Lee County Man Sentenced to More than Eight Years in Prison for Five North Alabama Robberies
BIRMINGHAM –A federal judge has sentenced a Lee County man to eight years and four months in prison for a 2013 string of bank robberies in North Alabama, announced U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance and FBI Special Agent in Charge Richard D. Schwein Jr.
Jimmy Dawson Cunningham, Jr., 39, of Salem, Ala., pleaded guilty in January to five bank robberies between Jan. 3, 2013, and Jan. 14, 2013. The banks robbed over those 12 days were: National Bank of Commerce, Shades Creek Parkway, Birmingham; PNC Bank, Euclid Avenue, Mountain Brook; First Community Bank, Marktplatz Center, Cullman; Regions Bank, Culver Road, Mountain Brook; and Union State Bank, Pelham Parkway, Pelham.
U.S. District Judge Inge P. Johnson sentenced Cunningham to prison and ordered him to pay $14,780 in restitution to the four banks that lost money in his robberies. Cunningham took money in all five robberies, but the money he robbed from First Community Bank in Cullman was recovered following the crime.
The FBI, in conjunction with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and the Mountain Brook, Cullman and Pelham police departments, investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph P. Montminy prosecuted.
Sisters Arrested on Federal Tax Fraud Charges
BIRMINGHAM — Federal authorities today arrested two sisters on charges that they worked together in their Taxes N More business in Tarrant to prepare fraudulent tax returns for themselves and others, often falsely claiming a credit for first-time homebuyers, announced U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance and IRS, Criminal Investigation, Special Agent in Charge Veronica Hyman-Pillot.
A federal grand jury indicted LUGENIA L. “Gigi” CONNER, 31, of Trussville, and KANESHIA L. “Kiki” CONNER-GOODGAME, 34, of Birmingham, in late March on charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States by obstructing and defeating collection of income taxes by the Internal Revenue Service. The indictment also charges both sisters, individually, with assisting in the preparation and presentation of false and fraudulent returns for the 2008 tax year, and with making and filing false returns for themselves for 2008. The indictment was sealed until both women were arrested.
“Tax return preparers who concoct schemes to collect inflated refunds are stealing from the U.S. Treasury and cheating the millions of hard-working Americans who pay their due share of taxes each year,” Vance said. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work with the IRS to prosecute tax fraud and protect the sanctity and integrity of the tax system.”
“As filing season comes to an end, the arrests today should send a message that IRS Criminal Investigation will continue to enforce laws that protect the integrity of our tax system,” Hyman-Pillot said. “Refund fraud is not a victimless crime and it affects everyone who pays taxes. Honest taxpayers who file accurate returns can be assured that the government will pursue the individuals who attempt to defraud the United States tax system.”
According to the March indictment, Conner and Conner-Goodgame conducted their scheme as follows:
The sisters jointly owned and operated Taxes N More, where they worked together to obtain inflated refunds for their clients in 2009 by falsifying information submitted on clients’ 2008 returns. The sisters claimed the First Time Home Buyer’s Credit of up to $7,900 on returns they prepared for other taxpayers, knowing those taxpayers were not entitled to the credit. The women also prepared third-party tax returns claiming itemized deductions or business expenses that clients neither had provided information for, nor were entitled to receive.
Conner faces five counts of assisting in the preparation of fraudulent returns for falsely claiming a total of $93,683 in deductions and credits on returns she prepared for five different taxpayers. Conner-Goodgame faces two counts of the same charge for falsely claiming a total of $15,400 with the First Time Home Buyer’s Credit for two tax clients.
Conner and Conner-Goodgame also each are charged with creating and submitting 2008 personal tax returns on which they claimed the homebuyers’ credit, knowing they were not entitled to that deduction.
The Taxes N More business had a dramatic increase in both the number of returns prepared and the amount of refunds claimed from the 2007 to the 2008 tax year, according to the indictment. For the 2007 tax year, it says the sisters’ business prepared 337 third-party tax returns, claiming $1.3 million in refunds. For the 2008 tax year, Taxes N More prepared 670 third-party returns, claiming $3.5 million in refunds.
IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Wick is prosecuting.
