Medicaid Scheme Lands Shelby Native in Prison

A Shelby native pleaded guilty Thursday in a federal court to charges related to her involvement in a Medicaid scheme.

Sixty-one year-old Linda Smoot Radeker pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud conspiracy and money laundering, all felonies.

Radaker let co-conspirators use her Medicaid number to file false medical claims under the names of children  from the area. She profited over $6 million from the scheme. Radaker could face millions of dollars worth of fines and up to 30 years of prison time.

Child Killer Elisa Baker Moved to Charlotte Jail

Elisa Baker

On Monday morning, Elisa Baker was moved from the Catawba County Jail to the Mecklenburg County and booked as a 'Federal Prisoner.'

Last week, Elisa Baker, 43, plead guilty to second degree murder after she killed and dismembered her disabled 10-year-old stepdaughter, Zahra Baker.  She was sentenced to 14-18 years in jail.  (Not justice in my opinion!)

Federal Authorities estimated Elisa Baker will stay in the Mecklenburg County Jail until her scheduled court date in Statesville, NC in November.

Five Local Men Plead Guilty to Violating 'Clean Air Act'

Five men have plead guilty to violating the "Clean Air Act" by using a device to bypass vehicle emissions inspections, announced today Anne M. Tompkins, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

The defendants, Stephen Craig Dickinson, 27, of Charlotte, Alexander Christian Edwards, 24, of Monroe, Jin Sung Chang, 24, of Concord, Thanh Long Quoc Nguyen, 32, of Charlotte, and Chuck Yee Cheung, 37, of Charlotte, were charged by separate criminal bills of information and have each plead guilty to one count of violating the Clean Air Act.

Chang was also charged with, and pled guilty to, making three materially false statements in the course of the investigation. According to court documents and related proceedings, at the time of their criminal conduct three of the defendants, Dickinson, Edwards and Chang, were employed by a car dealership in Charlotte. In or about 2010, these defendants purchased a device used to bypass the ordinary onboard diagnostics system used in state emissions inspections. The defendants used the device to provide false passing results for vehicles that had their “check engine” light on, indicating they were discharging emissions at a higher rate than permitted by law, an illegal activity known as “clean scanning.”

In exchange for the false passing results, the defendants charged more than the standard fee for the emissions inspections. The other two defendants, Nguyen and Cheung were employed at a used car lot also in Charlotte, and communicated via text messages with one of the dealership employees asking him to “clean scan” vehicles for them.

In addition, when investigators interviewed Chang on three separate occasions he provided false material statements.  Dickinson entered his guilty plea on April 15, 2011, Edwards on April 27, 2011, Cheung on June 7, 2011, Nguyen on July 6, 2011, and Chang on July 14, 2011.

All of the defendants remain free on bond and their sentencing dates have not been set yet. The defendants face a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.

“Vehicle inspections are required, in part, to ensure that our air quality is protected. Schemes such as the one perpetrated by the defendants put public health at risk,” stated U.S. Attorney Tompkins. “This office is committed to prosecuting those who violate the federal laws designed to protect the health of our citizens.”

Physician's Assistant Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Medicare & Medicaid

Kelly Gene Svedberg, 40, a physician’s assistant employed at a medical clinic in Charlotte has pled guilty to charges of conspiring to defraud Medicare and the North Carolina Division of Medical Assistance (“Medicaid”), announced Anne M. Tompkins, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

A criminal bill of information was filed on June 30, 2011, charging Kelly Svedberg with one count of conspiracy to defraud a health care benefit program.  According to the information, Svedberg was employed from September 2007 to August 2008 as a licensed physician’s assistant at a medical clinic in Charlotte. 

From 2007 - December 2008, Svedburg and others, including another employee at the medical clinic, participated in a scheme to defraud Medicare, Medicaid, and others by billing those entities for medical services which were medically unnecessary, not provided, or both, including, but not limited to electromylogram (“EMG”) and anorectal manometry (“AM”) treatments.

Svedberg entered a plea of guilty on Wednesday, July 6, 2011.  According to the plea agreement, the defendant agreed that the amount of loss to Medicare and Medicaid caused by this scheme was more than $120,000 and less than $200,000.  Svedberg, who has been released on bond, faces a maximum sentence of ten years imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000.  A sentencing date has not been set yet.

