(From the U. S. Atorney for the Western District of Missouri)
Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that a Battlefield, Mo., man has been sentenced in federal court for embezzling $945,000 from his employer.
Travis E. Honaker, 36, of Battlefield, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Greg Kays on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014, to three years and one month in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Honaker to pay $945,200 in restitution.
On March 18, 2014, Honaker pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering. Honaker admitted that he engaged in a scheme to defraud his employer, Prime, Inc., from Aug. 22, 2007, to December 2011. Through his schemes, Honaker embezzled at least $945,200 over the five-year period of the investigation. The illegally obtained funds were used for Honaker’s personal living expenses and paid for such items as a 2005 BMW SUV, a 2009 Range Rover SUV, a down payment and subsequent mortgage payments on a residence in Battlefield and his wife’s extensive gambling expenses.
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Springfield man pleads guilty in $6.7 million K2 scheme
(From the U. S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri)
Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Springfield, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to a $6.7 million scheme that involved the distribution of approximately 2.2 kilograms of synthetic cannabinoids, commonly referred to as K2.
Brandon D. Franklin, 28, of Springfield, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and to conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Franklin admitted that he engaged in a mail fraud scheme by selling and shipping (via FedEx) Kryp2nite products, which were falsely labeled as “incense” and “not for human consumption,” but in reality are intended for human consumption as a drug. He manufactured and distributed K2 to retail outlets in Springfield, Joplin and elsewhere through his Springfield business, ThirdEye.
Between Oct. 29, 2009, and Nov. 6, 2012, Franklin deposited $6,760,041 in proceeds from the distribution of synthetic cannabinoids into his bank accounts. Based upon a review of invoices seized during the investigation, Franklin charged approximately $3 per gram of synthetic cannabinoid. Therefore, Franklin distributed approximately 2,253 kilograms of synthetic cannabinoids.
Franklin also admitted to his role in a money laundering conspiracy related to conducting financial transactions involving the proceeds of unlawful activity, which were designed to conceal or disguise the nature, location, source, ownership and control of the proceeds.
Franklin must forfeit to the government any property derived from the proceeds of the offenses, including a money judgment of $6,760,041; real estate in Springfield, Mo., Rogersville, Mo., Springfield, Ore., and Redding, Calif.; the funds contained in several bank accounts totaling more than $535,000; and investment funds totaling $267,632.
Under federal statutes, Franklin is subject to a sentence of up to 40 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $750,000. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
Today’s conviction is the result of a large-scale investigation by local, state and federal law enforcement agencies into the distribution of K2, the slang term for synthetic cannabinoid products. K2 is a mixture of plant material that has been sprayed or mixed with a synthetic chemical compound similar to THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. K2 products are often labeled as “incense,” but in reality are intended for human consumption as a drug.
This case is being prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael S. Oliver. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the FDA Office of Criminal Investigations, IRS-Criminal Investigation, the Jasper County Drug Task Force, the Jasper County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Joplin, Mo., Police Department, the Webb City, Mo., Police Department, the South Central Drug Task Force, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, the Newton County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department and the Greene County, Mo., Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Springfield, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to a $6.7 million scheme that involved the distribution of approximately 2.2 kilograms of synthetic cannabinoids, commonly referred to as K2.
Brandon D. Franklin, 28, of Springfield, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and to conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Franklin admitted that he engaged in a mail fraud scheme by selling and shipping (via FedEx) Kryp2nite products, which were falsely labeled as “incense” and “not for human consumption,” but in reality are intended for human consumption as a drug. He manufactured and distributed K2 to retail outlets in Springfield, Joplin and elsewhere through his Springfield business, ThirdEye.
Between Oct. 29, 2009, and Nov. 6, 2012, Franklin deposited $6,760,041 in proceeds from the distribution of synthetic cannabinoids into his bank accounts. Based upon a review of invoices seized during the investigation, Franklin charged approximately $3 per gram of synthetic cannabinoid. Therefore, Franklin distributed approximately 2,253 kilograms of synthetic cannabinoids.
Franklin also admitted to his role in a money laundering conspiracy related to conducting financial transactions involving the proceeds of unlawful activity, which were designed to conceal or disguise the nature, location, source, ownership and control of the proceeds.
