Blackstone Man Pleads Guilty to Using a Firearm to Murder an Individual at Veterans Hospital

RICHMOND, VA—Cornelius I. Hayes, 55, of Blackstone, Virginia, pleaded guilty today to use of a firearm in relation to a violent crime causing the death of another. The charges stem from the February 22, 2012 murder of James Stephenson Lee in the parking lot of the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Richmond, Virginia.

Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Jeffrey C. Mazanec, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office; and Kim Lampkins, Special Agent in Charge, Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, made the announcement after the plea was accepted by United States District Court Judge Henry E. Hudson.

“Cornelius Hayes admitted that he shot and killed James Lee that tragic day in February,” said U.S. Attorney Neil H. MacBride. “He now faces up to life in prison for bringing—and then using—a firearm to resolve a domestic dispute. Today’s guilty plea brings closure one step closer for the victims and their families.”

Hayes was indicted on April 16, 2012, by a federal grand jury on charges of first-degree murder, use of a firearm in relation to a violent crime causing the death of another, attempted murder, use of a firearm in relation to a violent crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Hayes faces a maximum penalty of life when he is sentenced on January 18, 2013.

In a statement of facts filed with his plea agreement, Hayes admitted to approaching Lee and a female in the parking of the Hunter Holmes McGuire Veteran Administration Medical Center on February 22, 2012. After a brief verbal confrontation with the female, Hayes brandished a .38 caliber revolver and shot Lee in the shoulder. Hayes chased the female a short distance, only to return to Lee and shoot him a second time. Lee died as a result of the gunshots fired by Hayes.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Veteran’s Administration-Office of the Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney’s Peter S. Duffey and Erik S. Siebert are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

Former Inmate, Correctional Officer Sentenced for Smuggling Heroin into FCC Petersburg

RICHMOND, VA—A former inmate and a correctional officer were sentenced this week for conspiring to smuggle heroin in the Federal Correctional Complex in Petersburg, Virginia.

Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; John S. Adams, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Richmond Division; and Gene E. Morrison, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General for the Washington Field Office, made the announcement after the sentencings by United States District Judge John A. Gibney.

Walter Brooks, 57, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced on September 10, 2012, to 20 years in prison following his conviction by a federal jury of conspiring to provide contraband to inmates, conspiracy to distribute heroin, five counts of providing contraband to inmates, and three counts of use of a communication facility to commit a felony.

Evidence at trial showed that beginning in 2008 and continuing until October 2011, Brooks conspired with Keif Jackson, 49, of Dumfries, and others to smuggle heroin into the Federal Correctional Complex in Petersburg. In 2008, Brooks was an inmate at FCC Petersburg when he recruited correctional officer Keif Jackson to smuggle heroin to him in the prison. At Brooks’ request, Jackson contacted acquaintances of Brooks and, on multiple occasions, met with them to obtain heroin. He then smuggled the drugs into the prison.

In October 2010, Brooks was released from FCC Petersburg. At that time, he began to supply heroin directly to Jackson to smuggle into the prison. Approximately one year later, on October 10, 2011, Jackson was stopped by law enforcement on his way to work. During a search of his vehicle, officers recovered a package containing heroin.

On March 26, 2012, Jackson entered a guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute heroin. He was sentenced on September 13, 2012, to 12 months in prison.

The case was investigated by the FBI’s Richmond Field Office and the United States Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Roderick C. Young prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.

Culpeper Man Sentenced to More than 50 Years for Armed Robberies, Carjacking

ALEXANDRIA, VA—George Golder Phillips II, 33, of Culpeper, Virginia, was sentenced to 619 months in prison today for committing a series of armed robberies of financial institutions and businesses and kidnapping and carjacking a woman.

Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Ken Cuccinelli, II, Attorney General of Virginia; and James McJunkin, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office, made the announcement after Phillips was sentenced today by United States District Judge Gerald Bruce Lee.

