District of Arizona
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Dennehotso Man Sentenced to 20 Months for Domestic AssaultRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – Today, Tyler Joe, 26, of Dennehotso, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Steven P. Logan to 20 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Joe had previously pleaded guilty to assault of an intimate partner or dating partner by suffocation.
On Sept. 23, 2018, Joe assaulted the victim by placing his arm over her mouth and applying force so that she could not breathe. The assault occurred on the Navajo Nation, and Joe is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation. Joe’s sentence in this case was enhanced under the United States Sentencing Guidelines because he violated a court order of the Navajo Nation tribal court, which prohibited him from contacting the victim at the time he committed the offense.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Samuels, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-18-8326-PCT-SPL
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-046_Joe
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Guatemalan National Sentenced to Prison for Assault on Federal OfficersRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – On April 5, 2019, Walfre Lopez-Giron, 25, of Guatemala, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Judge Raner C. Collins to six months’ imprisonment to be followed by a term of two years supervised release. Lopez-Giron had previously pleaded guilty to assault on federal officers.
On Nov. 27, 2018, U.S. Border Patrol agents apprehended a group of individuals who had entered the country illegally in an area near Three Points, Ariz. Lopez-Giron fled from the agents, but was later arrested. During his arrest, Lopez-Giron threw sand in one agent’s eye and spat in another agent’s face.
The investigation in this case was conducted by United States Customs and Border Protection. The prosecution was handled by Raquel Arellano, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Tucson.
CASE NUMBER: CR-18-02664-TUC-RCC
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-045_Lopez-Giron
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Douglas Man Sentenced to over 10 Years’ Imprisonment for Child Pornography, False StatementsRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – On April 4, 2019, Uriel Gonzalez-Perez, 32, of Douglas, Ariz. was sentenced for separate offenses by U.S. District Judge James A. Soto to concurrent terms of 120 months’ imprisonment and 46 months’ imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release. Gonzalez-Perez had previously pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography and conspiracy to commit false statements in connection with the purchase of firearms.
On Dec. 8, 2017, Gonzalez-Perez, a former Mexican police officer, was stopped during an outbound inspection at the Douglas Port of Entry. His vehicle contained 500 .50 caliber BMG links, items that are prohibited from being exported without a license. Further investigation revealed that Gonzalez-Perez and his two co-defendants were obtaining firearms and ammunition by falsifying paperwork required to purchase firearms legally. Gonzalez-Perez was illegally exporting the firearms and other items to Mexico.
A search of Gonzalez-Perez’s cell phone revealed numerous photos and videos of child pornography. Agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) were able to identify the child and adult female depicted in the images; they were living in Puerto Penasco, Mexico and HSI provided that information to Mexican authorities. Mexican authorities arrested the adult female, who was the child’s mother, and she was later sentenced to fifteen years’ imprisonment in Sonora, Mexico.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The investigation in this case was conducted by HSI Special Agent Robert Edwards. The prosecution was handled by Erica L. Seger, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Tucson.
CASE NUMBER: CR-18-00033-JAS and CR 18-00230-JAS
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-044_ Gonzalez-Perez
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Window Rock Man Sentenced to 15 Years Prison for Abusive Sexual ContactRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – Yesterday, Larondo James Stash, 39, of Window Rock, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge David G. Campbell to 15 years’ imprisonment, to be followed by a lifetime term of supervised release with sex offender registration, treatment, and testing. Stash had previously pleaded guilty to abusive sexual contact of a child.
The victim reported to medical personnel that Stash had been inappropriately touching her since she was a young child. Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation began an investigation, which led to Stash’s arrest and prosecution. Both Stash and the victim are members of the Navajo Nation, and the abuse occurred within the Navajo Nation Reservation.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney William G. Voit, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-18-08017-DGC
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-042_Stash
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United States Attorney’s Office Celebrates the Achievements of Judge Mary Anne RicheyRead the Press Release
In honor of Women’s History Month in March, the United States Attorney’s Office spotlights the achievements of Judge Mary Anne (Reimann) Richey, a true woman of firsts.
Judge Richey received her Bachelor of Laws from the University of Arizona College of Law in 1951. She paid for law school by operating a local ranch and raising thoroughbred racehorses. Judge Richey was the only woman in her graduating class, and the only woman to pass the Arizona bar examination that year. Three years later, she became the first woman Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) for the District of Arizona.
In 1960, Judge Richey became the first woman United States Attorney for the District of Arizona. She was appointed as a judge to the Pima County Superior Court in 1964, and served as the Court’s presiding judge from 1972 to 1976. In 1976, President Gerald Ford nominated Judge Richey to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, as the only woman to receive a nomination during the Ford Administration. Judge Richey remained on the federal bench until her death in 1983.
Judge Richey’s achievements went far beyond the law. She grew up with aspirations of taking to the sky, and joined the Women’s Airforce Services Program (WASP) in 1943 as a test pilot to honor her brother, a Navy pilot killed earlier in the war. Throughout her life, Judge Richey was deeply committed to civic engagement and a champion for underprivileged girls.
Today, there are 83 woman AUSAs in the District of Arizona, making up more than half of the District’s AUSA positions. 67% of the Office’s employees are women. Following Judge Richey, four more women have been confirmed as the United States Attorney, including former Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Linda A. Akers, former Arizona governor and United States Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, and United States District Judge Diane J. Humetewa.
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-041_Judge Richey
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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az
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Tuba City Man Sentenced to 42 Months for Illegally Possessing Firearms and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – This week, Joshua Felkins, of Tuba City, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Douglas L. Rayes to 42 months of imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Felkins had previously pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.
On May 24, 2017, Navajo tribal law enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted a search of Felkins’ residence in Tuba City, pursuant to a federal search warrant. Inside the residence, officers and agents found two firearms and dozens of rounds of ammunition. At the time of the search, Felkins had previously been convicted of felony offenses in both California and New Mexico. Accordingly, he was legally prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Samuels, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-18-08129-PCT-DLR
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-040_Felkins
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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
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Navajo Man Sentenced to 20 Years Prison for Aggravated Sexual Abuse by ForceRead the Press Release
PHOENIX– On March 26, 2019, Frankie Nez, 38, of Sanders, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Steven P. Logan to 20 years in prison, followed by life time supervised release. Nez had previously pleaded guilty to aggravated sexual abuse by force.
On Feb. 25, 2018, Nez forced his way into the elderly victim’s home and sexually assaulted her. Nez and the victim are enrolled members of the Navajo Nation.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Navajo Nation Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution was handled by Kiyoko Patterson, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-18-08090-PCT-SPL
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-038_Nez
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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
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Havasupai Tribal Member Sentenced to Prison for Assaulting OfficerRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – This week, Lone Arrow Hastings, 29, of Supai Village, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Susan M. Brnovich to eight months of imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Hastings had previously pleaded guilty to assault on a federal officer.
