Central District of California
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Two Mexican Nationals Each Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Scheming to Distribute More than 1 Million Fentanyl PillsRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – Two Mexican men arrested last year in El Monte with more than 1 million fentanyl pills were each sentenced today to 10 years in federal prison.
Florencio Camacho Allan, 29, was sentenced by United States District Judge Stanley Blumenfeld Jr. to 120 months in federal prison. Judge Blumenfeld also sentenced co-defendant Gerardo Gaxiola Patiño, 30, to 120 months in federal prison.
Allan and Patiño pleaded guilty on April 2 to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.
Another co-defendant, Alex Valdez Oroz, 26, also pleaded guilty on April 2 to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and is scheduled for sentencing on September 10.
From September 2022 to March 2023, the defendants conspired with each other and others to knowingly distribute fentanyl. Prior to March 7, 2023, a Mexico-based drug broker arranged a deal with a buyer to sell approximately 2 million fentanyl pills. The deal was to occur in the Los Angeles area and the buyer agreed to pay approximately 75 cents per pill. As part of the deal, the buyer also agreed to first purchase a sample “box” of approximately 10,000 fentanyl pills at the same price.
On March 7, 2023, the drug broker coordinated a meeting between Allan and the buyer to occur that day at a Denny’s restaurant in El Segundo to buy the sample fentanyl pills. Later that day, Allan, Patiño, and Oroz arrived in a white car at the Denny’s. While Oroz waited in the driver’s seat of the car, Allan and Patiño met the buyer and the buyer’s associate inside the restaurant, where they discussed the plan to sell approximately 1 million more fentanyl pills later that day, and the sale of another 1 million fentanyl pills the next day.
After the meeting, Allan, Patiño, the buyer and the associate went to the white car, where Patiño retrieved a black bag, containing approximately 10,082 fentanyl pills, weighing approximately 1.1 kilograms (2.5 pounds), out of the white car and handed it to the buyer in exchange for $7,500. The three defendants then drove away.
Later that day, Allan confirmed with one of the buyers that they had possession of the larger set of pills and – via a WhatsApp video call – showed one buyer the pills, which appeared to be in the car’s trunk. They agreed to do the 1-million fentanyl pill deal in a Holiday Inn parking lot.
At the Holiday Inn, law enforcement detained Allan and Oroz in the parking lot. Officers also found and detained Patiño, who was inside the Holiday Inn lobby bathroom.
Inside the white car, law enforcement found at least three duffle bags in the trunk and back seat, each containing bundles of fentanyl pills. In total, the defendants knowingly possessed with intent to distribute approximately 1,016,270 fentanyl pills, weighing approximately 109.3 kilograms (241 pounds).
The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated this matter as part of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program with Homeland Security Investigations, the Hawthorne Police Department, the Fullerton Police Department, the El Monte Police Department, and the California National Guard providing assistance.
Assistant United States Attorney K. Afia Bondero of the Major Frauds Section is prosecuting this case.
Two Foreign Nationals Charged in Alleged Armed Robbery of $1 Million Watch on Beverly Hills’ Rodeo DriveRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – Two South American nationals, allegedly part of a "crime tourism" group, were charged today in a federal complaint for the armed robbery of a $1 million watch. During a search of the crew's Airbnb, officers also discovered a handgun registered to notorious former Los Angeles Police Officer Christopher Dorner.
Jamer Mauricio Sepulveda Salazar, 21, of Colombia, is charged with one count of interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act) and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Jesus Eduardo Padron Rojas, 19, of Venezuela, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery.
Sepulveda and Padron are currently in custody and made their initial court appearances today. Sepulveda's arraignment is scheduled for September 3, and Padron's for September 19, both in the United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles.
According to the complaint affidavit, on August 7, the victim was sitting with his wife and two daughters on the patio of a restaurant at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, when Suspect 1 allegedly approached and pointed a black semi-automatic handgun at the victim. Suspect 1 reportedly pulled back the slide of the handgun, chambering a round. While Suspect 1 held the victim at gunpoint, Suspect 2 allegedly approached and removed a silver Patek Philippe watch, which is estimated to be worth $1 million, from the victim's wrist. Both suspects then fled the scene and eventually entered a blue Toyota Corolla, where Sepulveda allegedly served as the getaway driver.
On August 10, law enforcement executed a search warrant at an Airbnb where the South American theft group had allegedly been staying. Security camera footage showed the group leaving the night before. During the search, officers found a handgun in a bedroom, which was registered to former LAPD officer Christopher Dorner, known for committing a series of murders before dying in a standoff in 2013. Later that day, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on a Chevrolet Equinox and reportedly identified Sepulveda and Padron inside the vehicle. The Equinox was allegedly linked to another armed robbery in Beverly Hills on August 5, during which a $30,000 Rolex was stolen.
“We will not accept violent crime perpetrated by organized crime groups that exploit the freedoms of our country,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “Our number one mission is to protect our community and those who undermine public safety will be held accountable. We should all be grateful for the swift actions of law enforcement in apprehending these suspects before they could cause more harm.”
Operation Safe Cities establishes strategic enforcement priorities with an emphasis on prosecuting the most significant drivers of violent crime. Across this region, the most damaging and horrific crimes are committed by a relatively small number of particularly violent individuals. This strategic enforcement approach is expected to increase the number of arrests, prosecutions and convictions of recidivists engaged in the most dangerous conduct. It is designed to improve public safety across the region by targeting crimes involving illicit guns, prohibited persons possessing firearms, or robbery crews that cause havoc and extensive losses to retail establishments.
A complaint contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
If convicted on all counts, Sepulveda faces a statutory maximum sentence of life in federal prison, while Padron faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
Homeland Security Investigations, the Beverly Hills Police Department, and the Blythe (California) Police Department are investigating this matter.
Assistant United States Attorneys Jena A. MacCabe and Kevin J. Butler of the Violent and Organized Crime Section are prosecuting this matter.
Former General Motors Manager Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Receiving Bribe from Foreign Auto Parts Supplier Seeking ContractRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A former manager at General Motors was sentenced today to 24 months in federal prison for conspiring to solicit and receive a $5 million bribe from a South Korean company in return for a promise to deliver a contract worth more than $100 million for various car parts.
Hyoung Nam So, 49, a.k.a. “Brian So,” of Irvine, was sentenced by United States District Judge André Birotte Jr., who also ordered him to pay a $250,000 fine.
At the conclusion of a one-week trial in November 2023, a jury found So guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit bribery.
“Corporate executives must play by the same rules as the rest of us,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “By demanding millions of dollars in bribes to award contracts, this defendant corrupted the system and thumbed his nose at fair and honest business practices. Now, this defendant will do federal prison time and see firsthand that no person is above the law.”
In 2015, a foreign parts supplier paid So a total of $3.45 million in cash. As a manager and team leader at General Motors (GM), So oversaw the supply of parts used to build interiors for GM automobiles in North America. In October 2015, So promised the contract – which was to be awarded through a competitive bidding process – to the owner of the South Korean parts company – Wookyung MIT – in exchange for $5 million, which So demanded in cash.
The following month, the owner of Wookyung MIT arranged to have $1 million in cash transferred from South Korea to Los Angeles through money brokers, which an accomplice then drove to Troy, Michigan, where So was then living. The owner of Wookyung MIT flew to Detroit in late November 2015 and personally delivered the cash to So during a meeting at a hotel in Troy.
By the time So received the first $1 million installment of the bribe payment, he had already learned that Wookyung MIT was not the lowest bidder on the contract. So arranged for information to be provided to Wookyung MIT that would allow it to revise its bid. On December 8, 2015, So recommended to GM executives that the contract be awarded to Wookyung MIT, and the contract was awarded to Wookyung MIT on the same day.
So refrained from notifying Wookyung MIT that it had won the contract and continued to withhold that information until Wookyung MIT’s owner paid the remaining portion of the bribe. That occurred on December 20, 2015, when the owner of Wookyung MIT paid So $2.45 million in cash at a restaurant in Detroit – cash that also had been driven from Los Angeles to Michigan. The following day, So arranged for Wookyung MIT to be informed that it had won the contract.
Homeland Security Investigations seized $3.19 million believed to be proceeds from the bribery scheme from a private vault in Los Altos in 2017, and HSI subsequently returned the money to South Korean authorities.
The owner of Wookyung MIT was prosecuted in South Korea for offenses related to the bribery scheme.
The investigation into the bribery scheme was conducted by HSI’s Los Angeles El Camino Real Financial Crimes Task Force, a multi-agency task force comprised of federal and state investigators who are focused on financial crimes in Southern California. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance during the investigation.
Assistant United States Attorneys Jeff Mitchell and David Y. Pi of the Major Frauds Section prosecuted this case.
Laguna Beach Businessman Who Served as Executor of Wealthy Clients’ Estates Pleads Guilty to Embezzling Nearly $6 MillionRead the Press Release
SANTA ANA, California – An Orange County man, who ran a business in which he served as the executor of the estates of wealthy people, pleaded guilty today to embezzling nearly $6 million from his clients over a period of several years.
David Robert McDonnell, 74, of Laguna Beach, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.
According to his plea agreement, from 2018 to January 2024, McDonnell ran a Laguna Beach-based company, McDonnell Business Services. Through his company, high-net-worth individuals hired McDonnell to be the executor of their trusts. As an executor, McDonnell’s job was to manage the trusts’ assets and – when the individuals died – to sell the assets and distribute the proceeds to the trusts’ beneficiaries. Instead of doing this, McDonnell liquidated the assets and diverted funds to his personal bank accounts.
McDonnell admitted in his plea agreement to misappropriating approximately $5.9 million from approximately four trusts.
For example, in August 2020, McDonnell wrote a check for $300,000 from the account of a victim trust located in Capistrano Beach to his own personal bank account. These funds were processed by Bank of America through computer servers in Texas.
United States District Judge James V. Selna scheduled a December 9 sentencing hearing, at which time McDonnell will face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
The FBI and the Laguna Beach Police Department are investigating this matter.
Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer L. Waier of the Santa Ana Branch Office is prosecuting this case.
Ex-Law Enforcement and Former Military Officers Charged in Alleged Sham Raid to Extort O.C. Man at Behest of Chinese NationalRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – Four ex-law enforcement and military officers are scheduled to be arraigned today on a four-count superseding indictment that alleges they acted as a sham law enforcement team that entered an Irvine man’s home and threatened him and his family with violence and deportation unless he turned over nearly $37 million and signed away his rights in a business – worth tens of millions of dollars – that he shared with a wealthy Chinese national who secretly financed the bogus raid.
The superseding indictment filed on August 1, charges the following defendants with one count of conspiracy to commit extortion, one count of attempted extortion, one count of conspiracy against rights, and one count of deprivation of rights under color of law:
- Steven Arthur Lankford, 68, of Canyon Country, a retired Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) deputy who stopped working for LASD in 2020 and owns a Santa Clarita-based process service company;
- Glen Louis Cozart, 63, of Upland, a former LASD deputy who owns and operates a San Bernardino County-based private investigation and security services company;
- Max Samuel Bennett Turbett, 39, of Australia, a United Kingdom citizen and former member of the British military who owns an Australia-based private investigation and asset recovery business; and
- Matthew Phillip Hart, 41, of Australia, an Australian citizen and former member of the Australian military who owns an Australia-based risk management services business.
The defendants are scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles.
“It is critical that we hold public officials, including law enforcement officers, to the same standards as the rest of us,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “It is unacceptable and a serious civil rights violation for a sworn police officer to take the law into his own hands and abuse the authority of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.”
“The defendants in this case allegedly believed they could carry out vigilante justice by using official police powers to enter the home of vulnerable victims and extorting them out of millions of dollars,” said Akil Davis, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “The FBI will not tolerate civil rights violations by anyone who takes the law into their own hands for personal gain or otherwise.”
According to the superseding indictment, the Irvine businessman – identified as “Victim 1” – had an ongoing business dispute with an unindicted co-conspirator – the wealthy Chinese national – regarding their respective ownership interests in Jiangsu Sinorgchem Technology Co. Ltd., a China-based rubber chemical manufacturer. Their dispute led to at least three lawsuits in China and one in Atlanta. In October 2013, the Chinese national alleged in a civil court filing that China had issued a “red notice” for Victim 1, which Victim 1 understood was linked to his business dispute with the unindicted co-conspirator.
In December 2018, the unindicted co-conspirator allegedly contacted Turbett to help locate and recover assets from Victim 1. She said that the long and costly litigation had not been “the smart way” to handle her dispute with Victim 1 and asked Turbett to find a different “solution to finish the problem.” She promised Turbett that if he helped her, “we can both retire.”
In June 2019, Turbett and the unindicted co-conspirator drafted purported settlement agreements calling for Victim 1 to transfer assets – including approximately $36,972,386 in cash as well as lucrative shares in Jiangsu Sinorgchem – to the unindicted co-conspirator.
Turbett allegedly hired Cozart to locate Victim 1 and assemble a team to obtain Victim 1’s signature on the settlement agreements. Cozart, in turn, hired Lankford, then an LASD deputy, who searched Victim 1’s name and date of birth in the National Crime Information Center database using his Justice Data Interface Controller terminal at LASD, in violation of LASD policy that law enforcement databases only be used for law enforcement purposes and not for personal use.
Turbett and Hart flew from Australia to Los Angeles, where they met with Cozart and Lankford to discuss plans for the sham raid.
On June 17, 2019, Lankford – in violation of LASD policy – drove an unmarked LASD vehicle to Victim 1’s home with Cozart, Hart and Turbett, the superseding indictment alleges. Lankford and Cozart then approached Victim 1 outside his home. Lankford allegedly identified himself as a police officer and showed his badge, while Cozart falsely identified himself as an “Immigration” officer.
Under the guise of a legitimate law enforcement operation, the defendants allegedly entered the home, where they forced Victim 1, his wife, and their two children into one room, took their phones, and prevented them from leaving for hours. Victim 1 was slammed against a wall and choked, the superseding indictment states. Defendants allegedly also threatened to deport Victim 1 and his wife and permanently separate them from their 4-year-old son unless Victim 1 complied with their demands.
Fearing for his and his family’s safety, the superseding indictment alleges that Victim 1 ultimately signed the documents, thereby relinquishing his multimillion-dollar interest in Jiangsu Sinorgchem.
Although Lankford told Victim 1 that he would be arrested and deported if he reported the incident to police, Victim 1 immediately contacted the Irvine Police Department (IPD) after defendants left his home. Lankford thereafter spoke with an IPD officer and falsely claimed that he had been at Victim 1’s home for a legitimate law enforcement purpose, that Victim 1 consented to all parties being in his home, and that no force was used.
By November 2019, all the defendants had been paid for their efforts. The unindicted co-conspirator paid Turbett’s company approximately $419,813 for services rendered and emailed Turbett to thank him for a “very good job,” the superseding indictment alleges.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
If convicted, the defendants would face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for each extortion-related count and up to 10 years in federal prison for each deprivation of rights-related count.
The FBI is investigating this matter. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Irvine Police Department provided substantial assistance.
Assistant United States Attorney Cassie D. Palmer of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section is prosecuting this case.
Former ICE Employee Found Guilty of Illegally Directing Hundreds of Government Vehicle Repair Contracts to His Wife’s CompanyRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A former United States deportation officer was found guilty by a jury today of illegally using his position to send hundreds of payments to his wife’s vehicle repair company.
Jacques Polzin, 40, of Norwalk, was found guilty of eight counts of conflict of interest.
According to evidence presented at a four-day trial, Polzin formerly was employed as a deportation officer at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). During his employment at ICE, Polzin served as a vehicle control officer, whose job was to facilitate service and repairs for ICE vehicles.
From at least November 2017 to September 2020, Polzin illegally sent service and parts orders from ICE to a Santa Fe Springs-based automotive repair company named JNJ Auto Repair LLC. This company was registered to Polzin’s wife.
At all relevant times, Polzin had a financial interest in this company. He was involved in establishing and investing in the business, shared estimates from competitors with JNJ Auto so that it could beat the price and win the ICE contract, and was paid by JNJ Auto.
In total, Polzin was involved in more than 250 transactions between ICE and JNJ Auto for ICE vehicles. Polzin performed these actions while hiding his connection to JNJ Auto.
United States District Judge Otis D. Wright II scheduled a March 10, 2025, sentencing hearing, at which time Polzin will face a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for each count.
ICE Office of Professional Responsibility investigated this matter.
Assistant United States Attorneys K. Afia Bondero of the Major Frauds Section and Nisha Chandran of the Corporate and Securities Fraud Strike Force are prosecuting this case.
El Monte Man Charged in Connection with Attempts to Ship More Than 1,000 Kilograms of Methamphetamine to AustraliaRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A San Gabriel Valley man has been arrested on a federal criminal complaint alleging he is connected to the attempted exportation of more than one metric ton (2,205 pounds) of methamphetamine concealed inside shipment containers and destined for Australia last year, the Justice Department announced today.
Jing Tang Li, 32, of El Monte, is charged with distribution of and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, exportation of controlled substances, and attempt and conspiracy to export controlled substances.
Li was arrested Thursday near a warehouse in South El Monte. He is expected to make his initial appearance this afternoon in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles.
“Dangerous drugs such as methamphetamine devastate our community,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “We see the misery brought by highly addictive drugs on our streets every day. The massive amount of methamphetamine seized in this case shows how brazen drug traffickers have become and why it is imperative that we use our resources to hold these criminals responsible.”
“Being a mere three hours north of the busiest land border crossing in the Western Hemisphere has made Los Angeles a critical cog in the transnational narcotics trafficking trade,” said HSI Los Angeles Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang. “HSI Los Angeles and our partners at U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Australian Federal Police are committed to dismantling these organizations on both sides of the Pacific.”
According to an affidavit attached with the complaint, from February 2023 to December 2023, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers inspected seven shipments of different purported commodities destined for Australia. The purported commodities were falsely listed as carpets and textiles, furniture, wheel hub testing equipment, and a casting machine. The listed companies that were shipping the “products” were fake businesses. Embedded in the products was methamphetamine.
In total, law enforcement seized more than 1,000 kilograms of methamphetamine hidden in these containers.
Law enforcement eventually traced Li to the shipments and arrested him Thursday driving near a South El Monte warehouse where a robbery was reported during the early morning of August 8. In that warehouse, law enforcement found shipping labels, scales, and a package containing methamphetamine.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
If convicted, Li would face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Homeland Security Investigations, United States Customs and Border Protection, and the Australian Federal Police are investigating this matter. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department responded to the reported robbery.
Assistant United States Attorney J’me K. Forrest of the Violent and Organized Crime Section is prosecuting this case.
Ventura Men Receive Prison Terms for Crime Spree in Which Taco Truck Vendor Extorted, Small Businesses Robbed Last YearRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – Two Ventura County men were sentenced today to federal prison terms for their roles in a crime spree late last year in which a taco truck vendor was extorted, two small businesses were robbed, and for fraudulently using debit and credit cards from a victim robbed at gunpoint.
Oscar Aguirre Silva, 31, of Ventura, was sentenced to 72 months (six years) in federal prison by United States District Judge Hernán D. Vera, who also ordered him to pay $2,941 in restitution.
Silva pleaded guilty on April 25 to one count of interference with commerce by extortion (Hobbs Act), two counts of interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act), three counts of bank fraud, two counts of attempted bank fraud, and two counts of aggravated identity theft.
At a separate hearing today, Judge Vera sentenced Edward Donaldo Ramirez Martinez, 28, of Ventura, a co-defendant, to 54 months (4½ years) in federal prison. Ramirez was ordered to pay $1,597 in restitution.
Ramirez pleaded guilty on April 25 to one count of aggravated identity theft and one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition.
“The victims in this case were people just trying to make a living by operating a food truck when they were allegedly robbed at gunpoint,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “Violent gun crime tears at the fabric of our society. Punishing those who engage in violent gun offenses is and will continue to be a priority for my office. Our community deserves no less.”
On November 6, 2023, Silva threatened violence to extort a taco truck vendor in Oxnard. Four days later, Silva robbed a woman at gunpoint and stole her iPhone, and her purse, which contained a credit card and a debit card in the victim’s name as well as a debit card in the name of another victim. Ramirez served as the getaway driver during this armed robbery. Both men then traveled to a Walmart store in Ventura, where they used the stolen cards to purchase $524 worth of merchandise. Later, Silva and another co-defendant, David Ray Reyes, 30, of Ventura, then used and attempted to use the stolen cards to purchase other items at an Oxnard smoke shop.
On November 25 and 26, 2023, Silva robbed two Oxnard businesses – a smoke shop and a grocery outlet.
Finally, on December 2, 2023, Ramirez, while under the influence of methamphetamine, possessed an assault rifle that did not bear a serial number – commonly known as a “ghost gun.” The firearm carried four rounds of ammunition. Ramirez was not legally permitted to possess the ghost gun or the ammunition because of his February 2020 felony conviction in Ventura County Superior Court for carrying a loaded firearm.
