District of Columbia

Defendant Worked on Behalf of the IRGC to Hire Persons in the United States to Carry Out the Murder, Likely in Retaliation for the January 2020 Death of Qasem Soleimani

            WASHINGTON – An Iranian national and member of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was charged by complaint in the District of Columbia with use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire and with providing and attempting to provide material support to a transnational murder plot.

            According to court documents, beginning in October 2021, Shahram Poursafi, aka Mehdi Rezayi, 45, of Tehran, Iran, attempted to arrange the murder of former National Security Advisor John Bolton, likely in retaliation for the January 2020 death of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps – Qods Force (IRGC-QF) commander Qasem Soleimani. Poursafi, working on behalf of the IRGC-QF, attempted to pay individuals in the United States $300,000 to carry out the murder in Washington, D.C. or Maryland.

            “The Justice Department has the solemn duty to defend our citizens from hostile governments who seek to hurt or kill them,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “This is not the first time we have uncovered Iranian plots to exact revenge against individuals on U.S. soil and we will work tirelessly to expose and disrupt every one of these efforts.”

            “Iran has a history of plotting to assassinate individuals in the U.S. it deems a threat, but the U.S. Government has a longer history of holding accountable those who threaten the safety of our citizens,” said Executive Assistant Director Larissa L. Knapp of the FBI’s National Security Branch. “Let there be no doubt: The FBI, the U.S. government, and our partners remain vigilant in the fight against such threats here in the U.S. and overseas.”

            “Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, through the Defendant, tried to hatch a brazen plot: assassinate a U.S. official on U.S. soil in retaliation for U.S. actions,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia. “Iran and other hostile governments should understand that the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners will do everything in our power to thwart their violent plots and bring those responsible to justice.”

            “An attempted assassination of a former U.S. Government official on U.S. soil is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” said Assistant Director in Charge Steven M. D’Antuono of the FBI Washington Field Office. “The FBI will continue to identify and disrupt any efforts by Iran or any hostile government seeking to bring harm or death to U.S. persons at home or abroad. This should serve as a warning to any others attempting to do the same – the FBI will be relentless in our efforts to identify, stop, and bring to justice those who would threaten our people and violate our laws.”

            According to court documents, on Oct. 22, 2021, Poursafi asked Individual A, a U.S. resident whom Poursafi previously met online, to take photographs of the former National Security Advisor, claiming the photographs were for a book Poursafi was writing. Individual A told Poursafi that he/she could introduce Poursafi to another person who would take the pictures for $5,000-$10,000. Individual A later introduced Poursafi to an associate (referred to in court documents as the confidential human source or CHS).

            On Nov. 9, 2021, Poursafi contacted the CHS on an encrypted messaging application, and then directed the CHS to a second encrypted messaging application for further communications. Poursafi offered the CHS $250,000 to hire someone to “eliminate” the former National Security Advisor. This amount would later be negotiated up to $300,000. Poursafi added that he had an additional “job,” for which he would pay $1 million. 

            Poursafi directed the CHS to open a cryptocurrency account to facilitate payment, but stipulated that the CHS would likely have to carry out the murder before he/she could be paid. He further explained to the CHS that if he/she was paid and the murder was not completed, Poursafi’s “group” would be angry. A later search of one of Poursafi’s online accounts revealed pictures of Poursafi wearing a uniform with an IRGC patch. During their communications, the CHS made several references to Poursafi being associated with IRGC-QF. Poursafi never denied his involvement with IRGC-QF. 

            On Nov. 14, 2021, the CHS asked Poursafi for help locating the former National Security Advisor. Poursafi subsequently provided the CHS with the target’s work address in Washington, D.C. According to results from the search of one of Poursafi’s online accounts, on Nov. 25, 2021, Poursafi took screenshots of a map application showing a street view of the former National Security Advisor’s office. One screenshot noted that the address was “10,162 km away,” which is the approximate distance between Washington, D.C. and Tehran, Iran.   

            On Nov. 19, 2021, Poursafi told the CHS that it did not matter how the murder was carried out, but his “group” would require video confirmation of the target’s death. The CHS asked Poursafi what would happen if the killing was attributed to Iran. Poursafi told the CHS not to worry and that Poursafi’s “group” would take care of it. 

            Poursafi also advised the CHS to communicate about the plot in construction and building terms.  For example, when the CHS asked Poursafi to specify how the murder was to be carried out, Poursafi told the CHS that he only asked the CHS to build a structure, but the method of construction was up to the CHS. 

            On Dec. 22, 2021, Poursafi sent the CHS a photograph of two plastic bags, each of which appeared to contain bound stacks of U.S. currency and a handwritten note beneath them that said, “[CHS’s name] 22.12.2021”. 

            On Dec. 29, 2021, Poursafi asked the CHS when the murder would be carried out and informed the CHS that his “group” wanted it done quickly. 

            On Jan. 3, 2022, Poursafi noted he was under pressure from “his people” to complete the murder and that Poursafi had to report any delays. The CHS asked Poursafi how many people were involved. Poursafi told the CHS that he only had to report to one person, but that there was a chain of command to whom his superior reported. That same day, Poursafi expressed regret that the murder would not be conducted by the anniversary of Qasem Soleimani’s death. He stated he was concerned that if it was not carried out soon, the job would be taken from Poursafi and the CHS. Poursafi counseled the CHS that if he/she used a “small weapon,” he/she would have to get close to the target, but if he/she used a “larger weapon,” he/she could stay farther away. 

            On Jan. 18, 2022, the CHS sent Poursafi publicly available information that suggested the former National Security Advisor might be travelling out of the Washington, D.C., area during the time Poursafi indicated he would like the CHS to carry out the murder. Poursafi told the CHS that he needed to “check something.” Within an hour, he told the CHS that the target was, in fact, not travelling. He then provided the CHS with specifics regarding the former National Security Advisor’s schedule that do not appear to have been publicly available.      

            On Jan. 21, 2022, Poursafi told the CHS that after successful completion of the first “job,” he had a second “job” for the CHS and informed the CHS that surveillance of the second target was complete. Poursafi said the information was gathered “from the United States,” not “via Google,” indicating someone working on behalf of the IRGC-QF had already conducted pre-operational surveillance on the second target in the United States.

            On Feb. 1, 2022, Poursafi told the CHS that if he/she did not eliminate the target within two weeks, the job would be taken from the CHS. He also informed the CHS that someone checked the area around the former National Security Advisor’s home, and he believed there was not a security presence, so the CHS should be able to “finish the job.”

            On March 10, 2022, Poursafi told the CHS he had another assassination job for the CHS in the United States, but to “keep [the former National Security Advisor] in the back of your mind.” Approximately one month later, Poursafi encouraged the CHS to accept this offer, explaining that if it was done successfully, Poursafi would be able to ingratiate himself with his “group” and regain the tasking to murder the former National Security Advisor. 

            On April 28, 2022, the CHS told Poursafi that he/she would not continue to work without being paid. Poursafi agreed to send the CHS $100 in cryptocurrency to a virtual wallet the CHS created earlier that day, to prove payment could be made. Later that day, the cryptocurrency wallet received two payments totaling $100.

            If convicted, Poursafi faces up to 10 years imprisonment and a fine up to $250,000 for the use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire, and up to 15 years imprisonment and a fine up to $250,000 for providing and attempting to provide material support to a transnational murder plot. Poursafi remains at large abroad.

            This case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Tortorice for the District of Columbia and Trial Attorney Joshua Champagne of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason McCullough provided assistance in the case.

Three Others Earlier Pleaded Guilty in the Investigation

            WASHINGTON – Mekhi Truesdale, 19, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty today to two counts of armed robbery for his role in a series of armed robberies that took place during the fall of 2020 in Northwest Washington, admitting to two crimes in a 10-day period. He is the fourth defendant to plead guilty to charges involving multiple robberies.

            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, Christopher Stock, Acting Chief of the U.S. Park Police, and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            Truesdale pleaded guilty in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The plea, which is contingent upon the Court’s approval, calls for a sentence of eight to 10 years in prison, consistent with the Court’s voluntary sentencing guidelines. The Honorable Michael O’Keefe scheduled sentencing for Oct. 7, 2022

            According to plea documents, on Oct. 22, 2020, at approximately 9:45 p.m., a woman was walking in the area of Belt Road and Harrison Street NW when Truesdale and an accomplice approached her. Truesdale told the woman he had a gun and demanded her cellphone and phone passcode. He lifted his sweatshirt to reveal a black semi-automatic handgun. The woman handed over her cellphone, passcode, and wallet. About 45 minutes later, the cellphone was used to transfer $500 to Truesdale via a Venmo account. The next morning, an unsuccessful attempt was made to transfer more than $12,000 to various Venmo accounts held by Truesdale and others.

            Another robbery took place on Nov. 1, 2020. At approximately 1:05 a.m., a man and woman were getting into a vehicle that was parked in the 1400 block of 22nd Street NW. Truesdale and an accomplice approached them and demanded their cellphones, phone passcodes, wallets, and keys. The accomplice pointed a silver revolver, and the man and woman turned over their cellphone, wallets, and keys. The woman also turned over her Apple AirPods. Truesdale and the accomplice then ordered the man and woman to get into the car, which they locked using the stolen car keys. They then fled. Less than 15 minutes later, $20 was transferred from one of the victims’ accounts and an attempt was made to transfer another $50. 

            Three others pleaded guilty on July 13, 2022, to charges in the investigation, and all are awaiting sentencing. They include:

• William Bell, 20, of Washington, D.C. Bell pleaded guilty to one count of robbery and one count of attempted robbery for two hold-ups on Oct. 17, 2020, and Oct. 21, 2020. The first took place near the intersection of 22nd Street and Virginia Avenue NW, and the second in the area of the 1200 block of W Street NW.

• Dave Harding, 20 of Washington, D.C. Harding pleaded guilty to one count of armed robbery and one count of robbery, for two hold-ups, both on Oct. 31, 2020, including one at Fort Reno Park and another in the 3100 block of P Street NW.  

• Jada Winder, 19, of Greenbelt, Maryland. She pleaded guilty to two counts of receiving stolen property involving the transfers from victims’ accounts.

            Truesdale was arrested in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 5, 2020, following a foot chase in the Georgetown area. Bell was arrested Nov. 30, 2021, in San Luis Obispo, Calif., by the U.S. Marshals Service. Harding was arrested on April 8, 2022, in Washington, D.C. Winder was arrested in Greenbelt on Nov. 24, 2021. 

            This case was investigated by MPD, the FBI Washington Field Office’s Violent Crimes Task Force, and the U.S. Park Police.  Valuable assistance was provided by the Metro Transit Police Department and the Montgomery County, Md., Police Department.

            In announcing the pleas, U.S. Attorney Graves, Special Agent in Charge Jacobs, Acting Chief Stock, and Chief Contee expressed appreciation for the work of those investigating the case from MPD, the FBI Washington Field Office, and USPP, as well as for the assistance of the Deputy U.S. Marshals involved in locating the defendants.  They also acknowledged the efforts of those working on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialists Debra McPherson and Alesha Matthews Yette. 

            Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua Gold and Charles R. Jones who investigated and prosecuted the case, along with Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie Carter who investigated the case prior to indictment.

            WASHINGTON –Daryle Bond, 20, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to eight years in prison for his role in the fatal shooting of 11-year-old Davon McNeal on July 4, 2020, in Southeast Washington, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). 

            Bond pleaded guilty in February 2022, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to voluntary manslaughter while armed. The plea agreement, which was contingent upon the Court’s approval, called for an agreed-upon term of 7 ½-to-9 ½- years in prison. The Honorable Rainey R. Brandt accepted the plea and sentenced Bond accordingly. Following his prison term, he will be placed on five years of supervised release. The sentence was consistent with the Court’s voluntary sentencing guidelines.

            Three other men, also from Washington, D.C., were sentenced on June 3, 2022, for their roles in the crimes. All pleaded guilty in February 2022 to voluntary manslaughter while armed. Carlo General, 22, was sentenced to 16 years in prison. Marcel Gordon, 27, was sentenced to 10 years, and Christen Wingfield, 24, was sentenced to a 9 ½-year prison term.

            According to the government’s evidence, on July 4, 2020, at approximately 9:15 p.m., General, Gordon, Wingfield, and Bond were congregating at a barbeque near the cul-de-sac in front of an apartment building located in the 1400 block of Cedar Street SE. Cedar Street is a long road that ends in a cul-de-sac. The entrance of the 1400 block of Cedar Street intersects diagonally with a street that is known as the “alley.” 

            Near the entrance of the 1400 block of Cedar Street, Davon McNeal – 11 years old – was exiting a vehicle and walking towards a basement apartment in the Frederick Douglass Garden Apartment Complex.  At a certain point, General, armed with a firearm with a laser sight, started running towards the entrance of the 1400 block of Cedar Street and fired his weapon towards the alley.  Surveillance footage shows Davon running towards the basement apartment and falling after General fired his weapon.  