On Dec. 5, 2017, two officers with the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Office of Justice Services arrested Hastings for public intoxication in violation of the Havasupai Tribal Code. During the course of the arrest, Hastings assaulted one of the federal officers by, among other things, kicking the officer in the face.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Samuels, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-18-08022-PCT-SMB
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-039_Hastings
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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
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Bogus Investor Sentenced to Prison for Stealing Client FundsRead the Press Release
PHOENIX– On March 26, 2019, Daniel Braden, 33, of Spring, Texas was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Susan M. Brnovich to five years in prison. Braden had previously pleaded guilty to wire fraud for inducing clients to invest in fake opportunities he promoted. Braden was also ordered to pay $1,017,500 in restitution.
Braden portrayed himself as an experienced trader and falsely claimed to be working with Bank of America/Merrill Lynch. Braden provided investors fabricated account statements that he created purporting to show gains on their investments and assured investors that their funds were insured. In reality, Braden diverted the funds to high-risk trading, sports and casino gambling, or to support himself personally.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution was handled by Monica B. Edelstein, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-19-00048-SMB
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-037_Braden
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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
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VSan Carlos Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Second Degree MurderRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – On March 25, 2019, Leon Arthur Dosela, 51, of San Carlos, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Steven P. Logan to prison for 20 years followed by five years of supervised release. Dosela had previously pleaded guilty to second degree murder.
On Sept. 15, 2016, Dosela, an enrolled member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe, argued with the victim at the victim’s residence on the San Carlos Apache Community. As a result of the argument, Dosela threw a flammable liquid onto the victim and thereafter ignited the liquid. The victim died from the resulting burn injuries.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the San Carlos Police Department and the Arizona Department of Public Safety. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Simon, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-17-01156-PHX-SPL
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-035_ Dosela
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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
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Sacaton Man Sentenced to over 8 Years for Robbery with a MacheteRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – On March 26, 2019, Vince Rivera, 28, of Sacaton, Ariz., a member of the Gila River Indian Community, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge John J. Tuchi to over eight years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Rivera had previously pleaded guilty to robbery. During the robbery, Rivera attacked the victim with a machete, causing permanent injuries to the victim.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Gila River Police Department. The prosecution was handled by Raynette Logan, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-18-917-PHX-JJT
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-036_Rivera
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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Sacaton Man Sentenced to 137 Months’ Imprisonment for Burglary with FirearmRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – This week, Travis Lee Kisto, 40, of Sacaton, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Diane J. Humetewa to 137 months in prison for crimes he committed on the Gila River Indian Community. Judge Humetewa sentenced Kisto to 120 months for felon in possession of a firearm and 105 months for burglary, and ordered that 17 months of the burglary sentence run consecutive to the sentence for the firearm. Judge Humetewa further sentenced Kisto to concurrent, three-year terms of supervised release. Kisto had previously pleaded guilty to both felonies.
On March 1, 2018, Kisto unlawfully entered the victim’s home on the Gila River Indian Community while carrying a modified and stolen shotgun. Kisto, a felon, demanded the victim’s purse and began going through her belongings before ultimately discharging the firearm in the home. Responding law enforcement had to utilize tear gas and a K-9 to get Kisto to exit the residence and submit to arrest. Kisto and the victim are enrolled members of the Gila River Indian Community.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Gila River Police Department. The prosecution was handled by Christine D. Keller, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-18-1264-PHX-DJH
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-033_Kisto
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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
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Navajo Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for RobberyRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – On March 25, 2019, Kaniel Singer, 35, of Middle Mesa, Ariz., and a member of the Navajo Nation, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Steven P. Logan to 57 months in prison, followed by a term of three years of supervised release. Singer had previously pleaded guilty to robbery.
On March 22, 2017, while driving across the Navajo Indian Reservation on US-160, the victim sustained a flat tire. While trying to change the tire, and waiting for roadside assistance, Singer pulled up with two unknown males and told the victim he was being robbed. After the victim complied with Singer’s demands by handing over his personal belongings, Singer ordered the victim into the victim’s car and drove off, threatening to kill the victim while traveling at speeds close to 80 mph. When Singer slowed down and turned onto a dirt road, the victim was able to jump out of his vehicle and run to the highway for assistance.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Navajo Nation Department of Law Enforcement. The prosecution was handled by Christina J. Reid-Moore, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-17-08113-PCT-SPL
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-034_Singer
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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
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Pinon Man Sentenced to 4 Years for Distributing MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
PHOENIX– On March 11, 2019, Rodney Vern Buckinghorse, 38 of Pinon, Ariz., was sentenced by District Judge G. Murray Snow to 48 months’ imprisonment. Buckinghorse had previously pleaded guilty to possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.
On April 28, 2018, Buckinghorse possessed approximately 84 grams of methamphetamine and intended to distribute it to another person. Buckinghorse is a member of the Navajo Nation.
Navajo Nation Criminal Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation. The prosecution was handled by Kiyoko Patterson, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-18-8241-PCT-GMS
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-032_Buckinghorse
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Last Drug Organization Member Sentenced to Prison for Distributing HeroinRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – The last of five members of a Drug Trafficking Organization which distributed heroin throughout Phoenix was sentenced this week by U.S. District Judge Susan M. Brnovich. On Feb. 22, 2019, Jose Lopez-Alvarado, 32, of Sinaloa, Mexico, was sentenced to ten years in prison followed by five years of supervised release. On Sept. 10, 2018, Jose Rivera-Lugo, 35, of Sinaloa, Mexico, was sentenced to seven years and six months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. On Sept. 10, 2018, Jhoanna Vargas-Quintana, 30, of Hermosillo, Mexico, was sentenced to five years and ten months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. On Oct. 22, 2018, Irene Thomas, 36, of Phoenix, Ariz., was sentenced to five years in prison followed by five years of supervised release. On March 11, 2019, Jorge Baez-Espinoza, 58, of Sinaloa, Mexico, was sentenced to five years in prison followed by five years of supervised release. All five defendants had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy or possession with intent to distribute heroin.
A collaborative investigation by federal and local law enforcement agencies showed that from Oct. 16, 2014, to Aug. 1, 2017, Lopez-Alvarado, Rivera-Lugo, Vargas-Quintana, Thomas, and Baez-Espinoza conspired together to possess with intent to distribute over six kilograms of heroin. On May 31, 2017, investigators observed and later seized 250 grams of heroin that Lopez distributed to Baez. Baez possessed a 9mm handgun at the time. On July 31, 2017, Lopez provided several firearms that he knew would be smuggled to Mexico by another person in a car. Investigators stopped the car on its way to Mexico and seized seven firearms, including a shotgun, three assault rifles, a .22 rifle, and two .38 caliber handguns. On Aug. 1, 2017, a federal search warrant was served at Lopez’s residence, resulting in the seizure of approximately five kilograms of heroin and an assault rifle.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Tempe Police Department. The prosecution was handled by Keith Vercauteren, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-17-01165-PHX-SMB
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-031_ Baez-Espinoza etal
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Tohono O’odham Tribal Member Sentenced to Prison for Assault by Strangulation and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily InjuryRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – On March 11, 2019, Brian Xavier Oliver, 26, of Tucson, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge James A. Soto to 27 months’ imprisonment to be followed by a term of three years supervised release. Oliver previously pleaded guilty to assault of an intimate and dating partner by strangulation and assault resulting in serious bodily injury.