The investigation and charges are the work of the NC Western District’s joint Health Care Fraud Task Force. The Task Force focuses on the coordination of cases, information sharing, identification of trends in health care fraud throughout the region, staffing of all whistle blower complaints, and the creation of investigative teams so that individual agencies may focus their unique areas of expertise on investigations.

Federal Jury Convicts Thomasboro Grocery Store Robber

Joseph Clinton

A federal jury convicted Joseph Alexander Clinton, 35, of Charlotte, NC, on conspiracy, armed robbery and use of a firearm charges following a two-day trial, which ended on Tuesday, June 14, 2011.

On September 22, 2010, Clinton was indicted by a Federal Grand Jury for all three charges he was convicted of.  According to the evidence presented at trial, during the course of a robbery of the Thomasboro Grocery Store, located at 231 Bradford Dr, Joseph Clinton and his co-conspirator, Davenon Farmer, threatened store employees at gunpoint. During the robbery, they also stole a large amount of cash money from the store.

Further evidence revealed that during Clinton's flight from the robbery and to enable their escape, one of the co-conspirators shot at a uniformed CMPD police officer who was in pursuit of the suspect. 

“This was an especially frightening crime in which the lives of innocent bystanders were put in jeopardy and a law enforcement officer could have been killed in his attempt to capture the robbers,” U.S. Attorney Tompkins said. “I am thankful that no one was injured and want to express my appreciation of our law enforcement partners for the thoroughness of their investigation which helped us take this dangerous individual off our streets,” Tompkins added.

Davenon Farmer

“The illegal use of a firearm in any violent crime is unacceptable,” stated ATF Special Agent in Charge Graham.  “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners as a single cohesive unit to identify and prosecute those individuals that engage in this type of criminal conduct,” Graham added.

“We recognize the importance of strong relationships between law enforcement agencies, as collaboration is always crucial,” said Chief Monroe of CMPD. “Whenever there is an opportunity to share resources that will help expedite an investigation, we are more than willing to do so because the safety of our citizens is our foremost responsibility.”

Joseph Clinton has been in local federal custody in Western District of North Carolina since November 10, 2010, and will remain in custody until his sentencing date, which has not yet been set.  Clinton faces up to 20 in prison for the conspiracy and armed robbery charges and a consecutive sentence of at least 5 years for the firearms charge. The consecutive sentence would become at least ten years should the Court find the firearm was discharged in furtherance of the conspiracy or armed robbery.

The investigation was handled by the ATF and the CMPD. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert J. Gleason and J. George Guise of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte.

FBI's Charlotte Division Arrests Multi-State 'Online' Prostitution Ring

Craig Allen Rodgers

Craig Allen Rodgers was arrested last Friday by agents with the FBI and is currently being held in the Mecklenburg County Jail.

He was arrested in the parking lot of the Yorkmont Rd. Extended-Stay Hotel after the Nashville, TN FBI received a tip in regards to a 20-year old woman that Rodger's was prostituting against her will.  Nashville, TN authorities contacted Charlotte's FBI Office after they gathered intelligence which showed that Rodgers and 'his girls' were in the Charlotte area.

Craig Rodgers is a pimp who operated a prostitution business and traveled across the country, posting classified ads on online sex sites promoting his escort and adult services.  He has been known to operate in Charlotte, Nashville, TN; Albuquerque, NM; and Covington, OH,  

According to court records, Rodgers is originally from California and has several previous prostitution-related convictions.  In 2006, he pled guilty in Oklahoma to aiding and abetting in prostitution and using a computer to violate Oklahoma law. 

*** Read Federal Complaint (pdf) for more in-depth information and details about the case.

Charlotte Man Convicted of Sending Child Pornography via Internet

Rashod Robinson

Rashod Robinson, 27, was convicted by a jury in federal court on Thursday for a child pornography he was indicted for on October 19, 2010.  The indictment charged Robinson with one count of aiding and abetting the transportation of visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

During the trial, testimony revealed that in 2009 and 2010, agents with the FBI in Cleveland, Ohio, were conducting an online undercover investigation targeting people who used the Internet to share child pornography.  At trial, an FBI agent testified that he encountered a person using the name "rr75727" on the Internet and that rr75727 was making child pornography available to others who wanted to download it from him.

