Eastern District of California
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Residents of Davis, Sacramento and Roseville Indicted for International Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment today against Parampreet Singh, 55, of Davis; Ranvir Singh, 38, of Sacramento; and Amandeep Multani, 33, of Roseville, charging them with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute at least 5 kilograms of cocaine, at least 1 kilogram of a mixture containing heroin, opium, and ketamine, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, no later than August 2020, an investigation began into a drug trafficking organization that was based in Sacramento and extended to the greater Toronto Area in Canada. Parampreet Singh, Ranvir Singh and Multani allegedly were facilitating the trafficking of cocaine, heroin, opium, and ketamine across international borders. Between October 2020 and March 2021, the defendants arranged multiple kilogram-level drug deals with a Canadian undercover officer using encrypted applications on their cellphones.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the York Regional Police in Canada, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and the Placer County Special Investigations Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney David W. Spencer is prosecuting the case.
Parampreet Singh was ordered to be released upon posting a $6 million secured bond. Ranvir Singh was ordered to be released upon posting a $700,000 secured bond. Amandeep Multani was ordered detained pending trial.
If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $10 million fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Bakersfield Medical Practice Agrees to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Involving Cares Act Paycheck Protection ProgramRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Sandeep S. Walia, M.D., a Professional Medical Corporation (Walia PMC), and Sandeep S. Walia, M.D., the corporation’s owner and president, have agreed to pay a combined $70,000 in damages and penalties to resolve allegations that they knowingly made a false statement to obtain a loan under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced today.
As part of the settlement, Walia PMC also agreed to repay the $430,000 PPP loan that it obtained because of the false statement, with interest.
The CARES Act was enacted on March 29, 2020, to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses through the PPP. In April 2020, Congress authorized over $300 billion, and in December 2020, Congress authorized nearly $285 billion in additional PPP funding.
During the first round of the PPP, no eligible borrower was permitted to receive more than one PPP loan. The SBA determined this limitation was necessary to help ensure that as many eligible borrowers as possible could obtain a PPP loan. This helped advance Congress’s goal of keeping workers employed and paid across the United States in 2020.
The settlement resolves allegations that Dr. Walia falsely certified to a PPP lender that his medical practice had not received a PPP loan after it had already received one for approximately $280,000 from a different lender. As a result, Walia PMC obtained a second PPP loan for $430,000, to which it was not entitled. Walia PMC did not seek forgiveness for the $430,000 loan, but its false statement caused a false claim to be made to the SBA for processing fees. This settlement resolves allegations that Walia and Walia PMC’s conduct violated the False Claims Act, which allows the government to recover damages and penalties for the presentation of false claims for payment to the United States. Walia and Walia PMC cooperated fully with the investigation.
“The second PPP loan should have been disbursed to another small business suffering financially during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Talbert. “The Department of Justice and our partners at the SBA will use all of the tools at our disposal, including civil fraud statutes, to recover funds for federal programs intended to help those in need during this national emergency.”
“It is unacceptable to fraudulently attempt to gain access to a program aimed at assisting small businesses that are struggling to survive for personal gain and profit,” said SBA OIG’s Western Region Special Agent in Charge Weston King. “OIG and its law enforcement partners will relentlessly pursue fraudsters and bring them to justice. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their dedication and pursuit of justice.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew R. Belz handled the case for the United States. The investigation was conducted with the U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Inspector General.
Roseville Woman Pleads Guilty to Stealing Unemployment BenefitsRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Andrea M. Gervais, 44, of Roseville, pleaded guilty today to theft of government money in a scheme involving 97 fraudulent Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) claims in the names of persons other than her own, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, at least 10 of 97 fraudulent PUA claims were processed for payment, and nearly $200,000 in unemployment insurance and PUA benefits were paid out to Gervais’s Roseville address in the form of Bank of America debit cards. The potential value of all fraudulent 97 claims associated with the scheme exceeded $2 million.
The investigation began when federal agents discovered that someone had filed a PUA claim using the identity of a sitting U.S. senator for approximately $21,000. This fraudulent claim was processed for payment, and Gervais received an EDD debit card in the senator’s name. Agents further discovered that Bank of America ATM cameras captured Gervais on multiple occasions withdrawing cash from at least seven of the EDD debit cards, and at least one captured transaction showed Gervais using the debit card issued to the senator.
“Gervais defrauded California’s unemployment system by fraudulently collecting nearly $200,000 in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. Her conduct further exacerbated the distribution of unemployment benefits at a time when so many Americans are in desperate need of this assistance. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to protect the integrity of DOL programs,” said Quentin Heiden, Special Agent-in-Charge, Los Angeles Region, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.
This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor – Office of the Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the California Employment Development Department – Investigation Division. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Artuz is prosecuting the case.
Gervais remains on pretrial release as she awaits sentencing. She is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Kimberly J. Mueller on Aug. 9. Gervais faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
Madera County Woman Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Distribution of Heroin that Resulted in an Overdose DeathRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Georgia Nicole Dean, 37, of Coarsegold, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd to 12 years in prison for distributing heroin, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, on Aug. 22, 2019, Dean drove to the victim’s residence and sold heroin to him for a small amount of cash. The victim used the heroin that night, overdosed, and died. Dean pleaded guilty to distribution of heroin on Jan. 26, 2021.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Madera County Sheriff’s Office, and the Fresno Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justin J. Gilio and Kathleen A. Servatius prosecuted the case.
Tulare County Man Sentenced to 42 Months in Prison for Methamphetamine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Eleuterio Rosario Martinez, 49, of Porterville, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd to 42 months in prison, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, an investigation into drug trafficking primarily in the Tulare County area led to the arrest and indictment of Martinez and 10 others for a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine between June 7, 2018, and Jan. 19, 2019. Martinez delivered the methamphetamine for the conspiracy. During a one-month period of the conspiracy, Martinez made approximately 258 deliveries of methamphetamine at the direction of co-defendant Manuel Delgado-Montenegro, 48, of Porterville. The deliveries were in quantities of 1 ounce or less and totaled at least 3.7 pounds of methamphetamine.
On Oct. 29, 2020, Hector Antonio Ochoa Ruiz, 39, of Strathmore, pleaded guilty to his participation in the conspiracy and was sentenced on Feb. 19 to seven and a half years in prison. Charges are pending against Delgado-Montenegro and the other eight defendants. If convicted, the defendants face a maximum penalty of life in prison and a fine of up to $10 million. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the Porterville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathleen A. Servatius and Katherine E. Schuh are prosecuting the case.
West Sacramento Postal Employee Sentenced to Prison for Stealing Packages that Contained DrugsRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Celeste Pang, 42, of Olivehurst, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Morrison C. England Jr. to six months in prison and a $2,000 fine for embezzlement of mail by postal employee, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, Pang, a postal employee at the West Sacramento post office, identified what she believed to be drug parcels and rerouted them to her personal residence. For over a year and a half, Pang stole parcels from the post office by replacing the original tracking label with an insured tracking label and replacing the original address label with a label bearing her home address. Agents intercepted one of the stolen packages before it reached Pang’s residence. That package contained 10 pounds of marijuana.
