District of Columbia
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Former D.C. Corrections Officer Sentenced for Civil Rights Violation for Assaulting a Handcuffed InmateRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Marcus Bias, 28, a former District Department of Corrections Officer, was sentenced today in federal court to 42 months in prison for seriously injuring a handcuffed detainee who was not resisting, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
Bias pleaded guilty on March 29, 2024, to one count of deprivation of rights under color of law. In addition to the prison sentence, U.S. District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson ordered Bias to serve two years of supervised release.
“Like any other law enforcement officer, the defendant had a duty to protect the constitutional rights of anyone who was in his care and custody,” said U.S. Attorney Graves. “The defendant ignored that responsibility, when he assaulted and seriously injured an inmate who posed no threat. Such assaults are civil rights violations that will be prosecuted.”
“This defendant is being held accountable for violently rammed an inmate’s head into a metal doorframe while the victim was handcuffed behind his back and posed no threat,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney General Clarke “The Justice Department will continue to investigate and prosecute unlawful assaults on vulnerable populations and will stand up for the civil rights of the victims of these crimes.”
“Today, Marcus Bias was sentenced for violently injuring an inmate and violating their civil rights,” said David J. Scott, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division. “The FBI is charged with investigating those who violate a person’s civil rights, and it’s a responsibility the FBI takes very seriously. I would like to thank our partners who worked side-by-side with the FBI on this investigation in order to hold Marcus Bias accountable for his criminal actions.”
According to court documents, Bias, intentionally and without provocation, pushed a detainee’s head into a metal doorframe while escorting him from DOC’s dining hall to the medical unit June 12, 2019, causing significant injuries. At the time, the detainee, J.W., had his hands handcuffed behind his back and was suffering from the effects of O.C. spray. J.W. also was surrounded by five other officers and was not resisting. J.W.’s injuries required emergency medical attention at a hospital. After slamming J.W.’s forehead into the corner of the metal doorframe, Bias falsely claimed in an official DOC report that J.W. “pull[ed] away” and “fell” into the doorframe. Bias’s statement was contradicted by DOC surveillance video. Disturbed by what they saw on the video and recognizing that that Bias used deadly force when no force was needed or permitted, DOC officials fired Bias and escorted him out of the facility.
The FBI Washington Field Office investigated the case, which is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Truscott for the District of Columbia and Trial Attorney Anna Gotfryd and former Trial Attorney Rebekah Bailey of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section.
22cr380
Former D.C. Corrections Officer Sentenced for Civil Rights Violation for Assaulting a Handcuffed InmateRead the Press Release
A former District of Columbia Department of Corrections Officer, Marcus Bias, 28, was sentenced today to 42 months in prison followed by 24 months of supervised release for one count of deprivation of rights under color of law for assaulting a handcuffed inmate. Bias previously pleaded guilty in March.
“This defendant had a duty to treat people in his custody humanely,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The defendant is being held accountable for violently ramming an inmate’s head into a metal doorframe while the victim was handcuffed, surrounded by six officers and posed no threat. The Justice Department will vigorously investigate and prosecute such excessive force against prisoners and will insist that corrections officers respect the civil and constitutional rights of those entrusted to their care.”
“Like any other law enforcement officer, the defendant had a duty to protect the constitutional rights of anyone who was in his care and custody,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia. “The defendant ignored that responsibility, when he assaulted and seriously injured an inmate who posed no threat. Such assaults are civil rights violations that will be prosecuted.”
“Today, Marcus Bias was sentenced for violently injuring an inmate and violating their civil rights,” said Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division. “The FBI is charged with investigating those who violate a person’s civil rights, and it’s a responsibility the FBI takes very seriously. I would like to thank our partners who worked side-by-side with the FBI on this investigation in order to hold Marcus Bias accountable for his criminal actions.”
According to court documents, Bias, intentionally and without provocation, pushed a detainee’s head into a metal doorframe while escorting him within the Department of Corrections on June 12, 2019, causing significant injuries. At the time, the detainee, J.W., had his hands handcuffed behind his back, was suffering from the effects of O.C. spray, was surrounded by five other officers and was not resisting. J.W.’s injuries required emergency medical attention at a hospital.
The FBI Washington Field Office investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Anna Gotfryd of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Truscott for the District of Columbia prosecuted the case.
Fact Sheet: Fischer v. United StatesRead the Press Release
The following data points are made available in order to provide context with respect to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Fischer v. United States.
- The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia has charged roughly 1,427 individuals with federal crimes arising from alleged criminal conduct committed at the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021. In more than 82 percent of those cases—involving approximately 1,178 individuals—the defendants were either never charged with or not convicted of violating 18 U.S.C. § 1512(c)(2), the statute at issue in Fischer. Today’s decision has no bearing on those cases.
- Of the approximately 249 remaining cases, there are zero cases where a defendant was charged only with 18 U.S.C. § 1512(c)(2). In other words, in every case potentially impacted by the Fischer decision, the defendant faced other criminal charges—felonies, misdemeanors, or both—for illegal conduct related to the Capitol Breach.
- Today’s decision will most significantly impact a narrow band of cases: those where the only felony for which a defendant was convicted and sentenced was 18 U.S.C. § 1512(c)(2). In total, approximately 52 individuals have been convicted and sentenced on that charge and no other felony; of those individuals, only 27 are currently serving a sentence of incarceration—less than 2 percent of all charged cases arising from the Capitol Breach.
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District Man Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison for Southeast Washington ShootingRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Ivan Dixon, 19, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today for the September 2023 shooting of two victims outside a local supermarket in Northeast Washington, DC, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Pamela A. Smith, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department.
In March 2024, Mr. Dixon pleaded guilty in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to one count of Assault with Intent to Kill and one count of Possession of a Firearm During a Crime of Violence, in addition to one count of Carrying a Pistol Without a License in an unrelated case. Mr. Dixon was sentenced today by the Honorable Robert Okun to 84 months’ incarceration, the top of Mr. Dixon’s voluntary sentencing guidelines for assault with intent to kill. Mr. Dixon’s period of imprisonment will be followed by 3 years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence, with which Mr. Dixon agreed, Mr. Dixon was riding in a Ford Transit van when one of the victims, his intended target, parked his car outside of the supermarket. As the intended target walked into the supermarket, the van made a U-turn and drove slowly past the building, ultimately circling the block before parking behind the intended target’s car. After a few minutes, the intended target left the supermarket while the second victim, an innocent bystander, approached the front door. As the intended target held the door open for the innocent bystander, Mr. Dixon jumped out of the van and fired 16 shots in the direction of the intended target. While the intended target was not hit, the innocent bystander was hit five times and taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney William Lawrence, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
Jury Finds District Man Guilty of First-Degree Murder While Armed in Double Homicide in Southeast WashingtonRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Beysean Jones, 29, of Washington, D.C., has been found guilty by a Superior Court jury for the July 2022 deadly shooting of Ronald Brown, 19, and Tijuan Wilson, 41, in Southeast Washington, D.C. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
When the jury returned their verdict on June 26, 2024, Jones was found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder while armed, one count of assault with intent to kill and related charges. He was also found guilty of various firearms related charges. The jury returned a verdict after less than a day of deliberations following a two-week trial before Superior Court Judge Michael K. O’Keefe. Sentencing is scheduled for September 20, 2024.
According to the government’s evidence presented at trial, on July 22, 2022, surveillance video captured an argument between Ronald Brown and Beysean Jones at the SC Discount Tobacco and Grocery store on South Capitol St. SW on the Maryland border. Shortly thereafter, shots fired from Brown’s vehicle struck Jones’ vehicle and Jones returned fire in the 4000 block of Livingston Rd. SE. A civilian witness who associated with Jones in the drug trade called in a tip, and provided testimony at trial, about texts he received from Jones about the shooting on the 22nd and statements and actions Jones made in preparation for retaliating against Brown, including putting a $30,000 bounty on the person who shot him.
Just five days later, surveillance video captured a vehicle follow Ronald Brown’s vehicle from a nearby apartment and then that same tobacco store for several minutes, eventually into a residential parking lot surrounded by apartments in the 4300 block of 4th St. SE. That vehicle backed into a parking space several spaces down from Brown’s vehicle and at least two shooters opened fire with both .40 caliber and rifle rounds, firing over 60 rounds in the direction of Brown. This barrage of fire killed Tijuan Wilson and badly injured his partner of over 18 years, though luckily their children, who were outside at the time, were unharmed. Others in the parking lot returned fire. Multiple vehicles and residential buildings were damaged by gunfire.
Casings left behind on July 27, 2022, near the suspect vehicle were ballistically linked to the casings Jones fired at Brown on July 22, 2022.
Jones was arrested on November 1, 2022, and has been in custody since that time. The government’s evidence at trial included witness testimony, video surveillance, cell site records, ShotSpotter audio, body worn camera footage, ballistics evidence, and DNA evidence.
This case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrea Antonelli and Zach Horton.
U.S. Attorney and HUD Inspector General Host Safe Housing Summit in D.C.Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Members of the Anacostia Coordinating Council, today, heard presentations and had discussions with U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Inspector General Rae Oliver Davis at a panel focused on promoting the health, safety, and civil liberty of tenants living in HUD-assisted housing. The program focused on eliminating environmental hazards and combatting sexual misconduct in HUD-assisted housing. The U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division and Office of Environmental Justice also presented on related topics, including the development of a Department-wide environmental justice strategic plan.
The panel, which took place at the monthly meeting of the Anacostia Coordinating Council at Martha’s Table in the Seventh Metropolitan Police Department District, was part of the HUD Inspector General’s initiatives promoting safe housing strategies related to environmental justice, and how to recognize and report sexual misconduct in housing.
Attendees included members and leadership of communities east of the Anacostia River who might be impacted by environmental injustices, such as lead paint in their homes, or become victims of sexual harassment in housing by their landlords, property managers, maintenance staff, or other housing personnel in positions of authority. Members of the public were encouraged to share their experiences, concerns, and expertise to build future partnerships and provide aid and assistance to beneficiaries when reporting matters related health, safety, or security in housing.
“No one should be subjected to unsafe conditions or harassment in order to have a roof over their head,” said U.S. Attorney Graves. “The residents of D.C. have a right to feel safe in their homes, to have their rights respected by their landlords, and to not have to worry that they and their families will be harmed by environmental hazards. The affirmative civil rights and environmental justice team in this Office is working, daily, to prevent, correct, and prosecute those cases that violate HUD’s housing assistance program guidelines. Today’s safe housing panel, we hope, will arm residents with the information they need to ensure their rights are protected. You have a right to feel safe in your home.”
“I am grateful for the opportunity afforded us by the Anacostia Coordinating Council to directly engage community members about HUD OIG’s initiatives in pursuit of environmental justice violations and combatting sexual misconduct in housing,” said Inspector General Oliver Davis. “We remain committed to working closely with our partners at the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to raise awareness about violations of federal law in these areas and pursue bad actors who victimize vulnerable people receiving HUD assistance.”
If you have or someone you know has information about environmental hazards and unsafe unit conditions in HUD-assisted housing or you have or someone you know has been a victim of sexual harassment, sexual assault, or sexual exploitation—even if the events occurred years ago—report it to the HUD Office of Inspector General Hotline at 1-800-347-3735 or visit the website at www.hudoig.gov/hotline. You may also file a complaint with HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at https://www.hud.gov/fairhousing/fileacomplaint.
You may also contact the U.S. Department of Justice at 1-844-380-6178 or visit www.civilrights.justice.gov. Individuals who believe they may have been victims of environmental injustices or housing discrimination may also contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at (202) 252-2500, [email protected] or https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/affirmative-civil-rights-and-environmental-justice.
For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc and https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/programs/community-prosecution/community-engagements.
“King” of Violent Haitian Gang Sentenced to 35 Years in Prison for Gun Smuggling and Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
Joly Germine, 31, of Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti, was sentenced today to 420 months in prison for his role in a gunrunning conspiracy that smuggled firearms to Haiti in violation of U.S. export laws, and the laundering of ransoms paid for U.S. hostages held by the notoriously violent Haitian gang known as 400 Mawozo. Eliande Tunis, 46, of Pompano Beach, Florida, who styled herself as Germine’s “wife” and was described at trial as the “Queen” of 400 Mawozo, was sentenced on June 5, to 150 months in prison for her role in the conspiracy. Two other defendants in the conspiracy were also sentenced to jail time for their involvement.
The conspiracy resulted in the purchase in the United States of at least 24 firearms, including weapons designed for the military and close-quarters combat such as AK-47s, AR-15s, an M4 Carbine rifle, an M1A rifle, and a .50 caliber rifle, which were smuggled from the United States to the gang in Haiti to further their criminal activities. Those firearms were bought using funds laundered from the proceeds of the hostage taking for ransom of U.S. citizens in Haiti in 2021.
