Eastern District of California

FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a 20-count indictment on Aug. 22 against Akop Dongelyan, 44, of Glendale, and Artak Vardanyan, 37, of Burbank, charging them with credit card fraud and aggravated identity theft, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. Vardanyan was arraigned today, with Dongelyan’s arraignment is scheduled for Sept.23.

According to court documents, Dongelyan and Vardanyan used counterfeit credit and debit cards to make fraudulent cash withdrawals of over $200,000 at ATMs in the Fresno area and in Southern California. The counterfeit cards were created using cardholder information stolen via skimming devices installed at various gas stations.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Vincente A. Tennerelli is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Dongelyan and Vardanyan each face a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison for access device fraud, a mandatory two years in prison for aggravated identity theft, 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.

FRESNO, Calif. — Bert Harris, 38, of Fresno, was sentenced on Monday by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd to 10 years and three months in prison for using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, on Dec. 6, 2017, law enforcement officers saw Harris conducting what appeared to be hand-to-hand drug deals outside an apartment complex in Fresno. When the officers tried to arrest Harris, he fled on a bicycle. Officers chased Harris as he rode away, and eventually Harris turned into a parking lot outside an apartment complex and jumped off his bike. He started running away as an officer gave chase. While Harris was running, he reached in his pocket and pulled out a gun. The officer shot Harris though his hip and Harris dropped the gun on the ground. Harris ran a short distance farther and fell to the ground.

Officers searched Harris and found methamphetamine in his pocket and marijuana in the backpack he was carrying. Harris admitted that he had been selling the methamphetamine and that he had the gun for protection.

This case was the product of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and the Multi-Agency Gang Enforcement Consortium. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ross Pearson and Melanie Alsworth prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

FRESNO, Calif. —Francisco Fernandez, 26, of Earlimart, pleaded guilty Monday to possessing with the intent to distribute cocaine and possession of an unregistered firearm, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, a search warrant was executed at Fernandez’s residence in April 2019. During the search, federal agents found and seized scales, drug paraphernalia and cocaine. Fernandez admitted to possessing the cocaine for sale to others. Apart from the narcotics, federal agents also found “auto-sear” devices that are used to convert semi-automatic firearms to fire as fully automatic machineguns. In a subsequent search of Fernandez’s storage unit, agents located and seized several firearms, which included a Glock handgun that Fernandez had converted into a machinegun.

This case was the product of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Newman is prosecuting the case.

Fernandez is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd on Dec. 16. Fernandez faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million for the distribution of cocaine charge and a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the possession of an unregistered firearm charge. 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 Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — David Sun, 53, of Davis, was found guilty today on all counts related to a scheme to fraudulently obtain California Class A and Class B commercial driver licenses (CDLs) for the students of his commercial driving school, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

After a 7-day trial, a jury found Sun guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit unauthorized access of a computer and to produce identification documents without lawful authority, eight counts of production of identification documents without lawful authority, and one count of conspiracy to produce identification documents without lawful authority and to transfer identification documents produced without lawful authority.

According to court documents and evidence produced at trial, Sun operated a driving school named Commercial Driver Institute USA in the East Bay with a parking lot in Richmond. Sun primarily catered to Mandarin and Cantonese speaking students. He helped students get Class A or Class B commercial driver licenses that allowed them to drive large vehicles like tractor-trailer trucks and buses. Sun typically charged $2,500 to $6,500 per student.

Sun committed two different types of fraud: a testing conspiracy where Sun helped his California students fraudulently bypass the required written or driving tests to get commercial licenses, and a residency conspiracy where Sun recruited students from New York and helped them pose as California residents to get a California CDL. Sun would arrange for the licenses to be mailed to the students who had returned to their actual home state of New York.

Sun’s students struggled with the written tests because of their English language limitations so he helped them bypass the written testing requirements for learner’s permits. Those permits were issued from DMV’s Walnut Creek office under one employee’s login from at least November 2014 through January 2016. None of Sun’s students in the conspiracy or charged counts ever went to that Walnut Creek DMV office or passed the tests on the dates indicated in DMV’s records. Sun instructed his students to attempt the written tests, which they did at various DMV offices in the Bay Area. If they failed, Sun took their DMV receipt, which would show their unique California DMV number, and a fraudulent permit would issue from the Walnut Creek DMV after fraudulent passing scores were entered under the Walnut Creek employee login.

On occasion, Sun provided his students with a Bluetooth device to wear during the driving test, and instructed them to wear a beanie to conceal it, so that Sun could tell the student what to say and do during the test. In addition, on many occasions Sun took his students to a particular license examiner at the DMV in Santa Rosa with whom Sun had a personal relationship. Evidence at trial showed that Sun was paid extra money to guarantee they would pass the driving tests.

This case is the product of an investigation by the California Department of Motor Vehicles Office of Internal Affairs and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rosanne L. Rust and Christopher S. Hales are prosecuting the case.

Sun is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Kimberly J. Mueller on Dec. 9. Sun faces a total statutory maximum penalty of 15 years and 5 years in prison respectively for the conspiracy counts, as well as a maximum of 15 years in prison for each of the eight counts of production of identification documents without lawful authority. 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 two indictments today charging a total of seven defendants with conspiracy to cultivate marijuana, marijuana cultivation, and depredation of federal lands, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents in the first case, between July 19 and Aug. 17, Cornelio Morales Rodriguez, 35, of Oaxaca, Mexico; and Ukiah residents Kevin Humberto Quijada Colocho, 23, and Damian Isaac Rios Faber, 20, were involved in the cultivation of 1,806 marijuana plants east of Haman Ridge in Six Rivers National Forest. About 100 pounds of processed marijuana were seized at the site. The defendants are also charged with depredation of federal lands and resources.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Trinity County Sheriff’s Department, the U.S. Forest Service, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the California Highway Patrol Northern Division Air Operations, and the Trinity County District Attorney’s Office.

According to court documents in the second case, between May 23 and Aug. 28, Timothy Charles Wilson, 70, of Pioneer; Filemon Padilla Martinez, 54, of Mexico; Oscar Francisco-Diego, 31, of Guatemala; and Francisco Gomez Sanchez, 37 of Chiapas, Mexico, were involved in the cultivation of 1,054 marijuana plants in the Tomhead Mountain area in in Shasta-Trinity National Forest.

This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Forest Service, the Tehama County Sheriff’s Department, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife with assistance from the Amador County Sheriff’s Office and the California Department of Justice.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian T. Kinsella is prosecuting both cases.

If convicted of the marijuana charges, the defendants face a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, and a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $10 million fine. If convicted of damaging public lands, the defendants face a maximum 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 several variables. These charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment today against Adam Fuller, 33, of Sacramento, charging him with assault on a federal employee or officer, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. 

According to court documents, on Aug. 27, Fuller assaulted a court security officer outside the United States Federal Courthouse in Sacramento by punching him in the face, causing injury to the security officer.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Protective Services and U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron L. Desmond and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Cody are prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Fuller 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. — On August 29, a federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment against William Dan Powell, 67, of Redding, charging him with possession of child pornography, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, Powell possessed pornographic material depicting prepubescent children. Powell is scheduled to be arraigned today in Sacramento.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mira Chernick is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Powell 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.