The FBI agent in Cleveland downloaded two videos and 18 images of child pornography directly from Robinson's computer. During the trial, agents from the Cleveland, Philadelphia and Charlotte offices of the FBI testified that the investigation into the identity of 'rr75727' led to a home located in Charlotte.  On May 26, 2010, Charlotte FBI agents executed a search warrant at Robinson's home. FBI agents determined that Robinson lived at the home when he was on breaks from attending college at Virginia Military Institute.

On the day of the search, FBI agents seized several computers, including two that belonged to Robinson. An FBI computer forensic examiner told the jury that he examined Robinson’s computers and found child pornography, including the same two videos and 18 pictures that the FBI agent in Cleveland had downloaded from Robinson on January 6, 2010, on both computers.

Robinson will remain in custody until his sentencing date, which has not been set yet. He faces a mandatory minimum of five years and a maximum of 20 years in prison and/or a $250,000. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice.

Bank Employee Charged with Unauthorized Access to Bank Computers

Rodney Reed Caverly, 53, of Mint Hill, entered a guilty plea today to a federal bill of information charging him with unauthorized access to one or more protected computers of a financial institution, in violation of federal law. The charged offense is punishable by up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 and a supervised release term after imprisonment of up to three years.

By law, Caverly also will be required to pay restitution. According to the bill of information, the Bank of America had employed Caverly for the purpose of maintaining and designing its computer systems, including computers utilized for conducting financial transactions at its ATM's.

Caverly devised a scheme and artifice to defraud Bank of America, that is, a scheme to deploy a malicious computer code to Bank of America’s protected computers and computerized ATMs for the purpose of causing the affected ATMs to make fraudulent and unauthorized disbursements of cash without any transactional computer record of said cash disbursements.

Bank of America utilized “protected computers,” as that term is defined in Title 18, United States Code, Section 1030(e)(2), in interstate and foreign commerce to provide automated banking services to its customers, including the disbursement of cash through computerized automated teller machines (ATMs.

From March 20, 2009 to October 11, 2009, Caverly knowingly and with intent to defraud accessed one or more protected computers, exceeding his authorized access, and by means of such conduct furthered the intended fraud and obtained something of value, specifically, United States currency in excess of $5,000 within a one-year time period.

During the plea hearing, the Government advised the Court that Bank of America reported a loss connected to Caverly’s scheme of $304,000 in cash from its ATMs. Cash totaling $167,010 was recovered from a location that Caverly identified to U.S. Secret Service agents.

Caverly is free on a $25,000 personal signature bond until the time of sentencing. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.

Charlotte Man Sentenced for Bank Robbery

Damion Mattice Geter, 31, of Charlotte was sentenced Thursday, October 29, 2009 by The Honorable Robert J. Conrad, Jr., Chief U.S. District Judge for the Western District of North Carolina, to serve four years and three months in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release in connection with two Charlotte bank robberies.

Geter was also ordered to pay restitution to the subject banks in the total amount of $4,434. Geter entered a guilty plea on October 14, 2008 to two separate counts alleging bank robbery; one in connection with the robbery of the Coastal Federal Credit Union located at 1835 West W.T. Harris Boulevard, Charlotte, on October 1, 2007, and the second in connection with the robbery of the Bank of America located at 7911 Providence Road in Charlotte.

The case was investigated by officers of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and agents of the Charlotte FBI Office. Geter has been in federal custody since April 18, 2008.

15 People Indicted in Charlotte-Area Drug Conspiracy with Gang Ties

Fifteen individuals, most of whom are from Charlotte, were indicted on federal drug conspiracy and other charges arising from their participation in an organization with ties to the criminal street gang "United Blood Nation," commonly known as "Bloods,"

U.S. Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert, FBI Special Agent in Charge of North Carolina Operations Nathan T. Gray, and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Rodney Monroe announced today. Charges contained in the 41-count indictment range from drug conspiracy involving cocaine, heroin, and marijuana; operation of a "crack house" at 2317 Dundeen Street in Charlotte; conspiracies to commit robberies; and counts alleging illegal use and possession of firearms.

