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...]
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...]
“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...]
Former Assistant to DMB Violinist Sentenced for Wire Fraud
January 24, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Former Personal Assistant to Dave Matthews Band’s Violinist Sentenced in Wire Fraud Case The former personal assistant to Dave Matthews Band’s violinist, Boyd Tinsley, was sentenced for pleading guilty to one count of wire fraud in federal court on Friday, January 16th. Getty Andrew Rothenberg, 39, pleaded guilty to one charge of wire fraud for embezzling up to $2.5 million from his long-time personal friend, Boyd Tinsley, who has made millions playing violin for the Dave Matthews Band, which became famous in 1991. Rothenberg has been … [Read more...]
Beanie Babies Creator Sentenced for Tax Evasion
January 17, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Creator of Beanie Babies Receives Light Sentence in Tax Evasion Case The man who created the popular collectible Beanie Babies has received probation in his tax evasion case. Ty Warner, 69, managed to avoid going to jail on Monday, January 13th. Reportedly, Warner pleaded guilty in October 2013 to the tax evasion charges, after federal investigators discovered that he had avoided paying taxes on $25 million in income by hiding the money in a Swiss bank account. Warner agreed in October to pay $53.6 million as a civil penalty for his tax … [Read more...]
7 Floridians Arrested for NC Mortgage Fraud Scheme
January 16, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Mortgage Fraud Scheme Leads to Arrest of 7 Florida Residents Seven Florida residents have been arrested in connection with a mortgage fraud scheme based in a remote development near Cashiers, NC. Federal mortgage fraud charges against the seven defendants include conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud and multiple bank fraud offenses. Reportedly, the ring leaders of the mortgage fraud scheme are Domenic Rabuffo, 77, from Miami, and his ex-wife Mae Rabuffo, 74, of Fort Lauderdale. Also indicted are Raymond E. Olivier, 52, and Curtis … [Read more...]