“A leader of the Haitian gang known as 400 Mawozo will now spend 35 years in prison for a scheme to smuggle guns from the United States to Haiti using the proceeds extorted from kidnapping American citizens,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The leaders of violent gangs in Haiti that terrorize Americans citizens in order to fuel their criminal activity will be met with the full force of the Justice Department.”
“Joly Germine is being held accountable for his role in smuggling weapons into Haiti using funds laundered from the ransoms of kidnapped American citizens,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “The 400 Mawazo gang not only wreaks havoc in its own communities but targets innocent Americans living and traveling in Haiti. The FBI will continue to work with our partners to target the leadership and take down any violent criminal group who preys upon Americans abroad and uses unlawful and dangerous tactics like weapons-trafficking and kidnapping to further their criminal enterprise.”
“Firearms smuggling is not a victimless crime,” said Director Steven Dettelbach of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). “Just like these weapons, many guns smuggled to Haiti end up in the hands of violent gangs. Those gangs use them to harm both Haitians and American citizens. As this sentence demonstrates, ATF is committed to working with our law enforcement partners both at home and internationally to hold gun smugglers responsible.”
“Mr. Germine, a leader of a notorious Haitian gang, admitted to an illegal gun-running scheme to arm fellow gang members with U.S. firearms in support of the group’s violent crime spree across Haiti, including the alleged 2021 kidnapping of 16 U.S. citizens,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “The Justice Department will aggressively pursue every tool at its disposal to hold accountable those who would smuggle U.S.-origin weapons and other controlled goods for the benefit of malicious actors and their criminal enterprises.”
“Violent gangs have ravaged Haiti, and all too often, Americans in Haiti have been targets of their violence,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia. “These two defendants not only helped lead a prominent violent gang in Haiti, but they were also intimately involved in arming the gang and laundering ransom proceeds the gang obtained from kidnapping Americans. Preventing them from illegally shipping anymore firearms or laundering the proceeds of kidnappings strikes a critical blow against the gang they once led.”
“As Joly Germine and Eliande Tunis have just learned, the FBI is dedicated to disrupting and dismantling gangs who undertake hostage-taking of U.S. Citizens anywhere,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI Miami Field Office. “This includes taking away their ability to wreak violence on the innocent using smuggled firearms.”
“Today’s sentencing sends a strong message: the Diplomatic Security Service is committed to making sure that those who commit transnational crimes face consequences for their criminal actions,” said Assistant Director Paul Houston of the Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) for Threat Investigations and Analysis. “DSS’ strong relationship with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and other law enforcement agencies around the world continues to be essential in the pursuit of justice.”
According to court documents, Germine, pleaded guilty on Jan. 31, to the 48-count second superseding indictment, which charged him with conspiring to violate U.S. export control laws and to defraud the United States, violating export control laws, smuggling, and laundering the proceeds of ransoms paid to free U.S. hostages taken by the gang and laundering money to promote his crimes. Germine’s plea came at the end of the government’s case at trial, which included the testimony of 24 witnesses and two weeks of evidence.
Germine’s co-defendant Tunis, who had a supervisory role in the conspiracy, pleaded guilty on the eve of trial on Jan. 17, to the same 48-count indictment, and was sentenced on June 5 to 150 months in prison. Other co-defendants, Jocelyn Dor, 31, and Walder St. Louis, 35, who acted as a straw gun purchasers for Germine and Tunis, both pleaded guilty and were sentenced to 60 months and 36 months, respectively, for their roles in the gun-smuggling and money laundering scheme.
According to evidence presented at trial, from at least March through November 2021, Germine, Tunis, and two co-defendants conspired with each other and with other gang members in Haiti to acquire and supply firearms to the 400 Mawozo gang in Haiti. Germine directed the gang’s operations from a Haitian prison using unmonitored cell phones, including directing gang members in Haiti to transfer money to Tunis and others in the United States for the purpose of obtaining firearms for the gang. Germine then provided Tunis and the two other U.S.-based co-defendants, all Florida residents, specifications for firearms and ammunition that Germine and other gang leaders wanted sent to Haiti. Tunis and the two co-defendants then purchased at least 24 rifles, handguns, and a shotgun at Florida gun shops while falsely stating that they were the “actual buyers” of the firearms, when they were in fact acting as straw purchasers for Germine. In approximately May 2021, Tunis smuggled firearms and ammunition to Haiti in containers disguised as food and household goods. In October 2021, Tunis attempted to ship additional firearms and ammunition to Haiti, again by smuggling the firearms, but those firearms were seized by the FBI before they left the United States.
400 Mawozo is a violent Haitian gang that operated in the Croix-des-Bouquets area to the east of the capital, Port-au-Prince. From at least Jan. 12, 2020, 400 Mawozo was engaged in armed hostage takings of U.S. citizens in Haiti for ransom. The victims have generally been forced from their vehicles at gunpoint and kept in various locations by armed gang members while their relatives and colleagues negotiate payment for their release. At trial, the government presented evidence that the gang received ransom payments from the hostage taking of three U.S. citizens in the summer of 2021, who testified at trial, and the cash ransom proceeds were commingled with the gang’s funds and transferred via MoneyGram and Western Union from the United States to Haiti to buy more firearms.
In the fall of 2021, the 400 Mawozo gang claimed responsibility for taking 16 U.S. citizens hostage, including five children, and one Canadian citizen who were part of a missionary organization visiting an orphanage in Port-au-Prince. The gang demanded a ransom of $1 million for each hostage. The hostages were all released or had escaped by on or about Dec. 16, 2021. While Germine has been charged in a separate indictment in relation to that hostage-taking incident, today’s sentencing does not address those charges, which are lodged in case number 22-cr-161 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. An indictment is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The FBI Miami Field Office investigated the case, with assistance from the ATF and the Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement.
Valuable assistance was provided by the government of Haiti, particularly the Haitian National Police, the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, the Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida’s Special Prosecutions Section.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen P. Seifert and Kimberly Paschall for the District of Columbia and Trial Attorney Beau Barnes of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section prosecuted the case.
‘King’ of Violent Haitian Gang Sentenced to 35 Years for Gun Smuggling and Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Joly Germine, 31, of Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti, was sentenced today to 35 years in prison for his role in a gunrunning conspiracy that smuggled firearms to Haiti in violation of U.S. export laws, and the laundering of ransoms paid for U.S. hostages held by the notoriously violent Haitian gang known as 400 Mawozo. Eliande Tunis, 46, of Pompano Beach, Florida, who styled herself as Germine’s “wife” and was described at trial as the “Queen” of 400 Mawozo, was sentenced on June 5, 2024, to 150 months in prison for her role in the conspiracy. Two other defendants in the conspiracy were also sentenced to jail time for their involvement.
The sentencings were announced by U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI Miami Field Office.
The conspiracy resulted in the purchase in the United States of at least 24 firearms, including weapons designed for the military and close-quarters combat such as AK-47s, AR-15s, an M4 Carbine rifle, an M1A rifle, and a .50 caliber rifle, which were smuggled from the United States to the gang in Haiti to further their criminal activities. Those firearms were bought using funds laundered from the proceeds of the hostage taking for ransom of U.S. citizens in Haiti in 2021.
“A leader of the Haitian gang known as 400 Mawozo will now spend 35 years in prison for a scheme to smuggle guns from the United States to Haiti using the proceeds extorted from kidnapping American citizens,” said U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The leaders of violent gangs in Haiti that terrorize Americans citizens in order to fuel their criminal activity will be met with the full force of the Justice Department.”
“All too often, Americans in Haiti have been targets of gang violence,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia. “These two defendants not only helped lead a prominent violent gang in Haiti, but they were also intimately involved in arming the gang and laundering ransom proceeds the gang obtained from kidnapping Americans. These sentences send a message that those who engage in such violence against Americans, and who arm and launder money on behalf of these violent gangs, will pay a heavy price.”
“As Joly Germine and Eliande Tunis have just learned, the FBI is dedicated to disrupting and dismantling gangs who undertake hostage-taking of U.S. Citizens anywhere,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI Miami Field Office. “This includes taking away their ability to wreak violence on the innocent using smuggled firearms.”
Germine, a Haitian national, pleaded guilty on January 31, 2024, to the 48-count second superseding indictment, which charged him with conspiring to violate U.S. export control laws and to defraud the United States, violating export control laws, smuggling, and laundering the proceeds of ransoms paid to free U.S. hostages taken by the gang and laundering money to promote his crimes. Germine’s plea came at the end of the government’s case at trial, which included the testimony of 24 witnesses and two weeks of evidence.
Germine’s co-defendant Tunis, who had a supervisory role in the conspiracy, pleaded guilty on the eve of trial on January 17, 2024, to the same 48-count indictment, and was sentenced on June 5 to 150 months in prison. Other co-defendants, Jocelyn Dor, 31, and Walder St. Louis, 35, who acted as a straw gun purchasers for Germine and Tunis, both pleaded guilty and were sentenced to 60 months and 36 months, respectively, for their roles in the gun-smuggling and money laundering scheme.
According to evidence presented at trial, from at least March through November 2021, Germine, Tunis, and two co-defendants conspired with each other and with other gang members in Haiti to acquire and supply firearms to the 400 Mawozo gang in Haiti. Germine directed the gang’s operations from a Haitian prison using unmonitored cell phones, including directing gang members in Haiti to transfer money to Tunis and others in the United States for the purpose of obtaining firearms for the gang. Germine then provided Tunis and the two other U.S.-based co-defendants, all Florida residents, specifications for firearms and ammunition that Germine and other gang leaders wanted sent to Haiti. Tunis and the two co-defendants then purchased at least 24 rifles, handguns, and a shotgun at Florida gun shops while falsely stating that they were the “actual buyers” of the firearms, when they were in fact acting as straw purchasers for Germine.
In May 2021, Tunis smuggled firearms and ammunition to Haiti in containers disguised as food and household goods. In October 2021, Tunis attempted to ship additional firearms and ammunition to Haiti, again by smuggling the firearms, but those firearms were seized by the FBI before they left the United States.
400 Mawozo is a violent Haitian gang that operated in the Croix-des-Bouquets area to the east of the capital, Port-au-Prince. From at least January 12, 2020, 400 Mawozo was engaged in armed hostage takings of U.S. citizens in Haiti for ransom. The victims generally had been forced from their vehicles at gunpoint and kept in various locations by armed gang members while their relatives and colleagues negotiated payment for their release. At trial, the government presented evidence that the gang received ransom payments from the hostage taking of three U.S. citizens in the summer of 2021, who testified at trial, and the cash ransom proceeds were commingled with the gang’s funds and transferred via MoneyGram and Western Union from the United States to Haiti to buy more firearms.
In the fall of 2021, the 400 Mawozo gang claimed responsibility for taking 16 U.S. citizens hostage, including five children, and one Canadian citizen who were part of a missionary organization visiting an orphanage in Port-au-Prince. The gang demanded a ransom of $1 million for each hostage. The hostages were all released or had escaped by December 16, 2021. While Germine has been charged in a separate indictment in relation to that hostage-taking incident, today’s sentencing does not address those charges, which are lodged in case number 22cr161 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. An indictment is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The FBI Miami Field Office investigated the case, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the government of Haiti, particularly the Haitian National Police, the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, the Diplomatic Security Service of the U.S. Department of State, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida’s Special Prosecutions Section.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen P. Seifert and Kimberly Paschall and Paralegal Specialist Jorge Casillas for the District of Columbia and Trial Attorney Beau Barnes of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
21cr699
Maryland Man Pleads Guilty for Possession of Sex Abuse Videos of Infant and Prepubescent ChildrenRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Joseph Ruben Baer, 20, of Silver Spring, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to a federal child pornography charge stemming from his distribution of child pornography to an undercover law enforcement agent in April 2024, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott, of the Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division, and Chief Pamela A. Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Baer pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to one count of possession of child pornography. The Honorable Loren L. AliKhan scheduled sentencing for September 23, 2024.
According to plea documents, in early 2024, a member of the FBI–MPD Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force was monitoring an online dating application in an undercover capacity. Law enforcement had learned that the application is sometimes used by individuals who have a sexual interest in children. The undercover agent encountered Baer, who sent a message believing he was communicating with a pedophile. Baer expressed an interest in child pornography and later sent the undercover agent two video files via an encrypted messaging application. Those video files depicted Baer masturbating while watching child pornography on a laptop computer. Baer was arrested in the District of Columbia on May 10, 2024. Law enforcement subsequently recovered seven child pornography videos from Baer’s iPhone, which included the two video files he had earlier distributed to the undercover agent. The videos depict the sexual abuse of infant and prepubescent children.
Baer has remained in custody since his May 10, 2024, arrest.
Baer faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. In addition, Baer must pay mandatory restitution of at least $3,000 to any identified victim. The statutory sentences for federal offenses are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only. Any sentence will be determined by the Court based on the advisory Sentencing Guideline and other statutory factors.