"Today's indictment underscores our ongoing commitment to eradicate violent drug gangs," said U.S. Attorney Shappert. "It also reinforces the vital partnership between the FBI and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. Law enforcement partnerships are critical to our success. The leadership demonstrated by FBI and CMPD benefits the entire community."

The six-month-long investigation by the FBI and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department culminated today with the unsealing of the 48-page federal indictment following the arrests this morning of 13 of the indicted suspects. The indictment was filed in federal court in Charlotte on Thursday, February 19, 2009 and had remained under seal until today. The targeted enforcement action carried out this morning led to the seizure of seven firearms and the execution of four search warrants and13 arrest warrants related to the case. A list of all the defendants and their current status is provided at the end of this release.

"This indictment shows how team work and commitment put in by dedicated members of law enforcement can bring about change in this city," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Nathan T. Gray, of Charlotte. "We have shown that when agencies work together, we have the power to bring down entire gangs. We will continue to do all we can to make sure people walk through their neighborhoods and not fear gang violence."

The indictment alleges that the defendants are members, or associates, and/or narcotics suppliers/dealers with members and associates of the criminal street gang "United Blood Nation" ("Bloods"). It is further alleged in the indictment that the defendants conduct the bulk of their drug trafficking and related criminal activity in the area of Charlotte along Beatties Ford Road, specifically between Capps Hill Mine Road and Brookshire Boulevard. Known generally as the "Beatties Ford Road corridor," this Charlotte community, the indictment alleges, is where the defendants have derived much of their income from the sale of narcotics.

In addition, defendants are alleged to have both sold and purchased narcotics in or around dwellings, referred to by special names, all located in the Beatties Ford Road corridor of Charlotte. Another source of income for the defendants, the indictment alleges, came from the commission of robberies against other drug dealers where both drugs and drug proceeds were obtained by force, violence and intimidation.

In addition to the drug conspiracy count, three defendants are charged with federal firearms violations, and all defendants are each charged individually with using a telephone in committing or causing the commission of acts constituting a felony. Four separate robbery conspiracies are alleged, along with 15 separate counts alleging possession with intent to distribute drugs.

The indictment also includes a Notice of Forfeiture and Finding of Probable Cause that defendants forfeit to the United States all of the property involved in the offenses with which they are charged in the indictment, and all property traceable to such offenses. Currency, firearms, and vehicles listed in the Notice of Forfeiture include the sum of approximately $100,000 in U.S. currency; a 7.62 semi-automatic assault rifle and ammunition; a Rossi .357 Revolver and ammunition; a 2008 Cadillac Escalade, a 2008 Jeep Commander, and a 2006 Dodge Charger.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Rodney Monroe said, "Today's operation impacts the entire city. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, and all of its law enforcement partners, will continue to work extremely hard to remove the fear and intimidation caused by gangs in our neighborhoods. Our strategy is to root out this type of criminal activity."

The investigation and indictment announced today represents the third such case in two years in which known gang membership and/or ties, drug distribution activity, firearms possession and violence, are all being carried out in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg County area of the Western District of North Carolina. In March of 2007 Charlotte's Hidden Valley Kings gang was indicted in federal court; all defendants in that case were sentenced to heavy prison terms in December 2008. In June 2008, Charlotte's MS-13 gang was indicted in federal court; the case is set for trial in U.S. District Court in Charlotte in June 2009.

Each defendant in today's indictment faces heavy fines and a long prison term under the statutes, if convicted. However, it is important to note that any sentence received upon conviction will be influenced by the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which the Court consults in order to determine each defendant's actual sentence. Sentences are based upon a formula that takes into account the severity and characteristics of each offense and each defendant's criminal history, if any.

The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations. In the American justice system, a person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty in a court of law.
The case is the product of a six-months' investigation led by the FBI and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department with significant contributions made by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and the Gastonia, NC, Police Department. The prosecution is being handled for the government by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Zolot, Western District of North Carolina Gang Coordinator, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelli Ferry.