According to court records, in 2008 through 2009, Phillips—often armed with a firearm—robbed more than $87,000 from six financial institutions and three businesses in Virginia. In addition, Phillips admitted that on September 17, 2009, he approached a woman in Prince William County, Virginia, brandished a firearm, and forced her into her car. With the victim sitting blindfolded in the passenger seat, Phillips drove the car from Virginia and across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge into Maryland, where he crashed the car into another car and fled on foot.

Phillips is already serving two state sentences for other offenses: 20 years in prison for the attempted murder and malicious wounding of two sheriff’s deputies in Fauquier County, Virginia, and 40 years in prison for a murder in Dinwiddie County, Virginia. The court ordered that his federal sentence should be served consecutive to the state sentences.

The investigation was conducted by FBI’s Washington Field Office jointly with the Virginia State Police; Fauquier County, Orange County, and Frederick County Sheriff’s Offices; and Prince William County and Front Royal Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Fahey and Virginia Assistant Attorney General and Special Assistant United States Attorney Marc Birnbaum are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

Former MS-13 Leader Pleads Guilty to Sex Trafficking a Teenage Girl

ALEXANDRIA, VA—A former clique leader of MS-13 in Maryland pled guilty today for his role in a gang-run juvenile prostitution ring.

Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; James W. McJunkin, Assistant Director in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Washington Field Office; and John P. Torres, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Washington made the announcement after the plea was accepted by United States District Judge Anthony J. Trenga.

Yimmy Anthony Pineda Penado, also known as “Critico” and “Spike,” 22, of Montgomery County, Maryland, pled guilty today to sex trafficking a juvenile. He faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison when he is sentenced on December 14, 2012.

“This is the 11th gang member convicted with child sex trafficking since 2011,” said U.S. Attorney MacBride. “Prostituting young girls is a growing threat in our area, and we encourage anyone with information of this activity to call law enforcement. That one call could save a girl from sexual slavery.”

“Today’s plea is the direct result of the joint efforts of law enforcement to combat juvenile prostitution and human trafficking in Northern Virginia,” said Assistant Director in Charge McJunkin. “Together with our partner agencies, we will continue to pursue anyone who attempts to exploit vulnerable young girls for sex and money.”

“Sex trafficking is a deplorable crime, especially when it involves underage victims who are particularly vulnerable,” said SAC Torres. “HSI is fully committed to working with our law enforcement partners to combat human trafficking.”

According to a statement of facts filed in court, Pineda Penado is a former clique leader of the international street gang Mara Salvatrucha Thirteen, also known as MS-13. He admitted that in the fall of 2009 through the spring of 2010, he assisted his fellow gang members in prostituting at least one teenage girl in hotels, motels, and homes controlled by MS-13 in Northern Virginia and Maryland. Over a two-week period, the teen girl was forced to have sex with more than 20 clients, and gang members provided the juvenile with alcohol and drugs in an effort to make her more compliant and receptive to being prostituted.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Washington Field Office and ICE HSI, with assistance from the Fairfax County Police Department and the Northern Virginia Human Trafficking Task Force. Assistant United States Attorneys Patricia T. Giles and Zachary Terwilliger are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

Founded in 2004, the Northern Virginia Human Trafficking Task Force is a collaboration of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies—along with nongovernmental organizations—dedicated to combating human trafficking and related crimes.

Springfield Gang Associate Sentenced to 120 Months for Role in Sex Trafficking High School Girls

ALEXANDRIA, VA—Christopher Sylvia, 23, of Springfield, Virginia, was sentenced today to 120 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for his role as a bodyguard and driver for a gang-led prostitution business that recruited and trafficked high school girls.

Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Kenneth T. Cuccinelli, II, Attorney General of Virginia; Colonel David Rohrer, Fairfax County Chief of Police; and James W. McJunkin, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, made the announcement after sentencing by United States District Judge Gerald Bruce Lee.

“Predators involved in the sex trafficking of juveniles should receive severe sentences,” said U.S. Attorney MacBride. “Sylvia worked with others to steal the adolescent years of these high school girls and now he will pay the price.”

“Christopher Sylvia and others profited from the exploitation and intimidation of vulnerable juveniles,” said Assistant Director in Charge McJunkin. “Today’s sentence is yet another example that those who commit such appalling crimes will be pursued and punished to the fullest extent of the law.”

