Court filing
Judgment — United States v. Dara Buck, a.k.a. Dara Butler
Filed January 10, 2023 in U.S. v. Dara Butler; one of 7 filings from this case.
What This Document Is
The formal Judgment in a Criminal Case, entered five days after the January 5, 2023 sentencing hearing, imposing sentence on Buck's guilty plea to Count One (18 U.S.C. § 371, citing the underlying wire-fraud and student-loan-fraud objects at 18 U.S.C. § 1343 and 20 U.S.C. § 1097(a)).
Factual Summary
The court sentenced Buck to 42 months' imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release, with a $100 special assessment and $3,680,247 in restitution. The judgment recommends the Bureau of Prisons designate Buck to a Federal Medical Center equipped to treat her medical needs, secondarily as close to Charleston, South Carolina, as possible to facilitate family contact — the medical basis later cited throughout her compassionate-release motions. She was ordered to surrender for service of sentence before 2:00 p.m. on March 6, 2023 (later confirmed by Docket 47). Special conditions of supervision include substance-abuse testing, mental-health treatment, financial-information disclosure to probation and the U.S. Attorney's Office, a bar on new credit lines without approval, a bar on fiduciary or credit-access positions without approval, 40 hours of community service within the first 12 months, and consent to warrantless searches of person, property, and electronic devices on reasonable suspicion. The restitution table itemizes the $3,680,247 total between two payees: $3,309,539 to the U.S. Small Business Administration (the PPP-loss component) and $370,708 to the U.S. Department of Education (the student-loan-discharge-fraud component) — the first specific breakdown in the docket of how the aggregate restitution figure divides between the two schemes charged in the Information. Payment terms require a $100 lump sum immediately, then nominal quarterly minimums during incarceration ($25 non-UNICOR or 50% of UNICOR earnings) and $400 per month after release.
Key Facts
- Sentence: 42 months' imprisonment, 3 years' supervised release, $3,680,247 restitution, $100 special assessment.
- Restitution breakdown: $3,309,539 to the U.S. Small Business Administration (PPP loss); $370,708 to the U.S. Department of Education (student-loan-discharge loss).
- BOP facility recommendation: a Federal Medical Center equipped for Buck's medical needs, secondarily near Charleston, South Carolina.
- Self-report deadline: before 2:00 p.m., March 6, 2023.
- Post-release payment schedule: $400/month minimum nominal restitution payments.
Source Caveats
- Extracted text may omit formatting, pagination, attachments, signatures, seals, or redactions; use the source file for exact quotations.
- Some checkbox fields on the form (e.g., the departure-from-Guidelines direction referenced in the Sentencing Minutes) are not restated on the Judgment itself and are not independently verifiable from this document.
No. 4:22-cr-00065-RSB-CLR · Doc. 44 · 2023-01-10 · Docket on CourtListener
Full text
Case 4:22-cr-00065-RSB-CLR Document 44 Filed 01/10/23 Page 1 of 7
GAS 245B (Rev. 11/22) Judgment in a Criminal Case
DC Custody TSR
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF GEORGIA
SAVANNAH DIVISION
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ) JUDGMENT IN A CRIMINAL CASE
v. )
Dara Buck, )
) Case Number: 4:22CR00065-1
a/k/a “Dara Butler” )
) USM Number: 10895-510
)
) Edgar Dennis Beuno, Peter Michael McCoy, Jr., and James
Hunter May
THE DEFENDANT: Defendant’s Attorneys
☒ pleaded guilty to Count 1.
☐ pleaded nolo contendere to Count(s) which was accepted by the court.
☐ was found guilty on Count(s) after a plea of not guilty.
The defendant is adjudicated guilty of these offenses:
Title & Section Nature of Offense Offense Ended Count
18 U.S.C. § 371, Conspiracy May 31, 2021 1
18 U.S.C. § 1343, and
20 U.S.C. § 1097(a)
The defendant is sentenced as provided in pages 2 through 7 of this judgment. The sentence is imposed pursuant to the
Sentencing Reform Act of 1984.
☐ The defendant has been found not guilty on Count(s)
☐ Count(s) _______ of the Information shall be dismissed as to this defendant on the motion of the United States.
It is ordered that the defendant must notify the United States Attorney for this district within 30 days of any change of name,
residence, or mailing address until all fines, restitution, costs, and special assessments imposed by this judgment are fully paid. If
ordered to pay restitution, the defendant must notify the Court and United States Attorney of material changes in economic
circumstances.
