District of Columbia
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
District Man Sentenced to over 11 Years in Prison for Sexually Abusing Child RelativeRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A 30-year-old man from Washington, D.C. was sentenced today to a prison term of 11 years and three months on a felony charge stemming from the sexual abuse of a child who is a relative, U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips announced
The defendant, who is not identified here to protect the privacy of the victim, pled guilty in September 2015, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to one count of first-degree child sexual abuse. The plea, which was contingent upon the Court’s approval, called for a prison sentence of 11 years and three months. It also called for him to register for life as a sex offender. The Honorable Michael Ryan accepted the plea today and sentenced the defendant accordingly. Following the prison term, the defendant will be placed on five years of supervised release.
The charge stems from the man’s sexual abuse of a female relative when she was 10 to 11 years old. According to the government’s evidence, the defendant, on multiple occasions, went to the child’s home in Northwest Washington, where he engaged in various sexual acts with her. In May of this year, the girl disclosed vaginal discomfort to her mother, and was taken to Children’s National Medical Center. There, doctors diagnosed the child with Trichomonas, a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Afterwards, the child disclosed that the defendant had been sexually abusing her for the past one and a half to two years.
After the defendant’s arrest in July, the government obtained a urine sample from him, which was sent to the Johns Hopkins University’s STD Laboratory. The lab results showed that he possessed Trichomonas, the same STD he transferred to the child. The defendant has been in custody since his arrest.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Phillips commended the work of the detectives of the Metropolitan Police Department’s Youth Investigations Division. He acknowledged the critical services provided to the complainant at the District of Columbia Children’s Advocacy Center, and the specialized medical treatment provided at the Children’s National Medical Center. He further commended the vital assistance provided by Dr. Jonathan Zenilman, Dr. Charlotte Gaydos, and Laboratory Manager Laura Dize from the Infectious Diseases Department at Johns Hopkins University. Finally, he commended the efforts of staff from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Child Forensic Interview Specialists Tracy Owusu and Karen Giannakoulias; Victim/Witness Advocate Veronica Vaughn; Paralegal Specialist Joyce Arthur; Legal Intern Allison Denton, and Assistant U.S. Attorney John L. Hill, who prosecuted the case.
District Man Pleads Guilty to Sexual Abuse of 13-Year-Old DaughterRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A 34-year-old man from Washington, D.C. pled guilty today to a charge of first-degree child sexual abuse with aggravating circumstances for sexually abusing his 13-year-old daughter, U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips announced.
The defendant, who is not identified here to protect the privacy of the victim, pled guilty in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The plea, which is contingent upon the Court’s approval, calls for a prison sentence between 9 ½ and 23 years. It also requires the defendant to register as a sex offender for 10 years upon his release. The Honorable Jennifer Anderson scheduled sentencing for Jan. 29, 2016.
According to the government’s evidence, the abuse occurred between July 19 and July 27, 2014 in Southeast Washington. The defendant, who is the victim’s father, was watching television with her in the defendant’s room. The defendant removed the victim’s pants and underwear, and sexually assaulted her. Afterwards, he apologized to the victim, promising that he wouldn’t sexually abuse her again.
The defendant, who left the Washington, D.C. area, was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Service in New York City on Sept. 10, 2015. He admitted having had sex with the victim. He also wrote the victim an apology letter, asking her to forgive him.
In announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney Phillips commended the work of the detectives of the Metropolitan Police Department’s Youth Investigations Division and of the Deputy U.S. Marshals based in New York. He also commended the efforts of staff from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Child Forensic Interview Specialists Tracy Owusu and Karen Giannakoulias; Victim/Witness Advocate Lezlie Richardson; Paralegal Specialist Joyce Arthur, and Assistant U.S. Attorney John L. Hill, who is prosecuting the case.
District Man Found Guilty of Armed Carjacking and Other Charges in Separate Attacks on Delivery Drivers in Northeast WashingtonRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Cephus Hollis, 18, of Washington, D.C., was found guilty by a jury today of numerous charges stemming from two violent carjackings in Northeast Washington within a four-day period in September 2014, U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips announced.
Hollis was found guilty in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia of a total of 15 charges, including assault with intent to kill while armed, armed carjacking of a senior citizen, and aggravated assault of a senior citizen while armed. He is to be sentenced on Jan. 22, 2016, by the Honorable Lynn Leibovitz. He has been in custody in this case since his arrest in May 2015.
According to the evidence presented at trial, Hollis and a co-conspirator went out on the evening of Sept. 7, 2014 to steal cars in the Riggs Park neighborhood of Northeast Washington and surrounding areas. After stealing their first car that night, they used it to drive around and steal or attempt to steal numerous other cars.
In the early morning hours of Sept. 8, 2014, Hollis and the co-conspirator saw a 62-year-old man delivering copies of the Washington Post, and followed him as he did this for several stops. At one stop, in the 5800 block of Eastern Avenue NE, the newspaper delivery man got out of his car to throw a paper onto the doorstep. Hollis then got into the front seat. Hollis assumed the victim had left the keys in the ignition. The victim had not, and when he returned to the car, Hollis confronted him and demanded the keys. When the victim would not surrender the keys, Hollis punched and kicked him, and the co-conspirator joined in. They beat the victim until they broke his wrist, dislocated his shoulder, broke the orbital bones around his eye, and caused other injuries. Then, after they beat him, they took the cars he was using to make the deliveries. A few days later, that car ran out of gas and was abandoned in the middle of the street. Fingerprints recovered from it matched the defendant and the co-conspirator.
Four days later on Sept. 12, 2014, at about 5 p.m., Hollis ordered Chinese food to be delivered to his own house in the 400 block of Oneida Street NE. When the delivery driver arrived, he parked in front of the house and called Hollis, who acknowledged ordering the food. As the driver walked up to Hollis’s porch, Hollis came out of the house. Without saying anything, Hollis stabbed the driver in the head. The driver fell to the ground and Hollis kept stabbing him. The driver somehow broke free and fled to his car. He locked the door, hoping the car would keep him safe. But as he looked out the car window, he saw that Hollis had his car keys and was walking towards the car. Using the electronic key fob, Hollis unlocked the car. The driver locked the car again, smearing his own blood over the controls as he did so. Hollis, however, kept coming and unlocked the car again, got inside, and resumed stabbing the driver.
The driver got out of the car. Hollis got out, too, ran around the car, and stabbed the driver again. In total, the driver was stabbed at least seven times, including to the head, face, chest, hands, and arms. In addition to his numerous lacerations and puncture wounds, the victim sustained a partially collapsed lung. Hollis then fled in the delivery driver’s car, which was recovered the next day. DNA evidence tying Hollis to the crime was recovered from inside the car. A phone later recovered from Hollis’s pocket was shown to have placed the call ordering the food, and received the call from the delivery driver when he arrived with the food.
In announcing the verdict, U.S. Attorney Phillips commended the work of the detectives of the Fourth Police District of the Metropolitan Police Department and the Special Agents from the FBI Washington Field Office’s Violent Crime Task Force. He also expressed appreciation to those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialists Tiffany Fogle and Benjamin Kagan-Guthrie; Lead Paralegal Specialist Kwasi Fields; Paralegal Supervisors Darline Douglas and Anthony Griffith; Victim/Witness Services Coordinator Katina Adams-Washington; Victim/Witness Advocate Diana Lim; Intelligence Analysts Shannon Alexis and Sharon Johnson; Information Technology Specialists Aneela Bhatia, Anisha Bhatia, Paul Howell, Claudia Gutierrez, Jeanie Latimore-Brown, William Henderson, and Leif Hickling; Criminal Investigators Nelson Rhone and Chris Brophy; Elizabeth Trosman, Chief of the Appellate Division; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen Rickard and John Mannarino of the Appellate Division; and Michael Ambrosino, Special Counsel for DNA and Forensic Evidence Litigation. Finally, he praised the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Bruckmann and Katherine Earnest, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
Member of Colombian Terrorist Organization Sentenced to 27 Years in Prison for Hostage-Taking of Three U.S. CitizensRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Diego Alfonso Navarrete Beltran, 43, a member of the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias Colombianas (FARC) terrorist organization, was sentenced today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to 27 years in prison on hostage-taking charges stemming from the 2003 kidnappings of three U.S. citizens in Colombia.
The sentencing was announced by Assistant Attorney General for National Security John P. Carlin, U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips of the District of Columbia, and Special Agent in Charge George L. Piro of the FBI’s Miami Division.
Navarrete Beltran was extradited from Colombia to the United States in November 2014 to face charges in a superseding indictment that was returned in February 2011. He pleaded guilty on Aug. 26, 2015, to three counts of hostage-taking. He was sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth of the District of Columbia. Navarrete Beltran is among three FARC leaders who have been convicted for their roles in the hostage-taking.
“Diego Alfonso Navarrete Beltran participated in the hostage-taking and captivity of three Americans by the FARC, a Colombian terrorist organization,” said Assistant Attorney General Carlin. “This case underscores our resolve to hold accountable those who target our citizens with violence anywhere in the world, no matter how long it takes.”
“Diego Alfonso Navarrete Beltran and other FARC guerillas ruthlessly subjected their American hostages to constant threats of violence while holding them in one camp after another in the remote jungles of Colombia,” said U.S. Attorney Phillips. “For over 16 months, this defendant was among the armed guards who prevented their escape. Today’s 27-year sentence provides justice for the three victims who were subjected to repeated barbaric abuse by the defendant and others while part of this terrorist organization.”
“Diego Alfonso Navarrete Beltran now faces a long time behind bars for his participation in the hostage-taking of three U.S. Citizens in Colombia,” said Special Agent in Charge Piro. “To all hostage-takers the message is clear: target our citizens with violence anywhere in the world and we will hold you accountable for your actions.”
According to a statement of offense submitted as part of the plea hearing, the FARC is an armed, violent organization in Colombia, formed in 1964 as the armed wing of the Colombian Communist Party. It has evolved into a major armed force financed by drug trafficking, hostage-taking and extortion. International human rights organizations have repeatedly accused the FARC of serious crimes, including kidnapping, murder, use of land mines, threats, the recruitment of minors, forced displacement and hostage-taking. The FARC was designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. Secretary of State in 1997 and remains so designated.
As described in the statement of offense, Navarrete Beltran was a member of the First Front in the FARC’s Eastern Bloc.
In his plea, he admitted taking part in the hostage-taking of three U.S. citizens, Marc D. Gonsalves, Thomas R. Howes and Keith Stansell. These three individuals, along with Thomas Janis, a U.S. citizen, and Sergeant Luis Alcides Cruz, a Colombian citizen, were seized on Feb. 13, 2003, by the FARC after their single engine aircraft made a crash landing near Florencia, Colombia. Janis and Cruz were murdered at the crash site by members of the FARC.
For the next five and a half years, according to the statement of offense, Gonsalves, Howes, Stansell and many others were held prisoners by the FARC and used to bargain with the Colombian government. Along with about a dozen Colombian hostages, they were forced to march from one site to another to prevent their rescue. They were threatened, chained and forced to participate in proof-of-life videos. In early October 2006, the hostages were delivered to the FARC’s Eastern Bloc’s First Front and were held prisoners by the First Front of the FARC.
From October 2006 through mid-June 2008, according to the statement of offense, Navarrete Beltran and other guerillas kept the hostages under the control of the FARC’s First Front. In particular, Navarrete Beltran often served as an armed guard of the American hostages.
In July 2008, the Colombian military conducted an operation which resulted in the rescue of the hostages. All told, members of the FARC held the Americans hostage for 1,967 days.
This investigation is being led by the FBI’s Miami Field Division. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kenneth Kohl and Fernando Campoamor-Sanchez of the District of Columbia, and Trial Attorney David Cora of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
Substantial assistance in the case was provided by the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, the department’s Judicial Attachés in Colombia, the FBI’s Office of the Legal Attaché in Colombia and the FBI’s Washington, D.C., Field Office.
Member of Colombian Terrorist Organization Sentenced to 27 Years in Prison for Hostage-Taking of U.S. CitizensRead the Press Release
Three Hostages Were Held in Colombia for More Than Five Years
Diego Alfonso Navarrete Beltran, 43, a member of the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias Colombianas (FARC) terrorist organization, was sentenced today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to 27 years in prison on hostage-taking charges stemming from the 2003 kidnappings of three U.S. citizens in Colombia.
The sentencing was announced by Assistant Attorney General for National Security John P. Carlin, U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips of the District of Columbia and Special Agent in Charge George L. Piro of the FBI’s Miami Division.
Navarrete Beltran was extradited from Colombia to the United States in November 2014 to face charges in a superseding indictment that was returned in February 2011. He pleaded guilty on Aug. 26, 2015, to three counts of hostage-taking. He was sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth of the District of Columbia. Navarrete Beltran is among three FARC leaders who have been convicted for their roles in the hostage-taking.
“Diego Alfonso Navarrete Beltran participated in the hostage taking and captivity of three Americans by the FARC, a Colombian terrorist organization,” said Assistant Attorney General Carlin. “This case underscores our resolve to hold accountable those who target our citizens with violence anywhere in the world, no matter how long it takes.”
“Diego Alfonso Navarrete Beltran and other FARC guerillas ruthlessly subjected their American hostages to constant threats of violence while holding them in one camp after another in the remote jungles of Colombia,” said U.S. Attorney Phillips. “For over 16 months, this defendant was among the armed guards who prevented their escape. Today’s 27-year sentence provides justice for the three victims who were subjected to repeated barbaric abuse by the defendant and others while part of this terrorist organization.”
“Diego Alfonso Navarrete Beltran now faces a long time behind bars for his participation in the hostage-taking of three U.S. Citizens in Colombia,” said Special Agent in Charge Piro. “To all hostage-takers the message is clear: target our citizens with violence anywhere in the world and we will hold you accountable for your actions.”
According to a statement of offense submitted as part of the plea hearing, the FARC is an armed, violent organization in Colombia, formed in 1964 as the armed wing of the Colombian Communist Party. It has evolved into a major armed force financed by drug trafficking, hostage-taking and extortion. International human rights organizations have repeatedly accused the FARC of serious crimes, including kidnapping, murder, use of land mines, threats, the recruitment of minors, forced displacement and hostage-taking. The FARC was designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. Secretary of State in 1997 and remains so designated.
As described in the statement of offense, Navarrete Beltran was a member of the First Front in the FARC’s Eastern Bloc.
In his plea, he admitted taking part in the hostage-taking of three U.S. citizens, Marc D. Gonsalves, Thomas R. Howes and Keith Stansell. These three individuals, along with Thomas Janis, a U.S. citizen, and Sergeant Luis Alcides Cruz, a Colombian citizen, were seized on Feb. 13, 2003, by the FARC after their single engine aircraft made a crash landing near Florencia, Colombia. Janis and Cruz were murdered at the crash site by members of the FARC.
For the next five and a half years, according to the statement of offense, Gonsalves, Howes, Stansell and many others were held prisoners by the FARC and used to bargain with the Colombian government. Along with about a dozen Colombian hostages, they were forced to march from one site to another to prevent their rescue. They were threatened, chained and forced to participate in proof-of-life videos. In early October 2006, the hostages were delivered to the FARC’s Eastern Bloc’s First Front and were held prisoners by the First Front of the FARC.
From October 2006 through mid-June 2008, according to the statement of offense, Navarrete Beltran and other guerillas kept the hostages under the control of the FARC’s First Front. In particular, Navarrete Beltran often served as an armed guard of the American hostages.
In July 2008, the Colombian military conducted an operation which resulted in the rescue of the hostages. All told, members of the FARC held the Americans hostage for 1,967 days.
This investigation is being led by the FBI’s Miami Field Division. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kenneth Kohl and Fernando Campoamor-Sanchez of the District of Columbia, and Trial Attorney David Cora of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
Substantial assistance in the case was provided by the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, the department’s Judicial Attachés in Colombia, the FBI’s Office of the Legal Attaché in Colombia and the FBI’s Washington, D.C., Field Office.
District Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Charge for Role in Massive Identity Theft and Tax Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A resident of the District of Columbia pleaded guilty today to a charge stemming from his involvement in a far-reaching stolen identity refund fraud scheme in which he and others working with him obtained over $315,000 through the filing of fraudulent federal income tax returns seeking refunds, the Justice Department announced.
Ezekiel Raspberry, 39, is the second defendant to plead guilty to federal charges in recent weeks. Approximately 14 people have pleaded guilty to charges in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. According to court documents, the overall case involves the filing of at least 12,000 fraudulent federal income tax returns that sought refunds of at least $40 million from the U.S. Treasury.
The guilty plea was announced by Acting Assistant Attorney General Caroline D. Ciraolo of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips of the District of Columbia, Special Agent in Charge Thomas Jankowski of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Inspector in Charge David G. Bowers of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Washington Division, and Assistant Inspector General for Investigations John L. Phillips of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
Raspberry pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States with respect to claims. Sentencing was set for Jan. 15, 2016. Under federal sentencing guidelines, Raspberry faces an advisory guideline range of 24 to 30 months in prison and a fine of up to $50,000 at his sentencing before the Honorable U.S. District Judge Ellen S. Huvelle of the District of Columbia. In addition, as part of his plea agreement, Raspberry must pay $315,076 in restitution to the IRS.
According to the government’s evidence, Raspberry participated in a massive and sophisticated stolen identity refund fraud scheme that involved an extensive network of more than 130 people, many of whom were receiving public assistance. The refunds were sought for tax years 2005 through 2012, often in the names of people whose identities had been stolen, including the elderly, people in assisted living facilities, drug addicts and incarcerated prisoners. In other cases, the refunds were sent to people who were willing participants in the scheme. The refunds listed more than 400 “taxpayer” addresses located in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.
According to documents filed with the court, from September 2008 through November 2010, Raspberry and others conspired to defraud the IRS of approximately $315,076 through the filing of 145 fraudulent federal income tax returns. Raspberry received refund checks from a co-conspirator and deposited them into his bank account. He would then withdraw the funds and provide them to the co-conspirator, keeping a portion of the proceeds for himself.
The refund checks were generated by filing false U.S. federal income tax returns, attaching the Schedule C or C-EZ Net Profit From Business, which falsely claimed that each “taxpayer” operated a business as a sole proprietorship, including a “barber” or “childcare.” The returns falsely stated that the “taxpayer” had gross receipts and two or more dependent children, when, in fact, the “taxpayer” was either a victim of identity theft, was misled into providing his or her identifying information, or was a willing participant in the scheme. No such business had been operated by the “taxpayer;” and the “taxpayer” had no such dependents.