            Approximately six seconds later, Gordon, while running behind General, fired his weapon in the same direction.  Bond, also armed with a firearm, ran towards the entrance of the 1400 block on a sidewalk on the side of the apartment building, along with Wingfield, who was armed with a firearm as well and running on the road. 

            All four defendants gathered in front of the apartment building and looked down the alley.  The group subsequently ran in the direction of a playground with guns drawn.  Bond, General and Gordon all fired their firearms as they were running away.

            An autopsy concluded that Davon’s death was caused by a gunshot wound to the head. 

            General was arrested on July 30, 2020. Bond was arrested on July 10, 2020. Wingfield was arrested on July 11, 2020. Gordon was arrested on Sept. 1, 2020. All 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 Criminal Investigations Division Homicide Branch of the Metropolitan Police Department. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Lashone Samuels, former Victim/ Witness Specialist Marcia Rinker, Victim/ Witness Specialist Latrice Washington-Williams, and Investigative Analyst Zachary McMenamin.

            Finally, they commended the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shehzad Akhtar, Stephen Rickard, and Jack Korba, who investigated and prosecuted the case, and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Maryam Adeyola, who provided valuable assistance.

WASHINGTON – A former school principal was sentenced today to 30 months in prison for 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. 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, 49, 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 on April 4, 2022, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, to a charge of wire fraud. She was sentenced by the Honorable Dabney L. Friedrich. Following her prison term, Coates must complete three years of supervised release. She also must pay $175,000 in restitution to the Archdiocese of Washington and an identical amount in a forfeiture money judgment.

            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, betrayed the trust and authority placed in her and 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 purchase designer fashion from luxury brands and to help her qualify for a home-mortgage loan.

            In announcing the sentence, 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 former Paralegal Specialist Chad Byron, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey Nestler and Marco Crocetti, who investigated and prosecuted the matter.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Justice transmitted a request to Argentinian authorities today to seize a Boeing 747-300M cargo plane following the unsealing of a seizure warrant in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The warrant, which was issued on July 19, 2022, alleges that the U.S.-made plane is subject to forfeiture based on violations of U.S. export control laws related to the unauthorized transfer of the plane from Mahan Air, an Iranian airline affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp-Qods Force (IRGC-QF), a designated terrorist organization, and Empresa de Transporte Aéreocargo del Sur, S.A. (EMTRASUR), a Venezuelan cargo airline and subsidiary of Consorcio Venezolano de Industrias Aeronáuticas y Servicios Aéreos, S.A (CONVIASA), a Venezuelan state-owned company.

            In 2008, the Department of Commerce issued, and has since periodically renewed, a Temporary Denial Order prohibiting Mahan Air from, among other things, engaging in any transaction involving any commodity exported from the United States that is subject to the Export Administration Regulations. As alleged in the seizure warrant, in or around October 2021, Mahan Air violated the Temporary Denial Order and U.S. export control laws when it transferred custody and control of the Boeing aircraft to EMTRASUR without U.S. Government authorization. Additional violations of U.S. export control laws subsequently occurred between February and May 2022 when EMTRASUR reexported the aircraft between Caracas, Venezuela; Tehran, Iran; and Moscow, Russia, without U.S. Government authorization.

            Further, as alleged in the seizure warrant, in June 2022, Argentinian authorities detained the flight crew of the Boeing aircraft, including five Iranians. The registered captain of the aircraft was identified as an ex-commander for the IRGC and a shareholder and member of the board of Iranian airline Qeshm Fars Air. Argentinian law enforcement also searched the aircraft and found a Mahan Air flight log documenting the aircraft’s flights after the unlawful transfer to EMTRASUR, including a flight to Tehran, Iran, in April 2022. Mahan Air was designated in 2011 by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) for providing material support to the IRGC-QF, and Qeshm Fars Air was designated in 2019 for being controlled by Mahan Air and for providing material support to the IRGC-QF.

            In addition, CONVIASA, EMTRASUR’s parent company, was designated by OFAC in 2020, and its fleet was blocked pursuant to Executive Order in 2019. Concurrent with today’s action, the Department of Commerce issued a Temporary Denial Order denying the export privileges of EMTRASUR for 180 days with the possibility of renewal.

            “The Department of Justice will not tolerate transactions that violate our sanctions and export laws,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “Working with our partners across the globe, we will give no quarter to governments and state-sponsored entities looking to evade our sanctions and export control regimes in service of their malign activities.”

            “The seizure of this aircraft demonstrates our determination to hold accountable those who seek to violate U.S. sanctions and export control laws,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia. “We will aggressively seek to prevent sanctioned entities from gaining access to America-made items or profiting from their illegal transfer. 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 coordinated actions target the unlawful transfer of an Iranian cargo plane to a Venezuelan airline and the airline’s subsequent operation of that plane in violation of our rules,” said Assistant Secretary of Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security. “We will continue to take significant and direct enforcement action against foreign airlines operating U.S.-origin aircraft in violation of U.S. export controls.”

            “This seizure demonstrates the FBI’s persistence in using all of our tools to hold the Iranian Government and affiliated individuals and companies accountable when they violate U.S. laws,” said Acting Assistant Director of Counterterrorism Kevin Vorndran of the FBI. “The FBI, along with our international partners, will continue to seek out those individuals who contribute to the advancement of Iran’s malign activities and ensure they are brought to justice, regardless of where, or how, they attempt to hide.”

            This matter is being investigated by the Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security’s Miami Field Office and the FBI Miami Field Office.

            Assistant U.S. Attorney Rajbir Datta of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, Assistant U.S. Attorney Andy Camacho of the Southern District of Florida, and Trial Attorney Elizabeth Abraham of the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are handling the seizure and investigation, with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Brian Rickers and Legal Assistant Jessica McCormick. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in working with the Argentinian authorities.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia today joined community and law enforcement partners in celebrating National Night Out, with U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. attending the District of Columbia’s kick-off event in Northeast Washington.

            Community organizers, neighbors, and law enforcement turned out for the event at Lincoln Park and at other locations throughout the city. The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) organized the events in each of the District of Columbia’s seven police districts.  Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr., who leads the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, was among numerous law enforcement and government officials who joined U.S. Attorney Graves in commemorating the night in the District of Columbia.

            “Our mission in law enforcement is to serve the community, and the best way to do that is by working together with people at the neighborhood level across the District of Columbia,” said U.S. Attorney Graves. “Tonight is a special evening to recognize the importance of these ties and to demonstrate that all of us are determined to make our city a safer place.”

            “Keeping communities safe is a top priority for the Department of Justice,” said Assistant Attorney General Polite. “Law enforcement is most effective when it has the trust of the communities that we serve.  Events like National Night Out lead to meaningful and positive engagement between law enforcement and the community, and strengthens those bonds.”

            Across the nation, senior Justice Department officials and U.S. Attorneys are taking part in a Department-wide effort to bring attention to events that build stronger community-police relations. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland attended events in Baltimore, while Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco attended National Night Out events in Charleston, S.C.

            Established in 1984 from a Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance grant, the goal of National Night Out is to build relationships with and between communities and law enforcement. National Night Out promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, better places to live. In most areas of the country, the program occurs annually on the first Tuesday of August.

WASHINGTON – A District of Columbia man pleaded guilty today to charges stemming from a scheme in which he pretended to be a federal law enforcement officer for a range of purposes, including to secure a series of apartments in which he then failed to pay rent. He also used the ruse to promote his security company and ingratiate himself with actual officers. 

           Arian Taherzadeh, 40, pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to a superseding information charging him with a federal conspiracy offense and two District of Columbia offenses: unlawful possession of a large-capacity ammunition feeding device and voyeurism. A sentencing date has not yet been set. He is to appear Nov. 2, 2022, for a status hearing before the Honorable Colleen Kollar-Kotelly. As part of his plea agreement, Taherzadeh has agreed to cooperate with the government’s investigation.

            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, Dr. Joseph V. Cuffari, Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and Tira A. Hayward, Acting Inspector in Charge, Washington Division, U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

            According to plea documents, Taherzadeh created a business entity called United States Special Police LLC (USSP), which was described as a private law enforcement, investigative, and protective service based in Washington. The company was not associated in any way with the United States government or the District of Columbia. As the scheme unfolded between December 2018 and April 2022, Taherzadeh falsely claimed to be, among other things, a Special Agent with the Department of Homeland Security, a member of a multi-jurisdictional federal task force, a former United States Air Marshal, and a former Army Ranger. He used these false claims to recruit others to USSP, under the guise that it was part of a covert federal law enforcement task force, defraud owners of three apartment complexes into providing him with multiple apartments and parking spaces for his supposed law enforcement operations, and ingratiate himself with members of federal law enforcement and the defense community.

            Taherzadeh and others used assumed law enforcement personas, false and fictious federal law enforcement supervisors, and the company to obtain leases for multiple apartments in three complexes in the District of Columbia. These apartment buildings sustained more than $800,000 in losses from unpaid rent, parking, and associated fees. In one such apartment, Taherzadeh maintained and possessed an unlicensed gun with five fully loaded large-capacity ammunition feeding devices, containing a total of 61 rounds of ammunition.

            In furtherance of his scheme, Taherzadeh and others obtained law enforcement clothing, paraphernalia, equipment, and an identification-making device.  This included, among other things, police patches and badges, tactical gear and equipment, police lights, a Sig Sauer P229 firearm, a Glock 19 9mm handgun, large quantities of ammunition, concealed carry holsters, surveillance equipment, and unlicensed long gun components including a firearm barrel, weapon stock attachments, foregrips, a magazine cartridge and scope.

            According to the plea documents, beginning as early as the spring of 2020, Taherzadeh began falsely identifying himself as a Special Agent to employees of the U.S. Secret Service.  For instance, he falsely claimed to two Secret Service employees that he was in a gang unit.  He told another that he was part of a covert task force. Taherzadeh also provided these Secret Service employees with tangible and intangible gifts. For instance, Taherzadeh provided one employee and his wife with a generator and a doomsday/survival backpack. He provided another employee with a rent-free penthouse apartment for approximately one year, worth approximately $40,200. He provided a third employee with a rent-free apartment for approximately one year, worth an estimated $48,240, as well as a drone, a gun locker, and a Pelican case. According to the plea documents, he did so to ingratiate himself with Secret Service employees because it deepened their relationship and furthered his ability to impersonate himself as a federal law enforcement officer.

            Finally, Taherzadeh installed surveillance cameras outside and inside his apartment in one of the complexes. Among other places, he installed, maintained, and utilized cameras in his bedroom. He used these cameras to record women engaged in sexual activity. Taherzadeh then showed these explicit videos to third parties.

            Taherzadeh and a co-defendant, Haider Ali, 36, also of Washington, D.C., were arrested on April 6, 2022. Ali has pleaded not guilty to charges filed against him in an indictment. 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, the Office of the Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth Aloi and Joshua S. Rothstein of the Fraud, Public Corruption, and Civil Rights Section.

            Valuable assistance has been provided by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Tortorice and Paralegal Specialists Chad Byron, Quiana Dunn-Gordon, and Lisa Abbe of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and Trial Attorneys Kathleen Campbell and Evan Turgeon of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division.

WASHINGTON – Jaquan Jackson, 35, of Washington, D.C., has been found guilty of charges stemming from animal abuse in which he failed to provide proper veterinary care for two dogs, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            Jackson, who was sentenced on July 28, 2022, was found guilty by a judge earlier this month of two counts of animal cruelty. The verdict on July 20 followed a three-day trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The Honorable John M. Campbell sentenced Jackson to a total of 360 days in jail but suspended all but 90 days of that time on the condition that he successfully complete five years of probation.

            The judge ordered the forfeiture of all animals seized by law enforcement, a 10-year ban on owning or possessing animals, and $52,372.66 in restitution.

            According to the government’s evidence, on June 11, 2018, officers with the Metropolitan Police Department went to Jackson’s residence in the 3500 block of Brothers Place SE and found one dog deceased and hanging from a fence. Further examinations showed that the dog had extensive, mature heart worms and intestinal parasites, and that it had not eaten in approximately a day and a half. On July 26,  2018, officers found a second dog with extensive scarring on its head, face, and forelimbs consistent with dogfighting. This second dog also had untreated fractures in both front paws, several broken teeth, an open and infected wound with bone visible that required digital amputation, mature intestinal parasites, and a canine tooth embedded in its forelimb. Blood tests found that this dog suffered from Babesiosis, a rare blood infection found in breeds associated with dog fighting. In a search of the premises where the dogs resided, law enforcement found paraphernalia associated with dog fighting:  a break stick, slat mill, neck weights, scales, make-shift veterinary supplies like antiseptic for horses, fish antibiotics, medicated feed, IV bags, and a skin-stapler.

            Jackson was arrested on Jan. 24, 2019.

            In announcing the plea and sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Contee commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Humane Rescue Alliance and the Metropolitan Police Department.  They also expressed appreciation for the work of those who handled the case at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Sabrina Hudgens and Wanda Trice and Victim/Witness Coordinator Maenylie Watson.