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. — Today, U.S. District Judge William B. Shubb sentenced Stephen J. Dougan, 57, formerly of Granite Bay, now residing in Utah, to three years in prison and one year of supervised release for corruptly endeavoring to impede the due administration of the Internal Revenue Laws, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, during an Internal Revenue Service audit of his 2006 and 2007 tax returns, Dougan made false statements, including falsely representing that he was redacting checks to protect client confidentiality when in fact, he also redacted his own name from checks he wrote to himself; withheld documents from the IRS; and provided false and misleading documents to the IRS that substantially underrepresented his income in 2006 and 2007. He also made false statements and provided false and misleading documents to the IRS in order to substantiate various business expenses he claimed on Schedule C of his 2006 tax return, including submitting a false advertising invoice and falsely claiming that his personal divorce attorney was his assistant or paralegal.

U.S. Attorney Scott stated: “This defendant is a lawyer who refused to obey the law. As determined by the trial judge and jury, he did not make an impulsive error in judgment, but rather his conduct was long-term, complex, and deliberate. This sentence reflects the discredit he brought to the legal profession.”

“The defendant used his legal knowledge and his lies to organize a complex scheme to hide over $1.4 million of income,” said Kareem Carter, Special Agent in Charge IRS Criminal Investigation. “When the IRS audited his tax returns, he concealed more than $650,000 in back taxes in an effort to obstruct the audit. Today’s sentencing sends a clear message that those involved in these types of schemes will be held accountable for their crimes.”

This case was the product of an investigation by IRS Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael M. Beckwith, Chi Soo Kim, Matthew D. Segal, Matthew M. Yelovich, and Amy S. Hitchcock prosecuted the case.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a 14-count indictment today against Jason Raysean Broadbent, 32, of Sacramento, charging him with assaulting federal officers with a deadly weapon and various firearms and drug trafficking offenses, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to the indictment, on November 19, 2015, Broadbent assaulted Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives agents by firing and brandishing a Glock semi‑automatic pistol while they were performing their official duties in Sacramento County. Broadbent, a convicted felon, allegedly possessed multiple firearms, including two machineguns and a pipe bomb. The indictment further alleges that Broadbent possessed methamphetamine for distribution within 1,000 feet of a private secondary school and on a premises where children were present or resided.

This case is the product of an investigation by ATF, the Sacramento Police Department, the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office, the Woodland Police Department, the Yolo County Narcotic Enforcement Team, and the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David W. Spencer and Justin L. Lee are prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Broadbent faces a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $20 million fine. Broadbent also faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison on some of the drug trafficking charges. He faces separate mandatory minimum sentences of five to 30 years in prison, consecutive to any other prison term imposed, for possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes. He also faces a mandatory consecutive sentence of 10 years in prison for discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and a mandatory consecutive sentence of seven years in prison for brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment today against Matthew Lee Roberson, 36, and Randy Lee Collins, 61, both of Rancho Cordova. The indictment charges Roberson with heroin and methamphetamine dealing as well as being a felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment charges Collins with being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, on August 22, 2019, deputies from the U.S. Marshals Service assisted DEA special agents in executing a search warrant at the home shared by Roberson and Collins. Roberson complied with the order to get on the floor and was arrested. Collins, however, exited the bedroom and pointed a loaded 9 mm gun at the deputies. When he did not comply with commands to drop the gun, members of the entry team fired their weapons at him. Collins was struck in the hand, and he subsequently dropped the gun. Medical aid was rendered to Collins. During the search, agents discovered multiple firearms, methamphetamine, and heroin in the house.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hitt is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Roberson faces a maximum statutory penalty of 40 years in prison and a $5 million fine. Collins faces a maximum 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; each defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment today against Oscar Alfredo Castanaza-Ortega, 34, of Guatemala, charging him with conspiring to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to distribute marijuana, manufacturing marijuana, damaging public lands and natural resources, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, law enforcement officers located 2,864 marijuana plants in the Twin Springs area of the Sequoia National Forest in Tulare County. Castanaza was found in the grow site with a loaded .38-caliber firearm and a box of .38-caliber ammunition.

The marijuana cultivation operation caused significant damage to the land and natural resources. Native trees, brush and other vegetation were cut down, and large amounts of fertilizers and pesticides were found in the area. Thousands of pounds of trash, irrigation hose, and camping equipment were found at the site.

This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Forest Service with assistance from the California Department of Justice’s Campaign Against Marijuana Planting (CAMP) and the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen A. Escobar is prosecuting the case.

If convicted of the drug conspiracy and manufacturing offense, Castanaza faces a mandatory minimum statutory penalty of 10 years and a maximum penalty of life in prison, as well as a fine of up to $10 million. The environmental charge carries a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Castanaza faces a mandatory consecutive prison term of five years. In addition, he may be liable for restitution to the Forest Service for damage sustained to the land and natural resources as a result of the cultivation activities. 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. — Andrew Stephen Lund, 37, of Vallejo, pleaded guilty today to attempted online enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, in April 2018, Lund engaged in online sexual chats with a person whom he believed to be a 14-year-old girl, but who was in fact an undercover agent. Lund was an elementary school teacher in Vallejo at the time he attempted to entice the minor.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Homeland Security Investigations and the Silicon Valley Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Schuller Hitchcock is prosecuting the case.

Lund is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley on Dec. 5. Lund faces a mandatory statutory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison, as well as a fine up to $250,000. 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. — Today, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott, Chief Deputy Lasha Boyden and Chief Inspector Bert Tapia of the U.S. Marshals Service, and Stockton Police Chief Eric Jones announced a U.S. Marshals Service-led operation to reduce violence in Stockton.

Operation Take Back aimed to provide the city of Stockton with immediate relief from the increasing rate of violent crime. After 21 days of focused effort, Operation Take Back concluded on August 30th, targeting and arresting violent fugitives, gang members and criminal offenders who have committed crimes such as homicide, shooting into dwellings, felony assault, sexual assault, illegal possession of firearms, illegal drug distribution, and robbery.

As a result of a request from the Stockton Police Department for assistance from federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, Operation Take Back was conducted in coordination with the U.S. Marshals Service, the Stockton Police Department, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and the San Joaquin County Probation Department.

Operation Take Back resulted in 101 arrests, including 42 identified gang members. In addition, law enforcement officers seized 19 firearms and 3,500 rounds of ammunition, 25 marijuana plants, 5 pounds of packaged marijuana, and other illegal drugs, including cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin.

U.S. Attorney Scott stated: “This focused effort removed violent offenders from the streets of Stockton. Local and federal law enforcement partnerships such as Operation Take Back are essential to making our communities safe and sending the message that gangs will not be tolerated in Stockton.”

 “These types of operations are vital to maintaining the safety of the very communities within which we live and work. The ability of local, state and federal law enforcement to work together in tracking down these fugitives is vital to the peace and stability of our communities,” said Bert Tapia, Chief Inspector for the United States Marshals Service.

Chief Jones stated: “During the month of May we experienced an increase in violent crime, specifically shootings and homicides. This was very concerning to us and that is why we reached out to our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners. With the help of the additional resources that the U.S. Marshals Service brought to Stockton, we were able to make key arrests on those who were actively involved in street violence and were able to remove numerous firearms off the streets. We would like to thank the U.S. Marshals Service for helping us bring back a sense of safety to those neighborhoods that were affected by violent crime.”

