United States Attorney's Office - Eastern District of Oklahoma PRESS RELEASES

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - Sheldon J. Sperling, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced today that DONNA SUE JONES, aka Donna Sue Scott, age 47, of Stilwell, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 5 years probation and ordered to pay $10,222.00 in restitution for Embezzlement and Theft from an Indian Tribal Organization, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1163.

Charges arose from an investigation by the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service. JONES was indicted in June, 2009 and pled guilty in July, 2009.

From on or about September, 2005 and continuing through August, 2007, JONES, an employee of the Cherokee Nation Human Services Department, fraudulently processed applications and issued checks from the General Assistance Program.

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.

Assistant United States Attorney Dean Burris represented the United States.

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FOR RELEASE: November 02, 2009
SUBJECT: LESUEUR, Scott M.

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - Sheldon J. Sperling, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced today that SCOTT M. LESUEUR, age 39, of Heavener, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 5 years probation and ordered to pay $18,755.00 in restitution for Embezzlement of Government Funds, in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. Section 641.

Charges arose from an investigation by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General. LESUEUR was indicted in June, 2009 and pled guilty in July, 2009.

The indictment alleges that from October, 2005 until on about January, 2007, LESUEUR, received and used for his own personal gain, his deceased mother’s VA beneficiary compensation checks.

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.

Assistant United States Attorney Dean Burris represented the United States.

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FOR RELEASE: November 02, 2009
SUBJECT: MILLER, Jacob Dean

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - Sheldon J. Sperling, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced today that JACOB DEAN MILLER, age 22, of Antlers, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 3 years probation for Uttering a Counterfeit Instrument, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 472.

Charges arose from an investigation by the District 17 District Attorney’s Drug Task Force and the United States Secret Service. MILLER was indicted in June, 2009 and pled guilty in July, 2009.

In March 2009, the defendant was identified by witnesses and video surveillance passing counterfeit money at several businesses in the Pushmataha County area.

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.

Assistant United States Attorney D. Edward Snow represented the United States.

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FOR RELEASE: November 04, 2009
SUBJECT: U.S. ATTORNEY PROMOTES STIMULUS FRAUD HOTLINE

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - United States Sheldon J. Sperling, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced today that Federal prosecutors and investigators are awaiting your call.

“We set up this hotline before fraud is committed,” observed U.S. Attorney Sheldon J. Sperling. “The idea is deterrence. This is a statewide neighborhood watch program. To quote the movie line, “Who you gonna call?” “Fraud-Busters.”

“This is a one-stop reporting line, with whistle-blower protection, to report what is not right. Experience has shown that when large amounts of money are doled out over a short period of time, some people try to exploit the system and criminally profit. Some people steal. In Oklahoma, we want to discourage theft, not just catch people after they’ve helped themselves to the bank vault.”

“Oklahoma has been a leader ... in pseudo-ephedrine control to dramatically reduce meth lab production ... in intergovernmental task force effort to target crime infestations, in Indian country with a hotline to report sexual offenses ... and now, before the stimulus money rolls out, in the area of fraud,” noted U.S. Attorney Sperling.

“On April 29th, we gathered 30 federal prosecutors and investigators to form a Stimulus Funding Fraud Prevention Working Group in Oklahoma. Federal cabinet agencies – DHS, HHS, Interior, Education, Energy, and so on – have inspectors general and agents who investigate fraud concerning their funding. They all pledged to investigate reports of theft involving stimulus money.”

“On May 20th, Congress expanded the Major Frauds statute to cover Troubled Asset Relief Program and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding ... the so-called stimulus.”
“On June 24th, the three U.S. Attorneys, the lead FBI Agent, and Oklahoma’s state auditor announced cooperative efforts to prevent, deter, and detect fraud related to stimulus funding,” reported U.S. Attorney Sperling.

“Our government is spending way more than we take in. If we are going to deficit-spend for a less painful present, the money better not be stolen.”

“This is no different than any other kind of neighborhood watch. We prosecute what we can prove beyond a reasonable doubt. When a crime is committed, honest citizens must report, responsible investigators must inquire, and prosecutors must pursue.”

“We wanted to be ahead of the storm. This reporting number is available now, before most stimulus money is delivered and spent.”

“Other than on roads, most of the stimulus money has not yet been distributed or spent. Stimulus funding totaling some $2.6 billion will be coming to Oklahoma. This money will be spent by state, county, local and tribal officials. Contracting, loans, grants, benefits, subsidies ... our aim is that, when your money is spent, we will have lots of eyes and ears open on the ground. Your eyes and ears,” continued U.S. Attorney Sperling.