            Finally, they commended the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emmanuel Hampton and Matthew Goldstein, who prosecuted the case, as well as Assistant U.S. Attorneys Monica Dolin, Stephanie Dinan, and Noah Simmons, and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth Gilmore, who previously assisted in the investigation and prosecution.

WASHINGTON – George Haywood, 69, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty today to one count of insider trading, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office Criminal Division.

            Haywood pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The Honorable Reggie B. Walton scheduled sentencing for Nov. 9, 2022.

            “Insider trading undermines faith in our financial markets and harms ordinary investors who play by the rules,” said U.S. Attorney Graves. “George Haywood placed himself above the law by using information to which he had privileged access to cheat the market and other investors. Our Office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to maintain the integrity of the financial markets.”

            “Mr. Haywood put himself and his own financial interests above the rule of law,” said Special Agent in Charge Jacobs. “The FBI will not stand by while individuals attempt to abuse access to non-public information. I’d like to thank those who investigated this case and who work every day to ensure individuals are held accountable for damaging the integrity of our financial markets.”

            According to court documents, Haywood is a District of Columbia-based financial services professional who managed investments on behalf of his family and friends. On Jan. 22, 2020, at approximately 9 a.m., Neurotrope, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company (now known as Synaptogenix) announced that it was being awarded a $2.7 million grant from the National Institutes of Health following positive clinical trial results for a medicine for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. This resulted in an increase of its stock price to a high of $3.85 per share.

            Later that day, at approximately 12:50 p.m., Haywood spoke to a representative of Neurotrope by telephone. The person offered to share material non-public information relating to Neurotrope with Haywood so long as Haywood agreed not to execute or attempt to execute any stock trades with the information. Haywood agreed to receive material non-public information, subject to these conditions. The representative then informed Haywood that Neurotrope would issue a registered direct offering later that day and invited him to participate in it. The offering was expected to cause Neurotrope’s stock price to fall.

            Immediately after receiving material non-public information, Haywood sold or attempted to sell shares of Neurotrope worth over $328,701.16, despite having agreed to receive the information, and not to execute or attempt to execute any stock trade with it. Based on the daily closing price of $1.42 per share, Haywood avoided a loss of at least $179,297.18 on the sale of those shares between the time he received the material non-public information, and the time the registered direct offering was announced to the public.

            The case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth Aloi and John Borchert.

            A parallel civil enforcement proceeding was filed by the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Philadelphia Regional Office, under the direction of Norman P. Ostrove: https://www.sec.gov/litigation/litreleases/2022/lr25440.htm

WASHINGTON – Gregory Washington, 32, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to a 14-year prison term for confronting and killing a man at his ex-wife’s apartment in Northeast Washington, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            Washington pleaded guilty in April 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 a 14-year prison term, consistent with the Court’s voluntary sentencing guidelines. The Honorable Rainey R. Brandt accepted the plea and sentenced him accordingly. Following his prison term, he will be placed on five years of supervised release.

            According to the government’s evidence, Washington and his ex-wife had divorced in 2019 after less than a year of marriage. His communications with her made clear that he wanted to reunite, but she rejected that plan. On Oct. 24, 2019, Washington drove to his ex-wife’s apartment in the 900 block of 21st Street NE. He crept into the apartment about 5:10 a.m., and confronted the victim, Alie Labay, who was there with Washington’s ex-wife. The two men tussled, and Washington shot Mr. Labay three times. Mr. Labay, 32, who was unarmed, suffered gunshot wounds to the chest, back and arm. He died a short time later.

            Washington fled the apartment after the shooting. He was arrested on Nov. 26, 2019. 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 work of those who handled the case at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Victim/Witness Advocate Amy Trotto and former Victim/Witness Advocate Marcia Rinker. Finally, they acknowledged the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sitara Witanachchi and Prava Palacharla, who investigated and prosecuted the matter.

WASHINGTON – Stephen K. Bannon was found guilty by a jury today of two counts of contempt of Congress stemming from his failure to comply with a subpoena issued by the House Select Committee investigating the Jan. 6 breach of the United States Capitol.

            Bannon, 68, was found guilty of one contempt count involving his refusal to appear for a deposition and another involving his refusal to produce documents, despite a subpoena from the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol. The verdict followed a trial in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

            “The subpoena to Stephen Bannon was not an invitation that could be rejected or ignored,” said Matthew M. Graves, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. “Mr. Bannon had an obligation to appear before the House Select Committee to give testimony and provide documents. His refusal to do so was deliberate and now a jury has found that he must pay the consequences.”

            “The tenets of our government rely upon citizens adhering to the established rules of law. Lawful tools, such as subpoenas and other legal orders, are critical in our system of government,” said Steven M. D’Antuono, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office. “Mr. Bannon was found guilty of contempt by a jury of his peers for his choice to ignore a lawful subpoena. The FBI will continue our sworn duty to investigate those who have committed violations of our laws and hold them accountable for their actions."

            On Sept. 23, 2021, the Select Committee issued a subpoena to Bannon. In its subpoena, the Select Committee said it had reason to believe that he had information relevant to understanding events related to Jan. 6, 2021. The subpoena required him to appear and produce documents to the Select Committee on Oct. 7, 2021, and to appear for a deposition before the Select Committee on Oct. 14, 2021. Bannon refused to appear to give testimony as required by subpoena and refused to produce documents in compliance with a subpoena.

            Bannon, formerly a Chief Strategist and Counselor to the President, has been a private citizen since departing the White House in 2017. He was indicted on the contempt charges on Nov. 12, 2021.

            Bannon is to be sentenced on Oct. 21, 2022. Each count of contempt of Congress carries a minimum of 30 days and a maximum of one year in jail, as well as a fine of $100 to $100,000. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

            The case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office. The case is being prosecuted by the Fraud, Public Corruption, and Civil Rights Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.

WASHINGTON – Robert Evans, 35, of New York, N.Y., was sentenced today to five years in prison for his role in a wide-ranging fraud, extortion, and money laundering scheme, which involved one of his brothers pretending to be a New York mobster to get a Maryland man to embezzle more than $4 million from his Washington, D.C., employer.  Evans is the fourth defendant to be sentenced in the case.

            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.

            Evans pleaded guilty in April 2021, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, to interference with interstate commerce by extortion. He was sentenced by the Honorable Emmet G. Sullivan. In addition to the prison term, Judge Sullivan ordered that Evans serve three years of supervised release. Consistent with his plea agreement, Evans also must pay $4,217,542 in restitution and $777,955 in a forfeiture money judgment.

            In April 2018, a federal grand jury indicted Evans, his common-law ex-wife Gina Russell, his brothers Tony John Evans and Corry Blue Evans, and his parents Archie Kaslov and Candy Evans, on various charges.

            According to the government’s evidence, as part of the scheme, a New York woman conspired with Robert Evans, Russell, Tony John Evans, Corry Blue Evans, and Kaslov to extort money and gold bars from a Maryland man, which caused the man to embezzle funds from his employer between January 2017 and March 2017. The man converted embezzled funds to cash and gold bars. He 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. At one point during the scheme, Tony John Evans spoke to the man on the phone and threatened him by asking if he needed to remind the man where his kids went to school and where the man lived.

            In reality, all of the funds that the man embezzled and delivered to New York went to members of the Evans-Kaslov family. Among other things, Robert Evans arranged the logistics of a $500,000 cash payment, which involved renting hotel rooms, retrieving the cash after the Maryland man delivered it, and taking the cash to a co-conspirator’s residence.

            Like Robert Evans, Tony John Evans and Russell pleaded guilty to interference with interstate commerce by extortion. Tony John Evans, 33, was sentenced to five years in prison. Russell, also 33, has not yet been sentenced.

            Kaslov, 55, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and admitted to driving family members around New York with cash obtained from the scheme, selling gold bars for cash, and traveling to Texas to purchase a Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead for more than $300,000 in cash. In April 2022, Judge Sullivan sentenced Kaslov to 30 months in prison.

            Candy Evans, 53, pleaded guilty 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 November 2017, she also instructed Russell to lie to the FBI.  In April 2022, Judge Sullivan sentenced her to a year and a day in prison.

            Charges remain outstanding against Corry Blue Evans, 29, who has pleaded not guilty.

            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 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 Candy Evans attempted to dissipate between the date of her guilty plea and sentencing, 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. Attorney Kondi Kleinman and former Assistant U.S. Attorney David Kent for investigating and prosecuting the case.

WASHINGTON – Gary Lee Peksa, a former federal employee, was sentenced today to eight years in prison for repeatedly connecting his cellphone to a wireless network at the Library of Congress and searching for, downloading, and viewing images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of young children.

            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 J. Thomas. Manger, Chief of the U.S. Capitol Police.

            Peksa, 56, of Mechanicsville, Maryland, pleaded guilty in December 2021, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, to one count of receipt of child pornography. He was sentenced by the Honorable Richard J. Leon. Following his prison term, Peksa will be placed on 20 years of supervised release. He also will be required to pay $47,000 in restitution to victims depicted in the child pornography he received and possessed. He also must register as a sex offender for at least 15 years.

            According to court documents, Peksa was a sheet metal mechanic who worked for the Architect of the Capitol at the Library of Congress. On various dates, between Oct. 11, 2018 and July 29, 2019, he used his cellphone and the public wireless network at the Library of Congress to access websites that contained images and videos of child pornography. He did so in areas including a bathroom, his office, and a breakroom. Additionally, Peksa used his personal laptop, cellphone, and WiFi service to access similar materials at home.

            Peksa’s conduct came to light after the Library of Congress network security operations center notified investigators of web traffic on the Library of Congress public wireless network of browsing associated with child pornography and the sexual exploitation of children. In July 2019, Capitol Police seized Peksa’s cellphone and laptop. The cellphone had 199 images that showed minor boys and girls exposing their genitals and/or engaging in sexual activity. The laptop had 215 files that depicted young girls being sexually abused and assaulted.

            Peksa was arrested on Oct. 21, 2019.

            This case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force and the U.S. Capitol Police. 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 Manger commended the work of those who investigated the case from the FBI's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force and the U.S. Capitol Police. They also acknowledged the assistance provided by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. They expressed appreciation for the work of those who handled the case at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including former Paralegal Specialist Kenny Nguyen, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy E. Larson, who prosecuted the case.

WASHINGTON – Timothy Heard, 45, of Washington, D.C., has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for barging into a business in Northeast Washington with two loaded firearms, and then holding a female employee against her will for more than an hour.

            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).

            Heard pleaded guilty in February 2022, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, to one count of kidnapping and a related firearms offense. He was sentenced on July 19, 2022, by the Honorable Richard J. Leon. Following completion of his prison term, he will be placed on five years of supervised release.

            According to the government’s evidence, on June 4, 2020, at approximately 3 p.m., Heard kicked in the office door of a landscaping business in the 1200 block of Mount Olivet Road NE. At the time, he was illegally armed with two loaded semi-automatic pistols, even though he was barred from having guns because of a prior felony conviction. Upon entering, he saw a female employee in the office; two other employees ran out of the building. Heard told the remaining employee that she could not leave. For more than an hour, he intentionally held her against her will. The Metropolitan Police Department arrived at the scene after receiving an emergency call.

            Heard called 911 as the MPD officers surrounded the business and said that he would release the employee if officers backed off. Heard eventually placed the guns in a bag and then put the bag in a file cabinet. Heard then smoked a PCP laced cigarette before walking out of the building, when he was arrested. He has been in custody ever since.

            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 and MPD. They also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Genevieve de Guzman, Supervisory Paralegal Specialist Teesha Tobias, and Victim/Witness Program Specialist Yvonne Bryant. Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Emory V. Cole, who investigated and prosecuted the case.

            WASHINGTON –Quincy Garvin, 22, and Saquan Williams, 20, both of Washington, D.C., have been found guilty by a jury of conspiracy, first-degree murder while armed, participation in a criminal street gang, and other charges for a brazen shooting into a courtyard that took place in September 2017 in the Potomac Gardens area of Southeast Washington.

            The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            The verdicts were returned today and on July 13, 2022, following a six-week trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The Honorable Robert Okun presided over the trial. At sentencing, both defendants face a maximum sentence of life in prison for the crimes. Judge Okun set a status hearing for Sept. 9, 2022. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

            According to the government’s evidence, between May 2017and October 2017, the defendants and others were members of a criminal street gang operating in the area of Wellington Park, within Washington, D.C.  Garvin, Williams, and others were involved in a number of “beefs” with individuals from other areas of the city. 

            Thus, on Sept. 10, 2017, at approximately 6 p.m., as the victim, Carl Hardy, was standing outside in the Potomac Gardens neighborhood, Williams, Garvin, and two others circled the Potomac Gardens neighborhood three times looking for individuals to target. On the fourth trip around the block, the vehicle stopped, and the driver paused to allow Garvin, Williams, and one other man to exit the vehicle armed with multiple weapons, to include an assault rifle.  Garvin, Williams and the third shooter opened fire on the crowded courtyard, firing over 30 rounds and striking Mr. Hardy.  The group then fled the scene.