This case was the product of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron L. Desmond prosecuted the case.
Tennessee Woman Pleads Guilty to Filing False Claims for Unclaimed PropertyRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —Marilyn Cook (aka Marilyn Powell and Marilyn Sunset), 58, of Alcoa, Tennessee, pleaded guilty today to one count of mail fraud in relation to a scheme to obtain unclaimed property held by the California State Controller’s Office Unclaimed Property Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, in August and September 2014, Cook, using the name Marilyn Sunset, committed a scheme to defraud by filing false claims with the Division of Unclaimed Property for properties belonging to the U.S. Marshal Service and others. These properties were being held pursuant to a California law that requires financial institutions, businesses, and other entities, to turnover financial assets to the State Controller’s Office when an account has been inactive or there has been no contact with the property owner for a specified period of time. The properties are then safeguarded until they are returned to their rightful owner. The Unclaimed Property Division maintains a list of properties in their possession on a publicly available website and provides instructions on how to claim such properties.
In furtherance of the scheme, Cook identified properties belonging to others, including the U.S. Marshal Service, and falsely certified under penalty of perjury that she was entitled to claim the identified properties. Cook also used a Tennessee ID card that she obtained in the name Marilyn Sunset to have certain claim forms notarized, as was required by the Unclaimed Property Division for claims over a certain dollar amount. Finally, Cook submitted fictitious documents in support of her claims to show that she was authorized to claim the properties. These documents included a letter on Department of Justice letterhead that falsely purported to have been signed by a former Assistant Attorney General, authorizing Sunset to collect properties on behalf of the U.S. Marshal Service. In all, Cook falsely claimed 128 properties totaling $398,537. The Unclaimed Property Division identified the claims as fraudulent and did not disperse any property to Cook.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shelley D. Weger is prosecuting the case.
Cook is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley on July 15. Cook faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
Sacramento Man Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison for Falsely Claiming to Be an Attorney and Defrauding Couple of over $500,000Read the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Derek Bluford, 34, of Sacramento, was sentenced today to seven years in prison for wire fraud, money laundering, obstruction of a federal investigation, and making false statements, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, Bluford told a couple that he was an attorney and could represent them in a dispute they were having with their tenant. After the couple agreed, Bluford then told them that they had incurred numerous fines and court costs, as well as costs to repair their rental unit; he also told them he had negotiated a settlement agreement with the couple’s former tenant. Based on these representations, the couple paid Bluford over $500,000. Bluford, in fact, was not an attorney, and there were no fines or court costs imposed. Bluford laundered the proceeds from his scheme, obstructed a federal investigation, and made false statements to the FBI regarding the investigation.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael D. Anderson and Christopher S. Hales prosecuted the case.
Two Plead Guilty in COVID-19 Unemployment Benefit Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Jason Vertz, 51, of Fresno, and Alana Powers, 45, an inmate at the Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) in Chowchilla, each pleaded guilty today to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft in a scheme that targeted California Employment Development Department (EDD) unemployment insurance benefits that were intended for Californians hit hardest by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic shutdown, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, Vertz and Powers submitted several fraudulent unemployment insurance claims in Powers’ and other CCWF inmates’ names to EDD. Recorded jail calls and emails show that Powers and other inmates provided names, dates of birth, and social security numbers for inmates at CCWF to Vertz to submit the fraudulent claims. Shortly thereafter, the benefits were loaded onto debit cards that were mailed to the addresses the defendants provided.
The underlying applications for the claims stated that the inmates had worked within the prescribed period as maids, cleaners, fabrication welders, and other occupations, and that they were available to work, which was not true because they were incarcerated. The claims would have been denied if accurate answers had been given. EDD and the United States have suffered an actual loss of over $103,000 as a result of the fraud.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Investigative Services Unit, and the California EDD. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexandre Dempsey and Joseph Barton are prosecuting the case.
Vertz and Powers are scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd on July 6. For the count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, Vertz and Powers face a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. For the count of aggravated identity theft, they face a mandatory two-year sentence consecutive to any other sentence. The actual sentences, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
Stockton Man Sentenced to over 17 Years in Prison for Conspiracy to Engage in Sex Trafficking of a ChildRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Lucious James Roy, 34, of Stockton, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kimberly J. Mueller to 17 years and seven months in prison for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking of a child, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, between September 2018 and November 2018, Roy recruited a 17‑year-old and a 16-year-old to engage in prostitution. Roy recruited the 17-year-old victim outside of a high school, and he used a social media platform to recruit the 16-year-old victim. Roy then groomed the victims to perform sex acts in exchange for money that he kept. He also used threats of violence to try to control them.
According to court documents, Roy and his co-conspirator, Dawniel Santangelo, 43, of Stockton, created online prostitution advertisements for the victims and drove them to motels across Northern California, including Stockton, Salinas, Oakland, and Ripon, where they had sex with strangers in exchange for money.
On May 10, 2019, Roy and Santangelo were arrested in Jackson County, Oregon, for state prostitution and sex trafficking offenses after police found them in a hotel room with a 15-year-old runaway from Modesto. At that time, the San Joaquin District Attorney’s Office had an open investigation into the defendants for sex trafficking the two other minors. Both the Jackson County District Attorney and the San Joaquin District Attorney dismissed their cases in favor of federal prosecution.
“Today’s sentence is necessary due to the defendant’s long criminal history and to protect the public from future crimes,” Acting U.S. Attorney Talbert said. “He used intimidation and threats to keep his victims compliant and afraid to seek help. His willingness and ability to recruit children and coerce them to engage in prostitution for his financial benefit puts the public in danger.”
“No person, let alone a minor, should be treated as a commodity to be transported and sold again and again,” stated Special Agent in Charge Sean Ragan of the FBI’s Sacramento Field Office. “Every day, the FBI works collaboratively with its law enforcement partners to ensure traffickers face justice and victims can break free from a cycle of abuse and exploitation.”
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Stockton Police Department, San Joaquin District Attorney’s Office, Medford (Oregon) Police Department, and Jackson County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cameron L. Desmond and Brian A. Fogerty are prosecuting the case.
Charges are pending against Santangelo. She is scheduled for trial on July 27. If convicted, she faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison, and a maximum fine of $250,000. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet-safety education.
Two Indicted for Drug and Firearm Offenses as Part of Operation PEACE in VallejoRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a five-count indictment today against Calvin James Smith, 33, and Marques Julius Johnson, 39, of Sacramento, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
Johnson and Smith are charged with possession with the intent to distribute at least 500 grams of methamphetamine. Smith is also charged with possession of ammunition after being convicted of a domestic violence offense, and Johnson is charged with three additional counts of distribution of methamphetamine.
