Woman Sentenced to Prison for Illegal Firearm Purchase Resulting in Tragic Police Officer Shooting

Regina Lewis, a 28-year-old woman from Normal, Illinois, has been sentenced to eight and a half years in prison for her involvement in an illegal firearm purchase and transfer scheme. The case revolves around a conspiracy that led to the shooting and tragic death of Champaign, Illinois, Police Officer Christopher Oberheim.

Lewis pleaded guilty to conspiring with co-defendant Ashantae Corruthers and the now-deceased Darion M. Lafayette to purchase and transfer a firearm illegally. Lafayette, a convicted felon, was unable to legally buy a firearm himself, leading to what's commonly known as a "straw purchase." On November 17, 2020, Corruthers, at the direction of Lafayette and Lewis, bought a Glock 48 nine-millimeter semi-automatic pistol and nine-millimeter ammunition from a federal firearms licensee (FFL) in Indianapolis. During this purchase, Corruthers falsely certified on an ATF form that she was the actual buyer of the firearm, even though it was intended for Lafayette.

Lewis also admitted to conspiring with Corruthers and Lafayette to conceal their illegal firearm purchase. In April 2021, Corruthers falsely reported to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department that the Glock pistol had been stolen from her in March 2021. Tragically, approximately 23 days after this false report, Lafayette used the firearm to shoot Champaign Police Officers Christopher Oberheim and Jeffrey Creel, fatally injuring Officer Oberheim. Lewis and Corruthers continued their cover-up efforts even after Officer Oberheim's death, fabricating a story for an ATF Special Agent to deflect suspicion.

At the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Colin S. Bruce considered the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which recommended a prison term of only 18 to 24 months. However, the prosecution requested an upward variance from this range, seeking a nine-year sentence due to the gravity of the offense. Officer Oberheim's four daughters and Officer Creel addressed the Court in support of the government's request for an enhanced sentence.

Regina Lewis will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service until her transfer to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. She faced statutory penalties of up to five years in prison for conspiracy to illegally purchase and transfer a firearm and up to 20 years in prison for conspiracy to engage in misleading conduct. Both charges carried a potential three-year supervised release term and a maximum fine of $250,000. The sentencing of Ashantae Corruthers is scheduled for February 12, 2024, in Urbana.

The ATF conducted the case investigation, with Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugene L. Miller representing the government in the prosecution.

Former East St. Louis Police Officer Pleads Guilty in Federal Court

A former East St. Louis police officer, Ramon T. Carpenter, 40, pled guilty to two federal charges of making false statements to federal law enforcement officers during their investigation of a civil rights complaint, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.

Carpenter was fired from the East St. Louis Police Department on July 10, 2012, and was indicted by the federal grand jury on July 17, 2012, following a complaint that he received oral sex from an intoxicated female driver whom he then released with no charges filed, despite the fact that she was also uninsured and driving without a driver’s license.

“The power to arrest is the power to deprive someone of their liberty. Used properly and professionally, such power is valid. However, the conduct described in the indictment deprived this victim of more than her liberty—it also deprived her of her dignity. This prosecution is a strong reminder to those in law enforcement that police officers are sworn to protect citizens, not prey upon them,” noted United States Attorney Wigginton.

The indictment alleged that in the early morning hours of May 8, 2012, that the driver was driving near the intersection of Louisiana Blvd. and 25th Street in East St. Louis, Illinois, when she encountered two on-duty East St. Louis Police officers. The driver was intoxicated and driving with open liquor at the time. The driver believed that she would be arrested by the officers for driving with no license, no insurance, and for driving while under the influence of alcohol (DUI). The female alleged that she was driven to a secluded area in Jones Park in East St. Louis, where she felt that she had to perform oral sex on the officer to avoid going to jail. The charges state that when Carpenter was interviewed by federal agents that he falsely denied being present in Jones Park during his shift and that he also falsely denied receiving oral sex.