            Mr. Hardy, 24, was transported to the hospital where doctors operated multiple times in their efforts to save him.  Ultimately, on Oct. 1, 2017, Mr. Hardy succumbed to his injuries.  Shortly after Mr. Hardy’s death, arrest warrants were obtained for Williams and Garvin charging them with the murder.

            A homeowner who lived across the street from the shooting had a surveillance system with audio and high-definition video that captured the shooters as they ran back to the vehicle immediately after the shooting.  This video was instrumental in investigating and prosecuting the case. This prosecution reflects the value of the District of Columbia’s Private Security Camera Incentive Program, which encourages residents to install security cameras to assist law enforcement. 

            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 U.S. Marshals Service, 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 Chrisellen Kolb, Chief of the Appellate Division; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan Sellinger, Daniel Lenerz, and Sharon Donovan; Supervisory Paralegal Specialist Tasha Harris; Lead Paralegal Specialists Sharon Newman and Meridith McGarrity; Paralegal Specialist Stephanie Siegerist; Supervisory Victim/Witness Advocate Jennifer Clark; Witness Security Specialist Ashli Tolbert; Supervisory Litigation Technology Specialist Leif Hickling; Litigation Technology Specialist Claudia Gutierrez; Supervisory Victim/Witness Services Coordinator Katina Adams-Washington; Victim/Witness Services Coordinators LaJune Thames and Maenylie Watson; and Investigative Analyst Zachary McMenamin. 

            Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Jackson and former Assistant U.S. Attorney John Timmer, who investigated and indicted the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laura Bach and Lindsey Merikas who tried the case. 

WASHINGTON — Terrell Armstead, 31, formerly of Baltimore, Maryland, was sentenced today to 23 years in prison for sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion and a related firearms offense.

            The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves, Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal Division, and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            Armstead was found guilty in March 2020, following a jury trial in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, of sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion. In a related case, he pleaded guilty in September 2019 to conspiracy to resell firearms illegally, and to unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

            The Honorable Amit P. Mehta sentenced Armstead to 23 years in prison on the sex trafficking charge, and sentenced him to a concurrent 10-year prison term on the firearms charges. Following his prison term, Armstead will be placed on 20 years of supervised release.  Armstead was also ordered to pay $28,644 in victim restitution.

            A second defendant, Anthony Gray, pleaded guilty in January 2022 to one count of transportation of minors, related to his activities with Armstead. Gray, 39 of Cheverly, Maryland, was sentenced on July 13, 2022, to 10 years in prison for his role in the crimes. He was also sentenced to 10 years of supervised release following his prison term and ordered to pay $15,000 in victim restitution.

            According to evidence presented at trial, from March 2015 until September 2019, in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, and elsewhere, Armstead trafficked several young women for commercial sex, including one who was only 16 years old. He was found guilty of a charge involving an adult woman. He used social media to lure this victim across the country based on false promises of fantastic success and financial comfort and security. Instead, after three months of being forced to work in Armstead’s commercial sex enterprise for his profit, she left the Washington, D.C. area with nothing.

            Armstead operated his enterprise by recruiting young women as commercial sex workers, then advertising them in online forums (like Backpage.com), having them work in strip clubs to meet “customers,” and coercing them to engage in commercial sex on “the blade,” the track in downtown Washington, D.C. Armstead promoted himself on social media, purporting to live a life of luxury with the money he took from the women in his commercial sex enterprise. He controlled and manipulated the victims, including by threats of force; brandishing various weapons, including large automatic weapons; taking and controlling all the proceeds from their commercial sex work; limiting their contact with friends and family, such as smashing a cellphone; and by controlling their access to transportation and even their own identification documents.

            During the course of the investigation into Armstead’s activities, law enforcement determined that Gray joined Armstead in bringing victims to hotels in Alexandria, Virginia and Lusby, Maryland in March 2015, for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex. On one of these occasions, Gray took pictures of two of the victims and then posted these pictures as advertisements online, offering them for commercial sex. Gray determined who the clients could be and the prices that could be charged.

            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.

            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 and MPD. They also expressed appreciation for the work of those who handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Justice Department, including Victim/Witness Advocate Yvonne Bryant, the Witness Security Section of the Victim/Witness Assistance Unit, and former Paralegal Specialist Kenny Nguyen.

            Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy E. Larson and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenya Davis, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, and Trial Attorney Elizabeth Hutson of the Justice Department Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit, who investigated and prosecuted the matter.

WASHINGTON – Steven Phillips, Jr., 28, of Washington D.C. was sentenced today to five years 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.  Phillips was the fifth defendant to plead guilty for his role in the charged conspiracies.

            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).

            Phillips 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.

            Phillips, who utilized the street nickname “33,” pleaded guilty on April 12, 2022, 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, Phillips admitted to participating in a separate conspiracy to use, carry, and possess firearms. Phillips was sentenced by the Honorable Amy Berman Jackson. Following completion of his prison term, Phillips 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, Phillips 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, Phillips distributed narcotics in street-level transactions and served as an armed defender of the co-conspirators’ drug dealing territory.  Phillips encouraged his co-conspirators to pool their money to buy as many firearms as possible for use in defending their territory and, as part of the conspiracy possessed and trafficked in firearms which he sold and offered for sale to his co-conspirators and others. As part of his sentence, Phillips agreed to forfeit a Glock, Model 45, 9mm semi-automatic handgun, a high-capacity magazine, and 31 rounds of ammunition, all of which were seized from the defendant.

            Phillips was arrested on Sept. 3, 2020. 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 assistance from former Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kaitlin Vaillancourt and Christopher Berridge.

Update: On September 27, 2024, Mr. Pruden was acquitted on all charges at trial.

            WASHINGTON — A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Michael Thomas Pruden, 48, formerly of Maryland, with five counts of assault on federal land, one count of impersonating a federal officer, and a hate crimes sentencing enhancement alleging that Pruden assaulted four of the victims because of their perceived sexual orientation.

            Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia and Assistant Director in Charge Steven M. D’Antuono for the FBI Washington Field Office made the announcement.

            The indictment alleges that on five separate dates from 2018 to 2021, Pruden went after dark to Meridian Hill Park, a.k.a. Malcolm X Park, informally known in the Washington, D.C. community as a meeting place for men seeking consensual sex with other men, and assaulted five men with a chemical irritant. Before spraying the men, Pruden pretended to be a Park Police officer, shined a flashlight in the victims’ faces, and gave the victims police-style directives. The indictment alleges that Pruden assaulted four of the victims because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation. 

            Pruden was arrested today in Norfolk, Virginia. He faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years for each assault count and a three-year statutory maximum sentence for impersonating a federal officer. The hate crimes sentencing enhancement increases the range of the potential sentence for the assault counts.

            This case was investigated by the U.S. Park Police and the FBI Washington Field Office and is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Rebekah J. Bailey of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Risa Berkower for the District of Columbia.

            If you believe that you were a victim of, or witnessed, a similar assault in Meridian Hill Park, please call the FBI tip line, 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324). 

            For more information and resources about the Justice Department’s work to combat hate crimes, visit www.justice.gov/hatecrimes.

            An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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            Prosecuting bias-related crimes is critical to keeping our community safe. When one member of a group in the community is the victim of a bias-related crime, all members carry with them a fear that they, too, may be targeted because of who they are. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia (USAO-DC) is committed to enforcing both federal and local hate and bias-related crime laws.

            For more information:https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/hatebias-related-crimes

WASHINGTON – Susan Engonwei Tingwei, 44, of Silver Spring, Md., a licensed attorney, was sentenced today to 10 months in prison for defrauding the D.C. Medicaid program out of more than $100,000 in a scheme involving false claims about personal care services.

            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, Maureen R. Dixon, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General for the region that includes Washington, D.C., and Daniel W. Lucas, Inspector General for the District of Columbia.

            Tingwei pleaded guilty in November 2021, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, to health care fraud. She was sentenced by the Honorable Carl J. Nichols. Following her prison term, she will be placed on two years of supervised release. She also must pay $131,656 in restitution and an identical amount in a forfeiture money judgment.

            In court documents, Tingwei admitted that at various times between 2016 and 2018, she was employed by two different home health agencies in the District of Columbia. The home health agencies employed her to assist D.C. Medicaid beneficiaries in performing activities of daily living, such as getting in and out of bed, bathing, dressing, and eating.

            Tingwei was supposed to document the care that she provided to Medicaid beneficiaries on timesheets and then submit the timesheets to the home health agencies, which would in turn bill Medicaid for the services that she rendered. As part of her guilty plea, Tingwei admitted that she submitted false timesheets claiming to provide services that she did not actually render.

            Tingwei earned her Master of Laws degree from the University of Maryland in May 2017. She was admitted to the New York state bar in February 2018 and the Maryland state bar in January 2020.

            On 118 occasions between August 2016 and May 2017, Tingwei submitted timesheets claiming that she worked as a personal care aide in Washington, D.C., during the same hours when she either was scheduled to attend law school classes in Baltimore, or when she should have been traveling to or from Baltimore related to her law school program. For example, Tingwei submitted timesheets claiming that she provided services to two beneficiaries on April 13, 2017, one from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the other from 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Records show Tingwei’s key card swiping in at the University of Maryland’s law school campus at 5:30 p.m. and swiping out at 9:29 p.m. Cell phone records also showed her cell phone being in Baltimore between 8:03 a.m. and 9:31 p.m. that day.

            Tingwei admitted that her fraud scheme began no later than August 2016 and continued through September 2018. She acknowledged successfully defrauding the D.C. Medicaid program out of $131,656.

            The FBI, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General, the District of Columbia’s Office of the Inspector General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office are committed to investigating and prosecuting individuals who defraud the D.C. Medicaid program.

            Since August 2018, 11 former personal care aides have pleaded guilty to defrauding Medicaid in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Six of those aides were sentenced to 13 months in prison; a seventh was sentenced to serve 15 months.

            The government urges the public to provide tips and assistance to stop health care fraud.

            If you have information about individuals committing health care fraud, please call the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General hotline at (800) HHS‑TIPS [(800) 447-8477] or the D.C. Office of the Inspector General at (800) 724-TIPS [(800) 274-8477].

            This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kondi Kleinman and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise Simmonds, with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Michon Tart and former Paralegal Specialists Angeline Thekkumthala and Brittany Phillips.

WASHINGTON - U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, and numerous local and federal law enforcement agencies and community-based organizations welcomed more than 600 youths at the 12th Annual “Breaking the Silence on Youth Violence Youth Summit,” held on July 8 at Catholic University and streamed virtually.

            The event focused on a variety of subjects, including gun violence prevention, human trafficking, teen dating violence, opioid awareness, and mental health, The summit also featured a speed networking session for youth to connect with mentors in various professions.  The summit was comprised of dynamic speakers, entertainment, and information and resources.

            Since the U.S. Attorney’s Office hosted its first Youth Summit in 2011, thousands have participated in the activities. The event is a part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhood Program, a nationwide effort to reduce violent crime.

            This year’s partners included Black and Missing Foundation Incorporated, D.C. Prevention Centers, East River Family Strengthening Collaborative, the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA), the D.C. Department of Employment Services Summer Youth Employment Program, the Marion Barry Youth Leadership Institute, the Metropolitan Police Department, the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation, the D.C. Department of Behavioral Health, Phil More Fit Fitness, Drug Free World, the D.C. Office of the Attorney General, The T.R.I.G.G.E.R Project, The TraRon Center, the U.S. Office of the Surgeon General, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and the FBI.

            The U.S. Attorney’s Office thanks all of those who participated and looks forward to many future events on behalf of youths in the District of Columbia.

WASHINGTON – A criminal complaint was unsealed today charging Jean Pelice, a Haitian national, also known as “Zo,” with hostage taking for his role in the armed kidnapping of 16 U.S. citizens in Haiti in the fall of 2021. The victims were Christian missionaries serving in Haiti and most of them were held captive for 61 days before escaping.

            Pelice, 27, a member of the 400 Mawozo gang, was transferred into U.S. custody on May 16, 2022, on the basis of an arrest warrant in the matter and has since been detained. He made his initial appearance this afternoon in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

            Matthew M. Graves, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, and John J. Bernardo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Miami Field Office, made the announcement today.

            The charges brought today are related to the Oct. 16, 2021, kidnapping of 17 Christian missionaries near Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Sixteen of the kidnapping victims were U.S. citizens, including five children, one as young as eight months’ old.  According to the complaint, Pelice, along with other 400 Mawozo gang members, used firearms to guard the missionaries during their captivity. 400 Mawozo made ransom demands for the release of the missionaries, and one of the gang’s stated goals in holding the hostages was to secure from the Haitian government release of Joly Germine, a 400 Mawozo leader, from prison. Two of the hostages were released on or about Nov. 18, 2021, and three more were released on or about Dec. 5, 2021.  The remaining hostages escaped captivity on or about Dec. 16, 2021. 

