Clinton J. Johnson U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma (NDOK) has announced the collection of over $4 million in civil and criminal actions during Fiscal Year 2024. Of this total, $2,572,450.48 was gathered from criminal actions and $1,457,354.45 from civil actions. Additionally, NDOK collected $1,726,442 through asset forfeiture efforts.
U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson stated, "The Asset Recovery Unit and Asset Forfeiture teams consist of federal prosecutors, investigators, and professional support staff. In 2024, they collected more than $4 million on behalf of victims and collected nearly $2 million in assets." He emphasized that these efforts benefit both the Crime Victims Fund and law enforcement programs.
In March 2024, a notable recovery included $106,994.94 in the case against Shane Hannaford (21-CR-111). Hannaford had defrauded fellow veterans through a fraudulent investment scheme and was ordered to pay restitution totaling $806,607.14 after pleading guilty to bank fraud.
Another significant recovery occurred in September 2024 when NDOK recovered $287,521.53 from Keven Ellis Partin (19-CR-121), who pleaded guilty to offering or paying healthcare kickbacks. The court ordered Partin to pay restitution amounting to $338,805 to several federal agencies.
In May 2024, Leslie Ellen Mansfield (23-CR-170), an attorney overseeing special needs trust accounts for intellectually challenged adults, pled guilty to bank fraud. NDOK successfully recovered full restitution of $62,000 for her victims.
Asset forfeiture efforts also yielded results with recoveries such as $35,000 in March 2024 from Jesus Salazar-Lares (22-CR-339) related to methamphetamine distribution charges. In April 2024, Melvin Brown's (22-CR-419) involvement in cocaine distribution led to the seizure of approximately $84,788.42 from his bank account.
A major asset forfeiture took place in June 2024 involving Jose Romero (22-CR-339), who conducted financial transactions linked to drug trafficking activities. The court authorized the forfeiture of cash totaling $20,297 along with vehicles and real estate properties valued at approximately $620,000.
These collections are part of broader responsibilities held by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and department divisions tasked with enforcing civil and criminal debts owed to the United States and crime victims.
Forfeited assets are deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund which supports crime victim restoration and various law enforcement initiatives.
