U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force Arrests Attempted First Degree Murder Suspect

Fugitive Wanted For Shooting in Southeast Gainesville

Gainesville, FL – This morning, the U.S. Marshals Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force located and arrested Willie Eastman, 32, inside an apartment complex near downtown Gainesville. Eastman was wanted by the Gainesville Police Department for (1) attempted first degree murder and (2) possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Eastman was also wanted by the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office for violation of probation. On 6/7/14 at approximately 2200 hours, per an investigation by the Gainesville Police Department, Eastman got into a verbal argument with the victim near 2300 East University Avenue. Eastman left the area but then showed up at the victim’s house – located at a second location in southeast Gainesville - about 45 minutes later. The argument continued and Eastman pulled out a handgun, pointed it at the victim, and shot three times but missed.

This morning, Task Force members developed information that Eastman was still in the Gainesville area and likely hiding at a family member’s apartment inside the Oak Park complex located at 100 NE 8th Avenue. Task Force members - including investigators from the U.S. Marshals Service, the Gainesville Police Department, the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office – initiated surveillance in the area and later confirmed Eastman was inside apartment #503. At approximately 11:00 A.M., Task Force members approached this apartment and ordered Eastman to exit at gunpoint. Eastman was placed under arrest and booked into the Alachua County Jail on his outstanding warrants.

Gainesville Police Chief Tony Jones praised the work of all the agencies involved in the arrest. “Without teamwork from all of these agencies, a very dangerous fugitive would still be on the loose,” said Jones. “We are thankful that he is now behind bars.”

The Gainesville Division of the U.S. Marshals Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force is sponsored by the U.S. Marshals Service and is comprised of investigators from the U.S. Marshals Service, the Alachua County Sheriff's Office, the Levy County Sheriff's Office, the Marion County Sheriff's Office, the Gainesville Police Department, and the Chiefland Police Department.

U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force Arrests Armed Robbery Suspect in North Carolina

Robbery occurred in Hughesville in December 2013

Williamsport, PA – United States Marshal Martin J. Pane announced today that the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force arrested Deontae D. Davis in Concord, North Carolina.

On December 5, 2013, the Hughesville Police Department responded to a report of an armed robbery at the UniMart located on North Main Street in Hughesville. The suspect was later identified as Deontae Davis.

On December 18, Magisterial District Judge Jon E. Kemp issued an arrest warrant charging Davis with robbery, terroristic threats, theft, receiving stolen property, and simple assault.

In January 2014, the Hughesville Police Department requested the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force to locate and arrest Davis. Information was developed that Davis may have fled to North Carolina. In April, an investigative lead was sent to the USMS Fugitive Task Force in the Middle District of North Carolina.

On June 18, Deputy U.S. Marshals and task force officers arrested Davis without incident in the 1500 block of Daley Circle in Concord, North Carolina. Davis remains in custody pending extradition to Pennsylvania, after he failed to post the $500,000 bond.

United States Marshal Martin J. Pane stated, “The U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force places a high priority on fugitive cases in which there is the use or threat of violence against innocent victims. This type of crime undermines our society. Fugitives like Davis deserve their day in court.”

The USMS worked jointly in this investigation with personnel from the Lycoming County Sheriff’s Office. This agency is a participating member of the USMS Fugitive Task Force in the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

Stone Cold Killer Captured

Fugitive Facing Capital Murder & Sexual Assault Charges

Helotes, TX – David Malcom Strickland, 27, was arrested this afternoon by members of the United States Marshals Service Lone Star Fugitive Task Force (LSFTF) in Helotes, TX. Arrest warrants were issued for Strickland pursuant to an investigation by the Portland Police Department (PPD) and Texas Rangers (TR) on charges involving Capital Murder, Aggravated Assault with a Weapon, and Aggravated Sexual Assault.

This morning, the LSFTF was contacted by the TR for assistance in locating and apprehending Strickland. Through joint investigative efforts, task force officers and rangers determined that Strickland was hiding out at an apartment in the 12000 block of Bandera Road in Helotes. Task force officers and rangers conducted a brief surveillance and approached the apartment. Task force officers and rangers entered the apartment, identified themselves, and made contact with Strickland. Strickland was then taken into custody without incident.

On June 23, 2012, Strickland was allegedly involved in sexually assaulting and shooting two women in the head. The heinous assault took place at a park located in Portland, TX. Both women were left for dead in a grassy area of the park, but were later found by a couple passing by. One of the victims had succumbed to the gunshot wound, but the other victim survived. After an extensive investigation conducted by the PPD and TR, today, warrants were issued for Strickland’s arrest.

Strickland is currently being held in custody at the Helotes Police Department awaiting extradition to the San Patricio County Jail to face pending charges.

