Federal Grand Jury Indictments

United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that a Federal Grand Jury in Greenville, South Carolina, returned Indictments against the following:

Husband and Wife Indicted on Conspiracy and VISA Fraud.  Michael A. Rawson, age 48, of Anderson, South Carolina, and Brenda Rawson, age 47, of Bluffton, South Carolina, were charged in a two-count indictment.  Both were charged with Conspiracy, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371, and VISA Fraud, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1546(a).  The maximum penalty that both could receive is 10 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000.  The case was investigated by agents of ICE-Homeland Security Investigations and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney William J. Watkins, Jr. of the Greenville office for prosecution.

Spartanburg Man and Jonesville Woman Indicted on Federal Drug Charges. Tromone L. Hall, age 37, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, and Jennifer N. Allen, age 34, of Jonesville, South Carolina, were charged in a two-count indictment with possession with the intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine, a violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 846.  The maximum penalty they could face is a fine of $10,000,000.00 and/or Life imprisonment.  The case was investigated by agents of ICE-Homeland Security Investigations and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joe Brewer of the Greenville office.

Spartanburg Man Indicted on Federal Gun Charge. Phillip James Childers, age 26, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, was charged in a one-count indictment with possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1).  The maximum penalty Childers could face is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or imprisonment of 10 years.  This case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Wells of the Greenville office.

Four Aliens Arrested and Charged with Illegal Re-Entry into the United States.  Gilberto Netro Castillo, age 37, Bernardino Mendoza-Ruiz, age 23, Salomon Arreola-Martinez, age 34, and Vicente Salazar-Rodriguez, age 27, are each charged in a one count indictment with illegal re-entry into the United States, a violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326.  The maximum penalty each could face is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or imprisonment of 2 years. The cases were investigated by agents of the ICE - Homeland Security Investigations and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen of the Greenville Office.

The United States Attorney stated that all charges in these indictments are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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