Each local, state and federal agency utilized their individual specialized enforcement techniques and statutory authority in order to disrupt and destabilize the organized criminal operations of violent street gangs and career criminal offenders in the city of Stockton.

FRESNO, Calif. — Halen Steven Patrick Frazier, 33, of Lone Jack, Missouri, entered a guilty plea to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana, which was shipped from California to Kansas City, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, in November 2018, Frazier’s co-defendants Patrick Maldonado, of Madera; Elias Zambrano Jr., of Fresno; Tan Minh Vo, of San Jose; and David Agustus McGowan, of Kansas City; and Tien Van Phan,  coordinated the shipment of about 476 pounds of marijuana to Frazier in Kansas City. The first shipment was seized from Frazier during a traffic stop after Vo’s courier, Phan, made delivery to him. Another load was intercepted by Arizona troopers after stopping McGowan for a broken tail light on his truck. During a search of the trailer, troopers found a hidden compartment with 384 pounds of marijuana, 78 pounds of THC-laced edibles, and $1,629 in cash.

Frazier is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 9 by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd. Frazier faces a maximum statutory penalty of 40 years in prison, a minimum statutory penalty of five years in prison, and a $5 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.

The other defendants are scheduled for a status conference in federal court in Fresno on Nov. 12. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Central Valley High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force consisting of agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Homeland Security Investigations; Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Sheriff’s Offices of Tulare, Kings, and Fresno Counties; Fresno Police Department; Arizona Department of Health; and Kansas City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Escobar is prosecuting the case.

FRESNO, Calif. — Edgar Hernandez, 34, of McFarland, pleaded guilty today to possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, Hernandez, who is also known as “Dopey,” sold methamphetamine on Jan. 17, Feb. 28, and March 6, 2019, in the McFarland area. When Hernandez was arrested on March 6, he was found to be in possession of a firearm and narcotics.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the McFarland Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Newman is prosecuting the case.

Hernandez is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd on Dec. 2. Hernandez faces a mandatory minimum five-year sentence and a maximum statutory penalty of 40 years in prison, and a $5 million fine related for the distribution of methamphetamine charge; and a mandatory consecutive five-year sentence and a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $250,000 fine for firearm charge. 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 Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment Thursday against Genaro L. Merino, 34, of Merced, and Manuel S. Cardenas, 32, of San Luis Potosi, of Mexico, charging them with conspiring to manufacture at least 1,000 marijuana plants, manufacturing at least 1,000 marijuana plants, and depredation of public land and resources, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, Merino and Cardenas are accused of carrying out an illegal marijuana grow between April 14 and August 4, 2019. Approximately 1,900 plants were located at two grow sites in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest near the town of Helena.

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. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael W. Redding is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Merino and Cardenas faces a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $10 million fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — On Thursday, after a seven-day trial, a federal jury found Christopher Ramonaguilar Lawrence, 24, of Chico, guilty of one count of sex trafficking of a child and one count of distribution of methamphetamine to a person under 21, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, in July and August 2017, Lawrence recruited a then 17-year-old girl to engage in prostitution for his financial benefit. Lawrence used social media to communicate with the victim, and on two occasions, he lured the victim to Chico motel rooms where he gave the victim methamphetamine, explained the methods of his prostitution business, including how to detect and evade law enforcement, and continued to recruit the victim to work for him as a prostitute.

“Sex traffickers prey upon the vulnerabilities of their young victims, luring them into a cycle of physical and psychological abuse and addiction that is often difficult to escape,” said Special Agent in Charge Sean Ragan of the FBI Sacramento Field Office. “The FBI is committed to identifying and apprehending individuals who sexually exploit others for financial gain. We seek to provide victims with an opportunity to escape the violent existence they have endured and ensure their exploiters face justice.”

This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Chico Police Department, and the Butte County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian A. Fogerty and Quinn Hochhalter are prosecuting the case.

Lawrence faces a mandatory minimum term of 10 years in prison, a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison, and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

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. — A federal grand jury returned an indictment today against Roeuth Korm, 32, of Stockton, charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, on July 26, Korm was found in possession of a Glock 22 firearm. Korm is a previously convicted felon and is prohibited by law from possessing a firearm.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tanya B. Syed and Cameron L. Desmond are prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Korm 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 was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment today against Juan Francisco Nunez-Roman, 21, of Fontana, charging him with possessing controlled substances for distribution, and conspiracy to do the same, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court records, in May 2019, an undercover agent arranged to purchase approximately 40 pounds of methamphetamine and 5,000 counterfeit Oxycodone pills. On the day of the planned buy, Nunez-Roman arrived at a hotel parking lot in Elk Grove and showed the undercover agent a package of narcotic pills. Nunez-Roman agreed to follow the undercover agent to a secondary location, where he was going to sell the agent the pills and methamphetamine. While the two were en route, an officer stopped Nunez-Roman and searched his vehicle. That search yielded approximately 9.74 kilograms (21.47 pounds) of methamphetamine and three packages containing suspected counterfeit Oxycodone pills.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Tri-County Drug Enforcement Team (TRIDENT), with special assistance from Homeland Security Investigations, California Highway Patrol, and Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office. 

If convicted of either charge, Nunez-Roman faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, and a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $10 million fine. 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.

FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment today against Lester Eduardo Cardenas-Flores, 23, and Luis Madrigal-Reyes, 36, illegal aliens from Mexico, charging them with conspiring to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to distribute marijuana, manufacturing marijuana, and damaging public lands and natural resources, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, law enforcement officers located over 1,000 marijuana plants in the Dutch Oven Creek area of the Sierra National Forest in Madera County. Both defendants were found in a processing area near growing marijuana plants and fled when law enforcement officers arrived to investigate.

The marijuana cultivation operation caused significant damage to the land and natural resources. Highly toxic, illegal pesticides, including carbofuran, were found at the site.

This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Forest Service with assistance from the California National Guard, California Department of Justice’s Campaign Against Marijuana Planting (CAMP), and Madera County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen A. Escobar is prosecuting the case.

If convicted of the drug conspiracy and manufacturing offense, the defendants face a mandatory minimum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison, as well as a $10 million fine. The environmental charge carries a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. In addition, both men may be liable for restitution to the U.S. Forest Service for damage sustained to the land and natural resources as a result of the cultivation activities. 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. — Sherman Smith, 73, of Monterey, was indicted today on seven counts of wire fraud, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, Smith was the executive pastor of a church in Clovis. Smith allegedly induced investors, including church congregants, to give money to the church by representing that the money would be used to finance a real estate development project for the benefit of the church. Smith made appeals from the pulpit, via email, and in person for monies to pay off the church’s mortgage and fund an income-generating development.

Smith collected cash, checks, and rolled-over retirement accounts to fund the church’s project, but he did not disclose to investors that he used the money for personal expenses, to operate a publishing business, and to invest in foreign ventures. Smith allegedly defrauded investors of more than $2 million.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura D. Withers is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Smith faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 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.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal jury returned a verdict today against Gustavo Araujo Lerma, 64, finding him guilty of one count of aggravated identity theft, one count of passport fraud, and five counts of voting by an alien, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Lerma was born in Mexico in 1955. In the early 1990s he acquired and began fraudulently using the identity of a United States citizen named Hiram Velez. Lerma used the Velez identity to unlawfully obtain U.S. passports and to vote in federal elections.