“For the most part, the first agency responsible to monitor state and local spending is the State Auditor. The FBI has primary responsibility to investigate fraud or theft involving federal funds.”

“It’s not always going to be so apparent as when the drug dealer drives a Corvette and has traffic in and out of his house at all hours of the day and night. People can only report what they see and experience. Prosecutable fraud, whether from a bank or from a school, is noticed by people nearby…….co-workers, contractors, employees, beneficiaries.”

“Fraud is usually committed in secret with a pen or a computer, not a gun. Co-workers sometimes notice. Auditors audit. People see. Sometimes scam artists and embezzlers spend more money that they legitimately earn. Gamblers gamble. We ask that witnesses report. And we do have some really observant citizen watchdogs.”

U.S. Attorney Sperling stated, “The principle here is no different that with terrorism, drugs, violent crime, white collar crime, public corruption, theft, gun crime, computer child porn or crimes involving children. If you witness what you believe to be a crime, report it. If you see something out of the ordinary in your neighborhood outside city limits, call the sheriff. If it happens in town, call the police.”

“We are obligated to know the sheriffs in our 26 counties and police chiefs in the EDOK. Our law enforcement coordinator is a veteran law officer. If you call the police or sheriff, he knows that if the report involves something federal, Bill Boese is the guy to call if you can’t reach me.”

“If you notice fraud concerning any government spending, and especially as to stimulus or new government spending, call toll-free … 1-877-259-7337. If the report involves activity west of 193rd East Avenue or north of Wagoner County, we’ll call our partners in Tulsa. If it’s west of I-35, we’ll call our colleagues in OKC. If it’s south or east from OKC or Tulsa, we’ll answer.”

“Fraud involving taxpayer money will be taken very seriously. And we’re not alone. 27 DAs in the state cover our 77 counties. These career prosecutors are in the barrel with us. This is the Neighborhood Watch Program for the state of Oklahoma. 1-877-259-7337.”

“Federal prosecution has significant benefits; grand jury investigative tools, no parole prison time, detention of dangerous or flight-risk defendants, shorter preliminary hearings, speedy trials and sentencing predictability.”

“My hope is that, in this area of prosecution, the hotline operator will be like the Maytag repairman – the loneliest woman or man in town.”

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FOR RELEASE: November 13, 2009
SUBJECT: BROWN, Bobby

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - Sheldon J. Sperling, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced today that BOBBY BROWN, age 38, of Vian, Oklahoma, was found guilty by a federal jury on 2 counts of a 3 count federal Indictment.

The trial began with testimony on November 9, 2009 and was given to the jury for deliberations on November 12, 2009. After approximately 4 hours, the jury returned with its verdict: Guilty of Possession with Intent to Distribute and Distribution of Anabolic Steroids, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1) and 841 (b)(1)(D) and guilty of Distribution of Controlled Substance to Person Under 21, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 859, 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(D). The jury was unable to find BROWN guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of Distributing or Manufacturing in or Near Schools, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 860, 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(D).

“Assistant United States Attorney Ryan Roberts compellingly presented and explained the facts of the case,” noted U.S. Attorney Sperling. “The evidence included proof that the defendant distributed anabolic steroids to two persons under age 21 and others.”

“The trial testimony established that several steroid recipients were Vian High School football players,” U.S. Attorney Sperling said. “The time frame for the steroid felony distribution was from about March 2006 through about June, 2008.”

The charges arose from an investigation by the District 27 District Attorneys’ Drug Task Force, the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

“Other defendants who have been charged and pled guilty are DUSTY BURNS, age 29 and JIMMY RUSSELL HAMM, II, a/k/a “Rusty” Hamm, age 31, both of Checotah, Oklahoma. Sentencing dates for both are pending,” noted U.S. Attorney Sperling.

The Honorable James H. Payne, 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. A preliminary guideline calculation suggests a possible prison sentence of 51-63 months or more.

Assistant United States Ryan Roberts represented the United States at trial.

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FOR RELEASE: November 18, 2009
SUBJECT: CRANK, Emily Mae

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - Sheldon J. Sperling, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced today that EMILY MAE CRANK, age 32, of Muskogee, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 33 months imprisonment, followed by 36 months of supervised release for Fraud in Connection with Acquiring a Student Loan, in violation of Title 20, United States Code, Section 1097(a). CRANK was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $5725.67.