            Germine, 29, also known as “Yonyon,” was indicted in the District of Columbia on May 10, 2022, on a charge of conspiracy to commit hostage taking. He has pleaded not guilty.

            Charges in a complaint or indictment are merely allegations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.  If convicted of any offense, a defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

            The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Miami Field Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen P. Seifert, with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Jorge Casillas, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.

WASHINGTON – A former union officer pleaded guilty today to conspiring to steal more than $500,000 from the labor organization, using the money for parties, trips, furniture, and other personal expenses.

            Attia Little, 43, of Temple Hills, Maryland, pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to one count of conspiracy and one count of theft from a labor organization. She is to be sentenced on Nov. 4, 2022, by the Honorable Amit P. Mehta. Under federal sentencing, she faces a likely range of 30 to 37 months in prison and potential financial penalties. The plea agreement calls for Little to pay restitution. 

            The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Troy W. Springer, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of the Inspector General, and Mark Wheeler, District Director, Washington District Office, Office of Labor-Management Standards.

            Little was the operations manager of the Property Services Division of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), headquartered in Washington, D.C. As part of her duties, she managed administrative support, booked reservations for SEIU employees, and paid vendor invoices for union-related purchases. She had a work-issued credit card and access to third-party discount travel booking platforms that were to be used for union business only.

            A co-defendant, Melba Norris, was a close associate of Little’s, and had no affiliation with the union. According to plea documents, between November 2015 and October 2017, Little used her access to the credit card and travel booking platforms to embezzle approximately $503,600 from SEIU. In total, she kept approximately $460,900 in SEIU funds for herself, and Norris kept approximately $42,700.

            Among other things, Little used the SEIU credit card to purchase personal items, including purchases for a baby, personal parties hosted at her residence, personal travel, furniture, watches, clothing, and video games. She also used the credit card to purchase gift cards for personal use. Little also used the credit card to pay funds to a company that she created and companies created and controlled by Norris, even though no work was performed.

            Norris, 36, of Powder Springs, Georgia, pleaded guilty in May 2022 to charges of conspiracy and theft from a labor organization. She is to be sentenced on Oct. 7, 2022. 

            In announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney Graves, Acting Special Agent in Charge Springer, and District Director Wheeler commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Labor Department’s Office of the Inspector General and Office of Labor-Management Standards. They also expressed appreciation for the work of those who handled the case at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Financial Analyst Bryan Snitselaar, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ahmed M. Baset, who investigated and prosecuted the matter.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia testified today at a committee hearing before the Council of the District of Columbia on proposed legislation, Bill 24-0838, the “Restoring Trust and Credibility to Forensic Sciences Amendment Act of 2022.”

            As stated today, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to working with its partners to chart a path forward for the District of Columbia Department of Forensic Sciences.

            In addition to appearing before the Council’s Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety, Elana Suttenberg, Special Counsel to the U.S. Attorney, provided written remarks, available in the accompanying attachment.

            The testimony is also available at this link. 

WASHINGTON – Joseph Tamjong, 50, of Lanham, Maryland, was arrested today after being charged in federal court with defrauding the D.C. Medicaid program out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. 

            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, Maureen R. Dixon, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General for the region that includes Washington, D.C., and Daniel W. Lucas, Inspector General for the District of Columbia.

            Tamjong was charged in a criminal complaint with health care fraud and health care false statements. He is to make his initial appearance later today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

            According to charging documents, between approximately December 2014 and the present, Tamjong has been employed as personal care aide and/or a participant-directed worker to provide personal care aide services to District of Columbia residents who need assistance performing activities of daily living, such as getting in and out of bed, bathing, dressing, and eating. Tamjong is alleged to have submitted false timesheets claiming that he provided such services when in fact he did not, including when he was traveling outside the United States on eight different trips. Charging documents allege that between December 2014 and February 2022, Medicaid issued payments totaling approximately $733,405 for personal care aide services that Tamjong purportedly provided as a personal care aide or participant-directed worker.

            A complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

            Today’s arrest marks a continued effort by the FBI, the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General, the District of Columbia’s Office of the Inspector General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to investigate and prosecute individuals who defraud the D.C. Medicaid program.  Since August 2018, 11 former personal care aides have pleaded guilty to defrauding Medicaid in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. Six of those aides were sentenced to 13 months in prison; a seventh was sentenced to serve 15 months. An eleventh, Susan Tingwei—a licensed attorney—is scheduled to be sentenced on July 11, 2022.

            The government urges the public to provide tips and assistance to stop health care fraud. If you have information about individuals committing health care fraud, please call the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General hotline at (800) HHS‑TIPS [(800) 447-8477] or the D.C. Office of the Inspector General at (800) 724-TIPS [(800) 274-8477].

            This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kondi Kleinman, with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Michon Tart.

WASHINGTON – George Miller, 28, of Capitol Heights, Maryland, was sentenced today to 16 years in prison 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 March 2022, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to a charge of second-degree murder while armed. He was sentenced by the Honorable Robert Okun. Following his prison term, he is to be placed on five years of supervised release.

            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 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 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.

WASHINGTON – John Nelson McQuillen, 66, of Norfolk, Virginia, was sentenced today to 42 months in prison for helping his longtime partner to flee and avoid apprehension after she attempted to kill a woman in Northeast Washington.

            The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

           McQuillen pleaded guilty in April 2022, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to accessory after the fact to assault with intent to kill. He was sentenced by the Honorable Michael O’Keefe. Following his prison term, he will be placed on three years of supervised release; during that time, he is ordered to stay out of the District of Columbia.

            According to the government’s evidence, McQuillen and his longtime partner, Tommie Lynn Dunmire, shared an adult son who was murdered in Cleveland, Ohio in March 2021.  Over the ensuing months, McQuillen and Dunmire became frustrated with the investigation of their son’s death, and Dunmire began to conduct her own investigation. Dunmire’s mental state significantly deteriorated over this time.

            On Nov. 5, 2021, McQuillen and Dunmire traveled by car from Norfolk to the victim’s home in Northeast Washington. Dunmire had mistakenly identified the victim as responsible for their son’s murder, and McQuillen knew that Dunmire intended to harm this person. In fact, the victim, a 30-year-old woman, was not involved in any way in the homicide.

            Surveillance video shows Dunmire, wearing a brown vest and brown baseball cap and carrying a cardboard box, knocking on the front door of the victim’s home at approximately 9:25 p.m. Dunmire announced herself as a “UPS” delivery person, stating that she had a package for the victim. When the victim opened the door, Dunmire fired two shots from a silver revolver that she was holding inside of an opening cut in the back of the carboard box. One shot struck the victim in the abdomen. McQuillen then drove himself and Dunmire out of the area and changed the license plates on their vehicle. MPD officers stopped the vehicle soon thereafter in the 1400 block of Florida Avenue NE.

            During the stop, Dunmire shot herself, using the revolver that she had used to shoot the victim. She later died. The victim was transported to a hospital and survived the injuries.

            McQuillen was arrested in Virginia on March 11, 2022 and has been detained ever since.

           In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Contee expressed appreciation for the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department and for the valuable assistance provided by the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office. They also acknowledged the efforts of those working on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles R. Jones, who prosecuted the matter.

WASHINGTON - Michael Smallwood, 37, of Washington, D.C., has been found guilty of firearms and related charges after police discovered a ghost gun and ammunition in an apartment where he was staying in Southeast Washington, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            Smallwood was found guilty by a jury on June 22, 2022, of unlawful possession of a firearm and related charges following a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The Honorable Jason Park scheduled sentencing for Sept. 9, 2022.

            According to the government’s evidence, in the early morning hours of Dec. 21, 2019, police responded to a domestic violence call at an apartment in Southeast Washington where Smallwood was residing. There, the police were notified that Smallwood kept a firearm in his dresser. In addition to the firearm, police discovered ammunition and two magazines, including an extended magazine with the capacity to hold 29 rounds of ammunition. The firearm was a ghost gun with an obliterated serial number. Smallwood was prohibited from possessing a firearm because he had been convicted in 2009 in the District of Columbia of a firearm-related felony offense. Three young children also resided in the apartment.

            Smallwood was arrested that day.

            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 acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristian Hinson; Paralegal Specialist Tiffany Jones; Victim/Witness Advocates Tracey Hawkins and Maria Sanchez-Garcia; former Victim/Witness Advocate Elsa Maltese; Supervisory Witness Security Specialist Lesley Slade; Victim/Witness Service Coordinators LaJune Thames and Maenylie Watson, and Forensic Child Interview Specialists Tracy Owusu and Karen Giannakoulias. 

            Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren Galloway and Ryan Sellinger, who investigated and prosecuted the case.

WASHINGTON – An Iraqi national, Aws Muwafaq Abduljabbar, was sentenced today to 37 months in prison on a charge of conspiracy to defraud the United States related to his role in a scheme to defraud U.S. refugee programs.

            The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Inspector General Dr. Joseph V. Cuffari, and U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) Deputy Assistant Secretary and Assistant Director for Domestic Operations Mark A. Sullo.

            Abduljabbar, 44, pleaded guilty in January 2022, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.  He was sentenced by the Honorable Judge Rudolph Contreras. 

            Abduljabbar is one of three defendants who were charged in an indictment that was unsealed on January 22, 2021.  The indictment charged Abduljabbar and two other foreign nationals, Haitham Isa Saado Sad, 44, and Olesya Leonidovna Krasilova, 44, in connection with a scheme to defraud the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) and, in particular, the Iraq P-2 program, which allows certain Iraqis to apply directly for refugee resettlement in the United States.  Sad previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced.  Krasilova remains at large.

            According to the indictment and statement of facts agreed to by Abduljabbar as part of his guilty plea, from approximately February 2016 until at least April 2019, the three defendants, led by Abduljabbar, conspired to steal U.S. government records related to hundreds of USRAP applications.  Sad was employed in Amman, Jordan from 2007 to 2016 by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and Krasilova held a similar position at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, Russia.  As part of their duties, both defendants had access to the State Department’s Worldwide Refugee Admissions Processing System (WRAPS), a database containing sensitive, non-public information about refugee applicants and their family members.

            Abduljabbar organized and led the conspiracy, and he relied on and paid Sad and Krasilova to steal WRAPS records and information so that Abduljabbar could assist applicants in gaining admission to the United States through fraudulent means.  As outlined in the indictment and statement of facts, the theft of USRAP records creates a number of risks to public safety and national security while imposing significant costs on the U.S. government, its taxpayers, and otherwise legitimate refugee applicants negatively impacted by the scheme.

            This case was investigated jointly by the DHS Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service.  It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Erik M. Kenerson and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke M. Jones of the National Security Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.  The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs assisted.

WASHINGTON – Anthony Bedney, 27, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 20 years in prison for shooting a woman and her five-year-old child after an argument over a scooter he abandoned in a bike lane in Northwest Washington, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            Bedney pleaded guilty in April 2022, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to one count of assault with intent to kill with a dangerous weapon and two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. The plea, which was contingent upon the Court’s approval, called for a sentence of 15 to 20 years in prison. The Honorable Milton C. Lee, Jr. accepted the plea and sentenced the defendant accordingly. Following his prison term, Bedney will be placed on five years of supervised release.

            According to the government’s evidence, the attack took place at about 6:50 p.m. on May 18, 2021. Bedney left a rented scooter in a bike lane on 10th Street NW. A woman who was outside with her family told Bedney that he could not leave his scooter there. The woman then moved the scooter. Bedney then came back and kicked the scooter over. The woman said something to the effect of: “My kids are playing here.” Bedney replied with an expletive. The woman’s husband then approached him as the mother and two young children retreated. He and Bedney engaged in a verbal altercation, and the father threw the scooter back towards him. Bedney moved away and was not hit. The father, meanwhile, moved to be near his family.

            As the family was going back inside their residence, Bedney placed a black ski-type mask over his head and face. He then retrieved a firearm from his bag and fired approximately seven shots in the direction of the family. One bullet struck the woman in the chest/neck area, and one struck one of the children, who was five years old, in the back. The mother was hospitalized for six weeks. The bullet still remains lodged in the child’s back. The father and the other child, then two years old, were not hit by the gunfire.

            Bedney fled the scene. He was arrested on May 27, 2021, after police linked him to the scooter through the rental company’s records. 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 handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialists Allison Daniels and Debra McPherson and Victim/Witness Program Specialist Karina Hernandez. Finally, they expressed appreciation for the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole G. H. Conte, who investigated and prosecuted the matter.

WASHINGTON – Jeremiah McCrimmon, 24, of Oxon Hill, Maryland, was sentenced today to 32 years in prison for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a child who was 13 years old at the time of the incident, and for violating a court-issued protection order.

            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).

            McCrimmon pleaded guilty in September 2021, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, to charges of kidnapping, first-degree sexual abuse, and interstate violation of a protection order. He was sentenced by the Honorable Timothy J. Kelly. Following his prison term, he must register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

            In November 2017, McCrimmon inappropriately touched the victim’s breasts and attempted to further sexually assault her at a home in Maryland.  As a result, the victim’s mother sought and obtained a protection order, which was signed by a Maryland judge. The order required McCrimmon to stay away from the child and her mother and to have no further contact with them. At the time, McCrimmon was employed as a special police officer.

