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

FBI Seeks Public’s Assistance Concerning Recent Fire at Islamic Center of Joplin

Announces $15,000 Reward for Information

KANSAS CITY—Eric K. Jackson, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Kansas City Division, announced today a combined reward of $15,000 for information leading to the arrest and indictment of the person or persons responsible for the recent fire at the Islamic Center of Joplin. The combined $15,000 reward is comprised of $10,000 from the FBI and $5,000 from the ATF.

On the morning of July 4, 2012, at approximately 3:30 a.m., reports were received regarding a fire on the roof of the Islamic Center of Joplin. The fire, which was extinguished by the Jasper County Fire Department, was a surface fire, contained on the roof of the building, that did not penetrate the building or cause any interior damage.

A review of the surveillance video showed an unidentified white male walking up to the building and throwing an ignited object onto the roof. Below is a full-face image, taken from the surveillance video, of the individual who threw the object onto the roof of the building.

Federal law criminalizes arson and vandalism against houses of worship committed either because of the race or ethnicity of the group using the property or, in certain circumstances, because of the religious nature of the property.

This case is being investigated by the FBI, the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, the ATF, and the Missouri Division of Fire Safety.

Law enforcement is requesting the assistance of the public in this matter. Anyone with information regarding this fire or the individual depicted in the surveillance video and the photo above is requested to contact any of the investigating agencies listed.

FBI Joplin Field Office: (417) 206-5700

Jasper County Sheriff’s Office: Detective Tim Williams (417) 358-8177, ext. 1223

ATF: (417) 837-2100

Missouri Division of Fire Safety Arson Hotline: 1-800-392-7766

Additional photos and surveillance video of the suspect attempting to start the fire at Islamic Center will be distributed to members of the media at a scheduled press conference in an effort to seek the public’s assistance in identifying this individual.

14 Defendants Indicted for Meth Trafficking and Illegal Firearms

OCDETF Investigation

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that 14 defendants have been indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in a drug trafficking conspiracy and for illegally possessing firearms. The federal indictment is the result of an Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation into a multi–state methamphetamine–trafficking organization. The drug–trafficking organization allegedly distributed large quantities of methamphetamine in southwest Missouri and elsewhere.

The indictment, which was returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo., on Tuesday, June 14, 2011, was unsealed and made public today upon the arrests and initial court appearances of several defendants.

Ricky Del Prigg, 54, Dennis R. Reid, 53, and Hector Ferrer–Chavez, 55, a citizen of Mexico, all of Joplin, Mo.; Donald D. Simonds, Jr., 37, Timothy L. Kent, 49, and Lori Kent, 49, all of Carthage, Mo.; Darrell Thomason, 42, of Jasper, Mo.; Harold E. Holland, 40, of Sarcoxie, Mo.; Tony Raley, 41, of Wentworth, Mo.; Noel Reyes–Garcia, 41, a citizen of Mexico residing in Arkansas; Iris Leticia Correa, 40, a citizen of Mexico residing in Garland, Texas; Gerardo Antonio Garcia, a citizen of Mexico, and Jefferson White, 44, both of Springdale, Ark.; and Lyndsey M. Johnson, 32, of Rogers, Ark.; were charged in a 26–count indictment.

The federal indictment alleges that all of the defendants participated in a conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine in Jasper County, Mo., and elsewhere from May 2010 to Jan. 25, 2011.

In addition to the drug–trafficking conspiracy, Prigg is charged with participating in a money–laundering conspiracy. The indictment alleges that Prigg conducted financial transactions that involved the proceeds of illegal drug trafficking. Prigg is also charged with six counts of distributing methamphetamine in Jasper County.

Ferrer–Chavez is also charged with one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute in Jasper County, and one count of illegally reentering the United States after having been deported.

Simonds and Thomason are also charged together with one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute in Jasper County.

Reid is also charged with attempting to destroy methamphetamine in order to prevent its seizure by law enforcement officers.

Timothy and Lori Kent are also charged with making their apartment in Carthage available for illegally storing methamphetamine.

Holland was also charged with two counts of being a felon and an unlawful user of marijuana while in possession of firearms and ammunition. The indictment alleges that Holland was in possession of a Harrington and Richardson .22–caliber revolver and five rounds of ammunition on Nov. 9, 2010, in Lawrence County, Mo. The indictment also alleges that Holland was in possession of a Savage Arms 410 shotgun, a Savage 12–gauge shotgun and ammunition on Dec. 4, 2010, in Lawrence County. Holland was also charged with one count of possessing a sawed–off shotgun.

Raley is also charged with four counts of distributing methamphetamine in Lawrence County.

Correa is also charged with two counts, and White with three counts, of using a telephone to facilitate the drug–trafficking conspiracy.

The federal indictment also contains forfeiture allegations, which would require Ferrer–Chavez to forfeit to the government $1,517 that was seized by law enforcement officers, and would require Holland to forfeit to the government all firearms and ammunition cited in the indictment.

Phillips cautioned that the charges contained in these indictments are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David P. Rush. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of Homeland Security Investigations, IRS–Criminal Investigation, the Southwest Missouri Drug Task Force, the Joplin, Mo., Police Department, the Jasper County Drug Task Force, the Jasper County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Jasper County, Mo., Prosecutor’s Office, the Lawrence County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Lawrence County, Mo., Prosecutor’s Office, the Benton County, Ark., Sheriff’s Department, and the Benton County, Ark., Prosecutor’s Office.