Reyes pleaded guilty on March 6 to one count of attempted bank fraud, one count of bank fraud, and two counts of aggravated identity theft. On June 6, Judge Vera sentenced Reyes to 26 months in federal prison.
All three defendants remain in federal custody.
Operation Safe Cities establishes strategic enforcement priorities with an emphasis on prosecuting the most significant drivers of violent crime. Across this region, the most damaging and horrific crimes are committed by a relatively small number of particularly violent individuals. This strategic enforcement approach is expected to increase the number of arrests, prosecutions and convictions of recidivists engaged in the most dangerous conduct. It is designed to improve public safety across the region by targeting crimes involving illicit guns, prohibited persons possessing firearms, or robbery crews that cause havoc and extensive losses to retail establishments.
The Ventura County Violent Crime Task Force, which includes the FBI, the Oxnard Police Department, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ventura Police Department, conducted this investigation.
Assistant United States Attorney Lyndsi C. Allsop of the Violent and Organized Crime Section prosecuted this case.
Southern California Dental Offices and Former Owners Pay $6.3M to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Relating to Improper Paycheck Protection Program LoansRead the Press Release
West Coast Dental Administrative Services LLC (formerly West Coast Dental Services Inc.), which operates a network of dental offices in Southern California, and its founders and former owners, Drs. Soleyman Cohen-Sedgh, Farid Pakravan and Farhad Manavi, have paid $6.3 million to resolve allegations that they knowingly violated the False Claims Act in connection with seven improper loans that West Coast Dental Services Inc. (West Coast Dental) and affiliated dental offices received under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Additionally, City Real Estate Holdings Inc., a real estate investment company owned by Dr. Manavi, has paid an additional $35,149.82 to resolve its potential liability under the False Claims Act in connection with a separate PPP loan.
The PPP, an emergency loan program established by Congress in March 2020 under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and administered by the Small Business Administration, was intended to support small businesses struggling to pay employees and other business expenses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether an applicant qualified for a PPP loan as a small business depended on various factors, including the type of business operated by the borrower and the number of employees of both the borrower and its corporate affiliates. In 2021, Congress offered a second round of forgivable loans through the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits and Venues Act. Under PPP rules, second draw loans were strictly limited to businesses with 300 employees or less. When applying for PPP loans and loan forgiveness, borrowers were required to certify the truthfulness and accuracy of all information provided in their loan applications.
The United States alleged that West Coast Dental and six of its affiliated dental practices received seven improper second draw PPP loans and subsequent forgiveness of these loans based on false certifications that the companies qualified for the loans even though they were ineligible because the dental practices collectively employed more than 300 individuals. The United States further alleged that West Coast Dental and its affiliates failed to disclose common ownership of the affiliated dental offices in their separate PPP applications. The United States also alleged that City Real Estate Holdings Inc., which received a PPP loan, was ineligible to receive the loan under PPP rules, because it is a passive business operated for investment purposes. City Real Estate Holdings Inc. sought and received forgiveness of its total loan amount.
“PPP loans were intended to support small businesses facing difficult economic times due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Justice Department will continue to hold borrowers who improperly received and sought forgiveness of PPP loans accountable for their actions.”
“Companies such as these that depleted crucial pandemic-assistance funding will be held accountable under the False Claims Act,” said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada for the Central District of California. “This resolution evidences our office’s earnest commitment to ensure that companies act with the utmost integrity and compunction.”
“This settlement sends a signal to wrongdoers that evidence of improper conduct will be brought to light,” said Special Agent in Charge Weston King for Small Business Administration’s Office of Inspector General (SBA OIG)’s Western Region. “Our office will remain relentless in the pursuit of those who seek to exploit SBA’s vital pandemic response programs. I want to thank the U.S. Department of Justice and our law enforcement partners for their exceptional efforts and collaboration in pursuit of justice.”
The civil settlement includes the resolution of claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by Relator LLC, a limited liability corporation formed by California attorneys Anoush Hakimi and Peter Shahriari. Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. The qui tam case is captioned U.S. ex rel. Relator LLC v. West Coast Dental Services Inc., et al., CV 22-3812-MCS (MARx) (C.D. Cal.). Relator LLC will receive approximately $507,000 as its share of the total settlement.
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, with assistance from the Small Business Administration’s Office of General Counsel and Office of the Inspector General.
Trial Attorney Allie Pang of the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack D. Ross for the Central District of California handled the matter, with the assistance of Paralegal Heather Beckler, Investigator Maria Marsh, and Auditor John Powers for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California. Special Agent Samuel Huynh of SBA-OIG also provided investigative assistance.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Justice Department in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The task force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international actors committing civil and criminal fraud and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud affecting COVID-19 government relief programs can be reported by visiting the webpage of the Civil Division’s Fraud Section, which can be found here. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can also report it by calling the Justice Department’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only. There has been no determination of liability.
SettlementFormer Syrian Prison Official Charged with Immigration FraudRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A former Syrian government official was indicted today for allegedly lying to United States immigration authorities about his time running a Syrian prison where prisoners, including political dissidents, were physically mistreated.
Samir Ousman Alsheikh, 72, of Lexington, South Carolina, is charged with one count of obtaining, using, and possessing a green card that was procured through false statements and one count of attempted naturalization fraud.
Alsheikh was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on July 10 at Los Angeles International Airport and remains in federal custody. His arraignment is scheduled for August 16 in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles.
“Samir Alsheikh attempted to settle in Southern California after allegedly participating in grave abuses while part of the Assad regime in Syria,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “His indictment sends a clear message that those who seek immigration benefits in our country after having previously committed human rights violations will find no shelter here.”
According to court documents, Alsheikh was a Syrian government official who held a variety of positions in the Syrian police and the Syrian state security apparatus, and was associated with the Syrian Ba’ath Party, the totalitarian party that ruled Syria.
He allegedly served as the head of Damascus Central Prison (colloquially known as “Adra Prison”) from approximately 2005 to 2010. As described in the indictment, political dissidents and other prisoners were severely physically abused at Adra Prison during Alsheikh’s tenure there. The indictment further alleges that Alsheikh was subsequently appointed governor of the province of Deir Ez-Zour by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Alsheikh allegedly concealed his employment at the prison, persecution of any person because of political opinion, and involvement in harming others when he applied for U.S. citizenship in 2023. He allegedly made similar false statements when applying for a visa that enabled him to enter the United States in 2020, become a lawful permanent resident, and obtain a green card.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
If convicted, Alsheikh faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.
HSI and the FBI are investigating the case, with support from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the HSI-led Human Rights Violators and War Criminals Center (HRVWCC).
Assistant United States Attorney Joshua O. Mausner of the Violent and Organized Crime Section and Justice Department Trial Attorneys Patrick Jasperse and Alexandra Skinnion of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section are prosecuting the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs also provided assistance.
Members of the public who have information about human rights violators in the United States are urged to contact U.S. law enforcement through the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI or the HSI tip line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE, or complete the FBI online tip form or the ICE online tip form.
Former Syrian Prison Official Charged with Immigration FraudRead the Press Release
A former Syrian government official was indicted today in Los Angeles on criminal charges for lying to U.S. immigration authorities about his time running a Syrian prison where prisoners, including political dissidents, were physically mistreated.
According to court documents, Samir Ousman Alsheikh, 72, of Lexington, South Carolina, was a Syrian government official who held a variety of positions in the Syrian police and the Syrian state security apparatus, and was associated with the Syrian Ba’ath Party, the totalitarian party that ruled Syria. He allegedly served as the head of Damascus Central Prison (colloquially known as “Adra Prison”) from approximately 2005 to 2010. As described in the indictment, political dissidents and other prisoners were severely physically abused at Adra Prison during Alsheikh’s tenure there. The indictment further alleges that Alsheikh was subsequently appointed governor of the province of Deir Ez-Zour by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Alsheikh allegedly concealed his employment at the prison, persecution of any person because of political opinion, and involvement in harming others when he applied for U.S. citizenship in 2023. He allegedly made similar false statements when applying for a visa that enabled him to enter the United States in 2020, become a lawful permanent resident, and obtain a green card.
Alsheikh is charged with one count of obtaining, using, and possessing a green card that was procured through false statements and one count of attempted naturalization fraud. If convicted, Alsheikh faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison on each count.
HSI and the FBI are investigating the case, with support from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the HSI-led Human Rights Violators and War Criminals Center (HRVWCC).
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada for the Central District of California; Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang of HSI Los Angeles; and Executive Assistant Director Michael A. Nordwall of the FBI’s Criminal, Cyber, Response, and Services Branch made the announcement.
Trial Attorneys Patrick Jasperse and Alexandra Skinnion of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua O. Mausner for the Central District of California are prosecuting the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs also provided assistance.
Members of the public who have information about human rights violators in the United States are urged to contact U.S. law enforcement through the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI or the HSI tip line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE, or complete the FBI online tip form or the ICE online tip form.
Compton Man Sentenced to More Than 10 Years in Prison for Leading Ring that Trafficked Cocaine from California to AlaskaRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A Compton man was sentenced today to 127 months in federal prison for leading a Southern California-based drug trafficking organization that shipped kilogram quantities of cocaine to Alaska via commercial flights and U.S. mail.
Raul Cisneros Jr., 46, was sentenced by United States District Judge Fernando M. Olguin.
Cisneros pleaded guilty May 9 to one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. He has been in federal custody since October 2020 and was the final defendant to plead guilty to criminal charges in this case.
From at least July 2014 to August 2016, Cisneros managed the operations of a drug trafficking outfit that sold cocaine and methamphetamine to customers.
In October 2015, law enforcement stopped Cisneros in his car while he was en route to an accomplice’s home to pick up money. In his car, Cisneros possessed approximately $5,003 in cash, which were drug proceeds. He also possessed approximately 10 kilograms (22.1 pounds) of cocaine packaged in five separate bundles, which he intended to sell to customers.
After obtaining a search warrant for Cisneros’ home, law enforcement seized from Cisneros’ kitchen cabinets approximately 30.7 kilograms (66.1 pounds) of cocaine, approximately 167.7 grams of crack cocaine, and approximately 3.6 kilograms (1.1 pounds) of methamphetamine. Law enforcement also found hundreds of used empty green cellophane wrappers and a money counter, which Cisneros used to facilitate his drug distribution operation.
Law enforcement also seized from Cisneros’ kitchen four firearms and 72 rounds of ammunition during this search.
In total, agents recovered $568,357 in cash proceeds from drug deals and – in the trunk of Cisneros’ white Honda Accord vehicle, which was parked in the driveway of his residence – approximately 7.02 kilograms (15.5 pounds) of cocaine wrapped in seven packages of green cellophane stashed inside a bag. Cisneros intended to distribute the cocaine to others as part of his drug trafficking operation.
Federal prosecutors secured eight convictions in this matter.
The High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Southern California Drug Task Force (SCDTF) consisting of the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated this matter. Substantial assistance was provided by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. This investigation was conducted with the support of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF).
Assistant United States Attorneys Kathy Yu, Chief of Ethics and Post-Conviction Review, and Chelsea Norell of the Violent and Organized Crime Section prosecuted this case.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Brentwood-Based Dental Offices Company and Former Owners Pay $6.3 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Related to COVID ReliefRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – West Coast Dental Administrative Services LLC (formerly West Coast Dental Services Inc.), a Brentwood-based company which operates a network of dental offices in Southern California, and its founders and former owners, Drs. Soleyman Cohen-Sedgh, Farid Pakravan and Farhad Manavi, have paid $6.3 million to resolve allegations that they knowingly violated the False Claims Act in connection with seven improper loans that West Coast Dental Services Inc. (West Coast Dental) and affiliated dental offices received under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
Additionally, City Real Estate Holdings Inc., a Beverly Hills-based real estate investment company owned by Dr. Manavi, has paid an additional $35,149.82 to resolve its potential liability under the False Claims Act in connection with a separate PPP loan.
“Companies such as these that depleted crucial pandemic-assistance funding will be held accountable under the False Claims Act,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “This resolution evidences our office’s earnest commitment to ensure that companies act with the utmost integrity and compunction.”
The PPP, an emergency loan program established by Congress in March 2020 under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and administered by the Small Business Administration, was intended to support small businesses struggling to pay employees and other business expenses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Whether an applicant qualified for a PPP loan as a small business depended on various factors, including the type of business operated by the borrower and the number of employees of both the borrower and its corporate affiliates. In 2021, Congress offered a second round of forgivable loans through the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits and Venues Act. Under PPP rules, second draw loans were strictly limited to businesses with 300 employees or less. When applying for PPP loans and loan forgiveness, borrowers were required to certify the truthfulness and accuracy of all information provided in their loan applications.
The United States alleged that West Coast Dental and six of its affiliated dental practices received seven improper second draw PPP loans and subsequent forgiveness of these loans based on false certifications that the companies qualified for the loans even though they were ineligible because the dental practices collectively employed more than 300 individuals. The United States further alleged that West Coast Dental and its affiliates failed to disclose common ownership of the affiliated dental offices in their separate PPP applications. The United States also alleged that City Real Estate Holdings Inc., which received a PPP loan, was ineligible to receive the loan under PPP rules, because it is a passive business operated for investment purposes. City Real Estate Holdings Inc. sought and received forgiveness of its total loan amount.
“PPP loans were intended to support small businesses facing difficult economic times due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Justice Department will continue to hold borrowers who improperly received and sought forgiveness of PPP loans accountable for their actions.”
“This settlement sends a signal to wrongdoers that evidence of improper conduct will be brought to light,” said Special Agent in Charge Weston King for Small Business Administration’s Office of Inspector General (SBA OIG)’s Western Region. “Our office will remain relentless in the pursuit of those who seek to exploit SBA’s vital pandemic response programs. I want to thank the U.S. Department of Justice and our law enforcement partners for their exceptional efforts and collaboration in pursuit of justice.”
The civil settlement includes the resolution of claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by Relator LLC, a limited liability corporation formed by California attorneys Anoush Hakimi and Peter Shahriari. Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. Relator LLC v. West Coast Dental Services Inc., et al., CV 22-3812-MCS (MARx) (C.D. Cal.). Relator LLC will receive approximately $507,000 as its share of the total settlement.
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, with assistance from the Small Business Administration’s Office of General Counsel and Office of the Inspector General.
Assistant United States Attorney Jack D. Ross of the Civil Division’s Civil Fraud Section and Justice Department Trial Attorney Allie Pang of the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section handled the matter, with the assistance of Paralegal Heather Beckler, Investigator Maria Marsh, and Auditor John Powers for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California. Special Agent Samuel Huynh of SBA-OIG also provided investigative assistance.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Justice Department in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The task force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international actors committing civil and criminal fraud and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud affecting COVID-19 government relief programs can be reported by visiting the webpage of the Civil Division’s Fraud Section, which can be found here. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can also report it by calling the Justice Department’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only. There has been no determination of liability.
Grand Jury Charges 37 Florencia 13 Members and Associates with Federal Crimes, Including 3 Murders, One of Them a Beating DeathRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – Federal and local law enforcement officials today announced the unsealing of federal grand jury indictments charging a total of 37 members and associates of the South Los Angeles-based Florencia 13 (F13) street gang, alleging a series of crimes, including fentanyl trafficking, extortion, and three murders, including that of a man beaten to death outside a bar in the gang’s “territory.”
Today’s takedown resulted in the arrests of 23 F13 members and associates who are expected to be arraigned on 11 indictments this afternoon in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles. Six of the defendants were already in state or federal custody, and authorities continue to search for eight other defendants charged in these cases, including multiple defendants currently believed to be fugitives in Mexico.
As part of this investigation, law enforcement has seized approximately 21 pounds of methamphetamine, nine pounds of fentanyl, and 6.5 pounds of heroin. Authorities also have seized 25 firearms and approximately $70,000 in cash connected to this investigation.
“Through murder, drug trafficking, violent robberies, and other criminal behavior, street gangs bring devastation upon our communities,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “We must stand united against gang violence. Today’s arrests and seizures demonstrate that we will be relentless in combating these criminal organizations.”
“Florencia-13 is known for its barbaric tactics which, tragically, resulted in several murders alleged in the indictment,” said Akil Davis, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's Los Angeles Field office. “Residents of the community in which Florencia-13 operates deserve to live their lives without fear from violence and extortion, and this joint investigation demonstrates our shared commitment to that goal.”
“Today’s coordinated take down of gang members associated with the ‘Florencia 13’ criminal street gang creates safer neighborhoods by removing dangerous individuals from our communities and disrupting their criminal network that fuels this violence,” said Sheriff Robert G. Luna. “By removing key offenders from our streets who instill fear and terrorize our communities, we are taking decisive action to restore safety and enhance the quality of life for all residents. Our commitment to reducing gang violence remains unwavering as we work together to build safer, stronger communities.”
The bulk of the charges in today’s takedown comes from two federal grand jury indictments targeting Florencia 13. The first indictment charges 19 defendants – including Celerino Jaramillo, 30, a.k.a. “Bizzy,” of South Los Angeles, a “shot caller” in one of F13’s cliques – with conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.
Among a series of alleged racketeering-related crimes, during one incident on October 17, 2022, a mob of F13 members – including Jonathan Reyes, 19, a.k.a. “Creeper,” of South Los Angeles – beat one victim to death in the early morning outside a bar in the Florence-Firestone neighborhood of Los Angeles. The victim repeatedly was stomped, kicked, and punched, and beaten with a baseball bat.
The indictment further alleges that Jaramillo and co-defendant Oscar Hernandez, 30, a.k.a. “Drex,” of South Los Angeles, on June 19, 2023, murdered a victim identified in court documents as “R.A.,” an F13 member who had violated the gang’s rules. The day after R.A.’s was shot and killed, Jaramillo allegedly told fellow gang members that he wanted Hernandez inducted into F13’s Jokers clique because he “proved [Jaramillo] solid.”
The following month, Jaramillo and Hugo Armando Pineda, 36, a.k.a. “Menace,” of South Los Angeles, allegedly murdered “D.E.,” another F13 member in bad standing.
The rest of this superseding indictment alleges a series of criminal activity by Jaramillo and others, including the running of “casitas,” or illegal after-hours bars and clubs, including collection of extortionate “taxes” from them, trafficking of narcotics such as fentanyl and methamphetamine, and illegal use and possession of firearms.
A second indictment unsealed today charges eight Florencia 13 associates – including Saul Ayon Quintero, 50, of Bellflower – with drug-related crimes, including conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and heroin, and illegally using and possessing firearms and ammunition.
Finally, nine additional Florencia 13 members and associates are charged in eight separate indictments with methamphetamine distribution counts, and another Florencia 13 member is charged in a separate indictment with possession of an unregistered firearm and being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
If convicted, most of the defendants would face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
The FBI, the Los Angeles Police Department, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and the United States Marshals Service are investigating this matter.
Assistant United States Attorneys Christopher C. Kendall and Daniel H. Weiner of the International Narcotics, Money Laundering, and Racketeering Section are prosecuting these cases.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Two Foreign Nationals Indicted for Alleged Series of Armed Robberies of Convenience Stores Across Southern CaliforniaRead the Press Release
SANTA ANA, California – A South Los Angeles man was arraigned today, charged in an eight-count federal grand jury indictment that alleges he and another defendant conducted a series of armed robberies at eight convenience stores across Southern California over a period of just over five months earlier this year.
The following defendants were both arrested fleeing from a robbery on June 13 and have been charged with eight counts of Hobbs Act robbery:
Jesus Soto-Parada, 26, who was deported to El Salvador during the robbery spree but later returned to the United States, continued the robbery spree, and was found to be residing in South Los Angeles, is scheduled to begin his trial on September 24.
Daniel Pavon, 20, a Honduran national living in Gardena, is currently in state custody and awaiting transfer to federal custody to face charges.
According to court documents, Soto, Pavon, and co-conspirators allegedly entered convenience stores wearing surgical masks. One suspect would reportedly brandish a handgun at the clerk while stealing money, while the other served as a lookout.
According to the indictment filed on June 26, Soto, Pavon, and their co-conspirators beginning on January 11, allegedly robbed convenience stores in Buena Park, Cypress, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Pomona, Newport Beach, Agoura Hills, and Gardena. The group reportedly stole approximately $13,950 in cash and $7,415 in merchandise.
Following the Gardena robbery on June 13, law enforcement located the suspects and conducted a traffic stop, resulting in the arrest of Soto and Pavon. During the search, officers reportedly discovered cash, a box of blue medical face masks, the tracking device, a black replica semi-automatic handgun, and two long-sleeved black hooded sweatshirts. Shortly afterward, a clerk at the victimized Gardena store was brought to the scene and identified Soto and Pavon as the individuals who committed the robbery, noting they were wearing the hooded sweatshirts during the robbery.
