District of Columbia
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
District Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for 2015 Killing of Man in Southwest WashingtonRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Gary Proctor, 44, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to life in prison on charges stemming from the 2015 murder of his cousin in an attack he carried out at the cousin’s home in Southwest Washington, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Proctor was found guilty in August 2019, following a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, of charges of first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm, and carrying a pistol without a license. He was sentenced by the Honorable Danya A. Dayson.
According to the government’s evidence, on July 27, 2015, at approximately 4:40 p.m., Proctor entered the residence of the victim, Jerome “Beanie” Diggs, in the 1300 block of First Street SW, and fired eight shots, striking Mr. Diggs seven times. Proctor ran out of the house, leaving the victim for dead. But Mr. Diggs managed to pick up the phone and call his sister, telling her that their cousin, “Little Gary” Proctor, had just shot him.
When his sister asked the wounded Mr. Diggs why he didn’t call for help, he stated that he did not think he was going to make it, and he wanted someone to know what happened to him. The sister hung up and instantly called 911, where she relayed what Mr. Diggs had told her. Meanwhile, Mr. Diggs, still clinging to life, crawled out the back door of his home where he was spotted by several neighbors who also called for help. One of these neighbors heard Mr. Diggs state “Lil Gary” was the person who shot him. Mr. Diggs, 47, lost consciousness shortly thereafter and died later that day from his wounds. Proctor was arrested pursuant to a warrant the very next day and has been held in custody ever since
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Contee commended the work of those investigating the case from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). They also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melissa Jackson and Chrisellen Kolb; former Assistant U.S. Attorney John Timmer; Supervisory Victim/Witness Services Coordinator Katina Adams-Washington; Victim/Witness Services Coordinator La June Thames; Victim/Witness Program Specialist Lesley Slade; Supervisory Security Specialists Laverne Perry, Tanya Via, and Wanda Queen; Administrative Services Specialist Karen Lee-Putt; Supervisory Paralegal Sharon Newman; Paralegals Kelly Blakeney and Meridith McGarrity; Victim/Witness Advocate Jennifer Clark; former Victim/Witness Advocate Marcia Rinker; Supervisory Litigation Technology Specialist Leif Hickling; Information Technology Specialist Jeanie Latimore-Brown, and Investigative Analyst Zachary McMenamin.
Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey Nestler, who investigated the case, and Gilead Light and Alicia Long, who prosecuted the case.
District Man Sentenced to Nine Years in Prison for Armed Robbery of Northwest Washington Liquor StoreRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Leon A. Miller, 33, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to a nine-year prison term for armed robbery and a firearms offense stemming from a hold-up last fall at a liquor store in Northwest Washington, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Miller pleaded guilty in February 2022, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The plea agreement, which was contingent upon the Court’s approval, called for Miller to be sentenced to a term of imprisonment between seven and nine years. The Honorable J. Michael Ryan accepted the plea and sentenced Miller accordingly. Following his prison term, Miller will be placed on five years of supervised release.
In court documents, Miller also admitted to committing two other robberies of liquor stores, also in Northwest Washington, and of two store customers. The five robberies took place on three successive evenings.
Miller pleaded guilty to charges stemming from the Oct. 14, 2021, robbery of Paul’s Wine and Spirits, in the 5200 block of Wisconsin Avenue NW. According to a factual proffer, Miller entered the store at approximately 6 p.m., brandished what appeared to be a black handgun, and demanded that a store employee open the cash registers. He stole about $200 in cash. He also demanded three specific kinds of champagne, none of which the store carries.
Miller also admitted robbing The Wine Specialist, in the 1100 block of 20th Street NW, on the evening of Oct. 12, 2021. There, he also brandished what appeared to be a black handgun and demanded that an employee open the cash registers. He took approximately $2,000 in cash as well as two bottles of champagne, valued at roughly $950.
The next evening, Oct. 13, 2021, Miller entered Press Liquors, in the 500 block of 14th Street, brandished what appeared to be a black handgun, and demanded an employee open the registers. He stole approximately $900 in cash. In addition, he brandished the gun at two customers and took their wallets and phones.
Miller was arrested about an hour after the robbery of Paul’s, near the Dupont Circle Metro station. He has been in custody ever since.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Contee commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by the Metro Transit Police Department. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Crystal Waddy, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul V. Courtney, who investigated and prosecuted the matter.
U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia Announces New Policy for Accepting Service of Civil Summonses and ComplaintsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - The Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia has refreshed its guidance on how persons may effect service of civil summonses and complaints on it under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(i).
Specifically, the Civil Division has updated its mailing and physical address for service by certified and registered mail and hand delivery, respectively. Additionally, the Civil Division has refreshed its guidance to allow service of civil summonses and complaints by email under certain terms and conditions. The Office hopes that accepting service of civil summons and complaints by email under these terms and conditions will reduce the transactional costs associated with traditional means of service, minimize the number of inadvertent mis-deliveries arising from service by mail, and streamline the Office’s internal intake processes.
The specifics of the new guidance have been posted to the Office’s website (https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/civil-division)
**
The details also are below:
Service of Process in Civil Actions
*** EFFECTIVE APRIL 25, 2022 – SUPERSEDES PRIOR GUIDANCE ***
Hand Delivery or Email Service as outlined below are the preferred means for service of civil process (i.e., service of civil summonses and complaints) on the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia because, due to safety and security procedures, all mail sent to the U.S. Attorney’s Office is initially routed through a central mail room at the Department of Justice, which can occasionally result in the delay or mis-delivery of that mail. Service will not be deemed perfected until actual receipt by a Civil Process Clerk at the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Litigants who sue federal defendants should note that Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(d)(1) and the corresponding Superior Court Civil Rule 4(c)(4)—which impose a duty to avoid unnecessary expenses of serving the summons on certain individuals, corporations, and associations—do not apply to service on the United States and its agencies, corporations, officers, and employees.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is not authorized to accept service on behalf of the Attorney General or other federal agencies, corporations, officers, or employees. Thus, if an applicable rule requires any such entities and persons to be served, they must be served separately and in addition to service upon the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Hand Delivery and Certified / Registered Mail Service
Service of process on the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia of civil summonses and complaints under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(i)(1)(A) may be made by (i) hand delivery or (ii) registered or certified mail at the following:
Civil Process Clerk
U.S. Attorney’s Office for D.C.
601 D Street, NW
Washington, DC 20530For hand delivery, the entrance to the U.S. Attorney’s Office is on D Street, NW, between Sixth and Seventh Streets, NW.
Email Service
In addition to the means of service provided under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(i)(1)(A), the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia may also be served with civil summonses and complaints by email according to the following terms and conditions, which must be strictly adhered to if email service is attempted. If service on the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia is performed consistent with the following provisions, the Government will not argue under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(5) that service on the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia has not been accomplished.
- Service may be made at [email protected] and no other email address.
- The subject of the email must contain the caption of the suit with the court assigned docket number—e.g., “John v. Doe, 20-9999”.
- The summons, complaint, and all exhibits or other documents must be combined into a single PDF, with the summons coming first in the PDF, unless the file size of the combined PDF exceeds 20 megabytes.
- Service packages exceeding 20 megabytes must be broken into PDF files of no more than 20 megabytes and sent using separate emails with a notation in the subject that it is multi-part service—e.g., “John v. Doe, 20-9999 (Email 1 of 2)”.
- If you are serving a copy of a motion for provisional relief with your summons and complaint (i.e., a motion for a preliminary injunction or temporary restraining order), you must also email the Civil Chief indicating as much. To email the Civil Chief, you may visit this website and follow the corresponding link: https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/civil-division
If your service under this procedure is received and accepted, you will receive a responsive email indicating as much.
Serving the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia via email under these procedures does not relieve a litigant from delivering or serving the other copies as required by Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(i)—e.g., to the Attorney General or relevant agencies. Further, the U.S. Attorney’s Office does not waive other requirements for effective service under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4—e.g., the requirements of Rule 4(c)(2). Lastly, this procedure for email service applies only for service on the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and not for U.S. Attorney’s Offices for other federal judicial districts or any other component of the Department of Justice.
Please note that the [email protected] email address should not be used for any other communications with the U.S. Attorney’s Office aside from civil service of process under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(i)(1)(A). Other communications sent to that address will be deleted and no response will be forthcoming.
Former Defense Contractor Manager Pleads Guilty to Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - A former manager for a defense contractor pleaded guilty today to tax evasion.
According to court documents and statements made in court, from 2010 through 2016, Ronald L. Thomas, of Wellington, Florida, worked in Afghanistan, Oman and the United Arab Emirates for a U.S. Department of Defense contracting company as a project director and in other roles. In 2016 and 2017, Thomas served as a paid consultant for a Mexican oil and gas venture. From 2010 to 2017 Thomas evaded taxes owed to the IRS by underreporting to his tax preparer the salaries and bonuses he earned for each of those years. In total, Thomas did not report approximately $870,000 in compensation he earned from 2010 through 2017, causing a tax loss to the government of more than $227,000.
Thomas is the third defendant associated with the defense contracting company to plead guilty. Charles Squires pleaded guilty to tax evasion in February 2022, and James Robar pleaded guilty to tax evasion in March 2022.
Thomas is scheduled to be sentenced at a later date and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for tax evasion. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia made the announcement.
IRS-Criminal Investigation and the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction are investigating the case.
Assistance was provided by the Joint Chiefs of Global Tax Enforcement (J5), which brings together the taxing authorities of Australia, Canada, Netherlands, United Kingdom and the United States.
Senior Litigation Counsel Nanette Davis and Trial Attorneys Brittney Campbell and Sarah Ranney of the Tax Division, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Leslie Goemaat of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia are prosecuting the case.
District Man Sentenced to Prison for Killing Man Outside Apartment ComplexRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - Kevin Goggins, 22, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to eight years in prison for fatally shooting a man outside an apartment complex in Southeast Washington, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Goggins pleaded guilty in February 2022, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to voluntary manslaughter while armed. The plea, which was contingent upon the Court’s approval, called for an agreed-upon sentence of eight to nine years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. The Honorable Rainey R. Brandt accepted the plea and sentenced the defendant accordingly.
According to plea documents, on Oct. 9, 2020, at approximately 10 p.m., Goggins exited a vehicle with two other armed individuals, in the 1600 block of W Street SE, a residential area that includes an apartment complex. He and the others fired into a group of individuals who were congregating outside of the apartment complex. Goggins then ran back into the waiting vehicle and fled the scene.
Yisa Jeffcoat, 28, was standing outside the apartment complex and was struck by one of the gunshots. Medical personnel were unable to revive Mr. Jeffcoat, who died from a gunshot wound to the chest.
Goggins was arrested on Dec. 14, 2020. He has been in custody ever since.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Contee commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Criminal Investigations Division Homicide Branch of 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 Specialist Lashone Samuels, Victim/Witness Program Specialist Karina Hernandez, and Investigative Analyst Zachary McMenamin. Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Shehzad Akhtar, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
District Man Sentenced to Four Years in Prison for Stalking and Assaulting Ex-GirlfriendRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Kevin Cooke, 22, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to four years in prison for a series of incidents in which he stalked and assaulted his ex-girlfriend and set fire to her family’s residence in Southeast Washington, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves.
Cooke pleaded guilty in February 2022, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to charges of arson, attempted assault with a dangerous weapon, stalking, and simple assault. He was sentenced by the Honorable Lynn Leibovitz. Following completion of his prison term, Cooke is to be placed on three years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence, Cooke stalked and harassed his ex-girlfriend and her family between March 2021, when the relationship ended, and October 2021, when he was arrested. He set fire to the exterior of the victims’ apartment building in the 300 block of Anacostia Road SE on multiple dates, terrorizing those in the building. Cooke was under a stay-away and no-contact order issued by the Court barring him from the victim and her family’s apartment building. Nonetheless, on Aug. 30, 2021, at approximately 2 a.m., he lit items on fire and threw them into the victims’ window. Nearly 2 ½ hours later, he also fired approximately 16 rounds at the victims’ building. No one was hurt.
Cooke also arranged a meeting with his ex-girlfriend by hacking an Instagram account of one of her friends. He surprised his ex-girlfriend on Sept. 12, 2021, at her college residence hall, grabbed her, dragged her into a laundry room, and hit her in the face multiple times. He fled before police arrived. Finally, on Oct. 2, 2021, he was caught on surveillance video using a gas can and accelerant to once again set fire to the exterior of the family’s apartment building. He was arrested on Oct. 4, 2021.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves commended the work of those who investigated the case from the D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department’s Fire Investigation Unit and the Metropolitan Police Department. He also expressed appreciation for the work of those who handled the case at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Victim/Witness Advocate Lu Lan, Paralegal Specialist Brenda Williams, and Special Agents Neil D’Cunha and Nelson Rhone of the Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Unit.
Finally, he commended the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorney Zach Horton, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
District Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison on Federal Narcotics ChargeRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Edward Magruder, 51, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 15 years in prison on a federal drug charge stemming from his travels to New York to obtain large amounts of heroin that he would later redistribute in the Washington, D.C. area.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Criminal Division.
Magruder pleaded guilty in October 2019, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, to a charge of unlawful possession with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin. The plea, which was contingent upon the Court’s approval, called for an agreed-upon prison sentence of 12 to 15 years, followed by five years of supervised release. The Honorable Colleen Kollar-Kotelly accepted the plea and sentenced Magruder accordingly.
The investigation began in the summer of 2018. FBI agents received information that Magruder would travel to New York to acquire narcotics and then return to Washington, D.C. In particular, FBI agents learned through their investigation that, between December 2018 and May 31, 2019, Margruder traveled to New York from Washington, D.C. on at least seven separate occasions. On each trip, he stayed in New York for only a short period of time – generally, a few hours -- and then returned to Washington, D.C.
On June 7, 2019, FBI agents learned that Magruder had traveled from Washington, D.C. to New York via Greyhound bus. Agents traveled to New York to conduct surveillance. They observed him at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan at approximately 2:30 p.m. Agents observed him as he stood outside of the bus terminal for approximately an hour and made several calls using a flip phone. Magruder was carrying a bright blue backpack.
The following day on June 8, 2019, Magruder departed the Port Authority Bus Terminal and began traveling towards Washington, D.C. He arrived at Union Station in Washington, D.C. at approximately 4:30 p.m. He walked off the bus carrying the same bright blue backpack. Agents approached Magruder, stopped him, and searched his backpack. At the bottom of the backpack, underneath several items of clothing, were two blocks of compressed tan powder, wrapped in duct tape and several plastic bags. Each block weighed approximately 600 grams. A chemist with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Mid-Atlantic Laboratory examined the blocks. She concluded that together they weighed approximately 1,200 grams (1.2 kilograms), and that they consisted of a mixture and substance containing heroin. The estimated street value of the heroin is approximately $100,000.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Special Agent in Charge Jacobs commended the work of those who investigated the case from the FBI’s Washington Field Office. They also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorney Nihar Mohanty, of the Violence Reduction and Trafficking Offenses Section, and Paralegal Specialist Candace Battle.
District of Columbia Man Sentenced to Four Years in Prison for Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON –Thomas Keelen, 53, of Washington, D.C., has been sentenced to four years in prison after earlier pleading guilty to a federal charge of possessing child pornography.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Criminal Division, and Robert J Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department.
Keelen pleaded guilty in August 2021, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. He was sentenced yesterday by the Honorable Paul L. Friedman. Upon completion of his prison term, Keelen will be placed on 10 years of supervised release. He will also be required to register as a sex offender following his release from prison.
According to the government’s evidence, law enforcement received a series of eight Cybertips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that indicated that Keelen was using email accounts to transfer and transport child pornography. The eight Cybertips contained over 2,000 files, a portion of which depicted young boys being sexually abused by adult men. In December of 2020, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Keelen’s home in Southeast Washington. Digital devices recovered during the search of Keelen’s home contained videos and images depicting the sexual exploitation of children as young as eight years old.
Keelen was arrested on Dec. 2, 2020, and he has remained in custody.
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.
This case was brought as part of the Department of Justice's Project Safe Childhood initiative. 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.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves, Special Agent in Charge Jacobs, and Chief Contee commended the work of those who investigated the case from the FBI's Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes members of the FBI's Washington Field Office and MPD’s Youth Investigations Division. They also commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy E. Larson, who prosecuted the case.