            On Dec. 18, 2018, McCrimmon waited for the then 13-year-old victim to return from school, and in broad daylight, abducted her from a parking lot in Capitol Heights, Maryland.  McCrimmon forced the victim into his car, handcuffed her, took and disassembled her cell phone, and drove into Washington, D.C. to a dark and filthy abandoned home.  He forcibly raped the victim multiple times. He finally released the victim three hours later, and the victim immediately reported the attack to family members.  Forensic testing revealed the presence of McCrimmon’s DNA on swabs collected from the victim’s body during a Sexual Assault Nurse Examination.  A search warrant executed on the defendant’s vehicle recovered the handcuffs and other items of evidential value.

            McCrimmon was arrested on Jan. 9, 2019, and remained in custody ever since.

            In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves, Special Agent in Charge Jacobs, and Chief Contee commended those who investigated the case from 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, including from MPD’s Youth and Family Services Division. 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.

            They also expressed appreciation for those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Sharon Marcus-Kurn, Chief of the Sex Offense and Domestic Violence Section; Jodi Lazarus, Acting Chief of the Superior Court Division; Elana Suttenberg, Special Counsel to the U.S. Attorney for Policy and Legislative Affairs; Victim/Witness Program Specialist Yvonne Bryant; Paralegal Specialists Tiffany Jones, Tiffany Fogel, and Candace Battle, and Forensic Child Interviewer Tracy Owusu.

            Finally, U.S. Attorney Graves, Special Agent in Charge Jacobs, and Chief Contee commended the work of Kathleen Kern, Deputy Chief of the Major Crimes Section, Anthony Scarpelli, of the Office’s Violence Reduction and Trafficking Offenses Section, and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Marisa West, who investigated and prosecuted the case.

WASHINGTON – Nikko Drake, 33, of Washington, D.C., has been found guilty by a jury of aggravated assault while armed for shooting a woman outside a Northwest Washington nightclub, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            Drake was also found guilty of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and related firearms offenses.  The verdict was returned on June 17, 2022, following a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The Honorable Maribeth Raffinan set sentencing for Sept. 23, 2022.

            According to the government’s evidence, at 11:25 p.m. on Jan. 23, 2020, Drake got into an argument with the female victim, who was then 21, outside a nightclub in the 1900 block of 9th Street NW, in the Shaw area.  Drake punched the victim, knocking her to the ground.  After a physical struggle, Drake shot her twice in the abdomen.  The victim was taken to Howard University Hospital, where she required emergency trauma surgery.  MPD officers spotted Drake in the area in response to a look-out and apprehended him within fifteen minutes of the offense.

            Drake was arrested on Jan. 24, 2020.  He has been in custody ever since.

            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 acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Chrisellen Kolb, Chief of the Appellate Division; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alicia Long, Mark Hobel, and Daniel Lenerz; former Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Fretto Lingwood; Supervisory Paralegal Specialist R. Renee Prather; Lead Paralegal Specialist Tameka S. Garcia; Paralegal Specialists Crystal L. Waddy and Debra McPherson; Supervisory Victim/Witness Services Coordinator Katina Adams-Washington; Victim/Witness Services Coordinator La June Thames; Victim/Witness Program Specialist Karina Hernandez; Litigation Technology Supervisor Leif Hickling, and Litigation Technology Specialist Maisha Treadwell.

            Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul V. Courtney and Nicole G. H. Conte, who investigated and prosecuted the matter.

WASHINGTON – Joseph Fox, 28, of Capitol Heights, Maryland, was sentenced today to 21 years in prison for killing a woman as she sat in her car earlier this year in Northwest Washington. Her two young children were in the back seat at the time of the slaying.

            The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            Fox pleaded guilty in March 2022, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to one count of second-degree murder while armed and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon. The plea, which was contingent upon the Court’s approval, called for a sentence of 14 to 21 years in prison. The Honorable Milton C. Lee, Jr. accepted the plea and sentenced Fox accordingly. Following his prison term, Fox will be placed on five years of supervised release.

            The shooting took place shortly after 8 p.m. on Jan. 19, 2022. According to the government’s evidence, Fox and the victim, Sierra Johnson, 27, were in a car parked near the intersection of Georgia Avenue and Euclid Street NW. Ms. Johnson was in the driver’s seat and Fox was in the passenger seat, with Ms. Johnson’s children in the back seat of the car. While inside the car, Fox shot Ms. Johnson at least four times. He then got out of the vehicle and shot her at least one more time before fleeing with the gun. Ms. Johnson was pronounced dead a short time later. She had four gunshot wounds to the head, one to the right side of her neck, and one to her right upper extremities. The children were not hit by the gunfire.

            Fox was arrested on Jan. 25, 2022. 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 work of those who handled the case at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Victim/Witness Advocate Jennifer Allen and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sitara Witanachchi, who investigated and prosecuted the matter.

WASHINGTON – Knico Wheaton, 25, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 11 years in prison for his role in the slaying of a man during a drug deal in Northeast Washington, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            Wheaton pleaded guilty in January 2022, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to a charge of voluntary manslaughter while armed. The plea, which was contingent upon the Court’s approval, called for a sentence of 7 ½ to 12 years. The Honorable Milton C. Lee, Jr. accepted the plea and sentenced Wheaton accordingly. Following his prison term, Wheaton will be placed on five years of supervised release.

            According to the government’s evidence, Wheaton arranged on Jan. 11, 2020, to purchase marijuana from the victim’s cousin. The victim, Tavon Cox, drove from Baltimore to Washington to make the delivery later that day. At approximately 8 p.m., Mr. Cox met with Wheaton at a pre-arranged location in the 700 block of 24th Street NE. Wheaton and another individual approached Mr. Cox’s vehicle and asked to smell the marijuana. Mr. Cox, still in the car with a passenger who accompanied him on the trip, permitted them to do so.

            At that point, Wheaton and/or his accomplice reached into a coat pocket to retrieve a firearm and immediately shot at Mr. Cox, striking his head. Wheaton and his accomplice then fled the scene together with the marijuana that they had taken from Mr. Cox. Mr. Cox, 41, died from the gunshots.

            Wheaton was arrested on April 28, 2020. He has been detained 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 Victim/Witness Advocate Christina Bloodworth, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sitara Witanachchi and Prava Palacharla, who investigated and prosecuted the matter.

"The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the FBI’s Washington Field Office are committed to protecting the First Amendment rights of all Americans to express their views peacefully during demonstrations that take place on a regular basis in the nation’s capital, including at the Supreme Court. We also have a responsibility to ensure public safety and the orderly conduct of government business. We will not tolerate violence, destruction, interference with government functions, or trespassing on government property. We are committed to working closely with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to stop any individuals who intend to commit violence or criminal activity under the guise of carrying out a demonstration.”

WASHINGTON – Robert Erkhart, 41, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 9 ½ years in prison for shooting a man in a parking lot last year in Northeast Washington, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). The victim survived the attack but is now paralyzed from the chest down.

            Erkhart pleaded guilty in December 2021, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to aggravated assault while armed and a related firearms offense, The plea, which was contingent upon the Court’s approval, called for a prison sentence of 96 to 138 months. The Honorable Juliet J. McKenna accepted the plea and sentenced Erkhart accordingly. Following his prison term, Erkhart will be placed on five years of supervised release.

            According to the government’s evidence, the victim, then 41, was walking a dog on the night of Feb. 23, 2021, when he spotted Erkhart’s vehicle. The two men knew one another and had earlier been in a dispute. The victim approached Erkhart in a parking lot behind a building in the 2100 block of I Street NE, where Erkhart resided. An argument took place, and the victim asked Erkhart to get out of his car and fight him. Erkhart got out of the vehicle, and at approximately 10 p.m., he shot the victim twice with a .40-caliber pistol.

            The victim was shot in the back and right ankle. As a result of the shooting, the victim is now paralyzed from the chest down and requires a wheelchair.

            Erkhart was arrested on March 5, 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 Crystal Waddy, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul V. Courtney, who investigated and prosecuted the matter.

WASHINGTON – Rodregiz Antwon Cole, 37, of Manning, South Carolina, was sentenced today to 15 years in prison and a lifetime of supervised release for sex trafficking a minor in Washington, D.C. in April 2019 while on sex offender registration status.

            The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves, Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal Division, and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            Cole pleaded guilty on May 20, 2021, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, to one count of sex trafficking of a minor and one count of commission of a crime against a minor victim while on sex offender registration status. He was sentenced by the Honorable Colleen Kollar-Kotelly. Following completion of his prison term, Cole will be placed on a lifetime of supervised release.

            According to the government’s evidence, the minor victim first encountered Cole in April 2019 through an online sexual solicitation advertisement on “skipthegames.com” when she was 17 years old and pregnant. When she told Cole that she was only 17 years old, he initially said he did not want her to engage in commercial sex acts for his financial benefit due to her age, but then changed his mind. Cole drove the minor victim, along with two other adult females who were working in his commercial sex enterprise, to the “Track” in Washington, D.C. There, he had the minor victim engage in at least six commercial sex “dates” and took all of the proceeds from her.

            Cole was arrested on April 5, 2019 following an investigation by the Metropolitan Police Department and the FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. When Cole was arrested, he was in possession of the cash earned by the minor victim and the other women working for him along with two cellular phones with communications about his commercial sex enterprise. He has remained in custody since his arrest. At the time of these offenses, Cole was required to register as a sex offender because of a prior conviction in 2018 in South Carolina.   

            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.

            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 and MPD. They also expressed appreciation for the work of those who handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Justice Department, including Victim/Witness Advocate Yvonne Bryant.

            Finally, they commended the work of Trial Attorney Elizabeth Hutson of the Justice Department Criminal Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit, who investigated and prosecuted the matter.

            WASHINGTON –Tyrone Williams, 52, of Washington, D.C., was found guilty by a jury today of first-degree felony murder of a senior citizen and other charges in a mid-day attempted robbery that took place in Northeast Washington, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            Williams also was found guilty of attempted robbery of a senior citizen. The verdict followed a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Williams faces a maximum sentence of life in prison for the crimes. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

            According to the government’s evidence, at 11:45 a.m. on March 29, 2020, Bobby Poole Jr. 81, was walking home after going on his daily mile-long walk to a convenience store. On his way home, in the 900 block of Eastern Avenue NE, Mr. Poole was knocked down by Williams and a second unknown assailant. The two went through his pockets. Mr. Poole hit his head on a metal fence during the robbery, suffering brain injuries. He died on May 6, 2020, from complications of blunt force trauma to the head

            Surveillance video from the convenience store shows Williams had been casing Mr. Poole and the convenience store and following him afterwards. The attack is not shown on video, but a civilian witness, who had just run into Williams at the store, saw Williams and the second assailant fleeing the area where Mr. Poole was found. Williams was located at the convenience store afterwards and is identified through surveillance video.

            Williams was arrested on March 29, 2020. He has been in custody ever since.

            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 acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gauri Gopal, Chimnomnso Kalu, and Daniel Lenerz, Paralegal Specialist Grazy Rivera, Lead Paralegal Specialist Tasha Harris, Supervisory Victim/Witness Advocate Jennifer Clark, Investigative Analyst Zachary McMenamin, and Litigation Technology Supervisor Leif Hickling and Litigation Technology Specialist Paul Howell. 

            Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian Ganjei and Ariel Dean, who investigated and prosecuted the case.

WASHINGTON – Kareem Davis, 21, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to nine years in prison for kidnapping and robbing a man in Southeast Washington, and then forcing the victim to drive to various ATMs at gunpoint. The victim escaped by jumping out of the car.

            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).

            Davis pleaded guilty on Oct. 14, 2021, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, to a federal kidnapping charge. He was sentenced by the Honorable Dabney L. Friedrich. Following his prison term, Davis will be placed on five years of supervised release.

            According to court documents, at approximately 12:50 a.m. on Sept. 17, 2020, the victim, then 25, drove to the 3800 block of 9th Street SE, believing he would see a young woman he had met the previous afternoon. Instead, while the victim was parked on the street, Davis approached his car, tapped on the passenger side window, and told him to open the door. After sitting in the front passenger seat, Davis asked if the victim was there to visit “his sister.” Davis then pulled a handgun from his waistband, pointed it, and demanded all of the victim’s money.

            The victim turned over $216 in cash and the change from the vehicle’s cup-holders. But Davis demanded even more money, threatening to kill the victim. Fearing he would be shot, the victim began driving Davis to various ATMs, crossing into Maryland to withdraw approximately $1,500 for Davis. After the final ATM withdrawal, Davis ordered the victim to drive them back to 9th Street SE. As they got to 9th Street, the victim placed his vehicle on cruise control and jumped out of the moving car. He escaped on foot and immediately called 911.

            Davis was arrested on Oct. 7, 2020. He has been in custody ever since.