On Aug. 28, 2016, Tohono O’odham Police Department officers responded to a residence in the San Xavier District of the Tohono O’odham Nation regarding a domestic violence assault. Officers found the victim in severe pain with a severely lacerated lip that was hanging by a small piece of skin. She stated that during an argument she had with Oliver, he threw her down on the bed, choked her with one hand, and then bit her bottom lip.
The investigation in this case was conducted by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and detectives from the Tohono O’odham Nation Police Department. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Raquel Arellano and Stefani K. Hepford, District of Arizona, Tucson.
CASE NUMBER: CR-18-00106-TUC-JAS
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-030_Oliver
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TUCSON, Ariz. – On March 11, 2019, Brian Xavier Oliver, 26, of Tucson, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge James A. Soto to 27 months’ imprisonment to be followed by a term of three years supervised release. Oliver previously pleaded guilty to assault of an intimate and dating partner by strangulation and assault resulting in serious bodily injury.
On Aug. 28, 2016, Tohono O’odham Police Department officers responded to a residence in the San Xavier District of the Tohono O’odham Nation regarding a domestic violence assault. Officers found the victim in severe pain with a severely lacerated lip that was hanging by a small piece of skin. She stated that during an argument she had with Oliver, he threw her down on the bed, choked her with one hand, and then bit her bottom lip.
The investigation in this case was conducted by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and detectives from the Tohono O’odham Nation Police Department. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Raquel Arellano and Stefani K. Hepford, District of Arizona, Tucson.
CASE NUMBER: CR-18-00106-TUC-JAS
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-030_Oliver
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Homeland Security Investigations Analyst Found Guilty of False StatementsRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – On March 6, 2019, Gregg A. Johnson, 42, of Tucson, Ariz., was found guilty by a federal jury of three counts of submitting false statements to a government agency. The case was tried before U.S. District Court Judge James A. Soto. Sentencing is set for May 20, 2019.
The evidence at trial established that, beginning in October, 2015, Johnson submitted three applications for federal employment with Homeland Security Investigations. In each application, Johnson falsely claimed that he had a Master of Arts in Theology and a Bachelor of Science in Sociology. Johnson worked as a Computer Forensic Analyst for Homeland Security Investigations. All of the positions Johnson applied for required a Top Secret Security clearance.
A conviction for false statements to a government agency is a felony that carries a maximum penalty of five (5) years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Office of Professional Responsibility, Department of Homeland Security-ICE. The prosecution was handled by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona.
CASE NUMBER: CR-19-114-TUC-JAS (EJM)
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-029_ Johnson
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Seven People, Including Three Filipinos, Charged with Fraudulently Selling Jewelry Imported from the Philippines as Native American-MadeRead the Press Release
On Feb. 26, a federal grand jury in Phoenix, Arizona returned a 38-count indictment against U.S. and Philippines-based conspirators for operating a fraudulent scheme to import Native American-style jewelry and sell it to retail stores and individuals across the southwest United States as authentic jewelry made by Native Americans. The conspirators allegedly perpetrated this international fraud and money laundering scheme for several years in violation of federal laws, including the Indian Arts and Crafts Act (IACA).
Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth A. Strange of the District of Arizona, Assistant Director Edward Grace of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Office of Law Enforcement and Special Agent in Charge A. Scott Brown of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Phoenix Field Office made the announcement.
According to the indictment, the defendants and their conspirators used various jewelry businesses—including Last Chance Jewelers and LMN Jewelers—to design and manufacture jewelry in the Native-American style at factories in the Philippines where Filipino jewelry-makers made all of the jewelry. The conspirators allegedly took several measures to ensure that the jewelry resembled authentic Native American-made jewelry, including copying jewelry designs from genuine Native American artists, using traditional Native American motifs and symbols in the jewelry, and stamping the jewelry with the initials of alleged Native American artists. According to the indictment, the jewelry was then imported into the United States by FedEx, or smuggled into the United States by hand or through the Philippines Postal System, to end destinations in Arizona. From there, it was allegedly advertised and sold to the general public as authentic jewelry made by Native Americans, at jewelry and crafts stores that purported to specialize in Native American pieces. The indictment alleges that none of these jewelry items were indelibly marked with the country of origin as required by customs law.
The indictment alleges that Richard Dennis Nisbet, 70, and his daughter Laura Marye Lott, 31, both of Peoria, Arizona, conspired with others to design and manufacture the Native American-style jewelry in the Philippines and import the jewelry to the United States. Lott then allegedly delivered the jewelry to retail stores in Arizona, Texas, and other states and collected payments. Christian Coxon, 45, of Selma, Texas, was the owner and operator of Turquoise River Trading Company, a jewelry store in San Antonio, Texas that claimed to specialize in Indian-made jewelry. Waleed Sarrar, 43, of Chandler, Arizona, owned and operated Scottsdale Jewels LLC, a jewelry store in Scottsdale, Arizona that advertised as selling authentic Indian-made jewelry. According to the indictment, Coxon and Sarrar conspired with Nisbet, Lott, and others to pass off imitation jewelry manufactured abroad to the public as authentic Native American-made jewelry. Additionally, Mency Remedio, a factory manager in the Philippines, and Orlando Abellanosa and Ariel Adlawan Canedo, both of whom worked as jewelry smiths in the Philippines for the operation, were also charged with participating in the multi-year fraud and money laundering schemes.
The IACA prohibits the offer or display for sale, or the sale of any good in a manner that falsely suggests that it is Indian produced, an Indian product, or the product of a particular Indian and Indian tribe. The law is designed to prevent products from being marketed as “Indian made,” when the products are not, in fact, made by Indians. It covers all Indian and Indian-style traditional and contemporary arts and crafts produced after 1935, and broadly applies to the marketing of arts and crafts by any person in the United States. The IACA provides critical economic benefits for Native American cultural development by recognizing that forgery and fraudulent arts and crafts diminish the livelihood of Native American artists and craftspeople by lowering both market prices and standards.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This case was investigated by the FWS Office of Law Enforcement for the Southwest Region and HSI Phoenix, with assistance from the Arizona Game and Fish Department, the Bureau of Land Management Office of Law Enforcement and Security and the Indian Arts and Crafts Board, the U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations and the Texas Game Wardens. Trial Attorney Mona Sahaf of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter Sexton and Mark Wenker of the District of Arizona are prosecuting the case.
