Another Alorton Official Guilty of Federal Crimes

The superintendent of the Street Department for the Village of Alorton pled guilty to being a felon in possession of firearm ammunition and for making false statements to federal law enforcement officers, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Ronnie D. Cummings, 39, was indicted on January 19, 2012 as part of an ongoing probe into allegations of systemic corruption within the municipality.

Cummings’s plea is the latest in a string of federal prosecutions of officials from the Village of Alorton. The former police chief, Michael Baxton, Sr., pled guilty on January 19, 2012 to stealing evidence and lying to federal investigators. The former mayor, Randy McCallum, pled guilty to a four-count information on February 24, 2012 for attempted possession with the intent to deliver a controlled substance (crack cocaine), theft or conversion of government property, attempting to smuggle contraband into a correctional facility that houses inmates pursuant to an agreement with the attorney general, and making false statements to federal law enforcement officers.

Ronnie Cummings was investigated after a Village of Alorton police officer, who was assisting the ongoing federal public corruption investigation in an undercover capacity, learned that Cummings carried a firearm in his city vehicle, despite a 2001 felony conviction for distribution of a controlled substance.

In the fall of 2011, Cummings told the undercover officer that he wanted to obtain an extra “clip” for his gun. A clip is a common reference to the magazine that holds ammunition inside of a semi-automatic handgun. Federal law provides for a sentencing enhancement in this case because Cummings’ magazine holds 16 rounds of ammunition and is deemed a “high capacity” magazine. Prior testimony in the case revealed that during a recorded conversation, Cummings stated that he wanted an additional large capacity magazine. Cummings stated that he intended to fire his gun through a bag that would catch spent shell casings.

On January 4, 2012, the undercover officer drove to Cummings’ address in Alorton for the purpose of discussing obtaining an extra firearm magazine for Cummings. The officer told Cummings that he needed to know the model number of his gun to ensure that he obtained a proper magazine that would fit into his gun. In response, Cummings handed the officer a 9mm magazine loaded with live 9mm ammunition. To further clarify which particular model of gun he owned, the officer asked Cummings to provide him with the model number of his gun. Cummings reached into a closet and retrieved a semi-automatic handgun. Cummings examined the firearm and told the officer that it was a Smith and Wesson model 9VE. Cummings maintained control over the firearm, but the officer left the residence with the magazine loaded with 9 mm ammunition. The undercover officer went directly to meet an FBI agent and he turned the magazine and ammunition over to federal authorities. The entire event was secretly recorded. Prior court testimony revealed that Cummings’ fingerprints were found on the magazine.

Cummings also pled guilty to lying to federal agents when he was questioned on January 5, 2012. During that interview, Cummings falsely stated that he had never possessed any firearms or firearms ammunition after becoming a convicted felon, when, in fact, Cummings possessed a magazine containing 14 9mm cartridges for his Smith & Wesson 9mm firearm.

The crime of unlawful possession of a firearm or firearm ammunition is punishable by not more than 10 years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and three years’ supervised release. 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. Sentencing has been scheduled for June 25, 2012.

The investigation was conducted through the Metro East Public Corruption Task Force by agents from the Internal Revenue Service, the Illinois State Police, St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Steven D. Weinhoeft and Norman R. Smith.

Gun Shots in East St. Louis Result in Guilty Plea by High Ridge, Missouri Man

A High Ridge, Missouri resident pled guilty to the charge of illegally possessing a firearm when he was a previously convicted felon, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton announced today. Arlanda Antonio Jones, 31, was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 18, 2010. Jones is being held without bond.

According to court documents, on May 4, 2010, agents working the WAVE (Working Against Violent Elements) detail in East St. Louis had a tip that drugs were sold out of a residence on North 45th Street. Agents went to the address and saw a number of people standing around in the yard. As agents approached, they heard a gun shot. After taking cover, the agents cuffed all of the bystanders and began to investigate. Agents found a firearm on the ground in the back yard of the home. The firearm, a .380-caliber, Hi-Point, semi-automatic pistol, was loaded with ammunition. Jones admitted to possessing the firearm, and that he knew that he was not allowed to possess a firearm because of his prior felony conviction (Jones had a prior felony conviction for possession of a controlled substance in the Circuit Court of Jefferson County, Missouri). The Illinois State Police crime lab found Jones’s DNA on the firearm.

At his sentencing, Jones faces a maximum sentence of 10 years’ in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both; and three years’ supervised release. The sentencing hearing is set for March 16, 2012.

