Several Members of Infamous Hells Angels Gang Will Be Sentenced for RICO Violations On Thursday, May 9th, a federal court in South Carolina will sentence 5 of the 15 guilty members of Rock Hill Hells Angels, after a lengthy investigation into drug sales, gun running, conspiracy, and RICO violations. Prosecutors proved, in a US District Court in Columbia, earlier this year that the Hells Angels constituted a gang, and could be prosecuted under RICO laws. Twenty gang members – associates of the Rock Hell Nomads chapter, and the smaller Red … [Read more...]
Bank Fraud Stopped by South Carolina Law Enforcement
May 15, 2013 by
Richland County Deputies Stop a Bank Fraud Scam An alleged bank fraud operation that cost three local banks $20,000 has been stopped by a special Richland County Sheriff’s Department financial crimes unit. Seven suspects, including most of the bank fraud scam’s ringleaders, have been arrested and formally charged with forgery, bank fraud, and related offenses, according to Sheriff Leon Lott. Another 16 suspects are on the loose. According to officials, the bank fraud scam preyed on low-income people. Ringleaders recruited these people to … [Read more...]
Former South Carolina Investment Firm Manager Pleads Guilty to Fraud Charges
May 13, 2013 by
Former Investment Manager Pleads Guilty in Greenville to Fraud Charges The former manager of an investment firm in Easley pled guilty on Monday, May 6th, to fraud charges. Arthur Field, the former manager of Easley, SC-based Capital Investment Funding, denied any wrong-doing related to his business until this week. However, he reached a plea agreement with prosecutors, leading Field to admit to all 14 counts of fraud, including 11 counts of securities fraud, two counts of conspiracy, and one count of forgery – all very serious white collar … [Read more...]
Ja Rule Released from Federal Prison
May 13, 2013 by
Rapper Ja Rule Out of Federal Prison After Two Years After serving most of a two year prison sentence, rapper Ja Rule has been released. He will finish his sentence under home confinement. The 36-year-old, whose real name is Jeffrey Atkins, is technically still serving a sentence until July 28th. However, he will serve the remainder of his federal prison sentence at his home, possibly with community-based supervision. Ja Rule turned himself in in 2011, after pleading guilty to attempted criminal possession of a weapon in 2010, due to an … [Read more...]
Three More Suspects Charged with Federal Crimes in Boston Marathon Bombing
May 10, 2013 by
3 of Lead Suspect’s Friends Charged with Federal Crimes Dzhokhar Tsarnaev has been formally arrested and charged with federal crimes in the Boston Marathon bombing, and now three of his closest friends have also been arrested. Robel Phillipos, Dias Kadyrbayev, and Azamat Tazhayakov, all 19 years old, have been arrested and charged with federal crimes for obstruction of justice. The three reportedly concealed and destroyed evidence found in Tsarnaev’s dorm room, including firecrackers, a laptop, and backpacks. Robel Phillipos is also … [Read more...]
Illegal Gambling Ring Leader’s Double Murder Trial Begins This Week
May 9, 2013 by
Double Murder Trial Starts Jury Selection On Tuesday, May 7th, the double murder trial for Brett Parker, a man who notoriously ran an illegal gambling ring and wound up with a mountain of gambling debts, begins jury selection. Monday’s pretrial hearing focused on each side’s arguments in the double murder case. Parker’s attorneys say that they will focus on South Carolina’s “Stand Your Ground” laws, asserting that one of the murder victims, Bryan Capnerhurst, shot the other victim, Tammy Parker. The prosecution has kept quiet about their … [Read more...]
Arrest Warrant Issued for Mentoring Agency Head Charged with Wire Fraud
May 9, 2013 by
Former Head of Defunct Mentoring Agency Charged with Wire Fraud, Fails to Contact Probation Officer On Monday, April 29th, a federal judge issued an arrest warrant after the former head of a youth mentoring agency, who has been charged with wire fraud and Medicaid fraud, failed to check in with his probation officer. He also failed to appear at a status conference hearing in Charleston, SC on Monday. Norman Lewis ran a for-profit company called Helping Hands Youth and Family Services (not affiliated with charity organizations of the same … [Read more...]
Columbia Rapper Pleads Guilty to Federal Prostitution Charges
May 7, 2013 by
Local Rapper Pleads Guilty to Prostitution Charges in Federal Court A 30-year-old man, who is famous in Columbia, SC as a rap artist, pled guilty on Wednesday, April 24th, to prostitution charges in federal court. According to reports, George McLeod III, who went by Pimp Stick Quezzy, pled guilty to charges that included transporting women from South Carolina to other states to perform sex acts for money. Authorities say that McLeod posted women on an internet website which is now defunct, called Backpages.com, then traveled with them to … [Read more...]
South Carolina Kidnapping Suspect Appealing Ammo Conviction
May 2, 2013 by
Man Suspected of Kidnapping SC Teenager Will Appeal Ammo Conviction Last week, Freddie Grant, the main suspect in the kidnapping of Gabrielle Swainson in August 2012, was convicted on federal criminal charges for owning ammunition as a convicted felon. Now, Grant will appeal the 17-year sentence. On Monday, April 22nd, court documents were filed by Grant’s attorney asking the 4th US Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider the sentence. Reportedly, when investigators searched Grant’s house for evidence related to Gabbiee Swainson’s … [Read more...]
Kidnapping Suspect Sentenced for Owning Ammo
April 29, 2013 by
Main Kidnapping Suspect in Gabrielle Swainson’s Disappearance Sentenced for Ammo in Home Freddie Grant, the only kidnapping suspect in Gabrielle Swainson’s disappearance in August last year, has been sentenced to 17 years in prison for being a convincted felon who owned ammunition. He has not yet gone to trial for Swainson’s kidnapping. During a raid on Grant’s home to find evidence related to Swainson’s disappearance and possible kidnapping, officers discovered that Grant owned a box of shotgun shells, and a box of .38 caliber bullets. He … [Read more...]