Man Sentenced to Prison for Casino Robbery in PaysonRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – This week, Armando Pablo Ochoa, 32, of Payson, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Susan M. Brnovich to ten years in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Ochoa had previously pleaded guilty to use of a firearm in relation to a crime of violence.
Ochoa admitted to using a weapon, along with co-defendant, Ryan Pearson, to rob $652,000 in cash from the Mazatal Casino on the Tonto Apache Indian Reservation. Ochoa and Pearson entered the casino armed with handguns and demanded that employees open a vault. When they did not receive immediate compliance, Ochoa and Pearson each fired a round from their weapons. Both Ochoa and Pearson were employees of the casino at the time. Pearson pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm in relation to a crime of violence and is scheduled for sentencing on April 15, 2019.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution was handled by Anthony W. Church, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-18-01169-PCT-SMB
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-028_ Ochoa
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Whiteriver Man Sentenced to Prison for Abusing InfantRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – Yesterday, Michael Joe, 33, of Whiteriver, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge David G. Campbell to five years in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Joe had previously pleaded guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury.
Joe acted as the primary caretaker for a nine-month-old, developmentally disabled baby. He admitted to injuring the baby by squeezing the baby’s torso until he heard the baby groan and then stop breathing. The baby suffered broken ribs as a result. Judge Campbell increased Joe’s sentence due to other documented injuries to the baby, and because it was necessary to fairly represent the seriousness of this crime, which he described as a “case of severe child abuse.” The incident occurred on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation, and Joe is a member of the White Mountain Apache Tribe.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution was handled by Christine D. Keller and Anthony W. Church, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-18-8016-PCT-DGC
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-026_Joe
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Parker Man Convicted of First Degree Murder, Burglary, and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – On March 5, 2019, Mickey Roy Anderson, Sr., 30, of Parker, Ariz., and a member of the Colorado River Indian Tribes, was convicted by a jury of first degree murder, burglary of a residential structure, and use of a firearm during crimes of violence by a federal jury in Phoenix. The case was tried before U.S. District Judge Douglas L. Rayes, and Anderson will be sentenced on May 20, 2019.
The evidence at trial showed that on Jan. 23, 2014, Anderson walked into the victim’s home, stood a few feet from the victim and shot her in the face. The victim died almost instantly. Anderson was angry with the victim for purchasing drugs from another drug dealer in the community. The victim was also a member of the Colorado River Indian Tribes, and the murder happened on the Colorado River Indian Reservation.
A conviction for first degree murder carries a mandatory penalty of life in prison. Burglary of a residential structure carries a maximum penalty of 21 years in prison. Use and discharge of a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence carries a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and up to life.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Colorado River Indian Tribes Police Deparment. The prosecution was handled by Christina J. Reid-Moore and Sharon K. Sexton, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-17-00297-PHX-DLR
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-027_Anderson
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Three Men Sentenced to Federal Prison for Interstate KidnappingRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – Yesterday, Jesus Humberto Barrera Estrada, 20, of Scottsdale, Ariz., was sentenced by United States District Judge Douglas L. Rayes to 60 months in federal prison followed by six years of supervised release. On Jan. 14, 2019, Corey Webster Newkirk, 22, of Tempe, Ariz., was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release. On Dec. 3, 2018, Gabriel Mario Morales, 20, of Tempe, Ariz., was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release. All three men had previously pleaded guilty to interstate kidnapping.
Beginning on or about May 27, 2018, Newkirk, Morales, and Barrera Estrada engaged in a conspiracy to find the victim, and clandestinely surveil her and her family in California. The trio drove from Arizona to southern California, where they continued to watch the victim and her family, even tracking one of their vehicles with a GPS device. The conspiracy culminated on June 4, 2018, when the three men ambushed the victim, physically restrained her inside a vehicle, and drove across state lines back to Arizona. A traffic stop in Quartzsite, Ariz. ultimately led to the victim’s rescue and the apprehension of the three men.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Los Angeles County Sherriff’s Department, and the Quartzsite Police Department. The prosecution was handled by Christina Covault, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-18-882-PHX-DLR
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-021_Newkirk etal
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Shiprock Man Sentenced to Eight Years’ Prison for DUI Causing Child’s DeathRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – On March 4, 2019, Travis Lester Begay, 30, of Shiprock, N.M., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Steven P. Logan to eight years’ imprisonment. Begay had previously pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and assault resulting in serious bodily injury.
After drinking all day on June 3, 2018, Begay began driving his car with four young children in the back seat. Begay’s blood alcohol content at the time was 0.28, which is three-and-a-half times the legal limit. Because he was so intoxicated, Begay lost control of the car and caused a rollover crash. A ten-year-old child was ejected from the back seat and died as a result of the collision. Both Begay and the victim are members of the Navajo Nation, and the offense occurred on Navajo Route 63, north of Red Valley, Ariz., on the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation.
The investigation was conducted by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney William G. Voit, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR 18-08223-SPL
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-025_Begay
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“No More Deaths” Volunteers Plead Guilty to Civil Violations on the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife RefugeRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – On March 4, 2019, Caitlin Persis Deighan, Zoe E. Anderson, Logan Thomas Hollarsmith, and Rebecca Kate Grossman-Richeimer entered into a plea agreement in which the defendants pled guilty to a civil infraction, and the United States agreed to dismiss the criminal charges against them. Each defendant was also ordered to pay a $280.00 fine.
On Aug. 19, 2017, United States Fish and Wildlife Service officers encountered the defendants on the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge in Ajo, Ariz. The defendants did not have a valid permit to enter the refuge. Deighan admitted to driving the group to an area known as Charlie Bell Well, which is located in a Congressionally-designated wilderness refuge.
“Our office is pleased that this matter was resolved through civil enforcement in which the defendants fully accepted responsibility for their illegal actions on a wilderness refuge specifically safeguarded by Congress,” stated First Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth A. Strange. “Our office will continue to review violations of federal law occurring within protected federal lands on a case-by-case basis.”
The investigation in this case was conducted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and the prosecution was handled by Anna Wright and Nathaniel Walters, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Tucson.
CASE NUMBER: CR-17-00340MJ
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-023_ No More Deaths Vols Plea
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Remaining EPMI Property Managers Sent to Prison for Defrauding Homeowner AssociationsRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – Kelsey Powell, 47, of Lemon Cove, Calif. and her former husband, Michael Powell, 53, of Wellsville, Ohio were each sentenced today by U.S. District Judge G. Murray Snow to over one year in prison. Rachel Ellerbrock, 46, of Gilbert, Ariz., was sentenced to probation. The Powells and Ellerbrock had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering for using stolen Homeowners Association (HOA) fees to enrich themselves. Last month, Harlow White - the father of Kelsey Powell and Rachel Ellerbrock - was sentenced to prison for 15 months and ordered to pay $291,420 in restitution.