“Human traffickers are some of the most dangerous criminals we deal with,” said Attorney General Cuccinelli. “It is our hope that today’s sentencing will send a clear message that participating in human trafficking at any level will not be tolerated in Virginia.”

On April 12, 2012, Sylvia pled guilty to sex trafficking of a juvenile. According to court records, Sylvia was an associate of the Underground Gangster Crips (UGC), a Crips “set” based in Fairfax County, Virginiaa. As part of his involvement with UGC, Sylvia served as a bodyguard and driver in the UGC prostitution enterprise and walked with prostitutes for protection on multiple occasions. In late 2011 and early 2012, Sylvia transported three 17-year-old girls to engage in commercial sex acts.

Sylvia is the third of five UGC members or associates who have been convicted of sex trafficking of juveniles in connection with this case. Michael Tavon Jefferies, aka “Loc,” was sentenced on July 6, 2012, to 120 months in prison for his role in the enterprise. Donyel Dove, aka “Bleek,” was sentenced on August 10, 2012, to 276 months in prison for his role in the prostitution enterprise and on other charges. The two remaining defendants (Henock Ghile and Justin Strom) are scheduled for sentencing on September 7, and September 14, 2012, respectively.

This case was investigated by the Fairfax County Police Department and the FBI’s Washington Field Office, with assistance from the Northern Virginia Human Trafficking Task Force. Virginia Assistant Attorney General and Special Assistant United States Attorney Marc J. Birnbaum and Assistant United States Attorney Inayat Delawala are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

Founded in 2004, the Northern Virginia Human Trafficking Task Force is a collaboration of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies—along with non-governmental organizations—dedicated to combating human trafficking and related crimes.

Authorities Offer $50,000 Reward in Manassas Cold Case

Law Enforcement Seeks Assistance in Unsolved Murder of Virginia State Trooper Johnny Bowman

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Virginia State Police, and Manassas City Police Department announced a $50,000 reward today for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual or individuals responsible for the murder of Virginia State Trooper Johnny Rush Bowman in August 1984.

In the early morning of August 19, 1984, Trooper Bowman answered the front door of his residence in the Bristoe Station development of Manassas, Virginia, and was repeatedly stabbed by an unknown assailant(s). Trooper Bowman’s wife was home during the attack and placed the 911 call for assistance. The attacker(s) fled on foot from Bowman’s home, leaving behind eyeglasses, a wig, and a construction hard hat. Trooper Bowman died shortly thereafter at a local hospital. In addition to his wife, Trooper Bowman left behind a 2-year-old daughter.

Twenty-eight years after Trooper Bowman’s murder, advancements in forensic testing have identified new information regarding DNA found at the scene. Forensic evidence was originally submitted to the FBI Laboratory for testing in 1984. Additional tests were conducted in the late 1990s and again in 2010.

“While this brutal attack occurred more than 25 years ago, we believe that someone can still provide a piece of the puzzle that will help solve this case,” said James W. McJunkin, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office. “It is important for the public to know that no piece of information is too small to share. With the assistance of advanced forensic science, we are able to actively pursue new leads to identify whoever is responsible for this murder.”

“Solving this homicide has been a priority for the Virginia State Police since it occurred that fateful morning of August 19, 1984,” said Capt. David A. Russillo, Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Fairfax Field Office. “Over the past 28 years, this case has taken investigators to as far away as California, Ohio, and other states in their pursuit of the necessary evidence to bring the murderer or murderers to justice.”

“I am confident that we are moving in the right direction with this investigation,” said Chief Douglas W. Keen, Manassas City Police Department. “It’s important for the public to understand that even after 28 years, we are committed to solving this murder and bringing the perpetrators to justice.”

Investigators from Virginia State Police, Manassas City Police Department, and the FBI have been involved in this case since 1984 and continue to diligently follow every lead. In 2005, Virginia State Police conducted a media campaign asking for the public’s assistance in recalling any details that could help to solve this case. The FBI has provided law enforcement assistance to Virginia State Police and Manassas City Police Department to include the processing of evidence at the FBI Laboratory.

