Cleveland Man Indicted for Firing Shotgun in Euclid Carjacking

A Cleveland man was indicted in federal court for firing a shotgun during a carjacking in Euclid, law enforcement officials said.

Cody M. Coats, 25, was charged in a three-count indictment with carjacking, discharging a firearm during a crime of violence and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Coats used an Itahca short-barreled shotgun when he carjacked someone and stole their 2005 Chrysler Crossfire outside a Euclid bar on Aug. 14, 2017, according to the indictment.

He ultimately crashed the car on East 222nd Street near Lakeshore Boulevard following a police chase and was arrested.

Coats possessed a shotgun and 20 12-gauge shotgun shells despite a prior conviction for burglary, according to the indictment.

“In the course of committing a robbery, this defendant fired a shotgun and crashed a stolen car near a busy intersection,” U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said. “We will work with all of our law enforcement partners to ensure violent individuals with firearms cannot prey on law-abiding citizens.”

“ATF is committed to combating gun violence in our communities,” said Trevor Velinor, ATF Special Agent in Charge for the Columbus Field Division. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners, including the Euclid Police Department, to arrest violent criminals and make our communities safer.”

“We are pleased that the U.S. Attorney’s Office has adopted this case,” Euclid Police Chief Scott Meyer said. “The officers and detectives of the Euclid Police Department did an outstanding job with the apprehension and investigation. We must all work together to send the message that violent crime will not be tolerated in our communities.”

This case was investigated by the ATF and Euclid Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Joseph M. Pinjuh.

If convicted, the defendants’ sentences will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violations.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Former Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Officer Pleads Guilty to Excessive Use of Force Violation

Former Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) officer Richard Scavone pleaded guilty today in federal court to assaulting a handcuffed woman in his custody.

Acting U.S. Attorney Steven W. Myhre of the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse of the FBI’s Las Vegas Office made the announcement.

According to admissions made in the plea agreement, on January 6, 2015, Scavone, 50, was working as an LVMPD patrol officer, and was accompanied in his patrol car by an LVMPD jail corrections officer on a ride-along. At approximately 5:00 a.m., Scavone and the ride-along encountered A.O., who was talking on the phone and holding a cup of coffee. When Scavone told A.O. to “move along,” A.O responded that she was waiting on someone and threw her cup of coffee to the ground. Scavone, who was wearing a body-worn camera that recorded video and audio, exited his patrol car and approached A.O. with a Taser in hand.

Scavone admitted that during the interaction with A.O., and while A.O. was handcuffed, he: shoved A.O. to the ground; grabbed her around the neck with his hand and threw her to the ground; struck her in the forehead with an open palm; grabbed her by the head and slammed her face onto the hood of his patrol vehicle; grabbed her by the hair and slammed her face onto the hood of his patrol vehicle a second time; and slammed A.O. into the door of his patrol vehicle.

Scavone admitted that he took those actions without legal justification and that he knew his actions were against the law.

Scavone faces a maximum sentence of up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.  Sentencing will be held on January 11, 2018. 

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to protecting the civil rights of all Nevada citizens, regardless of their backgrounds,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Myhre. “The defendant took an oath to serve and protect with honor and integrity. Misconduct such as this will not be tolerated and those who break the law will be held accountable for their actions.”

“As Mr. Scavone realized today, no one is above the law,” said Special Agent in Charge Rouse.  “Law enforcement takes an oath to protect and serve our communities.  We are, and rightfully should be, held to a higher standard.  Every day, the vast majority of police officers in our community uphold that standard under difficult, dangerous conditions.  However, when law enforcement breaks that vow, they will be held accountable.” 

After conducting its own investigation into Scavone’s conduct, LVMPD terminated Scavone’s employment.

This case was investigated by the Las Vegas Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the cooperation of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.  It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Phillip N. Smith, Jr. and Nicholas Dickinson of the District of Nevada and Trial Attorney Julia Gegenheimer of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice.   

Alabama Man Arrested on Production of Child Pornography Charges

A 54-year-old Muscle Shoals, Alabama resident was arrested on September 27, on a federal criminal complaint charging him with producing child pornography, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Blanco of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town of the Northern District of Alabama.

According to the complaint affidavit, between Aug. 1, 1997, and Oct. 15, 1998, Charles Mark McCormack used a minor, born in or about 1992, to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing child pornography, by surreptitiously videotaping the minor urinating in a bathroom in his residence. 

The charges contained in the complaint are only allegations.  The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations is investigating this case with the cooperation of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.  Trial Attorney William M. Grady of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Fortune of the Northern District of Alabama are prosecuting the case.