Robert R. Almonte, United States Marshal for the Western District of Texas, states, “I am thrilled that the collaborative efforts of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force, Texas Rangers, and Portland Police Department resulted in Strickland’s arrest. He’s a stone cold killer who thought he got away with murder, but will finally pay for his crime. My sympathies and condolences go to the victims and their families who had to endure this wicked act of violence.”

Members of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force:

    New Braunfels Police Department

    San Antonio Police Department

    San Antonio Independent School District Police Department

    Bexar County Sheriff’s Office

    Comal County Sheriff’s Office

    Bexar County Fire Marshal’s Office

    Bexar County District Attorney’s Office

    Texas Office of The Attorney General

    Texas Department of Public Safety

    Texas Department of Criminal Justice – Office of the Inspector General

    Immigration & Customs Enforcement – Office of Detention & Removal

    U.S. Marshals Service

Air Force NCO Sentenced to 120 years in Prison for Sexually Exploiting Toddlers and Children to Produce Child Pornography

Drugged and Bound at Least Five Children to Produce Child Pornography, Which He Then Distributed

Earlier today, William S. Gazafi, age 44, of Lusby, Maryland, was sentenced to 120 years in prison, for six counts of sexually exploiting a minor to produce child pornography.

Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein of the District of Maryland, Special Agent in Charge Stephen E. Vogt of the FBI and Brigadier General Kevin J. Jacobsen, Commander of Air Force Office of Special Investigations.   The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Roger W. Titus of the District of Maryland.

According to the indictment, court documents and statements made at his plea hearing, on August 15, 2013, Gazafi engaged in a chat with an undercover officer on a website dedicated to incest discussions.  During the chat, Gazafi discussed his sexual interest in children and advised that he had been drugging and molesting several children, including an infant.  During the chat, Gazafi sent seven images to the undercover officer, three of which were child pornography Gazafi stated he produced after drugging the child.  Gazafi was subsequently identified and arrested.

At the time of his arrest, Gazafi was carrying multiple digital media items.  A forensic examination of those items, and others seized from his residence, revealed videos and images that Gazafi produced of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct, including one child as young as five months old.  The images also depict children bound and handcuffed while sleeping.  In addition to producing hundreds of images of five children, ranging in age from five months to seven years, Gazafi distributed the images he produced to others on the Internet.  Gazafi was communicating with other child pornography producers, some of whom sent him images of children they were abusing.  Thus far, three children have been identified as a result.  Gazafi possessed over 15,000 images and videos of children being sexually abused, many of toddler and infant age.  At the time of his arrest, Gazafi was a non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Air Force working at Andrews Air Force Base.

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.justice.gov/psc .  For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc and click on the “resources” tab on the left of the page.

The case was investigated by the FBI, Air Force Office of Special Investigations and the Calvert County State’s Attorney’s Office.  The case was prosecuted by Trial Attorney LisaMarie Freitas of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Sullivan of the District of Maryland.

 

168 Juveniles Recovered in Nationwide Operation Targeting Commercial Child Sex Trafficking

During the past week, the FBI, its local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) conducted Operation Cross Country VIII, a week-long enforcement action to address commercial child sex trafficking throughout the United States.  This operation included enforcement actions in 106 cities across 54 FBI field divisions nationwide and resulted in 168 recoveries of children who were being victimized through prostitution.  Additionally, 281 pimps were arrested on state and federal charges.

“Child sex traffickers create a living nightmare for their adolescent victims,” said Leslie R. Caldwell, Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice.  “They use fear and force and treat children as commodities of sex to be sold again and again.  This operation puts traffickers behind bars and rescues kids from their nightmare so they can start reclaiming their childhood.”
“Targeting and harming America’s children through commercial sex trafficking is a heinous crime, with serious consequences.” said FBI Director James B. Comey.  “Every child deserves to be safe and sound.  Through targeted measures like Operation Cross Country, we can end the cycle of victimization.”

Operation Cross Country is part of the Innocence Lost National Initiative that was established in 2003 by the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, in partnership with the Department of Justice and NCMEC, to address the growing problem of child prostitution.

“Operation Cross Country reveals that children are being targeted and sold for sex in America every day,” said John Ryan, President and CEO of NCMEC.  “We’re proud to partner with the FBI and provide support to both law enforcement and victim specialists in the field as they help survivors take that first step toward freedom.”

To date, the FBI and its task force partners have recovered nearly 3,600 children from the streets.  The investigations and subsequent 1,450 convictions have resulted in lengthy sentences, including 14 life terms and the seizure of more than $3.1 million in assets.

Task force operations usually begin as local enforcement actions that target truck stops, casinos, street “tracks,” and websites that advertise dating or escort services, based on intelligence gathered by officers working in their respective jurisdictions.  Initial arrests are often violations of local and state laws relating to prostitution or solicitation.  Information gleaned from those arrested frequently uncovers organized efforts to prostitute women and children across many states.  FBI agents further develop this evidence in partnership with U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section so that prosecutors can help bring federal charges in those cities where child prostitution occurs.