This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
This case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office and MPD’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. The task force is composed of FBI agents, along with other federal agents and detectives from northern Virginia and the District of Columbia. The task force is charged with investigating and bringing federal charges against individuals engaged in the exploitation of children and those engaged in human trafficking. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland and the U.S. Marshals Service.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul V. Courtney.
24cr202
Sentence Handed Down in Killing of 19-Year Old in Northwest DC in 2022Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Anthony Lewis, 25, of Washington D.C., was sentenced on Friday, June 21, 2024, to 135 months in prison for the killing of 19-year-old Cameron Clemons in May 2022, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela A. Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department.
Lewis has been in custody since his arrest on November 20, 2022. In January of 2024, he entered a guilty plea to voluntary manslaughter while armed. The plea, which was contingent upon the Court’s approval, called for an agreed-upon prison sentence of 135 months, to be followed by five years of supervised release. The Honorable Robert Okun accepted the plea today and sentenced the defendant accordingly. The judge denied the defense’s request for a Youth Act sentence.
According to a proffer of facts submitted at the plea hearing, at around 10pm on May 28, 2022, Lewis was walking in the 600 block of Otis Place NW, when he stopped and exchanged words with a group of people on the opposite (north) side of the street, one of whom he had previously fought with. During the exchange, Lewis pulled out a firearm and fired multiple shots at another individual as that person walked toward him. Multiple individuals from the group fired back at Lewis as he ran from the scene. During the exchange of gunfire, Cameron Clemons, who had been standing on the south side of the street, was struck by a bullet. He was driven to an area hospital and treated for his injuries, but on June 4, 2022, while still at the hospital, he died from complications of the gunshot wound.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialists Stephanie Gilbert and Lisa Minott, and Victim/Witness Advocate Karina Hernandez.
Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Prins, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
Jury Finds District Woman Guilty of Robbery and Conspiracy for Christmas Day OffensesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Derricka Burton, 20, of Washington, D.C., was found guilty by a Superior Court jury of a Christmas Day robbery, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
The verdict was returned on June 20, 2024, following a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The Honorable Robert Salerno scheduled sentencing for August 23, 2024.
According to the government’s evidence, at around 2:38 p.m. on December 25, 2023, Burton and three co-conspirators saw the victims, a couple spending time together at the Alethia Tanner Park, located at 227 Harry Thomas Way Northeast. Video footage showed Burton and her co-conspirators huddle together before two of her co-conspirators walked up to the victims and robbed them. Burton’s co-conspirators pointed a gun at the victims and demanded the victims’ Canada Goose brand jacket, cellphone, and other items. The co-conspirators then walked back to Burton and the other co-conspirators. The group conferred with each other and left together. As they did so, one of the co-conspirators dropped some of the stolen property, which Burton picked up before she left with the group. Police arrested Burton on February 12, 2024.
In announcing the verdict, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Toogun and Katrenia Shelly prosecuted the case.
Non-Profit Middle East Institute to Pay $718,558 to Resolve PPP Fraud AllegationsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON –The Middle East Institute, a Washington, D.C., based nonprofit organization, has agreed to pay $718,558 to settle allegations that the organization violated the False Claims Act when it applied for and received a $359,279 second-draw loan under the Paycheck Protection Act Program of the CARES Disaster Relief Program, and when it further applied for and was granted forgiveness of the entire amount of the loan.
The agreement was announced today by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia and Special Agent in Charge Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite of the U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of the Inspector General, Eastern Region.
In March 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was created to provide emergency financial support to Americans suffering economic hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act authorized billions of dollars in forgivable loans to small business and other entities, including non-profit organizations, struggling to pay employees and other business expenses. Under the applicable provision of the CARES Act, a business concern or other entity, including a nonprofit organization, is not eligible to receive a second draw loan if it is primarily engaged in political or lobbying activities, which shall include any entity that is organized for research or for engaging in advocacy in areas such as public policy or political strategy or otherwise describes itself as a think tank in any public document.
At the time it applied for the second draw PPP loan, the Middle East Institute certified to the SBA in the loan application that it was “not a business concern or entity primarily engaged in political or lobbying activities, including any entity that is organized for research or for engaging in advocacy in areas such as public policy or political strategy or otherwise describes itself as a think tank in any public documents.” It further certified in the loan forgiveness application that it met the conditions for receiving the second draw PPP loan. The Middle East Institute contends that any misstatements in this application were inadvertent.
Under the False Claims Act, a party found to violate the Act must pay three-times the amount of damage to the United States. Had the Middle East Institute been found liable to the United States under the False Claims Act, it would have been ordered to pay three times the amount of the loan and lost interest, along with civil penalties for each certification made in the loan application and forgiveness application. In connection with this settlement, the Middle East Institute agreed to pay an amount equal to two-times the loan amount, or $718,558.
The settlement announced today stems from a Federal investigation that was initiated when another public interest group, TZAC, filed a whistleblower complaint pursuant to the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act. The claims resolved by the civil settlement are allegations only. There has been no determination of liability in the civil case.
The civil settlement was the result of an investigation by Assistant U.S. Attorney Darrell Valdez and Auditor Timothy Hurley of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. U.S. Attorney Graves commended Attorneys Gary Fox and Kandace Zeyala of the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of the General Counsel for their assistance in the investigation and settlement negotiations. The case is captioned U.S. ex rel. TZAC v. The Middle East Institute.
Tips and complaint regarding potential fraud affecting COVID-19 government relief programs can be reported by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at (866) 720-5721 or by submitting a NCDF Web Complaint form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
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Road Rage Shooter Sentenced to More Than 32 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Kenneth Miles Davis, Jr., 45, of Maryland, was sentenced today to 32 years and six months for multiple charges arising from the May 19, 2021 road rage shooting directed at a woman and her two children, ages 11 and 5, as well as a bystander, in Northeast Washington, D.C., announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela A. Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
The defendant was found guilty of one count of assault with intent to kill while armed, three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, and four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, following a three-week jury trial in January in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
According to the government’s evidence, at approximately 5:00 pm on May 19, 2021, the defendant was driving his Maserati GranTurismo in heavy rush-hour traffic at the intersection of Kenilworth Avenue NE and Eastern Avenue NE when he suddenly got out of his car with a handgun. Davis fired seven times into the car in front of him, which was occupied by a woman and her two children, then turned and fired six more shots at bystanders. The woman suffered a gunshot wound to her upper arm and the 5-year-old child was cut by broken automobile glass. Fortunately, the 11-year-old child and the bystanders were not injured. Metropolitan Police Department investigators uncovered video evidence that was disseminated to local news outlets, the broadcast of which generated a tip that led to the identification of Davis as the owner of the Maserati, and ultimately, as the shooter.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Antoinette Sakamsa and Supervisory Paralegal Specialist Renee Prather; and Litigation Technology Specialist Charlie Bruce.
Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathryn Bartz and Gregory Evans, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
Owner of ‘Agriculture’ Business Charged with Defrauding SBA of $150,000 in COVID-Relief FundsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Lori Isabell Morgan, 35, of Greenbelt, Maryland, was arrested on June 12 on an indictment charging her with defrauding the U.S. Government of nearly $150,000 in Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) funds, which were meant to provide relief to businesses suffering economic hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The indictment, which charges six counts of wire fraud, was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott of the Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division, and Special Agent in Charge Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite of the U.S. Small Business Administration - Office of the Inspector General.
Morgan made her initial court appearance on June 12 before the Honorable Zia M. Faruqui in U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia.
According to court documents, Morgan allegedly submitted an EIDL application to the Small Business Administration (SBA), in which she claimed to own 100% of an “agriculture” business that was based out of her Washington D.C. apartment. Morgan claimed to employ 10 people and to have generated $7.5 million in gross revenues in 2019. There allegedly was no such business.
On July 8, 2020, the SBA deposited $149,900 in Morgan’s bank account. Morgan allegedly used the money to pay off her debts, and pay for auto repair, restaurant tabs, shopping purchases, and trips to Atlantic City and Las Vegas. By December 31, 2020, Morgan’s account balance was down to $829.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is a federal law enacted in or around March 2020 and was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who were suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief that had been provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of billions in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses, through a program referred to as the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
An Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) is a Small Business Administration administered loan designed to assist small businesses that suffered substantial economic injury as a result of a declared disaster. An EIDL helped businesses meet necessary financial obligations that could have been met had the disaster not occurred. It provided relief from economic injury that the disaster caused and permitted businesses to maintain a reasonable working capital position during the period that the disaster affected.
The investigation into this matter was conducted by the FBI Washington Field Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Macey.
A criminal indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Guilty Plea in the July 2021 Death of an Innocent Bystander Caught in the Crossfire of a NW Gun BattleRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Jonathan Brown, 31, pleaded guilty today to participating in a drug trafficking conspiracy that distributed crack cocaine in Northwest Washington D.C. and for his involvement in the July 31, 2021, slaying of Kervin Sanches, an innocent bystander, caught in a shootout on a street corner controlled by members of Brown’s drug trafficking conspiracy.
The guilty plea was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott of the Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division, and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Brown, aka “Tsunami,” of Washington D.C., pleaded guilty to a two-count criminal Information charging him with conspiracy to distribute and possess cocaine base and voluntary manslaughter while armed. U.S. District Court Judge Reggie B. Walton scheduled sentencing for August 8, 2024.
According to court documents, in late 2021, the MPD and FBI began investigating violent crime and drug trafficking activities near 7th Street and O Street, NW. During the investigation, Brown visited a stash house at 1221 M Street on a regular basis. Brown sold controlled substances with co-conspirators on various occasions and text messages recovered from his phone indicated that he was selling fentanyl and cocaine base. Law enforcement used undercover officers to purchase hundreds of grams of cocaine base and fentanyl from members of the drug trafficking conspiracy.
During the investigation, law enforcement determined the group was working together to control the drug trafficking activity in their territory. Their territory was primarily located at the corner of 7th and O Street, NW, the site of the July 31, 2021 shootout that resulted in Kervin Sanches’ death.
On July 31, 2021, at about 11:20 p.m., Brown traveled by car to the area of 7th and O Streets NW with a loaded firearm. An unidentified male in a grey Pontiac followed Brown and parked nearby. Brown exited his car and then walked across the street to meet with a group of associates and others. As Brown approached the group, the unidentified male approached with a gun in his hand. Brown pulled a firearm from his waistband and began shooting at the unidentified gunman, who returned fire. The group scattered. Brown and the gunman continued to shoot at each other while taking cover behind trees and cars. As the gun battle continued, occupants of a white automobile parked near Brown’s car also began shooting at the unidentified gunman. Police later recovered more than 25 shell casings at the scene.
Sanches, who had been part of the group standing on the corner of 7th and O Streets, was struck by a bullet as he attempted to flee the gunfire. Sanches, 31, died of his wound at a nearby hospital.
This case was investigated by the MPD and the FBI’s Washington Field Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Rosenberg, Solomon Eppel, and Erin DeRiso of the U.S, Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
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Former Maryland Police Officer Found Guilty of Federal Civil Rights ViolationRead the Press Release
A federal jury in the District of Columbia today convicted former Officer Philip Dupree, 38, of the Fairmount Heights Police Department in Maryland, for using excessive force.
“Police brutality and violent misconduct against defenseless people are disgraceful acts that have no place in our society today,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “When law enforcement officers abuse their power, it erodes trust with the communities they are sworn to protect and serve. The victim was handcuffed and already restrained in the back of the defendant’s squad car at the time of the assault. The Justice Department is committed to holding accountable law enforcement officers who violate the civil and constitutional rights of those in their custody.”
“We depend on law enforcement officers to protect our communities from crimes and to protect our civil rights while doing so,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia. “An officer who abuses his authority breaks the community’s trust and unfairly tarnishes the reputation of the vast majority of officers who do their jobs the right way. The jury found that the defendant broke that trust when he unjustly and unreasonably used force and violence against a fellow citizen.”
“Law enforcement officers swear to protect the people they serve, including those in their custody,” said Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg of the FBI Washington Field Office. “Dupree defiled that responsibility and violated a man’s civil rights. As this case demonstrates, the FBI will not hesitate to investigate officers of the law who engage in misconduct, including those who use excessive force.”
During a weeklong jury trial, the evidence showed that, during the early morning hours of Aug. 4, 2019, Dupree was on duty as a Fairmont Heights Police Officer when he conducted a traffic stop in the District of Columbia. Dupree detained a man identified as T.S. and then deployed pepper spray as T.S. was handcuffed and seated in the back of Dupree’s police car. The government argued, and the jury found, that Dupree’s use of force was a violation of T.S.’ right to be free from excessive force by a law enforcement officer.
A sentencing hearing will be set at a later date. Dupree faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for his alleged use of unreasonable force.
The FBI Washington Field Office is investigating the case.
Trial Attorney Sanjay Patel of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathryn Rakoczy and Christopher Howland for the District of Columbia are prosecuting the case.