White was formerly the President and CEO of Eagle Property Management, Inc., a property management company whose clients included HOAs throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area. Kelsey Powell, Michael Powell, and Ellerbrock had management roles at Eagle. In 2005, White transferred ownership to Kelsey Powell, who operated the company as EPMI. Between January 2010 and May 2014, at White’s direction, Kelsey Powell stole at least $1.2 million directly from HOA clients’ bank accounts. The stolen funds were used to pay the personal expenses of the Whites, Powells, and Ellerbrock, including large American Express credit card bills. The defendants were ordered to pay restitution to the victim HOAs including $439,000 from Kelsey Powell, $152,000 from Michael Powell, and $110,000 from Ellerbrock.
The investigation in this case was conducted by U.S. Secret Service and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation. The prosecution was handled by Monica B. Edelstein , Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-17-01083-GMS
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-024_Powell etal
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No More Deaths Volunteers Sentenced on the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife RefugeRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – Today, Zaachila Isabel Orozco-McCormick, Natalie Renee Hoffman, Oona Meagan Holcomb, and Madeline Abbe Huse, volunteers with No More Deaths, were sentenced to 15 months of unsupervised probation, fined $250.00 each, and banned from the refuge for the duration of their probation. The defendants were previously convicted at trial for entering a national wildlife refuge without a permit and abandoning personal property. Hoffman was also convicted of operating a motor vehicle in a wilderness area.
On Aug. 13, 2017, United States Fish and Wildlife Service officers assigned to the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge in Ajo, Ariz. responded to a group of trespassers who were operating a motor vehicle in a protected wilderness area. Hoffman admitted to driving the car into the wilderness area, and all the defendants admitted to entering the refuge without a permit and leaving a stash of water and canned food at Charlie Bell Well. On Jan. 18, 2019, after a three-day bench trial, the Court found the defendants guilty on all charges, rejecting the defendants’ multiple defenses.
“I commend the excellent work by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service officers and their commitment to preserving the lands Congress has designated as national wildlife refuges,” stated First Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth A. Strange. “Our office will continue to review potential violations on federal lands on a case-by-case basis and bring charges, as appropriate.”
Amy Lueders, Service Southwest Regional Direction for the United States Fish and Wildlife Service stated, “The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service appreciates the diligence and professionalism of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in prosecuting this case."
The investigation in this case was conducted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and the prosecution was handled by Anna Wright and Nathaniel Walters, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Tucson.
CASE NUMBER: CR-17-00339-MJ
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-022_No_More_Deaths
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Another Long-Time Tax Preparer Receives 18 Months’ Imprisonment for Tax FraudRead the Press Release
PHOENIX– On Feb. 25, 2019, Oscar Hernandez, 58, of Phoenix, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Diane J. Humetewa to 18 months in prison and ordered to pay $121,548 in restitution to the United States.
Hernandez worked as a tax preparer in Phoenix for nearly 25 years. In 2004, he opened his own tax preparation business called R Robin Tax Services. Hernandez admitted he filed at least 44 fraudulent tax returns between 2010 and 2013, which caused a loss to the United States of $121,548. Hernandez admitted that he falsified returns for his clients by improperly claiming Head of Household filing status, adding false dependents, and claiming false exemptions and credits, all of which had the effect of fraudulently reducing the amount of taxes his clients owed and increasing the amount of their tax refunds.
Last week, Elias Bermudez, another long-time Phoenix tax preparer, was sentenced to 18 months in prison and ordered to pay $131,651 in restitution to the United States for preparing false tax returns.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. The prosecution was handled by Jillian Besancon and Bridget Minder, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-18-00416-PHX-DJH
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-020_Hernandez
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Former Bureau of Prisons Guard SentencedRead the Press Release
PHOENIX– Darrell E. McCoy, 51, formerly of Scottsdale, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Douglas L. Rayes yesterday to 6 months’ home confinement and five years’ probation. This sentencing follows McCoy’s conviction on Nov. 2, 2018, after a jury trial where he was convicted of two counts of abusive sexual contact with a ward.
McCoy, a 17-year employee at the federal Bureau of Prisons Federal Correctional Institution, Phoenix, developed a romantic relationship with an inmate whom he supervised on a work crew. Between Sept. 29 and Dec. 15, 2016, McCoy had sexual contact with the inmate in different locations on the prison grounds. After the inmate released to a halfway house, McCoy continued to communicate with the inmate via text messages, and also gave the inmate love notes. McCoy no longer works at the prison.
At the sentencing hearing, Judge Rayes noted the great power disparity over inmates by guards, leaving no way to characterize a romantic relationship in those circumstances as free choice.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General. The prosecution was handled by Gayle Helart and Monica Edelstein, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-2:17-cr-01410-DLR-1
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-018_McCoy
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Bullhead City Woman Sentenced for Child Abuse in Lake MeadRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – Yesterday, Justine Renee Kirklen, 33, of Bullhead City, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Douglas L. Rayes to 30 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Kirklen had previously pleaded guilty to child abuse.
Kirklen admitted to child abuse by causing the victim to become submerged under water after taking her into Lake Mead. The incident occurred within the confines of the Lake Mead National Recreation Center. Timely response and intervention by National Park Service Rangers and the Bullhead City Police Department ensured the victim received immediate medical care.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the National Park Service, Investigative Services Branch. The prosecution was handled by Christine Ducat Keller, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-18-8258-PCT-DLR
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-018_Kirklen
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Teesto Man Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for Committing First Degree Murder during Domestic ViolenceRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – Today, Giordano Jackson, 40, of Teesto, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Diane J. Humetewa to life imprisonment for the murder of the victim. Jackson was convicted at a jury trial in November 2018 on all charges, including first degree murder, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, assault resulting in serious bodily injury, and kidnapping. In addition to life imprisonment for the murder, Judge Humetewa also sentenced Jackson to ten years’ prison for every other count for which he was convicted.
Jackson, a violent criminal with multiple felony assault convictions in his past, had a history of committing domestic violence against the victim. In July 2017, Jackson beat the victim and dragged her by her hair with enough force to pull chunks of hair out of her head. Then, in September 2017, Jackson brutally beat the victim to death outside his house in Teesto. When Navajo Nation Police Officers arrived to investigate, Jackson was lying in wait and assaulted two of the officers with a machete. Both Jackson and the victim are members of the Navajo Nation, as are the responding police officers that Jackson assaulted, and the crimes all occurred on the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation.
At the sentencing hearing, the victim was described as a beloved mother, daughter, and friend and a cherished member of her community. Judge Humetewa noted that the victim had endured “the most brutal death that one can imagine” and concluded: “There comes a time when a person forfeits his right to walk among society. Mr. Jackson, your time has come.”