January 5, 2023
Date of Imposition of Judgment
Signature of Judge
R. Stan Baker
United States District Judge
Southern District of Georgia
Name and Title of Judge
January 10, 2023
Date
Case 4:22-cr-00065-RSB-CLR Document 44 Filed 01/10/23 Page 2 of 7
GAS 245B (Rev. 11/22) Judgment in a Criminal Case Judgment — Page 2 of 7
DC Custody TSR
DEFENDANT: Dara Buck
CASE NUMBER: 4:22CR00065-1
IMPRISONMENT
The defendant is hereby committed to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons to be imprisoned for a total term of:
42 months.
☒ The Court makes the following recommendations to the Bureau of Prisons:
It is recommended that the defendant be primarily designated to a Federal Medical Center that is equipped to treat the
defendant’s medical needs and secondarily to a facility as close to Charleston, South Carolina, in order to facilitate family
contact.
☐ The defendant is remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal.
☐ The defendant shall surrender to the United States Marshal for this district:
☐ at ☐ a.m. ☐ p m. on .
☐ as notified by the United States Marshal.
☒ The defendant shall surrender for service of sentence at the institution designated by the Bureau of Prisons:
☒ before 2 p m. on March 6, 2023 .
☒ as notified by the United States Marshal.
☐ as notified by the Probation or Pretrial Services Office.
RETURN
I have executed this judgment as follows:
Defendant delivered on to
at , with a certified copy of this judgment.
UNITED STATES MARSHAL
By
DEPUTY UNITED STATES MARSHAL
Case 4:22-cr-00065-RSB-CLR Document 44 Filed 01/10/23 Page 3 of 7
GAS 245B (Rev. 11/22) Judgment in a Criminal Case Judgment — Page 3 of 7
DC Custody TSR
DEFENDANT: Dara Buck
CASE NUMBER: 4:22CR00065-1
SUPERVISED RELEASE
Upon release from imprisonment, you will be on supervised release for a term of: 3 years.
MANDATORY CONDITIONS
1. You must not commit another federal, state, or local crime.
2. You must not unlawfully possess a controlled substance.
3. You must refrain from any unlawful use of a controlled substance. You must submit to one drug test within 15 days of release
from imprisonment and at least two periodic drug tests, thereafter, as determined by the court.
☐ The above drug testing condition is suspended, based on the court’s determination that you pose a low risk of future
substance abuse. (Check, if applicable.)
4. ☒ You must make restitution in accordance with 18 U.S.C. §§ 3663 and 3663A or any other statute authorizing a sentence of
restitution. (Check, if applicable.)
5. ☒ You must cooperate in the collection of DNA as directed by the probation officer. (Check, if applicable.)
6. ☐ You must comply with the requirements of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (34 U.S.C. § 20901, et seq.)
as directed by the probation officer, the Bureau of Prisons, or any state sex offender registration agency in the location where
you reside, work, are a student, or were convicted of a qualifying offense. (Check, if applicable.)
7. ☐ You must participate in an approved program for domestic violence. (Check, if applicable.)
You must comply with the standard conditions that have been adopted by this court as well as with any other conditions on the
attached page.
Case 4:22-cr-00065-RSB-CLR Document 44 Filed 01/10/23 Page 4 of 7
GAS 245B (Rev. 11/22) Judgment in a Criminal Case Judgment — Page 4 of 7
DC Custody TSR
DEFENDANT: Dara Buck
CASE NUMBER: 4:22CR00065-1
STANDARD CONDITIONS OF SUPERVISION
As part of your supervised release, you must comply with the following standard conditions of supervision. These conditions are
imposed because they establish the basic expectations for your behavior while on supervision and identify the minimum tools needed
by probation officers to keep informed, report to the court about, and bring about improvements in your conduct and condition.
1. You must report to the probation office in the federal judicial district where you are authorized to reside within 72 hours of your
release from imprisonment, unless the probation officer instructs you to report to a different probation office or within a
different time frame.
2. After initially reporting to the probation office, you will receive instructions from the court or the probation officer about how
and when you must report to the probation officer, and you must report to the probation officer as instructed.
3. You must not knowingly leave the federal judicial district where you are authorized to reside without first getting permission
from the court or the probation officer.
4. You must answer truthfully the questions asked by your probation officer.
5. You must live at a place approved by the probation officer. If you plan to change where you live or anything about your living
arrangements (such as the people you live with), you must notify the probation officer at least 10 days before the change. If
notifying the probation officer in advance is not possible due to unanticipated circumstances, you must notify the probation
officer within 72 hours of becoming aware of a change or expected change.
