Northern District of Georgia
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Marietta man charged in massive PPP fraud schemeRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - Carl Delano Torjagbo, a/k/a Karl Lucius Delano, has been arrested on federal bank fraud and money laundering charges arising from a scheme to defraud a bank by obtaining a $9.5 million Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loan in the name of a fictitious company and then allegedly using the loan proceeds to upgrade his personal lifestyle. The PPP is a federal loan program intended to help small businesses survive the COVID-19 pandemic by providing them with funds to cover certain payroll costs, including benefits, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities.
“This defendant allegedly stole millions of dollars in taxpayer money intended to help small businesses stay afloat during the pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “We will continue to investigate and charge anyone who fraudulently obtains these critical funds and uses them for their own personal gain.”
“The FBI and our partners will not tolerate anyone who misdirects federal emergency assistance intended for business who actually need it to stay operational," said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “Torjagbo’s fraud was particularly egregious, and we will make sure he is held accountable accordingly.”
“The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration aggressively pursues those who endeavor to defraud programs afforded to the American people under the CARES Act,” said J. Russell George, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA). “We appreciate the efforts of the Department of Justice and our law enforcement partners in this effort.”
According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the charges, and other information presented in court: On February 16, 2021, Torjagbo signed a PPP loan application on behalf of Kremkov Industries LLC and submitted it to a bank, requesting a PPP loan in the amount of $9,554,425.00. To be eligible for a PPP loan, a business had to have been in operation on February 15, 2020. Kremkov Industries was not eligible for a PPP loan because it was not in operation on February 15, 2020. In fact, it was not even created until approximately ten months after that deadline had expired.
Torjagbo swore that the information he provided in the PPP loan application and in all supporting documents and forms was “true and accurate in all material respects.” Torjagbo certified that Kremkov Industries was in operation on February 15, 2020. Torjagbo stated that Kremkov Industries had 493 employees. Torjagbo also stated that Kremkov Industries had an average monthly payroll of $3,821,770. All of these statements were allegedly false.
In support of the PPP loan application, Torjagbo allegedly submitted fraudulent documents to the bank, including false tax returns (IRS Forms 940, 941, and 1040) and fake reports that listed the names and make-believe payroll information of the 493 people who purportedly worked for Kremkov Industries.
On March 29, 2021, as a result of Torjagbo’s alleged false and fraudulent representations, the bank transferred $9,554,425.00 in PPP loan proceeds to Torjagbo’s custody and control. The PPP loan proceeds were initially deposited into a bank account titled in the name of Kremkov Industries. Immediately before that deposit, the balance in that account was only $105.
On the PPP loan application, Torjagbo certified that all loan proceeds would be used only for business-related purposes as specified in the loan application and consistent with the Paycheck Protection Program Rules. Torjagbo acknowledged that he could be prosecuted if the PPP loan proceeds were knowingly used for unauthorized purposes.
On April 8, 2021, Torjagbo caused $3 million of the PPP loan proceeds to be transferred by check from the bank to a different bank. On that check, Torjagbo wrote a note stating that it was for “payroll.” But those funds were not used to pay “payroll.” Instead, those funds were allegedly used to pay Torjagbo’s personal debts and expenses, including the following:
• $1,677,861.01 for his personal residence;
• more than $837,000 for tractor-trailers to start a new trucking business;
• approximately $300,000 to purchase other real estate;
• $118,299.79 for a 2022 BMW M850XL;
• $87,020 for a 2021 Land Rover Velar; and
• more than $15,000 for plastic surgery.
The PPP is a federal loan program intended to help small businesses survive the COVID-19 pandemic by providing them with funds to cover certain payroll costs, including benefits, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities.
Carl Delano Torjagbo, a/k/a Karl Lucius Delano, 42, of Marietta, Georgia, was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Linda T. Walker, on federal charges of bank fraud and money laundering, and was remanded to custody. Torjagbo was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 10, 2022. Members of the public are reminded that the indictment only contains charges. The is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. In addition, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office provided valuable assistance in the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell Phillips is prosecuting the case.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can 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.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Prolific turtle trapper sentenced to prisonRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - Nathan Horton has been sentenced for illegally trapping and exporting thousands of freshwater turtles in Georgia in violation of the Lacey Act.
“Horton robbed public lands by using illegal traps that can cause significant harm to aquatic animals and birds,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “This tough but fair sentence should be a warning to anyone who would consider violating our nation’s wildlife protection statutes.”
“Wildlife trafficking negatively impacts our native natural resources and could possibly lead to a species’ extinction,” said the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Law Enforcement Assistant Director Edward Grace. “Our agents worked closely with Georgia’s Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to ensure this trafficker faced prosecution for his serious crime. This work is important so future generations of Americans may enjoy our nation’s wildlife treasures.”
“Our Law Enforcement Division is tasked with protecting Georgia’s wildlife population, and they certainly did that in this case. I am proud of the hard work and long hours our investigators, working alongside our partners at U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invested in bringing this criminal to justice.” Commissioner Mark Williams. Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the charges and other information presented in court: The Lacey Act regulates the trafficking and labeling of wildlife, fish, and plants and makes it unlawful for individuals to, among other things, knowingly export and sell wildlife that has been illegally taken in violation of state law. In Georgia, the Department of Natural Resources (“GA-DNR”) regulates the collecting, trapping, exporting, trading, and selling of freshwater turtles from land belonging to the State of Georgia. Like it does with other wildlife, GA-DNR regulates both the number of freshwater turtles that may be collected and the manner in which they may be trapped.
From at least July 2015 and continuing until at least October 2017, Horton shipped thousands of freshwater turtles from Georgia to California that had been trapped using turtle nets that were illegal under Georgia law. The turtles trapped by Horton were ultimately destined for Asia, where they could be sold for substantial profits. Through his illegal trapping activities, Horton earned more than $150,000. Unlike other animals that are hunted or trapped, such as deer, rabbits, and squirrels, freshwater turtles tend to have longer life spans and produce few offspring that survive to adulthood. Due to these biological characteristics, overharvesting of turtles can cause substantial, lasting damage to overall turtle populations.
Nathan Horton, 37, of Orangeburg, S.C., has been sentenced to one year and a day in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a fine in the amount of $10,000. Horton was also ordered to complete 200 hours of community service and he was banned from trapping turtles and other wildlife for the entirety of his term of supervised release. Horton was convicted on these charges on December 8, 2021, after he pleaded guilty.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, and California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alex Sistla and Samir Kaushal prosecuted the case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Ryan K. Buchanan sworn in as U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of GeorgiaRead the Press Release
ATLANTA – Ryan K. Buchanan has been sworn in as the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia. U.S. District Judge Thomas W. Thrash, Jr., administered the oath of office in a private ceremony. President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., nominated Buchanan to be the U.S. Attorney on November 15, 2021. The U.S. Senate confirmed his nomination on April 27, 2022.
“I am honored to serve as U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia,” said U.S. Attorney Buchanan. “I am grateful to President Biden for the opportunity to lead a dynamic and talented team of public servants who are dedicated to the pursuit of justice and ensuring the safety of our community. I am also thankful for the recommendation and support of Senator Ossoff and Senator Warnock during the confirmation process. This office has a long tradition of working closely with our law enforcement and community partners, the defense bar, and the court in serving this district. I look forward to maintaining and strengthening those relationships.”
As the chief federal law enforcement official in the Northern District of Georgia, U.S. Attorney Buchanan oversees the investigation and litigation of all criminal and civil cases brought in the district on behalf of the United States. He leads a team of approximately 250 prosecutors and staff in its mission to enforce federal criminal law, advocate for the victims of crimes, and represent the United States’ interests in federal court.
U.S. Attorney Buchanan joined the Department of Justice in 2010 as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Northern District of Alabama. He has served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Northern District of Georgia since 2013 and has held the positions of National Security and Anti-Terrorism Council Coordinator and Deputy Chief of the Violent Crime and National Security Section.
During his career, U.S. Attorney Buchanan successfully prosecuted cases involving foreign terrorist organizations and attempts by domestic terrorists to acquire weapons of mass destruction. He has also handled cases involving organized crime and racketeering, robbery, kidnapping, carjacking, exploitation of children, and other violent crimes.
Prior to joining the Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney Buchanan worked in private practice at McGuireWoods LLP. He also served as a law clerk to the Honorable Inge P. Johnson of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama. Buchanan received his J.D. from Vanderbilt University Law School in 2005 and his B.S. from Samford University in 2001.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Nigerian woman sentenced for scamming Social Security Administration and FEMA out of nearly a million dollarsRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - Ivie Shevon Sajere has been sentenced for her role in a conspiracy that defrauded the Social Security Administration (“SSA”) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”) out of nearly $1,000,000. The conspiracy involved the false filing of thousands of online applications for SSA retirement benefits and FEMA disaster benefits using stolen personal information.
“This was a massive fraud that impacted two government agencies and harmed thousands of victims across the country whose identities were stolen,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “Sajere’s prison sentence is the culmination of a complicated investigation and prosecution and serves as a cautionary tale to other fraudsters similarly minded.”
“This sentence holds Sajere accountable for her role in this complex conspiracy to defraud the Social Security Administration, alone, of nearly seven hundred thousand dollars. She stole personal information of innocent people and used it to defraud the SSA by abusing its online services,” said Gail S. Ennis, Inspector General, for the Social Security Administration. “My office will continue to uphold the integrity of the SSA’s online services and programs that so many Americans rely on. I thank the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General, and Homeland Security Investigations, and other law enforcement agencies for joining us in this comprehensive investigation. I also thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for prosecuting this case.”
“Anyone with malicious intent can cause widespread damage to victims, and in this case, the defendant orchestrated an identity theft spree that resulted in the defrauding of two agencies that provide substantial assistance to individuals in need,” said Tommy D. Coke, Inspector in Charge of the Atlanta Division, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. “This scheme highlights the importance of national collaboration when it comes to combatting identity theft, and I thank our law enforcement partners for their essential assistance with this investigation.”
According to U.S. Attorney Erskine, the charges and other information presented in court: Beginning in approximately June 2017 until September 2018, the defendant and her husband, Neville Sajere, both Nigerian nationals who engaged in marriage fraud in an unsuccessful attempt to become U.S. citizens, participated in a money laundering scheme that defrauded nearly a million dollars from SSA and FEMA.
The scheme involved unknown fraudsters filing applications for Social Security retirement benefits and FEMA disaster relief benefits using stolen personal information. The individual victims whose personal information was stolen were often individuals highly acclaimed in their fields. It appears that these individuals were targeted because, even though they were of retirement age, they had not filed for SSA retirement benefits and did not need disaster benefit relief. Thus, the fraudsters had a better chance of getting the applications approved. The victims included a movie director, an award-winning journalist, the daughter of a legendary movie director, and a highly esteemed academic.
Once an application was approved, the fraudsters directed that the funds be deposited onto a Green Dot debit card opened using other stolen personal information. As soon as the money hit the Green Dot debit card, the defendant generated payments through Square, Stripe, and PayPal to Nevada Bridge TV, a Nigerian streaming service/television production company owned by the defendant’s husband; BAGMA, an African gospel award show business owned by the defendant’s husband; and Shevonz, a clothing store owned by the defendant.
Ivie Shevon Sajere (a/k/a Ivie Shevon Owubo), 38, Suwanee, Georgia, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Timothy C. Batten, Sr., to two years, six months in prison. She was also ordered to pay $949,616.40 in restitution to SSA and FEMA. Sajere was remanded into custody at the close of the sentencing hearing to begin her sentence. Because Sajere is not a United States citizen, she is likely to be deported after she completes her sentence. Sajere pleaded guilty on November 30, 2021, to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.
This case was investigated by the Social Security Administration – Office of Inspector General, Department of Homeland Security – Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Diane C. Schulman, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Samir Kaushal prosecuted the case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Texas couple who stole over $4 million from Georgia company sentenced to more than six years in prisonRead the Press Release
ATLANTA – April and James Thompson have each been sentenced for mail fraud after stealing over $4 million from Forest Investment Associates (“FIA”), an Atlanta-based company that provides timberland investment advisory and management services for institutional timberland investors.
“The defendants were able to engage in this fraud for so long only because the victim trusted them,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “We will aggressively prosecute those who exploit their insider knowledge and the trust of others to steal.”
“The negative impact of white-collar fraud is far-reaching, and the FBI constantly works to hold fraudsters accountable and protect businesses from further damages,” said Philip Wislar, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The Thompsons chose self-interest and greed rather than to make an honest living, and for that they will spend significant time in prison.”
According to U.S. Attorney Erskine, the charges, and other information presented in court: April Thompson worked in Texas for Kingwood Forestry Services (“Kingwood”), which is a natural resource consulting firm that provides a variety of forestry services to landowners. FIA contracted with Kingwood to retain contractors to provide field services on behalf of FIA’s clients, such as clearing land, road grading, or other services, subject to an agreed upon annual budget. After the work was completed, Kingwood would send invoices to FIA for the work performed by the contractors. FIA, in turn, paid the invoices directly to the contractors. At Kingwood, April Thompson was responsible for managing the submission of invoices to and requesting payment from FIA.
Between approximately May 2011 and April 2019, April Thompson submitted over 400 fraudulent invoices totaling more than $4 million to FIA for work that her husband, James Thompson, had allegedly performed at FIA timber properties. Not one of these invoices was true. James Thompson never worked as contractor for FIA or Kingwood and had never performed work on any FIA timber property. After April Thompson submitted the invoices, FIA mailed checks to the Thompsons in Texas, which they deposited into bank accounts they jointly controlled. The Thompsons used the stolen money for their own personal benefit, including to operate James Thompson’s trucking businesses, support his race car hobby, purchase silver and gold coins, install a pool at their home, and even treat themselves and friends to a Hawaiian vacation.
In addition to the criminal charges against the Thompsons, FIA had separately filed a civil suit against them in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas (“Texas court”). As part of the civil litigation, the Texas court appointed a Receiver to manage and control the Thompsons’ finances, which included granting him full access and control over their bank accounts, as well as the authority to take custody, control, and possession of their property, and authority to determine their reasonable and necessary living expenses. The Texas court also required that the Thompsons respond promptly and truthfully to all requests for information and documents from the Receiver.
The Texas court twice found the Thompsons in contempt for violating its orders, including after they had both pleaded guilty in Georgia. The Texas court found that that they had willfully disregarded its orders related to the preservation of assets by withholding, concealing, or otherwise failing to provide truthful information to the Receiver. The Thompsons likewise failed to make complete financial disclosures to the U.S. Probation Office in advance of their sentencings, including hiding the existence of a bank account in which they were receiving their salaries and failing to account for how thousands of dollars of cash had been spent in the months leading up to their sentencings.
April Thompson, 44, and James Thompson, 49, both of Maud, Texas, were each sentenced by U.S. District Judge Eleanor L. Ross to six years and eight months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $5,143,209. They were originally charged by a federal grand jury in September 2019 with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and multiple counts of mail fraud. On December 1, 2021, April Thompson pleaded guilty to eleven counts of mail fraud. James Thompson pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud on January 13, 2022.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tal C. Chaiken, Alex R. Sistla, and Thomas J. Krepp prosecuted the case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Two arraigned in $3 million COVID Unemployment Insurance Benefits schemeRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - Rowlando Hatter Jr., and Clyde Anthony Parker Jr., have been arraigned on federal charges of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, mail fraud, and aggravated identity theft. They allegedly participated in a scheme to use stolen identities to fraudulently apply for Unemployment Insurance (“UI”) Benefits in multiple states during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The defendants allegedly regarded these benefits as means to steal money at a time when many legitimately relied on Unemployment Insurance Benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “This type of fraud diverts CARES Act funds away from those it is intended for – those who need the money to make ends meet each month.”
“An important mission of the Office of Inspector General is to investigate allegations of fraud related to the unemployment insurance program. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate these types of allegations,” stated Mathew Broadhurst, Special Agent in Charge, Atlanta Region, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.
“This case is another example of criminals trying to take advantage of a bad situation for their benefit. Hatter and Parker’s alleged scheme took desperately needed money from people struggling during the COVID pandemic,” said Special Agent in Charge Katrina W. Berger, who oversees Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operations in Georgia and Alabama. “This isn’t a victimless crime, every time a fraudster like this steals money, legitimate applicants are unable to get those funds to help themselves and their families.”
“The alleged actions of the defendants to defraud a government program designed to provide financial assistance is criminally reprehensible,” said Tommy D. Coke, Inspector in Charge of the Atlanta Division. “Postal Inspectors and our law enforcement partners will aggressively go after bad actors who utilized the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity to commit fraud for their own financial gain.”
According to U.S. Attorney Erskine, the charges, and other information presented in court: The U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration oversees the Federal-State Unemployment Insurance Program, which provides unemployment benefits to eligible workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own as determined under state law and who meet other state eligibility requirements. On March 27, 2020, the President signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act. The CARES Act was designed to mitigate the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in a variety of ways. One of the provisions provided for temporary benefits for individuals who exhausted their entitlement to regular UI payments, as well as coverage for individuals who were not eligible for regular UI payments and were self-employed or had limited recent work history.
Between about July 1, 2020, and continuing through October 5, 2020, Hatter, 31, of Smyrna, Georgia, and Parker, 31, of Oak Park, Michigan, caused fraudulent applications for UI benefits to be submitted electronically to workforce agencies in various states, including California, Georgia, and Michigan. The applications fraudulently listed the names, Social Security numbers, and other personal identifying information of individuals without their knowledge and consent.
After claims were approved, the state workforce agencies paid the benefits by depositing the funds onto debit cards issued through the approving state workforce agency. The debit cards were mailed to residential addresses and P.O. Boxes located at addresses in Smyrna, Georgia and in Michigan that were controlled by Hatter and Parker. After receiving the debit cards, both Hatter and Parker withdrew the UI funds, in part, through ATM cash withdrawals.
Members of the public are reminded that the indictment only contains charges. The defendants are presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Special assistance was provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation – Sacramento, California.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tracia M. King and Thomas J. Krepp are prosecuting the case.
This case was sponsored by the Georgia Unemployment Insurance Task Force. The Task Force is comprised of federal and state agencies throughout Georgia that are dedicated to combat COVID-related Unemployment Insurance Benefits Fraud.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Paul D. Weir, John R. Morgan, M.D., Care Plus Management, LLC, and Anesthesia entities pay $7.2 million to resolve kickback and False Claims Act allegationsRead the Press Release
ATLANTA – Paul D. Weir, John R. Morgan, M.D. and the company they created, Care Plus Management, LLC (“Care Plus”), along with 18 anesthesia entities that Care Plus owned and operated, agreed to pay $7.2 million to resolve allegations that they entered into kickback arrangements with referring physicians in exchange for the referral of the physicians’ patients for anesthesia services. Specifically, Weir and Morgan, through Care Plus, shared the revenue received for anesthesia services with the referring physicians, and provided subsidies for drugs, supplies and equipment to the referring physicians’ outpatient surgical centers.
“A physician’s selection of an anesthesia provider for the patients he or she treats should be motivated by the quality of the anesthesia provider rather than by the income the physician can generate for him or herself,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “By offering remuneration to physicians, an anesthesia provider improperly affects the physician’s decision-making process for selecting an anesthesia provider for his or her patients.”
“Health care providers using kickbacks to boost their profits threaten the impartiality of medical decision-making, the financial integrity of Medicaid, and the public’s trust in the health care system,” said Special Agent in Charge Tamala E. Miles, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “Our agency will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to uproot such fraud schemes and hold those responsible accountable.”
“Kickback schemes can undermine our healthcare system, compromise medical decisions, and waste taxpayer dollars,” said Phil Wislar, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure that all medical providers properly follow health care rules and regulations.”
“Medical professionals who enter into arrangements solely to enhance their own profits undermine the public’s faith in our healthcare system,” said Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr. “By joining forces with our federal partners and those who bring these issues to our attention, our Medicaid Fraud Division is working vigorously to ensure that the integrity of our Medicaid program is not comprised in any way. On behalf of the people of Georgia, we remain vigilant in our efforts to uncover fraud or abuse in our publicly-funded healthcare programs and will continue fighting to protect taxpayer dollars.”
