District of Columbia
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
District Women Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison for Two Bank Robberies in Northwest Washington-Defendant Threatened Tellers and Robbed Two Banks Within 20 Minutes-Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON - Mercedes Romero, 36, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to a 30-month prison term for robbing two banks in Northwest Washington on the same day, announced U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr., Valerie Parlave, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, and Cathy L. Lanier, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Romero pled guilty in April 2013 to two counts of bank robbery. She was sentenced by the Honorable John D. Bates. Upon completion of her prison term, Romero will be placed on three years of supervised release. In addition, she must pay $1,596 in restitution to the two banks.
According to the government’s evidence, on Feb. 4, 2013, Romero robbed two banks within 20 minutes by producing demand notes that threatened bank tellers at the institutions.
First, at 9:10 a.m., she entered a PNC Bank in the 4200 block of Wisconsin Avenue NW, stopping briefly at the lobby counter, then proceeding to the teller window. She provided the bank teller with a demand note and a blank bank deposit slip. According to the teller, the demand note stated “give me all $100s, $50s, and $20s or I will kill you after work.” Romero then instructed the teller to return the demand note after receiving the cash. Later, an audit of the teller’s cash box determined that the teller provided the defendant with $1,048 in cash.
Then, at 9:28 a.m., Romero robbed the Bank of America in the 3400 block of Connecticut Avenue NW. She entered the bank, again stopping briefly at the lobby counter before proceeding to the teller’s window. Once again, she provided the teller with a demand note and a blank bank deposit slip. At that time, she also told the teller that she had a gun. The teller further recalled that the demand note stated “I have a gun. Give me all of your 20s and 50s. Act normal. Don’t sound the alarm. I’m going to kill you at the end of the day if you say anything.” A bank audit of the teller’s cash box determined that the teller provided the defendant with $548 in cash.
An investigation of the robberies was conducted and the defendant’s picture was displayed on television and print media. Romero was charged with the crimes on Feb. 21, 2013.
In announcing today’s sentence, U.S. Attorney Machen, Assistant Director in Charge Parlave and Chief Lanier commended the actions of the FBI agents and MPD officers who participated in the investigation, arrest and prosecution. They also acknowledged the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Emory V. Cole, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
13-232Virginia Man Sentenced to 12-Year Prison Term for Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - James Wendell Brown, 51, of Warrenton, Va., was sentenced today to 12 years in prison for distribution of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr., Valerie Parlave, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's Washington Field Office, and Cathy L. Lanier, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Brown pled guilty to the charge in January 2013 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. He was sentenced by the Honorable Richard J. Leon. Upon completion of his prison term, Brown will be placed on 20 years of supervised release.
According to the government's evidence, on March 5, 2012, Brown contacted a man he believed to be the father of an under-aged girl on a social network site. That man turned out to be an undercover officer with the FBI's Child Exploitation Task Force. Over the next few days, Brown engaged in online e-mail and instant message conversations with the undercover officer. During this period of time, Brown sent the undercover officer three images of child pornography which depicted adult men engaged in sexual acts with children. During the course of his conversations with the undercover officer, Brown acknowledged having sexually abused young children in the past. Brown has been in custody since his arrest on March 28, 2012.
This case was brought as part of the Department of Justice's Project Safe Childhood initiative and investigated by the FBI's Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes members of the FBI's Washington Field Office and MPD. In February 2006, the Attorney General created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorney's Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Machen, Assistant Director in Charge Parlave and Chief Lanier praised the MPD Detectives and Special Agents of the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force. They also commended Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Last and Ari Redbord, who prosecuted the case.
13-227Two Singapore Men Plead Guilty in Connection with Plot to Illegally Export Military AntennasRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Hia Soo Gan Benson, also known as “Benson Hia,” and Lim Kow Seng, also known as “Eric Lim,” pled guilty today in federal court in the District of Columbia to conspiracy to violate the Arms Export Control Act in connection with the unlawful export of 55 military antennas from the United States to Singapore and Hong Kong.
The plea was announced by Ronald C. Machen Jr., U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia; John P. Carlin, Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security; James Dinkins, Associate Executive Director of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations; Stephanie Douglas, Executive Assistant Director of the FBI’s National Security Branch; and Eric L. Hirschhorn, Under Secretary for Industry and Security at the Commerce Department.
Hia, 45, and Seng, 44, both of Singapore, pled guilty this afternoon before the Honorable Magistrate Judge John M. Facciola. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 20, 2013 before the Honorable Emmet G. Sullivan. The defendants face a maximum potential sentence of five years in prison, a fine of $250,000 and a 3-year term of supervised release.
According to court documents filed in this case, Hia and Seng conspired to defraud the United States by causing a total of 55 cavity-backed spiral antennas and biconical antennas to be illegally exported from a Massachusetts company to Singapore and Hong Kong without the required State Department license. These military antennas are controlled for export as U.S. munitions and are used in airborne and shipboard environments.
Hia and Seng, among other things, conspired to undervalue the antennas to circumvent U.S. regulations on the filing of shipper’s export declarations to the U.S. government. They also allegedly used false names and front companies to obtain the antennas illegally from the United States.
Corezing International, a company based in Singapore, was also charged in the District of Columbia in connection with the export of these particular military antennas to Singapore and Hong Kong. Corezing and its principals have also been charged in connection with the export of 6,000 radio frequency modules from the United States to Iran via Singapore, some of which were later found in Improvised Explosive Devices in Iraq. Hia and Seng pled guilty to the sole charge on which they were extradited from Singapore.
This investigation was jointly conducted by ICE agents in Boston and Los Angeles; FBI agents in Minneapolis; and Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security agents in Chicago and Boston. Substantial assistance was provided by the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, and the State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls.
The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Asuncion of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and Trial Attorney Richard S. Scott of the Counterespionage Section of the Justice Department’s National Security Division.
13-228Executive Director of Non-Profit Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud, Admits Using More Than $200,000 in Grants for Personal Use- Used Money Meant for Youth Programs for Gambling, Other Personal Expenses-Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON - Keely E. Thompson Jr., 47, executive director of Keely’s District Boxing and Youth Center, pled guilty today to a federal charge of wire fraud stemming from a scheme in which he spent District of Columbia and private grant funds, meant for youth programs and activities, on personal goods, entertainment, and services.
The guilty plea was announced by U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr., Valerie Parlave, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, and Charles J. Willoughby, Inspector General for the District of Columbia.
Thompson, of Accokeek, Md., entered the plea in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The Honorable Emmet G. Sullivan scheduled sentencing for Oct. 9, 2013. The charge carries a statutory maximum of 20 years in prison as well as financial penalties. Under federal sentencing guidelines, the parties have agreed that the applicable range for the offense is a prison term of 27 to 33 months and a fine between $6,000 and $60,000. The plea agreement calls for Thompson to pay $205,000 in restitution to the entities that granted the misspent funds. It also calls for the forfeiture of a money judgment in the amount of at least $205,000.
According to a statement of offense, signed by the defendant as well as the government, Keely’s District Boxing and Youth Center was a non-profit organization based at locations in Northwest and Northeast Washington. The operations were funded with grant money. The funds were to be used to carry out the boxing program’s mission of promoting youth development.
Thompson admitted improperly using $205,000 in funds. The spending included $105,000 for gambling at a casino in Atlantic City, N.J. and on a cruise ship; $50,000 for meals at restaurants, purchases at grocery stores, concerts, speeding tickets and clothing, and an additional $50,000 on other unauthorized expenditures.
“Keely Thompson squandered tax dollars, meant to help children, at the casino,” said U.S. Attorney Machen. “He lied to secure public and charitable funds that he stole for his own frivolous entertainment. This case echoes the message we have delivered time and time again - criminals who rob the taxpayers to satisfy their own greed will be pursued and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
“Today, Mr. Thompson admitted to taking money meant to improve the lives of youth in the District of Columbia and instead using it to finance his own lifestyle,” said Assistant Director in Charge Parlave. “Such corrupt behavior is unacceptable, and those who commit such acts will be held accountable."
Thompson was arrested in November 2010 and has been free on personal recognizance while the case remained pending. In November 2012, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging him and his wife, Bianca Thompson, the non-profit’s deputy director, with wire fraud and other offenses. The plea agreement in Keely Thompson’s case calls for the indictment against Bianca Thompson to be dismissed at the time of his sentencing.
In announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney Machen, Assistant Director in Charge Parlave, and Inspector General Willoughby commended the efforts of those who worked on the case from the FBI’s Washington Field Office and the District of Columbia Inspector General’s Office. They also expressed appreciation for those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialists Nicole Wattelet, Krishawn Graham and Diane Hayes, and Victim/Witness Advocate Yvonne Bryant, and Jelahn Stewart, Chief of the Victim Witness Assistance Unit. Finally, they praised the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Seth B. Waxman and Lionel André, who are prosecuting the case.
13-229Two District Men Sentenced to Prison Terms for Robbery at Northwest Washington Apartment Building-Defendants Targeted Victims in the Lobby-Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Michael Richardson and Kendall Lowe, both 22 and of Washington, D.C., have been sentenced to prison terms on charges stemming from a robbery last fall at an apartment building in Northwest Washington, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced.
The defendants pled guilty in March 2013 in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Richardson pled guilty to robbery and carrying a pistol without a license. Lowe pled guilty to robbery. Both were sentenced by the Honorable Heidi M. Pasichow.
Richardson was sentenced on June 21, 2013 to a 3 ½-year prison term, and Lowe was sentenced on June 7, 2013 to three years in prison. Upon completion of their prison terms, both men will be placed on three years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence, Richardson and Lowe targeted the victims, two men, at about 10:40 p.m. on Oct. 5, 2012 after seeing them in the lobby of an apartment building in the 200 block of Hamilton Street NW. Richardson and Lowe went into the lobby. Then, with Lowe acting as a look-out, Richardson pointed a gun at one of the victims and demanded money, getting $47. Richardson then turned and pointed the gun at the second victim and demanded money. When that man said he had no money, Richardson and Lowe fled the building.
A witness spotted the defendants the following day and called police.
In announcing the sentences, U.S. Attorney Machen commended the work of those who investigated 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 Debra McPherson and Assistant U.S. Attorney Natalia Medina, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
13-224Maryland Man Pleads Guilty to Traveling into the District of Columbia to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct with A Minor and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Akshay Rajashekar, 19, of Salisbury, Md., has pled guilty to federal charges of traveling interstate to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor and possession of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr., Valerie Parlave, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, and Cathy L. Lanier, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced today.
Rajashekar entered the guilty plea on June 24, 2013, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The Honorable Thomas F. Hogan is to sentence him on Sept. 9, 2013. Rajashekar faces a statutory maximum of 30 years of imprisonment for one count of traveling interstate to engage in illicit sexual conduct and a maximum of 10 years in prison for each of two counts of possession of child pornography, as well as potential financial penalties.
According to the government's evidence, on March 18, 2013, Rajashekar contacted an undercover officer with the FBI's Child Exploitation Task Force, who had posted an ad on a social network site. Over the next few days, the defendant engaged in online e-mail and instant messaging with the undercover officer ,whom the defendant believed was the father of an under-aged girl. During this period of time, Rajashekar arranged with the undercover officer to meet for the purpose of engaging in sexual acts with that child.
During the communications, Rajashekar also sent the undercover officer six images of child pornography. On March 25, 2013, Rajashekar traveled from College Park, Md. to a pre-arranged meeting place in Washington, D.C. When he arrived, he was arrested.
At the time of his arrest, Rajashekar had a pending case in Wicomico County, Md. for possession of child pornography. One of the two child pornography counts in the plea agreement covers that matter, and the Office of the State’s Attorney for Wicomico County Md. has agreed to dismiss the pending case in Wicomico County at the time of the defendant’s sentencing.
This case was brought as part of the Department of Justice's Project Safe Childhood initiative and investigated by the FBI's Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes members of the FBI's Washington Field Office and MPD. In February 2006, the Attorney General created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorney's Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
In announcing the guilty plea, U.S. Attorney Machen, Assistant Director Parlave and Chief Lanier praised the work of the MPD Detectives and Special Agents of the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force. They also expressed appreciation for the assistance of Assistant State's Attorney Pamela Correa of the Office of the State’s Attorney for Wicomico County, Md. Finally they commended the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorney Ari Redbord, who is prosecuting the case.
13-225Father and Son Indicted on Federal Charges in Bribery Scheme to Obtain Taxicab Business Licenses-Charges Follow Undercover Investigation-Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Anthony C. Y. Cheng, Sr., and his son, Anthony R. Cheng, Jr., were indicted by a federal grand jury today on charges stemming from a scheme to bribe public officials to illegally obtain licenses and generate business opportunities for multi-vehicle taxicab companies, announced U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. and Valerie Parlave, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office.
Cheng, 65, and his son, 39, were indicted by a grand jury in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Both were indicted on one count each of conspiracy to commit bribery and payment of a bribe to a public official. Anthony Cheng Jr. also was indicted on a second count of payment of a bribe to a public official. The conspiracy charge carries a statutory maximum of five years in prison and financial penalties. The bribery charge carries a statutory maximum of 10 years of incarceration as well as financial penalties.
According to the indictment, Anthony Cheng Sr. is the owner of businesses, including Tony Cheng’s Mongolian Restaurant, in the Chinatown area of Washington, D.C. Anthony Cheng Jr. owned a bus company that provided interstate transportation to the public.
The indictment alleges that the Chengs conspired from November 2010 through June 2011 to obtain licenses for multi-vehicle taxicab companies. At the time, a legislatively mandated moratorium was in place prohibiting the issuance of any new business licenses to operate new taxicab companies, taxicab associations and limousine businesses.
The Chengs allegedly sought to circumvent the moratorium by using falsified backdated corporate documents representing that their taxicab companies had been in existence since 2009. According to the indictment, they attempted to carry out their scheme by approaching, among others, a person described in the indictment as “Public Official Number One,” a public official who at the time chaired the District of Columbia Taxicab Commission. They also approached a person they believed was an official with the District of Columbia Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, described in the indictment as “Public Official Number Two;” unbeknownst to them, the indictment states, this person actually was an undercover FBI Special Agent.
During meetings in early 2011, “Public Official Number One” told the Chengs about the moratorium, the indictment alleges. The Chengs, meanwhile, agreed to pay “Public Official Number One” 10 percent of profits from their business endeavors, the indictment states. They allegedly collected and forwarded to “Public Official Number One” applications to corruptly obtain licenses for multi-cab companies. Anthony Cheng Jr. provided “Public Official Number One” with backdated paperwork, and Anthony Cheng Sr. provided him with $1,500 in cash to obtain the licenses, the indictment alleges.
The indictment alleges that Cheng Jr. met in March 2011 with “Public Official Number Two” and provided him with $250 in cash in return for backdated certificates of occupancy for two multi-vehicle taxicab companies.
The Chengs obtained two licenses for multi-cab companies – named Green Top Cab and ECO CAB Company - but never opened the businesses.
“Today’s indictment charges Tony Cheng and his son with paying cash bribes to two different government officials,” said U.S. Attorney Machen. “We cannot tolerate the culture of pay-to-play in the District of Columbia. This prosecution demonstrates our commitment to holding accountable the businessmen who entice public officials to violate the public trust.”
“Bribery and kickbacks, such as those alleged in today’s indictments, have no place in our government,” said Assistant Director in Charge Parlave. “We will continue to diligently work to protect the integrity of our government by pursuing those who seek to violate the system through such corruption.”
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, U.S. Attorney Machen and Assistant Director in Charge Parlave commended the efforts of those who worked on the case from the FBI’s Washington Field Office. They also commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lionel André and Loyaan A. Egal, who are prosecuting the case.
