ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI – United States District Judge Ronnie L. White sentenced Robert Hill to 25 years in prison. A jury had convicted Hill of one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine and one count of felon in possession of a firearm on September 16, 2020.

The evidence presented at trial proved that on May 23, 2013, officers responded to a call in the 11000 block of Criterion Avenue in St. Louis, Missouri. Investigators observed signs of a struggle and blood smears and during a protective sweep of the residence located and ultimately seized more than 63 functional firearms, various ammunition, and body armor. Security footage and other evidence linked the residence to Robert Hill, a previously convicted felon. Hill’s fingerprints were found on some of the firearms.

Additional evidence demonstrated Hill’s participation in a long-term, large-scale drug conspiracy involving multiple-kilogram quantities of cocaine and heroin from Mexican sources of supply to the St. Louis area. During the investigation, authorities seized hundreds of thousands of dollars in drug proceeds from Hill and his various associates. Specifically, on February 19, 2016, a Clayton Police Officer located Hill in a van with its parking lights on and making furtive movements. A records check revealed Hill had an active warrant.  Hill fled from the officer who chased him by foot throughout a Clayton residential neighborhood. Hill was ultimately apprehended and was wearing a backpack in which $77,648.30 in currency was located, as well as a drug ledger. Hill was also in possession of four cellular telephones. The cash was seized and forfeited as drug proceeds.

DEA later obtained court-authorized wiretap interceptions over various cellular telephones used by Hill and his associates, during which coded conversations revealed that Hill was negotiating for and obtaining multiple kilograms of heroin on a weekly basis for distribution and sale in the St. Louis area. The Court found Hill was responsible for more than 90 kilograms of heroin and possessed firearms in connection with the offense.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

U.S. Attorney Sayler A. Fleming commended the work of the various law enforcement agencies in bringing this long-term offender to justice. “Robert Hill evaded law enforcement for several years and his drug trafficking activity did untold harm to the citizens of our district. The sentence in this case reflects that.”

“There is no better way to begin a new year than to send the leader of a violent drug trafficking organization to prison,” said Marissa Lee, Acting Assistant Special Agent in Charge. “This ensures illegal guns and drugs aren’t on our neighborhood streets. DEA often finds that violence and drugs go hand in hand and the defendant in this case is a perfect example.”

The Drug Enforcement Administration, United States Marshals Service, St. Louis County Police Department, and Clayton Police Department investigated the case.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA — A former branch manager of a bank in Las Vegas was sentenced today to two years and six months in prison after pleading guilty to fraudulently obtaining nearly $1.2 million in Social Security Administration (SSA) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada; Inspector General for the Social Security Administration Gail S. Ennis; and VA Inspector General Michael J. Missal.

“The Social Security Administration and Department of Veterans Affairs provide a lifeline to members of society who are eligible, and provide benefits to veterans who have served and sacrificed for their country,” said U.S. Attorney Trutanich. “Our office and our agency partners are committed to safeguarding these programs and prosecuting those who would abuse these essential services.”

“We must hold those in positions of trust accountable when they abuse that trust and misuse their authority for personal gain,” said Gail S. Ennis, Inspector General for the Social Security Administration. “We will continue to work with SSA and other agencies to identify unreported deaths and aggressively pursue those who misuse Social Security benefits after someone dies.”

“The VA Office of Inspector General tirelessly pursues allegations of fraud, waste, and abuse affecting VA programs,” said VA Inspector General Michael J. Missal. “This conduct was particularly disturbing as it involved an individual who abused his position of trust.”

Javier Montano, 57, of Las Vegas, pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government funds. In addition to the term of imprisonment, U.S. District Judge Jennifer Dorsey sentenced Montano to three years of supervised release and ordered him to pay $1,196,075.95 in restitution to the Social Security Administration and Department of Veterans Affairs.

According to court documents, in August 2015, Montano, who was the branch manager for a local bank, received information about two accounts within the bank with large balances and no activity:

• The first account (Account A) was held by a Las Vegas resident who was receiving SSA retirement benefits. The individual passed away in February 1997. The SSA was not notified about the individual’s death, and benefits continued to be paid into the account.
• The second account (Account B) was held by a Las Vegas resident who was receiving both SSA retirement benefits and VA benefits. The individual passed away in June 2011. Neither the SSA nor the VA was notified about the individual’s death, and benefits continued to accumulate in the account.

Through a bank computer, Montano ordered debit cards for both accounts, using them to withdraw cash — which he either spent or deposited into his personal bank account — and to make purchases for his personal use and benefit. In addition, Montano ordered and wrote checks (for his personal use) for Account B. Montano also used his authority as a branch manager to authorize a $35,000 cashier’s check from Account B. The vast majority of the funds were withdrawn in cash or spent on personal expenses, including the purchase of a luxury car.

In total, between August 2015 and June 2020, Montano fraudulently obtained: (a) approximately $436,686.80 in SSA benefits to which he was not entitled; and (b) approximately $757,985.88 in VA benefits to which he was not entitled.

This case was a joint investigation by the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, and Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Oliva prosecuted the case.

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Lawrence Allen Keplinger, of Lahmansville, West Virginia, has admitted to a methamphetamine distribution charge, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Keplinger, age 39, is pled guilty to one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine” involving more than 50 grams of “crystal meth” or “ice.” Keplinger admitted to having more than 50 grams of methamphetamine in March 2019 in Grant County.

Keplinger faces at least 10 years and up to life incarceration and a fine of up to $10,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Potomac Highlands Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the West Virginia State Police investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Peter G. Strasser announces that ERIK MARTIN, aged 48, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, December 29, 2020, to a Bill of Information charging him with Conspiracy to Commit Bribery, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 371 and 201(b)(2). MARTIN faces up to five years imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a mandatory special assessment of $100.  Sentencing is set for April 27, 2021, in front of the Honorable Judge Wendy B. Vitter.

According to the Factual Basis, in 2019, MARTIN was a civilian employee of the United States Marines Corps Marine Forces Reserve (MARFORRES) Distribution Management Office (DMO), located in New Orleans, Louisiana. Darrel Fitzpatrick was a Senior National Account Manager at Company A, a bus brokerage company based in Atlanta, Georgia.  MARTIN accepted bribes in exchange for directing transportation contracts to businesses associated with Darrel Fitzpatrick.

The conspiracy resulted in at least $1.9 million in transportation contracts being corruptly awarded to companies associated with Fitzpatrick.  In exchange for steering contracts to Fitzpatrick, MARTIN agreed to accept $250,000 in bribes.

U. S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), and the United States Secret Service for their investigation in this case. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Myles Ranier.