Camden, NJ Man Pleads Guilty in Meth Conspiracy

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A New Jersey resident pleaded guilty in federal court on charges of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Jamel T. Brown, 37, of Camden, NJ, pleaded guilty to the indictment before United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson.

In connection with the guilty plea, on October 25, 2018, Brown and a co-conspirator possessed with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine.

Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for June 25, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. The law provides for a maximum sentence of not less than five years and up to 40 years in prison, a fine of $5,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cambria County Drug Task Force conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Brown.

Niagara Falls Man Pleads Guilty For His Role In Drug Conspiracy

 

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Wayne Payne, 63 of Niagara Falls, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum penalty of 40 years, and a fine of $5,000,000.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura A. Higgins, who is handling the case, stated that between May 2017 and November 2017, the defendant conspired with Lavon Parks and others to sell cocaine in the Niagara Falls and Buffalo, NY areas.  Specifically, Payne drove Parks to meet with other individuals to perform drug transactions and to collect drug proceeds from lower-level distributors who worked for Parks.  Defendant also drove Parks to meet with out-of-state suppliers, who provided bulk quantities of cocaine which would be transported back to Niagara Falls for distribution.

On November 30, 2017, during a trip to Houston, Texas, the defendant, Parks, and Parks’ father, James Parks, were stopped for several traffic infractions. A subsequent consensual search of the rental vehicle revealed four packages of cocaine wrapped with plastic and duct tape concealed in the spare tire area.

Lavon and James Parks are currently charged in federal court with narcotics conspiracy and discharge of firearm causing death involving the murder of Kevin Turner.   The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Niagara Falls Police Department, under the direction of Superintendent Thomas Licata; the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ray Donovan, New York Field Division; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Gary Loeffert; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. Devito, New York Field Division; the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector-in-Charge Joseph W. Cronin of the Boston Division; and the Lackawanna Police Department, under the direction of Chief James Michel.

Sentencing is scheduled for July 17, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. before Judge Vilardo.

Defendant Sentenced To Life Imprisonment For 1997 Kidnapping, Traveling With Intent To Engage In Sexual Act With A Juvenile

Sentencing Includes Life For Kidnapping, 360 Months For Traveling With Intent To Engage In Sexual Acts With Juvenile, $50,000 Fine, And $50,067 Restitution

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – Henri Michelle Piette, who had been found guilty by a federal jury on June 6, 2019, was sentenced on February 20, 2020, to life imprisonment for Kidnapping, and 360 months for Traveling With Intent to Engage in Sexual Acts With a Juvenile. His sentenced included a $50,000 fine and restitution to the victim in the amount of $50,067.00.

During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence that the defendant had kidnapped the victim, who was 12 at the time, from Poteau, Oklahoma, in 1997 where she had been living with her mother, who had been in a relationship with the defendant. Over the course of the nearly 20 years that followed, the defendant repeatedly raped and inflicted additional physical and emotional abuse upon the victim. The victim gave birth to nine children, the first being born in 2000 when she was 15 years old. In July 2016 the victim was able to escape with her children to the United States Consular General Offices in Nogales, Mexico. The Federal Bureau of Investigation was notified and the investigation began.

The investigation revealed, and the victim testified at trial, that the defendant had moved her and their children dozens of times within the United States and Mexico. The Defendant used numerous aliases and forced the victim to use aliases, dye her hair, and wear glasses to change her appearance. He controlled the victim by extreme violence, threats of violence, and sexual abuse against her and her children.

Assistant United States Attorneys Sarah McAmis and Edward Snow represented the United States during the trial. The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the United States Department of State Diplomatic Security Service, and the District Attorney’s Office for Oklahoma’s 27th Prosecutorial District.

“Life in prison is a sentence the law reserves for the most serious offenders – offenders like Henri Michelle Piette. For 20 years he inflicted extreme physical and emotional abuse on the victim and her children. For 20 years she feared for her and her children’s lives,” said United States Attorney Brian J. Kuester. “The victim’s courage ended the defendant’s reign of terror. Unfortunately, the horrific memories may very well last a life time.  It is fitting that the defendant’s sentence will also.”

“For over 20 years Henri Piette inflicted immeasurable harm upon his victims.  We hope today’s sentencing provides closure to the victims and an opportunity to heal," said Melissa Godbold, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Oklahoma City Division.  "The FBI would like to thank our law enforcement partners for their dedication and efforts on this investigation.

The Honorable Ronald A. White, District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over the sentencing hearing. The defendant will remain in custody pending transportation to the designated federal facility at which the nonparoleable sentence will be served.