Eastern District of Louisiana
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Hammond Man Pleads Guilty to Gun and Drug ViolationsRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that RYAN BINNER, age 43, of Hammond, pled guilty today to violations of the Federal Controlled Substances and Federal Gun Control Acts.
According to court documents, in November and December 2014, BINNER made multiple sales of methamphetamine to law enforcement agents working undercover. On December 2, 2014, BINNER agreed to meet an undercover agent for purposes of selling additional methamphetamine. As BINNER attempted to leave his house to meet with the agent, law enforcement arrested BINNER, and found him to be in possession of approximately one ounce of methamphetamine, along with a loaded, sawed-off Winchester 20-gauge shotgun.
BINNER pled guilty to distributing a quantity of methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C), and possessing a short-barreled shotgun in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 924(c)(1)(B)(i) and 921(a)(6). For the drug offense, BINNER faces a maximum term of imprisonment of twenty years, a fine of up to $1,000,000.00, a period of not less than three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a mandatory $100 special assessment. For the gun offense, BINNER faces a minimum consecutive term of imprisonment of ten years, a fine of up to $250,000, a period of not more than five years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a mandatory $100 special assessment. U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan set sentencing for February 10, 2016.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Hammond Police Department for investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon S. Long is in charge of the prosecution.
Child Pornography Charges Filed Against River Ridge ManRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that CRAIG QUINTAL, age 40, of River Ridge, was indicted today for crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children.
According to today’s indictment, beginning at an unknown time to on or about July 15, 2015, QUINTAL knowingly accessed child pornography with the intent to view images depicting the sexual victimization of minors. The indictment alleges that QUINTAL accessed visual depictions of minors under the age of twelve years-old engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
If convicted, QUINTAL faces a penalty of up to twenty years imprisonment, followed by up to a lifetime term of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
U. S. Attorney Polite reiterated that the Indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations and the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office, High Tech Crime Unit in investigating this matter. Project Safe Childhood Coordinator and Fraud Section Chief, Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba is in charge of the prosecution.
Two Business Owners Charged with Filing False Federal Income Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that two owners of a Metairie business were charged today with filing false federal income tax returns.
ROMMEL CORDOVA, age 35 of Luling, and SAUL RAMIREZ, age 43, of Kenner, were each charged in a single Bill of Information with willfully filing false 2011 individual income tax returns. According to the Bill of Information, CORDOVA and RAMIREZ owned and operated Skill Labor Provider, Inc. (“Skill Labor”) a Metairie, Louisiana labor services business. They were each fifty-percent owners of Skill Labor and shared equally in its net income.
During calendar years 2010 and 2011, CORDOVA and RAMIREZ cashed, and caused to be cashed, checks made payable to Skill Labor and other business checks at a check cashing business in Kenner. CORDOVA and RAMIREZ caused false corporate income tax returns for Skill Labor to be prepared which did not accurately report the gross receipts, labor expenses deductions, or net income of Skill Labor. They then filed their respective individual income tax returns, which did not accurately report the amounts of business income that CORDOVA and RAMIREZ received from Skill Labor.
Upon conviction, each defendant faces a maximum penalty of three years of imprisonment, one year of supervised release, a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss caused by the offense, a $100 special assessment, and restitution to the Internal Revenue Service.
U. S. Attorney Polite reiterated that the Bill of Information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendants must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations and Homeland Security Investigations for investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Hayden Brockett and Tax Division Trial Attorney Michael Hatzimichalis are in charge of the prosecution.
Orleans Parish Couple Sentenced for Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud in Aftermath of the BP Oil SpillRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that LATASHA N. ANDERS, age 34, and ARNOLD WILLIAMS, age 33, both of New Orleans, were sentenced today after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud relating to fraudulent applications they made or caused to be made to the Gulf Coast Claims Facility (GCCF) for financial assistance during the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
U.S. District Judge Martin L.C. Feldman sentenced ANDERS to 5 years probation, with 12 months of home incarceration, and ordered restitution in the amount of $250,000. WILLIAMS was sentenced to three years probation and was ordered to pay $50,000 in restitution to the GCCF.
According to court documents, the GCCF made disaster assistance money available to individuals and businesses affected by the oil spill resulting from the Deepwater Horizon explosion. The GCCF required individuals to verify loss of income. ANDERS worked as a claims adjuster for the GCCF. Beginning in or about October 2010, ANDERS submitted or caused to be submitted, via the internet, claim forms on behalf of her co-conspirators containing false representations and fraudulent documentation that they were employed in the commercial fishing industry at the time of the oil spill, when in fact they were not. ANDERS shared in the claim proceeds in exchange for her assistance. Based upon the fraudulent documentation, ANDERS obtained $250,000 in claim proceeds to which she and her co-conspirators were not entitled.
Additionally, ANDERS conspired with WILLIAMS to file a false claim for loss earnings on his behalf, when in fact he did not work in the commercial fishing industry. Based upon the fraudulent claim, WILLIAMS received $50,000 to which he was not entitled. Both ANDERS and WILLIAMS admitted to purchasing a home for $110,000 with the illegal proceeds they received from the fraudulent claims.
This case was brought as part of this District’s partnership with the National Center for Disaster Fraud (“NCDF”), a nationwide initiative to protect available funds and assistance for those victims of both natural and man-made disasters such as hurricanes, floods, tornadoes and the recent Gulf oil spill. If you have knowledge of fraud, waste, abuse or allegations of mismanagement involving disaster relief operations, you can contact the NCDF by either calling the hotline at (866) 720-5721, faxing (225) 334-4707, emailing at [email protected], or in writing to National Center for Disaster Fraud, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-4909.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the U.S. Secret Service in investigating this matter. Assistant U. S. Attorney Julia K. Evans was in charge of this prosecution.
Northshore Man Sentenced to Serve 30 Years in Prison for Drug Conspiracy and Firearms ViolationsRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that MELVIN JACKSON, age 35, of Ponchatoula was sentenced today for his participation in a drug conspiracy and his participation in a May 11, 2012, shooting and robbery that took place outside of Roy’s Lounge.
U.S. District Judge Stanwood R. Duval sentenced JACKSON to 360 months imprisonment for the drug conspiracy, 120 months on the firearms violation, and 240 months on a separate drug charge. All sentences were ordered to run concurrently with each other.
At trial, which was held on April 11, 2015, the Government presented evidence that JACKSON, who had a prior conviction for attempted murder, was caught on video in 2012 exiting Roy’s Lounge with several associates after a night of gambling. Once outside, JACKSON removed a firearm from his shirt and gave the firearm to his friend, MELVIN DOKES. DOKES then shot the victim, a fellow gambler, four times. As the victim lay bleeding on the ground, JACKSON stood over him and took several hundred dollars out of the victim’s pockets. JACKSON and DOKES then fled. Both were initially arrested on state charges by the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office, but made bond. While JACKSON was out on bond he continued to sell heroin on the North Shore. His drug dealing activity was brought to the attention of federal agents. An undercover operation was done which led to a search warrant being executed at JACKSON’S home. Agents recovered drugs and drug proceeds. JACKSON then confessed to his role in the conspiracy to distribute more than a kilogram of heroin and over five kilograms of cocaine hydrochloride.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration in leading this investigation along with members of the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Maurice E. Landrieu, Jr. and Brandon Long were in charge of the prosecution.
New Orleans Businessman Sentenced for Participating in Kickback SchemeRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that ANTHONY PENN, SR., age 53, of New Orleans, was sentenced today after previously pleading guilty to Count One of an Indictment charging him with conspiring to receive kickbacks in a federal debris removal contract.
U.S. District Judge Stanwood R. Duval sentenced PENN to three years of probation and one year of home confinement. Additionally, PENN was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $215,111.55 to Company A.
According to court documents, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers hired Phillips and Jordan, a national construction firm, to manage the removal of storm debris from the City of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina devastated the metro area. After they were awarded the contract, Phillips and Jordan hired Company A, a local solid waste management company to assist with the debris removal project. Shortly after securing the contract, Company A hired ANTHONY PENN, a local businessman, to manage the debris removal project for them. After some time on the job, PENN approached the owners of Company A and asked if they would consider hiring his brother-in-law, KENNETH JOHNSON, as a sub-tier subcontractor to work on the project. The owners of Company A accepted the recommendation and hired JOHNSON’s company, KCJ Enterprises, as a sub-tier subcontractor. Sometime thereafter, PENN asked JOHNSON to provide him with a cut of the revenue that KCJ Enterprises was receiving from Company A as a reward for steering the contract to him. JOHNSON agreed to the scheme and wired a total of $236,461.55 in kickback payments to PENN from July 12, 2006, to February 8, 2008.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the United States Department of Defense, and the Internal Revenue Service in investigating this matter. The case was prosecuted Assistant U.S. Attorneys Spiro G. Latsis and Theodore R. Carter, III.
Metairie Man Sentenced After Pleading Guilty to Recording Movies in a Local Theater and Criminal Infringement of a CopyrightRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that DERRICK HOLLOWAY, age 32, of Marrero, was sentenced today after previously pleading guilty to two-count Bill of Information charging him with unauthorized recording of a motion picture and criminal infringement of a copyright.
U.S. District Judge Kurt D. Engelhardt sentenced HOLLOWAY to served four years probation with the first eight months in home confinement. Additionally, HOLLOWAY was fined $1,000 and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $12,539.66 to the Motion Picture Association of America and the Recording Industry Association of America.
According to court documents, in 2014, HOLLOWAY used a digital camcorder to record approximately ten first-run motion pictures at the AMC Westbank Palace, located in Harvey, including When the Game Stands Tall and The Equalizer. HOLLOWAY subsequently duplicated and sold copies of some or all of the motion pictures. Additionally, HOLLOWAY manufactured and sold CDs and DVDs containing copyrighted musical works and motion pictures out from his business, Gold Teeth Kingz, located in Harvey. Specifically, during the execution of a search warrant at Gold Teeth Kingz in early January 2015, law enforcement authorities found and seized approximately 2,932 pirated DVDs containing copyrighted motion pictures, including When the Game Stands Tall and American Sniper, and 749 pirated CDs containing copyrighted musical works, including “Kingdom Come,” by Jay-Z and “Dangerously in Love,” by Beyoncé.