New York Couple Sentenced to Prison for Roles in $4 Million Extortion SchemeRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Archie Kaslov, 55, and Candy Evans, 52, of New York, N.Y., were sentenced to prison terms today for their roles in a wide-ranging fraud, extortion, and money laundering scheme, which involved one of their sons pretending to be a New York mobster to get a Maryland man to embezzle more than $4 million from his Washington, D.C., employer.
The sentencings took place in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Criminal Division.
Kaslov was sentenced by the Honorable Emmet G. Sullivan to 30 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. The first six months of his time on supervised release must be spent in home detention. Evans was sentenced to 12 months and a day in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Evans, too, must spend the first six months of her supervised release in home detention.
Consistent with their plea agreements, each defendant was ordered to pay $4,217,542 in restitution. Kaslov also was ordered to pay $1,057,682 in a forfeiture money judgment.
In April 2018, a federal grand jury indicted Kaslov and Evans, as well as their sons, Tony John Evans, Corry Blue Evans, and Robert Evans, and Robert Evans’ common-law ex-wife Gina Russell, on various charges related to the extortion scheme.
As part of the scheme, a New York woman conspired with Kaslov, Candy Evans, Tony John Evans, Corry Blue Evans, Robert Evans, and Russell to extort money and gold bars from the Maryland man, which caused him to embezzle funds from his employer between January 2017 and March 2017. He converted the funds to cash and gold bars and delivered the money and gold bars to New York drop-off locations, including a hotel room, believing the funds were going to mobsters to whom the New York woman owed money. In reality, all of the funds he embezzled and delivered to New York went to members of the Evans-Kaslov family.
Kaslov pleaded guilty in September 2020 to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. As part of his guilty plea, he admitted that he drove members of his family around New York with cash obtained from the scheme. On one such occasion, he drove to the New York diamond district on 47th Street, where he and family members spent tens of thousands of dollars in criminal proceeds from the scheme on watches, including Rolexes.
Kaslov also admitted that, after the Maryland man delivered approximately $2 million in gold bars to Tony John Evans and other individuals, Kaslov and others turned around and sold the gold bars for cash. Kaslov also traveled to Texas in May 2017 with a family member, where the two paid more than $300,000 in cash, the majority of which was proceeds from the scheme, to purchase a Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead from a car dealer. In January 2020, Kaslov and Candy Evans sold that Rolls Royce in New Jersey for $120,000.
Candy Evans pleaded guilty in September 2020 to tampering with a witness by corrupt persuasion or misleading conduct. As part of her guilty plea, she admitted that once the FBI launched its investigation, she counseled the New York woman whom the Maryland man met on Backpage to lie to people, including the FBI. In April 2017, Candy Evans, believing that married individuals could not be compelled to testify against each other, advised the New York woman and Russell to get married to prevent such testimony about the scheme in Court. The New York woman and Russell married at City Hall in New York.
Candy Evans further panicked and wanted a letter that would exonerate her, Kaslov, and their three sons from any involvement in the scheme to get money from the Maryland man. Thus, she directed Russell and the New York woman to sign a handwritten, notarized confession attempting to fully implicate themselves and to exonerate Candy Evans, Kaslov, and their sons. Later that month, when the New York woman was scheduled to meet with the FBI, Candy Evans counseled the woman to lie by telling the FBI that there actually never had been an extortion scheme and that the Maryland man had invented the entire story about mobsters to justify why he embezzled money from his employer. In October 2017, two days after the FBI executed search warrants at various Evans-Kaslov family members’ residences, Candy Evans called an FBI special agent who was investigating the case and told him that Kaslov and two of her other sons had not done anything illegal, which she acknowledged was false, and that it was just Tony John Evans, Russell, and the New York woman who had committed the crimes. In November 2017, prior to Russell’s interview with the FBI, Candy Evans also instructed Russell to lie to the FBI.
On May 6, 2021, the Vice President of Investigation and Fraud for a New York bank informed the government that Candy Evans had attempted to withdraw $50,000 in cash from an account that she recently opened. The bank contacted the government after it conducted due diligence regarding the attempted withdrawal and learned, from a prior Department of Justice press release, that Evans had been involved in the above-described criminal scheme. The government successfully moved the Court to restrain Evans from dissipating the $50,000 in funds. Today, Judge Sullivan said he will grant the government’s motion requiring that the bank pay the $50,000 in restrained funds towards Evans’ restitution obligation, which will be distributed to the victim from whom the Maryland man embezzled the funds.
Kaslov and Candy Evans are the second and third defendants to be sentenced in connection with this case. In September 2018, their son, Tony John Evans, now 33, pleaded guilty to interference with interstate commerce by extortion. Judge Sullivan sentenced him to five years in prison.
Their son, Robert Evans, now 34, pleaded guilty in April 2021 to interference with interstate commerce by extortion. He is awaiting sentencing. Russell, now 33, also pleaded guilty in July 2019 to interference with interstate commerce by extortion and is awaiting sentencing. Charges remain outstanding against Corry Blue Evans, 29, who has pleaded not guilty.
In announcing the sentences, U.S. Attorney Graves and Special Agent in Charge Jacobs commended the work of those who investigated the case from the FBI’s Washington Field Office Criminal Division. They expressed appreciation for assistance provided by the U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General. They also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorneys Diane Lucas and Arvind Lal, who assisted with forfeiture issues, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Oliver McDaniel and Melissa Goforth Koenig, who assisted with restraining funds that Evans attempted to dissipate, Forensic Accountant Bryan Snitselaar, and former Paralegal Specialists Jessica Mundi, Brittany Phillips, Stephanie Frijas, Kristy Penny, and Joshua Fein.
Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Kent and Kondi Kleinman, who investigated and are prosecuting the case.
Justice Department Announces Civil Settlement in Lafayette Square CasesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of Justice announced that it has reached an agreement to settle claims in four civil cases arising from the June 1, 2020, law enforcement response to racial justice demonstrations in Lafayette Square in Washington, D.C.
As part of the settlement, the United States Park Police (USPP) and the United States Secret Service (USSS) agreed to update and clarify their policies governing demonstrations, and to implement the policy changes within 30 days of today’s settlement. The plaintiffs, Black Lives Matter D.C. and individuals who attended the protests, agreed to dismiss their claims for equitable relief against the United States.
Changes to the agency’s policies include more specific requirements for visible identification of officers, limits on the use of non-lethal force and procedures to facilitate safe crowd dispersal.
“The federal government is committed to the highest standards for protecting civil rights and civil liberties in any federal law enforcement response to public demonstrations,” said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta. “These changes to agency policies for protest responses will strengthen our commitment to protecting and respecting constitutionally protected rights.”
“From the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to the White House sidewalk, the National Park Service takes immense pride in caring for some of our nation’s most storied civic spaces,” said Director Chuck Sams of the National Park Service. “We hope this updated policy can serve as a model for others to uphold civil rights and facilitate safe demonstrations. It is good for the public and good for our officers. The United States Park Police is committed to ensuring people can gather safely to express our most fundamental and cherished right to free speech. This updated policy is designed to be accessible and understandable to both our officers and the public, further strengthening that commitment.”
“We appreciate the Park Police and Secret Service for their efforts to constantly review and revisit their law enforcement policies to evolve and protect those that seek to peacefully exercise their First Amendment rights,” said Matthew M. Graves, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. “These revisions to our law enforcement partners’ policies will further protect those rights.”
USPP’s updated policy, which it released today, will:
- Require officers to wear fully visible badges and nameplates including on outerwear, tactical gear and helmets;
- Implement guidelines concerning the use of non-lethal force, including de-escalation tactics;
- Adopt clearer procedures for issuing dispersal warnings and permitting demonstrators to disperse; and
- Strengthen pre-event planning and on-site coordination between USPP and other law enforcement agencies.
Within the next 30 days, the USSS will:
- Amend its policies to provide that the fact that some demonstrators have engaged in unlawful conduct does not ordinarily provide blanket grounds for use of force, crowd dispersal or declaration of unlawful assembly.
This case was handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Justice Department’s Civil Division.
District Man Sentenced to Prison Term for Carjacking of Uber Driver in Northeast WashingtonRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Jahlil Perry, 19, of District Heights, Maryland, was sentenced today to 30 months in prison for carrying out a carjacking last August of an Uber driver in Northeast Washington, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Perry pleaded guilty in February 2022, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to charges of robbery, assault with a dangerous weapon, and carrying a pistol without a license. He was sentenced by the Honorable Jason Park. Following his prison term, Perry will be placed on 24 months of supervised probation, with the potential of an additional 24 months of incarceration if he violates the terms of that probation. Perry also must pay $1,410 in restitution to the victim.
According to the government’s evidence, on Aug. 13, 2021, at approximately 9:20 p.m., Perry and a co-defendant – Cordell Green, 20, of Laurel, Maryland, pulled next to the Uber driver’s SUV and boxed him in while he was making a pick-up in the 1200 block of 16th Street NE. Green opened the rear driver-side door, pointed his gun at the driver, and ordered him out of the SUV. Perry walked around the car, opened the passenger door, and pointed his gun directly at the driver’s head. The driver stumbled out of the car, in a panic, and Perry ordered him to turn over his cellphone. Green then drove away with Perry in the passenger seat. As they rode off, Perry threw the cellphone out the window, cracking the screen. Both he and Green laughed about how scared the victim was, and Perry declared, “I feel like a god.”
A short time later, while being pursued by officers with the Metropolitan Police Department, Green crashed the SUV, totaling the vehicle. Both Green and Perry were apprehended and arrested fleeing the scene of the crash and have been in custody ever since.
Inside the SUV, police officers found two firearms, both of which were equipped with high-capacity magazines and which each were loaded with at least 12 rounds. Both weapons were “ghost guns,” unserialized and untraceable privately manufactured firearms. Additionally, officers recovered a dash camera from inside the vehicle, which had been installed by the victim and captured the offense in its entirety.
Green also pleaded guilty to charges. He is to be sentenced on Aug. 19, 2022.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Contee 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 Specialist Debra McPherson and Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh Gold, who prosecuted the matter.
Former Department of Homeland Security Employee Convicted of Scheme to Defraud the United StatesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - A former Acting Branch Chief of the Information Technology Division of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS-OIG) was convicted today by a jury of multiple federal charges stemming from the theft of proprietary software and sensitive databases from the U.S. government.
Murali Y. Venkata, 56, of Aldie, Virginia, was convicted of conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government, theft of government property, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and obstruction. Venkata, along with co-conspirators Charles K. Edwards, who previously served as the Acting Inspector General of DHS-OIG, and Sonal Patel, another official at DHS-OIG, executed a scheme to steal confidential and proprietary software from the government along with the personally identifying information (PII) of hundreds of thousands of federal employees.
Venkata worked for DHS-OIG from June 2010 until he was placed on administrative leave in October 2017 following the charges in this case, including serving for a period as an Acting Branch Chief in the Information Technology Division. Before he joined DHS-OIG, Venkata worked at the U.S. Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General (USPS-OIG). At both agencies, Venkata had access to software systems, including one used for case management and other systems holding PII of federal employees.
Edwards pleaded guilty in January 2022 and Patel pleaded guilty in April 2019 to stealing property from the U.S. government for the purpose of developing a commercial version of a case management system to be offered for sale to government agencies. Venkata was convicted for his role in the conspiracy, which included exfiltrating proprietary source code and sensitive databases from DHS-OIG facilities, as well as assisting Edwards in setting up three computer servers in Edwards’s residence so that software developers in India could access the servers remotely and develop the commercial version of the case management system.
Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia, Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari of DHS-OIG, and Inspector General Tammy Whitcomb of USPS-OIG made the announcement.
Senior Litigation Counsel Victor R. Salgado and Trial Attorney Celia Choy, of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine M. Macey, of the Fraud, Public Corruption, and Civil Rights Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, prosecuted the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney David B. Kent, also of the Fraud, Public Corruption, and Civil Rights Section for the District of Columbia, provided significant assistance in the investigation of this matter.
Two District Men Plead Guilty to August 2021 Armed Kidnappings Using Blindfolds and Zip TiesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Taheed Ebron, 21, and Nathan Coleman, 29, both of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty today to kidnapping two men at gunpoint over a five-day period in August 2021 and using blindfolds and zip ties to restrain their victims.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office Criminal Division, and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Both defendants pleaded guilty in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to two counts of armed kidnapping. Ebron also pleaded guilty to carrying a pistol without a license in a separate firearm case. The guilty pleas are contingent upon the Court’s approval. Ebron’s plea calls for an agreed-upon sentence of 10 to 12 years in prison, and Coleman’s plea calls for eight to 10 years in prison. The Honorable Lynn Leibovitz scheduled sentencing for June 24, 2022.
According to the government’s evidence, on Aug. 24, 2021, at approximately 10:45 p.m., Ebron, Coleman, and a third perpetrator kidnapped a man at gunpoint while he was walking home in the 1300 block of Corcoran Street NW. The defendants pulled the man’s COVID face mask over his eyes as a blindfold and forced him into the rear of Ebron’s silver Nissan Rogue SUV. They demanded that he turn over his cellphone, credit and debit cards, and personal identification numbers (PINs). The defendants then drove the man to multiple ATM locations and used his financial cards to withdraw more than $1,400 from his accounts. They also used the man’s cards and cellphone to make a series of purchases and transactions, including a $1,200 PayPal transfer. Ebron, Coleman, and the third perpetrator eventually released the man from the SUV, forcing him to lay face down on the ground in an alley before driving away.
Just days later, on Aug. 28, 2021, at approximately 3:45 a.m., Ebron, Coleman, and a third perpetrator kidnapped another man at gunpoint near the intersection of 13th and E Streets NE while he was riding an electric scooter on the way to work. After seeing the man, Ebron parked his silver Nissan Rogue SUV in the intersection, and Ebron, Coleman, and the third perpetrator exited the vehicle. The defendants ran toward the man and caught and threw him to the ground. They then hooded him using a drawstring bag and restrained his hands with zip ties that Ebron and Coleman had purchased the previous day. The defendants forced the man into the SUV and demanded his wallet, cellphone, and PINs. They drove him to an ATM and withdrew more than $1,000 from his bank account. Ebron, Coleman, and the third perpetrator eventually released the man from the vehicle, instructing him to run straight ahead and not look back or else be shot. The defendants then used his debit card to make a series of purchases and withdrawals.
A joint MPD and FBI investigation led to Coleman’s arrest on Sept. 6, 2021, and Ebron’s arrest the following day. Both have been in custody since their arrests.
In announcing the pleas, U.S. Attorney Graves, Special Agent in Charge Jacobs, and Chief Contee commended the work of those who investigated the case from MPD’s Special Investigation Section and the FBI Washington Field Office’s Violent Crimes Task Force. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Alesha Matthews, and Victim/Witness Specialists Christina Bloodworth and Karina Hernandez. Finally, they commended the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charles R. Jones and Mary L. Dohrmann, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
District of Columbia Man Sentenced to 56 Months in Prison for Fraud, Money Laundering, and Identity Theft SchemesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Jamar Skeete, 38, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 56 months in prison on federal charges stemming from his years-long role in at least four business e-mail compromise fraud and money laundering schemes that caused more than $1.5 million in intended losses.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Greg L. Torbenson, U.S. Postal Inspector in Charge for the Washington Division, U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Skeete pleaded guilty on Nov. 15, 2021, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, to one count of money laundering, one count of identity theft, and two counts of wire fraud. On the same date, he also pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud in a case that was originally indicted in the Southern District of New York and transferred to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia for plea and sentencing. He was sentenced in both cases by the Honorable District Judge John D. Bates. Following his prison term, Skeete will be placed on three years of supervised release. He also must pay combined restitution judgments in the two cases totaling $697,836, and forfeiture money judgments totaling $381,387.
According to the statements of offense acknowledged by Skeete, between September 2017 and June 2019, Skeete received and laundered the proceeds of at least four separate business e-mail compromise schemes targeting the City of Flint, Michigan, an Illinois-based company operating senior care facilities, and other businesses. Skeete used two stolen identities and multiple fraudulent shell company accounts to receive and launder the proceeds of the business e-mail compromise schemes in the District of Columbia and elsewhere. He also assumed an address used in two of the schemes by submitting a fraudulent “hold mail” request to the U.S. Postal Service. In the schemes originally charged in the Southern District of New York, Skeete conspired with 14 other individuals to launder other fraud proceeds out of a fraudulent shell company account. All told, Skeete participating in diverting and laundering more than $1.5 million
In a business e-mail compromise (or BEC) scheme, conspirators infiltrate the computer systems of a victim company through phishing attacks or otherwise. Once there, they impersonate the victim’s business partners and, claiming a change in bank accounts, trick the victim into sending payments not to business partners, but to the conspirator’s bank accounts.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Washington Division, with assistance provided FBI’s Washington Field Office and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation-Office of Inspector General. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher B. Brown, with assistance from Paralegal Specialists Michon Tart and former Paralegal Specialist C. Rosalind Pressley. Significant assistance was also provided by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander Li and Thomas Burnett of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.