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys William G. Voit and Sharon K. Sexton, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-17-08242-DJH
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-017_Jackson
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Long-Time Tax Preparer Receives 18 Months’ Imprisonment for Tax FraudRead the Press Release
PHOENIX– Last week, Elias Bermudez, 68, of Phoenix, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Diane J. Humetewa to 18 months in prison and ordered to pay $131,651 in restitution to the United States.
Bermudez worked as a tax preparer in Arizona for over 20 years and owned a tax preparation and immigration services business called The Help Center (aka El Centro de Ayuda), which prepared approximately 3,000 to 4,000 income tax returns each year between 2007-2010. Bermudez admitted to filing fraudulent tax returns by including the Additional Child Tax Credit when he knew the credit didn’t apply. His fraudulent tax filings caused a loss to the United States of $131,651.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. The prosecution was handled by Andrew C. Stone and Bridget Minder, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-17-01301-PHX-DJH
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-016_Bermudez
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Two Navajo Men Sentenced to Seven Years in Federal Prison for AssaultRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – On Feb. 19, 2019, Harry Tsosie, 48, of Blue Gap, Ariz. and Jeremy Tsosie, 38, of Smoke Signal, Ariz., both members of the Navajo Nation, were each sentenced by U.S. District Judge Susan M. Brnovich to 84 months in prison, followed by a term of three years of supervised release. Harry and Jeremy Tsosie had previously pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon.
On Jan. 14, 2017, Harry and Jeremy Tsosie tracked down the victim in the Whippoorwill Housing area on the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation and shot the victim in the chest causing serious bodily injuries. The victim is also member of the Navajo Nation.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Navajo Nation Department of Law Enforcement. The prosecution was handled by Christina J. Reid-Moore, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-08259-PCT-SMB
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-015_Tsosie
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Three-Time Felon Who Sold a Semi-Automatic Rifle Sentenced to 30 MonthsRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – On Feb. 11, 2019, Ryan Patrick Michell, 39, of Phoenix, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Hon. G. Murray Snow to 30 months’ incarceration, followed by three year supervised release. On Sept. 27, 2018, a federal jury found Michell guilty of two counts of felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
In October 2017, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) began to investigate Michell after an attempted suspicious purchase of potassium cyanide from an online marketplace.
The testimony at trial showed that on Nov. 27, 2017, Michell sold a Norinco SKS 7.62 x 39 rifle, along with four high-capacity round magazines, and one-hundred rounds of 7.62x39 ammunition to a buyer on backpage.com. On Dec. 1, 2017, the FBI served a search warrant on Michell’s Phoenix home and discovered four rounds of .338 Lapua ammunition. Michell was not legally permitted to possess firearms or ammunition due to three prior felony convictions in the State of Arizona.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Postal Service, Tempe Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Brook, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-17-01690-PHX-GMS
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-014_Michell
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Douglas Man Sentenced to 60 Years in Prison for Production and DistributionRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – Yesterday, Josue Eduardo Cota, 33, of Douglas, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Rosemary Marquez to serve 720 months in prison. Cota’s term of imprisonment will be followed by lifetime supervised release, with stringent sex offender conditions, including the condition that he register as a sex offender, if he is released from prison.
In February of 2017, Homeland Security Investigations discovered videos showing sexual abuse of pre-pubescent children while reviewing evidence from a child exploitation case in Canada. Agents tracked the distribution of the videos to a person in Douglas, Ariz., and determined that Cota, a former corrections officer in Douglas, had been producing sexually explicit videos of multiple children and distributing them online. On Nov. 30, 2017, Cota pleaded guilty to eight counts of production of child pornography. Cota’s sentence, was aggravated by the facts that he sexually abused very young children and had engaged in a pattern of sexual exploitation of minors, which he shared with others through distribution of the videos.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The investigation in this case was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, Douglas Office. The prosecution was handled by Carin C. Duryee, District of Arizona, Tucson.
CASE NUMBER: CR-17-0685-TUC-RM
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-013_Cota
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California Man Sentenced to 8 Years in Prison for Conspiracy to Commit Sex Trafficking of a MinorRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – Today, Mauro Veliz, 31, of Heron, Calif., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Diane J. Humetewa to 96 months in federal prison, to be followed by a lifetime term of supervised release. Veliz will also be required to register as a sex offender. Veliz had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a minor.
Between April 23, 2017 and May 5, 2017, Veliz conspired with others to have the minor victim, who was 15, transported from Arizona to California to engage in sex acts with him. Veliz knew at the time that the victim was a minor. Veliz used Facebook to arrange his trafficking of the victim.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the FBI’s Greater Phoenix Human Trafficking Task Force, which is a collaboration of numerous law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and the Phoenix Police Department. The prosecution was handled by Robert I. Brooks, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-17-1389-PHX-DJH
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-012_Veliz
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Glendale Man Sentenced to Prison for Assaulting BabyRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – Yesterday, Dillon Colton Wilson, 26, of Glendale, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Steven P. Logan to 21 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release. Wilson had previously pleaded guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury.
Wilson admitted that while caring for the five-month-old infant victim in the Ak-Chin Indian Community, he forcefully jerked the victim by the left arm, resulting in a complete, mid-shaft break of the upper arm. Wilson is an enrolled member of the Tohono O’Odham Nation.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Ak-Chin Police Department. The prosecution was handled by Christine Ducat Keller, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-18-606-PHX-SPL
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-011_Wilson
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Colorado River Indian Tribes Tribal Member Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Second Degree MurderRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – On Feb. 11, 2019, Larson Namow Burns, 29, formerly of Parker, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Diane J. Humetewa to 180 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Burns had previously pleaded guilty to second degree murder.
On Jan. 3, 2018, Burns strangled the victim and inflicted several blows with a blunt object, resulting in the victim’s death. The victim was a member of the Colorado River Indian Tribes. Burns is also a member of the Colorado River Indian Tribes and the murder happened on the Colorado River Indian Tribes Indian Reservation.
CASE NUMBER: CR-18-00379-PHX-DJH
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-010_Burns
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Former Property Manager Sent to Prison for Defrauding Homeowner AssociationsRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – Harlow White, 77, of Gilbert, Ariz. was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge John J. Tuchi to 15 months in prison and ordered to pay $291,420 in restitution. White had previously pleaded guilty to money laundering for using stolen client funds to enrich himself. White will self-surrender to custody at a date to be determined by the court.
White was the President and CEO of Eagle Property Management, Inc., a property management company whose clients included Homeowners Associations throughout the metropolitan area. In 2005, ownership transferred to White’s daughter and the company began operating as EPMI. Between January 2010 and May 2014, EPMI - with White’s knowledge stole at least $1.2 million directly from HOA clients’ bank accounts. The stolen money was used, in part, to cover approximately $300,000 in personal charges on White’s American Express credit card.
