Gayle Patrick Skunkcap, Jr., Jessie Jay St. Goddard, and Woodrow Jay Wells Sentenced in U.S. District Court

The United States Attorney’s Office announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls on June 20, 2013, before U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen, Gayle Patrick Skunkcap, Jr., age 42; Jessie Jay St. Goddard, age 50; and Woodrow Jay Wells, age 45, residents of Browning, Montana, were each sentenced to a term of:

• Probation: three years
• Special assessment: $200
• Restitution: $56,625

They were sentenced in connection with their guilty pleas to violating the Lacey Act (illegal sale of tribal wildlife) and theft from a tribal government receiving federal funding.
In an Offer of Proof filed by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carl E. Rostad and Ryan G. Weldon, the government stated it would have proved the following at trial:
All wildlife on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation is owned by the Blackfeet Indian Tribe. In managing such wildlife, hunting is allowed. Hunting by non-members on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation is a highly regulated activity. The 2010 and 2011 Blackfeet Regulations set forth the number of tags that may be given to non-members and the price of payment required for each tag. These tags are required, are limited in number, and are highly lucrative. There are only between five and 10 hunting licenses for each big-game species available to non-tribal members each year, with each license costing between $1,500 and $12,000, depending on the animal.
Skunkcap, Jr., was the director of the Blackfeet Fish and Wildlife Department, and St. Goddard and Wells were Tribal Councilmen on the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council. In 2010 and 2011, the Blackfeet Fish and Wildlife Department received federal funding in excess of $220,000, each year.
Between 2010 and 2011, Skunkcap, St. Goddard, and Wells held four big-game hunts for country musicians participating in an outdoors television show on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation without obtaining the limited and expensive hunting licenses for non-tribal members to shoot elk, moose, deer, and a black bear. They also used tribal funds and personnel to outfit and guide the musicians, television show hosts, and a fly fishing expert.
Michael W. Cotter, United States Attorney for Montana said, “These defendants were public officials of the Blackfeet Tribe and leaders in the community who used their positions to steal property from the Blackfeet Tribal Nation. Public corruption is a crime that will be prosecuted by the Montana United States Attorney’s Office whenever it occurs and wherever it is discovered. This prosecution is an example of great investigative collaboration between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Blackfeet Internal Affairs Office.”

Former Army Soldier Sentenced in Murder-for-Hire Conspiracy and for Gun Possession

