Sterling Currency Group - Prison for all!

Sterling Currency Action


The United States Attorney’s Office has filed two separate forfeiture actions related to Sterling Currency Group, LLC and investments in foreign currency: United States v. Real Property Located at 225 Valley Road, N.W., et. al. (Civil Action Number 1:15-CV-2032) and United States v. Approximately 8,671,456,050 in Iraqi Dinars, et. al. (Civil Action Number 1:15-CV-2677).
Additionally, there is a related pending criminal matter: United States v. Rhame, et al., Criminal Action No. 1:16-CR-067. Information will be updated on the publicly available docket reports for these actions.
Please be informed that under the regulations found at 28 C.F.R. Part 9, victims of an offense who have suffered a pecuniary loss of a specific amount as demonstrated by documentary evidence may seek remission or mitigation of forfeiture. If the government prevails in the forfeiture actions, it will distribute information regarding the ability of individual victims to file a petition of remission. You may visit https://www.justice.gov/criminal-mlars/victims to learn more about the petition for remission process. Although there is no required legal form or format for filing a petition for remission, the website provides a sample petition that victims may use as a guide.
We ask that you visit this website periodically for updates on these proceedings. Unfortunately, the United States Attorney’s Office is prohibited by law from providing legal advice related to these cases. Individuals who believe they have been impacted by these proceedings may choose to seek assistance from a lawyer who will be able to explain the forfeiture process.
CASE STATUS UPDATES
United States v. Tyson Rhame, et. al., 1:16-CR-67-SCJ-CMS
On October 9, 2018, the defendants TYSON RHAME, JAMES SHAW, and FRANK BELL were convicted of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, mail fraud, and wire fraud. The defendants RHAME and BELL were also convicted of making false statements to federal agents. The defendants were acquitted of money laundering charges.
Sentencing Hearing
On December 10, 2021, the Court imposed the following custodial sentences for the three convicted defendants:

• TYSON RHAME was sentenced to 15 years of incarceration;
  
• JAMES SHAW was sentenced to 7 years, 11 months of incarceration; and
  
• FRANK BELL was sentenced to 7 years of incarceration.
   
  

The Court has allowed victims an additional period of time to come forward with evidence of their losses.  Accordingly, if you have not already done so, please be sure to complete a Victim Impact Statement and send any records of your purchases at Sterling no later than January 20, 2022. 
Please see the attachments below for the Victim Impact Statement to complete before January 20, 2022. You can advise the court about your thoughts about your losses on this form. Even though this deadline has passed, you may still submit a petition for remission in the related civil cases to demonstrate your pecuniary losses; however, please note that the remission process will not begin until the criminal case had been resolved, including the resolution of any appeals.  Additional information regarding the remission process will be forthcoming once the criminal case has been fully resolved.  If you have already submitted a petition for remission, there is no need to submit the petition again.  If you have not submitted a petition for remission yet, you will have an opportunity to do so in the future.
The Motion Hearing has been RESET from February to 5/23/2022 at 09:00 AM in Courtroom 1907 before Judge Steve C. Jones. This hearing is regarding Motions for Bond Pending Appeal and any outstanding issues related to forfeiture and restitution. At this hearing, the Court is expected to enter its decision regarding the criminal forfeiture portion of the sentencing. In their Motions for Bond Pending Appeal, the defendants have asked the court to let them to wait to begin serving their prison sentences until their appeal of their convictions to a higher court is done. Defense counsel asked for a continuance for the February hearing, and the Court found good cause for granting the continuance. The two civil forfeiture actions remain pending.
Criminal Case Inquiries
For Criminal Case Inquiries only please contact MCAP: 1-844-527-5299 and USAEO.MCAP@usdoj.gov
Civil Case Inquiries
For Civil Case Inquiries only please contact: Usagan.sterling@usdoj.gov
Receiving Notifications
If you have not received notifications from our office from the Victim Notification System which provides you with upcoming hearing dates on this case, it is your responsibility to contact Christie Jones at 404-581-6102 or Oretha Mobley at 404-581-6041 so you can be added to this system. We will need your name, email address, phone number, and mailing address to add you to the system for notification purposes. If you do not need to speak with one of us, you can leave a message on our voicemail with this information.  
PUBLIC NOTIFICATIONS










RESOURCES
Information on Victim Witness Program
Information and Assistance for Federal Crime Victims and Witnesses
Crime Victims' Rights Under the Justice for All Act (18 United States Code § 3771)
Victim Rights Under Title 42 United States (Code § 10606(b))
Victim / Witness & Criminal Justice System Information
Victim / Witness Home Page
CONTACT INFORMATION

Christie Smith Jones
Victim Witness Coordinator
Tel: 404.581.6102
Christie.Jones@usdoj.gov
Ebony Usry
Victim Witness Assistant
Tel: 404.581.6179
Ebony.Usry@usdoj.gov
 

Attachments: 
Download Sentencing_Victim_Impact_Form.pdf

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga/sterling-currency-action