USA v. Black et al (Criminal Action No. 16-20032-JAR)

16-20032

Julie A. Robinson
ksd_robinson_chambers@ksd.uscourts.gov

The defendants in this case are charged with conspiracy to traffic in contraband, including methamphetamine, cigarettes and cellular phones inside the Corrections Corporation of America (“CCA”) Leavenworth Detention Center. The defendants include detainees at CCA, family members or associates of these detainees who operated outside of CCA, and one prison guard employed by CCA. During the course of discovery in this case, allegations arose that the Government had obtained video recordings of attorney-client communications as well as audio recordings of calls from inmates at CCA to their attorneys, and that these recordings had been disseminated in discovery. The Court held three hearings and the parties submitted several rounds of briefing concerning the privilege issues related to these recordings. At the first hearing, the Federal Public Defender's Office (“FPD”) entered its appearance on behalf of clients who were allegedly included in the recordings. During the hearing, the parties jointly moved for the appointment of a special master to review the recordings and determine whether they contained privileged material. On October 11, 2016, the Court issued an Order appointing David R. Cohen as special master in this case. The Court first directed Mr. Cohen to conduct an assessment of the feasibility of identifying and excising privileged and confidential communications contained within the audio and video recordings. Second, the Court explained that after reviewing the feasibility report it would determine whether Mr. Cohen should proceed with identifying and excising privileged communications and potentially performing other functions related to the issues in this case.

Mr. Cohen issued an initial feasibility report and the Court directed him to proceed to Phase II of his appointment, which involved identifying and excising privileged communications within the video and audio recordings. Mr. Cohen issued several reports on these matters, to which the Government and the FPD each responded.

On May 17, 2017, the Court issued a Memorandum and Order directing Mr. Cohen to proceed to a Phase III investigation of the Government's conduct relative to all recordings it obtained in connection with the CCA investigation. This web page provides a brief summary of the case along with selected documents filed by the parties. To view all of the records in the case, please use the court's Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER). For more information on PACER and how to access court records, including court transcripts, CLICK HERE.

Special Master

David R. Cohen
David R. Cohen Co., LPA
24400 Chagrin Blvd, Suite 300
Cleveland, OH 44122
216-831-0001
david@specialmaster.biz

Plaintiffs' Counsel

Debra L. Barnett
Office of United States Attorney - Wichita
301 North Main Street, Suite #1200
Wichita, KS 67202-4812
316-269-6481
Debra.Barnett@usdoj.gov

Donald Christopher Oakley
Office of United States Attorney - Kansas City
500 State Avenue, Suite 260
Kansas City, KS 66101
913-551-6730
chris.oakley@usdoj.gov

Dustin J. Slinkard
Office of United States Attorney - Topeka
290 US Courthouse
444 SE Quincy
Topeka, KS 66683-3592
785-295-2850
duston.slinkard@usdoj.gov

Defendants' Counsel

Cynthia M. Dodge
Counsel for defendant David Bishop (06)
Cynthia M. Dodge, LLC
233 SW Greenwich Drive, #10
Lee's Summit, MO 64082
816-246-9200
cindy@cdodgelaw.com

David J. Guastello
Counsel for defendant Karl Carter (02)
The Guastello Law Firm, LLC
4010 Washington Street, Suite 501
Kansas City, MO 64111
816-753-7171
david@guastellolaw.com

Jason P. Hoffman
Counsel for defendant Anthon Aiono (03)
Hoffman & Hoffman
CoreFirst Bank & Trust Bldg.
100 E. 9th St. Third Floor East
Topeka, KS 66612
785-233-5887
jphoffman@sbcglobal.net

John Jenab
Counsel for defendant Lorenzo Black (01)
Jenab Law Firm, PA
110 South Cherry Street, Suite 103
Olathe, KS 66061
913-390-5023
john.jenab@gmail.com

Kathleen A. Ambrosio
Counsel for defendant Alicia Tackett (04)
Ambrosio & Ambrosio Chtd.
800 SW Jackson, Suite #817
Topeka, KS 66612
785-233-0524
kaambrosio@yahoo.com

Michael M. Jackson
Counsel for defendant Catherine Rowlette (05)
727 South Kansas Ave., Suite 2
Topeka, KS 66603
785-234-6553
jacksonmm@aol.com

Movants

Branden A. Bell
Counsel for Movant Federal Public Defender
Office of Federal Public Defender - Topeka
117 SW 6th Avenue, Suite 200
Topeka, KS 66603
785-232-9828
branden_bell@fd.org

Kirk C. Redmond
Counsel for Movant Federal Public Defender
Office of Federal Public Defender - Topeka
117 SW 6th Avenue, Suite 200
Topeka, KS 66603
785-246-6005
kirk_redmond@fd.org

Melody Brannon
Counsel for Movant Federal Public Defender
Office of Federal Public Defender - Topeka
117 SW 6th St, Suite 200
Topeka, KS 66603
785-232-9828
melody_brannon@fd.org

Interested Parties

Catherine A. Zigtema
Counsel for David Lougee (14-20068-05)
Law Office of Kate Zigtema LC
11660 W. 75th Street
Shawnee, KS 66215
913-647-7567
kate@zigtemalaw.com

Corrections Corporation of America

Erin C. Thompson
Counsel for Richard Dertinger (#14-cr-20067-06)
Foland, Wicketns, Eisfelder, Roper & Hofer, PC
1200 Main Street, Suite 2200
Kansas City, MO 64105
816-423-5300
ethompson@fwpclaw.com

Jacquelyn E. Rokusek
Counsel for Richard Dertinger (#14-cr-20067-06)
Rokusek Law, LLC
11658 W. 75th Street
Shawnee, KS 66214
913-948-9311
rokuseklawoffice@yahoo.com

Jonathan L. Laurans
Counsel for David Lougee (14-20068-05)
The 1609 Law Building
1609 West 92nd Street
Kansas City, MO 64114
816-421-5200
jlaurans@msn.com

Melanie S. Morgan
Counsel for Michelle Reulet
Morgan Pilate LLC
926 Cherry Street
Kansas City, MO 64106
816-471-6694
mmorgan@morganpilate.com

Shazzie Naseem
Coordinating Discovery Attorney
Berkowitz Oliver LLP - KCMO
2600 Grand Boulevard, Suite 1200
Kansas City, MO 64108
816-561-7007
snaseem@berkowitzoliver.com

U.S. Federal Court District of Kansas in Kansas City, Kansas

U.S. Federal Court District of Kansas in Kansas City, Kansas

USA v. Black et al (Criminal Action No. 16-20032-JAR)

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