The crime of making a false statement to a federal law enforcement officer is punishable by up to five years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and not more than three years’ supervised release upon release from prison. However, the United States Sentencing Guidelines must be applied to the case and considered by the court during sentencing. Carpenter will be sentenced in U.S. District Court on January 3, 2012.

The investigation was conducted through the Metro East Public Corruption Task Force by agents from the Illinois State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft.

Paxton Man Charged as Central Figure in Alleged Cocaine Trafficking Networks in Springfield, Decatur

Eighteen Defendants Charged in Ongoing Investigation; Cocaine, Heroin, and Nearly $1 Million in Cash Seized

SPRINGFIELD, IL—A Paxton, Illinois man, Eddi Ramirez, 30, has been charged as a central figure in an investigation of cocaine trafficking networks allegedly responsible for distributing large amounts of cocaine in Central Illinois, specifically, Springfield and Decatur. Ramirez, aka “Migo,” is charged in a criminal complaint along with eight other defendants; separate complaints charge six others, all with alleged ties to Ramirez. Three additional defendants were previously charged. The ongoing investigation has resulted in the seizure of more than 10 kilograms of cocaine, three kilograms of heroin, and approximately $855,716 in cash; identification of an alleged drug “stash house” at 76 E. Court Street, in Decatur, Illinois, and arrests in Memphis, Tennessee; Texas; and Central Illinois.

The charges are the result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation known as Operation Tres Ciudades (Three Cities) (Springfield, Decatur, and Paxton), announced today by U.S. Attorney Jim Lewis, Central District of Illinois; with Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser; and participating task force agencies including Glenn Haas, Resident Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration, Springfield Resident Office; David A. Ford, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Springfield Division; Chief Todd Walker, Decatur Police Department; Chief Robert Williams, Springfield Police Department; the Illinois State Police, represented by Master Sergeant Aaron Fullington, Central Illinois Enforcement Group; the Illinois Attorney General’s Office; and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy A. Bass is prosecuting the cases in the Central District of Illinois, Springfield, and Urbana Divisions. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations also provided assistance in the investigation.

Operation Tres Ciudades defendants charged in federal criminal complaints include:

■Eddi Ramirez, aka “Migo,” 30, of the 200 block of E. Pine Street, Paxton, Illinois, arrested August 31, 2012, near Staunton, Illinois, after returning from Memphis, Tennessee; ordered detained in federal law enforcement custody. Ramirez’s brother, Jesus, was convicted earlier this month in Sangamon County of two counts of attempted murder of a police officer and single counts of armed violence and possession of more than 900 grams of cocaine with intent to deliver.

■Felipe Quionones, Jr., 31, of Houston, Texas, arrested on August 31, 2012, in Memphis, Tennessee

■Juan H. Vorrath, 55, of Houston, Texas, arrested in Texas, scheduled for initial appearance on October 1, in federal court in Urbana

■Erica Kulak, 23, of Elgin, Illinois, arrested August 31, 2012, in Elgin, Illinois, ordered detained 

■Teravena Kapraun, aka “Tera,” “Jen,” 21, of Decatur, Illinois, arrested on September 11; released on bond

■Jourdan Hullinger, 20, of Springfield, Illinois, arrested August 31, released on bond

■Jose Aguilar-Mendez, 21, last known address Decatur, Illinoid, a fugitive

■Juan Alvarado, 31, last known address Decatur, Illinois, a fugitive

■Geraro Gamboa, 20, last known address Rantoul, Illinois, a fugitive

■James Lampley, 55, of the 3700 block of N. Woodford, Decatur, arrested Aug. 31,waived detention; ordered detained

■Leonardo Aldape-Hernandez, 22, of Calumet City, Illinois, arrested September 1; ordered detained

■Guadalupe Onate-Herrera, 28, of the 1500 block of Wentworth Ave., Calumet City, Illinois, arrested September 1; ordered detained