In a related action, Bernard Rankin, 43, of Glenarden, Maryland, pleaded guilty on Nov. 4, 2015, to conspiracy to defraud the United States with respect to claims. Rankin admitted permitting the use of his residential address and bank account in the scheme and recruiting another individual to deposit fraudulently obtained tax refund checks into that individual’s bank account as well.
In announcing the pleas, Acting Assistant Attorney General Ciraolo, U.S. Attorney Phillips, Special Agent in Charge Jankowski, Inspector in Charge Bowers and Assistant Inspector General Phillips commended those who investigated the case. They also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the District of Columbia, including former Assistant U.S. Attorney Sherri L. Schornstein and Paralegal Specialist Donna Galindo. Finally, they expressed appreciation for the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Ellen Chubin Epstein of the District of Columbia’s Fraud and Public Corruption Section and Trial Attorneys Jeffrey B. Bender and Thomas F. Koelbl and former Trial Attorney Jessica Moran of the Tax Division, who prosecuted the case.
District Man Sentenced to Six Years in Prison for Theft at Georgetown University Student's ApartmentRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - Antoine Gibson, 36, of Washington, D.C., has been sentenced to six years in prison for burglarizing an apartment on the Georgetown University campus while a student was asleep inside, U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips announced today.
Gibson pled guilty in July 2015, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to first-degree burglary as well as a violation of the Bail Reform Act. He was sentenced on Nov. 4, 2015, by the Honorable Patricia A. Broderick. Following his prison term, Gibson will be placed on three years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence, on Jan. 6, 2015, at about 8 p.m., Gibson entered the Henle Village apartment complex on the Georgetown University campus. He went to the fourth floor and entered the victims’ apartment, which was occupied at the time by a sleeping student. Gibson stole a laptop from the living room before heading to the upstairs bedrooms.
The sleeping student awoke to find Gibson, a stranger, standing in the hallway, and confronted him. Gibson denied doing anything illegal and left. The student called the campus police, who found Gibson a short time later within blocks of the main campus gate with the laptop in his backpack. Gibson later failed to appear for the first status hearing in the case in Superior Court. He was later arrested on a bench warrant executed by the U.S. Marshals Service.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Phillips commended the work of the officers of the Georgetown University Department of Public Safety, as well as the crime scene officers and detectives and officers of the Metropolitan Police Department’s Second District. He also expressed appreciation to those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including David Foster, La June Thames, and Katina Adams-Washington of the Victim/Witness Assistance Unit; Paralegal Specialist Tiffany Fogle, and Litigation Technology Assistant Aneela Bhatia. Finally, he praised the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Earnest, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
District Man Sentenced to 32 Months in Jail on Voyeurism and Stalking ChargesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Daniel Rosen, 45 of Washington D.C., was sentenced today to 32 months of incarceration on charges stemming from a series of incidents between 2012 and 2014 in which he secretly took video recordings of women in various stages of undress by aiming his cellular phone through their apartment windows in Northwest Washington.
The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips and Cathy L. Lanier, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Rosen, a former senior official of the U.S. State Department, pled guilty on July 29, 2015, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to six counts of voyeurism and five counts of stalking. He was sentenced by the Honorable Rhonda Reid Winston to a total of 11 years in jail. The judge suspended all but 32 months of the time on the condition that he successfully complete five years of probation upon his release from jail.
“Daniel Rosen trawled city neighborhoods in the late-night hours, sneaking into alleys and aiming his camera into the windows of women who had no idea they were being recorded,” said U.S. Attorney Phillips. “This sexual exploitation and invasion of privacy took place over a period of years and shattered the victims’ sense of safety and security. This sentence holds him accountable for the harm he caused to so many women and hopefully will deter others from similar conduct.”
According to a factual proffer submitted at the plea hearing, over the course of a three-year period, Rosen purposefully positioned himself outside of the windows of women who resided in basement-level apartments that faced rear, isolated alleys. The women believed they were shielded from outside view by the use of curtains, blinds, or the fact that their windows were situated in enclosed, hard-to-access to areas, either behind fences, through back residential alleys, or down a flight of basement steps. Once positioned behind these women’s apartments, Rosen peered through their windows and used his iPhone to record them. The activities took place in the areas of Mount Pleasant, the U Street Corridor, and Adams Morgan.
Rosen recorded the women in various stages of undress, capturing some in the most intimate and private moments in their bedrooms and bathrooms. Several women had their blinds or curtains drawn, but Rosen was able to maneuver himself and his cell phone in between the cracks or small openings of the blinds to make his recordings.
All of the recordings took place during the late evening hours, thus enabling Rosen to hide in the shadows as he recorded these women in their lit bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, and living rooms. At times, Rosen would engage in this conduct while walking his dog, thus disguising his true intentions. None of the women were aware that Rosen was watching and recording them, and none gave Rosen permission to watch and record them. For several of these women, the defendant returned on more than one occasion to record their private moments.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Phillips and Chief Lanier commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. In addition, they expressed appreciation for the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Criminal Investigator John Marsh, Victim/Witness Advocate Veronica Vaughan and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lindsay Suttenberg and Andrea L. Hertzfeld, who investigated and prosecuted the matter.
District Man Pleads Guilty to Charges in Shootings That Targeted Two Off-Duty Metropolitan Police Department OfficersRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Romeo T. Hayes, 28, and his brother, Ronald J. Hayes, Jr., also known as “Rocky,” 20, of Washington, D.C., entered guilty pleas today to charges stemming from the shooting of Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Detective Thurman Stallings, and the attempted shooting of MPD Officer Shaquinta Gaines, both of whom were off-duty.
The guilty pleas were announced by U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips and Cathy L. Lanier, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department.
Under what is known as the Alford doctrine, Romeo T. Hayes pled guilty in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to eight felonies and one misdemeanor. Specifically, he pled guilty to one count of assault with intent to kill stemming from the shooting of Detective Stallings; one count of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence; one count of assault with a dangerous weapon (gun); one count of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle; three counts of felony destruction of property; one count of fleeing from a law enforcement officer; and one count of misdemeanor destruction of property. Under an Alford plea, the defendant does not admit the allegations but agrees that the government has enough evidence to secure a conviction.
The plea, which is contingent upon the Court’s approval, calls for a 10-year prison sentence. The Honorable Jennifer Anderson scheduled sentencing for Feb. 19, 2016.
Ronald J. Hayes, Jr., who otherwise is serving a 12-year sentence for two counts of vehicular manslaughter in Prince George’s County, Md., pled guilty to one count of tampering with physical evidence. The plea, which is contingent upon the Court’s approval, calls for a sentence of 16 months in prison. He also is to be sentenced on Feb. 19, 2016.
According to the government’s evidence, on Tuesday night, Aug. 12, 2014, both Romeo T. Hayes and Ronald J. Hayes, Jr., together with several other individuals, were at a home in Glenarden, Md. Romeo Hayes was consuming tequila and also taking drugs known as “Mollies,” a toxic mixture of laboratory-created or synthetic chemicals that stimulates the central nervous system and causes euphoric highs similar to those created by ecstasy.
At some point, Romeo Hayes indicated that he wanted to go to a nightclub known as the Opera Ultra Lounge, in the 1400 block of I Street NW. Accordingly, in the early morning hours of Aug. 13, 2014, Romeo Hayes and another individual left the home to head to the nightclub. Romeo Hayes drove there in a red 2013 Nissan Altima that he knew recently had been stolen from a rental car agency at Ronald Reagan National Airport. Video footage from the nightclub captured Romeo Hayes and his companion entering the nightclub at about 12:50 a.m.
Video footage also captured Romeo Hayes and his companion leaving the Opera nightclub at approximately 2:24 a.m. Because Romeo Hayes had been drinking alcohol, and had consumed drugs known as “Mollies,” as well as some marijuana, the individual who was with Romeo Hayes obtained the car keys to the stolen red 2013 Nissan Altima and assumed the role as driver. Romeo Hayes sat in the front passenger seat. Romeo Hayes had a black Glock 17 9mm semi-automatic pistol with an extended magazine in the stolen red 2013 Nissan Altima.
The individual who was with Romeo Hayes started to drive back to the house in Glenarden, Md. As the individual drove outbound on Suitland Parkway in Southeast Washington, in the right lane, just before the exit for Alabama Avenue SE, at about 2:47 a.m., Romeo Hayes fired two or three gunshots from the window adjacent to the front passenger seat. The gunshots were directed at a white Nissan Maxima occupied by Officer Gaines, who was in the left lane and who was off-duty at the time and driving home. One of the bullets fired by Romeo Hayes struck the white Nissan Maxima, causing substantial damage to the car.
Thereafter, with Officer Gaines following behind, the individual who was with Romeo Hayes sped off and drove to Southern Avenue, where – in the left lane – he came to a stop light at the intersection of Southern and Pennsylvania Avenues SE. In the right lane, also at the stop light, was Detective Stallings, who was alone in a GMC Yukon Denali, and who was off-duty but on his way to work. From the front passenger seat, Romeo Hayes fired multiple gunshots at Detective Stallings, striking him with a bullet in the left forearm and inflicting significant damage to the driver-side of the GMC Yukon Denali.
Wounded, Detective Stallings rammed the red 2013 Nissan Altima in an effort to disable it and to prevent the shooter and any other occupants from escaping. When that occurred, the stolen red Nissan Altima pivoted in front of the GMC Yukon Denali. Romeo Hayes fired an additional volley of shots at Detective Stallings, striking him three additional times in the chest and shoulder area, and also damaging the windshield behind which he sat.
At the urging of Romeo Hayes, the individual who was with him managed to drive off. He turned left off of Southern Avenue onto Massachusetts Avenue. There, in the 4200 block of Massachusetts Avenue SE, just off of Southern Avenue SE, Romeo Hayes again began to shoot at the white Nissan Maxima occupied by off-duty Officer Gaines, who had been following them, who had reported the license tag number for the stolen red Nissan Altima to a 9-1-1 call-taker, and who had witnessed the collision between the Altima and the GMC Yukon Denali at the intersection of Southern and Pennsylvania Avenues SE.
After this third and last shooting, the individual who was with Romeo Hayes drove rapidly back to the house in Glenarden. He parked near that residence and ran inside, followed by Romeo Hayes. Inside the residence were Ronald Hayes, Jr., and several other individuals. The individual who was with Romeo Hayes quietly told Ronald Hayes, Jr., about the shootings, and expressed concern that Romeo Hayes fired gunshots for no apparent reason and may have killed someone. He also gave Ronald Hayes, Jr., the keys to the red 2013 Nissan Altima.
Romeo Hayes gave the Glock 17 9mm pistol with the extended magazine to his brother, who quickly concealed – and later hid – the gun. Romeo Hayes and Ronald Hayes, Jr., then began to argue. Their voices were elevated and firm. Ronald Hayes, Jr., demanded to know exactly what Romeo Hayes had done, and why. For his part, Romeo Hayes demanded the car keys for the stolen red 2013 Nissan Altima. Romeo Hayes said he wanted to purchase some gasoline and “blow the car up,” to degrade and devalue it as evidence. Following several minutes of loud argument, Romeo Hayes obtained the car keys from his brother.
Romeo Hayes then left and ran back to the stolen red 2013 Nissan Altima, which had suffered significant damage on the passenger side when it was rammed by the GMC Yukon Denali driven by Detective Stallings. Romeo Hayes drove off, and soon was spotted and followed by the police. Multiple police units, including MPD officers, Prince George’s County Police Department officers, and a United States Park Police helicopter, were involved in the pursuit of the stolen red Nissan Altima. Romeo Hayes drove at a high rate of speed, and attempted to elude the police during this pursuit.
The pursuit came to an end in the 5500 block of Hunt Place NE, between 3:45 a.m. and 4 a.m., where Romeo Hayes ultimately was arrested. He has been in custody ever since.
In announcing the guilty pleas, U.S. Attorney Phillips and Chief Lanier commended the work of the detectives of the Criminal Investigations Division Homicide Branch, crime scene officers, and the Sixth and Seventh Police Districts of the Metropolitan Police Department. They also commended the work of the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Prince George’s County, Md., Police Department, and a helicopter unit of the United States Park Police. They expressed appreciation of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Criminal Investigators Derek Starliper, Durand Odom, and Mark Crawford; Paralegal Specialist Debra Joyner; Investigative Analysts Shannon Alexis and Zachary McMenamin, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jocelyn Ballantine, Karen Seifert, John Marston, Lindsey Merikas, and Jessica Brooks. Finally, U.S. Attorney Phillips and Chief Lanier praised the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Brittin, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
NetCracker Technology Corp. and Computer Sciences Corp. Agree to Settle Civil False Claims Act AllegationsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – NetCracker Technology Corp. has agreed to pay $11.4 million and Computer Sciences Corp. (CSC) has agreed to pay $1.35 million to resolve allegations under the False Claims Act that they used individuals without security clearances on a Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) contract, the Justice Department announced today.
NetCracker is a telecom software and services company headquartered in Waltham, Mass., and CSC is an information technology services company headquartered in Falls Church, Va. NetCracker and CSC implemented software used to help manage the telecommunications network used by the U.S. Department of Defense. The work was done pursuant to a contract with DISA, under which CSC was the prime contractor and NetCracker was a CSC subcontractor. From 2008 through 2013, NetCracker allegedly used employees without security clearances to perform work when it knew the contract required those individuals to have security clearances, resulting in CSC recklessly submitting false claims for payment to DISA.
“Protecting the federal procurement process from false claims is central to the mission of the Department of Justice,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We will continue to ensure that the government receives what it pays for when federal monies are used to purchase services.”
“Companies that do business with the federal government have a responsibility to fully meet the terms of their contracts,” said U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips of the District of Columbia. “In addition to holding these two companies accountable for their contracting obligations, this settlement shows that the U.S. Attorney’s Office will take appropriate measures necessary to ensure the integrity of government communications systems.”
“This NetCracker case is a prime example of how the DISA IG works to detect and prevent fraud schemes within the Agency and recuperate funds for the U.S. government,” said Colonel Bill Eger, Inspector General (IG) of DISA.
The civil settlement resolves a lawsuit filed under the whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act, which permits private parties to file suit on behalf of the United States for false claims and obtain a portion of the government’s recovery. The civil lawsuit was filed in the District of Columbia by John Kingsley, a former NetCracker employee. Mr. Kingsley will receive $2,358,750 as his share of the recovery in this case.
This resolution in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the District of Columbia, the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation branch and the DISA IG Office.
The lawsuit is captioned United States ex rel. Kingsley v. NetCracker Technology Corp. Civil Action 1:11-cv-00629 (D.D.C.). The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
District Man Sentenced to 40 Years in Prison for Killing Man in Northwest WashingtonRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Erik Postell, 27, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 40 years in prison for killing a man in 2013 in Northwest Washington, U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips announced.
Postell was found guilty by a jury in July 2015 of first-degree murder while armed and three firearms offenses stemming from the slaying of Paul Danzo Tanoh. The verdict followed a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Postell was sentenced by the Honorable Lynn Leibovitz. Following his prison term, he will be placed on five years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence, on March 21, 2013, at about 2:45 a.m., Postell fatally shot Mr. Tanoh, 24, as Mr. Tanoh sat in the driver's seat of his car, which was stopped in the 1000 block of 17th Street NW. The shooting followed a brief physical altercation between Postell and Mr. Tanoh that took place inside a nearby nightclub 15 minutes earlier.
Following the confrontation at the nightclub, Postell retrieved a .45 caliber handgun from a parked car and tracked down Mr. Tanoh. He then stood alongside Mr. Tanoh's driver's side window and fired at him nine times. Postell fled in a vehicle driven by another man, Michael Smith. Smith, 35, of Camp Springs, Md., previously pled guilty to multiple felonies for his role in the murder of Mr. Tanoh and is to be sentenced Nov. 20, 2015. Postell was taken into custody on Oct. 11, 2013, and had been held without bond ever since.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Phillips commended the work of the detectives, officers and others who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). He also expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by the U.S. Secret Service; the District of Columbia Department of Forensic Sciences; Bode Technologies; Assistant U.S. Attorney Kellen Dwyer of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia; Trial Attorney Jessica N. Moran of the Department of Justice’s Tax Division, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ellen Chubin Epstein of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. In addition, he acknowledged the work of those who handled the murder case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialists Lynda Randolph, Donville Drummond, Sandra Lane, Alesha Matthews, and Kalisha Johnson-Clark; Litigation Technology Specialists Leif Hickling, Kimberly Smith, Thomas “Ron” Royal, Paul Howell, Aneela Bhatia, Anisha Bhatia, Claudia Gutierrez, Joshua Ellen, and Karen McColman; Intelligence Specialists Sharon Johnson, Zachary McMenamin, and William Hamann; Victim/Witness Advocate Marcia Rinker, and La June Thames, Katina Adams-Washington, and David Foster, all of the Victim/Witness Assistance Unit.
Finally, he commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael C. Liebman and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Selden, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
District Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Role in Three Robberies in Northeast WashingtonRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - Damairzio Wells, 18, of Washington, D.C., has been sentenced to a 10-year prison term on charges stemming from three robberies in Northeast Washington during a three-month period this year, U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips announced today.
Wells pled guilty in September 2015, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to two counts of robbery and one count of armed robbery, involving three separate crimes. He was sentenced on Oct. 29, 2015, by the Honorable Yvonne Williams. Upon completion of his prison term, he will be subject to five years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence, in two separate incidents, on Feb. 15, 2015 and Feb. 24, 2015, Wells placed orders at two different restaurants to lure the delivery drivers to locations in Northeast Washington. Once the drivers arrived, he robbed them at gunpoint. After the first robbery, Wells bragged in a Facebook post that “EatGood we eatin good erynight,” with a picture of the food and cash he had stolen. In the second robbery, Wells thrust the gun into the driver’s mouth, causing significant injuries. The gun used in this robbery was recovered and the muzzle of the gun contained the DNA of the delivery driver and of Wells.
In the third incident, on May 24, 2015, Wells was driving his car in the 1300 block of Monroe Street NE when he chanced upon a college student returning from a day of work. Wells pulled the car up and blocked the student’s path. Two unknown individuals jumped out of the car and demanded the student’s bag with the threat that they had a weapon. The car driven by Wells was located by officers of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) within minutes from where the robbery had occurred, and Wells was arrested. An imitation firearm was recovered from the car driven by Wells, along with the proceeds of the robbery.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Phillips praised the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. He acknowledged the work of those who handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Donville Drummond and Victim/Witness Coordinator Jennifer Clark. Finally, he thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer Kerkhoff, Nebiyu Feleke and Laura Crane, who investigated and indicted the case.
District Man Pleads Guilty to Voluntary Manslaughter for Shooting Man Following Argument About Victim's DogRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Rickey Jones, also known as Heritage Rickey Jones, 22, of Washington, D.C., pled guilty today to charges stemming from the shooting death of a man last year in Southeast Washington, U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips announced.