D.C. Man Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Steal More than $31 Million in COVID-19 FundsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Elias Eldabbagh, 30, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty in federal court today to carrying out a scheme to steal more than $31 million under the CARES Act and laundering the proceeds of his scheme. Eldabbagh succeeded in stealing $2,385,000 under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL).
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Special Agent in Charge Darrell J. Waldon of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, Washington, D.C. Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite of the U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of the Inspector General.
“While many Americans were struggling with the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, this defendant brazenly attempted to steal more than $31 million in emergency funds intended to help small businesses and employees survive COVID-19,” said U.S. Attorney Graves. “The United States Department of Justice will prosecute, to the fullest extent of the law, those individuals who scheme to rob vital government programs.”
“Elias Eldabbagh stole funds that were meant to help businesses and their employees during a crisis to spend on a luxury car and enriching himself,” said IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Waldon. “During the two years since the CARES Act was passed, IRS-CI special agents have rooted out and continue to pursue these selfish criminals who thought they could get away with stealing from those who truly needed help.”
“OIG will continue to safeguard SBA programs from fraudsters determined to steal funds meant to support the nation’s small businesses,” said SBA OIG’s Special Agent in Charge McCall-Brathwaite. “OIG remains committed to rooting out bad actors and protecting the integrity of SBA programs. I want to thank the Department of Justice and our law enforcement partners for their dedication and pursuit of justice.”
Eldabbagh pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to wire fraud and laundering the proceeds of the wire fraud scheme. Wire fraud carries a statutory penalty of 20 years and financial penalties. Engaging in monetary transactions in criminally derived funds carries a statutory penalty of 10 years and financial penalties. Eldabbagh faces a likely recommended sentence of between 11 and 14 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The Honorable Trevor N. McFadden took the plea and scheduled sentencing for Aug. 25, 2022.
From July 2020 through May 2021, Eldabbagh used his company, Alias Systems, LLC, to fraudulently apply for at least 25 PPP loans totaling more than $30 million. He also submitted at least four false EIDL applications totaling $950,000. During the course of his scheme, Eldabbagh used a stolen identity to disguise the ownership of Alias Systems, LLC, and used the same stolen identity to submit the vast majority of the applications. In support of his fraudulent applications, Eldabbagh also used stolen identities, stolen tax returns and stolen financial records from a Washington, D.C. consulting company. Eldabbagh fraudulently doctored the stolen documents to be appear to be tax returns and payroll records of his company, Alias Systems, LLC. Eldabbagh successfully stole $2,385,000 from the PPP and EIDL programs.
Eldabbagh wired the proceeds of his scheme to at least 13 separate bank and brokerage accounts and to purchase a Tesla Model 3. Eldabbagh then converted at least $288,000 of proceeds from fiat currency into multiple cryptocurrencies. Using fraud proceeds, Eldabbagh conducted over 2,000 transactions involving at least 43 different cryptocurrencies.
Eldabbagh also used the money he stole to pay for rent, hotels, dog boarding, attorney fees, ride shares, electronics, and various personal expenses.
In May 2021, IRS-CI executed seizure warrants on Eldabbagh’s bank accounts and investment accounts. Eldabbagh proceeded to make multiple attempts to transfer seized funds prior to being thwarted by federal agents. As part of his plea agreement, Eldabbagh has agreed to forfeit the Tesla Model 3, the contents of 21 bank accounts, and he has agreed to liquidate his interest in the cryptocurrency obtained with proceeds and to remit the funds to the United States government.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act is a federal law enacted in or around March 2020 and designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of 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 provide assistance to small businesses that suffer substantial economic injury as a result of a declared disaster. An EIDL helps 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.
In announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney Graves, Special Agent in Charge Waldon, and Special Agent in Charge McCall-Brathwaite commended the work of those who investigated the case from IRS-CI and the SBA Office of the Inspector General. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Leslie A. Goemaat of the Fraud, Public Corruption, and Civil Rights Section, supported by Paralegal Specialist Mariela Andrade.
# #
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of fraud related to COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Former Congressional Staffer Pleads Guilty to Theft of Public FundsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A former Congressional staffer pleaded guilty today to theft of public funds in connection with his scheme to fraudulently inflate his salary and bonus payments, thereby paying himself more than he was legitimately owed.
According to court documents, Sterling Carter, 24, of Glenwood, Georgia, was employed as the Director of Operations by a Member of Congress. In that position, Carter was responsible for managing the office’s budget and processing payroll and bonus payments for all employees in the office. Between November 2019 and January 2021, Carter submitted fraudulent paperwork which purported to authorize a higher salary and bonus payments for himself. Carter concealed this theft from the Congressperson and the office’s Chief of Staff by falsely representing, in both communications and a budget spreadsheet, that he was only being paid what he was legitimately owed. In total, Carter received $79,491.67 in unauthorized salary and bonus payments.
Carter pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to theft of public funds. Carter will be sentenced on July 28, 2022. He faces up to 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia, and Assistant Director in Charge Steven M. D’Antuono of the FBI’s Washington Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI investigated this matter. Trial Attorneys Nicole Lockhart and Jordan Dickson of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and the Fraud, Public Corruption, and Civil Rights Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia are prosecuting the case.
District Man Sentenced to 151 Months in Prison for Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Ruben Verastigui, 29, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 151 months in prison on a federal charge of receipt of child pornography.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Raymond Villanueva, Special Agent in Charge, Washington, D.C. Field Office, Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Verastigui pleaded guilty on July 9, 2021, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. He was sentenced by the Honorable Amit P. Mehta. Upon completion of his prison term, Verastigui will be placed on five years of supervised release. He also will be required to register as a sex offender for at least 15 years.
According to the government’s evidence, from April 2020 through February 2021, Verastigui was active in an online group devoted to trading child pornography and discussing child sexual abuse. Verastigui shared child pornography videos with another member of the group and made numerous comments about sexually abusing children. Verastigui indicated his preference for babies, saying they were his “absolute favorite,” and solicited another group member for videos of babies being raped. The other group member promptly sent Verastigui a video of a baby being raped, to which Verastigui responded enthusiastically. The other group member then sent Verastigui numerous other videos of child pornography.
Verastigui was arrested on Feb. 5, 2021. He has been in custody ever since.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves, Special Agent in Charge Villanueva, and Chief Contee commended the work of those who investigated the case from Homeland Security Investigations and the Metropolitan Police Department. Finally, they expressed appreciation for the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Caroline Burrell and former Assistant U.S. Attorney April Russo, who prosecuted the case.
Maryland Man Sentenced to 39 Years in Prison for Series of Sexual Attacks Targeting MenRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Bryant Webster, 38, of Suitland, Maryland, was sentenced today to 39 years in prison for a series of home invasions carried out over a 50-day period in 2016 in which he sexually assaulted three men, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Webster pleaded guilty in July 2019, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to two counts of first-degree sexual abuse while armed and one count of second-degree sexual abuse. The plea, which was contingent upon the Court’s approval, called for a sentence of 32 to 39 years. The Honorable Ronna L. Beck accepted the plea and the Honorable Marisa Demeo sentenced Webster accordingly. Webster is required to register as a sex offender for life.
According to the government’s evidence, the attacks took place from mid-August to October 2016. In the first assault, Webster entered a residence in a Capitol Hill neighborhood and photographed himself sexually abusing a man who was unconscious. Less than two weeks later, at about 6 a.m. on Aug. 28, 2016, Webster entered an apartment in the same neighborhood without permission. The victim was awakened to find Webster, a stranger, standing in the doorway of his bedroom, dressed all in black, holding a handgun with a red laser sight. He bound the victim’s hands and feet with duct tape, gaged him by putting a T-shirt in his mouth, and raped him repeatedly while threatening to kill him.
The third attack also took place in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, at about 12:30 a.m. on Oct. 1, 2016. Webster crept into a home. He was again armed with a handgun with a laser sight and also had a backpack filled with knives, gloves, screwdrivers, duct tape, a hammer, binoculars, and condoms. He similarly used duct tape to bind the victim, gagged him with a T-shirt, and raped him. The victim managed to alert a roommate who entered the home during the rape, a struggle ensued, and the victim called 911. Police arrested Webster at the scene. He has been in custody ever since.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Contee commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also expressed appreciation for the efforts of those who handled the case at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Suzanne Curt and Elizabeth Danello, Deputy Chiefs of the Appellate Division; Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke Jones; former Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Brooks; Victim/Witness Advocate Lezlie Richardson; Supervisory Paralegal Specialist Michelle Wicker, and former Paralegal Specialist Donhue Troy Griffith.
Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenechukwu Okocha, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
District Men Sentenced to Prison Terms for Armed Carjacking in Northeast WashingtonRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Keith Baham, 22, and David McKinney, 21, both of Washington, D.C., have been sentenced to prison terms for their roles in a carjacking and armed robbery that took place in February 2019 in Northeast Washington, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Baham was sentenced yesterday to a 15-year prison term and McKinney was sentenced yesterday to a prison term of 7 ½ years. Both defendants were found guilty by a jury in February 2020, of armed carjacking, armed robbery, first-degree theft, and unauthorized use of vehicle, following a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. They were sentenced by the Honorable J. Michael Ryan. Following their prison terms, both men will be placed on five years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence, the victim, then 18, knew McKinney and was driving his car with him on Feb. 25, 2019. They picked up Baham, and Baham and McKinney had the victim drive to the 3100 block of Apple Road NE. Once there, at approximately 7:20 p.m., Baham brandished a firearm, threatened to shoot the victim, and told the victim to drop everything and to hand over his belongings. While the victim was held at gunpoint, the men took the victim’s wallet, cellphone, and other personal items before fleeing the scene in the victim’s car.
Baham was arrested on July 30, 2019. McKinney was arrested on July 18, 2019. Both have been in custody since their arrests.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Contee 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 Supervisory Victim/Witness Services Coordinator Katina Adams-Washington, Victim/Witness Services Coordinator La June Thames, Paralegal Specialists Jessica Pierce, Sabrina Turner, and Debra McPherson, Victim/Witness Advocate Jennifer Clark, Supervisory Litigation Technology Specialist Leif Hickling, and former Investigative Analyst William Hamann of the Criminal Investigations Unit.
Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rachel Forman and Kevin Birney, who prosecuted the case.
District Man Sentenced to 15-Year Prison Term for Killing Man in Front of Senior Apartment CenterRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Marcha Johnson, 43, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to a 15-year prison term for killing a man last fall in Northwest Washington, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Johnson pleaded guilty in January 2022, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to a charge of voluntary manslaughter while armed. He was sentenced by the Honorable Robert Okun. Following completion of his prison term, Johnson will be placed on five years of supervised release.
According to court documents, in the early evening hours of Oct. 6, 2021, Johnson was in the Unit block of O Street NW, having parked his car in front of a seniors’ apartment building. Just before 8 p.m., the victim, Rufus Davis III, 20, rode up to the area on a scooter and started speaking with Johnson and others. Mr. Davis was scolded by Johnson, who got in Mr. Davis’s face and spoke to him in an animated manner. The two men continued to speak for several minutes until they again came close to each other near Johnson’s car. As Mr. Davis approached Johnson and the others, Johnson pulled a gun, just inches in front of Mr. Davis’s face, and fired one shot. Johnson fired two more shots at Mr. Davis’s back as Mr. Davis tried to move away from Johnson. Then, as Mr. Davis laid on the ground, Johnson stood over him and fired the final two bullets in his revolver into Mr. Davis’s head from just inches above Mr. Davis.
Johnson was arrested on Oct.13, 2021. He has been in custody ever since.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Contee 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 Specialist Meridith McGarrity and Victim/Witness Advocate Jennifer Clark. Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Giovannelli and Jeffrey Wojcik, who prosecuted the case.
District Man Sentenced to 12-Year Prison Term for Sexually Assaulting Woman at Gunpoint in 2006Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON –Christopher Grooms, 36, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to a 12-year prison term for a home invasion sexual assault in Southeast Washington that occurred in 2006, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Grooms pleaded guilty in December 2021, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to attempted first-degree sexual abuse while armed, with aggravating circumstances. He was sentenced by the Honorable Marisa Demeo. The sentence of incarceration will be followed by 10 years of supervised release. Grooms is also required to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his lifetime.
According to the government’s evidence, on March 25, 2006, at approximately 2:30 a.m., Grooms knocked on the door of an acquaintance in the 1300 block of Morris Road SE. The victim, who was seven months pregnant at the time, was staying over at the apartment while babysitting for a friend. The victim recognized Grooms and answered the door. Grooms pushed his way inside, grabbed her by the hair and brandished a gun. He forced the victim into a back bedroom where a four-year-old child was sleeping on a bunk bed. He pushed the victim onto the lower bunk. Grooms raped the victim while brandishing the gun and threatening to kill her.
When the sexual assault was over, Grooms stole a cell phone and left. The victim made a prompt report to police and obtained medical care to ensure the health of the baby as well as her own health. She also received a sexual assault examination the same day. The rape kit was tested in 2007 and yielded a DNA mixture that included the victim and a male contributor. In 2020, advances in DNA technology led to a match between the male DNA profile from the rape kit and the DNA profile of the defendant. A confirmatory DNA sample was later obtained from the defendant and resulted in a very strong statistic of inclusion of the defendant in the DNA mixture.
Grooms was indicted for first-degree sexual abuse while armed, with aggravating circumstances in September 2021, and has been held in custody since.
In 2012, Grooms was convicted of attempted first-degree sexual abuse for a sexual assault that occurred in 2008 involving a different victim.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Contee commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department, including the Seventh Police District, the Sexual Assault Unit and the Cold Case Unit of the Sexual Assault Unit. They also expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by the U.S. Marshals Service. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialists Tiffany Fogle and Cynthia Muhammad, Victim/Witness Advocate Tracey Hawkins, and Supervisory Victim/Witness Services Coordinator Katina Adams-Washington.
Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rachel Bohlen and Amy Zubrensky, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
Un yate del oligarca ruso sancionado Viktor Vekselberg valorado en 90 millones de dólares es incautado por España a petición de Estados UnidosRead the Press Release
Nota: Las imágenes de la incautación están disponibles aquí. Vea la declaración del Fiscal General sobre la incautación aquí.
Lunes 4 de abril de 2022 - Las fuerzas y cuerpos de seguridad españoles ejecutaron hoy una orden judicial española que congela el Motor Yacht (M/Y) Tango (el Tango), yate de lujo de 77 metros de eslora propiedad del oligarca ruso sancionado Viktor Vekselberg. Las autoridades españolas actuaron de conformidad con una solicitud de asistencia del Departamento de Justicia de EE.UU. tras la emisión de una orden de incautación, presentada en el Tribunal de Distrito de EE.UU. para el Distrito de Columbia, que alegaba que el Tango estaba sujeto a decomiso por los delitos de fraude, blanqueo de capitales y estatutos sancionadores. Por separado, las órdenes de incautación obtenidas en el Tribunal de Distrito de EE.UU. para el Distrito de Columbia apuntan a aproximadamente 625.000 dólares asociados a partes sancionadas en nueve instituciones financieras de EE.UU. Esas incautaciones se basan en violaciones de sanciones por parte de varios ciudadanos rusos especialmente designados.
Según los documentos presentados en este caso, la investigación estadounidense alega que Vekselberg compró el Tango en 2011 y lo ha poseído continuamente desde entonces. Además, alega que Vekselberg usó compañías ficticias para ocultar su propiedad del Tango con el fin de evitar la supervisión bancaria de las transacciones en dólares estadounidenses relacionadas con el mismo. Además, después de que Vekselberg fuera sancionado por el Departamento del Tesoro de EE.UU. el 6 de abril de 2018, la orden alega que Vekselberg y quienes trabajaban en su nombre continuaron realizando pagos en dólares estadounidenses a través de bancos estadounidenses para el apoyo y mantenimiento del Tango y sus propietarios, incluidos un pago por una estancia en un lujoso resort de villas acuáticas en las Maldivas en diciembre de 2020 y tarifas de amarre para el yate. Vekselberg tenía interés en estos pagos y, por lo tanto, se requirió una licencia del Departamento del Tesoro, que no se obtuvo.