Charges arose from an investigation by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department, Northeastern State University (NSU) Campus Police, Muskogee Police Department and United States Secret Service. The defendant was indicted in March 2009 and pled guilty in April 2009.

CRANK fraudulently utilized NSU student’s identification information to obtain loans in their names and converted the money to her own use.

The Honorable Steven P. Shreder, Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over today’s hearing. CRANK was ordered to report to the Bureau of Prisons on December 17, 2009.

Assistant United States Attorney D. Edward Snow represented the United States.

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FOR RELEASE: November 18, 2009
SUBJECT: PAGE, Denise K.

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - Sheldon J. Sperling, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced today that DENISE K. PAGE, age 56, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 3 years probation and ordered to pay $28,000.00 in restitution for Embezzlement of Government Funds, in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. Section 641.

Charges arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. PAGE entered a plea of guilty in July 2009.

The information alleges that from about January, 2006, until about December, 2006, PAGE, stole $28,800.00 belonging to Arvest Bank of Wagoner, Oklahoma. PAGE made several fictitious loans and cashed the checks herself.

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.

Assistant United States Attorney Ryan Roberts represented the United States.

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FOR RELEASE: November 18, 2009
SUBJECT: STOPP, Brian Lee

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - Sheldon J. Sperling, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced today that BRIAN LEE STOPP, age 40, of Muskogee, Oklahoma, pled guilty to Felon in Possession of Firearms, Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1) and Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(a)(2).

Charges arose from an investigation by the Muskogee Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. STOPP was indicted in September, 2009.

The Indictment alleged that on or about May 27, 2009, during the execution of a federal search warrant on STOPPS residence, agents located 2 semi-automatic pistols.

The Honorable Steven P. Shreder, 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 defendant remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshal Service pending sentencing.

The statutory range of punishment is up to 10 years imprisonment and/or up to $250,000.00 in fines. A preliminary calculation of the sentencing guidelines projects a sentence of 57-71 months imprisonment.

Assistant United States Attorney Chris Wilson represented the United States.

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FOR RELEASE: November 18, 2009
SUBJECT: WOODARD, Julian Darnell

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - Sheldon J. Sperling, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced today that JULIAN DARNELL WOODARD, age 33, of DOC, OSP, McAlester, Oklahoma was sentenced to 120 months imprisonment, followed by 60 months of supervised release for Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and Distribute Controlled Substances, in violation of Title 21, U.S.C., Section 846.

WOODARD is a co-defendant in the March 12, 2008 federal grand jury indictment of 14 defendants.

Ten men and four women were charged in this Eufaula-area drug conspiracy. The charged criminality extended over the past five years. The charged conspiracy involved methamphetamine, cocaine, and crack. Intermediate drug sources were located in Ft. Smith and Oklahoma City. ‘Mules’ were engaged to transport the drugs.

The conspirators used violence and threats to collect drug proceeds, prevent theft of drugs and money, maintain secrecy and promote discipline. Conspiratorial activity also included, traveling to various casinos to convert illegal drug proceeds to cash and travel to resort locations to reward and promote co-conspirator loyalty.

Charges arose from an investigation conducted by the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics (OBN), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATFE), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the Eufaula Police Department, the Checotah Police Department, and the Muskogee Police Department. Dedicated investigators joined state, local and federal hands in this remarkable collective effort on behalf of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF).

The Honorable Frank H. Seay, Senior District Court Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over today’s hearing. WOODARD will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshal Service pending transportation to the designated federal prison at which he will serve his nonparolable sentence.

Assistant United States Attorney Rob Wallace represented the United States.

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FOR RELEASE: November 18, 2009
SUBJECT: FEDERAL GRAND JURY INDICTMENTS: ARMSTRONG, Jeffrey Langdon; a/k/a ARMSTRONG, Jeffrey; BILLIE, Keith Wayne; MANZANARES, Jose Alfredo Rodriguez; a/k/a RODRIGUEZ, Jose Alfredo; MARSHALL, Tammy Kay; and MASON, Billy Ray

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - United States Attorney Sheldon J. Sperling announced today the results of the November 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”.

JOSE ALFREDO RODRIGUEZ MANZANARES, a/k/a JOSE ALFREDO RODRIGUEZ, age 33, of Sequoyah County, Oklahoma

Alien in Possession of Firearm; Alien in Possession of Ammunition; Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine

The Indictment alleges that on or about April 7, 2009, during a routine driver’s license check, the defendant was found in possession of a chamber loaded .45 caliber pistol, 2 boxes of ammunition and 15.4 grams of “actual” methamphetamine . The defendant, an illegal alien from Mexico, is prohibited from possessing any firearms or ammunition.