An indictment and complaint contain allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
“These defendants’ alleged violent crime spree has now earned them federal criminal charges carrying major potential prison time,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “Criminals should take note that we are partnering with local law enforcement more than ever to send a clear message that violent crime has no place in our community.”
Operation Safe Cities establishes strategic enforcement priorities with an emphasis on prosecuting the most significant drivers of violent crime. Across this region, the most damaging and horrific crimes are committed by a relatively small number of particularly violent individuals. This strategic enforcement approach is expected to increase the number of arrests, prosecutions and convictions of recidivists engaged in the most dangerous conduct. It is designed to improve public safety across the region by targeting crimes involving illicit guns, prohibited persons possessing firearms, or robbery crews that cause havoc and extensive losses to retail establishments.
If convicted, Soto and Pavon face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for each Hobbs Act robbery count.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Orange County Violent Crime Task Force (OCVCTF), which is comprised of federal and local law enforcement agencies, including the ATF, the Brea Police Department, the Santa Ana Police Department, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, and the Fullerton Police Department, is investigating this matter.
Assistant United States Attorneys Jena MacCabe of the Violent and Organized Crime Section and Caitlin Campbell of the Santa Ana Branch Office are prosecuting this matter.
Owner of South Gate-Based Tattoo Removal Business Pleads Guilty to Health Care Fraud Scheme That Recruited ParaplegicsRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – The owner of a tattoo removal business in South Gate pleaded guilty today to federal criminal charges for recruiting paraplegics in a health care fraud scheme that netted more than $1.7 million and for cheating on his taxes.
Joseph Tusia, 60, of Leominster, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty to a two-count information charging him with health care fraud and tax evasion.
According to his plea agreement, Tusia operated a laser tattoo removal business in South Gate and 10 durable medical equipment supply companies (DMEs) in California, Nevada, and Massachusetts. Tusia controlled the tattoo removal companies and the DMEs but intentionally withheld his name from bank accounts and state registrations to evade tax liability.
On December 30, 2015, Tusia and a co-schemer submitted an application to Anthem Blue Cross (“Anthem”) for a small group health insurance plan. Anthem’s small group plan permitted benefits and health coverage for permanent employees who worked full-time. Despite the eligibility requirements, Tusia caused to be submitted to Anthem the names of nine individuals purported to be full-time employees of Tattoo Removal and a person who was a dependent of the Tusia. None of these purported employees were employed by Tattoo Removal or eligible for health insurance coverage under Tattoo Removal’s plan with Anthem.
According to his plea agreement, Tusia identified the Purported Tattoo Removal Employees from his friends and associates who were paraplegic and required medical supplies, knowing and expecting that the Purported Tattoo Removal Employees would purchase their medical supplies from the DMEs that were controlled by Tusia and his associates.
From March 2016 to June 2020, Tusia and his co-schemers submitted fraudulent claims to Anthem on behalf of the DMEs for medical supplies provided to the purported employees, knowing that none of them were eligible for coverage. As a result of these fraudulent claims, Anthem paid the DMEs controlled by Tusia approximately $1,731,215.
Tusia also admitted in his plea agreement to knowingly and willfully failing to report income he received from the DMEs in tax years 2017 through 2020, totaling more than $1,573,644. Tusia admitted that he failed to pay tax to the IRS and that he took affirmatives steps to evade paying taxes, such as by creating the DMEs and opening bank accounts for the DMEs in the names of his associates and co-schemers.
United States District Judge George Wu scheduled a December 5 sentencing hearing, at which time Tusia will face a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison on the health care fraud count, and up to five years in federal prison for the tax evasion count.
The United States Department of Labor – Employee Benefits Security Administration, the FBI, and IRS Criminal Investigation are investigating this matter.
Assistant United States Attorney Jeff Mitchell of the Major Frauds Section is prosecuting this case.
Five Charged with Operating Cockfighting Events in Inland EmpireRead the Press Release
RIVERSIDE, California – Four Inland Empire residents have been arrested on a federal criminal complaint alleging they organized and ran cockfighting events in San Bernardino County.
The following defendants, who were arrested Sunday at a cockfighting event, are charged with aiding, abetting, inducing, and willfully causing another person to sponsor and exhibit an animal in an animal fighting venture and are expected to make their initial appearances this afternoon in United States District Court in Riverside:
- Isidro Chaparro Sanchez, 59, of Corona;
- Luis Octavio Angulo, 61, of Rialto;
- Sergio Jimenez Maldonado, 51, of San Bernardino; and
- Eva Anilu Pastor Uriostegui, 53, of Moreno Valley.
Law enforcement is looking for Cirilo Esquivel Alcantar, 56, of San Bernardino, who also is charged in this case.
According to an affidavit filed with the complaint, the defendants organized and facilitated cockfighting events in Muscoy. The defendants held events on Sundays during the cockfighting “season,” which generally runs from January to August. Individuals brought roosters to fight (i.e., cockfighters) and spectators attended the events, which at times drew more than 100 attendees.
Attendees parked – at the cost of $20 – at a different location nearly one mile away from the event location. Attendees were then shuttled to the cockfighting location, where they paid another fee – usually $40 – to enter the arena where the cockfights took place. Attendees could also place bets on the cockfights and participate in a raffle.
Cockfighters paid a fee to enter their roosters into fights – $1,000 for four roosters – and then entered the fighting arena with their roosters when it is their turn to fight. Several cockfights took place on a given day. Before the fights, a sharp blade, known as a “gaff” and usually curved and approximately 1.5 inches in length, was often attached to each rooster’s leg. At times, the fights ended in the death of one or both roosters.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
If convicted, the defendants would each face a statutory maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment.
The FBI is investigating this matter.
Assistant United States Attorneys Cory L. Burleson of the Riverside Branch Office and Dennis Mitchell of the Environmental Crimes and Consumer Protection Section are prosecuting this case.
Six Members of Transnational Fraud Network Indicted for Scheme to Steal Millions from American Consumers’ Bank AccountsRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging six defendants for their participation in a years-long scheme to steal millions of dollars from American consumers’ bank accounts, the Justice Department announced today.
According to court documents, Henry LoConti, 63, of Chardon, Ohio; John Flynn, 43, of Canada; Shoaib Ahmad, 64, of Canada; Timothy Munoz, 57, of Wilmington, California; Eric Crespin, 61, of Canada; and Lezli St. Hill, 53, of Canada, were members and associates of a racketeering enterprise that unlawfully debited money from the bank accounts of unknowing U.S. consumer-victims.
“Criminals are utilizing technology to devise increasingly sophisticated methods to steal from victims,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “My office will continue to use all available tools to prosecute and apprehend these fraud networks, but I also urge everyone to regularly check your accounts for any unauthorized activity – no matter how small. Prevention is key.”
“The scheme alleged in the indictment involved an elaborate plot to steal consumers’ hard-earned savings directly from their bank accounts,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Justice Department will use all of the tools at its disposal to prosecute such schemes.”
Through various members and associates, the enterprise obtained identifying and banking information for victims, and created shell entities that claimed to offer products or services, such as cloud storage. The enterprise then executed unauthorized debits against victims’ bank accounts, which it falsely represented to banks were authorized by the victims. Some of the unauthorized debits resulted in returned transactions, which generated high return rates. To both conceal and continue conducting unauthorized debits, the enterprise’s shell entities also generated “micro debits” against other bank accounts controlled and funded by or for the enterprise. The micro debits artificially lowered shell entities’ return rates to levels that conspirators believed would reduce bank scrutiny and lessen potential negative impact on the enterprise’s banking relations.
Combined with a prior indictment, 19 conspirators are currently charged in the Central District of California for their participation in the scheme. Three other defendants have been convicted and/or sentenced in the District of Nevada, Southern District of California, and District of Maryland.
“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), along with our partners, remain committed to shutting down these types of scammers,” said Inspector in Charge Eric Shen of USPIS’ Criminal Investigations Group. “Dismantling this syndicate, and the arrests and prosecutions of those involved, should send a clear message that fraudulent schemes that exploit innocent victims, many of whom have suffered not only financial losses but also emotional distress and a breach of trust, will not be tolerated. The Postal Inspection Service will make sure that justice is served and that those responsible for these types of crimes feel the full weight of justice.”
All six defendants are charged with racketeering conspiracy and wire fraud. Some defendants made their initial court appearances yesterday. If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for racketeering conspiracy and 30 years in prison for each count of wire fraud. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Ahmad was separately charged in a second indictment with conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud related to his participation in a similarly-structured conspiracy that also stole money from U.S. consumer-victims.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The department urges individuals to be on the lookout for unauthorized debits to their accounts. Regularly check your bank, credit card, and other financial statements and contact your financial institution if you see a charge you do not recognize. Report any fraudulent debit you identify to law enforcement. Reports may be filed with the FTC at www.reportfraud.ftc.gov or at 877-FTC-HELP.
USPIS is investigating the case.
Assistant United States Attorney Monica Tait of the Major Frauds Section and Justice Department Trial Attorneys Wei Xiang, Meredith Healy and Amy Kaplan of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch are prosecuting the case.
The Consumer Protection Branch, in conjunction with the USPIS, is pursing wrongdoers who disguise the unlawful nature of business activities by, among other methods, artificially lowering financial account return rates. These tactics are designed to deceive banks, resulting in bank accounts remaining open and facilitating fraud schemes and other illegal activities, including schemes that debit consumers’ bank accounts without authorization, tech support scams and subscription traps.
For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts, visit www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch.
법무부 장애인 유권자들의 접근성을 향상하기 위해 로스앤젤레스 카운티와 역사적 협정 체결Read the Press Release
법무부는 해당 카운티가 장애인이 접근할 수 있는 시설을 투표 장소로 선정하고 사용하지 않음으로써 장애인 유권자의 동등한 투표 프로그램, 서비스 및 활동에 참여할 기회를 거부하여 미국 장애인법(Americans with Disabilities Act, ADA)을 위반했다는 혐의로 제기된 소송을 해결하기 위한 목적으로 로스앤젤레스 카운티와 역사적인 합의에 도달했음을 오늘 발표했습니다.
“장애인은 투표 제도에 온전히 참여할 권리를 가집니다.” 법무부 민권부의 Kristen Clarke 법무차관이 말했습니다. “법무부는 장애인 유권자를 포함하여 모든 적격 유권자가 선거 과정에 참여할 권리를 보호하기 위해 노력하고 있습니다. 이 협정은 지금 전국의 공무원들을 대상으로 투표 과정상 접근성 보장의 필요성과 관련한 메시지를 전달해야 합니다.”
“투표권은 민주주의에 필수적이며 모든 유권자의 권리를 보호해야 합니다.” 캘리포니아 중부 지구의 Martin Estrada 검사가 말했습니다. “장애인 유권자는 이웃, 친구와 함께 직접, 비공개로 그리고 독립적으로 투표할 동등한 기회를 누릴 자격이 있습니다. 우리는 법무부와 협력하여 장애를 가진 각 개인의 동등한 접근성을 보장하려는 로스앤젤레스 카운티의 노력을 칭찬하고자 합니다.”
이 소송은 2023년 6월, 장기간의 조사에 의해 해당 카운티가 지역 내 직접 투표 프로그램 참여에서 장애인들을 배제한 것으로 밝혀짐에 따라 제기되었습니다. 미국 캘리포니아 중부 지구 검찰청은 2016년 6월, 2020년 3월, 2020년 11월, 2022년 11월 선거에서 수백 곳의 투표소를 조사했으며 그중 대부분이 가파른 경사로, 도로와 입구 출입문 사이의 갑작스러운 높이 변화, 접근 가능한 주차 공간의 부족 등 건축상의 장애물을 보유하고 있는 것으로 드러났습니다. 이러한 장애물은 이동 및 시야가 제한된 장애인이 투표 센터에 안전하게 접근하여 직접 투표하는 데 방해가 됩니다. 이 소송에서는 특정 투표 센터에 길가 투표의 가능 여부를 알리는 표지판이 없거나, 유권자가 길가 투표에 도움을 받고자 선거 직원에게 연락할 수 있는 충분한 수단을 제공하지 못하여 해당 카운티의 길가 투표 프로그램의 접근성이 충분치 못했음을 주장하기도 했습니다.
오늘 이른 시간에 제출된 합의서는 장애인 유권자의 접근성을 높일 것입니다. 이 합의에 의해 로스앤젤레스 카운티는 3년간 장소 선정 정책 및 절차 수립에 대해 독립적인 접근성 전문가와 협력하여, 해당 카운티가 임시 개선 조치를 통해 접근성 있거나 접근성을 향상할 수 있는 투표 센터 장소를 선택할 수 있도록 할 것입니다. 해당 카운티에서는 전문가 및 부서와 협력하여 전문가의 권장 사항을 시행하기로 합의했습니다. 전문가는 연 2회 카운티와 부서에 보고서를 제출할 것입니다.
로스앤젤레스 카운티는 500개 이상의 지역구와 약 430만 명의 등록 유권자를 보유한 국내 최대의 선거 관할구입니다.
로스앤젤레스 카운티 조사는 법무부의 ADA 투표 이니셔티브의 일환으로, 이는 전국 장애인의 투표권을 보호하는 데 중점을 두고 있습니다. 투표 및 선거에 관한 더 자세한 정보는 법무부 웹사이트, www.justice.gov/voting에서 확인하실 수 있습니다. 민권부에 관한 더 자세한 정보는 www.justice.gov/crt를 방문하시기 바랍니다. ADA에 관한 더 자세한 정보는 법무부의 무료 ADA 정보 전화, 1-800-514-0301로 (TTY 1-833-610-1264) 전화하거나 www.ada.gov를 방문하시기 바랍니다. 장애로 인한 차별을 받으신 경우, www.civilrights.justice.gov에서 보고서를 제출해 주시기 바랍니다. 차관 및 민권 섹션 부장 Richard Park와 캘리포니아 중부 지구 차관 Katherine Hikida, Matthew Barragan, Margaret Chen, Alexandra Young이 법무부 민권부의 장애 권리 섹션과 협력하여 이 문제를 처리했습니다.
지난달은 1990년 7월 26일 George H.W. Bush 대통령이 법률에 서명한 ADA의 34주년이 되는 달이었습니다. ADA는 장애인을 위한 세계 최초의 종합 민권법이었습니다. ADA의 34주년을 기념하면서 우리는 ADA의 유용성을 인정하는 시간을 가지는 동시에 장애인을 위한 형평성, 포용성, 접근성이라는 지속적 목표를 달성하기 위해 아직 해야 할 일이 남아 있다는 사실을 인식합니다.