6. You must allow the probation officer to visit you at any time at your home or elsewhere, and you must permit the probation
officer to take any items prohibited by the conditions of your supervision that he or she observes in plain view.
7. You must work full time (at least 30 hours per week) at a lawful type of employment, unless the probation officer excuses you
from doing so. If you do not have full-time employment you must try to find full-time employment, unless the probation officer
excuses you from doing so. If you plan to change where you work or anything about your work (such as your position or your
job responsibilities), you must notify the probation officer at least 10 days before the change. If notifying the probation officer
at least 10 days in advance is not possible due to unanticipated circumstances, you must notify the probation officer within 72
hours of becoming aware of a change or expected change.
8. You must not communicate or interact with someone you know is engaged in criminal activity. If you know someone has been
convicted of a felony, you must not knowingly communicate or interact with that person without first getting the permission of
the probation officer.
9. If you are arrested or questioned by a law enforcement officer, you must notify the probation officer within 72 hours.
10. You must not own, possess, or have access to a firearm, ammunition, destructive device, or dangerous weapon (i.e. anything
that was designed, or was modified for, the specific purpose of causing bodily injury or death to another person such as a
nunchakus or tasers).
11. You must not act or make any agreement with a law enforcement agency to act as a confidential human source or informant
without first getting permission from the court.
12. If the probation officer determines that you pose a risk to another person (including an organization), the probation officer may
require you to notify the person about the risk and you must comply with that instruction. The probation officer may contact the
person and confirm that you have notified that person about the risk.
13. You must follow the instructions of the probation officer related to the conditions of supervision.
U.S. Probation Office Use Only
A U.S. probation officer has instructed me on the conditions specified by the court and has provide me with a written copy of this
judgment containing these conditions. For further information regarding these conditions, see Overview of Probation and Supervised
Release Conditions, available at: www.uscourts.gov.
Defendant’s Signature ____________________________________________________ Date _____________________
Case 4:22-cr-00065-RSB-CLR Document 44 Filed 01/10/23 Page 5 of 7
GAS 245B (Rev. 11/22) Judgment in a Criminal Case Judgment — Page 5 of 7
DC Custody TSR
DEFENDANT: Dara Buck
CASE NUMBER: 4:22CR00065-1
SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF SUPERVISION
1. You must submit to substance abuse testing to determine if you have used a prohibited substance. You must not attempt to
obstruct or tamper with the testing methods.
2. You must participate in a mental health treatment program and follow the rules and regulations of that program. The probation
officer, in consultation with the treatment provider, will supervise your participation in the program. You must pay the costs of
treatment in an amount to be determined by the probation officer, based on your ability to pay or availability of third-party
payment.
3. You must provide the probation officer with access to any requested financial information and authorize the release of any
financial information. The probation office may share financial information with the U.S. Attorney's Office.
4. You must not incur new credit charges, or open additional lines of credit without the approval of the probation officer.
5. You must pay the financial penalty in accordance with the Schedule of Payments sheet of this judgment. You must also notify
the court of any changes in economic circumstances that might affect the ability to pay this financial penalty.
6. You must not be employed in, conduct business in, or otherwise serve in any fiduciary capacity or any position that allows you to
have access to credit or personal information of others unless the probation officer approves such business, employment, or
service.
7. You must complete 40 hours of community service within the first 12 months of supervision. The probation officer will
supervise the participation in the program by approving the program and verifying completed hours.
8. You must submit your person, property, house, residence, office, vehicle, papers, computers (as defined in 18 U.S.C. §
1030(e)(1)), other electronic communications or data storage devices or media, to a search conducted by a United States
probation officer. Failure to submit to a search may be grounds for revocation of release. You must warn any other occupants
that the premises may be subject to searches pursuant to this condition. The probation officer may conduct a search under this
condition only when reasonable suspicion exists that you have violated a condition of supervision and that the areas to be
searched contain evidence of this violation. Any search must be conducted at a reasonable time and in a reasonable manner.
Case 4:22-cr-00065-RSB-CLR Document 44 Filed 01/10/23 Page 6 of 7
GAS 245B (Rev. 11/22) Judgment in a Criminal Case Judgment — Page 6 of 7
DC Custody TSR
DEFENDANT: Dara Buck
CASE NUMBER: 4:22CR00065-1
CRIMINAL MONETARY PENALTIES
The defendant must pay the total criminal monetary penalties under the schedule of payments.
