District of Delaware
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Three Charged with Sex Trafficking a MinorRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. – Jamar Geeter, 38, of California, Jada Hasty, 29, of Pennsylvania, and Khloe Gregory, 21, of Tennessee, have been charged by criminal complaint with trafficking a minor across state lines for prostitution.
According to court documents, Geeter contacted the minor victim through social media. When the victim told Geeter that she had a difficult home life, Geeter promised to help her and convinced her to travel from her home in North Carolina to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Once the victim arrived, she was picked up by Hasty and Gregory. Geeter—who was incarcerated in California following a prior conviction for sex trafficking two minors—spoke to the victim over the phone. At that time, the victim learned that Geeter intended to force her to prostitute herself for Geeter’s financial benefit. Geeter, Hasty, and Gregory exerted control over the victim, including by destroying her personal phone and taking possession of her social-security card and birth certificate. Geeter also made various threats of violence towards the victim and her family if the victim left or did not otherwise comply with their rules. As a result, the victim engaged in prostitution in Delaware and gave the proceeds to Hasty and Gregory, at Geeter’s direction and for his ultimate benefit. Eventually, the victim was able to get away from Hasty and Gregory and ask a stranger to contact 911, at which point the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Delaware Violent Crime and Safe Streets Task Force and the Delaware State Police intervened.
Geeter, Hasty, and Gregory have been charged with sex trafficking of a child; conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking; and transportation of a minor for prostitution. If convicted on all charges, the defendants face a maximum term of life imprisonment with a mandatory minimum term of 15 years. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
“The alleged criminal conduct in this case is depraved: three adults are charged with preying on an unusually vulnerable child and subjecting her to both sexual exploitation and threats of physical violence,” said U.S. Attorney Benjamin L. Wallace. “We thank our law-enforcement partners at the FBI and DSP for the excellent investigative work that brought us to the point of charging. We now look forward to proving our case and getting justice for the victim in court.”
“I am proud of the diligent work of the FBI’s Delaware Violent Crime and Safe Streets Task Force and Delaware State Police which resulted in saving a young girl who was ruthlessly lured into human trafficking,” said FBI Baltimore SAC Jimmy Paul. “These arrests and prosecutions not only show the power of our partnerships here in Delaware, but the breadth and reach of the FBI as this investigation spans five states from North Carolina to Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and California. We will find and fully hold accountable anyone abusing our children.”
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Claudia L. Pare is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 25-692M, 25-693M, and 25-694M.
The charges contained in the criminal complaints are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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Semblex Corporation Agrees to Pay $3 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Relating to Paycheck Protection Program LoansRead the Press Release
Wilmington, Del. – Semblex Corporation, a Delaware corporation, agreed to pay $3,052,250 to resolve allegations that it improperly obtained a Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) for which it was not eligible.
PPP was an emergency loan program established by Congress in March 2020 under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, and administered by the SBA. It was created to support small businesses and ensure that they could continue to pay employees and meet other business expenses during the COVID-19 pandemic. To be eligible for a PPP loan, a business was required to certify that it had no more than 300 employees, including employees of any domestic and foreign affiliates.
Semblex engineers and manufactures advanced cold-formed fasteners and precision components for various applications across automotive, industrial, and consumer sectors. Semblex is indirectly, wholly owned by Jinhap Co., Ltd., a South Korean manufacturer.
In February 2021, Semblex applied for and obtained a $2,000,000 PPP loan after falsely certifying that it, together with its affiliates, had under 300 employees. Semblex later sought and received forgiveness from SBA of the full amount of that loan. Semblex, however, was ineligible for the loan because it, together with its affiliates including ultimate parent company Jinhap Co., had over 300 employees.
U.S. Attorney Benjamin L. Wallace made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Claudia L. Pare handled the case, with assistance from Christopher J. McClintock of the SBA.
The civil settlement includes the resolution of claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act. Under those provisions, a private party—known as a relator—can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. In this case, the relator will receive a share of the settlement.
Individuals with information about allegations of fraud involving COVID-19 are encouraged to report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. The settlement agreement is attached to this press release. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case No. 25-264-CFC.
The claims resolved by the settlement are merely allegations. There has been no determination of liability.
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Trucker Who Sexually Abused His Minor Relative Sentenced to over 27 Years for the Transportation, Receipt, and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. – David Morrison, an out-of-state truck driver, was sentenced on January 8, 2026, in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware for his crimes of transporting, receiving, and possessing child sexual abuse material (or CSAM). U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika imposed the sentence.
According to court documents and statements made in open court, the investigation into Morrison began after law enforcement received thirteen cyber tips from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children reporting that Morrison had uploaded (or attempted to upload) CSAM to his various digital accounts. Law enforcement learned that Morrison—a long-haul trucker—was in Smyrna, Delaware for work, and executed a federal search warrant of his truck. Following a search of Morrison’s phone, law enforcement located approximately 164 media files (25 videos and 139 pictures) containing CSAM, including files depicting the sexual exploitation of infants and toddlers. In those files, law enforcement identified images of a girl who appeared to be Morrison’s minor relative. That relative was subsequently interviewed and disclosed to law enforcement that Morrison sexually abused her on multiple occasions between the ages of 6 and 11. She also confirmed that she was the child pictured in several of Morrison’s photographs.
Morrison was sentenced to 327 months of imprisonment followed by 10 years of supervised release. Upon his release from prison, Morrison will be required to register as a sex offender.
U.S. Attorney Wallace stated, “There are no victims more vulnerable than children—and there are no victims for whom my Office will fight harder. This just sentence reflects the profound harm that David Morrison caused to his many victims, most especially his minor relative who Morrison repeatedly sexually abused. I thank our partners at HSI, whose excellent investigative work across multiple jurisdictions led to the arrest and conviction of this dangerous child predator.”
“David Morrison’s conduct was calculated, predatory, and caused profound harm to a vulnerable child. Homeland Security Investigations will never stop pursuing those who exploit children, whether they hide online or operate in plain sight,” said Special Agent in Charge of HSI Philadelphia, Eric D. McLoughlin. “This sentence underscores the strength of our partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware, whose prosecutors worked tirelessly alongside our agents to ensure justice was served. Together, we remain committed to identifying these predators, removing them from our communities, and seeking justice for survivors.”
Homeland Security Investigations investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Claudia L. Pare prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:23-cr-77.
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Fourth Defendant Sentenced to More than a Decade in Prison in Connection with Gang-Related Kidnapping and MurderRead the Press Release
Wilmington, Delaware – Yesterday, a fourth defendant was sentenced in connection with a kidnapping and murder committed by members of the Shotgun Crips gang, announced Benjamin L. Wallace, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware. Rodney Chambers, 34, who served as a lookout at both the site of the kidnapping in Wilmington, Delaware, and the site of the murder in Yeadon, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 12 years in prison. Chief District Judge Colm F. Connolly pronounced the sentence.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, the Shotgun Crips targeted the victim, a 35-year-old Wilmington resident, after he and gang member Kimon Burton-Roberson became embroiled in a dispute. Shortly after midnight on July 21, 2021, members of the gang—including Burton-Roberson, Jamil Salahuddin, and Josiah Rivera—invaded the victim’s home, while Chambers stayed outside to monitor for police. The men inside the home beat the victim with a tire iron and a pry bar, bound his hands behind his back with zip ties, and forced him into Burton-Roberson’s Jeep, which was being driven by Stephanie Bultes-Ramirez. The gang then drove the victim to Philadelphia, continuing to beat him on the drive. In Philadelphia, they picked up gang higher-up Dwayne Alexander, who directed the gang to an industrial park in Yeadon. There, Burton-Roberson executed the still-bound victim by shooting him in the head with an assault rifle. Chambers also monitored for police during the murder at the industrial park. After the murder, the gang tried to cover its tracks by, among other things, scrubbing the Jeep for forensic evidence and terminating service on the cell-phone numbers they had been using that night.
Three other defendants were sentenced earlier this month—Kimon Burton-Roberson to life in prison, Jamil Salahuddin to 17.5 years in prison, and Stephanie Bultes-Ramirez to 10 years in prison. Dwayne Alexander is awaiting sentencing in federal court. Josiah Rivera is awaiting sentencing in the Superior Court for the State of Delaware. Rivera was not charged federally because he was a minor at the time of the crime.
“Rodney Chambers had a hand in an atrocious crime that took a beloved son, brother, and uncle from his family,” said U.S. Attorney Wallace. “We thank our law enforcement partners for the tireless work that resulted in a fourth just sentence of at least a decade in this case. We will continue to work shoulder-to-shoulder with our partners to stamp out gang violence here in Delaware.”
“His sentencing is the final step towards holding Rodney Chambers accountable for the life he took,” said FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul. “This investigation demonstrates the FBI’s commitment to working with our partners to bring to justice those who use violence to harm and intimidate our community.”
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Delaware Violent Crime and Safe Streets Task Force, the Wilmington Police Department, the Yeadon Borough Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, and Delaware Probation and Parole. U.S. Attorney Benjamin L. Wallace and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle L. Morgan (now with the Eastern District of Pennsylvania) handled the third superseding indictment, the trial, and the sentencings of all defendants. Others involved in the investigation and prosecution include Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin P. Pierce, Ruth Mandelbaum (now with the Eastern District of Pennsylvania), and Maureen McCartney (also now with the Eastern District of Pennsylvania), as well as former Assistant U.S. Attorney Eli H. Klein.
A copy of this press release can be located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case No. 22-CR-17-CFC.
Nikon SLM Solutions Agrees to Pay $1.37 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Relating to Paycheck Protection Program LoansRead the Press Release
Wilmington, Delaware–U.S. Attorney Benjamin L. Wallace announced today that Nikon SLM Solutions NA, Inc. (“SLM”) agreed to pay more than $1.3 million to resolve allegations that it improperly obtained a Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) for which it was not eligible.
PPP was an emergency loan program established by Congress in March 2020 under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act and administered by the SBA. It was created to support small businesses and ensure that they could continue to pay employees and meet other business expenses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether an applicant qualified as a small business was determined, in part, by assessing the number of employees of the business, including any domestic and foreign affiliates. In early 2021, Congress authorized a second tranche of loans, referred to as second draw loans, that were available under more restrictive eligibility rules to certain small businesses that had already obtained a first draw loan.
SLM is a subsidiary of a global provider of integrated metal additive manufacturing solutions, headquartered in Lübeck, Germany. The United States contends that SLM obtained a PPP loan that it was not eligible for because it exceeded the size requirements for a second draw PPP loan. Specifically, SLM was ineligible for the PPP loan because it, together with its foreign affiliates, had over 300 employees. After the conduct that was the subject of the United States’ investigation, SLM’s parent company was acquired by Nikon Corporation, the publicly listed Japanese company.
“PPP was established to provide necessary support for American small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Wallace. “When larger, international companies sought and obtained those loans, they frustrated the purpose of the program and deprived qualifying small businesses of much needed funds to keep American workers employed. Our office will continue to investigate and aggressively seek to recover funds that were obtained from the Paycheck Protection Program by ineligible borrowers.”
The civil settlement includes the resolution of claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act. Under those provisions, a private party—known as a relator—can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. Verity Investigations, LLC v. Nikon SLM Solutions NA, Inc., 25-cv-103-CFC (D. Del.). The relator will receive a share of the settlement.
This matter was handled by Civil Chief Dylan J. Steinberg.
Individuals with information about allegations of fraud involving COVID-19 are encouraged to report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only. There has been no determination of liability.
A copy of this press release and the settlement agreement are located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware.
settlement_agreement_v.7.pdfMedical Biller Charged with Diverting Opioids and Federal Health Care FraudRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. – Benjamin L. Wallace, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced today that a federal grand jury in Wilmington, Delaware, returned an indictment charging Ty Mauldin, 34, of South Dakota, with ordering thousands of opioid pills by stealing the identity of medical professionals with whom he worked. The grand jury also charged Mauldin with health care fraud for causing fraudulent submissions to Medicaid and a private health insurer.
According to court documents, Mauldin worked as a medical biller and credentialer, that is, he helped medical professionals and organizations contract with health insurers, including Medicaid, and helped medical providers bill those insurers for services. Through that business, Mauldin gained access to the professional licensure information for medical professionals. He used that access—and the name and licensure information of medical professionals—to order himself thousands of opioid pills through wholesale pharmaceutical suppliers and prescribe himself opioids. He did that without the approval—or the knowledge—of the medical professionals whose name and licensure information he used.
Mauldin also used his access to his own electronic medical records to falsify his own personal health records. He used those falsified health records, and additional forged medical documents, to present as a cancer patient requiring pain management services. Based on those false representations, he was treated by a pain management doctor and caused his private health insurer to pay for those services. Those services included the installation of an intrathecal pain pump and the prescription of opioids, all done based on Mauldin’s forged medical records.
Mauldin also represented himself as a certified health professional to those with whom he worked. At different times, he falsely represented himself as a licensed nurse. He also obtained a medical assistant certification by fraud. Based on those false representations, Mauldin convinced a Nurse Practitioner to allow him to perform Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation therapy on patients. Mauldin also represented to patients that he was a nurse. Mauldin then submitted false claims to Medicaid for reimbursement for performing Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation therapy.
U.S. Attorney Wallace commented, “Ty Mauldin’s actions resulted in the illegal diversion of thousands of doses of opioid medication. And his actions falsely portraying himself as a medical professional undermine the public’s confidence in our health system. My office and our partners will continue to do everything in our power to prevent the illegal diversion of opioids and will pursue to the fullest extent of the law those who pose a public health threat to our communities.”
“Ty Mauldin is a con artist and charlatan who abused privileged information obtained through his job to fuel his drug addiction. But his crimes didn’t end there. Mauldin recklessly masqueraded as a medical professional. His schemes and lies endangered innocent patients. The FBI will rigorously investigate allegations of healthcare fraud and root out criminals seeking to take advantage of our systems and put others in harm’s way,” said FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul.
“We cannot, must not, and will not tolerate healthcare fraud. The crimes and lies that rob the healthcare system prey on taxpayers and pick the pockets of everyone who relies on quality medical care. We will continue to investigate and hold accountable those who defraud our healthcare system. I’m grateful for our federal partners’ leadership on this indictment,” said Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings.