The charges arose from an investigation by the Gans Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

The charges are in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(5) (Not more than 10 years imprisonment, and/or $250,000 fines) and Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(B) (Not less than 5 years and not more than 40 years imprisonment, $2,000,000.00 fines)

Assistant United States Attorney Shannon Henson

BILLY RAY MASON, age 27, of Tulsa, Oklahoma

Felon in Possession of a Firearm; Felon in Possession of Ammunition; Possession of Unregistered Firearm

The Indictment alleges that on or about October 7, 2009, during a traffic stop, the defendant, a convicted felon, was found in possession of a sawed-off shotgun, a .22 caliber pistol and ammunition for both firearms. The defendant having former felony convictions is prohibited from possessing any firearms or ammunition.

The charges arose from an investigation by the Wagoner County Sheriff’s Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

The charges are in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1) and Title 26, United States Code, Sections 5845, 5861(d) and 5871 (Not more than 10 years imprisonment and up to $250,000 in fines)

Assistant United States Attorney Shannon Henson

JEFFREY LANGDON ARMSTRONG, a/k/a JEFFREY ARMSTRONG, age 39, of Kemp, Texas

Felon in Possession of Firearm; Felon in Possession of Ammunition; Possession of Unregistered Firearm

The Indictment alleges that in September 2009, the defendant was in possession of 3 pistols and a sawed-off shotgun, along with numerous rounds of ammunition. The defendant having former felony convictions is prohibited from possessing any firearms or ammunition.

The charges arose from an investigation by the Henryetta Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. The charges are in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2) and Title 26, United States Code, Sections 5841, 5845(a)(2), 5861(d) and 5871 (Not more than 10 years imprisonment and up to $250,000 in fines)

Assistant United States Attorney Chris Wilson

TAMMY KAY MARSHALL, age 48, of Welling, Oklahoma

Embezzlement and Theft from an Indian Tribal Organization

The Indictment alleges that from on or about May 4, 2007, and continuing until on or about July 31, 2007, the defendant did embezzle, steal and willfully and knowingly convert to her own use, moneys, funds, credits, goods, assets or other property, valued in excess of $1,000.00, belonging to the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, an Indian tribal organization.

The charges arose from an investigation by the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service. The charges are in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1163 and 2 (Not more than 5 years imprisonment, $250,000 in fines)

Assistant United States Attorney Dean Burris

KEITH WAYNE BILLIE, age 40, of Konawa, Oklahoma

Embezzlement and Theft from an Indian Tribal Organization

The Indictment alleges that from on or about February 19, 2007, the defendant did embezzle, steal and willfully and knowingly convert to his own use, moneys, funds, credits, goods, assets or other property, valued in excess of $1,000.00, belonging to the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma, an Indian tribal organization.

The charges arose from an investigation by the Chickasaw Nation Lighthorse Police and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The charges are in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1163 (Not more than 5 years imprisonment, $250,000 in fines)

Assistant United States Attorney Dean Burris

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FOR RELEASE: November 19, 2009
SUBJECT: JENKINS, Kimberly Kay

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - Sheldon J. Sperling, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced today that KIMBERLY KAY JENKINS, age 45, of Spiro, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 6 months of home detention, followed by 24 months of supervised release for Delay of Mail, in violation of Title 18 U.S.C., Section 1703(a).

Charges arose from an investigation by the United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General.

During the period of December, 2008 through March, 2009, approximately 9 packages shipped from the Department of Veterans Affairs, containing controlled substances, primarily hydrocodone, were reported missing from the Spiro Post Office. JENKINS, an employee of that post office, was identified on surveillance video removing the packages.

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.

Assistant United States Attorney D. Edward Snow represented the United States.

