During the 43-day federal shutdown, the wheels of justice kept turning in Southern Ohio, with the U.S. Attorney's Office pressing forward on a slew of cases. Arrests, indictments, and sentencing continued unabated, showcasing the relentless efforts of law enforcement—even amid governmental gridlock. U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II underscored the office's commitment, stating, "Our staff came to work each day and continued the mission of pursuing justice," in a release detailed on the U.S. Department of Justice website.
Notable cases included a drug trafficking indictment on October 2 against three defendants from Colorado and Oregon, and a guilty plea on the same day by a former AMVETS Post commander for a significant embezzlement. Similarly, Drey E. Lewis and Tyler J. Watkins both received 10-year sentences for narcotics and money laundering crimes, illustrating the range of criminal activity addressed during this period.
Violent crimes were also in the mix, as exemplified by the case of Dwayne K. Funderburke—charged with breaking into the U.S. Courthouse in Columbus—and the federal bank robbery charges brought against Hussein Mohamed. These incidents demonstrate the ongoing battle against crimes threatening the peace and security of communities.
Financial fraud was equally targeted. For example, on October 22, Benjamin Cantey admitted to conning investors out of more than $6.5 million through a sham online laundry service, and Mark Disbennett pleaded guilty to a produce kickback scheme that inflated consumer prices during the pandemic. Each case sheds light on the complex nature of white-collar offenses.
In a vivid illustration of the office's wide purview, arrests spanned from drug conspiracies—like the multi-state operation involving nearly $25 million in laundered proceeds—to the disturbing case of Katrina D. Favret's involvement with online groups dedicated to creating and sharing violent and abusive content.
Describing the breadth of actions taken by the office, Gerace said in a statement obtained by the U.S. Department of Justice, "The arrests and case proceedings detailed below provide just a small snapshot of the work continued by this office during the lapse in federal funding." It's a reminder of the often-unseen work carried out by public servants, maintaining order and upholding the law, regardless of the political climate.