Former Maryland Police Officer Found Guilty of Excessive ForceRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Philip Dupree, 40, a former officer with the Fairmount Heights, MD Police Department, was found guilty today in U.S. District Court of violating a man’s civil rights.
The verdict was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves of the District of Columbia, Assistant U.S. Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, and FBI Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg of the Washington Field Office.
A federal jury found Dupree guilty of one count of deprivation of rights under color of law. U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly will schedule sentencing at a later date. Dupree faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for his use of unreasonable force. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
“We depend on law enforcement officers to protect our communities from crimes and to protect our civil rights while doing so,” said U.S. Attorney Graves. “An officer who abuses his authority breaks the community’s trust and unfairly tarnishes the reputation of the vast majority of officers who do their jobs the right way. The jury found that the defendant broke that trust when he unjustly and unreasonably used force and violence against a fellow citizen.”
“Police brutality and violent misconduct against defenseless people are disgraceful acts that have no place in our society today,” said Assistant Attorney General Clarke. “When law enforcement officers abuse their power, it erodes trust with the communities they are sworn to protect and serve. The victim was handcuffed and already restrained in the back of the defendant’s squad car at the time of the assault. The Justice Department is committed to holding accountable law enforcement officers who violate the civil and constitutional rights of those in their custody.”
"Law enforcement officers swear to protect the people they serve, including those in their custody,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge Sundberg. “Dupree defiled that responsibility and violated a man's civil rights. As this case demonstrates, the FBI will not hesitate to investigate officers of the law who engage in misconduct, including those who use excessive force."
According to court documents, Dupree was on duty as a Fairmont Heights Police Officer during the early morning hours of Aug. 4, 2019. Dupree spotted a speeding vehicle and conducted a traffic stop on Eastern Avenue NE, in the District of Columbia, just across the Maryland-District of Columbia border. The driver and his sister were returning home to the District of Columbia from a family cookout in Maryland.
Based on a 911 recording placed by the driver’s sister, Dupree told the driver to put his hands behind his back or he would pepper spray him and Dupree would activate his body-worn camera (BWC) to make the stop “official.” The driver questioned the stop because he had not committed any traffic violations and because the stop occurred in the District of Columbia. Dupree asked the driver to exit his vehicle, handcuffed the driver behind his back, and placed the driver in the front passenger seat of Dupree’s personal vehicle.
After Dupree radioed for back-up, an officer from the Prince George’s County Police Department (PGCPD) responded. Around that same time, an MPD officer arrived at the scene in response to a 911 call the driver’s sister had placed. The MPD officer activated his BWC. Dupree did not activate his BWC at any point during the traffic stop. While the handcuffed driver was seated in Dupree’s vehicle, the driver’s sister sat in the driver’s car, ostensibly to prevent Dupree from towing the vehicle. After Dupree told the sister that he “was going to ask [her] one more time to get out of the car,” the sister responded that the car belonged to her brother and that she had a driver’s license. When the sister still refused to exit the vehicle, Dupree threatened to pepper spray her by aggressively shaking his canister of pepper spray.
While the defendant was engaged with the sister, the handcuffed driver was seated in the front passenger seat of Dupree’s car yelling obscenities and insults and activating the vehicle’s sirens. The PFCPD officer asked the handcuffed driver to step out of the vehicle. Dupree asked the other officers for help in taking the handcuffed driver back to Maryland. The PGCPD officer declined to assist.
As it became clear that Dupree would have to transport the driver himself, Dupree then placed the handcuffed driver back in the front passenger seat. The handcuffed driver started to scream, pleading to have another officer transport him. Dupree grabbed his pepper spray, took a step back away from handcuffed driver, shook the canister, and then stepped forward, at which point Dupree pepper-sprayed the handcuffed driver in the face and chest. Instead of transporting the handcuffed driver to the county lock-up as required by FHPD policy, Dupree transported the driver to the FHPD station and detained him there for several hours before turning him over to the county jail. While the driver was detained at FHPD, Dupree drafted a falsified statement of Probable Cause in which he claimed, among other things, that the driver had attacked him.
In addition to body-worn camera footage, an eyewitness captured cell phone video of the traffic stop and Dupree’s excessive use of force.
FBI agents arrested Dupree on August 24, 2022, in Washington D.C.
The case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office and is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Sanjay Patel of the Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Howland of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
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Seven Years in Prison for 2023 Shooting in Northwest D.C.Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Travone Henderson, 21, of Washington D.C., was sentenced today for shooting two individuals in the middle of the day on November 13, 2023, near a Columbia Heights shopping center, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Henderson pleaded guilty on February 28, 2024, to assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. Today, Superior Court Judge Jason Park sentenced Henderson to serve a total of seven years’ imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for the two offenses.
According to the government’s evidence, with which Henderson agreed, on November 13, 2023, at around 12:30 p.m., Henderson walked on the sidewalk on 14th Street Northwest past the DC USA shopping center entrance. Henderson passed the victim, who was standing on the sidewalk speaking to a man. Abruptly, Henderson turned towards the victim and rushed at him with a firearm. The victim ran and Henderson attempted to move the victim’s companion in an effort to grab the victim. Henderson then fired several times at the fleeing victim. The victim and a passing bystander each sustained a bullet wound to their legs. Henderson immediately fled on foot.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of those investigating the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, including Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Carlton, who prosecuted the case.
Court Gives 45 Year Prison Term for Murder at a Bus Stop in SoutheastRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON –Terrell Poe, 37, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 45 years in prison for his role in the murder of Christopher Washington in September 2020. The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
On February 15, 2024, a jury found Poe guilty on three counts of first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm. Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe sentenced Poe to 45 years in prison to be followed by 5 years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence presented at trial, at 2:24 p.m. on the afternoon of Wednesday, September 23, 2020, 30-year-old Christopher Washington, was waiting at the bus stop on Southern Avenue, SE when Poe pulled up in a stolen white pickup truck. Poe got out of the truck, armed with an assault rifle, and shot Mr. Washington to death. Just minutes earlier, in a local church parking lot, Poe had switched from his girlfriend’s car into the stolen pickup truck and gone looking for Mr. Washington. Poe passed Mr. Washington as he walked up Indian Head Highway in Maryland, then turned around and followed Mr. Washington, apparently losing sight of him, and then finding him again at the bus stop. After the murder, Poe returned to the church parking lot, dropped off the stolen truck and drove off in his girlfriend’s car.
In announcing the sentencing, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, including Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter V. Roman and Wes Faulkner.
30 Year Sentence for District Man Who Stabbed Two Men in Northwest DC, Killing OneRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Joseph Melton, 55, of Washington, DC, was sentenced today, by Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe, to 366 months in prison for the January 2020 murder of a man. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Melton pleaded guilty on March 25, 2024, to second degree murder while armed and assault with a dangerous weapon (knife).
According to the government’s evidence, around 9:10 a.m. on January 14, 2020, Melton approached Kevin Chamberlain in the 1800 block of Connecticut Ave. NW. Mr. Chamberlain recognized the defendant from college, thirty years ago, but did not know the defendant’s name. As they encountered each other, Melton made threats to Mr. Chamberlain, and then pulled out a knife from his pants pocket and attempted to stab him. Mr. Chamberlain was able to escape that attack and Melton fled the scene.
Later that same day, at around 1:15 p.m., a second victim encountered Melton in the 800 block of Vermont Ave., NW. Melton stabbed this victim in a vicious attack. This victim would later physically recover from his injuries.
However, about an hour thereafter, Melton re-encountered Mr. Chamberlain in the area of the intersection of 24th and G Streets, NW, and attacked him again, stabbing him repeatedly. Mr. Chamberlain succumbed to his wounds a few hours thereafter.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of those investigating the case from the Homicide Branch of the Metropolitan Police Department. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, including Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Liebman and Andrea Antonelli.
Texas Man Sentenced for Filing False FEC Report for his Super PAC and for Credit Card FraudRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Christopher Richardson, 37, formerly of San Antonio, Texas, was sentenced today to 18 months in prison for filing a false report with the Federal Election Commission and for credit card fraud.
The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg of the FBI Washington Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Scott Moffit of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration’s (TIGTA) Cybercrime Investigations Division.
Richardson, who has a prior federal conviction for bank fraud, pleaded guilty to one count of making a false entry in a record and one count of access device fraud on February 29, 2024. In addition to the 18-month prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Trevor N. McFadden ordered Richardson to serve three years of supervised release.
According to court documents, in March 2020 Richardson created an independent, expenditure-only Super PAC named Americans for Progressive Action USA (AFPA) that used fictitious names for AFPA’s treasurer and designated agent. Richardson then filed a falsified quarterly report with the FEC claiming that AFPA had raised $4.8 million from several fictitious individuals. Several weeks later, he filed a report of expenditures that falsely claimed that the Super PAC spent over $1.5 million to purchase advertisements and media production opposing certain candidates for the U.S. Senate. Richardson filed another FEC report that falsely stated that AFPA refunded the non-existent $4.8 million in donations. Richardson also used the alias of one of the fictitious donors to AFPA to obtain a credit card, and then used that card to conduct approximately 200 transactions.
This case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office and TIGTA Cybercrime Investigations Division. It was prosecuted by Trial Attorney Ryan R. Crosswell of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Gold for the District of Columbia with assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Ahmed Baset.
Second Superseding Indictment Charges One of Two District Brothers Accused in Fentanyl and Cocaine Conspiracy with Causing the Deaths of Two MenRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – One of two brothers, Jevaughn Mark, was charged earlier today in a second superseding indictment in connection with distributing fentanyl and cocaine, on December 26, 2023, that resulted in the deaths of two men, Brandon Román and Robert Barletta. The Mark brothers, Jevaughn “Ledo” Mark, 32, and Angelo Mark, 30, previously were charged on April 9 in a 17-count superseding indictment for participating in a conspiracy that distributed large amounts of fentanyl and cocaine in the metropolitan area.
The charges were announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget of the Washington Division, and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Jevaughn Mark is currently being held on charges that include eight counts of unlawful distribution (of fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin) and distributing 40 grams or more of fentanyl between January 10, 2024, and March 13, 2024. The charges stem from six controlled purchases in which undercover DEA and MPD taskforce officers (UC-DEA/MPD) contacted Jevaughn Mark and purchased narcotics. In each instance, the UC-DEA/MPD agents requested to buy “Special K” or ketamine from Jevaughn Mark. In every instance, Jevaughn Mark supplied a mixture of fentanyl and other substances, including heroin, but not ketamine.
After obtaining an indictment against Jevaughn Mark, law enforcement executed a search warrant at his residence in connection with his arrest. From his residence, agents recovered two firearms, cocaine, fentanyl, about $38,000 in cash, body armor vests, and drug trafficking paraphernalia. The same day, law enforcement executed another search warrant at a second residence tied to Jevaughn Mark, in which they located his brother, Angelo Mark. From Angelo Mark’s bedroom, law enforcement recovered seven firearms, 900 rounds of ammunition, dozens of pills, cocaine, fentanyl, drug trafficking paraphernalia, and about $50,000 in cash. Based on the evidence, both brothers were indicted in the first superseding indictment.
On April 9, both Jevaughn Mark and Angelo Mark were charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and 500 grams or more of cocaine between January 2021 and March 2024.
Separately, Angelo Mark was charged in the first superseding indictment with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.
In addition to the new count of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death, Jevaughn Mark previously was charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and heroin, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.
The case is being investigated by the DEA’s Washington Division and the Metropolitan Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Iris McCranie and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Coley, of the Violence Reduction and Trafficking Offenses (VRTO) section.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Second Person Charged in Armed Carjacking in Northeast DCRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Maurice Edwards, 20, of Washington, D.C., was charged yesterday with armed carjacking in District of Columbia Superior Court, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela A. Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Edwards is detained pending his June 14, 2024, preliminary hearing.
According to the government’s evidence, on March 11, 2024, Edwards drove a car through a stop sign at 48th Pl and Lee St, NE, and struck the victim’s vehicle. Edwards and his accomplice, Auzsa Beatty, got out of their car and yelled at the victim. When the victim got out of his car, Edwards pulled a gun on him, and Beatty got into the victim’s car. Beatty drove off in the victim’s vehicle, and Edwards drove off in the vehicle he had been driving. The victim immediately reported the offense. MPD Officers later found the victim’s car parked near Beatty’s home.
Beatty, 28, of Washington, D.C., was previously charged with carjacking, and has been detained pending her August 12, 2024, trial before the Honorable Andrea Hertzfeld. Edwards’ case will be joined with Beatty’s.
This case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Cocuzza.
Charges are merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Man Sentenced for Maintaining Fictitious Super PAC and Credit Card FraudRead the Press Release
A New Jersey man was sentenced today to one year and six months in prison for falsifying a report filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and credit card fraud.