司法部與洛杉磯縣簽訂歷史性協議，提升身心障礙選民的投票便利性Read the Press Release
司法部今日宣佈，已與洛杉磯縣達成一項具有里程碑意義的協定，旨在解決針對洛杉磯縣提起的訴訟。該訴訟指控洛杉磯縣違反了《美國身心障礙者法案》(Americans with Disabilities Act, ADA)，未能選擇和使用身心障礙者可進入的設施作為投票站，剝奪了身心障礙選民平等參與洛杉磯縣投票計畫、服務和活動的機會。
「身心障礙選民應當享有完全平等的投票權，」司法部民權司助理司長 Kristen Clarke 說道。「司法部致力於保障包括身心障礙選民在內的所有合格選民參與選舉過程的權利。這項協議應向全國官員們傳達了一個資訊，即確保投票過程的便利性是當務之急。」
「投票權是我們民主體系的核心，必須保障所有選民都能行使這一權利，」 加州中區聯邦檢察官 Martin Estrada 表示。「身心障礙選民應享有與鄰居和朋友同等的平等、直接、私密和獨立投票的機會。我們對洛杉磯縣與司法部的合作表示讚賞，他們共同努力確保身心障礙者的平等投票機會。」
該訴訟於 2023 年 6 月提起，此前進行了長時間的調查，發現洛杉磯縣剝奪了身心障礙者參與現場投票計畫的權利。在 2016 年 6 月、2020 年 3月、11 月以及 2022 年 11月 的選舉期間，美國加州中區檢察官辦公室對數百個投票站進行了調查，發現多數網站存在建築障礙，如過陡的坡道、不平坦的人行道和入口，以及缺乏便捷的停車設施。這些障礙妨礙了行動不便者和視障人士安全到達投票點並親自參與投票。該訴訟還指出，洛杉磯縣的路邊投票計畫無法使用，由於一些投票中心未設置明確指示路邊投票計畫可用的標識，或未提供足夠途徑讓選民聯繫選舉工作人員以獲得路邊投票的協助。
今天早些時候提交至法院的和解協議旨在提升身心障礙選民的投票便利性。根據協定條款，洛杉磯縣將與獨立無障礙專家合作三年，審查選址政策和程式，確保選定的投票中心提供無障礙設施，或在投票期間通過臨時措施提升其便利性。洛杉磯縣同意與專家和司法部合作，執行專家的建議。專家將每半年向洛杉磯縣和司法部提交一次調查結果報告。
洛杉磯縣有 500 多個行政選區和約 430 萬登記選民，是美國最大的選區。
洛杉磯縣的調查屬於司法部 ADA 投票倡議的一部分，旨在保障全國身心障礙者的投票權。欲瞭解有關投票和選舉的詳細資訊，請造訪司法部網站www.justice.gov/voting。欲瞭解有關民權司的詳細資訊，請造訪 www.justice.gov/crt。欲瞭解有關 ADA 的詳細資訊，請致電司法部的免費 ADA 資訊熱線 1-800-514-0301 (TTY 1-833-610-1264) 或造訪 www.ada.gov。如果您認為自己因身心障礙遭受歧視，請造訪 www.civilrights.justice.gov 進行線上舉報。美國助理檢察官兼民權科科長 Richard Park 以及加州中區的其他美國助理檢察官 Katherine Hikida、Matthew Barragan、Margaret Chen 和 Alexandra Young 負責此案，並與司法部民權司身心殘障者權利科協調。
上個月是 ADA 頒佈的第 34 周年紀念日，該法案由 George H.W. Bush 總統于 1990 年 7 月 26 日簽署生效。ADA 是全球首部全面保障身心障礙者民事權利的法律。在紀念 ADA 頒佈 34 周年之際，我們不僅要認識到 ADA 帶來的益處，同時也要認識到，要實現身心障礙者的公平、包容和便利性的長期目標，我們仍需不斷努力。
司法部与洛杉矶县签订历史性协议，提升残疾选民的投票便利性Read the Press Release
司法部今日宣布，已与洛杉矶县达成一项具有里程碑意义的协议，旨在解决针对洛杉矶县提起的诉讼。该诉讼指控洛杉矶县违反了《美国残疾人法案》(Americans with Disabilities Act, ADA)，未能选择和使用残疾人士可进入的设施作为投票站，剥夺了残疾选民平等参与洛杉矶县投票计划、服务和活动的机会。
“残疾选民应当享有完全平等的投票权，”司法部民权司助理司长 Kristen Clarke 说道。“司法部致力于保障包括残疾选民在内的所有合格选民参与选举过程的权利。这项协议应向全国官员们传达了一个信息，即确保投票过程的便利性是当务之急。”
“投票权是我们民主体系的核心，必须保障所有选民都能行使这一权利，” 加州中区联邦检察官 Martin Estrada 表示。“残疾选民应享有与邻居和朋友同等的平等、直接、私密和独立投票的机会。我们对洛杉矶县与司法部的合作表示赞赏，他们共同努力确保残疾人的平等投票机会。”
该诉讼于 2023 年 6 月提起，此前进行了长时间的调查，发现洛杉矶县剥夺了残疾人参与现场投票计划的权利。在 2016 年 6 月、2020 年 3 月、11 月以及 2022 年 11 月的选举期间，美国加州中区检察官办公室对数百个投票站进行了调查，发现多数站点存在建筑障碍，如过陡的坡道、不平坦的人行道和入口，以及缺乏便捷的停车设施。这些障碍妨碍了行动不便者和视障人士安全到达投票点并亲自参与投票。该诉讼还指出，洛杉矶县的路边投票计划无法使用，由于一些投票中心未设置明确指示路边投票计划可用的标识，或未提供足够途径让选民联系选举工作人员以获得路边投票的协助。
今天早些时候提交至法院的和解协议旨在提升残疾选民的投票便利性。根据协议条款，洛杉矶县将与独立无障碍专家合作三年，审查选址政策和程序，确保选定的投票中心提供无障碍设施，或在投票期间通过临时措施提升其便利性。洛杉矶县同意与专家和司法部合作，执行专家的建议。专家将每半年向洛杉矶县和司法部提交一次调查结果报告。
洛杉矶县有 500 多个行政选区和约 430 万登记选民，是美国最大的选区。
洛杉矶县的调查属于司法部 ADA 投票倡议的一部分，旨在保障全国残疾人的投票权。欲了解更多有关投票和选举的信息，请访问司法部网站 www.justice.gov/voting。欲了解更多有关民权司的信息，请访问 www.justice.gov/crt。欲了解有关 ADA 的更多信息，请致电司法部的免费 ADA 信息热线 1-800-514-0301 (TTY 1-833-610-1264) 或访问 www.ada.gov。如果您认为自己因残疾遭受歧视，请访问 www.civilrights.justice.gov 进行在线举报。美国助理检察官兼民权科科长 Richard Park 以及加州中区的其他美国助理检察官 Katherine Hikida、Matthew Barragan、Margaret Chen 和 Alexandra Young 负责此案，并与司法部民权司残疾权利科协调。
上个月是 ADA 颁布的第 34 周年纪念日，该法案由 George H.W. Bush 总统于 1990 年 7 月 26 日签署生效。ADA 是全球首部全面保障残疾人民事权利的法律。在纪念 ADA 颁布 34 周年之际，我们不仅要认识到 ADA 带来的益处，同时也要认识到，要实现残疾人的公平、包容和便利性的长期目标，我们仍需不断努力。
ក្រសួងយុត្តិធម៌ទទួលបាននូវកិច្ចព្រមព្រៀងដ៏សំខាន់មួយជាមួយខោនធី Los Angeles ដើម្បីបង្កើនលទ្ធភាពប្រើប្រាស់សម្រាប់អ្នកបោះឆ្នោតដែលមានពិការភាពRead the Press Release
ក្រសួងយុត្តិធម៌បានប្រកាសនៅថ្ងៃនេះថា ខ្លួនបានឈានដល់កិច្ចព្រមព្រៀងសំខាន់មួយជាមួយខោនធី Los Angeles ដើម្បីដោះស្រាយបណ្តឹងរបស់ក្រសួងដែលចោទប្រកាន់ថា ខោនធីបានរំលោភច្បាប់ស្តីពីជនពិការអាមេរិក (ADA) តាមរយៈការបដិសេធចំពោះអ្នកបោះឆ្នោតដែលមានពិការភាពមិនឱ្យមានឱកាសស្មើគ្នាក្នុងការចូលរួមក្នុងកម្មវិធី សេវាកម្ម និងសកម្មភាពបោះឆ្នោតរបស់ខ្លួន នៅពេលដែលខោនធីខកខានមិនបានជ្រើសរើស និងប្រើប្រាស់កន្លែងបោះឆ្នោត ជាកន្លែងដែលជនពិការអាចចូលប្រើប្រាស់បាន។
ជំនួយការអគ្គមេធាវី Kristen Clarke នៃនាយកដ្ឋានសិទ្ធិស៊ីវិលរបស់ក្រសួងយុត្តិធម៌បានមានប្រសាសន៍ថា "ជនពិការមានសិទ្ធិទទួលបានការរាប់បញ្ចូលទាំងស្រុងនៅកន្លែងបោះឆ្នោត"។ “ក្រសួងយុត្តិធម៌ប្តេជ្ញាការពារសិទ្ធិរបស់អ្នកបោះឆ្នោតដែលមានសិទ្ធិគ្រប់រូប រួមទាំងអ្នកបោះឆ្នោតដែលមានពិការភាពក្នុង
ការចូលរួមក្នុងដំណើរការនៃការបោះឆ្នោតរបស់យើង។ កិច្ចព្រមព្រៀងនេះគួរតែផ្ដល់សារទៅមន្ត្រីនៅទូទាំងប្រទេស ទាក់ទងនឹងតម្រូវការក្នុងការធានាឱ្យបាននូវលទ្ធភាពចូលប្រើប្រាស់ក្នុងដំណើរការនៃ
ការបោះឆ្នោតឥឡូវនេះ។"Martin Estrada ដែលជាមេធាវីសហរដ្ឋអាមេរិកប្រចាំនៅមណ្ឌលកណ្តាលនៃរដ្ឋ California (Central District of California) បានមានប្រសាសន៍ថា "សិទ្ធិបោះឆ្នោតគឺជារឿងសំខាន់សម្រាប់លទ្ធិប្រជា
ធិបតេយ្យរបស់យើង ហើយត្រូវបានការការពារសម្រាប់អ្នកបោះឆ្នោតទាំងអស់"។ "អ្នកបោះឆ្នោតដែលមានពិការភាពមានសិទ្ធិទទួលបានឱកាសស្មើគ្នាដើម្បីបោះឆ្នោតដោយផ្ទាល់ ជាលក្ខណៈឯកជន និងដោយឯករាជ្យ រួមជាមួយអ្នកជិតខាង និងមិត្តភក្តិរបស់ពួកគេ។ យើងសូមកោតសរសើរដល់ខោនធី
Los Angeles ចំពោះការប្តេជ្ញាចិត្តរបស់ខ្លួនក្នុងការធ្វើការជាមួយក្រសួងយុត្តិធម៌ ដើម្បីធានាឱ្យបាននូវលទ្ធភាពប្រើប្រាស់ស្មើៗគ្នាសម្រាប់បុគ្គលដែលមានពិការភាព។"បណ្តឹងនេះត្រូវបានដាក់នៅខែមិថុនា ឆ្នាំ 2023 បន្ទាប់ពីការស៊ើបអង្កេតដ៏យូរអង្វែងមួយ ដែលបានរកឃើញថាខោនធីមិនបានរាប់បញ្ចូលបុគ្គលដែលមានពិការភាពនៅក្នុងការចូលរួមក្នុងកម្មវិធីបោះឆ្នោតដោយមានវត្តមានផ្ទាល់របស់ខោនធី។ការិយាល័យមេធាវីសហរដ្ឋអាមេរិកប្រចាំតំបន់កណ្តាលនៃរដ្ឋ California បានស្ទង់មតិនៅកន្លែងបោះឆ្នោតរាប់រយកន្លែងនៅក្នុងការបោះឆ្នោតនាខែមិថុនាឆ្នាំ 2016 ខែមីនាឆ្នាំ 2020 ខែវិច្ឆិកាឆ្នាំ 2020 និងខែវិច្ឆិកាឆ្នាំ 2022 ហើយបានរកឃើញថាភាគច្រើនមានឧបសគ្គស្ថាបត្យកម្មដូចជាផ្លូវជម្រាលចោត ការផ្លាស់ប្តូរកម្រិតញឹកពេកនៅលើផ្លូវដើរនិងទ្វារចូល និងកង្វះចំណតរថយន្តសម្រាប់ជនពិការ។ ឧបសគ្គទាំងនេះបានរារាំងលទ្ធភាពចូលទៅកាន់មណ្ឌលបោះឆ្នោត និងបោះសន្លឹកឆ្នោតដោយសុវត្ថិភាព ដោយមានវត្តមានផ្ទាល់របស់មនុស្សដែលអាចធ្វើចលនាមានកម្រិត និងដែលមានពិការភាពផ្នែកចក្ខុវិញ្ញាណ។ ពាក្យបណ្តឹងនេះក៏បានចោទប្រកាន់ថា កម្មវិធីបោះឆ្នោតតាមចិញ្ចើមផ្លូវរបស់ខោនធីមិនអាចឱ្យជនពិការចូលប្រើបានទេ ដោយសារមណ្ឌលបោះឆ្នោតមួយចំនួនខ្វះផ្លាកសញ្ញា ដែលបង្ហាញថាការបោះឆ្នោតតាមចិញ្ចើមផ្លូវអាចរកបាន ឬខកខានមិនបានផ្តល់មធ្យោបាយគ្រប់គ្រាន់ ដើម្បីឱ្យអ្នកបោះឆ្នោតអាចទាក់ទងបុគ្គលិកបោះឆ្នោតដើម្បីទទួលបានជំនួយបានក្នុងការបោះឆ្នោតតាមចិញ្ចើមផ្លូវ។
ដំណោះស្រាយ ដែលបានដាក់ជូនតុលាការកាលពីដើមថ្ងៃនេះ នឹងបង្កើនលទ្ធភាពចូលប្រើប្រាស់របស់អ្នកបោះឆ្នោត ដែលមានពិការភាព។នៅក្រោមកិច្ចព្រមព្រៀងនេះ ខោនធី Los Angeles នឹងធ្វើការជាមួយអ្នកជំនាញផ្នែកលទ្ធភាពប្រើប្រាស់របស់ជនពិការឯករាជ្យ រយៈពេលបីឆ្នាំសម្រាប់គោលនយោបាយ និងនីតិវិធីជ្រើសរើសទីតាំង ដើម្បីធានាថាខោនធីជ្រើសរើសទីតាំងមណ្ឌលបោះឆ្នោតដែលអាចចូលប្រើបាន ឬអាចផ្តល់លទ្ធភាពចូលប្រើបានកាន់តែច្រើនដល់ជនពិការក្នុងអំឡុងពេលបោះឆ្នោត ដោយប្រើប្រាស់វិធានការដោះស្រាយបណ្តោះអាសន្ន។ ខោនធីបានយល់ព្រមធ្វើការជាមួយនឹងអ្នកជំនាញ និងក្រសួងដើម្បីអនុវត្តតាមការណែនាំរបស់អ្នកជំនាញ។ អ្នកជំនាញនឹងផ្តល់របាយការណ៍ប្រចាំខែអំពីការរកឃើញរបស់ពួកគេទៅកាន់ខោនធី និងក្រសួង។
ដោយមានមណ្ឌលនយោបាយជាង 500 មណ្ឌល និងមានអ្នកបោះឆ្នោតដែលបានចុះឈ្មោះប្រហែល 4.3 លាននាក់ ខោនធី Los Angeles គឺជាដែនសមត្ថកិច្ចបោះឆ្នោតធំបំផុតនៅក្នុងប្រទេស។
ការស៊ើបអង្កេតក្នុងខោនធី Los Angeles គឺជាផ្នែកមួយនៃគំនិតផ្តួចផ្តើមអំពីការបោះឆ្នោតនៃច្បាប់ស្ដីអំពីជនពិការអាមេរិក ( ADA) របស់ក្រសួង ដែលផ្តោតលើការការពារសិទ្ធិបោះឆ្នោតរបស់បុគ្គលដែលមានពិការភាពនៅទូទាំងប្រទេស។ ព័ត៌មានបន្ថែមអំពីការបោះឆ្នោតអាចរកបាននៅលើគេហទំព័ររបស់ក្រសួងយុត្តិធម៌នៅ www.justice.gov/voting។ សម្រាប់ព័ត៌មានបន្ថែមអំពីផ្នែកសិទ្ធិស៊ីវិល សូមចូលមើលគេហទំព័រ www.justice.gov/crt។ សម្រាប់ព័ត៌មានបន្ថែមអំពីច្បាប់ ADA សូមទូរសព្ទទៅបណ្តាញព័ត៌មាន ADA របស់ក្រសួងដោយឥតគិតថ្លៃតាមរយៈលេខ 1-800-514-0301 (TTY 1-833-610-1264) ឬចូលមើលគេហទំព័រ www.ada.gov។ ប្រសិនបើអ្នកជឿថាអ្នកត្រូវបានគេរើសអើងដោយផ្អែកលើពិការភាព សូមដាក់របាយការណ៍តាមអនឡាញនៅគេហទំព័រ www.civilrights.justice.gov។Richard Park ដែលជាជំនួយការមេធាវីសហរដ្ឋអាមេរិកនិងប្រធានផ្នែកសិទ្ធិស៊ីវិល និង Katherine Hikida, Matthew Barragan, Margaret Chen និង Alexandra Young ដែលជាជំនួយការមេធាវីសហរដ្ឋអាមេរិក សម្រាប់មណ្ឌលកណ្តាលនៃរដ្ឋ California បានដោះស្រាយបញ្ហានេះដោយមានការសម្របសម្រួលជាមួយផ្នែកសិទ្ធិស៊ីវិលរបស់ក្រសួងយុត្តិធម៌។
ខែមុននេះគឺជាខែគម្រប់ខួបទី 34 នៃច្បាប់ ADA ដែលលោកប្រធានាធិបតី George H.W. Bush បានចុះហត្ថលេខាឱ្យចូលជាច្បាប់នាថ្ងៃទី 26 ខែកក្កដា ឆ្នាំ 1990។ ADA គឺជាច្បាប់ស្តីពីសិទ្ធិស៊ីវិលដ៏ទូលំទូលាយដំបូងគេរបស់ពិភពលោកសម្រាប់ជនពិការ។ នៅពេលយើងប្រារព្ធខួបលើកទី 34 នៃច្បាប់ ADA នេះ យើងក៏ឆ្លៀតពេលដើម្បីទទួលស្គាល់អត្ថប្រយោជន៍នៃ ADA ខណៈពេលដែលយើងក៏យល់ផងដែរថា នៅតែមានការងារត្រូវធ្វើដើម្បីសម្រេចបាននូវគោលដៅដ៏យូរអង្វែងនៃសមធម៌ ការរួមបញ្ចូល និងលទ្ធភាពប្រើប្រាស់សម្រាប់ជនពិការ។
San Juan Capistrano Man Agrees to Plead Guilty to Federal Charges for Running Illegal Sports-Betting Business and Cheating on TaxesRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – An Orange County man has agreed to plead guilty to federal criminal charges for running an illegal gambling business that took in unlawful sports bets, including from then-current and former professional athletes as well as a former Major League Baseball (MLB) Japanese-language interpreter currently facing prison time.
Mathew R. Bowyer, 49, of San Juan Capistrano, has agreed to plead guilty to a three-count information charging him with operating an unlawful gambling business, money laundering, and subscribing to a false tax return.
Bowyer is expected to plead guilty to the charges on August 9.
According to his plea agreement, Bowyer operated an unlicensed and illegal bookmaking business that focused on sports betting and violated a California law that prohibits bookmaking. Bowyer’s gambling business remained in operation for at least five years until October 2023 and at times had more than 700 bettors.
He operated this business out of various locations in Los Angeles and Orange counties as well as in Las Vegas. Bowyer also employed agents and sub-agents – including casino hosts – who worked for his illegal gambling business who were paid a portion of the losses that bettors incurred and paid. His unlawful business used several Costa Rica-based websites and a call center so agents and customers could place and track bets. At times, Bowyer operated his illegal business while gambling at a casino – identified in court documents as “Casino A” – and sometimes paid his agents commission in Casino A chips.
One of Bowyer’s clients was Ippei Mizuhara, who pleaded guilty on June 4 to one count of bank fraud and one count of subscribing to a false tax return. Mizuhara was the Japanese-language interpreter and de facto manager of MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani. Mizuhara admitted to stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani to pay off gambling debts and failing to pay tax on his gambling income. Law enforcement considers Ohtani a victim. Mizuhara’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 25.
From September 2021 to January 2024, Mizuhara placed at least 19,000 bets with Bowyer’s illegal gambling business through one of the betting websites Bowyer used for it. During this period, Mizuhara had total winning bets of at least $142,256,769, and total losing bets of at least $182,935,206, leaving Mizuhara owing approximately $40,678,436. On a regular basis during this period, Bowyer would increase Mizuhara’s betting limits.
From February 2022 to January 2024, Bowyer directed Mizuhara to make payments of at least $16.25 million to Bowyer-controlled bank accounts, all of which were proceeds of Bowyer’s illegal gambling business. Of these illegal proceeds, Bowyer transferred or directed the transfer of least $9.3 million to a casino in the form of wire transfers as payment for markers for Bowyer and his associates.
Other Bowyer gambling business customers included “Individual B,” a professional baseball player for a Southern California-based baseball club, and “Individual C,” a former minor-league baseball player.
Bowyer admitted in his plea agreement to knowingly and willfully falsely reporting his taxable income to the IRS on his tax return for the year 2022. On that year’s tax return, Bowyer reported $607,897 in total income. His unreported income for that year was $4,030,938, which was income from his illegal gambling business, including $3.8 million in wire transfers into one of his bank accounts, which he did not declare on his tax return. As a result of the false information Bowyer provided, he owes additional taxes of $1,613,280 for the tax year 2022, not including interest and penalties.
Upon pleading guilty, Bowyer will face a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison on the money laundering count, up to five years in federal prison for the unlawful gambling business count, and up to three years in federal prison for the false tax return count.
As part of his plea agreement, Bowyer will forfeit $257,923 in U.S. currency and $14,830 in casino chips seized by law enforcement in October 2023. He also has agreed to fully cooperate with federal prosecutors and investigators.
IRS Criminal Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations are investigating this matter.
Special Assistant United States Attorney Rachel N. Agress and Assistant United States Attorney Dominique Caamano of the Environmental Crimes and Consumer Protection Section are prosecuting this case.
Long Beach Man Pleads Guilty to Role in Daylight Smash-and-Grab Robbery of Beverly Hills Jewelry Store that Netted Nearly $2.7 MillionRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A Long Beach man pleaded guilty today to participating in the March 2022 daylight smash-and-grab robbery of a Beverly Hills jewelry store in which nearly $2.7 million worth of merchandise was stolen.
Jimmy Lee Vernon III, 32, pleaded guilty to one count of interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act). He has been in federal custody since September 2022.
According to his plea agreement, on March 23, 2022, Vernon committed a robbery of the Luxury Jewels of Beverly Hills store. Vernon used heavy tools to smash the store’s display case while employees were present, causing fear of injury to people inside the store.
Vernon then removed jewelry and other items from the store display cases valued at approximately $2,674,600. The merchandise consisted of approximately 19 bracelets, seven pairs of earrings, four necklaces, a pair of obelisks, eight rings, and 20 watches, court documents state.
After the robbery, Vernon and his accomplices ran out of the store, leaving behind their Kia vehicle – which had been reported stolen out of Long Beach four days before the robbery, according to other court documents. During the robbery, Vernon’s cellphone fell out of his sweatpants pocket while he smashed the jewelry’s store’s window, was left behind and later recovered by law enforcement, according to an affidavit previously filed in this case.
Two days after the robbery, one of Vernon’s accomplices posted on his Instagram account numerous photographs that included large stacks of money and a message praising his “robbery gang,” court documents state.
United States District Judge George H. Wu scheduled an October 10 sentencing hearing, at which time Vernon will face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
As for Vernon’s co-defendants, Deshon Bell, 22, of Long Beach, pleaded guilty in December 2023 to one count of Hobbs Act robbery and was sentenced on February 26 to one year and one day in federal prison. Ladell Tharpe, 39, of Long Beach, has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him and faces an October 8 trial date.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The FBI and the Beverly Hills Police Department investigated this matter.
Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin J. Butler of the Violent and Organized Crime Section and Kevin B. Reidy of the Major Frauds Section are prosecuting this case.
Kagawaran ng Hustisya Nakuha ang Makasaysayang Kasunduan sa County ng Los Angeles upang Madagdagan ang Aksesibilidad para sa Botanteng may mga KapansananRead the Press Release
Inanunsyo ngayong araw ng Kagawaran ng Hustisya na naabot nito ang makasaysayang kasunduan sa County ng Los Angeles upang maresolba ang isinampa nitong kaso na nagsasabing nilabag ng county ang Batas sa mga Amerikanong may mga Kapansanan (Americans with Disabilities Act, ADA) sa pamamagitan ng pagkakait sa mga botanteng may mga kapansanan ng pantay na oportunidad na makibahagi sa mga programa, serbisyo at aktibidad nito ng pagboto noong nabigo ito sa pagpili at paggamit ng mga pasilidad sa mga lugar ng botohan na maa-access ng mga taong may mga kapansanan.
"Ang mga taong may mga kapansanan ay nararapat na ganap na mapabilang sa kahon ng balota," wika ng Katulong na Pangkalahatang Abogado na si Kristen Clarke ng Dibisyon para sa mga Karapatang Sibil ng Kagawaran ng Hustisya. "Nakatuon ang Kagawaran ng Hustisya sa pagprotekta sa karapatan ng bawat karapat-dapat na botante, kabilang ang mga botanteng may mga kapansanan, upang makibahagi sa ating proseso ng halalan. Ang kasunduang ito ay dapat maghatid ng mensahe sa mga opisyal sa buong bansa hinggil sa pangangailangan na matiyak ang aksesibilidad ng proseso ng pagboto sa kasalukuyan."
"Ang karapatang bumoto ay mahalaga sa ating demokrasya at kailangang maprotektahan para lahat ng botante," wika ng Abogado ng U.S. na si Martin Estrada para sa Pangunahing Distrito ng California (Central District of California). "Ang mga botanteng may mga kapansanan ay nararapat sa pantay sa oportunidad na bumoto sa personal, nang pribado at nang malaya, kasama ang kanilang mga kapitbahay at kaibigan. Pinupuri namin ang County ng Los Angeles sa pangako nitong makipagtulungan sa Kagawaran ng Hustisya upang matiyak ang pantay na pag-access para sa mga indibidwal na may mga kapansanan."