13-226Business Owner Pleads Guilty to Violating Campaign Finance Law, Admits Concealing Source of More Than $125,000 in ContributionsDefendant Is Second to Plead Guilty to Charges Within Past WeekRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Stanley L. Straughter, the owner of a business based in Philadelphia, Pa., pled guilty today to a federal charge stemming from a scheme in which he and others helped conceal the actual source of more than $125,000 in campaign contributions.
The guilty plea was announced by U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr., Valerie Parlave, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, and Thomas J. Kelly, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Office of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI).
Straughter, 71, of Philadelphia, pled guilty in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to one count of knowingly and willfully making, and aiding and abetting and causing to be made, unlawful corporate campaign contributions to federal campaigns. The Honorable Colleen Kollar-Kotelly scheduled a status hearing for Sept. 25, 2013. The misdemeanor charge carries a statutory maximum of one year of imprisonment and financial penalties. As part of the plea agreement, Straughter agreed to cooperate in the continuing investigation.
Straughter is the second person to plead guilty to charges within the past week. Lee A. Calhoun, 65, an executive for a Washington, D.C.-based company, pled guilty on June 20, 2013 to a misdemeanor charge involving more than $150,000 in campaign contributions.
According to a statement of offense, signed by the defendant as well as the government, during the relevant time period of the offense, Straughter was the owner and operator of Oak Lane Consulting Group, a for-profit corporation based in Philadelphia. Oak Lane provided marketing and consulting services as an independent contractor to a company identified as “Company A” in the statement of offense. “Company A” was led by an individual identified as “Executive A,” who was the firm’s Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and majority owner.
Beginning in or about January 2006 and continuing until in or about February 2012, according to the statement of offense, Straughter used his name and the names of his relatives to conceal campaign contributions made by “Company A” to federal, District of Columbia, and other political campaign committees and political action committees. Straughter also used the name of Oak Lane Consulting Group to conceal campaign contributions made by “Company A” to political campaign committees in non-federal elections that allowed corporate contributions.
Straughter admitted that he knowingly and willfully permitted both his and others’ names to be used to conceal the true source of these contributions at the direction of “Executive A” and others acting at the behest of “Executive A.” He knew that he would be reimbursed for the contributions by “Executive A” and “Company A” with “Company A” funds.
“Today’s guilty plea pushes the confirmed dollar figure of illegal campaign contributions in this scheme above $300,000,” said U.S. Attorney Machen. “We are encouraged that Mr. Straughter acknowledged responsibility for participating in this scheme and has agreed to cooperate with the government. Our investigation into these matters continues.”
“With today’s guilty plea, Mr. Straughter took responsibility for his role in a scheme in which he eluded campaign finance laws and concealed the true source of more than $125,000 in campaign contributions,” said Assistant Director in Charge Parlave. “The FBI will continue to work together with our partners to ensure fairness and honesty in political campaigns and elections, and we will pursue those who attempt to evade the system.”
During the calendar years 2007 through 2012, according to the statement of offense, Straughter caused at least $58,600 in federal political contributions from “Company A” to be made in his name and the names of his relatives, including contributions to political action committees and the campaign committees of candidates who were running for President of the United States, the U.S. Senate, and the U.S. House of Representatives.
Through this scheme, “Executive A,” “Company A,” Straughter and others caused various campaigns and political action committees to file reports with the Federal Election Commission that did not reveal the true source of the unlawful campaign contributions.
Additionally, according to the statement of offense, during calendar years 2006 through 2011, Straughter caused at least $49,000 in District of Columbia political contributions from “Company A” to be made in his name, the names of his relatives, and Oak Lane Consulting Group. These included contributions to the campaign committees of candidates running for Mayor and the Council of the District of Columbia, among other elected offices.
Finally, according to the statement of offense, during calendar years 2007 through 2011, Straughter made more than $25,000 in political contributions in his name, the names of family members, and Oak Lane Consulting Group for local and state political candidates and campaigns in other states, localities, and U.S. territories for which “Executive A” caused “Company A” to reimburse him.
In announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney Machen, Assistant Director in Charge Parlave, and Special Agent in Charge Kelly commended those who investigated the case from the FBI’s Washington Field Office and IRS-CI.
They also expressed appreciation to those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan W. Haray, Ellen Chubin Epstein, Lionel André, Jonathan Hooks and Ted L. Radway; former Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Chris Dobbie, and Paralegal Specialists Anne Riopelle, Shanna Hays, Krishawn Graham, Lenisse Edloe, Nicole Wattelet, Corinne Laxman, and Angela Lawrence. Finally, they thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Loyaan A. Egal and Ephraim (Fry) Wernick, who are prosecuting the case.
13-223Maryland Man Pleads Guilty to Traveling into the District of Columbia to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct with A Minor and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Frederick Singletary, 42, of Parkville, Md., pled guilty today to federal charges of traveling interstate to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor and possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr., Valerie Parlave, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, and Cathy L. Lanier, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Singletary entered the guilty plea in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The Honorable Beryl A. Howell is to sentence him on Sept. 20, 2013. Singletary faces a statutory maximum sentence of 30 years of imprisonment for traveling interstate to engage in illicit sexual conduct and a maximum of 10 years of imprisonment for possession of child pornography, as well as a fine of $250,000 on each count.
According to the government's evidence, on Feb. 12, 2013, Singletary contacted an undercover officer with the FBI's Child Exploitation Task Force, who had posted an ad on a social network site. Over the next few days, Singletary engaged in online e-mail, instant message, text message, and telephone conversations with the undercover officer, whom he believed was the father of an under-aged girl. During this period of time, Singletary arranged with the undercover officer to meet for the purpose of engaging in sexual acts with the child.
During the course of their communications, Singletary also sent the undercover officer 10 images of child pornography. On Feb. 14, 2013, Singletary traveled from Maryland to a pre-arranged meeting place in Washington, D.C. When he arrived, he was arrested.
This case was brought as part of the Department of Justice's Project Safe Childhood initiative and investigated by the FBI's Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes members of the FBI's Washington Field Office and MPD. In February 2006, the Attorney General created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorney's Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
In announcing the guilty plea, U.S. Attorney Machen, Assistant Director Parlave and Chief Lanier praised the work of the MPD Detectives and Special Agents of the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force. They also commended the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorney Ari Redbord, who is prosecuting the case.
13-221District Man Sentenced to 27 Years in Prison for Slaying of Northeast Washington Deli Owner-DNA Linked the Defendant to the Crime Scene-Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Steven Williams, 47, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 27 years in prison for the June 2012 slaying of Hae Soon Lim, the owner of a Northeast Washington delicatessen, announced U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. and Cathy L. Lanier, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Williams pled guilty to a charge of second-degree murder while armed in April 2013 in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. He was sentenced by the Honorable Robert E. Morin. Upon completion of his prison term, Williams will be placed on five years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence, Ms. Lim, 64, was found by police on June 14, 2012, at about 6:15 a.m., on the floor of her delicatessen, Grace’s Deli, in the 700 block of H Street NE. Her vehicle was found parked directly outside. An autopsy determined that Ms. Lim died from a single gunshot wound that entered through the back of her neck.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has a crime surveillance camera located a block away from the delicatessen at 8th and H Streets NE. A review of the video from the camera showed that a vehicle consistent with the appearance of the vehicle belonging to Ms. Lim pulled up and parked in front of the deli at about 5:25 a.m. on June 14, 2012. The video also shows a single person, believed to be the victim, leaving the vehicle and walking toward the restaurant.
The video then shows, moments later, a single person crossing H Street rapidly on foot, moving toward the front entrance of the restaurant, where that person then proceeds to interact in close proximity with the person believed to be Ms. Lim.
An empty, brown handgun holster was found on the floor directly next to Ms. Lim’s body. DNA from that holster revealed a match to the defendant. Williams’s DNA was also recovered from an empty cash register located inside the restaurant, behind the counter and out of reach from the customer area.
The store never opened that morning and has been shuttered ever since. Williams, an occasional customer at the store who had previously met Ms. Lim, was charged with the murder in November 2012. He has previously been convicted of other violent crimes, including assault with a deadly weapon, armed robbery, and two instances of robbery with a deadly weapon.
“With a single gunshot, this career criminal senselessly executed a beloved deli owner,” said U.S. Attorney Machen. “Thankfully, DNA allowed us to connect this killer to the crime scene, driving him to accept responsibility for his brutal crime. We can only hope that this lengthy prison sentence brings some measure of comfort to Ms. Lim’s family and others who loved her.”
“This was a horrific crime against an innocent victim,” said Police Chief Lanier. “A combination of the use of technology, forensics, and diligent investigative work of our detectives led to the closure of this case. It is our hope that this sentencing brings some comfort to the Lim family.”
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Machen and Chief Lanier praised the work of those who investigated the case for the MPD. They also expressed appreciation for the work performed by the District of Columbia Department of Forensic Sciences. Finally, they commended the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael C. Liebman and Justin Dillon, who investigated and prosecuted the matter.
13-220District Man Sentenced to 11 Years in Prison in 2009 Slaying in Northeast Washington-Technology Provided Key Evidence in Case-Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Terrell Patton, 21, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 11 years of incarceration on a charge of voluntary manslaughter while armed stemming from a slaying in Northeast Washington, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced.
Patton pled guilty in April 2013 in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. He was sentenced by the Honorable Robert E. Morin. Upon completion of his prison term, Patton will be placed on five years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence, on Oct. 29, 2009, at about 10:30 p.m., Patton, also, known as, “Fatman,” was observed with the victim, Deuante Ray, 20, in the area of the 1200 block of 49th Place NE. Another individual observed Patton in possession of a nine-millimeter handgun. A third person noted that the defendant was angry with Mr. Ray because he believed that Mr. Ray had taken his pack of Ecstasy pills valued at roughly $80.
At approximately midnight, Patton called Mr. Ray’s friend and asked to talk to Mr. Ray. He told Mr. Ray to meet him on 49th Street. Mr. Ray was last seen riding a bicycle and entering a rear alley off the 1100 block of 48th Street NE with Patton.
By Patton’s own admissions, he permitted Mr. Ray to use his cellphone to call Mr. Ray’s girlfriend. Mr. Ray made one call to his girlfriend at 12:20 a.m. on Oct. 30, 2009, and a second call at 12:30 a.m., which ended at 12:35 a.m. Phone records and other witnesses confirm that Mr. Ray had used Patton’s telephone.
ShotSpotter technology recorded gunfire at 12:35:15 a.m. in the rear alley. A witness heard shots and observed a thin person and a heavier individual in the alley. This witness called 911 at 12:36 a.m. This witness also saw the heavier individual, believed to be Patton, take a bike. The witness was unable to make any identification.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrived at approximately 12:40 a.m. and found Mr. Ray’s body. He had been shot at close range in the head and also in the chest with a nine-millimeter weapon. He was found with his pants down, and his pockets turned out. Mr. Ray was known to typically carry a wallet, and none was found. His bike also was missing.
Patton was arrested in Washington, D.C. on July 2, 2011 and has been incarcerated since.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Machen praised the work of the MPD detectives and officers who investigated the case. He also acknowledged the effort of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialists Kelly Blakeney, Fern Rhedrick and Phaylyn Hunt; Investigators Stephen Cohen, Durand Odom and Tommy Miller; Victim/Witness Advocate Marcia Rinker; Litigation Technology Specialist Leif Hickling, and Assistant U.S. Attorney David B. Goodhand of the Appellate Section. Finally, he commended the work of Cynthia G. Wright, of the Homicide Section, who prosecuted the case.
13-222District Man Pleads Guilty to Sexually Abusing Stepdaughter, Violating Court Orders, and Assaulting Police Officer with A Knife-Defendant Sexually Abused Victim at Family’s Home-Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A 47-year-old man from Washington, D.C. has pled guilty to sexually abusing his stepdaughter on two occasions, sending letters and making phone calls to her and her mother in violation of court orders not to do so, unlawfully entering the family’s house after being ordered to stay away, and assaulting a police officer who had come to assist the family in the unlawful entry, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced today.
The defendant, who is not named here to protect the privacy of the victim, entered the guilty plea June 20, 2013, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. He pled guilty to charges of first-degree child sexual abuse, attempted first-degree child sexual abuse, violating a civil protection order, criminal contempt, unlawful entry, and felony assault on a police officer. The Honorable Patricia A. Broderick scheduled sentencing for Aug. 16, 2013. Following completion of his prison sentence, the defendant must register for 10 years as a sex offender.
The defendant is the ex-husband of the girl’s mother. At the plea hearing, he admitted that in the spring of 2012, when the victim was 14, he sexually abused the girl at their home in the District of Columbia. As a result of the sexual abuse, the victim became pregnant. The defendant told the victim to say that the baby’s father was a boy from school. Early this year, the victim revealed to her mother that the baby’s father was the defendant. The baby was born a few months ago. The victim further disclosed to law enforcement that the defendant had sexually abused her over a period of time beginning in at least 2010.
Early this year, the victim’s mother filed for and was granted a civil protection order from the defendant. On or about Feb. 5, 2013, he sent the victim’s mother a text message indicating that he knew who she was with. Alarmed that the defendant was nearby and watching her, the victim’s mother contacted the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Officers met her outside her house and went inside to make sure the defendant was not there. Two uniformed officers went into the basement. The defendant jumped out from beneath the stairway, brandished a knife, and stabbed one of the officers in the torso, cutting through his shirt and bullet-resistant vest. The defendant was placed under arrest. He later violated court orders by mailing a hand-written letter to the victim’s mother and calling the victim numerous times.
In announcing the guilty plea, U.S. Attorney Machen acknowledged the work of the MPD, especially the detectives who led the investigation of the case. U.S. Attorney Machen also praised the work of Victim/Witness Advocates Shawn Slade and Veronica Vaughn, as well as Paralegal Specialist Jason Manuel. Finally, he commended Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amy H. Zubrensky and Jeff T. Cook, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
13-219Former Background Investigator for Federal Government Pleads Guilty to Making A False StatementRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Ramon S. Davila, 59, a former background investigator under contract with 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 Ronald C. Machen Jr. and Patrick E. McFarland, Inspector General for the Office of Personnel Management.
Davila, of Fredericksted, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, pled guilty in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to making a false statement. The Honorable Chief Judge Royce C. Lamberth scheduled sentencing for Sept. 3, 2013, before Judge Amy Berman Jackson. The charge carries a statutory penalty of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. As part of his plea agreement, Davila must pay $79,468 in restitution to the federal government.
According to a statement of offense submitted to the Court, Davila worked for three contractors that did federal background investigations on behalf of OPM’s Federal Investigative Services.
Between August 2006 and August 2007, in multiple Reports of Investigations on background investigations, Davila 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. His 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.
Davila’s 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 $79,468 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 in the last four years involving false representations by background investigators and record checkers working on federal background investigations. In addition to Davila, 15 other background investigators and two record checkers have been convicted of charges.
Federal Investigative Services, through its workforce of approximately 7,600, including 6,100 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 2.1 million investigations during the 2012 fiscal year. More than 770,000 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 Machen and Inspector General McFarland praised the efforts of Special Agents Nunzio Orlando, OPM, Office of the Inspector General, and Philip Kroop and David Newcomer, OPM, Federal Investigative Services. Mr. Machen and Mr. McFarland also acknowledged the work of Paralegal Specialist Diane Hayes, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ellen Chubin Epstein and Maia L. Miller, and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Chris Dobbie, who investigated and prosecuted this matter.
13-217District Man Found Guilty of 2010 Murder of His Mother and Assault on His Younger Brother-Jury Rejects Defendant’s Insanity Defense-Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON - Christopher Martin, 28, of Washington, D.C., was found guilty by a jury today of charges stemming from the May 2010 murder of his mother and a subsequent attack on his brother, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced.