According to court documents, undercover operatives conducted multiple purchases of counterfeit MDMA tablets containing methamphetamine from Johnson in Vallejo and Sacramento. On Dec. 9, 2020, Johnson and Smith were arrested together during an undercover purchase in Vallejo and found to be in possession of 6,000 methamphetamine tablets and a loaded pistol. Smith was also found carrying an AR-15 rifle that was loaded with a high-capacity magazine.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Vallejo Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexis Nelsen is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Johnson and Smith face a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison and a $10 million fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Charges Announced for Credit Card Skimming Scheme that Targeted Fresno Gas StationsRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Arman Mkhitaryan, 33, of Glendale, arraigned today on a 33-count indictment charging him with bank fraud and credit card fraud, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, Mkhitaryan installed credit card skimming devices at Fresno area gas stations and stole individuals’ credit card information. He then used that information to create counterfeit credit cards and purchase more than $160,000 in postage stamps via self-service kiosks at U.S. Post Offices.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Vincente Tennerelli and Joseph Barton are prosecuting the case.
If convicted of bank fraud, Mkhitaryan faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million. If convicted of the credit card fraud, Mkhitaryan faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Health Net Federal Services Pays over $97M for Overstated Billings to the VARead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Health Net Federal Services LLC has paid $97,237,391 to resolve duplicate and inflated claims submitted to the Department of Veterans Affairs, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
In 2013, Health Net entered a $5.05 billion contract with the VA under the Patient-Centered Community Care program, which offered private health care to veterans when VA facilities could not do so in a timely manner. The Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014 expanded the services to cover veterans who waited more than 30 days for care or lived more than 40 miles away from a VA medical facility. Under this contract, Health Net served as the third-party administrator that secured private health care for veterans, reimbursed these providers for services to veterans, and in turn billed the VA for the services.
In 2017, the VA Office of Inspector General (VA OIG) audited Health Net and found evidence suggesting the company had billed the VA for duplicate claims amounting to approximately $30 million and failed to reduce billings to the VA for approximately $1 million in provider rate savings, as contractually required. The ensuing investigation confirmed the conduct, and Health Net ultimately repaid $93,682,428 in overpayments, as well as $3,554,963 in interest.
“Providers must be held to the highest standard of care and must rigorously comply with their contractual obligations,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Talbert. “This office is committed to assisting the VA and other agencies of the United States to ensure the integrity of important federal programs, such as those reimbursed by this settlement that will help our veterans.”
“The VA Office of Inspector General is strongly committed to promoting fiscal accountability throughout VA,” said VA Inspector General Michael J. Missal. “This settlement will return funds to VA programs and services that directly benefit our nation’s veterans. I applaud the teamwork and dedication that led to this significant recovery.”
This settlement is the result of work by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California and the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, with help from the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine J. Swann handled the matter for the United States. The claims settled by this agreement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
Second Defendant in Retail Refund Fraud Scheme Sentenced to 12½ Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A former resident of Union City was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge Morrison C. England Jr. to 12 years and seven months in prison for a conspiracy to commit a bank fraud scheme that attempted to defraud financial institutions of more than $4.3 million, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, between July 2017 and February 2019, Monica Nunes, 41, conspired with Johnathon Ward and Talalima Toilolo to defraud financial institutions using a scheme that exploited the merchant refund process used by businesses and retail establishments to refund customers for returns, reimbursements, and erroneous charges.
The defendants committed this scheme by stealing or purchasing point-of-sale (POS) terminals used by businesses to process bankcard transactions. The defendants programmed each terminal to make it appear as if it was authorized by a particular retail merchant, connected the terminals to payment processing intermediaries, and executed refund transactions even though no purchases had been made. The payment processors, falsely believing the terminals were authorized, approved the refunds and caused the merchants’ payment processors to transfer funds to the defendants’ fraudulent accounts. The defendants then drained the stolen funds from the accounts and distributed them among members of the conspiracy.
Nunes has extensive experience with refund fraud and served as an organizer and manager over the conspiracy. She taught other members how to use POS terminals to defraud merchants and their banks. For example, in July 2017 while she was incarcerated, she mailed letters to co‑conspirators, teaching them how to use POS terminals to perpetrate the scheme and advising them to connect with one of the defendants.
Judge England also awarded over $1.7 million in restitution to victims of Nunes’s refund fraud. This amount reflected proceeds that the conspiracy was able to successfully withdraw from accounts that were funded by the fraudulent refunds.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Regional Enforcement Allied Computer Team (REACT) Task Force, which includes investigators from the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Artuz is prosecuting the case.
On Feb. 11, 2021, Talalima Toilolo was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his participation in the scheme. In July 2020, the government filed a superseding indictment in this case charging Johnathon Ward with multiple counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft. The superseding indictment also added Sabrina Toilolo who is the daughter of Talalima Toilolo. These new charges are still pending against Ward and Sabrina Toilolo. The charges against them are only allegations; they are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Fresno Man Sentenced to 3 Years in Prison for Illegal Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Joel Jose Rueda, 28, of Fresno, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd to 37 months in prison for illegally possessing a firearm after being convicted of a felony offense, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, on July 29, 2019, law enforcement officers conducted a traffic stop on a car that Rueda was driving. Because Rueda was on parole, the officers conducted a parole-compliance check and searched him and the car. Inside the engine compartment, behind the driver’s side headlight, officers located several rolled-up t-shirts concealing a loaded handgun with an obliterated serial number. Rueda is prohibited from possessing firearms because of multiple felony convictions for drug and firearm offenses. He was charged with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and pleaded guilty on Jan. 13, 2020.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Kerman Police Department, and the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin J. Gilio is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.
Fresno Man Charged with Fentanyl Trafficking and Illegal Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — A two-count indictment was unsealed charging Nicholas Solis, 26, of Fresno, with possessing fentanyl with intent to distribute it and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to unsealed court documents, on January 6, Solis illegally possessed fentanyl pills with intent to sell them as well as a firearm.
This case is the product of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Fentanyl Overdose Response Team. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin J. Gilio is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Solis faces a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $1 million fine. The firearm charge carries a mandatory minimum and consecutive sentence of at least 5 years in prison. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.
This case is part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.) a program designed to reduce the supply of deadly synthetic opioids in high impact areas as well as identifying wholesale distribution networks and international and domestic suppliers. In July 2018, the Justice Department announced the creation of S.O.S., which is being implemented in the Eastern District of California and nine other federal districts.