■Alex Gardner, 28, of the 2900 block of S. State St., Springfield, Illinois, arrested September 7, 2012; released on bond on September 13

■Anthony Cunningham, aka “Tone,” 26, of Manor Ct., Springfield, Illinois, arrested September 14; waived detention and ordered detained

■Gabriel Lopez-Saucedo, aka “Cuz,” 27, of Elgin, Illinois, arrested September 18, waived detention; ordered detained

According to the affidavits filed in support of the complaints, the investigation known as Operation Tres Ciudades (Three Cities) began in January 2012. The affidavits provide details of the defendants’ alleged trafficking activities, including providing Ramirez with cocaine; receiving cocaine from Ramirez for distribution; and assisting Ramirez to further the conspiracy to distribute cocaine to others. The affidavits detail numerous incidents and intelligence gathered by law enforcement from sources and surveillance during the course of the investigation:

According to the affidavits, early in the investigation, agents identified an alleged stash house at 76 E. Court Drive, Decatur, Illinois, used by Ramirez and his couriers to store and package cocaine and through which to move money. On numerous occasions, agents observed Ramirez, Hullinger, Kulak, Kapraun, Gamboa, Alvarado, and Aguilar at the residence. Agents observed a pattern of drug trafficking activity at the residence which remained fairly quiet when cocaine was not there, but activity increased significantly when a shipment of cocaine arrived, including visitors in and out at all times of the day and night.

Agents developed information that Ramirez was in contact with Quionones and on March 4, 2012, when agents attempted to interview Quionones as he was leaving a Red Roof Inn in Calumet City. Quionones allegedly discarded a black duffel bag. Officers searched the bag and discovered $245,716 in cash and a metal press used for forming kilogram bricks of cocaine. According to the affidavit, such presses are often used after cocaine is “cut” or diluted with another substance to repackage and make the cocaine appear uncut, in kilogram quantities.

In late March 2012, agents received information that two vehicles allegedly connected to Ramirez were at a Houston residence: a black Pontiac Grand Prix with Illinois license plates, previously owned by Ramirez and registered to Kapraun, used to deliver loads and believed to have a trap in it; and a vehicle rented by Ramirez in Decatur with a Minnesota license plate. According to the affidavit, on March 28, the Grand Prix, driven by Kapraun, was stopped in Bowie County, Texas, by the Texas Department of Public Safety. Kapraun consented to a search of the vehicle, and officers located a trap compartment under the back seat that contained 11 bundles of cash—wrapped in cellophane with fabric softener sheets placed between the cellophane wrapping and the currency—in $10,000 increments, totaling $110,000, and three cell phones.

In April 2012, surveillance and investigative information identified Vorrath, an El Expresso bus driver, as a subject of the investigation, believed to allegedly be transporting drugs for Quionones. On June 10, 2012, an El Expresso bus driven by Vorrath was stopped in Splendora, Montgomery County, Texas. Officers recovered 7,261 grams of cocaine; 3,355 grams of heroin; and 89 grams of black tar heroin inside the driver’s sleeper compartment.

In another incident alleged in the affidavit, on June 25, 2012, agents observed a rental car driven by Kulak at the alleged stash house in Decatur. Agents observed Kulak exit the house and place something in the trunk. She then drove to Springfield and parked in a lot at the Town and Country shopping center, where a Jeep driven by Alex Gardner parked next to Kulak. Gardner entered the car driven by Kulak, and Kulak retrieved a bag from the trunk and provided it to Gardner. When a Springfield police officer activated overhead lights to stop Gardner as he was leaving the parking lot, Gardner’s vehicle turned into the parking lot of the Rocket Stop on S. MacArthur, traveled through the drive-thru lane, pulled around the back out of sight of officers, and eventually stopped. Agents eventually recovered two kilograms of cocaine and a cell phone that were lying on the ground. The Rocket Stop security cameras show the driver throwing a bag out of the driver’s side window into the secured fenced-in area. Agents allegedly recovered fingerprints identified as those of Kulak, Gardner, and Aguilar-Mendez on the outer packaging and those of Saucedo on the inner packaging.

