Federal Indictments

United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that a federal grand jury in Greenville, South Carolina returned Indictment(s) against the following:

Foreign Nationals Charged with Illegal Re-Entry

MANUEL VELAZQUEZ-RODRIGUEZ and MIGUEL SANCHEZ-ACEVEDO are each charged in indictments with illegal re-entry to the United States, a violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326. The maximum penalty each could receive, depending on their prior criminal history, is two to 20 years’ imprisonment. These cases were investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents and are assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen of the Greenville office for prosecution.

Gaffney Resident Indicted for Receipt of and Possession of Child Pornography

Donald Howard Smiley, age 37, of Gaffney, South Carolina, was charged in a two-count indictment with possession of child pornography, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252A(a)(5)(B), and receipt of child pornography, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252(a)(2). The maximum penalty Smiley could receive is 20 years’ imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000 for the possession charge, and not less than five years and not more than 20 years’ imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000 for the receipt charge. The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney William J. Watkins, Jr. of the Greenville office for prosecution. This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

Individual Indicted for False Passport Application

Jorge Alberto Ramirez-Ramirez was changed in a single-count indictment with making a false statement in an application for a passport, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1542. The maximum penalty Ramirez-Ramirez could receive is 10 years’ imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000. This case was investigated by agents of the U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service, and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney David C. Stephens of the Greenville office for prosecution.

Greenville Resident Indicted for Production of and Possession of Child Pornography

Jamile T. Byrd, age 37, of Greenville, South Carolina, was charged in a two-count indictment with production of child pornography, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2251(a), and possession of child pornography, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252A(a)(5)(B). The maximum penalty Byrd could receive is not less than 15 years and not more than 30 years’ imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000 for the production charge, and 20 years’ imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000 for the possession charge. The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney William J. Watkins, Jr. of the Greenville office for prosecution. This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

Landrum Resident Indicted for Drug Conspiracy

Leslie S. Washburn, age 34, of Landrum, South Carolina, was charged in a single-count indictment with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute Oxycodone, a violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846. The maximum penalty Washburn could receive is 30 years’ imprisonment and a maximum fine of $2,000,000. This case was investigated by agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration Diversion Group and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney William J. Watkins, Jr. of the Greenville office for prosecution.

Greer Resident Indicted for Drug Conspiracy

Wesley W. Wilson, age 51, of Greer, South Carolina, was charged in a single-count indictment with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute Oxycodone, a violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846. The maximum penalty Washburn could receive is 30 years’ imprisonment and a maximum fine of $2,000,000. This case was investigated by agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration Diversion Group and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney William J. Watkins, Jr. of the Greenville office for prosecution.

The United States Attorney stated that all charges in these Indictments are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.