Justin Worley to Plead Guilty in Federal Court to Nine Counts of Bank Robbery

PROVIDENCE, RI—According to documents filed in U.S. District Court in Providence today, Justin L. Worley, 34, has agreed to plead guilty in federal court to robbing eight banks in Rhode Island and one in Massachusetts, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha.
According to court documents, Worley will plead guilty to nine counts of bank robbery. Worley will admit to the court that on nine separate occasions he entered financial institutions, and, using implied or explicit threats, including the threat of death in at least four of the robberies, he robbed the banks of a total of $32,633.
According to the documents, Worley will admit to robbing eight financial institutions in Rhode Island between April 16, 2012, and September 18, 2012, and to robbing one in Seekonk, Massachusetts, on February 23, 2012.
Worley was arrested at a motel in Seekonk on September 19, 2012, by East Providence, Rhode Island and Seekonk, Massachusetts Police Departments.
The bank robberies were investigated by the Barrington, Cranston, East Providence, North Providence, Pawtucket, Seekonk, and Warwick Police Departments and the FBI.
The maximum statutory penalty for bank robbery is 20 years in federal prison; a fine of up to $250,000; and a term of supervised release of three years.
Worley has been detained in federal custody since November 15, 2012.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys William J. Ferland and Paul F. Daly, Jr

Oceanside Man Arrested in Connection with Carlsbad Bank Robbery Investigation

San Diego FBI Special Agent in Charge, Daphne Hearn, announces the arrest of Edward Jones Inzunza, age 30, of Oceanside, California. Inzunza was arrested as a result of the investigation into the robbery of the Comerica Bank at 2626 El Camino Real, in Carlsbad, California, that occurred on Friday, January 4, 2013.
Inzunza was arrested on Friday, February 1, 2013, near the intersection of Lewis and Thunder, in Vista, California, by San Diego County Sheriff’s deputies during a vehicle stop. The deputies were working in coordination with the FBI and Carlsbad Police Department.
According to the federal complaint filed with the U.S. District Court, Southern District of California, Inzunza is charged with one count of violating Title 18, United States Code, Section 2113(a), bank robbery. Inzunza is charged with robbing the Comerica Bank at 2626 El Camino Real in Carlsbad, California, on Friday, January 4, 2013.
According to the complaint, on Friday, January 4, 2013, at approximately 4:30 p.m., the Comerica Bank, 2626 El Camino Real in Carlsbad, California, was robbed by an unknown male, subsequently identified as Edward Jones Inzunza. At the time of the robbery, Inzunza allegedly approached the victim teller and ordered the teller to raise his hands and to give him all the money he had in his drawer. Inzunza kept one hand in his sweat jacket pocket making some bank employees believe he had a gun in his pocket. Inzunza grabbed the money and placed it inside of his sweat jacket front pocket. Following the robbery, Inzunza walked across the parking lot and was observed entering an early 2000’s white Toyota T-100 extended cab pickup truck,
On Monday, January 7, 2013, the FBI issued a news release to the media and the public concerning the robbery of the Comerica Bank. This news release included bank surveillance photographs of the bank robber.
On Monday, January 28, 20103, an anonymous person reported to San Diego County Crime Stoppers that he/she saw bank surveillance photographs on the news and believed the Comerica Bank robber was Inzunza. This information, along with additional information developed through follow-up investigation, led to federal bank robbery charges being filed against Inzunza.
Following his arrest on Friday, February 1, 2013, Inzunza was booked into the Bureau of Prisons (BOP), Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC), San Diego, California. Inzunza is expected to have his initial appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge on or about Monday, February 4, 2013.
This robbery is being investigated by the Carlsbad Police Department, San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, and the FBI. This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of California, and San Diego, California.
An arrest itself is not evidence that the defendant committed crimes charged. The defendant is presumed innocent until the government meets its burden in court of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Man Sentenced to 40 Months in Federal Prison for Bank Robbery and Attempted Bank Robbery of Two Banks in Coffee County