Jones pled guilty in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to charges of voluntary manslaughter and carrying a pistol without a license. He is to be sentenced on Jan. 22, 2016, by the Honorable Robert E. Morin. The plea, which is contingent on the Court’s approval, calls for a sentence of ten years in prison.
According to the government’s evidence, on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014, Jones and the victim, Kirk Perry, 50, got into verbal arguments in the 2400 block of Elvans Road SE over Mr. Perry’s dog. During those arguments, Jones said, “I got a 4-5 with an extended clip for your dog.” Mr. Perry and a family member left the area and went to a nearby laundromat.
About three hours after the argument, Mr. Perry returned to his apartment complex. While bringing laundry into the apartment, he again saw Jones outside. After a mutual associate approached Mr. Perry and suggested that he speak with Jones, Mr. Perry returned outside in hopes of settling their dispute. At approximately 12:35 a.m., on Dec. 1, 2014, Mr. Perry had a conversation with Jones that occurred in between two parked cars in a parking lot of the apartment complex on Elvans Road where they both resided. At the time of that conversation, Mr. Perry had a firearm tucked into his waistband.
Jones, armed with a pistol, fired at Mr. Perry and Mr. Perry was struck multiple times. When Mr. Perry fell to the ground face down, Jones continued firing his weapon. Mr. Perry suffered 13 gunshot wounds, including two in his back. When medical and law enforcement personnel arrived, they transported Mr. Perry to a nearby medical facility where Mr. Perry was pronounced dead.
In announcing the guilty plea, U.S. Attorney Phillips commended the work of the detectives of the Criminal Investigations Division Homicide Branch, crime scene officers, and the Seventh Police District of the Metropolitan Police Department. He also expressed appreciation for the work of the D.C. Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services and the D.C. Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. He acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Victim/Witness Advocate Jennifer Clark; Victim/Witness Security Specialist Tanya Via; Paralegal Specialists Zekiah Wright and Debra Joyner; Investigative Analyst Zachary McMenamin, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Natalia Medina. Finally, he praised the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Eckert, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
District Man Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Burglary in Rock Creek Park NeighborhoodRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Antoine Woodfolk, 51, of Washington, D.C., has been sentenced to a prison term of three years for a burglary last summer of a residence in Northwest Washington, U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips announced today.
Woodfolk pled guilty in August 2015, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to second-degree burglary. He was sentenced on Oct. 23, 2015, by the Honorable Anita Josey-Herring. Following his prison term, he will be placed on two years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence, on July 17, 2015, at about 2:15 P.M., the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) received a 911 call regarding a burglary in progress at a residence in the 6300 Block of 16th Street NW. Although the residents were not present, MPD officers were informed that one of them observed, via an online surveillance system, an unknown individual kicking the front door, entering the residence, and leaving with a red and white bicycle. When officers arrived, they observed Woodfolk walking down the front porch pushing a red and white bicycle. Woodfolk attempted to flee on the bicycle and was apprehended a short time later. In his possession, officers found a GPS device, a silver watch, and the bicycle.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Phillips commended the work of the Metropolitan Police Department. He also expressed appreciation for the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Debra McPherson and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ali D. Kargbo, of the Felony Major Crimes Trial Section, who investigated and prosecuted the matter.
District Man Sentenced to 100-Month Prison Term for Federal Drug OffenseRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON –Michael Lee Smith, 32, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 100 months in prison on a federal charge stemming from an investigation into the sale of drugs from a home in Southeast Washington, announced U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips and Cathy L. Lanier, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Smith pled guilty in August 2015, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, to one count of unlawful possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base and aiding and abetting. He was sentenced by the Honorable Tanya S. Chutkan. Following completion of his prison term, Smith will be placed on five years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence, on Aug. 19, 2014, officers with the Metropolitan Police Department’s First District vice unit executed a search warrant at a home in the 5400 block of C Street SE. Smith and two other men were in the house. One man, the person who lived at the residence, was quickly detained by police next to a chair in the living room, where a plastic wrap that contained approximately 6.5 grams of crack was recovered. Smith and the other man, meanwhile, ran out the back door. They jumped a fence in the back yard and escaped. However, they were later identified and captured by MPD officers.
Overall, officers recovered over 170 grams of crack cocaine in a search of the residence, including 149.6 grams from a plate that was on top of a china cabinet in the dining room. Officers also recovered empty zip lock bags, a glass bowl, a scale spoon, a razor blade, and other items used to manufacture and distribute narcotics. In his guilty plea, Smith accepted responsibility for possession with the intent to distribute more than 112 grams but less than 196 grams of a mixture and substance containing cocaine base.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Phillips and Chief Lanier commended the work of those who investigated the case from Metropolitan Police Department. They also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialists Jeannette Litz and Teesha Tobias, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Emory V. Cole, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
District Man Found Guilty of Armed Kidnapping, Sexual Abuse, and Other Charges for Attacking Woman at Her HomeRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Levi Ruffin, 37, of Washington, D.C., was found guilty today of charges stemming from a nighttime attack on a woman as she tried to enter her home in Northwest Washington, announced U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips.
Ruffin was found guilty by a jury of six counts: kidnapping while armed; third-degree sexual abuse while armed; first-degree burglary while armed; attempted robbery while armed; assault with a dangerous weapon, and assault causing significant bodily injury. The verdict was returned following a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. He is to be sentenced by the Honorable Rhonda Reid Winston on Dec. 18, 2015. He faces a maximum of 30 years in prison for all offenses except for assault with a dangerous weapon, which carries a maximum of 10 years, and assault causing significant bodily injury, which carries up to three years in prison.
According to the government’s evidence, on Sept. 14, 2013, at about 9 p.m., the victim was entering the door to her home in Northwest Washington after an outing with her friends. As she entered the residence, she was rushed from behind by Ruffin, who placed his hand over her mouth. Ruffin pulled out a knife, placed it next to the woman’s face, and demanded she drop her belongings. Ruffin then forced her inside her home and demanded money. When the woman told Ruffin she had no money and attempted to give him her credit cards, Ruffin slapped the credit cards away and began to sexually assault her. The woman fought Ruffin when he touched her. During the fight, Ruffin cut the woman on both her hands and bit her face and back.
The bite marks on the woman’s face were swabbed for potential DNA. DNA was recovered from those bite marks and was traced to Ruffin. A warrant for Ruffin’s arrest was issued, and when Ruffin was arrested on Aug. 6, 2014, he was found to have generally matched the description the woman gave of the attacker. Ruffin also had a knife that matched the description provided by the woman of the knife used during the attack.
In announcing the verdict, U.S. Attorney Phillips commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. He also expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by the District of Columbia Department of Forensic Sciences and Bode Technologies. In addition, he acknowledged the efforts of those who handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialists Mark Morse and Wanda Trice; Victim/Witness Advocate Veronica Vaughan; Litigation Technology Specialist Karen McColman; Criminal Investigators Nelson Rhone and Melissa Matthews; Legal Interns Emma McArthur and Meghan Monahan, and Michael Ambrosino, Special Counsel for DNA and Forensic Evidence Litigation. Finally, he commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kenechukwu Okocha and Akhi Johnson, who prosecuted the matter, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jodi Lazarus, who indicted the case.
Maryland Man Pleads Guilty to Assault with Intent to Kill Charges for Stabbing Three People at Home in the Middle of the NightRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Ernest Johnson, 21, of Baltimore, Md., pled guilty today to three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed for stabbing his ex-girlfriend and two others in her apartment in Northeast Washington, U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips announced.
Johnson pled guilty in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The Honorable Milton C. Lee scheduled sentencing for Jan. 22, 2016.
According to the government’s evidence, Johnson was previously in a romantic relationship with one of the victims, a 24-year-old woman. On the date of the attack, Aug. 15, 2015, they were no longer in a romantic relationship. At that time, Johnson’s ex-girlfriend was in a romantic relationship with another man. The ex-girlfriend was living with her 75-year-old grandmother in an apartment in Northeast Washington.
On Aug. 15, 2015, at approximately 4:30 a.m., Johnson entered the ex-girlfriend’s apartment through the balcony door. First, he went into the grandmother’s bedroom and began to strangle her, causing her to lose consciousness. He also stabbed her numerous times in the back, head, and neck. Johnson then entered the second bedroom, where his ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend were asleep. He locked the door behind him. Johnson then stabbed his ex-girlfriend approximately 28 times in back, arm, neck, chest, hand, and other parts of her body. He also stabbed the new boyfriend several times in the head, and the knife went through his skull.
Two witnesses were asleep in the living room of the apartment. One heard the screaming and broke into the locked bedroom, picked up a vacuum cleaner, and hit Johnson with it to stop the attacks against his ex-girlfriend and the boyfriend. The second witness also came into the room to assist. Johnson then left the apartment, fleeing the scene.
Two knives were recovered inside the apartment.
All three victims were transported to the hospital by ambulance. The grandmother remained at the hospital for approximately nine days. Doctors believed that she may have had a laceration to the inside of her throat, and so she was not permitted to eat food or liquid through her mouth for approximately one week. The man was at the hospital for two days and was released. Several days thereafter, however, he began to have seizures and was readmitted for approximately four days. Since this incident, he has had memory issues and headaches. Finally, Johnson’s ex-girlfriend was admitted to the hospital for almost two months. She has severe spinal cord damage from the stabbing that initially left her paralyzed. Through extensive physical therapy, she has regained some motor skills, but remains significantly impaired and unable to walk on her own. She had several surgeries on her left hand and has not regained full use of it.
Johnson was apprehended in Baltimore shortly after the attack. He has been in custody ever since. In a custodial interview after his arrest, he admitted to the stabbings.
In announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney Phillips commended the work of the officers and detectives who investigated the case for the Metropolitan Police Department and U.S. Marshals Service. He also commended the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Erica Vample and Victim/Witness Advocate Meshall Thomas. Finally, he expressed appreciation for the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Elana Suttenberg, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
High-Level International Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Long-Running Narcotics ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Defendant Operated Out of the United States, Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Bahamas, Spain, France, Italy, Panama and Luxembourg
Gregory Joel Sitzmann, 65, was sentenced today to 30 years in prison for his role as the leader of an international drug trafficking and money laundering ring that operated for at least 14 years out of the United States, Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Bahamas, France, Italy, Spain and other countries.
The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips of the District of Columbia, Special Agent in Charge Clark E. Settles of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) in Washington, D.C., and Chief Cathy L. Lanier of the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Sitzmann, who was born in Iowa, had most recently resided in Colombia. He was found guilty by a jury on May 21, 2012, of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. The verdict followed a six-week trial in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Sitzmann was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Paul L. Friedman of the District of Columbia. Upon completion of his prison term, Sitzmann will be placed on 10 years of supervised release. The judge also ordered Sitzmann to pay a $500,000 fine.
According to the government’s evidence, Sitzmann used and conspired to use numerous individuals and artifices to transport hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from Colombia and Mexico into the United States and into numerous countries around the world. For example, Sitzmann used commercial airplanes, and luggage, automobiles and trucks with secret compartments to move the drugs.
Evidence showed that Sitzmann has been involved in drug smuggling and money laundering since at least the 1980s and that he provided hundreds of kilograms of cocaine to a Hells Angels motorcycle gang in Montreal throughout the 1990s. He maintained corporations and bank accounts in Panama, Switzerland, Luxembourg and elsewhere to facilitate his money laundering and the purchase of assets.
“Gregory Joel Sitzmann was a career wholesale cocaine trafficker who operated an international drug conspiracy at the highest levels that involved over 1,300 kilograms of cocaine,” said U.S. Attorney Phillips. “He directly acquired cocaine from the drug cartels of Colombia and Mexico to transport into the United States and other countries around the world. Now, after years of eluding justice, he has been convicted and will spend an appropriately significant amount of time in prison for his crimes. This case shows our determination to combat narcotics traffickers at the highest levels in all corners of the world.”
“The strong investigative work of our HSI special agents and law enforcement partners dismantled this international drug trafficking organization – one that operated on multiple continents and supplied a significant amount of cocaine to the United States,” said Special Agent in Charge Settles. “Today’s sentence concludes Sitzmann’s long journey from drug kingpin to being just another convicted drug trafficker.”
“The defendant in this case attempted to delay justice for several years,” said Chief Lanier. “Today’s sentencing is yet another example of the resolve that we, as law enforcement, have towards following through on investigating and prosecuting drug traffickers to the greatest extent possible.”
Sitzmann was indicted on Aug. 7, 2008, by a federal grand jury in the District of Columbia for activities that took place during the 1990s and at least until 2004. The day after the indictment, Sitzmann was deported from France to the United States, where HSI special agents arrested Sitzmann. He has been in custody ever since. The defendant delayed trial for years, utilizing numerous attorneys while alternating with demands to represent himself.
The prosecution grew out of the efforts of the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, a multi-agency team that conducts comprehensive, multi-level attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. The principal mission of the nationwide program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s drug supply.
In recent years, investigations by this task force have led to the arrests and indictments of dozens of people from drug organizations that operate in the Washington, D.C., area.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Phillips, Special Agent in Charge Settles and Chief Lanier expressed appreciation for the work of the many dedicated people who pursued the investigation, including the HSI special agents and the investigators from the MPD. They also thanked the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Colombian National Police, the French National Police, French Customs, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Royal Bahamas Police for assistance in the investigation. They acknowledged the work of those who handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the District of Columbia, including Paralegal Specialists Crystal Barclay, Candice Sisco and David Hollingsworth; Legal Assistants Tammy Scott and Diane Brashears; Victim/Witness Coordinator Dawn Tolson-Hightower; and Litigation Technology Specialists Ron Royal and Joshua Ellen.
Finally, they thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys George Eliopoulos and Sharad Khandelwal of the District of Columbia, who prosecuted the case.
High-Level International Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Long-Running Narcotics ConspiracyRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - Gregory Joel Sitzmann, 65, was sentenced today to 30 years in prison for his role as the leader of an international drug trafficking and money laundering ring that operated for at least 14 years out of the United States, Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Bahamas, France, Italy, Spain and other countries.
The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips; Clark E. Settles, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Washington, D.C.; and Cathy L. Lanier, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Sitzmann, who was born in Iowa, had most recently resided in Colombia. He was found guilty by a jury on May 21, 2012, of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. The verdict followed a six-week trial in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Sitzmann was sentenced by the Honorable Paul L. Friedman. Upon completion of his prison term, Sitzmann will be placed on 10 years of supervised release. The judge also ordered Sitzmann to pay a $500,000 fine.
According to the government’s evidence, Sitzmann had used and conspired to use numerous individuals and artifices to transport hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from Colombia and Mexico into the United States and into numerous countries around the world. For example, Sitzmann used commercial airplanes, automobiles and trucks with secret compartments, and luggage with secret compartments, to move the drugs.
Evidence showed that Sitzmann has been involved in drug smuggling and money laundering since at least the 1980s and that he provided hundreds of kilograms of cocaine to a Hells Angels motorcycle gang in Montreal, Canada, throughout the 1990s. He maintained corporations and bank accounts in Panama, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and elsewhere to facilitate his money laundering and the purchase of assets.
“Gregory Joel Sitzmann was a career wholesale cocaine trafficker who operated an international drug conspiracy at the highest levels that involved over 1,300 kilograms of cocaine,” said U.S. Attorney Phillips. “He directly acquired cocaine from the drug cartels of Colombia and Mexico to transport into the United States and other countries around the world. Now, after years of eluding justice, he has been convicted and will spend an appropriately significant amount of time in prison for his crimes. This case shows our determination to combat narcotics traffickers at the highest levels in all corners of the world.”
“The strong investigative work of our HSI special agents and law enforcement partners dismantled this international drug trafficking organization – one that operated on multiple continents and supplied a significant amount of cocaine to the United States,” said Special Agent in Charge Settles. “Today’s sentence concludes Sitzmann’s long journey from drug kingpin to being just another convicted drug trafficker.”
“The defendant in this case attempted to delay justice for several years,” said Chief Lanier. “Today’s sentencing is yet another example of the resolve that we, as law enforcement, have towards following through on investigating and prosecuting drug traffickers to the greatest extent possible.”
Sitzmann was indicted on Aug. 7, 2008 by a federal grand jury in the District of Columbia for activities that took place during the 1990s and at least until 2004. The day after the indictment, Sitzmann was deported from France to the United States, where HSI special agents arrested Sitzmann. He has been in custody ever since. The defendant delayed trial for years, utilizing numerous attorneys while alternating with demands to represent himself.
The prosecution grew out of the efforts of the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, a multi-agency team that conducts comprehensive, multi-level attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. The principal mission of the nationwide program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s drug supply.
In recent years, investigations by this task force have led to the arrests and indictments of dozens of people from drug organizations that operate in the Washington, D.C. area.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Phillips, Special Agent in Charge Settles, and Chief Lanier expressed appreciation for the work of the many dedicated people who pursued the investigation, including the HSI special agents and the investigators from the MPD. They also thanked the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Colombian National Police, the French National Police, French Customs, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and the Royal Bahamas Police, for assistance in the investigation. They acknowledged the work of those who handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialists Crystal Barclay, Candice Sisco, and David Hollingsworth; Legal Assistants Tammy Scott and Diane Brashears; Victim/Witness Coordinator Dawn Tolson-Hightower, and Litigation Technology Specialists Ron Royal and Joshua Ellen.
Finally, they thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys George Eliopoulos and Sharad Khandelwal, who prosecuted the case.
Two Men Plead Guilty to Health Care Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Russell J. Sveda, 69, and Richard V. Schachter, 56, most recently of Alexandria, Va., and Lauderdale by the Sea, Fla., pled guilty today to charges of health care fraud stemming from a scheme to submit false claims for non-existent medical reimbursements through the U.S. Office of Personnel Management’s Foreign Service Benefit Plan.
The guilty pleas were announced by U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips, Patrick E. McFarland, Inspector General for the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Paul M. Abbate, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, and Inspector in Charge David G. Bowers of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s (USPIS) Washington, D.C., Division.
Sveda and Schachter, who were indicted in July 2015, pled guilty in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. They are to be sentenced on Jan. 20, 2016, by the Honorable Senior Judge Thomas F. Hogan. Under the advisory sentencing guidelines, they face a possible sentence of 18 to 24 months. They also agreed to pay $257,000 in restitution and to forfeit an identical amount in a money judgment.