Isinampa ang kaso noong Hunyo 2023 pagkatapos ng mahabang imbestigasyon na natagpuan na hindi isinama ng county ang mga indibidwal na may mga kapansanan sa pagsali sa sa-personal na programa ng pagboto sa county. Ang Tanggapan para sa Pangunahing Distrito ng California (Office for the Central District of California) ng Abogado ng U.S. ay nagsarbey ng daan-daang lugar ng botohan sa mga halalan noong Hunyo 2016, Marso 2020, Nobyembre 2020 at Nobyembre 2022 at natagpuan na ang karamihan ay may mga arkitektural na hadlang, tulad ng matatarik na rampa, biglaang mga pagbabago ng taas ng mga lalakaran at pintong papasukan, at kakulangan ng maa-access na paradahan. Ang mga hadlang na ito ay pumigil sa mga taong may mga kapansanan sa pagkilos at paningin na makapunta sa mga sentro ng botohan nang ligtas at bumoto sa personal. Sinasabi rin sa kaso na ang programa ng pagboto sa bangketa (curbside voting program) ng county ay hindi ma-access, dahil may ilang sentro ng botohan na kulang sa karatula na nagsasaad na mayroong pagboto sa bangketa o nabigo sa pagkakaloob ng sapat na pamamaraan kung saan kayang makipag-ugnayan ng botante sa isang manggagawa sa halalan para sa tulong sa pagboto sa bangketa.
Ang kasunduan, na inihain sa hukuman ngayong umaga, ay dadagdagan ang aksesibilidad para sa mga botanteng may mga kapansanan. Sa ilalim ng kasunduan, makikipagtulungan ang County ng Los Angeles sa independiyenteng eksperto sa aksesibilidad ng tatlong taon sa mga patakaran at pamamaraan ng pagpili ng lugar upang matiyak na pinipili ng county ang mga lokasyon ng sentro ng botohan na maa-access o maaaring gawing mas maa-access sa panahon ng pagboto sa pamamagitan ng paggamit ng mga pansamantalang hakbang sa pagremedyo. Sumang-ayon ang county na makipagtulungan sa mga eksperto at ipatupad ng kagawaran ang mga rekomendasyon ng eksperto. Magbibigay ang eksperto ng mga ulat ng dalawang beses sa isang taon sa kanilang mga natuklasan sa county at sa kagawaran.
Sa mahigit 500 pulitikal na distrito at tinatayang 4.3 milyong rehistradong botante, ang County ng Los Angeles ay ang pinakamalaking hurisdiksyon ng halalan sa bansa.
Ang imbestigasyon sa County ng Los Angeles ay bahagi ng Inisyatiba sa Pagboto ng ADA ng kagawaran, na nakatuon sa pagprotekta sa mga karapatan sa pagboto ng mga indibidwal na may mga kapansanan sa buong bansa. Ang higit pang impormasyon tungkol sa pagboto at mga halalan ay makukuha sa website ng Kagawaran ng Hustisya sa www.justice.gov/voting. Para sa higit pang impormasyon hinggil sa Dibisyon para sa mga Karapatang Sibil, mangyaring bumisita sa www.justice.gov/crt. Para sa higit pang impormasyon hinggil sa ADA, mangyaring tawagan ang walang bayad na Linya para sa Impormasyon ng ADA sa 1-800-514-0301 (TTY 1-833-610-1264) o bumisita sa www.ada.gov. Kung naniniwala kang ikaw ay nadiskrimina batay sa kapansanan, mangyaring magsumite ng ulat online sa www.civilrights.justice.gov. Ang Katulong na Abogado ng U.S. at Pinuno ng Seksyon para sa mga Karapatang Sibil na si Richard Park at ang mga Katulong na Abogado ng U.S. na sina Katherine Hikida, Matthew Barragan, Margaret Chen at Alexandra Young para sa Pangunahing Distrito ng California ay pinangasiwaan ang bagay na ito, kasama ang Seksyon para sa mga Karapatan ng may Kapansanan ng Dibisyon para sa mga Karapatang Sibil ng Kagawaran ng Hustisya.
Noong nakaraang buwan, idinaos ang ika-34 na anibersaryo ng ADA, na nilagdaan ni Pangulong George H.W. Bush upang maging batas noong Hulyo 26, 1990. Ang ADA ay ang kauna-unahan sa mundo na komprehensibong batas sa mga karapatang sibil para sa mga indibidwal na may mga kapansanan. Habang ipinagdiriwang namin ang ika-34 na anibersaryo ng ADA, naglalaan kami ng panahon upang kilalanin ang mga kapakinabangan ng ADA, habang nagpapasalamat din na mayroon pa ring dapat gawin upang maisakatuparan ang mga nagtatagal na layunin ng ekidad, ingkluson, at aksesibilidad para sa mga indibidwal na may mga kapansanan.
Justice Department Secures Landmark Agreement with Los Angeles County to Increase Accessibility for Voters with DisabilitiesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The Justice Department announced today that it has reached a landmark agreement with the County of Los Angeles to resolve its lawsuit alleging that the county violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by denying voters with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in its voting programs, services and activities when it failed to select and use facilities as polling places that are accessible to persons with disabilities.
“People with disabilities are entitled to full inclusion at the ballot box,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department is committed to safeguarding the right of every eligible voter, including voters with disabilities, to participate in our electoral process. This agreement should send a message to officials across the country regarding the need to ensure the accessibility of the voting process now.”
“The right to vote is essential to our democracy and must be protected for all voters,” said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada for the Central District of California. “Voters with disabilities are entitled to an equal opportunity to vote in person, privately and independently, alongside their neighbors and friends. We commend Los Angeles County for its commitment to work with the Justice Department to ensure equal access for individuals with disabilities.”
The lawsuit was filed in June 2023 following a lengthy investigation that found the county excluded individuals with disabilities from participating in the county’s in-person voting program. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California had surveyed hundreds of polling places in the June 2016, March 2020, November 2020 and November 2022 elections and found the vast majority had architectural barriers, such as steep ramps, abrupt level changes at walkways and entrance doors, and lack of accessible parking. These impediments prevented people with mobility and vision disabilities from being able to safely access vote centers and cast their ballots in person. The lawsuit also alleged that the county’s curbside voting program was inaccessible, as certain vote centers lacked signage indicating that curbside voting was available or failed to provide sufficient means by which a voter could contact an election worker for assistance with curbside voting.
The settlement, which was filed with the court earlier today, will increase accessibility for voters with disabilities. Under the agreement, Los Angeles County will work with an independent accessibility expert for three years on site selection policies and procedures to ensure that the county selects voting center locations that are accessible or can be made more accessible during the voting period by employing temporary remedial measures. The county has agreed to work with the expert and the department to implement the expert’s recommendations. The expert will provide semiannual reports on their findings to the county and the department.
With more than 500 political districts and approximately 4.3 million registered voters, Los Angeles County is the largest election jurisdiction in the nation.
The Los Angeles County investigation is part of the department’s ADA Voting Initiative, which focuses on protecting the voting rights of individuals with disabilities across the country. More information about voting and elections is available at www.justice.gov/voting. For more information on the Civil Rights Division please visit www.justice.gov/crt. For more information on the ADA, please call the department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 1-800-514-0301 (TTY 1-833-610-1264) or visit www.ada.gov. If you believe you have been discriminated against based on disability please submit a report at www.civilrights.justice.gov.
Assistant U.S. Attorney and Chief of the Civil Rights Section Richard Park and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katherine Hikida, Matthew Barragan, Margaret Chen and Alexandra Young for the Central District of California handled the matter, in coordination with the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division’s Disability Rights Section.
Last month marked the 34th anniversary of the ADA, which President George H.W. Bush signed into law on July 26, 1990. The ADA was the world’s first comprehensive civil rights law for persons with disabilities. As we celebrate the 34th anniversary of the ADA, we take time to recognize the benefits of the ADA while also appreciating that there is still work to be done to achieve the enduring goals of equity, inclusion and accessibility for persons with disabilities.
Justice Department Secures Agreement with Los Angeles County to Ensure Vote Center Accessibility for Voters with DisabilitiesRead the Press Release
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENTLOS ANGELES – The Justice Department today announced an agreement with the County of Los Angeles to resolve its lawsuit alleging that the county violated the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) by denying voters with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in its voting programs, services, and activities when it failed to select and use facilities as polling places that are accessible to persons with disabilities.
The lawsuit was filed in June 2023 following a lengthy investigation that found the county excluded individuals with disabilities from participating in the county’s in-person voting program. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California had surveyed hundreds of polling places in the June 2016, March 2020, November 2020 and November 2022 elections and found the vast majority had architectural barriers, such as steep ramps, abrupt level changes at walkways and entrance doors, and lack of accessible parking. These impediments prevented people with mobility and vision disabilities from being able to safely access vote centers and cast their ballots in person. The lawsuit also alleged that the county’s curbside voting program was inaccessible, as certain vote centers lacked signage indicating that curbside voting was available or failed to provide sufficient means by which a voter could contact an election worker for assistance with curbside voting.
“The right to vote is essential to our democracy and must be protected for all voters,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “Voters with disabilities are entitled to an equal opportunity to vote in person, privately and independently, alongside their neighbors and friends. We commend Los Angeles County for its commitment to work with the Justice Department to ensure equal access for individuals with disabilities.”
“People with disabilities are entitled to full inclusion at the ballot box,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department is committed to safeguarding the right of every eligible voter, including voters with disabilities, to participate in our electoral process. This agreement should send a message to officials across the country regarding the need to ensure the accessibility of the voting process now.”
The settlement, which was filed with the Court earlier today, will increase voter accessibility for voters with disabilities. Under the agreement, Los Angeles County will work with an independent accessibility expert on site selection policies and procedures to ensure that the county selects facilities, buildings, sites, or locations to serve as vote centers that are accessible or can be made more accessible during the voting period by employing temporary remedial measures. To achieve this commitment, the county has agreed to work with the expert and the United States to implement recommendations. The expert will provide biannual reports to the United States on the county’s progress in complying with the agreement. The expert will also consult with the county on its identification and use of temporary remedial measures for accessibility.
With more than 500 political districts and more than 5.6 million registered voters, Los Angeles County is the largest election jurisdiction in the nation.
This settlement is part of the Department’s ADA Voting Initiative, which focuses on protecting the voting rights of individuals with disabilities. A hallmark of the ADA Voting Initiative is its collaboration with jurisdictions to increase accessibility at polling places. Through this Initiative, the Department has surveyed more than 1,600 polling places and increased polling place accessibility in more than 35 jurisdictions, including Chicago; Hidalgo County, Texas; Cumberland County, Pennsylvania; and Coconino County, Arizona.
Those interested in finding out more about this settlement or the ADA may call the Justice Department’s toll-free ADA information line at (800) 514-0301 or (800) 514-0383 (TDD) or access its ADA website at www.ada.gov. ADA complaints may be filed online at http://www.ada.gov/complaint/
Assistant United States Attorneys Richard Park, Katherine Hikida, Matthew Barragan, Margaret Chen, and Alexandra Young for the Central District of California handled the matter, in coordination with the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division’s Disability Rights Section.
Last month marked the 34th anniversary of the ADA, which President George H.W. Bush signed into law on July 26, 1990. The ADA was the world’s first comprehensive civil rights law for persons with disabilities. As we celebrate the 34th anniversary of the ADA, we take time to recognize the benefits of the ADA while also appreciating that there is still work to be done to achieve the enduring goals of equity, inclusion, and accessibility for persons with disabilities.
Departamento de Justicia llega a un acuerdo histórico con el Condado de Los Ángeles para aumentar la accesibilidad para los votantes con discapacidadesRead the Press Release
El Departamento de Justicia anunció hoy que ha llegado a un acuerdo histórico con el Condado de Los Ángeles para resolver la demanda alegando que el condado violó la Ley para Estadounidenses con Discapacidades (ADA, por sus siglas en inglés) por negar a los votantes con discapacidades una oportunidad igualitaria de participar en sus programas, servicios y actividades de voto cuando fracasó en seleccionar y utilizar facilidades para centros de voto que son accesibles para las personas con discapacidades.
“Las personas con discapacidades tienen el derecho a plena inclusión en las urnas,” comentó la Fiscal General Auxiliar Kristen Clarke de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia. “El Departamento de Justicia se compromete a salvaguardar el derecho de todos los votantes elegibles de participar en nuestro proceso electoral, incluido lo de los votantes con discapacidades. Este acuerdo debe transmitir a todos los oficiales del país un mensaje sobre la necesidad de asegurar la accesibilidad del proceso de votar ahora.”
“El derecho de votar es esencial para nuestra democracia y tiene que ser protegido para todos los votantes,” comentó el Fiscal de los Estados Unidos Martin Estrada para el Distrito Central de California. “Los votantes con discapacidades tienen el derecho de votar en persona, con privacidad e independientemente, al lado de sus vecinos y amigos. Comendamos al Condado de Los Ángeles para su compromiso a trabajar con el Departamento de Justicia para asegurar el acceso igualitario para los individuos con discapacidades.”
Se entabló esta demanda en junio 2023 después de una investigación larga que encontró que el condado excluyó a los individuos con discapacidades de participar en los programas de votación en persona del condado. La Oficina del Fiscal de los Estados Unidos para el Distrito Central de California había evaluado cientos de centros de votación durante las elecciones de junio 2016, marzo 2020, noviembre 2020 y noviembre 2022 y encontró que la gran mayoría tenían barreras arquitecturales, tal como rampas escarpadas, cambios de nivel repentinos en pasarelas peatonales y puertas de entrada, y falta de estacionamiento accesible. Estos impedimentos previnieron que las personas con discapacidades de movilidad y visión accedieran de forma segura a los centros de voto y votar en persona. Esta demanda también alegó que el programa de votar desde acera del condado era inaccesible, debido a ciertos centros de voto que carecían de señalización indicando que la votación desde la acera estaba disponible o que no proveían maneras a través de las que el votante podía comunicarse con un trabajador electoral para asistencia con la votación desde la acera.
El acuerdo, que se entabló con el corte hoy anteriormente, aumentará la accesibilidad para los votantes con discapacidades. Según el acuerdo, el Condado de Los Ángeles trabajará con un experto de accesibilidad independiente por tres años en sus policías de selección de sitios y procedimientos para asegurar que el Condado seleccione sitios como centro de voto que son accesibles o que pueden ser hecho más accesibles durante el periodo de voto, a través de implementar medidas remediadoras temporales. El condado ha acordado trabajar con el experto y el departamento para implementar las recomendaciones del experto. El experto también proveerá informes semestrales sobre sus hallazgos al condado y al departamento.
Con más de quinientos distritos políticos y aproximadamente 4,3 millones de votantes registrados, el Condado de Los Ángeles es la jurisdicción de elección más grande del país.
La investigación del Condado de Los Ángeles es parte de la Iniciativa de Votación ADA, la cual se enfoca en proteger los derechos de voto de los individuos con discapacidades. Para conocer más sobre la ADA y cómo esta se aplica a la votación usted puede visitar el sitio web a www.ada.gov/topics/voting/. Para conocer más sobre la División de Derechos Civiles, por favor visite a www.justice.gov/crt. Para conocer más sobre la ADA, por favor llame a La Línea de Información de la ADA gratuita a 1-800-514-0301 (TTY 1-833-610-1264) o visite a www.ada.gov. Si usted cree que ha experimentado la discriminación por motivos de discapacidad, por favor realizar un informe en línea a www.civilrights.justice.gov. Fiscal Federal Auxiliar y Jefe de la Sección de Derechos Civiles Richard Park y los Fiscales Federales Auxiliares Katherine Hikida, Matthew Barragan, Margaret Chen y Alexandra Young del Distrito Central de California trataron el asunto, en coordinación con la Sección de Derechos de Discapacidad de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia.
El mes pasado se compló el 34º aniversario de la ADA, promulgado por Presidente George H.W. Bush el 26 de julio, 1990. La ADA fue la primera ley comprehensiva de derechos civiles para las personas con discapacidades. Mientras celebramos el 34º aniversario de la ADA, dedicamos tiempo para reconocer los beneficios de la ADA mientras tanto entendiendo que aún queda trabajo por hacer para lograr las metas perdurables de la equidad, la inclusión, y la accesibilidad para las personas con discapacidades.
Bộ Tư Pháp Đạt Được Thỏa Thuận Mang Tính Bước Ngoặt với Quận Los Angeles nhằm Tăng Khả Năng Tiếp Cận cho Cử Tri Khuyết TậtRead the Press Release
Hôm nay, Bộ Tư Pháp thông báo rằng họ đã đạt được thỏa thuận mang tính bước ngoặt với Quận Los Angeles để giải quyết vụ kiện cáo buộc rằng quận này đã vi phạm Đạo Luật Người Mỹ Khuyết Tật (Americans with Disabilities Act, ADA) khi từ chối trao cho cử tri khuyết tật cơ hội bình đẳng để tham gia vào các chương trình, dịch vụ và hoạt động bỏ phiếu bởi quận này không lựa chọn và sử dụng các cơ sở làm địa điểm bỏ phiếu dễ tiếp cận cho người khuyết tật.
“Người khuyết tật có quyền tham gia đầy đủ hoạt động bỏ phiếu”, Trợ Lý Tổng Chưởng Lý Kristen Clarke thuộc Ban Dân Quyền của Bộ Tư Pháp, cho biết. “Bộ Tư Pháp cam kết bảo vệ quyền của mọi cử tri đủ điều kiện, bao gồm cả cử tri khuyết tật, trong việc tham gia vào quy trình bầu cử của chúng tôi. Thỏa thuận này sẽ truyền tải thông điệp đến các quan chức trên khắp cả nước về tính cần thiết của việc đảm bảo khả năng tiếp cận cho quy trình bỏ phiếu vào thời điểm hiện tại”.
“Quyền bầu cử đóng vai trò thiết yếu đối với nền dân chủ của chúng ta và phải được bảo vệ cho tất cả các cử tri”, Chưởng Lý Hoa Kỳ Martin Estrada của Quận Trung Tâm California cho biết. “Cử tri khuyết tật có quyền được trao cơ hội công bằng để bầu cử trực tiếp, riêng tư và độc lập, cùng với hàng xóm và bạn bè của họ. Chúng tôi ngợi khen Quận Los Angeles vì đã cam kết hợp tác với Bộ Tư Pháp để đảm bảo quyền tiếp cận công bằng cho người khuyết tật”.
Vụ kiện được đệ trình vào tháng 6 năm 2023 sau một cuộc điều tra kéo dài, trong đó phát hiện quận đã loại trừ những người khuyết tật khỏi việc tham gia chương trình bỏ phiếu trực tiếp của quận. Văn Phòng Chưởng Lý Hoa Kỳ của Quận Trung Tâm California đã khảo sát hàng trăm địa điểm bỏ phiếu trong các cuộc bầu cử vào tháng 6 năm 2016, tháng 3 năm 2020, tháng 11 năm 2020 và tháng 11 năm 2022 và phát hiện ra rằng phần lớn các địa điểm này đều có rào cản về mặt kiến trúc, chẳng hạn như đường dốc, thay đổi đột ngột về độ cao ở lối đi và cửa ra vào, và thiếu bãi đậu xe dễ tiếp cận. Những trở ngại này đã ngăn cản những người khuyết tật về vận động và thị lực tiếp cận một cách an toàn với các trung tâm bầu cử và bỏ phiếu trực tiếp. Vụ kiện cũng cáo buộc rằng chương trình bỏ phiếu tại lề đường của quận là không dễ tiếp cận, vì một số trung tâm bỏ phiếu không có biển báo cho biết có thể bỏ phiếu tại lề đường hoặc không cung cấp đủ phương tiện để cử tri có thể liên hệ với nhân viên bầu cử để được hỗ trợ bỏ phiếu tại lề đường.
Thỏa thuận giải quyết, được đệ trình lên tòa án vào đầu ngày hôm nay, sẽ tăng cường khả năng tiếp cận cho cử tri khuyết tật. Theo thỏa thuận này, Quận Los Angeles sẽ làm việc với một chuyên gia về khả năng tiếp cận độc lập trong ba năm về các chính sách và quy trình lựa chọn địa điểm để đảm bảo rằng quận lựa chọn các địa điểm trung tâm bỏ phiếu dễ tiếp cận hoặc có thể được cải thiện để trở nên dễ tiếp cận hơn trong thời gian bỏ phiếu bằng cách áp dụng các biện pháp khắc phục tạm thời. Quận đã đồng ý làm việc với chuyên gia và bộ để thực hiện các khuyến nghị của chuyên gia. Chuyên gia sẽ cung cấp các báo cáo hai lần một năm về phát hiện của họ cho quận và bộ.
Với trên 500 khu vực chính trị và khoảng 4,3 triệu cử tri đã đăng ký, Quận Los Angeles là khu vực bầu cử lớn nhất cả nước.