            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 Violent Crimes Task Force and MPD. They also expressed appreciation for those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Victim/Witness Advocate Yvonne Bryant, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly L. Paschall, who investigated and prosecuted the case.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Capitol Police Officer Thomas Smith has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of violating a man’s civil rights and for obstructing justice. Smith, 44, is expected to be arraigned on these charges in federal court within the next week.

            The indictment alleges that on June 20, 2020, Smith drove his police vehicle in a reckless and dangerous manner and was deliberately indifferent to the risk of harm he created, which resulted in Smith crashing his car into the victim and injuring him. Smith then knowingly drove away from the scene of the crash without rendering aid, alerting medical authorities, and taking any other reasonable steps to obtain help for the victim. Following the crash, Smith falsified U.S. Capitol Police records to cover-up his misconduct.

            The indictment was returned yesterday and unsealed today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

            Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves for the District of Columbia and Assistant Director in Charge Steven M. D’Antuono of the FBI Washington Field Office made the announcement.

            The case is being investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office and is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Sanjay Patel of the Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kendra Briggs. Assistance in the investigation was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

            The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

            WASHINGTON –Three men, all from Washington, D.C., were sentenced today to prison terms for their roles in the fatal shooting of 11-year-old Davon McNeal on July 4, 2020, in Southeast Washington, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). 

            All three defendants pleaded guilty in February 2022, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to voluntary manslaughter while armed. They include Carlo General, 21, Marcel Gordon, 27, and Christen Wingfield, 24. General’s plea called for an agreed-upon sentence of 13 to 16 years in prison. Gordon’s called for 10 years, and Wingfield’s called for 9 ½-years.

            The Honorable Rainey R. Brandt accepted the pleas and sentenced the defendants accordingly. General was sentenced to 16 years, Gordon to 10 years, and Wingfield to 9 ½ years. Following their prison terms, they will be placed on five years of supervised release.

            The sentences are consistent with the Court’s voluntary sentencing guidelines.

            A fourth defendant, Daryle Bond, 20, also from Washington, D.C., is to be sentenced on Aug. 4, 2022. Bond also pleaded guilty in February 2022 to voluntary manslaughter while armed, and his plea agreement calls for an agreed-upon term of 7 ½-to-9 ½- years in prison.

            According to the government’s evidence, on July 4, 2020, at approximately 9:15 p.m., General, Gordon, Wingfield, and Bond were congregating at a barbeque near the cul-de-sac in front of an apartment building located in the 1400 block of Cedar Street SE. Cedar Street is a long road that ends in a cul-de-sac. The entrance of the 1400 block of Cedar Street intersects diagonally with a street that is known as the “alley.” 

            Near the entrance of the 1400 block of Cedar Street, Davon McNeal – 11 years old – was exiting a vehicle and walking towards a basement apartment in the Frederick Douglass Garden Apartment Complex.  At a certain point, General, armed with a firearm with a laser sight, started running towards the entrance of the 1400 block of Cedar Street and fired his weapon towards the alley.  Surveillance footage shows Davon running towards the basement apartment and falling after General fired his weapon.  

            Approximately six seconds later, Gordon, while running behind General, fired his weapon in the same direction.  Bond, also armed with a firearm, ran towards the entrance of the 1400 block on a sidewalk on the side of the apartment building, along with Wingfield, who was armed with a firearm as well and running on the road. 

            All four defendants gathered in front of the apartment building and looked down the alley.  The group subsequently ran in the direction of a playground with guns drawn.  Bond, General and Gordon all fired their firearms as they were running away.

            An autopsy concluded that Davon’s death was caused by a gunshot wound to the head. 

            General was arrested on July 30, 2020. Bond was arrested on July 10, 2020. Wingfield was arrested on July 11, 2020. Gordon was arrested on Sept. 1, 2020. All 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 Criminal Investigations Division Homicide Branch of the Metropolitan Police Department. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Lashone Samuels, former Victim/ Witness Specialist Marcia Rinker, Victim/ Witness Specialist Latrice Washington-Williams, and Investigative Analyst Zachary McMenamin.

            Finally, they commended the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shehzad Akhtar, Stephen Rickard, and Jack Korba, who investigated and prosecuted the case, and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Maryam Adeyola, who provided valuable assistance.

WASHINGTON – Former White House advisor Peter K. Navarro has been indicted by a federal grand jury on two counts of contempt of Congress stemming from his failure to comply with a subpoena issued by the House Select Committee investigating the Jan. 6 breach of the United States Capitol.

            Navarro, 72, is charged with one contempt count involving his refusal to appear for a deposition and another involving his refusal to produce documents, despite a subpoena from the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol. The indictment was returned yesterday and unsealed today. Navarro is to make his initial appearance this afternoon in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

            The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves of the District of Columbia and Assistant Director in Charge Steven M. D’Antuono of the FBI Washington Field Office.

            As detailed in the indictment, on Feb. 9, 2022, the Select Committee issued a subpoena to Navarro. The subpoena required him to appear and produce documents to the Select Committee on Feb. 23, 2022, and to appear for a deposition before the Select Committee on March 2, 2022. According to the indictment, Navarro refused to appear to give testimony as required by subpoena and refused to produce documents in compliance with a subpoena.

            In its subpoena, the Select Committee said it had reason to believe that Navarro had information relevant to its investigation. Navarro, formerly an advisor to the President on various trade and manufacturing policies, has been a private citizen since departing the White House on Jan. 20, 2021.

            Each count of contempt of Congress carries a minimum of 30 days and a maximum of one year in jail, as well as a fine of up to $100,000. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

            An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

            The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office. The case is being prosecuted by the Fraud, Public Corruption, and Civil Rights Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.

WASHINGTON – Jan Astaphan, 41, of Baltimore, Maryland, was sentenced today to 123 months in prison on a federal charge of traveling interstate to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor.

            The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Special Agent in Charge Raymond Villanueva of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C., and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD)

            Astaphan pleaded guilty in June 2021, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, to a charge of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.  He was sentenced by the Honorable Randolph D. Moss. Upon completion of his prison term, Astaphan will be placed on a term of 10 years of supervised release, and required to pay a special assessment fee. He also will be required to register as a sex offender for a minimum period of 15 years upon his release from prison.

            According to the government's evidence, on January 29, 2019, Astaphan agreed to pay $300 to engage in sexual activity with an under-aged child at a hotel in Washington D.C.  HSI undercover agents identified Astaphan as a user of a website known to law enforcement as a site where members actively sexually exploit children. HSI agents identified Astaphan’s account in February 2018, and began communicating with him on multiple platforms, including by text message.  As their conversations continued, Astaphan arranged to travel from his home in Maryland, on January 29, 2019, to a hotel in the District of Columbia.  After handing $300 in cash to an individual he believed had access to the under-aged child, he was arrested by law enforcement.  He has been in custody ever since.

            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 Villanueva, and Chief Contee commended the work of the MPD Detectives and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). They also commended the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy E. Larson, who is prosecuting the case.

WASHINGTON – Kirkland Shipley, 48, a former teacher and girls’ rowing coach at Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to sexually abusing a high school student and possessing sexually explicit material of a 17-year-old former high school student, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            Shipley, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to first-degree sexual abuse of a secondary education student and possession of a sexual performance by a minor. Sentencing is scheduled for September 9, 2022 before the Honorable Maribeth Raffinan. As part of his sentence, Shipley will be required to register for the rest of his life as a sex offender.

            According to the government’s evidence, one of the victims was on the girls’ crew team at Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda, Maryland from 2014-2018. Shipley was her head coach from her sophomore year to her senior year, as well as her history and geography teacher. During her sophomore year of high school, Shipley began texting the victim about rowing and personal matters. This continued into her senior year, in which Shipley began to text the victim more frequently and about increasingly personal topics. On at least two occasions in May 2018, prior to this victim’s graduation, he picked the victim up in his car and sexually abused her at his residence in Northwest Washington.

            The other victim was on the girls’ crew team at Walt Whitman High School from 2009—2013. Shipley was her head coach from her sophomore year to her senior year. He also was this victim’s history teacher during her junior year. During the spring of the victim’s senior year, Shipley began to message her on GChat more frequently, about rowing and personal matters. A month after her graduation, in July 2013, when the victim was 17 years old, Shipley invited her to his residence in Washington, D.C., and had sex with her. He continued having sex with this victim throughout the summer and after she began college in the fall of 2013. During this time, Shipley possessed sexually explicit photos and videos of the victim, while she was a 17-year-old minor. He also sent this victim photos and videos of his penis and of himself masturbating.

            Shipley was arrested on Aug. 24, 2021. He was released from custody with an order to stay away from all current and former students and athletes.  

            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 Lezlie Richardson and Paralegal Specialist ReShawn Johnson.

            Finally, they expressed appreciation for the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Caroline Burrell and Felice Roggen, who investigated and prosecuted the case.

WASHINGTON – The FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice announced today that they have seized the internet domain name weleakinfo.to and two related domain names, ipstress.in and ovh-booter.com, following an international investigation into websites allowing users to buy access to stolen personal information or to perform attacks on victim networks.

            The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves of the District of Columbia and Special Agent in Charge Wayne A. Jacobs of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division.

            “Today, the FBI and the Department stopped two distressingly common threats: websites trafficking in stolen personal information and sites which attack and disrupt legitimate internet businesses,” said U.S. Attorney Graves. “Cyber crime often crosses national borders. Using strong working relationships with our international law enforcement partners, we will address crimes like these that threaten privacy, security, and commerce around the globe.”

            “These seizures are prime examples of the ongoing actions the FBI and our international partners are undertaking to disrupt malicious cyber activity,” said Special Agent in Charge Jacobs. “Disrupting malicious DDoS operations and dismantling websites that facilitate the theft and sale of stolen personal information is a priority for the FBI.”

            The WeLeakInfo.to website had claimed to provide its users a search engine to review and obtain the personal information illegally obtained in over 10,000 data breaches containing seven billion indexed records – including, for example, names, email addresses, usernames, phone numbers, and passwords for online accounts.  The website sold subscriptions so that any user could access the results of these data breaches, with subscriptions providing unlimited searches and access during the subscription period (one day, one week, one month, three months, or lifetime).  In January 2020, the FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice also announced that they had seized the internet domain name weleakinfo.com, shutting down a similar service then provided at that site.

            The ipstress.in and ovh-booter.com domains were also seized.  Those sites publicly offered to conduct “Distributed Denial of Service” attacks, or “DDoS” attacks for clients – specifically, a format called booter or stressor attacks.  DDoS attacks are a type of network attack in which multiple internet-enabled devices are used to attack computers hosting a website – usually by flooding the site with internet traffic – for the purpose of rendering it inaccessible to legitimate users or unable to communicate with the internet.

            With execution of the warrant, the seized domain names – weleakinfo.to and the related domains – are now in the custody of the federal government, effectively suspending the website’s operation.  Visitors to the site will now find a seizure banner that notifies them that the domain name has been seized by federal authorities.  The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued the seizure warrant.

            The seizures of these domains were part of a coordinated law enforcement action with the National Police Corps of the Netherlands and the Federal Police of Belgium.  The actions executed by our international partners included the arrest of a main subject, searches of several locations, and seizures of the webserver’s infrastructure.

            Any persons having information concerning weleakinfo.to or its owners and operators are encouraged to provide that information by filing a complaint (referencing #weleakinfo in the “Description of Incident” field) with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at https://www.ic3.gov/complaint/default.aspx. 

            These seizures are a part of a comprehensive law enforcement action taken by the FBI, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, and the Department of Justice’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, along with international law enforcement, including the Netherlands National Police Corps and the Belgium Federal Police.

WASHINGTON – Three alleged members of a drug trafficking organization based in Puerto Rico have been indicted in the District of Columbia, following an investigation into shipments of cocaine from San Juan for distribution in the Washington, D.C. area. Two of the defendants face an additional charge stemming from a murder, related to the drug trafficking, that took place in Puerto Rico.

            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.

            Rey Rivera Ruiz, 39, of San Juan, Puerto Rico, the alleged leader, was indicted on May 26, 2022, in a superseding indictment returned by a grand jury in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. He is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, and one count of continuing criminal enterprise, for his leadership and supervisory role in the drug trafficking organization. 

            Additionally, Jann Jousten Aponte Rivera, 26, and Michael Gabriel Hernandez Rivera, 20, both of San Juan, Puerto Rico, were indicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, one count of continuing criminal enterprise -- causing the intentional death of Shantay Butler, 44 -- and one count of causing the death through the use of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking offense.

            If convicted, the defendants face a mandatory-minimum term of 20 years imprisonment and a maximum term of life imprisonment or death.  The indictment also includes a forfeiture allegation seeking all proceeds of the alleged crimes.  On April 1, 2021, the defendants were originally indicted in a one-count indictment with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.  The defendants will be arraigned on the charges on a date to be determined by the Court.

