Eastern District of Louisiana
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Former Metairie Resident, Anil Patel, Charged with Tax FraudRead the Press Release
ANIL PATEL, age 45, formerly a resident of Metairie, Louisiana, was charged in a bill of information today with filing a false tax return, announced U. S. Attorney Dana J. Boente.
According to court documents, on August 6, 2009, PATEL signed and filed a 2008 U. S. Individual Income Tax Return (Form 1040) with the Internal Revenue Service. The tax return allegedly did not report approximately $426,744 in income.
If convicted, PATEL faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 3 years, as well as a fine of $250,000 and 1 year of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.
U. S. Attorney Boente reiterated that the bill of information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case was investigated by the Special Agents of the Internal Revenue Service and the prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Jon Maestri.
(Download Bill of Information )
Zuhair Hamed and Jihad Hamad Plead Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit BriberyRead the Press Release
ZUHAIR HAMED, age 51, and JIHAD HATEM HAMAD, age 27, both residents of Gretna, Louisiana, pleaded guilty today to one count of Conspiracy to Bribe an Agent of Local Government in Connection with a Program Receiving Federal Funds in a one-count Superseding Bill of Information, announced U. S. Attorney Dana J. Boente. Mr. Boente commended the Police Chief of the City of Harahan for reporting to law enforcement the facts which led to the opening of the investigation, and for cooperating in the investigation.
According to court documents, JIHAD HAMAD was the owner and operator of Harahan Cheap Smokes, a gas station and convenience store located in Harahan, Louisiana. HAMAD was seeking a permit allowing the sale of wine and hard liquor at his store. ZUHAIR HAMED assisted the efforts of JIHAD HAMAD to obtain the liquor permit. The police chief of the City of Harahan repeatedly stated that he would oppose the issuance of such permit because the convenience store was located within 300 feet of a church, a prohibited distance under Louisiana law and Harahan city ordinance.
According to court documents, in March 2012, JIHAD HAMAD told the police chief that his father was a very wealthy man who would be willing to make a contribution to the police chief’s political campaign in exchange for approval of a permit to sell wine and hard liquor at the convenience store. The police chief stated that he thought he knew HAMAD’s father, who had owned a convenience store on Martin Luther King Boulevard in New Orleans. HAMAD agreed that ZUHAIR HAMED, in fact, was his father. However, the two men were not related.
According to court documents, the police chief considered the offer to provide him with campaign contributions in return for the liquor permit to be an attempt to bribe him. Therefore, the police chief reported the matter to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which initiated an investigation of the matter.
ZUHAIR HAMED then met several times with the police chief, discussed the liquor permit, and offered payments in cash, by blank money order, or by business checks payable to the police chief’s campaign. In May and June of 2012, JIHAD HAMAD gave ZUHAIR HAMED $3,000 to be used to make payments to the police chief. ZUHAIR HAMED then paid the police chief a total of $3,000 in two payments, one in cash, and one by means of a check drawn on the account of a business related to ZUHAIR HAMED’s family member, on which check the payee was blank. He also agreed to make additional payments to the police chief in the future. JIHAD HAMAD joined the last meeting held between the police chief and ZUHAIR HAMED, at which the two defendants discussed the financial losses being suffered because wine and hard liquor could not be sold at Harahan Cheap Smokes.
ZUHAIR HAMED and JIHAD HATEM HAMAD each face a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, a fine of $250,000 and three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment on their pleas of guilty. Sentencing is set for October 31, 2013 at 2:00 p.m.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Attorney’s Office.
The case is being prosecuted by Executive Assistant U. S. Attorney Eileen Gleason.