“Criminal counterfeiters are economic parasites who harm legitimate businesses that pay taxes, create jobs and support our national economy,” said Special Agent in Charge of HSI New Orleans Raymond R. Parmer Jr. “Anyone who thinks counterfeiting is a victimless crime should realize the proceeds of black-market sales are routinely funneled up the chain to criminal organizations that use these ill-gotten proceeds to support a multitude of large-scale criminal activity.”
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Ginsberg is in charge of the prosecution.
Harvey Homeowner Pleads Guilty to Theft of Home Elevation Grant FundsRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that QUANG SMITH, age 65, of Harvey, pled guilty today to a one count Bill of Information charging her with theft of government funds.
According to documents filed in federal court, QUANG SMITH owned a home in Harvey. In August 2010, SMITH executed application documents with the HMGP program to receive federal grant funds to elevate her house in Harvey, Louisiana. The application was completed with the understanding that the grant monies would be used to elevate her house in Harvey, Louisiana.
In early 2011, SMITH received federal Home Mitigation Grant Program (“HMGP”) monies totaling $80,000 to elevate her house in Harvey. The monies were electronically transferred into her personal bank account for the elevation project. However, SMITH failed to use the grant monies to elevate her residence. Instead, she converted the federal funds for her own personal use and never elevated her home.
The maximum penalty for theft of government funds is ten years imprisonment and/or a fine of $250,000 or the greater of twice the gross gain to the defendant or twice the gross loss to the victim. U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan set sentencing for February 24, 2016.
U.S. Attorney Kenneth Polite praised the work of the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney, Richard R. Pickens, II is in charge of the prosecution.
Quang Smith - Factual Basis.pdf (108.59 KB)
Former Orleans Parish School Board Employee Sentenced for Conspiracy to Commit Federal Bribery and Honest Services Wire FraudRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that ARMER BRIGHT, age 51, of Baton Rouge, a former employee of the Orleans Parish School Board (“OPSB”), was sentenced today after previously pleading guilty to the charge of conspiracy to commit bribery and honest services wire fraud.
U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan sentenced BRIGHT to one year plus one day incarceration, followed by one year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
According to court documents, BRIGHT admitted that beginning in September 2013 and continuing until January 2015, he and others participated in a conspiracy to commit bribery and honest services wire fraud. BRIGHT further admitted that he initiated a scheme to defraud Orleans Parish and its citizens of honest services through bribery and a kickback scheme, whereby IRA THOMAS, an Orleans Parish School Board member, used his public office and official capacity to provide favorable treatment, including attempting to facilitate the awarding of a contract, that was designed to benefit the business and financial interest of an individual who provided him with a bribe and kickback in the form of cash payment disguised as a campaign contribution.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Toomey was in charge of the prosecution.
Over 21,000 Students to Take Pledge Against Gun ViolenceRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that on Wednesday, November 4, 2015, over 21,000 students in over 64 schools across Southeast Louisiana will participate in his Office’s second district-wide Student Pledge Against Gun Violence Day.
Middle and high school students will sign a voluntary pledge promising that they will never take a gun to school, will never resolve a dispute with a gun, and will use their influence to prevent friends from using guns to resolve disputes. Elementary school children will make a simpler commitment, pledging that if they see a gun they will not touch it, they will assume that any gun they see might be loaded, and they will tell a teacher or a trusted adult.
In coordination with the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods program, the Student Pledge Against Gun Violence is a national program that recognizes the role that young people, through their own decisions, can play in reducing gun violence. This campaign against youth gun violence culminates each October in a Day of National Concern about Young People and Gun Violence. Students from around the country will join together in pledging to do their part to end gun violence. Over 10 million students nationwide have signed the pledge since its inception in 1996.
U.S. Attorney Polite stated that his Office began using the pledge during the 2013-14 school year. Because of the outstanding response from school leaders and students, the Office decided to expand the initiative district-wide to include all schools in all 13 parishes, including Assumption, Jefferson, Lafourche, Plaquemines, Orleans, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, and Washington. "Our Office is pleased to take this opportunity to reach out to students, engage in a dialogue about gun violence and the importance of making right choices, and encourage them to become peacemakers of our time," stated U.S. Attorney Polite.
In addition to providing the pledges, members of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and other state, local, and federal law enforcement agencies will serve as speakers at several schools to talk to students about what they can do to reduce gun violence in their communities.
Participating Schools include:
Alice Birney Elementary School (Jefferson Parish)
Andrew Jackson Middle School (St. Bernard Parish)
Annunciation Catholic School (Washington Parish)
Assumption High School (Assumption Parish)
Bayou L'Ourse Primary School (Assumption Parish)
C.F. Rowley Alternative School (St. Bernard Parish)
Chalmette Elementary School (St. Bernard Parish)
Chalmette High School 9th Grade Academy (St. Bernard Parish)
Davies Elementary School (St. Bernard Parish)
Dwight D. Eisenhower Academy of Global Studies (Orleans Parish)
Edward Hynes Charter School (Orleans Parish)
Eleanor McMain Secondary School (Orleans Parish)
Ella Dolhonde Elementary School (Jefferson Parish)
Fisher Middle-High School (Jefferson Parish)
Frederick Douglass Elementary School (Jefferson Parish)
Garyville Mt. Airy Math & Science Magnet School (St. John Parish)
Gentilly Terrace Charter School (Orleans Parish)
Gretna No. 2 Academy for Advanced Studies (Jefferson Parish)
Hazel Park - Hilda Knoff Elementary School (Jefferson Parish)
International High School of New Orleans (Orleans Parish)
J.C. Ellis School (Jefferson Parish)
KIPP Believe College Preparatory School (Orleans Parish)
KIPP Central City Academy (Orleans Parish)
KIPP McDonogh #15 Middle School (Orleans Parish)
KIPP Renaissance High School (Orleans Parish)
Lacache Middle School (Tangipahoa Parish)
Lacoste Elementary School (St. Bernard Parish)
Lafayette Academy Charter School (Orleans Parish)
Lake Area New Tech Early College High School (Orleans Parish)
Lake Forest Charter School (Orleans Parish)
Lake Pontchartrain Elementary School (St. John Parish)
LaPlace Elementary School (St. John Parish)
Leo Kerner Jr. Elementary School (Jefferson Parish)
Martin Behrman Charter Academy (Orleans Parish)
Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary (Orleans Parish)
McDonogh 26 Elementary School (Jefferson Parish)
Medard H. Nelson Charter School (Orleans Parish)
Mildred S. Harris Elementary (Jefferson Parish)
Ory Magnet Elementary School (St. John Parish)
Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy (Jefferson Parish)
Pierre A. Capdau Charter School (Orleans Parish)
Phoenix High School (Plaquemines Parish)
Pope John Paul II Catholic High School (St. Tammany Parish)
St. Augustine High School (Orleans Parish)
St. Benedict the Moor (Orleans Parish)
St. Bernard Middle School (St. Bernard Parish)
St. Catherine of Sienna (Jefferson Parish)
St. James Parish Gifted Center (St. James Parish)
St. Peter Claver Catholic School (Orleans Parish)
St. Scholastica Academy (St. Tammany Parish)
Science & Math Academy (St. James Parish)
Sixth Ward Elementary (St. James Parish)
Smith Elementary School (St. Bernard Parish)
South Thibodaux Elementary School (Lafourche Parish)
T. H. Harris Middle School (Jefferson Parish)
The Good Shepherd School (Orleans Parish)
Trist Middle School (St. Bernard Parish)
Vacherie Elementary School (St. James Parish)
Vic A. Pitre Elementary School (Jefferson Parish)
West St. John Elementary School (St. John Parish)
West St. John High School (St. John Parish)
Westbank Community (Jefferson Parish)
Wesley Ray Elementary (Washington Parish)
William Hart Elementary School (Jefferson Parish)
Participating Federal, State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies include:
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Houma Police Department
Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s Office
Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office
New Orleans Police Department
Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office
U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Louisiana
U.S. Marshals Service
U.S. Probation and Parole, Eastern District of Louisiana
U.S. Secret Service
New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Failing to Register as Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that DONALD GEORGE BUTLER, JR., age 51, of New Orleans, pled guilty today to failing to register as sex offender.
According to court documents, in 1997, BUTLER was convicted of sexual battery in New Orleans, and as a result, was required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. After being released from prison in 2009, BUTLER moved to Texas without notifying the appropriate authorities. Consequently, in 2010, BUTLER was charged with, and pled guilty to, failing to register as a sex offender in the Western District of Texas. Upon his release from federal custody in about November 2012, BUTLER moved back to Louisiana without notifying law enforcement authorities in either Texas or Louisiana. BUTLER lived in Louisiana, without notifying any law enforcement authorities, until he was located by Inspectors with the United States Marshal’s Service in July 2014.
BUTLER faces up to ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine. U.S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance set sentencing for February 24, 2016.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the United States Marshal’s Service in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Ginsberg is in charge of the prosecution.
Mexican National Charged with Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that JAIRO JACIEL JIMENEZ-HERNANDEZ, age 29, a citizen of Mexico, was charged today in a one-count Indictment with illegal reentry of a removed alien.
According to the Indictment, JIMENEZ-HERNANDEZ reentered the United States on or about August 30, 2015, after having been previously deported on May 17, 2012. If convicted, JIMENEZ-HERNANDEZ faces a maximum term of imprisonment of two years, a maximum fine of $250,000, a maximum term of supervised release of one year, and a mandatory $100 special assessment.
U.S. Attorney Polite reiterated that an Indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Spiro G. Latsis is in charge of the prosecution.
Undocumented Alien from Mexico Charged with Illegal Use of Social Security Number and False Claim of CitizenshipRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that SERGIO GALVEZ-VELAZQUEZ, age 40, a citizen of Mexico, was charged today in a two-count Indictment with illegal use of a Social Security Number and false claim of citizenship to obtain employment.
According to the Indictment, GALVEZ-VELAZQUEZ illegally obtained a Louisiana Identification Card from the Louisiana DMV office in Houma by using a Social Security number that did not belong to him. GALVEZ-VELAZQUEZ was also charged with falsely claiming that he was a citizen of the United States on an I-9 employment form in order to gain employment with Bollinger Shipyards in Lockport, Louisiana.