The public is reminded that an indictment is only a charge and defendants are presumed innocent. It is the government’s responsibility to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
Former Child Mentor Receives 20-Year Prison Sentence
MONTGOMERY—Attorney General Luther Strange has announced that a Tuscumbia man pleaded guilty to multiple sex crimes against children, just before his trial was due to begin Monday morning in Colbert County Circuit Court. Chadmon Drew Wright, 42, admitted to sex crimes against four boys aged less than 17 at the time, as well as of possession of child pornography. He was sentenced to a total of 20 years for all the crimes, to run concurrently.
Specifically, Wright pleaded guilty to one count of sodomy, one count of sexual abuse of a child aged less than 12, two counts of first-degree sexual abuse and three counts of possession of child pornography. The crimes occurred between 2012 and 2013.
“I am thankful that this man’s crimes have been brought to an end with his conviction today and a long prison sentence,” said Attorney General Strange. “This case involves tragic and horrible betrayals of young children who were abused by someone who gained their trust and represented himself as a mentor.”
Wright, a social worker formerly employed by the Colbert County Department of Human Resources, met his first victim as a mentor with Big Brothers and Big Sisters and subsequently gained legal custody of the child. Wright abused the child in his custody as well as using the boy to entice other child victims.
Attorney General Strange commended those involved in bringing this case to a conclusion, noting Assistant Attorneys General Ternisha Miles and John Hensley of his Criminal Trials Division and Special Agents of his Investigations Division. He also thanked the Cramer Children’s Advocacy Center in Florence, the Limestone County Department of Human Resources, the Sheffield Police Department, the Tuscumbia Police Department and the National Computer Forensics Institute in Hoover.
AG ANNOUNCES JAIL SENTENCE FOR FORMER CORONER
(MONTGOMERY)— Attorney General Luther Strange announced that a former Elmore County coroner will serve time in jail for his felony ethics and theft convictions. Timothy Ellison was sentenced this morning in Elmore County Circuit Court to four years for the ethics violation, four years for second-degree theft and 12 months for third-degree theft. The sentences were partly suspended, and he was ordered to serve nine months in jail followed by 24 months of supervised probation.
Ellison pleaded guilty on March 9 to a felony violation of the state ethics law by using his official position for personal gain, to second-degree theft, also a felony, and to third-degree theft, which is a misdemeanor. Ellison’s guilty plea included $7,913 in restitution to be made to the various public entities from which he stole. Under state law, a public official convicted of a felony is ineligible to hold public office, so he was automatically removed from office upon his conviction.
Also convicted on March 9 was Yancey Joe Mitchell III, director of Hillside Mortuary in Wetumpka. Mitchell pleaded guilty to third-degree theft of property by aiding and abetting Ellison in his crimes. He was sentenced that day to 12 months probation and ordered to pay a $250 fine and court costs. The convictions stem from Ellison submitting inflated charges to the county, state and several municipal entities for reimbursement in transporting bodies. Mitchell assisted Ellison by providing false paperwork.
Under state law, a coroner has the responsibility to transport bodies from a crime scene to the Department of Forensic Sciences or to a funeral home. The coroner may be reimbursed for actual expenses in doing so. Ellison submitted inflated invoices for his costs, and Mitchell aided and abetted him with false invoices to support Ellison’s wrongful claims.
“I am pleased that this prosecution put an end to the crimes of a corrupt public official who betrayed the public trust and stole taxpayers’ money,” said Attorney General Strange. “It is appropriate that Ellison has been held to account for his wrongdoing, will serve jail time, and will be required to repay stolen funds to their rightful public entities.”
Attorney General Strange commended those involved in bringing this case to a successful conclusion, noting in particular Assistant Attorneys General Bill Lisenby and Pete Smyczek, and Special Agents of his Special Prosecutions Division. He also thanked the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office and the police departments of Wetumpka, Millbrook and Tallassee for their assistance, and the State Ethics Commission for its referral of this matter.
Homicide Investigation
The Birmingham Police Department reports that detectives have arrested and charged a suspect in connection with a homicide investigation. The incident occurred on Tuesday, April 1, 2014 around 1:40 p.m. 1700 Block of 32nd Place North.
The victim has been identified as:
James Redmon, B/M, 27, of Birmingham, Alabama
The suspect has been identified as:
Tavares Taylor, B/M, 27, of Birmingham, Alabama. A Murder warrant with a $200,000 bond has been obtained against the suspect. The suspect is in the custody of the Jefferson County Jail.
