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United States v. Angela Patton, et.al.

Beginning in or about January 2012, and continuing through in or about December 2014, in the Eastern District of Michigan, Angela Patton had an agreement with individuals whereby she received payments in exchange for obtaining and disclosing individually identifiable health information of patients covered by health plans and administered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.  The fraudulently obtained personal identification information was intended to be used in identity theft and credit theft of individual BCBSM subscribers.

Note: All hearings are scheduled to take place before the Honorable Marianne O. Battani, United States District Court, Courtroom 272, 231 W. Lafayette, Detroit, MI 48226.


1/20/2021 - A Motion Hearing has been scheduled for inmate/defendant Verdell Kennedy. This hearing will take place on February 4, 2021, 10:00 a.m. before the Honorable Matthew F. Leitman and will address Verdell Kennedy's renewed motion for compassionate release to home confinement due to COVID-19.

This hearing will be held via Zoom Video.  For those who wish to attend the hearing, it will be available to the victims for view only participation.  Please contact Sherri Holloway at 313-226-9753 or Sandy Palazzolo at 313-226-9633 to request the Zoom Video link and directions for accessing the hearing.


12/17/2020 -  Defendant Verdell Kennedy filed a Renewed Motion for Compassionate Release Post COVID Surge. 


10/07/2020 - Judge Matthew F. Leitman entered an Order Denying Defendant Verdell Kennedy's Second Motion for Compassionate Release.


9/22/2020 - A Motion Hearing has been scheduled for defendant Verdell Kennedy.   This hearing will take place on October 7, 2020 at 1:30 p.m. before the Honorable Matthew F. Leitman and will address Verdell Kennedy's renewed motion to reduce and suspend sentence or release to home confienement due to COVID-19.

This hearing will be held via Zoom Video.   For those who wish to attend the hearing, it will be available to the victims for view only participation.  Please contact Sherri Holloway at 313-226-9753 or Sandy Palazzolo at 313-226-9633 to request the Zoom Video link and directions for accessing the hearing.

If you have any questions, please contact Sandy Palazzolo at 313-226-9633 or Sherri Holloway at 313-226-9753.  Updates regarding this case will be posted to this webpage. 


06/02/2020 - A Status Conference has been scheduled for defendant Verdell Kennedy.   This hearing will take place on June 10, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. before the Honorable Matthew F. Leitman and will adddress Verdell Kennedy's motion to reduce sentence and suspend sentence or home confinement due to COVID-19.  

This hearing will be held via Zoom Video.  For those who wish to attend the hearing, it will be available to the victims for view only participation.  Please contact Sherri Holloway at 313-226-9753 or Sandy Palazzolo at 313-226-9633 to request the Zoom Video link and directions for accessing the hearing.    

If you have any questions, please contact Sandy Palazzolo at 313-226-9633 or Sherri Holloway at 313-226-9753.   Updates regarding this case will be posted to this webpage.


05/11/2020 - Please be advised a Motion Hearing for defendant(s) Verdell Kennedy, has been set for May 26, 2020, at 10:00AM before Judge Matthew F. Leitman. This hearing will be held via Zoom Video. There will be no in-person proceeding for you to attend at the Courthouse.

The motion hearing scheduled is in response to an emergency motion filed on May 4, 2020, by defendant(s) Verdell Kennedy to reduce sentence and suspend sentence or home confinement due to COVID-19.

Pursuant to the Crime Victims’ Rights Act, 18 U.S.C. 3771(a)(4), a crime victim has the right to be reasonably heard regarding any proceeding in the district court where the defendant seeks release. Please note you have the opportunity to provide a written statement to the court regarding Verdell Kennedy’s request for early release.

If you wish to provide a written statement to the Court, any and all submissions MUST be emailed to the Victim Witness Coordinator - Sandy Palazzolo at sandy.palazzolo@usdoj.gov or Victim Witness Specialist Sherri Holloway at sherri.holloway@usdoj.gov by 5:00pm May 19, 2020. Given the nature of these proceedings, this is a firm deadline. Written submissions from victims will be provided to Judge Leitman for consideration. Please be advised that the government will oppose Verdell Kennedy’s request for early release.

If you have any questions, please call Sandy Palazzolo at (313) 226-9633 or Sherri Holloway at (313)226-9753. Case updates and information will be updated here when available.


05/24/2016 –

Tynekwa Hills – defendant Tynekwa Hill was sentenced by the Court to the following:
Probation of 3 year(s)
Special Assessment of $100.00

Verdell Kennedy – defendant Verdell Kennedy was sentenced by the Court to the following:
Incarceration of 8 year(s) 9 month(s)
Probation of 3 year(s)
Special Assessment of $100.00

Sam Oscar Patton – The sentencing hearing for defendant Sam Oscar Patton has been rescheduled for November 8, 2016 at 2:00pm.