According to court documents, in March 2020, Christopher Richardson, 37, formerly of San Antonio, Texas, created an independent, expenditure-only political action committee, or Super PAC, named Americans for Progressive Action USA (AFPA) that used fictitious names for AFPA’s treasurer and designated agent. Richardson then filed a falsified quarterly report with the FEC claiming that AFPA had raised $4.8 million from several fictitious individuals. Several weeks later, he filed a report of expenditures that falsely claimed that the Super PAC spent over $1.5 million to purchase advertisements and media production opposing certain candidates for the U.S. Senate. Richardson filed another FEC report that falsely stated that AFPA refunded the non-existent $4.8 million in donations.
Richardson also used the alias of one of the fictitious donors to AFPA to obtain a credit card, and then used that card to conduct approximately 200 transactions.
Richardson pleaded guilty on Feb. 29 to one count of making a false entry in a record and one count of access device fraud.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia; Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg of the FBI Washington Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Scott Moffit of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration’s (TIGTA) Cybercrime Investigations Division made the announcement.
The FBI Washington Field Office and TIGTA Cybercrime Investigations Division investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Ryan R. Crosswell of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Gold for the District of Columbia prosecuted the case, with assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Ahmed Baset for the District of Columbia.
Indictment Charges Carjacking of Uber Eats Driver in NorthwestRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Guilbert Rojas Villarroel, 39, of Alexandria, Va., was arraigned today before the Honorable Heidi Pasichow of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia on a Superior Court indictment arising from a September 2023 carjacking, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela A. Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
The grand jury returned its indictment on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, charging Villarroel with armed carjacking, robbery while armed, threats to injure/kidnap, and first-degree theft.
According to the government’s evidence, on September 9, 2023, an Uber Eats driver stopped in the 2000 block of K Street NW to pick up an order, leaving his friend, the victim, in the car. Villarroel jumped in the driver’s seat and ordered the victim out of the car. The victim refused, and Villarroel drove off with him still in the car. After a short distance, Villarroel stopped the car and threatened to shoot and kill the victim if he did not get out, and reached toward his waistband, making the victim believe he had a gun. The victim got out of the car and started to call 911 as he walked away. Villarroel eventually abandoned the vehicle and began walking towards the victim. Villarroel approached the victim and threatened to kill him if he called 911. Villarroel then ran away. MPD officers arrived immediately, and arrested Villarroel a short distance away.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shaniqua Butler.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of criminal laws and every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.
Charges Filed in Connection with String of Robberies Along Metropolitan Branch TrailRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Jalique Wiseman, 19, of Washington, D.C., was indicted yesterday on twenty-four charges stemming from a string of robberies and armed robberies in October and November 2023, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Wiseman was indicted by a grand jury in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia on charges including robbery, armed robbery, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with a dangerous weapon, and credit card fraud. Wiseman is scheduled to be arraigned on June 26, 2024, before the Honorable Jennifer Di Toro.
According to the government’s evidence, between October 2, 2023, and November 23, 2023, Wiseman and an accomplice robbed eleven people on or near the Metropolitan Branch Trail. Wiseman and his accomplice, using either physical violence or at gunpoint, robbed the victims of phones and other property. Wiseman demanded the victims’ passcodes and used that information to access the victims’ financial accounts to transfer money to accounts Wiseman controlled.
This case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kraig Ahalt of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of criminal laws and every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.
California Man Pleads Guilty to Fraudulently Using Corporations’ UPS Accounts in Shipping Label SchemeRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Carl Granada Wilson, Jr., 36, of Hollywood, California, pleaded guilty today to fraudulently obtaining access to two American companies’ UPS accounts, which were then used to create shipping labels by Raekwon Malik Harrod, of Washington, D.C., and another individual. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott of the Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division.
Wilson pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud, which has a statutory maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment. As part of his plea agreement, he must pay restitution to the two companies. He also will be liable for a forfeiture money judgment for proceeds he received as a result of the scheme. U.S. District Court Judge Ana C. Reyes, who accepted Wilson’s guilty plea in the District of Columbia, scheduled sentencing for October 31, 2024.
In his plea agreement, Wilson admitted that no later than 2020, he gained access to one company’s UPS account’s log-in credentials and provided them to Harrod, who provided the credentials to a Maryland co-conspirator. Initially, Harrod and the Maryland co-conspirator, who both re-sold shoes online, used the account to create UPS shipping labels to mail the shoes that they sold, which reduced their shipping costs to zero. Wilson admitted that he intended for Harrod to use the account to ship shoes. In late 2020, Harrod and a Maryland co-conspirator started using the account to sell UPS shipping labels to third parties. Wilson did not know they were selling labels online. As a result of Harrod and the Maryland co-conspirator’s use of the account, the company lost more than $900,000.
In late July 2021, Harrod and the Maryland co-conspirator lost access to the account, prompting them to tell Wilson that they had been selling labels using the account. Wilson requested that they pay him $120,000, which Harrod and the Maryland co-conspirator understood would be used to compensate the person who gave Wilson access to the account. In reality, Wilson planned to keep all of that money for himself. In August 2021, Harrod and the Maryland co-conspirator withdrew nearly $70,000 in cash and flew with the money to Los Angeles. They withdrew another $50,000 once they were in California and provided the funds to Wilson.
Eventually, Wilson secured access to a second American company’s UPS account, which he provided to Harrod and the Maryland co-conspirator. The two men then resumed selling UPS shipping labels online, this time with direct involvement and knowledge of Wilson.
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kondi Kleinman with the assistance of paralegal specialist Sonalika Chaturvedi and Michon Tart. Former Financial Analyst Bryan Snitselaar assisted with the investigation.
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Assault with Intent to Kill Charges Brought Against District Man for Shooting in NortheastRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Alante Partlow, 29, of Washington, D.C., was charged yesterday in D.C. Superior Court with several offenses arising from an April 23, 2024, shooting, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief, Pamela A. Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department. Partlow is detained pending the June 27, 2024, preliminary hearing before the Superior Court Judge Robert Okun.
Partlow was charged with one count of assault with intent to kill while armed for firing on the adult, and a second count of assault with intent to kill while armed for firing at the child in his effort to shoot the adult. He was also charged with aggravated assault while armed and possessing a firearm during each of the three crimes of violence.
According to the government’s evidence, at approximately 11:26 p.m. on April 23, 2024, the victim and a 5-year-old child were walking out of an apartment building in the Fort Totten neighborhood after the adult had argued with Partlow. Partlow followed the victims outside and then fired multiple shots at the adult victim. The adult tried to shield the child and sustained multiple gunshot wounds. The child also sustained injuries.
This case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Roberts.
A complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Maryland Man Indicted on Federal Charges for Traveling to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct with a MinorRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Nathaniel Lamar Nelson Scott, 35, of Bowie, Maryland, was indicted today by a federal grand jury on charges of traveling with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott of the Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division, and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
According to the indictment, unsealed today, on June 5, 2024, Scott traveled into the District of Columbia from Maryland with a motivating purpose of engaging in a sexual act with a six-year-old child.
In late May 2024, a member of the MPD–FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force posted a message on a website that is frequented by individuals who have a sexual interest in children. Scott contacted the undercover officer, who he believed was the father of a six-year-old girl, and in the days that followed engaged in graphic conversations about sexually abusing the child. On June 5, 2024, Scott arranged with the undercover officer to meet for the purpose of engaging in sexual acts with the child. He traveled from Maryland to a pre-arranged meeting place in Washington, D.C., and was arrested. Scott has remained in custody since his arrest.
Travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct is punishable by up to 30 years’ imprisonment. The statutory sentences for federal offenses are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes. Any sentence will be determined by the Court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case is being brought as part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative and investigated by the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, which includes members of the FBI’s Washington Field Office and MPD. In February 2006, the Attorney General created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
This case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. The task force is composed of FBI agents, along with other federal agents and detectives from northern Virginia and the District of Columbia. The task force is charged with investigating and bringing federal charges against individuals engaged in the exploitation of children and those engaged in human trafficking.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul V. Courtney.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Former D.C. CEO Sentenced to 66 Months for Stealing $2.5 Million from Former ClientsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Graham S. Hauck, 51, formerly of Bethesda, Maryland, was sentenced today to 66 months in prison for stealing millions of dollars from eight clients, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott of the Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division.
In May 2023, Hauck pleaded guilty to wire fraud for embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from one former client. Following that guilty plea, additional clients contacted the government to report that Hauck had stolen from them too. Hauck even stole money from one of those clients after his May 2023 guilty plea, which resulted in the court revoking his bond. Hauck has been housed at the Alexandria, Virginia, detention center since September 2023.
In total, Hauck misappropriated about $2.5 million from the clients over five years. One of his victims was a nonprofit charity working to improve the lives of cancer patients. In September 2023, he pleaded guilty to bank fraud to reflect the additional criminal conduct.
In addition to the 66-month prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Rudolph Contreras ordered Hauck to serve three years of supervised release and pay full restitution.
Hauck served as president and CEO of Hauck & Associates, Inc., (H&A) a trade association management firm based in Washington, D.C. The victim organizations retained H&A to serve as their management company. Hauck used his access to their financial accounts to embezzle the money. Some of the ways he camouflaged his criminal conduct included falsifying balance sheets and using a foreign exchange and international payment services company to conceal fraudulent transactions.
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kondi Kleinman with assistance from former Financial Analyst Bryan Snitselaar, and Paralegal Specialists Sona Chaturvedi, Michon Tart, Marsha Cannon, and Supervisory Paralegal Specialist Catherine Chae.
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Kenyan Citizen Gets 135-Month Prison Term for Advance Fee and Investment Fraud Scheme in Washington D.C.Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Paul Maucha, 59, a Kenyan national, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 135 months in prison for perpetrating an advance fee and investment scheme that defrauded numerous victims.
The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Keri Farley of the Atlanta Field Office.
In addition to the 135-month prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Carl J. Nichols ordered Maucha to serve three years of supervised release; to pay a $200,000 fine, a $400 special assessment, and restitution and forfeiture both in the amount of $1,901,252.
A federal jury convicted Maucha on February 1, 2024, on one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, two counts of wire fraud, and one count of engaging in monetary transactions in criminally derived property.
“The defendant tricked investors into giving him money with promises of favorable financial opportunities,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves. “But instead of following through with those promises, the defendant pocketed the fees and caused investors to lose millions. This sentence holds the defendant accountable and sends a clear message to anyone considering a similar scam.”
“Investment fraud scams can be difficult to investigate and prosecute due to the interstate and transnational nature of the criminal activity. But this sentence should serve as a warning that the FBI will persistently investigate these crimes and make sure they are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “Our success in this case is the result of a team effort, with outstanding assistance from our partners. Moving forward we will continue to pursue the collection of restitution for those harmed by the defendant.”
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Maucha, along with a co-conspirator, engaged in a scheme through a shell company Maucha controlled, American Eagle Services Group Inc. (AESG), to make numerous misrepresentations to victims about AESG, its assets, and its access to money and capital.
In particular, Maucha—through AESG—promised victims who were seeking loans that AESG would provide them with these loans. The victims were required to first provide AESG with an advanced fee. The company misrepresented the purpose of that fee. AESG told victims falsely that the advance fees could be refunded if AESG did not fund the loan. As proven at trial, however, Maucha and his co-conspirator knew that AESG did not have the capital to make these loans at the time the lending agreements were executed, and refunds to victims could not be assured because Maucha and his co-conspirator were splitting the fees between themselves and spending them. There was no money left to be refunded.
The FBI’s Atlanta Division investigated the case, with substantial assistance from Homeland Security Investigations.
Trial Attorneys Tian Huang and Tamara Livshiz of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine M. Macey for the District of Columbia prosecuted the case. Former Assistant Chief William E. Johnston of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Rothstein for the District of Columbia previously provided valuable assistance in the investigation.
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Foreign National Sentenced for Advance Fee and Investment Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
A Kenyan national was sentenced today to 11 years and three months in prison for perpetrating an advance fee and investment scheme that defrauded numerous victims.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Paul Maucha, 59, along with a co-conspirator, engaged in a scheme through a shell company Maucha controlled, American Eagle Services Group Inc. (AESG), to make numerous misrepresentations to victims about AESG, its assets, and its access to money and capital. In particular, Maucha—through AESG—promised victims who were seeking loans that AESG would provide them with these loans. The victims were required to first provide AESG with an advanced fee, but the company misrepresented the purpose of that fee. AESG told victims falsely that the advance fees could be refunded if AESG did not fund the loan. As proven at trial, however, Maucha and his co-conspirator knew that AESG did not have the capital to make these loans at the time the lending agreements were executed, and refunds to victims could not be assured because Maucha and his co-conspirator were splitting the fees between themselves and spending them, such that there was no money left to be refunded.
A federal jury convicted Maucha on Feb. 1 of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, two counts of wire fraud, and one count of engaging in monetary transactions in criminally derived property.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia; and Special Agent in Charge Keri Farley of the FBI Atlanta Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI Atlanta Field Office investigated the case, with substantial assistance from Homeland Security Investigations.