“Esta es la primera incautación por parte de nuestro grupo de trabajo de un activo perteneciente a un individuo sancionado con estrechos vínculos con el régimen ruso. No será la última”, ha dicho el Fiscal General, Merrick B. Garland. “Juntos, con nuestros socios internacionales, haremos todo lo posible para responsabilizar a cualquier persona cuyos actos criminales permitan al gobierno ruso continuar su guerra injusta”.
“La acción de hoy deja claro que los oligarcas rusos corruptos no pueden evadir las sanciones para vivir una vida de lujos mientras los ucranianos inocentes sufren”, ha dicho la Fiscal General Adjunta, Lisa O. Monaco. “Hoy, el Departamento de Justicia cumple con su compromiso de responsabilizar a aquellos cuya actividad criminal fortalece al gobierno ruso mientras continúa librando su injusta guerra en Ucrania. Ese compromiso no hemos terminado de cumplirlo”.
“Hoy también anunciamos otro ejemplo de cómo el FBI hace uso de su presencia y sus alianzas internacionales, así como de su pericia y su experiencia, para rastrear e incautarse de dinero y activos ilícitos para contrarrestar las amenazas a nuestra seguridad nacional”, ha dicho el director del FBI, Christopher Wray. "Seguiremos utilizando todas las herramientas legales para perseguir los activos de los oligarcas rusos designados, como sea y donde sea que los oculten".
La incautación fue coordinada a través del Grupo de trabajo KleptoCapture del Departamento de Justicia, grupo de trabajo interinstitucional encargado de hacer cumplir la ley y dedicado a hacer cumplir las sanciones amplias, las restricciones a la exportación y las contramedidas económicas que EE.UU. ha impuesto, junto con sus aliados y socios, en respuesta a la invasión militar no provocada de Ucrania por parte de Rusia. Anunciado por el Fiscal General el 2 de marzo y ejecutado por la Oficina del Fiscal General Adjunto, el Grupo de trabajo hará uso de todas las herramientas y la autoridad del Departamento para contrarrestar los esfuerzos para evadir o socavar las acciones económicas emprendidas por el gobierno de EE.UU. en respuesta a la agresión militar rusa.
“La incautación de este yate de lujo demuestra nuestra determinación para responsabilizar a quienes apoyan la invasión injustificada de otro país soberano por parte de Vladimir Putin”, ha declarado el fiscal federal para el Distrito de Columbia Matthew M. Graves. “Seguiremos utilizando todas las herramientas para hacer cumplir las sanciones dirigidas al régimen de Putin y los oligarcas que lo apoyan. Trabajando con nuestros socios federales e internacionales, seremos incansables en nuestros esfuerzos para llevar ante la justicia a quienes violen estas sanciones y confiscar activos cuando sea apropiado y legal”.
“La incautación hoy del yate de Viktor Vekselberg, el Tango, en España es el resultado de un esfuerzo multinacional sin precedentes para hacer cumplir las sanciones de Estados Unidos dirigidas a aquellas elites que han permitido la invasión ilegal y no provocada de Ucrania por parte de Rusia”, dijo Andrew Adams, director del Grupo de trabajo KleptoCapture. “Para aquellos que han vinculado su fortuna a un régimen brutal y anárquico, la acción de hoy es un mensaje de que los países comprometidos con el estado de derecho están igualmente comprometidos con separar a los oligarcas de sus lujos corruptos. Esta incautación es solo el comienzo del trabajo de este Grupo de trabajo en este esfuerzo global para castigar a aquellos que han apoyado y continúan apoyando la tiranía para obtener ganancias financieras”.
“El FBI continuará trabajando con sus socios para proteger la integridad del sistema bancario y respaldar la aplicación de los programas de sanciones”, ha dicho el agente especial a cargo Michael F. Paul, de la oficina local del FBI en Minneapolis. “Los agentes y analistas del FBI, independientemente de dónde estén asignados en todo el mundo, trabajarán incansablemente para garantizar que quienes intentan evadir las sanciones rinden cuentas”.
“La invasión rusa de Ucrania fue un acto de agresión no provocada que tiene como objetivo la vida y el bienestar de millones de personas y amenaza la seguridad internacional”, ha declarado el agente especial interino a cargo Ricky J. Patel, de Investigaciones de Seguridad Nacional (HSI, por sus siglas en inglés) de Nueva York. “Durante décadas, el régimen de Putin ha sido apoyado por un grupo de oligarcas rusos que abusaron de su poder en beneficio propio para acumular una riqueza incalculable. Como brazo de investigación del Departamento de Seguridad Internacional (DHS) el grupo de HSI se encuentra al frente de la lucha contra las redes globales que buscan violar las leyes de EE.UU. y explotar los sistemas financieros de nuestro país. Trabajando con nuestros socios en el Departamento de Justicia de EE.UU. y el FBI, responsabilizaremos a los oligarcas de Putin y les negaremos el lujoso estilo de vida que aprecian”.
Al recibir una solicitud de EE. UU. en virtud del tratado bilateral de asistencia judicial recíproca en asuntos penales, la autoridad central española de asistencia judicial recíproca remitió la solicitud a un fiscal español, quien obtuvo una orden de incautación de un tribunal español. La orden fue ejecutada por la Guardia Civil española el 4 de abril.
Se cree que el Tango, número 1010703 de la Organización Marítima Internacional, tiene un valor aproximado de 90 millones de dólares o más. El yate se encuentra ahora en Mallorca.
La carga de probar la confiscación en un procedimiento de confiscación recae sobre el gobierno.
Este asunto está siendo investigado por la oficina de campo del FBI de Minneapolis con la asistencia de la oficina de campo de HSI en Nueva York.
La fiscal federal adjunta para el Distrito de Columbia Karen P. Seifert y los asistentes legales para el Distrito de Columbia Brian Rickers y Jessica McCormick están gestionando la incautación. La Oficina de Asuntos Internacionales del Departamento de Justicia ha brindado una asistencia significativa en el trabajo con las autoridades españolas, así como la Sección de Blanqueo de Dinero y Recuperación de Activos (MLARS por sus siglas en inglés) de la División Criminal.
In English
Maryland Man Pleads Guilty to Fatally Stabbing AcquaintanceRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Herbert Smallwood, 41, of Suitland, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to a charge of second-degree murder while armed for stabbing an acquaintance last year in Southeast Washington, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Smallwood pleaded guilty in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. He is to be sentenced on July 22, 2022, by the Honorable Milton C. Lee, Jr.
According to the government’s evidence, on June 30, 2021, at approximately 7 p.m., Smallwood was traveling in an SUV that was following another vehicle being driven by an acquaintance. The other vehicle, a Ford Focus, crashed and flipped over in the rear of the 1600 block of 17th Place SE. Smallwood got out of the SUV with a knife and stabbed the victim, Joseph Ogundoju, multiple times. Mr. Ogundoju, 46, died a short time later.
Surveillance video shows Smallwood’s vehicle following Mr. Ogundoju’s vehicle immediately before it crashed. The victim’s blood also was found on Smallwood’s clothing. Smallwood was arrested on June 30, 2021. He has been in custody ever since.
In announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Contee commended the work of the Metropolitan Police Department, which investigated the case. They also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Victim/Witness Advocate Latrice Washington-Williams and Paralegal Specialist Grazy Rivera. Finally, they expressed appreciation for the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Ganjei, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
Former School Principal Pleads Guilty to Embezzling $175,000 from Fund for Student Activities and ServicesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A former school principal pleaded guilty today to stealing at least $175,000 from an association that raises funds from parent contributions and fundraisers to provide school-related services and activities to students, admitting that she used the money for personal purposes, including to qualify for a home mortgage loan.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Matthew R. Stohler, Special Agent in Charge, Washington Field Office, U.S. Secret Service, and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Bridget Coates, 48, of Falls Church, Va., was the principal of St. Thomas More Catholic School in Southeast Washington at the time her criminal activity began, in 2012, until she resigned in 2018. She pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to a charge of wire fraud. The charge carries a statutory maximum of 20 years in prison and potential financial penalties. Under the Court’s sentencing guidelines, Coates faces a likely range of 27 to 33 months in prison and a potential fine of up to $100,000. She also has agreed to pay $175,000 in restitution and an identical amount in a forfeiture money judgment.
The Honorable Dabney L. Friedrich scheduled sentencing for June 15, 2022.
According to court documents, from June 2012 through December 2017, Coates devised a scheme to steal from the school’s Home School Association, an organization affiliated with the school that supported student services and activities. As the school principal, Coates had access to the Home School Association’s checks and could use her discretion to pay expenditures for only school-related purposes. Coates, however, engaged in a pattern of purchasing personal goods and services with the funds. Over the time period, she wrote approximately 66 unauthorized checks and deposited at least $175,000 into her personal bank account. Among other things, she used the funds to help her qualify for a home-mortgage loan.
In announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney Graves, Special Agent in Charge Stohler and Chief Contee commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Secret Service and the Metropolitan Police Department. They also expressed appreciation for the efforts of those who handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Chad Byron, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey Nestler and Marco Crocetti, who investigated and prosecuted the matter.
$90 Million Yacht of Sanctioned Russian Oligarch Viktor Vekselberg Seized by Spain at Request of United StatesRead the Press Release
Note: Footage of the seizure is available here. View the statement from the Attorney General on today's seizure here.
Spanish law enforcement today executed a Spanish court order freezing the Motor Yacht (M/Y) Tango (the Tango), a 255-foot luxury yacht owned by sanctioned Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg. Spanish authorities acted pursuant to a request from the U.S. Department of Justice for assistance following the issuance of a seizure warrant, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, which alleged that the Tango was subject to forfeiture based on violation of U.S. bank fraud, money laundering, and sanction statutes. Separately, seizure warrants obtained in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia target approximately $625,000 associated with sanctioned parties held at nine U.S. financial institutions. Those seizures are based on sanctions violations by several Russian specially designated nationals.
According to documents filed in this case, the U.S. investigation alleges that Vekselberg bought the Tango in 2011 and has owned it continuously since that time. It further alleges that Vekselberg used shell companies to obfuscate his interest in the Tango to avoid bank oversight into U.S. dollar transactions related thereto. Additionally, after Vekselberg was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department on April 6, 2018, the warrant alleges that Vekselberg and those working on his behalf continued to make U.S. dollar payments through U.S. banks for the support and maintenance of the Tango and its owners, including a payment for a December 2020 stay at a luxury water villa resort in the Maldives and mooring fees for the yacht. Vekselberg had an interest in these payments and therefore a license was required from the Treasury Department, which was not obtained.
“Today marks our taskforce’s first seizure of an asset belonging to a sanctioned individual with close ties to the Russian regime. It will not be the last,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Together, with our international partners, we will do everything possible to hold accountable any individual whose criminal acts enable the Russian government to continue its unjust war.”
“Today’s action makes clear that corrupt Russian oligarchs cannot evade sanctions to live a life of luxury as innocent Ukrainians are suffering,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “Today the Department of Justice delivers on our commitment to hold accountable those whose criminal activity strengthens the Russian government as it continues to wage its unjust war in Ukraine. That commitment is one we are not finished honoring.”
“Today we announce another example of the FBI using our worldwide presence and partnerships, as well as our expertise and experience, to track and seize illicit money and assets, to counter threats to our safety and national security,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “We will continue to use every lawful tool to go after designated Russian oligarchs' assets – however and wherever they hide them.”
The seizure was coordinated through the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture, an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export restrictions, and economic countermeasures that the United States has imposed, along with its allies and partners, in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine. Announced by the Attorney General on March 2 and run out of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General, the task force will leverage all the Department’s tools and authorities against efforts to evade or undermine the economic actions taken by the U.S. government in response to Russian military aggression.
“The seizure of this luxury yacht demonstrates our determination to hold accountable those who support Vladimir Putin’s unwarranted invasion of another sovereign nation,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia. “We will continue to use every tool to enforce the sanctions aimed at Putin’s regime and the oligarchs who support it. Working with our federal and international partners, we will be unflagging in our efforts to bring to justice those who violate these sanctions, and to seize assets where appropriate and lawful.”
“Today’s seizure of Viktor Vekselberg’s yacht, the Tango, in Spain is the result of an unprecedented multinational effort to enforce U.S. sanctions targeting those elites who have enabled Russia’s unprovoked and illegal invasion of Ukraine,” said Director Andrew Adams of Task Force KleptoCapture. “For those who have tied their fortunes to a brutal and lawless regime, today’s action is a message that those nations dedicated to the rule of law are equally dedicated to separating the oligarchs from their tainted luxuries. This seizure is only the beginning of the Task Force’s work in this global effort to punish those who have and continue to support tyranny for financial gain.”
“The FBI will continue to work with its partners to protect the integrity of the banking system and support the enforcement of sanctions programs,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael F. Paul of the FBI’s Minneapolis Field Office. “FBI agents and analysts, regardless of where they are assigned around the world, will work tirelessly to ensure those who attempt to evade sanctions are held accountable.”
“The Russian invasion of Ukraine was an unprovoked act of aggression that has targeted the lives and well-being of millions of people and threatened international security,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York. “For decades, the Putin regime has been supported by a group of Russian oligarchs that abused their power for private gain to amass untold riches. As DHS’s investigative arm, HSI stands at the forefront of combatting global networks that seek to violate U.S. law and exploit our nation’s financial systems. Working with our partners at the U.S. Department of Justice and the FBI, we will hold Putin’s oligarchs accountable and deny them the lavish lifestyles they cherish.”
Upon receipt of a request from the United States pursuant to a bi-lateral treaty for mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, the Spanish central authority for mutual legal assistance forwarded the request to a Spanish prosecutor, who obtained a freezing order from a Spanish court. The order was executed by Spain’s Guardia Civil on April 4.
The Tango, International Maritime Organization number 1010703, is believed to be worth approximately $90 million or more. The yacht is now in Mallorca.
The burden to prove forfeitability in a forfeiture proceeding is upon the government.
The matter of the Tango is being investigated by the FBI’s Minneapolis Field Office with assistance from the FBI Legal Attaché Office in Madrid and the HSI New York Field Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen P. Seifert for the District of Columbia and Paralegal Brian Rickers and Legal Assistant Jessica McCormick for the District of Columbia are handling the seizure. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in working with the Spanish authorities, as well as the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (MLARS).
En Español
$90 Million Yacht of Sanctioned Russian Oligarch Viktor Vekselberg Seized by Spain at Request of United StatesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Spanish law enforcement today executed a Spanish court order freezing the Motor Yacht (M/Y) Tango (the Tango), a 255-foot luxury yacht owned by sanctioned Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg. Spanish authorities acted pursuant to a request from the U.S. Department of Justice for assistance following the issuance of a seizure warrant, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, which alleged that the Tango was subject to forfeiture based on violation of U.S. bank fraud, money laundering, and sanction statutes.
According to documents filed in this case, the U.S. investigation alleges that Vekselberg bought the Tango in 2011 and has owned it continuously since that time. It further alleges that Vekselberg used shell companies to obfuscate his interest in the Tango to avoid bank oversight into U.S. dollar transactions related thereto. Additionally, after Vekselberg was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department on April 6, 2018, the warrant alleges that Vekselberg and those working on his behalf continued to make U.S. dollar payments through U.S. banks for the support and maintenance of the Tango and its owners, including a payment for a December 2020 stay at a luxury water villa resort in the Maldives and mooring fees for the yacht. Vekselberg had an interest in these payments and therefore a license was required from the Treasury Department, which was not obtained.
“Today marks our taskforce’s first seizure of an asset belonging to a sanctioned individual with close ties to the Russian regime. It will not be the last.” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Together, with our international partners, we will do everything possible to hold accountable any individual whose criminal acts enable the Russian government to continue its unjust war.”
“Today’s action makes clear that corrupt Russian oligarchs cannot evade sanctions to live a life of luxury as innocent Ukrainians are suffering,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “Today the Department of Justice delivers on our commitment to hold accountable those whose criminal activity strengthens the Russian government as it continues to wage its unjust war in Ukraine. That commitment is one we are not finished honoring.”