MONTGOMERY, AL—Benjamin Michael Smith, a resident of Coffee County, Alabama, was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison for federal felony charges for bank robbery and attempted bank robbery, United States Attorney George L. Beck, Jr. announced today.
In October 2012, the United States Attorney filed a felony information against Smith alleging the federal charges. During Smith’s guilty plea hearing, he admitted that on February 16, 2010, he attempted to rob Citizen’s Bank located in Coffee County. Smith also admitted that on December 5, 2011, he robbed CB&T Bank located in Coffee County.
United States District Judge Mark E. Fuller sentenced Smith to a total term of 10 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release following his release from prison. Smith remains in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending placement by the Bureau of Prisons.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the Enterprise Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jerusha T. Adams prosecuted the case.

Indictment Charges Two Logan County Men with Central Illinois Bank Robberies

SPRINGFIELD, IL—A federal grand jury has returned an indictment that charges Joseph M. Allspach, 25, and Robert D. McKissic, 32, both of Lake Fork, Illinois, with two counts of armed bank robbery, one count of attempted armed bank robbery, and one count of carjacking related to robberies that took place in September and October 2012.
The indictment, returned late yesterday, alleges that the two men committed armed bank robberies of the Bank of Chestnut in Chestnut, Illinois, on September 17, 2012, when approximately $8,756 was taken; and at Kenney Bank and Trust, Kenney, Illinois, on October 24, 2012, when approximately $38,221 was taken. The indictment alleges the pair attempted an armed bank robbery of the Town and Country Bank in Buffalo, Illinois, on October 23, 2012. Allspach and McKissic are also charged with taking by force a bank employee’s car on October 24, following the alleged armed bank robbery.
The two men were previously charged in a federal criminal complaint filed on December 18, 2012, and they were taken into federal law enforcement custody. Following hearings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Byron G. Cudmore, both men were ordered to remain detained in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
If convicted, each offense of armed bank robbery and attempted armed bank robbery carries a statutory penalty of up to 25 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Carjacking carries a penalty of up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Illinois State Police; the Logan County Sheriff’s Office; DeWitt County Sheriff’s Office; Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office; the Buffalo/Mechanicsburg Police Department; and the Office of the Illinois Secretary of State. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Harris is prosecuting the case.
Members of the public are reminded that an indictment is merely an accusation; each defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

El Paso Truck Driver Admits Committing Armed Bank Robbery of First Bank Texas in Abilene

ABILENE, TX—Frank Esparza, Sr., 40, of El Paso, Texas, appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge E. Scott Frost and admitted committing the September 27, 2012 armed robbery of First Bank Texas (FBT), SSB, in Abilene, Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Sarah R. Saldaña of the Northern District of Texas.
Specifically, Esparza pleaded guilty to one count of armed bank robbery and one count of using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. The armed bank robbery count carries a maximum statutory penalty of 25 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine, and the firearm count requires imprisonment for a period of not less than seven years and up to life and a $250,000 fine. Esparza remains in federal custody; a sentencing date was not set.
According to plea papers filed in the case, at approximately 4:30 p.m. on September 27, 2012, a Hispanic male wearing a dark hooded jacket, sunglasses, and a ski mask, who was later identified as Esparza, entered FBT and approached the teller counter. Esparza pointed a .25 caliber pistol at the tellers and said, “You know what this is.” Esparza then walked behind the teller counter, held up a plastic grocery bag, and demanded money from the tellers. The tellers gave Esparza the money, and he said, “Thank you ladies, I did not want anyone to get hurt.” As he began to exit the bank, an FDIC auditor was also leaving the bank, and Esparza pointed the pistol at the auditor and told him not to say anything. Esparza then fled the scene.
The plea papers also state that Esparza was driving an 18-wheeled tractor-trailer to Lubbock when it broke down in Abilene and that his son and a friend picked him up. Esparza said he decided to rob a bank because he needed a quick way to obtain money. His son and the friend took him to a bank, but it was closed when Esparza tried to go inside and rob it. They then took him to FBT, where, after his son went inside the bank to get an idea of what was inside, Esparza entered the bank and robbed it, using a .25 caliber pistol he had acquired earlier in the day.
The investigation is being conducted by the FBI and the Abilene Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey R. Haag of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Lubbock, Texas, is in charge of the prosecution.