(Download Factual Basis - Hamed )
(Download Factual Basis - Hamad )
Slidell Man, Christopher Buelle, Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Import Violations and for Violating Fda Laws by Mislabelling and Distributing Bath Salts and Synthetic Marijuana and Attempting to Violate the Controlled Substances ActRead the Press Release
CHRISTOPHER BUELLE, age 25, a resident of Slidell, pled guilty in federal court today before U. S. District Judge Mary Ann Vial Lemmon to a two-count superseding bill of information charging him with conspiring to commit import violations and to violate the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act by mislabeling and distributing bath salts and synthetic marijuana and attempting to possess with intent to distribute marijuana, announced
U. S. Attorney Dana J. Boente.According to court documents, beginning in the first half of 2010 and continuing through about December 2011, BUELLE conspired with co-defendants, Cody Beaudette, Christopher Buelle, and C Square, L.L.C., a Slidell-based company, which BUELLE co-owned with Beaudette, to knowingly receive, buy, and sell bath salts and synthetic marijuana imported into the United States from China contrary to law, specifically causing the introduction and delivery of drugs that are adulterated and misbranded under Federal law. C Square, L.L.C.’s brands included “ZeRo GrAviTy”, “iAroma”, and “Primo,” among others. BUELLE also admitted to attempting to possess with intent to distribute 495 grams of marijuana in Slidell.
For each count, BUELLE faces a maximum statutory penalty of five (5) years imprisonment, followed by a term of supervised release of up to three (3) years, and a $250,000.00 fine. Sentencing has been scheduled for October 31, 2013 at 2:00 P.M.
The case was investigated by U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) - Homeland Security Investigations and the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) - Office of Criminal Investigations with the assistance of the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Slidell Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U. S. Attorney Robert Weir.
(Download Factual Basis )
New Orleans Man, Dominique Adams, Sentenced to 73 Months for Drug, Gun, and Escape ChargesRead the Press Release
DOMINIQUE ADAMS, age 23, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced today in federal court by U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo to 73 months imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking violation, and escape from custody of an officer, announced U.S. Attorney Dana J. Boente. In addition to the term of imprisonment, Judge Milazzo imposed 5 years of supervised release following the term of imprisonment, during which time the defendant will be under federal supervision and risks an additional term of imprisonment should he violate any terms of his supervised release.
ADAMS was sentenced to concurrent terms of 13 months for his drug and escape counts and 60 months consecutive for the possession of the firearm during the drug trafficking offense.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Gordon Sanders.
Monterio Wiggins Sentenced After Pleading Guilty to Violations of the Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organization Act, the Federal Gun Control and Controlled Substances ActsRead the Press Release
MONTERIO WIGGINS, age 22, of Gretna, Louisiana was sentenced today before U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk after pleading guilty to Violations of the Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organization Act, the Federal Gun Control and Controlled Substances Acts
The Court sentenced MONTERIO WIGGINS, to 360 months imprisonment and ten (10) years of supervised release. Monterio Wiggins pled guilty to Count 1: Conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influence and Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO), in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1962(d); Count 2: Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute over 280 grams of Cocaine Base (“crack”), in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), and 846; and Count 5: Conspiracy to Possess Firearms, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(o). As part of the RICO Conspiracy, Monterio Wiggins admitted that both he and other Murder Squad members participated in the murder of Mr. Reginald Francois on April 1, 2010. Specifically, both Dane Carson and Wiggins shot Mr. Reginald Francois.
This case arose out of a joint investigation by FBI , ATF, and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. This investigation targeted an area which exhibited a disproportionate amount of violent crimes and narcotics trafficking. During the course of the investigation, specific individuals were identified as the main perpetrators of many of the violent acts and much of the narcotics distribution. Federal and local law enforcement officers interviewed witnesses, confidential informants, as well as state defendants, relative to the targeted individuals. It was revealed that a group of individuals operated in various areas of Harvey Louisiana, specifically the neighborhoods known as Scottsdale and Haydel. This group controlled these areas for their narcotics distribution activities through violence and through threats of violence, to include murder, attempted murder, obstruction and assaults. They were referred to as the Harvey Hustlers and/or Murder Squad.