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FOR RELEASE: November 19, 2009
SUBJECT: OPERATION "TRAINWRECK": BLUE, Lawrence Eugene; a/k/a "STINKY"; JOHNSON, John Henry; a/k/a "SPIDER"; JOHNSON, Shannon Malcolm; JOHNSON, Shaun Terrill; MASK, Jamie Lynn; a/k/a MASK, James Lynn; WILSON, Dave Ellis; a/k/a "JUGHEAD"; and WILSON, Orlando L.; a/k/a "LANDO"

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - United States Attorney Sheldon J. Sperling announced today that the following people have been arrested upon an indictment returned this week by the Federal Grand Jury sitting in Muskogee:

SHAUN TERRILL JOHNSON, age 25,
SHANNON MALCOLM JOHNSON, age 26,
LAWRENCE EUGENE BLUE, aka “Stinky”, age 51,
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, aka “Spider”, age 66, all of Tahlequah,
DAVE ELLIS WILSON, aka “Jughead”, age 36, of Keys, Oklahoma,
ORLANDO L. WILSON, aka “Lando”, age 28, of Fort Gibson, Oklahoma and
JAMIE LYNN MASK, aka James Lynn Mask, age 38, of Hulbert, Oklahoma

Each of the defendants was indicted in a two count indictment charging them with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and Distribution of Controlled Substances and Drug Forfeiture. The Indictment alleges that Beginning in approximately 2001, and continuing through November 17, 2009, the defendants agreed to violate the federal narcotics laws by possessing with intent to distribute and distributing controlled substances including marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine and crack cocaine.

The charges arose from an investigation by the Tahlequah Police Department, the Muskogee Police Department, the District 27 District Attorney’s Drug Task Force, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department, the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, the Oklahoma Air National Guard, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Marshal Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

The investigation centered upon a particular neighborhood in Tahlequah known locally as “the hill”, or “depot hill”. Federal agents, assisted by State and Local police investigators, conducted law enforcement operations on the hill for several months. During the course of the operation, agents purchased approximately 90 grams of methamphetamine, approximately 7 grams of crack cocaine, approximately 6 grams of cocaine, and approximately 160 grams of marijuana.

“AUSA Rob Wallace led our prosecutorial charge,” reported U.S. Attorney Sperling. “Before sunrise this morning over one hundred law enforcement agents gathered in three communities to serve six federal search warrants related to the investigation. Four of the search warrants authorized agents to search residences of indicted defendants on “the hill”. A fifth search warrant covered a residence in Keys, Oklahoma, and a sixth authorized the search of a residence in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma. The search warrants were served simultaneously at dawn.”

Special Agent in Charge Robert R. Champion, of the Dallas Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives said, “Today’s effort is a great example of the effectiveness of a cooperative effort between the ATF and our state a local counter parts. The agents on the ground should be proud of the fact that all process was served without incident. These types of cases always guarantee a heightened level of concern.”

District 27 District Attorney Jerry Moore commented, “I would like to commend all the law enforcement agencies that came together for this operation; for all the work done for so long. I would especially like to thank our federal brethren, ATF, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. I can’t tell you how much more effective we have been in the areas of drugs and guns over the last three years because of our federal counterparts’ willingness to share resources and work together. They simply have capabilities, funds, manpower to get things done, when alone we could not. The guys from these agencies, right down the line, are the ultimate as professionals. What culminated today at 6:00a.m. will save the District 27 District Attorney’s Office tons in resources for years to come.”

“The Indictment alleges that the conspiracy which assertedly involved nearly 5 kilos of meth, ¾ kilo of crack and 7 pounds of marijuana,” U.S. Attorney Sperling noted. “The forfeiture count in the indictment seeks a money judgment of $655,000 or the value of drugs transacted and forfeiture of the residences which were the subject of search under court order this morning.”

The charges are in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846 (Not less than 10 years imprisonment, and/or $4,000,000 fines) and Title 21, United States Code, Section 853.

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.

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FOR RELEASE: November 20, 2009
SUBJECT: DOBBINS, Randy Dale

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - Sheldon J. Sperling, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced today that RANDY DALE DOBBINS, age 22, of Hendrix, Oklahoma, pled guilty to Conspiracy, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371.

Charges arose from an investigation by the Sherman Police Department, the Durant Police Department, the Bryan County Sheriff’s Department, the San Juan County Sheriff’s Department in Washington and the United States Secret Service.

The Indictment alleged that from about the middle of January 2008, until about March 28, 2008, the defendant, was part of a counterfeit money making scheme. This scheme involved making counterfeit $100 bills out of bleached out $5 bills and passing them in businesses in Oklahoma, Texas and Washington State.

DOBBINS was indicted in June along with ALLEN KYLE OSBORNE, CHARLENE NICHOLE BERTHELSON and MARK ALAN POOL.

The statutory range of punishment is not more than 5 years imprisonment and/or up to $250,000.00 in fines. A preliminary calculation of the Sentencing Guidelines, projects an advisory sentencing range of 18-24 months imprisonment.

Assistant United States Attorney Shannon Henson represented the United States.

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PRESS RELEASES - NOVEMBER 2009