Montgomery Man Pleads Guilty to Bank Robbery

MONTGOMERY, AL—Darrin J. Bell, 32 years old, of Montgomery, Alabama, pled guilty today to one count of bank robbery and one count of using a firearm during a violent crime, announced George L. Beck, Jr., United States Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama.
On October 5, 2011, Bell walked into the Community Bank and Trust located at 9190 East Chase Parkway in Montgomery. He pulled a gun from his duffle bag and demanded money from the teller. The teller complied and gave him approximately $1,500. Bell then left the bank area on his motorcycle. Bell was indicted and pled guilty to bank robbery. Because Bell used a firearm during the bank robbery, he was also charged and pled guilty to using a firearm during a violent crime.
“Most everyone uses banks and most everyone has to visit their bank from time to time,” said U.S. Attorney Beck. “When a criminal uses a gun and endangers the innocent patrons and tellers at that bank, we will prosecute. This is a serious crime, which requires serious punishment. My office is unrelenting, and we will not let up on these criminals; we will continue to utilize all the resources possible to prosecute and bring these criminals to justice.”
“The collaboration between federal and municipal law enforcement agencies paved the way for the successes of this investigation,” stated Stephen E. Richardson, FBI Special Agent in Charge, Mobile Division.
The maximum punishment for bank robbery is 20 years in prison, a fine of no more than $250,000, and a period of supervised release not to exceed three years. The maximum punishment for using a firearm in a violent crime is a term of imprisonment of at least seven years, a fine not to exceed $250,000, and a period of supervised release of not more than three years.
The United States Attorney thanks the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Montgomery Police Department, and the Opelika Police Department for their hard work and dedication on this case. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Susan R. Redmond.

All Defendants Sentenced in More Than $20 Million Mortgage Fraud Scheme Led by Former Dallas Cowboy Eugene Lockhart

DALLAS—Eugene Lockhart, Jr. was sentenced this week by U.S. District Judge Jorge A. Solis to 54 months in federal prison and ordered to pay approximately $2.4 million in restitution following his guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, stemming from his leadership role in a massive mortgage fraud scheme that he and others ran in the Dallas area from approximately 2002 to 2005. Lockhart, of Carrollton, Texas, is the last of 10 defendants who were convicted in the scheme to be sentenced. Lockhart played for the Dallas Cowboys from 1984 to 1990 and used his name and fame, according to evidence in the case, to get business and further the scheme. Judge Solis ordered that Lockhart, who has been on home confinement, surrender to the Bureau of Prisons on January 16, 2012. U.S. Attorney Sarah R. Saldaña of the Northern District of Texas made the announcement.
Others convicted and sentenced are:

• William Randolph Tisdale, of Dallas, also considered a leader of the scheme along with Lockhart, was convicted at trial on one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of bank fraud. He was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison and ordered to pay approximately $1.1 million in restitution.
• Hubert Jones, III, of Garland, Texas, who acted as a lieutenant for Tisdale, was convicted on one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, one count of bank fraud, and one count of wire fraud. He was sentenced to 58 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $681,545 in restitution.
• Lendell Beacham, of Desoto, Texas, a mortgage company owner, was convicted on one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of wire fraud. He was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $947,700 in restitution.
• Patricia Ortega Suarez, of Dallas, an escrow officer, pleaded guilty to two counts of making a false statement to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison and ordered to pay approximately $1 million in restitution.
• Michael Anthony Caldwell, of Arlington, Texas, who was a manager for a title company, pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement to HUD. He was sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison and ordered to pay $445,100 in restitution.
• Donna Lois Kneeland, of Grand Prairie, Texas, also an escrow officer, pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement to HUD. She was sentenced to a three-year term of probation and ordered to pay $135,000 in restitution.
• Bryan J. Moorman, of Mesquite, Texas, who acted as a real estate appraiser, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and was also sentenced to a three-year term of probation. He was also ordered to pay $281,200 in restitution.
• Jermaine Frederick Frazier, of Desoto, who acted as a loan processor and lieutenant for Lockhart, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison and ordered to pay approximately $2 million in restitution.
• Scott David Eller, 45, of Mansfield, Texas, a CPA, was convicted on one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison and ordered to pay approximately $1.7 million in restitution.