Anesthesia providers typically depend on hospitals and outpatient surgery centers for their income. If an anesthesia provider can secure an exclusive contract for anesthesia services with a center, it is guaranteed a steady stream of patient referrals during the term of the contract. As a result, anesthesia providers compete aggressively for these contracts.
The Government alleges that between 2012 and 2016, Weir and Morgan, through Care Plus, induced the physician owners of outpatient surgery centers to award these exclusive services agreements to them by offering them a partial ownership in the anesthesia entities that Care Plus had created to service their surgery centers. Under this arrangement, the physician owners received compensation in the form of a portion of the revenue from the anesthesia services.
The Government further alleges that during this same period, Weir, Morgan, Care Plus and its anesthesia companies subsidized the cost incurred by surgery centers for drugs, supplies and equipment in order to induce the physician owners of those centers to grant exclusive anesthesia services agreements to Care Plus’s anesthesia companies. HHS-OIG has longstanding concerns about the provision of free or below-fair-market-value goods or services to an existing or potential referral source. Indeed, free or below-fair-market-value goods or services may be used as a vehicle to disguise or confer an unlawful payment for referrals of Federal health care program business.
The Government alleges that these arrangements violated the Anti-Kickback Statute, 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7b(b), and caused the submission of false claims in violation of the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. § 3729, et seq.
This settlement resolves a lawsuit originally filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia by Robert Douglas (the Relator) under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act. United States ex rel. Douglas, et al. v. Care Plus Management, LLC, et al., No. 1:16-cv-4439-WMR. Under the False Claims Act, private citizens may bring suit for false claims on behalf of the United States and share in any recovery obtained by the government. The Relator has received over $1.3 million from the settlement.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General and the Georgia Attorney General's Office Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.
The civil settlement was reached by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Neeli Ben-David and Mellori Lumpkin-Dawson, and Georgia Senior Assistant Attorney General Jim Mooney.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Decatur men convicted for Chamblee carjacking and Newnan firearms theftsRead the Press Release
ATLANTA – Antonio McCrary has been sentenced for a carjacking at a Chamblee, Georgia residence and an unrelated string of firearm thefts in Newnan, Georgia. Additionally, Cortez Butler, who admitted to committing the carjacking with Butler, was sentenced in September 2020.
“These two men brazenly stole a car from a family’s driveway and fired a gun towards the victim as they sped away,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “Later, McCrary boldly continued his criminal behavior by breaking into a dozen cars and stealing multiple firearms before leading law enforcement on a dangerous high-speed chase on an interstate. Thankfully no lives were lost during McCrary’s or Butler’s crimes as a result of the coordinated efforts of federal and local law enforcement.”
“The sentencing of McCrary and Cortez to substantial prison time illustrates the FBI’s commitment to working with its law enforcement partners to protect our citizens against such violent offenders,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta, Philip Wislar. “This sentencing sends a message to those contemplating such brazen and selfish criminal acts that they will be aggressively investigated and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. The public is now safer with McCrary and Cortez behind bars.”
“The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration is committed to investigating crimes committed against Internal Revenue Service employees,” said J. Russell George, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. “We appreciate the efforts of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the other law enforcement agencies involved for their partnership and investigative efforts.”
“We appreciate the collaborative efforts by all agencies in resolving this case and bringing closure to the victims and others involved during this investigation,” said Chief Brent Blankenship, Newnan Police Department.
According to U.S. Attorney Erskine, the charges and other information presented in court: In March 2018, the victim was in the kitchen of his home in Chamblee when he heard his family’s car unlock in the garage and saw the car’s lights come on. The victim looked into the garage and saw a man getting into the car, and then ran outside as someone backed the car out of the garage. The victim jumped on the hood of the car but fell off when he heard a gunshot.
Shortly after the carjacking, video footage near a house in Decatur, Georgia showed Butler and McCrary arriving and exiting the stolen car. Butler and McCrary later confessed to the carjacking. Four days later, the stolen car was recovered from a third party during a traffic stop in Atlanta.
In January 2020, McCrary and another man drove around Newnan, Georgia in a different stolen vehicle. They broke into more than a dozen cars during a three-hour crime spree, and stole cash, electronics, and four firearms. Several of the break-ins were caught on surveillance cameras, allowing Newnan Police to place a “be on the lookout” or “BOLO” for the stolen car.
That afternoon, a Coweta County Sheriff’s Deputy spotted the car and attempted a traffic stop. McCrary, who was driving, led officers on a high-speed chase driving over 130 miles per hour on I-85 and recklessly cut in and out of traffic. McCrary eventually exited the highway, ran multiple red lights and stop signs, and caused another car to run off the road and hit a tree. The chase finally ended when McCrary lost control of the car, ran off the road, and landed sideways in a ditch. McCrary and his accomplice were taken to the hospital, and once cleared, booked on state charges. Newnan Police recovered all of the items stolen earlier that day, including the four firearms. Officers recovered five additional guns, most of which were also recently reported stolen.
McCrary was charged in a federal indictment with the March 2018 carjacking, discharging a firearm during the carjacking, the January 2020 theft of firearms, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. McCrary had previously pled guilty in a state case to a home burglary in Cumming, Georgia, during which he and others stole jewelry, electronics, and a luxury automobile.
Antonio McCrary, 24, of Decatur, Georgia, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Steven D. Grimberg to 13 years, six months of imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release. McCrary pleaded guilty to the federal crimes of theft of firearms and possession of a firearm as a convicted felon. The court also considered the Chamblee carjacking in imposing the sentence.
Cortez Butler, 23, of Decatur, Georgia, was sentenced on September 9, 2020 to ten years in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. He pled guilty to the federal offense of discharging a firearm during the March 2018 carjacking.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Annalise K. Peters and Matthew Carrico prosecuted the case.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Chamblee Police Department, and the Newnan Police Department.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). In keeping with the Attorney General’s mission to reduce violent crime, the Northern District of Georgia’s PSN program focuses on prosecuting those individuals who most significantly drive violence in our communities and supports and fosters partnerships between law enforcement and schools, the faith community, and local community leaders to prevent and deter future criminal conduct.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Passenger sentenced for groping nurse during flightRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - Scott Russell Granden has been sentenced to federal prison for groping and inappropriately touching a female passenger seated next to him on a flight to Atlanta.
“Passengers have the right to fly in peace and to expect that their personal dignity will be respected,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “When this defendant started groping and sexually harassing the female passenger in the next seat, he humiliated and degraded her. We will not tolerate this type of behavior on an airplane, and this sentence shows the consequences for such abusive sexual conduct.”
“Reports of sexual assaults on aircraft are increasing and we want the public to know that these assaults are federal crimes with severe consequences”, said Philip Wislar, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The FBI will continue to work with our partners to investigate and prosecute these crimes to keep the skies safe for everyone.”
“The Atlanta Police Department takes the safety of aircraft passengers, seriously,” said Atlanta Police Chief Rodney Bryant. “We continuously work closely with our local and federal law enforcement partners to ensure that airport customers and airline passengers feel safe when traveling to and from our great city.”
According to U.S. Attorney Erskine, the charges and other information presented in court: On March 25, 2021, Granden boarded a flight traveling from St. Louis, Missouri, to Atlanta. He sat in a middle seat beside the victim, R.A.K, an emergency room nurse. R.A.K. was exhausted from a hectic day and, shortly after takeoff, tried to rest. She awoke to discover that Granden’s hand was on her thigh. She removed his hand and went back to sleep. But she woke up moments later because Granden had again placed his hand on her thigh, moved his hand towards her groin area, and, at one point, tried to kiss her. R.A.K. warned Granden to stop touching her. But he slapped R.A.K. on the buttocks when she stood up to let him pass her to go to the restroom.
A flight attendant responded to R.A.K.’s complaint about these incidents and moved Granden to a different seat. The airline company notified the Atlanta Police Department (APD) about the assault and arrested Granden when the plane arrived in Atlanta. APD officers obtained statements from R.A.K. and another passenger on the flight. Granden called the officers a series of racist and homophobic slurs during this time.
Scott Russell Granden, 36, of St. Louis, Missouri, has been sentenced to one year and nine months in prison to be followed by one year of supervised release. He must also register as a sex offender. Granden was convicted of the offense of abusive sexual contact aboard an aircraft on September 24, 2021, after he pleaded guilty.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Atlanta Police Department.
Assistant U.S Attorney Paul R. Jones prosecuted the case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
OGCC Behavioral Services and Dionne Huffman pay $750,000.00 to settle False Claims Act allegationsRead the Press Release
ATLANTA – OGCC Behavioral Health Services, Inc. (“OGCC”) and its owner and Executive Director, Dionne Huffman, have agreed to pay $750,000 to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by, among other things, billing the government for services that they did not provide or were not provided in the way that OGCC said that they were.
“Medicaid beneficiaries have the right to receive quality care,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt Erskine. “We will continue to prioritize cases where the provider’s actions shortchange some of the most vulnerable members of our community.”
“This settlement will serve to hold OGCC and Huffman accountable for stealing from Medicaid and the taxpayers of Georgia,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Philip Wislar. “These funds were intended to support citizens with mental health needs but were instead diverted to greedy fraudsters. The FBI encourages brave whistleblowers like Ms. Hawkins to continue to come forward to report such crimes to law enforcement.”
“It's disturbing when health care providers accept Medicare and Medicaid money meant to pay for the care of vulnerable patients, when in reality the providers either provided no services at all or otherwise misrepresented their services in order to steal from federal health care programs,” said Special Agent in Charge Tamala E. Miles of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. “We will continue to hold dishonest health care providers accountable in order to ensure patients receive quality care and that taxpayer-funded programs are billed appropriately.”
“Georgians deserve to receive behavioral health services from qualified individuals, just as our programs were designed to provide. Through our Medicaid Fraud Division, we remain vigilant in our efforts to protect taxpayer dollars and to ensure they are used to serve the best interests of our vulnerable populations. Providers who choose to abuse or exploit our programs will be held accountable for their actions,” said Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr.
OGCC is a CORE Services Provider for the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. CORE providers are supposed to offer services to individuals who are experiencing emotional and behavioral difficulties, mental health problems, or addiction. The government alleges that, between 2014 and 2016, OGCC falsified the identity and qualifications of the health care providers to receive reimbursement at a higher rate, inflated the amount of time spent with patients, submitted claims for patient visits that never occurred, misrepresented dates of service, and fabricated documents in response to government scrutiny.
The settlement resolves allegations in a lawsuit filed by Latashia Hawkins, a former OGCC employee, under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provisions of the False Claims Act, which authorizes private parties to sue for false claims on behalf of the United States and share in the recovery. The lawsuit was filed in the Northern District of Georgia and is captioned United States and State of Georgia ex rel. Hawkins v. OGCC Behavioral Health Services, Inc., No. 1:15-cv-4380.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, the FBI, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office of Inspector General, and the Georgia State Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Division investigated this case.
The civil settlement was reached by Assistant U.S. Attorney Austin Hall and Georgia State Assistant Attorney General Sara Vann.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Utah man who operated fraudulent veteran charities sentenced to federal prisonRead the Press Release
ATLANTA – Travis Peterson has been sentenced for mail fraud while operating a fraudulent charity scheme. For nearly six years, he used millions of robocalls to urge people—often targeting senior citizens—to donate vehicles and other valuable items by falsely claiming their donations would go to veterans’ charities and were tax-deductible. In reality, veterans received nothing, and Peterson pocketed more than $500,000.
“Peterson shamelessly defrauded thousands of people while supposedly helping veterans,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “Fraudsters rely on the goodwill of unsuspecting citizens to perpetrate their schemes. With our law enforcement partners, we will track them down and bring them to justice.”
“This defendant preyed on older citizens who were trusting and unknowingly fell for a scam that was for his financial benefit,” said Tommy D. Coke, Inspector in Charge of the Atlanta Division. “Postal Inspectors will continue to work with our law enforcement partners in our relentless pursuit to combat elder financial exploitation and tracking down unscrupulous schemers to bring them to justice.”
“Peterson deserves his time in federal prison for lining his pockets with money that he told donors would benefit our veterans,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “Charity scams and illegal robocalls are a toxic mix that we’ll continue to target with the help of our law enforcement partners.”
According to U.S. Attorney Erskine, the charges and other information presented in court: Between approximately April 2012 and July 2018, Travis Peterson registered nearly a dozen corporate entities in Nevada, Michigan, and Utah. Each of these companies was purportedly a tax-exempt charitable organization that Peterson established to help veterans and their families. None of these companies, however, was an actual charity with tax exempt status. Peterson in fact never owned or operated a single charity that benefitted veterans.
Using millions of robocalls, as well as multiple websites and newspaper advertisements, Peterson defrauded thousands of people around the country into believing they were donating vehicles and other property to benefit veterans. Peterson and those working at his direction falsely informed would-be donors that their donations would be used to benefit veterans and were tax deductible. In order to execute his fraud, Peterson contracted with third-party auto auction companies to handle the logistics of acquiring and selling the donated vehicles. After the vehicles were sold, the auction companies would remit any proceeds to bank accounts controlled by Peterson. None of these funds went to the benefit of veterans. Peterson instead used them for own personal expenses, including to pay for online dating services and to purchase an all-terrain vehicle. As a result, Peterson defrauded donors of more than $500,000.
The FTC had previously filed a complaint against Peterson in the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah arising from this same fraudulent scheme. On April 1, 2019, the court entered a stipulated order and judgment which permanently banned Peterson from soliciting charitable contributions and from using robocalls, as well as prohibiting him from making misrepresentations that a charitable contribution is tax-deductible. The order also imposed a $541,032.10 monetary judgment against Peterson and required that he forfeit 88 vehicles. The FTC’s investigation of Peterson is part of a broader initiative by the agency to combat illegal robocalls.
More information about several of the FTC’s recent enforcement actions, including Peterson’s, is available online: https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2019/03/ftc-crackdown-stops-operations-responsible-billions-illegal.
Travis Peterson, 54, of West Ephraim, Utah, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Eleanor L. Ross to three years and five months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $541,032.10. He was originally charged by a federal grand jury in December 2020 with multiple counts of mail and wire fraud. On November 4, 2021, he pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. The Atlanta and Cleveland Regional Offices of the Federal Trade Commission provided invaluable contributions in this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex R. Sistla prosecuted the case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Jackson County man sentenced as an armed career criminalRead the Press Release
GAINESVILLE, Ga. - Brandon Mason has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as an armed career criminal.
“The Armed Career Criminal statute was written for defendants like Mason whose drug trafficking and violence pose a significant risk to public safety,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “Our partnerships with federal, state, and local law enforcement officers, and community stakeholders, are helping to achieve meaningful reductions in violent crime in these communities.”
“Targeting trigger pullers is a key component to ATF’s mission to take violent offenders off the street” said ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Alicia Jones. “The fact that Mason is an armed career criminal will guarantee he is off the streets for many years to come.”
“The Commerce Police Department was honored to work with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in an effort to hold Brandon Mason accountable for his actions. Brandon Mason has routinely reoffended upon returning to our community. The opportunity to prosecute this case through Project Safe Neighborhoods will aid us in our efforts to keep Commerce a safe community to thrive in. Mason has demonstrated time and again a propensity to commit violent acts that create an unsafe negative environment in the neighborhood he grew up in. The sentence imposed should stand as both accountability for Brandon Mason as well as a deterrent to others that would consider the commission of violent acts intended to disrupt the safety, tranquility, and quality of life in the City of Commerce,” said Kenneth Harmon Jr., Chief of Police, City of Commerce.
According to U.S. Attorney Erskine, the charges and other information presented in court: On October 6, 2019, the Commerce, Georgia, Police Department responded to a 911 call of shots fired. The victim identified Brandon Mason as the shooter, and a crime scene expert determined that bullets had pierced the back windshield of the victim’s car, pierced the driver’s headrest, and exited through the front windshield of the vehicle. Officers also found .40 caliber shell casings at the scene. Investigators apprehended Mason approximately one hour after the shooting in possession of a .40 caliber pistol.
Brandon Mason, 34, of Commerce, Georgia, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard W. Story to 15 years in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release. Mason pleaded guilty to felon in possession of a firearm on December 21, 2020, in connection with this shooting.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Commerce Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Keen prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). In keeping with the Attorney General’s mission to reduce violent crime, the Northern District of Georgia’s PSN program focuses on prosecuting those individuals who most significantly drive violence in our communities, and supports and fosters partnerships between law enforcement and schools, the faith community, and local community leaders to prevent and deter future criminal conduct.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Atlanta drug trafficker sentenced for distributing heroin that killed college studentRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - DeAngelo Copeland has been sentenced for selling heroin and admitting that his act of distribution resulted in the overdose death of a college student in April 2018.
“Copeland’s heroin distribution led to yet another drug overdose death in our community,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “Opioid overdoses will be investigated and prosecuted as a federal priority and those who sell this poison will be held accountable for the death and suffering that it causes.”
“HIDTA’s commingled drug task forces are committed to the disruption and dismantlement of organizations determined to make a profit on the backs of addiction. This loss of life and the more than 100,000 that died in 2021 from a drug overdose, fuels our drive to make our communities safer. This successful investigation by Agents, Task Force Officers and the US Attorney’s office is the result of cooperative law enforcement,” said Dan R. Salter, Executive Director, Atlanta-Carolinas HIDTA.
“The sentencing of Copeland proves that the justice system is committed to holding drug traffickers accountable for their crimes,” said Atlanta Police Chief Rodney Bryant. “Additionally, the sentencing sends a message to drug traffickers that the illegal sale of drugs will not be tolerated in Atlanta.”According to U.S. Attorney Erskine, the charges and other information presented in court: On April 10, 2018, officers with the Atlanta Police Department responded to a 911 call seeking medical attention for a 22-year-old college student, who died of a heroin overdose that night. The investigation revealed that the college student ordered the heroin from Copeland in a series of text messages earlier that afternoon.
That evening, Copeland delivered the heroin outside the apartment where the college student was staying. The college student subsequently used the heroin Copeland sold, causing his death. Investigators identified Copeland as the heroin seller by arranging undercover drug purchases with the same phone number Copeland used on April 10, 2018.
Copeland sold drugs to the undercover officer on multiple occasions inside his car. Copeland, who has a history of drug trafficking offenses, admitted to trafficking in heroin and acknowledged that the heroin he sold caused the victim’s death.
DeAngelo Copeland, a/k/a Lo, 37, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Mark H. Cohen to 15 years, eight months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release after pleading guilty to the charge of distributing heroin on September 9, 2021.
This case was investigated by the Atlanta-Carolinas High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, with valuable assistance by the Atlanta Police Department.
High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program, created by Congress with the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, provides assistance to Federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies operating in areas determined to be critical drug-trafficking regions of the United States.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas Hartigan and Calvin A. Leipold, III prosecuted the case.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Atlanta recommends parents and children learn about the dangers of drugs at the following web site: www.justthinktwice.gov.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Armed career criminal sentenced for drug and firearm salesRead the Press Release
ATLANTA –Derrick Guffie, an armed career criminal, has been sentenced to federal prison for illegal drugs and firearm sales. Guffie was involved in nine drug transactions and sold firearms on three occasions.
“Guffie is a violent felon with convictions for manslaughter, aggravated assault, and robbery by force,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “This sentence will remove him from the community and sends a strong message that those who promote violence in our communities will face the same fate.”
“ATF is committed to assisting our law enforcement partners in targeting armed drug and firearms traffickers and removing them from our communities” said ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Alicia Jones. “Guffie’s status as an armed career criminal highlights the threat he posed to the residents of Atlanta and law enforcement and we are proud to announce that he will be spending a substantial amount of time in prison.”
According to U.S. Attorney Erskine, the charges and other information presented in court: On September 11, 2019, a man was shot in the head in front of Guffie’s driveway in Atlanta, Georgia, in retaliation for the theft of two kilograms of cocaine. ATF then began investigating drug trafficking in the area. During the investigation, Guffie sold methamphetamine [and other drugs] to an undercover federal agent on nine occasions, and illegally sold guns to the agent on three occasions.