The following defendants are charged in the indictment: Jason Campbell, also known as "Dawg," and "Slim," age 26, of Charlotte; Jawaad Nash, also known as "Wad," age 26, of Charlotte; Dontrey Lashaun Harrison, also known as "Shaun," age 34, of Charlotte; Malik Billings, age 25, of Charlotte; Michael Greene, also known as "Mike," age 31, of Charlotte; Tavarus Sturdivant, also known as "TV," age 27, of Charlotte; James Lamar Vaughn, also known as "Brother Man" and "Brah Man," age 42, of Charlotte; Garwin Harris, also known as "Monk," age 54, of Charlotte; Marco Wigfall, age 23, of Charlotte; Felicia Baucum, age 29, of Charlotte; Robert Springs, also known as "B-Dog" and "Bobby," age 54, of Charlotte; Joey Williams, also known as "Joe," age 30, of Charlotte; Daryl Gibbs, also known as "Ralph," age 32, address unknown; Sanchez Hudson, also known as "Chez," age 26, address unknown; Pamela Dooley, age 45, of Charlotte.

Charlotte Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Child Porn

Timothy Christenbury, 46, of Charlotte, N.C., pleaded guilty today to possessing child pornography, Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Criminal Division Rita M. Glavin and U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina Gretchen C.F. Shappert announced.

Christenbury pled guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carl Horn III to one count of possession of child pornography. He was indicted on those charges on Dec. 16, 2008. According to the indictment, Christenbury possessed computer files containing child pornography from on or about Sept. 2 to Sept. 4, 2007.

Christenbury was identified through “Operation Joint Hammer” – the U.S. component of an ongoing global enforcement operation targeting transnational rings of child pornographers. The operation already has led to the arrest of more than 60 people in the United States involved in the trade of child pornography.

Operation Joint Hammer was initiated through evidence developed by European law enforcement and shared with U.S. counterparts by Europol and Interpol. The European portion of this global enforcement effort, “Operation Koala,” was launched after the discovery of a handful of people in Europe who were molesting children and producing photographs of that abuse for commercial gain. Further investigation unveiled a number of online child pornography rings – some of which hosted dangerous offenders who not only traded child pornography, but who themselves sexually abused children. Law enforcement has determined that the customers of the Web site were located in nearly 30 countries around the world, including the United States.

Christenbury faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, forfeiture of all seized property, and up to a $250,000 fine. Christenbury also will face the imposition of supervised release following his release from prison for a term of at least five years to life.

FEDERAL COURT: Duo Sentenced to 100+ Years for Robberies

On Monday, October 6, 2008, Andre L. Corbett, 28, and Niles M. Belk, 34, both of Charlotte, North Carolina, were sentenced to 141 years and 99.5 years in federal prison, respectively, for committing several armed robberies throughout the local area from 2004 - 2007.

After a trial in December 2007, a federal jury convicted Corbett and Belk of conspiring to rob three Food Lion supermarkets and two Dollar General stores together. Additionally, the jury convicted Corbett for robbing a First Citizen’s Bank branch and a Sam’s Mart convenience store, for obstructing justice, threatening a federal law enforcement official, and sending a threatening letter through the U.S. mail.

According to information produced at trial, during the robberies Corbett and Belk covered themselves head-to-toe, preventing their victims from identifying them. Trial evidence showed that Salisbury Police Department Detectives Brian Cooper and Thomas Wilsey caught the armed defendants as they were trying to escape, with guns drawn, from the final robbery. Then according to testimony and evidence introduced at trial, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives Special Agent Darren Solomon and other investigators connected the defendants to the earlier robberies.


Trial evidence showed, for example, that law enforcement recovered from Corbett’s cell phone photographs of the money from two robberies that he took within minutes after the crimes. Also, evidence revealed that Corbett wore the same shirt in the bank robbery that he had worn for his driver’s license photo one week earlier, and that Belk wore the same distinctive gloves in some of the robberies.

In announcing the sentences, Gretchen C.F. Shappert, the United States Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, stated, “The defendants terrorized numerous victims during their armed crime spree. We thank the law enforcement officers who had the investigative skills to connect the crimes, and the victims who had the personal strength to come forward and do their civic duty by testifying. In the end, the defendants’ stiff penalties show that armed violent criminals will reap what they sow.”

The following agencies participated in the investigation of this case: the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, City of Salisbury Police Department, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, City of Stallings Police Department, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and Union County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Steven R. Kaufman and Kimlani M. Ford.

Wouldn't it be great if our state Judges would hand down sentences like this!