Felon Charged with Illegal Firearms Possession in Stanislaus CountyRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — A two-count indictment was unsealed today charging Raymond Matthew Vance, 29, of Fresno, with two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm, Acting United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, Vance was in possession of two firearms on February 4, 2020, and an additional firearm on February 6, 2020. Vance committed the offenses in Stanislaus County. Vance was previously convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm in the Eastern District of California in 2019, and was serving a probationary sentence for that offense at the time that he possessed the firearms.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Turlock Police Department, the Modesto Police Department, the Tracy Police Department, the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office, and the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Katherine E. Schuh is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Vance faces a maximum statutory penalty of ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.
Mexican National Sentenced for Conspiring to Assist Flight of Brother Charged with Murdering Police OfficerRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Conrado Virgen Mendoza, 37, a native and citizen of Mexico residing in Chowchilla, was sentenced today to 21 months in prison for conspiring with others to assist his brother in fleeing to Mexico to avoid prosecution for the murder of Newman Police Corporal Ronil Singh during a traffic stop and for possessing false immigration documents, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
In September 2019, a jury found Conrado Virgen Mendoza guilty, along with Erik Quiroz Razo, 30, an illegal alien residing in Merced. The evidence at trial established that Virgen and Quiroz helped Paulo Virgen Mendoza conceal the truck that he was driving at the time he shot and killed Corporal Singh, transported him to various locations in the Central Valley in an effort to find a safe harbor with relatives before Paulo attempted to flee to Mexico. Conrado Virgen Mendoza lied to Stanislaus County Sheriff officers about Paulo Virgen Mendoza’s whereabouts. Paulo Virgen Mendoza was ultimately apprehended at a relative’s residence in Kern County following an intensive three-day manhunt.
Last November, Paulo Virgen Mendoza pleaded guilty to murdering Corporal Singh and was sentenced to life in prison without parole. Quiroz was previously sentenced to 27 months in federal prison.
This case was the product of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations; the Central Valley High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) task force; the Southern Tri-County HIDTA; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the California Highway Patrol; the California Department of Justice, the Sheriffs’ Offices for Kern, Merced, and Santa Cruz Counties; and the Police Departments for Merced, Turlock, Modesto, and Santa Cruz. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen A. Escobar, Laura D. Withers, and Michael G. Tierney prosecuted the case.
Davis Man Pays $635,000 in Civil Settlement to Resolve Allegations of False Statements to Obtain Grant FraudsRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Owen Hughes, the sole proprietor of Eon Research Corporation in Davis, agreed to pay the United States $635,000 to resolve allegations that he knowingly submitted false statements to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to secure Small Business Innovation Research grant funds, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, in 2007, Hughes applied for and received a Small Business Innovation Research grant to conduct environmental research, certifying that he had implemented financial safeguards to ensure the proper use of grant funds.
The settlement resolves allegations that despite his certifications, Hughes had no financial policies in place. As a result, Hughes could not substantiate how he had actually used the federal funds he received. The settlement also resolves claims that Hughes commingled grant funds in his personal accounts and then used the commingled funds for his aviation hobby, by paying aircraft hangar rental fees and buying aircraft parts.
“This settlement sends a clear message that recipients of federally funded grants must strictly adhere to the regulations applicable to those grants and fully account for their use of federal funds,” Acting U.S. Attorney Talbert said. “Recipients who fail to do so risk significant consequences.”
“Establishing required financial policies is a key component to proper accounting of SBIR grants. Therefore, it is imperative that individuals and entities implement sound policies to avoid mismanagement of these limited funds,” said Steven J. Ryan, Special Agent in Charge for the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “Working with our auditors and law enforcement partners, we will continue preserving the integrity of all our grant programs.”
“It is vital that agencies work together to hold grantees accountable for the use of taxpayer funds,” said Lori Pilcher, Regional Inspector General for Audit Services at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “In this case, using forensic tools, our auditors identified suspicious grant disbursements and partnered closely with investigators and the United States Attorney’s Office throughout the investigation.”
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences is a component of the National Institutes of Health, which is itself a component of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
This case was the result of an investigation by the HHS Office of the Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Colleen Kennedy, Rachel Muoio, and Steven Tennyson handled the matter for the United States. The claims settled by this agreement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
Arrests Made for Trafficking Fentanyl and Hundreds of Pounds of Methamphetamine out of BakersfieldRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Eight people were arrested in Kern County today following a months-long investigation into a Bakersfield-based drug trafficking organization that attempted to smuggle hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine and fentanyl, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. A ninth defendant is in custody in Chico, California.
The defendants are scheduled to make an initial appearance in Fresno before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jennifer L. Thurston on Monday, March 29, at 2:30 p.m.
Those charged in the federal criminal complaint unsealed today are: Omar Alberto Navarro, 38, of Arvin; David Delgado Gonzalez, 37, of Bakersfield; Amayrani Jared Arreguin, 24, of Bakersfield; Lizette Mendez, 31, of Delano; Mayra Guadalupe Galvan, 31, of Delano; Miguel Angel Martinez, 26, of Bakersfield; Randal Jason Newell, 41, of Bakersfield; Daniel Armendariz Mercado, 31, of Bakersfield, and James Scott Gordon, 47, of Chico.
According to court documents, Navarro oversaw the wide-ranging drug trafficking organization from Bakersfield. Mendez, Galvan, Newell, and others transported narcotics for the organization. Between September and December 2020, those drivers were intercepted by law enforcement who seized a total of more than 380 pounds of methamphetamine and more than eight pounds of fentanyl that were concealed in their vehicles. On Dec. 27, 2020, Martinez was stopped by law enforcement on Interstate 5 as he attempted to smuggle 18 pounds of methamphetamine from Bakersfield to Texas. Also in December 2020, Mercado and Gordon purchased large amounts of methamphetamine from other members of the drug trafficking organization with the intent to distribute the narcotics to customers.
“The success of this operation highlights the importance and necessity of law enforcement partnerships across the spectrum,” said Homeland Security Investigations NorCal Special Agent in Charge Tatum King. “Of particular importance, the significant quantity of narcotics seized by this HSI Bakersfield-led investigation ensured that the narcotics would not enter the drug distribution supply chain and inevitably harm the public. We are proud to be part of the team making our communities safer.”
This case is the product of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Customs and Border Protection, the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Secret Service, the Bakersfield Police Department, the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, the Shafter Police Department, the Kern County Probation Department, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the California Department of Motor Vehicles, and the California Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher D. Baker and Laura J. Berger are prosecuting the case.
If convicted of the charged offenses, each defendant faces a statutory mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison up to a maximum of life in prison, and a $10 million fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This effort 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.
Stanislaus County Man Indicted for Illegal Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned an indictment today charging a Turlock man with being a felon in possession of a firearm, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, on Feb. 23, Doroteo Gonzales Jr., 25, was found in possession of a loaded handgun. Gonzales was previously convicted of several felonies and was on parole for robbery at the time of his arrest.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Modesto Police Department, the Turlock Police Department, and the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine E. Schuh is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Gonzales faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.
