Sept. 14 , 2006

GRAND JURY RETURNS ARMED ROBBERY CHARGE

Other indictments include assault, drug trafficking, criminal immigration charges

TOPEKA, KAN. – A Topeka man was indicted Wednesday on charges he held three employees at gunpoint during a robbery in May at a J.C. Penney store.

Damien Cortez Ford, 21, who is in custody at Lansing Correctional Facility, is charged with one count of armed robbery, one count of brandishing a handgun during a robbery, and one count of unlawfully possessing a firearm after a felony conviction.

According to the indictment, on May 10, 2006, Ford robbed the J.C. Penney’s department store at 1821 S.W. Wanamaker in Topeka, during which he threatened employees with a handgun.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on the robbery charge; not less than 7 years and not more than life, consecutive to other penalties, and a fine up to $250,000 on the charge of brandishing a handgun during a robbery; and a maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on the remaining firearms charge. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the ATF Task Force in Topeka investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Hendershot is prosecuting.

OTHER INDICTMENTS

A grand jury meeting in Topeka Wednesday also returned the following indictments:

Booker Lee Zachery Johnson, III, 30, who is in custody in the Shawnee County Jail, is charged with attempting to prevent a witness from testifying against him in U.S. v. Booker Lee Zachery Johnson, III. In that case, Johnson is charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of crack cocaine and 5 kilograms or more of powder cocaine. The crime of intimidating a witness is alleged to have occurred between Aug. 30, 2006, and Sept. 5, 2006, in Shawnee County, Kan.

If convicted, the penalty could be not less than 20 years and not more than life, and a fine up to $8 million. The Topeka Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney James Brown is prosecuting.

Marcelino Flores, Jr., 31, Jose Bejarano-Santos, 31, and Victor Manuel Landeros-Paredes, 33, , all of whom are in custody in the Wabaunsee County Jail, are charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute approximately 7 kilograms (more than 15 pounds) of cocaine; and one count of possession with intent to distribute approximately 7 kilograms of cocaine. In addition, Bejarano-Santos is charged with unlawfully re-entering the United States after being convicted of an aggravated felony and deported. Landeros-Paredes is charged with unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported. They were found Sept. 2, 2006, in Wabunsee County, Kan.

If convicted, they face a penalty of not less than 10 years and not more than life and a fine up to $4 million on both the conspiracy charge and the drug charge. Bejarano-Santos faces a maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine up to $250,000 on the immigration charge. Launderos-Paredes faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on the immigration charge. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Coody is prosecuting.

Julian Myson Fields, 28, who is in custody in Terre Haute, Ind., is charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine. The crime is alleged to have occurred May 3, 2005, in Shawnee County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $1 million. The U.S. Marshal Service investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Hendershot is prosecuting.

Gregg E. Halstead, Jr., 39, who is in custody in the Shawnee County Jail, is charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The crime is alleged to have occurred June 12, 2006, in Shawnee County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison and a fine up to $2 million. The Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Hendershot is prosecuting.

Braulio Mario Banda-Chavez, 32, who is in custody in the El Dorado Correctional Facility, is charged with unlawfully re-entering the United States after being convicted of an aggravated felony and deported. He was found March 7, 2006, in Geary County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Hendershot is prosecuting.

Isaias Palma-Arzola, 31, a citizen of Mexico, is charged with unlawfully re-entering the United States after being convicted of an aggravated felony and deported. He was found Aug. 18, 2006, in Garden City, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a penalty of not more than 20 years in federal prison without parole and a fine up to $250,000. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Anderson is prosecuting.

Marcos Cruz-Bartolo, 24, a citizen of Mexico, is charged with one count of unlawfully re-entering the United States after being convicted of an aggravated felony and deported. He was found Aug. 28, 2006, in Wichita, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a penalty of not more than 20 years in federal prison without parole and a fine up to $250,000. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Anderson is prosecuting

Gerardo Atriano-Gonzalez, 30, a citizen of Mexico, is charged with unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported. He was found Aug. 28, 2006, in Wichita, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a penalty of not more than 2 years in federal prison without parole and a fine up to $250,000. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Brent Anderson is prosecuting.

Cesar Valtierra-Gomez, 31, a citizen of Mexico, is charged with unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported. He was found Aug. 28, 2006, in Wichita, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a penalty of not more than 2 years in federal prison without parole and a fine up to $250,000. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Brent Anderson is prosecuting.

Manuel Ibarra-Penaloza, 41, a citizen of Mexico, is charged with unlawfully re-entering the United States after being convicted of an aggravated felony and deported. He was found Aug. 30, 2006, in Wichita, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison without parole and a fine up to $250,000. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Anderson is prosecuting.

Manuel Robles-Gutierrez, 23, a citizen of Mexico, is charged with unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported. He was found Aug. 22, 2006, in Wichita, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a penalty of not more than 2 years in federal prison without parole and a fine up to $250,000. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Brent Anderson is prosecuting.

As in any criminal case, a person is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments filed merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.

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