PRESS RELEASES - FEBRUARY 2009
January 05, 2009 - WEST, Owen Lee
January 06, 2009 - REED, Mardregus Nicole
January 09, 2009 - BURKHART, William David
January 09, 2009 - SOLOMON, Richard Leland, III
January 14, 2009 - FEDERAL GRAND JURY INDICTMENTS
BILL, William Earl
BURRIS, Richard
CASON, Michael
a/k/a CASON, Mike
CHAPMAN, Elizabeth Kay
FAIRCHILD, Bobby
FERNANDEZ, Edgar
FERNANDEZ, Rogelio
FRENCH, Calvin Harvey
a/k/a FRENCH, Harvey
HARP, Korell Rashaud
JACKSON, Kelvin Lamont
MONTOYA, Louie
a/k/a MONTOYA, Luis
SALINAS-ELIGIO, Fabian
SMITH, Jimmy
WORK, Hugh Edward
January 14, 2009 - YATES, Jarrod Anthony
January 26, 2009 - MCMAHAN, Jeff
MCMAHAN, Lori
January 29, 2009 - MINER, Valerie J.
January 29, 2009 - RIGGLE, Steven B.
FOR RELEASE: January 05, 2009
SUBJECT: WEST, Owen Lee
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - Sheldon J. Sperling, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced today that OWEN LEE WEST, age 78, of Wagoner County, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 240 months imprisonment, followed by 60 months of supervised release for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor Child.
“Charges arose from an investigation by the Wagoner County Child Welfare workers, investigators from District #27 District Attorney’s Office and special agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation,” stated U.S. Attorney Sheldon J. Sperling. “WEST was indicted in June 2008.”
“Between April 30, 2003 and February 7, 2008, the defendant used a digital camera and computer to produce digital photographs of a child under the age of 12. The photographs depicted the defendant sexually molesting the child and the child in sexually explicit poses displaying her genital area. 180 photos depicting children engaged in sexually explicit conduct were seized from the defendant’s computer by forensic examiners. The charge is in violation of Title 18, U.S.C. Section 2251(a).”
“The Honorable James H. Payne, District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over today’s hearing. The defendant will remain in the custody of the United States Marshal Service.”
“The Federal Bureau of Prisons typically designates, within about 30 days of the imposition of sentence, the prison in which a federal defendant is to be confined.”
“The defendant was detained, after his arrest on May 2, in the custody of the U.S. Marshal. The court had found a serious risk that the defendant would endanger the safety of another person or the community,” noted U.S. Attorney Sperling.
“Assistant United States Attorney Chris Wilson represented the United States.”
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FOR RELEASE: January 06, 2009
SUBJECT: REED, Mardregus Nicole
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - Sheldon J. Sperling, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced today that MARDREGUS NICOLE REED, age 30, of Idabel, Oklahoma, was found guilty of two felonies by a federal jury on Tuesday.
“REED faced charges in a trial that began with hearing testimony on January 5, 2009,” stated U.S. Attorney Sheldon J. Sperling. “After a two day trial, the jury found the defendant guilty of both being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Felon in Possession of Ammunition, in violation of Title 18, U.S.C. Section 922(g)(1).”
“The evidence we presented established that the defendant burglarized a residence in Idabel on April 10, 2008. He stole firearms and other valuables. An investigation by law enforcement officers led them to the defendant. A search of the vehicle he was driving produced a .22 caliber rifle. Later that day, officers recovered a .30-.30 rifle that Reed had given to an associate. During a pat-down of the defendant, officers found rounds of ammunition in his pockets,” recalled U.S. Attorney Sperling.
“In 1999, the defendant was convicted of felonies including knowingly possessing and concealment of stolen property in Choctaw County, and delivery of a controlled dangerous substance – cocaine, also in Choctaw County. Reed had also previously pled guilty to Burglary II in McCurtain County District Court, and is currently serving a sentence in the Department of Corrections. As a previously convicted felon, REED was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition,” noted U.S. Attorney Sperling.
“The charges arose from an investigation by the McCurtain County Sheriff’s Office, the District 19 District Attorney’s Office and our federal Project Safe Neighborhood initiative.”