According to a statement of offense signed by the government as well as both defendants, Sveda is a former U.S. State Department employee, now retired. He is entitled to participate in the Federal Employee Health Benefit Program, the federally-funded health benefit program provided by the U.S. government for federal employees, retirees, and their eligible spouses and dependents. State Department Foreign Service employees and retirees, like Sveda, and federal employees living overseas, have the option of choosing the Foreign Service Benefit Plan of Washington, D.C., as their health insurance plan. Participants of this plan, like Sveda, pay for medical services and medications up front and then submit claims via facsimile or mail and are reimbursed by a check sent through the U.S. Postal Service or a payment electronically transferred into their bank account.
Schachter is Sveda’s spouse and has acted on behalf of Sveda in demanding payments for medical insurance claims. Between February 2007 and October 2010, Sveda and Schachter submitted to the insurance carrier for Foreign Service Benefit Plan claims for pharmaceutical items and services purportedly obtained from a German pharmacy, Stadt-Apotheke Fussen, located in Fussen, Germany. Similarly, from May 2007 through October 2012, Sveda and Schachter submitted claims for medical services Sveda allegedly obtained from various German doctors, clinics, and hospitals. Sveda’s claims used the names and addresses of various doctors, clinics, hospitals, and pharmacies, and other health care service providers, located in Germany.
Since at least 2007, Sveda and Schachter have engaged in extensive foreign travel and extended stays at spas. Government travel records — such as passport stamps and the U.S. government’s records of border crossings — as well as documents obtained from airlines, ocean line operators, credit and debit card payments, and a major spa company, establish that Sveda was traveling across the Atlantic, receiving spa treatments in Massachusetts, or otherwise traveling outside of Germany on the dates when Sveda and Schachter claimed Sveda was in Germany receiving medical services from doctors, clinics, hospitals, or other health care providers. Based on information the government has received to date, $257,000 of those claimed medical services, purportedly performed in Germany, are known to be false based on dates when travel and other records establish that Sveda was not in Germany.
In announcing the guilty pleas, U.S. Attorney Phillips, Inspector General McFarland, Assistant Director in Charge Abbate, and Inspector in Charge Bowers expressed appreciation for the work performed by Special Agents and analysts from OPM’s Office of Inspector General and the FBI, as well as by Postal Inspectors and analysts with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. They also acknowledged the efforts of those who are working on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialists Donna Galindo, Kristy Penny, John Lowell, Jessica Mundi, and Corinne Kleinman, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ted Radway and Diane Lucas, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Virginia Cheatham, who is prosecuting the case.
Former Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography and Sexual Abuse ChargesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - Darrell Best, 46, a former member of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), pled guilty today to one count of production of child pornography, one count of first-degree sexual abuse of a minor, and one count of second-degree sexual abuse of a minor, announced U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips and Cathy L. Lanier, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department.
Best pled guilty in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The plea agreement, which is contingent upon the Court’s approval, calls for Best to be sentenced to 18 years in prison. Pursuant to the plea agreement, the Court will determine at Best’s sentencing the period of supervised release that Best will serve following the completion of his prison term. Best will also be required by law to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life. If he approves the plea, the Honorable Reggie B. Walton is to sentence Best on Feb. 26, 2016.
In addition to working as a police officer, Best was the head pastor of a church in Southeast Washington. The sexual abuse charges stem from incidents involving two minor females who knew and trusted him through the church. Best pled guilty to second-degree sexual abuse of a minor based on his sexual abuse of one of the girls on Dec. 3, 2014 at MPD Headquarters. He pled guilty to first-degree sexual abuse of a minor based on his sexual abuse of the other girl on Feb. 14, 2015 while inside the church.
On March 14, 2015, after one of the girls told her parents about the abuse, the Metropolitan Police Department’s Youth Division began investigating the case. Best was arrested two days later and has been in custody ever since.
Following Best’s arrest, investigators obtained a search and seizure warrant from the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for Best’s cellular phone. A forensic examination of the phone revealed seven images depicting child pornography, which Best had produced using one of the victims.
In announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney Phillips and Chief Lanier commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by the FBI’s Washington Field Office. In addition, they acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Criminal Investigator John Marsh; Paralegal Specialist Donhue Troy Griffith, and Victim/Witness Advocate Lezlie Richardson. Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah D. McClellan and Lindsay Suttenberg, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
District Man Pleads Guilty to Improper Touching of 16-Year-Old GirlRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – James Leroy Burney, 32, of Washington, D.C., has pled guilty to one count of sexual abuse of a minor, stemming from his fondling of a 16-year-old girl while she slept at her mother’s home, U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips announced today.
Burney pled guilty on Oct. 21, 2015, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. He is to be sentenced on Dec. 18, 2015 by the Honorable Rhonda Reid Winston. He faces a statutory maximum sentence of seven-and-a-half years in prison.
According to the government’s evidence, on Aug. 13, 2015, the girl was spending the night with her mother, who she was visiting in Southeast Washington. Twice during the night, Burney slipped into a bedroom and fondled the girl. The Metropolitan Police Department got a warrant for Burney’s arrest, and arrested him on Sept. 16, 2015.
In announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney Phillips praised the work of MPD’s Youth Services Division, which investigated the case. He also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialists D’Yvonne Key and Joyce Arthur; Victim/Witness Advocate Veronica Vaughan; and La June Thames and Katina Adams-Washington, both of the Victim Witness Assistance Unit. Finally, U.S. Attorney Phillips commended Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter V. Taylor, who investigated and prosecuted this case.
Attorney General Lynch Recognizes Blackwater Prosecution Team with Award for Distinguished ServiceRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch today recognized a team from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the FBI’s Washington Field Office for the successful prosecution of four former security guards for Blackwater USA on charges stemming from their roles in the Sept. 16, 2007, shooting at Nisur Square in Baghdad, Iraq, that resulted in the killing of 14 unarmed civilians and the wounding of numerous others.
The team members were among 279 Justice Department employees and 33 individuals outside of the department to receive Attorney General Awards at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. Today’s 63rd annual ceremony recognized individuals for their outstanding service and dedication to carrying out the missions of the Department of Justice.
The team that worked on the Blackwater investigation was honored with the award for Distinguished Service, one of the Justice Department’s highest honors.
“The individuals being honored today stand out within a department that holds all of its employees and partners to an extremely high standard of excellence,” said Attorney General Lynch. “They have put in long hours, made immense sacrifices and, in some cases, placed themselves in harm’s way. They have taken on issues that once seemed intractable, and made progress on problems that once seemed impossible. And their outstanding work is an inspiration to public servants everywhere.”
“These awards reflect the unwavering dedication to justice displayed by lawyers and support staff of our Office and others across the nation,” said U.S. Attorney Phillips. “The Nisur Square shooting presented a test as to whether our criminal justice system was capable of holding these American contractors accountable for their criminal acts overseas against foreign nationals. Those who worked on this case persevered through years of incredibly challenging work to prosecute those responsible for the shooting of innocent, unarmed Iraqi civilians, securing convictions that reaffirmed the commitment of the American people to the rule of law."
“It took an enormous amount of investigative expertise, persistence and fortitude to ensure that justice and accountability was attained in this case,” stated Assistant Director in Charge Paul M. Abbate of the FBI’s Washington Field Office. “The team’s ability to overcome each of the monumental challenges faced is a testament to their remarkable skill and unwavering commitment to ensuring the rule of law is faithfully applied. These individuals showed tremendous courage, dedication and integrity in following through on the successful pursuit of justice.”
The Distinguished Service Award is one of the Justice Department’s highest honors for employee performance. Recipients exemplify the highest commitment to the Justice Department’s mission. The team members from the U.S. Attorney’s Office who were honored today include: Jonathan M. Malis, Chief of the Criminal Division; T. Patrick Martin, Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division; Gregg A. Maisel, Chief of the National Security Section; Kenneth C. Kohl, Deputy Chief of the National Security Section; Jay I. Bratt, former Deputy Chief of the National Security Section; Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Crabb, Jr., Christopher R. Kavanaugh, and David Mudd; former Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Asuncion; and Victim/Witness Advocate Yvonne Bryant. Mr. Bratt and Mr. Asuncion are now Deputy Chiefs with the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, and Mr. Kavanaugh is now with the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Western District of Virginia.
Other team members who were recognized today include Attorney Demetra Lambros, of the Appellate Section of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Brian M. Rasmussen, formerly the FBI’s Assistant Legal Attaché (ALAT) in Baghdad and now Supervisory Special Agent of the FBI’s Houston Field Office, and Special Agents Marc Daniel Hess, Jeremy David Moore, Thomas F. O’Connor, and Katrice Stubbs, of the FBI’s Washington Field Office.
Those honored today represented a much larger group from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI’s Washington Field Office, and other agencies that played an integral part in the extraordinary and unprecedented investigation and subsequent trial. These many contributors showed remarkable professionalism, tenacity, and courage throughout the investigation and prosecution of the security guards who were accused of taking part in the shooting in and around Nisur Square, a busy traffic circle in the heart of Baghdad. Those killed included 10 men, two women, and two boys, ages 9 and 11. At least another 18 victims were injured.
The four security guards who stood trial worked for Blackwater USA, a private security contractor that was paid by the U.S. government to provide protective services to U.S. officials. They were found guilty by a jury on Oct. 22, 2014, following a trial in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Over the course of 11 weeks, the government presented testimony from 71 witnesses, including over 30 from Iraq. This represented the largest group of foreign witnesses ever to travel to the United States for a criminal trial. The witnesses included 13 people who were wounded in the shootings, as well as relatives of many of those who died. The government’s witnesses also included nine members of “Raven 23,” the Blackwater team that was on the scene on the day of the shootings, including one former security guard who pled guilty in December 2008.
Former Background Investigator for Federal Government Pleads Guilty to Making a False StatementRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Ricky B. Reaves, 53, a former background investigator who did work under contract for the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), pled guilty today to a charge stemming from his falsification of work on background investigations of federal employees and contractors, announced U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips and Patrick E. McFarland, Inspector General for the Office of Personnel Management.
Reaves, of Lorton, Va., pled guilty in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to making a false statement. The Honorable Richard J. Leon scheduled sentencing for Jan. 11, 2016. The charge carries a statutory penalty of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. As part of the plea, Reaves has agreed to pay $91,124 in restitution to the federal government.
According to a statement of offense submitted to the Court, Reaves was employed by USIS, formerly known as U.S. Investigations Services, Inc., as an investigator under contract to conduct background investigations on behalf of OPM’s Federal Investigative Services.
Between July 2010 and March 2011, in more than two dozen Reports of Investigations on background investigations, Reaves represented that he had interviewed a source or reviewed a record regarding the subject of the background investigation. In fact, he had not conducted the interviews or obtained the records of interest. These reports were utilized and relied upon by the agencies requesting the background investigations to determine whether the subjects were suitable for positions having access to classified information, for positions impacting national security, or for receiving or retaining security clearances, or for positions of public trust.
Reaves’ false representations have required Federal Investigative Services to reopen and rework numerous background investigations that were assigned to him during the time period of his falsifications, at an estimated cost of at least $91,124 to the U.S. government.
Federal Investigative Services has a robust integrity assurance program which utilizes a variety of methods to ensure the accuracy of reported information. The falsification of investigative case work by the defendant was detected through the program.
This is one of numerous cases prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia since 2008 involving false representations by background investigators and record checkers working on federal background investigations. In addition to Reaves, 20 other background investigators and two record checkers have been convicted of charges.
Federal Investigative Services, through its workforce of approximately 6,000, including 5,200 field investigators, is responsible for conducting background investigations for numerous federal agencies and their contractors, on individuals either employed by or seeking employment with those agencies or contractors. Federal Investigative Services conducted more than 2.3 million investigations during the 2014 fiscal year. More than 655,000 of these investigations involved applicants for access or continued access to classified information.
In performing background investigations, the investigators conduct interviews of individuals who have information about the person who is the subject of the review. In addition, the investigators seek out, obtain, and review documentary evidence, such as employment records, to verify and corroborate information provided by either the subject of the background investigation or by persons interviewed during the investigation. After conducting interviews and obtaining documentary evidence, the investigators prepare a Report of Investigation containing the results of the interviews and document reviews, and electronically submit the material to OPM in Washington, D.C. OPM then provides a copy of the investigative file to the requesting agency, which can use the information to determine an individual’s eligibility for employment or a security clearance.
In announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney Phillips and Inspector General McFarland praised the efforts of Assistant Special Agent in Charge Nathaniel Smith and Special Agent Christopher Sulhoff, OPM, Office of the Inspector General, and Philip Kroop and Kevin Cassidy, OPM, Federal Investigative Services. They also acknowledged the work of Paralegal Specialist Donna Galindo of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, as well as Assistant U.S. Attorney Ellen Chubin Epstein, who investigated and prosecuted this matter.
Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank Admits to Sanctions Violations, Agrees to Forfeit $312 MillionRead the Press Release
Combined with Payments to Regulators, Bank to Pay $787.3 Million
Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank (CACIB), a corporate and investment bank owned by Crédit Agricole S.A. and headquartered in Paris, has agreed to forfeit $312 million and enter into a deferred prosecution agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the District of Columbia for CACIB’s violations of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and the Trading With the Enemy Act (TWEA). CACIB employs over 7,000 employees and has a presence in over 30 countries. The bank has also entered into settlement agreements with the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the New York County District Attorney’s Office and the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS). In total, CACIB will pay $787.3 million in criminal and civil financial penalties.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips of the District of Columbia, Assistant Director Joseph S. Campbell of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, Chief Richard Weber of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) and District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr. of New York County.
A one-count felony criminal information and a related civil forfeiture complaint were filed today in federal court in the District of Columbia charging CACIB with knowingly and willfully conspiring to defraud the United States and to commit violations of IEEPA and TWEA. CACIB has waived federal indictment, agreed to the filing of the information and civil forfeiture complaint, and has accepted responsibility for its criminal conduct and that of its employees.
CACIB is to pay $156 million to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and $156 million to the New York County District Attorney’s Office.
The New York County District Attorney’s Office is also announcing today that CACIB has entered into a separate deferred prosecution agreement, and that, in the corresponding factual statement, CACIB admitted that it violated New York state law by falsifying the records of New York financial institutions.
In addition, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System is announcing that CACIB has agreed to a cease and desist order, to take certain remedial steps to ensure its compliance with U.S. law in its ongoing operations and to pay a civil monetary penalty of $90.3 million. DFS is announcing CACIB has agreed to, among other things, employ a compliance consultant for a period of one year and pay a monetary penalty of $385 million to DFS. The Treasury Department’s OFAC has also levied a fine of approximately $329.5 million, which will be satisfied by the payments to federal and local agencies.
“Sanctions laws are critical to both our national security and foreign policy interests,” said U.S. Attorney Phillips. “CACIB, through its subsidiaries, violated our laws and our interests by conducting business on behalf of entities in Sudan. CACIB’s subsidiaries succeeded in these efforts, in large part, by hiding their conduct from CACIB’s employees in the United States. In this case, the overwhelming majority of the unlawful conduct occurred at a foreign subsidiary that no longer exists. Although CACIB moved quickly to end these unlawful transactions and fully cooperated with investigators, today’s resolution demonstrates that there will be significant consequences for any financial institution that allows its foreign subsidiaries that do not intend to respect U.S. law to, nevertheless, access the U.S. financial system.”
“The financial penalties imposed on Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank send a powerful message to any financial institution that prioritizes profits over adherence to the law,” said Assistant Director Campbell. “This investigation is another example of our commitment to work closely with our federal and state partners to ensure compliance with U.S. banking laws to promote integrity across financial institutions and to safeguard our national security.”
“Today’s announcement is another significant milestone on an international stage that should send a clear warning to other global financial institutions,” said Chief Weber. “IRS-CI’s work in this investigation, as well as prior sanction cases, has proven the ability of IRS-CI and our partners to expose violations of IEEPA and TWEA sanctions. We will continue to use our financial expertise to uncover these types of violations and hold financial institutions accountable for international criminal violations.”
“With this resolution, as well as eight previous agreements, my office and our partners are sending a clear message that financial institutions must comply with sanctions against rogue nations,” said District Attorney Vance. “Over the course of our investigation, it was revealed that subsidiaries of Crédit Agricole illegally moved hundreds of millions of dollars through the U.S. on behalf of clients in Sudan, Iran, Cuba and Burma. This type of conduct requires the bank be held accountable, and I would like to thank all our partners for their efforts to ensure that our financial system is protected.”
According to documents released publicly today, between August 2003 and September 2008, CACIB subsidiaries in Geneva knowingly and willfully moved approximately $312 million through the U.S. financial system on behalf of sanctioned entities located in Sudan, Burma, Iran and Cuba. Specifically, during this time period, these CACIB subsidiaries employed deceptive practices that concealed the involvement of banks designated as Specially Designated Nationals (SDNs) and other corporate entities in financial transactions that transited through the United States and thereby deprived the United States and CACIB’s New York branch and other U.S. financial institutions of the ability to filter for, and consequently block or reject, sanctioned payments. The bank’s conduct caused approximately $312 million in unlawful transactions to transit through the United States financial systems—although nearly all of the bank’s violations involved Sudanese business organizations. CACIB subsidiaries also unlawfully caused transactions on behalf of clients located in Burma, Iran and Cuba to unlawfully transit through the United States as well.
According to court documents, CACIB’s employees were aware of U.S. sanctions against Sudan and the fact that the sanctions applied to payments the bank sent to the United States. Further, CACIB has acknowledged that compliance personnel within CACIB subsidiaries in Geneva were aware of the U.S. sanctions against Sudan and that these sanctions applied to payments the bank sent through the United States. Despite this knowledge, compliance personnel authorized payments on behalf of the bank’s Sudanese customers.
CACIB has admitted that its employees permitted 11 Sudanese banks to maintain U.S. dollar accounts with CACIB—six of the Sudanese banks were SDNs. CACIB’s subsidiaries relied primarily on non-transparent payment messages, known as cover payments, to mask the unlawful payments that were sent through the United States.
This case was investigated by the IRS-CI and the FBI’s New York Field Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matt Graves, Maia L. Miller and Zia Faruqui of the District of Columbia, and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann Petalas assisted in the investigation.
The New York County District Attorney’s Office also conducted its own investigation in conjunction with the Department of Justice. The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the DFS and the Treasury Department’s OFAC provided assistance with this matter.
Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank Admits to Sanctions Violations, Agrees to Forfeit $312 MillionRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON- Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank (CACIB), a corporate and investment bank owned by Crédit Agricole S.A. and headquartered in Paris, France, has agreed to forfeit $312 million and enter into a deferred prosecution agreement with the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia for CACIB’s violations of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and the Trading With the Enemy Act (TWEA). CACIB employs over 7,000 employees and has a presence in over 30 countries. The bank has also entered into settlement agreements with the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the New York County District Attorney’s Office, and the New York State Department of Financial Services. In total, CACIB will pay $787.3 million in criminal and civil financial penalties.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips for the District of Columbia; Joseph S. Campbell, Assistant Director of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division; Chief Richard Weber of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), and District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr. of New York County.