“Harlow White abused the trust of the clients he was supposed to serve, using their money to pay for his own personal expenses,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth A. Strange. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to protecting the community by prosecuting financial crimes like these, and today’s prison sentence will serve as a warning to business owners who may be considering illegal schemes.”
“This defendant and his co-conspirators abused their positions for their own personal benefit by taking advantage of hundreds of homeowners throughout the Valley,” said Rodney Wellman, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Secret Service Phoenix Field Office. “Today’s sentencing is a reminder that the Secret Service is committed to aggressively investigating and pursuing financial crimes.”
“This is yet another example of a businessperson knowingly using a company bank account to pay his personal expenses,” stated IRS-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Ismael Nevarez Jr. “The sentencing of Mr. White will serve to discourage other business owners from doing the same while delivering justice to those who do business in an ethical manner."
The investigation in this case was conducted by U.S. Secret Service and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation. The prosecution was handled by Monica B. Edelstein, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-17-01228-JJT
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-009_White
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San Carlos Man Sentenced to over 18 Years for Sexual Abuse of a Vulnerable VictimRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – On Feb. 4, 2019, Derrick Lee Hinton, 29, of San Carlos, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge David C. Campbell to 18.5 years’ imprisonment followed by 10 years of supervised release. Hinton had previously pleaded guilty to aggravated sexual abuse.
On May 31, 2013, Hinton, an enrolled member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe, sexually assaulted a vulnerable, mentally-challenged victim, who is also an enrolled member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the San Carlos Police Department and the Arizona Department of Public Safety. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Simon, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-18-720-PHX-DGC
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-007_Hinton
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San Carlos Man Sentenced to 37 Months for Distributing MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – On Feb. 4, 2019, Victor James Long, Sr., 34, of San Carlos, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Susan M. Brnovich to 37 months’ imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release. Long had previously pleaded guilty to possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.
On Feb. 6, 2014, the San Carlos Police Department arrested Long, a member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe, on an unrelated matter. During a search of Long’s clothing incident to that arrest, the Police Chief located 28 grams of methamphetamine. Long admitted he possessed the methamphetamine for purposes of distribution on the San Carlos Community.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the San Carlos Police Department, the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Simon, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-18-583-PHX-SSMB
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-008_Long
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Navajo Man Sentenced to 18 Years in Federal Prison for Involuntary Manslaughter and AssaultRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – On Feb. 4, 2019, Jayson Lee Yazzie, 40, of Tuba City, Ariz., a member of the Navajo Nation, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Diane J. Humetewa to 216 months in prison, followed by a term of three years of supervised release. Yazzie had previously pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and assault resulting in serious bodily injury.
On June 14, 2014, Yazzie was driving while intoxicated and traveling at a speed in excess of 75 miles per hour when he struck another vehicle. Two victims in the other vehicle were ejected due to the collision, including a minor passenger who sustained fatal injuries, and the driver, who sustained serious bodily injuries. Two additional victims who were passengers in Yazzie’s vehicle also sustained serious bodily injuries. Yazzie’s blood was drawn more than three hours after the crash and his blood alcohol content was higher than .20%. Yazzie had previously been convicted of driving under the influence. The victims are members of the Navajo Nation and the collision happened on the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Navajo Nation Department of Law Enforcement, and the Arizona Department of Public Safety. The prosecution was handled by Christina J. Reid-Moore, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-18-08127-PCT-DJH
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-005_Yazzie
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Kayenta Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Federal Prison for Second Degree Murder Related to Drunk DrivingRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – On Feb. 4, 2019, Clayton Begay, 43, of Kayenta, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge John Tuchi 14 years’ imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release. Begay had previously pleaded guilty to one count of second degree murder on August 2018.
In Nov. 8, 2015, Begay who had a history of DUI convictions drove his vehicle with a BAC level between .384 and .401. As a result, Begay caused his vehicle to roll over and crash, killing two passengers and seriously injuring a third passenger. Begay is a member of the Navajo Nation.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Navajo Nation Department of Law Enforcement and the Arizona Department of Public Safety. The prosecution was handled by Sharon K. Sexton, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona.
CASE NUMBER: CR-18-8208-PCT-JJT
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-006_ Begay
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Youth Care Worker Sentenced to 19 Years in Prison for Sexually Abusing Unaccompanied Minors in Southwest Key FacilityRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – On Jan. 14, 2019, Levian D. Pacheco, 25, of Phoenix, Ariz, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Steven P. Logan to 19 years’ imprisonment, followed by lifetime supervised release. Pacheco was previously convicted by a federal jury of seven counts of abusive sexual contact with a ward and three counts of sexual abuse of a ward. The statutory maximum sentence for sexual abuse of a ward is 15 years in prison and the statutory maximum for abusive sexual contact with a ward is 2 years in prison. U.S. District Court Judge Logan ordered several of Pacheco’s counts to run consecutively.
The evidence at trial showed that between August 2016 and July 2017, Pacheco sexually abused numerous teenage boys at the Casa Kokopelli Southwest Key Facility in Mesa, Ariz. The minors were being held in official detention in these facilities pending possible deportation. Pacheco was employed as a youth care worker at the facility and was in charge of supervising the minors. The jury convicted Pacheco of sexually abusing seven victims, some on more than one occasion. The acts involved over the clothes touching of the boys’ genitalia, as well as other sexual abuse. Pacheco’s sentence was increased due to the fact that he exposed some of his victims to the HIV virus.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, as well as the Mesa Police Department. The prosecution was handled by Dimitra H. Sampson and Tracy Van Buskirk, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-17-1152-PHX-SPL
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-002_Pacheco
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Two-Time Felon Found with Shotgun on the San Carlos Apache Community Sentenced to 15 MonthsRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – On Jan. 23, 2019, Sonny James Garcia, 35, of the San Carlos Apache Indian Community, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Diane J. Humetewa to 15 months’ imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release. Garcia had previously pleaded guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
On Feb. 15, 2015, San Carlos Police Officers found Garcia in possession of a sawed-off shotgun near his home on the San Carlos Apache Indian Community. Garcia was not legally permitted to possess firearms due to two previous felony convictions in the Superior Court of Arizona, Gila County.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the San Carlos Police Department, the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Simon, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-18-816-PHX-DJH
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-003_ Garcia
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Kayenta Man Convicted of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Simple AssaultRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – On Feb. 1, 2019, Silas Deswood Yazzie, 52, of Kayenta, Ariz, a member of the Navajo Nation, was convicted by a jury of assault with a dangerous weapon and simple assault. Yazzie is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Steven P. Logan in April 2019.