            According to the government’s evidence, in the fall of 2019, Rivera Ruiz, who was assisted by Aponte Rivera and Hernandez Rivera, and several other individuals, shipped kilogram quantities of cocaine from San Juan to the Washington, D.C. area, via the U.S. Postal Service.  Once the kilograms arrived in the Washington, D.C. area, a local drug trafficker distributed the kilograms in the community. 

            Additionally, the Puerto Rico drug trafficking organization’s members allegedly traveled from San Juan to the Washington, D.C. area to collect drug proceeds, and then surreptitiously traveled on commercial airliners to return the proceeds to Ruiz Rivera and others. 

            According to the government’s evidence, during the course of the drug conspiracy, Ruiz Rivera and his members shipped between 50 kilograms and 150 kilograms of cocaine to the local drug trafficking organization.  The charged drug trafficking conspiracy began around October 2019, and ended in April of 2021, when Ruiz Rivera, Aponte Rivera, and Hernandez Rivera, and another individual were originally indicted.  Ruiz Rivera, Aponte Rivera, and Hernandez Rivera have remained in custody since their April 2021 arrests.  Members of the local drug trafficking organization have previously been charged for their role in the drug trafficking scheme. 

            The murder took place on Oct. 14, 2020. At that time, the local drug trafficker owed several thousands of dollars to the Puerto Rico drug trafficking organization and was ordered to pay for several kilograms of cocaine which did not arrive in the Washington, D.C. area.  In October of 2020, the local drug trafficker met Aponte Rivera and Hernandez Rivera in a desolate part of Levittown, Puerto Rico.  Ms. Butler was in the passenger seat of the vehicle driven by the local drug trafficker.  Both Aponte Rivera and Hernandez Rivera pulled out firearms and opened fired on the local drug trafficker and his vehicle.  Ms. Butler was shot and died shortly after the shooting, and the local drug trafficker was shot multiple times, but survived.  

            An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of criminal laws and every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.

            This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office. Assistance is being provided by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, the Montgomery County, Maryland Police Department, the Frederick County, Maryland Police Department, and the Puerto Rico Police Department’s Homicide Division.

            The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Henek and Anthony Scarpelli, of the Violence Reduction and Trafficking Offenses Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. Assistance was provided by former Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel Fletcher.

WASHINGTON – Sean T. Johnson, also known as Shawn Johnson, 42, of Dallas, Texas, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for carrying out a six-year fraud scheme in which he tricked victims into investing with him in ventures that did not exist, and lied to victims about his professional background, his contacts with celebrities, and his personal net worth, in order to induce them to invest in the scheme.

            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.

            Johnson pleaded guilty in November 2019 to one count of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. He was sentenced on May 26, 2022, by the Honorable Richard J. Leon. Following his prison term, Johnson will be placed on four years of supervised release. The judge also ordered Johnson to pay restitution to the victims but will decide the precise amount of restitution at a later date.

            From September 2012 through October 2018, Johnson conned numerous unsuspecting victims out of money by posing as a wealthy investor and businessman.  While Johnson varied his approach based upon the personality, gender, and lifestyle of the victim, the scam almost always began with the defendant flashing money near the victim, name-dropping celebrity friends who were investors in his ventures, talking up his business acumen, and offering to “help” his friends become wealthy, like him. 

            To entice victims, Johnson wore expensive designer clothes, talked constantly about his wealth, and bragged about owning expensive houses and condominiums.  To add legitimacy to his scheme, he created “promissory notes” to document victims’ investments.  The promissory notes detailed how much the person invested and when and how much money Johnson promised to return to them.   With almost every victim, Johnson claimed to have an assistant whose identity he appropriated from a former co-worker, and he used fake accounts in this fake assistant’s name to communicate with his victims and lend credibility to his fake business ventures.  In total, Johnson swindled his victims from all over the country out of over $1 million.  He spent these illegal proceeds on lavish personal expenditures, such as luxury vehicles, designer clothing, alcoholic beverages at nightclubs, tickets to sporting events, and gambling at casinos. 

            More than a dozen victims submitted victim impact statements to the court in which they described the devastating emotional and financial consequences of the defendant’s misconduct.  Most victims lost the entirety of their savings, ruined their credit, and/or were forced into foreclosure or bankruptcy as a result of the scheme.

            Johnson was arrested in October 2018. He has been in custody since.

            In announcing the sentencing, 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 and the assistance of the victims who came forward to report the defendant’s fraud scheme. They also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Amanda Rohde and Victim/Witness Advocate Yvonne Bryant.

            Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn Rakoczy and former Assistant U.S. Attorney David Misler, who prosecuted the matter.

            WASHINGTON—Louis “Joey” Mitchell, a former employee of the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department (FEMS), pleaded guilty today to a federal bribery charge for accepting more than $60,000 in payments from a District of Columbia contractor in exchange for directing purchase agreements and orders to the contractor and then falsely certifying that goods that FEMS had paid for had been delivered.

            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 Daniel W. Lucas, Inspector General for the District of Columbia.

            Mitchell, of Capitol Heights, Maryland, pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. He is to be sentenced on Sept. 16, 2022, by the Honorable Amit P. Mehta. As part of the plea agreement, Mitchell will be required to pay a $61,250 forfeiture money judgment.

            Mitchell was a warehouse supply technician at FEMS. In that role, he was responsible for verifying deliveries of goods to the warehouse before the agency would issue payments to the relevant vendors.  According to the plea documents, beginning in at least 2016 and continuing through in or about 2020, Mitchell and a FEMS contract administrator engaged in a bribery scheme with a contractor whose company was an approved vendor for supplies.

            According to the documents, Mitchell and the contract administrator solicited and received bribes from the contractor on at least seven occasions. In exchange, they directed purchase agreements and purchase orders to the company and confirmed delivery of and payment for goods that the company did not deliver.

             As a result of the bribery scheme, FEMS paid the company more than $150,000 for goods that never were delivered. Mitchell personally received at least $61,250 in bribes from the contractor.

            Law enforcement opened an investigation into the conduct after FEMS officials discovered billing anomalies and referred the matter to the District of Columbia Office of the Inspector General and the FBI for investigation. Mitchell was arrested on Feb. 10, 2022.

            This case is being investigated by FBI’s Washington Field Office and D.C. Office of Inspector General.  The case is being prosecuted by the Assistant U.S. Attorneys Molly Gaston and Amanda Vaughn of the Fraud, Public Corruption, and Civil Rights Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. 

WASHINGTON – A District of Columbia man pleaded guilty today to three counts of simple assault, including one with a hate-bias enhancement, for punching and pushing three adults of Chinese descent as they walked on a street in Northwest Washington, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            Patrick Trebat, 39, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. He was sentenced by the Honorable Michael O’Keefe to a total of 630 days in jail, with all but 210 days suspended, on the condition that he successfully complete three years of supervised probation.

            But for the victims appearing to be from another country, and speaking a language unknown to Trebat, this attack would not have occurred. According to the government’s evidence, the attack took place at about 9:30 p.m. on Aug. 7, 2021. The victims – a man, woman, and their adult son – were walking near the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue NW and Fulton Street NW, speaking in a Chinese dialect. Trebat began shouting profanities. As the victims arrived in the 3700 block of Fulton Street NW, they attempted to cross the street to get away from Trebat. He shouted at them, saying, among other things, “You are not American,” and “Go back to your country.”

            Trebat then ran up and attacked the older man from behind, punching him in the back of the head and then pushing him with enough force to cause him to fall to the ground. Trebat then pushed the woman to the ground from behind. The couple’s son attempted to stop the attack, and Trebat punched him in the face.

            Officers with the Metropolitan Police Department responded to the scene and all three victims identified Trebat as their attacker. He was arrested.

            As a result of the attack, the older man experienced pain in the back of his head and suffered a broken wrist. The woman experienced pain in her arm and had to undergo medical evaluation. Their son suffered a fractured finger. All also sustained cuts and bruises.

            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 for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Victim /Witness Advocate Christina Bloodworth.

            Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert K. Platt and Caroline P. Coates, who investigated and prosecuted the case.

            Prosecuting bias-related crimes is critical to keeping our community safe. When one member of a group in the community is the victim of a bias-related crime, all members carry with them a fear that they, too, may be targeted because of who they are. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia (USAO-DC) is committed to enforcing both federal and local hate and bias-related crime laws.

            For more information:https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/hatebias-related-crimes

            WASHINGTON –Ten people were arrested today following their indictments on federal charges stemming from an ongoing investigation into a drug trafficking organization that distributed Fentanyl and cocaine in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.  The organization primarily operated in areas near Seventh and O Streets NW and nearby neighborhoods.

            The arrests and indictment 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, Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), and Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Division Office of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

            A total of 13 defendants are named in the indictment, which was returned earlier this month and unsealed today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Two already were in custody, and one remains at large.

            The federal drug conspiracy charges arose from a long-term investigation into drug trafficking and violence associated with a street crew at 7th and O Streets that operates in neighborhoods including Shaw, Truxton, and LeDroit Park in Northwest Washington. The indictment alleges that the organization has operated since at least July 1, 2021.

            “This investigation reflects our focus on protecting our community both from the deadly consequences of using drugs like Fentanyl and the violence that such drug markets attract,” said U.S. Attorney Graves. “Along with our federal law enforcement partners and the MPD, we are committed to investigating, identifying, and prosecuting these networks.”

            “The arrests of these individuals this morning represents the culmination of a nearly year-long investigation into a violent drug trafficking organization,” said Special Agent in Charge Jacobs. “This is yet another fine example of the commitment and resolve of the FBI and our partners at MPD’s Violence Reduction Unit and the DEA to remove these criminal elements from the communities we live and work in. The indictment alleges the charged individuals used illegal firearms and other weapons to commit violence while selling dangerous drugs and laundering the proceeds. The FBI will continue to stand with its partners in our work to make our city safer by bringing purveyors of drugs and violence to account for their egregious actions.”

            “Communities deserve to thrive without the presence of illegal drug activity and violence, and our operation was successful in removing individuals engaged in these behaviors from District neighborhoods,” said Chief Contee. “While this operation highlights the thorough investigative efforts and effective partnerships between law enforcement, we are optimistic that continued collaboration will further impact our community.”  

            During the arrests and related searches today, law enforcement recovered eight firearms, as well as significant quantities of Fentanyl and crack cocaine.

            Arrested today were Elliott Johnson, 42; Jeremy Young, 35; Daevon Narce, 29; William Proctor, 54; Andre Williams,32; Ako Handy, 48; Keith Gliss, 36; Manuel Brown, 41; Stanley Hood, 26, and Thomas Shelton, 37. Johnson is from Temple Hills, Maryland. The others are from the District of Columbia. Brian Rice, 34, and Tyrone Wade, 29, both of the District of Columbia, already were in custody, and one other defendant is still being sought.

            An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.

            The prosecutions followed a joint investigation by the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) of MPD’s Violent Crime Suppression Division, the FBI Washington Field Office’s Cross Border Safe Streets Task Force, and the Washington Division of the DEA. The Cross Border Safe Streets Task Force targets the most egregious and violent street crews operating in the District of Columbia. 

            This investigation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

            The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steven B. Wasserman and Solomon Eppel, of the Violence Reduction and Trafficking Offenses Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. Assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland.

WASHINGTON – Willis Lewis, 48, and Brittany Jones, 32, have been found guilty by a jury of federal charges, including sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion, sex trafficking of minors, and related offenses, in connection with their trafficking of a 15-year-old girl and a 17-year-old girl between April and May of 2019.

            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 Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            The verdict was returned May 23, 2022, following a trial in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Lewis, of Oxon Hill, Maryland, and Jones, of Suitland, Maryland, remain in custody. The Honorable Royce C. Lamberth scheduled sentencing for Sept. 2, 2022.

            According to the government’s evidence, Jones, working with two co-conspirators who since pleaded guilty, brought the two victims to Lewis for the purposes of trafficking them. After they were in Lewis’s custody, Lewis, along with another co-conspirator, set up “dates” for the two girls each day for almost two weeks and Lewis pocketed the money that the two girls made from these dates. Lewis used a loyalty contract, a firearm, and acts of violence committed against the co-conspirator in front of the victims to coerce the victims into performing commercial sex for his profit. Law enforcement became involved in this investigation after the two victims ran away from a residential facility in Virginia and the facility filed a missing person’s report.

            At trial, the co-conspirators testified against Lewis and Jones and were corroborated by independent evidence, including material from the digital devices and cell phone location data. 

            Both defendants were arrested on July 30, 2019.

            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, including the Metropolitan Police Department. 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.projectsafechildhoodgov

            In announcing the  verdict, U.S. Attorney Graves, Special Agent in Charge Jacobs, and Chief Contee commended the work of the MPD Detectives and Special Agents of the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force, as well as the MPD’s Human Trafficking Unit.  They also acknowledged the efforts of those who handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Justice Department, including Paralegal Specialists Genevieve De Guzman, Karla Nunez, and Irina Tchernoskoutova, and Victim/Witness Advocate Yvonne Bryant.

            Finally, they commended the work of Trial Attorney Elizabeth Hutson of the Justice Department Criminal Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Janani Iyengar, who investigated and prosecuted the matter.