“Today we announce another example of the FBI using our worldwide presence and partnerships, as well as our expertise and experience to track and seize illicit money and assets, to counter threats to our safety and national security,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “We will continue to use every lawful tool to go after designated Russian oligarchs' assets – however and wherever they hide them.”
The seizure was coordinated through the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture, an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export restrictions, and economic countermeasures that the United States has imposed, along with its allies and partners, in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine. Announced by the Attorney General on March 2 and run out of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General, the task force will leverage all the Department’s tools and authorities against efforts to evade or undermine the economic actions taken by the U.S. government in response to Russian military aggression.
"The seizure of this luxury yacht demonstrates our determination to hold accountable those who support Vladimir Putin’s unwarranted invasion of another sovereign nation,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves of the District of Columbia. “We will continue to use every tool to enforce the sanctions aimed at Putin’s regime and the oligarchs who support it. Working with our federal and international partners, we will be unflagging in our efforts to bring to justice those who violate these sanctions, and to seize assets where appropriate and lawful.”
“Today’s seizure of Viktor Vekselberg’s yacht, the Tango, in Spain is the result of an unprecedented multinational effort to enforce U.S. sanctions targeting those elites who have enabled Russia’s unprovoked and illegal invasion of Ukraine,” said Director Andrew Adams of Task Force KleptoCapture. “For those who have tied their fortunes to a brutal and lawless regime, today’s action is a message that those nations dedicated to the rule of law are equally dedicated to separating the oligarchs from their tainted luxuries. This seizure is only the beginning of the Task Force’s work in this global effort to punish those who have and continue to support tyranny for financial gain.”
“The FBI will continue to work with its partners to protect the integrity of the banking system and support the enforcement of sanctions programs,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael F. Paul of the FBI’s Minneapolis Field Office. “FBI agents and analysts, regardless of where they are assigned around the world, will work tirelessly to ensure those who attempt to evade sanctions are held accountable.”
“The Russian invasion of Ukraine was an unprovoked act of aggression that has targeted the lives and well-being of millions of people and threatened international security,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York. “For decades, the Putin regime has been supported by a group of Russian oligarchs that abused their power for private gain to amass untold riches. As DHS’s investigative arm, HSI stands at the forefront of combatting global networks that seek to violate U.S. law and exploit our nation’s financial systems. Working with our partners at the U.S. Department of Justice and the FBI, we will hold Putin’s oligarchs accountable and deny them the lavish lifestyles they cherish.”
Upon receipt of a request from the United States pursuant to a bi-lateral treaty for mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, the Spanish central authority for mutual legal assistance forwarded the request to a Spanish prosecutor, who obtained a freezing order from a Spanish court. The order was executed by Spain’s Guardia Civil, Spanish National Police, today, April 4.
The Tango, International Maritime Organization number 1010703, is believed to be worth approximately $90 million or more. The yacht is now in Palma de Mallorca.
The burden to prove forfeitability in a forfeiture proceeding is upon the government.
Separately, seizure warrants obtained in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia target approximately $625,000 associated with sanctioned parties held at nine U.S. financial institutions. Those seizures are based on sanctions violations by several Russian specially designated nationals.
The matter of the Tango is being investigated by the FBI’s Minneapolis Field Office with assistance from the HSI New York Field Office. In announcing that forfeiture action, U.S. Attorney Graves, Special Agent in Charge Paul, and Acting Special Agent in Charge Patel commended the work of those who investigated the case from FBI and HSI.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen P. Seifert is handling the seizure and investigation, with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Brian Rickers and Legal Assistant Jessica McCormick, all from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in working with the Spanish authorities, as well as the Criminal Division's Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (MLARS).
Man Sentenced to 46 Months in Prison for Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
An Alabama man was sentenced today to 46 months in prison for federal and local firearms offenses stemming from the discovery of weapons in his pickup truck parked near the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.
Lonnie Leroy Coffman, 72, of Falkville, Alabama, was sentenced today to 46 months in prison after pleading guilty to federal and local firearms offenses stemming from the discovery of weapons in his pickup truck parked near the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
According to court documents, Coffman traveled from Alabama to the District of Columbia several days prior to Jan. 6, 2021. He parked his red GMC Sierra pickup truck in the 300 block of First Street SE, on the morning of Jan. 6. Less than half a mile away in the U.S. Capitol Building, a joint session of the U.S. Congress was scheduled to meet in the afternoon to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the presidential election.
Coffman admitted in his plea agreement that he exited the pickup truck at 9:20 a.m. and walked in the direction of the U.S. Capitol Building, and towards a rally near the National Mall. Inside the pickup truck were several loaded firearms within arms-reach of the driver’s seat, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, large-capacity ammunition feeding devices, a crossbow with bolts, machetes, camouflage smoke devices, a stun gun, and a cooler containing 11 mason jars filled with ignitable ingredients for Molotov cocktail incendiary weapons. Coffman also carried a loaded handgun and a loaded revolver as he walked around the area that day. A search of Coffman’s residence in Alabama later that month led to the discovery of 12 additional mason jars containing ignitable substances, each constituting the component parts of Molotov cocktails.
Coffman did not have a license to carry a pistol in the District of Columbia and had not registered any firearms or destructive devices in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, as required by law.
Coffman has been in custody since his arrest on Jan. 6, 2021. Coffman will be placed on three years of supervised release following his prison term.
Coffman was sentenced in the District of Columbia by the Honorable Colleen Kollar-Kotelly in two separate criminal cases, one brought in the District of Columbia on Jan. 7, 2021, and the other brought in the Northern District of Alabama and transferred to the District of Columbia for purposes of plea and sentencing. Coffman had pleaded guilty on Nov. 12, 2021, to two counts of possession of an unregistered firearm, a federal offense, regarding the component parts of Molotov cocktails discovered in his pickup truck in Washington, D.C., and at his residence in Alabama. Coffman also pleaded guilty to carrying a pistol without a license, a District of Columbia offense. Judge Kollar-Kotelly sentenced him to 46 months in prison on each of the federal offenses, and 15 months on the District of Columbia offense, with the time running concurrently.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Friedman for the District of Columbia and Henry Cornelius for the Northern District of Alabama prosecuted the case, with valuable assistance provided by Trial Attorney Taryn Meeks of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
The case was investigated by the FBI’s Birmingham and Washington Field Offices, and the U.S. Capitol Police.
Former Sri Lankan Ambassador Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Sri Lankan GovernmentRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A former ambassador for Sri Lanka pleaded guilty today to diverting and attempting to embezzle $332,027 from the government of Sri Lanka during its 2013 purchase of a new embassy building in Washington, D.C.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Raymond Villanueva, Special Agent in Charge, Washington, D.C. Field Office, Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office Criminal Division.
Jaliya Chitran Wickramasuriya, 61, of Arlington, Virginia, served as ambassador for the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to the United States and to Mexico from 2008 to 2014. He pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to a charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The charge carries a statutory maximum of five years in prison and potential financial penalties.
The Honorable Tanya S. Chutkan scheduled sentencing for July 20, 2022.
According to court documents, from in or around late 2012 through November 2013, Wickramasuriya devised a scheme to defraud the government of Sri Lanka during its 2013 purchase of a new embassy building in Washington, D.C. by inflating the price of the real estate transaction by $332,027 and, at closing, diverting those funds from the government to two companies which had no role in the real estate transaction. At and after the January 2013 closing, Wickramasuriya directed these payments. Later in 2013, Wickramasuriya ultimately had an equal amount of funds redirected back to government accounts, leaving the Sri Lankan government with no loss.
In announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney Graves, HSI Special Agent in Charge Villanueva, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Jacobs commended the work of those who investigated the case from Homeland Security Investigations and FBI. They also acknowledged the efforts of those who handled the prosecution of the case, including Paralegal Specialists Brian Rickers and Angela DeFalco, Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Grisier, Alejandra Arias and Steven Brantley, of the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section of the Department of Justice, Assistant U.S. Attorney Arvind Lal of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, and Christian A. Levesque, Acting Deputy Chief of the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions (HRSP) Section of the Department’s Criminal Division. They also expressed appreciation for the assistance of the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs.
Jury Finds Maryland Man Guilty of First-Degree Murder in 2014 Killing of Woman in Southeast WashingtonRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Mark Bowser, 42, of Capitol Heights, Maryland, has been found guilty by a jury of first-degree murder while armed and other charges in a stabbing that resulted in 47 sharp force injuries and that took place inside the victim’s home in Southeast Washington. announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Bowser also was found guilty of assault with a dangerous weapon of a second victim, a related weapons offense for the knife, and two counts of obstructing justice. The verdict was returned on March 30, 2022, following a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The Honorable Milton C. Lee, Jr. scheduled sentencing for June 10, 2022. Bowser faces a minimum sentence of 30 years on the murder conviction alone.
According to the government’s evidence, on Sept. 20, 2014, at approximately 1:30 a.m. Bowser entered the home and bedroom of the homicide victim, Tracy Womack, as she was laying in her bed to sleep at her apartment in the 4600 block of Benning Road NE. Bowser and Ms. Womack had known each other for months and gathered together as people often did in this residential apartment area. After enjoying a normal weekend evening with neighbors and friends, Ms. Womack went into her bedroom, fully clothed, to go to sleep.
While two friends lingered in the apartment living room, Bowser walked into the unlocked apartment, into Ms. Womack’s bedroom, and shut the bedroom door. One of the friends, who could not get the bedroom door open, ran outside to look for help. When Bowser emerged from Ms. Womack’s apartment, Ms. Womack had suffered 47 stabbing and cutting wounds to her face, neck, torso, arms, and hands. Ms. Womack was also found with her pants and underwear pulled down to her thighs. Before fleeing the scene, Bowser lunged with the knife in hand towards a second victim who had come back to Ms. Womack’s home. Though rushed to a hospital, Ms. Womack, 39, was soon pronounced dead.
Bowser was arrested the next day and has been in custody since.
While the case was pending trial, Bowser attempted to mail a letter, instructing someone to locate two witnesses he claimed was lying in his case. Bowser listed them by name: the witness who ran to get help and the second victim Bowser threatened with the knife. In the letter, Bowser included a diagram of exactly where one of these witnesses lived and instructions on how to use the first witness to find the second witness. The mailroom at the District of Columbia Department of Corrections intercepted this letter after noting a discrepancy on the envelope, and this message to tamper with these witnesses was never delivered.
In announcing the verdict, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Contee commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force, and the District of Columbia Department of Forensic Sciences. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Debra Forte, Intelligence Analyst Zachary McMenamin, Victim/Witness Advocate Christina Bloodworth, former Victim/Witness Advocate Marcia Rinker, Supervisory Victim/Witness Services Coordinator Katina Adams-Washington, and Victim/Witness Services Coordinator La June Thames.
Finally, they commended the work of former Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Bradford, who indicted the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jin Park and Dennis Clark, who prosecuted the case.
Three District of Columbia Men Indicted on Federal Charges in Series of Armed Robberies of Retail and Commercial BusinessesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Three men, all from the District of Columbia, have been indicted on federal conspiracy charges stemming from a series of recent robberies of employees of various retail establishments, including gas stations, liquor stores, hotels, and restaurants.
The indictments, which were unsealed today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, were announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office Criminal Division, and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Those indicted include Stephon Harrigan, 28, his brother, Aaron Harrigan, 26, and Tavarus Thompson, 28. Stephon Harrigan was arrested on March 6, Tavarus Thompson was arrested on March 18, and Aaron Harrigan was arrested yesterday. All remain in custody pending further court proceedings.
As alleged in the indictment, beginning on or about Jan. 1, 2022, and continuing through at least March 6, 2022, the defendants agreed to carry out robberies of retail and commercial establishments. They had different roles in the crimes that followed. They wore dark clothing and often wore masks or other clothing over their faces as well as gloves. One or more of the defendants was armed with a firearm. They also used various vehicles, including stolen vehicles, to flee from establishments after the robberies or attempted robberies, the indictment alleges.
The indictment lists 25 robberies from Jan. 12 through Feb. 22, at locations in Northeast, Northwest and Southeast Washington as well as in Mount Rainier, Maryland, and Silver Spring, Maryland.
All three defendants were indicted on charges of conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by robbery and sale or receipt of stolen vehicles. Stephon Harrigan and Thompson also were indicted on firearms-related offenses, and Stephon Harrigan additionally was indicted on kidnapping and carjacking charges.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office’s Violent Crime Task Force and the Metropolitan Police Department’s Carjacking Task Force. Valuable assistance was provided by the FBI’s Columbia, South Carolina Field Office, and the Mount Rainier, Maryland and Montgomery County, Maryland Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rachel Fletcher and Solomon Eppel of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
Nine Defendants Indicted on Federal Civil Rights Conspiracy and Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE Act) Offenses for Obstructing Patients and Providers of a Reproductive Health Services FacilityRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia today announced a two-count indictment charging Lauren Handy, 28, of Alexandria, Virginia; Jonathan Darnel, 40, of Arlington, Virginia, Jay Smith, 32, of Freeport, New York; Paulette Harlow, 73, of Kingston, Massachusetts; Jean Marshall, 72, of Kingston, Massachusetts; John Hinshaw, 67, of Levittown, New York; Heather Idoni, 61, of Linden, Michigan; William Goodman, 52, of Bronx, New York; and Joan Bell, 74, of Montague, New Jersey, with federal civil rights offenses in connection with an alleged reproductive health care clinic invasion in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 22, 2020. The defendants were charged with conspiracy against rights and a FACE Act offense.
The indictment, returned by a federal grand jury in the District of Columbia, alleges that the nine defendants engaged in a conspiracy to create a blockade at the reproductive health care clinic to prevent the clinic from providing, and patients from receiving, reproductive health services. According to the indictment, as part of the conspiracy, Smith, Harlow, Marshall, Hinshaw, Idoni, Goodman and Bell traveled to Washington, D.C. from various northeast and midwestern states, to participate in a clinic blockade that was directed by Handy and was broadcast on Facebook by Darnel. According to the indictment, Handy, Smith, Harlow, Marshall, Hinshaw, Idoni, Goodman and Bell forcefully entered the clinic and set about blockading two clinic doors using their bodies, furniture, chains and ropes. Once the blockade was established, Darnel live-streamed footage of his co-defendants’ activities. The indictment also alleges that the nine defendants violated the FACE Act by using a physical obstruction to injure, intimidate and interfere with the clinic’s employees and a patient, because they were providing or obtaining reproductive health services.
If convicted of the offenses, the defendants each face up to a maximum of 11 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $350,000.
The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office. The case is being prosecuted by the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the District of New Jersey, District of Massachusetts, Eastern District of Michigan, Eastern District of New York, and Southern District of New York; and FBI Field Offices in Newark, New York City, Boston, and Detroit provided valuable assistance.
An indictment is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, and not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Three Men Found Guilty of Federal Charges in Series of Armed Robberies Targeting Area BusinessesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Three area men have been found guilty by a jury of federal offenses stemming from a string of 10 armed robberies of gas stations, liquor stores, convenience stores, and restaurants in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, all within a four-week period in 2018.
The verdict, returned yesterday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office Criminal Division, Marcus G. Jones, Chief of the Montgomery County, Maryland, Police Department, and Antonio DeVaul, Chief of the Takoma Park, Maryland Police Department.
Those convicted of federal conspiracy, robbery, and weapons charges include: Quaysa Flumo, 34, of Washington, D.C., Enyianna Onyewu, 29, of Silver Spring, Maryland, and Emmanuel Sumo, 27, of Takoma Park, Maryland. All remain held pending sentencing by the Honorable Amit P. Mehta. Onyewu is to be sentenced on July 22, 2022, Flumo on Aug. 12, 2022, and Sumo on Aug. 26, 2022.
According to the government’s evidence, throughout January 2018, the defendants, working together, robbed a series of gas stations, liquor stores, convenience stores, and restaurants in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. In each of the robberies, the defendants were armed with a .45 caliber handgun. They wore masks and gloves to avoid being identified. In several robberies, they physically assaulted store employees and put the gun directly to the heads of their victims. The robberies took place at various hours, including some in broad daylight. The victims remain shaken and shocked by the incidents. Fortunately, none of them sustained serious physical injuries.
During the trial, the government presented testimony from nearly 30 witnesses. The first robbery took place on Jan. 2, 2018, at a gas station in Silver Spring. Other targets were in Takoma Park, Maryland, Silver Spring, Maryland, Northwest Washington, and Arlington, Virginia. On Jan. 10, 2018, two robberies took place within a 45-minute period. The final robbery in the series took place on Jan. 29, 2018, at another gas station in Silver Spring.