Mauldin is charged with thirteen counts of Aggravated Identity Theft, two counts of Health Care Fraud, and seven counts of obtaining drugs by fraud. If Mauldin is ultimately convicted, a federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Delaware Department of Justice’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jesse S. Wenger and William E. LaRosa.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information can be located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case No. 25-CR-147-JLH.
Benjamin L. Wallace Appointed United States Attorney for the District of DelawareRead the Press Release
Wilmington, Delaware – Acting pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 546(d), the United States District Court for the District of Delaware has appointed Benjamin L. Wallace to serve as the United States Attorney for the District.
Ben is a native Delawarean. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia, and his law degree from Yale Law School. After law school, Ben clerked for Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Anthony Kennedy of the Supreme Court of the United States, Judge Sri Srinivasan of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, and Judge Raymond Kethledge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Ben also served as an attorney-adviser in the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Counsel. In that role, he advised the President and Executive Branch agencies on complex questions of constitutional and statutory law. Immediately before returning home to Delaware, Ben was a partner at the Washington, D.C., office of a national law firm.
Ben has been a member of the U.S. Attorney’s Office since 2023. As a line prosecutor, he handled all manner of federal cases, from gang-related homicides to complex financial frauds. In July 2025, Ben became the First Assistant U.S. Attorney, supervising all criminal prosecutions and all civil suits brought by or against the United States in the District.
U.S. Attorney Wallace stated, “I am honored to serve my home state as the U.S. Attorney. I will work tirelessly to ensure that justice is administered effectively and evenhandedly here in Delaware. I want to thank the President, the Attorney General, and the Judges of our District Court for the confidence they have placed in me. I also want to thank my predecessor, Julianne Murray, for her partnership and her steadfast service to the state. I pledge to do my utmost to uphold the proud traditions of our exemplary U.S. Attorney’s Office.”
For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware, please visit our website and follow us on social media.
Three Sentenced in Connection with Gang-Related Kidnapping and Murder; Shooter Receives Life SentenceRead the Press Release
Wilmington, Delaware – Last week, three defendants were sentenced in connection with a kidnapping and murder committed by members of the Shotgun Crips gang, announced Julianne E. Murray, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware. Kimon Burton-Roberson, 32, who executed the victim by shooting him in the head with an assault rifle, received a life sentence. Jamil Salahuddin, 22, who helped abduct the victim out of his Wilmington home and beat him in the head with a tire iron, received a sentence of 17.5 years in prison. And Stephanie Bultes-Ramirez, 27, who drove the vehicle in which the victim was transported from Wilmington to Philadelphia and ultimately to the murder scene in Yeadon, Pennsylvania, received a sentence of 10 years in prison. Chief District Judge Colm F. Connolly pronounced the sentences.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, the Shotgun Crips targeted the victim, a 35-year-old Wilmington resident, after he and Burton-Roberson became embroiled in a dispute. Shortly after midnight on July 21, 2021, members of the gang—including Burton-Roberson, Salahuddin, and Josiah Rivera—invaded the victim’s home. They beat the victim with a tire iron and a pry bar, bound his hands behind his back with zip ties, and forced him into Burton-Roberson’s Jeep, which was being driven by Bultes-Ramirez. The gang then drove the victim to Philadelphia, continuing to beat him on the drive. In Philadelphia, they picked up gang higher-up Dwayne Alexander, who directed the gang to an industrial park in Yeadon. There, Burton-Roberson executed the still-bound victim by shooting him in the head with an assault rifle. After the murder, the gang tried to cover its tracks by, among other things, scrubbing the Jeep for forensic evidence and terminating service on the cell-phone numbers they had been using that night.
Two additional defendants are awaiting sentencing in federal court—Rodney Chambers, whose sentencing is scheduled for December 22, 2025, and Dwayne Alexander, whose sentencing is scheduled for January 27, 2026. A sixth defendant, Josiah Rivera, is awaiting sentencing in the Superior Court for the State of Delaware. Rivera was not charged federally because he was a minor at the time of the crime.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Murray stated, “This crime was utterly depraved, and these lengthy prison sentences reflect the egregiousness of the offense. The Department of Justice hopes that this case will send a clear message to other would-be gang members: gang-related violence will be met with the harshest possible penalties for all involved, no matter how large or small their role.”
“The FBI is proud to work alongside our state and local law enforcement partners to ensure the violent gang members involved in this horrific crime are held fully accountable. We hope their sentencings, including Kimon Burton-Roberson’s life sentence, deliver a sense of justice to the victim’s grieving family,” said FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul. “This investigation demonstrates the FBI’s relentless determination to remove violent offenders from our communities.”
“We appreciate the efforts of the Department of Justice to ensure that these violent offenders are held accountable for their actions,” said Wilmington Police Chief Wilfredo Campos. “These lengthy prison sentences send a clear message that senseless violence like this will never be tolerated.”
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Delaware Violent Crime and Safe Streets Task Force, the Wilmington Police Department, the Yeadon Borough Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, and Delaware Probation and Parole. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Benjamin L. Wallace and Michelle L. Morgan (now with the Eastern District of Pennsylvania) handled the third superseding indictment, the trial, and the sentencings of all defendants. Others involved in the investigation and prosecution include Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin P. Pierce, Ruth Mandelbaum (now with the Eastern District of Pennsylvania), and Maureen McCartney (also now with the Eastern District of Pennsylvania), as well as former Assistant U.S. Attorney Eli H. Klein.
A copy of this press release can be located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case No. 22-CR-17-CFC.
Persico USA Agrees to Pay $1.46 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Relating to Paycheck Protection Program LoansRead the Press Release
Persico USA Agrees to Pay $1.46 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Relating to Paycheck Protection Program Loans
Wilmington, Delaware – First Assistant U.S. Attorney Julianne E. Murray announced today that Persico USA, Inc. (“Persico”) agreed to pay more than $1.4 million to resolve allegations that it improperly obtained a Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) for which it was not eligible.
PPP was an emergency loan program established by Congress in March 2020 under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act and administered by the SBA. It was created to support small businesses and ensure that they could continue to pay employees and meet other business expenses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether an applicant qualified as a small business was determined, in part, by assessing the number of employees of the business, including any domestic and foreign affiliates. In early 2021, Congress authorized a second tranche of loans, known as second draw loans, that were available to certain small businesses that had already obtained a first draw loan.
Persico is a subsidiary of a multinational entity that manufactures and sells equipment for the automotive, rotomoulding, marine, and medical industries. The United States contends that Persico obtained a PPP loan that it was not eligible for because it exceeded the size requirements for a second draw PPP loan. Specifically, Persico was ineligible for the PPP loan because it, together with its foreign affiliates, had over 300 employees.
“PPP was designed keep small businesses afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Murray. “Multinational companies that obtained loans for which they did not qualify deprived small businesses of funding intended to keep American workers employed. Our office will continue to investigate and aggressively pursue any instances of fraud or misconduct within the Paycheck Protection Program.”
The civil settlement includes the resolution of claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act. Under those provisions, a private party—known as a relator—can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. Verity Investigations, LLC v. Persico USA, Inc., 25-cv-260-CFC (D. Del.). The relator will receive a share of the settlement.
This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney William E. LaRosa.
Individuals with information about allegations of fraud involving COVID-19 are encouraged to report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only. There has been no determination of liability.
executed_persico_agreement_0.pdfConvicted Kidnapper Sentenced to 75 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Wilmington, Delaware – Julianne E. Murray, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced that, on November 25, 2025, Tonnaire McNair-Matthews, 26, was sentenced to a total of 900 months—or 75 years—in federal prison for six offenses, including kidnapping, carjacking, robbery, and related firearms offenses. McNair-Matthews was convicted on all counts after a trial in July 2024. Chief U.S. District Judge Colm F. Connolly pronounced the sentence.
According to court records and evidence presented at the four-day trial, McNair-Matthews conspired with David Hinson, 23, Michael Caldwell, 21, and Mahkiya Powell, 20, to rear-end unsuspecting drivers with a stolen Jeep Grand Cherokee and then rob the drivers when they got out to inspect their vehicles for damage. After three unsuccessful attempts, McNair-Matthews rear-ended the victim’s vehicle. When the victim got out, McNair-Matthews abducted her at gunpoint, forcing her back into the passenger seat of her own vehicle.
McNair-Matthews then drove the victim, against her will, from Delaware into Pennsylvania. During the ride, McNair-Matthews demanded the PIN code for the victim’s bank cards, forced her to disrobe, and digitally penetrated her against her will. McNair-Matthews then stopped the vehicle and forcibly raped the victim at gunpoint. Ultimately, McNair-Matthews abandoned the victim in Pennsylvania. He drove her vehicle back to Delaware, where he visited various convenience stores and used her stolen bank cards and PIN code to withdraw money from ATMs.
McNair-Matthews then reunited with Hinson, Powell, and Caldwell in Wilmington. Once there, he provided his co-conspirators with the victim’s bank cards and PIN, as well as the firearm he had used in the carjacking and rape. Hinson, Powell, and Caldwell then cleaned the victim’s car and stole her purse. After McNair-Matthews changed clothes in an attempt to evade detection, the four men met up at a Wilmington gas station, where law enforcement located them. As soon as law enforcement arrived, McNair-Matthews and Powell fled, leading law enforcement on a high-speed chase in the stolen Jeep. McNair-Matthews and Powell temporarily evaded capture, but McNair-Matthews was found in Maryland just three days later.
“This was a calculated, predatory attack that shattered an innocent woman’s sense of safety,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Murray. “The Court’s sentence delivers justice for a survivor who showed extraordinary courage. Moreover, it sends a clear message that those who terrorize our communities with violence, intimidation, and exploitation will be pursued, prosecuted, and held fully accountable. Finally, I commend the vigilant work of the FBI, the Delaware State Police, and the Pennsylvania State Police for swiftly bringing the defendant to justice.”
“This lengthy sentence of 75 years reflects the gravity of the atrocious crimes Tonnaire McNair-Matthews committed,” said FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul. “He created a living nightmare for an innocent woman who was simply driving to work one morning. McNair-Matthews ruthlessly attacked, kidnapped, and raped her. He and his co-conspirators then continued their crime spree, putting even more people in harm’s way by fleeing from the quick-responding law enforcement officers who caught up with them. McNair-Matthews repeatedly showed he has no consideration or regard for others’ safety. No doubt, our Delaware citizens are safer today with him behind bars where he can no longer inflict violence and pain on others.”
“The Delaware State Police appreciates the collaborative efforts of the federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, as well as the dedicated work of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Delaware Department of Justice in securing a meaningful sentence for this violent crime,” said Colonel William D. Crotty, Superintendent of the Delaware State Police. “This case demonstrates our shared commitment to thoroughly investigate violent crimes, support victims, and safeguard the people of Delaware.”
“The Pennsylvania State Police Troop K, Media Station is pleased with the result of the sentencing hearing and that justice was served on behalf of the victim,” said Captain Jon Sunderlin of the Pennsylvania State Police. “This investigation was an excellent example of local, state, and federal agencies working together.”
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Delaware Violent Crime and Safe Streets Task Force, the Delaware State Police, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Wilmington Police Department, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Delaware Department of Justice. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin P. Pierce and Samuel S. Frey, along with Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Diana Dunn.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER.
Wilmington Man Charged After Machinegun and Manifesto are FoundRead the Press Release
Wilmington, Delaware – On November 26, 2025, a Wilmington resident was charged with illegally possessing a machinegun, announced Julianne E. Murray, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware.
According to court documents, on Monday, November 24, 2025, at approximately 11:47 p.m., patrol officers of the New Castle County Police Department were conducting a property check in Canby Park West when they observed a white Toyota Tacoma in the parkland, after hours. Officers initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle and contacted the driver, and sole occupant, 25-year-old Luqmaan Khan of Wilmington. During the stop, officers developed probable cause to order Khan out of the vehicle, and he refused to comply. Subsequently, Khan resisted arrest and was taken into custody by the officers.
During their investigation, officers discovered in Khan’s vehicle a .357 caliber Glock handgun loaded with 27 rounds. The handgun had been inserted into a microplastic conversion firearm brace kit. Within the vehicle, officers also found all the following: (i) three more loaded, 27-round magazines (one in the storage slot of the conversion kit); (ii) a loaded Glock 9mm magazine; (iii) an armored ballistic plate; and (iv) a marble composition notebook.
In the handwritten notebook, Khan discussed additional weapons and firearms, how they could be used in an attack, and how law enforcement detection could be avoided once an attack was carried out. The notebook referenced a member of the University of Delaware’s Police Department by name, and included a layout of a building with entry and exit points under which the words “UD Police Station” were printed.
On November 25, 2025, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and NCCPD executed a search warrant at Khan’s Wilmington residence. Within, law enforcement recovered a Glock 19 9mm handgun equipped with an illegal machinegun conversion device, commonly called a “switch.” Law enforcement also recovered a .556 rifle with a scope and a red dot sight, eleven more extended magazines, hollow point rounds of ammunition, and a two-plate tactical vest equipped with a single ballistic plate.
The criminal complaint charges Khan with possessing a machinegun. If convicted of the charge, Khan faces a maximum penalty of 10 years of imprisonment. If Khan is ultimately convicted, a federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Castle County Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samuel S. Frey and Kevin P. Pierce, and Criminal Chief Carly A. Hudson, are prosecuting the case.
“This case is a quintessential example of federal and state law enforcement collaborating to neutralize a grave threat to Delaware before the worst could come to pass. I want to thank our dedicated law enforcement partners at the FBI and the NCCPD for their exceptional work. As always, we are proud to work with them to keep Delaware safe,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Murray.
“I commend the devoted officers with the New Castle County Police Department whose exceptional actions led to Khan’s arrest before anyone was harmed. We are grateful for the coordinated and swift collaboration between partners which resulted in this federal charge. The FBI’s Wilmington Resident Agency is dedicated to protecting the people of Delaware and working daily with our law enforcement partners to disrupt and hold accountable those who seek to commit acts of violence,” said FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul.
