Eastern District of California

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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, 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, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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, 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, 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, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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, 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.

FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment today against Steven Eric Cabrera, 25, of Fresno, charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, Cabrera communicated over the social media platform Snap Chat to arrange the sale of a handgun at a local park. When he arrived, his car was stopped by law enforcement officers who searched the car and found a bag with a towel-wrapped handgun hidden inside. Cabrera cannot legally possess firearms because in 2017 he was convicted of assaulting a person with a firearm, a felony.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Fresno Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 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. 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, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment today against Hector Kioni Gongora, 43, of Fresno, charging him with possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and unlawfully possessing a firearm and ammunition after being convicted of a felony, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, on Jan. 11, Gongora was arrested on a felony warrant and found to be in possession of a firearm and methamphetamine. A search of his residence recovered 177 additional rounds of ammunition. Gongora is a convicted felon prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

This case was the product of an investigation by the Fresno Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Antonio J. Pataca is prosecuting the case.

If convicted of the possession of methamphetamine count, Gongora faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and a maximum statutory penalty of 40 years in prison and a fine of up to $5 million. If convicted of the counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm or ammunition, Gongora faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine 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.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Talalima Toilolo of Salt Lake City was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for a conspiracy to commit a bank fraud scheme that attempted to defraud financial institutions of more than $3.8 million, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

Toilolo was also ordered to pay $827,369 in restitution to victims of the refund fraud. This amount reflects the amount that the defendants received from the scheme.

According to court documents, between June 2018 and February 2019, Talalima Toilolo, 44, conspired with Johnathon Ward and Monica Nunes 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. They 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.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Regional Enforcement Allied Computer Team (REACT) Task Force, which includes investigators from the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Artuz is prosecuting the case.

Nunes has pleaded guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced on March 18. 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 charges are still pending against Ward and S. Toilolo. The charges against them are only allegations; they are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that he will resign his position as the chief federal prosecutor for the Eastern District of California. The United States Attorney serves as the chief federal law enforcement officer and is responsible for prosecuting federal criminal cases and representing the United States in civil litigation. The Eastern District covers 34 counties throughout the Central Valley and the Sierras and has 92 attorneys and 91 non-attorney staff with offices in Sacramento, Fresno, and Bakersfield.

Mr. Scott tendered his resignation to the President and the Acting Attorney General today, and he will conclude his service as United States Attorney on February 28.

On Dec. 29, 2017, Scott was sworn in as the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California, returning to the position he held from 2003 to 2009.

“Serving as the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of California has been the most fulfilling experience of my professional career,” said Scott. “It has been an honor these past three years to work with the women and men in this office and our law enforcement partners to keep our communities safe, to safeguard the Treasury, and to provide the United States with the highest quality legal representation in all the matters we handle.”

As of March 1, Phillip A. Talbert will assume leadership of the office as Acting U.S. Attorney. Talbert, who is currently the First Assistant U.S. Attorney, has had a distinguished career of more than 18 years in the office. He previously served as the court-appointed U.S. Attorney during the last transition between administrations, the Chief of Appeals and Training, and a prosecutor in the Narcotics and Violent Crime Unit. He also served in the Department of Justice’s Office of Professional Responsibility and Criminal Division before coming to the Eastern District of California. Mr. Talbert was also in private practice. He is a graduate of Harvard University, the University of Sydney, and the UCLA School of Law.

Mr. Scott received his B.A. from Santa Clara University in 1985 and his J.D. from Hastings College of the Law, University of California, in 1989. He served as a deputy district attorney from 1989 to 1997 in Contra Costa County and served as the elected District Attorney of Shasta County from 1997 to 2003. After completing his first term as U.S. Attorney, Mr. Scott practiced as a partner with the law firm of Orrick, Herrington, & Sutcliffe LLP, focusing on white collar criminal defense and corporate investigations. In addition, Mr. Scott retired in 2008 from the United States Army Reserve as a lieutenant colonel after 23 years of service.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —Deborah Gwen Orrey, 51, of Anderson, pleaded guilty today to making and subscribing a false tax return, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, Orrey was the owner and operator of Affordable Tax, Bankruptcy, and Bookkeeping. From 2014 to 2017, Orrey submitted falsified tax returns to the Internal Revenue Service for her own tax returns and also the tax returns that she filed on her clients’ behalf. Orrey owed to the IRS an additional $112,083. She split the refunds due to her clients without her clients’ knowledge, causing a portion of the clients’ refunds to be deposited to her own bank account. Eight of her clients suffered an actual loss of a total of $3,729.