On February 16, 2020, Guffie was arrested on state probation charges. However, even after his arrest, Guffie unsuccessfully attempted to coordinate illegal drug and firearm sales from prison.
Darrick Guffie, 46, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Eleanor Ross, to 15 years and eight months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. On September 27, 2021, he pleaded guilty to the offense of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and two counts of felon-in-possession of a firearm.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Atlanta Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Dash A. Cooper prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). In keeping with the Attorney General’s mission to reduce violent crime, the Northern District of Georgia’s PSN program focuses on prosecuting those individuals who most significantly drive violence in our communities, and supports and fosters partnerships between law enforcement and schools, the faith community, and local community leaders to prevent and deter future criminal conduct.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Justice Department honors fifth annual Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Community PolicingRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - The Justice Department announced the recipients of the Fifth Annual Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Community Policing. This year’s awards recognize the exceptional work of 18 law enforcement officers and deputies from 12 jurisdictions across the country.
Attorney General Garland announced the award recipients in Atlanta, Georgia. Later, he attended a ceremony for three award recipients from the DeKalb County Police Department.
“The work of law enforcement has always been difficult—but perhaps no more so than in the recent past, as officers have faced a host of significant challenges. The officers and deputies receiving this year’s awards demonstrate how so many go above and beyond, even in the midst of trying circumstances,” he said. “Every day, thousands of people who work in law enforcement forge and maintain strong community ties that are essential for ensuring public safety. The recipients of this award represent quintessential examples of such critical efforts. It is an honor to recognize them.”
“Community policing depends on active engagement by law enforcement,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt Erskine. “The award recipients developed creative ways to reach out to youth in DeKalb County when the pandemic threatened to leave at-risk youth with no summer programs. It is through this kind of creative approach that we built trust with the citizens law enforcement serves.”
The Attorney General’s Award recognizes individual state, local, Tribal, and territorial police officers, deputies, and troopers for exceptional efforts in community policing. The awarded officers and deputies have demonstrated active engagement with the community in one of three areas: innovations in community policing, criminal investigations, or field operations. This year, the Department received 185 nominations from 145 agencies, recognizing a total of 347 individual officers, deputies, and troopers. There were 39 states represented in the nomination pool, covering state, local, campus, sheriff, and other agency types.
The work being honored this year reflects numerous examples of law enforcement officers working closely with the community to build trust, solve problems, reduce crime, and improve public safety.
The Department of Justice works closely with national law enforcement stakeholder groups during the award review period, taking advantage of their expertise and experience to determine the recipients in a competitive nomination process. The Department also works closely with its components, utilizing the breadth of knowledge within the Department to ensure a successful program that honors the exceptional service of our nation’s law enforcement officers and deputies.
Complete information on the Fifth Annual Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Community Policing can be found at https://www.justice.gov/ag/policing-award.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga
Computer consultant sentenced to prison for access device fraud schemeRead the Press Release
ATLANTA – Kevin Kirton has been sentenced for running an access device fraud scheme that involved stealing over $600,000 in fraudulent tax refunds from the Internal Revenue Service.
“Kirton created technical ‘solutions’ to conduct his own fraud schemes and help others commit fraud,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “Every thief believes they have developed a new undetectable method to steal. As in this case, they will be caught, prosecuted, and face years in federal prison to contemplate their failed endeavor.”
“Kirton was part of a significant tax fraud scheme and his operation defrauded American taxpayers by using stolen identities to solicit the issuance of fraudulent tax refunds,” said Special Agent in Charge, James E. Dorsey, IRS. “This sentencing should serve as a warning to other would-be schemers. As tax filing season continues, those attempting similar thefts from the US Treasury should be aware, Special Agents of IRS – Criminal Investigation will continue the aggressive pursuit of anyone attempting to defraud America's tax system."
“As evidenced by the length of the prison sentence in this case, fraud is a pernicious crime, especially when it involves identity theft.” said U.S. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Steven R. Baisel. “The Secret Service along with our federal partners will continue to aggressively investigate and bring to justice those attempting to compromise our financial infrastructure.”
“The egregious criminal conduct in this case resulted in the theft of both identities and tax refunds, and shows once again that crime does not pay,” stated Kyle A. Myles, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation – Office of Inspector General (FDIC-OIG). “We continue to work together with our law enforcement partners to combat financial crime -- and its impact on our nation’s banks and financial institutions.”
According to U.S. Attorney Erskine, the charges and other information presented in court: Kevin Kirton created a computer program to file fraudulent federal income tax returns with the IRS. The computer program stored stolen identities and could be used to submit fraudulent tax returns in the names of stolen identities to the IRS, effectively automating stolen identity tax refund fraud. The computer program could be accessed remotely via the internet to prepare fraudulent tax returns. The resulting fraudulent tax refunds were deposited onto prepaid debit cards in the names of identity theft victims.
To help conceal the fraud activity, Kirton developed techniques to hide Internet Protocol addresses so the IRS could not trace a fraudulent tax return back to one particular origination point. Kirton also set up a bootleg phone system that he believed would not be susceptible to wiretaps to communicate with other criminals.
A search warrant was conducted at Kirton’s residence and law enforcement discovered, among other things, hundreds of prepaid debit cards in the names of identity theft victims and numerous fake driver’s licenses. Law enforcement also found a Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration information booklet titled “Income and Withholding Verification Processes are Resulting in the Issuance of Potentially Fraudulent Tax Refunds.”
While Kirton’s case was pending and he was out on bond, he telephonically contacted an associate who was detained at the Robert A. Deyton Detention Facility, seeking to influence the testimony of a cooperator in his case. Recorded jail calls between Kirton and his jailed associate show that Kirton repeatedly sought to convey veiled threats to the cooperator through the jailed associate. Due to this conduct, Kirton’s bond was revoked and he was detained pending resolution of his case.
Kevin Kirton, 44, of Dallas, Georgia, was sentenced on March 14, 2022, to six years, nine months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $629,551. On June 17, 2021, he pleaded guilty to access device fraud and aggravated identity theft.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation – Office of Inspector General.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samir Kaushal and Alana Black and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Zack Howard prosecuted the case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Chinese national pleads guilty in money laundering schemeRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - Jianjie Liu has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering. Liu was charged in an 11-count indictment with money laundering conspiracy, nine counts of money laundering, and access device fraud. These charges stemmed from Liu’s role receiving money from victims of various telephone scams.
“Liu laundered hundreds of thousands of dollars from schemes that bilked elderly victims,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “Telephone scams regularly victimize the elderly and Liu played a pivotal role, receiving money directly from the victims.”
“This guilty plea demonstrates that my office will continue to pursue perpetrators of these malicious Social Security-related scams that prey upon unsuspecting people, especially the elderly, to deprive them of their assets and resources,” said Gail S. Ennis, Inspector General for the Social Security Administration. “I thank the Duluth Police Department for their assistance in this investigation and I thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for prosecuting this case.”
According to U.S. Attorney Erskine, the charges and other information presented in court: in October 2019, Liu was arrested at a Walmart in Duluth, Georgia after she tried to purchase a suspicious number of gift cards. A search of her car found over 700 blank gift cards. A search of her phone revealed victim information. When contacted, the victims, most of whom were elderly, all reported that they had been victims of various telephone scams.
For example, an 89-year-old priest in Minnesota was victimized when a scammer, posing as an employee of an internet security company, offered him a $555 rebate. In order to get the rebate, the priest provided access to his bank account. The scammer pretended to mistakenly deposit $20,555 into the priest’s account. He asked the priest to return $20,000 by sending a $20,000 check to a bank account that Liu controlled.
In another scam, a 73-year-old woman in Washington was victimized when a scammer posing as a Facebook friend sent her a message telling her that she may qualify for a $150,000 government grant. The fake “friend” put her in touch with a scammer posing as a government agent. The purported ‘government agent’ advised the victim that she could only get the grant after she paid various fees. The victim sent three checks for $2,500, $4,000, and $4,500 to various addresses in the United States. She then purchased a $1,000 gift card and provided the PIN and access information to the fictitious government agent. The same day, Liu used the information from the gift card to purchase other gift cards in Louisiana.
In yet another scam, a 78-year-old man in South Carolina, was scammed when he received a call from someone claiming to be a police officer. The fictitious police officer told the victim that his grandson had been arrested and needed $9,000 in bail money. The victim sent a check for $9,000 to an address in Las Vegas. Later, the scammer called back and told him that his grandson had injured a police officer and the victim needed to pay the officer’s hospital bill. The victim then sent $5,000 to an account that Liu controlled.
The victims who sent Liu money lost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Liu personally received over $150,000. After Liu was indicted and was on pretrial release, she continued to receive money from scam victims. The court revoked her bond and detained her. Rather than appear in court, Liu fled the country and was on the run for approximately seven months. Liu was arrested at the Texas border while trying to re-enter the United States and is currently detained.
Jianjie Liu, 44, of Cypress, Texas, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. Sentencing is scheduled for June 16, 2022, at 9:00 a.m., before U.S. District Judge Eleanor L. Ross.
This case is being investigated by the Social Security Administration - Office of the Inspector General and Duluth Police Department.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane C. Schulman is prosecuting the case.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is part of the Department of Justice Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force. The Strike Force focuses on investigating and prosecuting defendants associated with foreign-based fraud schemes that disproportionately affect American seniors. These include romance scams, phone scams, mass-mailing fraud schemes, and tech-support fraud schemes. For further information on these scams, see https://www.justice.gov/elderjustice/senior-scam-alert.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Gwinnett County violent felon enters guilty plea to unlawful firearm possessionRead the Press Release
GAINESVILLE, Ga. - Henry Jonathan Saravia has pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm while being a convicted felon. Saravia was previously convicted of several violent felonies, including homicide by vehicle and aggravated assault.
“Preventing felons from possessing firearms, especially individuals like Saravia with a prior history of violence, is a priority for our office,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “Our federal and local partnership and collaboration plays a critical role in making our streets safer by preventing future acts of violence by this type of defendant.”
“Firearms in the hands of convicted felons pose a danger to all communities,” said ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Beau Kolodka. “We are pleased that we were able to work with our partners at the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office to remove Saravia from the streets of our community and put him in Federal prison.”
“This case is an example of how effective joint collaboration between local, state, and Federal government can be and in doing so come together to get a dangerous and violent offender off of our streets,” said Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley.
According to Acting U.S. Attorney Erskine, the charges and other information presented in court: On May 2, 2021, a concerned citizen called 911 about a car blocking traffic in Toccoa, Georgia. Stephens County Sheriff’s deputies arrived on the scene and encountered Saravia asleep at the wheel, and his vehicle in drive.
Deputies found a firearm in Savaria’s waistband when they removed him from the vehicle. Savaria was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to prior felony convictions of Vehicular Homicide, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of Methamphetamine.
Sentencing for Henry Jonathan Saravia, 35, of Lawrenceville, Georgia, has not been scheduled yet. Saravia pleaded guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). In keeping with the Attorney General’s mission to reduce violent crime, the Northern District of Georgia’s PSN program focuses on prosecuting those individuals who most significantly drive violence in our communities, and supports and fosters partnerships between law enforcement and schools, the faith community, and local community leaders to prevent and deter future criminal conduct.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Keen is prosecuting the case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Group sentenced for trafficking firearmsRead the Press Release
ATLANTA – Clairvorn Kelly, the final defendant among a trio of indicted firearms traffickers, has been sentenced for conspiring to straw purchase firearms, illegal dealing in firearms, unlawfully transferring firearms to an out of state resident, and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. Co-defendants Jahziah Roy Lewis and Deja Bess have previously been sentenced for their roles in the criminal scheme.
“Straw purchasers of firearms, like these defendants, facilitate the transfer of weapons to felons and impede the efforts of law enforcement officers to stem the tide of illegal firearms in U.S. cities and abroad,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “We will continue leveraging our partnerships with ATF, BIS, HSI, and state and local law enforcement partners, to disrupt the illegal flow of weapons onto our streets.”
“This case and ultimate conviction highlights the fact that illegal gun trafficking not only affects our local communities but has implications far beyond our borders,” said ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Beau Kolodka. “At a time in which our ports, are seeing unprecedented traffic, this case highlights the need for ATF and our partners to be vigilant in investigating and prosecuting individuals who supply the illegal arms trade.”
"Illegally exporting firearms from the United States is a serious violation of our nation’s export control laws and can have dire consequences abroad,” said Nasir Khan, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement, Miami Field Office. “Disrupting trafficking networks is a priority for OEE Special Agents. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to prevent firearms from potentially falling into the wrong hands overseas.”
“HSI’s work to prevent the smuggling of illegal weapons, and their associated violence, protects communities around the globe,” said Special Agent in Charge Katrina W. Berger, who oversees Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operations in Georgia and Alabama. “HSI and its law enforcement partners are committed to catching and prosecuting those involved in this illegal trade.”
According to U.S. Attorney Erskine, the charges and other information presented in court: Between February 18, 2017, and May 14, 2020, Clairvorn Kelly, a St. Kitts and Nevis citizen, along with his two accomplices, Jahziah Roy Lewis and Deja Bess, engaged in an international weapons trafficking conspiracy to purchase and illegally export approximately 36 firearms from the United States to the United Kingdom and the Caribbean via the U.S. Postal Service. Multiple firearms purchased by the defendants in Georgia were recovered in the United Kingdom and St. Kitts and tied to various criminal networks abroad.
At the time of the firearm purchases, Kelly, Lewis, and Bess conspired to, and did, complete firearms sales in which they falsely claimed to be the actual buyers of the firearms when they knew that they were buying the guns for someone else. Kelly then obliterated serial numbers on the firearms. The defendants illegally exported the weapons abroad.
U.S. District Judge Thomas W. Thrash sentenced each of the defendants as follows:
- Clairvorn Kelly, 25, of St. Kitts and Nevis, was sentenced for of four years, three months of imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Kelly was convicted of conspiring to straw purchase firearms, illegal dealing in firearms, unlawfully transferring firearms to an out of state resident, and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
- Jaziah Roy Lewis, 30, of Saint Kitts and Nevis, was sentenced on September 14, 2021, to four years, nine months of imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Lewis pleaded guilty to conspiring to straw purchase firearms, possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, exporting firearms outside the United States, and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
- Deja Bess, 25, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced on November 15, 2021, to three years of probation. Bess pleaded guilty to one count of straw purchasing a firearm.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Bureau of Industry and Security, and the Department of Homeland Security, with assistance from the United States Postal Service and the United Kingdom National Crime Agency, investigated this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Dash A. Cooper prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). In keeping with the Attorney General’s mission to reduce violent crime, the Northern District of Georgia’s PSN program focuses on prosecuting those individuals who most significantly drive violence in our communities, and supports and fosters partnerships between law enforcement and schools, the faith community, and local community leaders to prevent and deter future criminal conduct.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Georgia Cyber Fraud Task Force marks one year of progressRead the Press Release
ATLANTA – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia along with the Office of the Georgia Attorney General, six metro-Atlanta District Attorneys, the FBI Atlanta Field Office, U.S. Secret Service, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and local law enforcement joined forces one year ago to combat the laundering of cyber-enabled fraud proceeds through banks in the Atlanta area. This month the Georgia Cyber Fraud Task Force marks the anniversary with successes in prosecution, community outreach, and training events to combat the rise of “money mule” activity here in Atlanta.
“As a result of the extraordinary partnership between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, money mules and other enablers of cyber-fraud related crimes in our District will be held accountable for their illegal conduct on a broad scale,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “This type of coordination and partnership strengthens our law enforcement response and works to protect our citizens.”
“For over a year, our Cyber Fraud Task Force has worked to investigate, prosecute and prevent cybercrime, and we are already moving the needle significantly,” said Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr. “Through enhanced communication and collaboration on the local, state, and federal levels, we are strengthening our response to address this problem head-on and ensure bad actors are held accountable. We are proud of the role our office plays in protecting Georgia's citizens and businesses from cyber fraud schemes, and we will continue our efforts to disrupt this type of criminal enterprise in our state.”
“These important cases can seem daunting to an individual agency, but when you have a task force like this one full of resources, we can work together to bring justice to victims. The Clayton County District Attorney’s Office looks forward to continued partnership and success with the Georgia Cyber-Fraud Task Force,” said Clayton County District Attorney Tasha Mosley.
“We are proud to work together with our local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to combat cyber fraud. We will continue to do our part to hold accountable the criminals who hide behind computer screens and phone calls to rob our citizens of their hard-earned money,” said Cobb County District Attorney Flynn D. Broady Jr.
“The Office of the DeKalb County District Attorney remains committed to this partnership. Combatting cyber fraud is a top priority as we endeavor to protect unwitting and vulnerable individuals and entities from this predatory crime. Joint collaboration between local, state and federal partners is integral to our success,” said DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston.
“It is no secret that fraud is a major problem in Atlanta. That is why I have made it a priority for my office’s White Collar Crime Unit to participate in the Georgia Cyber Fraud Task Force alongside our fellow Metro Atlanta law enforcement partners to keep money out of the hands of criminals. I promised the citizens of Fulton County that I would protect our community from criminal enterprises, and that is exactly what this task force is accomplishing,” said Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.
“As these crimes become more prevalent, it is imperative that we work in concert to obliterate them. Our constituency is placed in peril when criminals take advantage of them. The financial cyber fraud task force is a strong vehicle to keep our communities safe and we look forward to continued work with them,” said Gwinnett Judicial Circuit District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson.
“The FBI would like to thank our federal, state and local partners for their successful coordinated effort to fight cyber fraud throughout the state of Georgia over the past year,” said Philip Wislar, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “We plan to continue working together to tackle the ever-changing cyber threat through continuous community education on cyber hygiene and relentless pursuit in investigating and prosecuting cyber criminals.”
“The success of the Georgia Cyber-Fraud Task Force relies on the dedication of its partners,” said Steven R. Baisel, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Secret Service-Atlanta Field Office. “We will continue to provide the resources needed to fight this kind of fraud.”
“With advancements in technology, Georgians and Georgia businesses are highly susceptible to online fraud. By partnering with the members of this task force, the GBI’s Georgia Cyber Crime Center (G3C) has successfully conducted several cyber investigations in an effort to help combat these fraudulent schemes,” said Vic Reynolds, Director, Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Business Email Compromise (BEC) fraud schemes, romance scams, sweepstakes scams, and so-called grandparent scams, all result in a signification amount of personal and business wealth being funneled by fraudsters into bank accounts opened for the purpose of accepting those fraud proceeds. The person responsible for opening the bank account, or accepting the funds into an already existing account, is referred to as a “money mule;” their job is to accept the money and transfer most of it on to other fraudsters in the scheme—their payout is to keep a portion of the money. FBI statistics show Atlanta in the top five cities nationwide for money mule activity.
The task force has engaged with business leaders and community organizations to raise awareness of the money mule issue in our city, including presentations to banking and real estate professionals’ groups as well as the Georgia Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Board. Members of the task force have made presentations to church and community groups to provide valuable information to citizens about how to avoid becoming a victim and what to do in the event that a scam is successful. The task force is also committed to the training and continuing education of both prosecutors and law enforcement tasked with responding to these crimes and has made several presentations to law enforcement and investigator groups both locally and nationally.
During the past year, the Georgia Cyber Fraud Task Force has referred out over 50 leads to local and state law enforcement for investigation of money mules. Those leads have come from the Internet Crime Complaint Center, known as IC3, and from leads sent to the task force from law enforcement all over the country through the StopTheMuleGa initiative.
The leads have so far resulted in charges against the following individuals:
• Bernard Kaba, 61, of Morrow, Georgia, is charged with three counts of theft by taking in connection with his receipt of BEC fraud proceeds.
• Borin Khoun, 44, of Lawrenceville, Georgia, is charged with four counts of theft by taking in connection with his receipt of fraud proceeds from a romance scam.