“The Honorable James H. Payne, Chief District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the trial. The Court ordered the completion of a presentence report. Sentencing will be scheduled following its completion. The defendant is in the custody of the United States Marshal Service.”
“Assistant United States Attorney Shannon Henson represented the United States.”
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FOR RELEASE: January 09, 2009
SUBJECT: BURKHART, William David
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - Sheldon J. Sperling, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced today that WILLIAM DAVID BURKHART, age 61, of Pittsburg County, Oklahoma, pled guilty to Possession of One or More Visual Depictions of a Minor Engaging in Sexually Explicit Conduct, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252(a)(4)(B).
“Charges arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE). BURKHART was indicted by a federal grand jury in September, 2008,” stated U.S. Attorney Sheldon J. Sperling.
“In October, 2006, FBI agents received information from Europol regarding a ring of people in 28 countries who were producing, trading and possessing child pornography. BURKHART’S email address was listed among those who had ordered and received child pornography videos,” noted U.S. Attorney Sperling.
“On May 8, 2008, FBI and ICE special agents executed a federal search warrant on BURKHART’S residence. During the search, agents seized a computer and hundreds of DVDs that contained child pornography,” recalled U.S. Attorney Sperling.
“The Honorable Kimberly E. West, Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, accepted the defendant’s guilty plea and ordered the completion of a presentence report. Sentencing will be scheduled following its completion.”
“The statutory range of punishment is up to ten years imprisonment and/or up to $250,000.00 in fines,” stated U.S. Attorney Sperling. “A preliminary guideline calculation projects 78-97 months imprisonment.”
“Assistant United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson represented the government.”
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FOR RELEASE: January 09, 2009
SUBJECT: SOLOMON, Richard Leland, III
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - Sheldon J. Sperling, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced today that RICHARD LELAND SOLOMON, III, age 30, of Canadian, Oklahoma, pled guilty to Possession of One or More Visual Depictions of a Minor Engaging in Sexually Explicit Conduct in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252(a)(4)(B).
“Charges arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. SOLOMON was indicted by a federal grand jury in September, 2008,” stated U.S. Attorney Sheldon J. Sperling.
“On May 13, 2008, FBI special agents executed a federal search warrant on SOLOMON’S residence. During the search, agents seized 3 laptop computers. During the interview, SOLOMON, a correctional officer, admitted to having hundreds of child pornography videos on his computers. A forensic examination of the seized computers confirmed SOLOMON’s admissions,” noted U.S. Attorney Sperling.
“The Honorable Kimberly E. West, Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, accepted the defendant’s guilty plea and ordered the completion of a presentence report. Sentencing will be scheduled following its completion.”
“The statutory range of punishment is up to ten years imprisonment and/or up to $250,000.00 in fines,” stated U.S. Attorney Sperling. “A preliminary guideline calculation projects a statutory maximum of 120 months imprisonment.”
“Assistant United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson represented the government.”
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FOR RELEASE: January 14, 2009
SUBJECT: JANUARY 2009 FEDERAL GRAND JURY INDICTMENTS: BILL, William Earl; BURRIS, Richard; CASON, Michael; a/k/a CASON, Mike; CHAPMAN, Elizabeth Kay; FAIRCHILD, Bobby; FERNANDEZ, Edgar; FERNANDEZ, Rogelio; FRENCH, Calvin Harvey; a/k/a FRENCH, Harvey; HARP, Korell Rashaud; JACKSON, Kelvin Lamont; MONTOYA, Louie; a/k/a MONTOYA, Luis; SALINAS-ELIGIO, Fabian; SMITH, Jimmy; and WORK, Hugh Edward
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - United States Attorney Sheldon J. Sperling announced today the results of the January 2009 Federal Grand Jury.
“The following named individuals have been charged with a federal crime or crimes by the return of an indictment by the Grand Jury. A grand jury Indictment does not constitute evidence of guilt. A grand jury Indictment is a method of bringing formal charges against the defendant. A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and may not be found guilty unless evidence establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Statutory maximum punishments are in parentheses. United States Sentencing Guidelines may be considered, upon conviction, by the sentencing court. Federal prison sentences are non-parolable”.
