Savannah, GA - Armed Con Artist Convicted Of Bank Fraud and Federal Firearms Offenses

July 26, 2017, following a two-day trial before U. S. District Court Judge Lisa Godbey Wood, a federal jury convicted Savannah resident Maynard Sanders, 33, of 15 counts of bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and aiding and abetting theft by a bank employee. Sanders’ convictions came on the heels of a... More...   $0 (07-26-2017 - GA)

Atlanta, GA - Atlanta Pain Clinic and its owner agree to pay $250,000 to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act

Atlanta Medical Clinic (“AMC”), which is an Atlanta-based pain management clinic, and Dr. Timothy Dembowski (AMC’s owner), have agreed to pay the United States $250,000 to resolve allegations that they violated Medicare rules and the False Claims Act (“FCA”)... More...   $0 (08-02-2017 - GA)

While in Texas, James Dale Little received and opened on his smartphone an email containing child pornography. He didn’t delete it. After Little moved from Case: 16-10664 Date Filed: 07/28/2017 Page: 1 of 15
2
Texas to Tampa, Florida, he used that same email account (which contained the email he received in Texas) to send at least one email containing child pornography. He was convicted of... More...   $0 (07-31-2017 - GA)

Savannah, GA - South Georgia Farmers to Pay Up To $675,000 to Resolve False Claims Act Suit

Bacon County (Georgia) farmers Julian Rigby, Jasper Allen and Benjamin Swain, as well as several entities owned by Rigby, agreed to pay up to $675,000 to resolve allegations that they violated and conspired to violate the False Claims Act. This settlement is the first False Claims Act recovery invo... More...   $675000 (06-14-2017 - GA)

Atlanta, GA - Georgia Dealer and Title Clerk Sentenced in Odometer Fraud Scheme

Two Georgia residents were sentenced in Atlanta, Georgia for their roles in a conspiracy to alter odometers of used motor vehicles.

Burnett owned and operated Lifestyle Auto Broker LLC, a Georgia corporation that bought and sold used motor vehicles; McLaughlin was a former customer service specialist ... More...   $0 (05-31-2017 - GA)

When Donald Mikko was hired by the Atlanta Police Department as the
director of its crime lab, he negotiated a contract that allowed him to perform
forensics consulting work for private parties in his spare time. After a Georgia
district attorney learned that Mikko had written an expert report for and planned to
testify in Florida on behalf of the defense in a criminal case, the di... More...   $0 (05-30-2017 - GA)

Defense Contractor Resolves Criminal, Civil and Administrative Liability Related to Food Contracts

Agility Public Warehousing Co. KSC (Agility), a Kuwaiti company, has agreed to globally resolve criminal, civil, and administrative cases arising from allegations that Agility overcharged the United States when performing contracts with the Department of Defense (DOD) to supply food for U.S.... More...   $0 (05-26-2017 - GA)

Atlanta, GA - Fourth Defendant Convicted for Role in Atlanta-Based Mexican Sex Trafficking Ring

Severiano Martinez-Rojas, also known as “Negro” and “Gato,” of Tenancingo, Tlaxcala, Mexico, has pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of sex trafficking and admitted his participation in the sex trafficking of three victims.

“This defendant’s guilty plea represents another succ... More...   $0 (04-25-2017 - GA)

Atlanta, GA - Energy & Process Corp. agrees to pay $4.6 Million for alleged False Claims Regarding Defective Steel Rebar and Quality Control Failures in Nuclear Waste Treatment Facility

Energy & Process Corporation (“E&P”), of Tucker, Georgia, agreed to pay the United States $4.6 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by knowingly failing to perform mandator... More...   $4200000 (04-25-2017 - GA)

Viewed in the light most favorable to the verdict, the evidence shows
that Morrison and Byrd were involved romantically and lived together in an
1 Byrd was killed on July 10, 2008. On August 27, 2010, a grand jury indicted Morrison and charged him with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and unlawful possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Morrison’s trial ... More...   $0 (04-13-2017 - GA)