Cuộc điều tra của Quận Los Angeles nằm trong khuôn khổ của Sáng Kiến Bỏ Phiếu theo ADA của bộ, trong đó tập trung vào việc bảo vệ quyền bỏ phiếu của người khuyết tật trên khắp cả nước. Quý vị có thể tham khảo thêm thông tin về bỏ phiếu và bầu cử trên trang web của Bộ Tư Pháp tại www.justice.gov/voting. Để biết thêm thông tin về Ban Dân Quyền, vui lòng truy cập www.justice.gov/crt. Để biết thêm thông tin về ADA, vui lòng gọi đến Đường Dây Thông Tin ADA miễn phí của bộ theo số 1-800-514-0301 (TTY 1-833-610-1264) hoặc truy cập www.ada.gov. Nếu quý vị cho rằng mình bị phân biệt đối xử dựa trên tình trạng khuyết tật, vui lòng gửi báo cáo trực tuyến tại www.civilrights.justice.gov. Trợ Lý Chưởng Lý Hoa Kỳ và Trưởng Bộ Phận Dân Quyền Richard Park cùng với Trợ Lý Chưởng Lý Hoa Kỳ Katherine Hikida, Matthew Barragan, Margaret Chen và Alexandra Young của Quận Trung Tâm California đã xử lý vấn đề này, phối hợp với Bộ Phận Quyền cho Người Khuyết Tật thuộc Ban Dân Quyền của Bộ Tư Pháp.
Tháng trước đánh dấu kỷ niệm 34 năm ngày ban hành ADA, được Tổng Thống George H.W. Bush ký thành luật vào ngày 26 tháng 7 năm 1990. ADA là luật toàn diện đầu tiên trên thế giới về dân quyền dành cho người khuyết tật. Khi kỷ niệm 34 năm ngày ban hành ADA, chúng ta dành thời gian để công nhận những lợi ích của ADA, đồng thời cũng ghi nhận rằng vẫn còn nhiều việc phải làm để đạt được các mục tiêu lâu dài về công bằng, hòa nhập và khả năng tiếp cận cho người khuyết tật.
South L.A. Man Arrested on Federal Grand Jury Indictment Alleging Series of Armed Carjackings in L.A. County Last YearRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A South Los Angeles man was arrested today on a nine-count indictment alleging he and three other men carried out a series of armed carjackings in Los Angeles County during a three-week crime spree late last year that resulted in the theft of five vehicles and two large-screen televisions.
Sergio Macias, 22, a.k.a. “Checho,” of South Los Angeles, surrendered to federal law enforcement this morning. His arraignment is scheduled for this afternoon in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles.
Macias is the fourth defendant arrested in this case. Also charged and previously arrested are:
- Michael Anthony Fisher, 23, a.k.a. “Ghost,” of Bell;
- Andres Silva Cerrillos, 19, a.k.a. “Ruler,” of Buena Park; and
- Jesse Gutierrez, 19, a.k.a. “Lotto,” of Los Angeles.
All four defendants are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit carjacking and are charged with various counts of carjacking, attempted carjacking, interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act), and firearms offenses.
“Violent gun crime tears at the fabric of our community and leaves victims with lasting trauma,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “These arrests and this indictment highlight my office’s determination to use our powerful federal laws to punish those who callously risk the lives of others.”
According to the indictment that a grand jury returned earlier this month, from November 15 to December 9, 2023, the defendant went on a crime spree, mostly carjacking – or attempting to carjack – car owners at gunpoint in Downey, Pico Rivera, Norwalk, and Whittier.
On November 15, 2023, Cerrillos and Gutierrez allegedly stole two large-screen televisions from a Walmart store in South Gate. They also allegedly threatened a store employee with violence as they were fleeing.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant committed a crime. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
If convicted, the defendants would face a mandatory minimum of seven years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of 25 years in federal prison.
Operation Safe Cities establishes strategic enforcement priorities with an emphasis on prosecuting the most significant drivers of violent crime. Across this region, the most damaging and horrific crimes are committed by a relatively small number of particularly violent individuals. This strategic enforcement approach is expected to increase the number of arrests, prosecutions and convictions of recidivists engaged in the most dangerous conduct. It is designed to improve public safety across the region by targeting crimes involving illicit guns, prohibited persons possessing firearms, or robbery crews that cause havoc and extensive losses to retail establishments.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Downey Police Department are investigating this matter.
Assistant United States Attorney Colin S. Scott of the Terrorism and Export Crimes Section is prosecuting this case.
San Bernardino County Man Arrested on Complaint Alleging He Robbed Sheriff’s Deputy of Firearm Then Fired Stolen Gun at VictimRead the Press Release
RIVERSIDE, California – A Victorville man has been arrested on a federal criminal complaint alleging he stole a service weapon belonging to a San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputy responding to a call and then fired that weapon while attacking her, the Justice Department announced today.
Ari Aki Young, 26, is charged with three felonies: one count of interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act), one count of using and discharging a firearm in relation to a crime of violence, and one count of possession of a stolen firearm and stolen ammunition.
Young is expected to make his initial appearance this afternoon in United States District Court in Riverside.
“In responding to a domestic disturbance call and trying to protect defendant’s mother, the victim was met by a defendant who allegedly beat her, robbed her of her service weapon, and shot at her as she ran for her life,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “Defendant’s violent assault on a peace officer is completely unacceptable. Our law enforcement officers put their lives on the line for us every day and deserve to be protected from violent attacks such as this one.”
“This vicious attack on a law enforcement deputy while she was attempting to help a victim was inhumane,” said Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Los Angeles Field Division Christopher Bombardiere. “These violent individuals will be held accountable for their merciless attacks. ATF is committed to building cases against the ruthless individuals who have no regard for other’s lives.”
According to an affidavit attached to the complaint, which was filed on July 28, this incident occurred in Victorville on September 4, 2019. That morning, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department (SBSD) received a 911 emergency call from Young’s mother pleading with police to remove Young from her home. The victim, a female sheriff’s deputy who weighed 135 pounds, responded to the call – alone.
The victim then attempted to pat Young down for weapons. Young resisted and threatened to headbutt her. Young then forcefully knocked away the deputy’s baton and began to pummel her in the head and face with his fists. A neighbor captured part of the incident on video. While being punched in the face and head, the victim unholstered her weapon and warned that she would shoot. Instead of stopping, Young knocked the victim to the ground and straddled the top of her and grappled with her, trying to take her gun from her.
During the struggle, two rounds discharged from the gun. Young allegedly then ripped the gun from her grip. After he had the gun, Young stood upright, racked the gun, and pointed it at the deputy as she staggered to her feet, pleaded for her life, and tried to sprint away from him, the affidavit alleges. Young then fired a round towards her. In so doing, Young knowingly and willfully robbed the victim of a service weapon and ammunition belonging to SBSD. Young allegedly took the weapon and ammunition, which traveled in interstate commerce, from the victim – an on-duty sheriff’s deputy – by means of actual and threatened force, violence, and fear of immediate and future injury to the victim.
After shooting towards the deputy, Young allegedly kept that gun in his hand, racked it again, and walked towards the additional deputies who had just arrived on scene. Young did not drop the gun. Instead, he fired another round into the air, prompting the deputies to fire at him, wounding him. Young was given immediate medical attention.
The victim suffered severe bruising and was medically retired after the incident.
A complaint contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
If convicted of all charges, Young would face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison on the Hobbs Act charge and 10 additional years on each of the remaining two offenses.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is investigating this matter.
Assistant United States Attorney Lisa J. Lindhorst of the General Crimes Section is prosecuting this case.
President of North Carolina-Based Entertainment Company Agrees to Plead Guilty to Embezzling from Television ProductionRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A New York man who is the president of an entertainment production company based in North Carolina has agreed to plead guilty to a federal criminal charge for embezzling more than $200,000 from a television production.
David Ozer, 58, of Roslyn Heights, New York, was charged via information with one count of wire fraud. In a plea agreement also filed today, Ozer agreed to plead guilty to the felony offense, which carries a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.
Ozer is expected to make his initial appearance in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles in the coming weeks.
As alleged in the information, Ozer is a producer and the president of Strong Studios Inc., a production company based in Charlotte, North Carolina. He also is the producer of “Safehaven,” a supernatural thriller television series. According to his plea agreement, Ozer defrauded Ravenwood-Productions LLC, the principal financial backer of “Safehaven” by misappropriating approximately $214,486 in production funds from bank accounts for the production.
To create the false appearance that the funds he embezzled were spent on legitimate production costs, Ozer created fraudulent accounting records, including falsified invoices, and forged a letter purportedly from his accountant. In reality, Ozer’s accountant did not write the letter, the contents of the letter were false, and Ozer used his accountant’s name without his accountant’s authorization.
Ozer provided these falsified documents to a lawyer for Strong Studios and caused him to transmit them in an email on January 3, 2024, to an attorney for Ravenwood-Productions.
The FBI is investigating this case.
Assistant United States Attorneys Alexander B. Schwab of the Corporate and Securities Fraud Strike Force and Matt Coe-Odess of the General Crimes Section are prosecuting this case.
Two Long Beach Men Arrested on Indictment Alleging They Sold Fentanyl and Methamphetamine Out of Car Upholstery ShopRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – Two Long Beach men were arrested today on an 11-count federal grand jury indictment charging them with selling fentanyl and methamphetamine out of a purported auto upholstery shop in Gardena.
Hector Valle, 48, and Efren Sanchez, 52, were arrested this morning and are scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles.
Valle and Sanchez are both charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine, and with being felons in possession of firearms. Valle is also charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
“Those who traffic in fentanyl are well aware that they are profiting by putting others’ lives at risk,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “It is important that those bad actors be held accountable. I commend our law enforcement partners with the FBI and Ventura County Sheriff’s Office for their diligence in taking these dangerous drugs and firearms off our streets.”
According to the indictment that a grand jury returned on July 17, Valle and Sanchez on June 9, 2023, sold approximately 433 grams of methamphetamine and 49.95 grams of fentanyl.
During search warrants executed at three locations, law enforcement seized more than 14.3 kilograms (31 pounds) of fentanyl, approximately 424 grams of methamphetamine, approximately 675 grams of cocaine, six firearms, 117 rounds of ammunition, and approximately $21,700 cash. Law enforcement also seized several packages of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine stowed away in a vending machine at a purported auto upholstery shop called “Stitchn’ Time,” Valle’s purported place of business.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
If convicted of all charges, each defendant would face a statutory maximum sentence of life in federal prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of at least 10 years in federal prison.
Operation Safe Cities establishes strategic enforcement priorities with an emphasis on prosecuting the most significant drivers of violent crime. Across this region, the most damaging and horrific crimes are committed by a relatively small number of particularly violent individuals. This strategic enforcement approach is expected to increase the number of arrests, prosecutions and convictions of recidivists engaged in the most dangerous conduct. It is designed to improve public safety across the region by targeting crimes involving illicit guns, prohibited persons possessing firearms, or robbery crews that cause havoc and extensive losses to retail establishments.
The FBI is investigating this matter. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office provided assistance.
Assistant United States Attorney Matt Coe-Odess of the General Crimes Section is prosecuting this case.
Riverside County Man Pleads Guilty to Producing Sexually Explicit Images of Children, One of Whom He Met on Online Gaming PlatformRead the Press Release
SANTA ANA, California – A Riverside County man pleaded guilty today to a federal criminal charge for catfishing a preteen girl he met on an online gaming platform and persuading her to send him sexually explicit photos of herself and, later, of her 5-year-old relative.
John Mathew Piecuch, 64, of Hemet, pleaded guilty to one count of production of child pornography. He has been in federal custody since August 2021.
“This defendant has admitted his despicable acts and now will face a significant prison sentence,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “I urge parents everywhere to be vigilant when it comes to their children’s online usage. Predators lurk in the shadows and use the internet’s cloak of anonymity to inflict life-long trauma.”
According to his plea agreement, Piecuch met on Roblox, an online gaming platform, an individual identified in court documents as “Minor Victim 1,” a 12-year-old girl. Piecuch told the victim he was a 13-year-old boy.
In January 2021, Piecuch and Minor Victim 1 texted each other, during which time he persuaded her to send him sexually explicit images of herself. Piecuch also persuaded Minor Victim 1 to take and send him sexually explicit photographs of Minor Victim 2, a 5-year-old girl.
Minor Victim 1’s mother saw some of the text messages between her daughter and Piecuch on one of the girl’s mobile devices, which prompted her to contact law enforcement, according to court documents.
United States District Judge John W. Holcomb scheduled an October 25 sentencing hearing, at which time Piecuch will face a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison.
The FBI investigated this matter in conjunction with the Carroll County (Maryland) Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant United States Attorney Sonah Lee of the Riverside Branch Office is prosecuting this case.
Analyst Indicted for Alleged Scheme to Manipulate Stock Market via Media Campaigns Then Trading Contrary to His Public PositionsRead the Press Release
INDICTMENTLOS ANGELES – A stock analyst and frequent guest on business television news channels has been charged in a 19-count indictment alleging he used his public platform to illicitly profit by manipulating stock market activity and trading contrary to the position he presented to the public, the Justice Department announced today.
Andrew Left, 54, formerly of Beverly Hills but who now resides in Boca Raton, Florida, is charged with one count of engaging in a securities fraud scheme, 17 counts of securities fraud, and one count of making false statements to federal investigators.
Left is expected to be arraigned in the coming weeks in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles.
“This defendant allegedly used his platform as a securities commentator to manipulate the markets and enrich himself in the process,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “The integrity of our securities markets is essential to the health of our financial system, and those who undermine that integrity imperil the savings of hard-working people. My office’s Corporate and Securities Fraud Strike Force will continue to protect the public by rooting out malfeasance by corporate insiders who believe they are above the law.”
“Mr. Left’s presence on financial television networks and his significant online following provided him with a credible platform to allegedly disguise his intentions and manipulate the investing public for personal gain,” said Akil Davis, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “The FBI and our partners at the SEC and the U.S. Attorney’s Office are committed to holding accountable individuals who manipulate stocks for personal benefit at the expense of others.”
“Mr. Left allegedly used his influence and platform to manipulate the market for his own gain, while lying to investors and the public to maintain his clout in front of his viewing audience and unsuspecting followers,” said Inspector in Charge Eric Shen, Criminal Investigations Group, United States Postal Inspection Service. “Postal Inspectors believe the market should be fair and equal for all investors, based on truth, and not fiction; when it is not, we will spare no resource to bring those to justice who violate the public trust placed in advisors in the financial field.”
According to the indictment returned on Thursday, Left is a securities analyst, trader, and frequent guest commentator on business cable news channels such as CNBC, Fox Business, and Bloomberg Television. He also conducted business under the name “Citron Research,” an online moniker he created as a vehicle for publishing investment recommendations. Citron’s online presence included a website and a social media account on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Using Citron’s online platform, Left commented on publicly traded companies and asserted that the market incorrectly valued the companies’ stock, advocating that the current price was too high or too low. Left’s recommendations often included an explicit or implicit representation about Citron’s trading position and a “target price,” which he represented as his own view of the security’s true future value. As alleged in the indictment, Left used his social media following and public platform to earn at least $16 million in quick profits by fraudulently manipulating the stock market from at least March 2018 to October 2023.
Knowing that Citron’s reputation with investors had the power to move markets, Left allegedly selected a publicly traded company about which he intended to publish commentary with the intention of manipulating its share price. Left prepared commentary about the company for dissemination through Citron. Sometimes, the commentary represented Left’s own work. Other times, Left disseminated as his own the commentary of third parties. The commentary routinely included sensationalized headlines and inflammatory language to maximize the immediate impact their publication would have on the stock market.
In the leadup to publication of Citron’s commentary, Left allegedly established long or short positions in a company in his trading accounts, so he profited by taking advantage of the intended short-term movement in the company’s share price caused by his commentary. To exploit his advance knowledge of the timing and subject of the forthcoming commentary on the company, Left allegedly often built his positions using inexpensive, short-dated options contracts that expired the same day that he published his commentary.
According to the indictment, he also submitted limit orders to close his positions as soon as the company’s shares reached a certain price – often at prices vastly different from the target prices Citron’s commentary touted. Though Left represented to the public that his recommendations were to be trusted, behind the scenes, Left allegedly took contrary trading positions to reap quick profits off the stocks he either promoted or pilloried through Citron.
To maintain the illusion of Citron’s independence and the credibility of its commentary, Left allegedly concealed Citron’s financial relationships with hedge funds. According to the indictment, for example, Left lied to law enforcement that Citron “never” exchanged compensation with a hedge fund or coordinated trading with a hedge fund in advance of the issuance of its commentary.
For example, in November 2018, Left allegedly wrote a portfolio manager about Nvidia Corp., a publicly traded technology company based in Santa Clara, California. In the message, Left wrote, “Do you want to make some fast money[.] Put together a thesis why nvda is oversold . . . We can destroy it . . . Just read the analyst notes from this past quarter and assemble the best of the ideas.”
Later that morning, Left took financial positions in Nvidia, including short-dated call options that expired three days later. Short-dated options can offer quick profits if a stock suddenly moves in the narrow timeframe before expiration.
Left then promoted Nvidia as a favorable investment on Citron’s Twitter account, stating, “Citron buys $NVDA. This is the first time in 2 years stock offers an appealing risk-reward to investors . . . We see $165 before we see $120.” At the time, Nvidia’s stock was trading at approximately $143.64. The tweet was reported on by major media outlets.
Despite his representation that he expected Nvidia’s share price to rise to $165, less than two hours after announcing “Citron buys $NVDA,” Left sold all his pre-tweet positions Nvidia was trading within a range of approximately $150 – $151, for a profit of at least than $960,000. Nvidia closed at a high of $154 on the day of Left’s tweet and fell to $144 the next day.
According to the indictment, Left also furthered his scheme by misrepresented his trading positions during public appearances on news programs. After denouncing one company as a “fraud” on CNBC’s “Fast Money,” for example, Left allegedly falsely claimed to have covered only a “small size” of his position in the company’s stock when, earlier that same day, he had already closed out the majority of his position following the publication of commentary through Citron.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
If convicted, Left would face a statutory maximum sentence of 25 years in federal prison for the securities fraud scheme count, up to 20 years in federal prison for each count of securities fraud, and up to five years in federal prison for the false statements count.
The FBI and the United States Postal Inspection Service are investigating this matter.
Assistant United States Attorneys Alexander B. Schwab and Brett A. Sagel of the Corporate and Securities Fraud Strike Force, and Trial Attorneys Lauren Archer and Matthew Reilly of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting this case.
The Justice Department's Criminal Division's Fraud Section uses the Victim Notification System (VNS) to provide victims with case information and updates related to this case. Victims with questions may contact the Fraud Section’s Victim Assistance Unit by calling the Victim Assistance phone line at 1-888-549-3945 or by emailing [email protected]. To learn more about victims’ rights, please visit www.justice.gov/criminal-vns/victim-rights-derechos-de-las-v-ctimas.
Activist Short Seller Charged for $16M Stock Market Manipulation SchemeRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury in the Central District of California returned an indictment yesterday charging a prominent activist short seller with multiple counts of securities fraud for a long-running market manipulation scheme reaping profits of at least $16 million.
According to the indictment, Andrew Left, 54, formerly of Beverly Hills, California, and now a resident of Boca Raton, Florida, was a securities analyst, trader, and frequent guest commentator on cable news channels such as CNBC, Fox Business, and Bloomberg Television. Left conducted business under the name “Citron Research” (Citron), an online moniker he created as a vehicle for publishing investment recommendations. Citron’s online presence included a website and a social media account on X, formerly known as Twitter.
As alleged in the indictment, Left commented on publicly traded companies, asserting that the market incorrectly valued a company’s stock and advocating that the current price was too high or too low. Left’s recommendations often included an explicit or implicit representation about Citron’s trading position—which created the false pretense that Left’s economic incentives aligned with his public recommendation—and a “target price,” which Left represented as his valuation of the company’s stock. Sometimes, the commentary represented Left’s own work. Other times, Left disseminated the commentary of third parties as his own. The commentary routinely included sensationalized headlines and exaggerated language to maximize the reaction it would get from the stock market. As alleged, Left knowingly exploited his ability to move stock prices by targeting stocks popular with retail investors and posting recommendations on social media to manipulate the market and make fast, easy money.
As further alleged in the indictment, in the leadup to publication of Citron’s commentary, Left established long or short positions in the public company on which he was commenting in his trading accounts and prepared to quickly close those positions post-publication and take profits on the short-term price movement caused by his commentary. Left allegedly used his advance knowledge and control over the timing of a market-moving event to build his positions using inexpensive, short-dated options contracts that expired from the same day that he published his commentary to within five days. Left also allegedly submitted limit orders, often prior to publication of his commentary, to close his positions as soon as the company’s shares reached a certain price and at prices vastly different from the target prices that Left recommended to the public. While Left made false representations to the public to bolster his credibility, behind the scenes, Left allegedly took contrary trading positions to reap quick profits off the stocks he either promoted or pilloried through Citron.