Lockhart was involved with real estate entities, some formed by him and Tisdale, which had names that were often derived in some fashion from a reference to the Dallas Cowboys, including America’s Team Mortgage; America’s Team Realty; America’s Team Funding Group; Ace Mortgage; Cowboys Realty; Cowboys Mortgage; and KLT Properties. Tisdale was involved with Pinnacle Development and Realty Corporation; Atilla Capital Corporation; and KLT Properties. Jones was involved with Pinnacle Development and Realty Corporation and Atilla Capital Corporation.
The defendants ran a scheme in which they located single-family residences for sale in the Dallas area, including distressed and pre-foreclosure properties, and negotiated a sales price with the seller. They created surplus loan proceeds by inflating the sales price to an arbitrary amount substantially more than the fair market value of the residence.
Generally, they recruited individuals to act as nominee or “straw purchasers” or “straw borrowers,” promising to pay them a bonus or commission of between $10,000 and $20,000 for their participation in a particular real estate transaction. The conspirators caused the loan applications for each straw borrower to include false financial information, often including inflated false income figures to conceal the borrower’s true financial condition so that the lender would more likely approve the loan. The conspirators concealed from the lenders the true status, financial conditions, and intentions of the named borrowers, knowing that loans would not likely be approved if the lender knew the true role, credit worthiness, and risk of each straw borrower. The conspirators falsely represented in loan documents that the straw purchaser intended to use the property as their primary residence, intentionally concealing from the lender that each straw borrower viewed himself as an “investor,” who never intended to occupy the home.
Some of the conspirators also caused bogus and fraudulent “marketing fees” to be listed on loan closing documents to provide a means for the conspirators to receive surplus/excess loan proceeds.
The scope of the conspiracy involved approximately 54 fraudulent residential property loan closings resulting in the funding of approximately $20.5 million in fraudulent loans. The actual loss to lenders is nearly $3 million.
Today’s announcement is part of efforts underway by President Obama’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force (FFETF) which was created in November 2009 to wage an aggressive, coordinated, and proactive effort to investigate and prosecute financial crimes. With more than 20 federal agencies, 94 U.S. attorneys’ offices, and state and local partners, it is the broadest coalition of law enforcement, investigatory, and regulatory agencies ever assembled to combat fraud. Since its formation, the task force has made great strides in facilitating increased investigation and prosecution of financial crimes; enhancing coordination and cooperation among federal, state, and local authorities; addressing discrimination in the lending and financial markets and conducting outreach to the public, victims, financial institutions, and other organizations. Over the past three fiscal years, the Justice Department has filed more than 10,000 financial fraud cases against nearly 15,000 defendants, including more than 2,700 mortgage fraud defendants. For more information on the task force, visit www.stopfraud.gov.
The case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David L. Jarvis and Mark Penley prosecuted.

