32, of Sylvania, Georgia, convicted of conspiracy: 10 months' imprisonment; three years' supervised release; $20,222.00 restitution; and $100 special assessment.
* TARYN MARIE YORK, age 24, of Nokesville, Virginia, convicted of misprision of a felony: three years' probation; $1,000 fine; and $100 special assessment.
* BRIAN DANIEL HUNT, age 25, of Nokesville, Virginia, convicted of conspiracy: 18 months' imprisonment; three years' supervised release; $81,083.55 restitution; and $100 special assessment.
* WILLIE BATTISE, JR., age 46, of Pooler, Georgia, convicted of possession of counterfeit state security: three years' probation; $7,000 restitution, and $100 special assessment.
* JEFFREY LEE GAINES, age 45, of Pampas, Texas, convicted of conspiracy: five years' probation, $11,629.12 restitution, and $100 special assessment.
* CHARLIE SIMMONS, age 50, of Pooler, Georgia, convicted of possession of counterfeit state security: three years' probation; $15,655.54 restitution; and $100 special assessment.

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Defendant Sentenced on Bank Fraud Conviction

Edmund A. Booth, Jr., United States Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, announced today that JIMMY LEE EVERETT, age 41, of Brooklet, Georgia was recently sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge William T. Moore, Jr. for his conviction on bank fraud which involved the embezzlement of more than $200,000 from Thompson Paving Marking, Inc. (“TPM”), a paving marking business located in Chatham County, Georgia.

Booth stated that in April 2008, the federal grand jury for the Southern District of Georgia returned a 36-count Indictment against Everett, charging him with bank fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1344, and aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028A. According to the Indictment, Everett was a minority shareholder in TPM. Everett fraudulently opened a checking account in the business’s name and began diverting payments from TPM customers to that checking account without the knowledge or consent of the other owners. He then drained that account of the embezzled funds in order to pay for a variety of personal expenditures, causing the company over $200,000 in loss.

Booth said that Everett pled guilty to one count of bank fraud in June 2008. On June 24, 2009, the court sentenced Everett to 110 months imprisonment, to run concurrently with the 108-month term of imprisonment that Everett received on the same day on his conviction for his involvement in an unrelated million dollar stolen car conspiracy ring. After release from imprisonment, Everett will be placed on supervised release for a term of 5 years.

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Bank Robber Sentenced to Federal Prison

Maxwell Wood, United States Attorney announced that Wesley Sorrow, age 38, of Knoxville, Georgia was sentenced June 30 before the Honorable C. Ashley Royal, United States District Judge for the Middle District of Georgia. Sorrow was sentenced to 160 months (13 years, 4 months) without the possibility of parole followed by three years of supervised release.

On November 25, 2008, Sorrow entered a guilty plea to one count of bank robbery in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2113. According to the facts stipulated in Court, Sorrow admitted to robbing the BB&T Bank located on Mercer University Drive, Macon, Georgia. Sorrow entered the bank and presented a note stating that the bank was being robbed and demanded $2,000.00. Sorrow received funds from the bank teller and fled the bank. Sorrow was later apprehended by members of the Crawford County Sheriff's Office. Forensic evidence examined by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) linked Sorrow to the bank robbery.

United States Attorney Maxwell Wood stated that: "This case serves as an excellent example of how cooperation among law enforcement agencies can result in dangerous bank robbers being caught, prosecuted and sentenced to prison for a very long time."

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