03/04/2016 – The following changes were made to the scheduled court appearance dates for defendants in the United States v. Angela Patton et al case:

DONTEZ PATTON – March 1, 2016, defendant Dontez Patton pled guilty to 1 count of “Fraud & related activity – id documents”.  Any remaining counts will be disposed of at the time of sentencing.  As a result of the guilty plea, there will be no trial involving this defendant.  The sentencing hearing has been scheduled for July 12, 2016, at 2:30PM


02/09/2016 – The following changes were made to the scheduled court appearance dates for defendants in the United States v. Angela Patton case.

TYNEKWA HILL – The sentencing hearing has been rescheduled for March 30, 2016 at 2:30 PM.


Verdell Kennedy  – The sentencing hearing for defendant Verdell Kennedy has been rescheduled for March 29, 2016, at 2:30pm.

JEFFREY MORTON – The Court ordered the defendant to the following:

    Incarceration of 5 year(s) 10 month(s)
    Followed by Supervised Release of 2 year(s)
   Special Assessment of $100.00.

ANGELA PATTON - The Court ordered the defendant to the following:

    Incarceration of 3 year(s) 5 month(s)
    Followed by Supervised Release of 2 year(s)
    Special Assessment of $100.00.

Dontez Patton – A hearing before Judge Marianne Battani is scheduled on March 1, 2016, at 4:00pm.  The purpose of this hearing is for the defendant(s) to enter aplea of guilty.  Your attendance is not required.  If you are a victim of the charged offense(s) and wish to speak at the plea hearing, please call our office well in advance of the scheduled hearing date.  Should this defendant not plead guilty on or before the above mentioned date, a tentative trial date will be scheduled and the webpage will be updated with the set date and time.

Sam Patton – The sentencing hearing for defendant Sam Oscar Patton has been rescheduled for March 28, 2016, at 3:00pm.

CHARLIE SMITH - The Court ordered the defendant to the following:

    Sentence Completed
    Followed by Supervised Release of 2 year(s)
    Special Assessment of $100.00.

RAYMOND THOMAS - The Court ordered the defendant to the following:

    Incarceration of 4 year(s) 9 month(s)
    Followed by Supervised Release of 3 year(s)
    Special Assessment of $100.00.

THOMAS TURNER, SR. - The Court ordered the defendant to the following:

    Sentence Complete
    Followed by Supervised Release of 2 year(s)
    Special Assessment of $100.00.

JOHNATHON WESTON - The Court ordered the defendant to the following:

    Sentence Completed
    Followed by Supervised Release of 2 year(s)
    Special Assessment of $100.00.


12/10/2015 –  The following changes were made to the scheduled court appearance dates for defendants in the United States v. Angela Patton case.  All court appearances will take place in Courtroom 272, 231 West Lafayette Blvd., Detroit, MI 48226 before Judge Marianne Battani.  Updates and further case related information will be posted to this web page.  

JEFFREY MORTON – The sentencing hearing for defendant(s) Jeffrey Morton, has been rescheduled to January 5, 2016 at 3:30 PM.   

ANGELA PATTON - The sentencing hearing for defendant(s) Angela Patton, has been rescheduled to January 5, 2016 at 3:30 PM. 

CHARLIE SMITH - The sentencing hearing for defendant(s) Charlie Smith, has been rescheduled to January 5, 2016 at 3:00 PM.    The United States Probation Office has determined that defendant(s), Charlie Smith, has potentially violated the terms of his supervised release.  As a result, a hearing to revoke or modify the defendant’s supervised release has been scheduled for January 5, 2016, at 3:00 PM.

RAYMOND THOMAS - The sentencing hearing for defendant(s) Raymond Thomas, has been rescheduled to January 7, 2016 at 3:00 PM. 

JOHNATHON WESTON - The sentencing hearing for defendant(s) Johnathon Weston, has been rescheduled to January 5, 2016 at 3:30 PM.


09/25/2015 – Tynekwa Hill – A hearing before Judge Marianne O. Battani is scheduled on October 14, 2015, 3:30 PM, at Courtroom 272, 231 West Lafayette Blvd., Detroit, MI 48226.  The purpose of this hearing is for the defendant to enter a plea of guilty.  Your attendance is not required.  If you are a victim of the charged offense(s) and wish to speak at the plea hearing, please call our office well in advance of the scheduled hearing date.  Should this defendant not plead guilty on or before the above listed date, a tentative trial date will be scheduled and this webpage will be updated with the set date and time.


