Multi-Agency Investigation Continues in Search for Missing Sumter Mom and Son

BEAUFORT, SC—Law enforcement personnel from the Sumter Police Department, Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, State Law Enforcement Division (SLED), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are conducting various law enforcement activities throughout Beaufort County today in search of a missing Sumter woman and her young son.

Sophia Van Dam, 20, and her son Matteo, 2, went missing in June. Since then, law enforcement has pursued numerous investigative approaches to locate them. As part of the continued efforts, law enforcement members will be active in multiple locations throughout the day. Because this case remains an active investigation, no other details are being provided at this time.

Anyone with information about their disappearance is asked to contact Crime Stoppers anonymously by phone at 1-888-CRIME-SC, online at P3tips.com or by using the P3tips app for Apple or Android.

Tipsters may also submit online tips to SLED at tips@sled.sc.gov. Media Contacts:

Kevin Wheeler
Public Affairs Specialist
FBI Columbia Field Office
(803) 551-4200
columbiamedia@fbi.gov

Renée Wunderlich
Director of Public Information
SLED
(803) 260-3020
rwunderlich@sled.sc.gov

Tonyia McGirt
Public Information Officer
Sumter Police Department
(803) 436-2737
tmcgirt@sumtersc.gov

Major Angela Viens
Public Information Officer
Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office
(843) 683-5213
angelav@bcgov.net

Former Oakland Police Chief Sentenced for Misuse of Public Funds

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Terry A. Poland, 34, of Fremont, Nebraska, was sentenced on July 25, 2023, by the Honorable Michael D. Nelson, United States Magistrate Judge, to three years of probation, 60 days of which must be served in jail as a condition of probation.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Poland pleaded guilty in April 2023 to Misuse of Public Funds.  Poland paid $14,631.00 in restitution, agreed to surrender his law enforcement certification, and not to work as a law enforcement officer in the future.     

During February 2020 to January 2021, Poland purchased about 27 gift cards in four transactions from a sporting goods store operating in Nebraska, using the charge account that the City of Oakland had at the store.  Poland was the Oakland Police Chief at the time.  The total value of the gift cards that Poland acquired with Oakland’s funds was $14,631.00.

Poland used the gift cards to acquire items for the use of himself and family members.  Poland purchased among other things women’s and children’s clothing, an ice fishing house, an auger, fishing equipment and a basketball backboard.  Poland made most purchases using the gift cards at store locations in Nebraska but made at least one purchase online. 

An outside auditor questioned the acquisition of the gift cards.  At the request of the outside auditor, the Oakland City Clerk requested additional receipts from Poland.  Poland stated that all the gift cards were used to purchase ammunition for the Oakland Police Department and provided to the City Clerk five purported receipts, each captioned “Purchase Statement.”  Each Purchase Statement was purportedly from the store and reflected the purchase of ammunition on a particular date during August 2020 to January 2021. 

The Purchase Statements that Poland provided to the City Clerk were phony.  They were not issued by the store, and the transactions, item numbers, and item descriptions did not match the store’s records.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

J. Edgar Hoover and the BOI-FBI Makeover: How a Name Change Sparked a Crime-Fighting Revolution

Before it became known as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the organization had a rich and transformative history. Established in 1908 as the Bureau of Investigation (BOI), its origins can be traced back to a growing need for a federal agency to combat various crimes and maintain law and order at a national level. This article explores the early years and evolution of the organization that eventually became the renowned FBI.

The BOI was created in response to the escalating crime rates and challenges faced by the United States in the early 20th century. At that time, law enforcement efforts were primarily the responsibility of local and state agencies, with limited federal involvement. However, the rapid expansion of interstate crime, including bank robberies, fraud, and crimes against the federal government, highlighted the necessity for a centralized investigative body.

One of the BOI's notable early successes came during the "Bureau War" era, led by its visionary director, J. Edgar Hoover. Under Hoover's leadership, the organization was modernized and professionalized, shifting its focus from individual cases to a more comprehensive approach that emphasized intelligence gathering and analysis. This transformation allowed the BOI to tackle organized crime, subversive activities, and other national security threats more effectively.