“The Diplomatic Security Service is firmly committed to ensuring that those who perpetrate passport fraud face punitive consequences for their criminal actions,” said Matthew Perlman, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) San Francisco Field Office. “The strong relationship we enjoy with the U.S. Attorney’s Office is vital towards ensuring the integrity of U.S. travel documents and protecting the American homeland.”

This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katherine T. Lydon and Shea J. Kenny are prosecuting the case.

Lerma is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez on Nov. 26. Lerma faces a mandatory two years in prison for aggravated identity theft to be served consecutively to any other term, a maximum of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for passport fraud, and a maximum of one year in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count of voting by an alien. 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. — Aaron Gilliam, 51, of Sherman Oaks, was sentenced today to 22 months in prison for conspiracy to commit bribery, to commit identity fraud, and to commit unauthorized access of a computer, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, Gilliam worked at the Hollywood DMV starting in October 2006. Between January 2011 and July 2017, Gilliam was a Motor Vehicle Representative at the DMV’s Hollywood office where he processed driver’s licenses. Gilliam admitted that between April 2016 and July 2017, he had received money in exchange for accessing the DMV’s database to alter records to result in a passing score for written examinations for individuals who had not taken or passed the examinations. Based on evidence obtained through the investigation, Gilliam was responsible for the issuance of at least 57 fraudulent licenses and permits.

This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the California Department of Motor Vehicles Office of Internal Affairs. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rosanne L. Rust prosecuted the case.

FRESNO, Calif. — On Aug. 9, after a five-day jury trial, Jarvis Thomas, 34, of Bakersfield, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, between Sept. 27, 2017, and Sept. 11, 2018, Thomas conspired with others to possess and distribute methamphetamine in Bakersfield and North Dakota.

According to court documents, on Dec. 14, 2017, after a 10-month investigation, more than 35 members and associates of West Side Crips (WSC), a local criminal street gang, were arrested on federal and state charges including burglary, illegal gun possession, drug sales, and murder. Since that time, all the defendants in federal custody except for Thomas have pleaded guilty to charged offenses. On Jan. 11, 2018, a superseding indictment charged Thomas, a West Side Crip member also known as “Big Mice.” On April 4, 2019, a second superseding indictment charged Thomas and a co-conspirator.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the California Department of Justice, the Bakersfield Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Angela Scott and Thomas Newman are prosecuting the case.

Thomas is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd on Nov. 4. Thomas faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison, and a $10 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.

This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The OCDETF Program was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multi-level attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s drug supply.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley sentenced Erik Hermann Green, 37, of Huntington Beach, formerly of Roseville, to 27 months in prison and ordered him to pay $118,421 in restitution for his participation in a mortgage fraud scheme, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to evidence presented at a seven–day trial in March, Green was part of a large‑scale scheme to defraud the New Century Mortgage Corporation by submitting false documentation about employment, income and assets, including fraudulent loan applications and other altered bank documents. In October 2006, when Green submitted his fraudulent loan applications to obtain a loan for $820,000, he was a licensed real estate sales person and managed approximately 15 loan officers. As part of the scheme, Green received a check for $100,000 that was funneled through a shell company at the close of escrow. Green used the funds for personal expenses. The jury found him guilty of three counts of wire fraud.

“The defendant lied to mortgage lenders to obtain a substantial amount of money and a new home for himself, while causing hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses to lenders,” said Kareem Carter, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation. “This case highlights the ongoing commitment of IRS-CI to hold accountable those involved in these types of crimes.”

This case was the product of an investigation by the IRS Criminal Investigation and the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael D. Anderson and Miriam R. Hinman prosecuted the case.

FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment today against Marino Cruz Diaz, 21, and David Moreno Florez, 25, both residing in Salinas, charging them with manufacturing more than 1,000 marijuana plants, conspiracy to manufacture more than 1,000 marijuana plants, and depredation of public lands and resources, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. Moreno Florez was also charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

According to court documents, law enforcement officers located a clandestine marijuana grow site in Sequoia National Forest in Fresno County. On Aug. 2, 2019, officers hiked into the grow site, where they found and arrested Cruz Diaz and Moreno Florez. Moreno Florez was carrying a loaded, AR-15 style rifle. Officers also found a loaded shotgun in the area. The cultivation site was secured, and 2,448 live marijuana plants were eradicated.

This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Forest Service with assistance from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin J. Gilio is prosecuting the case.

If convicted of the drug conspiracy and manufacturing offenses, the defendants face a mandatory minimum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison, as well as a $10 million fine. The environmental charge carries a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000. In addition, the defendants may be liable for restitution to the U.S. Forest Service for damage sustained to the land and natural resources as a result of the cultivation activities. The firearms charge subjects Moreno Florez to a potential five-year consecutive prison term. 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. — John A. Crosby, 56, of Redding; Ines S. Crosby, 76, of Orland; and Leslie A. Lohse, 64, of Glenn, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to embezzle or steal from a tribal organization, as well as tax fraud and tax evasion offenses, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

“The defendants used the Tribe’s accounts as their personal piggy banks,” said Kareem Carter, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation. “For at least five years the defendants took more than $4.9 million of the Tribe’s money and intentionally failed to declare it as income to the IRS. This resulted in a tax loss of over $1.6 million.”

“This case sends a clear message that no one is above the law and tribal accounts cannot be used for personal gain, regardless of their perceived influence on the success of tribal business. These individuals diverted millions from tribal accounts-funds intended to help tribal members-- for extravagant, unapproved travel and personal luxuries,” said Special Agent in Charge Sean Ragan of the FBI Sacramento Field Office. “This case is a result of successful collaboration with IRS Criminal Investigation. The FBI is committed to working with our state, local and federal partners to conduct thorough investigations to ensure all who violate the law are held accountable for their actions.”

According to court documents, from approximately January 2009 through May 2014, the defendants took millions of dollars from the Paskenta Tribe of Nomlaki Indians without tribal or legal authority, taking advantage of their positions on the Tribal Counsel and in prominent leadership positions in the tribe. The defendants used this money to buy homes, vehicles, luxury vacations (including trips to Africa, South America, and Hawaii, as well as private and chartered jet travel), high-value entertainment (such as a trip to the World Series), familial expenses, and precious metals. John Crosby and Leslie Lohse did not declare these amounts on their respective tax returns as income, while Ines Crosby failed to file tax returns every year since at least 2010. All three individuals then took a series of steps to attempt to conceal their actions: they created a written employment agreement in 2014 that appeared to be from 2001 and authorized their use of funds, and then told federal investigators that the document was from 2001, knowing at the time that that was not true.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation and Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Yelovich is prosecuting the case.