In August 2012, agents received information that Ramirez was going to Calumet City to pick up cocaine. According to the affidavit, Aldape-Hernandez allegedly met Ramirez in the parking lot of a Best Buy in Calumet City where agents observed Aldape exchange bags with Ramirez. On September 1, 2012, Onate-Herrera and Aldape-Hernandez were arrested at a residence in Calumet City where agents recovered approximately $500,000.

In the affidavit supporting the criminal complaint against Lopez-Saucedo, Ramirez allegedly received a kilogram of cocaine from Aldape-Hernandez on August 22, 2012, which Ramirez allegedly sent to Lopez-Saucedo with Kulak. According to the affidavit, agents established surveillance in the area of Kulak’s residence in Elgin and observed Kulak arrive in a rental vehicle and meet with Lopez-Saucedo in the street. Kulak allegedly retrieved an item in a bag from the trunk of her vehicle and handed it to Lopez. Following the exchange, police officers conducted a traffic stop on Lopez and recovered one kilogram of cocaine in a plastic bag from the back seat of Lopez’s vehicle.

Three additional Springfield, Illinois men with ties to Ramirez have previously been charged: Orlandon L. Roberson, 37, of the 1400 block of E. Reynolds Street; Bernardo Shanklin, 31, of the 1300 block of E. Washington St.; and, Michael A. Gant, 32, of the 1200 block of E. Ash Street.

Roberson was indicted on September 12, 2012, on a charge of possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of crack cocaine. Roberson was ordered detained and trial has been scheduled on November 6.

Shanklin was charged with two counts of distribution of cocaine and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine in February 2012. On May 30, 2012, Shanklin entered an open plea of guilty to the three counts; sentencing is scheduled on October 18, 2012.

Gant was charged in February 2012 with possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Gant pled guilty on May 31, and sentencing is scheduled on October 5.

Ramirez, Quionones, Vorrath, Kulak, Kapraun, Hullinger, Aguilar-Mendez, Alvarado, and Gamboa are each charged in one complaint with conspiracy to distribute five or more kilograms of cocaine from January to August 2012. Aldape-Hernandez and Onate-Herrera are charged in a separate complaint with conspiracy to distribute five or more kilograms of cocaine from January to August 2012. In another complaint, Gabriel Lopez Saucedo is charged with conspiracy to distribute five or more kilograms of cocaine from January to August 2012.

If convicted, the offense of conspiracy to distribute five or more kilograms of cocaine carries a statutory mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years to life in prison. If a defendant has one or more prior felony drug convictions, the mandatory minimum penalty is 20 years to life in prison. With two or more prior felony drug convictions, the statutory penalty is life in prison.

Lampley is charged with conspiracy to distribute and distribution of cocaine. If convicted, he faces penalties of 10 years to life in prison.

Gardner is charged in a separate complaint with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute at least 500 grams of cocaine. If convicted, the offense carries a statutory mandatory minimum penalty of five years up to 40 years in prison. If a defendant has one or more prior felony drug convictions, the mandatory minimum penalty is 10 years to life in prison.

Cunningham is charged with distribution of at least 28 grams of crack cocaine. If convicted, the offense carries a statutory mandatory minimum penalty of five years up to 40 years in prison. If a defendant has one or more prior felony drug convictions, the mandatory minimum penalty is 10 years to life in prison.