• Mark L. Jones, 65, of Atlanta, Georgia, is charged with one count of theft by taking in connection with his receipt of BEC fraud proceeds that had targeted the proceeds of a real estate closing.
• Bobby Umogbai, 24, of Atlanta, Georgia, was arrested on theft charges related to his receipt of BEC fraud proceeds.
• Alexis Garcia, 24, of Smyrna, Georgia, is charged with wire fraud and money laundering charges related to his receipt of proceeds from a government imposter scam.
• Olayemi Fadipe, 40, of Duluth, Georgia, was arrested on theft charges related to his receipt of fraud proceeds from the victim of a romance scam.
• Eugene W. McNair Jr., 50, of Lawrenceville, Georgia, was arrested on theft charges related to his receipt of BEC fraud proceeds.
• Chigbogwu G. Nnamani, 52, of Lawrenceville, Georgia, was arrested on theft charges related to his receipt of BEC fraud proceeds.
Members of the public are reminded that these are only charges. The defendants are presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
The Georgia Cyber Fraud Task Force members include representatives from the following agencies: United States Attorney’s Office, Georgia Attorney General’s Office, Cobb County District Attorney, Clayton County District Attorney, DeKalb County District Attorney, Douglas County District Attorney, Fulton County District Attorney, Gwinnett County District Attorney, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Secret Service, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Atlanta Police Department, Riverdale Police Department, Gwinnett County Police Department, Alpharetta Police Department, DeKalb County Police Department, Dunwoody Police Department, East Point Police Department, South Fulton Police Department, Smyrna Police Department, Sandy Springs Police Department, and Georgia Department of Driver Services.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
England Associates, L.P. d/b/a New London Health Center pays $400,000.00 to resolve False Claims Act allegationsRead the Press Release
ATLANTA – England Associates, L.P. d/b/a New London Health Center (“New London”) agreed to pay $400,000.00 to resolve allegations that it knowingly submitted false claims to Medicare for rehabilitation therapy services that were not reasonable, necessary, and skilled. The settlement amount was based on New London’s ability to pay.
“Nursing home facilities provide important services to our elderly; however, those facilities must uphold the trust placed in them by billing the government only for reasonable and necessary services,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “This settlement demonstrates our continuing efforts to protect patients and taxpayers by ensuring the that the care provided to beneficiaries of government-funded health care programs is dictated by clinical needs, not a provider’s fiscal interests.
“When funds from programs like Medicare are not used as intended, taxpayers and people who are entitled to those funds suffer,” said Philip Wislar, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “This settlement is the result of the FBI’s commitment to work with our federal and state partners to ensure that federally funded healthcare programs are not abused by providers.”
“The provision of medical services should be based on a patient’s medical needs rather than the financial interests of providers,” said Special Agent in Charge Tamala E. Miles of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “Working closely with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to hold accountable individuals who endanger the integrity of federal healthcare programs and the beneficiaries they serve.”
The government alleged that between January 1, 2011 and November 30, 2014, New London engaged in various practices that resulted in the submission of claims for unreasonable, unnecessary, and unskilled services to Medicare patients, including: (1) presumptively placing patients in the Ultra High therapy reimbursement level, rather than relying on individualized evaluations to determine the level of care most suitable for each patient’s clinical needs; (2) providing the minimum number of minutes required to bill at a given reimbursement level while discouraging the provision of additional therapy beyond that minimum threshold; (3) ramping up therapy minutes only during the period in which billing levels were set; and (4) pressuring therapists and patients to complete the planned minutes of therapy regardless of patient need, and in some cases, for patients for whom such therapy would have been dangerous.
The Government alleges that these arrangements violated the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. § 3729, et seq.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The civil settlement was reached by Assistant U.S. Attorney David A. O’Neal.
The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Three Rome-area men sentenced for firearms and drug trafficking offensesRead the Press Release
ROME, Ga. – Michael Lee Spears, Dustin Wayne Womack, and Jarrett Louallen have been sentenced for firearms and drug trafficking crimes that occurred in Rome, Georgia.
“Our community is safer with these violent felons and drug pushers no longer on the streets,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “We are grateful for the hard work and the longstanding partnerships between federal and state law enforcement agencies in Northwest Georgia.”
“The sentencing of these three men demonstrates the FBI and our law enforcement partners commitment to protect our citizens against violent offenders,” said Philip Wislar, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The FBI will continue to use aggressive approaches to identify, disrupt, and dismantle violent offenders and their criminal enterprises, ultimately making our communities safer.”
“The hard work of law enforcement and prosecutors to stop offenders from plaguing neighborhoods with illegal drugs and guns makes a big impact on communities. We will continue to work with our partners to investigate these crimes to dismantle criminal enterprises,” said Vic Reynolds, Director, Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
According to U.S. Attorney Erskine, the charges and other information presented in court: On May 13, 2019, the Floyd County Police Department responded to a 911 call about someone shooting a firearm at a residence. Law enforcement developed information indicating the person living at that residence had been involved in a dispute with Jarrett Louallen prior to the shooting. The FBI further learned that Louallen may have taken the firearm used in the shooting to Talladega, Alabama.
On June 24, 2019, law enforcement officers traveled to Louallen’s relatives’ home in Talladega, Alabama. Law enforcement located the firearm, which was an AM 15 semi-automatic rifle with a 30-round magazine with the serial numbers removed and painted over with black paint. The FBI confirmed that Louallen was the individual who shot at the residence after reviewing video surveillance.
On May 22, 2019, investigators conducted an undercover drug buy with Michael Lee Spears. Spears sold 132.237 grams of methamphetamine during the operation.
The following day, members of the Rome/Floyd Metro Task Force, the Rome SWAT Team, and the FBI executed a search warrant at Spears’ residence. Spears fired at the officers from inside his residence. Law enforcement officers returned fire and Spears eventually surrendered.
In addition, on June 21, 2019, the FBI and law enforcement officers with the Rome/Floyd Metro Task Force, the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office, the Floyd County Police Department, the Rome Police Department, traveled to the Sunrise Inn in Rome, Georgia, to execute an arrest warrant for a probation violation for Dustin Wayne Womack. As officers approached the door, they could hear people inside moving around. Officers kicked open the door and saw Womack running towards the bathroom. An officer heard an object land in the bathtub and saw a firearm. Law enforcement obtained a search warrant for the room and, during the search, recovered 118.952 grams of methamphetamine, two digital scales, and a glass smoking device.
The defendants’ sentences are as follows:
- Michael Lee Spears, 46, of Rome, Georgia, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark H. Cohen to eight years, eleven months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. This sentence accounts for the two years, nine months he has already spent in custody. Spears was convicted on charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon on June 23, 2021, after he pleaded guilty.
- Dustin Wayne Womack, 32, of Lindale, Georgia, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Thomas W. Thrash, Jr., to ten years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Womack was convicted on charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon on July 22, 2021, after he pleaded guilty.
- Jarrett Louallen, 34, of Rome, Georgia, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Thomas W. Thrash, Jr., to five years, ten months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Louallen was convicted of one charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon on March 31, 2021, after he pleaded guilty.
These cases were investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, with significant assistance provided by the Rome/Floyd Metro Task Force. Additionally, agencies involved were the Floyd County Police Department, Floyd County Sheriff’s Office, Rome Police Department, and the Floyd County District Attorney’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin N. Spritzer prosecuted the case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Owner of car dealership pleads guilty to defrauding financing companyRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - Muneeb Syed, a/k/a Ed Syed, has pleaded guilty to charges that he fraudulently obtained auto financing in connection with his used car businesses.
“We expect businesses to operate lawfully,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “Instead, this defendant took advantage of a legitimate car financing plan, resulting in his federal conviction on fraud charges.”
“Syed used deceit and fraud to obtain loans that he was not entitled to receive,” said Philip Wislar, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “His guilty plea is a reminder that the FBI remains dedicated to investigating these types of crimes and bringing the offenders to justice.”
According to U.S. Attorney Erskine, the charges and other information presented in court: Muneeb Syed owned Georgia Luxury Cars, LLC, a Marietta used car dealership, as well as other dealerships in Georgia and Alabama. Georgia Luxury Cars had a floor plan financing agreement with Alphera Financial Services, a division of BMW Financial Services NA, LLC, and other financing companies. Floor plan financing allows a dealership to borrow money from a lender to purchase inventory. The company is obligated to repay the lender upon the sale of the cars. Georgia Luxury Cars could request financing directly using an on-line system that relied upon the information provided by Georgia Luxury Cars. Syed utilized this floor plan financing to obtain cars. He purchased cars in a variety of ways, including through auctions. Generally, if Georgia Luxury Cars bought a car at auction, the financing company would pay the auction company directly for the car, and Georgia Luxury Cars owed the financing company under the floor plan agreement.
Beginning in September 2019, Syed began to obtain fraudulent floor plan loans through two different methods. First, Syed falsely claimed to have purchased multiple cars through various auctions. In reality, Syed never purchased these cars but still received funds from BMWFS to which he was not entitled. He did this for over 25 cars and fraudulently received over $1.6 million.
Second, Syed obtained floor plan financing from multiple companies for the same car. That is, he submitted the same car to two or more different financing companies, receiving financing from each company. He did this for approximately 30 cars, fraudulently receiving over $700,000.
Sentencing for Muneeb Syed, 46, of Atlanta, Georgia, is scheduled for June 15, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Mark H. Cohen. Syed pleaded guilty to wire fraud.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Huber, Deputy Chief of the Complex Frauds Section, is prosecuting the case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Smyrna resident sentenced for multi-year tax fraud schemeRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - Tamar Lee has been sentenced for conspiring to present false claims for refunds to the Internal Revenue Service.
“The defendants stole the personal identifying information of innocent victims, netting more than $1 million in fraudulent refunds,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “As we approach tax season, it is important to protect personal information from thieves who use it to further schemes like the one in this case.”
“Lee and her co-conspirators demonstrated a blatant disregard for the integrity of the United States tax system and caused immeasurable hardship to innocent victims, said James E. Dorsey, Special Agent in Charge, IRS, Criminal Investigation, Atlanta Field Office. “Let the sentencing today be a warning to individuals who dare to commit identity theft and refund fraud of this magnitude. They will be punished to the fullest extent of the law. IRS Criminal Investigation remains committed to pursuing identity theft and refund fraud with our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”
According to U.S. Attorney Erskine, the charges and other information presented in court: Tamar Lee and co-conspirator Don Terry obtained names and personal identifying information for individuals, without their knowledge and consent. Many of the victims lived outside of Georgia, with some residing in shelters or prison at the time the tax returns were filed.
Lee and Terry provided the victims’ information to a now deceased co-conspirator, a local tax return preparer with her own tax preparation business. The fraudulent Form 1040 U.S. Individual Income Tax Returns were prepared and electronically filed from the co-conspirator’s business. The tax returns included false Forms W-2 listing employers for whom the victims did not work. They also claimed refunds based on false claims of federal income tax withholdings never paid to IRS.
The same tax preparer also used a refund transfer service, Refund Advantage, which allowed the co-conspirator to print refund checks at her place of business. When the IRS paid refunds, the tax preparer accordingly printed the checks and gave them to Terry and Lee who then deposited them into bank accounts Lee opened and controlled. Lee paid the co-conspirators a portion of these proceeds.
Lee also used one of her existing companies to file fraudulent Form 1120 U.S. Corporate Income Tax Returns that falsely claimed refunds based on bogus fuel tax credits. This credit allowed companies to offset their tax liability based on certain fuel expenses incurred throughout the year. Lee’s company, however, never incurred such expenses, and therefore did not qualify for the credit. IRS subsequently paid one of the requested refunds by depositing the funds into Lee’s bank account.
Lee, Terry, and co-conspirator Jeffrey Smith were also part of a scheme to submit fraudulent corporate income tax returns that made false claims for refunds. They provided to the deceased tax preparer information for other existing companies, and for companies they created for this scheme, that was used in the preparation and filing of fraudulent Form 1120 U.S. Corporate Income Tax Returns. These returns all falsely claimed refunds based on fuel tax credits to which the companies were not entitled. IRS paid some of the requested refunds by mailing treasury checks to addresses provided by Lee, Terry, and Smith.
Overall, the tax fraud scheme resulted in false claims for refunds in excess of $2 million over a three-and-a-half-year period. IRS consequently paid more than $1 million in refunds for fraudulently filed corporate and individual income tax returns.
Tamar Lee, 53, of Smyrna, Georgia, was sentenced to four years, three months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $306,316.22. Lee was found guilty by a jury on November 4, 2021.
The following also have been sentenced for their role in the tax fraud scheme:
- Jeffrey Smith was sentenced to three years, one months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $695,191.
- Don Terry was sentenced to two years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $1,332,115.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tracia King and Brian Pearce prosecuted the case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Atlanta man pleads guilty to tax fraudRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - Lucious D. Mack, who falsely claimed and received refunds for fraudulently filed corporate income tax returns, has pleaded guilty to presenting false claims to the Internal Revenue Service and to stealing government funds.
“Mack went to great lengths to deceive the IRS,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “However, their diligence in this case uncovered his deceit, and he now faces the possibility of time in prison.”
“We continue to see individuals attempt to cheat the tax system,” said James E. Dorsey, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation Atlanta Field Office. “This plea should be a guiding light to honest taxpayers and would be tax cheats that the IRS and U.S. Attorney’s office will work diligently to protect the integrity of the U.S. Tax administration system, and to make sure everyone complies with their tax obligations.”
According to U.S. Attorney Erskine, the charges and other information presented in court: Lucious Mack filed fraudulent corporate income tax returns that falsely claimed refunds. Specifically, Mack filed a 2015 Form 1120 U.S. Corporate Income Tax Return for his company Carter Industries, Inc. The tax return falsely claimed that the company pre-paid taxes and paid additional long-term capital gains taxes totaling $235,515.
The long-term capital gains tax payment was supposedly from the sale of property located in Dekalb County, Georgia. Property records, however, established that Mack’s company never owned the property that was listed in the tax returns supporting documents.
IRS additionally confirmed that the agency never received tax payments of any kind from or on behalf of Carter Industries, Inc. for 2015 tax year. As a result of the false representations, the tax return fraudulently claimed a refund in the amount of $109,521.
Mack also filed a 2015 Form 1120 U.S. Corporate Income Tax Return for another company, Carter International Holdings, Inc. The tax return likewise falsely claimed the payment of long-term capital gains taxes supposedly from the sale of property, which was located in Bibb County, Georgia.
Bibb County property records similarly confirmed that Mack’s company never owned the property listed in the tax returns supporting documents. IRS further confirmed that the agency never received tax payments of any kind from or on behalf of Carter International Holdings for tax year 2015.
As a result of the false representation, the tax return for Carter International Holdings, Inc. fraudulently claimed a refund of $105,877. IRS issued a treasury check for the amount, which Mack deposited into a local bank account and spent the money for his personal benefit.
Sentencing for Lucious Mack, 49, of Atlanta, Georgia, is scheduled for May 10, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. before U.S. District Judge William M. Ray II.
This case is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tracia King and Amy Palumbo are prosecuting the case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Disgraced former attorney sentenced to nearly six years in prison for litigation advance fraud schemeRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - Chalmer “Chuck” Detling, II, a disbarred attorney, has been sentenced to prison after being convicted by a jury of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Without their knowledge or authorization, Detling used his clients’ identities—sometimes repeatedly—to obtain dozens of fraudulent litigation advances, totaling over $400,000.
“Detling betrayed the trust of his clients, business associates, friends, and family, all to steal money,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “This tough but fair sentence should remind those considering similar behavior about the consequences of those decisions, especially licensed professionals who are considering exploiting their clients in a time of need.”
“Detling violated the trust of the clients that hired him and used his position as an attorney not to pursue justice, but to pursue a fraud scheme for personal gain,” said Philip Wislar, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “Because of his self-interest and greed he has not only thrown away his career, but will spend time in prison for his crimes.”
According to U.S. Attorney Erskine, the charges and other information presented in court: Detling was the owner and operator of the Detling Law Group (which later changed its name to Detling Cole LLC), a personal injury law firm based in Marietta, Georgia. While running his law firm, Detling obtained fraudulent “litigation advances” in the names of his clients, without their knowledge or consent, from financing companies. These litigation advances—essentially high interest non-recourse loans—are intended for personal injury plaintiffs to cover non-litigation related expenses (e.g., living and medical expenses) while their cases are pending. In exchange for a litigation advance, the plaintiff agrees to repay the money received plus interest when his or her case settles or ends favorably at a trial. Because these are high interest advances, plaintiffs typically seek them out only as a matter of last resort.
From October 2014 to April 2016, Detling applied for and received dozens of fraudulent litigation advances, stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars. Detling submitted applications that were purportedly signed and executed by his respective clients, but Detling knew when he submitted the agreement paperwork that the clients had not actually executed the agreements. He did so even after several clients expressly told him they did not need or want such financing. Detling was able to conceal from his clients that he had obtained the fraudulent advances by having the funds wired or deposited into his law firm’s Interest on Lawyer Trust Account (“IOLTA”) accounts.
Detling was able to secure these fraudulent litigation advances without his clients’ knowledge in part because the financing companies did not require the clients to be present when applying for the litigation advances or receiving the disbursements. He further concealed the fraud from the financing companies by exploiting the trust they placed in him as an attorney, by stringing them along with lies about the status of his clients’ cases and the possibility of future repayment. Detling also executed the scheme in part by submitting forged documents to the financing companies, including a doctored offer letter from an insurance company in which he claimed they offered $250,000 when in fact they offered $2,000 to settle a case.
While Detling was defrauding the financing entities, he was already subject of multiple investigations by the State Bar of Georgia (“Georgia Bar”) involving professional misconduct, including into his alleged mismanagement of client funds and settling of cases without client authority. Detling’s scheme ultimately unraveled when the Georgia Bar received an anonymous note in early May 2016 notifying it about a subset of the fraudulent litigation advances. Shortly after receiving this information, the Georgia Bar alerted the financing companies, Detling’s clients, and the FBI of the apparent fraud. Nonetheless, when subsequently deposed by the Georgia Bar, Detling repeatedly lied under oath about his knowledge and involvement with the fraudulently obtained litigation advances.
As a result of the Georgia Bar’s investigations, on September 1, 2016, the Georgia Supreme Court issued an emergency suspension of Detling’s law license. On October 30, 2016, the Court accepted Detling’s petition to voluntarily surrender his law license, characterizing it as “tantamount to disbarment.” Detling is no longer licensed to practice law in Georgia or elsewhere.
Chalmer “Chuck” Detling, II, 45, of Marietta, Georgia, was sentenced on February 10, 2022, by U.S. District Judge Leigh Martin May to five years and ten months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $254,837.89. He was originally charged by a federal grand jury in August 2018 with multiple counts of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Following an eight-day trial, a jury convicted Detling of four counts of wire fraud and five counts of aggravated identity theft on November 1, 2021.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the State Bar of Georgia.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alex R. Sistla and Samir Kaushal prosecuted the case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Accountant pleads guilty to embezzling $800,000 from elderly clientRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - Heidi Royal, who was employed as an accountant at an Atlanta-based wealth management firm, has pleaded guilty to federal charges arising from a scheme to defraud one of the firm’s clients.
“Royal exploited the trust placed in her by an elderly client who was unable to manage her own affairs,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “Our office continues to prosecute anyone who targets vulnerable members of the community, especially the elderly.”
“It is very disheartening that Royal manipulated a vulnerable victim and stole much of her hard-earned savings after claiming to be a close friend that was supposed to have her best interests in mind,” said Philip Wislar, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The FBI will always make it a priority to protect senior citizens from exploitation.”
According to U.S. Attorney Erskine, the charges and other information presented in court: Heidi Royal’s employer was registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as an investment adviser. The firm provided investment advice and financial services to C.K., an elderly widow suffering from dementia.