A one-count felony criminal information and a related civil forfeiture complaint were filed today in federal court in the District of Columbia charging CACIB with knowingly and willfully conspiring to defraud the United States and to commit violations of IEEPA and TWEA. CACIB has waived federal indictment, agreed to the filing of the information and civil forfeiture complaint, and has accepted responsibility for its criminal conduct and that of its employees.
CACIB is to pay $156 million to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and $156 million to the New York County District Attorney’s Office.
The New York County District Attorney’s Office is also announcing today that CACIB has entered into a separate deferred prosecution agreement, and that, in the corresponding factual statement, CACIB admitted that it violated New York State law by falsifying the records of New York financial institutions.
In addition, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System is announcing that CACIB has agreed to a cease and desist order, to take certain remedial steps to ensure its compliance with U.S. law in its ongoing operations, and to pay a civil monetary penalty of $90.3 million. The New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) is announcing CACIB has agreed to, among other things, employ a compliance consultant for a period of one year, and pay a monetary penalty to DFS of $385 million. The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has also levied a fine of approximately $329.5 million, which will be satisfied by the payments to federal and local agencies.
“Sanctions laws are critical to both our national security and foreign policy interests,” said U.S. Attorney Phillips. “CACIB, through its subsidiaries, violated our laws and our interests by conducting business on behalf of entities in Sudan. CACIB’s subsidiaries succeeded in these efforts, in large part, by hiding their conduct from CACIB’s employees in the United States. In this case, the overwhelming majority of the unlawful conduct occurred at a foreign subsidiary that no longer exists. Although CACIB moved quickly to end these unlawful transactions and fully cooperated with investigators, today’s resolution demonstrates that there will be significant consequences for any financial institution that allows its foreign subsidiaries that do not intend to respect U.S. law to, nevertheless, access the U.S. financial system.”
“The financial penalties imposed on Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank send a powerful message to any financial institution that prioritizes profits over adherence to the law,” said Assistant Director Campbell. “This investigation is another example of our commitment to work closely with our federal and state partners to ensure compliance with U.S. banking laws to promote integrity across financial institutions and to safeguard our national security.”
“Today’s announcement is another significant milestone on an international stage that should send a clear warning to other global financial institutions,” said Chief Weber. “IRS-CI’s work in this investigation, as well as prior sanction cases, has proven the ability of IRS-CI and our partners to expose violations of IEEPA and TWEA sanctions. We will continue to use our financial expertise to uncover these types of violations and hold financial institutions accountable for international criminal violations.”
“With this resolution, as well as eight previous agreements, my Office and our partners are sending a clear message that financial institutions must comply with sanctions against rogue nations,” said District Attorney Vance. “Over the course of our investigation, it was revealed that subsidiaries of Crédit Agricole illegally moved hundreds of millions of dollars through the U.S. on behalf of clients in Sudan, Iran, Cuba, and Burma. This type of conduct requires the bank be held accountable, and I would like to thank all our partners for their efforts to ensure that our financial system is protected.”
According to documents released publicly today, between August 2003 and September 2008, CACIB subsidiaries in Geneva, Switzerland, knowingly and willfully moved approximately $312 million through the U.S. financial system on behalf of sanctioned entities located in Sudan, Burma, Iran, and Cuba. Specifically, during this time period, these CACIB subsidiaries employed deceptive practices that concealed the involvement of banks designated as Specially Designated Nationals (SDNs) and other corporate entities in financial transactions that transited through the United States and thereby deprived the United States and CACIB’s New York branch and other U.S. financial institutions of the ability to filter for, and consequently block or reject, sanctioned payments. The bank’s conduct caused approximately $312 million in unlawful transactions to transit through the United States financial systems—although nearly all of the bank’s violations involved Sudanese business organizations. CACIB subsidiaries also unlawfully caused transactions on behalf of clients located in Burma, Iran, and Cuba to unlawfully transit through the United States as well.
According to court documents, CACIB’s employees were aware of U.S. sanctions against Sudan and the fact that the sanctions applied to payments the bank sent to the United States. Further, CACIB has acknowledged that compliance personnel within CACIB subsidiaries in Geneva were aware of the U.S. sanctions against Sudan and that these sanctions applied to payments the bank sent through the United States. Despite this knowledge, compliance personnel authorized payments on behalf of the bank’s Sudanese customers.
CACIB has admitted that its employees permitted 11 Sudanese banks to maintain U.S. dollar accounts with CACIB—six of the Sudanese banks were SDNs. CACIB’s subsidiaries relied primarily on non-transparent payment messages, known as cover payments, to mask the unlawful payments that were sent through the United States.
This case was investigated by the IRS-Criminal Investigation and FBI’s New York Field Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matt Graves, Maia L. Miller, and Zia Faruqui of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann Petalas assisted in the investigation.
The New York County District Attorney’s Office also conducted its own investigation in conjunction with the Department of Justice. The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the New York State Department of Financial Services and the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control provided assistance with this matter.
District Man Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Robbing Store and Customer at GunpointRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Christopher Willis, 22, of Washington, D.C., has been sentenced to five years in prison on charges stemming from his use of a firearm during a robbery of a convenience store and a store customer, U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips announced.
Willis pled guilty in August 2015, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to charges of attempted robbery and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. He was sentenced on Oct. 16, 2015, by the Honorable Patricia A. Broderick. Upon completion of his prison term, he must complete three years of probation.
According to the government’s evidence, at about 11:20 a.m. on June 3, 2015, Willis was walking around the parking lot of a convenience store in the 3500 block of Wheeler Road SE, with a loaded handgun. Several customers were coming in and out of the store. Willis approached one of the customers in the parking lot, brandishing a handgun, and forced the customer to give him his car keys. Willis then entered the store and, at gunpoint, he robbed a store clerk. When police arrived at the scene, they found Willis with the store’s proceeds.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Phillips praised the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). He also expressed appreciation to Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah C. Santiago, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
Channing D. Phillips Takes Office as United States AttorneyRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Channing D. Phillips took office today as United States Attorney for the District of Columbia. He succeeds Vincent H. Cohen, Jr., who had been serving as Acting U.S. Attorney since April 1, 2015.
President Obama nominated Mr. Phillips on Oct. 8, 2015, to serve as U.S. Attorney, and the nomination is pending Senate confirmation. Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch appointed Mr. Phillips to serve as Interim U.S. Attorney, effective today.
Mr. Phillips, 57, has served as Senior Counselor to Attorney General and Deputy Associate Attorney General in the Department of Justice since 2010. From 1994 to 2010, he served in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, where he held a number of managerial positions including Acting U.S. Attorney, Principal Assistant U.S. Attorney, Chief of Staff to the U.S. Attorney, and Special Counsel.
U.S. Attorney Phillips met with senior management today, expressing his excitement at being back at the U.S. Attorney's Office. He acknowledged a need and readiness to hit the ground running given several high-profile matters that await his immediate focus and attention. To help in that effort, he announced that he had named James Dinan, the current head of the Justice Department’s Professional Misconduct Review Unit, to serve as the Principal Assistant United States Attorney. Mr. Dinan, a seasoned and well-respected prosecutor, most recently served in the Office as Criminal Division Chief and Chief of the Narcotics and Gang Section. Mr. Dinan first joined the Office in 1989.
As he took on his new responsibilities today, U.S. Attorney Phillips thanked Mr. Cohen and Denise Simmonds, the outgoing Principal Assistant United States Attorney, for their exceptional work in leading and moving the Office forward since the departure of former U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. at the end of March 2015.
District Man Sentenced to More Than 15 Years in Prison for Striking Metropolitan Police Department Officer with His CarRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Kevin Burno, 26, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to over 15 years in prison on charges stemming from his use of a 1991 Lexus sedan to run over a Metropolitan Police Department patrol officer, Sean Hickman, in March 2013 in Southeast Washington, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Vincent H. Cohen, Jr. and Cathy L. Lanier, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Burno was found guilty by a jury in July 2015 of aggravated assault while armed, assault on a police officer while armed, and assault with a dangerous weapon. The verdict followed a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. He was sentenced by the Honorable Patricia A. Broderick. Altogether, the judge sentenced Burno to 15 years, five months, and 10 days in prison. Following his prison term, he will be placed on five years of supervised release.
“Officer Sean Hickman was seriously injured while doing his job, simply for signaling to Kevin Burno that his car’s headlights weren’t on,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Cohen. “For no reason whatsoever, Kevin Burno intentionally and recklessly ran Officer Hickman down before fleeing the scene. This case is another reminder of the dangers of police work, and the community will be much safer with this defendant behind bars for the next 15 years.”
“Officer Sean Hickman, originally a second-grade teacher, became a police officer to serve and protect citizens of the District of Columbia,” said Chief Lanier. “Unfortunately, while Sean was doing just that, protecting and serving, this defendant brutally and maliciously drove his vehicle into Officer Hickman and fled. I am pleased with the outcome and trust that Officer Hickman will find some comfort in the sentencing decision by the Court today.”
According to the government’s evidence, on March 5, 2013, at about 6:30 p.m., Officer Hickman was patrolling in Southeast Washington on his 250cc Honda Rebel motor scooter. Officer Hickman was responding to a call in the area when he observed Burno’s vehicle pulling out of a parking spot and heading southbound without its lights on. The officer was travelling northbound and pulled his motor scooter over to the northbound parking lane, where he made a hand signal to Burno’s vehicle indicating that his headlights were not on. Burno pulled out of his parking spot and drove in Officer Hickman’s direction. Burno then abruptly turned his vehicle into the officer, causing him to be thrown off his motor scooter and onto the sidewalk – unable to move. Burno sped off without stopping or providing medical assistance to Officer Hickman.
Officer Hickman was treated for serious injuries to the left side of his body in general, and his lower left leg in particular. To date, he has limited movement in his left leg and can no longer work patrol duties.
In announcing the sentence, Acting U.S. Attorney Cohen and Chief Lanier commended the work of Officer Hickman and the Metropolitan Police Department’s Sixth District. They also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the prosecution from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brandon Long and Richard DiZinno, who investigated and indicted the case; Litigation Technology Specialist Leif Hickling; Paralegal Specialists Stephanie Gilbert and Richard Cheatham; and Intern Willie Wilson. Finally, they expressed appreciation for the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Derrick Williams and Karen Seifert, of the Felony Major Crimes Trial Section, who prosecuted the matter.
Virginia Businessman Sentenced to 88 Months in Prison for Role in Bribery Scheme Involving Government ContractsRead the Press Release
Defendant Paid Public Officials in Millions in Return for Contracts;
Company Submitted Fraudulently Inflated InvoicesYoung N. Cho, aka Alex Cho, 43, of Great Falls, Virginia, has been sentenced to 88 months in prison on federal charges stemming from a bribery scheme in which he paid millions of dollars in bribes to corrupt public officials from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in return for lucrative government contracts.
Cho pleaded guilty in September 2011 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to a two count information that charged one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, money laundering and to defraud the United States and one count of bribery. He was sentenced on Oct. 8, 2015, by the Honorable Emmet G. Sullivan. Judge Sullivan also ordered Cho to pay $7,656,073 restitution to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and pay a forfeiture money judgment of $6,884,948. Following his prison term, Cho will be placed on three years of supervised release.
The sentencing was announced today by Acting U.S. Attorney Vincent H. Cohen Jr. for the District of Columbia; Assistant Director in Charge Paul M. Abbate of the FBI’s Washington Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Thomas Jankowski of the Washington Field Office of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI); Inspector General Peggy E. Gustafson, for the Small Business Administration (SBA); Special Agent in Charge Robert E. Craig, Jr. of the Mid-Atlantic Field Office of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) and Director Frank Robey of the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command’s Major Procurement Fraud Unit (MPFU).
In addition to Cho, 19 other individuals and one corporation, Nova Datacom LLC, have pleaded guilty to federal charges. The investigation uncovered the largest domestic bribery and bid-rigging scheme in the history of federal contracting cases. Overall, participants in the scheme stole over $30 million in government money through fictitious invoices and conspired to steer a nearly $1 billion government contract to a favored government contractor. To date, through forfeiture, restitution, and civil settlements, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has been able to recover over $30 million of the stolen money.
“Alex Cho was at the center of a cash-for-contracts scheme that robbed the American taxpayer of $30 million,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Cohen. “Cho is just one of 20 crooked contractors, government officials and other middlemen who have pled guilty as part of this investigation. His prison sentence is proof that the temptation to cheat the system by paying off corrupt government employees is not worth it.”
“More than six years after initiating one of the largest procurement fraud cases in history, this sentence demonstrates that the FBI and our law enforcement partners have a long memory when it comes to holding accountable those who engage in bribes and kickbacks,” said Assistant Director in Charge Abbate. “The FBI will continue to diligently work to protect the integrity of our government by pursuing those who seek to violate the system through corruption.”
“SBA’s preferential contracting programs are designed to help eligible individuals achieve the American dream of running a successful business,” said Inspector General Gustafson. “The defendant's actions of bribing government officials and committing fraud in order to obtain government contracts hurt every small business owner who is hoping that SBA can help them achieve that dream. I want to thank our law enforcement partners for their dedication and the U.S. Attorney's Office for its leadership throughout this investigation.”
“Manipulations of the Department of Defense procurement process will not be tolerated,” said Special Agent in Charge Craig. “This sentencing demonstrates the vigilance and ongoing commitment by DCIS and its partner agencies to hold accountable individuals who attempt to bypass federal contracting laws.”
“This sentencing and the guilty pleas of Cho's co-conspirators, should serve as a stark reminder to the public that those who seek to defraud the U.S. government will face the consequences,” said Director Robey. “Crimes like this one can undermine the financial readiness of our Army. The agents who worked this case should be commended for their thorough investigation and for expertly following the paper trail that led to the unraveling of this complex fraud scheme.”
Cho was the chief technology officer for Nova Datacom. Among others, he conspired with three defendants who worked closely with Nova Datacom throughout the course of the scheme: Kerry F. Khan and Michael A. Alexander, former program managers for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Harold F. Babb, the former director of contracts at Eyak Technology LLC (EyakTek), an Alaska Native-owned small business. All three men have pleaded guilty.
According to the government’s evidence, Cho’s criminal activities took place between 2007 and 2011. Among other things, Cho admitted paying over $17 million in bribes to Khan and about $1 million to Alexander to obtain and retain government contracts and to conspiring with public officials to steer a nearly $1 billion planned government contract to Nova Datacom. Cho also admitted paying approximately $700,000 in kickbacks to Babb to facilitate the processing of Nova Datacom’s invoices.
From in or about 2008 through March 2011, Cho caused Nova Datacom to submit invoices for equipment and services to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for approximately $45 million. Of that amount, he admitted that over $18 million was inflated and/or fictitious.
Khan has been sentenced to 19 years and seven months in prison. Alexander was sentenced to six years in prison and Babb was sentenced to seven years and three months in prison.
In announcing this sentence, Acting U.S. Attorney Cohen, Assistant Director in Charge Abbate, Special Agent in Charge Jankowski, Inspector General Gustafson, Special Agent in Charge Craig and Director Robey thanked those who investigated the case from the FBI’s Washington Field Office; the Washington Field Office of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, the Office of the Inspector General for the Small Business Administration; the Department of Defense’s Defense Criminal Investigative Service; the Defense Contract Audit Agency and the Army Criminal Investigation Command. They also expressed thanks to the U.S. Marshals Service for its assistance on the forfeiture matter.
They also praised the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael K. Atkinson and Anthony Saler of the Fraud and Public Corruption Section. Finally, they expressed thanks for assistance provided by former Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan Seeley; former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Dana; former Forensic Accountant Maria Boodoo; Paralegal Specialists Tasha Harris, Krishawn Graham, and Taryn McLaughlin; and Legal Assistant Jessica McCormick.
Virginia Businessman Sentenced to 88 Months in Prison for Role in Bribery Scheme Involving Government ContractsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Young N. Cho, also known as Alex Cho, 43, of Great Falls, Va., has been sentenced to 88 months in prison on federal charges stemming from a bribery scheme in which he paid millions of dollars in bribes to corrupt public officials from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in return for lucrative government contracts.
Cho pled guilty in September 2011 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to a two-count Information that charged one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, money laundering, and to defraud the United States, and one count of bribery. He was sentenced on Oct. 8, 2015, by the Honorable Emmet G. Sullivan. Judge Sullivan also ordered Cho to pay $7,656,073 restitution to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and pay a forfeiture money judgment of $6,884,948. Following his prison term, Cho will be placed on three years of supervised release.
The sentencing was announced today by Acting U.S. Attorney Vincent H. Cohen, Jr.; Paul M. Abbate, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office; Thomas Jankowski, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Office of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI); Peggy E. Gustafson, Inspector General for the Small Business Administration (SBA); Robert E. Craig, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the Mid-Atlantic Field Office of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), and Frank Robey, Director of the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command’s Major Procurement Fraud Unit (MPFU).
In addition to Cho, 19 other individuals and one corporation, Nova Datacom, LLC, have pled guilty to federal charges. The investigation uncovered the largest domestic bribery and bid-rigging scheme in the history of federal contracting cases. Overall, participants in the scheme stole over $30 million in government money through fictitious invoices and conspired to steer a nearly $1 billion government contract to a favored government contractor. To date, through forfeiture, restitution, and civil settlements, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has been able to recover over $30 million of the stolen money.
“Alex Cho was at the center of a cash-for-contracts scheme that robbed the American taxpayer of $30 million,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Cohen. “Cho is just one of 20 crooked contractors, government officials, and other middlemen who have pled guilty as part of this investigation. His prison sentence is proof that the temptation to cheat the system by paying off corrupt government employees is not worth it.”
“More than six years after initiating one of the largest procurement fraud cases in history, this sentence demonstrates that the FBI and our law enforcement partners have a long memory when it comes to holding accountable those who engage in bribes and kickbacks,” said Assistant Director in Charge Abbate. “The FBI will continue to diligently work to protect the integrity of our government by pursuing those who seek to violate the system through corruption.”
“SBA's preferential contracting programs are designed to help eligible individuals achieve the American dream of running a successful business,” said Inspector General Gustafson. “The defendant's actions of bribing government officials and committing fraud in order to obtain government contracts hurt every small business owner who is hoping that SBA can help them achieve that dream. I want to thank our law enforcement partners for their dedication and the U.S. Attorney's Office for its leadership throughout this investigation.”
“Manipulations of the Department of Defense procurement process will not be tolerated,” said Special Agent in Charge Craig. “This sentencing demonstrates the vigilance and ongoing commitment by DCIS and its partner agencies to hold accountable individuals who attempt to bypass federal contracting laws.”