In 1935, the BOI was officially renamed the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to better reflect its evolving role and expanded jurisdiction. The agency's mandate expanded beyond federal crimes, encompassing matters such as civil rights violations, domestic terrorism, espionage, and counterintelligence. This transition marked a significant milestone in the FBI's history, solidifying its position as the principal federal investigative agency in the United States.

Throughout the years, the FBI has played a crucial role in safeguarding the nation's security and upholding the rule of law. From investigating major crimes, apprehending fugitives, and gathering intelligence to preventing terrorist attacks and protecting civil rights, the FBI's responsibilities have expanded to address the changing landscape of crime and national security threats.

Today, the FBI is known for its highly skilled agents, advanced forensic techniques, and state-of-the-art technology. It collaborates closely with other federal, state, local, and international law enforcement agencies to combat a wide range of criminal activities and maintain the safety and well-being of the American people.

In conclusion, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, formerly known as the Bureau of Investigation, has undergone a remarkable evolution since its inception. From its humble beginnings as a response to escalating crime rates, it has grown into a preeminent federal agency dedicated to investigating and combating a diverse array of crimes. The FBI's commitment to excellence, professionalism, and the pursuit of justice has made it an integral part of the nation's law enforcement apparatus, shaping its history and continuing to shape its future.

Amite Woman Pleads Guilty to Bribery Scheme and Witness Tampering

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that SHAWANDA DOVE, 51, of Amite, Louisiana, pleaded guilty on July 7, 2021 to use of an interstate facility with intent to carry on unlawful activity and tampering with a witness.

According to the superseding bill of information, DOVE used a cell phone to carry out a bribery scheme, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1952(a)(3) and 2.  Specifically, DOVE paid a Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office, Criminal Records Division Supervisor in exchange for fraudulent bonds used for the release of incarcerated persons.  Additionally, in an related matter, DOVE made multiple threats to a witness cooperating in the federal prosecution of DOVE’s son, Aaron Nakeenen Womack, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1512(b)(1).

As to the bribery scheme, DOVE faces maximum penalties of five (5) years incarceration, a $250,000 fine, a three (3) year term of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment of $100.00.  Additionally, DOVE faces maximum penalties of twenty (20) years imprisonment and/or a fine of $250,000, three (3) years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment for the witness tampering charge.  DOVE’s sentencing is scheduled on October 6, 2021.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations in investigating this matter.  Assistant Unitd States Attorneys Tracey Knight and Paige O’Hale are in charge of the prosecution.

South Jersey Man Pleads Guilty to Concealing Information About Kidnapping from the FBI

CAMDEN, NJ—A Camden County man today admitted concealing from law enforcement authorities information about a home invasion and kidnapping that led to the death of an Atlantic City woman, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Ronnie Ruffin, 43, of Lindenwold, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Joseph H. Rodriguez in Camden federal court to in information charging him with one count of misprison of a felony.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Ronnie Ruffin was arrested October 18, 2011. Prior to his arrest, he had learned that on March 26, 2011, Nadirah Ruffin (no relation) was the victim of a home invasion and was kidnapped from Atlantic City, New Jersey. Ronnie Ruffin also learned Nadirah Ruffin was driven to Philadelphia, shot, and killed. Her body was found in the Schuylkill River on April 19, 2011. Ronnie Ruffin admitted that before his arrest that he had learned the home invasion and kidnapping of Nadirah Ruffin were orchestrated to retaliate for an assault on another individual.

After Ronnie Ruffin was arrested, he gave a statement to an FBI special agent and a Atlantic City Police Department detective in which he concealed and failed to immediately make known that he knew the identities of the individuals involved in the home invasion and kidnapping.

The charges to which Ronnie Ruffin pleaded guilty carry a maximum potential penalty of three years in prison and a fine of $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for January 10, 2013.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael B. Ward; investigators from the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor James P. McClain; and detectives from the Atlantic City Police Department, under the direction of Deputy Chief Ernest Jubilee, Commander of the Atlantic City Police Department, for the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason M. Richardson and Matthew T. Smith of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Camden.