As the firm’s Accounting Manager and Bill-Pay Supervisor, Royal had access to C.K.’s Social Security Number and the usernames and passwords for C.K.’s investment accounts and bank accounts. As part of her duties and responsibilities at the firm, Royal provided professional accounting services and bill-pay services to C.K. for more than 10 years. During that time, Royal gained C.K.’s trust and developed a close personal friendship with her. Royal even told a co-worker at the firm that C.K. was like a grandmother to her.
As a person associated with an investment adviser, Royal owed a fiduciary duty to each of the firm’s clients, including C.K., and Royal was required to act in C.K.’s best interests at all times. Royal was not permitted to pay her own debts and expenses with C.K.’s money.
From approximately June 1, 2010, through March 17, 2021, however, Royal misappropriated approximately $800,000 of C.K.’s money and converted it to her own use.
As part of the scheme, Royal stole C.K.’s annuity payments, wrote more than 200 fraudulent checks on C.K.’s bank accounts, forged C.K.’s endorsement on checks, withdrew cash from C.K.’s bank accounts and converted it to her own use, fraudulently used the electronic bill-pay feature associated with C.K.’s bank accounts to divert money to herself, used PayPal to make electronic payments to herself from C.K.’s bank accounts, impersonated C.K. in telephone conversations with financial institutions; and made false and misleading entries in C.K.’s financial records to make the fraud harder to detect.
In addition, Royal fraudulently used C.K.’s name and Social Security Number to open a secret bank account for the purpose of concealing and disguising the fraud proceeds.
In mid-March 2021, when the firm learned that checks drawn on C.K.’s bank accounts had been deposited into Royal’s personal accounts, the firm immediately terminated Royal and reported the matter to law enforcement.
Heidi Royal, 52, of Dallas, Georgia, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Sentencing is scheduled for May 31, 2022, at 10:00 a.m., before U.S. District Judge Thomas W. Thrash Jr.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Russell Phillips and Elizabeth McBath are prosecuting the case.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is part of the Department of Justice Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force. The Strike Force focuses on investigating and prosecuting defendants associated with foreign-based fraud schemes that disproportionately affect American seniors. These include romance scams, phone scams, mass-mailing fraud schemes, and tech-support fraud schemes. For further information on these scams, see https://www.justice.gov/elderjustice/senior-scam-alert.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Mayor of Stonecrest and bookkeeper plead guilty to theft of COVID-19 relief fundsRead the Press Release
ATLANTA – Jason Lary, the former mayor of Stonecrest, and Lania Boone, a bookkeeper for the entity that administered COVID-19 relief funds awarded to Stonecrest, have pleaded guilty to charges related to the theft of pandemic relief funds.
“Lary’s guilty plea was the first in righting the wrongs committed against the people of Stonecrest, who were wrongfully deprived of hundreds of thousands of dollars intended to provide COVID-19 relief,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “Boone’s guilty plea further demonstrates our commitment to prosecuting those who seek to exploit COVID relief programs for their own gain.”
“CARES Act funds were intended to help people and businesses harmed by the pandemic, not to line the pockets of public officials entrusted to lead a community”, said Philip Wislar, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The FBI will do everything in our power to make sure stolen funds are returned to the public, and individuals involved in this type of criminal behavior are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
According to U.S. Attorney Erskine, the charges, and other information presented in court: the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act was passed in March 2020 to respond to the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the CARES Act, the federal government distributed $125 million in COVID-19 relief funds to DeKalb County. The federal government permitted DeKalb County to further disburse these relief funds to its municipalities. In July 2020, the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners voted to disburse some of the relief funds to its municipalities, including a $6.2 million grant to Stonecrest.
Stonecrest was required to spend the relief funds in accordance with the CARES Act. In general, according to the Department of the Treasury, relief funds could “only be used to cover costs that – [were] necessary expenditures incurred due to the public health emergency . . . . and were incurred during the period that [began] on March 1, 2020, and [ended] on December 30, 2020.” Eligible expenditures included medical expenses, public health expenses, and grants to small businesses to reimburse the costs of business interruption caused by required closures.
In September 2020, Lary, as Mayor, signed a resolution acknowledging the CARES Act requirements and adopting a funding plan for Stonecrest’s relief funds. The plan provided $1 million to the Stonecrest Cares Program for mask distribution, COVID-19 education and testing, and other purposes. In practice, the Stonecrest Cares Program directed relief funds to churches and non-profit organizations in and around Stonecrest. The plan also provided $5 million to the COVID-19 CARES Act Small Business Program (“Small Business Program”).
Stonecrest did not disburse the $6 million allocated to the Stonecrest Cares Program and Small Business Program. Instead, the city contracted with Municipal Resource Partners Corporation, Inc. (“MRPC”) to provide accounting services and to disburse the relief funds as directed by Stonecrest. Before the contract was signed, Lary worked behind the scenes to form MRPC, recruit its CEO, open its bank accounts, and ensure that Lania Boone would be hired as MRPC’s bookkeeper.
In or about November 2020, Stonecrest published an application on its website for businesses to apply for relief funds under the Small Business Program. The application included the question, “are you willing to allocate 25% of your grant to marketing your business?” Hundreds of businesses applied for relief funds, but most of the applicants were rejected. From about November 2020, until in or about February 2021, Boone signed dozens of checks on behalf of MRPC, directing millions of dollars of relief funds to individuals, businesses, churches, and non-profit organizations. Lary helped decide where the relief funds were directed.
Abusing the authority conferred on him as mayor, Lary devised and executed a scheme to steal relief funds after they were distributed by MRPC. First, Lary told churches that received relief funds under the Stonecrest Cares Program that they were required to contribute a portion of those funds for purposes identified by Lary.
For example, Lary presented a check for $150,000 in relief funds to “Church 1,” on the condition that $50,000 be given to a company called Real Estate Management Consultants, LLC (“REMC”). Lary did not tell Church 1 at this time that he actually controlled REMC. Lary falsely stated that the $50,000 would be used to assist with home repairs for people who could not afford them due to COVID-19. In reality, Lary used the money for his own purposes, including to pay off his outstanding federal, state and local tax liabilities.
As another example, Lary presented a check from MRPC for $50,000 to “Church 2.” Later, a person acting on Lary’s behalf told Church 2 to contribute $4,500 of the relief funds to REMC, purportedly for rent assistance. Lary spent the money to pay his own property expenses and his dues to the Georgia Campaign Finance Committee.
In addition, Lary solicited relief funds from businesses that received grants under the Small Business Program. Lary falsely claimed that the money would be each business’s “contribution” to Stonecrest-related marketing and advertising. But Lary and others asked that these “contributions” be given not to Stonecrest, but to entities called Visit Us, Inc. and Battleground Media, LLC. Lary did not tell the businesses that he controlled these entities.
In total, businesses were defrauded out of hundreds of thousands of dollars of relief funds. Lary used the relief funds deposited into the Visit Us and Battleground Media accounts to benefit himself and others. For example, Lary used relief funds held by Visit Us to pay for an associate’s political advertising.
Finally, Lary conspired with Boone, MRPC’s bookkeeper, to steal relief funds before they were disbursed by MRPC. In January 2021, Boone used her access to one of MRPC’s bank accounts to wire transfer approximately $108,000 of relief funds to a mortgage servicing company. Lary and Boone knew the purpose of the transfer was to pay off the mortgage on a lakefront home owned by Lary. Around the same time, Lary directed approximately $7,600 in stolen relief funds to be paid by Visit Us for Boone’s son’s college tuition and rent.
Jason Lary, 59, of Stonecrest, Georgia, is scheduled to be sentenced on May 2, 2022, at 10 a.m. Lania Boone, 60, of Decatur, Georgia, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit federal program theft and is scheduled to be sentenced on May 12, 2022, at 2:00 p.m.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Trevor C. Wilmot is prosecuting the case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Former Cobb County sheriff’s deputy indicted for distributing child pornographyRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - Peter Bilardello has been arraigned on federal charges of distribution and possession of child pornography. Bilardello was indicted by a federal grand jury on January 25, 2022.
“Bilardello allegedly shared child pornography through social media while he was employed as a law enforcement officer,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “The victimization of children is one of the most heinous crimes imaginable, and distributing images of child sexual abuse compounds the harm. It is especially troubling that these crimes were allegedly committed by someone in a position of public trust.”
“Every time pornographic images are distributed online, that child is continuously re-victimized”, said Philip Wislar, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The FBI will not tolerate predators who prey on our children, especially ones like Bilardello, who are sworn law enforcement officers that took an oath to protect the citizens of our community.”
“The Cobb County Police Department is committed to investigating all crimes committed against the members of our various communities. But when it comes to crimes perpetrated against children, the men and women of our Special Victims Unit are the most dedicated and diligent in law enforcement. Our SVU investigators are committed to being the voices for the voiceless and fully investigating the most heinous acts committed against defenseless children,” said Cobb County Police Department Interim Chief Stuart VanHoozer.
According to U.S. Attorney Erskine, the charges, and other information presented in court: In November 2019, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received a report that a MeWe social media user had allegedly uploaded and shared approximately 12 images depicting children under 12 years old in sexually explicit conduct. NCMEC provided that information to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), who determined that the account user was likely located in Marietta, Georgia. The GBI then referred the information to the Cobb County Police Department.
On August 10, 2021, Cobb County Police determined that the MeWe account user was Peter Bilardello, who at the time was a Cobb County Deputy Sheriff. He had been employed by Cobb County for more than 15 years. For part of that time, Bilardello worked in the Sex Offender Unit of the Sheriff’s Office.
Cobb County Police obtained and executed search warrants for the MeWe account, as well as Bilardello’s home and cell phone, and confirmed that Bilardello had uploaded and shared child pornography while chatting with other users. Investigators also recovered more than 100 images and videos depicting young children in sexually explicit conduct. Bilardello was immediately arrested and resigned from the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office.
Peter Bilardello, 51, of Marietta, Georgia, was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Justin S. Anand. Members of the public are reminded that the indictment only contains charges. The defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cobb County Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Annalise K. Peters is prosecuting the case.
This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, the Attorney General launched Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices around the country, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Multiple India-based call centers and their directors indicted for perpetuating phone scams affecting thousands of AmericansRead the Press Release
ATLANTA – A superseding indictment has been unsealed against multiple Indian-based call centers and their directors charging that each of them conspired with the previously–indicted VoIP provider E Sampark, and its Director, Guarav Gupta, to forward tens of millions of scam calls to American consumers. The call centers and their directors place the initial scam calls, and the VoIP provider forwards those calls into this country, whereupon the call centers speak to —and attempt to defraud — the American-based victims.
“Scam robocalls cause emotional and financial devastation to victims, particularly our vulnerable and elderly populations,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt Erskine. “These India-based call centers allegedly scared their victims and stole their money, including some victims’ entire life savings.”
“These developments demonstrate the commitment of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) to investigate and bring to justice those that victimize the American taxpayer,” said J. Russell George, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. “The defendants engaged in multiple scams, often targeting the most vulnerable members of society. The success of this investigation is the result of a collaborative effort between TIGTA and the dedicated staff at the United States Attorney’s Office.”
According to U.S. Attorney Erskine, the charges, and other information presented in court: Criminal India-based call centers defraud U.S. residents, including the elderly, by misleading victims over the telephone utilizing scams such as Social Security and IRS impersonation as well as loan fraud.
As part of their Social Security scam, India-based callers pose as federal agents in order to mislead victims into believing that their Social Security numbers were involved in crimes. As part of the IRS scam, the callers pose as IRS employees and tell victims that they owe back taxes. In both scenarios, the call centers threaten to arrest the victim if the victim does not send money. Based on misrepresentations made during the calls, the victims, including a number of Georgia residents, mailed money to a network of individuals who allegedly laundered funds on behalf of the overseas fraud network.
As part of the loan scam, India-based callers mislead American consumers into believing that the callers work for lending institutions and that the victims are eligible for fictitious loans. The India–based callers direct the victims to pay upfront fees to demonstrate their ability to repay the loan. At times, the callers direct victims to provide their bank account information and make it appear as though they had deposited funds into the victims’ accounts. The callers then tell the victims to withdraw the funds and transfer them via wire transfer and gift cards. After the victims send the funds, the deposits that the callers supposedly made bounce. The victims receive nothing in return.
The Indian-based call centers and their directors named in the superseding indictment are listed below:
- Manu Chawla and Achivers A Spirit of BPO Solutions Private Limited;
- Sushil Sachdeva, Nitin Kumar Wadwani, Swarndeep Singh, a/k/a Sawaran Deep Kohli, and Fintalk Global;
- Dinesh Manohar Sachdev and Global Enterprises;
- Gaje Singh Rathore and Shivaay Communication Private Limited;
- Sanket Modi and SM Technomine Private Limited; and
- Rajiv Solanki and Technomind Info Solutions.
The U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Elizabeth McBath is prosecuting the case.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is part of the Department of Justice Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force. The Strike Force focuses on investigating and prosecuting defendants associated with foreign-based fraud schemes that disproportionately affect American seniors. These include romance scams, phone scams, mass-mailing fraud schemes, and tech-support fraud schemes. For further information on these scams, see https://www.justice.gov/elderjustice/senior-scam-alert.
The public should exercise caution with any caller who claims to be a government employee. Government agencies will never threaten you with immediate arrest or other legal action if you do not send cash, retail gift cards, wire transfers, or internet currency. They will also never demand secrecy from you in resolving a debt or any other problem.
If you need to send a payment to IRS, the agency will send a letter with payment options and appeal rights. If you suspect you have received an IRS scam call, report it to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at www.tips.tigta.gov or by calling 1-800-366-4484.
If you need to send a payment to Social Security, SSA will send a letter with payment options and appeal rights. If you suspect you have received a Social Security scam call, report it at https://oig.ssa.gov.
The public is reminded that gift cards are for gifts, not for payments. If a stranger purporting to be a legitimate business or government agency demands payment with a gift card, hang up and contact law enforcement yourself. If you have fallen victim of a scam, report it to your local law enforcement and at www.ftc.gov/complaint.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland announces Justice Department strategy to combat human traffickingRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland today released the Justice Department’s new National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking pursuant to the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act.
“Human trafficking is an insidious crime,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Traffickers exploit and endanger some of the most vulnerable members of our society and cause their victims unimaginable harm. The Justice Department’s new National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking will bring the full force of the Department to this fight.”
“Our team is proud to work alongside our many committed law enforcement and community partners – including federal and state law enforcement agencies, non-profit organizations, and community leaders – to combat the scourge of human trafficking,” said U.S Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “We continue to draw on these critical resources to vigorously prosecute those who commit these crimes, as well as to mobilize resources to aid, support, and help trafficking victims in our district.”
Rooted in the foundational pillars and priorities of the interagency National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking, which President Biden released on Dec. 3, 2021, the Justice Department's National Strategy is expansive in scope. It aims to enhance the department's capacity to prevent human trafficking; to prosecute human trafficking cases; and to support and protect human trafficking victims and survivors.
Among other things, the Justice Department’s multi-year strategy to combat all forms of human trafficking will:
- Strengthen engagement, coordination and joint efforts to combat human trafficking by prosecutors in all 94 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and by federal law enforcement agents nationwide.
- Establish federally-funded, locally-led anti-human trafficking task forces that support sustained state law enforcement leadership and comprehensive victim assistance.
- Step up departmental efforts to end forced labor by increasing attention, resources and coordination in labor trafficking investigations and prosecutions.
- Enhance initiatives to reduce vulnerability of American Indians and Alaska Natives to violent crime, including human trafficking, and to locate missing children.
- Develop and implement new victim screening protocols to identify potential human trafficking victims during law enforcement operations and encourage victims to share important information.
- Increase capacity to provide victim-centered assistance to trafficking survivors, including by supporting efforts to deliver financial restoration to victims.
- Expand dissemination of federal human trafficking training, guidance and expertise.
- Advance innovative demand-reduction strategies.
The department’s strategy will be implemented under the direction of the National Human Trafficking Coordinator designated by the Attorney General in accordance with the Abolish Human Trafficking Act of 2017.
If you believe that you or someone you know may be a victim of human trafficking, please contact the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline at 1-888-373-7888, or Text 233733.
To read the National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking click here.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
22 people charged in connection with a multi-million dollar Paycheck Protection Program fraud schemeRead the Press Release
ATLANTA – Twenty-two individuals, residing across the United States, have been charged with wire fraud conspiracy and other related charges in connection with a fraudulent scheme to obtain approximately $3,899,377 in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans.
“These defendants allegedly took advantage of the emergency lending provisions of the Paycheck Protection Program that were intended for business owners suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “The charges reinforce our resolve to hold accountable those who steal pandemic relief funds and use them for their own personal gain.”
“The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration aggressively pursues those who misuse IRS information systems in their efforts to defraud programs afforded to the American people under the CARES Act,” said J. Russell George, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. “We appreciate the efforts of the Department of Justice in this endeavor.”
According to U.S. Attorney Erskine, the indictments, and other information presented in court: From April 2020 through August 2020, the conspirators in the scheme allegedly submitted, or assisted in the submission of, PPP loan applications on behalf of twenty-two businesses. In connection with the scheme, defendant Richard Mahee allegedly directed defendant Mark Mason to fabricate documents on behalf of individuals that Mahee identified so they could apply for and receive PPP loans. Mason allegedly communicated with the purported business owners about the loan amount they wanted to receive, and then fabricated tax documents and other supporting documents to submit with the PPP loan application to support that amount.
For their work on the PPP loan applications, Mason and Mahee allegedly received a percentage of the funded loan amount as a “success fee” from each purported business owner. Mason then allegedly began fabricating documents to support fraudulent PPP loan applications for other individuals. These individuals allegedly communicated with Mason about the loan amount they wanted to receive, submitted loan applications with the supporting documents Mason created, and then paid Mason a percentage of the funded loan amount.
Mark Mason, 49, of Atlanta, Georgia, pleaded guilty on January 4, 2022 to one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering in connection with his involvement in the loans obtained by M&N Enterprise LLC, d/b/a Atlanta Business Capital and Advocate Business Capital LLC. As part of his guilty plea, Mason admitted his participation in fraudulent conduct totaling between $3.5 million and $9.5 million.
In addition to the charges against Mason, twenty-one other defendants have been charged in eight separate indictments, the last of which was unsealed on January 27, 2022:
- Richard Mahee, 49, of Princeton Junction, New Jersey, is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud in connection with his involvement in the loan obtained by his business, ARG Media LLC, and several other businesses’ loans.
- Kristen Alexander, 49, of Denver, Colorado, is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud in connection with her involvement in several businesses’ loans.
- David Burge, 67, of Flat Rock, North Carolina, is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud in connection with his involvement in the loan obtained by his business, Elemental Comfort, LLC.
- Gina Destito, 59, of Elgin, South Carolina, is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud in connection with her involvement in the loan obtained by her business, HomePoppins.com LLC.
- Jim White, 49, of Hammonton, New Jersey, is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud in connection with his involvement in the loan obtained by his business, AJW Home Services and Design LLC.
- Morgan Brown, 29, of Nashville, Tennessee, is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud in connection with his involvement in the loan obtained by his business, BHG LLC.
- Carlos Stephens, 50, of Gretna, Louisiana, is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud in connection with his involvement in the loan obtained by his business, 31 Minds LLC.
- Marvin Lewton, 57, of Atlanta, Georgia, is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud in connection with his involvement in the loan obtained by his business, Powers Transport Group LLC, and the loan application filed for his business, DirtySouthHipHop Online Media Group LLC.
- Ion Overman, 52, of Valley Village, California, is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering in connection with her involvement in the loan obtained by her business, Bryanston Square, Inc.
- Dale Godboldo, 46, of Valley Village, California, is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering in connection with his involvement in the loans obtained by his business, Mahout Star LLC, and the loan obtained by Bryanston Square, Inc.
- Freddy Mitchell, 53, of Asheville, North Carolina, is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud in connection with his involvement in the loan obtained by his business, Freddy Mitchell & Associate LLC.
- Timothy Patrick, 54, of Asheville, North Carolina, is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud in connection with his involvement in the loan obtained by his business, Integrity Management Group/IMG, and the loan obtained by Freddy Mitchell & Associate LLC.
