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.

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

Area Man Charged Arrested and Charged with Transporting a Minor for Prostitution

ST. LOUIS—Reginald Williams was arrested by FBI and St. Louis County officers Friday afternoon on a charge of interstate transportation of a minor with the intent to engage in prostitution. He appeared today in federal court for his preliminary and detention hearings.

According to the affidavit filed with the criminal complaint, on September 12, 2012, Collinsville, Illinois police received a report regarding a missing 16-year-old girl who was being forced to work as a prostitute by one or several adult males. The person reporting the information was familiar with online postings on the website Saint Louis backpages.com in which photographs of the girl were used to offer her services for commercial sex. The telephone number associated with the advertisement was recognized to be used by “Reggie,” who was later identified as Reginald Williams. Detectives reviewed the advertisement, which contained sexually suggestive language and listed the poster’s age to be 20 years old. However, Illinois police were able to confirm that she was born in 1996.

Investigators also learned that a second minor female was believed to be in the 16-year-old’s company at a hotel in St. Louis County. Detectives from Illinois then contacted the St. Louis FBI and the St. Louis County Police Department.

On September 13, 2012, an undercover detective called the phone number listed in the online advertisement to set up a paid sex “date.” When officers arrived at the hotel, they observed a black male later identified as Reginald Williams exit the same hotel room where the two minor females were eventually found. Williams was arrested on the parking lot. When officers went to the room they found both girls, ages 16 and 17. Thereafter, officers determined that Williams transported the 16-year-old girl to the St. Louis area and Chicago with the intent she engage in prostitution.

Williams, 27, from the St. Louis, Missouri area, was charged in a criminal complaint with one violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2423(a), the interstate transportation of a minor with the intent to engage in prostitution.

This charge carries a penalty range of 10 years to life in prison. In determining the actual sentence, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.

As is always the case, charges set forth in a criminal complaint are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Two Kansas City Men Sentenced for Armed Robberies

KANSAS CITY, MO—David M. Ketchmark, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that four Kansas City, Missouri men have pleaded guilty to armed robberies at several local businesses and face lengthy mandatory prison terms for using firearms in violent crimes.

Mohammad S. Rashid, 23, and Terrell E. Lewis, 23, both of Kansas City, were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes. Rashid was sentenced to 21 years and 10 months in federal prison without parole. Lewis was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison without parole.

On April 19, 2012, Rashid pleaded guilty to using a firearm during a crime of violence. Lewis pleaded guilty on April 18, 2012, to two counts of aiding and abetting the use of a firearm during a crime of violence.

Co-defendant Robert L. Smith, 21, of Kansas City, was sentenced on June 26, 2012, to 12 years in federal prison without parole after pleading guilty to those charges. Ky Lamont Edwards, 20, of Kansas City, was sentenced on May 3, 2012, to 10 years in federal prison without parole after pleading guilty in a separate but related case to two counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence.

Rashid admitted that he brandished a semi-automatic handgun while participating in the robbery of Five Guys Burgers and Fries, 8952 Skyview Ave., Kansas City, Missouri, on November 3, 2009. Edwards admitted that he carried a Kel-Tec style semi-automatic rifle during the robbery. Edwards held a restaurant manager at gunpoint while she opened the safe so that Lewis could take money from the safe. Cash was also taken from the restaurant’s cash registers. Smith drove the getaway car. After fleeing with several thousand dollars, the four men split the proceeds equally.

Lewis also admitted that he participated in the robbery of King Chef restaurant at 1660 E. 63rd St., Kansas City, on October 27, 2009. Lewis took cash from the cash register and a business cashbox while his associates held the employees at gunpoint. Smith admitted that he drove the getaway car for the robberies at both restaurants.

Edwards also admitted that he carried a Kel-Tec style semi-automatic rifle to rob the Fast Stop convenience store, 3500 Independence Ave. in Kansas City, on October 27, 2009. Edwards held the store’s employees at gunpoint while his associates took cash from the registers as well as from the wallet of one of the clerks.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney D. Michael Green. It was investigated by FBI; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; and the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department.

FBI Seeks Assistance Locating Serial Bank Robber

Suspect Nicknamed the Bucket List Bandit

The “Bucket List Bandit” is being featured on digital billboards across the country including two panels along Interstate 70 near Lambert St. Louis International Airport. The FBI believes the serial robber held up at least nine banks since mid-June in the western, southern, and now midwestern part of the country. The most recent victim is Lindell Bank in O’Fallon, Missouri, on August 30, 2012.

For the list of affected cities, photos, and details, please visit http://www.fbi.gov/wanted/unknown/unknown-serial-bank-robber-14/view.