Martin was found guilty, following a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, of charges of second-degree murder while armed, assault with a deadly weapon, and simple assault. The Honorable Ronna L. Beck scheduled sentencing for Aug. 30, 2013.
According to the government’s evidence, on May 20, 2010, Martin’s younger brother, Demetrius Martin, escaped from a second-floor window of a home in the 4200 block of Fourth Street SE. He alerted a neighbor that he had been beaten by his brother, Christopher, who had also stabbed their mother. When police finally gained entry to the locked apartment, they found the body of Patricia Ann Martin, 58, in an advanced stage of decomposition spurred on by the heat in the apartment and the fact that the defendant had covered her with multiple blankets.
Upon entering the apartment, it became apparent that Martin had attempted to conceal his crime from discovery by covering his mother’s body with cleanser and dryer sheets and using odor-eating gels, and various perfumes, room deodorizers and bleach to cover her scent. Later that day, when Martin was arrested, police discovered that he had a long, deep gash to the palm of his hand, consistent with his hand having slid down the blade of a knife.
At trial, the defendant proceeded on an insanity defense, calling experts to establish that because of mental illness, he lacked the substantial capacity to conform his conduct to the requirements of the law or lacked a substantial capacity to recognize the wrongfulness of his conduct. The government countered with experts to establish that, although the defendant does have a diagnosed mental illness (schizo-affective disorder), there was no evidence that his criminal conduct resulted from his mental illness. The jury found Martin guilty of all charges and rejected the defense of insanity.
In announcing the verdict, U.S. Attorney Machen commended the efforts of those who investigated the case for the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). He also extended his appreciation to Victim/Witness Advocate Marcia Rinker; Paralegal Specialists Alesha Matthews Yette, Sandra Lane, Fern Rhedrick and Benjamin Kagan-Guthrie, and Litigation Technology Specialists Jeanie Latimore-Brown, Kimberly Smith, and Paul Howell. He also expressed thanks for the assistance provided by Patricia A. Riley, Special Counsel to the U.S. Attorney, Michael Ambrosino, Special Counsel for DNA and Forensic Evidence Litigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Colleen Kennedy. Finally, he praised the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Vinet Bryant, who indicted the case and prosecuted the case at trial.
13-218Businessman Pleads Guilty to Violating Campaign Finance Law, Admits Disguising Source of More Than $150,000 in ContributionsActivities Took Place over Nine-Year Period, Involved Federal and Local CampaignsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Lee A. Calhoun, an executive for a Washington, D.C.-based company, pled guilty today to a federal charge stemming from a scheme in which he and others helped disguise the actual source of more than $150,000 in campaign contributions.
The guilty plea was announced by U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr., Valerie Parlave, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, and Thomas J. Kelly, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Office of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI).
Calhoun, 65, of Silver Spring, Md., pled guilty in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to one count of knowingly and willfully permitting the name of one or more persons to be used to make campaign contributions in the name of another person and aiding and abetting campaign contributions to be made in the name of another. The Honorable Colleen Kollar-Kotelly scheduled a status hearing for Sept. 26, 2013. The misdemeanor charge carries a statutory maximum of one year of imprisonment and financial penalties. As part of the plea agreement, Calhoun agreed to cooperate in the continuing investigation.
According to a statement of offense, signed by the defendant as well as the government, during the relevant time period of the offense, Calhoun worked for a company in the District of Columbia that provided accounting, management consulting, and tax services. He served as a principal in the management and consulting division since 2000.
The statement of offense refers to the company as “Company A.” It also refers to “Executive A” as the company’s Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and majority owner.
Beginning as early as June 2002 and continuing until in or about June 2011, according to the statement of offense, Calhoun used his name and the names of his relatives to disguise campaign contributions made by “Executive A” and “Company A” to federal, District of Columbia, and other political campaign committees and political action committees.
Calhoun admitted that he knowingly and willfully permitted both his and others’ names to be used to conceal the true source of these contributions at the direction of “Executive A” and others acting at the behest of “Executive A.” Calhoun knew that he would be reimbursed for the contributions, directly and indirectly by “Executive A” and “Company A.”
“Today’s guilty plea reveals how a D.C. accounting firm was converted into an assembly line for illegal campaign contributions,” said U.S. Attorney Machen. “For a decade, the firm and its CEO made illegal campaign contributions through straw donors to an array of federal and D.C. politicians. The firm used a special accounting system to keep track of the thousands and thousands of dollars it was plowing into political campaigns. This prosecution demonstrates the depth of our commitment to investigate and uproot criminal schemes intended to hide illegal campaign contributions – schemes that if left unchecked can threaten the very integrity of our democratic process.”
“Today, Mr. Calhoun admitted his role in evading campaign finance laws by purposefully hiding the true source of more than $150,000 provided to political campaigns,” said Assistant Director in Charge Parlave. “Together with our law enforcement partners, the FBI will continue to work to ensure that all those who participate in corrupt election schemes that elude fair electoral processes are held accountable for their actions.”
During the calendar years 2002 through 2011, according to the statement of offense, Calhoun caused at least $79,400 in federal political contributions from “Executive A” and “Company A” to be made in his name and the names of his relatives, including contributions to political action committees and the campaign committees of candidates who were running for President of the United States, the U.S. Senate, and the U.S. House of Representatives.
Through this scheme, “Executive A,” “Company A,” Calhoun, and others caused various campaigns and political action committees to file reports with the Federal Election Commission that did not reveal the true source of the unlawful campaign contributions.
Additionally, according to the statement of offense, during calendar years 2002 through 2011, Calhoun caused at least $76,600 in District of Columbia political contributions from “Executive A” and “Company A” to be made in his name and the names of his relatives. These included contributions to the campaign committees of candidates running for Mayor and the Council of the District of Columbia, among other elected offices.
According to the statement of offense, Calhoun also made political contributions in his name and the names of family members for local and state political candidates and campaigns in other states, localities, and U.S. territories for which “Executive A” caused “Company A” to reimburse him.
Also according to the statement of offense, Calhoun’s illegal campaign contribution reimbursements were inaccurately referred to in Company A’s financial records as “advances” or “advances on bonus.”
In announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney Machen, Assistant Director in Charge Parlave, and Special Agent in Charge Kelly commended those who investigated the case from the FBI’s Washington Field Office and IRS-CI.
They also expressed appreciation to those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan W. Haray, Ellen Chubin Epstein, Lionel André, Jonathan Hooks and Ted L. Radway; former Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Chris Dobbie; Criminal Investigator Matthew Kutz, and Paralegal Specialists Anne Riopelle, Shanna Hays, Krishawn Graham, Lenisse Edloe, Nicole Wattelet, Corinne Laxman, and Angela Lawrence. Finally, they thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Loyaan A. Egal and Ephraim (Fry) Wernick, who are prosecuting the case.
13-216Maryland Man Sentenced to Six-Year Prison Term for Assaulting A Man in Christmas Eve Attack Near Metro Station- Charges Included the Wearing of A Mask While Committing A Crime-Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON - Michael Anthony Hartley, 22, of Temple Hills, Md., was sentenced today to six years in prison for attacking a man on Christmas Eve 2012 near a Metro station in Northeast Washington, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced.
Hartley was found guilty in April 2013, following a jury trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, of assault with intent to commit robbery while armed; assault with significant bodily injuries; malicious destruction of property, and wearing a hood or mask concealing his identity while committing these offenses. He was sentenced by the Honorable Michael Ryan. Upon completion of his prison term, Hartley will be placed on five years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence, on Dec. 24, 2012, at about 3:30 p.m., the victim was leaving the Rhode Island Avenue Metro station and was on his way home. He was putting his iPhone in his pants pockets when he encountered Hartley, a stranger. Both men exchanged a perfunctory greeting of "hey" as they walked past each other.
Seconds later, the victim noticed that Hartley was walking shoulder-to-shoulder with him. However, Hartley now was wearing a hoodie over his head and a mask covering his mouth. Hartley demanded the victim’s iPhone. He told the victim that he had a gun, put his hand in his jacket-pocket, and made a gesture as if pointing the weapon. The victim tried to get away, but Hartley caught him. At this point, Hartley shoved the victim while loudly demanding the iPhone. A bystander happened to walk by and called the police.
Before police could get to the scene, Hartley punched the victim in the face at least twice with a closed fist, causing significant injuries, including facial lacerations. Hartley also broke the victim’s eyeglasses. During the entire attack, Hartley was wearing a hoodie over his head and a mask covering part of his face to conceal his identity. The police arrived while Hartley was still on the scene, and the victim pointed him out as the person who tried to rob him.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Machen commended the work of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). He also acknowledged the efforts of those worked on the matter for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Tameka Garcia and Litigation Technology Specialist Thomas Royal. Finally, U.S. Attorney Machen commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney John C. Truong, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
13-215Former Business Manager Sentenced to 18-Month Prison Term for Stealing More Than $730,000 from D.C. Law Firm-Defendant Issued Unauthorized Checks, Paid Himself Excessive Salary-Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON – William B. McNichols, 48, who handled accounting and other financial matters for a Washington, D.C. law firm, was sentenced today to an 18-month prison term for embezzling more than $730,000, announced U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. and Valerie Parlave, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office.
McNichols, of Colchester, Conn., pled guilty in March 2013 to one count of mail fraud. He was sentenced by the Honorable Robert L. Wilkins of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Upon completion of his prison term, McNichols will be placed on three years of supervised release. As part of his plea agreement, he agreed to pay $732,863 in restitution to the law firm. He also is subject to a forfeiture judgment.
According to evidence presented to the Court by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sherri L. Schornstein, McNichols worked from May 2001 until March 2011 as the finance/business manager of Trister, Ross, Schadler and Gold, PLLP, a law firm. From approximately December 2007 until the summer of 2010, McNichols also performed accounting services for an affiliated company, the Ross Yoon Agency, which was based at the law firm.
Beginning in August 2004 and continuing until March 2011, McNichols embezzled about $631,736 from Trister Ross and about $101,127 from the Ross Yoon Agency. He obtained the money from Trister Ross by issuing excessive salary payments to himself and by issuing checks to pay personal credit card bills and other personal expenses. He obtained the money from the Ross Yoon Agency by issuing unauthorized checks to himself. He used the U.S. mail to send the unauthorized checks to his credit card companies and other companies.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Machen and Assistant Director in Charge Parlave praised those who investigated the case for the FBI’s Washington Field Office. They also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Donna Galindo, Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Saler, who assisted with forfeiture issues, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sherri L. Schornstein, who prosecuted the case.
13-214Former Corrections Officer Pleads Guilty to Bribery Charge-Admits Taking Money in Return for Smuggling Drugs into D.C. Jail-Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Jonathan Womble, 36, a former corrections officer at the District of Columbia Jail, pled guilty today to a federal charge of conspiracy to commit bribery for accepting $400 in cash in return for smuggling drugs and other contraband into the facility, announced U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. and Valerie Parlave, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office.
Womble pled guilty in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The Honorable Reggie B. Walton ordered him detained pending sentencing on Sept. 13, 2013. The charge carries a statutory maximum of five years in prison and financial penalties.
According to the government’s evidence, the FBI received information in January 2013 that a corrections officer was providing narcotics and other contraband to an inmate at the D.C. Jail. An investigation revealed that the inmate was working with co-conspirators outside the jail to assemble, deliver, receive and distribute narcotics intended for inmates at the jail, and that they were paying an individual to get the drugs into the facility.
On Jan. 27, 2013, Womble met with one of the co-conspirators in the parking lot of a carry-out restaurant in the District of Columbia. The co-conspirator gave Womble a plastic bag, which contained a powdery substance consistent with heroin and marijuana. The bag also contained a cellphone, cellphone charger and $400 in cash. Womble understood that the cash was in exchange for him getting the drugs, cell phone and charger to the inmate in the jail. Two days later, he smuggled the items into the jail and provided them to the inmate.
Plans were subsequently made for another delivery of contraband. However, on Feb. 12, 2013, multiple bags of marijuana were discovered and intercepted inside Womble’s locker at the jail by the District of Columbia Department of Corrections and one of its K-9 dogs. The marijuana had been provided to Womble by a person who wanted it delivered to another inmate.
In announcing the guilty plea, U.S. Attorney Machen and Assistant Director in Charge Parlave commended the work of the three agencies who jointly worked the case, including agents from the FBI’s Washington Field Office, an FBI task force officer from Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and investigators from the District of Columbia Department of Corrections Office of Investigative Services. Finally, they commended the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Lenisse Edloe, Legal Assistant Angela Lawrence, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Richard E. DiZinno and Christopher R. Kavanaugh, who are prosecuting the case.
13-212District Men Sentenced to 60-Year Prison Terms for First-Degree Murder While Armed and Other Charges in 2008 Shooting in Southeast Washington-Early-Morning Gunfire Killed A Woman, Wounded A Man-Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Robert Walker, 25, and Rodney White, 24, both from Washington, D.C., were each sentenced to 60-year prison terms today for first-degree murder while armed and other charges stemming from a shooting at an apartment complex in 2008 in which a woman was killed and a man was wounded, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced.
Walker and White, who also is known as Rodney Whiting, were found guilty by a jury in April 2013 of 11 counts each following a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. In addition to the murder charge, the jury convicted them of four counts of assault with intent to kill while armed and weapons offenses. The Honorable Lynn Leibovitz sentenced them.
The shooting took place on May 5, 2008 in the Benning Park Apartment complex in the 4800 block of G Street SE. The gunfire killed Jasmine McCray, 23.
At trial, the government’s evidence showed that on May 5, 2008, at approximately 3 a.m., Ms. McCray was with her boyfriend and several other men, including Levern Butler, in the “Down Bottom” portion of the Benning Park Apartment complex parking lot. They and others had just come back from the Le Pearl nightclub in Capitol Heights, Md., where an altercation occurred between Butler and another man, Kenneth Hinton. Hinton was at the nightclub with Walker and White and others from the “Up Top” portion of Benning Park.
Both Butler and Hinton were kicked out of Le Pearl and were seen afterwards by others as being very upset about the fight. Walker and White, along with Hinton, went back to the “Up Top” portion of Benning Park and armed themselves with guns. Then they went to the “Down Bottom” part of Benning Park, and began to fire upon the group including Ms. McCray.
As the shooting commenced, Ms. McCray was hit in the head and went down. She died a short time later, having also suffered from being run over by a car that was driven by one of the other men, who accidentally ran her over while trying to flee from the parking lot. Ms. McCray was part of a group including four other people, including a man who was shot in the hand.
Hinton died in a traffic accident about a week after the shooting. Walker and White were arrested in 2009.
In announcing the sentences, U.S. Attorney Machen expressed his appreciation to the officers, detectives and mobile crime scene personnel who investigated the case for the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). He also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialists Phaylyn Hunt, Antoinette Sakamsa, and Meridith McGarrity; Victim/Witness Advocate Marcia Rinker; Information Technology Specialist Leif Hickling, Investigative Analyst Zachary McMenamin; Intelligence/Security Specialist Lawrence Grasso; Victim/Witness Specialists Wanda Queen and M. LaVerne Forrest, and Supervisory Victim/Witness Specialist Michael Hailey.
Finally, he commended the work of former Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Glynn and Eric Gallun, who investigated and indicted the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Gorman and Veronica Sanchez, who investigated and prosecuted the case at trial.