- Melissa Myrick, 44, of Jacksonville, Florida, is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud in connection with her involvement in several businesses’ loans.
- Kirk Codrington, 47, of East Flat Rock, North Carolina, is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering in connection with his involvement in the loan obtained by his business, KC Global Enterprises Inc.
- Dereck Clark, 47, of Jacksonville, Florida, is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud in connection with his involvement in the loan obtained by his business, Geppetto, d/b/a Dee’s Landscaping LLC.
- Michael Myrick, 39, of Jacksonville, Florida, is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud in connection with his involvement in the loan obtained by his business, MYCO Enterprises LLC.
- Darius McCants, 47, of Birmingham, Alabama, is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud in connection with his involvement in the loan obtained by his business, BBF Inc.
- Dondre Berry, 41, of Atlanta, Georgia, is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud in connection with his involvement in the loan obtained by his business, Houzzit Inc.
- Marcos Soza, 41, of Phoenix, Arizona, is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud in connection with his involvement in the loan obtained by his business, Yes Auto Sales Inc.
- Brittany Shearod, 32, of Atlanta, Georgia, is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud in connection with her involvement in the loan obtained by her business, Bez Knows Talent LLC.
- Michael McGee, Jr., 32, of Atlanta, Georgia, is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering in connection with his involvement in the loan obtained by his business, Arc Michael Logistics LLC.
Members of the public are reminded that the indictments only contain charges. The defendants are presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendants' guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is being investigated by the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas Hartigan and Lauren Macon are prosecuting the case.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can 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.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Canadian man sentenced to federal prison for trafficking stolen identities on the dark webRead the Press Release
ATLANTA – Slava Dmitriev has been sentenced for access device fraud in connection with his possession and sale of over seventeen hundred stolen identities on the dark web. Dmitriev, a Canadian citizen, was arrested while on vacation in Greece in September 2020 and extradited to the United States in January 2021.
“This defendant profited off buying and selling people’s stolen identities, including victims in this district,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “As a result of the diligence of federal agents coupled with valuable cooperation of Greek law enforcement, Dmitriev was arrested, extradited, and is now sentenced to federal prison.”
“Dmitriev stole the identities of hard-working citizens of the United States and thought he was safe from prosecution while overseas,” said Phil Wislar, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “This sentence will serve as a reminder that the FBI will always work diligently with International Law Enforcement partners to bring justice to citizens who have been victimized.”
According to U.S. Attorney Erskine, the charges and other information presented in court: Dmitriev used the moniker “GoldenAce” to buy and sell stolen identities, including social security numbers, on the darknet marketplace AlphaBay. From May 2016 through July 2017, Dmitriev sold 1,764 items on AlphaBay for approximately $100,000. The vast majority of these items were stolen identities, including names, dates of birth, social security numbers, and other personally identifiable information. There were at least five victims residing in the Northern District of Georgia.
Dmitriev also collaborated with the cyber-extortionist group “the Dark Overlord” (“TDO”), including:
- On June 16, 2016, Dmitriev sent TDO access credentials for a New York dentist that Dmitriev had purchased on a criminal marketplace. The dentist was subsequently breached and extorted by TDO.
- On July 11, 2016, Dmitriev received a spreadsheet from TDO containing approximately 200,000 stolen identities.
- On May 24, 2017, Dmitriev sold information stolen by TDO that contained the identity of a victim living in La Quinta, California.
On September 8, 2020, Dmitriev was arrested while traveling in Greece. The following day, Greek authorities executed a search warrant on the residence where Dmitriev was staying and located a computer containing emails discussing the buying and selling of identities and social security numbers, as well as a video about how to perpetrate identify theft.
Slava Dmitriev, 29, of Vaughn, Ontario, Canada has been sentenced to three years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. Dmitriev pleaded guilty on August 30, 2021 to the charge of fraud and related activity in connection with access devices.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with valuable assistance provided by the Hellenic (Greek National) Police, Naxos Public Prosecutor's Office, and the Ministry of Justice Directorate of Special Legal Affairs.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Herskowitz, Chief of the Cyber and Intellectual Property Crimes Section, and Nathan Kitchens, Chief of the Public Integrity and Special Matters Section, prosecuted the case. Valuable assistance was also provided by the Department of Justice, Criminal Division, Computer Crimes and Intellectual Property Section and Office of International Affairs.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Drug trafficker sentenced to additional prison time for committing PPP fraud while on bondRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - Rodriquez Deonte Redding has been sentenced for trafficking cocaine and laundering his drug profits by purchasing luxury cars in his mother’s and grandmother’s names. He faced new charges of wire fraud and the court imposed an additional sentence of one year and three months after the government discovered Redding had fraudulently obtained two Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans while on bond for the drug and money laundering charges.
“It’s shocking that, while under indictment for drug trafficking and money laundering, Redding had the audacity to defraud a program meant to help people and businesses struggling for existence during the pandemic in order to fund his luxury shopping sprees,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “We are grateful to our federal and state law enforcement partners whose efforts brought this defendant to justice.”
“Hitting drug traffickers in their pockets is a crucial part of dismantling high-level drug distribution networks,” said Robert J. Murphy, the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division. “Their money is their lifeline and without it, their drug distribution activities could not survive. DEA and its law enforcement partners remain committed to making our communities safe.”
“The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office is always pleased to collaborate with our federal justice partners, who share our common objective of preserving the safety and quality of life in Fulton County. This particular case involved an intense investigation, spanning almost nine years. Side-by-side, deputies and task force members relentlessly pursued irrefutable evidence to bring to justice a lawbreaker, whose actions, inspired by greed, further aggravated the effects of the pandemic for legitimate business owners,” said Fulton County Sheriff Patrick “Pat” Labat.
According to U.S. Attorney Erskine, the charges and other information presented in court: Since at least 2010, Redding has been distributing cocaine in the Atlanta area. Redding was known to pick up and deliver kilograms of cocaine and bags of cash for other members of his drug trafficking operation and was recorded on bank security cameras making cash deposits into various accounts controlled by the members of his group. He also used wire transfers to move money on behalf of his group, and sometimes bought and sold cocaine to his own customers. To disguise and launder some of his cash profits, he purchased a series of luxury cars. As a way to further conceal his unexplained wealth, he convinced his mother and elderly grandmother to purchase the cars in their names, entangling them in his crimes.
Redding was indicted for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and money laundering by a federal grand jury in September 2018. He was arrested the following month but released on bond while the charges were pending. He pleaded guilty to those charges on June 2, 2021. However, the government soon discovered that he had obtained two PPP loans for $20,833, for a total of $41,666, which he applied for in April and May 2021, shortly before pleading guilty. To receive the loans, Redding claimed to operate a barber and retail business and submitted falsified tax return forms. Then, instead of spending the PPP money on payroll for employees or other business expenses, he spent thousands of dollars at a time on rental cars and shopping, including at Prada, Louis Vuitton, and Saks Fifth Avenue. Redding spent all of the PPP money in less than one month after receiving it.
Rodriquez Deonte Redding, a/k/a Dreek, 38, of Atlanta, Georgia, has been sentenced to seven years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution to the PPP lenders and the U.S. Small Business Administration in the amount of $46,666. Redding was convicted on the drug trafficking and money laundering charges on June 2, 2021, after he pleaded guilty. On January 21, 2022, he pleaded guilty to a criminal information charging wire fraud and was sentenced on both sets of charges in a single hearing.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with invaluable assistance from the Fulton County Sheriff’s Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Garrett L. Bradford, Deputy Chief of the Public Integrity and Special Matters Section, prosecuted the case.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can 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.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Serial domestic abuser and multi-convicted felon sentenced for gun crimesRead the Press Release
ROME, Ga. – A violent Rome-area drug dealer has been sentenced for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
“Floyd’s repeated felony and misdemeanor state convictions show his complete disregard for the law,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “This conviction and sentence demonstrate the importance of the Rome Violent Repeat Offender initiative and should serve as a warning that this office will pursue those who put the community at risk by unlawfully using and possessing firearms.”
“Project Safe Neighborhoods has a proven track record of removing violent repeat offenders from the streets of our community,” said ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Beau Kolodka. “This conviction and sentence of nearly a decade in federal prison sends a strong message to Floyd and other violent repeat offenders that their continued possession and usage of firearms will not be tolerated.”
According to U.S. Attorney Erskine, the charges, and other information presented in court: In January 2020, Floyd sold methamphetamine to an ATF confidential informant at a motel that was notorious for drug-trafficking in Rome, Georgia. Following the drug sale, Floyd sold the same informant a pistol he had brought to the deal. The serial number on the pistol had been removed.
Prior to the drug and gun sales that led to his federal criminal charges, Floyd had amassed nearly two dozen felony and misdemeanor convictions in the state system. Although some of those charges involved guns and drugs, many concerned shocking acts of violence against at least eight different women who Floyd admittedly choked, struck, or restrained against their will.
On January 20, 2022, Aubrey Floyd, 45, of Rome, Georgia, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael L. Brown to nine years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. Floyd was convicted of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon after he pleaded guilty on October 5, 2021.
This case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives with assistance from the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Rome Post of Duty, Floyd County Police Department, and Rome Police Department.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). In keeping with the Attorney General’s mission to reduce violent crime, the Northern District of Georgia’s PSN program focuses on prosecuting those individuals who most significantly drive violence in our communities, and supports and fosters partnerships between law enforcement and schools, the faith community, and local community leaders to prevent and deter future criminal conduct.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Theodore S. Hertzberg and Bryan Henderson prosecuted the case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Texas Man Arrested for Making Election-Related Threats to Government OfficialsRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - Chad Stark has been arrested in Travis County, Texas for allegedly sending threatening election-related communications to government officials on Jan. 5, 2021.
This is the first criminal case brought by the Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force. Announced by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and launched by Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco in late June 2021, the task force is leading the department’s efforts to address threats of violence against election workers, and to ensure that all election workers — whether elected, appointed or volunteer — are able to do their jobs free from threats and intimidation. The task force engages with the election community and state and local law enforcement to assess allegations and reports of threats against election workers, and investigates and prosecutes these matters where appropriate, in partnership with FBI field offices and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country as warranted.
“The Justice Department has a responsibility not only to protect the right to vote, but also to protect those who administer our voting systems from violence and illegal threats of violence,” said Attorney General Garland. “The department’s Election Threats Task Force, working with partners across the country, will hold accountable those who violate federal law by using violence or threatening violence to target election workers fulfilling their public duties.”
“The intimidation of those in charge of carrying out free and fair elections in this country is against the law and cannot go unchecked,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “When someone threatens an election official working at any level of the voting process – whether that be an elected office holder or a volunteer poll worker – our democracy is put in jeopardy. We are grateful to all of those who endeavor to secure our elections and our democracy. We must protect them all.”
“Today’s arrest confirms the FBI’s commitment in our pursuit of justice against those who choose to threaten violence against anyone participating in our elections,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “Election workers striving to protect our right to a fair and democratic process deserve nothing less than the utmost safety and assurance they can accomplish their roles without interference. The FBI will continue to focus on our mission of protecting these individuals and the important work they do, as well as every American’s right to vote.”
According to the indictment, on Jan. 5, 2021, Stark allegedly posted a message to Craigslist entitled, “Georgia Patriots it’s time to kill [Official A] the Chinese agent - $10,000.” The message stated:Georgia Patriots it’s time for us to take back our state from these Lawless treasonous traitors. It’s time to invoke our Second Amendment right it’s time to put a bullet in the treasonous Chinese [Official A]. Then we work our way down to [Official B] the local and federal corrupt judges. It’s our duty as American Patriots to put an end to the lives of these traitors and take back our country by force we can no longer wait on the corrupt law enforcement in the corrupt courts. If we want our country back we have to exterminate these people. One good loyal Patriot deer hunter in camo and a rifle can send a very clear message to these corrupt governors.. milita up Georgia it’s time to spill blood…. we need to pay a visit to [Official C] and her family as well and put a bullet her behind the ears. Let’s be very clear to our local law enforcement who have stood down and watch BLM antifa destroy our country and kill our citizens yet you’ll step up to stop Patriot supporters you’ll enforce face mask and you’ll close American businesses??? Remember one thing local law enforcement the key word being local….. we will find you oathbreakers and we’re going to pay your family to visit your mom your dad your brothers and sisters your children your wife… we’re going to make examples of traitors to our country… death to you and all you communist friends.
Organized by Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco, the Election Threats Task Force is led by the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and includes several other entities within the Department of Justice, including the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section of the Criminal Division, the Civil Rights Division, and National Security Division, and the FBI, as well as key interagency partners, such as the Department of Homeland Security. For more information regarding the Justice Department’s efforts to combat threats against election workers, read the Deputy Attorney General’s memo.
To report suspected threats or violent acts, contact your local FBI office and request to speak with the Election Crimes Coordinator. Contact information for every FBI field office may be found at https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/. You may also contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or file an online complaint at tips.fbi.gov. Complaints submitted will be reviewed by the task force and referred for investigation or response accordingly. If someone is in imminent danger or risk of harm, contact 911 or your local police immediately.
Chad Stark, 54, of Leander, Texas, is charged with one count of communicating interstate threats. Stark was arrested this morning in a law enforcement operation carried out by the FBI. He is scheduled to make his initial appearance this afternoon at the federal courthouse in Austin, Texas. An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law
The FBI is investigating this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Alan Gray and Deputy Director Sean F. Mulryne of the DOJ Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section are prosecuting this case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Texas Man Arrested for Making Election-Related Threats to Government OfficialsRead the Press Release
A Texas man was arrested today in Travis County, Texas, for allegedly sending threatening election-related communications to government officials on Jan. 5, 2021.
Chad Stark, 54, of Leander, was arrested this morning in a law enforcement operation carried out by the FBI. He is scheduled to make his initial appearance this afternoon at the federal courthouse in Austin, Texas.
This is the first criminal case brought by the Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force. Announced by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and launched by Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco in late June 2021, the task force is leading the department’s efforts to address threats of violence against election workers, and to ensure that all election workers — whether elected, appointed or volunteer — are able to do their jobs free from threats and intimidation. The task force engages with the election community and state and local law enforcement to assess allegations and reports of threats against election workers, and investigates and prosecutes these matters where appropriate, in partnership with FBI field offices and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country as warranted.
“The Justice Department has a responsibility not only to protect the right to vote, but also to protect those who administer our voting systems from violence and illegal threats of violence,” said Attorney General Garland. “The department’s Election Threats Task Force, working with partners across the country, will hold accountable those who violate federal law by using violence or threatening violence to target election workers fulfilling their public duties.”
“Today’s arrest confirms the FBI’s commitment in our pursuit of justice against those who choose to threaten violence against anyone participating in our elections,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “Election workers striving to protect our right to a fair and democratic process deserve nothing less than the utmost safety and assurance they can accomplish their roles without interference. The FBI will continue to focus on our mission of protecting these individuals and the important work they do, as well as every American’s right to vote.”
“The intimidation of those in charge of carrying out free and fair elections in this country is against the law and cannot go unchecked,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine for the Northern District of Georgia. “When someone threatens an election official working at any level of the voting process – whether that be an elected office holder or a volunteer poll worker – our democracy is put in jeopardy. We are grateful to all of those who endeavor to secure our elections and our democracy. We must protect them all.”
According to the indictment, on Jan. 5, 2021, Stark allegedly posted a message to Craigslist entitled, “Georgia Patriots it’s time to kill [Official A] the Chinese agent - $10,000.” The message stated:
Georgia Patriots it’s time for us to take back our state from these Lawless treasonous traitors. It’s time to invoke our Second Amendment right it’s time to put a bullet in the treasonous Chinese [Official A]. Then we work our way down to [Official B] the local and federal corrupt judges. It’s our duty as American Patriots to put an end to the lives of these traitors and take back our country by force we can no longer wait on the corrupt law enforcement in the corrupt courts. If we want our country back we have to exterminate these people. One good loyal Patriot deer hunter in camo and a rifle can send a very clear message to these corrupt governors.. milita up Georgia it’s time to spill blood…. we need to pay a visit to [Official C] and her family as well and put a bullet her behind the ears. Let’s be very clear to our local law enforcement who have stood down and watch BLM antifa destroy our country and kill our citizens yet you’ll step up to stop Patriot supporters you’ll enforce face mask and you’ll close American businesses??? Remember one thing local law enforcement the key word being local….. we will find you oathbreakers and we’re going to pay your family to visit your mom your dad your brothers and sisters your children your wife… we’re going to make examples of traitors to our country… death to you and all you communist friends.
Organized by Deputy Attorney General Monaco, the Election Threats Task Force is led by the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and includes several other entities within the Department of Justice, including the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section of the Criminal Division, the Civil Rights Division, the National Security Division and the FBI, as well as key interagency partners, such as the Department of Homeland Security. For more information regarding the Justice Department’s efforts to combat threats against election workers, read the Deputy Attorney General’s memo.
To report suspected threats or violent acts, contact your local FBI office and request to speak with the Election Crimes Coordinator. Contact information for every FBI field office may be found at https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/. You may also contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or file an online complaint at tips.fbi.gov. Complaints submitted will be reviewed by the task force and referred for investigation or response accordingly. If someone is in imminent danger or risk of harm, contact 911 or your local police immediately.
Stark is charged with one count of communicating interstate threats. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI’s Atlanta Field Office is investigating the case.
Deputy Director Sean F. Mulryne of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Alan Gray of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Sentinel Real Estate agrees to resolve Fair Housing Act discrimination claimsRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia has entered into an agreement with Sentinel Real Estate Inc., Tina Brooks, and John's Creek, LLC (“Respondents”), a property owner and management company, to resolve allegations of discrimination concerning a Complainant who requested a reasonable accommodation for an emotional support and service animal.
“People with disabilities who need assistance animals to support them with daily activities should be allowed to keep these animals in their homes,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “A person who needs the continuous support of an emotional support animal should not have to face continuous obstacles to simply keep their pet at home. My office will continue to enforce the Fair Housing Act to combat this type of discrimination.”
This matter was initiated by a complaint filed with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”). The Complainant, who had a mental health disability that limited his daily activities, required the continuous support of an emotional support animal. The Complainant alleged that he submitted a reasonable accommodation request asking Respondents to allow his emotional support pet to live with him. Complainant further alleged that Respondents discriminated against him when they delayed approval of his request for a reasonable accommodation, and then five months later, notified him that his lease would not be renewed. Complainant alleged that these actions violated the Fair Housing Act and caused him emotional distress.
As provided in the Agreement, Respondents will implement a reasonable accommodation policy concerning service/emotional support animals which has been approved by the United States. Respondents will also pay $35,000 to the Complainant's estate, train staff on the Fair Housing Act, and submit periodic reports to the United States Attorney’s office regarding implementation of the Agreement.
This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aileen Bell Hughes, Special Counsel, Civil Rights Unit, U.S. Attorney’s Office.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Real estate agent sentenced for running multi-year mortgage and real estate commission fraud schemesRead the Press Release
ATLANTA – Atlanta real estate agent Eric Hill has been sentenced for his participation in a mortgage fraud scheme that netted more than $21 million in fraudulent mortgage loans. Many of the fraudulent loans were insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), resulting in over $850,000 in claims being paid for mortgages that have defaulted. Hill also engaged in a scheme to defraud his employer, a national real estate developer, out of over $480,000 dollars in real estate commissions.
“Eric Hill and his co-conspirators defrauded mortgage loan holders out of millions of dollars, with taxpayers being saddled with much of the loss,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “We will vigorously prosecute those who commit mortgage fraud and enrich themselves at the expense of financial institutions and government programs that insure or guarantee the loans.”
“While it is easy to dismiss financial fraud cases as victimless crimes because of their lack of violence, there is, however, very real victimization to our economy and our taxpayers,” said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “This sentencing sends the message that the FBI will persistently work to protect American citizens and the real estate market from predators who drag down our economy by deception for their own personal gain.”