Onyewu was arrested on Oct. 22, 2020. Sumo was arrested on Nov. 23, 2020, and Flumo was arrested on April 27, 2021.
In announcing the verdicts, U.S. Attorney Graves, Special Agent in Charge Jacobs, Chief Jones, and Chief DeVaul commended the work of those who investigated the case from the FBI’s Washington Field Office’s Violent Crime Task Force, the Montgomery County, Maryland Police Department, the Takoma Park, Maryland Police Department, the Metropolitan Police Department, the Prince George’s County, Maryland Police Department, and the Arlington County, Virginia Police Department.
They also expressed appreciation for the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Lenerz, Paralegal Specialists Candace Battle, Mary Downing, and Kim Hall, Legal Assistant Latoya Wade, Supervisory Litigation Technology Specialist Leif Hickling, and Litigation Technology Specialist William Henderson.
Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nihar Mohanty and Candice Wong, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
DEA Agrees to Assist in Testing of Suspected Narcotics in Cases Being Prosecuted in D.C. Superior CourtRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will perform drug testing at its laboratories on evidence submitted by prosecutors in District of Columbia cases under a new agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves.
The DEA will perform the testing under a one-year agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office following the loss of accreditation last year of the District of Columbia Department of Forensic Sciences (DFS), which had been doing the analysis since 2018. In addition to handling new cases, the DEA will test suspected narcotics in dozens of cases that are now pending in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
“Fentanyl and other dangerous narcotics are leading to hospitalizations and deaths in neighborhoods throughout our community,” said U.S. Attorney Graves. “We are committed to working with our law enforcement partners to act against those who distribute and sell these drugs. We are especially grateful to DEA Administrator Anne Milgram and the DEA for this significant support. The DEA’s agreement to test suspected narcotics will enable us to prosecute cases more effectively and efficiently and to achieve justice for those accused of drug offenses.”
The DEA worked with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and handled drug analysis for Superior Court cases until 2018, when the testing was shifted to DFS. On May 2, 2021, the ANSI National Accreditation Board withdrew its accreditation of DFS for all forensic evidence disciplines, creating a gap in the testing of suspected narcotics that the DEA’s laboratories now will fill.
District of Columbia Man Convicted in Drug Conspiracy for Trafficking over 40 Kilograms of Heroin, Fentanyl, and MarijuanaRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Linwood Douglas Thorne, 50, of Washington, D.C., was found guilty today by a jury of multiple counts related to large-scale drug trafficking case in which law enforcement seized five firearms and more than 44 kilograms of heroin, one of the largest seizures of heroin in D.C. history.
The verdict, following a trial in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal Division, and Charlie J. Patterson, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).
Thorne was found guilty of conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, and a firearms charge.
“This case demonstrates our resolve to protect our community from the dual threats of illegal guns and drugs,” said U.S. Attorney Graves. “Fentanyl has had an especially devastating impact on neighborhoods here and across the nation. With the support of the FBI, ATF and other partners, we will continue to target these activities and get illegal guns and drugs off our streets.”
“The impact of this investigation will be far-reaching as due to the actions of the defendant, a devastating amount of heroin laced with fentanyl was introduced onto the streets, which fanned the flames of a growing epidemic,” said Special Agent in Charge Jacobs of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal Division. “We will continue in our unyielding pursuit of those who traffic in guns and drugs and the resulting harm they bring to our communities. This investigation is yet another great example of the dedicated work the FBI and its partners undertake to hold these individuals accountable for their actions.”
“The individuals that took part in the activities surrounding this investigation are who we at ATF try to keep our communities safe from,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Patterson. “We work diligently with all of our partners to combat violent crimes in an effort to maintain public safety.”
In 2018, the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force began investigating Thorne, as a major heroin supplier. On Dec. 19, 2018, the FBI and ATF executed simultaneous search warrants on Thorne’s Maryland business and D.C. residence, finding 44 kilograms of heroin laced with fentanyl; 55 pounds of marijuana; five firearms; and significant drug paraphernalia. In addition to the search warrants, the task force’s investigation—which began in July of 2018—has led to the recovery of eight additional firearms, approximately 1.5 additional kilograms of marijuana, 260 additional grams of heroin, and several firearms magazines and accessories.
During trial, the government presented over a dozen civilian and law enforcement witnesses, along with digital and business records establishing and corroborating the defendant’s guilt. With these convictions, Thorne faces up to life imprisonment. He will be sentenced on July 8, 2022, by the Honorable Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell.
In announcing the verdict, U.S. Attorney Graves, Special Agent in Charge Jacobs, and Special Agent in Charge Patterson commended the work of those who investigated the case from the FBI and ATF, as well as those from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) on the Safe Streets Task Force. They also expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by joint law enforcement and prosecution partners, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland. They also acknowledged the efforts of those who handled the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gregory Rosen and Brandon Regan, as well as Paralegal Specialist Alexis Spencer-Anderson of the Federal Major Crimes Section.
District of Columbia Couple Sentenced on Charges in Death of Woman’s Two-Year-Old SonRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON –A District of Columbia couple was sentenced today on charges stemming from the death of a 2-year-old boy who had suffered extensive injuries while in their care, including multiple blunt force trauma, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Antonio Turner, 29, pleaded guilty on Jan. 27, 2022, to voluntary manslaughter in the death of Gabriel Eason. Ta’Jeanna Eason, 32, the boy’s mother, pleaded guilty on Jan. 27, 2022, to three counts of second-degree cruelty to children. Turner also pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree cruelty to children for injuries suffered by another of Eason’s sons, who was 3 years old at the time. Additionally, he pleaded guilty to a felony assault charge for attacking a woman after a traffic crash.
The pleas, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, were contingent upon the Court’s approval. They called for Turner to be sentenced to seven to 13 years in prison. Eason was to be sentenced to six years in prison with that time suspended on the condition that she have no future unsupervised contact with children and that she participate in mental health and drug treatment. The agreement also called for Eason to successfully complete a period of probation and supervised release.
The Honorable Milton C. Lee, Jr. accepted the pleas and sentenced Turner to 12 years and eight months in prison, including 11 years of that time for Gabriel’s death. Eason was sentenced to four years of probation and three years of supervised release with the agreed-upon conditions.
According to court documents, Turner and Eason had a romantic relationship and resided in the 900 block of Division Avenue NE. Turner was not the biological father of Eason’s three children. On April 1, 2020, at approximately 8:25 a.m., the Metropolitan Police Department responded to the residence to investigate a report of an unconscious person. When police arrived, Gabriel was deceased. Officers also observed a bump on the center of the 3-year-old’s forehead and noted that the child seemed to be drifting in and out of consciousness.
Later on April 1, 2020, both of Eason’s surviving sons were taken to Children’s National Medical Center for a medical evaluation. It was discovered that both had sustained apparent trauma to their bodies. The three-year-old had several different injuries, including bruises behind his ears and scalp, fractured ribs and a lacerated liver.
On April 2, 2020, the District of Columbia’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy of Gabriel. The examination found abrasions and contusions to the head, face, and torso, multiple rib fractures and healing fractured ribs, and other injuries, including to the heart and brain. The cause of death was ruled to be multiple blunt force injuries.
The charges against Eason involved her failure to seek immediate medical attention for Gabriel and his three-year-old brother, as well as for slapping and striking her other son.
Both defendants were arrested on Nov. 3, 2020, following an investigation. They were released pending further proceedings. On the morning of Nov. 29, 2021, Turner caused a woman’s car to crash in the 1800 block of New York Avenue NE. He then dragged her from the car and punched her multiple times in the face, causing her to fall and lose consciousness. Turner was arrested following this assault and has been detained ever since.
U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Contee commended the work of the detectives, officers, and others who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by 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 Specialists Stephanie Gilbert, Grazy Rivera, and Meridith McGarrity, former Victim/Witness Advocate Marcia Rinker, and Victim/Witness Program Specialist Amy Trotto. Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney David Gorman and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia G. Wright, who prosecuted the case.
Four Russian Government Employees Charged in Two Historical Hacking Campaigns Targeting Critical Infrastructure WorldwideRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - The Department of Justice unsealed two indictments today charging four defendants, all Russian nationals who worked for the Russian government, with attempting, supporting and conducting computer intrusions that together, in two separate conspiracies, targeted the global energy sector between 2012 and 2018. In total, these hacking campaigns targeted thousands of computers, at hundreds of companies and organizations, in approximately 135 countries.
A June 2021 indictment returned in the District of Columbia, United States v. Evgeny Viktorovich Gladkikh, concerns the alleged efforts of an employee of a Russian Ministry of Defense research institute and his co-conspirators to damage critical infrastructure outside the United States, thereby causing two separate emergency shutdowns at a foreign targeted facility. The conspiracy subsequently attempted to hack the computers of a U.S. company that managed similar critical infrastructure entities in the United States.
An August 2021 indictment returned in the District of Kansas, United States v. Pavel Aleksandrovich Akulov, et al., details allegations about a separate, two-phased campaign undertaken by three officers of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) and their co-conspirators to target and compromise the computers of hundreds of entities related to the energy sector worldwide. Access to such systems would have provided the Russian government the ability to, among other things, disrupt and damage such computer systems at a future time of its choosing.
“Russian state-sponsored hackers pose a serious and persistent threat to critical infrastructure both in the United States and around the world,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “Although the criminal charges unsealed today reflect past activity, they make crystal clear the urgent ongoing need for American businesses to harden their defenses and remain vigilant. Alongside our partners here at home and abroad, the Department of Justice is committed to exposing and holding accountable state-sponsored hackers who threaten our critical infrastructure with cyber-attacks.”
“The FBI, along with our federal and international partners, is laser-focused on countering the significant cyber threat Russia poses to our critical infrastructure,” said FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate. “We will continue to identify and quickly direct response assets to victims of Russian cyber activity; to arm our partners with the information that they need to deploy their own tools against the adversary; and to attribute the misconduct and impose consequences both seen and unseen.”
“We face no greater cyber threat than actors seeking to compromise critical infrastructure, offenses which could harm those working at affected plants as well as the citizens who depend on them,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia. “The department and my office will ensure that those attacking operational technology will be identified and prosecuted.”
“The potential of cyberattacks to disrupt, if not paralyze, the delivery of critical energy services to hospitals, homes, businesses and other locations essential to sustaining our communities is a reality in today’s world,” said U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard for the District of Kansas. “We must acknowledge there are individuals actively seeking to wreak havoc on our nation’s vital infrastructure system, and we must remain vigilant in our effort to thwart such attacks. The Department of Justice is committed to the pursuit and prosecution of accused hackers as part of its mission to protect the safety and security of our nation.”
In addition to unsealing these charges, the U.S. government is taking action to enhance private sector network defense efforts and disrupt similar malicious activity.
The Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has already released numerous Technical Alerts, ICS Alerts and Malware Analysis Reports regarding Russia’s malign cyber activities, including the campaigns discussed in the indictments. These are located at: https://www.cisa.gov/shields-up
- United States v. Evgeny Viktorovich Gladkikh – defendant installed backdoors and launched malware designed to compromise the safety of energy facilities
In June 2021, a federal grand jury in the District of Columbia returned an indictment charging Evgeny Viktorovich Gladkikh (Евгений Викторович Гладких), 36, a computer programmer employed by an institute affiliated with the Russian Ministry of Defense, for his role in a campaign to hack industrial control systems (ICS) and operational technology (OT) of global energy facilities using techniques designed to enable future physical damage with potentially catastrophic effects.
According to the indictment, between May and September 2017, the defendant and co-conspirators hacked the systems of a foreign refinery and installed malware, which cyber security researchers have referred to as “Triton” or “Trisis,” on a safety system produced by Schneider Electric, a multinational corporation. The conspirators designed the Triton malware to prevent the refinery’s safety systems from functioning (i.e., by causing the ICS to operate in an unsafe manner while appearing to be operating normally), granting the defendant and his co-conspirators the ability to cause damage to the refinery, injury to anyone nearby, and economic harm. However, when the defendant deployed the Triton malware, it caused a fault that led the refinery’s Schneider Electric safety systems to initiate two automatic emergency shutdowns of the refinery’s operations. Between February and July 2018, the conspirators researched similar refineries in the United States, which were owned by a U.S. company, and unsuccessfully attempted to hack the U.S. company’s computer systems.
The three-count indictment alleges that Gladkikh was an employee of the State Research Center of the Russian Federation FGUP Central Scientific Research Institute of Chemistry and Mechanics’ (Государственный научный центр Российской Федерации федеральное государственное унитарное предприятие Центральный научно-исследовательский институт химии и механики, hereinafter “TsNIIKhM”) Applied Developments Center (“Центр прикладных разработок,” hereinafter “ADC”). On its website, which was modified after the Triton attack became public, TsNIIKhM described itself as the Russian Ministry of Defense’s leading research organization. The ADC, in turn, publicly asserted that it engaged in research concerning information technology-related threats to critical infrastructure (i.e., that its research was defensive in nature).
The defendant is charged with one count of conspiracy to cause damage to an energy facility, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, one count of attempt to cause damage to an energy facility, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and one count of conspiracy to commit computer fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher B. Brown and Luke Jones for the District of Columbia, in partnership with the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, are prosecuting this case. The FBI’s Washington Field Office conducted the investigation.
The U.S.-based targets of the conspiracy cooperated and provided valuable assistance in the investigation. The Department of Justice and the FBI also expressed appreciation to Schneider Electric for its assistance in the investigation, particularly noting the company’s public outreach and education efforts following the overseas Triton attack.
- United States v. Pavel Aleksandrovich Akulov, Mikhail Mikhailovich Gavrilov, and Marat Valeryevich Tyukov – defendants undertook years-long effort to target and compromise computer systems of energy sector companies
On Aug. 26, 2021, a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Kansas, returned an indictment charging three computer hackers, all of whom were residents and nationals of the Russian Federation (Russia) and officers in Military Unit 71330 or “Center 16” of the FSB, with violating U.S. laws related to computer fraud and abuse, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and causing damage to the property of an energy facility.
The FSB hackers, Pavel Aleksandrovich Akulov (Павел Александрович Акулов), 36, Mikhail Mikhailovich Gavrilov (Михаил Михайлович Гаврилов), 42, and Marat Valeryevich Tyukov (Марат Валерьевич Тюков), 39, were members of a Center 16 operational unit known among cybersecurity researchers as “Dragonfly,” “Berzerk Bear,” “Energetic Bear,” and “Crouching Yeti.” The indictment alleges that, between 2012 and 2017, Akulov, Gavrilov, Tyukov and their co-conspirators, engaged in computer intrusions, including supply chain attacks, in furtherance of the Russian government’s efforts to maintain surreptitious, unauthorized and persistent access to the computer networks of companies and organizations in the international energy sector, including oil and gas firms, nuclear power plants, and utility and power transmission companies. Specifically, the conspirators targeted the software and hardware that controls equipment in power generation facilities, known as ICS or Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems. Access to such systems would have provided the Russian government the ability to, among other things, disrupt and damage such computer systems at a future time of its choosing.
According to the indictment, the energy sector campaign involved two phases. In the first phase, which took place between 2012 and 2014 and is commonly referred to by cyber security researchers as “Dragonfly” or “Havex,” the conspirators engaged in a supply chain attack, compromising the computer networks of ICS/SCADA system manufacturers and software providers and then hiding malware – known publicly as “Havex” – inside legitimate software updates for such systems. After unsuspecting customers downloaded Havex-infected updates, the conspirators would use the malware to, among other things, create backdoors into infected systems and scan victims’ networks for additional ICS/SCADA devices. Through these and other efforts, including spearphishing and “watering hole” attacks, the conspirators installed malware on more than 17,000 unique devices in the United States and abroad, including ICS/SCADA controllers used by power and energy companies.
In the second phase, which took place between 2014 and 2017 and is commonly referred to as “Dragonfly 2.0,” the conspirators transitioned to more targeted compromises that focused on specific energy sector entities and individuals and engineers who worked with ICS/SCADA systems. As alleged in the indictment, the conspirators’ tactics included spearphishing attacks targeting more than 3,300 users at more than 500 U.S. and international companies and entities, in addition to U.S. government agencies such as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. In some cases, the spearphishing attacks were successful, including in the compromise of the business network (i.e., involving computers not directly connected to ICS/SCADA equipment) of the Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation (Wolf Creek) in Burlington, Kansas, which operates a nuclear power plant. Moreover, after establishing an illegal foothold in a particular network, the conspirators typically used that foothold to penetrate further into the network by obtaining access to other computers and networks at the victim entity.