13-209District Man Sentenced to Eight Years in Prison for Stealing Car from 87-Year-Old Woman and Related Charge-Defendant Posed as Government Employee, Sold Victim’s Car for Scrap Metal-Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON - Thomas Williams, 41, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to eight years in prison for stealing a car from an 87-year-old woman after pretending to be a public officer of the District of Columbia and then failing to appear for a court date following his arrest in the case, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced.
Williams was found guilty in March 2013 of four charges following a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. They included second-degree theft of a senior citizen, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, false impersonation of a public official, and failure to appear. The Honorable Stuart G. Nash sentenced Williams to six years in prison for the crimes associated with the car theft, and another two years for failing to show up for a court appearance. Williams also was ordered to pay $1,000 in restitution. After his prison term, Williams will be placed on three years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence, on Aug. 16, 2012, Williams flagged down a tow truck driver and asked him if he was available to tow a car to a junkyard in Maryland. The tow truck driver agreed and the two men drove that morning to the home of the victim, who lives alone in Northeast Washington. Williams knocked on the front door, flashed an identification card, and told the victim that he was from the District of Columbia government and had orders to take her car, a 1996 Ford Contour that was parked in the driveway. She begged and pleaded with Williams not to take her car, saying that she was going to give it to one of her granddaughters.
Williams, however, insisted that he had to take the car and threatened to charge the victim if she did not comply. He took the keys out of her hand, hooked the car to the tow truck, and drove it to a junkyard in Maryland, where he sold the vehicle for scrap metal.
An officer with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) followed up on the victim’s report by checking on the car’s vehicle identification number and finding that the vehicle had been scrapped at the junkyard. The officer then went to the junkyard, reviewed the paperwork, and linked Williams to the vehicle and the crime.
Following his arrest, Williams was released by a Superior Court judge and ordered to return on a subsequent date. He did not return on that date and was eventually apprehended by the Capitol Area Regional Fugitive Task Force.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Machen praised those who worked on the case from the MPD, the U.S. Marshals Service and its Superior Court Warrant Squad, and the Capitol Area Regional Fugitive Task Force. He also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Theresa Nelson, Litigation Services Specialist Thomas Royal, and Victim Advocate Kristina Rose. Finally, he commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Lallas, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
13-210District Man Sentenced to 40 Years in Prison for First-Degree Murder While Armed and Other Charges-Attack Took Place in Southeast Washington on Halloween Night 2009-Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Darrell Lee, 24, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 40 years in prison on first-degree murder while armed and related firearms charges in a killing on Halloween 2009 in Southeast Washington, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced.
Lee was found guilty by a jury in March 2013, following a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. He was sentenced by the Honorable Ronna L. Beck.
According to the government’s evidence, on the evening of Oct. 31, 2009, the victim, Ashton Hunter, 19, was staying with his girlfriend in an apartment building in the 300 block of 37th Street SE. That night, he went outside, expecting to meet one of his acquaintances from his home neighborhood of 7th & O Streets NW. Mr. Hunter went outside and met with Lee, had a conversation with him, and then started to walk back into the apartment building.
As Mr. Hunter approached the building entrance, Lee followed him down the sidewalk, pulled out a gun and shot him several times in the torso. Mr. Hunter died later that night from his injuries.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Machen expressed his appreciation to the detectives, officers 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 Specialists Phaylyn Hunt and Meridith McGarrity; Information Technology Specialists Leif Hickling and Joe Calvarese; Victim/Witness Advocate Marcey Rinker;Victim/Witness Specialist Debra Cannon, and Supervisory Victim/Witness Specialist Michael Hailey. Finally, he commended the work of former Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Gallun, who obtained the indictment in the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Gorman and Richard DiZinno, who investigated and prosecuted the case at trial.
13-208District Man Sentenced to 11-Year Prison Term for Sexual Assault of Teenage Relative-Victim Came Forward Despite Defendant’s Warning Against Speaking Up-Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A 29-year-old man was sentenced today to 11 years in prison on a charge of first-degree sexual abuse stemming from an attack he carried out earlier this year against a 13-year-old girl, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced today.
The defendant, of Washington, D.C., is not identified here to protect the privacy of the victim. He pled guilty in April 2013 in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The Honorable Russell F. Canan sentenced him today. Upon completion of his prison term, the defendant will be placed on five years of supervised release. He also must register as a sex offender for at least 10 years following his release from prison.
According to the government’s evidence, the girl is related to defendant and was at the Northwest Washington home of another relative on Jan. 9, 2013. That day, between 4 p.m. and 6:45 p.m., the defendant lured her away from other adults and sexually assaulted her. He warned her not to tell anyone what happened. The child, however, alerted her mother and the police.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Machen commended the officers and detectives of the Metropolitan Police Department’s Sexual Assault Unit, who investigated the case. He also expressed appreciation to those at the U.S. Attorney’s Office who worked on the matter, including Paralegal Specialist D’Yvonne Key and Victim/Witness Advocate Lezlie Richardson. Finally, he acknowledged the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Mervin A. Bourne, Jr., who investigated and prosecuted the case.
13-213District Man Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter Charge in Northeast Washington Shooting-Defendant Shot Victim During Argument in Edgewood Terrace Area -Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Decordre Franklin, 25, of Washington, D.C., pled guilty today to a charge stemming from a fatal shooting that took place earlier this year in Northeast Washington, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced.
Franklin pled guilty in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to voluntary manslaughter while armed in the slaying of Irving Jones. He is to be sentenced on Sept. 13, 2013 by the Honorable John Ramsey Johnson.
According to the government’s evidence, in the early morning of March 30, 2013, Franklin was seen in a yard at Edgewood Terrace, within the 600 block of Edgewood Street NE, carrying and playing with a handgun. Afterward, Franklin and Mr. Jones, 33, hung out together with others in the same vicinity. During that time, Mr. Jones and Franklin engaged in a brief physical altercation, which has been described by some witnesses as horseplay. After the altercation ended at approximately 2:10 a.m., Franklin then argued verbally with Mr. Jones.
While yelling at Mr. Jones, Franklin pulled out a handgun and shot him in the chest at close range. He then fled. Mr. Jones collapsed to the ground and died shortly afterward.
In announcing the guilty plea, U.S. Attorney Machen commended the work of the detectives of the Criminal Investigations Division, crime scene officers, and the Fifth Police District of the Metropolitan Police Department. He also expressed appreciation to those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Victim Witness Program Specialist Marcia Rinker and Paralegal Specialist Marian Russell. He also praised the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorney Shana L. Fulton, who prosecuted the case.
13-211Virginia Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Jeffrey Klenk, 24, of Alexandria, Va., has pled guilty to federal charges of distribution and possession of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr., Valerie Parlave, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, and Cathy L. Lanier, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced today.
Klenk entered the guilty plea on June 12, 2013, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The Honorable Richard J. Leon is to sentence him on Sept. 12, 2013. Klenk faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for distribution of child pornography and up to 10 years in prison on the possession charge, as well as financial penalties. He also will be required to register as a sex offender for a minimum of 25 years.
According to the government's evidence, in September and October of 2012, Klenk contacted a man he believed to be the father of an adolescent girl on a social network site. That man turned out to be an undercover officer with the FBI's Child Exploitation Task Force. Over a month-long period, Klenk engaged in online e-mail and instant message conversations with the undercover officer.
During this period of time, Klenk used the computer at his home to send the undercover officer a total of 45 unique images of child pornography, as well as several pictures of child erotica and clothed and unclothed children. On Oct. 18, 2012, Klenk’s residence was searched pursuant to a warrant, and various items were seized, including videos of child pornography. Klenk was arrested that day. All told, officers recovered approximately 13 videos and over 325 images of child pornography from the defendant’s computers and computer equipment.
This case was brought as part of the Department of Justice's Project Safe Childhood initiative and investigated by the FBI's Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes members of the FBI's Washington Field Office and MPD. In February 2006, the Attorney General created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorney's Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
In announcing the guilty plea, U.S. Attorney Machen, Assistant Director in Charge Parlave, and Chief Lanier praised the work of the MPD Detectives and Special Agents of the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force who investigated the case. They also commended the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassidy Kesler Pinegar, who is prosecuting the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine K. Connelly, who is assisting with forfeiture issues.
13-207U.S. Attorney Machen to Host Youth Summit on June 27 at Friendship Collegiate Academy in Northeast Washington- Third Annual Event Aimed at Breaking the Silence on Youth Violence - Free Program Includes Musical Performances, Workshops, Information-Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON - U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr., the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, the Project Safe Neighborhoods Task Force, the East River Family Strengthening Collaborative, and law enforcement and community partners are sponsoring a Youth Summit on Thursday, June 27, 2013 at Friendship Collegiate Academy.
Youths from the District of Columbia are invited to the free program, which runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friendship Collegiate Academy, at 4095 Minnesota Avenue NE, is conveniently located directly across the street from the Minnesota Avenue Metro station in order to provide accessibility for students to attend.
This is the office’s third annual Youth Summit, which assembles young people from under-served neighborhoods in the District of Columbia to discuss the most pressing public safety challenges facing their communities. Previous summits have attracted more than 300 youth participants.
The goal of the Youth Summit is to reach out to area youth on current public safety topics in an informative and inspiring way. Presentations will address a variety of issues facing teens in the community. Most importantly, the Youth Summit this year will examine precursors to violence in an effort to deter youth from negative behaviors.
Presentations will focus on anti-bullying, sexual assault violence prevention, gang awareness, and illegal drug deterrence. The Youth Summit will be comprised of dynamic speakers, entertainment, and break-out sessions for youth based on both age and gender.
The older youth will have an opportunity to learn from speakers who will emphasize the dangerous consequences of violence for both perpetrator and victims. The discussion will focus heavily on educating our youth regarding sexual assault, healthy relationships and where to seek help if they are a witness to or a victim of violence.
The younger students will gain valuable knowledge on distinguishing appropriate conduct and seeking help from victimization.
All of the youth will be provided invaluable resources at the Youth Summit, including anti-bullying guidance and information about the dangers of K-2 Spice. Lastly, in an effort to prove to our youth that fun does not have to include negative behavior, entertainment will be provided by local performers and a national recording artist.
Several collaborative partners, including the Columbia Heights Shaw/Family Collaborative, D.C. Department of Health, D.C. Rape Crisis Center, Street Wize Foundation, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, will be coming together to present the day’s programs. The effort is supported by Project Safe Neighborhoods, a Department of Justice initiative aimed at reducing gun and gang crimes. People with questions or interest in bringing a youth group to the Youth Summit, may contact Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney for External Affairs, Wendy Pohlhaus (202)252-6930 or [email protected].
13-206District Man Sentenced to Two-Year Prison TermRead the Press Release
For 2012 Robbery at Deanwood Metro Station<
-Defendant Also Sentenced to Nine Months in Prison in Case Involving Stolen Car-WASHINGTON – Zachary Pollard, 18, of Washington D.C., has been sentenced to two years in prison on a robbery charge stemming from an attack last year at the Deanwood Metro station in Northeast Washington, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced today.
Pollard was found guilty in April 2013 following a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The Honorable Heidi M. Pasichow sentenced him on June 11, 2013 to a total of 51 months in prison, but suspended all but 24 months of the prison time. Upon completion of his prison term, Pollard will be placed on three years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence, Pollard and an unidentified accomplice approached the victim at about 8:30 a.m. on Nov. 18, 2012 near the Metro station, in the 4700 block of Polk Street NE. Pollard, standing in front of the victim, pulled out a gun and pointed it in the man’s face while the accomplice threw the victim to the ground. Pollard then rifled through the victim’s pockets and took the victim’s wallet, which contained credit cards and $11. The victim reported the crime to the station manager, who called Metro Transit Police.
Less than 10 minutes later and about a half mile from the Deanwood station, a Metro Transit Police officer spotted Pollard, who matched the description given for a police lookout. The officer stopped Pollard, who was eating a fast-food apple pie. Minutes later, as other officers arrived on the scene and without having been told what had been taken in the robbery or the reason why he had been stopped, Pollard spontaneously stated, “Man, I didn’t rob nobody for no $11.” Officers recovered $9 in cash from the defendant.
At the time of the crime, Pollard was free on personal recognizance while awaiting trial for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and other charges. According to the government’s evidence, Pollard was caught on Oct. 14, 2012 in a car in Southeast Washington less than a day after it was stolen. When police officers tried to stop him after he went through a red light in the car, he floored the gas and took off. The car ultimately crashed into the curb, damaging the front wheel. Pollard then got out of the car and fled on foot before he was finally caught.
Pollard pled guilty in that case to charges of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, receiving stolen property, and destruction of property. He was sentenced on June 11, 2013 to serve nine months of incarceration on those charges, to run consecutively to the sentence in the robbery case. He also was ordered to pay $1,945 in restitution to the victim.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Machen praised the work of the detective, officers, and mobile crime scene officers from the Metro Transit Police Department who investigated the robbery case, as well as the officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) who investigated the case involving the stolen car.
He also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the matters for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialists Antoinette Sakamsa and Theresa Nelson, and Victim Advocate Kristina Rose. Finally, he commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Lallas, who prosecuted the robbery case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian Natiello, who prosecuted the case involving the stolen car.
13-203District Man Pleads Guilty to Murder in 2011 Slaying in Southeast Washington-Victim’s Father Pleads Guilty to Tampering with Evidence at the Scene-Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON – William Faison, 23, of Washington, D.C., pled guilty today to second-degree murder while armed in the slaying of 19-year-old Jeffrey Covington during an attempted robbery in Southeast Washington, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced
Faison entered his plea in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The Honorable Ronna Lee Beck scheduled sentencing for Aug. 16, 2013.
In a related development, the victim’s father, Jeffrey Blount, 43, also of Washington, D.C., pled guilty today to tampering with physical evidence at the scene of the murder. He is to be sentenced on Aug. 15, 2013.
According to the government’s evidence, on July 2, 2011, Jeffrey Blount and his son were involved in a craps game in the 600 block of 46th Place SE. Shortly after 1 a.m., Faison, who was nearby, approached Blount while pulling a .38-caliber revolver from his waistband.
Faison pushed Mr. Covington aside to get to Blount and pointed the gun at Blount’s back in an attempt to rob him. Nearly everyone involved in the craps game, including Blount, fled. Faison chased after Blount, with his gun still drawn. Mr. Covington attempted to come to the aid of his father by pointing an inoperable weapon at Faison. Faison then turned back toward the victim and fired one shot at him, fatally striking him in the upper chest/throat.
Faison then fled into an apartment in a building on the block. Police sought and obtained a search warrant for that apartment on July 2, 2011, and they recovered a .38-caliber revolver with a spent shell casing inside. Faison was still in the apartment at the time of the recovery.
Following the murder, Blount returned to the scene, approached Mr. Covington’s body, and attempted to remove currency from Mr. Covington’s pockets. He then checked the victim’s pulse before moving the inoperable pistol from the victim’s side to a nearby trash can.
In announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney Machen praised the work of the detectives, officers, and crime scene technicians who investigated the case for the Metropolitan Police Department. He also commended the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialists Phaylyn Hunt, Fern Rhedrick, and Kendra Johnson and Victim/Witness Advocate Marcia Rinker. Finally, U.S. Attorney Machen recognized Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melinda A. Williams, Jeffrey Pearlman, and Erik Kenerson, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
13-205District Man Found Guilty of Murder and Other ChargesRead the Press Release
In 2011 Slaying of Stepson
-Shooting Followed Argument in Family Home-WASHINGTON – Ronald Page, 60, of Washington, D.C., has been found guilty by a jury of second-degree murder while armed and other charges in the slaying of his adult stepson, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced today.
Page was found guilty on June 11, 2013 following a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. In addition to the murder charge, the jury found him guilty of charges of assault with a dangerous weapon and firearms offenses. The Honorable Russell F. Canan scheduled sentencing for Sept. 13, 2013.