The “Murder Squad,” or “MS,” was a faction of the Harvey Hustlers composed primarily of individuals residing in the Harvey, Louisiana area of Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. While they primarily operated on the Westbank of Jefferson Parish, members conducted business in other parts of the Eastern District of Louisiana. The “Harvey Hustlers” also referred to as “HH” originated in the Harvey area in the mid-1980s. Members of the organization “hustled” meaning they distributed illegal narcotics. The original goal of the Harvey Hustlers was to make money from sales of illegal narcotics.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. The case was being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Duane A. Evans and Bill McSherry.
Marrero Woman, Shanera Washington-sylve, Pleads Guilty to Charges Related to Financial Aid FraudRead the Press Release
SHANERA WASHINGTON-SYLVE, age 46, a resident of Marrero, Louisiana, pled guilty in federal court today before U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk to one count of financial aid fraud, announced U. S. Attorney Dana J. Boente.
According to court documents, WASHINGTON-SYLVE submitted or caused to be submitted false Free Application for Federal Student Aid (“FAFSA”) forms, on behalf of her daughter for the 2009 through 2013 academic years, falsely stating that she was “single.” As a result of WASHINGTON-SYLVE’s false statements in the applications, her daughter fraudulently received approximately $23,196 in Federal Pell Grants from the United States Department of Education, an agency and department of the United States.
WASHINGTON-SYLVE faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, a $20,000 fine, and three years of supervised release following imprisonment. Sentencing is set for October 24, 2013 at 2:00 PM.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Inspector General, and prosecuted by Assistant U. S. Attorney Julia K. Evans.(Download Factual Basis )
Illegal Alien, Miguel Mendoza-vega, Pleads Guilty to Misuse of A Permanent Resident Card and Illegal Use of A Social Security NumberRead the Press Release
MIGUEL MENDOZA-VEGA, age 40, of a citizen of Mexico, pled guilty in federal court yesterday before U.S. District Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle to Fraud and Misuse of a Permanent Resident Card and Illegal Use of a Social Security Number, announced U.S. Attorney Dana J. Boente.
According to the factual basis, on or about December 7, 2012, MENDOZA-VEGA used a counterfeit Permanent Resident Card and falsely represented that another person’s Social Security number had been assigned to him. MENDOZA-VEGA is illegally present in the United States.
MENDOZA-VEGA faces maximum term of imprisonment of ten years for the Fraud and Misuse of a Permanent Resident Card conviction and five years for the Illegal Use of a Social Security Number conviction. Each conviction also carries up to three years supervised release following imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for October 16, 2013.
This case was investigated by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Chandra Menon.
(Download Factual Basis )
Businessman, William P. Mack, Sentenced for Bribing Former Jefferson Parish President Aaron BroussardRead the Press Release
WILLIAM P. MACK, 64, a resident of Kenner, Louisiana, was sentenced today to 20 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown for conspiracy to commit bribery, announced U.S. Attorney Dana J. Boente. In addition to the term of imprisonment, Judge Brown fined MACK $60,000 and placed him on two years of supervised release.
According to court documents, beginning in 2002, MACK, the former President and owner of First Communications Company (“FCC”), a provider of telecommunications equipment and services, began a business relationship with then-Jefferson Parish councilman Aaron F. Broussard (“Broussard”). This relationship entailed MACK paying Broussard approximately $1,500 per month in exchange for Broussard’s official acts to steer telecommunications work to MACK and his company. By 2004, when Broussard was elected Jefferson Parish President, MACK continued to corruptly pay Broussard approximately $1,500 per month in exchange for Broussard’s efforts to steer work, including Parish telecommunications work, to FCC. As noted in the factual basis, during the time Broussard was Parish President, MACK paid him approximately $66,000 in exchange for, among other things, Jefferson Parish telecommunications work, collectively worth approximately $40,000.
In September 2012, Broussard, the former Jefferson Parish President, pled guilty to multiple corruption charges, including conspiracy to commit bribery involving the bribes paid by MACK. Broussard was ultimately sentenced to 46 months imprisonment.