Plot to Smuggle Heroin and Methamphetamine into Fresno County Jail Results in Charges Against Inmate, Mother, and AssociateRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment today against Alfredo Garcia Jr., 27; Eva Romero, 53; and Leo Torres, 30, of Fresno, charging them with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin and at least 5 grams of methamphetamine, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. Torres and Romero were also charged with distribution of controlled substances.
According to court documents, between January 19 and January 26, 2021, Garcia, Romero, and Torres conspired to smuggle heroin and methamphetamine into the Fresno County Jail for further distribution among inmates. Investigators uncovered the plan by listening to recorded jail calls, including calls between inmate Garcia and his mother, Romero. The calls revealed that the trio planned to sneak the drugs into the jail inside a pair of athletic shoes destined for an inmate. Their plot was foiled, however, when law enforcement at the jail intercepted the shoes and found hidden compartments inside them concealing the heroin and methamphetamine.
This case is the product of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, the Fresno Police Department, and the Fresno County Jail. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin J. Gilio is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, the defendants each face a mandatory minimum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a maximum statutory penalty of 40 years in prison and a $5 million fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.
Additional Charges for Fresno Man for Illegal Possession of a Machine Gun and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a three-count superseding indictment today against Steven Eric Cabrera, 25, of Fresno, adding one count of illegally possessing a machine gun and one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition to the original Feb. 11 indictment that charged him with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, in 2017, Cabrera was convicted of assaulting a person with a firearm, a felony that makes it illegal for him to possess firearms or ammunition. In May 2020, he possessed a firearm that was hidden wrapped in a towel in a bag inside a car. About nine months later, he possessed a handgun that had been converted into a machine gun and over 300 rounds of ammunition.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Fresno Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin J. Gilio is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Cabrera faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.
Acting U.S. Attorney Phil Talbert offers a statement of support for the Asian American Pacific Islander Community (AAPI) amidst rising Anti-AAPI hate crimes and incidents.Read the Press Release
Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert and FBI Sacramento Field Office Special Agent in Charge Sean Ragan condemn racism, xenophobia, and intolerance against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and urge members of the community to report hate-based crimes and incidents to law enforcement. The Eastern District of California is one of the most diverse regions in the country, and federal law enforcement is committed to protecting our diverse communities.
“We stand together with the Asian American and Pacific Islander community during this difficult time. Acts of hate and racism have no place in our community and will not be tolerated,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Talbert. “We want to ensure that all those who call this region their home feel safe regardless of their race, ethnic origin, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. Prosecuting hate crimes continues to be a top priority for our office and our law enforcement partners and our Hate Crimes Task Forces remain active. If you see something, please say something by contacting law enforcement so that we can do everything we can to help stop hate crime and protect the community.”
The United States Attorney’s Office has been in regular and ongoing contact with Asian American and Pacific Islander community leaders and our local and federal law enforcement partners regarding potential hate crimes directed at persons of Asian descent. Tonight, Acting U.S. Attorney Talbert will be joining other federal and local law enforcement leaders and elected representatives to speak at a town hall to address anti-Asian hate crimes. Acting U.S. Attorney Talbert also released a Public Service Announcement encouraging community members to report hate crimes and incidents: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edca/pr/acting-us-attorney-phil-talbert-offers-statement-support-asian-american-pacific.
“The FBI has been reaching out to and working with the API community to increase understanding of our role in investigating hate crime, encourage reporting of hate crimes, and continue to increase diversity and inclusion within our work force,” said Special Agent in Charge Ragan. “A criminal act committed against a person because of their ethnicity or national origin is a hate crime. Such investigations are a high priority for the FBI’s civil rights program because of the profound and lasting impact such acts have on entire communities. We affirm our commitment to thoroughly investigating the facts of alleged hate crimes and continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to ensure offenders face justice.”
If you are a victim of a hate crime and are in immediate danger, call 911 first. Once you are safe, please also report the hate crime to the FBI by calling 916-746-7000. This FBI tip line offers language translation services in many languages spoken in our region, including Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. When calling, please provide basic information to help us investigate— the who, what, when, where, and why. If you wish, you can make your tip anonymously.
Yuba City Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Scott Stephen Howard, 36, of Yuba City, pleaded guilty today to possession of child pornography, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, on April 11, 2016, Howard knowingly possessed visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shea J. Kenny is prosecuting the case.
Howard is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez on June 29. Howard faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison as well as a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet safety education.
Siblings Plead Guilty to Offenses Involving the Sale of Stolen MacBooksRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Patricia Castaneda, 37, of San Carlos, pleaded guilty today to federal program theft, and in a separate case, her brother Eric Castaneda, 36, of Redwood City, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, Patricia Castaneda worked in the School of Humanities and Sciences at a private university in Stanford. In her position, Patricia Castaneda’s duties included ordering Apple MacBooks for university faculty and staff. In 2009 or 2010, Patricia Castaneda began stealing MacBooks she ordered and selling them for cash. Initially, Patricia Castaneda sold the MacBooks she stole to an individual she met on Craigslist. In February 2016, Patricia Castaneda began giving the stolen MacBooks to Eric Castaneda to sell to an individual in Folsom who, in turn, resold and shipped the MacBooks to buyers outside California.
In total, the cost to the university of MacBooks that Patricia Castaneda stole was over $4 million. That amount includes the cost to the university of approximately 800 stolen MacBooks Eric Castaneda sold to the individual in Folsom, which was approximately $2.3 million.
This case is a product of an investigation by the IRS-Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Thuesen is prosecuting the case.
U.S. District Judge Kimberly J. Mueller is scheduled to sentence Patricia Castaneda and Eric Castaneda on June 7. Patricia Castaneda faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Eric Castaneda faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentences, however, will be determined at the court’s discretion after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
Two Mexican Nationals Residing in Bakersfield Plead Guilty to Selling 12 Pounds of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Cesar Larios-Ortega, 40, a Mexican national residing in Bakersfield, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, during two meetings in May 2019, Larios-Ortega and co‑defendant Rodolfo Cardenas-Lara, 43, also a Mexican national residing in Bakersfield, sold 12 pounds of methamphetamine to a customer at a negotiated price of $1,750 per pound.
This case is the product of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher D. Baker is prosecuting the case.
On Feb. 5, Cardenas-Lara pleaded guilty to the conspiracy and is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd on May 7. Larios-Ortega is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Drozd on June 11. The defendants face a mandatory minimum statutory penalty of at least 10 years in prison, a maximum term of life in prison, and a $10 million fine. The actual sentences, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
Mexican National Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Grow Marijuana in Shasta-Trinity National Forest and Depredation of Public LandsRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —Manuel S. Cardenas, 34, of San Louis Potosi, Mexico, pleaded guilty Thursday to conspiring to cultivate marijuana on public lands and depredation of public lands, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, between April 14 and Aug. 4, 2019, Cardenas grew marijuana at two sites in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest near the town of Helena in Trinity County.