Atlanta, GA - Atlanta area Brothers Sentenced for Corporate Hijacking Scheme

Antonio Sandridge and Rodney Sandridge were sentenced to more than two years in federal prison for mail fraud conspiracy. The defendants, who are brothers, operated a fraud ring where they hijacked corporate identities and used them to fraudulently order over $500,000 in electronics. Both defendants were previous... More...   $0 (04-05-2017 - GA)

Viewed in the light most favorable to the verdict, the evidence shows
that Morrison and Byrd were involved romantically and lived together in an
1 Byrd was killed on July 10, 2008. On August 27, 2010, a grand jury indicted Morrison and charged him with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and unlawful possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Morrison’s trial... More...   $0 (04-04-2017 - GA)

Former Bibb County Public Schools Employee Pleads Guilty To Student Loan Fraud

Queen Adeboyejo, age 64, of Perry, Georgia entered a guilty plea in federal court in Macon to Student Loan Fraud on March 15, 2017 before the Honorable Leslie Abrams, United States District Judge. Through her plea, Ms. Adeboyejo admitted that she obtained federal student loans fraudulently by using the personal... More...   $0 (03-15-2017 - GA)

Jameka Evans appeals the sua sponte dismissal of her employment discrimination complaint, filed pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq., in which she alleged that she was discriminated against because of her sexual orientation and gender non-conformity, and retaliated against after she lodged a complaint with her employer’s human resources department. We have carefully reviewed the Appellant’s and a... More...   $0 (03-14-2017 - GA)

Atlanta, GA - Atlanta-area Dentist Sentenced for nearly $1 Million in Medicaid Fraud

Dr. Oluwatoyin Solarin has been sentenced to one year, six months in federal prison for filing false claims with the Georgia Medicaid program totaling nearly $1 million.

“Solarin cheated the Medicaid program by submitting fraudulent claims, even billing the government for procedures she allegedly... More...   $0 (02-16-2017 - GA)

Atlanta, GA - Antique Bookbinder Sentenced to Prison for False Invoices in Gutenberg Bible Fraud Scheme

Michael Chrisman, an Ohio bookbinder, has been sentenced to one year and nine months in federal prison for stealing nearly $500,000 from his Atlanta business partner in a bookbinding project. The defendant sent false invoices claiming that he completed more than 70 sets of replica Guten... More...   $0 (12-19-2016 - GA)

Viewed in a light most favorable to the jury’s verdicts, the evidence
adduced at trial established as follows. Adams is a Vietnam War veteran who
has been diagnosed and treated for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD); he
1 In January 2007, a Laurens County grand jury returned an indictment charging Adams with malice murder, felony murder (aggravated assault), and aggravated assault.... More...   $0 (11-19-2016 - GA)

Appellant James Etheridge McGuyton, Jr., faced multiple charges,
including murder, relating to the November 22, 2012, shooting death of Kenneth
Seek, Jr. As a result of the State’s filing of a recidivist notice, appellant was
facing a mandatory sentence of life without parole if convicted. On the eve of
trial, appellant entered negotiated guilty pleas, pursuant to Alford,1 to the... More...   $0 (11-19-2016 - GA)

In September 2007, Smith pled guilty to two counts of felony murder, two
counts of serious injury by vehicle, feticide, and felony fleeing or attempting to
elude; she was sentenced to life imprisonment. In December 2012, Smith filed
an extraordinary motion for new trial asserting that she had discovered new
evidence establishing that she is not guilty of felony murder. The trial ... More...   $0 (11-19-2016 - GA)

Viewed in the light most favorable to the verdicts, the record shows
that, on September 5, 2011, Gates told friends that she intended to break up with
her live-in boyfriend, Collymore, on the following day. On the morning of
September 6, 2011, Terrieon Dennard, Gates’s son, was sitting downstairs in his
mother’s house when he heard her screaming his name from her bedroom.
Terri... More...   $0 (11-19-2016 - GA)