This case is the product of an investigation by the IRS Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tanya B. Syed is prosecuting the case.

Orrey is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez on May 18. Orrey faces a maximum statutory penalty of three years in prison and a $100,000 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.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Joseph McCready Tomson, 30, of Vallejo, was sentenced Thursday to 10 years and three months in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

Tomson pleaded guilty on April 30, 2020. According to court documents, on Jan. 24, 2020, Tomson was stopped driving back from Mexico and found to be in possession of hundreds of pills hidden near the wheel well of his vehicle. On March 17, 2020, agents executed a search warrant at Tomson’s residence and found two pistols in the living room next to a large amount of tools and gun supply parts, including a handgun and an AR-15-style rifle. Agents also found two additional handguns in a desk next to bottles containing Xanax and Oxycodone pills and a bag containing 229 grams 100% pure methamphetamine.

This case was the product of investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron L. Desmond prosecuted the case.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Saybyn Borges, 30, of Reno, Nevada, was sentenced Thursday to 10 years and one month in prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

Borges pleaded guilty on Aug. 6, 2020. According to court documents on May 21, 2018, in Placer County, Borges sold a confidential source 493 counterfeit oxycodone 30 milligram pills. The pills weighed 52.6 net grams and contained 1.6% fentanyl. Borges thereafter arranged to sell an additional 7,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills to the confidential source. On June 7, 2018, Borges arrived at the agreed-upon location in possession of the 7,000 fentanyl pills. Agents surrounded Borges’ vehicle and attempted to arrest him. Borges used his car to break containment by ramming an unmarked law enforcement vehicle. The car struck a CHP officer, injuring his hand. Borges then drove up to 100 miles-per-hour on a two-lane road, throwing tablets out the window as he fled. He was eventually apprehended. Agents located 3,440 counterfeit oxycodone pills scattered along the road and inside Borges’ vehicle. The pills weighed 367 net grams and contained 1% fentanyl.

This case was the product of investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron L. Desmond prosecuted the case.

FRESNO, Calif. — Fernando Valencia, 31, of Turlock, was sentenced Thursday to six years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, on Oct. 30, 2019, Valencia was in possession of a loaded firearm in a vehicle in Turlock. He was previously convicted of multiple felonies, including a violent assault, and was therefore prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition. At the time of Valencia’s arrest, he was on federal probation in the Southern District of California following a 2014 conviction.

This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Turlock Police Department, and the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Schuh 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, Calif. — Rogelio Benavides, 35, of Arvin, was sentenced Thursday to five years and five months in prison for bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

Benavides was also ordered to pay over $20,000 in restitution and forfeit another $20,000 as part of his sentence.

Benavides pleaded guilty on Nov. 12, 2020. According to court documents, between November 2018 and September 2019, Benavides obtained hundreds of pieces of stolen mail that included checks, checkbooks, and personally identifiable information belonging to other individuals and businesses. He then altered and forged checks and either cashed or deposited the checks into his own bank accounts. He used personally identifiable information to apply for credit cards, which he used to make purchases and cash advances. He accessed bank accounts belonging to the other individuals and businesses and made payments for credit cards, loans, and insurance policies in his own name and the names of his associates. Benavides’ scheme caused more than $95,000 in fraudulent charges to be made to other individuals’ bank accounts and credit cards.

During the scheme, Benavides was found to have possessed a Glock Model 19, 9 mm pistol, which was illegal given his prior felony convictions.

This case was the product of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Vincente Tennerelli and Joseph Barton are prosecuting the case.

FRESNO, Calif. — On Jan. 28, a federal grand jury in Fresno indicted Selma couple Marquis Asaad Hooper, 30, and Natasha Renee Chalk, 37, charging them with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, Hooper was stationed in Japan as a chief petty officer with the Navy’s Seventh Fleet until October 2018. His wife, Chalk, was a naval reservist stationed at Naval Air Station Lemoore in California. Hooper separated from the Navy in October 2018. Shortly before Hooper’s separation was final, Hooper and Chalk fraudulently obtained access to a database containing millions of people’s personal information. The company that operates the database only grants access to legitimate businesses and government agencies and only for business or government purposes, such as police departments attempting to locate suspects or banks confirming the information in account applications.