This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Forest Service, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Trinity County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael W. Redding is prosecuting the case.
Cardenas is scheduled to be sentenced on June 10 by U.S. District Judge Morrison C. England Jr. Cardenas faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
Fresno Man Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison for Drug Trafficking and Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd sentenced Valentin Martinez, 41, of Fresno, today to six years in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, in May 2019, Martinez was a back-seat passenger in a car when law enforcement officers conducted a traffic-enforcement stop of the car and obtained permission from the driver to search it. Next to where Martinez was seated, officers found a tool bag with a firearm, ammunition, a scale, and plastic bags. Martinez admitted the items in the tool bag were his and admitted that he had methamphetamine on his person. On June 12, 2020, Martinez pleaded guilty to firearm and drug trafficking offenses.
This case was the product of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin J. Gilio prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.
Fresno Felon Indicted for Possessing AmmunitionRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment today against Daniel Santos Galaviz, 27, of Fresno, charging him with unlawfully possessing ammunition after being convicted of a felony crime, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, on Feb. 24, officers arrested Galaviz after he fled on foot from a vehicle during an attempted traffic stop. Officers recovered a loaded magazine from Galaviz during his arrest. Galaviz is prohibited from possessing ammunition because of his prior criminal record.
This case is the product of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and the Fresno Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Antonio J. Pataca is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Galaviz faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.
Elk Grove Woman Pleads Guilty to Medicare Kickback SchemeRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Mariela Panganiban, 48, of Elk Grove, pleaded guilty today to conspiring with the owners of home health care agencies to pay and receive illegal kickbacks in exchange for Medicare beneficiary referrals, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, Panganiban worked as the Director of Social Services at a skilled nursing facility in Roseville. In her role, Panganiban assisted Medicare beneficiaries in selecting home health care agencies following their discharge from the facility. Panganiban used her position to steer Medicare beneficiaries to home health agencies in Folsom and El Dorado Hills. In exchange for the referrals, the agencies’ owners paid Panganiban illegal cash kickbacks.
In her plea agreement, Panganiban admitted that the agencies’ owners paid her kickbacks in exchange for the referral of approximately 100 beneficiaries. Medicare paid the agencies over approximately $735,000 for services they purportedly provided to the beneficiaries. Because the agencies obtained the referrals by paying kickbacks, they should not have received any reimbursement from Medicare.
This case is a product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Thuesen is prosecuting the case.
U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley is scheduled to sentence Panganiban on May 20. She faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross loss or gain. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
Placer County Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for a Fentanyl Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez sentenced Steven Lawrence Robinson, 34, of Granite Bay, today to five years in prison for conspiring to possess and distribute fentanyl, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, Robinson conspired with Nathaniel Opondo Hubbert, 39, of Grass Valley, and others, to possess and distribute fentanyl in Placer County. Robinson and Hubbert were connected to at least one overdose of a victim who had to be given medical treatment after using drugs purchased from Hubbert.
Hubbert is charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl. Charges against Hubbert are pending. The charges are only allegations; he is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Placer County District Attorney’s Office, the Placer County Sheriff’s Department, and the Lincoln Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian T. Kinsella is prosecuting the case.
Foreign Nationals Sentenced for Manufacturing Counterfeit Identification DocumentsRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Lucas Lara Portillo, 39, a foreign national residing in Fresno, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd to 15 months in prison for conspiring to produce false identification documents, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
On Dec. 15, 2020, Judge Drozd sentenced Portillo’s co-conspirator, Isaias Herrera-Ortiz, 30, to 15 months in prison for the same offense.
According to court documents, between February 2018 and November 2019, Portillo and Herrera-Ortiz produced, possessed, transferred, and sold false identification documents. These documents included counterfeit lawful permanent resident or LPR cards and fraudulent Social Security number or SSN cards. Portillo and Herrera-Ortiz sold these documents on at least four separate occasions for an average price of $130 per set. In total, the pair was responsible for manufacturing between 25 and 99 sets of fraudulent documents.
This case was the product of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura D. Withers prosecuted the case.
Man Charged in Yosemite National Park Sexual AssaultRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — A five‑count indictment was unsealed today charging Charles Porter, 30, formerly of Chino Hills, charging him with assault with intent to commit aggravated sexual abuse, assault with the intent to commit abusive sexual contact, attempted aggravated sexual abuse, abusive sexual contact, and assault by striking, beating or wounding, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, on April 14, 2020, in Yosemite National Park, Porter assaulted the victim while making non-consensual sexual contact with him in an attempt to sexually assault the victim.
This case is the product of an investigation by the National Park Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katherine E. Schuh and Laura Jean Berger are prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Porter faces a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Northern California Man Indicted for Distributing and Possessing Fentanyl in Solano and Stanislaus CountiesRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment today against Leobardo Gerardo Anaya, 28, of Richmond, charging him with distributing and possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, on Aug. 26, 2020, Anaya sold approximately 100 counterfeit oxycodone hydrochloride pills to a confidential source who was working with law enforcement. The blue pills were stamped with “M30.” Subsequent testing revealed that these pills were laced with fentanyl, a Schedule I controlled substance. On Jan. 13, 2021, law enforcement officers stopped Anaya’s vehicle in Stanislaus County for speeding. Approximately 2,000 more M30 pills, which also tested positive for fentanyl, were found in his vehicle.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the California Highway Patrol, and the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron D. Pennekamp is prosecuting the case.
If convicted of possession with intent to distribute over 40 grams of fentanyl, Anaya faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum of 40 years in prison and a fine of up to $5 million. If convicted of distribution of fentanyl, Anaya faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Man on Probation for Fresno County Second Degree Robbery Conviction Charged Federally with Drug Trafficking and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a five-count indictment today against Fausto Piña, 31, a Mexican national residing in Fresno, charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, after Piña was arrested on outstanding warrants, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at his apartment. That search yielded 97.17 pounds (41.8 kilograms) of methamphetamine, 2.42 pounds (1.1 kilograms) of cocaine, 1.3 pounds (.58 kilograms) of heroin, three firearms, loaded and unloaded large capacity magazines, and ammunition. A search of Piña’s person and vehicle yielded nearly $24,000 in cash. Because Piña is a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Multi‑Agency Gang Enforcement Consortium (MAGEC), and the Fresno Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica A. Massey is prosecuting the case.
If convicted of felon in possession of a firearm, Piña faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. If convicted of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, Piña faces a mandatory minimum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison up to a maximum of up to life in prison, and a fine of up to $10 million. If convicted of possession with intent to distribute cocaine or heroin, Piña faces a mandatory minimum statutory penalty of five years in prison up to a maximum of up to 40 years prison, and a fine of up to $5 million on each count. If convicted of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, Piña faces a mandatory minimum statutory penalty of five years in prison up to a maximum of life in prison consecutive to the sentence on his drug conviction(s). Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.