All three defendants are scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Morrison C. England Jr. on Jan. 30, 2020. The defendants face a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the conspiracy count. John Crosby and Leslie Lohse face a statutory maximum of three years in prison and $100,000 fine for their respective tax fraud counts, and Ines Crosby faces a statutory maximum of one year in prison and a $25,000 fine for her failure to file count. 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. — A three-count indictment by a federal grand jury was unsealed today charging Dariush Niknia, 56, of Elk Grove, and Richard Lant, 74, of Las Vegas, Nevada, with a conspiracy to violate the United States’ embargo on Iran and engaging in prohibited trade-related transactions with Iran, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to the indictment, between May and October 2015, Niknia and Lant conspired to unlawfully sell and supply 500 Russian-made tank helmets to Niknia’s contact in Tehran, Iran. The indictment alleges that in May 2015, Niknia contacted Lant, who operated R&L Ltd., a company that sold Russian items, and requested to purchase 500 tank helmets and to have the helmets shipped to Tehran. Niknia initially paid R&L monies to purchase two sample tank helmets and to have the helmets sent from Russia to Iran. Once Ninkia’s customer approved the second sample tank helmet, Niknia paid Lant additional money in an attempt to purchase an additional 50 tank helmets for shipment to Iran.

The embargo on Iran, which is enforced through the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations, prohibits the export, sale, and supply of goods to Iran by United States persons with very limited exceptions. It also prohibits, with very limited exceptions, United States persons from engaging in any transaction or dealing related to the sale or supply of goods to Iran.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shelley D. Weger is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Niknia and Lant face a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 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 defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

REDDING, Calif. — U.S. Magistrate Judge Dennis M. Cota found Jason A. Tobey, 46, of Dunsmuir, guilty today of one count threatening, intimidating, and interfering with a forest officer, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

Immediately following the verdict, Judge Cota sentenced Tobey to two years of probation and a $500 fine. Federal law prohibits threatening to damage, destroy, or disable any aircraft in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States with the apparent will and determination to carry out the threat.

On May 9, 2019, a one-day bench trial was held in the District Courthouse in Redding. According to evidence presented at trial, in Sept. 2018, Tobey confronted a U.S. Forest Service employee multiple times threatening to shoot down helicopters that were assisting with efforts to fight the Delta Fire while it burned in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. The Forest Service was using Mott Airport in Dunsmuir as a helibase in accordance with an agreement with the city and Siskiyou County. The helicopters were performing tasks such as infrared mapping to assist firefighters on the ground. Tobey lived adjacent to the airport and was angry about the helicopters’ flight path. He told a Forest Service employee and a flight crew member that he was going to “shoot those [expletive referring to helicopters] out of the sky if I have to.” The following day Tobey returned to the airport gate after a helicopter landed and told the same Forest Service employee, “Did I not [expletive] make myself clear yesterday, or am I out of my [expletive] mind?”

Evidence at trial showed that pilots altered their preferred flight paths as a direct result of Tobey’s multiple threats. Judge Cota rejected Tobey’s contention that his threats were protected by the First Amendment because threats to commit an unlawful act of violence like those made by Tobey are designed to intimidate and are not protected by the First Amendment.

This case was the product of an investigation by the U.S. Forest Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher S. Hales prosecuted the case with assistance from U.S. Forest Service Patrol Captain Carson R. Harris.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Manish Patel, 33, of Granite Bay, appeared today in federal court on charges of conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute marijuana plants and tetrahydrocannabinols contained in hashish oil, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, Patel is a licensed attorney in New Jersey (admitted in 2015) and New York (admitted in 2017). The complaint alleges that Patel conspired to transport marijuana and concentrated cannabis oil across the country using his private airplane, a Learjet. In May and June 2019, law enforcement in California executed search warrants that resulted in the seizure of approximately 1,400 pounds of marijuana contraband and $400,000 in cash.

One of the locations searched was a warehouse being used as a concentrated cannabis manufacturing laboratory, from which detectives seized over 980 pounds of processed marijuana and 88.27 pounds of concentrated cannabis. A second location searched was a Granite Bay mansion rented by Patel that contained processed marijuana, items commonly used to manufacture concentrated cannabis, and over $400,000 cash. In August 2018, the DEA interdicted Patel and several associates at an executive airport in Albuquerque, New Mexico and seized $80,000 in cash. When investigators searched the Learjet in June 2019, it contained 181.51 pounds of dried marijuana and 18.41 pounds of concentrated cannabis. The flight plan for the Learjet showed that it was scheduled to fly to Colorado, then Illinois, and then New Jersey.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the El Dorado Sheriff’s Office, the El Dorado District Attorney’s Office, the Placer County Sheriff’s Office, and the Placer County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Khasigian and Vincenza Rabenn are prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Patel faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 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.

FRESNO, Calif. — Daniel McMonegal, 36, of San Luis Obispo, pleaded guilty today to conspiring to distribute a controlled substance, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, McMonegal, using the online monikers “Sawgrass,” “Ross4Less,” and “ChristmasTree,” distributed marijuana on various dark web marketplaces, including Dream Market. McMonegal was also the owner of a marijuana delivery service in San Luis Obispo called West Coast Organix, which claimed to be a nonprofit medical marijuana cooperative. McMonegal then laundered the bitcoin proceeds of his drug distribution through an undercover agent located in New York. After receiving the bitcoin from McMonegal, the undercover agent mailed parcels of cash to McMonegal in San Luis Obispo and Mariposa. In total, McMonegal distributed approximately 146 kilograms of marijuana in exchange for approximately $476,500 in bitcoin.

This case is the product of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Assistant U.S. Attorney Grant B. Rabenn is prosecuting the case.

McMonegal is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. O'Neill on Nov. 12. McMonegal 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.

This case was the product of Operation Dark Gold, a coordinated national operation that used the first nationwide undercover action to target vendors of illicit goods on the dark web. Special Agents of the HSI New York Field Division, in coordination with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, posed as a money launderer on dark web market sites, exchanging U.S. currency for virtual currency. Through this operation, HSI New York was able to identify numerous vendors of illicit goods, leading to the opening of more than 90 active cases around the country. The Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (MLARS) of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division, working with more than 40 U.S. Attorney’s Offices throughout the country, coordinated the nationwide investigation of over 65 targets that lead to the arrest and impending prosecution of more than 35 dark net vendors, including McMonegal.

FRESNO, Calif. — On Thursday, Aug. 8, a federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment against Jose Garcia-Zamora, 27, of Modesto, charging him with manufacturing marijuana, conspiring to manufacture marijuana, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug‑trafficking crime, and damaging public lands and natural resources, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, officers located a clandestine marijuana grow site on U.S. Forest Service land in Stanislaus National Forest in Tuolumne County with 2,642 live marijuana plants. On July 26, 2019, law enforcement personnel arrested Garcia-Zamora at the grow site. Garcia-Zamora had a .45 caliber pistol on his person.

This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Forest Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin J. Gilio is prosecuting the case.

If convicted of the drug conspiracy and manufacturing offense, Garcia-Zamora faces a mandatory minimum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison up to a maximum penalty of life in prison, and a $10 million fine. The environmental charge carries a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. In addition, Garcia-Zamora may be liable for restitution to the U.S. Forest Service for damage to the land and natural resources as a result of the cultivation activities. The firearms charge subjects Garcia-Zamora to a potential five-year consecutive prison term. 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. — U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd sentenced Hector Hinojosa‑Cisneros, 26, formerly of Taft, today to 12 years in prison for his conviction for receipt and distribution of child pornography, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

In addition, Hinojosa-Cisneros was sentenced to 15 years of supervised release, ordered to pay penalty assessments of $5,100, and $2,500 in restitution to one victim.