Assessment Restitution Fine AVAA Assessment* JVTA Assessment **
TOTALS $100 $3,680,247 None N/A N/A
☐ The determination of restitution is deferred until . An Amended Judgment in a Criminal Case (AO 245C)
will be entered after such determination.
☒ The defendant must make restitution (including community restitution) to the following payees in the amount listed below.
If the defendant makes a partial payment, each payee shall receive an approximately proportioned payment, unless specified
otherwise in the priority order or percentage payment column below. However, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3664(i), all nonfederal
victims must be paid before the United States is paid.
Name of Payee Total Loss*** Restitution Ordered Priority or Percentage
U.S. Small Business Administration $3,309,539.00 1
U.S. Department of Education $370,708.00 1
TOTALS $ $ $ 3,680,247.004 $
☐ Restitution amount ordered pursuant to plea agreement $
☒ The defendant must pay interest on restitution and a fine of more than $2,500, unless the restitution or fine is paid in full before
the fifteenth day after the date of the judgment, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3612(f). All of the payment options on Sheet 6 may be
subject to penalties for delinquency and default, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3612(g).
☐ The court determined that the defendant does not have the ability to pay interest and it is ordered that:
☐ the interest requirement is waived for the ☐ fine ☐ restitution.
☐ the interest requirement for the ☐ fine ☐ restitution is modified as follows:
* Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act of 2018, Pub. L. No. 115-299.
** Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015, Pub. L. No. 114-22.
*** Findings for the total amount of losses are required under Chapters 109A, 110, 110A, and 113A of Title 18 for offenses committed
on or after September 13, 1994, but before April 23, 1996.
Case 4:22-cr-00065-RSB-CLR Document 44 Filed 01/10/23 Page 7 of 7
GAS 245B (Rev. 11/22) Judgment in a Criminal Case Judgment — Page 7 of 7
DC Custody TSR
DEFENDANT: Dara Buck
CASE NUMBER: 4:22CR00065-1
SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS
Having assessed the defendant’s ability to pay, payment of the total criminal monetary penalties is due as follows:
A ☒ Lump sum payment of $ 100 due immediately, balance due
☐ not later than , or
☒ in accordance ☐ C, ☐ D, ☐ E, or ☒ F below; or
B ☐ Payment to begin immediately (may be combined with ☐ C, ☐ D, or ☐ F below); or
C ☐ Payment in equal (e.g., weekly, monthly, quarterly) installments of $ over a period of
(e.g., months or years), to commence (e.g., 30 or 60 days) after the date of this judgment; or
D ☐ Payment in equal (e.g., weekly, monthly, quarterly) installments of $ over a period of
(e.g., months or years), to commence (e.g., 30 or 60 days) after release from imprisonment to a
term of supervision; or
E ☐ Payment during the term of supervised release will commence within _____ (e.g., 30 or 60 days) after release from
imprisonment. The court will set the payment plan based on an assessment of the defendant’s ability to pay at that time; or
F ☒ Special instructions regarding the payment of criminal monetary penalties:
Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3664(f)(3)(B), nominal payments of either quarterly installments of a minimum of $25 if working
non-UNICOR or a minimum of 50 percent of monthly earnings if working UNICOR shall be made. Upon release from
imprisonment and while on supervised release, nominal payments of a minimum of $400 per month shall be made. Payments
are to be made payable to the Clerk, United States District Court, for disbursement to the victims.
Unless the court has expressly ordered otherwise, if this judgment imposes imprisonment, payment of criminal monetary penalties
is due during imprisonment. All criminal monetary penalties, except those payments made through the Federal Bureau of Prisons’
Inmate Financial Responsibility Program, are made to the clerk of the court.
The defendant shall receive credit for all payments previously made toward any criminal monetary penalties imposed.
☐ Joint and Several
Defendant and Co-Defendant Names and Case Numbers (including defendant number), Total Amount, Joint and Several
Amount, and corresponding payee, if appropriate.
☐ The defendant shall pay the cost of prosecution.
☐ The defendant shall pay the following court cost(s):
☐ The defendant shall forfeit the defendant’s interest in the following property to the United States:
Payments shall be applied in the following order: (1) assessment, (2) restitution principal, (3) restitution interest, (4) fine principal,
(5) fine interest, (6) community restitution, (7) JVTA Assessment, (8) penalties, and (9) costs, including cost of prosecution and
court costs.
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