Federal Firearm Charge Brought Against Fresno Man After Attempting to Evade PoliceRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment today against Luis Francisco Abrams, 44, of Fresno, charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, on Feb. 23, Abrams was riding his motorcycle when officers attempted to stop him for a traffic violation. Abrams failed to yield and led officers on a pursuit, during which he drove against oncoming traffic and ran multiple red lights. Abrams eventually crashed his motorcycle and fled the scene on foot. While fleeing, Abrams threw a firearm on the roof of a nearby building. Fresno Police officers eventually caught up to him, arrested him, and recovered the loaded firearm from the roof. Abrams is prohibited from possessing firearms because of his prior criminal record, which includes convictions for car theft, assault with a firearm, drug offenses, and domestic violence.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Fresno Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Antonio J. Pataca is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Abrams faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.
Fresno County Woman Arrested for over $790,000 in Crop Insurance FraudRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — On March 10, 2021, Jatinderieet “Jyoti” Sihota, 34, of Selma, was arrested on a federal indictment charging her with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and mail fraud for the submission of over $790,000 in fraudulent crop insurance claims, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. The indictment was unsealed today following her arrest.
According to court records, from at least November 2013 through September 2016, Sihota controlled her family’s farms in Fresno and Tulare Counties that produced table grapes, plums, and other crops. The crops were sold through fruit brokers in California’s Central Valley to supermarket chains and other third-party buyers.
Throughout this period, Sihota and others caused her family’s farms to obtain federally backed crop insurance policies through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency’s Federal Crop Insurance Program. They then submitted fraudulent insurance claims for crop losses due to excessive heat, rain, and other reasons that did not actually occur.
Sihota and others, including individuals at the produce brokers through which the crops were sold, altered records to misrepresent the varieties, quantities, and other information regarding the crops that were sold and submitted the records to the insurance program to support the fraudulent claims. These misrepresentations established sufficient crop losses to obtain insurance payments. When the insurance loss adjusters contacted Sihota and others to confirm the accuracy of the representations, they confirmed that the representations were accurate and complete, but in actuality, they were not.
This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of the Inspector General and the USDA Management Agency’s Special Investigations Staff. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Barton is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Sihota faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for each of the conspiracy and mail fraud charges. Any sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which consider several variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Sacramento Man Sentenced to 3 Years in Prison for Failure to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Michael Joseph Taylor, 36, of Sacramento, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William B. Shubb to three years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for failure to register as a sex offender, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, Taylor traveled from Oregon to Sacramento, where he resided from at least February 2017 through June 8, 2017, and knowingly failed to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration Notification Act (SORNA), as was required based on his 2012 convictions in Oregon for attempted sexual abuse in the first degree and sexual abuse in the third degree. While in failure to register status, Taylor was found in possession of matter that showed a minor engaging in or simulating sexual conduct, which led to Taylor’s arrest by Sacramento County sheriff’s deputies on June 8, 2017, and a separate conviction in state court.
This case was the product of an investigation by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shelley Weger prosecuted the case.
Sacramento County Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Sexual Exploitation of a ChildRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Johnathan David Sprague, 33, of Orangevale, was sentenced Monday by U.S. District Judge Kimberly J. Mueller to 25 years in prison for sexual exploitation of a minor, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, starting in January 2019, Sprague joined a Kik chat group for persons interested in sex with children and sent members of the group messages that contained screenshots of his texting activity with minors. Sprague sent screenshots of the victim engaged in sexual conduct to one group member, an undercover officer, stating that he was “grooming” the victim. Sprague sent another user the images of the victim. He also expressed interest in the 11‑year-old stepdaughter of a chat group member who was actually an undercover officer. On Feb. 24, 2019, Sprague offered to buy a plane ticket for the Kik group member and the stepdaughter to fly from Newark, New Jersey to Sacramento. On March 8, 2019, Sprague went to the airport to pick them up and was arrested.
Agents seized Sprague’s phone, and found child pornography files stored in his cloud storage accounts, as well as screenshots of chats showing the production and distribution of the images of the minor.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to continuing to locate offenders like Sprague and ensure that they are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Talbert. “We will do everything we can to keep our children safe from predators.”
“This investigation demonstrates Homeland Security Investigations’ (HSI) unwavering commitment to rid our community of child predators who seek to harm our most innocent population,” said HSI NorCal Special Agent in Charge Tatum King. “HSI operates worldwide to ensure child predators have no safe hiding place and are brought to justice. HSI Newark initiated this investigation and coordinated with HSI NorCal to ensure this individual was held accountable. HSI and our partners in the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), will never relent when it comes to protecting children and prosecuting predators whose perverse behavior has no place in our society.”
This case was the product of an investigation by the New Jersey Internet Crimes Against Children task force, HIS, the New Jersey State Police, and the police departments of Bayonne, New Jersey, Newark and Sacramento. Assistant U.S. Attorney Roger Yang prosecuted the case.
Sprague will remain in custody pending sentencing in New Jersey on state charges before transfer to a Bureau of Prisons facility.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet-safety education.
COVID-19 Unemployment Benefit Fraud Scheme ChargedRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — On Thursday, Feb. 25, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging two defendants in a scheme that targeted California Employment Development Department (EDD) unemployment insurance benefits that were intended for Californians hit hardest by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic shutdown, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
The three-count indictment charges Jason Vertz, 51, of Fresno, and Alana Powers, 45, an inmate at the Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) in Chowchilla, with one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft. The indictment was unsealed and Vertz was arraigned on Tuesday following his arrest.
According to court documents, Vertz and Powers submitted several fraudulent unemployment insurance claims in Powers’ and other CCWF inmates’ names to EDD. Recorded jail calls and emails show that Powers and other inmates, provided names, dates of birth, and social security numbers for inmates at CCWF to Vertz to submit the fraudulent claims. Shortly thereafter, the benefits were loaded onto debit cards that were mailed to the addresses the defendants provided.
The underlying applications for the claims stated that the inmates had worked within the prescribed period as maids, cleaners, fabrication welders, and other occupations, and that they were available to work, which was not true because they were incarcerated. The claims would have been denied if accurate answers had been given. EDD and the United States have suffered an actual loss of over $103,000 as a result of the fraud.
This case is the product of an investigation by the FBI, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Investigative Services Unit, and the California EDD. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexandre Dempsey and Joseph Barton are prosecuting the case.
If convicted of the conspiracy to commit mail fraud, Vertz and Powers each face a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. If convicted of the aggravated identity theft, they face a mandatory two-year sentence consecutive to any other sentence. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Vacaville Felon Indicted for Possessing AmmunitionRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment today against Guy Joseph Bass, 29, of Vacaville, charging him with being a felon in possession of ammunition, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to court documents, on Sept. 18, 2020, police officers arrested Bass on an outstanding arrest warrant. During the arrest, officers searched Bass and found a Glock style ghost gun loaded with an extended magazine containing 17 rounds.