To further the scheme, Left allegedly advanced the false pretense that his investment recommendations were credible because he was independent and free from any financial conflicts of interest. However, Left allegedly concealed Citron’s financial relationships with a hedge fund by fabricating invoices, wiring payments through a third party, and making false and misleading statements to the public about Citron’s relationship with hedge funds. In addition, Left allegedly lied to law enforcement, stating that Citron “never” exchanged compensation with a hedge fund or coordinated trading with a hedge fund in advance of the issuance of its commentary.
Through his publishing of research reports, Left gained influence and a public platform on social media and through regular appearances on podcasts and cable news programs. Left allegedly furthered his scheme by misrepresenting his trading positions during media appearances. For example, after denouncing one company as a “fraud” on CNBC’s “Fast Money,” Left allegedly falsely claimed to have covered only a “small size” of his position in the company’s stock when, earlier that same day, he allegedly closed out more than sixty percent of his position.
Left is charged with one count of engaging in a securities fraud scheme, 17 counts of securities fraud, and one count of making false statements to federal investigators. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison on the securities fraud scheme count, 20 years in prison on each securities fraud count, and five years in prison on the false statements count.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada for the Central District of California; Executive Assistant Director Michael A. Nordwall of the FBI’s Criminal, Cyber, Response, and Services Branch; Assistant Director in Charge Akil Davis of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office; and Inspector in Charge Eric Shen of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Criminal Investigations Group made the announcement.
The FBI Los Angeles Field Office and USPIS are investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys Lauren Archer and Matthew Reilly of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brett Sagel and Alexander Schwab for the Central District of California are prosecuting the case.
The Fraud Section uses the Victim Notification System (VNS) to provide victims with case information and updates related to this case. Victims with questions may contact the Fraud Section’s Victim Assistance Unit by calling the Victim Assistance phone line at 1-888-549-3945 or by emailing [email protected]. To learn more about victims’ rights, please visit www.justice.gov/criminal-vns/victim-rights-derechos-de-las-v-ctimas.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Former Orange County Education Official Sentenced to Nearly Six Years in Federal Prison for Embezzling More Than $16.6 Million from School DistrictRead the Press Release
SANTA ANA, California – The former senior director of fiscal services at an Orange County public school district was sentenced today to 70 months in federal prison for embezzling nearly $16.7 million from the district over several years.
Jorge Armando Contreras, 53, of Yorba Linda, was sentenced by United States District Judge Fred W. Slaughter, who also ordered him to pay $16,694,942 in restitution.
Contreras pleaded guilty on March 28 to one count of embezzlement, theft, and intentional misapplication of funds from an organization receiving federal funds.
“Instead of using his job at a public school district to help socio-economically disadvantaged children, Contreras embezzled millions upon millions of dollars, which he flagrantly spent on a luxury home, car, and designer clothes and accessories,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “Today’s sentence highlights my office’s determination to prosecute and punish those who betray the public trust – especially when their behavior affects some of our community’s most vulnerable members.”
Contreras was the senior director of fiscal services at Magnolia School District, which serves students in Anaheim and Stanton. In this role, Contreras, whom the school district hired in 2006, managed the district’s fiscal operations. The schools in this district educate children from preschool through sixth grade – 81% of whom are classified as socio-economically disadvantaged.
He managed and had access to various school district bank accounts as well as the student body bank account. He caused checks from these accounts to be deposited into his personal bank account.
Contreras wrote checks in small dollar amounts written to “M S D,” with the letters spaced out, and, after receiving the proper signatures from others, would include fictitious names and increase the amounts of the checks and deposit the checks into his personal bank account via ATMs. To conceal his fraud, Contreras provided bank reconciliation packets to others at the school district with falsified bank statements and records.
In total, Contreras embezzled approximately $16,694,942 from the school district.
The school district placed Contreras on administrative leave in August 2023 and filed a lawsuit against him in Orange County Superior Court.
Law enforcement so far has seized approximately $7.7 million in personal and real property traced to the scheme, including a home in Yorba Linda, a 2021 BMW automobile, 57 luxury designer bags (mostly Louis Vuitton), various pieces of jewelry, designer clothes and shoes, and eight bottles of Clase Azul Ultra luxury tequila.
The FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, and the United States Department of Education Office of Inspector General investigated this case.
Assistant United States Attorneys Billy Joe McLain of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section, Brett A. Sagel of the Corporate and Securities Fraud Strike Force, and James E. Dochterman of the Asset Forfeiture and Recovery Section prosecuted this case.
Santa Paula Doctor Pleads Guilty to Health Care Fraud for Role in Hospice Scam that Bilked Medicare Out of $3.2 MillionRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A Ventura County physician who worked for two Pasadena hospices pleaded guilty today to defrauding Medicare out of more than $3 million by billing the public health insurance program for medically unnecessary hospice services.
Dr. Victor Contreras, 68, of Santa Paula, pleaded guilty to one count of health care fraud.
According to his plea agreement, from July 2016 to February 2019, Contreras and co-defendant Juanita Antenor, 61, formerly of Pasadena, schemed to defraud Medicare by submitting nearly $4 million in false and fraudulent claims for hospice services submitted by two hospice companies: Arcadia Hospice Provider Inc., and Saint Mariam Hospice Inc. Antenor controlled both companies.
Medicare only covers hospice services for patients who are terminally ill, meaning that they have a life expectancy of six months or less if their illness ran its normal course.
Contreras falsely stated on claims forms that patients had terminal illnesses to make them eligible for hospice services covered by Medicare, typically adopting diagnoses provided to him by hospice employees whether or not they were true. Contreras did so even though he was not the patients’ primary care physician and had not spoken to those primary care physicians about the patients’ conditions. Medicare paid on the claims supported by Contreras’ false evaluations and certifications and recertifications of patients.
In total, approximately $3,917,946 in fraudulently claims were submitted to Medicare, of which a total of approximately $3,289,889 was paid.
According to Medical Board of California records, Contreras is a licensed physician in California, but has been on probation with the Board since 2015 and is subject to limitations on his practice.
United States District Judge André Birotte Jr. scheduled an October 25 sentencing hearing, at which time Contreras will face a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.
Antenor remains at large. Co-defendant Callie Black, 65, of Lancaster, who allegedly recruited patients for the hospice companies in exchange for illegal kickbacks, has pleaded not guilty and is currently scheduled to go on trial on October 15.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
The United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, the FBI, and the California Department of Justice investigated this matter.
Assistant United States Attorneys Kristen A. Williams of the Major Frauds Section and Aylin Kuzucan of the General Crimes Section are prosecuting this case.
Justice Department to Recover Nearly $85M in Additional Funds Linked to 1MDB SchemeRead the Press Release
The Justice Department has reached an agreement with “Jasmine” Loo Ai Swan (Loo), the former general counsel of 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), Malaysia’s sovereign investment development fund, to recover artwork by Pablo Picasso and a financial account in Switzerland traced to funds allegedly embezzled from 1MDB. Additionally, the Justice Department has obtained forfeiture orders on other assets allegedly purchased with 1MDB funds by Low Taek Jho, also known as Jho Low (Low), including diamond jewelry and artwork by Vincent Van Gogh, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Diane Arbus.
The department previously brought numerous civil forfeiture cases against assets that it alleges were acquired by Low and his co-conspirators using funds allegedly embezzled from 1MDB. According to the civil forfeiture complaints, from 2009 through 2015, more than $4.5 billion in funds belonging to 1MDB were allegedly misappropriated by high-level officials of 1MDB and their associates, including Low and Loo, through a criminal conspiracy involving international money laundering and bribery. 1MDB was created by the government of Malaysia to promote economic development in Malaysia through global partnerships and foreign direct investment. Its funds were intended to be used to improve the well-being of the Malaysian people.
The agreement with Loo resolves the civil forfeiture action against the Picasso artwork and financial account in Switzerland under her control, which are collectively valued at approximately $1.8 million. The agreement with Loo announced today does not release any criminal claims against her.
The forfeiture of the other artwork and jewelry allegedly purchased by Low, which is based on a recent settlement agreement entered into in connection with the real estate and artwork forfeitures in two other cases, resolves three additional civil forfeiture cases filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The collective value of these assets, together with the Loo assets, is estimated to be nearly $85 million.
Prior to this settlement, in total, the United States has returned or assisted in the return to Malaysia of over $1.4 billion in assets associated with the international money laundering, embezzlement, and bribery scheme.
Low separately faces criminal charges in the Eastern District of New York for allegedly conspiring to launder billions of dollars embezzled from 1MDB and for conspiring to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act by allegedly paying bribes to various Malaysian and Emirati officials, and in the District of Columbia for allegedly conspiring to make and conceal foreign and conduit campaign contributions during the United States presidential election in 2012. The agreement with Loo announced today does not release any entity or individual from filed or potential criminal charges.
The FBI’s International Corruption Squads in New York City and Los Angeles and IRS Criminal Investigation Los Angeles Field Office are investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys Barbara Levy, Sean Fern, Jonathan Baum, and Joshua Sohn of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (MLARS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Galatzan for the Central District of California are prosecuting the case, with significant assistance from the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and MLARS’ Program Management Staff.
The Justice Department also appreciates the significant assistance provided over the course of this investigation and in particular related to the recovery of these assets by the Attorney General’s Chambers of Malaysia, the Royal Malaysia Police, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, the Attorney-General’s Chambers of Singapore, the Singapore Police Force-Commercial Affairs Department, the Office of the Attorney General and the Federal Office of Justice of Switzerland, and the Attorney General’s Chambers of the Territory of the British Virgin Islands.
The Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative is led by a team of dedicated prosecutors in MLARS, in partnership with federal law enforcement agencies, and often with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, to forfeit the proceeds of foreign official corruption. Individuals with information about possible proceeds of foreign corruption located in or laundered through the United States should contact federal law enforcement or send an email to [email protected] or https://tips.fbi.gov/.
Four L.A. County Men Arrested on Charges Alleging They Committed Armed Robberies and Posted Instagram Photos with Stolen CashRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – Four defendants from Los Angeles County were arrested today on a nine-count indictment charging them with committing armed robberies of several businesses – mostly 7-Eleven stores in South Los Angeles – during a nearly two-month crime spree late last year in which they allegedly posted photographs on Instagram of themselves holding stolen cash.
The indictment, returned July 10 and unsealed today, charges the following defendants with one count of conspiracy to interference with commerce by robbery and one count of interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act):
- Charles Christopher, 24, of Compton;
- D’Angelo Spencer, 26, of South Los Angeles;
- Jordan Leonard, 25, of Torrance; and
- Tazjar Rouse, 22, of Hollywood.
The defendants also have been charged with various counts of Hobbs Act robbery and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Christopher and Leonard were arraigned today in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles and were ordered jailed without bond. They pleaded not guilty to the charges against them and a September 17 trial was scheduled. Rouse made his initial appearance today in federal court in Kansas City, Missouri. Spencer is expected to be arraigned in federal court in Los Angeles tomorrow.
“Violent gun crime leaves lasting emotional and psychological scars for victims,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “Anyone thinking that violent robberies are a good way to make money should take note that there will be consequences for your actions.”
According to the indictment, from November 4, 2023, to December 24, 2023, the defendants committed a series of armed robberies, mostly of 7-Eleven stores in South Los Angeles. One victimized store was a CVS in Hollywood. The defendants traveled to the targeted stores in a BMW, jumped over the counters, took money from the stores’ cash registers, and placed the money into a black Nike bag. One of the defendants – usually either Christopher or Leonard – allegedly pointed a firearm at a store employee or customer and demand either their cellphone or their wallet.
On November 28, 2023, following the robbery of a 7-Eleven store in South Los Angeles earlier that day, Leonard posted a photograph on Instagram with stacks of cash, captioned his post “love my bros we go hit every time,” and tagged the Instagram accounts of Christopher and Spencer, the indictment alleges.
In total, the defendants allegedly netted approximately $7,617 in cash during the crime spree.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
If convicted, the defendants would face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for each Hobbs Act-related count and – for each firearm brandishing count – a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Operation Safe Cities establishes strategic enforcement priorities with an emphasis on prosecuting the most significant drivers of violent crime. Across this region, the most damaging and horrific crimes are committed by a relatively small number of particularly violent individuals. This strategic enforcement approach is expected to increase the number of arrests, prosecutions and convictions of recidivists engaged in the most dangerous conduct. It is designed to improve public safety across the region by targeting crimes involving illicit guns, prohibited persons possessing firearms, or robbery crews that cause havoc and extensive losses to retail establishments.
The FBI and the Los Angeles Police Department are investigating this matter.
Assistant United States Attorney Mirelle N. Raza of the General Crimes Section is prosecuting this case.
Montrose Man Pleads Guilty to Adult Webcam Business Scam that Conned Victim Investors Out of Nearly $1.2 MillionRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A Montrose man pleaded guilty today to defrauding investors out of more than $1 million by making false promises that they would receive an ownership interest in several adult entertainment webcam websites and then using their money on personal expenses, including luxury items.
Patrick Khalafian, 54, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.
According to his plea agreement, from November 2009 to October 2016, Khalafian solicited investments for businesses – including 168 Entertainment LLC, Empire Entertainment Group Inc., and EEG LLC – that purportedly developed and operated adult entertainment websites.
Khalafian falsely represented to victims that their investments would be used for business operations, including developing software and the platform for the proposed websites, paying for computer servers, hiring employees, and purchasing advertising. He also falsely promised that the victims would be repaid for their investments by a specific date, that they would receive ownership interests in the companies, and would receive a share of the companies’ profits.
Rather than investing the victim’s money, Khalafian instead used their funds to pay off his debts, including to prior victims, and to fund his own lifestyle, including to pay for gambling expenses and luxury shopping sprees.
To lull the victims into believing that their funds were being used as he had promised, Khalafian lied to his victims about the status of the adult entertainment websites purportedly being developed by the companies in which they had invested. Khalafian eventually stopped responding to victims and disconnected and changed his phone number and email address to evade their inquiries.
For example, in July 2015, Khalafian met with one victim at Mastro’s Steakhouse in Beverly Hills and falsely represented at the meeting that a $1 million investment from the victim would be used to pay for business expenses such as computer servers, employees, and advertising for the adult webcam business. Later that month, the victim – relying on Khalafian’s false promises – wired $1 million to a Khalafian-controlled bank account.
On the same day he received the funds, Khalafian transferred $200,000 of the victim’s money to an account to pay his rent, for luxury cars, and other personal expenses. The day after he received these funds, Khalafian used $66,000 of the victim’s money to purchase a new Ford F-150 truck. He also used more than $100,000 of the victim’s money at casinos, to pay back another investor, to pay his rent, and on luxury shopping sprees at retailers such as Tiffany, Barney’s, Fendi, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Louis Vuitton. Khalafian never paid the victim back any of his investment, and he stopped responding to the victim’s messages in October 2016.
Khalafian also admitted to conning two other victims in 2015 and 2016 out of $80,000 and $90,000, respectively, using their money on personal expenses and not his adult webcam business. Khalafian paid back neither victim any of their money.
In total, Khalafian’s fraud caused a total loss of at least $1.17 million.
United States District Judge André Birotte Jr. scheduled a February 21, 2025 sentencing hearing, at which time Khalafian will face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
The FBI investigated this matter.
Assistant United States Attorney Roger A. Hsieh of the Major Frauds Section is prosecuting this case.
Fentanyl Trafficker Who Smuggled Fake Oxycodone from LAX to Dulles in Laundry Product Bottles Sentenced to 10+ YearsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Andre Malik Edmond, 23, of Temple Hills, Maryland, was sentenced today to 130 months in prison for participating in a massive fentanyl trafficking conspiracy that shipped hundreds of thousands of fake oxycodone pills from Southern California to destinations throughout the United States, including the District. Edmond, aka “Draco,” was one of 24 co-defendants arrested over the course of 2023 in D.C., Virginia, Maryland, San Diego, and Los Angeles and charged in the conspiracy.
The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, DEA Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget of the DEA Washington Division, Inspector in Charge Damon Wood of the US Postal Inspection Service Washington Division (USPIS), Special Agent in Charge Craig B. Kailimai of the Washington Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Edmond pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on February 28 to conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. In addition to the prison term, Judge Kollar-Kotelly ordered Edmond to serve five years of supervised release.
The DEA launched the investigation after a young woman in Washington, D.C., Diamond Lynch, took one pill and died as a result of acute fentanyl intoxication. In addition to investigating and prosecuting the death resulting case,[1] law enforcement followed the evidence and uncovered a vast network of traffickers who transported fentanyl from Mexico to Los Angeles to the District of Columbia. Since then, investigators have seized more than 450,000 fentanyl pills, 1.5 kilograms of fentanyl powder, and 30 firearms.
According to court documents, Edmond and his co-conspirators smuggled the pills on flights to the DMV in luggage and personal carry-on items, or by shipping them through the mail using the U.S. mail or commercial carriers.
In one instance, Edmond informed his Los Angeles-based supplier he wanted to purchase 75,000 fentanyl pills at 39 cents per pill. Edmonds flew to Southern California to complete the deal in January 2023. On January 30, 2023, DEA agents conducted an interdiction of a checked bag at Dulles International Airport that had just arrived on a flight from LAX. Edmond and his traveling companion, a minor, were both passengers on the flight. The bag was checked in the traveling companion’s name and was searched upon arriving at the baggage carousel. Packed in the bag were six Downy Unstopables containers—all of which were filled with fentanyl-laced counterfeit oxycodone pills, totaling more than 70,000 pills and weighing about 8.2 kilograms. As agents searched the bag, Edmond attempted to flee before law enforcement apprehended him in a parking lot.
Then, before being charged in this case, while Edmond was on pretrial release for state charges in Maryland, he continued to traffic drugs. On June 1, 2023, federal law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Edmond’s home and recovered about 1.6 kilograms of fentanyl-laced fake oxycodone pills. The majority of the pills were found inside a Downy Unstopables container, with the remainder packaged in several baggies.
This investigation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Today’s sentencing comes after the following resolutions by other co-defendants in this case.
DEFENDANT
AGE
LOCATION
CHARGES/SENTENCE
Raymond Nava, Jr.
20
Bell Gardens,
California
Pleaded guilty 5-9-24, conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.
Ulises Aldaz
28
Bell Gardens,
California
Sentenced 6-28-24, to 95 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.
Marvin Anthony Bussie,
aka “Money Marr”
21
Washington, D.C.
Sentenced 6-28-24 to 120 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.
Marcus Orlando Brown
28
Washington, D.C.
Pleaded guilty 3-11-24 to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.
Columbian Thomas, aka
"Cruddy Murda”
26
Washington, D.C.
Pleaded guilty 6-4-24 to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.
Wayne Rodell Carr-Maiden
29
Washington, D.C.
Sentenced 4-29-24 to 45 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.
Andre Malik Edmond,
aka “Draco”
23
Temple Hills, Maryland
Sentenced 7-22-24, to 130 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.
Treyveon James Johnson,
aka “Treyski”
20
Alexandria, Virginia
Pleaded guilty 4-19-24 to conspiracy to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.
Paul Alejandro Felix
25
Glendale,
California
Pleaded guilty 7-1-24 to conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.
Raul Pacheco Ramirez
30
Long Beach,
California
Pleaded guilty 7-19-24 to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.
The prosecutions followed a joint investigation by the DEA Washington Division and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, in partnership with the Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with additional support from the DEA Los Angeles, San Diego, and Riverside Field Offices, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Washington Field Office, and the Charles County, Maryland Sheriff’s Office. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the Central and Southern Districts of California, the Eastern District of Virginia, and the District of Maryland.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew W. Kinskey, Solomon S. Eppel, and Iris McCranie, of the Violence Reduction and Trafficking Offenses (VRTO) Section.
23cr73
[1] https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/brother-and-sister-sentenced-drug-conspiracy-involving-fentanyl-sales
Chicago-Area Woman Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Illegally Exporting Thermal Riflescopes and Other Military Items to RussiaRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – An Illinois woman was sentenced today to 24 months in federal prison for conspiring to unlawfully export to Russia defense articles – including thermal imaging riflescopes and night-vision goggles – without a license in violation of the Arms Export Control Act.
Elena Shifrin, 62, of Mundelein, Illinois, was sentenced by United States District Judge André Birotte Jr.
Shifrin pleaded guilty in February 2022 to one count of conspiracy to violate the Arms Export Control Act.
According to court documents, from 2017 to 2020, Shifrin participated in the export of more than 60 defense articles from the United States to Russia without obtaining from the State Department a valid license or other approval for such exports.