“Thanks to the proactive work of these patrol officers, a dangerous threat to our community was stopped before it could escalate into violence. Their professionalism, vigilance, and commitment to public safety embody the values we expect and the courage our residents depend on every day. We also extend our sincere thanks to our federal partners, whose collaboration was instrumental in bringing this incident to a safe and successful conclusion,” said Colonel James J. Leonard III of the New Castle County Police Department.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.Serial Fraudster Sentenced to 70 Months in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Wilmington, Delaware – U.S. Attorney Julianne E. Murray of the District of Delaware announced today that a Wilmington man was sentenced on September 18, 2025, to 70 months in prison for amassing over $900,000 in fraudulent proceeds through multiple fraud schemes over the course of years.
According to court documents, Crandall Speights, 43, drove around neighborhoods at night, rifled through mailboxes, and stole checks out of the mail. He then altered those checks and deposited them into bank accounts he controlled. From June 2019 – October 2021, he defrauded individuals and banks out of approximately $345,250 through this scheme.
At the same time, from June 2020 – April 2021, Speights submitted six fraudulent applications for loans available under the Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program—two COVID-19 relief programs designed to aid small business owners during the pandemic. Each loan claimed that Speights or an associate owned a small business they did not in fact own. Through this scheme, Speights defrauded the Small Business Administration out of approximately $559,999. Speights also moved these fraud proceeds between bank accounts he controlled in an effort to conceal their fraudulent nature.
A federal grand jury sitting in the District of Delaware returned an Indictment against Speights in September 2023. Speights was released on his own recognizance but was required to remain in the area and keep in contact with an assigned probation officer. Instead, Speights fled for approximately eight months, from May 2024 – January 2025. He was apprehended in an apartment in New Jersey, where law enforcement found additional checks, bank cards, and identifying information belonging to third parties. The checks found in Speights’ apartment totaled $53,760.
Speights admitted to spending fraud proceeds gambling and purchasing luxury goods. Law enforcement seized over 40 pieces of jewelry from Speights’ home with a total appraised value of approximately $477,705, including an 18-karat gold, diamond, and sapphire ring valued at $75,000 and a 1-karat gold bracelet valued at $102,900. Law enforcement also seized 11 fur coats, shawls, and hats from Speights’ apartment with a total appraised value of approximately $56,250.
Julianne Murray, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, stated, “Fraudsters do real damage to our community, by altering checks found in the mail, diverting taxpayer funds, and looting government programs. We will work hard to ensure that wrongdoers are brought to justice, and that no one may divert people’s hard-earned money for their own personal gain.”
Yury Kruty, Special Agent in Charge, IRS-Criminal Investigation stated, "This is an important victory for the American public. Not only is a criminal going to jail for his crimes, but the government has seized a significant portion of the illegal proceeds through asset forfeiture. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners and investigate criminals who engage in such brazen and fraudulent conduct.
“Protecting the mail from theft is a core mission of the Postal Inspection Service,” said Christopher Nielsen, Inspector in Charge of the Philadelphia Division. “By perpetrating mail theft, Mr. Speights harmed real people who were using the mail to pay their bills. By filing false claims on government benefit programs, Mr. Speights deprived others of needed assistance. I want to recognize the hard work of the Inspectors and the Special Agents from the IRS who worked this investigation. I also want to acknowledge the efforts of the United States Attorney’s Office in Delaware for their continued support in investigating and prosecuting these cases."
The IRS–Criminal Investigation and U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carly A. Hudson prosecuted the case.
Former Chief and Captain of Bethany Beach Police Department Receive Prison Sentences for Theft of Federal FundsRead the Press Release
Wilmington, Del. – Two men, the former Chief and Captain of the Bethany Beach Police Department, have been sentenced to terms of imprisonment for theft of federal funds, announced U.S. Attorney Julianne E. Murray. Michael Redmon, 58, of Selbyville, was sentenced to 13 months in prison, and ordered to pay restitution of $81,890 and a fine of $50,000. Darin Cathell, 50, of Frankford, was sentenced to two months in prison followed by six months of home detention and ordered to pay restitution of $67,790 and a fine of $25,000.
According to court documents, Redmon, the former Chief of the Department, and Cathell, the former Captain of the Department, spent years claiming to work overtime shifts that they did not, in fact, work. Redmon falsely claimed at least 174 overtime shifts, totaling at least 760 hours and at least $81,890. Cathell falsely claimed at least 185 overtime shifts, totaling at least 800 hours and at least $67,970. Some of the funds Redmon and Cathell received were federal grant funds.
U.S. Attorney Murray stated, “Michael Redmon and Darin Cathell were sworn to uphold the law. They instead broke it – over and over, for years and years – to the detriment of the Town of Bethany Beach, their fellow officers in the Bethany Beach Police Department, and indeed every citizen who puts their faith in law enforcement. These just sentences reflect the seriousness of the defendants’ crimes.”
“Not only did they fail to lead by example, Michael Redmon and Darin Cathell betrayed the Bethany Beach community and their police colleagues. Their greed fueled a lengthy overtime fraud scheme, overtaking the oath they swore. As these sentences show, no one is above the law and the FBI is committed to rooting out corruption on behalf of the hard-working officers who carry out their duties honestly and honorably," said FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno.
U.S. Attorney Murray made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Colm F. Connolly. The case was prosecuted by First Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin L. Wallace and investigated by the FBI and the Delaware Attorney General’s Office.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 25-CR-01-CFC and 25-CR-02-CFC.
Employee Retention Credit Tax Scheme Lands Philadelphia Man in Federal Prison for Three YearsRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. – Julianne E. Murray, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced that Carnell Ragan, 59, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to three years in federal prison for assisting in the filing of false tax forms. Ragan was also ordered to pay over $1.6 million in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Chief U.S. District Judge Colm F. Connolly pronounced the sentence.
Congress created the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) to provide emergency financial assistance in connection with the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The ERC was introduced in 2020 to incentivize businesses to continue paying employees by providing, at first, for a 50% credit on up to $10,000 in wages paid to each employee for the calendar year for businesses closed by government order or who had a 50% drop in gross receipts due to the pandemic. By 2021, the percentage credit increased to 70% per employee per quarter. To obtain ERC, entities had to file an IRS Form 941 setting forth their eligibility for ERC
According to court documents, Ragan recruited over 20 people to take part in his ERC scheme. Each of those people maintained a business entity that was not entitled to ERC because the relevant business was either non-operational or did not have paid employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ragan knew those people and entities were not entitled to ERC but nonetheless used their information to file false Forms 941 with the IRS seeking over $20 million in ERC. Based on those false tax filings, the IRS issued checks worth over $1.6 million to entities, including over $800,000 to a Delaware registered business, that were not entitled to those funds.
U.S. Attorney Murray commented on the case, “Ragan took advantage of pandemic relief funds that were intended to help those harmed most by the pandemic. He shamelessly enriched himself and his friends at the expense of the American taxpayer. My office and our law enforcement partners will continue to investigate and hold responsible all those who stole COVID-19 pandemic relief funds that were intended to help hard working Americans cope with the financial fallout from the pandemic.”
"Today's sentencing is a strong reminder that those who find ways to fraudulently benefit from government programs meant to help struggling businesses will be brought to justice," said Yury Kruty, Special Agent in Charge, Philadelphia Field office, IRS Criminal Investigation. "Those who line their pockets with profits from these schemes should know they will not go undetected and will be held accountable."
This case was investigated by IRS-CI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jesse S. Wenger.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case No. 25-CR-0009-CFC.
Wilmington Restaurant Owner Pleads Guilty to Tax Evasion and Failure to Pay Employment Taxes on Behalf of Cash-paid EmployeesRead the Press Release
Wilmington, Del. – Domenico Mazzella, the owner and operator of a Wilmington restaurant, Mazzella’s Italian Restaurant, pleaded guilty in federal court to a multi-year scheme to evade taxes, announced Julianne E. Murray, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware. Mazzella pleaded guilty to four counts of tax evasion and twelve counts of failure to collect, account for, and pay over trust fund taxes.
According to court documents and statements made in court, from at least 2017 through 2020, Mazzella defrauded the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”). Mazzella failed to pay required employment taxes by paying a number of employees entirely in cash and concealing this cash payroll from his tax preparer. Mazzella also attempted to evade a substantial portion of his personal income tax by diverting over $600,000 from the business’s bank accounts to his personal account, falsely characterizing the payments as reimbursements for business expenses. Mazzella’s overstatement of expenses caused his tax preparer to underreport the restaurant’s income, which in turn caused Mazzella’s personal income to be substantially underreported on his tax returns.
Mazzella has agreed to pay restitution to the IRS in the amount of $549,370.39, consisting of evaded income taxes and employment taxes. At sentencing, he faces a maximum of five years in prison for each of the 16 counts of conviction. The Court will determine Mazzella’s sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors required by federal law.
“Domenico Mazzella’s actions were a deliberate attempt to cheat the American public and gain an unfair advantage over law-abiding businesses and citizens,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “This plea demonstrates that our office, working with our law enforcement partners, will aggressively pursue those who willfully evade their tax obligations.”
“IRS-Criminal Investigation takes these violations of law very seriously,” said Yury Kruty, Special Agent in Charge of the Philadelphia Field Office. “This plea exhibits a positive message to honest taxpayers and further demonstrates that the IRS and U.S. Attorney’s Office are duty bound to protect the integrity of the U.S. tax administration system, and to make sure everyone complies with their tax obligations."
The case was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan C. Williamson is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case No. 25-113-GBW.
Leader of Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. – Julianne E. Murray, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced that on August 24, 2025, Dwayne Fountain, 54, of Middletown, was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, four counts of possession with intent to distribute, and two counts of distribution of controlled substances. Dwayne Fountain was convicted after a trial in March 2025. Chief U.S. District Judge Colm F. Connolly pronounced the sentence, finding that the defendant was a leader of a drug trafficking organization. The amount of fentanyl seized from this organization, over ten kilograms, represents the largest known fentanyl seizure in Delaware history.
This case was the result of a long-term investigation spearheaded by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Delaware State Police, and Dover Police Department. The evidence at trial showed that Dwayne Fountain bought kilograms of drugs from his suppliers and added ingredients like xylazine, also known as “tranq,” to make the drugs more potent and profitable. Agents found a kilogram press in a home he owned in Middletown, which was used to put the drugs back into “brick” form after they were adulterated. The defendant also rented an apartment in Bear, Delaware, where he stored his inventory of drugs. Search warrants executed in the case led to the seizure of over 10.5 kilograms of fentanyl, over 200 grams of 100% pure methamphetamine, over 3.5 kilograms of cocaine, and nearly 3 kilograms of heroin.
The government stressed at sentencing that the defendant knowingly placed the public in danger by mixing and selling drugs that frequently cause overdoses and deaths. On a recorded call, the defendant admitted that he knew the drugs he was selling could kill people stating, “They said it's too strong, come on man... We all got some sh*t that can make a [person]die. For real, for real. You gotta know how to mix it right.” The defendant also stored his drugs in the same apartment where his teenaged son lived, and he coached his other son about how to manage a drug operation on wiretap calls.
U.S. Attorney Murray commented, “The defendant well knew the danger he was causing, both to his own family and to the public. He sold drugs anyway, for no reason other than the desire to make money. The Court’s sentence sends the right message – selling drugs, especially fentanyl – will land you in federal prison for many years.”
“Law Enforcement took Dwayne Fountain off the streets in 2023. He was enriching himself by selling poison in our community on a scale not often seen. Surely this arrest was a contributor to the 36% drop in overdose deaths recorded in Delaware in 2024,” offered Dover Police Chief Thomas Johnson. “I understand and acknowledge the broader effort in reducing the overdose death rate in the First State, but sometimes we forget the months of crime fighting efforts put in by our police officers. Cases that involve both physical and electronic surveillance are labor intensive and require considerable sacrifice. This was a tremendous effort by all the involved officers. They made Dover a little safer and they certainly saved lives.”
“This case serves as a reminder of the dangers our communities face from fentanyl and other synthetic opioids,” said Colonel William D. Crotty, Superintendent of the Delaware State Police. “The amount of fentanyl seized in this case could have led to countless overdoses. Thanks to the dedication and teamwork of our detectives and federal partners, a major supplier has been taken off the streets, and lives were undoubtedly saved.”
“Dwayne Fountain was poisoning our communities through the distribution of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine. Working with our law enforcement partners from the Delaware State Police, Dover Police Department, and the United States Attorney’s Office, Mr. Fountain was brought to justice through his sentencing to a 25-year term of incarceration,” stated Special Agent in Charge Thomas Hodnett, DEA Philadelphia Field Division.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer K. Welsh and Samuel S. Frey prosecuted the case. This case was investigated by the DEA Dover Post of Duty, Delaware State Police and Dover Police Department, with assistance from the DEA Scranton Resident Office, Delaware National Guard, Smyrna Police Department, Ocean View Police Department, and Delmar Police Department.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case No. 23-CR-49-CFC.
Former Dover Interfaith Mission for Housing Employees Plead Guilty to Stealing Federal FundsRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Attorney Julianne E. Murray announced that on August 8, 2025, Karen D. Wilder, age 39, and her husband, Renwick L. Davis, age 49, of Dover, Delaware, pleaded guilty to theft of public funds for embezzling approximately $600,000 as employees of the Dover Interfaith Mission for Housing (“DIMH”), including federal funds awarded to DIMH to provide services to homeless individuals in Delaware. The Honorable U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Hall accepted the pleas.
According to court documents, between December 2021 and November 2023, Wilder, the former Executive Director of DIMH, and Davis, a Case Manager at DIMH, collectively embezzled approximately $600,000 from DIMH’s bank accounts through a variety of fraudulent means. The stolen funds included federal grant funds awarded to DIMH from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Treasury to provide essential services to individuals in Delaware who were homeless or at risk of homelessness, including emergency housing assistance and critical medical assistance during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Wilder withdrew cash from DIMH’s bank accounts purportedly to provide emergency housing assistance to homeless individuals or individuals at-risk of homelessness. Instead, she deposited the stolen cash directly into her own bank accounts. Wilder and Davis also worked together to deposit approximately $150,000 in DIMH funds directly into Davis’s personal bank account under the guise that those funds would be used to provide rental or mortgage assistance to individuals in need. The defendants spent the stolen funds on luxury goods, shopping, and travel, among other personal expenses. Wilder even directed DIMH funds to pay the mortgage on her personal residence.