Viewed in the light most favorable to the jury’s verdict, the record
shows that, on November 16, 2001, Churchill was living with his girlfriend,
Tausha McClain, and McClain’s infant daughter, Jada. On that same day, Jada

1 On February 18, 2002, Churchill was indicted for malice murder, felony murder, and cruelty to children. Following a February 12-13, 2003 jury trial, Churchill w... More...   $0 (11-19-2016 - GA)

In the early morning hours on February 2, 2009, appellant, accompanied
1 The crimes occurred on February 2, 2009. On November 17, 2009, appellant was indicted by a Fulton County grand jury for malice murder, two counts of felony murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. On Janu... More...   $0 (11-19-2016 - GA)

Savannah, GA - Defendant Found Not Guilty On Child Molestation Charges

The State of Georgia charged Reginald Johnson, age 46, with multiple counts of child molestation in violation of Title 16, Section 16-6-4 which provides:

(a) A person commits the offense of child molestation when such person:

(1) Does any immoral or indecent act to or in the presence of or with any ch... More...   $0 (11-12-2016 - GA)

Lawrenceville, GA - Defendant For Threatening To Mutilate His Wife

The State of Georgia charged Richard Luedee with kidnapping, terroristic threats, aggravated assault, family violence/battery and influencing a witness. The State charged by the Defendant struck his wife multiple times, took her to a hotel against her will, and threatened to mutilate her face or engage in murder suicide.<... More...   $0 (10-22-2016 - GA)

Atlanta, GA - Investment Advisor Pleads Guilty to Stealing from Clients

Robert A. Gist, who defrauded investors by lying about their investments, has pleaded guilty to a charge of mail fraud. The defendant used investors’ money to pay his personal expenses and to fund operations of a company in which he had a personal interest.

“Firms that offer to manage investments for clien... More...   $0 (09-09-2016 - GA)

Atlanta, GA - Former Employee Sentenced for Embezzling over $1.2 Million from Accounting Firm and Client

Pamela B. Lewis has been sentenced for stealing over $1.2 million from her employer, an accounting firm, and her employer's client.

“Small firms depend on their accounting personnel to safeguard the financial health of the company and its clients,” said U.S. Attorney John Horn... More...   $0 (09-09-2016 - GA)

Craigslist Seller Sentenced for Five Armed Robberies

ATLANTA - Lavunte Collins has been sentenced on five counts of armed robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence in connection with his robbery of a string of victims that he lured through Craigslist.

“This case highlights the dangers of meeting strangers for commercial transactions... More...   $0 (08-08-2016 - GA)

Ex-Auburn, Georgia, Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Extortion and Drug Trafficking Charges

ATLANTA - Charles F. Hubbard has pleaded guilty to extortion and drug trafficking conspiracy charges. The defendant was an officer with the Auburn, Georgia, Police Department who used his law enforcement position and his patrol car to intercept and steal drugs and money.

“Hubbard assisted d... More...   $0 (08-19-2016 - GA)

Inmate Sentenced for Operating a Fake Jury Duty Money Laundering Scheme from Georgia State Prison

ATLANTA - Autry State Prison inmate Reginald Perkins has been sentenced to 12 years and seven months in prison for laundering $1 million in fraud proceeds arising from a “jury duty” telemarketing scam conducted by inmates at Georgia Department of Corrections (GDOC) prisons.

“Prisons ... More...   $0 (08-22-2016 - GA)

Columbus Bank Robber Sentenced To 17 Years Imprisonment

United States Attorney G.F. “Pete” Peterman, III, announced that Victor Butler, age 59, of Columbus, Georgia, was sentenced on August 16, 2016, in Columbus, Georgia, by the Honorable Clay D. Land, United States District Judge, to serve a total of 204 months (17 years) imprisonment, without parole, for bank robbery.