According to the government’s evidence, on Jan. 5, 2011, shortly after 7 p.m., Page was engaged in verbal argument with his 17-year-old son inside their family home in Northeast Washington. The defendant’s two stepsons were present during the argument. At one point, Page left the argument and retrieved a gun. He pointed it at his son and one of his stepsons, Nicholas Satcher, 22. Then he ordered Nicholas Satcher to leave the room. Nicholas Satcher agreed to leave, but his stepfather followed him and fired the gun, fatally wounding him.
In announcing the verdicts, U.S. Attorney Machen commended the work of the officers, detectives and others who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). He also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialists Mia Beamon, Kelly Blakeney, Kendra Johnson, Sharon Newman and Marian Russell; Victim/Witness Advocate Marcia Rinker; Information Technology Specialist Leif Hickling, and Criminal Investigator Christopher Brophy. He also expressed appreciation to Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles W. Cobb, who investigated the case and secured the indictment. Finally, he thanked Jeffrey Ragsdale, Chief of the office’s Homicide Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Worm, who prosecuted the case.
13-204Maryland Man Sentenced to 46 Months in Prison for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Marc Gange, 35, of Silver Spring, Md., was sentenced today to a prison term of 46 months on a federal charge of possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr., Valerie Parlave, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, and Cathy L. Lanier, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Gange pled guilty in February 2013 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. He was sentenced by the Honorable James E. Boasberg. Upon completion of his prison term, Gange will be placed on 10 years of supervised release.
According to the government's evidence, on Nov. 15, 2012, Gange contacted a man he believed to be the father of a 12-year-old girl on a social network site. That man turned out to be an undercover officer with the FBI's Child Exploitation Task Force. Over the next several days, Gange engaged in online e-mail and instant message conversations with the undercover officer.
During this period of time, Gange sent the undercover officer approximately 79 images of child pornography which depicted, among other things, adult men engaged in sexual acts with children. Following Gange’s arrest on Dec. 5, 2012, the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force conducted a search of his work space and residence. Officers recovered approximately three videos and over 1,000 images of child pornography from a USB drive and the defendant’s computer.
This case was brought as part of the Department of Justice's Project Safe Childhood initiative and investigated by the FBI's Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes members of the FBI's Washington Field Office and MPD. In February 2006, the Attorney General created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorney's Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Machen, Assistant Director in Charge Parlave, and Chief Lanier praised the work of the MPD Detectives and Special Agents of the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force who investigated the case. They also commended the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorney Ari Redbord, who prosecuted the case.
13-201District Man Sentenced to More Than Nine Years in Prison for 2012 Bank Robbery in Northeast Washington-Defendant Arrested Shortly After the Crime-Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON – John Morris, 64, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to a prison term of nine years and seven months on a charge of bank robbery while armed, announced U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr., Valerie Parlave, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, and Cathy L. Lanier, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Morris entered a plea of nolo contendere in April 2013 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Under a nolo contendere plea, a defendant is convicted of the offense, accepts responsibility, and agrees that the government could prove him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. However, the defendant in such a plea does not admit to the facts of the case. The Honorable Richard W. Roberts sentenced Morris today. Upon completion of his prison term, Morris will be placed on five years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence, just before noon on March 22, 2012, Morris walked into a TD Bank in the 1200 block of First Street NE. He was wearing a black jacket, black pants, black shoes, sunglasses and a cap. He demanded money from two bank tellers, claiming that he had a bomb. The tellers turned over about $3,700. Morris left a bag behind, which he claimed had the bomb, and warned that he could remotely control its detonation.
Two officers with the Metropolitan Police Department were in the area at the time of the robbery, and they quickly spotted Morris across the street from the bank. A third MPD officer arrived on the scene, and Morris told him, “Yeah, I did it. It’s rough out here.” Morris, who at the time of his arrest was wearing a black jacket, black pants, black shoes, sunglasses and a cap, also could be seen clearly on video surveillance photographs of the robbery.
The stolen money was recovered after the robbery. Morris’s bomb threat led to an emergency response that included the evacuation of the bank and the block surrounding the bank. The bag left inside the bank contained an alarm clock.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Machen, Assistant Director in Charge Parlave and Chief Lanier thanked those who investigated the case from the MPD and FBI’s Washington Field Office, including the FBI/MPD Violent Crimes Task Force. They also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Stephanie Brooker, former Chief of the Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section, and Paralegal Specialist Jeannette Litz. Finally, they expressed appreciation to Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine K. Connelly, who prosecuted the matter.
13-202Former Council Member Michael A. Brown Pleads Guilty to Accepting $55,000 in Bribes-Also Admits Taking Part in Separate Scheme Involving Campaign Contributions-Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Michael A. Brown, a former member of the Council of the District of Columbia, pled guilty today to a charge of bribery for a scheme in which he accepted a total of $55,000 in a series of meetings, spanning eight months, with undercover FBI agents posing as officials of a company that purportedly wanted to win government contracting opportunities.
The guilty plea was announced by U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr.; Timothy Gallagher, Special Agent in Charge of the Criminal Division of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, and Thomas J. Kelly, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Office of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI).
Brown, 48, pled guilty in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The Honorable Robert L. Wilkins scheduled sentencing for Oct. 3, 2012. The charge carries a statutory maximum of 15 years in prison and financial penalties. Under federal sentencing guidelines, the parties have agreed that the applicable range would be 37 to 46 months in prison and a possible fine of $7,500 to $75,000. The plea agreement, which is contingent upon the Court’s approval, calls for a sentence of up to 37 months, to be followed by up to three years of supervised release.
The plea agreement also calls for Brown to pay a money judgment of $35,000 in forfeiture, covering the amount of money he collected before confronted by law enforcement.
Brown is the third member of the Council of the District of Columbia to plead guilty within the past two years to federal charges involving crimes committed while they were in office. Harry L. Thomas Jr., who represented Ward 5, pled guilty in January 2012 to federal theft and tax charges in a scheme in which he used more than $350,000 in taxpayer money for his own personal benefit. Kwame R. Brown, the Council’s former Chairman, pled guilty in June 2012 to a federal charge of bank fraud, involving two personal loans, and a second criminal charge involving a violation of the District of Columbia’s campaign finance laws.
The charge against Michael A. Brown involves a scheme in which he admitted taking the cash payments in return for his assistance in winning the District of Columbia government’s approval for a company that was seeking to be classified as a Certified Business Enterprise, a designation that would create potentially lucrative business opportunities; Brown also agreed to help the company with government contracting opportunities.
In a second scheme, Brown admitted concealing the true source of $20,000 that was secretly contributed to his failed bid in 2007 for a seat on the District of Columbia Council. Under the plea agreement, Brown will not be criminally prosecuted for this conduct.
“Today Michael Brown became the third member of the D.C. Council to plead guilty to a felony in the last 18 months,” said U.S. Attorney Machen. “This prosecution should make clear that we will not allow the politics of pay to play to flourish in the District of Columbia. We will not tolerate the backroom deals, the secret payments, and the unreported cash that corrupt not only our elections and public officials but our entire system of government. Our work will not stop until we stamp out the show-me-the-money culture that has deprived the great citizens of the District of Columbia of the honest government that they so desperately want and deserve.”
“Today, Mr. Brown took responsibility for his actions and admitted to accepting bribes and knowingly circumventing campaign finance laws,” said Special Agent in Charge Gallagher. “This case is not only one more example of an elected official violating the public trust for their own benefit, but it is also another example of the determination and resolve of law enforcement in putting an end to such activity. We will not stop our pursuit until public corruption is a thing of the past within the District of Columbia.”
“IRS Criminal Investigation is committed to providing its financial investigative expertise to work with our law enforcement partners in order to combat public corruption, such as Mr. Brown’s," said Special Agent in Charge Kelly. “Today's plea is a reminder that one’s status as a public official will not protect you from federal prosecution.”
Brown was elected as an at-large member of the District of Columbia Council in 2008 and took office in January 2009. He left office on Jan. 2, 2013, following his defeat last November for re-election. Brown then launched a bid to win another at-large Council seat in a special election scheduled for April 23, 2013. However, he withdrew his candidacy on April 2, 2013, less than three weeks after he was confronted by law enforcement in the bribery scheme.
Bribery Scheme:
According to a statement of offense signed by the government as well as the defendant, Brown’s at-large Council duties included acting as Chair of the Committee on Economic Development and Housing. The committee is responsible for matters related to economic, industrial and commercial development. The bribery scheme focused largely on a special program run by the District of Columbia government to help its small local businesses become economically viable: the Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) program.
Status as a CBE carries preferential procurement and contracting opportunities. To be eligible for this designation, businesses must meet certain requirements and be certified by the District of Columbia’s Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD).
Prior to July 11, 2012, Brown had discussions about obtaining assistance of $50,000 to $75,000 for Brown from a government contractor. Brown expected to assist the government contractor with its business if the contractor provided such financial assistance to Brown.
These discussions led to a series of meetings with two undercover FBI agents, posing as employees of a Maryland company that wanted CBE approval and contracting opportunities. Between July 2012 and March 2013, Brown met in person with one or both of the undercover agents a total of eight times. He communicated primarily with an agent described in the court documents as “Undercover Employee 1” or “UCE-1.” He was in contact with this undercover agent on more than 30 separate days, in person, by phone, or by text, frequently seeking payment, in whole or in part, for the efforts he was making on the company’s behalf.
Indeed, over the months, Brown made calls on the company’s behalf to the director of the Department of Small and Local Business Development, introduced the undercover agents to a contractor at a symposium he sponsored, and took other actions meant to speed through the company’s attempts to win approval as a CBE. He continued these efforts even after his defeat in the November 2012 election. In January 2013, the Department of Small and Local Business Development did a site visit for the company’s application.
According to the statement of offense, the payments were made during these meetings:
July 11, 2012: Brown met “UCE-1” at a Washington, D.C. restaurant. Brown accepted $15,000 in cash as part of a promised amount of $50,000 for Brown’s efforts to use his official position to assist the company in becoming a CBE and obtaining contracting opportunities. The cash was in denominations of $100 bills and in a duffel bag with a Washington Nationals baseball hat and two Nationals T-shirts. Brown referred to the cash payment as a loan, but “UCE-1” said that he could keep the money.
During subsequent discussions with the undercover agents, Brown occasionally referred to the payments as a “loan.” However, Brown understood that he was not expected to repay the money. No loan documents were ever drafted – and no loan terms were ever discussed – between Brown and the undercover agents.
Aug. 7, 2012: Brown met with “UCE-1” at the Washington, D.C. restaurant and accepted an additional $10,000 in cash in exchange for continuing to assist the company in obtaining approval of its CBE application and contracting opportunities. The cash was in denominations of $100 bills and placed inside a Washington Redskins coffee mug. “UCE-1” stated that Brown would get “the other 25” upon approval, and Brown said, “or north.” Brown said he would call the Department of Small and Local Business Development after the company submitted the necessary paperwork for the CBE application and aim to have the application moved “to the top of the pile.”
Aug. 28, 2012: Brown again met with “UCE-1” at the Washington, D.C. restaurant and accepted $5,000 in cash in exchange for Brown’s assistance with the CBE application and contracting opportunities. The cash was in denominations of $100 bills and in a silver coffee mug. Brown said he would continue efforts to move the company’s application as quickly as possible.
Nov. 29, 2012: Brown hosted his economic development symposium and introduced the two undercover agents to the director of the Department of Small and Local Business Development concerning the company’s CBE application. Brown also introduced the undercover agents to a local businessman, who, according to Brown, facilitated financing for contractors. That night, Brown met “UCE-1” at the Washington, D.C. restaurant andaccepted another $5,000 in cash as payment for his assistance with the CBE application and contracting opportunities. The cash was in denominations of $100 bills and in an envelope.
March 14, 2013: Brown met the two undercover agents at a conference room at a Washington, D.C. hotel, after being told that the company was pleased with how quickly its application was moving along and ready to make its final payment. During the meeting, Brown accepted $15,000 in cash as fulfillment of the company’s promise to pay $50,000 to Brown for assistance in obtaining CBE approval and government contracting opportunities. Brown also accepted a “bonus” of $5,000 cash for Brown’s past official acts on behalf of the company and future influence if Brown were re-elected to public office. The cash was in denominations of $100 bills and wrapped with a rubber band.
At the end of the meeting, law enforcement agents entered the room to announce their presence and seized the $20,000 in cash from Brown. The company subsequently withdrew its CBE application.
Campaign Finance Scheme:In the spring of 2007, Brown was a candidate in a special election for the Ward 4 seat on the D.C. Council. Around that time, he met with a business owner, who is identified as “Co-Conspirator 1” in the statement of offense. Brown sought a campaign contribution but understood that “Co-Conspirator 1” would not contribute in a public manner because certain business activities required support for other candidates, based on various political dynamics.
Brown understood that the contribution from “Co-Conspirator 1” would be publicly disclosed as having been contributed in the name of another person. He also understood from his discussion that it would exceed the limits on the amount that an individual could contribute to a political campaign committee. At the end of the meeting, “Co-Conspirator 1” told Brown that Brown would hear from somebody to arrange the contribution.
Following this meeting, Brown was contacted by Eugenia C. Harris, another business owner, in the District of Columbia. Then, as agreed upon by Brown, Harris and “Co-Conspirator 1,” a series of bank transfers began taking place. Brown understood that a total of $20,000 originated from “Co-Conspirator 1.” Harris sent two wire transfers, of $10,000 each, to Brown’s personal bank account. Brown, in turn, contributed the funds to his campaign.
Brown subsequently caused the campaign committee to file a form with the D.C. Office of Campaign Finance that publicly disclosed that Brown made an individual contribution of $25,000 to his political campaign committee, which Brown knew disguised the fact that “Co-Conspirator 1” was the source of most of this money.
Harris pled guilty on July 10, 2012 to conspiring to disguise the source of campaign contributions in federal and local elections, including the 2010 District of Columbia mayoral campaign. She pled guilty to one count of conspiring to violate federal campaign finance law and to obstruct justice; one count of engaging in fraud and making false statements, and one count of conspiring to violate District of Columbia campaign finance law.
In announcing today’s guilty plea, U.S. Attorney Machen, Special Agent in Charge Gallagher, and Special Agent in Charge Kelly commended those who investigated the case for the FBI and IRS-CI.
They also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael K. Atkinson, David A. Last, and Bryan Seeley of the Fraud and Public Corruption Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony D. Saler, of the Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section. Finally, they expressed thanks for assistance provided by Forensic Accountant Maria Boodoo; Paralegal Specialists Tasha Harris, Lenisse Edloe, and Nicole Wattelet, and Legal Assistant Angela Lawrence.
13-200Former Accounting Employee Pleads Guilty to Stealing More Than $75,000 from Charter School-Temporary Worker Issued and Cashed Checks to Fictitious Vendors-Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON - Darlene Ford, 46, of Temple Hills, Md., pled guilty today to a federal charge stemming from the theft of more than $75,000 from a charter school where she worked as a temporary accounting employee.
The guilty plea was announced by U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr., Valerie Parlave, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, Cathy L. Lanier, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department, and Steven Anderson, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General’s Mid-Atlantic Region.
Ford pled guilty in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to a charge of
theft from a program receiving federal funds. The Honorable Robert L. Wilkins scheduled sentencing for Sept. 16, 2013. The charge carries a statutory maximum of 10 years in prison and financial penalties. Under federal sentencing guidelines, the parties have agreed that the applicable range is 12 to 18 months in prison and a fine of $3,000 to $30,000.Under the plea agreement, Ford must pay $75,350 in restitution to the César Chàvez Public Charter Schools for Public Policy. She also is subject to the forfeiture of a money judgment of the same amount.