“This sentencing, and the guilty pleas of Cho's co-conspirators, should serve as a stark reminder to the public that those who seek to defraud the U.S. government will face the consequences,” said Director Robey. “Crimes like this one can undermine the financial readiness of our Army. The agents who worked this case should be commended for their thorough investigation and for expertly following the paper trail that led to the unraveling of this complex fraud scheme.”
Cho was the chief technology officer for Nova Datacom. Among others, he conspired with three defendants who worked closely with Nova Datacom throughout the course of the scheme: Kerry F. Khan and Michael A. Alexander, former program managers for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Harold F. Babb, the former director of contracts at Eyak Technology LLC (EyakTek), an Alaska Native-owned small business. All three men have pled guilty.
According to the government’s evidence, Cho’s criminal activities took place between 2007 and 2011. Among other things, Cho admitted paying over $17 million in bribes to Khan and about $1 million to Alexander to obtain and retain government contracts and to conspiring with public officials to steer a nearly $1 billion planned government contract to Nova Datacom. Cho also admitted paying approximately $700,000 in kickbacks to Babb to facilitate the processing of Nova Datacom’s invoices.
From in or about 2008 through March 2011, Cho caused Nova Datacom to submit invoices for equipment and services to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for approximately $45 million. Of that amount, he admitted that over $18 million was inflated and/or fictitious.
Khan has been sentenced to 19 years and seven months in prison. Alexander was sentenced to six years in prison, and Babb was sentenced to seven years and three months in prison.
In announcing the sentence, Acting U.S. Attorney Cohen, Assistant Director in Charge Abbate, Special Agent in Charge Jankowski, Inspector General Gustafson, Special Agent in Charge Craig, and Director Robey thanked those who investigated the case from the FBI’s Washington Field Office; the Washington Field Office of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, the Office of the Inspector General for the Small Business Administration; the Department of Defense’s Defense Criminal Investigative Service; the Defense Contract Audit Agency, and the Army Criminal Investigation Command. They also expressed thanks to the U.S. Marshals Service for its assistance on the forfeiture matter.
They also praised the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael K. Atkinson and Anthony Saler of the Fraud and Public Corruption Section. Finally, they expressed thanks for assistance provided by former Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan Seeley; former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Dana; former Forensic Accountant Maria Boodoo; Paralegal Specialists Tasha Harris, Krishawn Graham, and Taryn McLaughlin; and Legal Assistant Jessica McCormick.
District Man Sentenced to 3 1/2 Years in Prison for Sexually Abusing and Assaulting Former GirlfriendRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Nicholas Hagan White, 26, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to a prison term of 3 ½ years for sexually assaulting his former girlfriend earlier this year in Northwest Washington, Acting U.S. Attorney Vincent H. Cohen, Jr. announced.
White pled guilty in July 2015, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to one count of third-degree sexual abuse, one count of contempt, and one count of assault. He was sentenced by the Honorable Lynn Leibovitz. Following his prison term, White will be placed on five years of supervised release. He also must register as a sex offender for 10 years.
According to the government’s evidence, White and the victim began dating while in college and moved in together following the victim’s graduation. During the course of their relationship, White physically assaulted the victim on several occasions, with the nature of the domestic violence escalating over time. The victim eventually ended their relationship on March 11, 2015, and began making efforts to move out of the apartment in Northwest Washington. An argument took place two days later on March 13, 2015, that culminated in White physically and sexually assaulting the victim inside the apartment.
On that day, White and the victim were involved in an argument over the use of the victim’s car. During the argument, White kicked the victim twice on her leg, smashed her work laptop across his knees, and took her cell phone and placed it on top of a kitchen cupboard in an attempt to prevent the victim from accessing it. While White was in another room, the victim took the phone and reported the assault to a friend.
White then discovered that the victim had used her phone, at which point he pushed her onto a bed and began striking her in the head and pressing his leg into her knee with such force that the victim’s kneecap slid to the side of her leg. Seeing this, White then grabbed the victim’s kneecap and attempted to place it back into its original position. As the victim lay in the bed, White removed her clothing and raped her. The victim attempted to push him away during the sexual assault but was unsuccessful. She ultimately left the apartment to call the police for help.
During the pendency of this case, White was ordered not to contact the victim in any manner, including through a third party. Despite this judicial order, he directed his father to provide the victim with a “sob story” in the hopes that she would no longer cooperate with the authorities. The defendant’s father sent the victim a text message later that same day, stating that White was, among other things, “frightened,” “alone,” “sad,” and “sorry.” The text message did not dissuade the victim from cooperating in the investigation, and her involvement helped secure the defendant’s guilty plea in this case.
In announcing the sentence, Acting U.S. Attorney Cohen commended the work performed by those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Second District and Sexual Assault Unit. He also praised those who handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialists Troy Griffith and Erica Vample; Victim/Witness Advocates Meshall Thomas and Maria Shumar; Criminal Investigator John Marsh, and Legal Intern Emma McArthur. Finally, he expressed appreciation for the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Danny Nguyen and Natasha Smalky, who investigated and prosecuted the matter.
Acting United States Attorney Vincent H. Cohen, Jr. to Step DownRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Vincent H. Cohen, Jr. announced today that he is resigning as Acting United States Attorney for the District of Columbia, effective at midnight, Oct. 18, 2015. He has led the Office for six months, following nearly five years as Principal Assistant U.S. Attorney.
Acting U.S. Attorney Cohen, 45, a native Washingtonian, succeeded Ronald C. Machen Jr. as the head of the nation’s largest U.S. Attorney’s Office on April 1, 2015. Acting U.S. Attorney Cohen had served since July 2010 as Principal Assistant U.S. Attorney.
Following the recommendation of Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, President Obama has nominated Channing D. Phillips as the next U.S. Attorney, pending Senate confirmation.
“Over the past six months, Vince Cohen has served the District of Columbia as Acting United States Attorney with integrity and distinction,” said Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch. “Through his work against violent crime, drug trafficking, and national security threats, Vince has demonstrated his commitment to service and his dedication to the people of Washington. I have been proud to serve with Vince for many years, and I'm confident that he will continue to be an exemplary leader and a champion of justice in the next phase of his already distinguished career.”
“It has been a great honor to serve the people of the District of Columbia over the past five years. There is nothing more rewarding than going into work every day with the single goal of improving the lives of the citizens of the city where I was born and raised,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Cohen. “We have made great progress over the past five years in fighting violent crime, public corruption, and threats to our national security. There are some important cases that I wish I could see through to their conclusions, but I have complete confidence in the team at the U.S. Attorney's Office to follow through and do justice for the people of the District. Channing Phillips is a seasoned lawyer with the decades of experience that will allow him to successfully carry on the important work of the Office. In addition to spending more time with my young children, I am looking forward to taking on new professional opportunities and continuing to find ways to serve my hometown. I want to thank my colleagues at the U.S. Attorney's Office, our community partners, law enforcement partners, and everyone who has offered their support of our efforts to build a stronger and safer District of Columbia.”
During Mr. Cohen’s time as Acting U.S. Attorney, the Office secured indictments, convictions, and sentences of dozens of defendants accused of engaging in crimes such as terrorism, financial fraud, public corruption, and homicides. Mr. Cohen also placed a high priority on enforcing federal laws against banks involved in moving money illegally through the U.S. financial system on behalf of sanctioned countries and foreign entities. Under his leadership, the Office also secured millions of dollars from companies accused of violating the False Claims Act and cheating American taxpayers by overbilling the federal government. He helped create and expand the Office’s Cyber Unit to combat cyber-based crimes. Mr. Cohen also played an integral role in the creation of the first federal Conviction Integrity Unit in a United States Attorney’s Office. He has emphasized the importance of community outreach, hosting a youth summit and other events, including visits to homeless shelters, in which he warned of the dangers of using synthetic cannabinoids.
As Acting U.S. Attorney, Mr. Cohen was appointed by Attorney General Lynch as a member of the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee, a small group of U.S. Attorneys from across the country who provide advice and counsel to the Attorney General on policy, management, and operational issues. Mr. Cohen also worked in partnership with a wide variety of law enforcement and regulatory agencies that investigate financial matters, including the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
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National Security: Mr. Cohen supervised the Office’s work on the ongoing case against Ahmed Abu Khatallah for his alleged participation in the 2012 attack on U.S. facilities in Benghazi, Libya, which resulted in the deaths of four Americans. Among other cases, he oversaw work on the prosecution of a dual Dutch-Turkish national, who was extradited to the United States in July 2015 to face terrorism charges stemming from his alleged support of a designated foreign terrorist organization and the prosecution of a Mexican national extradited to the United States last month to face charges in the murder of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Special Agent and the attempted murder of another.
Fraud and Public Corruption: For the past several years, Mr. Cohen has led an internal task force focused on local public corruption matters. He helped supervise the work that led to the convictions of three members of the District of Columbia Council and the Chief of Staff to a fourth member of the Council. In addition, he has helped manage the Office’s work leading to the prosecution of eight individuals for wrongdoing associated with the 2010 election for Mayor of the District of Columbia. Under Mr. Cohen’s leadership, the Office continued work on the investigation into the largest domestic bribery and bid-rigging scheme in the history of federal contracting cases. Overall, participants in the scheme stole over $30 million in government money through fictitious invoices and conspired to steer a nearly $1 billion government contract to a favored government contractor. The Office also obtained a 64-month prison sentence in the case of a former U.S. Foreign Service Officer, who accepted over $3 million in bribes to process visas for non-immigrants seeking entry into the United States; a 13-year sentence for a man who operated a $28 million Ponzi scheme; a 17-year sentence for a businessman who took part in an investment fraud scheme that led to over $13 million in losses for investors, and a 46-month sentence for a man who participated in a massive identify theft and tax fraud scheme involving the filing of fraudulent income tax returns seeking over $2.5 million in refunds. Overall, since 2010, under Mr. Cohen’s leadership, more than 150 people have been found guilty or pled guilty to federal corruption charges.
Financial Recoveries: As Acting U.S. Attorney, and earlier in partnership with Mr. Machen, Mr. Cohen sharpened the Office’s focus on financial recoveries, generating over $2.8 billion for the federal government over the last five and a half years through civil and criminal collections and asset forfeiture. In one such case, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia entered a formal judgment in May 2015 that required Schlumberger Oilfield Holdings Ltd. (SOHL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Schlumberger Ltd., to pay a $232,708,356 penalty to the United States for conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) by willfully facilitating illegal transactions and engaging in trade with Iran and Sudan.
Under Mr. Cohen’s leadership, the Office’s Civil Division has expanded its work on affirmative civil enforcement actions. A particular focus has been the False Claims Act. The Office now has 159 active cases, including over 40 involving health care fraud. Mr. Cohen has built a strong relationship with the qui tam community by hosting a conference of the Relator’s bar and participating in similar conferences and forums. The Office now has the fourth-highest number of qui tam cases in the country.
For example, in April 2015, two cardiovascular laboratories agreed to pay $48.5 million to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by paying remuneration to physicians in exchange for patient referrals and billing federal health care programs for medically unnecessary testing. Another company and its principals agreed in July 2015 to pay the government $7.8 million to resolve allegations that they made false statements to obtain contracts through a Small Business Administration program.
Cyber-crime: Mr. Cohen has focused his attention on expanding the Cyber Unit to attack cyber-crimes throughout the country and internationally. The Unit investigates and prosecutes a wide variety of cyber-crimes and advises and assists other parts of the Office with issues related to electronic, computer and Internet-based evidence and legal process. In one recent case, for example, a former employee of the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is accused of an attempted e-mail spear-phishing attack that targeted government employee e-mail accounts.
Violent Crime: As Acting U.S. Attorney, Mr. Cohen has focused heavily on strategies to combat violent crime, coordinating a multi-faceted approach with the Metropolitan Police Department and federal law enforcement partners. He has helped coordinate efforts to devote more federal resources to assisting MPD in dealing with this problem, working closely with the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and other agencies. During his leadership, Mr. Cohen led the Office’s work to deal with the public safety and health problems stemming from the emergence of synthetic cannabinoids. At his direction, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has launched community education sessions in which prosecutors and D.C. drug prevention experts talk about the dangers of these substances at various locations throughout the District of Columbia. On the enforcement front, the Office is prosecuting sellers of synthetic cannabinoids, and filed federal charges against two men after one of the biggest seizures to date in the District of Columbia.
Community Outreach: Mr. Cohen has been a champion of community outreach throughout his time at the Office, and he led the fifth annual youth summit in June 2015 attended by hundreds of teenagers at the Friendship Collegiate Academy in Northeast Washington. He has spoken at town halls and other neighborhood events. Internally, Mr. Cohen has continued his work on recruiting and diversity. He spoke at the LGBT Bar’s annual conference in Chicago and attended the annual conferences of the National Bar Association and the Hispanic National Bar Association. In addition, he delivered the keynote address in July 2015 at the gala for the conference of the National Black Prosecutors Association. As the head of the Office’s hiring committee, Mr. Cohen was responsible for the hiring of over 150 Assistant U.S. Attorneys, many of whom are from diverse backgrounds.
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Mr. Cohen graduated with honors from Syracuse University in 1992 and obtained his juris doctorate from Syracuse University School of Law in 1995. He first joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office in 1997 following his hiring by then-U.S. Attorney Eric Holder. Mr. Cohen handled criminal and civil matters until 2003, when he left the Office for private practice.
In private practice, Mr. Cohen first worked at Hogan & Hartson (now Hogan Lovells), specializing in white-collar criminal litigation and employment law. Mr. Cohen later became a partner at Schertler & Onorato, where his practice included the representation of individuals and corporations in all aspects of criminal and civil litigation.
Maryland Man Sentenced to 46 Months in Prison for Role in Massive Identity Theft and Tax Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A resident of Capitol Heights, Maryland, was sentenced today to serve 46 months in prison for his involvement in a far-reaching identity theft and tax fraud scheme in which he and others working with him filed fraudulent federal income tax returns seeking more than $2.5 million in refunds, the Justice Department announced.
Alvalonzo Graham, 30, is among approximately 12 people who have pleaded guilty to charges in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. According to court documents, the overall case involves the filing of at least 12,000 fraudulent federal income tax returns using stolen identifying information that sought refunds of at least $40 million from the U.S. Treasury.
The sentencing was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Vincent H. Cohen, Jr. of the District of Columbia, Acting Assistant Attorney General Caroline D. Ciraolo of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, Special Agent in Charge Thomas Jankowski of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Inspector in Charge David G. Bowers of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s (USPIS) Washington, D.C., Division and Assistant Inspector General for Investigations John L. Phillips of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
On March 18, 2014, Graham pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States through the filing of false income tax returns. He was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ellen S. Huvelle of the District of Columbia. Upon completion of his prison term, he will be placed on three years of supervised release. In addition, as part of his plea agreement, Graham must pay $424,017 in restitution to the IRS.
“The theft of identities and taxpayer dollars has become a nationwide epidemic, and this case shows the lengths that criminals will go in pursuit of cashing in,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Cohen. “Unfortunately for Alvalonzo Graham and his co-conspirators, this case also shows the lengths that law enforcement will go to protect taxpayers’ dollars and to prosecute those who try to scam the system.”
“Today’s sentence is a warning to those who think they can profit from stealing identities and filing false claims for refund,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Ciraolo. “The department has made it a priority to work with the IRS and other federal and state law enforcement agencies to fully investigate and prosecute stolen identity refund fraud and see that these offenders pay for their crimes with significant jail terms.”
“Perpetrators of identity theft schemes are motivated by greed, acting as if they are above the law and with total disregard for the consequences to the victims,” said Special Agent in Charge Jankowski. “The actions of criminals such as Mr. Graham create distressing hardships for many innocent taxpayers and have a devastating impact on the entire community.”
“This case serves as yet another example of the significant results that can be achieved when law enforcement agencies partner, share information, and collaborate,” said Inspector in Charge Bowers. “Identity theft is an increasing problem. Today’s sentence shows that this type of criminal conduct, especially when it involves the U.S. mail, will not be ignored or go unpunished.”
“Today’s sentencing reflects the Treasury Office of Inspector General and our law enforcement partners continuing focus and efforts to protect both the Treasury and the hard-working American taxpayers from offenders who fraudulently conspire to obtain improper payments from the Treasury,” said Assistant Inspector General for Investigations Phillips.
According to the government’s evidence, Graham participated in a massive and sophisticated identity theft and false tax refund scheme that involved an extensive network of more than 130 people, many of whom were receiving public assistance. The refunds were sought for tax years 2005 through 2012, often in the names of people whose identities had been stolen, including the elderly, people in assisted living facilities, drug addicts and incarcerated prisoners. In other cases, the refunds were sent to people who were willing participants in the scheme. The refunds listed more than 400 “taxpayer” addresses located in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.
According to documents filed with the court, from January 2011 through July 2012, Graham prepared and mailed fraudulent federal income tax returns, deposited the fraudulently-obtained tax refund checks into his own bank account and recruited, coordinated, directed and compensated others in the execution of the scheme, including a bank teller. Graham’s actions and those of the people he directed and paid resulted in the filing of approximately 492 fraudulent income tax returns claiming $2,552,740 in refunds. He maintained a bank account into which he deposited approximately 97 fraudulently obtained U.S. Treasury checks that totaled approximately $424,017. Graham kept portions of these fraudulently obtained refunds.
In announcing the sentence, Acting U.S. Attorney Cohen, Acting Assistant Attorney General Ciraolo, Special Agent in Charge Jankowski, Inspector in Charge Bowers and Assistant Inspector General Phillips commended those who investigated the case. They also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the District of Columbia, including former Assistant U.S. Attorney Sherri L. Schornstein and Paralegal Specialists Donna Galindo and Ida Anbarian. Finally, they expressed appreciation for the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Ellen Chubin Epstein of the District of Columbia’s Fraud and Public Corruption Section and Trial Attorneys Jeffrey B. Bender and Thomas F. Koelbl and former Trial Attorney Jessica Moran of the Tax Division, who prosecuted the case.
District Man Sentenced to 55 Months in Prison for Stabbing Near Downtown LibraryRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Darryl Green, 49, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to a 55-month prison term for stabbing a man last spring in front of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, Acting U.S. Attorney Vincent H. Cohen, Jr. announced.
Green pled guilty in June 2015, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to the felony charge of assault with a dangerous weapon. He was sentenced by the Honorable Milton C. Lee. Following his prison term, Green will be placed on three years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence, on May 13, 2015, at about 4:55 p.m., members of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) located the victim at 901 G Street NW, suffering from five stab wounds. The victim had been standing by a fire hydrant in front of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, when he was attacked from the rear side. The victim felt multiple stab wounds, with the first wound to his back, and subsequent stab wounds to his face, stomach, right hip and leg area. When he turned around, he saw his attacker, and he provided police with a description. The assault was recorded on video-surveillance tape, and the subsequent investigation led to the identification of Green as the suspect.