This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southwestern Illinois (MEGSI). The case resulted from the efforts of the WAVE (Working Against Violent Elements) Task Force, which focuses its efforts on combating violent crime in East St. Louis, Washington Park, and surrounding communities. WAVE was formed in November 2009, and is a collaboration of law enforcement officers from the Illinois State Police, MEGSI, the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department, the East St. Louis Police Department, the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the United States Marshals Service (USMS). The WAVE Task Force receives financial support through the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative, a nationwide federal program which endeavors to address gun-related violence.

The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Liam Coonan.

Heroin Epidemic Leads to Largest St. Louis-Area DEA Operation Against Deadly Drug

ST. LOUIS, MO – The Drug Enforcement Administration, in collaboration with 32 other Law Enforcement Agencies, conducted an aggressive and unprecedented heroin enforcement operation resulting in the arrest of 53 individuals. DEA Special Agent in Charge Harry S. Sommers of the St. Louis Field Division announced the arrests, which mark the first phase of the bi-state partnership between law enforcement agencies targeting not just street level heroin dealers but also those responsible for trafficking heroin in and around St. Louis. 

Since July, DEA and their law enforcement counterparts have coordinated efforts, which included 165 undercover purchases of heroin, in order to respond to the increase in heroin-related overdoses and deaths, as well as the overwhelming increase of heroin use in suburban and rural areas.   Within the city of St. Louis, alone, there have been 57 heroin related deaths since the beginning of this year. It is the largest single strike against heroin in St. Louis law enforcement history.     

The widespread arrests ranging from southern Illinois to Franklin and Lincoln County, MO, was a deliberate act intended to send a clear message to heroin violators. DEA and their law enforcement partners will not tolerate heroin use, abuse and trafficking. SAC Sommers stated: “Even after today, we will continue to target with vigor those using and bringing heroin into our communities. We are working to save lives and keep communities safe.”

Of the 53 arrests, 49 will be referred for State prosecution and charges include Violation of the Missouri Controlled Substance Act (VMCSA) possession, possession with intent to distribute. Four (4) of the arrests will be referred for Federal Prosecution and charges include conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute.

Other Agencies: St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, Saint Louis County Police Department, Granite City (IL) Police Department, St. Clair County (IL) Sheriff’s Department (Drug Tactical Unit), Illinois State Police (MEGSI), Hazelwood (MO) Police Department, St. Charles County Regional Drug Task Force, Franklin County Sheriff’s Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department (Narcotics Enforcement Team), the US Marshals Service, Overland Police Department, St. Ann Police Department, O’Fallon (MO) Police Department, St. Charles County Sheriff’s Department, St. Charles City Police Department, Maryland Heights Police Department, St Louis Airport Police, St Peters Police Department, Chesterfield Police Department, Florissant Police Department, Bridgeton Police Department, Kirkwood Police Department, St. John Police Department, Brentwood Police Department, Richmond Heights Police Department, Clayton Police Department, Cahokia Police Department, Collinsville Police Department, Fairview Heights Police Department, Park Hills (MO) Police Department and the Festus Police Department.

East St. Louis Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by an Unlawful User of a Controlled Substance

An East St. Louis man was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison on April 8, 2011, for the unlawful possession of a firearm by an unlawful user of a controlled substance, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Deontae Rice, 24, East St. Louis, Illinois, received a 46-month sentence, to be followed by a three-year term of supervised release.

“Besides previously convicted felons, federal statutes prohibit possession of firearms by a range of prohibited individuals. In our ongoing effort to prevent all illegal possession of weapons, my office will use the full range of federal statutes to combat this type of crime,” said United States Attorney Wigginton.

In this case, Rice’s advisory guideline sentencing range was enhanced because the gun he possessed was stolen and had a magazine capable of holding more than 15 rounds of ammunition. In addition, his guideline range was increased because Rice used the gun in connection with another felony offense—reckless discharge of a firearm. An order was also entered to forfeit the gun Rice illegally possessed. Rice has been in federal custody since his initial appearance on October 12, 2010, the above charge.

The violation occurred on May 25, 2010, when members of the W.A.V.E. task force responded to a call of shots fired and spotted the defendant with a firearm in his hand. Rice dropped the gun after being ordered to do so. At the scene, officers recovered three spent shell casings. The defendant, his mother, and his wife were all interviewed at the scene. The interviews were videotaped. The defendant stated that he had a confrontation with an individual at a gas station. The defendant followed the individual to a residence where the individual shot at him. The defendant fled to his mother’s house to get his gun and, when he allegedly saw the person who shot at him, returned fire in a residential neighborhood were children were present. The defendant said that he bought the firearm off the street from a “crackhead,” and that he knew he was not supposed to possess a firearm because he was on bond at the time of the offense in St. Clair County on a pending charge of unlawful possession of a controlled substance. Finally, the defendant admitted using marijuana.