On two separate occasions, Yazzie assaulted unsuspecting victims with a knife. Yazzie sought out the first victim in early June 2018, when he grabbed a knife and swung it at the victim’s stomach after saying he would “teach him a lesson.” The victim had to take a step back to avoid being stabbed. Less than two weeks later, while loitering at a gas station, Yazzie approached the second victim, and demanded money. When the victim refused to comply, Yazzie pulled out a knife, followed the victim to where the victim’s car was parked at a gas pump and attempted to stab the victim. The victim had to evade Yazzie to avoid being stabbed. The crimes occurred on the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Navajo Nation Department of Public Safety. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Krista J. Wood and Sharon K. Sexton, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-18-8230-PCT-SPL
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-04_Yazzie
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Tuba City Man Sentenced to 19 Years in Federal Prison for Second Degree MurderRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – This week, Eric Mychal Iron, 33, of Tuba City, Ariz., a member of the Navajo Nation, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Diane J. Humetewa to 228 months in prison, followed by a term of five years of supervised release. Iron had previously pleaded guilty to second degree murder.
On Dec. 4, 2016, while recklessly driving at approximately two times the posted speed limit, Iron failed to stop for a stop sign and the collision caused the four victims in the other vehicle to be ejected, resulting in fatal injuries to two of them, including a minor. The two other victims suffered serious bodily injuries due to the crash. Blood taken from Iron almost two hours after the accident was found to have a blood alcohol content of .308%, close to four times the legal limit. Iron had previously been convicted in tribal court of crimes related to intoxication, including driving under the influence. The victims were/are members of the Navajo Nation and the murder happened on the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Navajo Nation Department of Law Enforcement, and the Arizona Department of Public Safety. The prosecution was handled by Christina J. Reid-Moore, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-18-08087-PCT-DJH
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-001_Iron
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Yuma Resident Sentenced to 25 Years for Producing, Distributing, and Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – On Dec. 17, 2018, Aaron Louis Turk, 32, of Yuma, Ariz., was sentenced to 300 months in prison by Chief U. S. District Judge G. Murray Snow. Turk had previously pleaded guilty to producing child pornography involving two minors, distributing child pornography, and possessing child pornography.
In his plea agreement, Turk admitted that he produced and possessed illegal child pornography images of two toddler-age girls, along with other child pornography. The toddlers were in Turk’s care when he produced the illegal images of them. Turk was first detected on a file sharing network which led to a federal search warrant being executed at his residence in Yuma, Ariz. Law enforcement seized a computer and a cell phone used by Turk, both of which contained child pornography images.
The Court also ordered Turk pay restitution to all identified victims, and serve a lifetime term of supervised release after his release from prison.
“The defendant’s lengthy sentence in this case is well-deserved,” stated First Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth A. Strange. “The defendant’s reprehensible conduct targeted not only very young children, but children who had been placed in his care. I would like to recognize and thank the Yuma Homeland Security Investigation agents whose hard work brought this predator to justice.”
“HSI Yuma will work tirelessly to investigate and bring to justice sexual predators like Mr. Turk who exploit our most vulnerable population,” said Scott Brown, special agent in charge for HSI Phoenix. “This sick and deviant behavior will not be tolerated by society. Thankfully the victims we rescued are out of harm’s way with the defendant serving a lengthy sentence.”
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Homeland Security Investigations, Yuma Office. The prosecution was handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: 2:17-cr-00932-GMS-1
RELEASE NUMBER: 2018-172_Turk
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Inmate Sentenced to Four Years in Prison for Threats to Obama, LynchRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – Today, Roger Dale Godwin, 40, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Raner Collins to 48 months in the Bureau of Prisons followed by three years of supervised release. Godwin had previously pleaded guilty to making threats against the President and mailing threatening communications.
On June 1, 2016, while an inmate in the U.S. Penitentiary in Tucson, Ariz., Godwin placed into the outgoing prison mail several letters that were addressed to then-President Barak Obama and then-Attorney General Loretta Lynch. In those letters Godwin threatened to injure or kill Mr. Obama and Ms. Lynch, along with a Bureau of Prisons employee. Godwin must serve his four years consecutive to a 2014 sentence he is separately serving for mailing threats to judges and law enforcement while an inmate in the Wisconsin Department of Corrections.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution was handled by Micah Schmit, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Tucson.
CASE NUMBER: CR-17-01620-RCC-1
RELEASE NUMBER: 2018-174_ Godwin
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Former Office Manager Sentenced to 60-Months in Prison for His Role in Embezzlement and Bank Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – On Dec. 18, 2018, Seth Nichols was sentenced by United States District Judge Cindy Jorgensen to 60 months in prison. Nichols had previously pleaded guilty to bank fraud.
Nichols used several accounting schemes to embezzle approximately $3,000,000 from his former employer, Marana Stockyards and Livestock Market. He used some of the stolen money to purchase cattle for Nichols Cattle, Inc., a family owned-and-operated cattle business, ownership interest in a helicopter, a down payment for a home, and gambling excursions to Las Vegas. Nichols used elaborate techniques to hide the stolen money, including photo-shopping bank statements and altering internal accounting systems.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution was handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Tucson.
CASE NUMBER: CR18-00167 -TUC-CKJ
RELEASE NUMBER: 2018-173_Nichols
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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az
False Liens Yield 30-Month SentenceRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – On Dec. 17, 2018, David John Dziedzic, 55, of Scottsdale, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge David G. Campbell to 30 months’ imprisonment for his lead role in criminal activity related to the short sale of distressed mortgages, some of which were federally-insured. Dziedzic had previously pleaded guilty to one count of communication of unregistered securities, and a separate count involving the failure to notify the Treasury Department of his collection of more than $10,000 in cash from a real estate customer.
Dziedzic operated the “Housing Angels” program through his company, Real Core Realty, LLC. He aggressively marketed a program designed to help homeowners stay in their homes following a short sale, through an undisclosed sale-leaseback program with “angel” investors. Through this program, he typically received commissions from both the buyer and the seller in a short sale transaction. Dziedzic also recorded false secondary liens on more than 100 short sale properties to induce banks holding primary mortgages to pay off the false secondary mortgages, resulting in more than $100,000 in illegal profits as a result of the scheme.
As part of the sentence, Dziedzic must give up his real estate license. He paid $107,280 in restitution for the actual loss caused when 40 banks paid out on the false liens, and he was also ordered to pay a money judgment of $142,000 over time, in order to disgorge additional profits. As part of the plea agreement, Dziedzic, a Canadian national who naturalized as a U.S. citizen during the investigation, agreed to cooperate in his denaturalization, because he had failed to disclose the existence of the investigation to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services during the naturalization process.
Dziedzic’s wife, Heather Hamilton Dziedzic, 43, pleaded guilty to a related misdemeanor charge, and was also sentenced for her role in the offense. She will also surrender her real estate license. She received a two-year term of probation and a deferred disposition on a felony securities charge, which may be dismissed upon successful completion of the probationary term.
The investigation in this case was conducted by Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation; the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General; the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Office of Inspector General; and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution was handled by Gary M. Restaino and Monica B. Klapper, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-18-1080-PHX-DGC
RELEASE NUMBER: 2017-171_Dziedzic
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