FBI’s Top Ten News Stories for the Week Ending April 1, 2011
Washington, D.C.
April 01, 2011 FBI National Press Office
(202) 324-3691
1. Headquarters: Up to $5 Million Reward Offered for Information Regarding Shootings of Two ICE Agents
The Departments of Justice, State, and Homeland Security announced a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of individuals allegedly responsible for the murder of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent Jaime Zapata and the attempted murder of ICE HSI Special Agent Victor Avila. Details
2. Birmingham: Federal Grand Jury Indicts Mother and Daughter in Murder-for-Hire Scheme
A federal grand jury indicted a mother and daughter from Shelby County, Alabama for conspiring in a 2009 murder-for-hire plot against the daughter’s ex-husband. Details
3. Oklahoma City: Former Senate President Pro Tem Mike Morgan and Two Others Charged with Conspiracy, Extortion, and Bribery
A 63-count indictment against former Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tem Michael Morgan, attorney N. Martin Stringer, and lobbyist William Skeith was announced and included charges of conspiracy, extortion, bribery, and mail fraud. Details
4. New York: New York Men Charged in $10 Million Commercial Bank Fraud, Identity Theft Scheme
Christopher Cavounis and Jagdesh Cooma were charged for allegedly orchestrating a scheme to defraud several banks of at least $10 million by obtaining commercial loans and lines of credit using false and fraudulent documents. Details
5. New Orleans: Two New Orleans Police Officers Sentenced in Post-Katrina Shooting and Burning of Henry Glover
Former New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) Officer David Warren was sentenced in connection with the post-Katrina shooting death of Henry Glover, and current NOPD Officer Greg McRae was sentenced for the burning of Glover's remains and obstruction of justice. Details
6. Los Angeles: Los Angeles Woman Pleads Guilty to Participating in a Medicare Fraud Scheme Using Fraudulent Medical Clinics and Stolen Doctor Identities to Defraud Medicare of More Than $6.2 Million
Carolyn Ann Vasquez pled guilty to using fraudulent medical clinics and the stolen identities of physicians to defraud Medicare of more than $6.2 million. Details
7. Washington Field: Former TBW Financial Analyst Pleads Guilty in $1.5 Billion Fraud Scheme
Sean W. Ragland, a former senior financial analyst at Taylor, Bean & Whitaker (TBW), pled guilty to conspiring to commit bank and wire fraud in connection with his role in a scheme that defrauded approximately $1.5 billion from financial investors in TBW's mortgage lending facility. Details
8. Kansas City: Former University President Indicted for Embezzling $1.5 Million
Karen L. Pletz, the former president and CEO of Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, was indicted for embezzling more than $1.5 million from the university. Details
9. Tampa: Former Orion Bank President Indicted for Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud and Deceive Bank Examiners
Jerry J. Williams was charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and deceive federal and state bank examiners. Williams was also charged with two counts of misapplication of bank funds, two counts of making false entries in the reports of Orion Bank mail, wire fraud, and money laundering. Details
10. Albuquerque: Mexican National Sentenced in New Mexico for Narcotics Trafficking
Erik Alonzo-Martinez was sentenced to a 70-month term of imprisonment for his narcotics trafficking conviction. Alonzo-Martinez, a citizen of Mexico, will be deported after he completes his prison sentence. Details