During the Dragonfly 2.0 phase, the conspirators also undertook a watering hole attack by compromising servers that hosted websites commonly visited by ICS/SCADA system and other energy sector engineers through publicly known vulnerabilities in content management software. When the engineers browsed to a compromised website, the conspirators’ hidden scripts deployed malware designed to capture login credentials onto their computers.
The conspiracy’s hacking campaign targeted victims in the United States and in more than 135 other countries.
Akulov, Gavrilov and Tyukov are charged with conspiracy to cause damage to the property of an energy facility and commit computer fraud and abuse, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, and conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Akulov and Gavrilov are also charged with substantive counts of wire fraud and computer fraud related to unlawfully obtaining information from computers and causing damage to computers. These offenses carry maximum sentences ranging from five to 20 years in prison. Finally, Akulov and Gavrilov are also charged with three counts of aggravated identity theft, each of which carry a minimum sentence of two years consecutive to any other sentence imposed.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Scott Rask, Christopher Oakley and Ryan Huschka for the District of Kansas, and Counsel for Cyber Investigations Ali Ahmad and Trial Attorney Christine Bonomo of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting this case. The FBI’s Portland and Richmond field offices conducted the investigation, with the assistance of the FBI’s Cyber Division.
Numerous victims, including Wolf Creek and its owners Evergy and the Kansas Electric Power Cooperative, cooperated and provided invaluable assistance in the investigation.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Former Defense Contractor Executive Pleads Guilty to Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A former managing director for a defense contractor pleaded guilty today to tax evasion.
According to court documents and statements made in court, from 2010 through 2019, James M. Robar, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, did not timely file tax returns with the IRS. Beginning in approximately February 2012, James Robar was employed by a U.S. Department of Defense contracting company, eventually serving as its managing director starting in 2015. In 2016 and 2017, Robar evaded taxes by having his employer hold his bonus payments in an offshore corporate bank account rather than have those funds transferred to his domestic bank account. In 2019, after receiving a $1 million bonus from his employer, Robar purchased two properties at a total cost of slightly more than $1 million, and he titled both properties solely in his spouse’s name. In total, Robar did not report approximately $5.5 million in compensation he earned from 2012 through 2019, causing a tax loss to the government of more than $1.5 million.
Robar is the second defendant associated with the defense contracting company to plead guilty. Charles Squires pleaded guilty to tax evasion in February 2022.
Robar is scheduled to be sentenced at a later date and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia made the announcement.
IRS-Criminal Investigation and the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction are conducting the investigation.
Assistance was provided by the Joint Chiefs of Global Tax Enforcement (J5), which brings together the taxing authorities of Australia, Canada, Netherlands, United Kingdom and the United States.
Senior Litigation Counsel Nanette Davis and Trial Attorneys Brittney Campbell and Sarah Ranney of the Tax Division, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Leslie Goemaat of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia are prosecuting the case.
Three Men Sentenced to Prison Terms for Firing Weapons in Early Evening on Residential Street in Northeast WashingtonRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Three men were sentenced today to prison terms for their roles in an early-evening shooting in Northeast Washington on June 12, 2020, in which dozens of shots were fired from handguns and assault rifles, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
The men, who pleaded guilty to charges in November 2021, include Davon Pratt, 23, of Washington, D.C., Jamar Turner, 19, of Washington, D.C., and Quintin Martin, 25, of Glenarden, Maryland A fourth man, Tevon Brent, 28, of Alexandria, Virginia, previously was sentenced for his role in the crime.
Pratt and Turner also pleaded guilty to charges in a second shooting carried out earlier the same day in June 2020, and Pratt pleaded guilty to charges related to an armed robbery in March 2020.
According to the government’s evidence, all four defendants fired or attempted to fire their weapons in the early evening shooting on June 12, 2020. This shooting was captured on surveillance, where multiple pedestrians, including children, are seen running for cover. Pratt and Turner drove to the neighborhood of the 1200 block of Simms Place NE in a 2018 Audi and got out of the vehicle at approximately 6:40 p.m. Pratt was armed with an assault rifle. Turner was armed with a semiautomatic pistol. Both fired their weapons multiple times and fled to the car. Martin also fired a pistol on the street. Brent, meanwhile, retrieved an assault rifle from another car and attempted to fire the weapon.
No one was identified as being injured in this shooting on Simms Place; however two apartments on this block suffered bullet holes in their windows as a result of this shooting. There were approximately 54 shell casings found throughout the 1200 block of Simms Place and around a nearby alley.
Just four hours before this attack, Pratt and Turner carried out another shooting in broad daylight on a nearby street, the 1200 block of Meigs Place NE. According to the government’s evidence, the two drove to the area in a 2017 Infiniti at about 2:30 p.m., pursuing a man in a motor scooter. Turner fired a semi-automatic pistol several times from a passenger window, at close range, causing the man to be flung from his scooter to the ground. He was hospitalized for gunshot wounds to his left arm and left buttock area and continues to have difficulty walking.
Months prior to these shootings, in March 2020, Pratt and others lured two victims to the 2400 block of E Street NE through an online advertisement falsely offering to see a car. They stole a wallet, iWatch, designer purse, cellphones and $6,000 from the victims.
Martin was arrested in June 2020. Pratt and Turner were arrested in October 2020. Bratt was arrested in March 2021.
All four defendants were sentenced by the Honorable Milton C. Lee is the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
Pratt pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated assault, attempted assault with a dangerous weapon, attempted robbery, and two firearms charges. He was sentenced to a total of 136 months in prison, including 32 months for the shooting on Simms Place.
Turner pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon, attempted assault with a dangerous weapon and two firearms charges. He was sentenced to total of 66 months in prison, including 18 months for the shooting on Simms Place.
Martin pleaded guilty to one count of attempted assault with a dangerous weapon and a firearms charge for the Simms Place shooting. He was sentenced to 16 months in prison.
Brent pleaded guilty to one count of attempted assault with a dangerous weapon and a firearms charge in the Simms Place shooting. He was previously sentenced to a 24-month prison term.
Following their release from prison, all of the defendants will be placed on three years of supervised release.
In announcing the sentences, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Contee commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by the FBI’s Washington Field Office. They also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney's Office, including Paralegal Specialist Crystal Waddy. Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marco Crocetti, Jessica L.D. Ans, and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Fretto Lingwood, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
Off-Duty Virginia Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Felony Conspiracy Charge in Jan. 6 Capitol BreachRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – An off-duty police officer from Virginia pleaded guilty today to a felony charge related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, which disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress that was in the process of ascertaining and counting the electoral votes related to the presidential election.
Jacob Fracker, 30, of Rocky Mount, Virginia, pleaded guilty in the District of Columbia to a felony charge of conspiracy. According to court documents, Fracker and Thomas Robertson, both officers with the Rocky Mount, Virginia Police Department, were off-duty when they headed for Washington, D.C. on the morning of Jan. 6. Both brought along their police identification badges and firearms but left those in their vehicle when they arrived in the Washington metropolitan area. They went to the Washington Monument area, where they attended a rally, and then headed to the Capitol, where a mob was gathering.
According to the documents, both donned gas masks and approached the Lower West Terrace of the Capitol. Fracker entered the Capitol at approximately 2:14 p.m. and took a selfie along with
Robertson of themselves making an obscene gesture in front of a statue in the Capitol Crypt.In his plea, Fracker admitted that by the time he and Robertson entered the Capitol, they had agreed to attempt to impede, stop, or delay the proceedings going on before Congress and that they
aided, assisted, encouraged, and facilitated each other in the conduct.Fracker was arrested on Jan.13, 2021. He faces up to five years in prison and a potential fine of up to $250,000. A sentencing date will be set later in the U.S. District Court for the District of
Columbia. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.Robertson, 49, also was arrested on Jan. 13, 2021. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges in the case and is awaiting trial.
The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia.
The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office and the Roanoke Resident Agency of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S.Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.
In the 14 months since Jan. 6, more than 775 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including over 245 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.
An indictment or complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumedinnocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Leader of Guatemalan Drug Trafficking Organization and Guatemalan Politician Indicted for International Cocaine TraffickingRead the Press Release
A federal court in the District of Columbia today unsealed two separate indictments charging Aler Baldomero Samayoa-Recinos, aka Chicharra, and his son-in-law Freddy Arnoldo Salazar Flores, aka Fredy, Freshco, Boyca, Boyka, Torojo, Flaquillo, and Flaco, with conspiracy to distribute five kilograms of cocaine for importation to the United States. Salazar Flores is a representative of the Central American Parliament (PARLACEN).
A grand jury in the District of Columbia returned an indictment against Samayoa-Recinos on Aug. 1, 2018. According to court documents, beginning as early as 2006 and through 2016, Samayoa-Recinos allegedly conspired with others to import more than five kilograms of cocaine into the United States from Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico.
A grand jury in the District of Columbia returned an indictment against Salazar Flores on May 30, 2017. According to court documents, beginning as early as 2010 and through May 2017, Salazar Flores allegedly conspired with others to import more than five kilograms of cocaine into the United States from Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico.
This case was supported by the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The DEA’s Bilateral Investigations Unit and Guatemala Country Office are investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys Imani Hutty, Teresita Mutton, and Doug Meisel of the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section are prosecuting the case. The Criminal Division’s Office of Enforcement Operations and Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Maryland Man Sentenced to 7 ½-Year Prison Term for Attacks on Motorists over Three-Day PeriodRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Adrian Proctor, 23, of Fort Washington, Md., has been sentenced to a 7 ½-year prison term for carjacking and other charges stemming from a pair of crimes that took place over a three-day period, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Proctor pleaded guilty in October 2021, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to carjacking, attempted robbery and a felon-in possession firearms offense. The plea, which was contingent upon the Court’s approval, called for an agreed upon 7 ½-year prison term. Yesterday, the Honorable James A. Crowell IV approved the agreement and sentenced Proctor accordingly. Judge Crowell denied the defense request for sentencing under the Youth Rehabilitation Act. Following his prison term, Proctor will be placed on three years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence, on June 19, 2020, at approximately 6:45 a.m., Proctor was in a car that rammed into an Audi in the 1400 block of P Street NW. Both the victim and Proctor got out of their vehicles, and Proctor, who was armed with a firearm, demanded the victim’s car keys. He then got into the victim’s car and fled westbound on P Street NW.
In a second incident, on June 22, 2020, at approximately 8:40 p.m., Proctor was in a vehicle that double-parked next to a Chevrolet Camaro in the 2900 block of V Street NE. The victim was in the Camaro, attempting to take a nap. Proctor reached inside, unlocked the door, and attempted to pull the victim out of the driver’s seat. The victim complained and screamed to people nearby to call the police. The victim took the key out of the ignition and ran. Proctor unsuccessfully attempted to start the vehicle with another key that was left inside. He then fled with a backpack and portable speaker that he took from the car, but he was arrested afterward by the Metropolitan Police Department and has been in custody ever since.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Contee commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also expressed appreciation for the efforts of those who handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including former Assistant U.S. Attorney Vivien Cockburn, Special Agents Geoffrey Guska, Mark Crawford, and Nelson Rhone, all of the Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Unit, and Paralegal Specialist Crystal Waddy.
Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erin M. DeRiso, Sarah Folse, and Brian Ganjei, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
District Man Sentenced to 39-Month Prison Term on Weapons and Assault ChargesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - Kenneth Deberry, 40, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 39 months in prison for illegal possession by a felon of a firearm and assault, stemming from his arrest in separate cases, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Deberry pleaded guilty in October 2021, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, a federal offense, as well as simple assault, a District of Columbia offense. He was sentenced by the Honorable Tanya S. Chutkan to 33 months in prison on the weapons charge, and another 180 days for assault. Following completion of his prison term, he will be placed on three years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence, on Nov. 14, 2020, at approximately 4 p.m., MPD responded to the area of 17th and I Streets NW after reports of assaults occurring during a march taking place that day. Deberry, who was suspected of carrying out one of the assaults, was apprehended by officers. During a search, police recovered a loaded .38-caliber revolver in his waistband. Deberry was barred from possessing a firearm because of previous convictions in the District of Columbia for robbery, sexual abuse of a child, and other felony offenses. As part of the plea, the government dismissed assault and disorderly conduct charges in this incident.
Six months later, on May 14, 2021, while he was on home detention pending trial, Deberry got into an argument with a male relative at his home. During the argument, he strangled the relative, repeatedly punched him in the face, and later pushed him from behind when the man tried to flee. The man was hospitalized and suffered a collapsed lung, fractured ribs, a broken nose, and other injuries. Deberry was arrested and has been in custody ever since.
In announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Contee commended the work of the officers from the Metropolitan Police Department who investigated both incidents. They also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the cases from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary L. Dohrmann and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily (Meg) Ariotti, who prosecuted the matter with assistance from former Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michelle McLeod and Thomas Caldwell.
Man Sentenced to Nine-Year Prison Term for Robbery and Attempted Robbery of StoresRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Raydrian Scott, 25, who had no fixed address, was sentenced today to nine years in prison for attempting to rob one store in Northeast Washington and robbing another store in Southeast Washington over a two-day period last fall, announced U.S Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department.
Scott pleaded guilty in January 2022, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to charges of armed robbery and attempted robbery. The plea, which was contingent upon the Court’s approval, called for a nine-year prison term. The Honorable J. Michael Ryan accepted the plea today and sentenced Scott accordingly. Following his prison term, Scott will be placed on three years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence, on Oct. 8, 2021, at approximately 3:30 p.m., Scott walked into a store in the 900 block of H Street NE. Scott appeared to browse the store’s merchandise when a clerk offered to assist. When greeted by the clerk, Scott, with his right hand in his jacket’s front pocket, stated, “Give me all the money in the register. I have a gun in my pocket.” The clerk was able to go away and head to the back of the store and Scott left out of the front entrance.
The following day at about 5:55 p.m., Scott walked into another store, this time in the 400 block of Eighth Street SE. He walked around the store before ordering an employee, “Open the register now. I have a gun. Open it, or I will shoot you.” Scott kept his left hand in his jacket’s front pocket, imitating a firearm. The employee gave Scott approximately $500 to $600, and Scott left the store. Scott was arrested a short time later in Northeast Washington and has been detained ever since.
At the time of the crimes, Scott was on supervision for previous convictions in Colorado.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Contee 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 Specialist Allison Daniels. Finally, they expressed appreciation for the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney LaVater Massie-Banks, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
Maryland Man Pleads Guilty to Killing Construction Worker in Attack at Northeast Washington HomeRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – George Miller, 27, of Capitol Heights, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to a charge of second-degree murder while armed for killing a construction worker in November 2020 in Northeast Washington, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Miller pleaded guilty in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. He is to be sentenced on June 28, 2022, by the Honorable Robert Okun.
According to the government’s evidence, at approximately 1:40 p.m. on Nov. 18, 2020, Miller rode a bicycle toward a house that was under construction in the 1600 block of Olive Street NE. He entered the building and pointed a gun at Elias Flores, who was working at the site. He held Mr. Flores at gunpoint and took some of his property. Miller then shot Mr. Flores once in the head before fleeing the scene. When first responders arrived, Mr. Flores was not conscious but was breathing and suffering from a single gunshot wound to the head. Mr. Flores, 48, was taken to a hospital, where he died on Nov. 23, 2020.
Miller was arrested on Dec 9, 2020. He has been in custody ever since.
In announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Contee commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also expressed appreciation for the efforts of those who handled the case at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Tasha Harris and Victim/Witness Advocate Karina Hernandez. Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariel L. Dean, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
Virginia Man Sentenced to Prison for Defrauding Apple Inc.Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Teang Liu, 38, of Alexandria, Virginia, a citizen of the People’s Republic of China, was sentenced today to 12 months and a day in prison for participating in a conspiracy to defraud Apple Inc. out of more than $1 million.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Raymond Villanueva, Special Agent in Charge, Washington, D.C. Field Office, Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, and Greg Torbenson, U.S. Postal Inspector in Charge for the Washington Division, U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Liu pleaded guilty in February 2021, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud. In addition to the prison term, the Honorable Emmet G. Sullivan ordered Liu to pay $577,780 in restitution and $57,780 in a forfeiture money judgment. Followning his prison term, Liu will be placed on a year of supervised release.