Trial Attorneys Tian Huang and Tamara Livshiz of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine M. Macey for the District of Columbia prosecuted the case. Former Assistant Chief William E. Johnston of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Rothstein for the District of Columbia provided valuable assistance in the investigation.
District Man Sentenced to 57 Months in Prison for Federal Firearms and Drug Trafficking OffensesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Clarence Faulkner, 43, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 57 months in prison on federal firearms and drug trafficking charges, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Special Agent in Charge Craig Kailimai of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Faulkner pleaded guilty on February 27, 2024, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, to one count of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon and one count of unlawful possession with intent to distribute PCP. He was sentenced by the Honorable Tanya S. Chutkan. Following his prison term, Faulkner will serve three years of supervised release.
According to court documents, on November 4, 2023, MPD officers approached an unoccupied gray Acura in the 300 block of 61st Street Northeast and observed a clear plastic bag filled with suspected marijuana on the rear passenger floorboard. Officers then searched the vehicle and recovered more than two pounds of marijuana, 108 grams of cocaine base, six fluid ounces of liquid PCP, two scales, and over $38,000 in cash. Officers also recovered a loaded Glock semi‑automatic pistol that had been converted into a short-barreled rifle. The firearm was loaded with 28 rounds of ammunition in a 31-capacity feeding device.
The Acura was registered to Faulkner and contained Faulkner’s identification and mail. Police stopped and arrested Faulkner, who was standing on a sidewalk nearby. Faulkner has remained in custody since his arrest.
Federal law prohibits Faulkner from possessing a firearm because he has multiple prior convictions for crimes punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, including three prior felony firearms convictions.
The case was investigated by the ATF’s Washington Field Division and the Metropolitan Police Department as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul V. Courtney and Cameron A. Tepfer and former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine M. Toth.
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Metro Train Attacker Sentenced to Serve Seven Years for StabbingRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Michael Harrington, 43, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced June 7, 2024, by the Honorable Maribeth Raffinan to 84 months in prison for a September 2023 attack, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Michael Anzallo, of the Metro Transit Police Department (MTPD).
Harrington pleaded guilty on March 5, 2024, to assault with intent to kill in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Based on evidence of drug and mental health issues, Harrington was permitted to enter pursuant to Alford v. North Carolina, 400 U.S. 25 (1970). Harrington agreed that the government could establish his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, but did not have to admit to or recall the facts constituting the offense.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Raffinan ordered Harrington to serve three years of supervised release and pay $100 to the Superior Court’s Crime Victims Compensation Fund.
According to the government’s evidence, Harrington attacked the victim on a Metro train on September 3, 2023, without provocation. On that evening, the victim was riding a Metro train approaching the Navy Yard-Ball Park Station when Harrington approached her, repeatedly stabbed her in her head and body, and said he would kill her. Harrington left the victim on the train car, bleeding from stab wounds. Police officers were called and took immediate life-saving steps to stop the bleeding before the victim was transported to the hospital in critical condition. In all, the victim sustained twelve stab wounds to her head, hip, foot, hands, and leg, but survived the assault.
Police arrested Harrington later that evening, after he triggered a fire alarm at an apartment building in Arlington, Virginia, and was seen wielding a knife that appeared to have dried blood on the blade and matched the description of the assailant. Harrington also admitted to having had a dispute with someone on the Metro earlier that night.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Anzallo commended the work of those investigating the case from the Metro Transit Police Department, with valuable assistance from the Arlington County Police Department. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, including Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald Chester.
Guilty Plea Entered in February 2024 Shooting in Which the Victim Was Shot Seven TimesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON –Scotland Alston, 33, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty today, before Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe, to aggravated assault while armed for a February 2024 shooting, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela A. Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Judge O’Keefe scheduled sentencing for August 9, 2024. Alston faces a minimum term of 10 years in prison at sentencing.
According to the government’s evidence, with which Alston agreed, on February 28, 2024, Alston and the female victim got into a heated argument, during which Alston shoved the victim and she shoved him back. During the argument, Alston took a gun from his waistband and held it at his side. A bystander tried to separate Alston and the victim, but the two continued to argue. Alston then got onto a bicycle to leave the area but then returned to where the victim sat. Alston then fired numerous times at the victim. The victim tried to flee but she collapsed after being hit by approximately seven bullets.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacqueline Yarbro.
Man Who Assaulted His Paramour is Sentenced to 15 Years on Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Barrington Hart, 36, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced to 180 months in prison for two assaults on his romantic partner in July 2023. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Hart was sentenced today by Superior Court Judge Jason Park to 15 years in prison, and five years of supervised release, for two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon (firearm), two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, one count of assault with significant bodily injury while armed, two counts of obstruction of justice, one count of threats, one count of unlawful possession of a firearm (prior conviction), one count of simple assault, and one count of carrying a pistol without a license. The sentence followed a trial by the court where Judge Park found Hart guilty of these charges on March 15, 2024.
According to the government’s evidence, Hart and the victim were in a previous romantic relationship, broke up, and then reunited for four days when, on July 27, 2023, they got into an argument over the victim’s phone. Hart accused the victim of cheating on him and wanted to look through her phone. After she refused, he became angry, retrieved a black and yellow gun, and hit the victim on the head with it, causing a laceration. Instead of taking her to a hospital for her injury, Hart made the victim come with him to a job interview while her head was still bleeding. She later went to the hospital alone and had the wound treated with nine staples to the top of her head. On August 4, 2023, less than a week after the victim reported the assault to the Metropolitan Police Department, the victim called the police again and reported that the night before, Hart started an argument about her seeing other people, slapped her, and pointed the same black and yellow firearm at her. Police arrested Hart on August 4, 2023, and he has been detained since that date.
After arrest, Hart continued to attempt to control the victim. He instructed her, twice, over Department of Corrections Video Visits, to refrain from testifying in the grand jury. Also, while incarcerated, Hart threatened the victim via numerous text messages, calling her names and using profanity.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of those investigating the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan Han, Paralegal Tiffany Jones, Victim/Witness Advocate Tracey Hawkins, and Victim/Witness Service Coordinator Shanika McCullough. Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys from the Domestic Violence unit, Callie Hyde and Katharine Yaske, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
Virginia Man Pleads Guilty in Fake Law Firm Scheme that Defrauded Distressed Homeowners Out of $15 MillionRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Terrylle Blackstone, 36, of Woodbridge, Virginia, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in a conspiracy that fraudulently promised thousands of homeowners across the U.S. legal help in avoiding foreclosure. The scheme generated at least $15 million for the conspirators but never provided any legal services to the client-victims.
The plea was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division, and Executive Special Agent in Charge Kareem A. Carter of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Washington, D.C. Field Office.
Blackstone today pleaded guilty to a count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud before U.S District Court Judge Randolph D. Moss, who scheduled sentencing for October 3, 2024.
According to court documents, when entering his guilty plea, Blackstone admitted that, from January 2018 until February 2021, he worked with codefendants David Maresca of Virginia, attorney Scott Marinelli of New Jersey, and attorney Sam Babbs of Florida. The co-conspirators told homeowners that they operated a “national law firm” based in Washington, D.C.; that attorneys would review the homeowner’s file and provide legal representation to the homeowners; that an attorney in the homeowner’s local area would be assigned to assist them; that the homeowner could meet and consult with those attorneys about the case; and that attorneys in their law firm could help the homeowner, if necessary, file for bankruptcy.
Blackstone further admitted that, from 2016 until 2019, the conspirators marketed Synergy Law with telephone, television, and internet advertising which told homeowners that attorneys at Maresca and Marinelli’s Synergy Law in Manassas could help them avoid foreclosure. In early 2019, Marinelli was incarcerated in Pennsylvania. Yet Blackstone, Maresca, Marinelli, and others continued to operate Synergy and collect monthly payments purportedly for legal services. During this time, there was no attorney who was a member of Synergy who could practice law. Synergy never had attorneys review all homeowner files and Synergy never had attorneys contact a client’s lender to discuss a mortgage resolution. They also continued to use the interstate wires to operate their “law firm” in ways that were essential to the scheme, such as soliciting clients by telephone.
And Blackstone admitted that, from 2019 until at least 2022, the conspirators marketed another firm, Themis Law, with television and website advertising which told homeowners that attorneys with Themis could help them avoid foreclosure. Themis operated a call center at an office in Manassas, Virginia. Call center workers used scripts during their phone calls with homeowners in which Themis falsely promised that an attorney would review the homeowner’s case file; that this attorney knew their lender’s “internal guidelines” for a “mortgage resolution”; and that an assigned “legal team” would contact the homeowner’s lender to negotiate a resolution. Themis required homeowner-clients to pay an initial retainer amount followed by a monthly recurring amount for as long as the firm represented the homeowner. Themis Law never provided legal services to the homeowner-clients. When Themis clients faced imminent foreclosure, Themis advised those clients to consider filing for bankruptcy to save their home and referred the clients to Babbs at Babbs Law Firm. Those clients then signed a new retainer agreement and paid additional fees to Babbs.
During his dates of employment at Synergy Law and Themis Law, Blackstone received no less than $163,199.30 in direct payments from the companies.
A federal district court judge will determine any sentence for Blackstone after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. In addition, the United States also will seek a forfeiture money judgment against him for an amount not less than $163,199.30
This case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office and the Washington, D.C. Field Office of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations.
It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John Borchert.
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Guilty Verdict for District Man on Aggravated Assault ChargesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Tyrone Johnson, 43, of Washington, D.C., was found guilty yesterday by a Superior Court jury of aggravated assault while armed and related charges, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
The verdict followed a two-week trial before Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo. The jury also found Johnson guilty of assault with a dangerous weapon, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during each of those crimes of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm, carrying a pistol without a license, unlawful possession of ammunition and possession of an unregistered firearm. Judge Demeo scheduled sentencing for September 6, 2024.
According to the government’s evidence, at around 5:40 a.m. on August 30, 2022, Johnson entered Starburst Plaza, located at the intersection of Benning Road NE and Bladensburg Road NE, and asked the victim if he could buy a cigarette from him. The victim did not have any cigarettes and told Johnson “no.” Johnson then told the victim to, “Give it up,” before taking out a handgun. Johnson then fired multiple times at the victim at close range, hitting him in his midsection. Johnson then ran into a nearby apartment complex. Police later identified Johnson through review of video surveillance, GPS records, and ballistics evidence that linked Johnson to this shooting and one committed one week before this offense.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
This case was prosecuted at trial by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Travis Wolf and Matthew Goldstein.
Ghost Gun and Ammunition Land Convicted Felon Back in Prison for 65 MonthsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Mark Harris, 27, a previously convicted felon from Washington D.C., was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 65 months in prison for possessing three different firearms between June 1 and November 2, 2023, one which was an untraceable “ghost gun,” and more than 150 rounds of ammunition. The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, DEA Special Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget of the Washington Division, and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police.
Harris, aka “Romilli,” pleaded guilty on February 29, 2024, to a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Reggie B. Walton ordered Harris to serve three years of supervised release.
According to court documents, on May 23, 2023, law enforcement learned of an Instagram live stream posted by Harris in which he produced a black handgun and stated something to the effect of “crack a (explicit) head with this joint.” Based on the post, Harris’s prior felony conviction and his location in the District at the time of the posting, law enforcement obtained a search warrant for his residence.
On June 1, 2023, law enforcement executed the search warrant. In Harris’s bedroom under the mattress, law enforcement seized a .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol with no serial number (a privately manufactured firearm or “ghost gun”) and an extended magazine with 12 rounds of ammunition and one bullet in the chamber. Inside a closet, law enforcement recovered a Palmetto PA-15 multi-caliber semi-automatic rifle with a 42-round capacity magazine. In addition, they found more than 133 rounds of assorted silver and bronze ammunition; ammunition in four boxes under the bed; 10 bottles of promethazine, and two bags of white powdery substance in a small safe.
Despite the execution of the search warrant on June 1, by June 30 Harris again went on Instagram to post images of additional firearms in his possession. On October 4, 2023, Harris publicly posted to his Instagram account a YouTube music video for his song “Add It Up,” in which he is depicted holding a firearm with an extended magazine and a “giggle switch” used to convert the weapon into a fully automatic machine gun. On November 2, 2023, law enforcement again executed a search warrant at Harris’s residence. This time, they found Harris in his bedroom, where they recovered: a stolen black .40 caliber Glock 22 pistol with a 15-round capacity magazine containing 14 rounds and one round in the chamber; 10 rounds of .40 caliber ammunition from a dresser drawer; various prescription forms contained within a bag on the floor; and two empty promethazine bottles next to the bed. Law enforcement arrested Harris and he has remained in custody since his arrest.