If convicted, GALVEZ-VELAZQUEZ faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, a maximum fine of $250,000, a maximum term of supervised release of three years, and a mandatory $100 special assessment.
U.S. Attorney Polite reiterated that an Indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the United States Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Spiro G. Latsis is in charge of the prosecution.
Metairie Man Pleads Guilty to Trafficking in over $150,000 in Counterfeit GoodsRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that BOUBACAR DIALLO, age 35, of Metairie, pled guilty today to a one-count Bill of Information charging him with trafficking in counterfeit goods.
According to court documents, on March 12, 2015, investigators with the Office of the Attorney General Investigation Division and agents with the United States Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations, acting on information that DIALLO was involved in the purchase and subsequent sale of large quantities of counterfeit merchandise, met DIALLO at his residence in Metairie. Law enforcement officials observed numerous cardboard boxes full of counterfeit merchandise. They subsequently verified as counterfeit 111 pairs of “True Religion” blue jeans; 166 “Michael Kors” purses; 67 “Michael Kors” pocketbooks; 87 “Michael Kors” watches; 6 pair of “Nike” tennis shoes; 9 pair of “Polo” pants; 8 pair of “Polo” shirts; and 693 counterfeit Michael Kors labels. The collective fair market value of all the counterfeit items and was approximately $158,049. DIALLO admitted that he knew the items he was selling were counterfeit and that he had purchased them from individuals in Atlanta and New York City. DIALLO also admitted to renting storage units to hide and store the counterfeit merchandise.
DIALLO faces a maximum term of imprisonment of not more than ten years, followed by up to three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk set sentencing for February 4, 2016.
U.S. Attorney praised the work of the Louisiana Department of Justice / Office of the Attorney General Investigation Division and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations for investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Ginsberg is in charge of the prosecution.
Honduran National Sentenced for Illegally ReentryRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that JUAN VASQUEZ-ALVARADO, age 47, a citizen of Honduras, was sentenced today after previously pleading guilty to a one-count Indictment for illegal reentry of a removed alien.
U.S. District Judge Carl J. Barbier sentenced VASQUEZ-ALVARADO to time served and a $100 special assessment. VASQUEZ-ALVARADO will be surrendered to the custody of the U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement for removal proceedings.
According to court documents, VASQUEZ-ALVARADO was found in the United States on July 2, 2015, after having been officially deported and removed on or about September 2, 2002.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the United States Department of Homeland Security in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Spiro G. Latsis is in charge of the prosecution.
Honduran National Charged with Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that JIMY NAHUN NUÑEZ-IZAGUIRRE, age 31, a citizen of Honduras, was charged today in a one-count Bill of Information with illegal reentry of a removed alien.
According to the Bill of Information, NUÑEZ-IZAGUIRRE reentered the United States on or about October 1, 2015, after having been previously removed therefrom on or about July 25, 2008.
If convicted, NUÑEZ-IZAGUIRRE faces a maximum term of imprisonment of two years, a fine of up to $250,000.00, one year supervised release after imprisonment, and a $100 special assessment.
U.S. Attorney Polite reiterated that a Bill of Information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the United States Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Irene González is in charge of the prosecution.
Waggaman Woman Sentenced After Pleading Guilty to Embezzling $208,000 from Local EmployerRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that DELORES TROUILLET, age 59, of Waggaman, was sentenced after previously pleading guilty to wire fraud for embezzling over $200,000 from her employer.
U.S. District Judge Carl J. Barbier sentenced TROUILLET to serve one year and one day in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Additionally, TROUILLET was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $208,082.03 to the victim.
According to court documents, from 1999 to 2014, TROUILLET was employed by a carpet, flooring, and drapery sales and installation company (“Company A”) headquartered in Gretna, where she served as a bookkeeper. In her capacity as bookkeeper, TROUILLET was responsible for overseeing the company’s finances and accounts. TROUILLET had access to Company A’s bank accounts, including the ability to conduct wire transfers from Company A’s bank accounts.
Using her access to the company’s accounts, TROUILLET stole money from Company A in five different ways, including generating checks drawing on Company A’s bank accounts to pay her personal expenses. To make the payments appear legitimate, TROUILLET listed in Company A’s internal records checks she made out to herself and deposited into her personal bank account as being made payable to entities with whom Company A engaged in business or frequently paid funds, such as “State Farm Insurance” and “IRS.” TROUILLET also paid for her personal daily expenses using Company A’s corporate credit and debit cards. Further, TROUILLET added money to her biweekly payroll in excess of her agreed upon salary. In total, TROUILLET embezzled approximately $208,082.03 from Company A.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the United States Secret Service and investigators with assistance from the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Ginsberg was in charge of the prosecution.
Slidell Man Sentenced for over $355,000 in False Claims to the Deepwater Horizon Economic Claims CenterRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that CASEY THONN, age 35, of Slidell, was sentenced today after previously pleading guilty to a two-count Bill of Information charging him with wire fraud in connection with fraudulent claims filed with the Deepwater Horizon Economic Claims Center (“DHECC”).
U.S. District Judge Stanwood R. Duval, Jr. sentenced THONN to serve 24 months in prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release. In addition to the term of imprisonment, THONN was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $355,251, as well as a $200 special assessment.
According to court documents, THONN submitted multiple claims with the Seafood Compensation Program administered by the DHECC based on losses he allegedly sustained as result of the April 2010 oil spill. Subsequently, in early November 2012, the DHECC notified THONN that he was eligible to receive approximately $1,750.36 for these claims.
In turn, on December 3, 2012, THONN submitted Requests for Reconsideration of his original eligibility notices requesting his compensation be recalculated based on a false Federal tax return THONN provided to the DHECC. In that false submission, THONN claimed he received $156,000 of gross revenue from commercial shrimping sales in 2009. This fraudulent submission increased the defendant’s compensation from $1,750.36 to a total of $357,002.35 for these claims. Finally, in March 2013, THONN received a total of $357,002.35 from the DHECC which was caused by his fraudulent submissions.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Carter K.D. Guice, Jr. was in charge of the prosecution
Ohio Man Sentenced for Mail and Wire FraudRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that HOWARD GREGOR, age 52, a resident of Attica, Ohio, was sentenced today after previously pleading guilty to a two-count Bill of Information charging him with mail and wire fraud.
U.S. District Judge Kurt Engelhardt sentenced GREGOR to serve 12 months plus one day in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. Additionally GREGOR was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine, a special assessment of $200, and restitution in the amount of $293,972.
According to court documents, from November 3, 2008, through on or about April 19, 2013, GREGOR worked for Company A, a New Orleans based company that manufactures conveyor belts for use in food processing and packaging facilities. Company A employed GREGOR as an account manager. His sales work required him to travel frequently and incur business-related expenses. Company A had a policy that allowed account managers to submit expense reports for reimbursement of actual out-of-pocket business expenses. Rather than submitting expense reports for actual expenses, GREGOR devised a scheme and artifice to defraud Company A by creating inflated and fictitious items to put on his expense report to cause Company A to pay him for expenses that he did not actually incur. GREGOR submitted these expense reports via U.S. mail and electronic mail. In all, GREGOR caused Company A to reimburse him for nearly $300,000 of expenses that he did not actually incur, causing a loss to the company.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Postal Inspection Service in investigating this matter. Assistant U. S. Attorney Sharan Lieberman was in charge of the prosecution.
Metairie Man Pleads Guilty to Receiving Images and Videos Depicting the Sexual Victimization of ChildrenRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that ANDREW HUTCHINSON, age, 24, of New Orleans, pled guilty today to a one-count Bill of Information for crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children. Specifically, HUTCHINSON pled guilty to receiving and attempting to receive sexually explicit images of children.
According to court documents, HUTCHINSON used a mobile cellular phone chat application to converse with a twelve-year-old boy in Seattle, Washington, between July 24, 2014, and July 27, 2014. Knowing that the boy was only twelve, HUTCHINSON requested and received approximately fifteen sexually explicit images of the boy via the messaging application. In exchange, HUTCHINSON provided the boy sexually explicit images of minor females as young as approximately five years old. HUTCHINSON also provided the boy with a link to an online cloud storage account that contained approximately 1766 images and 19 videos depicting minor females as young as approximately eighteen months old engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
HUTCHINSON faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum penalty of twenty years, followed by up to a life term of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. He can also be required to register as a sex offender. U.S. District Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle set sentencing for February 3, 2016.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Jordan Ginsberg is in charge of the prosecution.
Member of Young Melph Mafia Sentenced to 8 Years for Drug and Firearms ViolationsRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that DEONTRE HILLS, age 22, of New Orleans, was sentenced today for his participation in a drug conspiracy and a conspiracy to possess and use firearms in connection with the drug trafficking activities of a local gang known as the “Young Melph Mafia” or “YMM.”
U.S. District Judge Kurt D. Engelhardt sentenced HILLS to 96 months imprisonment to run consecutively to a 10 years state sentence, to be followed by five years of supervised release.
HILLS was originally charged in a five-count Superseding Indictment with nine other YMM members, who frequented the area of the former Melpomene Housing Project. According to the factual basis filed in open court, HILLS, a founding member of the YMM, and other YMM associates participated in a wide ranging conspiracy to distribute street level quantities of crack cocaine in Central City and participated in several acts of violence against rival gangs, such as the 110ers. The members of the YMM were associates of the members of the Allen family, who were also indicted and convicted in federal court last year. Three members of the 110ers gang were convicted on January 29, 2015, in Orleans Parish Criminal Court for the Briana Allen shooting.
“This is just another example of how serious the federal government is in helping turn the tide of violence that is occurring in New Orleans,” stated U.S. Attorney Polite. “These local gangs have caused serious harm to the neighborhoods of this City, and the federal government will continue to work with local authorities to bring these individuals to justice.”
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”) in leading this investigation along with members of the NOPD led Multi-Agency Gang Unit (MAG UNIT). Assistant United States Attorneys Edward J. Rivera and Maurice E. Landrieu, Jr. were in charge of the prosecution.