Federal Agents Bust Charlotte 'Madam' Sallie Saxon & Cohorts

UPDATE: The Saxon's and Glenn Fox were all sentenced today in Federal Court. Sallie Saxon was sentenced to 24 months in prison, Donald Saxon was sentenced to 21 month in prison and Glenn Fox will serve 15 months in prison. All three will serve their sentences in a Federal penitentiary without the possibility of parole.
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A prostitution criminal enterprise came to a screeching halt last Friday when Federal authorities and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officers raided a home on Coatbridge Lane and arrested three people involved in running an upscale prostitution service geared towards "affluent clientele."

According to the criminal complaint filed in Federal Court, Sallie Wamsley Saxon, 57, was a 'madam' who operated the local web-based escort service from her home in Charlotte. Saxon arranged the sexual encounters between the 'johns' and 'escorts' and collected 30%-50% of the profits. The average hourly rate for one of Saxon's prostitutes was $400. An overnight stay went for $3,500.

In addition to hiring local women, Saxon recruited women from all over the United States and world to come to Charlotte, NC and work for her. She arranged for prostitutes to travel to Charlotte from Canada, Asia, Brazil, New York, Atlanta, Los Angeles and other places. Saxon would display the prostitutes' photo and profile on her members-only website and set-up the client/escort meetings in exchange for a cut of the profits.

Donald Verdery Saxon, 52, (middle) is Sallie Saxon's husband and partner in crime. Donald was responsible for collecting monies owed to Sallie and other miscellaneous duties. Federal Agents observed Mr. Saxon accept cash filled manila envelopes from prostitutes and watched him transport an out-of-town prostitute to her hotel after a 'bare' photo shoot.

Glenn Alvin Fox, 58, was the contracted photographer who took bare photos of Sallie's prostitutes. Fox's bare photos were posted on Sallie's website as advertisement of available prostitutes for her clients. Sallie Saxon paid Glenn Fox at least $36,000 for his services in 2006.

The Saxon's and Fox are all charged with conspiring to operate a criminal enterprise involving money laundering and illegal prostitution.

COURT DOCUMENTS:- Federal Criminal Complaint
- Federal Indictment
- Dept. of Justice Press Release

Charlotte Man In Jail for Threatening to Kill Obama

From WSOC-TV: A Charlotte man is in federal custody accused of threatening to assassinate the Democratic presidential candidate, Senator Barack Obama.

A sworn affidavit by a Secret Service agent details the accusations against Jerry Blanchard, a Charlotte accountant. It states that Blanchard threatened to use a military sniper rifle to kill, kidnap and inflict bodily harm upon.

The threats were first heard, the agent claims, last month at a Waffle House on Pineville-Matthews Road. Two customers said as they talked with Blanchard, he told them, “Obama and his wife are never going to make it to the White House. He needs to be taken out and I can do it in a heartbeat.”

The customers contacted Secret Service agents in Charlotte, who questioned Blanchard. They said he denied threatening to kill Obama, but admitted he considers Obama to be “the anti-Christ” as prophesied in the bible. Agents said they explained to Blanchard that it was illegal to threaten a presidential candidate, and they said Blanchard said he understood.

But two weeks ago, the Secret Service got a second call regarding Blanchard. An employee of the Crown Plaza Hotel in uptown Charlotte said Blanchard was making threats again. The employee told agents he was in the lobby restroom when he overheard Blanchard on his cell phone saying, “I'll get a sniper rifle and take care of it myself. Somebody's got to do it . . . . We both know Obama is the anti-Christ."

Blanchard is charged with the felony offense of making threats against a major candidate for the office of president of the United States. Federal prosecutors have filed a request for a psychiatric evaluation of Blanchard and for him to be transferred to a federal facility. He is currently being held in the Mecklenburg County jail.

A spokesman for the Obama campaign said, “The campaign does not comment on these stories.

'Charlotte Madam' Jailed for Shoplifting

CMPD Officers arrested 58-year old Sallie Saxon Wamsley and charged her with misdemeanor larceny today. - Read post about 'Charlotte's madam' from last November -

Police say Saxon (aka Wamsley) shoplifted over $50 in goods from the Stein Mart store located in Cotswold Village on Sharon Amity Rd. Saxon stole a wallet, pair of shorts and a shirt from the store.

Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Armed Robbery

John Lynn Lattaker (aka Edward Miller), 31, was sentenced today in Federal Court to serve 30 years in prison. The charges are related to two different armed robberies and possession of a gun by a convicted felon.

Police say Lattaker robbed the InTown Suites Hotel on South Tryon Street on February 17, 2006 and the Pop Shoppe located at 6865 Albermarle Road on February 22, 2006. In addition, he was charged with possession of a a firearm by a felon at the time of his arrest on March 2, 2006.

Read Federal Documents: Indictment - Plea Agreement - DOJ Press Release

Union County Sheriff Deputy Facing Federal Charges

Louis Balducci, 36, a Union County Sheriff Deputy, was arrested today on Federal charges involving distribution of Oxycodone and possession of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.

According to official court documents, it is alleged that on or about January 12, 2008 & January 24, 2008, Louis Balducci distributed Oxycodone in Union County. On January 12, 2008, Louis Balducci did use and possess a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.

If convicted on the charges in the complaint, Balducci faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison on the drug distribution charge and a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison on the firearms charge.

BofA Employee Charged with Embezzlement

Francisco 'Frank' Fernandez, 43, was arrested this morning on a federal criminal complaint alleging theft, embezzlement and/or misapplication by a bank officer.

According to a Department of Justice press release, Fernandez was arrested today without incident by agents of the U.S. Secret Service. Fernandez made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carl Horn today and was ordered detained in federal custody pending a detention hearing.

According to official court documents, it is alleged that from July 2007 through December 2007, Fernandez while employed as an officer of Bank of America, embezzled the sum of approximately $457,384.79.

Fernandez allegedly gave one of Bank of America’s customers, Key Bank, his own personal Bank of America checking account number for Key Bank to wire payments into instead of the correct Bank of America account number to which these payments should have been wired.

If convicted on the charge in the complaint, Fernandez faces a maximum statutory penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
More Info: DOJ Press Release & Federal Criminal Complaint

Charlotte Man Sentenced for Sexual Exploitation Charges

On January 3rd, Marques Bynum, 27, was sentenced to 16 years imprisonment after being convicted on April 18th for transportation and possession of child pornography. The case against Bynum was tried in the Western District of NC in front of US District Judge Frank Whitney.

At trial, the Government proved that during the period from June 2003 to August 2003, Bynum posted numerous images of child pornography to a Yahoo Group entitled "sumthin4usgirls." The FBI began an undercover investigation into this group in July 2003.

According to the indictment, authorities identified the screen name "markie-zkidluv6" as the screen name responsible for multiple postings of child pornography and the FBI traced the screen name back to Marques Bynum.

FBI Agents in Charlotte continued the investigation and thereafter executed a search warrant in Bynum’s home, recovering a laptop computer belonging to him. Examination of that computer revealed approximately 5,000 images of child pornography, as well as evidence linking Bynum to the Yahoo Group.

Over the course of the three-day trial, the Government called numerous witnesses, including law enforcement officers from Sweden, Georgia and Idaho, as well as a digital imaging expert, to prove that the children depicted in the images were real. The defense did not offer any evidence at trial.

More Info: Federal Indictment & DOJ Press Release

2007 Charlotte Federal Court Recap

The Department of Justice sent out a press release today with a recap and updates on some of the Federal cases they have prosecuted in the Western District of NC this year. Here are some local cases of interest:

• HIDDEN VALLEY KINGS: In March, 20 gang members, drug suppliers and gang associates were indicted in federal court. 17 of the 20 defendants have entered guilty pleas and are presently in pre-trial detention awaiting sentencing.
• JIMMIE VANCE GRUBBS: In October, the 67-year old teacher accused of molesting boys since the 1970's was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
• PASTOR JOHN H. WALKER: In August, the Senior Pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church was sentenced to 63 months imprisonment on nine federal criminal counts in connection with bank loans, tax evasion, and false statements to federal agents.
• SALLIE & DONALD SAXON: In November, three people involved in running a web-based escort service were indicted in Federal Court for money laundering and prostitution.
• CLAUDE MICHAEL KAHN: In December, a Federal Air Marshall was indicted in Federal Court for accepting unlawful gratuities and making false statements to Federal Agents.

- Read Full DOJ Press Release -