WILLIAM EARL BILL, age 32, of Dallas, Texas
KORELL RASHAUD HARP, age 24 of Barnesville, Georgia
KELVIN LAMONT JACKSON, age 32 of Dallas, Texas
Possession with Intent to Use Five or More False Identification Documents, Aggravated Identity Theft, and Eleven Counts of Possession of a Counterfeit Security with Intent to Deceive.
The indictment alleges on September 10, 2008, BILL, HARP and JACKSON possessed five or more false identification documents and numerous counterfeit checks. The charges arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Possession with Intent to Use Five or More False Identification Documents is in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. Sections 1028(a)((3), (b)(2) and 2, (Up to five years imprisonment and/or up to $250,000 in fines);
Aggravated Identity Theft is in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. Sections 1028A(a)(1) and 2 (Up to two years imprisonment and/or up to $250,000 in fines);
Possession of a Counterfeit Security With Intent to Deceive is in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. Section 513(a) and 2 (Up to ten years imprisonment and/or up to $250,000 in fines.)
Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Wilson
RICHARD BURRIS, age 38, of Checotah, Oklahoma
MICHAEL CASON, a/k/a Mike Cason, age 49, of Oktaha, Oklahoma
BOBBY FAIRCHILD, age 44, of Oktaha, Oklahoma
EDGAR FERNANDEZ, age 41, of El Paso, Texas
ROGELIO FERNANDEZ, age 47, of El Paso, Texas
CALVIN HARVEY FRENCH a/k/a Harvey French, age 53, of Princeton, Kentucky
LOUIE MONTOYA, a/k/a Luis Montoya, age 61, of Albuquerque, New Mexico
JIMMY SMITH, age 51, of Ochelata, Oklahoma
Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and Distribute Controlled Substances.
The indictment alleges beginning in or about 2003, and continuing until on or about December 21, 2008, FAIRCHILD, CASON, BURRIS, SMITH, MONTOYA, FRENCH, ROGELIO FERNANDEZ and EDGAR FERNANDEZ willfully and knowingly combined conspired, confederated, and agreed together, and with others known and unknown to the Grand Jury, to commit offenses against the United States in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1) – Possession with Intent to Distribute and Distribution of Controlled Substances. Charges arose from an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Muskogee County Sheriff’s Office, the Muskogee Police Department, and other law enforcement entities across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee and Kentucky.
The charges are in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. Section 846. (Not less than ten years, nor more than life imprisonment and/or up to $4,000,000 in fines.)
Assistant United States Attorney Rob Wallace
ELIZABETH KAY CHAPMAN, age 41, of Ada, Oklahoma
Theft from Indian Tribal Organization.
The indictment alleges from on or about the 1st day of January, 2007, until on or about the 4th day of February, 2009, CHAPMAN embezzled, stole, and knowingly converted to her own use moneys, funds, securities, premiums, credits, property, and other assets belonging to the Chickasaw Nation, an Indian tribal organization. The charges arose from an investigation by Bureau of Indian Affairs.
The charges are in violation of Title 18, Section 1163. (Up to five years imprisonment and/or up to $250,000 in fines.)
Assistant United States Attorney Linda Epperley
FABIAN SALINAS-ELIGIO, age 23, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma
Illegal Reentry of a Previously Deported alien After Conviction of an Aggravated Felony
The indictment alleges on October 25, 2007, SALINAS-ELIGIO was deported from the United States through Del Rio, Texas port of entry. SALINAS-ELIGIO did not apply for permission to reinter. On October 29, 2008, the defendant was interviewed and admitted to being an illegal alien and to re-entering the U.S. after deportation following a conviction for First Degree Rape. The charges arose from an investigation by the U.S. Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The charges are in violation of Title 8 U.S.C. Section 1326(a). (Up to ten years imprisonment and/or up to $250,000 in fines.)
Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Wilson
HUGH EDWARD WORK, age 32, of Lindsay, Oklahoma
Theft or Embezzlement in Connection with Health Care and Embezzlement or Theft from Indian Tribal Organization
The indictment alleges from in or about September, 2004, continuing until in or about March, 2005, WORK knowingly embezzled, stole, or otherwise without authority converted to the use of any person other than rightful owner, or intentionally misapplied moneys, funds, securities, premiums, credits, property, and other assets belonging to the Carl Albert Indian Health Center and the Chickasaw Nation, an Indian tribal organization. The charges arose from an investigation by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General.