Charlotte, North Carolina Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Scheme to Engage in Sextortion, Coercing Minor to Engage in Sex, and Distribution of Images Depicting the Sexual Victimization of ChildrenRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that JOHN MICHAEL FOWLER, age 51, from Charlotte, North Carolina, was sentenced today after previously pleading guilty to engaging in illicit sexual conduct in a foreign place, distribution and receipt of images depicting the sexual victimization of children, transmitting interstate communications with the intent to extort, and coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity.
U.S. District Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle sentenced FOWLER to serve 300 months in prison, to be followed by ten years of supervised release. Additionally, FOWLER will be required to register as a sex offender.
According to court documents, in about September 2011, FOWLER met Victim 1, a 16-year-old female, and they developed a sexual relationship. Thereafter, when Victim 1 sought to end the relationship, FOWLER became angry and threatened to tell her family and the principal of her school about the relationship. He also threatened to send sexually explicit photographs of Victim 1 to her school and family. As a result of these threats, FOWLER continued to have sex with Victim 1 until about August 2013. FOWLER also sent sexually explicit pictures of Victim 1 via e-mail on numerous occasions.
In about August 2013, Victim 1 enrolled in a university in the New Orleans area and moved to the Eastern District of Louisiana. FOWLER continued to harass Victim 1. When Victim 1 sought to end the relationship, FOWLER threatened to harm her friends and siblings. He also sent sexually explicit photographs of Victim 1 to classmates at Victim 1’s school. Further, FOWLER contacted four of Victim 1’s classmates via e-mail in August 2014 and informed them that Victim 1 worked as a prostitute and was mentally unstable.
Beginning on about August 29, 2014, an FBI Special Agent assumed Victim 1’s identity and began corresponding with FOWLER via cellular phone. FOWLER promised not to hurt Victim 1’s sibling if Victim 1 agreed to allow FOWLER to come to New Orleans and have sex with her. Thereafter, FOWLER came to New Orleans and was arrested.
A search of FOWLER’S e-mail account and cellular phone revealed that, in addition to his victimization of Victim 1, FOWLER also sought and downloaded numerous images and videos of children as young as approximately two years old being sexually victimized. Moreover, law enforcement authorities learned that FOWLER met Victim 2, a fifteen-year-old boy, in Charlotte, North Carolina via an online classified advertisement website in July 2014 and, over the next month, coerced Victim 2 to engage in sexual acts with him.
“We thank the FBI and the Charlotte Police Department for their outstanding work in this case,” stated U.S. Attorney Polite. “Today’s lengthy sentence reflects our commitment to protecting our young people from sexual exploitation.”
“This matter is taken very seriously by everyone in the FBI’s New Orleans Office,” stated Acting Special Agent in Charge Jeff Dutton. “In addition, the FBI’s New Orleans Child Exploitation Task Force continues to work relentlessly in order to identify and locate any and all online child predators. “
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Charlotte, North Carolina Police Department in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Ginsberg was in charge of the prosecution.
U.S. Attorney Polite Announces Increased Federal Prosecution of Gun OffensesRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced today that his Office is leading an initiative to increase federal illegal gun prosecutions in the area. In conjunction with ATF and NOPD, the Office is enhancing federal prosecution of the following offenses:
- Convicted felons in possession of firearms;
- Individuals subject to domestic violence orders who are in possession of firearms; and
- Individuals who possess illegal firearms in or near elementary and secondary schools.
Individuals prosecuted for these offenses will face significant jail time. Further, as these are violent offenses, there is a presumption against bail in most cases.
USA Polite stated, "This initiative will bring needed federal resources to those areas of New Orleans and our region where we see the highest levels of gun violence on a day-to-day basis. In particular, this effort will increase our attention on domestic violence, which is one of the root causes of the violence on our streets and has been the underlying reason for nearly a quarter of New Orleans homicides this year."
In addition, U.S. Attorney Polite announced that his Office is spearheading a public service campaign to educate residents about this firearms initiative. (See attached). USA Polite added, "Victims of gun violence need to know that the federal government is committed to fighting violent crime throughout our region. Just as importantly, perpetrators of this violence are on notice: there will be no revolving door for violent offenders, going in and out of the criminal justice system. Instead, one gun conviction will land you in federal prison for a long time."
Slidell Woman Pleads Guilty to Lying to Federal AgentsRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that TRACY C. HARTMAN, 49, of Slidell, pled guilty today to a one-count Bill of Information charging her with lying to federal agents.
According to court records, on January 4, 2006, HARTMAN and her husband were approved for a Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster loan in the amount of $182,700, resulting from Hurricane Katrina damages.
TRACY HARTMAN and her husband defaulted on the SBA disaster loan. As a result of the loan default, in or about June 2010, the SBA began garnishment proceedings for Mr. Hartman’s payroll checks from St. Bernard Parish. In or about December 2011, the SBA stopped receiving the HARTMAN’s garnishment payments from St. Bernard Parish. A letter, purporting to be from the SBA, was received by St. Bernard Parish claiming the debt had been paid and to stop the garnishment. The letter was a forgery and was not prepared by the SBA. On or about April 20, 2012, HARTMAN made a false statement to federal authorities that she did not know the origin of the fraudulent letter which was hand delivered to the St. Bernard Parish government by her husband on or about November 29, 2011. After further investigation, it was determined that HARTMAN composed the letter.
HARTMAN faces a possible maximum sentence of five years imprisonment, and/or a fine of $250,000 and up to three years of supervised release. U.S. District Judge Martin L.C. Feldman set sentencing for February 24, 2016.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Small Business Administration, Office of Inspector General in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Carter K. D. Guice, Jr. of the Fraud Unit is in charge of the prosecution.
San Francisco Man Sentenced for Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that GEOFFREY WALKER, age 66, of San Francisco, was sentenced today for crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children.
U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan sentenced WALKER to 72 months imprisonment followed by 10 years of federal supervised release as a result of his guilty plea on May 7, 2015, to distribution of materials involving the sexual exploitation of minors. In addition, WALKER is required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.
According to court documents, as a result of an undercover operation by federal law enforcement agents with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”) into the sexual exploitation of children and the distribution of child pornography in the Eastern District of Louisiana, it was determined that WALKER was utilizing his email account to distribute child pornography from California to Louisiana. On September 5, 2014, a federal search warrant was executed at WALKER’s residence in California and HSI agents seized his computer pursuant to the search warrant. WALKER was taken into federal custody at the time of the execution of the search warrant. HSI agents established that on eleven different occasions, WALKER emailed sexually explicit images of minors to an undercover HSI agent located in New Orleans, Louisiana. A subsequent computer forensic search of WALKER’s computer by HSI yielded over 9,000 images and over 1,000 videos depicting minors engaging in sexually explicit activity.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
U.S. Attorney Kenneth Polite, Jr. praised the work of the U. S. Department of Homeland Security, HSI in investigating this matter. Project Safe Childhood Coordinator and Fraud Section Chief, Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba was in charge of the prosecution.
Ride or Die Gang Associate Sentenced on Drug ViolationsRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that ANDREALIE LEWIS, age 36, a resident of New Orleans, was sentenced today after having previously pled guilty to federal drug violations.
U.S. District Court Judge Susie Morgan sentenced LEWIS to 48 months of incarceration, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release.
LEWIS was one of twelve defendants charged with conspiring to distribute cocaine base in the St. Roch neighborhood. In addition, all twelve defendants were charged with conspiring to possess firearms in furtherance of their drug trafficking crimes. Three defendants were also charged with conspiring to violate the Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organization Act, as well as substantive acts of violence.
To date, eight defendants charged in this case have pled guilty to various charges. The following co-defendants are currently pending several sentencing hearings over the next two months: ERVIN SPOONER, a/k/a “Nerky,” age 27; ROMALIS PARKER, a/k/a “Ro Ro,” age 22, NYSON JONES, a/k/a “Nycie,” age 31, TRE CLEMENTS, age 24, MORRIS SUMMERS, age 25, TYONE BURTON, a/k/a “Peanut,” age 22, TYRONE BURTON, a/k/a “Man Man,” age 21; and PERRY WILSON, a/k/a “Yummy,” age 24. Three defendants were convicted following trial and pending sentencing as well: DELOYD JONES, a/k/a “Puggy,” age 23; BYRON JONES, a/k/a/ “Big Baby,” age 25; SIDNEY PATTERSON, a/k/a “Duda Man,” age 24.
According to court documents, LEWIS and her co-defendants were members and associates of the “Ride or Die” gang, which they also referred to as “R.O.D.” The Ride or Die gang was initially formed in or about 2007 and continued to exist through in or about 2013. During the course of the federal investigation into the gang, agents learned that LEWIS and her co-defendants used a house, located at 1632 Mandeville Street, among other locations, as a base of operations to package, sell, and store narcotics, as well as store firearms.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives as part of the metro area’s Multi-Agency Gang Unit (MAG) in investigating this matter. As an integral component of NOLA FOR LIFE’s Group Violence Reduction Strategy, the
MAG Unit consists of a partnership with New Orleans Police Department (NOPD); Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office (DA); Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office (OPSO); Louisiana State Police (LSP); Parole Board of the Louisiana Department of Corrections; United States Attorney’s Office (USAO); Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); United States Marshal’s Service (USMS); and the United States Probation & Parole Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Assistant United States Attorneys Nolan D. Paige, Marquest Meeks and Special Assistant United States Attorney Brian Ebarb were in charge of the prosecution.
New Orleans Man Sentenced for Arson and Insurance FraudRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that ALBERT BROWN, age 46, a resident of New Orleans, was sentenced today after having previously pled guilty to multiple criminal counts for his involvement in a 2007 scheme commit insurance fraud by arson.
U.S. District Court Judge Susie Morgan sentenced BROWN to 60 months of incarceration, to be followed by 5 years of supervised release.
According to court documents, BROWN and others attempted in 2007 to defraud one of his accomplices’ homeowner’s fire insurance company and BROWN’s rental fire insurance company by engaging in sham lease and filing inflated claims for property allegedly burned in the fire.
BROWN’s co-defendants have previously been sentenced. DON ANDREWS was sentenced to 20 years incarceration; ANTHONY THOMAS was sentencing to 17 years incarceration; and, ANTHONY HARRIS was sentenced to 10 years incarceration.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the ATF New Orleans Division Office, and arson investigators of the New Orleans Fire Department. Assistant United States Attorney Nolan D. Paige and Special Assistant United States Attorney Tony Sanders, who is a Special Assistant United States Attorney and currently the Chief of Administration at the St. Tammany Parish District Attorney’s Office, were in charge of the prosecution.