“The defendants abused the trust of their positions and stole taxpayer dollars intended to provide essential services to Delaware’s most vulnerable citizens,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “The defendants’ greed deprived homeless individuals across southern Delaware of assistance they desperately needed. We will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to protect taxpayer dollars and hold fraudsters who exploit government aid for personal gain accountable.”
“Wilder and Davis exploited their positions of trust to divert public funds away from the very individuals and families most in need,” said Special Agent in Charge Shawn Rice with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Office of Inspector General (OIG). HUD OIG will continue to work with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and its law enforcement partners to protect taxpayer dollars and ensure justice for those harmed by this behavior.
“For years, Karen Wilder and Renwick Davis lived large on the taxpayer’s dime. Not only did they steal hundreds of thousands of dollars, but they prevented those who truly needed these resources from receiving help intended for them. As their guilty pleas show, the FBI and our partners will not tolerate corruption. We remain committed to identifying and pursuing those who violate the public’s trust,” stated FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno.
This case was jointly investigated by the HUD-OIG and FBI Baltimore Field Office’s Wilmington Resident Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney William E. LaRosa is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case Nos. Case 25-CR-93 and 25-CR-94.
Newark Man Sentenced to Seven Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. – Julianne E. Murray, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced that Joshua Lewis, 37, of Newark, Delaware, was sentenced last week to 84 months in prison for robbing two Delaware banks and possessing ammunition as a person with previous felony convictions. The Honorable Gregory B. Williams of the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware pronounced the sentence.
According to court documents, Mr. Lewis robbed banks in Wilmington and Dover in February 2023, stealing over $6,000 between the two incidents. When law enforcement officers later approached him at his home, Mr. Lewis attempted to flee but was apprehended. In the car Mr. Lewis was driving, officers found a loaded, unserialized privately manufactured firearm, or “ghost gun,” and additional rounds of 9mm ammunition.
U.S. Attorney Murray stated, “Mr. Lewis’s brazen robberies instilled fear in his victims and served only to undermine the security of our financial system. His possession of ammunition within an untraceable gun—despite multiple prior felony convictions—only added to the danger he posed to society. This sentence reinforces the commitment of the U.S. Attorney’s Office to protecting the public and keeping guns out of the hands of people who fail to follow the law.”
“Considering this offender’s felony criminal history, he should have never been in the position to start robbing banks. But that is a discussion for another day.” said Dover Police Chief Thomas Johnson. “Bottom line - this is another example of great collaboration between local, state and federal law enforcement partners working together to stop dangerous people from posing a threat to innocent people. Rock solid investigative work that is buoyed by Federal prosecution almost always leads to the best long-term results for public safety. Hats off to everyone involved in the case.”
“The Delaware State Police is grateful for the strong partnership with the Dover Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in bringing this case to a successful conclusion,” said Colonel William D. Crotty, Superintendent of the Delaware State Police. “Violence in our communities is unacceptable. This sentencing sends a clear message that law enforcement agencies will stand united in support of victims and will ensure that those who commit violent crimes are held accountable. Working with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to investigate and arrest individuals who compromise public safety and victimize Delawareans.”
“Multiple bank employees, who were simply doing their jobs, must now deal with the pain and trauma inflicted on them by Joshua Lewis. He threatened violence without regard for who he hurt and how,” said FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno. “May this sentence be a reminder that the FBI and our law enforcement partners will do all we can to protect the safety and security of our communities while holding violent offenders accountable.”
This case was investigated by the Delaware State Police Troop 2 Robbery Unit, Dover Police Department, and the FBI’s Delaware Violent Crime and Safe Streets Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan C. Williamson and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Eli H. Klein prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:24-cr-13-GBW.
Former Wilmington Tax Preparer Sentenced to 80 Months in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Wilmington, Del. – A Wilmington man was sentenced today to 80 months in federal prison for leading a fraud scheme that resulted in more than $9.1 million in disaster-relief loans being issued to more than 60 businesses across the country. None of the loans were ever repaid.
According to court documents, Jady Solano, 43, was a tax preparer in Wilmington. Solano used his tax expertise to prepare fraudulent applications for loans available under the Paycheck Protection Program—a COVID-19 relief program designed to safeguard workers’ jobs during the pandemic. Solano prepared the applications on behalf of shell companies that, in fact, had no operations or employees. Solano falsely claimed, however, that the companies had substantial payrolls, sometimes north of $1 million annually. Solano also created false documents, including false tax forms and bank statements, to support the applications.
In total, Solano prepared 62 fraudulent applications, resulting in more than $9.1 million in wrongful loan disbursements. Solano personally received nearly $1.4 million through the scheme, all of which he must repay to the federal government pursuant to a restitution order to be entered by the U.S. District Court.
Across two charging instruments, seven other members of Solano’s scheme have been charged. Those members are:
DefendantCase NumberStage of CaseShatoya Moss24-cr-91-2 (JLH)Guilty plea entered; sentenced to 18 months in prison and restitution of $578,133.09Carl Lawrence24-cr-109-1 (JLH)Acceptance of guilty plea recommended by U.S. Magistrate Judge; recommendation now under review by U.S. District JudgeBrigitte Miller-Levy24-cr-109-2 (JLH)Indicted[1]Amber Baldwin24-cr-109-3 (JLH)IndictedMarvin Edwards24-cr-109-4 (JLH)IndictedAnthony McKinzy24-cr-109-5 (JLH)IndictedDevlon Porter24-cr-109-6 (JLH)IndictedJulianne Murray, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, stated, “The American taxpayers work hard for their money. And we will work hard to ensure that, when taxpayer money is misused—through waste, fraud, or abuse—the wrongdoers are brought to justice. Jady Solano led a nationwide scheme to steal more than $9 million from the federal government. And the funds he stole were meant for an especially important purpose: helping American workers keep their jobs during a deadly pandemic. Solano’s egregious misconduct warranted the substantial prison sentence the Court handed down today. We hope that sentence sends a message to other potential white-collar criminals: in this District, financial crimes simply will not pay. We thank our law enforcement partners at IRS-CI and the FBI for their tireless and terrific work on this important case.”
“Today's sentencing of Jady Solano again emphasizes that the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation will continue their aggressive pursuit of those who use fraudulent methods in an attempt to corrupt our nation's tax system,” stated Yury Kruty, Special Agent in Charge, IRS-Criminal Investigation, Philadelphia Field Office.
“62 times – over and over and over again – Solano fabricated, embellished and lied to steal millions from the government and ultimately, every taxpaying citizen. Now he will pay for each of those lies with this lengthy sentence,” said FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno. “The FBI will continue to partner with our fellow agencies to identify and unravel these fraud schemes and bring criminals to justice.”
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin L. Wallace prosecuted the case. Agents of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation and the FBI Baltimore Field Office’s Wilmington Resident Agency investigated the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 24-cr-91 and 24-cr-109.
[1] For all defendants who have been indicted and not adjudicated guilty, their involvement in the fraud scheme described above is merely an allegation, and they are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Wilmington Man Sentenced to 144 Months for Interstate Kidnapping ConspiracyRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. – Julianne E. Murray, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced that the Honorable Richard G. Andrews sentenced Donnie Taylor, 21, to a period of 144 months of incarceration on July 11, 2025, for his role in an interstate kidnapping.
According to the court documents, in the early hours of October 17, 2022, Donnie Taylor, of Wilmington, Delaware, conspired with an unnamed juvenile and Kyaire Finch to lure the victim to a New Castle parking lot on the promise of sex. Once there, Taylor and Finch punched the victim in the head and robbed him of his wallet and cell phone. They then used a banking application on the victim’s cell phone to transfer $1,400 from the victim to themselves. Finch then restrained the victim in the back seat of a vehicle while the Taylor drove the group across state lines to the victim’s home in Pennsylvania.
Once they arrived at the victim’s Pennsylvania apartment complex, Finch continued to restrain the victim in the parking lot while Taylor and the juvenile coconspirator invaded the victim’s apartment. Before Taylor and the juvenile coconspirator returned to the parking lot, the victim broke free from Finch and Finch fled the area.
Inside the apartment, Taylor encountered and assaulted a second victim, causing lacerations to his face and head. Taylor and the juvenile coconspirator stole $865 and various items, such as a Sony PlayStation 5, from the apartment. Taylor then fled to Delaware after escaping a miles-long pursuit with the Pennsylvania State Police.
After they returned to Delaware, Taylor then assaulted a 68-year-old woman, stole her keys, and then stole her vehicle. Taylor and the juvenile coconspirator then fled to Georgia in the stolen vehicle. While on the lam, Taylor wrote a “Fugitive to-do list” on his phone, reminding himself to “get a new phone. Burner phone.”
On October 20, 2022, Taylor engaged in a high-speed chase with Georgia State Police in the stolen vehicle, nearly causing a crash and running red lights. Georgia State Police immobilized the car using a PIT maneuver, Taylor fled on foot but was quickly apprehended.
U.S. Attorney Murray stated, “This was a disturbing case that began with deception and ended in brutality. Today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of those actions and delivers a measure of justice for the victims. I want to commend the swift, coordinated efforts of the FBI, state, and local authorities whose dedication ensured the defendant was apprehended and held accountable. Our communities are safer because of their dedication, and combined with my office, we remain committed to protecting the public from violent offense wherever they may hide.”
“Donnie Taylor's dangerous and violent crime spree spread through multiple states for several days. He acted with zero regard for the safety of anyone who crossed his path, and actively plotted ways to hurt others, steal from them, and get away with it. He now faces the consequences for his shameful actions thanks to concerted efforts of law enforcement from Delaware to Georgia. This sentence should serve as a message to Taylor, and others seeking to harm, that the FBI and our partners will not tolerate violence and will ensure you are held accountable,” said FBI Baltimore Acting Special Agent in Charge Amanda M. Koldjeski.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin P. Pierce and Carly A. Hudson prosecuted the case. The FBI’s Delaware Violent Crime and Safe Streets Task Force, New Castle County Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Georgia State Police investigated this case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:23-CR-60.
United States Files False Claim Act Complaint Against Delaware Medical ProviderRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. - Acting United States Attorney Dylan J. Steinberg announced that the United States has filed a civil complaint under the False Claims Act against Dr. Shayasta S. Mufti, a Delaware medical provider, alleging that she caused the submission of false claims to Medicare for medically unnecessary genetic laboratory tests.
In its complaint, the United States alleges that between April 2019 and November 2019, Dr. Mufti referred more than 100 Medicare beneficiaries for medically unnecessary genetic tests that were paid for by Medicare. To be covered by Medicare, a diagnostic laboratory test, including a genetic test, must be ordered by the physician who is treating the beneficiary for a specific medical problem and who uses the results in the management of that problem. The United States alleges that Dr. Mufti had no medical relationship with the beneficiaries she referred for genetic testing, never examined them, and never used the test results to manage their medical conditions. Her referrals were based on brief telemedicine consultations and, in some instances, no consultation at all. The genetic tests that Dr. Mufti ordered often cost thousands of dollars per patient.
“The integrity of our federal healthcare programs, including Medicare, relies on medical providers adhering to professional standards of care and billing accurately for services that are medically necessary for their patients,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “As alleged, Dr. Mufti’s actions violated these critical safeguards, putting taxpayer dollars at risk, draining funds from vital health care programs, and undermining the trust placed in healthcare professionals. We will continue to work tirelessly with our federal partners to hold accountable those who exploit programs designed to help our most vulnerable citizens and ensure that services are provided based on medical need, not financial gain.”
“HHS-OIG will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate those who allegedly participate in fraud schemes driven by greed and apathy for the laws intended to safeguard Medicare funds,” said Special Agent in Charge Maureen R. Dixon of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “We are unwavering in our dedication to ensuring the integrity of federal health care programs.”
The investigation and litigation are being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Jacob Laksin.
The government’s pursuit of this matter illustrates its emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services, at 800 HHS TIPS (800-447-8477).
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. A copy of the complaint is attached to this press release.
The allegations in the complaint are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
Attachment:
mufti_complaint.pdfFormer Delaware Nurse Practitioner Resolves Health Care Fraud AllegationsRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. – Acting U.S. Attorney Dylan J. Steinberg announced a civil settlement with Sandra Jackson, a former Delaware nurse practitioner who now resides in Florida, resolving allegations that she violated the False Claims Act by ordering medically unnecessary genetic testing and durable medical equipment for Medicare beneficiaries residing in Delaware. As a result of Jackson’s orders, Medicare paid approximately $520,000 for medically unnecessary testing and medical equipment.
Between September 2018 and April 2019, Jackson digitally signed hundreds of orders for medically unnecessary genetic testing and durable medical equipment for Delaware residents who she never physically examined and with whom she had no pre-existing provider-patient relationship. The orders Jackson signed contained information that was pre-populated by others. She signed the orders within seconds of opening them. Jackson did not provide any follow-up care to the beneficiaries for whom she ordered testing and equipment.
“Health care providers who authorize medically unnecessary testing and equipment waste taxpayer dollars,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “This office will continue to aggressively pursue providers whose medical decisions are guided by personal profit instead of individual patient care.”
“Providers that participate in the federal health care system are required to obey the laws and regulations meant to protect the integrity of these programs,” said Special Agent in Charge Maureen R. Dixon of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG). "HHS-OIG remains committed to promoting compliance in HHS programs and investigating alleged misconduct that target them."
This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Claudia L. Pare and Affirmative Civil Enforcement Auditor David Cheung.
The government’s pursuit of this matter illustrates its emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services, at 800 HHS TIPS (800-447-8477).
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. A copy of the settlement agreement and agreed-upon statement of facts are attached to this press release.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
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jackson_settlement_agreement.pdfDelaware Man Sentenced to 240 Months for Coercing 11-Year-Old New Jersey Resident to Travel to Delaware for Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. – Dylan J. Steinberg, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced that on July 2, 2025, the Honorable Jennifer L. Hall sentenced Darius Matylewich, 27, to a period of 240 months of incarceration for coercion and enticement of a minor.
According to court documents, the FBI arrested Matylewich after he removed an 11-year-old from her New Jersey home and travelled with her to his Bear, Delaware home to engage in sexual activity. On September 10, 2023, the Wayne Township, New Jersey Police Department (“WTPD”) received a report of a missing 11-year-old girl (“the Victim”). Through investigative measures, WTPD determined that Matylewich took the Victim from her New Jersey home to his home in Bear, Delaware. The FBI, with assistance from WTPD and the New Castle County Police Department, safely recovered the Victim and arrested Matylewich.