Liu moved to the United States in 2011. In 2014, he obtained his master’s degree in finance from George Washington University. From at least June 2016 to at least June 2018, he actively participated in a conspiracy to defraud Apple. Liu was recruited to join the conspiracy by Haiteng Wu. Wu also recruited Jiahong Cai, Wu’s wife, to participate in the scheme. Like Liu, Wu and Cai are citizens of the People’s Republic of China.
As part of the scheme, conspirators received shipments of inauthentic iPhones from Hong Kong. Those phones contained spoofed IMEI numbers and serial numbers that corresponded with authentic in-warranty iPhones. The conspirators then returned the inauthentic phones to Apple, claiming that the phones were legitimate, in-warranty phones, all in an effort to receive authentic replacement iPhones from Apple. The fraudulently obtained authentic iPhones were then shipped back to conspirators overseas, including in Hong Kong.
Liu’s particular role in the conspiracy included opening dozens of commercial mail agency mailboxes -- mostly at UPS Stores -- using fake identification cards that Wu provided to him, returning fraudulent phones to Apple retail stores, and traveling to the Rocky Mountains and Florida to facilitate the fraud.
The conspirators acknowledged successfully defrauding Apple out of nearly $1 million and intending to defraud the company out of even more money.
Wu, Cai, and Liu were arrested in December 2019. Wu and Cai were detained from the time of their arrests to their sentencings. Each pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud in May 2020. Cai ultimately ended up spending five months at a D.C. jail as part of her sentence. She also was ordered removed from the United States. Wu was sentenced on Feb. 1, 2021, to time served, approximately 26 months that he spent in custody.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kondi Kleinman of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia’s Fraud, Public Corruption, and Civil Rights Section, and Senior Counsel Ryan K.J. Dickey of the Justice Department’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section. They were assisted by Paralegal Specialists Michon Tart, Mariela Andrade, Amanda Rohde, and Brian Rickers, former Paralegal Specialists Jessica Mundi, Brittany Phillips, and Angeline Thekkumthala, and Records Examiner Angela De Falco.
Project Concern International, a Global Health Non-Profit Organization, Agrees to Pay $537,500 to Resolve False Claims Act ActionRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Project Concern International (PCI) has agreed to pay the United States $537,500 to resolve allegations that it knowingly submitted false claims to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in PCI’s performance of grants to provide agricultural and other aid to developing countries.
The announcement was made today by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Special Agent in Charge Mark Day for the USAID Office of Inspector General (OIG).
“This agreement demonstrates our resolve to hold accountable any organization that mishandles federal funds,” said U.S. Attorney Graves. “Organizations such as PCI are entrusted to provide vital humanitarian assistance to those in need, and the United States will ensure that a violation of that trust will be investigated and prosecuted.”
“This settlement reflects the consequences for submitting false invoices to USAID for work not actually performed,” said USAID OIG Special Agent in Charge Day. “Organizations receiving USAID funds must establish checks and controls in their accounting systems to ensure that fraud schemes like this are detected and disrupted early on. USAID OIG, through its global investigative activities, will continue to work with our partners at the Department of Justice to hold accountable those who, through corruption and fraud, compromise the operations of critical U.S. foreign assistance programs.”
PCI is a global health non-profit organization headquartered in San Diego, California, and operates a second office in Washington, D.C. Based on information from a whistleblower, a review of PCI internal communications and financial records by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the USAID OIG for the period 2014 to 2016 determined that PCI was improperly shifting costs between projects, and sometimes using USAID grant funds to cover for privately-funded projects.
Specifically, once grant funding for one assistance project was depleted, PCI supervisors would instruct its employees to bill their time or other costs to separate and unrelated USAID grant projects that had money remaining in their accounts, even though those employees did not work on that project. PCI then certified to USAID that it used the grant funds only as allowed under each project.
PCI through its legal counsel, cooperated with the investigation and agreed to settle the matter prior to a determination of liability in the civil case. Under the settlement agreement, PCI agreed to reimburse USAID $215,000, the estimated amount of mis-charged costs, and an additional multiplier penalty under the False Claims Act of $322,500, for a total of $537,500. PCI also agreed to pay the reasonable attorney’s fees incurred by the whistleblower.
The investigation in this matter was conducted by USAID OIG and Assistant U.S. Attorney Darrell Valdez of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
The case is captioned United States. ex rel. Seims v. Project Concern International, Inc., No. 1-20-cv-0389 (D.D.C.)
District of Columbia Man Sentenced to 70 Months in Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Narcotics and Use FirearmsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Andre Nickens, 22, of Washington D.C., was sentenced today to 70 months in federal prison for his role in an ongoing conspiracy to distribute narcotics and a related conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal Division, and Charlie J. Patterson, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).
Nickens is one of more than a dozen individuals arrested as part of a joint FBI/ATF investigation which resulted in the seizure of more than 34 pounds of marijuana, 16 firearms, and more than $270,000 in cash.
Nickens, who used the street nickname “Dreco,” pleaded guilty in November 2021, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, to one count of conspiracy to distribute more than 100 kilograms of marijuana, as well as oxycodone and codeine. As part of his plea agreement, Nickens admitted to participating in a separate conspiracy to use, carry, and possess firearms and to serving in a leadership role of both conspiracies. He was sentenced by the Honorable Amy Berman Jackson. Following his prison term, Nickens will be placed on four years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence, beginning in approximately June 2018, and continuing through April 2021, Nickens and his co-conspirators maintained drug-dealing territory on Trenton Place SE in the Congress Heights neighborhood of Washington, D.C. – a territory they defended by carrying, and discharging, firearms at perceived rivals. As part of his role in the conspiracy, Nickens distributed narcotics in street-level transactions and served as an armed defender of the co-conspirators’ drug-dealing territory. Nickens encouraged his co-conspirators to pool their money and buy as many firearms as possible for use in defending their territory, and admitted to having participated in shootings in defense of the co-conspirators’ territory.
Nickens was arrested on April 22, 2021. He has been detained ever since.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves, Special Agent in Charge Jacobs, and Special Agent in Charge Patterson commended the work of those who investigated the case from the FBI and ATF. They also expressed appreciation to those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialists Genevieve de Guzman, Kim Hall, and Teesha Tobias. Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney James B. Nelson, who investigated and prosecuted the case, with help from Assistant U.S. Attorney Kaitlin Vaillancourt and former Assistant U.S Attorney Christopher Berridge.
Maryland Woman Sentenced to 33 Months in Prison for Embezzling over $230,000 from EmployerRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Aurelia Stanton, 40, of Baltimore, Maryland, and formerly of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 33 months in prison for embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from her former employer.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal Division Wayne A. Jacobs.
Stanton pleaded guilty in September 2021, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, to bank fraud. She was sentenced by the Honorable Trevor N. McFadden. Following her prison term, she will be placed on five years of supervised release. She also must pay about $233,000 in restitution and an identical amount in a forfeiture money judgment.
According to the government’s evidence, Stanton worked as an office manager from approximately June 2014 through May 2017 for a business, identified in court documents as “Company A.” She was responsible for ensuring timely payment of bills and invoices, accurate bookkeeping, and managing the office. From August 2015 through May 2017, according to court documents, she embezzled more than $233,000 writing checks to herself on the company’s check stock. She used a computer software program to conceal the fraudulent disbursements by editing the company’s bank statements to remove references to the fraudulently drafted, forged, and negotiated checks. In total, she deposited 187 checks with forged signatures.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Special Agent in Charge Jacobs commended the work of those who investigated the case from the FBI’s Washington Field Office. They also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including former Paralegal Specialists Brittany Phillips and Jessica Mundi.
Finally, they commended the work of former Assistant U.S. Attorney Derrick Williams, who investigated and indicted the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kondi Kleinman, who investigated and prosecuted the matter.
Florida Woman Pleads Guilty to Embezzling over $270,000 from Non-Profit OrganizationRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Kristina Ann Ballard, 52, of Largo, Florida, pleaded guilty today to embezzling more than $270,000 from her former employer, a nonprofit organization. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Criminal Division.
Ballard pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to a charge of wire fraud. Under federal sentencing guidelines, she faces a likely recommended sentence of between 33 and 41 months in prison. As part of the plea agreement, Ballard will be ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $271,465 and also will be liable for a forfeiture money judgment in that same amount. The Honorable Emmet G. Sullivan scheduled sentencing for July 22, 2022.
In court documents, Ballard admitted that she worked for the nonprofit organization in Washington, D.C., between August 2014 and December 2020, at which point she was fired for poor performance. She served as the organization’s Director of Finance.
From January 2015 through December 2020, Ballard embezzled $271,465 from the organization. She fraudulently wired organization funds to bank accounts that she controlled, intercepted credit card rewards checks issued to the organization, and then deposited those checks into a bank account she controlled, and fraudulently charged personal purchases on the organization’s credit card. On Nov. 5, 2020, she used the organization’s credit card to pay $24,694 in restitution to the Arlington County Circuit Court for a prior embezzlement scheme for which she was convicted in Virginia.
Ballard concealed her fraud from the organization by listing various beneficiary names on wire transfers and creating fake invoices, often using fake company names. She also forged the Executive Director’s signature on the credit card rewards checks before she deposited them.
In announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney Graves and Special Agent in Charge Jacobs commended those who investigated the case from the FBI’s Washington Field Office. They also expressed appreciation for the work of those who handled the case at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Michon Tart and former Paralegal Specialist Angeline Thekkumthala. Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Kondi Kleinman, who prosecuted the case.
District Man Pleads Guilty in Schemes to Defraud Small Business Pandemic Relief Programs and the Archdiocese of WashingtonRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Kenneth Gaughan, 43, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty today to carrying out two separate financial schemes. In one, he fraudulently obtained more than $2.1 million in federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL). In the other, he embezzled more than $438,000 in funds from the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., where he was previously employed as Assistant Superintendent.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Darrell Waldon, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, Washington, D.C. Field Office, Thomas J. Sobocinski, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office, and Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of the Inspector General, Eastern Region.
Gaughan, who used the alias of Richard Strauski, carried out his scheme targeting federal funds from at least March 2020 through August 2020. The PPP loans were created through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. These forgivable loans were to be used by businesses and organizations for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent and utilities. The EIDL loans, part of a program run by the Small Business Administration, also are designed to help businesses and organizations facing hardship.
In Gaughan’s case, he used funds from the two programs, in part, to purchase a $300,000 yacht, a $1.13 million rowhouse, and a $46,000 luxury sports sedan.
“While small businesses were struggling to stay afloat, Kenneth Gaughan stole taxpayer dollars to fund his lavish lifestyle, home, car, and yacht,” said U.S. Attorney Graves. “These emergency funds were intended to help our small businesses weather the COVID-19 pandemic, not line the pockets of fraudsters. Yet this defendant brazenly undertook his scheme even after stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from his former faith-based employer.”
“Kenneth Gaughan saw an opportunity to enrich his lifestyle by defrauding taxpayers and diverting funds meant to help struggling businesses during one of our nation’s most difficult times,” said IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Waldon. “Our IRS-CI special agents will continue to lead COVID-related fraud cases and work with our law enforcement partners to bring these criminals to justice.”
“Mr. Gaughan was so emboldened by deceiving a church for several years he then turned his deception to the government, stealing funds that were meant to be a lifeline for struggling businesses and greedily using them to satisfy his own materialistic desires,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Sobocinski. “The FBI, and our law enforcement partners, will continue to diligently investigate these crimes of fraud and hold those individuals accountable.”
“Greed has no place in SBA’s programs that are intended to provide assistance to the nation’s small businesses struggling with the pandemic challenges,” said SBA-OIG Special Agent in Charge McCall-Brathwaite. “Our Office will remain relentless in the pursuit of fraudsters who seek to exploit SBA’s vital economic programs. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their dedication and commitment to seeing justice served.”
Gaughan was arrested in both cases on Aug. 11, 2020. He pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to three counts: one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering in the PPP and EIDL case, and one count of wire fraud in the case involving the Archdiocese. Gaughan is scheduled to be sentenced by the Honorable Tanya S. Chutkan on June 15, 2022.
The wire fraud charges each carry a statutory maximum of 20 years in prison. The money laundering charge carries a statutory maximum of 10 years in prison. Gaughan will be required to pay restitution for the PPP and EIDL fraud in the amount of $2,182,465 and to the Archdiocese in the amount of $438,200. He will also be required to pay a forfeiture money judgment. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
According to the government’s evidence, in the course of his scheme, Gaughan sought over $2.7 million in PPP loans on behalf of nine companies. Some of the applications were submitted in his own name, and others were in the name of another individual. Gaughan received approximately $2.1 million in PPP and EIDL funds through applications to SBA lenders for the companies, which falsely purport to register emotional support animals. Gaughan made false representations to receive the loan funds, including forged paperwork and bank records.
Gaughan then used a portion of the loan proceeds to purchase a 2020 Cruisers Yachts 338 CX 33-foot watercraft, a 2020 Kia Stinger, and a rowhouse in Northeast Washington. At the time of Gaughan’s arrest, the government obtained a warrant authorizing the seizure of the yacht, the Kia Stinger, Gaughan’s investment account, and Gaughan’s bank accounts. The government also filed a civil forfeiture complaint against a home Gaughan purchased with his fraudulently obtained proceeds. Additionally, the government filed a lis pendens on that property to give proper notice of the forfeiture litigation and to prevent the sale of the property prior to the resolution of this case.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to millions of Americans suffering from the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses through the PPP. The PPP allows qualifying small businesses and other organizations to receive loans with a maturity of two years and an interest rate of one percent. Businesses must use PPP loan proceeds for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent and utilities. The PPP allows the interest and principal to be forgiven if businesses spend the proceeds on these expenses within a set time period and use at least a certain percentage of the loan towards payroll expenses.
EIDL is an existing SBA program designed to provide economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. EIDL provides loan assistance, including up to $10,000 advances, for small businesses and other eligible entities for loans up to $2 million. The EIDL proceeds can be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that could have been paid had the disaster not occurred; however, such loan proceeds are not intended to replace lost sales or profits or for expansion of a business. Unlike certain other types of SBA-guaranteed loans, EIDL funds are issued directly from the United States Treasury and applicants apply through the SBA via an online portal and application.
In the second scheme, Gaughan admitted defrauding the Archdiocese of Washington of over $438,000. Gaughan began working for the Archdiocese as its Director of Counseling in 2008 and was later promoted to Assistant Superintendent. In his role, Gaughan was responsible for recruiting and acting as the point of contact for contractors who provided various services to the Archdiocese. These included contractors that could help the Archdiocese implement anti-bullying, crisis intervention, and professional development programs at the approximately 95 Catholic schools overseen by the Archdiocese in Maryland and Washington, D.C. Gaughan also obtained invoices for services from contractors and provided those invoices, along with requests for payment and supporting documentation, to his superiors for approval.
Beginning in at least June 2010 and continuing through April 2018, Gaughan caused the Archdiocese to pay invoices manufactured by Gaughan purportedly for anti-bullying and crisis intervention programs, as well as for software used to send mass messages to Archdiocese students and families. To execute the scheme, Gaughan concealed his ownership and control of three companies, including by submitting forms using an alias. Gaughan then transmitted fraudulent invoices for these companies and persuaded the Archdiocese to issue checks for services that Gaughan knew the companies did not provide as represented. Gaughan opened virtual and private mailboxes to receive the checks issued to pay for the fraudulent invoices. He deposited the checks into the bank accounts he controlled and converted the money to his personal use.
The PPP and EIDL matters were investigated by the IRS-CI, FBI, and SBA-OIG. The matter involving the Archdiocese of Washington was investigated by the FBI.
The cases were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Macey of the Fraud, Public Corruption, and Civil Rights Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia; Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Collins of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland; and Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Bernstein, formerly of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland. They were supported by Paralegal Specialists Michon Tart and Quiana Dunn-Gordon, Victim-Witness Advocate Yvonne Bryant, and Supervisory Litigation Technology Specialist Leif Hickling. The seizure and forfeiture matters were handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Arvind Lal, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Grisier, former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Brantley, and Senior Attorney Advisor Jim Alexander of the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section.
# #
On May 17, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of fraud related to COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.