In late August 2018, Hooper contacted the company, falsely claiming that the Seventh Fleet needed access to the database to run background checks on Navy personnel. Based on that information, the company approved the account. Hooper signed the company’s subscriber agreement, purporting to act on behalf of his fleet. In reality, Hooper was not acting on behalf of his fleet, and Hooper did not access the database for a legitimate government purpose. Instead, he added Chalk, who was not a member of his fleet, and other individuals to the database account. Over the next approximately two and a half months, Hooper and Chalk searched for tens of thousands of individuals on the database and sold the information they obtained on those individuals to third parties in exchange for bitcoin. The third parties used the information to commit identity theft.

For instance, in November 2018, a man in Gilbert, Arizona, attempted to withdraw money from another person’s bank account using a fake driver’s license created with information Hooper had retrieved from the database. The company shut down Hooper’s and Chalk’s database account in December 2018. Three months later, they tried again to get access to the database through one of Hooper’s Navy contacts stationed on the U.S.S. George Washington, docked in Newport News, Virginia. Hooper had the contact falsely state that another Navy member, L.B., was the contact’s supply officer. Hooper and Chalk then conspired to send the contact a subscriber agreement for the database, a fake driver’s license for L.B., and a fake letter from the contact’s commanding officer, all containing forged signatures.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Homeland Security investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Vincente A. Tennerelli and Joseph D. Barton are prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Hooper and Chalk face a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison on the conspiracy and wire fraud charges and a mandatory two-years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, on the aggravated identity theft charges. 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.

FRESNO, Calif. — Eduardo Leon, 30, of McFarland, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd to three years and four months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

On June 26, 2019, Leon, a convicted felon prohibited by law from possessing a firearm, possessed four machine gun conversion devices, which he had previously ordered online. Machine gun conversion devices are designed to convert semi‑automatic pistols to fire in fully automatic mode and are illegal in the United States.

This case was the product of an investigation by the Customs and Border Patrol and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica A. Massey 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.

This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see www.justice.gov/projectguardian.

FRESNO, Calif. — Rafael Sanchez, Jr., 41, of Hanford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd to seven years and three months in prison for orchestrating a large-scale firearms trafficking ring, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, between April 2016 and March 2018, while residing in Hanford, Sanchez identified firearms available for purchase in Tennessee with the assistance of various co-conspirators residing there. Sanchez transferred money to the Tennessee co-conspirators, who used the money to purchase, package and ship the firearms to Sanchez in California. With the assistance of others, Sanchez identified California-based purchasers and offered to sell and sold to them the firearms he received from the Tennessee co-conspirators. Neither Sanchez nor the six charged co-conspirators were licensed to deal or import firearms, and Sanchez was prohibited from possessing firearms because of a pior felony conviction in Kings County Superior Court for assault with a deadly weapon.

Five other defendants charged in the case have been convicted and sentenced to various terms of imprisonment and probation, including Alexis Sanchez, of Kettleman City, Veronica Ramirez, of Lemoore, and Tennessee residents Victor Luna, Ashley Sanchez and Elvia Sanchez. A seventh defendant, Juan Daniel Gonzalez Mejia, of Tennessee, was convicted of firearms trafficking and is scheduled to be sentenced on May 21.

This case was the product of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Lenoir City - Tennessee Police Department, Department of Homeland Security, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Tennessee assisted in the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Christopher D. Baker is prosecuting the case in the Eastern District of California.

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 also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see www.justice.gov/projectguardian

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Ronda Boone, 58, of Vallejo, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley to five years in prison and ordered to pay $1,968,650 in restitution for a multimillion dollar tax fraud and money laundering conspiracy, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

“The defendants attempted to steal more than $4.5 million from the IRS,” said Michael Daniels, Acting Special Agent in Charge IRS Criminal Investigation. “When their scheme finally worked, they moved their money through various accounts, including overseas. Once again this shows the severe nature of fraudulent tax refund schemes perpetrated against the IRS. Today’s sentencing sends a clear message that those involved in these types of schemes will be held accountable for their crimes.”