Three Ketchikan Men Sentenced to Federal Prison for Money Laundering Conspiracy

ANCHORAGE—Acting U.S. Attorney Kevin Feldis announced today that three Ketchikan residents were sentenced in Juneau to federal prison on money laundering conspiracy charges.
U.S. District Court Judge Timothy M. Burgess sentenced Ketchikan residents Francisco Arca Seludo to 87 months in prison; Herman Arca Seludo, Jr. to 46 months in prison; and Jeremiah Miguel Perez to 50 months in prison for their roles in a money laundering conspiracy.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack S. Schmidt, who prosecuted the case, the charges arose from state of Alaska drug investigations that resulted in the defendants being charged with distributing methamphetamine. Francisco Seludo, 42, was contacted by the Ketchikan Police Department on November 1, 2011, after receiving a package containing approximately eight ounces of methamphetamine. Herman Seludo, 34, was stopped by Ketchikan Police on December 21, 2010, and police found 20 baggies of methamphetamine inside a jacket owned by Seludo. A search warrant executed at Seludo’s residence revealed three handguns, one of which was stolen, as well as ammunition, drug ledgers, and drug proceeds. While on release, Herman Seludo was arrested again on February 8, 2012, after a search warrant of his residence resulted in the recovery of 26.2 grams of methamphetamine, packaging materials, drug ledgers, drug paraphernalia, a digital scale, and over $1,100 in cash. Jeremiah Perez, 35, was stopped by Ketchikan Police on Feburary 7, 2012, and a search of his person resulted in the seizure of three grams of methamphetamine, along with $980 in cash. All defendants were charged by the state of Alaska with drug distribution.
As a result of the defendants arrests, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) conducted a financial investigation of Francisco and Herman Seludo’s and Perez’s bank and wire remittance transactions, which revealed that between January 2008 to November 2011, Francisco Seludo laundered over $400,000; between April 2008 and February 2012, Herman Seludo laundered $41,150; and between June 2010 to November 2011, Perez laundered $44,810. This investigation led to the federal money laundering charges to which the defendants pled guilty. All defendants laundered the drug proceeds in order to promote drug trafficking or to conceal and disguise the nature, location, source, ownership, and control of the drug proceeds. Francisco Seludo was convicted of state drug charges and was sentenced to serve two years in that case. Herman Seludo was convicted of two state drug charges and sentenced in state court to a composite sentence of four years to serve. Perez was convicted of drug charges and sentenced two years to serve. Judge Burgess made the defendants federal convictions for money laundering concurrent to their state sentence. There is no parole in the federal system.
Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Burgess stated the serious of the offense, deterrence of the defendant and others, the protection of the public, and rehabilitation of the defendants related to their criminal histories as reasons that supported the imposition of the above sentences.
Mr. Feldis commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Postal Inspection Service, and Ketchikan Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Francisco and Herman Seludo and Jeremiah Perez.

Suspect Wanted for Five Bank Robberies

Stephen D. Anthony, Special Agent in Charge of the Cleveland Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for the Northern District of Ohio, is seeking information regarding an individual suspected of being responsible for five area bank robberies since October 26, 2012.
The five bank robberies have occurred at the following locations: Dollar Bank, 5201 Wilson Mills Road, Richmond Heights, Ohio, on October 26, 2012; PNC Bank, 2233 Warrensville Center Road, University Heights, Ohio, on October 30, 2012; Ohio Savings Bank, 14033 Cedar Road, South Euclid, Ohio, on November 19, 2012; Dollar Bank, 6563 Brecksville Road, Independence, Ohio, on November 26, 2012; and US Bank, 2211 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, on December 13, 2012.
The subject is believed to be Cetric Sumpter. Sumpter is described as a black male with brown eyes and black hair, 28-years-old, approximately 5’8” tall, and weighing approximately 165 lbs.
Any information regarding the location of Cetric Sumpter should be directed to the Cleveland FBI Field Office at 216-522-1400. Tips can remain anonymous.
A reward is being offered for information leading to the identification and arrest of Cetric Sumpter, the individual believed to be responsible for these five bank robberies.
Any questions regarding this press release should be directed to SA Vicki D. Anderson at 216-522-1400 or vicki.anderson@ic.fbi.gov.
Photos of the suspect, including at robberies, are below.

Robbery at Dollar Bank at 5201 Wilson Mills Rd., Richmond Heights, Ohio, on October 16, 2012
Robbery at PNC Bank st 2233 Warrensville Ctr. Rd. in University Heights, Ohio, on October 30, 2012
Robbery at Ohio Savings Bank at 14033 Cedar Rd., South Euclid, Ohio, on November 19, 2012
Robbery at Dollar Bank at 6563 Brecksville Rd., Independence, Ohio, on November 26, 2012
Robbery at U.S. Bank at 2211 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights, Ohio, on December 13, 2012