11 Indicted on Federal Drug Charges in Meth Ring Roundup

Memphis, TN – Eleven people were indicted this week on conspiracy charges for their alleged roles in a methamphetamine distribution ring.

On Wednesday, July 29th, Johnnie Wilborn, Travis Huston, Fred Wilson, Dexter White, Patrice Lee, Brittany Huston, Deontoe Huston, Larry Cassidy Jr., Robert Earl Williams Jr., Phillip Sean Mosley, and Janice White were all indicted by a federal grand jury for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. Wilborn, Travis Huston, Dexter White, Brittany Huston, and Janice White were also indicted for conspiracy to launder drug proceeds.

The Memphis Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division; Memphis Police Department Organized Crime Unit (OCU); West Memphis Narcotics Division; and the Federal Bureau ofInvestigation (FBI) conducted the investigation of the defendants.

Agencies who assisted the investigating agencies with arresting the defendants on Wednesday were the 25th Judicial District Drug Task Force; Germantown Police Department; Bartlett Police Department; and the United States Marshals Service.

Search warrants were executed on multiple residences identified during this investigation. During the roundup, officers seized:

• 4 assault rifles

• 1 shotgun

• 4 handguns

Those charged with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine include: Johnnie Wilborn, Travis Huston, Fred Wilson, Dexter White, and Patrice Lee. If convicted, they each face up to life in prison and up to a $10 million fine.

Those charged with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine include: Brittany Huston, Carlos Lewis, Deontoe Huston, Larry Cassidy Jr., Robert Earl Williams Jr., and Phillip Sean Mosley. If convicted, they each face up to 40 years imprisonment and up to a $5 million fine.

Wilborn, Travis Huston, Dexter White, Brittany Huston, and Janice White have also been charged with conspiracy to launder drug proceeds. If convicted for the offense, they each face up to 20 years imprisonment and up to a $500,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel French is representing the government in these cases.

The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Centre County Man Pleads Guilty to Civil Rights Violations

JOHNSTOWN, PA—A resident of Centre County, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of interfering with housing, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Ryan M. Held, a/k/a Ryan M. Foley, 21, of 133 Hemlock Street in Philipsburg, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to two counts before United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on August 20, 2010, Held, by force and threat of force, willfully intimidated and interfered with two minor victims, one of whom was an African-American male, because of his race and because he was occupying a dwelling; and one of whom was a female who was and had been lawfully allowing such African-American male, a friend, to occupy the dwelling in which she resided. During the afternoon of August 20, Held drove past the female victim’s home in Woodland, Pennsylvania, and saw her socializing with a few friends, one of whom was African-American. Just before midnight, Held returned to the property and placed a cross in the front yard of the female victim, approximately 60 feet from the entry to her home, and set it on fire for the purpose of intimidating and interfering with her and her African-American friend. Held spent a few minutes laying in the woods bordering the property watching the cross burn and waiting to see if anyone emerged from the residence.

“Every citizen has the right to be safe in their own home, free from racial intolerance and intimidation,” said U.S. Attorney Hickton. “We will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute criminals whose actions are driven by bigotry and hate.”

Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for February 7, 2013, at 10 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $500,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Judge Gibson revoked bond and ordered Held detained pending the sentencing proceeding.

Assistant United States Attorney Carolyn J. Bloch is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government, together with Trial Attorney Roy Conn of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Held.

Pittsburgh Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Pornographic Images and Videos of Children

PITTSBURGH—A resident of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Matthew Lawrence Gamret, 28, of 111 Kentmoor Drive in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to one count before Senior United States District Judge Gustave Diamond.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on January 16, 2012, Gamret possessed visual depictions, namely, images and videos in computer graphics files, the production of which involved the use of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

Judge Diamond scheduled sentencing for January 30, 2013, at noon. The law provides for a total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Jessica Lieber Smolar is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Gamret.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “Resources.”

Man Charged with Possession of a Firearm by Illegal Alien

Jose Miguel Perez, 31, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was charged today by indictment with one count of possession of a firearm by an illegal alien, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger. The indictment alleges that on or about August 24, 2012, Perez, an alien, knowingly possessed a Taurus Model PT 111, 9mm semi-automatic handgun loaded with 12 live rounds of ammunition.

If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 10 years.

The case was investigated by the Philadelphia Police Department, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, and the FBI. It is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Karen Fox.