Hounduran National Pleads Guilty to Transferring a False Social Security CardRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that JULI GUERRA, age 38, a citizen of Honduras, pled guilty today to transferring a false Social Security Card in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028(a)(2).
According to court documents, on May29, 2014, GUERRA sold a counterfeit Social Security Card to a confidential source working with the Department of Homeland Security for $140.00.
GUERRA faces a maximum term of imprisonment of fifteen years, a maximum fine of $250,000, a maximum term of supervised release of three years, and a mandatory $100 special assessment. U.S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance set sentencing for July 13, 2016.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the United States Department of Homeland Security in investigating this matter. Assistant U. S. Attorney Spiro G. Latsis is in charge of the prosecution.
Honduran National Charged with Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that JOSE ALEXANDER LOPEZ-LOPEZ, age 34, a citizen of Honduras, was charged today in a one-count Indictment with illegal reentry of a removed alien.
According to the Indictment, LOPEZ-LOPEZ reentered the United States after having been previously deported on April 2, 2014. If convicted, LOPEZ-LOPEZ faces a maximum term of imprisonment of two years, a maximum fine of $250,000, a maximum term of supervised release of one year, and a mandatory $100 special assessment.
U.S. Attorney Polite reiterated that an Indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Spiro G. Latsis is in charge of the prosecution.
One Defendant Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison, Another Pleads Guilty to Heroin Trafficking in New Orleans EastRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that RICKY MARQUETTE BOZEMAN, age 37, of Laplace, was sentenced today after having previously pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute over 100 grams of heroin.
U.S. District Judge Carl J. Barbier sentenced BOZEMAN to 144 months incarceration, to be followed by four years of supervised release.
Also announced was that VINCENT JONES, age 45, of New Orleans, pled guilty today to conspiracy to distribute and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute over one kilogram of heroin. JONES is facing not less than 20 years and a maximum of life imprisonment, as well as a possible fine of up to $20,000,000. Judge Barbier set sentencing on January 21, 2016.
BOZEMAN and JONES were two of twelve defendants charged in a 23-count indictment on July 25, 2014. According to court documents, this indictment sprung from an investigation into a heroin-trafficking organization operating in New Orleans East. This organization was responsible for distributing at least 15 kilograms of heroin in the New Orleans area. As part of the arrests in this case, federal agents have seized from the twelve defendants approximately $1,200,000 in assets (a combination of vehicles, currency, jewelry, and real property) as proceeds made from the sale of heroin.
“Heroin is leading to alarming levels of violence and overdose deaths in our communities,” stated U.S. Attorney Polite. “Because of the danger posed by this dangerous narcotic, our Office will be vigilant in fighting heroin trafficking, and the loss of life that stems from it, in all parts of Southeast Louisiana.”
“Heroin has become an epidemic in the New Orleans area and DEA is attacking the criminals who target the weak and addicted with their violent drug trafficking,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Keith Brown. “Heroin trafficking is the worst of the worst, preying on and sometimes creating an addict population which leads to other types of crime and violence. This investigation demonstrates the commitment of the DEA and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to dismantle these groups and send them to federal prison.”
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Brandon S. Long is in charge of the prosecution.
New Orleans Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Heroin DistributionRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that COYE DOTEY, age 26, a resident of Amite, was sentenced today after pleading guilty to three counts of distributing heroin.
U.S. District Judge Martin L.C. Feldman sentenced DOTEY to a term of imprisonment of 151 months, citing the defendant’s criminal history and prior parole violations. The sentence also included a term of supervised release of three years following imprisonment and a special assessment of three hundred dollars.
According to court documents, DOTEY sold heroin in Hammond on three occasions during an undercover Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) operation in June and July 2014.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Michael B. Redmann was in charge of the prosecution.
Louisiana Residents Sentenced for Involvement in Stolen Identity Tax Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Two residents of Hammond, Louisiana, were sentenced for their involvement in a stolen identity tax fraud scheme, Acting Assistant Attorney General Caroline D. Ciraolo of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite of the Eastern District of Louisiana announced today.
Angela Chaney, 43, was sentenced by U.S District Judge Jay C. Zainey of the Eastern District of Louisiana to serve 36 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. Craig Lewis, 40, was sentenced by Judge Zainey to serve three years of probation. Chaney and Lewis each pleaded guilty to one count of a multi-object conspiracy to defraud the United States and to commit theft of public money and mail fraud on July 2 and June 23, respectively. Chaney additionally pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated identity theft. Their restitution to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will be determined at a later date.
According to court documents, Chaney, Lewis and their co-defendants conspired to prepare and file false income tax returns using stolen identities, including the victims’ names and social security numbers, to claim large tax refunds. The refund checks were mailed to addresses in Louisiana, including post office boxes that were opened by the co-conspirators. Once the checks were received, Chaney, Lewis and their co-conspirators brought checks to others who falsely endorsed and deposited the refund checks into bank accounts under their control. The co-conspirators then divided the proceeds of the refund checks amongst themselves.
The indictment also charged Cedrick Mitchell, aka Skeet, 40; Corey Lewis, 37; Thaddeus Richardson, 49; and others with conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to commit money laundering, conspiracy to commit mail fraud and conspiracy to commit theft of public money. Corey Lewis was also charged with three counts of theft of public money and three counts of aggravated identity theft. Mitchell was sentenced to serve 33 months in prison on Sept. 15, Corey Lewis was sentenced to serve 75 months in prison on Sept. 29 and Richardson was sentenced to serve 51 months in prison on Oct. 6. All of the remaining defendants in this case have pleaded guilty to various charges and are awaiting sentencing.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Ciraolo and U.S. Attorney Polite commended special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, who investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Hayden Brockett and Dall Kammer of the Eastern District of Louisiana and Trial Attorney Lauren Castaldi of the Tax Division, who are prosecuting the case.
FnD Gang Leader Pleads Guilty to Racketeering and Narcotics ChargesRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that TRAVIS SCOTT, a/k/a “Trap,” a/k/a “Slim,” age 31, of New Orleans, pled guilty today to the Third Superseding Indictment charging him with racketeering conspiracy, narcotics conspiracy, and firearms violations. He was the final pending defendant in this RICO prosecution.
According to court documents, SCOTT admitted to his role as the leader of the Frenchmen/Derbigny gang, or “FnD.” SCOTT admitted that the FnD gang was an enterprise that engaged in racketeering under federal law. From approximately 2006 through 2014, FnD members sold heroin, crack cocaine, marijuana, and other illegal drugs near the intersection of Frenchmen and North Derbigny Streets in New Orleans. FnD members often sold drugs in the Frenchmen Meat Market, a convenience store located at the corner of Frenchmen and North Derbigny Streets. FnD members used intimidation, violence, and threats of violence to maintain the gang’s control over turf that extended from Elysian Fields Avenue, North Johnson Street, the I-10 Interstate Highway, St. Anthony Street, and North Claiborne Avenue. SCOTT admitted that no other individuals could sell drugs in this area without his permission, and he would direct FnD members to commit crimes of violence against rival gang members in order to preserve FnD’s control over the neighborhood.
Pursuant to a plea agreement, SCOTT pleaded guilty to Counts 1, 2, 3, and 10 of the Third Superseding Indictment. Count 1 charged TRAVIS SCOTT with engaging in a Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) conspiracy. The maximum sentence for Count 1 is a term of life imprisonment. Count 2 charged a conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin and 280 grams or more of crack cocaine, for which TRAVIS SCOTT faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life imprisonment. Count 3 charged a conspiracy to possess and use firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Finally, TRAVIS SCOTT pleaded guilty to Count 10, which alleged that TRAVIS SCOTT committed a shooting on March 25, 2012, in furtherance of a drug trafficking conspiracy and the RICO conspiracy. Count 10 carries a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and maximum of life imprisonment, which must be served consecutively to any other sentence imposed. In total, TRAVIS SCOTT may receive no less than 20 years in prison, and he could receive any term of years up to and including life imprisonment. U.S. District Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle set sentencing for February 3, 2016.
TRAVIS SCOTT was the final defendant pending in this indictment. Previously, co-defendants Akein Scott, Shawn Scott, Stanley Scott, Jeremiah Jackson, Brian Benson, Crystal Scott, Gralen Benson, and Richmond Smith pleaded guilty to narcotics and firearms-related offenses. TRAVIS SCOTT, Akein Scott, Shawn Scott, Stanley Scott, and Jeremiah Jackson each pleaded guilty to committing shootings on behalf of the FnD gang. In total, members of FnD have admitted to perpetrating at least six shootings in New Orleans. Among these was the Mother’s Day shooting, in which Akein Scott and Shawn Scott fired upon a Mother’s Day second-line parade in the New Orleans Seventh Ward on May 12, 2013, striking at least 20 victims.
This case was the product of an ongoing investigation into the violent acts in furtherance of the drug trafficking by the FnD gang. It represents the continued coordinated effort of the federal and state law enforcement authorities within the Multi-Agency Gang (“MAG”), including the United States Attorney’s Office, the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office, Special Agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”), and officers of the New Orleans Police Department. Federal and local authorities also utilized tips through the Crimestoppers Program in the successful investigation of these crimes.
Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Payne and Special Assistant United States Attorney Brian Ebarb, who is assigned from the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office are in charge of the prosecution.
Oil Company Charged with Failing to Notify of Hazardous Waste SpillRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that WALTER OIL & GAS CORPORATION, a Texas corporation domiciled in Houston, Texas, was charged today in a one-count Bill of Information with a felony violation of failing to immediately notifying the proper agency of a hazardous waste spill under Title 33, United States Code, Section 1321(b)(5)(C), in connection with their oil and gas production activities in the Gulf of Mexico.
According to the Bill of Information, on or about March 31, 2014, in the navigable waters of the United States and within the Eastern District of Louisiana, WALTER OIL & GAS CORPORATION, an entity in charge of an offshore facility from which hazardous substances were discharged in a quantity which may be harmful into navigable waters of the United States, failed to immediately notify the appropriate agency of the United States government as soon as it had knowledge of the discharge.