A subsequent investigation revealed that Matylewich met the 11-year-old Victim on the internet and communicated with the Victim via online video games and social media platforms. A forensic analysis of Matylewich’s cellphone and social media uncovered message threads in which Matylewich coerced the 11-year-old Victim to perform sexual acts, and, in turn, produce child pornography for him. Investigators also recovered messages in which Matylewich described covertly watching and following the Victim near her New Jersey home.
Matylewich also used an application on his phone to covertly record conversations, videos, and images of the Victim performing sexual acts that Matylewich solicited from her. Unbeknownst to the Victim, Matylewich then stored videos and images of her within the “hidden” folder of his phone, which could only be accessed via facial recognition.
Acting U.S. Attorney Steinberg stated, “This sentence sends a clear message: those who harm the community’s most vulnerable will be held fully accountable for their actions. This sentence also reflects the dedication and cooperation of local, state, and federal law enforcement. We commend the FBI and the Wayne Township and New Castle County Police Departments, who acted swiftly to return the Victim to her family and ensure justice was served. We hope this outcome brings a measure of closure to the Victim and her family.”
“Nothing can erase the harm Matylewich inflicted on an innocent child. With this lengthy sentence, he is being held accountable for his appalling abuse. Stopping predators like Matylewich from harming children remains a top priority of the FBI and our partners. Let this sentence be a warning to others seeking to take advantage of kids through online video games or social media, you will pay for your crimes,” said FBI Baltimore Acting Special Agent in Charge Amanda M. Koldjeski.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin P. Pierce and Michelle Thurstlic-O’Neill. The case was investigated by the FBI’s Delaware Violent Crime and Safe Streets Taskforce with assistance from the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, Wayne Township New Jersey Police Department, New Castle County Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals Service.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:23-CR-102.
Precious Metals Depository Owner Sentenced to 65 Years in Federal Prison for $76 Million Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. – Following an eight-day jury trial resulting in his conviction on mail fraud, wire fraud, and income tax evasion charges, the Honorable U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika sentenced Robert L. Higgins on June 17, 2025, to the statutory maximum term of 65 years in federal prison, announced Dylan J. Steinberg, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware.
Court documents and evidence presented at trial and sentencing revealed that Higgins, age 69, owned and operated First State Depository, a precious metals depository located in Wilmington, Delaware. First State Depository held over $100 million in customer assets, primarily in the form of gold and silver bars and coins. Over the course of at least a decade, Higgins misappropriated his customers’ assets to pay his debts and finance his personal life, including two timeshares in Hawaii and vacations to foreign countries. He did all of this while underreporting his income on his federal income tax returns.
Evidence presented at trial and in sentencing proceedings revealed that Higgins stole at least $76 million from his customers and that over 1,000 customer accounts were missing precious metals. Industry sources have characterized Higgins’ fraudulent scheme as the largest theft from a precious metals depository in U.S. history.
Acting U.S. Attorney Steinberg stated, “Higgins lied to, cheated, and stole from customers who placed their trust in him and his businesses during a 10-year fraud scheme. He took his customers’ metals without their permission and used them to finance his personal life and keep his scheme going, all while failing to report and pay his fair share of income taxes. By robbing his many victims of their hard-earned life savings and retirement funds, Higgins irreparably hurt hundreds of people and their families. I applaud the FBI and the IRS-Criminal Investigation Division for their hard work to hold Higgins accountable.”
"Honest and law-abiding citizens are fed up with the likes of those who use deceit and fraud to line their pockets with other people’s money as well as skirt their tax obligations,” stated Yury Kruty, Special Agent in Charge, IRS-Criminal Investigation, Philadelphia Field Office.
“The more his greed grew, so did his shameful and selfish scheme. This sentence reflects how egregious Higgins’ crimes truly are. Let this be a lesson to other criminals that the FBI and our partners will not tolerate corruption or those seeking to take advantage of hardworking Americans,” said FBI Baltimore Acting Special Agent in Charge Amanda Koldjeski.
This case was investigated by the FBI and IRS-Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander P. Ibrahim and Bryan C. Williamson, as well as former Assistant U.S. Attorney Edmond Falgowski, prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:22-cr-44.
Sixth Person Convicted in Connection with Fatal Kidnapping in Wilmington, DelawareRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. – Dylan J. Steinberg, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced today that, on June 5, 2025, a federal jury convicted a Philadelphia man for participating in the kidnapping and murder of a Wilmington resident in July 2021.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Dwayne Alexander, 41, was a high-ranking member of the Shotgun Crips street gang. In the summer of 2021, a lower-ranking Shotgun Crip named Kimon Burton-Roberson became embroiled in a dispute with a Wilmington man. A group of Shotgun Crips then invaded the man’s home, beat him with multiple blunt objects, bound his hands behind his back with zip ties, and drove him to Alexander’s home in Philadelphia. After picking up Alexander, the gang then drove the victim to an industrial park in Yeadon, Pennsylvania, where they executed the victim by shooting him in the head. Alexander supplied the murder weapon and approved the killing.
Alexander is the sixth person convicted in connection with the fatal kidnapping. Other persons convicted federally include:
- Kimon Burton-Roberson – pending sentencing
- Stephanie Bultes-Ramirez – pending sentencing
- Rodney Chambers – pending sentencing
- Jamil Salahuddin – pending sentencing
A sixth person, Josiah Rivera, who was a minor at the time of the crime, has been convicted in the Superior Court for the State of Delaware.
Acting U.S. Attorney Steinberg stated, “This conviction marks yet another step forward on the path toward securing full justice for the victim of a brutal and senseless crime. We thank our law enforcement partners for their tireless work on the case. Together, we have sent a message that we hope reaches every corner of Delaware: violent gang activity in this State will be detected, investigated vigorously, and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
"We appreciate the continued commitment of the U.S. Attorney's Office to hold each party responsible for their role in this kidnapping and murder," said Wilmington Police Chief Wilfredo Campos. "It is our hope that this latest conviction will continue to offer some degree of comfort to the family of the victim, that the law enforcement community will leave no stone unturned in delivering justice in this case."
“Dwayne Alexander committed a horrific and ruthless murder with his fellow gang members. This guilty verdict is the result of years of painstaking investigation and constant collaboration between our dedicated law enforcement partners and the FBI’s Delaware Violent Crime and Safe Streets Task Force,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Amanda M. Koldjeski of the FBI Baltimore Field Office. “Together we will relentlessly pursue justice and ensure that dangerous criminals who target our communities are held accountable.”
The FBI, the Wilmington Police Department, the Yeadon Borough Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, and Delaware Probation and Parole investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michelle L. Morgan and Benjamin L. Wallace are prosecuting the case.
Delaware Man Pleads Guilty to Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
Wilmington, Del. – Tyler Ramaley, 31, of Wilmington, pleaded guilty today to distributing child sexual abuse material (“CSAM”), announced Dylan J. Steinberg, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware. The Honorable Gregory B. Williams accepted the plea.
According to statements made in open court, the investigation into Ramaley began in October 2024 when law enforcement received information that an individual was seen on multiple online video calls with others watching, screen sharing, and masturbating to CSAM. Law enforcement successfully identified the individual in the video calls as Ramaley. Ramaley also admitted to possessing CSAM on his devices and to entering the video calls and broadcasting CSAM to others over the calls.
“Sharing explicit images of children being sexually abused is a heinous crime, and Tyler Ramaley’s actions are a tragic reminder of the persistence of individuals who prey on children,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “My office remains committed to investigating and bringing to justice those who possess and distribute child sexual abuse material. We will continue to work alongside our federal, state, and local partners to protect children and hold offenders accountable.”
“Tyler Ramaley’s crimes are depraved and unconscionable. Viewing and sharing child sexual abuse material online continually victimizes the child. Ramaley thought he could hide behind a keyboard, but the FBI and our partners will work relentlessly to identify and hold accountable predators who exploit innocent children,” says FBI Baltimore Acting Special Agent in Charge Amanda M. Koldjeski.
The FBI investigated this case, with the assistance of the New Castle County Police Department, Delaware State Police, and the Chester County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Claudia L. Pare prosecuted this case.
Ramaley is facing a maximum possible sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, with a mandatory minimum term of 5 years. Judge Williams will determine the defendant’s sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER.
Indian National Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Elderly Victims in Excess of $2MRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. – Acting U.S. Attorney Shannon T. Hanson announced today that Rakeshkumar Patel, age 36, of Flushing, New York, pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy for his role in an elder fraud scam targeting older Americans. The Honorable U.S. District Judge Richard G. Andrews accepted the plea.
According to court documents, between at least May 2023 and May 2024, the defendant, who was in the U.S. illegally, conspired with others to defraud elderly victims in Delaware and throughout the country of at least $2,154,889. The victims were contacted over the phone by fraudsters posing as federal agents. The fraudsters convinced each victim that their identity had been compromised and that they were the subject of a federal investigation. To cooperate with the fake federal investigation, the victims were instructed to liquidate their life savings and convert those savings into cash or gold bars. The victims were then directed to deliver that cash or gold to couriers posing as federal agents—like the defendant—who picked up the cash or gold from the victims’ residences or other public places.
“The Department’s Elder Justice Initiative is committed to protecting elderly victims from being swindled out of their hard-earned life savings by bad actors like Patel,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Shannon T. Hanson. “Together, with our law enforcement partners, my office will continue to identify, investigate, and prosecute those who scam the elderly for financial gain. We encourage all members of the public to remain vigilant against these scams. If you think you or a loved one may have been defrauded, make a report to law enforcement immediately.”
"When you talk to victims, you see and hear how gut wrenching and devastating these scams are. They're often facing deep financial anxiety and are emotionally distressed, with the aftereffects weighing heavy on all aspects of their lives," says FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge Bill DelBagno. "The FBI and our partners are working steadfastly every day to educate the public to avoid these scams and to identify, disrupt, and bring to justice those committing these appalling crimes."
If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is available through the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833 FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). You can also report fraud to any local law enforcement agency or on the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.
The FBI requests victims report:
- The name of the person or company that contacted you.
- Methods of communication used, including websites, emails, and telephone numbers.
- Any bank account number(s) to which you wired funds and the recipient’s name(s).
- The name and location of the metal dealer company and the account to which you wired funds, if you were instructed to buy precious metals.
As a result of Patel’s guilty plea to the wire fraud conspiracy, he faces more than five years in federal prison when sentenced. Judge Andrews will determine the defendant’s sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case was investigated by FBI Baltimore Field Office’s Wilmington Resident Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorneys William E. LaRosa and Alexander P. Ibrahim are prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case No. 25-CR-46.
Dominican National Sentenced Under Alien Registration ActRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. – A Dominican national residing in New Castle County, Delaware was sentenced on May 13, 2025, to 30 days’ probation for failing to notify the U.S. government of his change of address, in violation of the Alien Registration Act, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Shannon T. Hanson. The Honorable Laura D. Hatcher, U.S. Magistrate Judge for the District of Delaware, pronounced the sentence.
According to court documents and information provided in open court, Wagner Rivera-Campusano, 27, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) in 2023 and was given bail. He provided ICE an address in New York City. Mr. Rivera did not appear for his immigration proceedings and was ordered removed from the U.S. in absentia. In approximately September 2024, Mr. Rivera moved to Delaware without informing the federal government of his new address.
In April 2025, Mr. Rivera was convicted of a drug felony in the Superior Court of Delaware. He was released to ICE custody and charged federally with failure to notify the U.S. government of his address change. As Mr. Rivera was informed in open court, he will almost certainly be deported. Should he return to the U.S., Mr. Rivera will face significantly enhanced penalties because of his Delaware state drug conviction.
To date, in support of Operation Take Back America, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware has filed a total of 58 immigration and border security-related cases between January 20, 2025, and May 13, 2025, an 800% increase over those charged with illegally re-entering the country during the same timeframe in 2024.
This announcement is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware.
Delaware Man Convicted of Sex Trafficking and Forced LaborRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON — A federal jury in the District of Delaware convicted Clifton H. Gibbs, 68, of Sussex County today on multiple counts of sex trafficking and forced labor. Specifically, the jury convicted Gibbs of seven counts of sex trafficking seven adult victims, five counts of forced labor, and one count of interstate transportation for purposes of prostitution.
According to the evidence at trial, Gibbs exploited the victims’ heroin addiction and fears of withdrawal sickness to compel the victims to engage in commercial sex, panhandle, perform demanding manual labor on his property, and to steal goods for him to resell. Gibbs’ co-defendant, Brooke Waters, 46, previously pled guilty to sex trafficking, forced labor, and interstate transportation for purposes of prostitution charges.
“Today’s conviction vindicates the rights of multiple victims who the defendant trafficked over several years within the District of Delaware,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This defendant preyed on individuals suffering from opiate addiction and cruelly exploited them for his own profit. The Justice Department is committed to aggressively fighting human trafficking and seeking justice for its victims.”
“I hope that today’s verdict brings some measure of closure for the victims in this case,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Shannon T. Hanson for the District of Delaware. “I commend the victims’ bravery and willingness to testify to bring this defendant to justice. Our communities are much safer, and this verdict should serve as a warning to other individuals who exploit victims for personal gain.”
“The conviction of Clifton H. Gibbs highlights the strong partnership between Homeland Security Investigations and the Department of Justice in the fight against human trafficking,” said Special Agent in Charge Edward V. Owens of HSI Philadelphia. “Gibbs preyed on vulnerable individuals, feeding their addiction for profit through forced labor and commercial sex. HSI remains committed to working alongside our federal partners to dismantle trafficking networks, bring perpetrators to justice, and through our victim centered approach, support victims as they reclaim their lives.”
“The crimes uncovered in this case are among the most egregious that Homeland Security Investigations encounters,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael McCarthy of HSI Maryland. “Exploiting vulnerable individuals through coercion, abuse, and manipulation is nothing short of reprehensible. This kind of predatory behavior destroys lives and undermines the fundamental values of human dignity and freedom. HSI remains unwavering in its mission to dismantle criminal networks, bring perpetrators to justice, and protect the safety and well-being of our communities, especially those who are unable to protect themselves.”