According to court documents, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children reported that hundreds of images of child pornography had been uploaded to a Google Plus Photos account. Investigators in Bakersfield confirmed that Hinojosa-Cisneros controlled the account and executed a search warrant at Hinojosa‑Cisneros’s residence in Taft. Ultimately Hinojosa-Cisneros, who served eight years in the United States Marine Corps Reserve, admitted that he was involved in the receipt and distribution of what the court described as a “massive” amount of “very troubling” material. Hinojosa-Cisneros pleaded guilty on Feb. 19, 2019.

“The culmination of this investigation sends a strong message to perpetrators who seek to exploit and harm children that operating in cyberspace does not protect them from detection. HSI and our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners are coming for you,” said Tatum King, special agent in charge, Homeland Security Investigations for San Francisco and Northern California. “HSI remains committed to conducting investigations resulting in the rescue of victims of crime, end the exploitation of children in our communities, and bring to justice those who dare to commit these heinous crimes.”

This case is the product of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Gappa prosecuted the case.

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. — U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2018 Eastern District of California Law Enforcement Awards. These awards are presented annually to law enforcement agencies and investigators in the District’s Sacramento and Fresno divisions to recognize outstanding collaboration between federal, state, and local law enforcement in addressing public safety issues in this region.

U.S. Attorney Scott stated: “Congratulations to all of our award recipients on being chosen and for their efforts to address violent crime and violent gangs. The residents of the Eastern District of California owe a debt of gratitude to these agencies and detectives who persist in intensive, long-term investigations until the desired result is achieved. It is a privilege for our office to work alongside them to keep our communities safe.”

The Outstanding Law Enforcement Agency Award is presented to a local or state law enforcement agency that has demonstrated outstanding professionalism, commitment to public safety partnerships, and strong support for the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s initiatives.

The California Department of Justice’s Special Operations Unit – Central California Team is the 2018 recipient of the Eastern District of California Law Enforcement Award for Outstanding Law Enforcement Agency in the Fresno Division. The Special Operations Unit received the award for its role in an investigation that dismantled MS-13 in Mendota. This violent gang had terrorized the small town resulting in at least 14 brutal murders. Due to the multi-agency enforcement operation, more than 40 individuals were arrested on state and federal charges. The operation reflected the incredible teamwork between federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, and our shared commitment to keeping our communities safe from violent criminal gangs like MS-13.

The recipient of the Outstanding Law Enforcement Agency award for the Sacramento Division is the Solano County District Attorney’s Office for its support for Project Safe Neighborhoods. The DA’s office facilitated federal adoption of cases, including a March 2018 attempted homicide in which two co-conspirators pipe-bombed a residential home with a family of five inside; a series of five convenience store robberies, during which the lead defendant brandished a firearm and threatened a clerk at gunpoint; and five additional felon-in-possession cases that merited federal prosecution.

The Outstanding Investigator Award is presented to a local or state law enforcement officer who has demonstrated outstanding professionalism; timely, thorough, quality investigations; exceptional knowledge and investigative skill; energy and commitment to public safety; and commitment to law enforcement partnerships and teamwork.

The Outstanding Investigator award for the Fresno Division was given to Fresno Police Department Detective Cory Hastings for his significant contributions to several multi‑defendant gang cases including the MS-13 takedown. Hastings is known for his positive attitude, hard work, volunteerism, and ability to get along well with people within and outside his agency.

Two awards were given for the Sacramento Division’s Outstanding Investigator: Vacaville Police Department Detective Michael A. Miller and Vallejo Police Department Detective Jason R. Thompson, who were lead members of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation that targeted a Sureno street gang in Vallejo. The investigation involved purchases or seizure of over two pounds of meth and 25 firearms. Miller coordinated evidence collection across three counties in the case described above, including the robbery of five convenience stores. Thompson is working on a long-term gang investigation for gun and drug trafficking. Miller and Thompson have also sought out and referred multiple significant gun and drug cases initiated with state charges that we have adopted for federal prosecution. The success of Project Safe Neighborhoods in Solano County has been largely dependent on the investigative work of these two detectives on the task force.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Tony Fernandez Barnes, 39, of Las Vegas, Nevada, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Morrison C. England Jr. to three years and one month in prison for failure to register as a sex offender, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, Barnes had three prior Nevada state convictions for pandering of a minor, and failed to register as a sex offender upon his release in 2013. Between 2013 and 2018, Barnes lived in Sacramento and did not register as required under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act and Nevada and California law.

This case was the product of an investigation by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Roger Yang prosecuted the case.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a 12-count indictment today against Johnathon Ward, 40, formerly of Tracy; Monica Nunes, 39, formerly of Rancho Cordova; and Talalima Toilolo, 44, of Salt Lake City, Utah, charging them with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and bank fraud, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. The indictment also charges Ward and Nunes with aggravated identity theft.

According to court documents, Ward, Nunes, and Toilolo conspired to defraud financial institutions using a scheme called “refund fraud” or “force post refund fraud.” This scheme exploited the refund process used by businesses and retail establishments to pay back customers for returns, reimbursements, and erroneous charges. The defendants posed as merchants and executed fraudulent debit or credit card refunds, which caused the unauthorized transfer of money from a merchant bank account to an account under the defendants’ control.

The defendants allegedly committed this scheme by stealing or purchasing point-of-sale (POS) terminals that are used by businesses to process bankcard transactions. The defendants programmed each terminal to make it appear as if it was authorized by a particular 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’ banks to transfer funds to the defendants’ accounts. The defendants then drained the stolen funds from the accounts. The indictment alleges that this scheme caused at least $3.5 million in intended victim losses.

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.

Ward and Nunes are in custody, and Toilolo was arrested yesterday in Salt Lake City, Utah, on a criminal complaint filed in this district.

If convicted, Ward, Nunes, and Toilolo face a maximum statutory penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine for each count of bank fraud and conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Additionally, if convicted of aggravated identity theft, Ward and Nunes face a mandatory two-year prison sentence, to be served consecutive to any other sentence, 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.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Loraine Dixon, 61, of Granite Bay, pleaded guilty today to a conspiracy to commit bid rigging, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, Dixon conspired with John Brewer, 50, of San Francisco, and Brent Vinch, 49, of New York, to rig the state of California’s competitive bidding process. Dixon was a regional representative for a software company that produced software used by several California state agencies. Brewer and Vinch were the owners of, and senior executives for, a company called Expert Network Consultants (ENC), which submitted bids to the state for various government contracts, including contracts to supply the software produced by Dixon’s employer.

Working together, Dixon, Brewer, and Vinch thwarted the competitive bidding process in order to ensure that ENC won contracts with California agencies to supply the software in question. The process requires that any IT purchase over $4,999 and not advertised must obtain at least two bids from prospective sellers, and the contract must be awarded to the lowest bidder. Brewer solicited bids from individuals and companies that had no intention or ability to perform the work called for in the contracts, and Brewer directed Vinch to create and submit non-competitive bids. Dixon often directed Brewer and Vinch to create, collect, or submit bids to certain agencies, and on other occasions advised them on how to act in bidding. Dixon solicited cash and wine from Brewer and Vinch to continue steering contracts to them and advising them on the non-competitive bidding process, and she joined ENC as an employee in 2012.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Yelovich prosecuted the case. The California Attorney General’s Office conducted the initial investigation into this matter.