As Shifrin admitted at her change of plea hearing, Shifrin’s co-conspirators purchased the defense articles – including thermal riflescopes, weapons sights, monoculars and night-vision googles – from online sellers in the United States and directed the sellers to mail those items to Shifrin or other co-conspirators in Illinois and California. After receiving the items, Shifrin mailed them to co-conspirators in Russia without obtaining the required licenses.
To conceal her unlawful activities, when Shifrin exported the defense articles to Russia, she listed fictitious sender names and addresses on the packages containing the defense articles, falsely identified the items in the packages as non-export-controlled items such as clothing, and concealed the defense articles in other items such as toolkits and kitchen appliances.
One of Shifrin’s co-conspirators, Igor Panchernikov, 43, a former Corona resident who once served in the United States Air Force Reserves, pleaded guilty in March 2023 to one count of conspiracy to violate the Arms Export Control Act and was sentenced in June 2023 to 27 months in federal prison.
Two other defendants charged in this case – Boris Polosin, of Russia, and Vladimir Gohman, of Israel – are fugitives. Charges against another defendant – Vladimir Pridacha, 59, of Volo, Illinois, were dismissed on January 19 at the request of prosecutors.
The FBI’s Los Angeles and Chicago field offices investigated this matter, with substantial assistance from the United States Postal Inspection Service and Homeland Security Investigations.
Assistant United States Attorneys David T. Ryan of the Terrorism and Export Crimes Section, and Wilson Park of the General Crimes Section are prosecuting this case. The Counterintelligence and Export Control Section of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division is providing substantial assistance.
3 Gang Members Sentenced to Decades in Federal Prison for Their Roles in the Robbery and Fatal Shooting of Off-Duty LAPD OfficerRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – Three members of a South Los Angeles street gang each were sentenced today to decades in prison for their roles in the robbery and fatal shooting in 2022 of Los Angeles Police Officer Fernando Arroyos.
In separate hearings today, United States District Judge Percy Anderson sentenced Luis Alfredo de la Rosa Rios, 30, a.k.a. “Lil J” and “Lil Malo,” to 50 years in federal prison and ordered him to pay $31,204.07 in restitution. Judge Anderson also sentenced Ernesto Cisneros, 25, a.k.a. “Gonzo” and “Spooky,” to 50 years in federal prison and ordered him to pay $28,604.07 in restitution. Finally, Jesse Contreras, 36, a.k.a. “Skinny Jack” and “Flaco,” was sentenced to 35 years in federal prison and ordered him to pay $31,204.07 in restitution.
At today’s hearing, Judge Anderson said, “The senseless loss of life is all too frequent in our community. It is literally ripping apart the fabric of our society. The sentence imposed today must send a message, not only to this defendant but to everyone, that if you choose to endanger our community by murdering, robbing, and trafficking in narcotics, there will be significant consequences.”
Rios, Contreras, and Cisneros – all members of the South Los Angeles-based Florencia 13 (F13) street gang – pleaded guilty in July 2023 to one count of conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.
“Gangs bring death and destruction, most often upon the very communities they claim to represent,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “These defendants coldly and callously murdered an innocent man who grew up in our community and returned home to give back to the city he loved. I hope the major sentences we announce today bring some degree of solace to Officer Arroyos’ family, friends, and colleagues. My office will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to aggressively investigate and prosecute gang violence.”
“Fernando Arroyos should be with us today, helping to protect a city he was ready and willing to give his life for. Yet he died in a way none of us could have imagined” said Akil Davis, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office. “With Officer Arroyos’ senseless killing, we lost a protector, and most importantly, his family lost someone who meant the whole world to them. The sentences handed down today are just and reinforce our commitment to ensuring public safety and holding those who terrorize our communities accountable.”
“Gang violence tears at the very fabric of our communities, causing immeasurable harm and suffering,” said Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna. “Today's sentencing sends a clear message that acts of violence, especially against our dedicated law enforcement officers, will be met with the full force of justice. Officer Arroyos had a promising life ahead of him and chose to serve the community where he was raised, and we will forever remember his commitment and sacrifice. We are grateful for our local and federal partners' collaborative efforts in bringing these brazen criminals to justice and preventing them from preying on others in our communities.”
On the night of January 10, 2022, the defendants were driving in Rios’ truck around F13’s “territory” in the Florence-Firestone area of South Los Angeles, looking for people to rob. The defendants decided to rob Officer Arroyos because he was wearing gold chains around his neck. Arroyos was accompanied by his girlfriend – another victim who is identified in court documents as “A.M.” Contreras handed Rios a loaded gun. Cisneros, who accompanied Rios and Contreras in Rios’s truck, already possessed a loaded gun. Rios and Cisneros, both armed, then exited Rios’ truck.
Cisneros approached the off-duty officer, patted him down, and then took his chains and wallet, which contained Arroyos’ LAPD identification card. Rios approached A.M., patted her down and stole her property.
After robbing Arroyos, Rios and Cisneros opened fire. Arroyos was struck by a single bullet, which killed him.
Earlier the same day, Rios and Contreras committed armed robberies against two victims outside a bar within F13’s “territory” in the Florence-Firestone area.
Haylee Marie Grisham, 21, an F13 associate who was Rios’ girlfriend, pleaded guilty in April 2023 to one count of violent crime in aid of racketeering for participating in the fatal robbery of Arroyos. Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 9, at which time she will face a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
The FBI and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department investigated this matter. The Los Angeles Police Department provided substantial assistance.
Assistant United States Attorney Kathy Yu, Chief of Ethics and Post-Conviction Review, and Christopher C. Kendall of the International Narcotics, Money Laundering, and Racketeering Section are prosecuting this case.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Northern California Man Charged in a Complaint for Allegedly Trying to Have Sex with Multiple Minors at a Fictitious Hotel PartyRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A Placer County resident made his initial appearance today after he allegedly arranged to have sex with minors at a fictitious hotel party.
Michael Batchelor, 30, of Placer County is charged in a criminal complaint with one count of attempted production of child pornography, one count of attempted enticement of a minor to engage in illegal criminal sexual activity, and one count of distribution and possession of child pornography.
Batchelor made his initial appearance today in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles and his detention hearing has been scheduled for July 22.
According to the complaint, prior to the encounter, Batchelor allegedly planned for what kind of children he would have sex with and what he would do to them. Batchelor was allegedly looking for minors who were in the age range of “6 to 14” and had “blonde” hair. Batchelor allegedly expressed interest in producing child pornography of the encounter. Batchelor also allegedly provided pictures and videos of child pornography, including children appearing to be younger than 10 years old being molested by adult men.
On July 17, Batchelor allegedly traveled to Los Angeles intending to have sex and produce child pornography with three minor girls, two of whom were under the age of 10, while he was visiting family. Batchelor had allegedly brought $200 to pay for the hotel room where the sexual activity was supposed to occur, along with a recent STD test. Shortly after arriving at a prearranged location near the site of the fictitious hotel party, Batchelor was arrested and is currently being detained by law enforcement.
“It is essential that we protect our children from predators who perpetrate the sorts of despicable crimes alleged in this complaint,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “We will continue to leverage our resources to ferret out efforts to sexually exploit children and hold those bad actors accountable.”
“Yesterday’s arrest once again sends a clear message to child predators that they are now the prey and that this abhorrent criminal activity will not be tolerated,” said HSI Los Angeles Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang. “HSI Los Angeles and our partners will do everything in our power to protect the children of our communities.”
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
If convicted of all charges, Batchelor faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Homeland Security Investigations and New Jersey State Police investigated this matter.
Assistant United States Attorneys Catharine A. Richmond and Chris M. Brunwin of the Violent and Organized Crime Section are prosecuting this matter.
Los Angeles Duo Found Guilty for 10-Day Liquor Store Robbery Spree Ending in Police Chase, Car Crash and Foot PursuitRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – Two Los Angeles men have been found guilty today for committing a string of robberies in a 10-day span that ended in the duo leading law enforcement in a chase in Los Angeles County before crashing a stolen car into a tree then running across six lanes of highway traffic during rush hour.
At the conclusion of a three-day trial, a jury convicted the two defendants with Hobbs Act robbery. They will be sentenced by United States District Judge Hernán D. Vera on October 24:
Anthony Flores, a.k.a. “BabyGfar”, 28, of Los Angeles; and
Ivin Kitu Sanford, 32, of Los Angeles.
According to court documents, beginning in May 2023, the defendants conspired to rob and robbed two BevMo stores, stealing high-end liquor stored behind security glass and, in some instances, threatened employees with violence. Flores and Sanford would then sell the liquor to individuals on Instagram. The incidents involved the following locations:
- Long Beach: Flores stole approximately $2,604 worth of liquor.
- Lakewood: Flores stole approximately $800 worth of liquor. Additionally, Hardgraves allegedly threatened to shoot a store employee if he attempted to interfere with the robbery.
Furthermore, Flores and Sanford conspired to rob two additional BevMo stores located in Pasadena and West Covina.
After the robberies, Flores was surveilled and seen selling the bottles. Flores was arrested and released. On June 5, 2023, the two defendants again attempted to rob the Canyon Country BevMo store. Flores and Sanford physically subdued a store victim-employee and attempted to steal high-end bottles of liquor. The defendants fled in a stolen silver Dodge Charger with a stolen license plate and attempted to evade officers during a traffic stop. Flores and Sanford led law enforcement on a chase through Los Angeles County before crashing into a tree. After the crash, defendants ran on foot across the California State Route 14, a 65-mile-per-hour highway, during rush hour traffic. Flores and Sanford were later found in bushes in a desolate area.
“Callous disregard for the law undermines our community’s sense of safety,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “These defendants’ violent robberies and attempts to evade officers put lives at risk. Our Operation Safe Cities initiative aims to ensure that violent crimes are met with serious consequences, and today’s convictions demonstrate our steadfast commitment to that goal.”
Operation Safe Cities establishes strategic enforcement priorities with an emphasis on prosecuting the most significant drivers of violent crime. Across this region, the most damaging and horrific crimes are committed by a relatively small number of particularly violent individuals. This strategic enforcement approach is expected to increase the number of arrests, prosecutions and convictions of recidivists engaged in the most dangerous conduct. It is designed to improve public safety across the region by targeting crimes involving illicit guns, prohibited persons possessing firearms, or robbery crews that cause havoc and extensive losses to retail establishments.
The case against the third defendant, Jabco Hardgraves, a.k.a. “Jacob Hardgraves,” Baby Monster,” “Lil Turtle”, 27, of Los Angeles is still pending and is not currently set for trial.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, West Covina Police Department, and Long Beach Police Department investigated this matter.
Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin J. Butler and Jena A. MacCabe of the Violent and Organized Crime Section prosecuted this case.
CEO of “Smart Ring” Wearable Tech Company Arrested on Securities Fraud ChargesRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A Boca Raton woman was arrested today on charges alleging she lied to investors to obtain over $2 million for her company ESOS Rings, Inc., which she then used for personal expenses and Ponzi payments to keep the scheme going.
Michelle Bisnoff, also known as “Michelle Angeline Silverstein” and “Shelly Silverstein,” 57, previously of Pacific Palisades and Santa Barbara and currently living in Boca Raton, Florida, is charged in a criminal complaint with one count of securities fraud and one count of wire fraud. Bisnoff was released on bond and ordered to appear for further proceedings in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles on August 7.
According to the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint, Bisnoff is the founder and CEO of ESOS. Allegedly, from 2017 through the end of 2023, Bisnoff fraudulently solicited investments in ESOS by falsely representing ESOS's business activities and profitability, and the returns that the investors would receive on their investments. Bisnoff allegedly told prospective investors that ESOS owned patents for "smart rings,” a wearable device encoded with financial information, which could be used to make contactless payments. Bisnoff allegedly said ESOS earned transaction fees each time a ring was used, generating profits for ESOS. Bisnoff also allegedly told prospective investors that ESOS was already manufacturing and selling these smart rings, and that ESOS would soon be bought by Apple or another suitor, resulting in a buy back of the investors’ shares at prices significantly above the share price she was offering to the investors.
According to the affidavit, neither Bisnoff nor ESOS owned the patents at issue; the majority of investor funds raised were used to allegedly make Ponzi payments to earlier investors and to benefit Bisnoff personally; the prospective acquirors of ESOS had no knowledge of ESOS and/or no plan to provide capital for it; and ESOS had virtually no business operations, let alone profits.
A complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
If convicted of both charges, Bisnoff faces a statutory maximum sentence of 40 years.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission sued Bisnoff and ESOS for allegedly fraudulently raising $1.95 million from ESOS investors. On September 19, 2023, United States District Judge Consuelo B. Marshall imposed a judgment finding Bisnoff and ESOS jointly and severally liable for disgorgement of $566,483, representing net profits from the fraud, as well as $46,836 in pre-judgment interest and a civil penalty of $223,229, with the total amount due—$836,548—to be paid to the SEC within 30 days. According to the affidavit, to date neither Bisnoff nor ESOS has paid any of the amounts due.
The FBI is investigating this matter. Substantial assistance was provided by the SEC and the United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Florida
Assistant United States Attorney Ranee A. Katzenstein of the Criminal Appeals Section is prosecuting this case.
Six Men Charged in Federal Complaint Alleging Burglary Spree on Federally Licensed Firearm Stores Across Southern CaliforniaRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – Six men are anticipated to make their initial appearances this afternoon, facing a criminal complaint alleging that they carried out a nine-month burglary spree throughout Southern California using stolen vehicles as rams to gain entry into firearms stores and stealing over 300 firearms.
The following defendants, who have been held in state custody, are charged in a criminal complaint with conspiracy to steal firearms from the premises of a federal firearms licensee and are expected to make their initial appearances this afternoon in United States District Court in Santa Ana:
- Cross Arjay Goree, a.k.a. “C3”, 18, of Lake Elsinore;
- Caine Aiden Goree, 22, of Lake Elsinore;
- Kenneth Gilmore III, a.k.a. “Kenny”, 19, of Las Vegas;
- Brendan Markel Hawkins, 19, of Lake Elsinore;
- Calvin Logan Gray, 18, of Murietta; and
- Kendall Eric Johnson, a.k.a. “K3”, 23, of Lake Elsinore
According to an affidavit filed with the complaint, the defendants burglarized or attempted to burglarize nine firearms stores wherein they used stolen vehicles to ram into the storefronts, smashed display cases, and fled with the stolen firearms in other stolen vehicles. As noted in the affidavit, the following firearms stores were involved:
- Chaparral Coin and Gun in Murrieta on October 9, 2023, where 43 firearms were stolen;
- Poway Weapons and Gear in Poway on March 25, 2024, where 78 firearms were stolen;
- Ammo Bros in Ontario on June 12, 2024 (attempted);
- Fallbrook Guns and Ammo in Fallbrook on June 13, 2024 (attempted);
- Firearms Unknown in Oceanside on June 17, 2024, where 33 firearms were stolen;
- Ammo Bros in Riverside on June 18, 2024, where 25 firearms were stolen;
- Camarillo Gun Store in Camarillo on July 1, 2024, where 63 firearms were stolen;
- Smokin Barrel Gun Store in Simi Valley on July 9, 2024 (attempted); and
- Fowler’s Gun Room in Orange on July 13, 2024, where 70 firearms were stolen.
According to the affidavit, the stolen firearms were being sold on the black market and were found in the possession of others in separate criminal investigations.
On July 13, law enforcement executed a federal search warrant at a residence believed to be where Cross, Caine, and Johnson resided. While officers were announcing their presence, they allegedly observed Gilmore and Cross fleeing from the back of the residence, and both were later detained. During their search, officers allegedly found a firearm that had been stolen from Poway Weapons and Gear, a firearm that had been stolen from Chaparral Coin and Gun, two firearms that had been stolen from the Camarillo Gun Store, and at least 45 firearms that had been stolen from Fowler’s Gun Room.
Arraignment is expected in the coming weeks.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
If convicted, the defendants would each face a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, and the Orange Police Department are investigating this matter.
Assistant United States Attorneys Brittney M. Harris and Kyle W. Kahan of the International Narcotics, Money Laundering, and Racketeering Section are prosecuting this matter.
Texas Man Sentenced to 9 Months in Federal Prison for Operating Website that Offered Computer Attack ServicesRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A Texas man was sentenced today to 9 months in federal prison for running a website that allowed paying users to launch powerful distributed denial of service – or DDoS – attacks that flooded tens of thousands of targeted computers with information and prevented them from being able to access the internet.
Scott Raul Esparza, 24, of Katy, Texas, was sentenced by United States District Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald who also ordered two years of supervised release with conditions including a full computer monitoring program after serving his prison sentence.
Esparza pleaded guilty on March 6 to one count of conspiracy to commit unauthorized impairment of a protected computer and one count of unauthorized impairment of a protected computer.
From 2019 to September 2022, Esparza operated and co-administrated with Shamar Shattock, 21, of Margate, Florida, a DDoS-for-hire service called “Astrostress.com.” The term “DDoS” refers to a type of computer attack in which multiple computers attempt to make connections through the Internet to a targeted computer at the same time. The amount of internet traffic generated by such an attack quickly overwhelms the capacity of the victim computer, resulting in the victim computer being unable to send, receive or respond to commands.
Astrostress.com was a type of DDoS-for-hire service known as a “booter” service, referring to its ability to “boot” victims off the internet. Customers of Astrostress.com were offered various levels of subscriptions – depending on how many attacks they wanted to conduct and with what power – and were charged accordingly. This site thus enabled co-conspirators worldwide to set up accounts on Astrostress.com and then use the Astrostress.com resources to direct attacks at internet-connected computers around the globe.
Esparza was responsible for procuring the attack servers and maintaining the attack functionality of Astrostress.com. Esparza also helped Shattock market the service, and he hired a co-conspirator to assist with responding to support requests from customers of the service.
Esparza neither owned nor had the rights to use the third-party computers he exploited to generate the amplified attack power made available via the Astrostress.com website. He was aware that his customers were using the site to attack computers that did not belong to the customers, and which the customers had no authorization to impair. Esparza personally conducted thousands of attacks using his own service.
From September 2021 to September 2022, while Esparza administered the website, customers used Astrostress.com to attack tens of thousands of protected computers. As a result, they impaired or attempted to impair the availability of the victim computers by knocking them offline.
In or around September 2022, shortly after the FBI caused Astrostress.com to shut down, Esparza called Shattock and left him a voicemail message in which he instructed Shattock to “clear” all his social media accounts “so nothing gets linked back to us.”
Shattock pleaded guilty in March 2023 to one felony conspiracy count and faces up to five years in federal prison at his sentencing hearing, which is expected to occur in the coming months.
The FBI investigated this matter as part of Operation PowerOFF, a multi-national effort to combat DDoS-for-hire services.
Assistant United States Attorneys Cameron L. Schroeder, Chief of the National Security Division, and Aaron B. Frumkin of the Cyber and Intellectual Property Crimes Section prosecuted this case. Assistant United States Attorney James E. Dochterman of the Asset Forfeiture and Recovery Section is handling the seizure of the Astrostress domain.
Santa Barbara County Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Fentanyl that Resulted in Death of Fellow Jail InmateRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A Lompoc man was sentenced today to 240 months in federal prison for aiding and abetting the distribution of fentanyl that resulted in the death of a fellow inmate at a Santa Barbara County jail and the serious bodily injury of another inmate.
Kaelen Jacobkeali Wendel, 32, was sentenced by United States District Judge Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong.
At the conclusion of a five-day trial, a jury on March 1 found Wendel guilty of one count of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death and serious bodily injury.
In October 2022, Wendel smuggled fentanyl into a unit of the Santa Barbara County North Branch Jail. He packaged the powerful synthetic opioid in candy containers.
As the new inmate, Wendel handed some fentanyl to his co-defendant, Michael Villapania, 36, of Lompoc, in the expectation that he would receive jail commissary goods in exchange. Villapania then sold the drug to a victim identified in court documents as “J.V.” J.V. then shared the fentanyl with another victim, who is identified in court documents as “E.E.”
After ingesting the drug during the early morning hours of October 20, 2022, E.E. and J.V. overdosed. After an inmate alerted a custody deputy about the overdose, deputies and nurses administered multiple doses of Narcan – a life-saving medication used to reverse opioid overdoses – and performed CPR on both inmates. They revived J.V., but E.E. died.
Villapania pleaded guilty on February 1 to one count of distribution of fentanyl. He was sentenced on June 10 to seven years in federal prison.
“[Wendel] committed a serious offense that ended in a tragedy,” prosecutors argued in a sentencing memorandum. “He smuggled fentanyl into a jail unit, killing E.E. and nearly killing J.V. He created a market for fentanyl where there was none.”
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office investigated this matter.
Assistant United States Attorneys Suria M. Bahadue, Alexandra Kelly, and Kenneth R. Carbajal of the General Crimes Section prosecuted this case.