The Innocence Lost National Initiative partners with NCMEC to provide training for state and federal law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and social service providers from across the country.

The FBI thanks its local, state, and federal law enforcement partners representing 392 separate agencies for their ongoing enforcement efforts, and participation in Operation Cross Country VIII.

Three Former Georgia Correctional Officers Convicted for Offenses Related to Beating of Inmate and Ensuing Cover-Up

The Justice Department announced that Christopher Hall, a former sergeant for the Correctional Emergency Response Team (CERT) at Macon State Prison (MSP) in Oglethorpe, Georgia, and two former CERT officers, Ronald Lach and Delton Rushin, were convicted on Friday night by a federal jury on federal offenses related to the beating of an MSP inmate in 2010 and the cover-up that followed.  Three other defendants, James Hinton, Derrick Wimbush and Tyler Griffin, were acquitted of related charges.

 

Ronald Lach was one of several MSP officers who participated in a retaliatory beating against an inmate as their form of punishment for the inmate’s prior misconduct.  Lach was convicted of violating the inmate’s rights, conspiring to obstruct justice after the assault and obstruction of justice.  Hall and Rushin were convicted of conspiring to obstruct justice and obstruction of justice.

 

In related cases, five former MSP officers have pleaded guilty to various charges in connection with a series of beatings of inmates in 2010 at Macon State Prison, and the cover-up that followed.

 

“Eight former corrections officials from Macon State Prison now stand convicted for their involvement in beating inmates and in the coordinated cover-ups that followed each assault,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Jocelyn Samuels for the Civil Rights Division.  “These officers betrayed the public trust by using their official positions to commit violent civil rights abuses and then tried to cover up their crimes.  The Department of Justice will continue to prosecute vigorously corrections officers who use their power to violate federal law.”

 

These cases were investigated by the Macon Resident Agency of the FBI, with the support of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.  The cases were prosecuted by Special Litigation Counsel Forrest Christian and Trial Attorney Tona Boyd for the Civil Rights Division, with the assistance of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Macon.

Vandenberg Victims' Advocates create 'safe zone'

by Staff Sgt. Erica Picariello
30th Space Wing Public Affairs

6/16/2014 - VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- By Imagine a courtroom filled with people awaiting a judge to declare a verdict on a case. The accused not only testifies, but also provides the judge with 100 glowing character references, yet the victim is allowed to provide nothing but their own testimony.

Whose statement will be more impactful?

According to Vandenberg's Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, Donna Rathbun, the Victims' Advocate program here is resolved to be just that - a voice for those who feel powerless.

"Even though I try to make myself very approachable and available to Team V for assistance, I realize that a victim may be more comfortable confiding in someone they view as a peer," Rathbun said. "I use the analogy of the courtroom scenario because that's often times how a victim feels: 'Nobody understands what I'm going through and nobody cares.' The VAs are just that - Airmen and Department of Defense civilians of varying ranks who are trained in victimology and know what resources can be provided to a victim. They are emissaries in individual units who are the most likely to be the first non-official SARC representative victims go to."

Not anyone can be a VA, there are exclusions and a screening process.

"Anyone in the military can be a VA except those on g-series orders, chief master sergeants, Office Of Special Investigations personnel, security forces, judge advocate personnel, chapel personnel, and medical group personnel," Rathbun said. "The prospective VA must then submit paperwork asking to be a VA that has been endorsed by their commander, complete a background check and a 40-hour training session with the SAPR office. After all of that has been accomplished, the prospective VA must submit paperwork to become certified through the National Organization for Victim Assistance and the DoD Sexual Assault Advocate Certification Program."

After those steps are completed, a VA is certified and can be matched with a victim to provide assistance.

"The Match-up is very important," Rathbun said. "I make sure to take the whole-person concept into consideration and match a VA with a victim who has similar experiences and interests."

Though the VA is certified to help, that doesn't mean they have to - they're still asked if they'd like to work with a victim.

"After I've identified the best matched VA for the victim, I call the VA and give them a very non-specific review of the case and victim," Rathbun said. "Maybe the VA is in the middle of a college course or getting ready to go on a family vacation and wouldn't have the time to devote to someone who needs them outside of their home responsibilities. We understand that and can come up with a game plan to make it work or I can find a different VA."

Though the responsibilities can be heavy, most VAs find the job to be very gratifying.

"I am a VA for the sake of helping other Airmen," said Capt. Katie Fabbri, a Vandenberg VA and the alternate SARC. "Since we're Airmen on the installation, we're a familiar face that victims can turn to when they need help. The VA is someone who isn't going to pass judgment on the victim, who knows what resources are available to help and, most of all, is a 'safe zone' for the victim."