U.S. Attorney Polite reiterated that the Bill of Information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendants must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Criminal Investigation Division of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA-CID”) and the Criminal Investigation Division of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (“DEQ-CID”) in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jon Maestri is in charge of the prosecution.
Two Colombian Nationals Indicted for Attempting to Sell Fraudulent $1,000,000,000 U.S. Bearer BondRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that ALMA DE JESUS MOJICA HERRERA, age 51, and LEONARDO SERRATO POLANIA, age 41, both residents of Bogota, Colombia, were indicted in a four-count Indictment today for attempting to sell a fictitious U.S. Bearer Bond.
Today’s Indictment charges MOJICA HERRERA and SERRATO POLANIA with Conspiracy to Sell a Fictitious Instrument, Conspiracy to Transport a Fictitious Instrument, Attempting to Sell a Fictitious Instrument, and Transporting a Fictitious Instrument.
According to court records, Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”) received information alleging that MOJICA HERRERA was seeking to sell fictitious obligations in the form of a United States Bearer Bond with a face value of $1,000,000,000.00 U.S. dollars. MOJICA HERRERA made representations that the bond was worth much more than $1,000,000,000.00 due to the accrual of interest. On September 28, 2015, MOJICA HERRERA and SERRATO POLANIA, travelled from Bogota, Columbia and arrived in the United States at the New Orleans International Airport.
On September 29, 2015, MOJICA HERRERA and SERRATO POLANIA met over lunch with an HSI undercover agent (“UA”) to discuss the details of the sale of the U.S. Bearer Bond to the UA for a fee of $1,500,000,000. MOJICA HERRERA and SERRATO POLANIA agreed to meet the UA later that day at a local bank to make the exchange.
During the meeting at the bank, SERRATO POLANIA displayed a United States Bearer Bond valued at $1,000,000,000 and handed the Bearer Bond to the UA. In return for the Bearer Bond, the UA gave MOJICA HERRERA a check in the amount of $750,000,000 payable to “Alma MOJICA” constituting partial payment for the Bearer Bond. MOJICA HERRERA then asked the UA to give her two checks. MOJICA HERRERA requested one check payable to SERRATO POLANIA and a second check payable to MOJICA HERRERA in the amount of her commission. The UA requested that MOJICA HERRERA and SERRATO POLANIA write their names and the amounts they wanted on an envelope. SERRATO POLANIA then wrote his name with the amount of $705,000,000 and MOJICA HERRERA'S name with the amount $45,000,000. The UA then left the bank with the Bearer Bond and MOJICA HERRERA and SERRATO POLANIA were taken into custody by HSI agents.
If convicted, MOJICA HERRERA and SERRATO POLANIA face a maximum term of imprisonment of 5 years as to Counts 1 and 2 and 25 years as to Counts 3 and 4. In addition, they face a fine of $250,000 per count and up to 3 years of supervised release.
U. S. Attorney Polite reiterated that the Indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-HSI and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection in investigating this matter. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Fraud Unit Chief, Assistant U. S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba.
Honduran National Pleads Guilty to Illegally ReentryRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that CARLOS ALBERTO RIVERA-MELENDEZ, age 39, a citizen of Honduras, pled guilty today to a one-count Bill of Information for illegal reentry of removed alien.
According to the Indictment, on or about August 10, 2015, RIVERA-MELENDEZ was found in the United States after having been officially deported and removed on or about January 16, 2009.
RIVERA-MELENDEZ faces a maximum term of imprisonment of two years and a fine of $250,000, one year supervised release after imprisonment, and a $100 special assessment. U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk set sentencing for December 10, 2015.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the United States Department of Homeland Security, Immigration Enforcement in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Irene González is in charge of the prosecution.
Franklinton Man Pleads Guilty to Structuring over $100,000 in Financial Transactions in One Year to Avoid Federal Reporting RequirementsRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that JERRY COX, age 72, of Franklinton, pled guilty today to a one-count Bill of Information charging him with structuring financial transactions to avoid federal reporting requirements.
According to court documents, COX had control and access to several financial accounts, including one at Resource Bank and one at Citizen Savings Bank. Over the course of two occasions—one between September 20, 2011, and October 11, 20111, and another between July 24, 2012, and August 4, 2012—COX engaged in a series of deposits and withdrawals designed to evade Currency Transaction Reporting requirements under federal law. COX was aware of the reporting requirements. Specifically, during the first occasion, COX engaged in seven financial transactions, each under $10,000, in which he withdrew a total of $62,150. During the second time period, COX engaged in seven additional transactions, each under $10,000, in which he withdrew a total of $39,900. In total, COX engaged in structured withdrawals in the amount of $102,050 between September 20, 2011 and August 4, 2012, in amounts and in a pattern designed to avoid the Currency Transaction Reporting requirements.
COX faces a maximum term of imprisonment of not more than 10 years in prison, followed by up to 3 years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. U.S. District Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown set sentencing for January 28, 2016.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Ginsberg is in charge of the prosecution.
Louisiana Resident Sentenced for Involvement in Stolen Identity Tax Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A resident of Hammond, Louisiana, was sentenced to prison for his involvement in a stolen identity tax fraud scheme, Acting Assistant Attorney General Caroline D. Ciraolo of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite of the Eastern District of Louisiana announced today.
Thaddeus Richardson, 49, was sentenced by U.S District Judge Jay C. Zainey of the Eastern District of Louisiana to serve 51 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. Richardson pleaded guilty on July 2 to seven counts of theft of public money, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, and one count of a dual-object conspiracy to defraud the United States and to commit mail fraud and theft of public money. Judge Zainey will determine the amount in restitution Richardson has to pay to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) at a later date.
According to court documents, Richardson and his co-defendants conspired to prepare and file false income tax returns using stolen identities, including the victims’ names and social security numbers, to claim large tax refunds. The refund checks were mailed to addresses in Louisiana, including post office boxes that were opened by the co-conspirators. Once they received the checks, Richardson and his co-defendants falsely endorsed and deposited the refund checks into bank accounts under their control. The co-conspirators then divided the proceeds of the refund checks amongst themselves.
The indictment also charged Cedrick Mitchell, aka Skeet, 40; Corey Lewis, 37; and others with conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to commit money laundering, conspiracy to commit mail fraud and conspiracy to commit theft of public money. Lewis was also charged with three counts of theft of public money and three counts of aggravated identity theft. On Sept. 15, Mitchell was sentenced to serve 33 months in prison. On Sept. 29, Lewis was sentenced to serve 75 months in prison. All of the remaining defendants in this case have pleaded guilty to various charges and are awaiting sentencing.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Ciraolo and U.S. Attorney Polite commended special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, who investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Hayden Brockett and Dall Kammer of the Eastern District of Louisiana and Trial Attorney Lauren Castaldi of the Tax Division, who are prosecuting the case.
U.S. Attorney Polite Announces District-Wide Student Pledge Against Gun Violence DayRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that on Wednesday, November 4, 2015, members of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana (the “Office”) and their law enforcement partners will meet with students across Southeast Louisiana as part of his Office’s second district-wide Student Pledge Against Gun Violence (“SPAGV”) Day.
Middle and high school students will sign a voluntary pledge promising that they will never take a gun to school, will never resolve a dispute with a gun, and will use their influence to prevent friends from using guns to resolve disputes. Elementary school children will make a simpler commitment, pledging that if they see a gun they will not touch it, they will assume that any gun they see might be loaded, and they will tell a teacher or a trusted adult.
In coordination with the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods program, the Student Pledge Against Gun Violence is a national program that recognizes the role that young people, through their own decisions, can play in reducing gun violence. This campaign against youth gun violence culminates each October in a Day of National Concern about Young People and Gun Violence. Students from around the country will join together in pledging to do their part to end gun violence. Over 10 million students nationwide have signed the pledge since its inception in 1996.
Last year, over 30,000 students at approximately 70 schools participated in the Office’s first SPGV Day. This year’s event is once again expected to include schools from all 13 parishes in the Eastern District of Louisiana, namely Assumption, Jefferson, Lafourche, Plaquemines, Orleans, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, and Washington. "Our Office is pleased to take this opportunity to reach out to students, engage in a dialogue about gun violence and the importance of making right choices, and encourage them to become peacemakers of our time," stated U.S. Attorney Polite.
In addition to providing the pledges, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will coordinate with other state, local, and federal law enforcement agencies to provide speakers at several schools to talk to students about what they can do to reduce gun violence in their communities.
If your school is interested in participating in the SPAGV Day, please contact Shane M. Jones at 504-680-3000 or [email protected], or visit our website at www.justice.gov/usao-edla.
Six Cuban Nationals Indicted for Conspiracy to Commit Access Device Fraud, Access Device FraudRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced today that six Cuban nationals who reside in Florida were indicted today for conspiracy to commit access device fraud and two counts of access device fraud today.
JULIET ESTRADA PEREZ, age 22; LUIS RIVERA GARCIA, age 26, JESUS ENRIQUE GONZALES TORRES, age 23, ORLANDO GUILLEN DIAZ, age 29, YOETNIS VAZQUEZ PEDROSA, age 31, and YILIAM TORRES, age 23, were charged with possessing fifteen or more unauthorized and counterfeit access devices, as well as producing, possessing, and trafficking device-making equipment. According to the indictment, the defendants traveled from Florida in late July of this year and conspired to place card skimming devices on gas pumps in the New Orleans area. The conspirators are further charged with, among other things, possessing a card encoding machine and a card embossing machine.
On the conspiracy charge, each defendant faces a maximum penalty of not more than five years of imprisonment. For possessing more than fifteen unauthorized and counterfeit access devices, each defendant faces a maximum of ten years in prison. In addition, the count related to device-making equipment carries a maximum penalty of fifteen years imprisonment. The defendants further face terms of supervised release, fines, and restitution obligations upon conviction.
U. S. Attorney Polite reiterated that the Indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendants must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, the United States Secret Service, and Homeland Security Investigations in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Hayden Brockett is in charge of the prosecution.
New Orleans Man Indicted After Violating Federal Firearms LawsRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth Polite announced that JOSHUA JOHNSON, age 35, of New Orleans, was charged today in a one-count Indictment alleging violations of federal firearms laws.