Additionally, on Nov. 18, 2020, police officers approached a parked vehicle with two occupants. A K-9 alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle, and Bass handed a bag containing approximately a quarter ounce of suspected methamphetamine to the officers. A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of an unserialized .223‑caliber AR-style pistol and a 30‑round magazine loaded with 11 rounds of ammunition.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Vacaville Police Department, the Solano County District Attorney’s Office, the FBI’s Solano County Violent Crimes Task Force, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian T. Kinsella is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Bass faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count. Any sentence would be determined at the discretion of the district court after considering any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case is brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.
Two Indicted for Trafficking Fentanyl Pills and Methamphetamine to RocklinRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment today against Demecio Navarro Sanchez, 66, of Mexico, and Daniel Melchor, 20, of Santa Ana, charging them with conspiring to distribute and possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to court documents, on Oct. 16, 2020, law enforcement officers seized approximately 19,000 counterfeit oxycodone M-30 pills containing fentanyl and about 38.5 pounds of methamphetamine that Navarro and Melchor transported to Rocklin in separate vehicles on behalf of a Mexico-based drug trafficking organization.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Tri‑County Drug Enforcement Team (TRIDENT), the California Highway Patrol, and the Rocklin Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Spencer is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Navarro Sanchez and Melchor face a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Mendota Man Indicted for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of RacketeeringRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment today against Oscar Armando Orellana Guevara, 23, of Mendota, charging him with assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering and conspiracy to commit assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to court documents, on Aug. 28, 2020, Guevara and others assaulted a man by punching, kicking and stabbing him with a straight-blade knife. They stabbed him in his chest, thigh, abdomen, and arm. During the confrontation, Guevara announced the group’s affiliation with Mara Salvatrucha or MS-13 and threatened to kill him and a companion. The assault occurred in and around an area of Mendota over which MS-13 claims control, and before assaulting him, Guevara and others told the victim he could not be there.
This case is the product of an investigation by the FBI, Multi-Agency Gang Enforcement Consortium (MAGEC), the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, and the Mendota Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kimberly A. Sanchez and Stephanie Stokman are prosecuting the case.
If convicted of the assault with a dangerous weapon, Guevara faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The maximum statutory penalty for the conspiracy charge is three years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.
This effort 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.
Fresno Man Is Indicted for Federal Firearms Offenses for Third TimeRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment today against Wendell Ladell Lafrance Moton, 30, of Fresno, charging him with being a felon in possession of ammunition, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to court documents, on Feb. 11, Moton was in possession of an assault rifle without serial numbers that had a partially loaded 200‑round magazine attached. In 2009, Moton was convicted of assault with a deadly weapon not a firearm, and in 2012 and 2014, was convicted in federal court for being a felon in possession of ammunition or a firearm.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Fresno Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly A. Sanchez is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Moton faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.
Russian National Charged with Attempting to Provide Material Support to a Foreign Terrorist OrganizationRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a single-count indictment on February 18, 2021 against Murat Kurashev, 34, of Sacramento, charging him with attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, United States Attorney McGregor Scott announced.
According to court documents, Kurashev attempted to provide financial support to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a designated foreign terrorist organization.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and its other law enforcement partners. Assistant United States Attorney Heiko P. Coppola and Dmitriy Slavin, a Trial Attorney in the Department of Justice’s Counterterrorism Section, are prosecuting the case.
Kurashev was arrested by FBI agents and is currently in custody awaiting his first appearance.
If convicted, Kurashev faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Two Indicted for Fraud Scheme Targeting El Dorado County VictimRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned an indictment today against Laxmikanth Biyani, 27, and Akshar Patel, 27, of New Jersey, charging them with conspiracy to launder money, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to court documents, from October to December 2020, a victim in El Dorado County sent over $600,000 to a caller who pretended to be an agent of the Drug Enforcement Administration. He directed her to transfer money to him for safekeeping during the investigation of a drug trafficking case that involved her social security number. Some of the funds were transferred via Bitcoin, and $270,000 was transferred through cash drops in the parking lot of an elementary school in El Dorado Hills. On four occasions in November and December 2020, Biyani picked up cash drops left by the victim and delivered or attempted to deliver the money to co-conspirators. On two of those occasions, Patel assisted Biyani in the pickup and delivery of the cash drops. Biyani and Patel were arrested by the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office on December 15, 2020, and remain in custody.
This case is the product of an investigation by the United States Secret Service and the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mira Chernick is prosecuting the case.
If you believe you may be a victim of this fraud scheme, please contact the United States Secret Service at [email protected].
If convicted, Biyani and Patel each face a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Granite Bay Man Indicted for Being a Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment today against Jesse Alan Tory, 35, of Granite Bay, charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to court documents, on Dec. 1, 2020, Tory was in possession of a Smith & Wesson 28 revolver. Tory has previously been convicted of seven felonies in El Dorado County, including convictions for domestic violence, illegal firearm possession, and hit and run causing injury.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Rocklin Police Department, and the Placer County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael W. Redding is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Tory faces a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.
State Employee Pleads Guilty to $2M Scheme to Defraud the Office of AIDSRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —Schenelle M. Flores, 45, of Sacramento, pleaded guilty today to wire fraud in relation to a scheme to divert funds from the California Department of Public Health, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to court documents, Flores used her employment at the Office of AIDS, within the California Department of Public Health, to coordinate the fraud scheme between December 2017 and November 2018. The Office of AIDS is responsible for working on behalf of the State of California to combat the HIV and AIDS epidemic. Flores’s scheme involved directing a state contractor to make payments allegedly on behalf of the Office of AIDS and causing the contractor to charge those payments to the state. As part of the scheme, Flores caused the contractor to pay for personal expenses on its debit cards, order gift cards for personal use, and pay false invoices to shell companies for services allegedly provided to the Office of AIDS. Flores, other participants in the scheme, and their families and friends obtained at least $2 million in personal benefits, including cash and purchased items.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was referred by the California Department of Public Health and the California Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Miriam R. Hinman and Christopher S. Hales are prosecuting the case.
Flores is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley on May 27. Flores faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
Sacramento Man Charged with Fentanyl OffenseRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment today against Assadulla Mohammed Khaliqdad, 26, of Sacramento, charging him with possessing fentanyl for distribution and being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to court documents, law enforcement officers responded to Khaliqdad’s residence based on a report of shots fired. In Khaliqdad’s bedroom, officers found thousands of counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl, a loaded 9 mm handgun, and over $28,000 in cash.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Sacramento Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney David W. Spencer is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Khaliqdad faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison on the fentanyl charge and a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This effort 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.