The evidence presented at the seven-day trial demonstrated that Gibbs sought out individuals, often young women, who were addicted to heroin, and without any money or a stable place to live, promising to take care of them by giving them housing, food, clothing, and easy access to drugs. He then provided many of them with heroin for free to ease their withdrawal sickness. He allowed them to live in trailers or campers on his two rural properties in Sussex County. He then instructed the women to engage in commercial sex, instructing his co-defendant to take photos of them and post online advertisements for them to do “dates” with commercial sex buyers. Gibbs kept all the proceeds from the commercial sex acts and provided the women with small amounts of heroin and cocaine to avoid withdrawal sickness. Gibbs positioned himself to control the victims’ access to heroin and thereby controlled the onset of withdrawal sickness. Exploiting the victims’ fear of withdrawal sickness, Gibbs profited from the commercial sex acts in which he compelled the women to engage. Gibbs and his co-defendant also recruited heroin-addicted individuals to “boost” or steal goods for him to re-sell, panhandle, and do manual labor on his properties. In the same way he did with the young women he compelled to engage in commercial sex, Gibbs exploited the victims’ fear of withdrawal sickness to coerce this labor for his profit.
Gibbs also used physical force with some of his victims by hitting, kicking, or threatening to shoot those who disobeyed his orders or talked back.
A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date. Gibbs faces a minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison as well as mandatory restitution. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Briana Knox for the District of Delaware and Trial Attorneys Christina Randall-James and Leah Branch of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit prosecuted the case.
Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org. Information on the Justice Department’s efforts to combat human trafficking can be found at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking.
Justice Department Announces Results of Operation Restore Justice:Read the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. – Today, the Department of Justice announced the results of Operation Restore Justice, a coordinated enforcement effort to identify, track and arrest child sex predators. The operation resulted in the rescue of 115 children and the arrests of 205 child sexual abuse offenders in the nationwide crackdown. The coordinated effort was executed over the course of five days by all 55 FBI field offices, the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section in the Department’s Criminal Division, and United States Attorney’s Offices around the country.
“The Department of Justice will never stop fighting to protect victims — especially child victims — and we will not rest until we hunt down, arrest, and prosecute every child predator who preys on the most vulnerable among us,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “I am grateful to the FBI and their state and local partners for their incredible work in Operation Restore Justice and have directed my prosecutors not to negotiate.”
“Every child deserves to grow up free from fear and exploitation, and the FBI will continue to be relentless in our pursuit of those who exploit the most vulnerable among us,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “Operation Restore Justice proves that no predator is out of reach and no child will be forgotten. By leveraging the strength of all our field offices and our federal, state and local partners, we’re sending a clear message: there is no place to hide for those who prey on children.”
In Delaware, Justin Enright, 51, of Millsboro, Delaware, a felon previously convicted on federal child sexual abuse charges, was arrested for violating terms of his probation including intent to view visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct or attempting to do so.
Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware Shannon T. Hanson, stated, “Enright is a repeat child predator, and his conduct underscores the importance of coordinated, nationwide law enforcement efforts such as Operation Restore Justice. Our communities and children are safer thanks to the FBI’s efforts. Collectively, we will continue to send the message that our children deserve to live in a safe environment without fear of harm or abuse and that predators who seek to prey upon our children will be found and held accountable.”
Others arrested around the country are alleged to have committed various crimes including the production, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse material, online enticement and transportation of minors, and child sex trafficking. In Minneapolis, for example, a state trooper and Army Reservist was arrested for allegedly producing child sexual abuse material while wearing his uniforms. In Norfolk, VA, an illegal alien from Mexico is accused of transporting a minor across state lines for sex. In Washington, D.C., a former Metropolitan Police Department Police Officer was arrested for allegedly trafficking minor victims.
“Every arrest made in these cases delivers justice and sends a clear message that crimes against children will not be tolerated,” says FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno. “This operation highlights efforts FBI Baltimore, our Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force, and our dedicated law enforcement partners continually make to protect children from the dangerous and predatory monsters seeking to exploit, harm and abuse.”
In many cases, parental vigilance and community outreach efforts played a critical role in bringing these offenders to justice. For example, a California man was arrested about eight hours after a young victim bravely came forward and disclosed their abuse to FBI agents after an online safety presentation at a school near Albany, N.Y.
This effort follows the Department’s observance of National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April and underscores the Department’s unwavering commitment to protecting children and raising awareness about the dangers they face. While the Department, including the FBI, investigates and prosecutes these crimes every day, April serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of preventing these crimes, seeking justice for victims, and raising awareness through community education.
The Justice Department is committed to combating child sexual exploitation. These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.
The Department partners with and oversees funding grants for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which receives and shares tips about possible child sexual exploitation received through its 24/7 hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST and on missingkids.org.
The Department urges the public to remain vigilant and report suspected exploitation of a child through the FBI’s tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), tips.fbi.gov, or by calling your local FBI field office.
Other online resources:
Electronic Press Kit
Violent Crimes Against Children
How we can help you: Parents and caregivers protecting your kids
An indictment is merely an allegation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Georgia Man Pleads Guilty to Transportation for Purposes of ProstitutionRead the Press Release
Wilmington, Del. – Robert Sloan, 48, of Roswell, Georgia, pleaded guilty today to transportation for the purposes of prostitution, announced Shannon T. Hanson, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware. The Honorable Richard G. Andrews accepted the plea.
According to statements made in open court, the investigation into Sloan began in July 2023 after an individual called 911 after receiving text messages from a family member indicating that the family member was being trafficked for prostitution at a hotel in Dover, Delaware. Law enforcement went to the hotel to conduct a welfare check. Once they arrived at the hotel room, the defendant answered the door and law enforcement saw two women inside. Although the defendant informed officers that he did not know anyone with the victim’s name, one of the women later identified herself as the victim once she was away from the defendant. Further investigation revealed that the defendant drove the victim from North Carolina to Delaware and had her engage in prostitution multiple times during stops along the way.
Acting U.S. Attorney Hanson stated, “Sex trafficking individuals for personal financial gain is a heinous crime. My office is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to rescue victims of sex trafficking and we encourage citizens to join us in this effort by contacting law enforcement if they suspect someone is a victim of sex trafficking – if you see something, say something.”
“Robert Sloan’s guilty plea is a powerful example of how our Delaware Violent Crime and Safe Streets Task Force continually works to stop sex trafficking. Anyone who profits from sexually exploiting others will be brought to justice for their heinous crimes,” says FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno. “The FBI will do all we can to hold perpetrators accountable, while also helping victims recover from the significant trauma they suffer.”
The FBI investigated this case with the assistance of Delaware State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Claudia L. Pare and Briana Knox prosecuted this case.
Sloan is facing a maximum of 10 years imprisonment. Judge Andrews will determine Defendant’s sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER.
Middletown Man Indicted for Violent Crime SpreeRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. – A federal grand jury in the District of Delaware returned a four-count indictment on April 10, 2025, charging a Middletown man with robbing a restaurant and a gas station and committing a carjacking - all at gunpoint.
According to court documents, on January 25, 2025, Anthony Fields, 48, of Middletown robbed a Middletown restaurant using a distinctive sawed-off shotgun with a duct-taped handle. Five days later, Fields robbed a Middletown gas station brandishing the same distinctive sawed-off shotgun. During these robberies, Fields stole cash, lottery tickets, and a gas station employee’s cell phone. While fleeing the gas station robbery, Fields carjacked an occupied 2016 Hyundai Elantra, pointing the sawed-off shotgun at the victim driver.
Despite Fields’ attempts to evade law enforcement, the Middletown Police Department and the FBI traced Fields’ movements in the days following his crime spree through witness testimony, phone and lottery ticket records, and video surveillance. The investigation revealed that Fields cashed some of the stolen lottery tickets and abandoned the stolen car at a nearby casino before traveling to Philadelphia. Fields turned himself in to authorities on February 2, 2025. He remains in federal custody.
The indictment charges Fields with two counts of Hobbs Act Robbery, one count of carjacking, and one count of brandishing and using a firearm in relation to a Hobbs Act Robbery. If convicted of all counts, Fields faces a mandatory minimum of seven years of incarceration for brandishing and using the firearm, in addition to any penalties for the underlying crimes, and a maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Shannon T. Hanson, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, and Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno of the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office made the announcement.
This case is being investigated by the Middletown Police Department and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin P. Pierce and Bryan C. Williamson are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
Former Nurse Practitioner Agrees to $50,000 Settlement in Alleged False Claims Act ViolationsRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. – Acting U.S. Attorney Shannon T. Hanson announced today that Jordona Ndon, a former Delaware nurse practitioner who now resides in Virginia, has agreed to pay $50,000 to resolve allegations that she violated the False Claims Act by ordering medically unnecessary orthotic braces for Medicare beneficiaries residing in Delaware. The civil settlement amount was based on Ndon’s ability to pay.
Between November 2017 and June 2018, Ndon digitally signed hundreds of orders for medically unnecessary orthotic braces for Delaware residents who she never physically examined and who often did not want or need the orthotic braces. In many cases, the orders Ndon signed contained information that was pre-populated by telemarketers with no medical qualifications. Ndon signed the orders after brief telemedicine consultations – often two minutes or less in duration – during which she failed to establish any legitimate medical justification for the orthotic braces.
“Providers who authorize medically unnecessary equipment undermine our health care system and waste valuable taxpayer dollars,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Hanson. “This office will continue to aggressively pursue providers who seek to profit by outsourcing their medical decision-making and hold them accountable to the public.”
This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney William E. LaRosa and Affirmative Civil Enforcement Auditor David Cheung.
The government’s pursuit of this matter illustrates its emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services, at 800 HHS TIPS (800-447-8477).
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. A copy of the settlement agreement and agreed-upon statement of facts are attached to this press release.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
Former Smyrna Detective Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Coercion/Enticement of a MinorRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. – Shannon T. Hanson, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced that Michael Kealty, of Magnolia, Delaware, was sentenced today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware to 10 years in federal prison for his crime of coercing and enticing a minor into sexual activity. The Honorable U.S. District Judge Richard G. Andrews issued the sentence.
According to Court documents, Mr. Kealty met a 16-year-old girl online and groomed her for six months into producing sexually explicit images and videos of herself. At one point Mr. Kealty threatened to expose the girl’s images to the public if she did not continue to perform for him. Mr. Kealty’s online accounts also showed his attempted exploitation of additional, unidentified minor girls, including a 13-year-old.
Mr. Kealty—a former detective with the Smyrna Police Department—was charged in October 2023 with Distribution and Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material. On October 15, 2024, Mr. Kealty pleaded guilty to an enhanced charge of Coercion/Enticement of a Minor, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison.
Acting U.S. Attorney Hanson stated, “Mr. Kealty betrayed his oath, his badge, and his community by exploiting the most vulnerable members of our community, our children. Today’s sentence sends a message that no one is above the law. I commend the FBI for their diligent pursuit of justice in this case and for ensuring that child predators like Mr. Kealty are brought to justice.”
“There is absolutely no tolerance for any actions that hurt a child. Kealty’s crimes are especially egregious considering he swore to protect our communities and children,” says Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno of the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office. “Delaware is safer with him locked up where can no longer victimize or abuse anyone else.”
This case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Briana Knox prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Thunderguards Motorcycle Club Member Sentenced for Trafficking FirearmsRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. – Shannon T. Hanson, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced today that Robert Dorsey, 47, of New Jersey, was sentenced on March 11, 2025, to 46 months incarceration for trafficking firearms. U.S. District Judge Richard G. Andrews pronounced the sentence.
According to court documents, between September and October 2023, Dorsey sold a total of four firearms during three separate transactions to a law enforcement informant in New Jersey and Delaware. The firearms included a privately made firearm (PMF), known commonly as a “ghost gun”, as well as a firearm that had been stolen from Maryland just a month before Dorsey sold it to the informant on the black market. Additionally, Dorsey had reason to believe one of the firearms he sold would be used in a violent crime. Further, Dorsey sold the informant crack cocaine and heroin on over five occasions, sometimes selling both drugs and a gun as part of the same transaction.
Dorsey was the self-proclaimed vice president of a Thunderguards Motorcycle Club chapter, known as the “North Pole”, in Wilmington, DE. During the investigation Dorsey referred to his role as a “one-percenter” or active member of the Thunderguards, told individuals about his role and chapter affiliations with the Thunderguards, and in fact, other members of the Club were present with Dorsey during the last firearm sale to the informant in Delaware.
Acting U.S. Attorney Hanson, said, “Trafficking firearms, especially PMFs and stolen guns, is a serious threat to public safety. Illegally trafficking guns provides individuals who are prohibited from possessing firearm with ready access to deadly weapons. I commend the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives for disrupting the unlawful trafficking of firearms in the New Jersey and Delaware region. I want to thank ATF, Delaware State Police, and our local law enforcement partners for their thorough investigation.”
This investigation is an example of ATF’s dedication to working with our state, local and federal partners in identifying, pursuing, and investigating violent offenders who illegally possess or utilize firearms to commit violent crimes, and those who engage in the unlawful trafficking of firearms. ATF is proud and honored to have such a great working relationship with these outstanding law enforcement organizations and these results demonstrate how the partnerships between our agencies work to protect our communities and hold criminals accountable,” stated Special Agent in Charge LC Cheeks Jr., ATF Newark Field Division.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the Delaware State Police, New Jersey State Police, and Pennsville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel S. Frey prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case No. 23-CR-91-RGA.
Jury Finds Bank Robber Guilty Following Two-Day Federal TrialRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. – Shannon T. Hanson, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced that Justin Cabot, age 52, of Newark, was convicted of bank robbery after a two-day trial in federal court last week. The Honorable Colm F. Connolly, Chief United States District Judge, presided over the trial.
According to evidence and witness testimony, on June 24, 2022, Cabot, wearing a distinguishable bright yellow shirt, entered the Bank of Delmarva in Laurel, Delaware and handed the bank teller a demand note. It was the teller’s first day of work at the Laurel branch. Cabot also made additional threatening statements, directing the teller to “use big bills” and to “hurry up.” Complying with Cabot’s written and oral demands, the bank teller filled a bag Cabot tossed at him with money and a GPS tracking device. Cabot was observed on surveillance footage from nearby businesses leaving the area of the bank and removing the distinguishable yellow shirt. Five days after the robbery, he was arrested in Salisbury, Maryland.