Detectives believe the incident between both the victim and suspect was domestic related. Detectives are continuing to pursue additional leads in this case.
If there is anyone who has information pertaining to the case, they are encouraged to contact the B.P.D. Homicide Unit at 254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 254-7777.
Homicide Investigation
The Birmingham Police Department reports that detectives are conducting a homicide investigation. The incident occurred Sunday, April 6, 2014 in the 1500 Block of 15th Street South.
The victim has been identified has:
Patricia McCain, WF, 61, of Morris, Alabama
South Precinct Officers responded to the incident location around 11:50 a.m. on a body found in a plastic container. Officers located the container and observed what appeared to be a person inside a plastic container. Coroner’s office was notified and came to the scene and took possession of the body. Coroner’s office was able to identify the victim by fingerprints. Coroner’s office has determined this incident as a homicide.
Detectives have detained a person of interest for questioning
Additional information will be released as it becomes available.
Homicide Investigation Update
The Birmingham Police Department reports that detectives have arrested and charged a suspect in connection with a homicide investigation. The incident occurred on Sunday, April 6, 2014 around 1150 a.m. in the 1500 Block of 15th Street South.
The victim has been identified as:
Patricia McCain, W/F, 61, of Morris, Alabama
The suspect has been identified as:
Charles Jordan, W/M, 38, of Birmingham, Alabama. A Murder warrant with a 60,000 bond has been obtained against the suspect. The suspect is in the custody of the Jefferson County Jail.
Detectives believe both the victim and suspect were acquaintances that engaged in heavy drug usage
AG Announces Conviction of Montgomery Woman for Theft From Insurance Company
MONTGOMERY— Attorney General Luther Strange announced the conviction this week of a Montgomery woman who stole $13,278 from an Elba insurance company. The conviction involves payments received for false claims submitted for cancer and neurological treatments.
Lashondra Moore, 31, of Montgomery, pleaded guilty on April 1 in Coffee County Circuit Court to first-degree theft, a class B felony. Moore was sentenced to 32 months, which was suspended for a term of five years probation, and ordered to pay full restitution to National Security Insurance Group. A plea agreement called for Moore to pay $10,000 of the restitution within a month, after which she may apply for the probation to be changed to three years while she continues payments.
“I am pleased that this defendant has been held to account for her crime and ordered to repay the money that she stole by claiming large payments for medical treatment that she neither needed nor received,” said Attorney General Strange. He commended his Criminal Trials Division for bringing this case to a successful conclusion, noting Assistant Attorney General Ternisha Miles, and Special Agents of his Investigations Division. He also thanked the State Fire Marshal’s Office, noting Special Investigator William Gordon of the Insurance Fraud Unit.
Homicide Investigation Update
The Birmingham Police Department reports that detectives have arrested and charged a suspect in connection with a homicide investigation. The incident occurred on Saturday, April 5, 2014 around 1030 a.m. in the 2900 Block of 27th Street North.
The victim has been identified as:
Chay ya Anders, W/F, 63, of Pinson, Alabama
Detectives believe the victim’s life was ended by the suspect who robbed the business.
Detectives were able to connect the suspect to a robbery that occurred the day before at Jack’s Food Store on Friday, April 4, 2014 around 12:33p.m. The suspect was identified by a witness as the person who robbed the store that Friday afternoon. Detectives also learned from a witness that the suspect who matched the description in the earlier robbery was at the scene of the homicide on Saturday.
“This was an extremely heinous crime where there was no regard for the victim or this community. I appreciate the Detectives and the various enforcement units for their investigative intensity in this case. This was a casebook investigation where we went from absolutely nothing to an identified suspect in a matter of hours.
Our criminal homicides have decreased significantly so far this year but we realize a single homicide is one too many for the affected family. We can’t prevent every homicide but we have solved every case so far this year. The bottom line is if you commit a homicide in this city, we will never stop looking for you,” said Birmingham Police Chief A.C. Roper.
The suspect has been identified as:
Bianca Holman, B/F, 25, of Birmingham, Alabama. A Capital Murder warrant with a no bond and a Robbery warrant with a 150,000 bond has been obtained against the suspect. The suspect is in the custody of the Jefferson County Jail.