Members of the public are reminded that a complaint is merely an accusation; the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Lake in the Hills Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Acquiring and Possessing Deadly Neurotoxin

ROCKFORD—A former Lake in the Hills man, Edward F. Bachner, IV, was sentenced today to serve seven years and eight months in federal prison for one count of wire fraud and one count of possession of a neurotoxin, Tetrodotoxin (TTX), with the intent to use it as a weapon. Bachner pleaded guilty on August 2, 2011, to engaging in a scheme to obtain money from insurance companies, admitting that he fraudulently purchased a $20 million life insurance policy on an unnamed individual. Bachner planned to profit from the death of the individual by collecting the life insurance proceeds. In addition, Bachner also admitted to posing as “Dr. Edmund Backer” and obtaining TTX, the deadly neurotoxin, in order to use it as a weapon.

Bachner, 39, was ordered to serve the 92-month sentence by U.S. District Judge Frederick Kapala in federal court in Rockford. Bachner as also ordered to serve 64 months’ imprisonment on one count of filing a false tax claim, with the sentences to be served concurrently. Judge Kapala also ordered Bachner to pay restitution of $512,396 to the United States Treasury Department.

The sentence was announced today by Gary S. Shapiro, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; William C. Monroe, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Thomas Jankowski, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Office of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division.

Bachner has remained in federal custody since he was arrested on June 30, 2008.

He was indicted in August 2008 for unlawfully acquiring and possessing Tetrodotoxin to use as a weapon on five separate occasions between November 7, 2006, and June 30, 2008, and possessing TTX in a quantity that was not reasonably justified by a prophylactic, protective, bona fide research or other peaceful purpose. According to court documents, Tetrodotoxin is a neurotoxin that has no known antidote and can only be treated with supportive therapy in an attempt to lessen the severity of the symptoms. Tetrodotoxin is naturally found in certain animal species, including puffer fish, and consumption of these animals can result in natural poisoning.

Dependent largely upon the amount of poisoning, Tetrodotoxin has a historical fatality rate of 50-60 percent. If death occurs, it is usually due to respiratory paralysis and can occur within six to 24 hours.

A superseding indictment in June 2009 charged Bachner with new counts, including wire fraud alleging that Bachner engaged in a scheme to obtain TTX to kill an individual to collect $20 million in life insurance proceeds; soliciting another in 2005 to commit a federal felony involving the use of force; using an interstate facility for murder for hire in 2005; and filing false claims for federal income tax refunds.

In pleading guilty, Bachner also acknowledged filing false federal income tax returns for tax years 2005, 2006, and 2007 and obtaining fraudulent tax refunds in excess of $300,000.

The case was investigated by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and the Rockford Office of the IRS-Criminal Investigation Division. The Chicago FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is comprised of FBI special agents, officers from the Chicago Police Department, and representatives from approximately 20 other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The case was prosecuted in federal court by Assistant United States Attorneys Mark T. Karner and Michael D. Love.

Fugitive for 13 Years Pleads Guilty

Dr. Juan Rios Admits Engaging in Frauds

Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on September 18, 2012, Dr. Juan Rios, 65, who was extradited from Peru, pled guilty in federal district court to one count of health care fraud, three counts of mail fraud, and one count of failure to appear. Rios was first indicted in December 1999. Additional charges were brought after Rios fled to Peru shortly after his indictment, forfeiting a $350,000 in cash that he had posted as bond on the original charges. At his sentencing, Rios faces up to 35 years of imprisonment and fines of up to $1.5 million, three years of mandatory supervised release, and a special assessment of $500. Sentencing has been set for January 4, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. in United States District Court in East St. Louis, Illinois.

In court today, Rios admitted fleeing the United States after he was indicted. He acknowledged that, as a Southern Illinois physician in the mid to late 1990s, he defrauded several insurance companies of over $400,000. Rios, who had medical offices in Collinsville and Bethalto, also admitted that he had submitted false bills for medical treatment and services that were not provided to his patients, while at the same time fraudulently receiving over $250,000 in personal disability payments.

The investigation was conducted by the Southern Illinois Health Care Fraud Task Force, with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the National Insurance Crime Bureau, the U.S. Department of Human Services-Office of Inspector General, and the Illinois State Police. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Ranley R. Killian and Michael J. Quinley.