“Cabot’s actions demonstrated his disregard for the rule of law. While no one was injured here, bank robbery is inherently dangerous to innocent bystanders and bank staff,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Hanson. “My office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute individuals, like the defendant, who commit such crimes.”
“Cabot’s use of threat and intimidation terrified employees of the bank he robbed. This conviction should serve as a reminder that the FBI will not waver when it comes to protecting Delaware and taking dangerous criminals off the streets,” said FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno.”
Cabot is facing a maximum of 20 years imprisonment. Chief Judge Connolly will determine the defendant’s sentence, after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eli H. Klein and Edmond Falgowski prosecuted the case. This case was investigated by the Laurel Police Department and the FBI’s Delaware Violent Crime and Safe Streets Task Force, with assistance from the Wicomico County, Maryland Sheriff’s Department.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:23-cr-32.
Delaware Man Convicted in 16-Kilogram Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. – Shannon T. Hanson, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced that on February 24, 2025, a federal jury convicted Dwayne Fountain, 54, of Middletown, on charges of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, four counts of possession with intent to distribute, and two counts of distribution of controlled substances. The defendant was acquitted on three related charges. Chief U.S. District Judge Colm F. Connolly presided over the trial.
The government’s evidence at trial identified a network of co-conspirators stretching from Scranton, PA to Seaford, DE. Three other defendants, Martin Fountain, Durell Patton, and William Warren, who were indicted along with the defendant, pled guilty and are pending sentencing. The amount of fentanyl seized from this organization, over ten kilograms, represents the largest known fentanyl seizure in Delaware history.
This matter was the result of a long-term investigation spearheaded by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Delaware State Police, and Dover Police Department. The evidence at trial showed that Dwayne Fountain bought kilograms of drugs from his suppliers and added ingredients like xylazine, also known as “tranq,” to make the drugs more potent and profitable. Agents found a kilogram press in a home he owned in Middletown, which was used to put the drugs back into “brick” form after they were adulterated. The defendant also rented an apartment in Bear, Delaware, where he stored his inventory of drugs. Search warrants executed in the case led to the seizure of over 10.5 kilograms of fentanyl, over 200 grams of 100% pure methamphetamine, over 3.5 kilograms of cocaine, and nearly 3 kilograms of heroin. On a recorded call, the defendant admitted that he knew the drugs he was selling could kill people.
Acting U.S. Attorney Hanson commented on the case, “The defendant was a savvy drug trafficker who worked with others, including those from other states, to bring kilograms of fentanyl and other drugs to Delaware. The DEA’s investigation led to the seizure of over 16 kilograms of illegal substances, just under $100,000 in cash, and the conviction of a major drug trafficker. Dwayne Fountain profited from addiction, and indeed actively sought stronger and more dangerous drugs. My office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold those accountable who distribute dangerous drugs within our state.”
“The Dover Police Department remains committed to addressing the organized drug crime plaguing our communities” offered Chief Thomas Johnson. “Working together with our State and Federal partners continues to be an effective strategy to remove dangerous individuals who threaten the safety and wellbeing of our citizens. This is just another example of great police work, followed by skillful prosecution, leading to meaningful solutions to problems that threaten our neighborhoods and institutions. Congratulations to the Officers and Attorneys connected to this case.”
“This drug seizure demonstrates law enforcement’s unwavering commitment to holding traffickers accountable and protecting our communities,” said Colonel William D. Crotty, Superintendent of the Delaware State Police. “Fentanyl and other dangerous substances continue to affect too many lives. However, through strong partnerships and relentless investigative efforts, we are making significant strides in this fight. The Delaware State Police continues to collaborate with our federal and local allies to disrupt the flow of these lethal drugs and prevent them from reaching our streets.”
“Individuals, such as Dwayne Fountain, who distribute Fentanyl are poisoning our communities. The DEA will continue to work each day alongside our law enforcement partners to identify, investigate, and convict those who are responsible for distributing deadly drugs," stated Special Agent-in-Charge Thomas Hodnett.
Fountain faces a mandatory minimum of ten years in prison when sentenced. Chief Judge Connolly will determine the defendant’s sentence, after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer K. Welsh and Samuel S. Frey are prosecuting the case. This case was investigated by the DEA Dover Post of Duty, Delaware State Police and Dover Police Department, with assistance from the DEA Scranton Resident Office, Delaware National Guard, Smyrna Police Department, Ocean View Police Department, and Delmar Police Department.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case No. 23-CR-49-CFC.
Convicted Sex Offender Sentenced to Ten Years in Federal Prison for Second OffenseRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. – Shannon T. Hanson, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced that Michael Natale, of Laurel, Delaware, was sentenced yesterday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware for his crime of possessing child sexual abuse material. The Honorable Colm F. Connolly, Chief Judge, issued the sentence.
In October 2024, Mr. Natale plead guilty to Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material. The case against Mr. Natale arose from conversations he was having online with another individual on the instant messaging platform “Kik.” Mr. Natale and the other individual exchanged graphic videos depicting the sexual abuse of children, to include the sexual abuse of the other individual’s own young son. That individual was arrested and a search of her Kik account led to the identification of Mr. Natale.
Today, Chief Judge Connolly sentenced Mr. Natale to 10 years of imprisonment. This sentence is the mandatory minimum sentence Mr. Natale must serve because he has a prior conviction in the State of Delaware for dealing in child pornography.
Acting U.S. Attorney Hanson stated, “Our office has always been dedicated to the protection of Delaware’s most vulnerable community members, the children. We will continue to aggressively pursue those who exploit children for their own twisted satisfaction, especially those who refuse to change their behavior after previous convictions. I commend the FBI’s dedication and collaboration across districts in bringing this case, and that of Mr. Natale’s co-conspirator, to justice.”
“Natale posed a significant threat to children as demonstrated by his repeated perverse and sick exploitation. Even in the darkest corners of the internet, the FBI will find a way to seek justice for our children and stop the monsters who threaten their innocence and sense of security,” said FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno.
This case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Briana Knox is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER.
Former Chief and Captain of Bethany Beach Police Department Plead Guilty to Federal Offense Related to Theft of Overtime FundsRead the Press Release
Wilmington, Del. – Two men, the former Chief and Captain of the Bethany Beach Police Department, pleaded guilty today to wire fraud related to their theft of overtime funds from the Department, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Shannon T. Hanson. The Honorable Chief U.S. District Judge Colm F. Connolly accepted the pleas.
According to court documents, Michael Redmon, 58, of Selbyville, and Darin Cathell, 49, of Frankford, spent years claiming to work overtime shifts that they did not, in fact, work. Redmon, the former Chief of the Department, falsely claimed at least 174 shifts, totaling at least 760 hours and at least $81,890. Cathell, the former second-in-command of the Department, falsely claimed at least 185 shifts, totaling at least 800 hours and at least $67,970. Some of the funds Redmon and Cathell received were federal grant funds.
Acting U.S. Attorney Hanson stated, “Taking the oath to protect and serve is a sacred trust. Those that take the oath must follow the law themselves. These officers failed to do that, thereby damaging public trust and confidence in law enforcement as a whole, including the scores of officers who do the right thing each and every day. Just as my Office will always proudly stand with the best of law enforcement, we will not hesitate to hold to account those officers who betray the badge by breaking the law. We thank both the FBI and the investigators at the Delaware Attorney General’s Office, who have been dogged in investigating this abuse of authority.”
"The defendants profited handsomely by abusing their positions and taking advantage of the trust placed in law enforcement. The FBI is committed to rooting out corruption and holding bad actors accountable for violating the oath they swore to uphold,” said FBI Baltimore SAC William J. DelBagno.
“Nobody is above the law or beneath justice. Police officers — and especially police leaders — who commit crimes of dishonesty are not just harming the community and taxpayers they serve; they harm every peace officer and every public servant whose work and reputation are undermined when the public’s trust is violated. I’m grateful to the investigators in our office and to the prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney’s Office who took on this case and who brought these officials to justice,” said Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings.
Redmon and Cathell each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and both are scheduled for sentencing on August 12, 2025. Chief Judge Connolly will determine the defendants’ sentences after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI and the Delaware Attorney General’s Office are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin L. Wallace is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 25-CR-01-CFC and 25-CR-02-CFC.
Delaware Man Sentenced to 135 Months in Federal Prison for Second Conviction Involving Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. – Melvin Janvier, 37, of Newark, Delaware was sentenced on January 23, 2025, to 135 months in federal prison for possessing child sexual abuse material (“CSAM”), announced Shannon T. Hanson, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware. Following his time in prison, he will spend 15 years on federal supervised release. U.S. District Court Judge Maryellen Noreika pronounced the sentence.
According to court documents, the FBI Violent Crimes Against Children Unit, with the assistance of State of Delaware Probation and Parole, arrested Janvier after an FBI Child Exploitation Task Force investigation indicated Janvier was in possession of and sending CSAM from Janvier’s cellphone through the Internet in July 2021.
Law enforcement later found over 2,000 files containing CSAM on Janvier’s phone. The files found on the device included images and videos of prepubescent minors, to include infants and toddlers, and materials portraying bondage and bestiality. Janvier had previously been convicted in 2016 in the State of Delaware for possession of and dealing in CSAM and served four years in prison.
Acting U.S. Attorney Hanson stated, “Our office is committed to protecting children and prosecuting those engaged in the sexual exploitation of minors through the possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material. I wish to thank the FBI and our Delaware law enforcement partners who tirelessly pursed this case.”
"There is nothing that can excuse Melvin Janvier’s sick behavior. Every one of the more than 2,000 images he possessed re-victimizes a child," said FBI Baltimore SAC William J. DelBagno. "FBI Baltimore’s Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force is committed to putting predators like Janvier behind bars where they can no longer hurt others."
The FBI Baltimore Field Office, with the assistance from the FBI Washington Field Office and the State of Delaware Probation and Parole, investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samuel S. Frey and Briana Knox prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case No. 22-CR-78-MN.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the U.S. Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section of the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Delaware Man Pleads Guilty to Participation in International Sextortion and Money Laundering SchemeRead the Press Release
A Delaware man pleaded guilty today in connection with his participation in a widespread international sextortion and money laundering scheme.
According to court documents, from May 2020 and through December 2022, Mohamed Diarra, 33, of Wilmington, participated in an international, financially motivated sextortion and money laundering scheme. Financially motivated sextortion refers to the practice of fraudulently obtaining a victim’s sexual photographs or videos, threatening to distribute the victim’s sexual material to others, and demanding that the victim pay money to avoid the threatened distribution. Diarra conspired with co-conspirators in Côte d’Ivoire who sextorted victims and utilized a network of Delaware-based “money mules,” including Diarra, to assist with laundering the victims’ illegally obtained funds. As a “money mule” for the conspiracy, Diarra collected victims’ funds into his own financial accounts, including accounts with peer-to-peer (P2P) payment transfer services and into financial accounts in others’ names which he controlled. Diarra also provided other co-conspirators with access to his accounts and recruited other individuals to serve as money mules to receive and transfer funds at his direction. Diarra and his co-conspirators used a variety of methods to collect and “cash out” the victims’ funds, including by receiving funds into the money mules’ P2P accounts they controlled, transferring funds to linked U.S. bank accounts, withdrawing the funds as cash, or transferring them to other money mule co-conspirators. Diarra and his co-conspirators also used a variety of methods to further transfer the victims’ funds, after they had been converted to cash or goods, to co-conspirators and others who were located in Côte d’Ivoire and elsewhere overseas.
Diarra pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to engage in money laundering. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A sentencing hearing will be set at a later date, when a federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brent S. Wible, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney David C. Weiss for the District of Delaware; and Assistant Director Chad Yarbrough of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division made the announcement.
The FBI is investigating the case, with assistance from the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and the government of Côte d’Ivoire.
Trial Attorney Austin M. Berry of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Senior Trial Attorney Mona Sedky of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Briana Knox for the District of Delaware are prosecuting the case.
If you, your child, or someone you know is being exploited via sextortion, contact your local FBI field office, call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), or report it online at the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). Additional resources can found at Financially Motivated Sextortion — FBI. For more information about a related financially motivated sextortion case and if you believe you are a victim in this particular case, please also visit www.justice.gov/criminal/criminal-vns/case/united-states-v-hadja-fanta-kone-siaka-ouattara-sidi-diakite-almamy-moustapha-diaby.
Wilmington Man Pleads Guilty in Federal Court to Kidnapping Resulting in DeathRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. – David C. Weiss, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced today that Kimon Burton-Roberson, age 31 of Wilmington, Delaware, pleaded guilty yesterday to Conspiracy to Commit Kidnapping, which resulted in the death of a Wilmington resident. The Honorable Chief U.S. District Judge Colm F. Connolly accepted the plea.
According to court documents, in the early hours of July 21, 2021, Mr. Burton-Roberson and co-conspirators, entered a residence in Wilmington, Delaware where they knew their victim to be staying. Mr. Burton-Roberson and others beat the victim with a blunt object until the victim was bleeding, tying the victim’s hands together with zip ties. Mr. Burton-Roberson and others then forcibly removed the victim from the residence, placed the victim into Mr. Burton-Roberson’s car, and drove the victim across state lines into Pennsylvania. Members of the conspiracy shot the victim in the head, leaving the victim’s body in an industrial park in Delaware County, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Burton-Roberson will be sentenced on April 24, 2025. He faces a sentence of up to life in prison. Chief Judge Connolly will determine his sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Weiss stated, “By working together across jurisdictions, federal and local law enforcement identified the perpetrator of this heinous crime and brought him to justice. We are proud of the tireless, cooperative efforts of our law enforcement partners.”
"The Yeadon Police Department is pleased to have greatly assisted in bringing this fugitive to justice, which brings closure to this sad, epic story that had unfortunately ended up in Yeadon. We are pleased to be able to work together with our federal partners in the FBI, Department of Justice and regional authorities including our Delaware County DA's Office as well as neighboring boroughs, in bringing this matter to a close. This illustrates how cooperation between law enforcement partners can serve to the benefit of all concerned citizens."