LAREDO, TX—A fourth man charged in relation to a murder-for-hire conspiracy has been handed a significant federal sentence, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today. Samuel Walker, 29, of Sharon, Mississippi, was convicted in November 2012 along with Calvin Epps, following a seven-day trial.
Today, Senior United Sates District Court Judge George P. Kazen sentenced Walker to respective sentences of 120 and 60 months for conspiracy to commit murder for hire and for possessing a firearm during in and in relation to a crime of violence. Following his 15-year sentence, he will be on supervised release for five years.
According to the evidence presented at trial, the investigation began in January 2011 when co-defendant Marcus Mickle, 21, of Columbia, South Carolina, began negotiations with persons whom he thought were members of the Los Zetas Cartel, actually undercover Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents, to purchase marijuana in return for stolen weapons. According to the testimony of DEA agents, the discussions concerned the distribution of marijuana in the Columbia area and how Mickle and co-defendant Calvin Epps, 29, of Hopkins, South Carolina, told undercover agents about a friend in the military who could provide military weapons to them. The agents were later introduced to co-defendant Kevin Corley, 30, of Columbia, who identified himself as an active duty officer in the U.S. Army responsible for training soldiers. According to the agents’ testimony, Corley offered to provide tactical training for cartel members and to purchase weapons for the cartel.
Over the next several months, Corley continued to communicate with undercover agents regarding the services he could provide the cartel as a result of the training, experience, and access to information/equipment afforded him as an active duty soldier.
On January 7, 2012, Corley traveled to Laredo and met with undercover agents. During this meeting, he stated that he could raid a ranch located at or near Laredo containing 20 kilograms of cocaine and conduct a contract killing there. Corley stated he would need to bring his own team and agreed to the raid and killing for a $50,000 fee and five kilograms of cocaine.
During March 2012, Corley allegedly arranged for 300 pounds of marijuana to be delivered to Mario Corley, 41, of Saginaw, Texas, in Charleston, South Carolina. Kevin Corley also assisted in brokering 500 pounds of marijuana and five kilograms of cocaine for Mickle and Epps and discussed with agents the distribution of these narcotics in South Carolina, Texas, and Colorado.
Agents testified that on March 5, 2012, Kevin Corley delivered two AR-15 assault rifles with scopes, an airsoft assault rifle, five allegedly stolen ballistic vests, and other miscellaneous equipment to an undercover agent in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in exchange for $10,000. At the meeting, Kevin Corley and the undercover agent again discussed the contract killing and the retrieval of the cocaine that was to occur on March 24, 2012. Kevin Corley stated he had purchased a new Ka-Bar knife to carve a “Z” into the victim’s chest and was planning on buying a hatchet to dismember the body. Evidence at trial demonstrated how Kevin Corley told agents he had discussed the plan with Walker and that Walker was going to be a part of the team that would come to Texas to commit the murder for hire. The jury also heard evidence that he and Walker had gone to the rifle range and test-fired Walker’s scoped rifle.
On March 24, 2012, Kevin Corley, Walker, and Shavar Davis, 30, of Denver, Colorado, traveled to Laredo and met with undercover agents, at which time they discussed the location of the intended victim, the logistics of performing the contract kill, and their respective roles.
During the trial, the jury heard about this meeting and that Walker contended he could hit the intended victim from more than two football fields away with his rifle. Agents testified that immediately thereafter, the three were arrested and a fourth suspect was shot and killed. A subsequent search of the vehicle in which Corley and the other co-conspirators arrived revealed two semi-automatic rifles with scopes, one .300 Caliber Weatherby Magnum bolt-action rifle with a scope and bipod, one hatchet, one Ka-Bar knife, one bag of .223 caliber ammunition, and one box of .300 caliber ammunition.
During trial, Kevin Corley testified that the .300 caliber Weatherby Magnum rifle and ammunition belonged to Walker and that Walker was supposed to take the long-distance shot at the intended victim with this weapon. Walker also testified and admitted that rifle was his but claimed he came to Laredo not to kill anyone but to train clients for security purposes that Kevin Corley had met in Laredo.
Both Kevin Corley and Walker testified that they served in the army together and were deployed to Afghanistan. Walker was a sergeant at the time and served for a time in Kevin Corley’s infantry platoon. Walker and Kevin Corley returned to Fort Carson, Colorado, after their deployment to Afghanistan in the summer of 2011.
Mickle was sentenced last week, also to 15 years, while Davis received a sentence of 10 years in federal prison. Robert Corley, who pleaded guilty to the marijuana conspiracy, was previously sentenced to 30 months in prison. The remaining co-defendants—Kevin Corley, Calvin Epps, and Mario Corley—have not yet been scheduled for sentencing.
The investigation leading to the charges was conducted by the DEA and the FBI with the assistance of U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Roberto Ramirez and Jody Young.

Suspected Serial Robber Hits Wells Fargo Bank Branch in Huntingdon Valley

The Lower Moreland Township Police Department and the FBI are seeking the public’s assistance to identify and locate the subject responsible for the robbery today of the Wells Fargo Bank branch located at 2560 Huntingdon Pike in Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania.
At approximately 9:32 a.m., the subject entered the bank and made a verbal demand to a teller. After obtaining an undisclosed amount of cash, the subject fled the area of the bank on foot, heading west on Fetters Mill Road.
The subject is described as a light-complected black male, approximately 5’6”-5’11” tall, medium build; he wore a gray hooded sweatshirt with the word “Nike” and the “Swoosh” logo in black across the front, black sweatpants, black gloves, and a white mask or scarf across his face.
This subject is believed also to be responsible for the armed robberies of a Sovereign Bank branch in Cheltenham Township on June 13 and May 28; a Wells Fargo Bank branch in Northeast Philadelphia on May 23; and a PNC Bank branch in Philadelphia’s Mayfair section on May 15.
This subject is considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information about this subject or this robbery is urged to call the Lower Moreland Township Police Department at 215-947-3132 or the FBI at 215-641-8910. There may be a reward for information leading to this subject’s capture; tipsters can remain anonymous.
Four photos from the bank’s security cameras are below.

Attempted Robbery of Bank of America Branch in Philadelphia

The Philadelphia Police Department and the FBI are seeking the public’s assistance to identify and locate the subject responsible for the attempted robbery on June 21, 2013, of the Bank of America branch located inside a ShopRite store at 3745 Aramingo Avenue in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia.
At approximately 3:50 p.m., the subject approached the bank counter and handed a teller a demand note. The subject eventually fled the area of the bank on foot without receiving any money.
The subject is described as a black male in his 20s, approximately 5’10” tall, medium build, dark complexion, with a goatee; he wore a black T-shirt and a black Brooklyn Nets baseball cap.
This subject is considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information about this robbery attempt or this subject is urged to call the FBI at 215-418-4000 or the Philadelphia Police Department. There may be a reward for information leading to this subject’s capture; tipsters can remain anonymous.
Four photos from the bank’s security cameras are below.

