GROVE, Okla. —
Business leaders of the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe would say nothing Thursday about the federal seizure of $266,000 from a Bank of Oklahoma account bearing the tribe’s name in connection with a Missouri-centered probe of millions of dollars worth of illegal cigarette sales.
A forfeiture complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., makes a federal claim on seizures of more than $2.5 million in bank accounts and cash, plus a plane, several tractor-trailers and hundreds of cartons of cigarettes seized from at least a dozen people, tribes and tobacco operations since January in a federal probe of contraband cigarette sales.
No one has yet been charged with a crime, though a man alleged to have participated in contraband trafficking in New York was taken into custody, according to the federal civil complaint.
Central to the probe is a company in Independence, Mo., named Cheap Tobacco Wholesale, along with its principals, Craig Sheffler and his wife, Nicole Sheffler, also known as Nicole Davis, and a Wichita, Kan., man, Harry Najim.
Authorities allege that the Shefflers forged documents to cover up where cigarettes were being obtained for distribution without required federal tax stamps. Najim, the government alleges, set up foreign bank accounts to launder money made from selling the contraband and traveled overseas to hide the proceeds of the scheme.
The probe widened to include people from Florida, New York, Washington and Canada who the government alleges distributed the illegal products, in addition to the Grove cigarette manufacturing operation of the Seneca-Cayuga Tobacco Co. The tribe makes the Skydancer brand of cigarettes. The tribe also owns a convenience store in New York that is named in the probe.
The tribe also owns Grand Lake Casino and a boat operation at Grove, though they are not listed as being subject to any forfeiture actions.
The government alleges that the tribe sold tax-free cigarettes and fuel at the Seneca, N.Y., convenience store and brokered a number of contraband operations in New York. The tribe is not a licensed wholesaler there, the government said.
A receptionist in the tribal office said Thursday that none of the leaders were in the office.
John R. Birkes, treasurer of the tribe’s business committee, reached on his cellphone, said he was in a meeting and could not talk, except to say, “We don’t have any comment.”
Leroy Howard is chief of the business committee. Other members are Charles Diebold, Geneva Fletcher, Jim Spicer, Richard Enyart and Katie Birdsong.
The government, from January through April, also seized an airplane from Najim; four tractor-trailers; $599,000 from a bank account in the name of Cheap Tobacco Wholesale Co.; $740,000, $615,000, $18,260 and $4,000 in cash during undercover operations or traffic stops of suspects; bank accounts from two other corporations; and nearly 400 cartons of name-brand cigarettes.
The government contends that those named in the network conspired to sell contraband cigarettes by filing false reports in Missouri through the Sheffler company as to the origin of the products, and that they defrauded the state of New York out of tax money that state should have been paid.
Time frame
THE GOVERNMENT CONTENDS that the illegal cigarette sales took place in 2011 and early 2012.
Crime & Courts
Investigators seize tribal funds; U.S. attorney seeks forfeiture of cash
- Crime & Courts
-
-
Alcohol cited as factor in Grand Lake boat crash that killed two college students
Alcohol was one of several factors contributing to a boating accident on Grand Lake earlier this month that claimed the lives of two college students.
-
Hired hand won’t face death penalty in Vernon County murder case
The state has agreed not to seek the death penalty against Jeremy L. Maples in the murder of Belinda J. Beisly, but prosecutors have yet to take the option off the table for the victim’s husband, Bob T. Beisly II.
-
Former IRS worker gets probation after guilty plea to theft of funds
Pittsburg resident and former Internal Revenue Service employee Becky L. Book received two years probation after pleading guilty earlier this year to the theft of $26,449.65 in public funds.
-
Arma mother facing murder charge in sleeping baby’s death
Heather Buckalew fell asleep on a couch with her 4-month-old baby after a night last summer drinking beer with her boyfriend. The boyfriend, Donald Harvey, got up to go to work a few hours later and spotted his son, lying face down on a pillow between the back of the couch and his sleeping mother.
-
Vandals cause $37,000 in damage at Joplin business
A Joplin business owner was the victim of a weekend vandalism spree that resulted in an estimated $37,000 in damages and theft, in addition to putting the company out of service for at least two days.
-
Two plead guilty to post-tornado wire theft
Two defendants pleaded guilty Monday to stealing copper wire from utility poles in the wake of the May 22, 2011, tornado that struck Joplin. Timothy M. Silveria, 45, of Joplin, and Nycoa K. Kracht, 32, of Laurel, Ind., entered open pleas of guilty in Jasper County Circuit Court to felony counts of theft from a public utility.
-
Firefighters douse blaze inside wall; no injuries cited
The Joplin Fire Department used thermal-imaging equipment Wednesday night to detect a hidden fire inside a residence.
-
Exeter resident hurt in accident in Barry County
An Exeter resident was injured in a single-vehicle accident at 2:15 p.m. Thursday on Missouri Highway 76, two miles west of Exeter in Barry County, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
-
Pittsburg couple arrested; children taken out of home
PITTSBURG, Kan. — A Pittsburg couple was arrested and their three children removed from their care Wednesday when narcotics officers allegedly seized marijuana, methamphetamine and other items in a search of their home.
-
Joplin man arrested on felony charge of past sexual abuse
A 16-year-old girl’s recent disclosures to her mother regarding past sexual abuse has led to the arrest and charging of a Joplin man.
- More Crime & Courts Headlines
-
Alcohol cited as factor in Grand Lake boat crash that killed two college students
A Slice of Apple History Up for Grabs
Johnson: Don't Blame Islam or UK Policy
Raw: 80-Year-Old Climbs Mount Everest
Wash. State Man Arrested Following Ricin Scare
Chain-Reaction School Bus Crash Injures About 50
Raw: Scuffles in London After Hacking Death
Texas Students Coach Teachers on Fitness
New Forecasting Tool Eyed for Hurricane Season
Meet MJ, the Bike Riding Tabby Cat
Britain Attack Believed Linked to Radical Islam
Raw: Kevin Durant Tours Moore After $1M Pledge
Man Shot While Questioned in Boston Probe
Weiner Launches Bid to Become NYC Mayor
Okla. Teens Get Video of Deadly Tornado Overhead
School Storm Protection Spotty in Tornado Zones
9-year-old Tornado Victim Loved Family, Singing
Moore Native Toby Keith Tours Tornado Damage
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Raw: Aftermath of Deadly Attack in London
Paperless Scanner, Vision of the Future