Brewer was sentenced on April 26, 2018, to 15 months in prison.

Dixon is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Morrison C. England Jr. on Oct. 31. Vinch is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 9, 2020. They each face a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $1 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. —Jabari Monson, 32, of Merced, California, pleaded guilty today to conspiring to distribute controlled substances, and Saudia Monson, 39, also of Merced, pleaded guilty today to a violation of the Travel Act, using the mail and internet to distribute controlled substances, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, from July 2018 through January 2019, Jabari Monson and Saudia Monson operated several vendor accounts on the dark-web marketplace Dream Market, through which they sold cocaine, cocaine base, methamphetamine, and marijuana.

As part of the plea agreement, the defendants agreed to forfeit cryptocurrency that was the proceeds of the drug distribution, including bitcoin and bitcoin cash.

This case is the product of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Grant B. Rabenn and Paul Hemesath are prosecuting the case.

The defendants are scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez on Nov. 19. Jabari Monson faces a maximum statutory penalty of 40 years in prison, a mandatory minimum of five years in prison, and a $5 million fine. Saudia Monson faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 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. — Curtis Dale Sawyer, 53, of Chico, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez, to four years in prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

Sawyer pleaded guilty on December 11, 2018. According to court documents, on Dec 7, 2017, the California Highway Patrol stopped Sawyer while he was driving northbound on Interstate 5 in Shasta County. After a narcotics canine alerted to his car, agents searched the vehicle and found approximately 3.4 pounds of methamphetamine. Afterwards, law enforcement executed a search warrant at the Chico home that Sawyer shared with co-defendant Ann Marie Vance. Inside the home, agents found approximately one-half pound of methamphetamine and over $106,000 in cash. Officers found another 8.3 pounds of methamphetamine in a car Vance was driving near the home.

In April 2019, Vance pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. She is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 24. She faces a prison sentence of not less than 10 years and up to life; up to a $10 million fine; and a term of supervised release of not less than five years and up to life. 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 is the product of an investigation by the Shasta Interagency Narcotics Task Force, the Butte Interagency Narcotics Task Force, the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. 

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal jury convicted Abhijit Prasad, 52, of Tracy, of 21 counts of visa fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft today.  The case originated in Sacramento when the grand jury there indicted Prasad in 2016, but the case was ultimately tried in San Francisco following a court order transferring the case there. 

U.S. Attorney David Anderson for the Northern District of California and U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott for the Eastern District of California made the announcement.

According to the evidence at trial, Prasad filed 19 petitions for H-1B nonimmigrant visas containing false statements, made under penalty of perjury, as to purported work projects to be performed at locations in California, including Cisco Systems. The evidence at trial showed that Cisco had no expectation that the foreign workers who were the beneficiaries of the visa petitions would actually work at Cisco on an existing work project. The evidence at trial further showed that the defendant knowingly submitted forged Cisco documents to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services in support of his claims that the beneficiaries would work at Cisco.

Finally, the evidence at trial showed that Prasad fraudulently used the digital signature of a Cisco employee, who was not authorized to sign Cisco employment documents, to create a document that would leave the impression that two of the H-1B workers had an existing work project at Cisco. Prasad obtained two of the H-1B visas using this fraudulent document that purports to be a fully executed Cisco contract.

“This verdict sends a strong message: the Diplomatic Security Service is committed to making sure those who commit visa fraud face consequences for their criminal actions,” said Matthew Perlman, Special Agent in Charge of the DSS San Francisco Field Office. “Diplomatic Security’s strong relationship with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and with the Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force continues to be essential in the pursuit of justice.”

“Homeland Security Investigations remains laser focused to conduct document and benefit fraud investigations, arresting and bringing to justice individuals, like Prasad, who seek to undermine and abuse the laws of the United States,” said Tatum King, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations (San Francisco and Northern California). “These types of fraudulent activities pose a severe threat to national security and public safety as it creates vulnerabilities for terrorists and other criminals to exploit. HSI and our law enforcement partners will not tolerate such criminal activities and will hold violators accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”

The case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service’s representative to the Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force (DBFTF), overseen by Homeland Security Investigations. The DBFTF is a multi-agency task force that coordinates investigations into fraudulent immigration documents. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service’s Office of Fraud Detection and National Security also assisted with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Audrey B. Hemesath and Michael A. Rodriguez are prosecuting the case.

Prasad is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 16 by U.S. District Judge Charles R. Breyer. Prasad faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the visa fraud. He faces a two-year mandatory prison sentence and a $250,000 fine for the aggravated identity theft counts. 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. — On Thursday, Aug. 1, after a three–day trial, a federal jury found Jose Jesus Carbajal, 33, of Waterford, guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit robbery affecting interstate commerce, one count of interference with commerce by robbery, and one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to evidence presented at trial, from at least October 2014 until December 2017, Carbajal was part of a robbery crew that targeted and robbed marijuana growers of their marijuana and cash. Carbajal and the crew posed as law enforcement officers to gain access to the property, announced they had a search and seizure warrant, then tied up the victims and held them at gunpoint while robbing them of marijuana, cash, and other items.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Colusa County Sheriff’s Department, the Central Valley Gang Impact Task Force, the Turlock Police Department, the Rio Dell Police Department, and the Hollywood Division of the Los Angeles Police Department. Forensic expertise and investigative assistance were provided by the California Department of Justice’s Bureau of Forensic Services and the FBI Laboratory in Quantico, Virginia. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melanie L. Alsworth and Geoffrey D. Wilson are prosecuting the case.

Carbajal is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. O’Neill on Oct. 28. Carbajal faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on counts one and two, and mandatory consecutive sentence of seven years to life on count three. 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. — Mauricio Vaca Bucio, 32, of Michoacán, Mexico, was sentenced today to two years in prison for conspiring to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to distribute marijuana, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

Vaca’s sentence follows his guilty plea earlier this year. According to court documents, Vaca and his co-defendants Felipe Angeles Valdez Colima, 35, and Rodolfo Torres Galvan, 29, both Mexican nationals, were apprehended after a two-month investigation in the Kiavah Wilderness, a federally designated wilderness area in the Sequoia National Forest. Law enforcement officers saw Torres and Valdez emerge from the forest and enter a Camaro driven by Vaca. They were subsequently stopped in Weldon. Officers found freshly harvested marijuana in the Camaro and located over 1,800 marijuana plants at the grow site on the trail that led to the drop point. The officers also found deadly illegal pesticides, including carbofuran and zinc phosphide, in both the vehicle and at the grow site. U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd also ordered Vaca to pay $7,620 in restitution to the U.S. Forest Service for the damage he caused to the National Forest.

The United States Congress designated the Kiavah Wilderness in 1994, and it is managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service. This wilderness area is part of the National Cooperative Land and Wildlife Management Area and the Bureau of Land Management’s Jawbone-Butterbredt Area of Critical Environmental Concern.

This case was the product of an investigation by the U.S. Forest Service with assistance from Enforcement and Removal Operations of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Campaign Against Marijuana Planting (CAMP), California Department of Fish and Wildlife, California National Guard, Kern County Sheriff’s Office, and Kern County Probation Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen A. Escobar prosecuted the case.