JOHNSON was arrested by personnel of the New Orleans Police Department on July 9, 2015, and charged by the state for illegally carrying a weapon and possession of a firearm or weapon by a felon. At the time of his arrest, JOHNSON was under supervised release for a 2009 federal conviction for violations of federal narcotics laws.
The U.S. Attorney’s office adopted the case and a federal grand jury has returned an indictment against JOHNSON charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
If convicted of the gun offense, JOHNSON faces at least ten years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
U.S. Attorney Polite reiterated that the Indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S Attorney Polite praised the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance of the New Orleans Police Department in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth Privitera is responsible for the prosecution.
Lisa Crinel, Abide Home Health, Inc., and Three Others Plead Guilty to Health Care Fraud-Related ChargesRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that LISA CRINEL, age 52; THREASA ADDERLEY, age 64; RHONDA MABERRY, age 48; SHEILA MATHIEU, age 46, all of New Orleans, and PCAH, INC. a/k/a PRIORITY CARE AT HOME, INC. d/b/a ABIDE HOME CARE SERVICES INC. pled guilty today to health care fraud-related charges.
LISA CRINEL pled guilty to Count 1 of the Indictment charging her with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and Count 2 of the Indictment charging her with conspiracy to pay and receive illegal kickbacks. CRINEL faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years of supervised release following imprisonment, as to Count 1 of the Indictment. As to Count 2, CRINEL faces a maximum term of 5 years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to three years. CRINEL owes restitution in the amount of $16,088,222 jointly and severally with her co-defendants. U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan set sentencing for January 13, 2016.
THREASA ADDERLEY pled guilty to Count 2 of the Indictment charging her with conspiracy to pay and receive illegal kickbacks. ADDERLEY faces a maximum term of 5 years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, a term of supervised release of up to 3 years and owes any applicable restitution. ADDERLEY’s sentencing date is January 13, 2016
RHONDA MABERRY pled guilty to a one-count Superseding Bill of Information filed on October 1, 2015, charging her with conspiracy to commit health care fraud. MABERRY faces a maximum term of 5 years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, a term of supervised release of up to 3 years, and owes restitution in the amount of not less than $272,982.61, as to Count 1 of the Superseding Bill of Information filed against her. U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan set sentencing for January 27, 2016.
SHEILA MATHIEU pled guilty to a one-count Superseding Bill of Information filed on October 1, 2015, charging her with aiding and abetting the theft of Government money or property. MATHIEU faces a maximum term of 1 year imprisonment, a fine of $100,000, a term of supervised release of up to 1 year, and owes any applicable restitution, as to Count 1 of the Superseding Bill of Information. MATTIEU’s sentencing date is January 27, 2016.
PCAH, INC. a/k/a PRIORITY CARE AT HOME, INC. d/b/a ABIDE HOME CARE SERVICES INC. (“ABIDE”) pled guilty to Count 1 of the Indictment, charging the company with conspiracy to commit health care fraud. ABIDE faces a maximum fine of $500,000, as to Count 1 of the Indictment, and agreed that restitution in the amount of $16,088,222 is jointly and severally due by ABIDE and its co-defendants. Sentencing is scheduled for January 16, 2016.
“Today’s guilty pleas are further evidence of our commitment to fighting health care fraud in our region,” stated U.S. Attorney Polite. “Those engaged in similar criminality should take note: our investigation in this case, and other related matters, is on-going.”
According to Court documents, CRINEL was the owner and operator of ABIDE, a business that provided home health care services to homebound individuals who were primarily Medicare beneficiaries. As the owner and Chief Operating Officer of ABIDE, CRINEL took a “100 percent hands on approach” that extended to “almost every aspect of the operation” of the business. Home health experts trained CRINEL and her staff on who qualified for home health and how home health services should be documented. Evidence seized at the search of ABIDE’s office established that CRINEL maintained ABIDE’s Medicare Provider Number and routinely certified on behalf of ABIDE that she would not knowingly present or cause to be presented false or fraudulent claims for payment by Medicare. Nevertheless, CRINEL instructed her staff not to discharge patients, even those who did not require home health services. ABIDE, under CRINEL’s direction also routinely falsified diagnoses codes and medical records to cause inflated reimbursements from Medicare. CRINEL and ABIDE created an atmosphere where RNs and other health care professionals would compromise their medical and ethical judgment in order to defraud Medicare. Court documents also show that CRINEL and ABIDE entered into sham employment contracts and medical director contracts with doctors and others to cover up the illegal kickback relationship between CRINEL, ABIDE, and those doctors and other individuals.
According to Court documents, ADDERLEY, was one of the physicians who entered into a sham contract with ABIDE to act as a medical consultant for the home health care agency. As such, she was required to submit monthly documentation detailing the services she provided to or on behalf of ABIDE. The agreements called for ADDERLEY to meet with ABIDE supervisors, at least annually, and to measure and evaluate overall performance of ABIDE. Quarterly meetings were also to be held to evaluate and discuss the ongoing home health program. ADDERLEY was also to perform in-services or educational programs to ABIDE and to review charts to determine if ABIDE was meeting expected outcomes. According to court documents, ADDERLEY didn’t give any in-service of any kind at ABIDE nor did she meet with ABIDE supervisors to measure and evaluate the performance of ABIDE personnel. ADDERLEY routinely compromised her medical judgment by certifying ineligible Medicare beneficiaries for home health provided by ABIDE who did not meet requirements for services because the patients were neither homebound nor medically in need of the services. Over the period covered by the Indictment, ABIDE paid ADDERLY more than $48,000 of Medicare funds for medically unnecessary home health billing.
According to Court documents, MABERRY worked as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse who practiced under a collaborative agreement with a charged co-defendant/conspirator, DR. SHELTON BARNES. DR. BARNES, like ADDERLY, operated under sham contracts with ABIDE to perform medical director services. MABERRY was required to collaborate with DR. BARNES to initiate appropriate referrals for home health care based on current standards of practice and keep appropriate patient files. Both MABERRY and DR. BARNES were enrolled Medicare providers. Evidence establishes that ABIDE paid MABERRY for seeing patients that ABIDE sent MABERRY and that MABERRY approved every patient ABIDE referred to her for home health, whether or not medically necessary. Court documents also show that DR. BARNES signed the plans of care approving medically unnecessary home health services. MABERRY knew that at least half of the patients she saw for ABIDE or DR. BARNES were not homebound and did not qualify for home health. MABERRY received payments totaling approximately $272,982.61 from Medicare from January 2006 until December 2012, for home visits and care plan oversight for beneficiaries referred to ABIDE and certified as medically necessary for home health by DR. BARNES. The trial for DR. BARNES is presently scheduled for August 1, 2016, before U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan.
According to Court documents, MATHIEU worked as an RN for ABIDE, beginning in June 2012. Her duties included assessing the status of her patients, initiating a plan of care, evaluating patient needs, providing comprehensive nursing care, among other things. Payroll records would demonstrate that between July 5, 2012, and March 18, 2014, ABIDE paid MATHIEU approximately $48,794.69 for performing false and fraudulent home health certifications for episodes of home health which were largely medically unnecessary.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrice Harris Sullivan, Sharan Lieberman and Andre Lagarde are in charge of the prosecution.
River Ridge Man Charged with Fraud in Security System ContractsRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that WAYNE WILLIAMS, age 37, of River Ridge, was charged today in a two-count Bill of Information with wire fraud.
According to the Bill of Information, WILLIAMS was responsible for selling security systems and services, and also for negotiating and signing customer contracts on behalf of ADT Security and Protection One. WILLIAMS was compensated by his employers through commissions received on contracts he negotiated.
The charges filed allege that WILLIAMS forged a customer’s signature on a $466,046.18 ADT Security equipment and installation services contract. Without ADT Security’s knowledge, the defendant secretly executed a separate contract with the customer in which only $109,148.93 was charged. The defendant received approximately $73,576.72 in commissions from ADT Security as a result of the fraudulent contract.
With regard to Protection One, the charges filed allege that WILLIAMS forged a purported customer’s signature on an $80,240.48 Protection One equipment and installation services contract. The defendant received approximately $2,353.99 in commissions from Protection One as a result of this fraudulent contract.
If convicted, WILLIAMS faces a maximum term of imprisonment of twenty years incarceration, three years of supervised release after any term of imprisonment, and a $250,000 fine.
United States Attorney Polite reiterated that the Bill of Information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney G. Dall Kammer is in charge of the prosecution.
New Orleans Man Sentenced to 27 Years in Heroin Conspiracy Involving Overdose DeathRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that TERENCE TAYLOR, age 37, a resident of New Orleans, was sentenced today for distributing heroin that resulted in an overdose death and for conspiring to distribute more than a kilogram of heroin in the New Orleans area.
U.S. District Judge Kurt D. Engelhardt sentenced TAYLOR to 324 months in prison, 5 years of supervised release following his prison term, and a $200 special assessment. The judge projected a picture of the victim onto the wall of the courtroom during the sentencing, and the victim’s mother read aloud a letter that she had prepared.
According to court documents, the investigation of this trafficking organization included multiple court-authorized wiretaps by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Orleans Police Department High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area group, including taps of cell phones used by dealers to communicate with suppliers, other co-conspirators, and customers. DEA worked together with agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to conduct numerous undercover purchases of heroin, surveillance operations, searches, witness debriefings, records analyses, and other investigative techniques to uncover and dismantle the heroin trafficking activities of the group.
The investigation showed that the defendants had been using a residence in New Orleans East as a base of operations to meet with heroin suppliers, maintain a heroin stash, and provide heroin to other dealers.
Numerous daily heroin customers also called the ‘dope’ phones used by these defendants every day to order heroin. Typically one of the dealers would answer these calls, ask the caller how much heroin he or she wanted to buy, and direct the caller to drive to a gas station or other commercial location in the New Orleans East neighborhood. Through subsequent calls and then visual contact between the customer and dealer, the dealer would direct the customer to rendezvous in a parking lot or on a side street near the commercial location to conduct the heroin sale.