This case was investigated by Drug Enforcement Administration- Washington Division and the Metropolitan Police Department with valuable assistance from the FBI. It is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Gaelin Bernstein of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sitara Witanachchi of the Violence Reduction and Trafficking Offenses of the U.S. Attorney’s Office of Washington D.C. Valuable assistance was provided by former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Gary Crosby.
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Former Public Official Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Wire and Honest Services FraudRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Bridgette Crowell, a former public official who managed government contracts at the District of Columbia’s Office of Contracting and Procurement (OCP) and, before that, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), pleaded guilty today for participating in a scheme in which she reaped benefits from steering lucrative government contracts to her co-conspirators' private companies.
The guilty plea was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott of the Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division, Acting Inspector General Kevin B. Muhlendorf of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Office of Inspector General, and Inspector General Daniel W. Lucas of the D.C. Office of the Inspector General.
Crowell, 39, of Laurel, Maryland, pleaded guilty to a one-count criminal Information charging her with conspiracy to commit wire and honest services fraud. U.S. District Court Judge Tanya S. Chutkan scheduled sentencing for September 6, 2024.
In a related case, Obinna Ogbu, 52, of Silver Spring, Maryland, also pleaded guilty to a one-count criminal Information charging him with conspiracy to commit wire and honest services fraud for his conduct as an employee at WMATA and his actions with Crowell at OCP. In another matter, Ifediora Oli, 41, of Silver Spring, Maryland, was previously charged with conspiracy. He has pleaded not guilty and is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
“The defendants have admitted to a corrupt scheme where government contracts were steered to companies that unlawfully paid government officials in connection with the contracts,” said US Attorney Graves. “Such corruption of our government agencies will not be tolerated. We commend the diligent work of our investigative partners who helped uncover a multiyear conspiracy to defraud WMATA, the District of Columbia, and the District’s citizens.”
“Crowell misused her position to steer lucrative contracts to private companies, and in return, she received cash payments and a new car,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Scott. “The FBI Washington Field Office, in coordination with our federal and district partners, worked tirelessly to unmask this scheme, and we will continue to investigate allegations of criminal activity that degrade community trust in our public servants."
“These guilty pleas highlight WMATA OIG’s commitment to investigating procurement fraud impacting WMATA activities,” said Acting Inspector General Muhlendorf. “The OIG will continue to work with our investigative partners to pursue those who violate the public’s trust for personal gain.”
“These judicial outcomes highlight the unfortunate fact that taxpayers become the victim when government employees and contractors collude to enrich themselves unjustly,” said Inspector General Lucas. “The DC OIG and our law enforcement partners remain steadfast in our shared commitment to hold accountable those who seek to deprive District residents of the benefits of their tax dollars.”
According to court documents, Crowell began working at the District’s Office of Contracting and Procurement (OCP) in 2019 as a contracting specialist. Before that, she worked at WMATA as a contract administrator. Crowell first met her co-conspirators when working at WMATA. Ogbu was a WMATA employee. Oli was an employee at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, but separately held himself out as the Principal of Highbury Global Group, Inc. (Highbury). By 2021, Crowell understood that her co-conspirators had orchestrated a bribery scheme in which Ogbu received things of value for misusing his position at WMATA and steering WMATA-related business opportunities to Oli and Highbury.
While at OCP, Crowell agreed to steer government contracts to Highbury and another company created by Ogbu, The Nupath Company (Nupath), in exchange for things of value. Crowell misused her official position at OCP by, among other things: alerting her co-conspirators to upcoming solicitations; providing them with non-public information about the solicitations, including information regarding contract pricing; helping Highbury and Nupath secure government contracts; and taking multiple steps to conceal her personal connections to Highbury and Nupath.
Crowell’s misconduct led to Highbury obtaining a $630,000 contract with the District to provide the District’s Department of Forensic Sciences (DFS) with COVID-19 Testing Supplies; Nupath receiving a $27,000 contract to provide the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) with certain equipment; and Nupath being awarded a nearly $850,000 contract to provide MPD with assistance carrying out pre-employment suitability background investigations for officer candidates. For her official actions and participation in the fraudulent schemes, Crowell received things of value from her co-conspirators, including as much as $10,000 cash per month, a new car, and assistance with closing costs for a new home.
As part of his guilty plea, Ogbu admitted that his misconduct began in 2018 and ultimately resulted in Highbury and Nupath receiving roughly $2 million in funds originating from WMATA and District contracts.
The investigation into this matter was conducted by the FBI’s Washington Field Office, with the WMATA Office of the Inspector General, and the District of Columbia Office of the Inspector General. The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tim Visser of the Fraud, Public Corruption, and Civil Rights Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
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District Teen Indicted on Multiple Armed Carjacking, Armed Robbery and Related Charges from August 2023 Crime SpreeRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Zakyh Samuel, 16, of Washington, D.C., was indicted on May 30, 2024, on charges stemming from an August 24, 2023, crime spree throughout the District, U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced.
Samuel was charged as an adult by a grand jury in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia in a 16-count indictment. Samuel was charged with two counts of armed carjacking, five counts of armed robbery, and assault with intent to rob while armed, along with possession of a firearm during each of those crimes of violence.
Samuel was arraigned on May 31, 2024, before the Honorable Jason Park.
According to the government’s evidence, Samuel and his accomplices used a stolen burgundy Jeep Grand Cherokee to traverse around the District and prey on members of the community from about 1:30 a.m. to 5:15 a.m., flanking their victims, brandishing firearms, demanding property, and then fleeing, in each offense. DNA testing and surveillance footage later linked Samuel to the spree of offenses.
This case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department.
This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of criminal laws and every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.
Maryland Man Sentenced to 18 Years for Second Degree Murder While ArmedRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – David Botchway, 20, of Gwynn Oak, MD, was sentenced on May 31, 2024, to 18 years in prison for second degree murder while armed for the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Andre Baker, of Washington, D.C., announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt also ordered the defendant to complete five years of supervised release, register as a gun offender, pay a fine to victim’s compensation fund, and receive mental health treatment.
According to the government’s evidence, on August 5, 2023, Mr. Baker and two friends were standing near a bus stop in the 1200 block of U Street Northwest, after enjoying a night out in the U Street neighborhood. At around 5:01 a.m., Botchway approached the group and, without warning or any provocation, pointed the gun at Mr. Baker and shot him multiple times in the head and torso. Mr. Baker died a short time later. One of the bullets also grazed one of the victim’s friends.
In announcing the sentence U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of those investigating the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, including Assistant U.S. Attorney Nebiyu Feleke of the Homicide section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
District Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl Conspiracy that Distributed Hundreds of Thousands of Doses in the DistrictRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Columbian Thomas, 26, of Washington D.C., pleaded guilty to participating in a wide-spread narcotics trafficking conspiracy that distributed hundreds of thousands of fentanyl-laced counterfeit oxycodone pills purchased in Southern California to destinations throughout the United States, including the District of Columbia.
The plea was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, DEA Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget of the DEA Washington Division, Acting Inspector in Charge Ajay Lall of the US Postal Inspection Service Washington Division, FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott of the Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division, and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.
Thomas, aka “Cruddy Murda,” pleaded guilty on May 30 to a charge of conspiring to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly scheduled sentencing for October 22, 2024.
According to the statement of offense in support of the plea agreement, Thomas entered into the conspiracy after he was introduced to a Los Angeles-based drug trafficker, who was a distributor of fentanyl-laced counterfeit oxycodone pills. Thomas would travel to Southern California to purchase the fake oxycodone pills from the L.A. supplier and return to the District with the drugs.
Thomas and his co-conspirators employed two primary methods to transport the fentanyl-laced counterfeit oxycodone pills to the District: they smuggled the pills concealed in luggage or carry-on items on commercial airline flights, or they shipped the pills using commercial mail carriers.
On June 2, 2023, the date of his arrest, law enforcement found Thomas in the bedroom of his home and recovered a baggie containing about 100 blue M-30 fentanyl-laced counterfeit oxycodone pills, along with a loaded Glock 21 Gen4 pistol that had been equipped with a “giggle switch” that converted the handgun in a fully automatic machine gun.
The investigation was launched by the DEA after a young woman in Washington, D.C., Diamond Lynch, took one pill and died almost immediately. Twenty-eight defendants have been charged to date as a result of the investigation, and law enforcement have seized more than 450,000 fentanyl pills, 1.5 kilograms of fentanyl powder, and 30 firearms.
By statute, Thomas is eligible for a prison sentence of up to life in prison, with a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years imprisonment to be imposed. A federal judge will determine the sentence based on guidelines established by Congress.
The investigation was conducted by the DEA Washington Division and the US Postal Inspection Service, in partnership with the Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with additional support from the DEA Los Angeles, San Diego, and Riverside Field Offices, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Washington Field Office, and the Charles County, Maryland Sheriff’s Office. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the Central and Southern Districts of California, the Eastern District of Virginia, and the District of Maryland.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew W. Kinskey, Solomon S. Eppel, and Iris McCranie of the Violence Reduction and Trafficking Offenses (VRTO) Section. Valuable assistance was provided by former Assistant U.S. Attorney Andy T. Wang.
23cr73
Amtrak Employee Arrested on Charges of Lying to Federal AgentRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A five-count indictment, filed in U.S. District Court and unsealed today, charges Maurice Driver, 35, of Gloucester City, New Jersey, with lying to a Federal Agent. The charges were announced today by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Special Agent in Charge Mike Waters of the Amtrak Office of Inspector General Eastern Area Field Office.
According to the indictment, Driver was employed by Amtrak and was working as a Lead Service Attendant in the café car on an Amtrak train, which departed from Washington, D.C. in the afternoon of January 3, 2024, and ended in Chicago, Illinois, in the morning of January 4, 2024. While working on that train, Driver met a passenger. Driver spoke and texted with the passenger, and Driver allowed her to use a vacant sleeper car on the train. On January 4, in Chicago, that passenger reported to Amtrak Police that Driver sexually assaulted her in a sleeper car on the train. Amtrak-OIG then initiated an investigation of the sexual assault allegations.
As the indictment alleges, on January 5, 2024, during an interview with an Amtrak-OIG Special Agent, Driver made multiple false and misleading statements about his communications and contacts with the passenger. These false and misleading statements included (1) Driver’s falsely denying his personal phone number; (2) Driver falsely denying that he gave the passenger his personal phone number; (3) Driver falsely denying that he texted with the passenger; and (4) Driver falsely denying that he showed the passenger to a sleeper car.
If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum statutory sentence of five years in prison for the charged offenses of making false statements. The maximum statutory sentence for federal offenses is prescribed by Congress and is provided for informational purposes. If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case is being investigated by the Amtrak Office of the Inspector General’s Eastern Region. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rebecca G. Ross and Brian P. Kelly, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Repeat Offender Sentenced to Prison for Felony Second-Degree Theft for a Series of Package Thefts Near Adams MorganRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON –Rodrigo Miranda, 43, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today in Superior Court to more than seven years in prison for felony second-degree theft, unlawful entry, and destruction of property stemming from events occurring between July 19, 2022, and April 4, 2023, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
After hearing the impact of Miranda’s conduct on the community, the Court imposed 60 months for one theft conviction, 24 months for another theft conviction, and 180 days for a third theft, all to run consecutively, resulting in a total sentence of seven years plus 180 days in prison.
According to the government’s evidence, between July 19, 2022, and April 4, 2023, Miranda took packages from several locations in the Adams Morgan area. In doing so, Miranda unlawfully entered areas he was not legally allowed to be in and destroyed property to gain access. Miranda had multiple prior theft convictions and was therefore subject to the enhanced penalties for his alleged theft, including a mandatory minimum sentence of one year in prison. The government had indicted Miranda on 43-counts, and Miranda had accepted a plea agreement to resolve all his charges on March 29, 2024.
At sentencing, the Court heard several victim impact statements, including one victim who shared that “Miranda’s crimes have . . . . left [him] feeling deeply unsafe in [his] own home and neighborhood.” The Court learned that the “community has vested a good amount of time and effort into bring Mr. Miranda to justice. And it appears to have paid off, as, interestingly, once Mr. Miranda was arrested, the attempted package thefts in [the] building plummeted. It’s barely a problem at all now. His absence has brought a sense of relief to [the] community.”
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of those investigating the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, including Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Connor Mulvey and Assistant U.S. Attorney Natalie Anderson.
District Man Sentenced to Serve Five Years for CarjackingRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Miliki Lee, 19, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today by the Honorable Michael Ryan of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for carjacking and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
The court sentenced Lee to five years’ incarceration and ordered an additional two years to be suspended under the Youth Rehabilitation Act. Carjacking otherwise carries a mandatory minimum term of seven years’ incarceration. The court also ordered the sentence be followed by 18 months’ probation.