"Crimes like these, in which actors perpetrate offenses across jurisdictional boundaries, underscore the critical importance of our strong partnerships with our partner law enforcement agencies," said Wilmington Police Chief Wilfredo Campos. "It is our hope that the charges in this case, and now this guilty plea, will bring some measure of comfort to the family of the victim in this case."
"With this plea, Burton-Roberson is being held accountable for the horrific murder and cruel disregard he showed his victim. This type of violence is intolerable," said FBI Baltimore SAC William J. DelBagno. "The FBI's Wilmington Violent Crime and Safe Streets Task Force works every day to make our community safer by removing violent criminals like Burton-Roberson from our streets. We are proud of the partnerships and dedication shown by all agencies to bring justice in this case."
This investigation involved close collaboration between the FBI, the Yeadon Borough Police Department, the Wilmington Department of Police and Delaware Probation and Parole. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin P. Pierce, Michelle L. Morgan, and Benjamin L. Wallace are prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case No. 22-CR-17-1-CFC.
University of Delaware Failed to Disclose Professor’s Foreign Government TiesRead the Press Release
Wilmington, Del. – David C. Weiss, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced today that the University of Delaware (UD), located in Newark, Delaware, has agreed to pay $715,580 to resolve civil allegations that it failed to disclose a UD professor’s affiliations with and support from the government of the People’s Republic of China in connection with federal research funding.
This settlement relates to a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) grant that was issued to UD in June 2020. Since 2011, federal law has prohibited NASA from using funds to collaborate with China or any Chinese-owned companies. The settlement resolves allegations that UD caused NASA to violate this law by failing to disclose that one of the principal investigators on the grant was affiliated with the Chinese government through: (1) employment at a Chinese university; (2) participation in a program established by the Chinese government to recruit individuals with knowledge or access to foreign technology intellectual property; and (3) a grant from the National Natural Science Foundation of China.
“Federal law requires universities, institutions, and researchers to make disclosures, including certain foreign affiliations, when applying for grants so that the granting agencies can assess whether to fund their research and development,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware David C. Weiss. “My office will hold accountable applicants who undermine the integrity of the federal grant process by knowingly failing to submit complete and truthful applications.”
“NASA’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) is dedicated to identifying and aggressively pursuing individuals who conceal affiliations with foreign entities and undermine the integrity of our academic system to obtain research funding,” said Adelle K. Harris, Special Agent in Charge of the Eastern Field Office, NASA OIG. “We commend the exceptional investigative efforts of our agents, and the work of the USAO for the District of Delaware that resulted in this settlement. Along with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to safeguard taxpayer funds that are intended for federal research and development programs.”
The settlement was the result of a coordinated effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware and NASA-OIG. This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shamoor Anis and Claudia L. Pare for the District of Delaware.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
usa-ud_settlement_agreement_1.pdfOwner of Milford Chiropractic Clinic Pleads Guilty to Federal Health Care Fraud OffenseRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. – David C. Weiss, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced today that Pierre Charles Moise, age 57, of Apopka, Florida, pleaded guilty on December 10, 2024, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware to concealing from insurance companies the fact that he paid patients to attend his chiropractic clinic. The Honorable U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Hall accepted the plea.
According to court documents, Moise owned and operated the Wellness Health Center (“WHC”), a chiropractic clinic, in Milford, Delaware. Between at least January 2019 and March 2022, Moise, himself and through others, paid patients who had been in recent car accidents to attend treatment sessions at the WHC irrespective of whether that treatment was needed. At his instruction, WHC employees then submitted claims for reimbursement to insurance companies, who, under Delaware’s no-fault Personal Injury Protection (“PIP”) law, were obligated to pay WHC for that treatment. Moise and WHC received over $630,000 from insurance companies as a result of that fraud scheme.
Moise pleaded guilty to making a false statement relating to health care matters and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Weiss stated, “Moise defrauded insurance companies out of hundreds of thousands of dollars by taking advantage of Delaware’s PIP laws. Those laws are designed to help put injured individuals back on their feet, not to enrich criminal actors. My office is committed to prosecuting individuals who engage in such criminal schemes that hurt all Delawareans by increasing insurance costs for everyone.”
“Moise’s business model revolved around defrauding automobile insurers. Instead of operating a legitimate chiropractic clinic, he actively sought patients who did not need treatment, paying them to visit his office unnecessarily and then filing fraudulent claims,” said FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno. “Insurance fraud is not a victimless crime. It costs taxpayers millions of dollars every year. The FBI will continue to collaborate with our partners to ensure those who engage in such deceptive actions are held accountable.”
This case was investigated by the FBI Baltimore Field Office’s Wilmington Resident Agency with assistance from investigators with the Delaware Department of Insurance Fraud Prevention Bureau. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jesse S. Wenger, Meredith C. Ruggles, and Shamoor Anis are prosecuting the case.
Georgia Residents Charged with Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering, Money Laundering, Wire Fraud, and Attempted ExtortionRead the Press Release
Wilmington, Del. – On November 14, 2024, a federal grand jury returned a Superseding Indictment charging nine Georgia residents with conspiracy to commit money laundering and related offenses, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, David C. Weiss, announced today.
Defendant
Charges
Asaad Amir Hasuan, also known as “Dante Frederick,” age 43, of Brunswick, Georgia- One count of conspiracy to commit money laundering
- Eight counts of money laundering
- One count of wire fraud
- One count of attempted Hobbs Act extortion
- One count of conspiracy to commit money laundering
- Three counts of money laundering
- One count of conspiracy to commit money laundering
- One count of conspiracy to commit money laundering
- One count of conspiracy to commit money laundering
- Three counts of money laundering
- One count of conspiracy to commit money laundering
- Two counts of money laundering
- One count of conspiracy to commit money laundering
- One count of conspiracy to commit money laundering
- One count of conspiracy to commit money laundering
According to the Superseding Indictment, from about September 2021 through at least May 2024, while incarcerated in Georgia, Hasuan perpetrated fraud schemes against the family and friends of his fellow inmates. Hasuan induced his victims to transfer money and property for his own personal benefit and for the benefit of others by, among other things, falsely promising to provide legal assistance, physical protection, and investment opportunities. Hasuan ultimately defrauded his victims out of millions of dollars, including one Delaware resident who transferred money and property valued at more than $3.5 million. Hasuan then conspired with a network of money mules to launder the proceeds of his fraud schemes through various financial transactions, including the purchase of real property, mobile homes, and automobiles. The defendants also funneled the fraud proceeds through a car rental company doing business in the name of “One Way Auto.”
U.S. Attorney Weiss stated, “While incarcerated, Mr. Husuan orchestrated an illegal scheme that defrauded victims of millions of dollars. Working with our law enforcement partners, my office will continue to prioritize prosecuting individuals who choose to continue to disregard the rule of law. I commend the FBI for their work in investigating this case.”
The FBI’s Wilmington Resident Agency is investigating this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Meredith C. Ruggles and Claudia L. Pare are assigned to prosecute this case.
The U.S Attorney’s Office and the FBI are seeking to identify additional victims of Asaad Amir Hasuan a/k/a “Dante Fredrick.” If you, your family member, or anyone that you know had contact with Hasuan and would like to provide additional information, please contact the FBI at Baltimore Field Office at 410-265-8080.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER.
Repeat Sex Offender Pleads Guilty in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. – David C. Weiss, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced today that Michael Natale, age 38 of Laurel, Delaware, pleaded guilty on October 29, 2024, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware to possessing child sexual abuse material. The Honorable Chief U.S. District Judge Colm F. Connolly accepted the plea.
According to court documents, between August 21 – August 24, 2021, Mr. Natale received 12 videos and one image file depicting child pornography, and he sent six video files and one image to another user on the social media platform known as Kik. All of the files contained child pornography. The other user was also arrested by the FBI in Newark, New Jersey.
Mr. Natale will be sentenced on February 27, 2025. Because he has a previous conviction related to child pornography offenses, Natale faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, and a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Chief Judge Connolly will determine the sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Weiss stated, “My office takes child exploitation offenses very seriously. Mr. Natale had an opportunity to learn his lesson and conform his behavior to the law after his first conviction. He failed to do so and is now subject to a substantial prison sentence. I commend the FBI’s diligence in apprehending this repeat offender against our most vulnerable community members: children.”
“Every time child pornography is viewed on the internet, it re-victimizes a child,” says FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno. “Today’s guilty plea serves as a reminder that protecting children from predators like Natale is a top priority. The FBI will aggressively pursue anyone who exploits and targets children.”
This case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Briana Knox is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching Case No. 1:23-cr-34.
Delaware Precious Metals Depository Owner Convicted of Mail, Wire and Tax FraudRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. – David C. Weiss, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced that a federal jury convicted a West Chester, Pennsylvania man on October 24, 2024, on charges of Mail, Wire and Tax Fraud. U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika accepted the verdict and detained the defendant pending sentencing at the government’s request.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Robert Higgins, age 69, owned and operated First State Depository, a precious metals depository located in Wilmington, Delaware. First State Depository held over $100 million in customer assets, primarily in the form of gold and silver bars and coins. According to evidence presented at the trial, Higgins diverted customer assets to pay debts and finance his personal life, including two timeshares in Hawaii and luxury vacations. First State Depository’s records indicated that at least $58 million worth of customer assets had been misappropriated. Industry sources generally agree that this is the largest theft from a precious metals depository in U.S. history.
U.S. Attorney Weiss stated, “The jury found that Mr. Higgins defrauded his customers by repeatedly lying to and stealing from them over a 10-year period. Mr. Higgins used his customers’ gold and silver as if their precious metals were his own, and at the same time failed to declare and pay his fair share of taxes on his income. By the end of his scheme, over $50 million in customers’ precious metals was gone. In some instances, victims lost their entire hard-earned life savings because of Mr. Higgins’ theft and fraud. I want to commend the FBI and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CI) for working tirelessly to bring Mr. Higgins to justice.”
“The level of deceit and greed revealed by this investigation is staggering. With his conviction, Robert Higgins will now be held accountable for the lies he told and the millions he stole from swindling his customers,” said FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno. “The FBI and our partners at the United States Attorney's Office and IRS Criminal Investigation Division remain steadfast in our commitment to combating corruption and making sure criminals like Higgins are brought to justice.”
“Anyone contemplating cheating on their taxes should know that IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agents work tirelessly, year-round, to investigate tax and financial crimes,” said IRS Criminal Investigation Acting Special Agent in Charge Amy MacNeely. "Our largest enforcement program is directed at the portion of American taxpayers who willfully and intentionally violate their known legal duty of filing and paying their taxes."
Higgins faces a maximum penalty of 20 years on the wire and mail fraud charges and 5 years on each tax fraud charge A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case was investigated by the FBI and IRS-CI. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander Ibrahim, Edmond Falgowski, and Bryan Williamson are prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:22-cr-44.
Former Delaware Resident Charged with Possession of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
Wilmington, Del. – Alfred E. Daking, Jr., an 81-year-old former Delaware resident currently serving a federal prison sentence in an unrelated case, was charged on October 22, 2024, with possession of child sexual abuse material (“CSAM”), announced David C. Weiss, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware.
According to the indictment, on an unknown date, Daking buried material depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct in his parents’ then backyard in New Castle County, Delaware. Later, while serving a sentence in federal prison on an unrelated case, Daking told a fellow inmate that he had buried an ammunition can containing video footage in his parents’ backyard. Daking also gave that inmate a hand-drawn map of the backyard depicting the location that the ammunition can was buried on the property. Per the hand-drawn map, law enforcement searched and located an ammunition can buried underground. Both the ammunition can, and its contents were wrapped in plastic. Inside the can, law enforcement found three videocassettes and an 8mm film containing CSAM. One of the videocassettes contained a latent fingerprint that matched Daking.
U.S. Attorney Weiss stated, “For years the defendant hid evidence of his victimization of children. Today’s indictment demonstrates the commitment of my office, and our law enforcement partners to protect our communities from predatory individuals like this defendant. We will never stop working to uncover evidence of sexual exploitation and to bring the perpetrators of these heinous crimes to justice.”
The FBI investigated this case, with the assistance of New Castle County Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Claudia L. Pare and Trial Attorney Angelica Carrasco of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section are assigned to prosecute this case.
The U.S Attorney’s Office and the FBI are seeking to identify additional victims of Daking’s. If you, your family member, or anyone that you know had contact with Daking and would like to provide additional information, please contact the FBI Baltimore Field Office at 410-265-8080.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
U.S. Attorney Announces 2024 District Election OfficerRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. – David C. Weiss, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Shamoor Anis will lead the efforts of his Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5, 2024, general election. AUSA Anis has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the District of Delaware, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
U.S. Attorney Weiss said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election. Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence. The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.
Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).
U.S. Attorney Weiss additionally commented that, “The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSA/DEO Anis will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. He can be reached by the public at the following telephone number – 302-893-5213.”
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at 410-265-8080.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at 800-253-3931.
Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.
U.S. Attorney Weiss concluded, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate. It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.”
Ex-Smyrna Detective Pleads Guilty to Child Sexual Exploitation ChargeRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. – David C. Weiss, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced that Michael Kealty, a former detective with the Smyrna Police Department, pleaded guilty today to coercing and enticing a minor to engage in illicit sexual activity. The Honorable U.S. District Judge Richard G. Andrews accepted the plea.
Kealty pleaded guilty to Coercion/Enticement of a Minor. He will be sentenced on February 12, 2025, at 10 a.m. and faces a mandatory minimum term of 10 years in prison, and a maximum term of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Weiss stated, “As a police officer, Mr. Kealty took an oath to protect and serve. Instead of honoring that oath, he chose to prey upon the most vulnerable members of our community. Prosecuting these child exploitation cases will remain a priority for my office, and I commend the FBI’s diligence in investigating this case.”
“Michael Kealty’s actions reveal a calculating and dangerous criminal. He repeatedly sought opportunities to target vulnerable minors and was committing the very crimes he was sworn to investigate as a police detective. Pursuing justice for victims of child exploitation is one of the FBI’s highest priorities,” says Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno of the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office. “FBI Baltimore's Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force will continue to work with our partners to investigate these horrific acts and bring those responsible to justice.”
This case was investigated by the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Briana Knox is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER.