Arrest Made in Mabelvale for Illegal Possession of Explosive Material

LITTLE ROCK—Christopher R. Thyer, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced that Michael, S. Parker, age 52, of Mabelvale, Arkansas, was arraigned today before United States Magistrate J. Thomas Ray on a federal complaint charging him with being a felon in possession of firearms and explosive material. Parker was detained following his initial appearance. His indictment will be presented at the next session of the grand jury.

The affidavit supporting the complaint states that probable cause existed to conduct a search warrant at an address in Mabelvale, Arkansas. The search warrant was executed by 30 law enforcement officers on September 19, 2012, from multiple state and local law enforcement agencies, including a bomb squad from the Arkansas State Police (ASP) and bomb detection K-9s from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). The search resulted in the seizure of a 12-gauge shotgun, a .38 caliber Smith & Wesson revolver, one stick of military grade dynamite, and 14 one-pound high-explosive slurries. A slurry is a commercially available all-purpose, weather-resistant emulsion explosive. The complaint alleges that Parker had previous felony methamphetamine-related convictions. As a felon, it is illegal for Parker to possess firearms or explosives.

“It is a relief to this office, those involved in the search, and now the neighbors of the Mabelvale community that these extremely explosive devices were recovered,” stated Thyer. “Just one pound of slurry could destroy a vehicle and everyone in it. The potential damage from the explosion of 14 of these would have been devastating.”

A complaint contains only allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This investigation was conducted by agents from ATF. The search warrant was executed by ATF, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Arkansas State Police, and officers from the Little Rock Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Chris Givens and Stephanie Mazzanti are prosecuting the case for the United States.

Islamic Center of Joplin July Fourth Arson Reward Increased to $50,000

JOPLIN, MO—The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), announced today a reward of $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for a fire at the Islamic Center of Joplin on July 4, 2012. This is an increase from the original reward of $15,000 announced on July 16. The combined $50,000 reward is comprised of $40,000 from the FBI and $10,000 from the ATF.

On the morning of July 4, 2012 at approximately 3:30 a.m., an arson fire occurred on the roof of the Islamic Center of Joplin. The fire was contained to the surface of the roof and did not penetrate the building. A review of surveillance video showed an unidentified white male walk up to the building and throw an ignited object onto the roof.

The reward was increased to place a greater emphasis on the assistance needed by the public. Something that may seem insignificant to an individual can be very significant to an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information should contact law enforcement:

■FBI Joplin Field Office 417-206-5700;

■ATF 1-888-ATF-FIRE or 417-837-2100;

■Jasper County Sherriff’s Office 417-358-8177; or

■Missouri Arson Hotline at 1-800-392-7766.

The ongoing criminal investigation is being conducted by the FBI, the ATF, the Missouri Division of Fire Safety’s Office and the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department. Surveillance video, press releases, and enhanced images of the suspect from the July 4 fire are available at http://www.fbi.gov/kansascity.

In addition, during the early morning hours of August 6, 2012, another fire occurred at the Islamic Center of Joplin. The center, which was unoccupied at the time, sustained a total loss. Although the cause of the fire on August 6 remains undetermined, significant law enforcement resources are being utilized in furtherance of the investigation into the July 4 and the August 6 incidents. Anyone with information about the August 6 fires should contact law enforcement at the numbers above.

Media Contacts:

■FBI: Public Affairs Specialist Bridget Patton, 816-512-8200

■ATF: Special Agent/PIO Trista Frederick, 816-559-0724

■Jasper County Sheriff’s Office: 417-358-8177

■Missouri Division of Fire Safety: Mike O’Connell, Mo. Dept. of Public Safety Communications Director: 573-751-4819

Florida Man Charged with Acid Bomb Attack of Connecticut Victim

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Kimberly K. Mertz, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that FRANK MENDOZA, 51, of Jacksonville, Florida, has been arrested and charged with federal stalking, domestic violence, and explosives offenses. It is alleged that MENDOZA stalked and threatened a woman and others for more than a year and, in December 2010, traveled from Florida to Connecticut and placed two acid bottle bombs in the victim’s car.

MENDOZA has been detained since his arrest in Jacksonville on August 17, 2012. On August 22, 2012, a federal grand jury sitting in Bridgeport returned an indictment charging MENDOZA with four counts of interstate stalking, one count of interstate domestic violence, and two counts of using an explosive in the commission of a felony.

MENDOZA appeared today before United States Magistrate Judge Donna F. Martinez in Hartford and entered a plea of not guilty to the charges.

“As alleged, this defendant planted acid-filled explosives intended to cause serious, disfiguring injuries to his victim,” stated U.S. Attorney Fein. “Last week marked the 18th Anniversary of the federal Violence Against Women Act, which has given the Department of Justice tools to prosecute domestic violence and stalking crimes. I commend the FBI JTTF in Connecticut and Florida, the Stamford Police Department, and all of our partner investigative agencies, who have worked to investigate this matter to secure justice and provide safety for the victims of this crime.”