 

 

FBI Portland Establishes Public Corruption Hotline

Public corruption hits at the heart of what a government is supposed to do: serve its people. When public officials—whether elected, appointed, or under contract—use their public office for personal gain, they damage the public’s trust in all forms of government.
These crimes are the result of deals sealed with whispered conversations, quick handshakes, and “under-the-table” money. Because of the secretive nature of bribes, such crimes are often difficult to detect and even more difficult to prove without the assistance of concerned citizens. To help identify potential criminal activity, the FBI has set up a Public Corruption Hotline—503-460-8585—and an e-mail account—PortlandTips@ic.fbi.gov. Whether by phone or e-mail, tipsters are asked to leave their name, telephone number, and a brief description of their concerns and observations. Agents will review voice-mail and e-mail daily, and they will contact individuals for follow-up as needed.
“There are times when honest citizens stumble across a scheme involving public officials. We need those citizens to feel that they can—and should—have a voice in making our government responsive to their concerns and responsible for holding public officials to the highest standards,” said Greg Fowler, special agent in charge of the FBI in Oregon.
What is Public Corruption?
While the vast majority of public officials remain committed to the communities they serve, an extremely small minority of individuals use their public positions for personal or private gain. Public corruption includes bribery, extortion, embezzlement, racketeering, kickbacks, and money laundering, as well as wire, mail, bank, and tax fraud. It is a violation of federal law for any federal or state government official to ask for or receive anything of value for or because of any official act. Under federal law, the person who offers or pays a bribe is also guilty.
The FBI, along with our local law enforcement partners, remains dedicated to ensuring this behavior is fully investigated and, if necessary, prosecuted under the law. Public corruption remains a top criminal priority for the FBI in Oregon.
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FBI Asks for Help in Identifying Suspects in Genetically Engineered Crop Destruction

Over the course of two nights in early June, an unknown person or group of people did significant damage to two plots of land used to grow genetically engineered sugar beets in Jackson County, Oregon. The plots are on private farmland leased and managed by Syngenta.
Sometime during the night of June 8, 2013, the person/people destroyed about 1,000 sugar beet plants on one property. During the night of June 11, 2013, the person/people destroyed about 5,500 plants on another property. The financial losses are significant, but the actual estimates will not be released at this time due to the needs of the investigation. The FBI considers this crime to be economic sabotage and a violation of federal law involving damage to commercial agricultural enterprises.
The group Oregonians for Food and Shelter (http://ofsonline.org) is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of the person and people involved. OFS will evaluate any reward claims and will make the final decision on dispersal of funds.
Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI at (541) 773-2942 during normal business hours or the FBI in Portland at (503) 224-4181 24 hours a day. Tips may also be e-mailed into Portland@ic.fbi.gov.

Army Private and Mother Sentenced for First-Degree Child Abuse Murder of 10-Year-Old Boy at Fort Sill Army Post

OKLAHOMA CITY—Today, United States District Judge Stephen P. Friot sentenced Connell C. Williams, 33, from Fort Sill, Oklahoma, to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, and Candice C. Holloway, 32, from Norfolk, Virginia, to 30 years imprisonment for their roles in the first-degree child abuse murder of Holloway’s 10-year-old son on Fort Sill Army Post, announced Sanford C. Coats, United States Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma.
According to court records, Williams, an enlisted member of the United States Army, was assigned to Fort Sill in Comanche County, Oklahoma, in August 2010. In September 2010, Holloway and her children moved into Fort Sill military housing with Williams. Williams and Holloway were not married, and Williams is not the biological father of the two children. From early 2011 through May 2011, Williams and Holloway intentionally committed child abuse murder by depriving Holloway’s 10-year-old son of food as a form of punishment, which ultimately resulted in his starvation death on May 5, 2011.
Holloway pled guilty to first-degree murder and agreed to serve 30 years in a federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, in exchange for her cooperation and testimony against Williams, who was facing a possible death sentence. Williams’ trial began in February 2013, and Holloway testified against Williams. During the trial, Williams agreed to enter a plea of guilty to first-degree child abuse murder and accept a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. In exchange for Williams’ guilty plea, the Department of Justice agreed to withdraw the notice to seek the death penalty.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Army Criminal Investigation Division. The case was prosecuted by United States Attorney Sanford C. Coats, Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Bradford, and retired Assistant U.S. Attorney Randal A. Sengel.