Mr. Butle... More...   $0 (08-16-2016 - GA)

In the early morning hours on February 2, 2009, appellant, accompanied
by two women, went to a known drug house. Shortly thereafter, Jecedric Bell
and Alex Howard arrived, and Howard sold cocaine to the women. Appellant
became extremely angry with Howard, apparently because he did not believe
Howard should have been selling drugs in someone else’s drug house.
Appellant repea... More...   $0 (07-25-2016 - GA)

Atlanta, GA - Georgia Man Pleads Guilty to Using Stolen Identities to File False Tax Returns

A Marietta, Georgia, resident pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia today to one count of theft of public money and one count of aggravated identity theft.

Peter Isika, 46, admitted using stolen identities to file at least 50 false tax returns for ... More...   $0 (07-04-2016 - GA)

Atlanta, GA - Defendants Sentenced in Million-Dollar Tax Fraud Scheme

Four defendants have been sentenced to federal prison for running a tax fraud scheme that involved using an ancestry/genealogy website to find personal information of victims and then file phony tax returns in their names.

“Identity thieves continue to find innovative ways to exploit the many beneficial aspects... More...   $0 (05-16-2016 - GA)

Atlanta, GA - Immigration Attorney Sentenced to Probation for Assisting Alien in Immigation Fraud Scheme

Bonnie Monique Youn has been sentenced to two years on probation for her role in submitting a false application to adjust status on behalf of a Korean citizen to the Citizenship and Immigration Services.

“Youn is an immigration attorney and has a thorough familiarity with immi... More...   $0 (05-03-2016 - GA)

Savannah Drug Dealer Convicted Of Trafficking Heroin and Possessing Firearms

SAVANNAH, GA: Darius Andre “Arnie” Holmes, 41, of Savannah, Georgia, was convicted yesterday by a federal jury after a two-day trial before U.S. District Court Judge William T. Moore, Jr. for distributing heroin and possessing firearms as a felon on August 18, 2015.

According to the evidence presented du... More...   $0 (03-09-2016 - GA)

Savannah Man Sentenced To Nearly Thirteen Years in Federal Prison for Armed Bank Robbery

Savannah, GA: Jerald A. Bowman, 40, was sentenced on Wednesday, March 30, 2016, by Chief United States District Court Judge Lisa Godbey Wood to 155 months imprisonment for the February 3, 2015 armed robbery of the Navy Federal Credit Union in Richmond Hill, Georgia. Bowman was also found to be respon... More...   $0 (04-01-2016 - GA)

Atlanta, GA - Former Bank Employees Sentenced for Executing Stolen Identity Tax Refund Fraud Scheme

Jeoffrey Jenkins and Vaughn Chambers were sentenced for their roles in a two-year long tax refund fraud scheme that generated hundreds of false tax returns and sought over $2.8 million in fraudulent tax refunds. Jenkins and Chambers, both bank employees, stole personally identifying inform... More...   $0 (03-16-2016 - GA)

Former Captain Sentenced For Withholding Evidence Favorable To A Defendant And Obstructing Justice

WASHINGTON – The Justice Department announced today that Elizabeth Croley, 37, a former captain at the Decatur County, Georgia, Sheriff’s Office, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for willfully withholding evidence favorable to a criminal defendant and for writing a false report to cover ... More...   $0 (03-15-2016 - GA)

Comer Man Sentenced To Serve 97 Months In Federal Prison For Possession Of Child Pornography

Brad Tyler Suddeth, age 33, of Comer, Georgia was sentenced yesterday to serve 97 months in prison for possession of child pornography. The sentence was handed down in Athens by the Honorable C. Ashley Royal, United States District Court Judge for the Middle District of Georgia.

Mr. Sudde... More...   $0 (03-16-2016 - GA)

Grady County Residents Sentenced For Burning Houses For Insurance

Acting United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, G.F. Peterman, III, today announced the sentencing on March 24, 2016 of two individuals in an insurance fraud scheme. The sentences were handed by Senior District Court Judge W. Louis Sands in federal court in Albany, Georgia.

Elbert Walker, Jr. a/k... More...   $0 (03-24-2016 - GA)