Franklin must forfeit to the government any property derived from the proceeds of the offenses, including a money judgment of $6,760,041; real estate in Springfield, Mo., Rogersville, Mo., Springfield, Ore., and Redding, Calif.; the funds contained in several bank accounts totaling more than $535,000; and investment funds totaling $267,632.
Under federal statutes, Franklin is subject to a sentence of up to 40 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $750,000. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
Today’s conviction is the result of a large-scale investigation by local, state and federal law enforcement agencies into the distribution of K2, the slang term for synthetic cannabinoid products. K2 is a mixture of plant material that has been sprayed or mixed with a synthetic chemical compound similar to THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. K2 products are often labeled as “incense,” but in reality are intended for human consumption as a drug.
This case is being prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael S. Oliver. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the FDA Office of Criminal Investigations, IRS-Criminal Investigation, the Jasper County Drug Task Force, the Jasper County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Joplin, Mo., Police Department, the Webb City, Mo., Police Department, the South Central Drug Task Force, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, the Newton County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department and the Greene County, Mo., Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Four southwest Missouri residents sentenced for meth conspiracy
(From the U. S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri)
Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that four south Missouri residents were sentenced in federal court today for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Juan Moreno-Malagon, 40, of Highlandville, Mo., Jesus Moreno-Malagon, 56, of Ozark, Mo., Valentin Gomez-Torres, 27, of Battlefield, Mo., and Luis A. Ramon-Lara, 33, of Morrisville, Mo., were sentenced in separate appearances before U.S. Chief District Judge Greg Kays. Juan Moreno-Malagon was sentenced to 11 years and three months in federal prison without parole. Jesus Moreno-Malagon and Gomez-Torres were each sentenced to seven years and three months in federal prison without parole. Ramon-Lara was sentenced to four years and two months in federal prison without parole.
Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that four south Missouri residents were sentenced in federal court today for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Juan Moreno-Malagon, 40, of Highlandville, Mo., Jesus Moreno-Malagon, 56, of Ozark, Mo., Valentin Gomez-Torres, 27, of Battlefield, Mo., and Luis A. Ramon-Lara, 33, of Morrisville, Mo., were sentenced in separate appearances before U.S. Chief District Judge Greg Kays. Juan Moreno-Malagon was sentenced to 11 years and three months in federal prison without parole. Jesus Moreno-Malagon and Gomez-Torres were each sentenced to seven years and three months in federal prison without parole. Ramon-Lara was sentenced to four years and two months in federal prison without parole.
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Friday, September 5, 2014
Federal grand jury indicts Lebanon car dealer for fraud
(From the U. S. Attorney for the Western District of the Ozarks)
Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that a Lebanon, Mo., automobile dealer has been indicted by a federal grand jury for a mail fraud scheme in which he sold dozens of vehicles with fraudulent titles that greatly underreported the actual mileage of the vehicles.
Kenneth W. Smith, 60, of Lebanon, was charged in a seven-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo., on Aug. 26, 2014. That indictment has been unsealed and made public upon Smith’s arrest and initial court appearance.
Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that a Lebanon, Mo., automobile dealer has been indicted by a federal grand jury for a mail fraud scheme in which he sold dozens of vehicles with fraudulent titles that greatly underreported the actual mileage of the vehicles.
Kenneth W. Smith, 60, of Lebanon, was charged in a seven-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo., on Aug. 26, 2014. That indictment has been unsealed and made public upon Smith’s arrest and initial court appearance.
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Springfield man: I punched, kicked, and choked my wife, but someone else killed her
Greene County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Patterson announces that Daniel O. Mauldin, 36, of Springfield, Missouri, has been charged today with murder in the second degree for killing his wife, Tara Mauldin.
These events occurred yesterday, September 2, 2014, at 1619 S. Kentwood, Springfield, Missouri.
The defendant is being held in the Greene County Jail on a $500,000 bond.
Mr. Patterson cautions that the charges contained in the felony complaint are merely allegations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Nathan
Chapman. It is being investigated by the Springfield Police Dept. and Detective
Brian Smith is the lead investigator assigned to the case.
The probable cause affidavit is printed below:
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