Aramona Coleman – On May 19, 2015, Aramona Coleman plead guilty to Identity Theft, Aiding and Abetting.  The sentencing hearing for defendant Aramona Coleman has been set for October 14, 2015, 3PM, Courtroom 272, 231 West Lafayette Blvd. Detroit, MI 48226, before Judge Marianne O. Battani.

Tynekwa Hill – Awaiting future court dates from the Court.

Verdell Kennedy – On September 1, 2015, defendant Verdell Kennedy pled guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud.  The sentencing hearing for defendant Verdell Kennedy has been set for December 2, 2015, 2:30 PM, Courtroom 272, 231 West Lafayette Blvd.  Detroit, MI 48226, before Judge Marianne O. Battani.

Jeffrey Morton – On August 3, 2015, defendant Jeffrey Morton, plead guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud.  The sentencing hearing for defendant Jeffrey Morton has been set for November 5, 2015, 2PM, Courtroom 272, 231 West Lafayette Blvd. Detroit, MI 48226, before Judge Marianne O. Battani.

Angela Patton – On August 3, 2015, defendant Angela Patton plead guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud.  The sentencing hearing for defendant Angela Patton has been set for November 4, 2015, 2PM, Courtroom 272, 231 West Lafayette Blvd. Detroit, MI 48226, before Judge Marianne O. Battani.

Dontez Patton – Judge Marianne O. Battani has scheduled a plea cut-off date of September 29, 2015 for defendant Dontez Patton.  In the event this defendant does not plead guilty on or before the September 29th, 2015, hearing date, a tentative trial date will be scheduled and we will post  updates on this webpage.

Sam Oscar Patton – On August 4, 2015, defendant Sam Oscar Patton plead guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud.  The sentencing hearing for defendant Sam Oscar Patton has been set for December 1, 2015, 2:30PM, Courtroom 272, 231 West Lafayette Blvd. Detroit, MI 48226, before Judge Marianne O. Battani.

Charlie Smith – On September 1, 2015, defendant Charlie Smith pled guilty to Identity Theft, Aiding and Abetting.  The sentencing hearing for defendant Charlie Smith has been set for December 8, 2015, 2:30PM, Courtroom 272, 231 West Lafayette Blvd., Detroit, MI 48226, before Judge Marianne O. Battani.

Raymond Thomas - On August 3, 2015, defendant Raymond Thomas pled guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud.  The sentencing hearing for defendant Raymond Thomas has been set for November 5, 2015, 2:30PM, Courtroom 272, 231 West Lafayette Blvd. Detroit, MI 48226, before Judge Marianne O. Battani.

Thomas Turner Sr. - On August 12, 2015, defendant Thomas Turner Sr. pled guilty to Identity Theft, Aiding and Abetting.  The sentencing hearing for defendant Thomas Turner Sr. has been set for November 17, 2015, 2:30PM, Courtroom 272, 231 West Lafayette Blvd. Detroit, MI 48226, before Judge Marianne O. Battani.

Johnathon Weston - - On August 4, 2015, defendant Johnathon Weston pled guilty to Identity Theft, Aiding and Abetting.  The sentencing hearing for defendant Johnathon Weston has been set for December 17, 2015, 3PM, Courtroom 272, 231 West Lafayette Blvd. Detroit, MI 48226, before Judge Marianne O. Battani.

PLEASE NOTE:

Hearing dates may change so please refer to this webpage for updates.


2/19/2015 – An indictment was filed in the case of United States v. Angela Patton, et.al.  which charges 11 individuals with various counts of identity theft.  It is advised that individuals receiving a letter from the United States Attorney’s Office Victim/Witness Department, take precautionary steps and contact the credit bureau reporting companies, advising them of the possibility of identity theft.  Making that initial contact will provide you with the opportunity to obtain credit bureau reports so you can check for any potential fraudulent activity.  Please visit www.ftc.gov/idtheft for more detailed information.   A copy of the indictment and Identity Theft Brochure can be accessed by clicking here.

Aramona Coleman has pled guilty and is currently scheduled to be sentenced on September 15, 2015 at 2:30 p.m.

A plea hearing for Verdell Kennedy is currently scheduled for June 30, 2015 at 12:00 p.m.

Should you have any questions, please contact Sherri Holloway, Victim Witness Assistant at 313-226-9753 or Sandy Palazzolo, Victim Witness Coordinator at 313-226-9633

FOR A COPY OF THE INDICTMENT, PLEASE CLICK here.
Updated April 1, 2022