According to the government’s evidence, Ford was a temporary employee at the César Chàvez Public Charter Schools for Public Policy. She was placed at the school’s finance department by a temporary accounting staffing firm from January 2010 until March 2010. Her responsibilities included the processing of invoices from vendors, including presenting documents to the Director of Finance for signature on payments.
Public charter schools are independently-operated public schools that are open to all District of Columbia residents. César Chàvez Public Charter Schools for Public Policy received various government funds, including funding from the U.S. Department of Education.
While in the finance department, Ford carried out her scheme by accessing the school’s accounting system and changing names listed on pending checks. She replaced the names of legitimate vendors with those of fictitious vendors and then forged the signature of the Director of Finance on the checks. Ten such checks were made out to fictitious vendors, totaling $75,350. These checks were then cashed and used for the benefit of Ford and/or her friends and associates.
In announcing the guilty plea, U.S. Attorney Machen, Assistant Director in Charge Parlave, Chief Lanier, and Special Agent in Charge Anderson commended the work of those who investigated the case. They also expressed appreciation for the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialists Diane Hayes and Krishawn Graham, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lionel André, who is prosecuting the matter.
13-198District Man Sentenced to 36 Years in Prison for Charges in 2010 Shooting-Defendant Opened Fire on Victims During Robbery of Marijuana-Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Herbert Arrington, 27, of Washington, D.C., has been sentenced to a 36-year prison term on charges stemming from his attempted execution of three men in Northwest Washington, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced today.
Arrington was found guilty by a jury in March 2013 of assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. The verdict followed a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. He was sentenced June 7, 2013 by the Honorable Ronna L. Beck.
According the government’s evidence, in the days before the shooting, Arrington had inquired about purchasing a large quantity of marijuana from one of the victims. On the evening of June 9, 2010, he met the three men inside a parked GMC Yukon in the 2100 block of 8th Street NW. After one of the victims provided the marijuana to Arrington, he pulled out a firearm and shot all three men at point-blank range. All of the victims suffered gunshot wounds, and two were seriously injured. Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), who were working off duty at a nearby club, heard the shots and quickly rushed to the aid of the victims.
The victims, rushed to various hospitals, survived the attack. Arrington, who escaped with the marijuana, was arrested six days after the shootings.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Machen commended the efforts of the detectives, officers, and crime scene technicians who investigated the case for the Metropolitan Police Department. He also acknowledged those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Kalisha Johnson-Clark and Information Technology Specialists Kimberly Smith and Thomas Royal. Finally, he commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Kavanaugh, who led the investigation and obtained the indictment in the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas W. Cannon and Jonathan I. Kravis who prosecuted the case at trial.
13-197District Man Pleads Guilty to Sexually Assaulting Two Women-Separate Incidents Took Place Within A Three-Week Period This Year-Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON - James Parks, also known as Antonio Parks, 22, of Washington, D.C., pled guilty today to charges stemming from two sexual assaults that he committed earlier this year, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced.
Parks pled guilty in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to one count of attempted first-degree sexual abuse and one count of misdemeanor sexual abuse. He is scheduled to be sentenced by the Honorable Robert E. Morin on Aug. 16, 2013. He faces up to 15 years in prison on the attempted first-degree sexual abuse charge and 180 days on the misdemeanor charge. He also will be required to register as a sex offender for 10 years.
According to the government’s factual proffer at today’s plea hearing, on Jan. 25, 2013, Parks was at the home of one of the victims, on 23rd Street SE. That night, Parks sexually assaulted another woman while she was unconscious in an upstairs bedroom of the home.
On the night of Feb. 14, 2013, Parks was back at the same home. That night, he and another man forced the resident into the basement, where Parks sexually assaulted her.
In announcing today’s plea, U.S. Attorney Machen praised the work of Paralegal Specialist Jason Manuel, Victim/Witness Advocate Lezlie Richardson and members of the Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Sexual Assault Unit. He also commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter V. Taylor, who investigated and prosecuted this case.
13-199District Man Pleads Guilty to Murder in Shooting of 18-Year-Old Girl in Northwest WashingtonDefendant and Victim Met Through A Social Media Website; Victim Killed for IPhone and IPodRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Alexander Buckley, 22, of Washington, D.C., pled guilty to second-degree murder while armed for the January 25, 2013 slaying of a Maryland girl, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced today.
The defendant entered his plea in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The Honorable Russell Canan scheduled sentencing for August 22, 2013.
According to the government’s evidence, in January 2013, the defendant met the victim, 18-year-old Siohban Lee, through a social media website known as “Tagged,” which allows users to view profiles and photographs posted by other users. Tagged is available as an application to iPhone and Android phone subscribers and allows users to text one another via the Internet. Initially, the defendant and the victim communicated only through Tagged. Eventually, however, they exchanged phone numbers and began to communicate by phone.
Leading up to the early morning hours of January 25, 2013, the defendant and victim exchanged several text messages and phone calls, during which the victim agreed to meet the defendant for the very first time. The defendant provided the victim with instructions to take the bus into D.C. towards Georgia Avenue, N.W., where he would meet her. Sometime after 2:16 a.m., on January 25, 2013, the defendant met the victim in the area of 5th Street and Nicholson Street, N.W. The victim was carrying a purse, and was in possession of both her iPhone and iPod Touch.
At approximately 2:30 a.m., the defendant shot the victim one time in the left side of the head, just behind her left ear, killing her. The defendant took the victim’s iPhone and iPod Touch, and, leaving her purse behind, fled the scene. Law enforcement quickly located the defendant, who still had the phone in his possession. As a result, the defendant was arrested just hours after the murder.
In announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney Machen praised the work of the detectives, officers, and crime scene technicians who investigated the case for the Metropolitan Police Department. He also commended the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialists Ethel Gregory and Marian Russell; Lead Paralegal Sharon Newman; and Victim/Witness Advocate Marcia Rinker. Finally, U.S. Attorney Machen recognized Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberley Nielsen, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
13-196Maryland Man Sentenced to 4 ½-Year Prison Term for Series of Home Break-ins-Admitted Entering Three Northwest Washington Homes Within A Month –Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON - Tyrone Edmondson, 40, of Temple Hills, Md., was sentenced today to a 4 ½-year prison term on charges stemming from a series of break-ins of Northwest Washington homes, including one last Christmas, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced.
Edmondson pled guilty in April 2013 in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to three counts of attempted second-degree burglary. He was sentenced by the Honorable Stuart G. Nash. Upon completion of his prison term, he will be placed on three years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence, on Dec. 25, 2012, at about 8 p.m., Edmondson entered a home in the 800 block of Varnum Street NW through an unlocked rear door. He took computers, a video gaming system, a camera, shoes, jeans, and a jacket.
On Jan. 21, 2013, at about 3:15 p.m., Edmondson entered a home in the 1500 block of Upshur Street NW through an unlocked rear sliding glass door. He took a computer, jewelry, phone and coat. Finally, on Jan. 22, 2013, at about 3:30 p.m., he entered a home in the 1500 block of Crittenden Street NW, once again through an unlocked rear door. This time, he took a television, a Kindle, and loose change. The owner of this home was upstairs at the time, and after hearing noises in her living room, called the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Police responded, and found Edmondson in an alley near the house, with the victim’s property.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Machen commended the work of those who investigated the case for the Metropolitan Police Department. He also praised the efforts of those who worked on the matter from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Todd McClelland, Intelligence Specialist Sharon Johnson, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Phil Selden, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
13-195U.S. Foreign Service Officer Charged with Conspiracy to Defraud the United States and to Commit Bribery and Visa Fraud-Scheme Allegedly Yielded Millions of Dollars in Bribes-Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON A U.S. Foreign Service Officer, Michael Todd Sestak, 41, has been arrested and charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States and conspiracy to commit bribery and visa fraud, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. and U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) Director Gregory B. Starr announced today.
Sestak appeared this afternoon before the Honorable Magistrate Judge Deborah A. Robinson in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. He was arrested on May 13, 2013, in California and had been ordered held without bond following a hearing in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. He was removed to the District of Columbia, where the criminal complaint, dated May 6, 2013, was filed against him. Magistrate Judge Robinson ordered that he remain in custody pending further court proceedings.
According to the government’s evidence, Sestak was the Non-Immigrant Visa Chief in the Consular Section of the U.S. Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam from August 2010 to September 2012.
The investigation revealed that, beginning sometime in or around March 2012, Sestak agreed to approve visas to the United States for a fee. According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, he conspired with other U.S. citizens and Vietnamese citizens who worked to recruit customers - or to recruit other recruiters - to the visa scheme. Co-conspirators reached out to people in Vietnam and the United States and advertised a money-back guarantee for a visa to the United States. They particularly advertised that they could obtain visas for people who would not be able to obtain a visa on their own, such as people who had been previously denied or refused entry into the U.S. They encouraged customers with the idea that they could overstay their visas and disappear in the United States.
The affidavit alleges that co-conspirators assisted visa applicants with their applications and prepared them for their consular interviews. Upon submitting an application, the applicants would receive an appointment at the Consulate, be interviewed by Sestak, and approved for a visa. Applicants or their families paid between $20,000 and $70,000 per visa.
Applicants paid for their visas in Vietnam, or by routing money to co-conspirators in the United States. According to the affidavit, Sestak received several million dollars in bribes in exchange for approving the visas. He ultimately moved the money out of Vietnam by using money launderers through off-shore banks. Co-conspirators also had money laundered through off-shore banks to bank accounts in the United States, the affidavit alleges.
To date, the investigation has seized over $2 million from a co-conspirator’s investment account in the United States.
Two women have been charged in the scheme.They are Hong Vo, 27, an American citizen, and Truc Tranh Huynh, 29, a Vietnamese citizen, who are charged with conspiring with Sestak and others. Vo allegedly assisted with the recruitment of visa applicants and communicated with others about the payment for the fraudulent visas. According to charging documents, fraudulent visas granted by Sestak were connected to an Internet Protocol (“IP”) address controlled by Vo. Huynh allegedly participated in the visa scheme by obtaining documents necessary for the visa applications, collecting money and providing model questions and answers for visa applicants. Sestak also allegedly approved a visa for Huynh to the United States, the application for which was submitted by the IP address controlled by Vo.
Vo was recently arrested in Denver and is being held there while awaiting removal to the District of Columbia. Huynh was arrested June 3, 2013, and appeared today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. She remains held without bond pending further proceedings.
Charges contained in criminal complaints are merely allegations that a defendant has committed a violation of criminal laws and every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.
The case is being investigated by the U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Service and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brenda J. Johnson and Mona N. Sahaf of the National Security Section and Catherine K. Connelly of the Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section.
13-194Virginia Contractor Sentenced to 26 Months in Prison for Cheating Elderly Woman Out of More Than $170,000-Victim, 93, Suffers from Memory Issues-Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON – James F. Butler, 52, a contractor from Culpeper, Va., was sentenced today to 26 months in prison and ordered to pay restitution to an elderly woman he tricked into paying more than $170,000 for home improvements that were not performed, announced U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. and Cathy L. Lanier, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Butler pled guilty in November 2012 in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to a charge of first-degree theft of a senior citizen. He was sentenced by the Honorable Gerald I. Fisher. Judge Fisher ordered Butler to pay $174,471 in restitution to the victim. Upon completion of his prison term, Butler will be placed on three years of supervised release.
According to a factual proffer, signed by the defendant as well as the government, Butler wrongfully obtained the money between December 2011 and February 2012 from the victim, who was then 93 years old and residing alone in Northwest Washington. The victim has memory issues that are readily apparent to anyone having a conversation with her.
Butler met the victim at her home in December 2011. He and his workers asked her to execute multiple contracts for home improvement work. He then falsely represented that the victim owed him money for home improvement labor that was not performed, and for materials that were not installed. He and others told the victim that payments were due for material and labor a total of 38 times during a period of just one and a half months.
Although Butler performed some work and provided some materials at the residence, it was for a fraction of the cost that the victim ultimately paid.
From Dec. 24, 2011 through Feb. 12, 2012, the victim wrote multiple checks for home improvement work to the defendant. On some occasions, Butler would have her write him multiple checks on the same day, knowing that she did not remember already paying him. All told, Butler unlawfully obtained $174,471 from the victim.
Butler is the owner of Nationwide Tree Specialists, a tree and stump removal business that is operated out of his home in Culpeper. He is not licensed as a general contractor in the District of Columbia or elsewhere.
A financial advisor who did work for the victim noticed the payments and the matter was brought to law enforcement’s attention. Butler was arrested at his home in April 2012.
“As our population grows older, we see more and more cases of scam artists exploiting the elderly,” said U.S. Attorney Machen. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office has focused on both education and prosecution to fulfill our moral responsibility to protect our older neighbors from shady operators who try to take advantage of them. This prosecution demonstrates the importance of reporting elder financial abuse so that we can prevent fraudsters from creating more victims.”
“It is shameful that this criminal preyed on a vulnerable member of our community,” said Chief Lanier. “Hopefully, this sentencing will send a message to other would be thieves and con artists.”
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Machen and Chief Lanier praised the work of the Metropolitan Police Department, including the detective in the financial crimes and fraud squad who investigated the case. They also expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by the Virginia State Police, City of Culpeper Police, and a regional law enforcement task force from Virginia. Finally, they acknowledged the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie G. Miller, who prosecuted the matter.
13-191U.S. Attorney’s Office to Sponsor Two-Day Conference Highlighting Needs of Children Exposed to Violence-More Than 250 Professionals Expected for Training and Discussion-Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia is sponsoring a two-day conference this week designed to assist professionals who work with children exposed to violence, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced today.
The conference, made possible through a grant from the Office for Victims of Crime in the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, will be held June 5 and June 6, 2013. It will include workshops, panel discussions and presentations for victim service providers, law enforcement officers, and attorneys regarding strategies for working with children and adolescents exposed to violence. Presenters have been drawn from the fields of mental health, law enforcement, social services, prosecution and the judiciary.
U.S. Attorney Machen and Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs Mary Lou Leary are among those who will address the attendees. More than 250 people are expected to attend the event.
The conference sessions will include training in investigating and prosecuting cases involving traumatized youths, as well as discussions about effective therapy and other strategies to help young people cope with the after-effects of violence.
Every year, the lives of millions of children and adolescents in the United States are affected by exposure to violence as they become victims or witnesses to homicides and other violent crimes. Many are murdered or assaulted by loved ones, acquaintances or strangers, and many are caught in the crossfire of gang or community violence.
The consequences of this problem are significant and widespread.Children’s exposure to violence, whether as victims or witnesses, is often associated with long-term physical, psychological, and emotional harm. Children exposed to violence are also at a higher risk of engaging in criminal behavior perpetuating a cycle of violence as victims or offenders.
Addressing the needs of children exposed to violence is a key priority for Attorney General Eric Holder, who launched the Defending Childhood Initiative to address the exposure of America’s children to violence as victims and witnesses.
According to the Attorney General’s Task Force on Children Exposed to Violence, exposure to violence is a “crisis that affects two out of every three of our children. Of the 76 million children currently residing in the United States, violence, crime, abuse and psychological trauma, touch the lives of an estimated 46 million each year.”
“We have few greater moral obligations than protecting our community’s most vulnerable and distressed children,” said U.S. Attorney Machen. “Too many of our children have their innocence shattered and their futures forever changed by exposure to violence. As the U.S. Attorney and as a father, I am excited about this opportunity to come together and discuss how we can better serve and defend our children.”