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Ronda Boone and her husband and co-defendant Marty Marciano Boone, 59, filed separate false tax returns claiming that they were owed millions of dollars in refunds from the IRS. While the IRS flagged Ronda Boone’s tax return as fraudulent and denied her claim, Marty Boone’s false return resulted in the IRS paying him over $1.9 million in a refund check. Evidence at trial established that Marty Boone and Ronda Boone then laundered those funds through domestic and foreign accounts, including by establishing a shell corporation in Cyprus and a church in the state of Washington through which they moved the fraudulently obtained money.

On Jan. 31, 2019, a jury found Marty Boone guilty of filing a false tax return, conspiring to commit money laundering and money laundering, and found Ronda Boone guilty of conspiring to commit money laundering and money laundering. On Nov. 14, 2019, Marty Boone was sentenced to seven years and three months in prison.

This case was the product of an investigation by IRS Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christina McCall handled the sentencing hearing in the case.

FRESNO, Calif. – A federal grand jury has returned a one-count indictment against Jatinbhai Naresh Bhakta, 29, and Roy Gene Drees, 45, both of Bakersfield, charging them with use of facilities of interstate commerce in aid of a racketeering enterprise, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today.

According to a criminal complaint, Bhakta purchased and began operating the Desert Star Motel at 516 South Union Avenue in Bakersfield in 2015. Bhakta lived in a unit at the motel. Drees also lived at the motel and was employed as a handyman and general manager.

Since 2015, the Bakersfield Police Department has made numerous prostitution-related arrests at the property. In May 2019, an investigation confirmed that Darnell Edwards forced two minor females to engage in prostitution at the Desert Star. On Nov. 7, 2019, Edwards was indicted for sex trafficking of minors. When a search warrant was executed at the Desert Star on Jan. 22, 2021, fifteen prostitutes and three pimps were encountered. Drees and Bhakta were arrested at that time.

If convicted, the defendants face a maximum statutory penalty of up to five 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 defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Some of the federal and state resources available on this topic are available at the Department of Justice website and the California Attorney General’s website.

If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, contact the Homeland Security Investigations’ Blue Campaign at 1-866-347-2423 or get help from the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733.

Report missing children, child pornography, or sexual exploitation of a child online to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) at 1-800-THE-LOST (843-5678) or https://report.cybertip.org/.

The investigation is ongoing and is being conducted by the Bakersfield offices of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, Bakersfield Police Department, and the Parole Division of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David L. Gappa is prosecuting the case.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned an 11-count indictment today against members of a drug trafficking organization, charging them with fentanyl trafficking and other related offenses, United States Attorney McGregor Scott announced.

Jose Lopez-Zamora, 26; Leonardo Flores Beltran, 29; Christian Anthony Romero, 25; Joaquin Sotelo Valdez, 24; Sandro Escobedo, 32; Erika Zamora Rojo, 45; and Alejandro Tello, 22; all of Sacramento; and Jason Lee, 48, of Sparks, Nevada, and Rudi Flores, 27, of Manteca, are charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine as well as either fentanyl distribution or possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Jose Aguilar Saucedo, 22, of Sacramento, is charged with three counts of fentanyl distribution.

According to court documents, Jose Lopez-Zamora was the U.S.-based leader of a drug trafficking organization that was responsible for importing from Mexico and distributing in the United States tens of thousands of fentanyl-laced counterfeit oxycodone (M-30) pills, as well as cocaine and methamphetamine. Law enforcement seized more than 20,000 of these pills during the investigation. Wiretapped calls show awareness by at least some co-conspirators that these fentanyl pills had been responsible for multiple overdoses and overdose deaths in the area.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Yuba-Sutter Narcotic and Gang Enforcement Task Force (NET-5), the California Highway Patrol, the Butte Interagency Narcotics Task Force (BINTF), the Tri-County Drug Enforcement Team (TRIDENT), the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department, the Sacramento Police Department, the Roseville Police Department, the Manteca Police Department, the Yuba City Police Department, and the West Sacramento Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney David W. Spencer is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Aguilar Saucedo faces a maximum statutory penalty of 40 years in prison and the other defendants 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.

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.