“Eric Hill engaged in premeditated criminal acts with the sole purpose of enriching himself, without regard for millions of American homebuyers who rely on federal housing programs to insure their mortgages. His fraudulent actions strike not only at the fiscal integrity of the FHA, but also our neighbors and communities who are victims of these schemes,” said Special Agent in Charge Wyatt Achord with the Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General.
“The Federal Housing Finance Agency, Office of Inspector General (FHFA-OIG) is committed to holding accountable those who commit fraud in the housing and mortgage market and abuse the resources of the Government-Sponsored Enterprises regulated by FHFA. We are proud to have partnered with HUD-OIG, the FBI, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia in this case,” said Edwin S. Bonano, Special Agent-in-Charge, FHFA-OIG, Southeast Region.According to Acting U.S. Attorney Erskine, the charges and other information presented in court: The defendants participated in a scheme in which homebuyers and real estate agents submitted fraudulent loan applications to induce mortgage lenders to fund mortgages. Eric Hill and Robert Kelske were real estate agents who represented a major nationwide homebuilder. Hill and Kelske helped more than 100 homebuyers who were looking to buy a home, but who were unqualified to obtain a mortgage, commit fraud. The agents instructed the homebuyers as to what type of assets they needed to claim to have in the bank, and what type of employment and income they needed to submit in their mortgage applications.
Hill and Kelske then coordinated with multiple document fabricators, including defendants Fawziyyah Connor and Stephanie Hogan, who altered the homebuyers’ bank statements to inflate their assets and to create bank entries reflecting false direct deposits from an employer selected by the real estate agent. The document fabricators also generated fake earnings statements that matched the direct deposit entries to make it appear that the homebuyer was employed, and earning income, from a fake employer. Other participants in the scheme then acted as employment verifiers and responded to phone calls or emails from lenders to falsely verify the homebuyers’ employment. Defendants Jerod Little, Renee Little, Maurice Lawson, Todd Taylor, Paige McDaniel and Donald Fontenot acted as employment verifiers. Hill and Kelske coordinated the creation and submission of the false information so that the lies to the lenders were consistent.
In another aspect of the scheme, Hill and Kelske conspired with real estate agents Anthony Richard and Cephus Chapman, who falsely claimed to represent homebuyers as their selling agents in order to receive commissions from the home sales. In reality, these real estate agents had never even met the homebuyers they claimed to represent. To avoid detection, the agents often notified closing attorneys that they would not be available for the home closing and sent wire instructions for the receipt of their commissions. When these purported selling agents received their unearned commissions, they kicked back the majority of the commissions to Hill or Kelske for enabling them to be added to the deal, keeping a small share for their role in the scheme.
Eric Hill, 52, of Tyrone, Georgia, was sentenced to two years, six months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. Hill was convicted on these charges on September 21, 2020, after he pleaded guilty.
In addition to Hill, Defendants Donald Fontenot, Maurice Lawson, Stephanie Hogan, Jerod Little, Renee Little, Paige McDaniel, Fawziyyah Connor, and Anthony Richard have all been sentenced for their roles in the conspiracies.
- Todd Taylor pled guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced on March 3, 2022.
- Robert Kelske also pled guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced April 14, 2022.
- Cephus Chapman was convicted at trial and is scheduled to be sentenced on February 10, 2022.
This case was investigated by the Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of the Inspector General, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of Inspector General.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys David A. O'Neal, Alison B. Prout, and former Northern District of Georgia Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Huschka prosecuted the case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Three men convicted for string of six armed robberiesRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - Tyvonne Wiley, Tevin Mitchell, and Torey Starling have been sentenced for committing a series of five armed robberies at retail stores in the metro-Atlanta area in the fall of 2016. Wiley and Mitchell committed an armed robbery in Texas before traveling to Atlanta.
“Innocent store clerks and customers were terrorized and lives were endangered by Wiley, Mitchell, and Starling during these armed robberies,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “The violent acts committed by these defendants ended as a result of the collective efforts of our federal, state and local law enforcement partners.”
“The arrest and conviction of this violent multi state robbing crew would not have been possible without the efforts of the Cobb County Police Department and our other local partners,” said ATF Acting Assistant Special Agent in Charge Brent Quinn. “We are pleased that these violent criminals will be off the streets and in federal prison for the foreseeable future.”
“The Cobb County Police Department remains steadfast in our commitment to keeping our community safe. We are proud of our continued partnership with other local, state, and federal agencies to help us in that regard. This case is another example of the dedication of law enforcement officers and prosecutors to thoroughly investigate and prosecute those criminals who would seek to victimize the public at large,” said Interim Chief O.S. Hamilton, Cobb County Police Department.
According to U.S. Attorney Erskine, the charges and other information presented in court: In September and October of 2016, Wiley, Mitchell, and Starling committed a string of violent armed robberies in Oklahoma, Texas, and then Fulton and Cobb Counties in the metro-Atlanta area.
Wiley, sometimes accompanied by Mitchell, charged into retail stores with a loaded gun, ordered everyone to lie flat on the ground, and forced the store clerks to empty the registers into a bag while holding a gun to their heads. Wiley pointed a gun at employees during each robbery and threatened to shoot and kill multiple people. Starling served as the getaway driver during two of the robberies.
Mitchell, Wiley, and Starling were eventually captured on October 28, 2016 at Starling’s house in Marietta, Georgia. When Cobb County Police searched the house, they recovered two firearms and two masks used during multiple robberies, as well as some of the cash that the defendants had stolen at gunpoint.
U.S. District Judge Leigh M. May sentenced each of the defendants to the following:
- Tyvonne Wiley, 25, of Marietta, Georgia, was sentenced on January 5, 2022, to 35 years and one day of imprisonment, to be followed by five years of supervised release and ordered to pay $13,330.29, in restitution to the businesses he robbed. Wiley was convicted by a jury on May 5, 2021 of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, five counts of Hobbs Act robbery, and five counts of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.
- Tevin Mitchell, 27, of Enid, Oklahoma, was sentenced on February 3, 2020 to 11 years, three months of imprisonment, to be followed by two years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $13,330 in restitution. Mitchell pled guilty to conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.
- Torey Starling, 28, of Marietta, Georgia, was sentenced on June 11, 2021 to six years of imprisonment, to be followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $1,500 in restitution. Starling pled guilty to two counts of Hobbs Act robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Annalise K. Peters, Ryan K. Buchanan, and Stephanie Gabay-Smith prosecuted the case.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Cobb County Police Department, the Marietta Police Department, the Atlanta Police Department, the Sandy Springs Police Department, and the Dallas, Texas Police Department investigated this case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). In keeping with the Attorney General’s mission to reduce violent crime, the Northern District of Georgia’s PSN program focuses on prosecuting those individuals who most significantly drive violence in our communities, and supports and fosters partnerships between law enforcement and schools, the faith community, and local community leaders to prevent and deter future criminal conduct.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Roswell businesswoman sentenced for $6 million in Paycheck Protection Program fraudRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - Hunter VanPelt has been sentenced to prison for bank fraud related to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) when she obtained over $6 million in fraudulent proceeds.
“The Paycheck Protection Program is meant to help legitimate businesses and their workers through the depths of the pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “Unfortunately, VanPelt decided to use the program as her personal bank. A significant federal sentence, such as the one she received, hopefully deters others from following the same path.”
“The FBI will not tolerate anyone who misdirects federal emergency assistance intended for business who actually need it to stay operational,” said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “This sentence serves as a message that the FBI and our federal partners remain vigilant during this Coronavirus pandemic to make sure funds provided by programs like PPP are used as intended."
“To support small and community banks, the Federal Home Loan banks can accept Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans as collateral when making advances to their members,” said Special Agent in Charge Edwin S. Bonano of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Office of Inspector General. “The FHFA Office of Inspector General is proud to work with our partners in law enforcement to prevent, detect, and deter attempts to perpetrate fraud in the PPP program intended for small business owners and employees under this important part of the CARES Act.”According to Acting U.S. Attorney Erskine, the charges and other information presented in court: VanPelt, a/k/a Hunter Lauren VanPelt, a/k/a Ellen Corkrum, a/k/a Ellen Yabba Kwame Corkrum, submitted six false and fraudulent PPP loan applications between April 27, 2020 and June 17, 2020. The amounts requested in the six PPP loans totaled $7,943,591.50, of which $6,017,066.50 was disbursed.
VanPelt owned or controlled the six entities that sought these PPP loans: Georgia Nephrology Physician Associated, United Healthcare Group & Co., Nephrology Network Group LLC, First Corporate International, Corkrum Consolidated Inc., and Kiwi International Inc. The defendant, who legally changed her name from Ellen Corkrum to Hunter VanPelt in July 2016, submitted the PPP loan applications under both names.
In each of the PPP loan applications, VanPelt falsely represented the average monthly payroll and the number of employees working for the relevant company. She also submitted false IRS records, false bank statements, and false payroll reports in connection with those applications.
Federal agents were able to seize approximately $2.1 million of the fraudulent proceeds.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is a federal law enacted on March 29, 2020. It is designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses through the PPP. In April 2020, Congress authorized over $300 billion in additional PPP funding. Additional funding was authorized by Congress in December 2020.
The PPP allows qualifying small-businesses and other organizations to receive loans with a maturity of two years and an interest rate of one percent. PPP loan proceeds must be used by businesses on payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. The PPP allows the interest and principal to be forgiven if businesses spend the proceeds on these expenses within eight weeks of receipt and use at least 75 percent of the forgiven amount for payroll.
Hunter VanPelt, a/k/a Hunter Lauren VanPelt, a/k/a Ellen Corkrum, a/k/a Ellen Yabba Kwame Corkrum, 49, of Roswell, Georgia, was sentenced to three years, five months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $7,002,031.50. She was also ordered to forfeit $2,077,381. VanPelt was convicted on these charges on August 18, 2021, after she pleaded guilty.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of Inspector General.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Huber, Deputy Chief of the Complex Frauds Section, and Department of Justice Trial Attorney Chris A. Wenger prosecuted the case.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can 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.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Georgia Woman Sentenced to 41 Months in COVID-19 Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
A Georgia woman was sentenced today to 41 months in prison for her scheme to fraudulently obtain more than $7.9 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
According to court documents, Hunter VanPelt, aka Ellen Corkrum, 49, of Roswell, pleaded guilty in August 2021 to bank fraud after submitting six fraudulent PPP loan applications to four different lenders on behalf of Georgia Nephrology Physician Associated, United Healthcare Group & Co., Nephrology Network Group LLC, First Corporate International, Corkrum Consolidated Inc., and Kiwi International Inc, entities she owned or controlled. Through the loan applications, VanPelt sought more than $7.9 million and obtained over $6 million in PPP loan funds.
According to court documents, VanPelt lied about the number of employees and payroll expenses in each of the six PPP loan applications. To support the fraudulent PPP loan applications, VanPelt also submitted fraudulent tax records, bank statements, and payroll reports. VanPelt, who legally changed her name from Ellen Corkrum to Hunter VanPelt in July 2016, submitted three of the PPP loan applications using the name VanPelt and the other three PPP loan applications using the name Corkrum.
The Justice Department, working with law enforcement partners, seized and recovered approximately $2.1 million of the disbursed PPP funds in this matter. An additional $1.6 million of the disbursed PPP funds were seized by a bank and returned to the lender.
Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine for the Northern District of Georgia; Acting Assistant Director Jay Greenberg of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division; Special Agent in Charge Chris Hacker of the FBI’s Atlanta Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Edwin S. Bonano of the Federal Housing Finance Agency – Office of Inspector General (FHFA-OIG) Southeast Region made the announcement.
The FBI and FHFA-OIG investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Chris Wenger of the National Rapid Response Strike Force of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Huber, Deputy Chief of the Complex Frauds Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, prosecuted the case.
The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s prosecution of fraud schemes that exploit the PPP. Since the inception of the CARES Act, the Fraud Section has prosecuted over 150 defendants in more than 95 criminal cases and has seized over $75 million in cash proceeds derived from fraudulently obtained PPP funds, as well as numerous real estate properties and luxury items purchased with such proceeds. More information can be found at https://www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/ppp-fraud.
In May 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can 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.
Federal corrections officer and inmates charged with bribery, smuggling, and drug conspiracyRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - Patrick Shackelford, a federal corrections officer at U.S. Penitentiary Atlanta (“USP Atlanta”), and Patrick Kirkman and Mitchell Arms, both federal inmates, have been arraigned on federal bribery, smuggling, and drug charges arising from an alleged scheme to smuggle narcotics and other contraband into USP Atlanta between approximately June 2018 and February 2019.
“Shackelford allegedly endangered his fellow officers and other inmates through his actions,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “When correction officers violate their oaths, they put other prison staff members and inmates at risk of harm.”
“The alleged actions of Shackelford not only fosters criminal activity inside and outside of the prison, but it also insults the integrity of every law enforcement officer who takes an oath to serve and protect the people in their communities,” said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The FBI will relentlessly pursue any allegations of corruption in these facilities to ensure the safety of both staff and inmates.”
“Shackelford and two inmates allegedly smuggled and distributed drugs and other dangerous contraband in USP Atlanta. As a correctional officer, Shackelford’s duty was to maintain safety and security in the prison. His actions, as alleged in the indictment, were antithetical to the oath he swore to uphold,” said James F. Boyersmith, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General Miami Field Office.
According to U.S. Attorney Erskine, the charges, and other information presented in court: From approximately June 2018 through February 2019, Patrick Shackelford, Patrick Kirkman, Mitchell Arms, and others, allegedly conspired to smuggle narcotics, including methamphetamine and marijuana, along with other prohibited items into USP Atlanta, a medium-security federal prison.
During this time, Shackelford was a federal corrections officer and plumbing supervisor at USP Atlanta. With Shackelford’s knowledge and assistance, inmates working under his direction on the “plumbing crew” (identified as Individual-1 and Individual-2 in the Indictment) were allegedly able to smuggle contraband into USP Atlanta from a visitor’s bathroom through a section of USP Atlanta known as “W-ward.”
Shackelford and inmates working for him allegedly created several holes in W-ward and in the visitor’s bathroom through which contraband could be passed into USP Atlanta. Shackelford allegedly helped facilitate the distribution of narcotics and other contraband in USP Atlanta by escorting inmates to W-ward to pick up the contraband on nearly a weekly basis.
Shackelford further helped the inmates by allowing them to store contraband within the maintenance office, including hiding it in the ceiling above his office. In exchange for permitting inmates on the plumbing crew to smuggle in contraband and distribute it to other inmates, Shackelford allegedly received $5,000 in cash and pain pills, and inmates completed his assigned plumbing duties and other work.
Kirkman and Arms were among the inmates at USP Atlanta allegedly receiving the contraband, including narcotics, through this scheme. While the operation was ongoing, Kirkman paid Individual-1 thousands of dollars via a mobile payment app (Cash App) to smuggle in the contraband. Arms also communicated via text message with Individual-1 about the “packages” that were being smuggled through the visitor’s bathroom into USP Atlanta.
Patrick Shackelford, 47, of Senoia, Georgia, Patrick Kirkman, 35, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama,, and Mitchell Arms, 41, of Columbia, Tennessee, were arraigned before U.S Magistrate Judge Justin S. Anand, on December 16, 2021, on a nine-count indictment charging them with bribery; possessing and smuggling of prohibited objects into a federal prison, including cellular phones, marijuana and methamphetamine; conspiracy to commit bribery; conspiracy to possess and smuggle prohibited objects into a federal prison; and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. They were indicted by a federal grand jury on November 16, 2021.
Members of the public are reminded that the indictment only contains charges. The defendant is presumed innocent of the charges, and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Department of Justice, Office of Inspector General.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex R. Sistla is prosecuting the case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
U.S. Attorney Erskine announces eight new additions to the U.S. Attorney’s Office teamRead the Press Release
ATLANTA – U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine announced the appointment of eight new Assistant U.S. Attorneys (AUSA) who will immediately employ their talents to support the Northern District of Georgia’s (NDGA) mission to enforce the law and defend the interests of the citizens that we serve in this district.
“We are fortunate to have such talented and dedicated professionals join us to represent the United States,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “We are committed to excellence in our service to this country as well as the citizens of the Northern District of Georgia and welcome these outstanding Assistant U.S. Attorneys to the office.”
The following AUSAs joined our office or have assumed new roles:
- Mary Jane Stewart, a career public servant, has returned to the United States Attorney’s Office as Senior Trial Counsel in the Criminal Division, after having served over four years as the First Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Middle District of Tennessee, and then as the Acting U.S. Attorney for the district. Hired as an AUSA in 1983 in Atlanta, she has handled hundreds of criminal cases and tried scores of jury trials. During her tenure, she also served as the Deputy Chief of the Drug Division, Senior Litigation Counsel, and the Criminal Division’s Training Coordinator. From 2002 until her departure in October 2017, she and former AUSA William R. Toliver trained over 100 newly hired AUSAs to be federal prosecutors. She holds three degrees from the University of Georgia: a BA in French (1975), a MA in Political Science (1977), and her Juris Doctor (1980).
- Larry Sommerfeld has rejoined the office as Chief of Appeals and Legal Advice. Larry returns to the office from a partnership at Alston & Bird where he was a member of the firm’s Litigation and Trial Practice Group and its Privacy, Cyber & Data Strategy Team. Larry advised clients on their most sensitive cybersecurity matters including significant computer network intrusions, cyber preparedness, and data privacy compliance. He counseled clients on technology and data strategy matters, spanning the life cycle of their digital data across the globe. Previously, Larry served as an AUSA in the Economic Crimes section and led the office’s Cybercrimes unit before being promoted to Appellate Chief. Larry was a member of the trial team that convicted the individuals who assassinated DeKalb County Sheriff-elect Derwin Brown on the orders of the outgoing Sheriff, and argued the case on appeal. He also led the successful investigation and prosecution of one of the most sophisticated and coordinated cyber intrusions ever perpetrated, involving the withdrawal within 12 hours of $9.4 million from more than 2,100 ATM terminals in at least 280 cities worldwide, bringing to justice defendants from four continents. Larry is an MIT graduate and member of the Order of the Coif from the University of Virginia School of Law. He clerked for judges on both the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, the Eleventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, and has practiced at firms in New York City and Silicon Valley, California.
- AUSA Jeffrey Davis also returns to our office from the Vermont U.S. Attorney’s Office and will serve as Special Counsel in the Criminal Division. Jeff previously served as the Chief of the Public Integrity and Special Matters Section in the NDGA U.S. Attorney’s Office. Before beginning his federal service, Jeff was a vice president in the anti-money laundering division of an international investment bank. After graduating from law school, he served as an assistant district attorney in the New York County District Attorney’s Office. Jeff graduated from Connecticut College and Emory University School of Law with honors. Jeff also received a professional certificate in forensic accounting from New York University.
- AUSA Aileen Bell Hughes will serve as Special Counsel in the Civil Division. Aileen currently leads the Civil Rights Unit in the Civil Division and represents the United States in civil rights matters involving disability, housing, education, and other civil rights statutes. After serving as a civil rights attorney in Connecticut, Hughes joined the Department of Justice in Washington D.C. in 1998 as a Senior Trial Attorney in the Civil Division. She later transferred to the Civil Rights Division as a Senior Trial Attorney and led several high-profile civil rights investigations involving people with mental illness and intellectual disabilities. In 2003, Aileen joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia where she defended various federal agencies in civil defensive matters. In 2010, Aileen was appointed the Civil Rights Coordinator in the Civil Division of the office. She developed, coordinated, and implemented a new civil rights practice in the NDGA, and was successful in helping to create a Civil Rights Unit in the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Aileen received her B.A. cum laude from the University of Connecticut, and her J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center.
- Sharon Lim will serve as an AUSA in the Civil Division. Lim served as an associate in the Atlanta office of Jackson Lewis P.C., representing employers in federal and state courts and before administrative agencies on a variety of employment-related matters, including collective and class action wage and hour disputes. Prior to that, Sharon served as a law clerk for the Hon. Catherine M. Salinas, U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Northern District of Georgia. Sharon worked in Hawaii for nearly five years before moving to Georgia, first as a law clerk to two state court judges on Maui, and then as an associate in a Honolulu law firm devoted exclusively to the representation of management in labor and employment law matters. Sharon received her B.A. cum laude from the University of California, Irvine, and her J.D. from Notre Dame Law School.