Theft or Embezzlement in Connection with Health Care is in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. Section 669. (Up to ten years imprisonment and/or up to $250,000 in fines.)
Embezzlement or Theft from Indian Tribal Organization is in violation of Title 18, Section 1163. (Up to five years imprisonment and/or up to $250,000 in fines.)
Assistant United States Attorney Gregory Dean Burris
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FOR RELEASE: January 14, 2009
SUBJECT: JANUARY 2009 FEDERAL GRAND JURY INDICTMENTS: BILL, William Earl; BURRIS, Richard; CASON, Michael; a/k/a CASON, Mike; CHAPMAN, Elizabeth Kay; FAIRCHILD, Bobby; FERNANDEZ, Edgar; FERNANDEZ, Rogelio; FRENCH, Calvin Harvey; a/k/a FRENCH, Harvey; HARP, Korell Rashaud; JACKSON, Kelvin Lamont; MONTOYA, Louie; a/k/a MONTOYA, Luis; SALINAS-ELIGIO, Fabian; SMITH, Jimmy; and WORK, Hugh Edward
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - United States Attorney Sheldon J. Sperling announced today the results of the January 2009 Federal Grand Jury.
“The following named individuals have been charged with a federal crime or crimes by the return of an indictment by the Grand Jury. A grand jury Indictment does not constitute evidence of guilt. A grand jury Indictment is a method of bringing formal charges against the defendant. A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and may not be found guilty unless evidence establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Statutory maximum punishments are in parentheses. United States Sentencing Guidelines may be considered, upon conviction, by the sentencing court. Federal prison sentences are non-parolable”.
WILLIAM EARL BILL, age 32, of Dallas, Texas
KORELL RASHAUD HARP, age 24 of Barnesville, Georgia
KELVIN LAMONT JACKSON, age 32 of Dallas, Texas
Possession with Intent to Use Five or More False Identification Documents, Aggravated Identity Theft, and Eleven Counts of Possession of a Counterfeit Security with Intent to Deceive.
The indictment alleges on September 10, 2008, BILL, HARP and JACKSON possessed five or more false identification documents and numerous counterfeit checks. The charges arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Possession with Intent to Use Five or More False Identification Documents is in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. Sections 1028(a)((3), (b)(2) and 2, (Up to five years imprisonment and/or up to $250,000 in fines);
Aggravated Identity Theft is in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. Sections 1028A(a)(1) and 2 (Up to two years imprisonment and/or up to $250,000 in fines);
Possession of a Counterfeit Security With Intent to Deceive is in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. Section 513(a) and 2 (Up to ten years imprisonment and/or up to $250,000 in fines.)
Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Wilson
RICHARD BURRIS, age 38, of Checotah, Oklahoma
MICHAEL CASON, a/k/a Mike Cason, age 49, of Oktaha, Oklahoma
BOBBY FAIRCHILD, age 44, of Oktaha, Oklahoma
EDGAR FERNANDEZ, age 41, of El Paso, Texas
ROGELIO FERNANDEZ, age 47, of El Paso, Texas
CALVIN HARVEY FRENCH a/k/a Harvey French, age 53, of Princeton, Kentucky
LOUIE MONTOYA, a/k/a Luis Montoya, age 61, of Albuquerque, New Mexico
JIMMY SMITH, age 51, of Ochelata, Oklahoma
Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and Distribute Controlled Substances.
The indictment alleges beginning in or about 2003, and continuing until on or about December 21, 2008, FAIRCHILD, CASON, BURRIS, SMITH, MONTOYA, FRENCH, ROGELIO FERNANDEZ and EDGAR FERNANDEZ willfully and knowingly combined conspired, confederated, and agreed together, and with others known and unknown to the Grand Jury, to commit offenses against the United States in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1) – Possession with Intent to Distribute and Distribution of Controlled Substances. Charges arose from an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Muskogee County Sheriff’s Office, the Muskogee Police Department, and other law enforcement entities across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee and Kentucky.
The charges are in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. Section 846. (Not less than ten years, nor more than life imprisonment and/or up to $4,000,000 in fines.)
Assistant United States Attorney Rob Wallace
ELIZABETH KAY CHAPMAN, age 41, of Ada, Oklahoma
Theft from Indian Tribal Organization.
The indictment alleges from on or about the 1st day of January, 2007, until on or about the 4th day of February, 2009, CHAPMAN embezzled, stole, and knowingly converted to her own use moneys, funds, securities, premiums, credits, property, and other assets belonging to the Chickasaw Nation, an Indian tribal organization. The charges arose from an investigation by Bureau of Indian Affairs.
The charges are in violation of Title 18, Section 1163. (Up to five years imprisonment and/or up to $250,000 in fines.)
Assistant United States Attorney Linda Epperley
FABIAN SALINAS-ELIGIO, age 23, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma
Illegal Reentry of a Previously Deported alien After Conviction of an Aggravated Felony
The indictment alleges on October 25, 2007, SALINAS-ELIGIO was deported from the United States through Del Rio, Texas port of entry. SALINAS-ELIGIO did not apply for permission to reinter. On October 29, 2008, the defendant was interviewed and admitted to being an illegal alien and to re-entering the U.S. after deportation following a conviction for First Degree Rape. The charges arose from an investigation by the U.S. Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The charges are in violation of Title 8 U.S.C. Section 1326(a). (Up to ten years imprisonment and/or up to $250,000 in fines.)
Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Wilson
HUGH EDWARD WORK, age 32, of Lindsay, Oklahoma
Theft or Embezzlement in Connection with Health Care and Embezzlement or Theft from Indian Tribal Organization
The indictment alleges from in or about September, 2004, continuing until in or about March, 2005, WORK knowingly embezzled, stole, or otherwise without authority converted to the use of any person other than rightful owner, or intentionally misapplied moneys, funds, securities, premiums, credits, property, and other assets belonging to the Carl Albert Indian Health Center and the Chickasaw Nation, an Indian tribal organization. The charges arose from an investigation by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General.
Theft or Embezzlement in Connection with Health Care is in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. Section 669. (Up to ten years imprisonment and/or up to $250,000 in fines.)
Embezzlement or Theft from Indian Tribal Organization is in violation of Title 18, Section 1163. (Up to five years imprisonment and/or up to $250,000 in fines.)
Assistant United States Attorney Gregory Dean Burris
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FOR RELEASE: January 14, 2009
SUBJECT: YATES, Jarrod Anthony
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - Sheldon J. Sperling, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced today that JARROD ANTHONY YATES, age 24, of Sequoyah County, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 21 non-parolable months in federal prison for charges of Deprivation of Civil Rights Under Color of Law.
“In short, while acting as a law enforcement officer, the defendant violated the civil right of an arrestee to be free from physical attack,” explained U.S. Attorney Sheldon J. Sperling. “The federal offense is a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 242. At the time of the crime, YATES was a jailer at the Sequoyah County Jail.”
“Charges arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation,” U.S. Attorney Sperling continued. “YATES was indicted by a Federal Grand Jury on April 17, 2008. He entered a guilty plea on October 2, 2008.”
“YATES assaulted and battered an inmate, resulting in significant bodily injury,” U.S. Attorney Sperling stated. “The United States Constitution protects prisoners from unwarranted physical assaults by law enforcement officers. The defendant’s actions operated to willfully depriving the arrestee of rights secured and protected by the Constitution and laws of the United States of America.”
“On June 25, 2006, at the Sequoyah County Jail in Sallisaw, Oklahoma, Yates punched, kneed and stomped an arrestee on his head and face, which caused serious injuries, including a fractured orbital socket and severe lacerations that required stitches,” added U.S. Attorney Sperling.
“County jailers are obligated to treat arrestees and inmates as our Constitution requires. Most do. This aberrant violence was properly brought to the attention of the FBI by a discerning Sequoyah County state district court judge. The case was investigated by the FBI. The matter was presented to the grand jury by attorneys from the Civil Rights Division of Main Justice and our office. The cause of action was prosecuted in the district court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma.”
“The Honorable Ronald A. White, District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over today’s hearing. The one year and nine month sentence will be served without the prospect for parole.”
“Trial Attorneys Roy Conn and Michael Khoury from the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Doug Horn, First Assistant U.S. Attorney, capably and thoroughly represented the government in this case.”
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FOR RELEASE: January 26, 2009
SUBJECT: MCMAHAN, Jeff; and MCMAHAN, Lori
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - Sheldon J. Sperling, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced today that JEFF McMAHAN, 48, and LORI McMAHAN, 43, husband and wife, both of Tecumseh, Oklahoma, were sentenced today in federal court. JEFF McMAHAN, former Oklahoma State Auditor, was sentenced to 97 months imprisonment and LORI McMAHAN was sentenced to 78 months imprisonment. The McMAHANS were found guilty in June, 2008 by a federal jury.
“All motions and requests for variances filed by both defendants were denied,” noted U.S. Attorney Sperling. “The McMAHANS must report to the United States Bureau of Prisons, at a facility to be designated, by March 27, 2009 at noon .”
“The charges arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division and the Oklahoma Ethics Commission. The defendants were indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2008,” stated U.S. Attorney Sperling.
“We are grateful for the assistance of Ethics Commission Executive Director Marilyn Hughes,” U.S. Attorney Sperling noted. “The Ethics Commission shared with us the fruits from its civil penalty investigation. Director Hughes also appeared as a witness during this trial.”
“The evidence proved, and a jury found beyond a reasonable doubt, that JEFF and LORI McMAHAN conspired with each other and with others, to Engage in Interstate Travel in Aid of Racketeering. The defendants received bribes and gratuities in exchange for favorable treatment by JEFF McMAHAN, to an un-indicted co-conspirator/ schemer and other entities owned by the un-indicted co-conspirator/schemer and others,” continued U.S. Attorney Sperling.
“During JEFF McMAHAN’s campaign for Oklahoma State Auditor, JEFF McMAHAN, LORI McMAHAN and others on McMAHAN’s behalf, received cash, jewelry, other items of value and straw contributions which far exceeded the legal limits of allowed contributions.”
“The Honorable James H. Payne, Chief District Court Judge, for the United States District Court in Muskogee, Oklahoma, presided over today’s hearing,” noted U.S. Attorney Sperling.
“Assistant U.S. Attorney’s Gay Guthrie and Ryan Roberts represented the government at trial and at today’s hearing.”
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FOR RELEASE: January 29, 2009
SUBJECT: MINER, Valerie J.
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - Sheldon J. Sperling, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced today that VALERIE J. MINER, age 46 of Checotah, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 3 years probation and was ordered to pay $7,284.49 in restitution to the United States Postal Service for the misdemeanor charge of Misappropriation of Postal Funds, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1711.
“Charges arose from an investigation by the United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General,” stated U.S. Attorney Sheldon J. Sperling. “MINER was indicted in September, 2008 and pled guilty to the charges in October, 2008.”
“On or about August 2006, continuing through April, 2007, MINER converted approximately $7284.49 in U.S. Postal Service funds to her personal use. At the time, MINER was Postmaster of the Warner Post Office, in Warner, Oklahoma,” noted U.S. Attorney Sperling.
“The Honorable Kimberly E. West, Magistrate Judge, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over today’s hearing.”
“First Assistant United States Attorney Doug Horn represented the United States.”
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FOR RELEASE: January 29, 2009
SUBJECT: RIGGLE, Steven B.
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - Sheldon J. Sperling, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced today that STEVEN B. RIGGLE, age 43 of Ada, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 3 years probation and was ordered to pay $4,119.35 in restitution for the misdemeanor charge of Obstruction of Mail, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1703.
“Charges arose from an investigation by the United States Postal Service, Office of the Inspector General,” stated U.S. Attorney Sheldon J. Sperling. “RIGGLE was indicted in September, 2008 and pled guilty in October, 2008.”
“The information alleged that RIGGLE, an employee of the United States Postal Service at the time, knowingly and willfully obstructed the passage of mail to be delivered from the United States Post Office in Stonewall, Oklahoma.” continued U.S. Attorney Sperling.
“The Honorable Kimberly E. West, Magistrate Judge, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over today’s hearing.”
“Assistant United States Attorney Shannon Henson represented the United States.”
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