Fabbri believes that creating a 'safe zone' can be the most important part of the VAs responsibilities.

"One of the biggest struggles for victims is that they don't have a confidant during a time that they feel that the world is against them," Fabbri said. "The VA is a way for the victim to 'check the pulse' on how others may perceive their issue. The VA can also provide answers and resources to help that person move through the healing processes."

As an extension of the base SARC, the VAs are the first-line warriors to ensure the victims' voices are heard.

"Victims are people too and you're not just a victim," Fabbri said. "Yes, this horrible thing happened to you, but it does not define you. That's the balance a VA tries to create for a victim."

For more information on becoming a VA, call the Vandenberg SAPR office at 606-SARC (7272).

Serial Bank Robber Sentenced to more than 14 Years in Federal Prison

Ocala, Florida – Senior U.S. District Judge Wm. Terrell Hodges yesterday sentenced Renita Mount Rayner (53, Tampa) to 14 years and 7 months in federal prison for three counts of robbery of a federally insured financial institution and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. The court also ordered Rayner to forfeit $8,028, traceable proceeds of the offenses. Rayner pleaded guilty on February 13, 2014.

According to court documents, on November 12, 2013, Rayner entered an Ocala branch of Alarion Bank, displayed a handgun, and handed a teller a note that read, “Have gun. Will use it. Give me all the money.” Once she had obtained $1,940, Rayner dropped the demand note and fled the bank in a red Honda automobile.

Detectives subsequently identified Rayner’s thumbprint on the recovered demand note. They also confirmed that Rayner’s car matched the description of the getaway vehicle. Days after the robbery, she was arrested on unrelated charges in the Tampa area. At the time of her arrest, Rayner had $1,602 in cash still inside of her purse.

Subsequent investigation showed that Rayner had committed at least two other robberies in the previous three months. On August 7, 2013, she walked into a Grow Financial Credit Union branch, in St. Petersburg. During that robbery, Rayner handed a teller a note that read, “Give me all your money, do not give a dye pack.” After obtaining $3,348, Rayner fled the credit union in the same red getaway car. When surveillance images of the robbery were released to the media, one of Rayner’s long-time friends recognized her as the robber and contacted authorities.      

On September 5, 2013, Rayner robbed a Dunedin branch of BB&T bank. In that incident, Rayner handed a note to a bank employee that read, “Give me all your money, I have a gun and I am not afraid to use it.” After taking $2,740, Rayner fled the bank. Investigators ultimately recovered from a nearby trash can the demand note, wig and sunglasses that Rayner had used as a disguise. Rayner’s fingerprints were found on the sunglasses. Her DNA was later identified on the discarded wig.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Marion County Sheriff’s Office; the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office; the City of St. Petersburg Police Department; and the State Attorney’s Offices for Marion and Pinellas Counties. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert E. Bodnar, Jr.

Former Maryland Division of Corrections Lieutenant Sentenced for Obstruction of Justice

Edwin Stigile III, formerly a lieutenant at the Roxbury Correctional Institution (RCI) in Hagerstown, Maryland, was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge James K. Bredar to serve 36 months in prison for obstruction of justice in connection with his involvement in a series of assaults against an inmate, Kenneth Davis, at RCI.

 

On Jan. 9, 2014, Stigile pleaded guilty to a charge of destruction of records.  According to court documents filed in connection with his guilty plea, Stigile acknowledged that he intentionally used a magnetic device to erase incriminating surveillance video footage related to the RCI officers’ assaults of Davis.  RCI officers from three different shifts assaulted Davis in March 2008, in retaliation for a prior incident in which Davis struck an officer.  Stigile also instructed an officer to hide the magnetic device after the surveillance footage was destroyed.  In September 2012, Stigile made false and misleading statements to federal authorities and a federal grand jury in an attempt to obstruct the federal investigation related to the assaults.

 

“The defendant participated in the cover-up of the assaults suffered by Mr. Davis, and then he lied to cover up this crime,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Jocelyn Samuels for the Civil Rights Division.  “The defendant’s actions run completely counter to the responsibilities and trust given to a supervisor at a correctional facility.  The Justice Department will continue to vigorously prosecute those officers who, like this defendant, try to cover up the misconduct of other officers.”

 

To date, 16 current or former officers at RCI were convicted in connection with the series of assaults that Davis suffered on March 8 through 9, 2008.  One former officer still awaits sentencing.

 

The case was investigated by the Frederick Resident Agency of the FBI, and prosecuted by Special Litigation Counsel Forrest Christian and Trial Attorney Sanjay Patel of the Civil Rights Division, with the assistance of Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Cunningham for the District of Maryland.