METAIRE, La. - An investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the U.S. Secret Service Louisiana Electronic and Financial Crimes Task Force has resulted in the arrest of Brian Kent, 54, of Metairie.
The task force consists of investigators from the Louisiana State Police and U. S. Secret Service.
According to the complaint, during the course of the investigation, special agents and detectives discovered that a Federal Express package containing 325 counterfeit U. S. Postal Service money orders was being delivered to Kent from an address in Nigeria.
A controlled delivery of the fraudulent money orders was conducted by ICE agents, at which time the package was accepted by Kent.
After delivery of the package, investigators executed a consent search of Kent's vehicle and search warrant of his residence locating additional counterfeit money orders and checks as well as a check scanning machine.
Approximately 700 counterfeit documents were seized as a result of the investigation.
Kent was placed into federal custody and charged with fraud, mail fraud, and smuggling.
Showing posts with label louisiana state police. Show all posts
Showing posts with label louisiana state police. Show all posts
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Two Monroe, Louisiana City Councilmen Indicted for Racketeering and Extortion
Defendants Charged with Taking Bribes in Connection with Matters Before the Council
June 24, 2010 - MONROE, LA—Two members of the Monroe, Louisiana City Council were indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of racketeering and extortion for taking bribes from individuals and organizations with business before the council, United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today. Robert E. “Red” Stevens, 58, and Arthur Gilmore, Jr., 52, were named in a two count indictment charging violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), 18 U.S.C. § 1962(c), and the Hobbs Act, 18 U.S.C. § 1951. Both defendants will be scheduled to be arraigned before United States Magistrate Judge Karen Hayes in Monroe on July 15, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.
Today’s indictment is the result of a two year investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Louisiana State Police. The indictment alleges that Stevens and Gilmore, both of whom were elected to their positions in 1996, used their offices and positions as elected city councilmen to enrich themselves by accepting cash and other things of value from individuals and organizations having business before the council. In exchange, Stevens and Gilmore are alleged to have taken and promised to take actions favorable to these individuals and organizations. The indictment alleges that these activities occurred from 2006 to the end of 2009.
The RICO count alleges nine specific instances where Stevens and Gilmore are charged with having violated the Louisiana public bribery law by accepting money and other things of value from a local businessman who was cooperating with the investigation. In total, Stevens is alleged to have accepted bribes of $6,300.00, along with other valuable consideration, while Gilmore is alleged to have accepted bribes of $1,437.00, along with other valuable consideration, including a reduced purchase price for land.
If convicted, both men face a maximum sentence on Count 1, RICO, of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. The Hobbs Act is punishable by a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.
An indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Monroe Resident Agency, and the Louisiana State Police. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney C. Mignonne Griffing.
June 24, 2010 - MONROE, LA—Two members of the Monroe, Louisiana City Council were indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of racketeering and extortion for taking bribes from individuals and organizations with business before the council, United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today. Robert E. “Red” Stevens, 58, and Arthur Gilmore, Jr., 52, were named in a two count indictment charging violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), 18 U.S.C. § 1962(c), and the Hobbs Act, 18 U.S.C. § 1951. Both defendants will be scheduled to be arraigned before United States Magistrate Judge Karen Hayes in Monroe on July 15, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.
Today’s indictment is the result of a two year investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Louisiana State Police. The indictment alleges that Stevens and Gilmore, both of whom were elected to their positions in 1996, used their offices and positions as elected city councilmen to enrich themselves by accepting cash and other things of value from individuals and organizations having business before the council. In exchange, Stevens and Gilmore are alleged to have taken and promised to take actions favorable to these individuals and organizations. The indictment alleges that these activities occurred from 2006 to the end of 2009.
The RICO count alleges nine specific instances where Stevens and Gilmore are charged with having violated the Louisiana public bribery law by accepting money and other things of value from a local businessman who was cooperating with the investigation. In total, Stevens is alleged to have accepted bribes of $6,300.00, along with other valuable consideration, while Gilmore is alleged to have accepted bribes of $1,437.00, along with other valuable consideration, including a reduced purchase price for land.
If convicted, both men face a maximum sentence on Count 1, RICO, of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. The Hobbs Act is punishable by a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.
An indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Monroe Resident Agency, and the Louisiana State Police. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney C. Mignonne Griffing.
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