“Today’s arrest is a warning to those who commit violent crimes that the FBI’s reach is far and wide,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Mertz. “The threatening and insidious nature of the crimes with which Mr. Mendoza is charged will not be tolerated and the FBI’s pursuit of justice will not be deterred. The day-to-day work of the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Forces and their local, state, and federal partners often goes unheralded. This case is a great example of law enforcement working together to bring those charged with violent crimes to justice.”

The indictment alleges that, in 2008, MENDOZA began a romantic relationship with a woman (“Victim #1”) in Jacksonville, Florida. After approximately one year, MENDOZA’s abusive and threatening behavior caused Victim #1 to attempt to end the relationship. MENDOZA continued to threaten Victim #1, calling her repeatedly and leaving numerous threatening voice-mails. On one occasion in the spring of 2010, MENDOZA entered Victim #1’s apartment while she was sleeping and covered her in newspaper. Victim #1 awoke and found MENDOZA with a lighter threatening to set her on fire.

The indictment further alleges that, in approximately September 2010, as part of a ruse, Victim #1 and a friend (“Victim #2”) told MENDOZA that Victim #1 was temporarily moving to Rhode Island for a work-related training program. Victim #1 and Victim #2 then relocated from Florida to Stamford, Connecticut. In October 2010, MENDOZA learned that Victim #1 had moved to Connecticut and his threatening behavior continued. In October and November 2010, MENDOZA placed numerous harassing and threatening phone calls to Victim #1, Victim #2, and their male work colleague (“Victim #3”).

The indictment further alleges that, in early November 2010, MENDOZA traveled from Florida to Connecticut, visited Victim #1’s place of work and her and Victim #2’s apartment complex in Stamford, and then returned to Florida. Then, on December 8, 2010, MENDOZA flew from Florida to New York City, rented a car, drove with a family member to Victim #1’s Connecticut residence, and placed two acid bottle bombs in Victim #1’s car. At approximately 11:00 p.m. on December 8, 2010, Victim #1 approached her car and observed that the car’s interior had been dampened by a liquid. She also observed a two liter soda bottle on the driver’s side floor. When she picked the bottle up, it began to smoke and fizz. She then gently placed the bottle down and ran from the car. The bottle then exploded. Victim #1 immediately called the Stamford Police.

The investigation has revealed that the bottle that Victim #1 picked up and one that had exploded before Victim #1 reached the car had each contained acid.

If convicted, MENDOZA faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000 on each charge of interstate stalking and interstate domestic violence. The charge of using an explosive in the commission of a felony carries a mandatory 10-year consecutive prison term.

U.S. Attorney Fein stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Forces in New Haven and Jacksonville, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Connecticut State Police, the New Haven Police Department, the Stamford Police Department, the Stamford Bomb Squad, the Stamford Fire Department, and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Krishna Patel and Vanessa Richards.

Fridley Man Sentenced for Armed Robbery of Columbia Heights Convenience Store

MINNEAPOLIS – Earlier today in federal court, a 36-year-old Fridley man was sentenced for using a .38-caliber pistol on March 11, 2011, to rob the Totem Superette in Columbia Heights. United States District Court Judge Joan N. Ericksen sentenced Jimmy Earl Matthews to 262 months in federal prison on one count of possession of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Matthews, who was indicted on May 11, 2011, pleaded guilty on March 30, 2012.

In his plea agreement, Matthews admitted that on March 11, 2011, he and another individual drove to the store in Matthews's car. While the other person remained in the car, Matthews entered the store, concealed his face with a blue bandana, brandished the gun at the clerk, and demanded money. After receiving cash, Matthews fled, attempting to return to his car. However, Matthews encountered the police, dropped the gun behind his car, and ran, ultimately attempting to hide the cash in a snow bank. Following a short pursuit, Matthews was apprehended. Officers recovered the gun, the bandana, and approximately $146.

This case was the result of an investigation by the Columbia Heights Police Department, the Fridley Police Department, the Anoka County Sheriff's Office, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and the U.S. ATF, with assistance from the Anoka County Crime Lab. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carol M. Kayser.

Cheryl Steward Pleads Guilty to Charges Related to Murder of Captain Dennis Cagle

Jackson, TN – Cheryl Freeman Steward, age 52, of Henderson, Tennessee, pled guilty today to charges related to the murder of Captain Dennis Cagle. Freeman pled guilty to two counts of attempted robbery affecting commerce, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1951, and a convicted felon that was prohibited from possessing a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(a)(6) and 924(a)(2) of the superseding indictment, announced Edward L. Stanton III, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee.

The charges stem from the December 10, 2009, attempted robbery of the Save-A-Lot grocery store in Henderson, Tennessee committed by Cheryl Steward's husband Ricky Stewart. Ricky Stewart fired upon officers who responded to the robbery in progress, including Henderson Police Captain Dennis Cagle, who later succumbed to the injuries he received from a gunshot wound. Cheryl Steward will be sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge J. Daniel Breen on November 30, 2012 at 1:30 p.m.

The case was investigated by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the ATF, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Henderson Police Department and the Chester County Sheriff's Office. District Attorney General Jerry Woodall and Assistant District Attorney Jody Pickens served as special counsel in this case. Assistant United States Attorney Victor L. Ivy prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.