Law enforcement agencies are asking anyone with information to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or the Virginia State Police tip line at 703-803-2637.

Additional Contacts:

Virginia State Police

Public Affairs Office: 804-263-5547

www.vsp.state.va.us

Manassas City Police

Public Affairs Office: 703-257-8038

www.manassascity.org

Manassas Gang Associate Sentenced to 276 Months for Role in Sex Trafficking High School Girls and for Committing Multiple Gun Crimes

ALEXANDRIA, VA—Donyel Pier Dove, aka “Bleek,” 28, of Manassas, Virginia, was sentenced today to 276 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for his role as a bodyguard and driver for a gang-led prostitution business that recruited and trafficked high school girls. As part of his sentencing, Dove also was held responsible for conducting two armed robberies in Manassas, Virginia, and for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon during a burglary in Fairfax County.

Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Kenneth T. Cuccinelli, II, Attorney General of Virginia; Colonel David Rohrer, Fairfax County Chief of Police; James W. McJunkin, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office; and Douglas W. Keen, Manassas City Chief of Police, made the announcement after sentencing by United States District Judge Anthony J. Trenga.

“Donyel Dove was convicted for his role in a juvenile sex trafficking ring that recruited eight young girls to engage in his street gang’s prostitution business. The brutality and callousness of traffickers who prostitute minors should result in long sentences to place them behind bars where they can’t hurt our youth. Mr. Dove will have the next 23 years to reflect on his evil crime.”

“Today, we sent a clear message that participation in human trafficking at any level simply will not be tolerated in the Commonwealth of Virginia,” said Attorney General Cuccinelli. “Though nothing can take away the hurt and suffering the girls and their families have suffered as a result of Dove’s behavior, it is our hope that today’s sentencing will help them in their challenging journey to heal and move on.”

“Today’s sentence demonstrates that those who strong-arm young girls into prostitution will pay the price for their actions,” said Assistant Director in Charge McJunkin. “Along with our law enforcement partners, the FBI will continue to combat all forms of child exploitation through the pursuit of individuals who commit these heinous crimes.”

On May 17, 2012, Dove pled guilty to sex trafficking of a juvenile. According to court records, Dove was an associate of the Underground Gangster Crips (UGC), a Crips “set” based in Fairfax County, Virginia. As part of his involvement with UGC, Dove served as a bodyguard and driver in the UGC prostitution enterprise and walked with prostitutes for protection on multiple occasions. On at least two occasions, in 2009 and 2011, Dove transported or walked with two juveniles, ages 16 and 17, while they were engaging in commercial sex acts. Dove provided the juveniles with drugs, held and distributed proceeds from the prostitution, and received a portion of the proceeds himself. Dove also purchased a credit card that was used to pay for advertisements on Backpage.com to solicit customers for the prostitution enterprise.

Dove also pled guilty to using a firearm during a crime of violence in relation to two armed robberies of 7-Eleven stores in Manassas, Virginia, in March 2012. In addition, Dove possessed a gun during a March 2012 burglary in Fairfax, Virginia, despite being a convicted felon who was prohibited from possessing firearms.

Dove is the second of five UGC members or associates who have been convicted of sex trafficking of juveniles in connection with this case. Michael Tavon Jefferies, aka “Loc,” was sentenced on July 6, 2012 to 120 months in prison for his role in the enterprise. The three remaining defendants (Christopher Sylvia, Henock Ghile, and Justin Strom) are scheduled for sentencing on August 17, September 7, and September 14, 2012, respectively.

This case was investigated by the Fairfax County Police Department, the Manassas City Police Department, and the FBI’s Washington Field Office, with assistance from the Northern Virginia Human Trafficking Task Force. Virginia Assistant Attorney General and Special Assistant United States Attorney Marc J. Birnbaum and Assistant United States Attorney Inayat Delawala are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

Founded in 2004, the Northern Virginia Human Trafficking Task Force is a collaboration of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies—along with nongovernmental organizations—dedicated to combating human trafficking and related crimes.