Valdez and Torres pleaded guilty and were sentenced to 10 years and three years and 10 months in prison, respectively.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Wesley Ian Groves, 35, of Fairfield, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kimberly J. Mueller, to four years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

Groves pleaded guilty on May 20, 2019. According to court records, in December 2018, police stopped Groves’ car for a traffic violation. When the officer spoke to Groves, Groves said he had a gun underneath the driver’s seat. The officer searched the car and found a loaded pistol under the driver’s seat. The pistol was loaded with one round in the chamber and three rounds in the magazine. A subsequent records check showed that the gun was reported stolen out of Reno, Nevada. Groves cannot lawfully possess firearms or ammunition because he has previously been convicted of three felony offenses.

This case was the product of an investigation by the Fairfield Police Department with assistance from the FBI’s Solano County Violent Crimes Task Force and the Solano County District Attorney’s Office.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Stockton residents Donald Earl Freeman Jr., 26, was sentenced today to three years and one month in prison, and Juan Arturo Arroyo Gomez, 32, was sentenced to one year in prison, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

On December 14, 2017, Freeman and Arroyo pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery, identity fraud, and unauthorized access to a computer for accepting bribes to change test scores in the computers of the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

“Individuals in positions of trust who exploit federal and state law for personal gain pose a significant threat to public safety and national security,” said Jerry C. Templet Jr, Deputy Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (San Francisco and Northern California). “HSI will continue working with our local, state, and federal partners to investigate these types of public corruption cases and bring those responsible to justice.”

According to court documents, Freeman was an employee at the DMV’s Tracy branch office and among other things, was responsible for processing applications for California commercial driver licenses (CDLs). Such CDLs permit the license holders to drive passenger buses or to operate tractor-trailer trucks on California and interstate highways, including, in some cases, hauling hazardous materials. Arroyo was a broker in the scheme and solicited truck driving students to pay him to assist them in obtaining driving permits.

According to court documents, in exchange for money from Arroyo and other brokers, Freeman accessed the DMV’s database in Sacramento to alter the records of applicants to fraudulently show that the applicants had passed the required written tests when, in truth, the applicants had not passed the tests or, at times, even taken the written tests. In so doing, this caused the DMV to issue permits to those drivers, as well as completed CDLs upon the applicants passing the behind-the-wheel driving tests.

According to their plea agreements, Freeman caused no less than 123 fraudulent permits to be issued, including at least 13 at the request of, and in exchange for payment from, Arroyo.

This case was the product of an investigation by the California Department of Motor Vehicles Office of Internal Affairs and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Assistant U.S. Attorney Rosanne L. Rust prosecuted the case.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — On July 25, 2019, a federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment charging Stockton residents Lucious James Roy, 33, and Dawniel Santangelo, 41, with sex trafficking of a child, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. The indictment was unsealed today.

According to court documents, between September and November 2018, Roy recruited, enticed, transported, harbored, and maintained a minor victim, knowing that the minor would be caused to engage in prostitution. During that same time period, Roy and Santangelo also recruited, enticed, transported, harbored, and maintained a second minor victim, knowing that the second minor victim would also engage in prostitution.

Roy and Santangelo are currently in state custody in Oregon.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Stockton Police Department, San Joaquin District Attorney’s Office, Medford (Oregon) Police Department, and Jackson County Oregon District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cameron L. Desmond and Brian A. Fogerty are prosecuting the case.

If convicted of sex trafficking of a child, Roy and Santangelo face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison, and a maximum fine of $250,000. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Salvador Padilla III, 39, of Sacramento, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley, to 10 years in prison for distributing methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

On May 23, 2019, Padilla pleaded guilty. According to court documents, in October 2017, an investigation began into a Sacramento-area methamphetamine dealer based on reports that the dealer was distributing pound-level quantities of methamphetamine locally. In December 2017, an undercover purchase of one-pound methamphetamine was arranged from the dealer. Just before the purchase took place, Padilla left his home and drove to the dealer’s home, where he gave the dealer over a pound of methamphetamine, which the dealer then sold to the undercover agent.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration with special assistance from Homeland Security Investigations. 

In May 2019, co-defendants Eberardo Mendez, and Jose Romero, 55, both of Sacramento, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Mendez and Romero will be sentenced in September and October 2019, respectively. They each face a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, and a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $10 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.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — David L. Bonuccelli, 65, of Sacramento, pleaded guilty today to embezzlement from his employees’ pension plan, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, Bonuccelli was the CEO of a real estate investment consulting and advisory firm in Sacramento that was a licensed real estate broker, registered investment advisor with the SEC, and which provided services to public pension funds, institutional investors, endowments, and individual investors. His firm sponsored a number of retirement benefit plans for its employees under ERISA, including a traditional pension over which Bonuccelli was the sole trustee. From 2011 through 2014, Bonuccelli made unauthorized transfers totaling $1,243,154 from the pension’s account, including transfers to his personal bank account to fund hundreds of thousands of dollars in spending and transfers to his own retirement plan. Bonuccelli later created paperwork purporting to document these transfers as “loans,” and made false statements on annual forms filed with the Department of Labor about the pension plan’s balance and his transfers.

This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor – Employee Benefits Security Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew M. Yelovich and Miriam R. Hinman are prosecuting the case.

Bonuccelli is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley on Jan. 16, 2020. Bonuccelli faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Cameron Fox, 35, of Rocklin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Morrison C. England Jr. to 20 years in prison for distributing child pornography, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, Fox met a minor victim online for sexual purposes and after meeting her in person, he sent her child pornography.

This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Marin County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rosanne Rust and Michael D. Anderson prosecuted the case.

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. — A federal jury returned a guilty verdict today convicting Jose Elfego Gutierrez-Gomez, 36, a citizen of Mexico residing in Stockton, of being a deported alien found in the United States, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Gutierrez-Gomez originally entered the United States without having obtained legal status. Then in 2008, he was convicted of methamphetamine trafficking and sentenced to five years in prison. Following his release from prison, he was removed from the United States. Gutierrez-Gomez subsequently illegally reentered the United States.

Gutierrez-Gomez came to the attention of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and on December 21, 2018, he was arrested. A grand jury subsequently indicted him.

This case is the product of an investigation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shea J. Kenny and Katherine T. Lydon are prosecuting the case.

Gutierrez-Gomez is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 23 by U.S. District Judge Kimberly J. Mueller. Gutierrez-Gomez faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — On Monday, a federal jury found Morrey Selck, 55, guilty of assaulting a federal employee, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents and trial testimony, on March 17, 2017, Selck assaulted a letter carrier who was delivering mail on his assigned route. Selck sprayed him in the face with dog repellent, followed him into the street, knocking the mail and a phone from his hands. Selck then kicked those items down the street. A neighbor’s surveillance camera captured the entire incident.

San Francisco Division Inspector in Charge Rafael Nunez of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service stated, “Postal Inspectors worked closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to arrest and prosecute the individual responsible for assaulting the U.S. Postal Service Letter Carrier in Sacramento. Safety of Postal Service employees is our top priority.”

This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cameron L. Desmond and Quinn Hochhalter are prosecuting the case.

Selck is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. Magistrate Judge Carolyn K. Delaney on Dec. 2. Selck faces a maximum statutory penalty of one year 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.