According to the government’s evidence, with which Lee agreed, at approximately 9:30 p.m. on October 27, 2023, the victim was driving in the 1000 block of Buchanan St NE, when another car blocked hers. Lee and his accomplices got out of that car and surrounded the victim’s vehicle, banged on the windows, brandished a handgun, and eventually forced her out of her car at gunpoint. Lee and his accomplices drove off in the victim’s car. MPD officers immediately used its helicopter to track the victim’s vehicle into Prince George’s County, Maryland, and then back into the District. Lee crashed the car at North Capitol and Ingraham Streets and ran. Police apprehended Lee, and recovered a Glock handgun that was loaded with 29 rounds of ammunition.
The government had requested a nine-year prison term.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of those investigating the case from the Metropolitan Police Department, with valuable assistance from the Prince George’s County Police Department. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, including Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn Bartz.
Two Previously Convicted Felons Sentenced for Possessing Firearms Inside a “No Rats Allowed” Stash HouseRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Leroy Frye, 32, of Waldorf, Md., and Francis White, 28, of Washington, D.C., were sentenced today to 60 months in prison and 46 months in prison, respectively, on firearms possession charges. The sentences were announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott of the Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division, and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
According to court documents, both guilty pleas stemmed from a residential search warrant that occurred on November 3, 2021, at 215 K Street, Southwest, a known trap house operated by members of the “No Rats Allowed” (NRA) crew which they used to stash their narcotics and firearms. Members of NRA would refer to 215 K through text messages as the “Dope Hole.” During a search of the trap house, 457 blue pills containing fentanyl (approximately 48.6 grams), 37 grams of crack-cocaine, and approximately 980 grams of suspected marijuana.
NRA is a known violent street crew that operated on the 200 block of K Street, Southwest, in the District’s Greenleaf Gardens neighborhood. The NRA crew is responsible for distributing thousands of counterfeit prescription pills laced with fentanyl and possessing firearms as part of their distribution schemes. Counterfeit pills are fake medications that have different ingredients than the actual medication. They may contain no active ingredient, the wrong active ingredient, or have the right ingredient but in an incorrect quantity. Counterfeit pills may contain lethal amounts of fentanyl or methamphetamine and are extremely dangerous because they often appear identical to legitimate prescription pills, and the user is likely unaware of how lethal they can be. One example of these counterfeit pills that the NRA crew are known to traffic are blue pills stamped with “M” and “30.”
Legitimate M30 Pill Counterfeit M30 Pill
During the execution of the search warrant, law enforcement also seized four firearms, three of which were inside of the same kitchen drawer near where the drugs were found. One of the firearms was an FN FNS.40 caliber semi-automatic pistol, with a high-capacity magazine, with one round the chamber and 14 total rounds in the magazine. In his plea, Frye admitted the FN FNS was his.
From the same kitchen drawer, law enforcement also seized a Glock 17 9mm semi-automatic pistol, with a high-capacity magazine capable of holding 31 rounds, with one round in the chamber and 28 total rounds in the magazine. In his plea, White admitted the Glock 17 was his.
Judge Friedrich recently sentenced two co-defendants in this case. On May 29, 2024, the judge sentenced Bartwone Copeland, 28, to 144 months (12 years) in prison and five years of supervised release for possession of a firearm by a felon, distribution of fentanyl, and carrying a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. Copeland was also linked by DNA to one of the pistols found in the kitchen drawer that was modified with a “giggle switch,” a device that converted the firearm to function as a fully automatic machine gun. On January 10, 2024, Judge Friedrich sentenced Adrian Wade to 60 months in prison and five years of supervised release for carrying a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.
This case was investigated by the MPD and the FBI’s Violent Crime Task Force. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justin F. Song and Joshua Gold.
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Retired Navy Admiral and Business Executives Arrested in Connection with Alleged Bribery SchemeRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Robert Burke, 62, of Coconut Creek, Florida, a retired Navy Admiral, and two business executives – Yongchul “Charlie” Kim, 50, and Meghan Messenger, 47, both of New York, – were arrested this morning on charges related to their alleged roles in a bribery scheme that involved a U.S. government contract. The charges are contained in a five-count indictment, unsealed today, and relate to an alleged scheme in which the Admiral accepted future employment at the executives’ company in exchange for awarding them a government contract.
The indictment was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Deputy Director of Investigative Operations Grant A. Fleming of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Special Agent in Charge Stanley A. Newell of the DCIS Transnational Operations Field Office, Special Agent in Charge Greg Gross of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Economic Crimes Field Office, and Assistant Director Michael D. Nordwall of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division made the announcement.
From 2020 to 2022, Robert Burke was a four-star Admiral who oversaw Naval operations in Europe, Russia, and most of Africa, and commanded thousands of civilian and military personnel. Yongchul “Charlie” Kim and Meghan Messenger were the co-CEOs of a company (“Company A”) that provided a workforce training pilot program to a small component of the Navy from August 2018 through July 2019. The Navy terminated a contract with Company A in late 2019 and directed Company A not to contact Burke.
Despite the Navy’s instructions, Kim and Messenger then allegedly met with Burke in Washington, D.C., in July 2021, in an effort to reestablish Company A’s business relationship with the Navy. At the meeting, the charged defendants allegedly agreed that Burke would use his position as a Navy Admiral to steer a sole-source contract to Company A in exchange for future employment at the company. They allegedly further agreed that Burke would use his official position to influence other Navy officers to award another contract to Company A to train a large portion of the Navy with a value Kim allegedly estimated to be “triple digit millions.”
In furtherance of the conspiracy, in December 2021, Burke allegedly ordered his staff to award a $355,000 contract to Company A to train personnel under Burke’s command in Italy and Spain. Company A performed the training in January 2022. Thereafter, Burke allegedly promoted Company A in a failed effort to convince a senior Navy Admiral to award another contract to Company A. To conceal the scheme, Burke allegedly made several false and misleading statements to the Navy, including by creating the false appearance that Burke played no role in issuing the contract and falsely implying that Company A’s employment discussions with Burke only began months after the contract was awarded.
In October 2022, Burke began working at Company A at a yearly starting salary of $500,000 and a grant of 100,000 stock options.
“As alleged in the indictment, Admiral Burke used his public office and his four-star status for his private gain,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves. “The law does not make exceptions for admirals or CEOs. Those who pay and receive bribes must be held accountable. The urgency is at its greatest when, as here, senior government officials and senior executives are allegedly involved in the corruption.”
“Today’s indictment exemplifies our unwavering commitment to eradicating fraud within the DoD,” said Deputy Director, Grant A. Fleming, Department of Defense, Office of Inspector General’s, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS). “Together with our federal partners, DCIS will persist in dismantling attempts to defraud the U.S. Government.”
“NCIS takes every allegation of corruption within the Department of the Navy seriously, regardless of rank or position,” said Special Agent in Charge Greg Gross of the NCIS Economic Crimes Field Office. “NCIS and our partners remain committed to rooting out criminality that degrades public trust in the Department of the Navy.”
“Burke allegedly steered a lucrative contract to Kim and Messenger's company in exchange for the promise of future employment and then lied to try to conceal the scheme,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott. “As a four-star admiral, Burke not only cheated U.S. taxpayers but also did a disservice to military personnel under his command. As this indictment demonstrates, the FBI and our partners remain committed to investigating and prosecuting corrupt officials regardless of their rank or title.”
Burke, Kim, and Messenger are each charged with conspiracy to commit bribery and bribery. Burke is also charged with performing acts affecting a personal financial interest and concealing material facts from the United States. If convicted, Burke faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison, and Kim and Messenger each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
This case is being investigated by the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and the FBI’s Washington Field Office.
It is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Trevor Wilmot and Kathryn E. Fifield of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Rothstein for the District of Columbia are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Retired Navy Admiral and Business Executives Arrested for Bribery SchemeRead the Press Release
A retired Navy Admiral and two business executives were arrested today on criminal charges related to their roles in a bribery scheme that involved a U.S. government contract.
As alleged in an indictment unsealed today, from 2020 to 2022, Robert Burke, 62, of Coconut Creek, Florida, was a four-star Admiral who oversaw Naval operations in Europe, Russia, and most of Africa, and commanded thousands of civilian and military personnel. Yongchul “Charlie” Kim and Meghan Messenger, both of New York, are the co-CEOs of a company (Company A) that provided a workforce training pilot program to a small component of the Navy from August 2018 through July 2019. The Navy terminated a contract with Company A in late 2019 and directed Company A not to contact Burke.
Despite the Navy’s instructions, Kim and Messenger then allegedly met with Burke in Washington, D.C., in July 2021 in an effort to reestablish Company A’s business relationship with the Navy. At the meeting, the charged defendants allegedly agreed that Burke would use his position as a Navy Admiral to steer a sole-source contract to Company A in exchange for future employment at the company. They allegedly further agreed that Burke would use his official position to influence other Navy officers to award another contract to Company A to train a large portion of the Navy with a value Kim allegedly estimated to be “triple digit millions.”
In furtherance of the conspiracy, in December 2021, Burke allegedly ordered his staff to award a $355,000 contract to Company A to train personnel under Burke’s command in Italy and Spain. Company A performed the training in January 2022. Thereafter, Burke allegedly promoted Company A in a failed effort to convince a senior Navy Admiral to award another contract to Company A. To conceal the scheme, Burke allegedly made several false and misleading statements to the Navy, including by creating the false appearance that Burke played no role in issuing the contract and falsely implying that Company A’s employment discussions with Burke only began months after the contract was awarded.
In October 2022, Burke began working at Company A at a yearly starting salary of $500,000 and a grant of 100,000 stock options.
Burke, Kim, and Messenger are each charged with conspiracy to commit bribery and bribery. Burke is also charged with performing acts affecting a personal financial interest and concealing material facts from the United States. If convicted, Burke faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison, and Kim and Messenger each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia; Deputy Director of Investigative Operations Grant A. Fleming of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS); Special Agent in Charge Stanley A. Newell of the DCIS Transnational Operations Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Greg Gross of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Economic Crimes Field Office; and Assistant Director Michael D. Nordwall of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division made the announcement.
DCIS, NCIS, and the FBI are investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys Trevor Wilmot and Kathryn E. Fifield of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Rothstein for the District of Columbia are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Final Defendant Sentenced for Federal Conspiracy Against Rights and Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act Convictions Related to 2020 D.C. Clinic Invasion and BlockadeRead the Press Release
Paulette Harlow was sentenced today to 24 months in prison following her convictions for federal conspiracy against rights and Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act offenses in connection with the blockade of a Washington, D.C., area reproductive health clinic on Oct. 22, 2020.
Previously, Lauren Handy was sentenced to 57 months in prison, John Hinshaw was sentenced to 21 months in prison, William Goodman was sentenced to 27 months in prison, Jonathan Darnel was sentenced to 34 months in prison, Herb Geraghty was sentenced to 27 months in prison, Jean Marshall was sentenced to 24 months in prison, Joan Bell was sentenced to 27 months in prison and Heather Idoni was sentenced to 24 months in prison. A 10th defendant, Jay Smith, was sentenced to prison following his guilty plea to a felony FACE Act offense on March 1, 2023.
“These 10 defendants have been held accountable for using force, threatening to use force and physically obstructing access to reproductive health care in the District of Columbia,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department will continue to protect both patients seeking reproductive health services and providers of those services. We will hold accountable anyone who seeks to unlawfully obstruct or block access to reproductive health services in our country.”
“Today, the final defendant was sentenced in an elaborate conspiracy by 10 people to intentionally and forcibly block patients and workers from accessing a reproductive health clinic while streaming it live online,” said Assistant Director Michael Nordwall of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “The FBI will not stand for anyone who violates federal laws causing destruction, injury and violent attacks like this one. We are dedicated to protecting the rights of all Americans to safely access medical services and ensuring providers can perform their duties freely.”
These defendants were convicted following three separate trials in 2023. Idoni is scheduled to be sentenced in a separate matter on July 30, following conspiracy and FACE Act convictions in an unrelated clinic blockade from Tennessee.
Evidence presented at trial established that the defendants used force and physical obstruction to execute a clinic blockade that was organized by the group’s leaders, Handy and Darnel. The defendants planned and organized the clinic invasion using social media, text messages and telephone calls, and several co-conspirators, including defendants Hinshaw, Goodman, Geraghty, Marshall, Bell, Harlow, Idoni and Smith traveled from northeast and midwestern states to participate in the blockade. Prior to the clinic incursion, the defendants met with other co-conspirators to plan their crime, which included making a fake patient appointment to ensure the group’s entry into the clinic, using chains and locks to barricade the facility and passively resisting their anticipated arrests to prolong the blockade. The clinic invasion was advertised on social media as a “historic” event that was live-streamed on Facebook. The defendants’ forced entry into the clinic at the outset of the invasion resulted in injury to a clinic nurse. During the blockade, one patient had to climb through a receptionist window to access the clinic, while another laid in the hallway outside of the clinic in physical distress, unable to gain access to the clinic.
The FBI Washington Field Office investigated the case.
Prosecutors from the Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia prosecuted the case.