- Natasha Cooper will serve as an AUSA in the Criminal Division. Cooper served as an Associate in the Complex Commercial Litigation Group of McGuireWoods LLP, where she handled both financial services litigation and regulatory matters. Natasha also served as Regulatory Counsel to Edward Jones where she handled state securities, SEC and FINRA matters for the broker-dealer. She has also been active serving as the past Chair of the American Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division Litigation Committee. In 2019, the National Black Lawyers named Natasha as a Top 40 under 40 Lawyer. Natasha received her law degree from the Emory University School of Law, where she was a Kessler-Edison Scholar. She received her B.A., summa cum laude, from the State University of New York at Albany Honors College.
- Norman Barnett will serve as an AUSA in the Criminal Division. Barnett served as a Senior Assistant District Attorney in the Cobb County District Attorney’s Office, where he prosecuted a variety of matters, including homicides, serious violent felonies, and organized crime cases. He also served as an Assistant District Attorney in the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office. Prior to his prosecution career, Norman worked as an associate at Swift, Currie, McGee and Hiers, LLP and the Law Offices of W. Calvin Smith, II, P.C. In 2016 and 2018, Norman served as the Musical Director, keyboardist, and band director for the Atlanta Bar Association’s Bard Show. Additionally, he served on the planning committee for the State Bar of Georgia’s High School Mock Trial program and recently served as the program’s chair. Norman earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Georgia School of Law, where he served as a Notes Editor for the Journal of Intellectual Property Law. He also earned his Bachelor of Arts in English with a music minor from the University of Georgia.
- Vivieon Kelly Jones joins the office from the Department of Justice in Washington, where she served as a trial attorney in the Office of General Counsel for the U.S. Trustee Program, promoting the integrity and efficiency of the bankruptcy system. Vivieon entered duty at the Department in 2009 as a trial attorney for the U.S. Trustee Program in the Northern District of Georgia. Prior to her tenure with the Department, Vivieon worked as an associate at Troutman Pepper where she focused her practice in the areas of bankruptcy reorganizations and complex litigation. Vivieon earned her law degree from William & Mary Law School, and her B.A. from the College of William & Mary. She also served as a clerk for Hon. E. Stephen Derby of the Bankruptcy Court in the District of Maryland. Vivieon is a member of the Civil Division and currently serves as Parliamentarian for DOJABA, the Department's Association of Black Attorneys.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Medical doctor, pharmacists, and 11 others charged with operating illegal pill millsRead the Press Release
ATLANTA – An Atlanta-area gynecologist, two pharmacists, and ten other individual accomplices or pill “sponsors” have been indicted, charged with the alleged illegal sale and distribution of controlled substances to addicts and drug dealers.
“When medical professionals allegedly abuse their credentials to divert dangerous prescriptions pills to the streets for personal profit, the toll on our communities is devastating,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “The opioid crisis is far from over, and we continue our work with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners to pursue those who traffic in these dangerous drugs.”
“While in the midst of this country’s prescription opioid epidemic, removing and ultimately eliminating physicians who recklessly overprescribe pharmaceutical pills (particularly prescribed opioids) for non-medical reasons, is an important part of DEA’s mission,” said Robert J. Murphy, the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division. “This pill peddling gynecologist allegedly distributed large quantities of opiate-based pills to scores of drug-seeking patients. He, and his accomplices, will no longer be able to commit such unlawful acts thanks to spirited law enforcement cooperation.”
“This indictment should serve as a warning to any medical professional considering operating a pill mill,” said James E. Dorsey, Special Agent in Charge IRS Criminal Investigation, Atlanta Field Office. “IRS-CI remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners to bring those seeking to illegally enrich themselves at the expense of our communities, to justice.”
According to U.S. Attorney Erskine, the charges, and other information presented in court: Anthony Mills, M.D., was a licensed physician with a specialty listed with the Georgia Composite Medical Board of Gynecology. Mills, however, did not maintain a gynecology practice at any address listed with Medical Board or the DEA. Instead, he allegedly operated a pill mill out of his Atlanta-area home, where he allegedly sold prescriptions to addicts and drug-dealing sponsors in exchange for cash payments.
Despite Mills’s specialization in gynecology, many of the “patients” to whom Mills provided prescriptions were male. A large number of the prescriptions allegedly were provided to sponsors, including defendants Thomika Riley, Brittany Tinker, Natalie Jackson, Keandre Bates, Jeana Alston, Javon Hamilton, Chafulumisa Lisbon, Marcena Jordan, and Travious Polain, in the names of third parties that Mills had never evaluated, and in many cases had never met. Some of the prescriptions that Mills issued to sponsors were for individuals whose identities had been stolen, who were incarcerated at the time of the prescription, or who were deceased at the time of the prescription. Mills also allegedly allowed Rogerick Smith and Natalie Jackson, who were not medical professionals, to sell prescriptions they wrote using Mills’ name and DEA registration number.
The indictment also alleges that Raphael Ogunsusi operated two pharmacies – Evansmill Pharmacy and Retox Pharmacy – for the purpose of unlawfully dispensing and distributing controlled substances. Ogunsusi, as well as pharmacist Moses Kirigwi, dispensed a large number of prescriptions issued by Mills and others, that were presented by sponsors in the names of third parties. Ogunsusi and Kirigwi dispensed these prescriptions despite the fact that they were in excess of medically appropriate dosages and combinations and despite obvious signs that the pills were being abused, sold, or otherwise diverted. Most of the controlled substance prescriptions dispensed at Evansmill Pharmacy and Retox Pharmacy were written by Mills, including prescriptions filled by sponsors in the names of individuals were not present, and in many cases, whose identities had been stolen. Ogunsusi and Kirigwi often charged over $900 to fill a single prescription for oxycodone and $500 to fill a prescription of Percocet, well above the market value for legitimate prescriptions.
To disguise the significantly inflated prices that he charged for the illegal controlled substance prescriptions, Ogunsusi allegedly falsified the pricing information on his pharmacy computers to give the appearance that he had charged market prices for the controlled substances. Ogunsusi and Kirigwi also required sponsors to purchase additional non-controlled substances that the sponsors neither wanted or needed, which further maximized Ogunsusi’s profits for the illegal dispensing and distributing of controlled substances.
The following have been arrested and arraigned on federal drug charges for their respective roles in operating “pill mills:”
- Anthony Mills, 55, of Atlanta, Georgia,
- Raphael Ogunsusi, 69, of Conyers, Georgia,
- Moses Kirigwi, 29, of Brookhaven, Georgia,
- Thomika Riley, a/k/a TJ, 48, of McDonough, Georgia,
- Brittany Tinker, 28, of Lithonia, Georgia,
- Natalie Jackson, 37, of Stone Mountain, Georgia,
- Rogerick Smith, a/k/a Fasho, 43, of Douglasville, Georgia,
- Keandre Bates, 29, of Decatur, Georgia,
- Chafulumisa Lisbon, a/k/a Chafu, 31, of Atlanta, Georgia,
- Javon Hamilton, 32, of Bluffton, South Carolina,
- Marcena Jordan, 28, of Forrest Park, Georgia.
Raphael Ogunsusi was also indicted individually on money laundering charges. Defendants Jeana Alston, a/k/a Tina, 41, of Atlanta, Georgia, and Travious Polain, a/k/a Magic, 30, of Decatur, Georgia, who are also charged in the indictment, remain fugitives.
Members of the public are reminded that the indictment only contains charges. The defendants are presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys David A. O’Neal and Laurel Boatright Milam are prosecuting the case.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Atlanta recommends parents and children learn about the dangers of drugs at the following web site: www.justthinktwice.gov.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Jury convicts gang member of methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy and attempt offensesRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - A federal jury has convicted Antonio Jamar Laster of conspiring and attempting to traffic methamphetamine sourced from a cartel-connected stash house hidden in plain sight in the north Atlanta suburbs.
“Methamphetamine abuse ravages our society by destroying lives and fueling violence,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “We are grateful to our federal and state law enforcement partners who strive to eliminate this scourge by targeting the transnational trafficking organizations that profit from poisoning our community.”
“Stopping traffickers like Laster, who flood our streets with their poison, not only prevents the flow of dangerous drugs into our communities, it also prevents the crime and violence associated with drug activity,” said Special Agent in Charge Katrina W. Berger, who oversees Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operations in Georgia and Alabama.
“Months of investigation led to a large amount of dangerous drugs taken off the street. The GBI works collaboratively with federal, state, and local law enforcement to identify and eliminate gang activity and make communities safer,” said Vic Reynolds, Director, Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
According to U.S. Attorney Erskine, the charges and other information presented in court: On October 9, 2020, Antonio Jamar Laster drove to a shopping center in Woodstock, Georgia to purchase three kilograms of methamphetamine from couriers working at the behest of the notoriously violent Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (“CJNG”) Mexican drug cartel. The couriers, after replenishing their drug supply from a single-family home in Marietta that was being utilized as a drug distribution hub and storage location, met Laster. Laster had concealed $21,100 in cash inside a Wendy’s fast-food bag to purchase the narcotics.
Agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) were actively monitoring the Marietta stash house and awaiting the issuance of a search warrant when they saw the couriers depart for the shopping center to meet Laster. Some agents followed the couriers while others stayed behind to search the home.
At the shopping center, agents interdicted the methamphetamine and arrested Laster, the two couriers, and a third cartel associate before any drugs or money exchanged hands. A criminal history check revealed that Laster was a member of the Gangster Disciples who served a prison term in Tennessee for aggravated robbery. At the stash house, agents recovered more than 100 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine and several pounds of liquid methamphetamine.
The three men arrested with Laster pleaded guilty on March 9, 2021 to conspiring to possess methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Laster elected to proceed to trial. On December 16, 2021, a jury found Laster guilty of conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute and attempted possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.
Sentencing for Antonio Jamar Laster, 31, of Nashville, Tennessee, is scheduled for March 16, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. before U.S. District Judge Steven D. Grimberg.
This case is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Theodore S. Hertzberg and Noah R. Schechtman are prosecuting the case.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Atlanta recommends parents and children learn about the dangers of drugs at the following web site: www.justthinktwice.gov.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Cherokee County man pleads guilty to possession of child pornographyRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - Jonathan Blane Allred, who was previously convicted of possession of child pornography and used his email and Dropbox accounts to download hundreds of sexually explicit images of children, has pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography. Images and videos of children as young as six years old, engaged in sexually explicit conduct, were among the items confiscated.
“It is particularly disturbing when a defendant who has already served a significant federal sentence for possession of child pornography returns to society only to again engage in this kind of violation of children,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “Possessing child pornography victimizes and abuses the children in the images each time they are disseminated and viewed. This office remains committed to protecting our children from those that seek to exploit them.”
“Clearly, Allred has not gotten the message that this behavior will not be tolerated and that HSI and its law enforcement partners will continue to hold him accountable for actions,” said Special Agent in Charge Katrina W. Berger, who oversees Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operations in Georgia and Alabama.
“Protecting our children from these types of offenders will always be a priority. We appreciate the partnership we have with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and are pleased Allred is off the streets of Cherokee County,” said Cherokee County Sheriff Frank Reynolds.
According to U.S. Attorney Erskine, the charges and other information presented in court: In March 2021, The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received a report about a Dropbox account user that had uploaded six files depicting children under the age of 12 engaged in sexually explicit conduct. That information was provided to Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office.
Cherokee County deputies then executed search warrants for the Dropbox and an associated email account and determined that the accounts belonged to Allred and were being accessed from Allred's home. Contained in Allred's Dropbox and email accounts were nearly 600 images, videos, and gifs of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
On June 14, 2021, Cherokee County deputies arrested Allred and executed a search warrant for the contents of his laptop and phone. In addition to the hundreds of images found in his accounts, Allred had also stored child pornography on the hard drive of his computer.
Allred was convicted for possession of child pornography in March 2010, in the Northern District of Georgia. He began serving a term of supervised release in August 2019. Allred also faces revocation of his supervised release as a result of possessing child pornography.
Jonathan Blane Allred, 49, of Waleska, Georgia, pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography on December 16, 2021. Sentencing is scheduled for March 24, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. before U.S. District Judge Eleanor L. Ross.This case is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany R. Dillingham is prosecuting the case.
This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, the Attorney General launched Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices around the country, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Hampton man pleads guilty to seeking fraudulent IRS COVID reliefRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - Robert Ward, who filed a false Form 7200 with the IRS, has pleaded guilty to a charge of filing a false claim with the United States.
“Unfortunately, criminals continue to take advantage of the broad COVID relief measures available to assist in this time of crisis,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “We are committed to the prosecution of those who seek to enrich themselves by defrauding the government.”
“This COVID pandemic has brought out the best in some people, while bringing out the worst in others,” said IRS-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge James E. Dorsey. “This case is one of many examples of the pandemic bringing out the worst in people. IRS-CI remains committed to investigating and recommending prosecution of anyone attempting to exploit COVID relief programs.”
According to U.S. Attorney Erskine, the charges and other information presented in court: Ward filed a fraudulent Form 7200 with the IRS claiming advance payment of employer credits of $627,326. He falsely claimed to have a business with 50 employees and to have paid over $450,000 in quarterly wages. In reality, his business was a sole proprietorship, and he was not entitled to the advance payment of credits.
When used legitimately, a Form 7200 allows an employer to request an advance payment of employer credits under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The FFCRA provides small and midsize employers refundable tax credits that reimburse them, dollar-for-dollar, for the cost of providing paid sick and family leave wages to their employees for leave related to COVID-19.
Robert Ward, 35, of Hampton, Georgia, is scheduled to be sentenced on March 24, 2022, at 2:00 p.m., before U.S. District Judge Eleanor L. Ross.
This case is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Huber, Deputy Chief of the Complex Frauds Section, is prosecuting the case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Organizer of online child pornography groups sentenced to federal prisonRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - Michael Stephen Autry has been sentenced for his role in organizing online groups where men posted child pornography. Autry created a group on an internet site that encouraged participants to “share pictures and videos of all things taboo,” including incest.
“It shocks the conscience when someone finds pleasure in looking at photos and videos showing children being sexually abused,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “It is even more disturbing when someone like Autry gathers men together in online groups for the purpose of sharing these horrific images. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure that these persons receive their full measure of justice.”
“The victimization of a child doesn’t end when that child’s pornographic images are recorded. Every time an individual like Autry possesses and shares those images amongst the group he created, those children are victimized over, and over,” said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The FBI will always make it a top priority to protect our most vulnerable citizens and put away anyone who would seek to bring them harm.”
According to U.S. Attorney Erskine, the charges and other information presented in court: in early June 2017, Autry created a group on Kik, an internet site where persons can communicate and post photographs and videos. He named the group “Taboo Train 2.0,” and he wrote that the purpose of the group was to gather together people so that they could “share pics and videos of all things taboo…. incest, young, your own family members, etc. to discuss taboo fantasies and real life stories.”
Autry invited an FBI agent who was posing in an undercover capacity to become a member, which allowed the FBI to record all the communications and postings and to identify the members of the group. In all, more than 50 persons were members of Taboo Train 2.0 at some point, although the majority did not post any photos or videos. Many of the members also lived outside the United States.
After a few weeks, the members of Taboo Train 2.0 began to show a greater sexual interest in boys than girls. So, on June 24, 2017, Autry created a new Kik group that he named “The Common Interest.” He invited the undercover FBI agent to be a member along with dozens of other persons. He posted an introductory message where he wrote that “the subject matter is all things taboo… specifically incest, teens, and taboo relationships (young/old, teacher/student, etc.).” He encouraged members to “share your stories, pics, videos, fantasies, etc!” More than 60 persons were members at various times.
On November 5, 2017, and again on December 7, 2017, Autry was added to two other Kik groups where the members shared countless images and videos of children being sexually abused. In both instances, he invited the undercover FBI agent to become a member of the group.
Michael Stephen Autry, 42, of Brownwood, Texas, was sentenced to 12 years, six months in prison to be followed by lifetime supervised release. Autry was convicted on these charges on June 29, 2021, after he pleaded guilty to distribution of child pornography. To date, 11 other persons have been charged with child pornography offenses because of their membership in these Kik groups.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul R. Jones and L. Skye Davis prosecuted the case.
This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, the Attorney General launched Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices around the country, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Justice Department awards more than $17.5 million to support Project Safe NeighborhoodsRead the Press Release
ATLANTA – The Department of Justice announced today that it has awarded more than $17.5 million in grants to support the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program. Funding will support efforts across the country to address violent crime, including the gun violence that is often at its core. In the State of Georgia, the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council was awarded funding totaling $532,348.
The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), part of the department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP), will administer the 88 grant awards, which are being made to designated fiscal agents to support local PSN projects that work in partnership with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices.
“This latest Project Safe Neighborhoods grant is critical to addressing the violent crime threatening cities and towns all across our country,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “Ensuring the safety of all Americans is the highest priority for the Department of Justice, but when it comes to violent crime, there is not a one-size-fits-all solution. We have to work closely with local public safety agencies as well as community organizations to craft individual strategies unique to each community’s needs. Programs like Project Safe Neighborhoods and the funding it provides allow us to do just that.”
“These awards represent a significant commitment in the fight against violent crime and recognition of the hard work being done by law enforcement and community partners to combat gun violence,” said Kurt R. Erskine, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia. “The Northern District of Georgia’s Project Safe Neighborhoods strategy focuses on prosecuting repeat violent offenders as well as supporting evidence-based programs that curb recidivism among adult and youthful offenders.”
"These grants are one element of a multi-prong approach to address violence in communities in Georgia,” said Peter D. Leary. U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia. “By offering financial support for innovative crime solutions, Project Safe Neighborhoods puts the power in the hands of local communities to fight violent crime.”
“The Project Safe Neighborhoods program plays a vital role in the Southern District as we collaborate with our law enforcement partners to fight violent crime and take firearms away from criminals,” said David H. Estes, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. “The funding from this PSN grant will assist our largest cities with strategies and equipment for making their communities safer.”
The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council in Georgia received awards:
- Northern District of Georgia $297,151
- Middle District of Georgia $130,025
- Southern District of Georgia $105,172
“Investing in our communities, supporting victims and building a justice system that both keeps people safe and earns their trust – these are mutually reinforcing goals that stand at the heart of Project Safe Neighborhoods,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Amy L. Solomon for OJP. “The Office of Justice Programs is pleased to join with our U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, and with jurisdictions across the country, as we work together to meet the challenges of crime and violence and achieve our shared aspirations of public safety and community trust.”
In May 2021, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland announced a new effort to reduce violent crime, including the gun violence that is often at its core. Integral to that effort was the reinvigoration of PSN, a two-decade old, evidence-based and community-oriented program focused on reducing violent crime. The updated PSN approach, outlined in the department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime issued by Deputy Attorney General Monaco, is guided by four key principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities and measuring the results of our efforts. The fundamental goal is to reduce violent crime, not simply to increase the number of arrests or prosecutions.
This fall, U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country have enhanced their violent crime reduction efforts to ensure alignment with the department’s comprehensive violent crime reduction strategy. U.S. Attorneys’ Offices have engaged in outreach to law enforcement and other agencies and organizations serving communities to identify the most significant drivers of violence in their districts. Working together with a broad coalition of stakeholders, the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices are addressing the most pressing violent crime issues in their district to make our neighborhoods safer for all.
PSN programs are led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in collaboration with local public safety agencies, community stakeholders and other agencies and organizations that work to reduce violent crime.
For a list of all grantees, please visit: https://www.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh241/files/media/document/FY21-Project-Safe-Neighborhoods-Awards.pdf
Information about these and other FY 2021 grant awards from the Office of Justice Programs can be found online at the OJP Grant Awards Page.
The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, advance racial equity in the administration of justice, assist victims and enhance the rule of law. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.