In announcing the sentence, Acting U.S. Attorney Cohen commended the work of the officers, detectives, and others who worked on the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. He also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorney Vivien Cockburn, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
District Man Sentenced to 12 1/2 Years in Prison for Stabbing Woman at Post-Holiday Get-TogetherRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Hasan Givens, 37, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 12 ½ years in prison for stabbing a woman who asked him to leave a get-together she was hosting during a holiday weekend last year, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Vincent H. Cohen, Jr.
Givens was found guilty by a jury in August 2015 of charges of aggravated assault while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, and assault with significant bodily injury. The verdict followed a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. He was sentenced by the Honorable Senior Judge Robert I. Richter. Upon completion of his prison term, Givens will be placed on five years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence, the victim had invited Givens, who was an on-again, off-again boyfriend, and two of his close friends to her apartment in Northeast Washington. The group gathered for a casual get-together on Nov. 29, 2014, during Thanksgiving weekend. In the early morning hours of Nov. 30, 2014, the victim asked the guests to leave. Givens became enraged. He threw over the television, charged at her, and stabbed her in the abdomen with a kitchen knife. One of Givens’s friends summoned an ambulance. Givens’s friends worked to save the victim’s life while Givens sat idly on a couch. The knife lacerated the victim’s liver and she was taken to a hospital for emergency surgery.
The victim remained hospitalized for seven days, during which time she received blood transfusions and constant pain medications.
In announcing the sentence, Acting U.S. Attorney Cohen commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). He also acknowledged the work of the U.S. Marshals Service, which provided assistance. He expressed appreciation for the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Criminal Investigator Mark Crawford; Victim/Witness Advocate Shawn Slade; former Victim/Witness Advocate Maria Shumar; Paralegal Specialist Mark Morse, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Park. Finally, he praised the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Kara Traster and former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Courtney Schaefer, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
District Man Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Robbing School Teacher at KnifepointRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - Rayshawn Tillery, 21, of Washington, D.C., has been sentenced to three years in prison for robbing an elementary school teacher at knifepoint near Union Station last spring as the teacher walked home from school, Acting United States Attorney Vincent H. Cohen announced today.
Tillery pled guilty in June 2015, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to a charge of robbery. The Honorable Neal E. Kravitz sentenced him on Oct. 2, 2015. Following his prison term, Tillery will be placed on three years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence, the victim, a fifth grade social studies teacher, was walking home from school on May 1, 2015 carrying a backpack that contained his students’ papers for grading at home. As he cut through an alley behind a block of row houses on Capitol Hill, two men approached him and demanded his backpack. When the teacher refused to part with his backpack, Tillery pulled out a knife, telling the teacher, “You’re gonna’ give us your bag or we’re going to cut you!” Upon seeing the weapon, the teacher gave up his backpack.
The robbers fled down the alley, where they were confronted by two Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers on bicycle patrol. The officers pursued the robbers through the alleyways and apprehended Tillery. The knife was later found in Tillery’s sock. The second robber escaped with the teacher’s backpack and the schoolchildren’s work.
During the sentencing hearing, the victim expressed to the Court the fear he felt when the defendant threatened him with the knife.
In announcing the sentence, Acting U.S. Attorney Cohen commended the work performed by the detectives of the First District and especially the officers of the Bicycle Unit of the Metropolitan Police Department. In addition, he commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Dineen A. Baker, who prosecuted the case.
Three More Men Sentenced to Lengthy Prison Terms for Participation in Armed PCP Drug Distribution RingRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Three men have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms for their roles in an armed narcotics organization that trafficked phencyclidine (PCP) in Southeast Washington. The defendants were arrested in 2013 after a local resident walked into the Seventh District Police station and reported that the armed defendants had forcibly taken over his apartment in the Woodberry Village Apartment complex to distribute PCP.
The sentences were announced today by Acting U.S. Attorney Vincent H. Cohen, Jr. and Cathy L. Lanier, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Marquette Boston, 28, of Washington, D.C., was found guilty of possession with intent to distribute PCP in March 2015 following a nine-week jury trial in the U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia. Ira Adona, 24, of Fort Washington, Md., pled guilty in April 2014 to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute PCP and attempted assault with a deadly or dangerous weapon in a related case in D.C. Superior Court. Breal Hicks, 25, also pled guilty in April 2014 to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute PCP.
The Honorable Richard J. Leon sentenced Boston on Sept. 4, 2015, to eight years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. He sentenced Adona on Sept. 29, 2015, to a total of 11 ½ years in prison, to be followed by eight years of supervised release. Finally, he sentenced Hicks on Sept. 30, 2015, to a total of seven years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. Adona was sentenced on the related charge by D.C. Superior Court Judge Patricia A. Broderick on Jan. 30, 2015.
On Sept. 1, 2015, co-defendants Dawayne Brown, 21, and Keith Matthews, 24, were sentenced to 14 years and nine years of incarceration, respectively. One other co-defendant, Conovia Eddie, has entered a guilty plea and is still awaiting sentencing.
The defendants were indicted in 2013 following an investigation by the Metropolitan Police Department of violent distributors of PCP in the Woodberry Village area of Southeast Washington. The investigation revealed that from May 2012 through April 2013, the defendants and fellow 23rd Street crew members (also known as “Little Mexico”) worked together to distribute PCP in the Woodberry Village area by taking over apartments from the residents and selling narcotics from the safety of these apartments. The crew members were often armed with firearms, and they sold large amounts of PCP in the local area. The crew members also regularly exposed young children to narcotics and firearms.
The investigation revealed that in January 2013, crew members violently took over the apartment of a resident at gunpoint to facilitate PCP sales, and that defendant Brown used an 11-year-old child to facilitate his drug distribution. Crew members thereafter took control and used the resident’s apartment against his will, and they stored numerous firearms and bottles of PCP in his apartment. Despite being intimidated and in fear, the resident reported the defendants’ crimes by walking into the Seventh District Station to report that the defendants had taken over his apartment and that they were in possession of a large quantity of PCP and a number of firearms. Police immediately responded to the resident’s apartment and found Brown inside the apartment with three loaded firearms, including an Uzi-style firearm with 19 rounds of ammunition, and multiple bottles of PCP.
In a subsequent search warrants conducted in March and April 2013, MPD uncovered numerous other apartments being used by crew members to distribute narcotics and they seized multiple bottles of PCP, more than eight firearms, body armor, and over $3,500 in cash. In one search warrant, Adona and Hicks were found inside an apartment with three loaded firearms and various narcotics, including multiple bottles of PCP. In another warrant, Boston was found inside an apartment with a loaded gun, military-grade body armor, and multiple bottles of PCP. Since the first arrest of the 23rd Street members in January, 2013, more than a dozen 23rd Street drug traffickers, many of whom are known to be violent, have been identified, arrested and charged with narcotics, firearms and/or related criminal conduct.
In announcing the sentences, Acting U.S. Attorney Cohen and Chief Lanier commended the work of the agents, officers and investigators from the Seventh Police District who investigated the case. They also cited the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, including Paralegal Specialists Crystal Barclay, Tony Griffith, and Daphne (Teresa) Nelson; the Litigation Support Unit; Tanya Via, Debra Cannon, and Wanda Queen of the Victim/Witness Assistance Unit, Criminal Investigators Durand Odom and Nelson Rhone, and former intern Daniella Sterns. Finally, they acknowledged the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tejpal S. Chawla and George Eliopoulos, and Kathryn Rakoczy, who prosecuted the cases.
District Man Found Guilty of Charges in 2010 Murder in Northeast WashingtonRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - Emanuel Guzeh, 29, of Washington, D.C., has been found guilty of charges stemming from a 2010 murder in Northeast Washington, Acting U.S. Attorney Vincent H. Cohen, Jr. announced today.
Guzeh was found guilty by a jury on Sept. 29, 2015, following a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, of second-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. Guzeh is to be sentenced on Dec. 11, 2015, by the Honorable Jennifer Anderson.
At trial, the government’s evidence showed that on Feb. 15, 2010, at approximately 11:30 p.m., officers with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) were called to an apartment in the 900 block of 48th Street NE, and discovered the body of Michaeldeon Talley, 33, who was dead on the hallway floor of the apartment, having been shot several times.
MPD homicide detectives learned, and the subsequent investigation revealed, that on the night of the murder, Mr. Talley was inside the apartment with his male friend, a girlfriend, and (later) two prostitutes who had advertised on “Backpage.com.” The two prostitutes knew Mr. Talley and were invited over to “party” with the group. One of the prostitutes had recently begun dating the defendant, Emmanuel “Manny” Guzeh, who accompanied the prostitutes to the apartment, but remained outside. The prostitutes went over to the apartment, socialized with the group, and looked around the apartment for money or valuables to later take with them. They did not find anything of value at first but, while the prostitutes were still inside the apartment, Guzeh came inside, went to a back room, and started a struggle with Mr. Talley, eventually shooting him four times. Guzeh and the prostitutes fled the apartment.
In announcing the verdicts, Acting U.S. Attorney Cohen expressed his appreciation for the work of the Metropolitan Police Department. He also commended the efforts of Paralegal Specialists Debra Joyner, Meridith McGarrity, and Zekiah Wright; Paralegal Supervisor Sharon Newman; Law Clerk Adam Bereston; Victim/Witness Advocate Marcey Rinker; Information Technology Specialist Leif Hickling; Investigative Analyst Zachary McMenamin; Victim/Witness Specialists Wanda Queen and M. LaVerne Forrest; Supervisory Victim/Witness Specialist Michael Hailey; Victim/Witness Services Coordinator Katina Adams-Washington, and Supervisory Victim/Witness Services Coordinator David Foster. Finally, he commended former Assistant U.S. Attorney Holly Shick, who assisted in the investigation of this case, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Gorman and Robert Eckert, who investigated and prosecuted the case at trial.
Defendant Charged with Alleged Participation in the Murder of Ice Special Agent Jaime Zapata and the Attempted Murder of Ice Special Agent Victor Avila Extradited from MexicoRead the Press Release
Four Others Have Already Pleaded Guilty to Charges in the Case
A Mexican national was extradited from Mexico to face charges for his alleged participation in the February 2011 murder of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Special Agent Jaime Zapata and the attempted murder of ICE Special Agent Victor Avila in Mexico.
The charges and extradition were announced today by Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Vincent H. Cohen Jr. of the District of Columbia, Assistant Director Joseph S. Campbell of the FBI Criminal Investigative Division and Director Sarah R. Saldaña of ICE.
Jose Emanuel Garcia Sota, aka Juan Manuel Maldonado Amezcua, Zafado or Safado, 34, of San Luis Potosi, Mexico, was charged on May 6, 2013, in a four-count indictment with one count of murder of an officer or employee of the United States; one count of attempted murder of an officer or employee of the United States; one count of attempted murder of an internationally protected person; and one count of using, carrying, brandishing and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence causing death. The indictment was unsealed today when Garcia Sota made his initial appearance before Chief U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth of the District of Columbia. His next appearance in court is scheduled for Oct. 9, 2015.
“It has been over four and a half years since ICE Special Agent Jaime Zapata valiantly lost his life and Special Agent Victor Avila suffered grave injuries when they were ambushed by gunfire while on assignment in Mexico,” said Assistant Attorney General Caldwell. “As evidenced by today’s announcement, the passage of time has not lessened our resolve to keep our promise to the family of Special Agent Zapata and to Special Agent Avila and his family, and bring to justice those responsible for this senseless and brutal attack. And we are grateful to the Government of Mexico for its continued partnership in this case.”
“Four years ago, on a Mexican roadside, two American heroes came under attack in a violent ambush by members of Los Zetas, a dangerous criminal cartel,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Cohen. “Four people have already accepted responsibility for their actions, and now a fifth will be brought to an American courtroom for justice. We will not stop in the pursuit of justice – no matter how far away and how long it takes.”
“Today's announcement is the direct result of unwavering resolve and unrelenting cooperation to bring to justice those accountable for the murder of Jaime Zapata and the attempted murder of Victor Avila,” said Assistant Director Campbell. “Although this cowardly act of violence occurred more than four years ago, this investigation remains a priority for the FBI.”
“This extradition is another step closer to the justice Special Agents Zapata and Avila deserve,” said ICE Director Saldaña. “ICE is grateful to our partners whose tireless efforts brought about today's news. Their dogged pursuit of justice, often in face of great danger, enables us to continue in our quest to make these criminals pay for their deeds. While nothing can ever truly heal such a loss, we hope today's news brings Agent Zapata's family and friends a measure of peace. His ultimate sacrifice will always be honored by the men and women of ICE.”
Four defendants previously pleaded guilty to offenses based on their roles in the murder and attempted murder of the ICE agents. Julian Zapata Espinoza, aka Piolin, 34, pleaded guilty on May 23, 2013, to the murder of Special Agent Zapata and the attempted murder of Special Agent Avila. Ruben Dario Venegas Rivera, aka Catracho, 27, pleaded guilty on Aug. 1, 2011, to federal charges concerning the murder of Special Agent Zapata and attempted murder of Special Agent Avila. Jose Ismael Nava Villagran, aka Cacho, 33, pleaded guilty on Jan. 4, 2012, also to federal charges concerning the murder and attempted murder of the ICE agents. Francisco Carbajal Flores, aka Dalmata, 40, pleaded guilty on Jan. 10, 2012, to conspiracy to conduct the affairs of an enterprise through a pattern of racketeering activity and to being an accessory after the fact to the murder and attempted murder of the ICE agents.
As part of their guilty pleas, Espinoza, Rivera and Villagran admitted to being members of a Los Zetas hit squad and to participating directly in the Feb. 15, 2011, ambush of the two special agents. The fourth defendant, Flores, acknowledged assisting Zetas members after the attack.
An indictment is a formal charging document and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The case is being investigated by the FBI, with substantial assistance from ICE, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Customs and Border Patrol, the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service and the U.S. Marshals Service. The investigation was also coordinated with the assistance of the Government of Mexico.
The case is being prosecuted by the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the District of Columbia. The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs has provided substantial assistance.
Garcia Sota Indictment
Defendant Charged with Alleged Participation in the Murder of ICE Special Agent Jaime Zapata and the Attempted Murder of ICE Special Agent Victor Avila Extradited from MexicoRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A Mexican national was extradited from Mexico to face charges for his alleged participation in the February 2011 murder of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Special Agent Jaime Zapata and the attempted murder of ICE Special Agent Victor Avila in Mexico.
The charges and extradition were announced today by Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Vincent H. Cohen Jr. of the District of Columbia, Assistant Director Joseph S. Campbell of the FBI Criminal Investigative Division and Director Sarah R. Saldaña of ICE.
Jose Emanuel Garcia Sota, aka Juan Manuel Maldonado Amezcua, Zafado or Safado, 34, of San Luis Potosi, Mexico, was charged on May 6, 2013, in a four-count indictment with one count of murder of an officer or employee of the United States; one count of attempted murder of an officer or employee of the United States; one count of attempted murder of an internationally protected person; and one count of using, carrying, brandishing and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence causing death. The indictment was unsealed today when Garcia Sota made his initial appearance before Chief U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth of the District of Columbia. Garcia Sota was ordered detained without bail. His next appearance in court is scheduled for Oct. 9, 2015.
“It has been over four and a half years since ICE Special Agent Jaime Zapata valiantly lost his life and Special Agent Victor Avila suffered grave injuries when they were ambushed by gunfire while on assignment in Mexico,” said Assistant Attorney General Caldwell. “As evidenced by today’s announcement, the passage of time has not lessened our resolve to keep our promise to the family of Special Agent Zapata and to Special Agent Avila and his family, and bring to justice those responsible for this senseless and brutal attack. And we are grateful to the Government of Mexico for its continued partnership in this case.”
“Four years ago, on a Mexican roadside, two American heroes came under attack in a violent ambush by members of Los Zetas, a dangerous criminal cartel,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Cohen. “Four people have already accepted responsibility for their actions, and now a fifth will be brought to an American courtroom for justice. We will not stop in the pursuit of justice – no matter how far away and how long it takes.”
“Today's announcement is the direct result of unwavering resolve and unrelenting cooperation to bring to justice those accountable for the murder of Jaime Zapata and the attempted murder of Victor Avila,” said Assistant Director Campbell. “Although this cowardly act of violence occurred more than four years ago, this investigation remains a priority for the FBI.”
“This extradition is another step closer to the justice Special Agents Zapata and Avila deserve,” said ICE Director Saldaña. “ICE is grateful to our partners whose tireless efforts brought about today's news. Their dogged pursuit of justice, often in face of great danger, enables us to continue in our quest to make these criminals pay for their deeds. While nothing can ever truly heal such a loss, we hope today's news brings Agent Zapata's family and friends a measure of peace. His ultimate sacrifice will always be honored by the men and women of ICE.”
Four defendants previously pleaded guilty to offenses based on their roles in the murder and attempted murder of the ICE agents. Julian Zapata Espinoza, aka Piolin, 34, pleaded guilty on May 23, 2013, to the murder of Special Agent Zapata and the attempted murder of Special Agent Avila. Ruben Dario Venegas Rivera, aka Catracho, 27, pleaded guilty on Aug. 1, 2011, to federal charges concerning the murder of Special Agent Zapata and attempted murder of Special Agent Avila. Jose Ismael Nava Villagran, aka Cacho, 33, pleaded guilty on Jan. 4, 2012, also to federal charges concerning the murder and attempted murder of the ICE agents. Francisco Carbajal Flores, aka Dalmata, 40, pleaded guilty on Jan. 10, 2012, to conspiracy to conduct the affairs of an enterprise through a pattern of racketeering activity and to being an accessory after the fact to the murder and attempted murder of the ICE agents.
As part of their guilty pleas, Espinoza, Rivera and Villagran admitted to being members of a Los Zetas hit squad and to participating directly in the Feb. 15, 2011, ambush of the two special agents. The fourth defendant, Flores, acknowledged assisting Zetas members after the attack.
An indictment is a formal charging document and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The case is being investigated by the FBI, with substantial assistance from ICE, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Customs and Border Patrol, the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service and the U.S. Marshals Service. The investigation was also coordinated with the assistance of the Government of Mexico.
The case is being prosecuted by the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs has provided substantial assistance.
District Woman Pleads Guilty to Voluntary ManslaughterRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Loretta Hall, also known as Loretta Beckwith, 48, of Washington, D.C., pled guilty today to a charge of voluntary manslaughter for fatally stabbing her longtime boyfriend, Acting U.S. Attorney Vincent H. Cohen, Jr. announced.