Additionally, court records indicate that, in July 2013, a court-authorized wiretap of the ‘dope’ phone used by defendant TAYLOR intercepted a series of calls relating to the sale of heroin to a person who had recently been through treatment for heroin addiction, and who died later that day as a result of a heroin overdose. Intercepted calls helped to demonstrate that TAYLOR negotiated this particular sale of heroin and that co-defendant MALCOLM BOLDEN subsequently met with the decedent to complete the sale.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the DEA New Orleans Police Department High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area group, the FBI, and the ATF, with the assistance of the St. Tammany Sheriff’s Office, the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office, and the Louisiana State Police in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Michael B. Redmann and Mark A. Miller are in charge of the prosecution.
Crescent City Keepers Mentoring Program Made a Part of the President’s My Brother’s Keeper InitiativeRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that the White House has brought Crescent City Keepers (“CCK”), a mentoring program launched by U. S. Attorney Polite in 2014, under the umbrella of the President’s My Brother’s Keeper (“MBK”) Initiative. MBK seeks to address persistent opportunity gaps faced by boys and young men of color and ensures that all young people can reach their full potential.
To date, Crescent City Keepers is the only MBK initiative created by a U.S. Attorney. CCK focuses on all young people, including boys and young men of color, ages 14 through 16, who are considered as having a "high risk" of being killed as a result of gun violence. CCK identifies its participating mentees based on data compiled by the City of New Orleans, in its capacity as one of ten cities participating in DOJ’s National Forum on Youth Violence Prevention. Each participant has been identified as "high risk" because he/she either has already been the victim of gun violence or is in the social network of another homicide victim of gun violence. While the average New Orleans resident has a homicide rate of 24/100,000, individuals falling into this high risk category have a homicide rate of 1,600/100,000. That is, these young people, predominantly boys and young men of color, are nearly 63 times more likely to be killed by gun violence than the average New Orleans resident. By providing intensive mentoring and other support, CCK would intervene in the lives of these young people and help direct them towards safe, productive, and successful pathways.
In a shift from the more traditional one-on-one or group mentoring techniques, CCK will utilize an "institutional mentoring" concept. Capitalizing on the role that faith-based and other community organizations have historically played as a foundation for community development and preservation, CCK will pair one mentee with one faith-based or other community organization. The faith-based or other community organization will, in essence, "adopt" each mentee, and its membership will provide guidance and support. Each participating organization will recruit three members within the congregation or membership to serve as primary mentors. Using a team approach, these primary mentors will be the first-line personnel to engage with the young person. By relying on "what already works" – i.e., well-established and –recognized mentoring programs in the New Orleans area – CCK will develop a life skills curriculum as part of the mentoring process. Other members of the organization will also play a vital role in CCK. The entire membership – which in most cases will include individuals with a variety of professional backgrounds, including entrepreneurs, teachers, and skilled laborers – will provide the ancillary mentoring and support necessary to address some of the immediate needs of the mentee and his or her family. Furthermore, these organizations can leverage their relationships with various social services agencies to provide additional resources for those issues that are beyond the capacity of a traditional mentor program, including, but not limited to, housing, transportation, and health care.
U.S. Attorney Polite said: “It is not enough for us to wait for these young people to show up in a police report, or worse, on a coroner’s slab. We must intervene in order to save their lives. This initiative is about public safety in its truest sense, and it allows our community’s organizations and residents to be part of the solution.”
To date, the following organizations have now been matched with CCK mentees:
The New Orleans Chapter of Links, Inc.
Progressive Baptist Church
St. Peter Claver Catholic Church
St. Pius X Catholic Church
Urban League of Greater New Orleans
If you or your organization is interested in participating in CCK, please contact Shane M. Jones at 504-680-3000 or [email protected], or visit our website at www.justice.gov/usao-edla.
YMM Gang Members Sentenced to 21-Plus Years in Prison for Drug and Firearms ViolationsRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that ALFRED COBBINS, age 23, and SHAWN GRACIN, age 22, both residents of New Orleans, were sentenced today for their participation in a drug conspiracy and a conspiracy to possess and use firearms in connection with the drug trafficking activities of a local gang known as the “Young Melph Mafia” or “YMM.”
U.S. District Judge Kurt D. Engelhardt sentenced COBBINS to 252 months (21 years) of imprisonment and GRACIN to 270 months (22.5 years) imprisonment. Each defendant was also given 5 years of supervised release following their term of incarceration.
COBBINS and GRACIN were originally charged in a five-count Superseding Indictment with nine other YMM members, who frequented the area of the former Melpomene Housing Project. According to the factual basis filed in open court, COBBINS and GRACIN and other YMM members participated in a wide ranging conspiracy to distribute street level quantities of crack cocaine in Central City and participated in several acts of violence against rival gangs, such as the 110ers. The members of the YMM were associates of the members of the Allen family, who were also indicted and convicted in federal court last year. Three members of the 110ers gang were convicted on January 29, 2015, in Orleans Parish Criminal Court for the Briana Allen shooting.
“This is just another example of how serious the federal government is in helping turn the tide of violence that is occurring in New Orleans,” stated U.S. Attorney Polite. “These local gangs have caused serious harm to the neighborhoods of this City, and the federal government will continue to work with local authorities to bring these individuals to justice.”
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) in leading this investigation along with members of the NOPD led Multi-Agency Gang Unit (MAG UNIT). As an integral component of NOLA FOR LIFE’s Group Violence Reduction Strategy, the Multi-Agency Gang (MAG) Unit consists of a partnership with New Orleans Police Department (NOPD); Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office (DA); Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office (OPSO); Louisiana State Police (LSP); Parole Board of the Louisiana Department of Corrections; United States Attorney’s Office (USAO); Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); United States Marshal’s Service (USMS); and the United States Probation & Parole Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Assistant United States Attorneys Edward J. Rivera and Maurice E. Landrieu, Jr. were in charge of the prosecution.
Two Colombian Nationals Arrested for Attempting to Sell Fraudulent $1 Billion U.S. Bearer BondRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that ALMA DE JESUS MOJICA HERRERA, age 51, and LEONARDO SERRATO POLANIA, age 41, both residents of Bogota, Colombia, were arrested and charged in a federal complaint with attempting to sell a fictitious U.S. Bearer Bond.
According to court records, Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”) received information alleging that HERRERA was seeking to sell fictitious obligations in the form of a United States Bearer Bond with a face value of $1,000,000,000 U.S. dollars. HERRERA made representations that the bond was worth much more than $1,000,000,000 due to the accrual of interest. On September 28, 2015, HERRERA and POLANIA, travelled from Bogota, Columbia and arrived in the United States at the New Orleans International Airport.
On September 29, 2015, HERRERA and POLANIA met over lunch with an HSI undercover agent (“UA”) to discuss the details of the sale of the U.S. Bearer Bond to the UA for a fee of $1,500,000,000. HERRERA and POLANIA agreed to meet the UA later that day at a local bank to make the exchange.
During the meeting at the bank, POLANIA displayed a United States Bearer Bond valued at $1,000,000,000 and handed the Bearer Bond to the UA. In return for the Bearer Bond, the UA gave HERRERA a check in the amount of $750,000,000 payable to “Alma MOJICA” constituting partial payment for the Bearer Bond. HERRERA then asked the UA to give her two checks. HERRERA requested one check payable to SERRATO POLANIA and a second check payable to MOJICA HERRERA in the amount of her commission. The UA requested that HERRERA and POLANIA write their names and the amounts they wanted on an envelope. POLANIA then wrote his name with the amount of $705,000,000 and MOJICA HERRERA'S name with the amount $45,000,000. The UA then left the bank with the Bearer Bond and HERRERA and POLANIA were taken into custody by HSI agents.
If convicted, HERRERA and POLANIA face a maximum term of imprisonment of 25 years, a fine of $250,000 and up to 3 years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Polite reiterated that the complaint is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendants must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
“Con artists who attempt to pass bogus securities typically fabricate detailed stories as part of their scam to take advantage of potential victims,” said HSI New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Raymond R. Parmer Jr. “You would think a $1 billion face value would be a give-away that the currency is fake, but some people are still taken in, and HSI will continue to make investigating and seeking prosecution of financial criminals one its highest priorities.”
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection in investigating this matter. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Fraud Unit Chief, Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba.
New Orleans Man Sentenced for Violating the Federal Controlled Substances ActRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that RASHAD LEWIS, age 37, a resident of New Orleans, was sentenced today after previously pleading guilty to a one-count Indictment charging him with violating the Federal Controlled Substances Act.
U.S. District Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle sentenced LEWIS to 27 months in prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release.
According to court records, LEWIS possessed with the intent to distribute and distributed a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine base, a Schedule II controlled substance.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney David Haller was in charge of the prosecution.
New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Ethylone Drug ChargeRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that DAI VAN TRAN, age 33, a resident of New Orleans, pled guilty today to a one-count Bill of Information charging him with attempted possession with intent to distribute ethylone.
According to court records, on March 19, 2014, the United States Postal Inspection Service in New Orleans identified an International Express Mail parcel from China, addressed to a local restaurant, that contained approximately two kilograms of ethylone powder. Ethylone, a drug similar to MDMA (“ecstacy” or “molly”), is a positional isomer of butylone, which has been prohibited as a Schedule I drug controlled substance by final emergency scheduling order of the Deputy Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration published March 7, 2014. The ethylone was removed from the intercepted parcel and replaced with approximately two kilograms of a decoy non-drug powder, in anticipation of making an undercover delivery of the parcel on the following day. TRAN eventually appeared at the restaurant and received the parcel.
TRAN faces a sentence of up to twenty years incarceration. U.S. District Judge Martin L.C. Feldman scheduled sentencing for February 17, 2016.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Tactical Diversion Squad of the New Orleans Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Michael B. Redmann is in charge of the prosecution.
Honduran National Sentenced for Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that CHARLES ADONAY LAINES, age 23, a citizen of Honduras, was sentenced today after previously pleading guilty to a one-count Indictment for illegal reentry of a removed alien who was previously convicted of an aggravated felony.
U.S. District Judge Martin L.C. Feldman sentenced LAINES to 18 months imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Following incarceration, LAINES will be surrendered to the custody of the U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement for removal proceedings.
According to court documents, on or about April 12, 2015, LAINES was found in the United States. On or about October 13, 2013, he had been officially deported following a conviction for one count of being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the United States Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Border Patrol in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Irene González was in charge of the prosecution.