“True justice depends on whether we’re meeting the needs and honoring the rights of victims and witnesses – especially when those victims and witnesses are our children,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Leary. “Through the Defending Childhood Initiative and the task force’s efforts, we are working to improve our understanding of children’s exposure to violence and support efforts to translate that knowledge into practice.”
This week’s conference will be held at the campus of Catholic University of America in Northeast Washington.
The planning committee includes the District of Columbia Department of Mental Health; the District of Columbia Public Schools; the District of Columbia Department of Child and Family Services; the Wendt Center for Loss and Healing; Safe Shores: the D.C. Children’s Advocacy Center, and Child and Adolescent Mobile Psychiatric Services (ChAMPS).
Conference partners include the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC); the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA); Fair Girls; the Multidisciplinary Team for Child Sexual and Physical Abuse in the District of Columbia; Children’s National Medical Center; the DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence; the National Children’s Advocacy Center, and Break the Cycle.
13-192District Man Found Guilty of Second-Degree Murder While Armed in 2011 Slaying in Northwest Washington-Victim, 19, Was Shot Four Times in an Attempted Robbery-Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Rashid Caviness-Bey, 20, of Washington, D.C., was found guilty by a jury today of charges stemming from a murder that took place during an attempted armed robbery in Northwest Washington, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced.
Caviness-Bey was found guilty by a jury in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia of charges of second-degree murder while armed and carrying a pistol without a license in the slaying of 19-year old Osman Al-Akbar. The Honorable Lynn Leibovitz scheduled sentencing for Aug. 2, 2013.
According to the government’s evidence, on Aug. 17, 2011, at about 1:30 a.m., Mr. Al-Akbar bicycled toward his home after visiting his girlfriend’s house. As he was riding home, he talked on his cell phone with his girlfriend. At the same time, Caviness-Bey and two teenagers emerged from Girard Park near the 2600 block of University Place NW. They carried two guns and dressed in a manner to conceal themselves.
Mr. Al-Akbar encountered Caviness-Bey and the two teenagers in the 2600 block of University Place NW, where they tried to rob him. During the encounter, Mr. Al-Akbar was shot three times in the back. After he fell to the street, dying, he was shot a fourth time in the face with a second gun. Mr. Al-Akbar died in the street next to his bicycle and personal belongings, which were scattered around him.
Caviness-Bey and the teenagers fled after the shooting. One of the teenagers and Caviness-Bey fled into a dead-end alley behind an apartment building at the corner of 15th and Fuller Streets NW. Along the way, witnesses saw them discard the clothing they had worn to conceal themselves during the robbery. One of the witnesses also spotted them with a gun. The witness alerted the police to the alley that Caviness-Bey and the teenager ran into. The police found Caviness-Bey and the teenager hiding at the bottom of a basement stairwell. Nearby, the police found the two guns used to kill Mr. Al-Akbar. The police also found the discarded clothing in the alley and in the trash receptacles near the alley.
In announcing the guilty verdict, U.S. Attorney Machen commended the work of the detectives of the Criminal Investigations Division, crime scene officers, and the Third Police District of the Metropolitan Police Department, and the U.S. Park Police. He also expressed appreciation to those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Ortwein (now with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan), who secured the indictment in the case; Criminal Investigator Durand Odom; Jelahn Stewart, Michael Hailey, David Foster, Marcia Rinker, Melissa Milam, and Christina Principe, all of the Victim Witness Assistance Unit; Kimberly Smith, William Henderson, and Leif Hickling of the Litigation Technology Unit, Paralegal Specialists Marian Russell and Ethel Noble; the supervisors of the Appellate Division; and Librarian Lisa Kosow. Finally, he praised the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorney Shana L. Fulton who tried the case.
13-193Virginia Man Sentenced to Two Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
For Possession of Child PornographyWASHINGTON - Kevin Boteler, 56, of Richmond, Va., was sentenced today to two years in prison on a federal charge of possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr., Valerie Parlave, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's Washington Field Office, and Cathy L. Lanier, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Boteler pled guilty to the charge in December 2012 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. He was sentenced by the Honorable Emmet G. Sullivan. Upon completion of his prison term, Boteler will be placed on 10 years of supervised release.
According to the government's evidence, on Aug. 16, 2012, Boteler contacted an undercover officer with the FBI's Child Exploitation Task Force, who had entered a social network site. On Aug. 16 and Aug. 17, 2012, Boteler engaged in online e-mail and instant message conversations with the undercover officer, whom Boteler believed was the father of a child. During this period of time, Boteler arranged with the undercover officer to meet for the purpose of engaging in sexual acts with the minor. Boteler, however, backed out prior to meeting the undercover officer. During the course of their conversations, Boteler sent the undercover officer seven images of pre and post-pubescent female children posing nude. In addition, Boteler sent the undercover officer one video of child pornography.
This case was brought as part of the Department of Justice's Project Safe Childhood initiative and investigated by the FBI's Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes members of the FBI's Washington Field Office and MPD. Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute those who exploit children, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Machen, Assistant Director in Charge Parlave and Chief Lanier praised the work of the MPD Detectives and Special Agents of the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force. They also commended the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorney Ari Redbord, who prosecuted the case.
13-189
District Man Sentenced to 40 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
For Robbery of Senior Citizen
-Defendant Accosted the Victim in Broad Daylight in Northwest Washington-WASHINGTON – Reggie Gordon, 29, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to a 40-month prison term on a charge of robbery for an attack against a senior citizen that took place earlier this year in Northwest Washington, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced.
Gordon pled guilty in March 2013 in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The Honorable Heidi M. Pasichow sentenced him today. Upon completion of his prison term, Gordon will be placed on three years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence, Gordon accosted a 69-year-old man at about 2:40 p.m. on Feb. 8, 2013, in the area of 14th and Newton Streets NW. Gordon approached the victim from behind, with a knife in his hand, and demanded, “Give me the bag, give me the cash.” The victim handed over a bag, which contained cigarettes, and took money out of his pocket and handed it to Gordon. After Gordon fled, the victim flagged police, who immediately began searching the area. Gordon was stopped soon afterward by police and arrested.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Machen commended the work of the officers of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). He also praised those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialists Debra McPherson and Todd McClelland, Intelligence Specialist Sharon Johnson, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Ray. Finally, he thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Phil Selden, of the Fourth District Unit of the Felony Major Crimes Section, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
13-190District Man Sentenced to 17 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
For Fatal Stabbing in Southeast Washington
-Attack Followed Argument About the Victim’s Dog-WASHINGTON – Ellsworth Colbert, 57, was sentenced today to 17 years in prison on charges stemming from a slaying in Southeast Washington during an argument over the victim’s dog, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced.
Colbert, of Washington, D.C., was found guilty by a jury in January 2013 of manslaughter while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, and carrying a dangerous weapon. The verdict followed a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. He was sentenced by the Honorable Herbert B. Dixon, Jr. Upon completion of his prison term, Colbert will be placed on five years of supervised release.
According to the evidence at trial, Colbert and the victim, Robert L. Wright, 37, became embroiled in an argument on the morning of March 4, 2012, in front of Colbert’s house in the 3500 block of Pope Street SE, in the Penn-Branch neighborhood. The trouble began after Mr. Wright and a friend walked their dog on Colbert’s property. Colbert became enraged and brandished a knife and a walking stick.
The altercation moved up the street to the house where the dog was kept, located in the 3600 block of Highwood Drive. During the course of the argument, Colbert lunged at Mr. Wright and cut him in the neck with his knife. Mr. Wright then retrieved a nearby shovel, and the two continued their altercation in the middle of the street. During the course of the fracas, Colbert tackled Mr. Wright to the pavement, causing him to lose possession of the shovel. Colbert then stabbed Mr. Wright in the back, chest and abdomen resulting in his death.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Machen commended those who worked on the case for the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), including detectives, mobile crime technicians, and others. He acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialists Fern Rhedrick, San Lane, Phil Aronson, Kwasi Fields and Sharon Newman, Litigation Support Services Specialists Ron Royal and Josh Ellen; Intelligence Analyst Lawrence Grasso, and Victim Advocate Tamara Ince.
Finally, U.S. Attorney Machen commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert J. Feitel and Edward A. O’Connell, who prosecuted the case at trial.
13-188Former Corporate Officers of China-Based Oil and Gas CompanyRead the Press Release
Charged With Fraud and False StatementsWASHINGTON – The former president and CEO, and the former vice president of corporate finance of China North East Petroleum Holdings Limited (CNEP), an oil and gas company whose stock is traded in the United States, have been charged with defrauding investors in connection with public offerings of stock.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman of the Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Ronald C. Machen Jr.; Assistant Director in Charge George Venizelos of the FBI’s New York Field Office; and Chief Richard Weber of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), made the announcement.
Wang Hongjun, 41, and Chao Jiang, 32, both Chinese citizens residing in California and New York, respectively, were indicted on May 23, 2013, with one count of conspiracy to commit wire and securities fraud and four counts of securities fraud, which each carry a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison. Jiang is also charged with two counts of false statements to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) during sworn testimony, which each carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison. The indictment was made public today.
According to the indictment, Hongjun served as the president and CEO of CNEP from 2009 to 2010, and as the chairman of the Board of Directors beginning in 2010. Jiang served as the vice president of corporate finance and corporate secretary of CNEP from 2008 until approximately 2011. The charges allege that in June of 2009, CNEP registered a shelf offering with the SEC proposing to sell up to $40 million of CNEP common stock in the United States on the New York Stock Exchange. In September and December of 2009, CNEP made two separate offerings pursuant to the June registration. In documents filed with the SEC related to the offerings, and in other public statements to investors, Hongjun and Jiang informed investors that CNEP intended to use the funds raised from the securities offerings for general corporate purposes and to repay a prior corporate debt.
The indictment alleges that, instead of using the offering proceeds as represented to CNEP’s investors, Hongjun and Jiang misappropriated approximately $1,265,000 of the proceeds by wiring the money to bank accounts in the name of their family members – approximately $965,000 to Jiang’s father and approximately $300,000 to Hongjun’s wife – which was used, in part, to purchase a home in California, jewelry and a Mercedes-Benz.
In addition, the indictment alleges that Jiang testified falsely under oath to the SEC in Washington, D.C., about these transactions. In that testimony, Jiang stated that none of his family members had received anything of value over $500 from CNEP, despite having wired $965,000 from CNEP’s bank account to the account of his father. Jiang also testified falsely regarding the use of proceeds from the securities offerings.
An indictment is merely an accusation, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
In a related action, the SEC had previously filed a civil enforcement action against Hongjun, Jiang and others in the Southern District of New York.
The case was investigated by the FBI’s New York Field Office and IRS-CI. The department wishes to thank the SEC for its significant assistance in this case. The investigation is continuing.
This case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Daniel Kahn and Kevin Muhlendorf of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney David Johnson for the District of Columbia.
13-187Two Women Sentenced to Prison Terms for Their Roles in $1.3 Million Mortgage Fraud-Defendants Among Five People Convicted in Related Schemes-Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Orpel Tucker, 44, of Washington, D.C., and Tania Firmani, 46, of Brooms Island, Md., have been sentenced to prison terms for their roles in a mortgage fraud scheme which cost mortgage lenders more than $1.3 million.
Tucker was sentenced on May 16, 2013 to a 37-month prison term and Firmani was sentenced today to 15 months of incarceration. Both appeared before the Honorable Reggie B. Walton in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
The sentences were announced by U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr., Gary R. Barksdale, Inspector in Charge, Washington Division, U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Joseph W. Clarke, Special Agent in Charge of the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; Valerie Parlave, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, and William P. White, Commissioner of the District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking.
Tucker pled guilty in October 2010 to two charges: conspiracy to commit bank and mail fraud, and wire fraud. In addition to the prison term, Judge Walton ordered her to pay more than $1.3 million in restitution. He also signed a forfeiture order in the amount of $1.3 million. Upon completion of her prison term, Tucker will be placed on three years of supervised release.
Firmani pled guilty in July 2010 to conspiracy to commit bank and mail fraud. In addition to the prison term, Judge Walton ordered her to pay more than $1.3 million in restitution. Upon completion of her prison term, Firmani will be placed on three years of supervised release.
According to the statements of offense signed at the plea hearings, from September 2005 to April 2008, Tucker and Firmani, with the assistance of others, defrauded banks and other lenders of money through false statements and misrepresentations.
Tucker, Firmani, and others used about 20 residential real estate transactions to fraudulently obtain mortgage loans of over $7.5 million. Loan documents in support of these mortgages listed false employers and false salaries for the buyers, exaggerated the assets available to the buyers to pay back the loans and make cash contributions, and incorrectly listed the buyers’ intent to occupy the houses. The appraisals misrepresented the conditions of the homes, greatly enhancing the appraised prices, and by doing so, raising the amount of loans which the lenders were willing to extend.
During the settlement of the sales transactions, thousands of lender dollars were siphoned off through fake “renovation” invoices and misrepresentations on the settlement documents. Through this process, Tucker fraudulently obtained approximately $1.1 million, even though she was not the seller on any of the properties. Tucker used some of this money to pay for the assistance of others in the conspiracy, to share with a co-conspirator who brought her into the scheme, and to pay for bogus “down payments” for the buyers.
After closing, the co-conspirators failed to pay the mortgages on many of the properties. The lenders were forced to foreclose and resell the properties at a loss of over $1.3 million.
Firmani acted as the settlement agent in most of these transactions. She also assisted others in their mortgage schemes, including Akinola George, who was sentenced to 40 months in prison, and LaFrances Dudley O’Neal, who is pending sentencing after a jury trial.
George, 44, of Washington, D.C., pled guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and mail fraud. George was involved in 22 property sales and foreclosures cost those mortgage lenders $2 million. O’Neal, 49, of Clinton, Md., was found guilty by a jury of conspiracy and bank fraud charges. She was involved with seven real estate properties, with fraudulently obtained mortgages, all of which fell into foreclosure with a loss in excess of $950,000.
Another defendant, Donald Ramsey, 46, of Alexandria, Va., pled guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and bank fraud and is to be sentenced Aug. 2, 2013.He acted as a loan broker for O’Neal for some of her seven properties.
In announcing the sentences, U.S. Attorney Machen, Inspector in Charge Barksdale, Special Agent in Charge Clarke, Assistant Director in Charge Parlave and Commissioner White praised those who worked on the case from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development - Office of Inspector General, the FBI’s Washington Field Office, the District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities, and Banking, and the Metropolitan Police Department. They also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including: Forensic Accountant Crystal Boodoo; Paralegal Specialists Donna Galindo, Diane Hayes, Shanna Hays; former Paralegal Specialist Sarah Reis, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Lucas in the Asset Forfeiture Section. Finally, he acknowledged the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Virginia Cheatham, who investigated and prosecuted the cases.
13-183Two Men Found Guilty of Armed Robbery and Other Charges for Series of Attacks on Metro Passengers-Three Attacks Took Place Within One-Week Period-Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Alazajuan Gray, 20, and Clifton Smith, 21, have been found guilty of armed robbery and other charges stemming from a series of attacks, including three separate incidents against Metrorail passengers, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced today.
Gray, of Washington, D.C., and Smith, of Oxon Hill, Md., were found guilty by a jury on May 23, 2013 of armed robbery, robbery, obstruction of justice, threats, contempt of court, carrying a dangerous weapon and other charges. The verdicts followed a two-week trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The Honorable Herbert B. Dixon, Jr. scheduled sentencing for July 23, 2013. The defendants face a statutory maximum of 33 years in prison for armed robbery and additional time for the other offenses.