Texas Women Plead Guilty to Armed Bank Robbery

GULFPORT, MS—Evie Mearlene Herrin, 58, and Amelia Darci Crew, 30, of Cleveland, Texas, pled guilty in U.S. District Court today to armed bank robbery, announced U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Davis, FBI Special Agent in Charge Daniel McMullen, and Gulfport Police Chief Alan Weatherford.

Herrin is the mother of Crew. Herrin and Crew pled guilty to robbing the Regions Bank on Highway 49 in Gulfport, Mississippi, by force, violence, and intimidatio, and putting in jeopardy the lives of the employees of the bank by the use of a dangerous weapon. The robbery occurred on March 26, 2012.

Herrin and Crew will be sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Walter J. Gex III on January 7, 2013. They each face a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

“We are pleased with the efforts put forth in the joint investigation between the Gulfport Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is evident that this working relationship is a benefit to the Gulfport Community, as made evident by the successful prosecution by the United States Attorney’s Office,” said Gulfport Police Chief Weatherford.

This case was investigated by the Gulfport Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ruth Morgan.

Robbery of Steele Street Bank and Trust in Denver

The Denver Police Department and the FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force (RMSSTF) are investigating a bank robbery that recently occurred.

Steele Street Bank and Trust

2805 South Colorado Boulevard

Denver, Colorado

September 25, 2012, 9:42 a.m.

The suspect is described as a white male, 25 to 30 years of age, approximately 6’0” in height, 190 pounds, with a medium build.

The suspect entered the bank presents a demand note and flees.

Bank robbery is punishable by a 20-year prison sentence for each offense and increases if a dangerous weapon is used in the commission of the crime.

The FBI continues to provide financial institutions with the best practices for security to make them less vulnerable to robberies.

If anyone has any information on the bank robbery above, or any bank robbery, please call the FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force at 303-629-7171; or remain anonymous and earn up to $2,000 by calling CRIMESTOPPERS at 720-913-STOP (7867).

IBC Bank Robbery Arrest in Oklahoma City

OKLAHOMA CITY—James E. Finch, Special Agent in Charge of the Oklahoma City Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), announces the arrest of an individual believed to be responsible for the bank robbery of the IBC Bank located at 4902 N. Western, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on September 26, 2012. Barry Leonard Keith, 56, was arrested by the Oklahoma City Police Department in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on Wednesday, September 26, 2012.

According to witnesses, Keith entered the bank shortly after opening and handed a note to a teller demanding money. Keith left the bank and was last seen walking east on N.W. 48th street.

Oklahoma City Police Officers responding to the bank robbery located Keith at N.W. 48th and Francis, where he was arrested without incident. Keith was unarmed and officers were able to recover what was believed to be all of the money stolen.

The Oklahoma City Police Department is to be commended for their quick response and thorough efforts in this arrest.

Keith faces federal bank robbery charges. The public is reminded that a charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Sikeston Man Pleads Guilty to Lebanon Bank Robbery

SPRINGFIELD, MO—David M. Ketchmark, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Sikeston, Missouri man pleaded guilty in federal court today to robbing a Lebanon, Missouri bank.

Larry Gene Enloe, 52, of Sikeston, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge James C. England to the charge contained in an August 29, 2012 federal indictment.

Enloe admitted that he stole $2,350 from Commerce Bank on August 21, 2012.

According to court documents, Enloe entered Commerce Bank, located at 224 W. Commercial St., Lebanon, at about 3:15 p.m. on August 21, 2012. Enloe approached the teller counter and presented a bank robbery note (written on the back of a Walmart receipt) to the teller. The note read, “10 seconds. Put all your money in the bag now. No one gets hurt.”

The teller handed Enloe $2,350, and he put the cash in a white plastic bag and walked out the bank.

While conducting a search of the area, Lebanon police officers located Enloe near a local bus station. He was questioned and transported to the police station where he was searched; officers found $2,350 hidden in his socks.

Under federal statutes, Enloe is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $250,000. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Mohlhenrich. It was investigated by the Lebanon, Missouri Police Department and the FBI.