Man Who Paralyzed USC Student Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun Charges The 21-year-old Columbia resident who accidentally shot and paralyzed a 19-year-old USC student last fall appeared in federal court on Wednesday, February 19th, and pleaded guilty to federal gun charges. Michael Juan Smith faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted on the charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm, which is a federal offense. Smith faces several charges related to the accidental shooting of Martha Childress, a 19-year-old USC student who was in … [Read more...]
Former New Orleans Mayor Convicted on Federal Charges
February 21, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Corruption Investigation Lands New Orleans Mayor Convicted on Federal Charges On Wednesday, February 12th, former New Orleans mayor Ray Nagin was convicted on 20 out of 21 federal charges, including bribery and conspiracy, during his two-terms as mayor from 2002-2010. Along with Nagin, seven contractors and city officials have also been convicted on federal charges for accepting kickbacks and bribes in exchange for city business. Although many of his charges involved alleged mishandling of contractors during Hurricane Katrina’s aftermath, … [Read more...]
Former Missouri Mayor Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud
February 19, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Former Missouri Mayor Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud Charges The former mayor of Grandview, Missouri has pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud charges. On Tuesday, February 11th, Stephen Dennis pleaded guilty to wire fraud in Kansas City federal court. He admitted to defrauding the International House of Prayer of $35,000. His admission means that he faces up to 20 years in prison, although he could face as little as a year and a day thanks to a plea agreement, which has not yet been settled. Dennis reportedly ran a company, Matters of … [Read more...]
Three “Sovereign Citizens” Convicted on Mail Fraud Charges
February 14, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Three South Carolina Residents Convicted for Mail Fraud Related to Domestic Terrorist Group Three men from South Carolina have been convicted on eight counts of mail fraud in federal court on Thursday, February 6th. The FBI claims the men were part of a domestic terrorist group and used their “sovereign citizens” claims to create bogus paperwork to relieve Myrtle Beach residents of mortgage and credit card debt. A Columbia, SC jury found James Chappelle Dew, along with co-conspirators Jerry Elmo Hartsoe and Mark Shannon Manuel, guilty … [Read more...]
10 People Charged with Wire and Mail Fraud in Lottery Scam
February 11, 2014 by Leave a Comment
10 People, Mostly from South Carolina, Face Mail and Wire Fraud Charges for Nationwide Lottery Scam Nine residents of Little River, South Carolina, and one Georgia resident, have been arrested and charged with mail fraud and wire fraud for a lottery scam that targeted the elderly. The federal complaint, unsealed on Tuesday, February 4th, alleged that the lottery scam targeted elderly victims across the United States. The scam notified victims that they had “won” a lottery or sweepstakes that they did not enter, but they needed to pay some … [Read more...]
Children Rescued from Super Bowl Child Prostitution Ring
February 10, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Underage Children Rescued from Child Prostitution Ring Catering to Super Bowl Visitors Sixteen children between the ages of 13 and 17 were rescued from a child prostitution ring in New Jersey that was allegedly set up to take advantage of Super Bowl tourists. The operation, conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), led to the arrest of 45 pimps and their associates, the agency announced on Tuesday, February 4th. Some of the suspects admitted to traveling to New Jersey from other states specifically to force women and children … [Read more...]
Car Dealership Owner and Employee Plead Guilty to Wire Fraud Charges
January 31, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Anderson County Car Dealership Employees Plead Guilty to Wire Fraud Charges in Federal Corruption Case A car dealership owner in Anderson County, SC, along with one of his employees, have pleaded guilty to wire fraud charges as part of a federal corruption case that began in September 2012. Joe Gibson, 57, from Spartanburg, and Billy John Mills, Jr, 45, from Huntersville, NC, pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud from an indictment issued two years ago. Gibson pleaded guilty on Thursday, January 23rd, while Mills pleaded guilty on … [Read more...]
“Revenge Porn King” Arrested on Federal Charges for Hacking, Identity Theft
January 30, 2014 by Leave a Comment
“Revenge Porn” Website Tycoon and Associate Arrested on Federal Charges The former owner of notorious revenge porn website IsAnyOneUp.com and his hacker associate were arrested on federal charges on Thursday, January 23rd. Hunter Moore, 27, and Charles Evens, 25, were arrested by the FBI on charges of hacking, conspiracy, and identity theft. Until 2012, Moore ran a very successful revenge porn site that encouraged angry exes to submit nude photos of their former girlfriends. The site published the photos along with Facebook profiles and … [Read more...]
“Goodfellas” Mobsters Arrested on RICO Charges for 1978 Lufthansa Heist
January 29, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Criminals Who Inspired “Goodfellas” Arrested on RICO Charges Related to Lufthansa Heist in 1978 Five men believed to be mobsters have been arrested by federal authorities on RICO charges related to a 1978 heist of a Lufthansa flight at the John F. Kennedy Airport in New York. The heist landed the gang members around $5 million in cash, and $1 million in jewels, which is worth about $20 million today. The December 11th, 1978 heist was one of the largest cash thefts in US history, and was referenced in the 1990 film “Goodfellas.” On … [Read more...]
Thirteen Charged for Identity Theft, Money Laundering in Gas Pump Scheme
January 28, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Thieves Who Stole Credit Card Information at Gas Pumps Arrested, Charged with Money Laundering Thirteen suspects total have been arrested and charged with identity theft and money laundering in a nationwide gas pump theft scheme, according to federal prosecutors. Four suspects have pleaded not guilty to money laundering, identity theft, credit card fraud, and other federal charges on Monday, January 20th. Nine others were being arrested. Reportedly, the thieves used a device on the side of gas pumps in Georgia, South Carolina, and Texas … [Read more...]