Hall pled guilty in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. She is to be sentenced on Jan. 8, 2016, by the Honorable Rhonda Reid Winston.
According to the government’s evidence, Hall lived with her boyfriend, Kenneth Fogle, 54, and the two had been romantically involved for many years. On June 13, 2015, at approximately 5 p.m., Hall was verbally arguing with Mr. Fogle in the hallway outside the basement apartment that they shared in the 3200 block of 23rd Street SE. During the argument, Hall used a large kitchen knife to stab Mr. Fogle multiple times, including one stab wound to the left chest area that punctured Mr. Fogle’s aorta and caused his death. Hall then entered the shared apartment and hid the knife in a cat litter box.
Within minutes, witnesses discovered Mr. Fogle, slumped unconscious on the steps down to the basement level of the apartment building in a pool of blood. Hall then fled past Mr. Fogle and out of the building. A witness called 911 and an ambulance transported Mr. Fogle to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead that same day.
Hall was arrested on June 19, 2015 and has been in custody ever since. She had been on supervised release for a 2009 conviction for assault with significant bodily injury, and could face additional prison time for violating her release conditions. During her plea today, Hall acknowledged that she was not acting in reasonable self-defense when she stabbed Mr. Fogle.
In announcing the guilty plea, Acting U.S. Attorney Cohen commended the work of the detectives of the Criminal Investigations Division Homicide Branch, crime scene officers, and the Seventh Police District of the Metropolitan Police Department. He also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Victim/Witness Advocate Jennifer Clark; Lead Paralegal Specialist Kwasi Fields; Investigative Analyst Zachary McMenamin, and Interns Gillian Tishuk and Rebecca Roher. Finally, he expressed appreciation for the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Bruckmann, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Charge Stemming from Disturbance at U.S. Supreme CourtRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Rives M. Grogan, 50, of Mansfield, Texas, has pled guilty to a federal charge stemming from a disturbance that he caused on April 28, 2015, at the United States Supreme Court, Acting U.S. Attorney Vincent H. Cohen, Jr. announced today.
Grogan pled guilty on Sept. 25, 2015, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to a charge of picketing or parading in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1507, which covers illegal demonstrations within federal court buildings. The Honorable Randolph D. Moss scheduled sentencing for Dec. 10, 2015. The charge carries a statutory maximum of 12 months in prison and potential financial penalties.
Grogan has a history of convictions for disorderly conduct and similar offenses, including cases involving other disturbances over the years at the U.S. Capitol and the Supreme Court and on Capitol grounds during the 2013 Presidential inauguration. The guilty plea in this case stems from his actions on the morning of April 28, 2015, as the Supreme Court was in session, with all nine Justices present and presiding.
According to a statement of offense submitted as part of the guilty plea, on the date of the disturbance, the Justices were considering whether a state’s constitutional and statutory bans on recognition of marriages of same-sex couples validly entered in other jurisdictions violate the Due Process and Equal Protection clauses of the U.S. Constitution and whether a state’s refusal to recognize a judgment of adoption of a child issued to a same-sex couple by the courts of a sister state violates the Full Faith and Credit Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
Due to the historical significance of the issues before the Supreme Court that day, the courtroom was full with civilians, members of the Supreme Court bar, and other professional attendees.
Grogan entered the courtroom at about 10:30 a.m., as arguments were under way. A short time later, he stood and began yelling statements in a very loud, forceful voice toward the front of the courtroom, where the Justices were seated at the court bench. Among other things, he stated that “the Bible teaches if you support gay marriage, you could burn in hell for eternity.” Police officers attempted to detain him, but Grogan refused to leave his bench. Then, as officers attempted to grab him and take him out of the courtroom, he continued to shout statements. This continued as he was escorted through the building and to a holding area. He could still be heard by attendees in the courtroom.
In announcing the plea, Acting U.S. Attorney Cohen expressed appreciation for the work of the Police Department of the U.S. Supreme Court, which investigated the case. He also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Criminal Investigator Derek Starliper; Paralegal Specialist Carolyn Carter-McKinley, and Legal Assistant Holly Crouse. Finally, he commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Angela S. George, who is prosecuting the case.
District Man Sentenced to over 19 Years in Prison for Multiple Shootings During Summer of 2013Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Darious Scales, 21, of Washington, D.C., has been sentenced to 19 years and nine months in prison for various crimes that took place in July and August of 2013, including a series of shootings that followed his escape from a District of Columbia youth rehabilitation center, Acting U.S. Attorney Vincent H. Cohen, Jr. announced today.
Scales was sentenced on Sept. 18, 2015, by the Honorable Robert E. Morin of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. In one case, Scales pled guilty in June 2015 to escape, tampering with a GPS device, assault with intent to kill, robbery, and possession of an unregistered firearm, for a series of crimes he committed in July and August 2013. In a second case, he was found guilty by a jury in July 2015, of committing two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, and related weapons offenses in connection with a shooting on Aug. 21, 2013. Following his prison term, Scales will be placed on five years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence in the first case, Scales escaped from a Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) facility on July 26, 2013. Shortly afterward, he cut off his electronic, GPS-monitored ankle bracelet.
Less than two weeks after his escape, early Aug. 9, 2013, Scales was walking in a parking lot in the 4300 block of 3rd Street SE, together with several unidentified associates. Scales then spotted a Special Police Officer who was responsible for providing security at a local apartment complex. Scales approached that Special Police Officer and shot at her, in an attempt to kill her. Scales missed the Special Police Officer and then fled the area. Just three minutes later, while Scales and his associates were walking down 3rd Street SE, they encountered a local resident who was on his way home from work. Scales and his associates robbed this victim at gunpoint and ordered him to stay on the ground while they fled the scene of the robbery. However, when the robbery victim started to get up and gather himself, he faced a barrage of gunfire. The robbery victim was not struck, but the bullets did break the windows of vehicles parked nearby.
The second case involved a shooting that took place on the evening of Aug. 21, 2013. Scales, armed with a 9-mm handgun and still in escape status with DYRS, went into the 4200 block of 4th Street SE, looking for individuals he believed were verbally harassing and threatening a friend of his. He found two of those individuals, at least one of whom was already armed himself, and engaged in a gun battle with them. During the resulting exchange of gunfire, Timothy Dawkins, 24, was fatally shot, most likely by a bullet fired by a person at whom Scales was shooting. No one else was struck by gunfire during that incident.
Scales was arrested on Oct. 1, 2013.
In announcing the sentence, Acting U.S. Attorney Cohen commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. He acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialists Lynette Briggs and Sandra Lane; Litigation Technology Specialist Leif Hickling; Victim/Witness Advocate James Brennan; Victim/Witness Security Specialist David Foster; and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Liebman, Kondi Kleinman, Demian S. Ahn, Tejpal Chawla, Jin Park, and Katherine Earnest, who investigated and prosecuted these cases.
District Man Sentenced to 26 Months in Prison for Assaulting Deputy U.S. MarshalRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - Jared Thompson, 46, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 26 months in prison for forcibly assaulting a Deputy United States Marshal during an incident at a courthouse earlier this year, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Vincent H. Cohen, Jr. and Michael Hughes, U.S. Marshal for the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
Thompson was found guilty on July 23, 2015, following a trial in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, of assaulting, resisting or impeding a federal law enforcement officer. He was sentenced by the Honorable Senior Judge Gladys Kessler. Upon completion of his prison term, Thompson will be placed on three years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence, on Jan. 8, 2015, Thompson was ordered by a Superior Court judge to be detained in a previous and unrelated criminal case; he was not in custody at this time. Thompson then was taken into custody by a Deputy U.S. Marshal. The deputy marshal escorted Thompson to the cellblock hall area at Superior Court and attempted to search and pat down the defendant’s clothing for possible contraband.
During this initial search, the deputy marshal found a pipe and a small container containing a green weed substance which was consistent with marijuana. While the search continued, Thompson asked the deputy marshal, “Did you find my weed yet?” The deputy marshal searched inside Thompson’s pants area, and then instructed Thompson to pull up his pants. Thompson refused, cursed, and stated, “You pulled them down, you pull them up.” He then began turning toward the deputy marshal in a threatening manner.
Thompson then balled his hand into a fist, tensed his arm, and began to turn to stand face-to-face with the deputy marshal. The deputy marshal attempted to re-apply the handcuffs on Thompson to gain control of the defendant and for the safety of the court, staff, and all others in the cellblock. Thompson cursed, kicked his feet towards the deputies, and bit the deputy marshal’s forearm. The bite broke the deputy marshal’s skin, caused his forearm to bleed, and caused great pain. Because of his injury and the possibility of infection, the deputy marshal was taken to a hospital for treatment of his injury.
In announcing the sentence, Acting U.S. Attorney Cohen and Marshal Hughes commended the actions of the U.S. Marshals Service. They also commended those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialists Jeannette Litz, Candace Battle, and Teesha Tobias. Finally, they expressed appreciation for the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Emory V. Cole, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
District Man Sentenced to 21 Years in Prison for Sexually Assaulting Woman in Northwest Washington AlleyRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – George Cocroft, 38, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 21 years in prison for sexually assaulting a woman in an alley in Northwest Washington, Acting U.S. Attorney Vincent H. Cohen, Jr. announced.
Cocroft, a prior sex offender, was found guilty in March 2015 of first-degree sexual abuse, with aggravating circumstances. The verdict, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, followed a bench trial before the Honorable Robert E. Morin. Judge Morin ordered that Cocroft be placed on five years of supervised release following the prison term. Cocroft also will be required to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life.
According to the government’s evidence, on Nov. 25, 2012, the victim, then 19, traveled alone by Metro into the District of Columbia. She has an intellectual disability and autism. At approximately 7 p.m., she went into a fast-food restaurant in the Chinatown neighborhood. Once inside, she encountered the defendant, a homeless man, who sat down with her and began complimenting her and holding her hand.
Cocroft and the victim left the restaurant together, at which time the defendant led the victim into a dark alley. The victim initially believed the defendant’s house was in the alley and that they were going to talk so that they could get to know each other better.
Once in the alley, Cocroft began groping the victim and telling her he had not had sex in a long time. The victim was scared and told Cocroft that she did not want to have sex. She said that they should wait until they were older and married. Cocroft did not stop, however. He led her to a more secluded part of the alley and had her lie face down on concrete barriers. Despite her continued protests, he sexually assaulted her. After the assault, the victim reported what had happened to her to a Metro station manager. Cocroft was subsequently arrested pursuant to an arrest warrant and has been in custody ever since.
In announcing the sentence, Acting U.S. Attorney Cohen praised the work performed by those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Sexual Assault Unit. He also acknowledged the critical services provided to the victim at the District of Columbia Children’s Advocacy Center. In addition, he expressed appreciation for the work of those who handled the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Victim/Witness Advocate Veronica Vaughan; Paralegal Supervisor Jason Manuel; Paralegal Specialist Tierra Nanches; Information Technology Specialist Michael Richards; Victim/Witness Security Specialists David Foster and La June Thames; and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Heide Herrmann.
Finally, he commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amy Zubrensky and Jeff T. Cook, who investigated and prosecuted the matter.
District Men Sentenced to Prison Terms for Robbing Teenagers at GunpointRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Cornelius Rice, 27, and Jamal Allen, 25, both of Washington, D.C. have been sentenced to prison terms for robbing seven teenagers at gunpoint earlier this year in Southeast Washington, Acting U.S. Attorney Vincent H. Cohen, Jr. announced.
Rice pled guilty in July 2015, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to charges of robbery and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. Allen pled guilty in June 2015 to charges of robbery while armed and fleeing a law enforcement officer.
The Honorable Todd E. Edelman sentenced Rice on Sept. 11, 2015, to a 6 ½-year prison term, to be followed by three years of supervised release. The judge sentenced Allen on Aug. 25, 2015, to six years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence, on Feb. 15, 2015, at about 6:30 p.m., Rice, Allen, and two other men followed seven teenagers, ages 14 and 15, into a carry-out restaurant in the 300 block of Southern Avenue SE with the intention of robbing them. Six of the seven juveniles were wearing Nike shoes, which had gone on sale to the public the previous day. After following the juveniles into the restaurant, Rice brandished a pistol and demanded that the teenagers take off their shoes. During the robbery, Allen had a pistol or imitation pistol.
Rice, Allen, and the two other men took six pairs of shoes from the victims, along with a cell phone and cash from the only victim who was not wearing the newly released shoes. Nine days after the robbery, on Feb. 24, 2015, U.S. Park Police attempted to stop Allen for a traffic violation in Southeast Washington. He fled the area at a high rate of speed, crossing into oncoming traffic at a high rate of speed. He and Rice were arrested within weeks of their crimes.
In announcing the sentences, Acting U.S. Attorney Cohen praised the work of those who worked on the case from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). He also expressed appreciation to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kondi Kleinman and Lindsey Merikas, who investigated and indicted the case.
District Man Sentenced to Ten Years in Prison for Shooting in Southeast WashingtonRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – James Joseph, 32, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 10 years in prison after earlier pleading guilty to a charge stemming from the shooting last year of a man in Southeast Washington, Acting U.S. Attorney Vincent H. Cohen, Jr. announced. Joseph shot the victim seven times, including two gunshot wounds to the middle of the forehead.
Joseph pled guilty to aggravated assault while armed, on July 6, 2015, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The plea, which was contingent upon the Court’s approval, called for the 10-year prison sentence. The Honorable Rhonda Reid Winston accepted the plea today. Following his prison term, Joseph will be placed on five years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence, on Nov. 25, 2014, at approximately 7:30 p.m., the Metropolitan Police Department responded to a dispatch regarding a shooting in the 1000 block of 12th Street SE. Officers discovered the victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to his body, including his head, leg, kidney area, and hand. According to the victim, he had been arguing with Joseph in the hallway, and the victim returned to the apartment. A short time later, the victim heard a knock at the door, and when he opened the door, Joseph was standing in the doorway. Joseph pointed a handgun at the victim, and then fired one shot at the victim’s leg, causing the victim to fall to the ground. Joseph then fired several more times, striking the victim in the forehead, hand, and stomach area.
The victim now walks with a pronounced limp and requires the aid of a cane at all times. He will never regain full function of his leg or kidney functions.
In announcing the sentence, Acting U.S. Attorney Cohen commended the work of the officers, detectives, and others who worked on the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. He also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Tamika Garcia, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Vivien Cockburn, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
District Man Found Guilty of Shooting in Northeast WashingtonRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Brian Anderson, 28, of Riverdale, Md., has been found guilty by a jury of numerous charges stemming from an incident last year in Northeast Washington in which he fired nine gunshots at a group of women and an officer with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), Acting U.S. Attorney Vincent H. Cohen, Jr. announced today.
The jury found Anderson guilty on Sept. 18, 2015 of one count of assault with intent to kill while armed, one count of assault on a police officer while armed; six counts of assault with a dangerous weapon; and related weapons offenses. The verdict was returned following a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The Honorable Lynn Leibovitz scheduled sentencing for Nov. 20, 2015. Anderson remains held while awaiting sentencing.
According to the government’s evidence, in the early morning hours of June 21, 2014, Anderson’s girlfriend walked into a random private apartment in the 2100 block of H Street NE, where several young women were present. An altercation ensued between Anderson’s girlfriend and the young women, and the argument extended outside the apartment building.
While outside, Anderson got into a rental car and tried to run over the victims, driving up on the sidewalk, hitting parked cars, and hitting three of the young women, before ultimately fleeing the scene. During the melee, the bumper of the rental car was left at the scene. An MPD officer responded to the scene and had begun to interview the women when the victims saw Anderson return. As the MPD officer walked towards Anderson’s car, the defendant got out, pointed a gun in the direction of the officer and the young women, and fired nine shots.
Fortunately, no one was struck by the gunfire.
In announcing the verdict, Acting U.S. Attorney Cohen praised those who worked on the case from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). He also expressed appreciation to those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Victim/Witness Advocate James Brennan; Litigation Technology Specialists Claudia Gutierrez and Aneela Bhatia; and Paralegal Specialist Donville Drummond. Finally, he commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kondi Kleinman and Laura Crane, who tried the case, and Adrienne Gurley, who investigated and indicted the case.
District Man and Woman Indicted on Federal Charges Stemming from Trafficking Children for SexRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Daraya Marshall, 35, and Jarnese Harris, 29, both of Washington, D.C., have been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges alleging they engaged in sex trafficking of children and transported them for prostitution. Marshall also was indicted for child sexual abuse and production and possession of child pornography.
The indictment, which was returned on Sept. 17, 2015, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, was announced today by Acting U.S. Attorney Vincent H. Cohen, Jr., Paul M. Abbate, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office, and Cathy L. Lanier, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Marshall and Harris were arrested earlier this summer and had been charged in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The case now will be prosecuted in the U.S. District Court, where the two defendants made their first appearances today. Both defendants pled not guilty to the charges and were ordered held pending a hearing on Sept. 30, 2015.
Marshall and Harris could face life prison terms if convicted of the charges. The indictment includes forfeiture allegations seeking all proceeds that can be traced to the charges related to sex trafficking of children, transportation of minors for prostitution, and child pornography.
According to the indictment, Marshall and Harris trafficked three children for sex and transported them between the District of Columbia and Maryland for the purpose of prostitution. The indictment alleges that Marshall and Harris began trafficking one of the children in the summer of 2014, and began trafficking the other two children earlier this year. The indictment also alleges that Marshall engaged in sexual acts with two of the children while they were under the age of 16. Finally, the indictment charges Marshall with production and possession of child pornography depicting one of the children.
“Those who engage in human trafficking are targeting the most vulnerable members of society, including children,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Cohen. “The federal prosecution of this case reflects the priority we have placed on aggressively combating this crime and saving victims from future abuse.”
“Child sex trafficking is an abhorrent crime that creates a cycle of victimization which must be stopped,” said Assistant Director in Charge Abbate. “The FBI is committed to bringing child predators to justice and rescuing children from this heinous exploitation. We will continue to work with our local, state, and federal partners to aggressively prevent and investigate crimes against children.”
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.
In announcing the charges, Acting U.S. Attorney Cohen, Assistant Director in Charge Abbate, and Chief Lanier expressed appreciation for the work performed by detectives of the Metropolitan Police Department’s Youth Division, and Special Agents and Analysts of the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force. They also recognized the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Victim/Witness Advocates Lezlie Richardson and Veronica Vaughan; Victim/Witness Security Specialists Michael Hailey, Lesley Slade, Tanya Via, and Wanda Queen; Paralegal Specialists Tierra Nanches and Joyce Arthur; Criminal Investigator Mark Crawford, Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassidy Pinegar. Finally, they acknowledged the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeff T. Cook, who investigated and is prosecuting the case.