The district court, before imposing sentence, rejected the Rice’s claim of self-defense to escape the four-level enhancement for the reckless discharge of a firearm. As the district court noted, the defendant’s own actions (by following the individual to a residence) led to the ultimate confrontation in front of the defendant’s mother’s house, and that the defendant had other alternatives than firing back at the individual in a residential neighborhood. During the defendant’s videotaped statement, he admitted not calling the police because he was “in a rage.”

The case resulted from the efforts of the WAVE (Working Against Violent Elements) Task Force, which focuses its efforts on combating violent crime in East St. Louis, Washington Park, and surrounding communities. WAVE was formed in November 2009, and is a collaboration of law enforcement officers from the Illinois State Police, the Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southwestern Illinois (MEGSI), the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department, the East St. Louis Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the United States Marshals Service. The WAVE Task Force receives financial support through the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative, a nationwide federal program which endeavors to address gun-related violence. The case was assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Angela Scott.

East St. Louis Woman Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison for Possession of Firearm by Convicted Felon

An East St. Louis woman, convicted of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison on March 2, 2011, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Merlene A. Smith, 49, of East St. Louis, received a 30-month sentence for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Smith was also sentenced to three years of supervised release, to follow her release from imprisonment. Smith was also fined $100 and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment. Smith pled guilty to the charges on November 23, 2010. Smith has been in custody since her arraignment on September 30, 2010.

A factual stipulation filed with the court states:

1. The defendant was convicted of a felony on July 29, 2003, in St. Clair County, Illinois. The felony was unlawful delivery of a controlled substance.

2. On June 2, 2009, the defendant was riding as a passenger in a vehicle in East St. Louis, St. Clair County, Illinois, when law enforcement agents observed the driver of the vehicle throw a metal object out the passenger window of the vehicle. The agents stopped the vehicle.

3. At the time of the stop, the agents observed the defendant with a crack pipe in her hand. The agents removed the crack pipe and found a small amount of crack cocaine inside the pipe. The agents then searched the vehicle and discovered a firearm—namely, an unloaded Smith & Wesson, Model 681, .357 Magnum caliber revolver, bearing serial number AJC363, as well as a box containing 49 live rounds of .38 caliber special ammunition.

4. The firearm had been manufactured outside the state of Illinois and had therefore traveled in interstate commerce prior to the defendant’s possession of it. The firearm was in working order and was capable of firing a projectile by action of explosive.

5. The defendant admitted having the firearm in her possession and stated that the driver of the vehicle knew nothing about the firearm.

The case resulted from the efforts of the WAVE (Working Against Violent Elements) Task Force, which focuses its efforts on combating violent crime in East St. Louis, Washington Park, and surrounding communities. WAVE was formed in November, 2009, and is a collaboration of law enforcement officers from the Illinois State Police, the Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southwestern Illinois (MEGSI), the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department, the East St. Louis Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the United States Marshals Service. The WAVE Task Force receives financial support through the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative, a nationwide federal program which endeavors to address gun-related violence.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephen B. Clark.

East St. Louis Man Sentenced for Weapons Offense

Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on January 3, 2011, JIM L. SIMS, JR., age 36, of East St. Louis, Illinois, was sentenced in the United States District Court in East St. Louis to thirty-seven (37) months of imprisonment, three (3) years of supervised release, and was fined $250. SIMS had previously pled guilty on September 30, 2010, to possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.

The violation occurred on February 24, 2010, when agents working a detail in East St. Louis received information that a male in a green Buick had a firearm. When the officers spotted the vehicle, it was stopped after committing several traffic violations were observed. The driver of the vehicle gave the officers consent to search the car. Officers found a Ruger, 9mm semi-automatic pistol, in the vehicle's glove compartment. The defendant was the front seat passenger in the vehicle. After the gun was found, the defendant immediately apologized to the driver and told the officers that the gun belonged to him. The defendant again admitted possession of the gun in a videotaped statement.

The case resulted from the efforts of the WAVE (Working Against Violent Elements) Task Force, which focuses its efforts on combating violent crime in East St. Louis, Washington Park, and surrounding communities. WAVE was formed in November 2009, and is a collaboration of law enforcement officers from the Illinois State Police, the Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southwestern Illinois (MEGSI), the St. Clair County Sheriff's Department, the East St. Louis Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the United States Marshals Service. The WAVE Task Force receives financial support through the Department of Justice's Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative, a nationwide federal program which endeavors to address gun-related violence.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Angela Scott.