According to the government’s evidence, on Sept. 21, 2012, at about 11:30 p.m., Gray and Smith approached several college students who had recently moved to Washington, D.C. As these college students, including the victim, were on a Metrorail train at the Fort Totten station. Gray, who was armed with a handgun, took the victim’s iPhone and money. Smith encouraged Gray to take the victim’s property. The victim did not report the crime at the time; Smith told him not to “snitch” and tell the police or he would be harmed.
One week later, on Sept. 28, 2012, at 8:30 p.m. the victim, who was returning home from his part-time job he used to pay for community college, was at the Fort Totten Metro station and again encountered Gray and Smith. Gray approached him and flashed a gun. Gray and Smith chased the victim into the station’s kiosk. While inside the kiosk, Smith demanded if he was “snitching” and then assaulted the victim. Gray and Smith fled, but soon were caught by police.
Neither the gun nor the victim’s iPhone were found on either of the defendants. However, police found an iPhone near the location where Smith was stopped that night by the Metro Transit Police. The iPhone was linked to a separate Sept. 28, 2012 robbery. That robbery occurred at 7:30 p.m. on a Metrorail train at the Gallery Place/Chinatown station. In that incident, Gray grabbed an iPhone from a woman who had also recently moved to Washington, D.C. She was studying her graduate school homework as the train arrived at the station. After Gray snatched the iPhone, Smith then blocked the victim’s attempt to chase after Gray.
Cellular tower evidence placed Gray’s cell phone at the scene of the first armed robbery.
In announcing the verdicts, U.S. Attorney Machen commended the work of those who investigated the case for the Metropolitan Police Department. He also expressed appreciation to the Metro Transit Police and the FBI for assisting in the investigation. Finally, he acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialists Todd McClelland, Lynette Briggs, Lynda Randolph, and Kendrell Smith; Litigation Technology Specialists Anisha Bhatia, Thomas Royal, Will Henderson, Josh Ellen, Paul Howell, Claudia Gutierrez, and Leif Hickling; Victim/Witness Advocates Jennifer Clark and James Brennan, and Assistant U.S. Attorney’s Suzanne Curt and Chrisellen Kolb, Deputy Chiefs of the Appellate Division. Finally, he thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Phil Selden, of the Felony Major Crimes Section, who is prosecuting the matter.
13-184Two Leaders of “Show Out” Crew SentencedRead the Press Release
To More Than 10 Years in Prison for Series of Assaults
Four Others Earlier Sentenced; Group Targeted Victims in Chinatown and Other AreasWASHINGTON – Two leaders of a violent crew, both from Washington, D.C., were sentenced today to prison terms on charges stemming from various gang-related crimes, including beatings, attempted robberies, and obstructing justice, announced U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. and Cathy L. Lanier, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Bernard Trowell, also known as “McLovin,” and Deandre M. Williams, both 19, were among six men who pled guilty in February 2013, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to actively participating in a crew called “Show Out” that committed crimes in areas including Chinatown, Metro Center, NoMa, Bloomingdale, and Woodley Park. Since at least Jan. 1, 2012, the crew’s members canvassed the areas looking for targets of opportunity and teamed up to assault their victims, rob them of items of value, or both. They pursued people they thought were vulnerable to their surprise attacks, including people traveling alone to or from work, homeless people, and people distracted by their cellphones.
The crew also was accused of engaging in “flash mob” style robberies at drug stores, convenience stores, and gas stations, in which multiple members flooded in to the business at the same time, overwhelming and intimidating the staff, and stealing items.
The Honorable Lynn Leibovitz, who sentenced the defendants, said that the crew committed “violence for the sake of violence.”
Trowell was sentenced to 12 years in prison on one count each of conspiracy, aggravated assault, and committing a crime while affiliated with a criminal street gang.
Williams was sentenced to 11 years and four months in prison on one count each of aggravated assault, assault with significant bodily injury, obstructing justice, and committing a crime while affiliated with a criminal street gang.Upon completion of their prison terms, both defendants will be placed on three years of supervised release.
Judge Leibovitz sentenced the other four defendants on May 10, 2013. They included Quayshawn L. Leggett, 20, who also had a senior position in the group; James D. Matheny, 19; Ricardo J. Williams, 20, and Travis L. Morris, 21. All are from Washington, D.C.
Leggett and Matheny were sentenced to nine years in prison. Ricardo Williams was sentenced to 8 ½-years, and Morris was sentenced to six years and eight months in prison on one count each of aggravated assault and committing a crime while affiliated with a criminal street gang. They, too, will be placed on three years of supervised release after their prison terms.
As part of their plea agreements, the defendants, along with Trowell and Deandre Williams, admitted participating in various crimes, including these incidents:
-June 5, 2012: Beating in the 600 block of H Street NW
All six defendants who pled guilty in February admitted taking part in the beating of a man near a bus stop in the 600 block of H Street NW. As the victim approached the bus stop, at about 3:20 a.m., he was surrounded and assaulted. Deandre Williams and a juvenile member of Show Out knocked the man to the ground, and then multiple members punched, kicked and stomped him. Deandre Williams and others stole items from the victim while he was on the ground, including his cellphone and bank card. The victim was knocked unconscious for several minutes. He eventually found a police officer and received medical attention. He was treated later for a concussion, broken nose, and bruises to the head, face and torso.
--June 5, 2012: Beating near 2d and K Streets NW
Crew members targeted a second victim at about 3:45 a.m. The victim was walking to work near 2d and K Streets NW when Deandre Williams approached him and struck him repeatedly about the face and head with his fists. During this attack, Deandre Williams shouted racial slurs at the victim. The victim received medical treatment on the scene and later was given stitches to close a bleeding laceration to the side of his face. Deandre Williams pled guilty to assault with significant bodily injury for his role in this attack.
-June 7, 2012: “Flash Mob” near North Capitol Street and Florida Avenue
Ricardo Williams and several others approached a gas station and convenience store at about 4:20 a.m., in the area of North Capitol Street and Florida Avenue. After the station attendant opened the locked door, Williams and the others overwhelmed and intimidated him. They grabbed food or beverage items and fled without paying. Ricardo Williams pled guilty to attempted robbery for his participation in this attack.
-June 19, 2012: Obstruction of Justice
During the evening hours, Deandre Williams and others approached a former associate at a bus stop in Chinatown and threatened to kill him if he talked to police. Deandre Williams pled guilty to obstruction of justice for this incident.
-June 21, 2012: Attack at Metro Center
Leggett and others were on the lower platform at the Metro Center Metro station when they confronted a man at about 5:20 a.m. Leggett demanded money and threatened the victim. The victim did not give him any money, and one of the individuals punched him in the face, knocking him down. Leggett pled guilty to attempted robbery for his role in this attack.
-July 31-Aug. 1, 2012: Threats to Do Bodily Harm, Obstruction of Justice
Matheny posted audio recordings to his Facebook page, in which he is rapping. In three of them, he accused a Show Out member of “snitching.” The songs carried a threat that this member would be shot “on sight.” Matheny pled guilty to threats to do bodily harm and obstruction of justice for these threats.
As part of the plea agreement, the government dismissed charges against the defendants involving four other violent crimes that were charged in the indictment. The indictment covered a total of 10 violent crimes, nine of which occurred during a three-week period in June 2012.
Two other defendants in the case earlier pled guilty to charges. The investigation into other members of the crew is ongoing.
In announcing the sentences, U.S. Attorney Machen and Chief Lanier praised the work of the officers, detectives and crime scene technicians who worked on the case for the MPD. They also expressed appreciation for the efforts of the Metro Transit Police Department, which assisted in the investigation. Finally, they commended the efforts of those who are handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas Bednar and Clare Pozos, who are prosecuting the matter.
13-185Maryland Man and WomanRead the Press Release
Plead Guilty to Pandering Charge
-Two Admit Luring Young Woman Into Prostitution-
WASHINGTON - Amina Hamid 20, and Charles Mayberry, 19, both of Oxon Hill, Md., pled guilty today to a charge of pandering, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced.
Both defendants pled guilty in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The Honorable Robert I. Richter scheduled sentencing for July 19, 2013. They face a statutory maximum of five years in prison on the charge.
According to the government’s factual proffer at today’s plea hearing, in early 2013, Mayberry lured a young woman into working for him and Hamid by telling her that prostitutes who worked for him earned up to $1,000 per day. Thereafter, Hamid set up an ad on a website in which she advertised the young woman as “. . . the girl u can use like a toy.”
Hamid used her own cellphone number in the ad and handled calls from potential customers. Then she and Mayberry drove the young woman to agreed-upon locations with the customer. Hamid told her what to charge for various sex acts. The young woman turned over the proceeds to Hamid and Mayberry, who then gave her a share.
On May 10, 2013, an undercover police officer, posing as an interested customer, texted Hamid’s cell phone and made arrangements to meet the young woman at a hotel room on New York Avenue NE. Hamid and Mayberry delivered her to the hotel, where they waited for her to return with the money. When the undercover officer gave a pre-arranged signal, an arrest team moved in and arrested Hamid, Mayberry and the young woman.
In announcing today’s plea, U.S. Attorney Machen praised the work of the FBI/Metropolitan Police Department Joint Task Force on Human Trafficking, which investigated the case. He also commended the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Jason Manuel and Victim/Witness Advocate Tracey Hawkins. Finally, U.S. Attorney Machen commended Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter V. Taylor, who investigated and prosecuted this case.
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Three Defendants Plead Guilty to Participating in Ambush Murder and Attempted Murder of ICE Agents in MexicoFourth Defendant Pleads Guilty as Accessory After the Fact to AmbushRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Julian Zapata Espinoza, also known as “Piolin,” 32, pleaded guilty today to the 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 court also unsealed today the guilty pleas of three other defendants on related murder, attempted murder, racketeering and accessory charges.
The guilty pleas, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, were announced by Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Ronald C. Machen Jr.; Assistant Director Ronald T. Hosko of the FBI Criminal Investigative Division; and ICE Director John Morton.
As set forth in court filings, on Feb. 15, 2011, Espinoza, a commander in Los Zetas Cartel, a heavily armed Mexican narco-trafficking cartel and transnational criminal organization, attempted to hijack Special Agent Zapata’s and Special Agent Avila’s armored government vehicle as the agents were driving on Highway 57 in San Luis Potosi. Two armed Zetas hit squads, or “estacas,” forced the agents off the road and surrounded their vehicle. Espinoza, the leader of the attack, ordered the agents to exit their vehicle. When the agents refused and attempted to identify themselves as American diplomats from the U.S. Embassy, the hit squad members fired weapons near and into the vehicle, striking both agents. Estaca members continued to fire at the vehicle as the agents attempted to escape by driving away. Special Agent Zapata died as a result of the gunshot wounds he suffered during the attack, and Special Agent Avila was seriously injured.
On April 19, 2011, Espinoza was indicted by a federal grand jury in the District of Columbia on multiple counts pertaining to the murder of ICE Special Agent Zapata and the attempted murder of ICE Special Agent Avila and, on Dec. 20, 2011, was extradited from Mexico to the United States. This morning, the defendant entered a guilty plea before Chief Judge Royce C. Lamberth to the murder of Special Agent Zapata, an officer and employee of the United States, and the attempted murder of Special Agent Avila, an officer and employee of the United States.
In addition to the announcing the guilty plea of Espinoza, prosecutors also announced related guilty pleas by three other defendants. Ruben Dario Venegas Rivera, also known as “Catracho,” 25, 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, also known as “Cacho,” 30, pleaded guilty on Jan. 4, 2012, also to federal charges concerning the murder and attempted murder of the ICE agents. Francisco Carbajal Flores, also known as “Dalmata,” 38, 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 Feb. 15 attack.
All four defendants face a maximum sentence of life in prison. No sentencing date has been set for the defendants.
“Special Agent Zapata died for his country in a senseless and brutal attack, and Special Agent Avila was grievously wounded in the same ambush by members of Los Zetas Cartel,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Raman. “Both men are American heroes who dedicated themselves to protecting the United States, only to be attacked by vicious thugs. I hope that today’s announcement of guilty pleas by the Cartel members directly responsible for the attack brings some measure of justice to the victims and their families. A team of dedicated prosecutors and investigators has worked day and night to identify and hold these defendants accountable. Our work is far from over, and we will continue to devote our full resources and work with our law enforcement partners here and abroad to investigate and prosecute those responsible.”
“The deadly ambush of two highly dedicated and courageous American law enforcement officers by the Los Zetas drug cartel demanded an intense, dedicated and forceful response,” said U.S. Attorney Machen. “The message to any criminal who dares to commit an act of violence against a U.S. law enforcement officer serving in a foreign land is unmistakable - if you commit such a heinous crime, we will not forget, we will not falter, and we will not rest until you are brought to justice. Our work in this critical case will continue until all of those who participated in the murder of Special Agent Zapata and attempted murder of Special Agent Avila are held accountable.”
“With the assistance of our law enforcement partners, assailants responsible for murdering Agent Zapata and wounding Agent Avila have been brought to justice,” said FBI Assistant Director Hosko. “While there is nothing we can do to change what happened that fateful day in Mexico, let it be known that an attack against any federal agent serving his or her country is an attack on all federal agents and as such remains a priority for the FBI until those responsible are brought to justice.”
“Today’s announcement is a very important milestone in the effort to see that justice is served in the murder of ICE Special Agent Zapata and the attempted murder of ICE Special Agent Victor Avila,” said ICE Director Morton. “Both men were trying to make the world a safer place, and today’s result is a very welcome step to honor their service and sacrifice.”
This 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 Protection, the Diplomatic Security Service and the U.S. Marshals Service.
The case is being prosecuted by the Organized Crime and Gang Section and the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. The Office of International Affairs of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division provided substantial assistance.
13-182District Man Sentenced to 7 1/2 Years in Prison for Hold-Up of Northwest Washington Store-Gun and Other Evidence Tied Him to the Crime-Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON - Torron Frieson, also known as Torron Frierson, 35, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to a 7 ½-year prison term on charges stemming from a robbery earlier this year of a liquor store and market in Northwest Washington, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced today.
Frieson pled guilty in March 2013, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to one count of robbery and two related firearms offenses. The Honorable Patricia A. Broderick sentenced him. Upon completion of his prison term, Frieson will be placed on three years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence, on Feb. 7, 2013, at about 8:35 p.m., Frieson entered the M & S Liquor Store and Market in the 200 block of Upshur Street NW. He pulled a mask over his face, grabbed a bag of chips, and walked to the cashier counter. As the cashier prepared to provide change for the chip purchase, Frieson walked into the cashier’s booth, produced a long black handgun, pointed it at the cashier, and grabbed money from the register.
The cashier attempted to move the gun away from him and a physical struggle ensued. During the struggle, the cashier was struck and items in the store were broken. Frieson’s gun and car keys fell to the floor, and parts of the mask came off his face. The cashier threw the gun down an aisle and ran out the store. Frieson then retrieved the gun, and fled the scene, leaving his cell phone behind.
Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) determined that the defendant had been in the store to purchase beer minutes before he returned for the robbery. Officers also determined that the set of keys left behind by the defendant belonged to a Dodge Durango parked in an alley by the store. Officers found a .45-caliber cartridge stamped 45 Colt Hornady inside the store near the cashier counter. The Dodge Durango was registered to Frieson.
Pursuant to a search warrant, the Dodge Durango was searched and the beer that Frieson had purchased minutes before the robbery was inside the car. Frieson also was identified in a photo array. Frieson was arrested on Feb. 15, 2013 at a residence in Northeast Washington. Inside of one of the bedrooms at the residence was a black Ruger .45 caliber revolver with six cartridges stamped 45 Colt Hornady.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Machen commended those who investigated 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 Debra McPherson, Victim/Witness Advocate Jennifer Clark, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Natalia Medina, who prosecuted the case.
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