The case was investigated by special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matt Chester and Brian Klebba.
Alien, Jose Transito Lopez, Sentenced for Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
JOSE TRANSITO LOPEZ, age 34, a citizen of Honduras, was sentenced today in federal court by U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo to 82 months imprisonment, announced U.S. Attorney Dana Boente. In addition to the term of imprisonment, Judge Milazzo ordered that LOPEZ be placed on three years of supervised release following the term of imprisonment, during which time the defendant will be under federal supervision and risks an additional term of imprisonment should he violate any terms of supervised release.
According to court documents, on March 7, 2013, LOPEZ pled guilty to a one-count indictment admitting he was an alien who was previously removed and was knowingly and unlawfully found in the United States, in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana on November 14, 2012, without the Attorney General or Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, having expressly consented to his re-application for admission into the United States. LOPEZ’s sentence was subject to enhancement based on a previous aggravated felony conviction.
This case was investigated by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Enforcement and Removal Operations and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Robert Weir.
New Orleans Man, William Stevenson, Sentenced for Role in Heroin and Cocaine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
WILLIAM STEVENSON, age 26, a native of New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced today by U. S. District Judge Stanwood R. Duval, Jr., to 140 months in prison for his role in a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of 1 kilogram or more of heroin and 500 grams or more of cocaine hydrochloride and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, announced U.S. Attorney Dana J. Boente. In addition to the term of imprisonment, Judge Duval imposed 5 years of supervisory release following the term of imprisonment, during which time the defendant will be under federal supervision and risks an additional term of imprisonment should he violate any terms of his supervised release.
According to the court documents, in 2009, agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) investigated STEVENSON for distributing heroin in the B.W. Cooper housing development. The investigation revealed that STEVENSON conspired with Texas residents, LANDRY GRANDISON, TROY POCHE, and CASSANDRA BATISTE to have wholesale quantities of heroin sent to New Orleans where he would cut the heroin for distribution to dealers who sold to addicts in the housing development. STEVENSON regularly supplied heroin to at least seven lower-level distributors working in shifts at his direction. STEVENSON’s heroin was packaged in 18–20 gram bundles and physically distributed by another individual whom STEVENSON employed to cut the heroin and mule it to the distributors in the projects.
At the conclusion of the investigation, agents with the DEA conducted searches of STEVENSON’s residences. On December 16, 2009, DEA agents searched STEVENSON’s apartment at 3648 Loyola Drive in Kenner and found 500.9 grams of heroin and 281.4 grams of cocaine hydrochloride and drug trafficking paraphernalia. Agents also found $77,900.00 in cash and two firearms. At the search of STEVENSON’s New Orleans residence at 1328 Jackson Avenue, agents found 229.9 grams of heroin and 41.7 grams of cocaine hydrochloride along with drug trafficking paraphernalia and $987.00 in cash. As part of his plea, STEVESON admitted that he distributed or that it was reasonably foreseeable to him that his co-conspirators distributed at least 3 kilograms but not more than 10 kilograms of heroin and at least 500 grams but not more than 2 kilograms of cocaine hydrochloride.
The case was investigated by DEA in collaboration with the Gulf Coast High Intensity Drug Trafficking Task Force (HIDTA) and the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). OCDETF is an important program which targets the most significant drug trafficking organizations within the United States, as well as those outside of the United States borders that impact drug trafficking within the United States. The HIDTA Task Force is led by DEA and includes a team of dedicated investigators from the New Orleans Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms.
Also assisting in the enforcement operations were the Louisiana State Police, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, Kenner Police Department, St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the United States Internal Revenue Service.
New Orleans Man, Hoxie Marcelin, Sentenced for Narcotics ViolationRead the Press Release
HOXIE MARCELIN, age 39, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced today in federal court by U. S. District Judge Martin L.C. Feldman to 115 months in federal prison for possessing with the intent to distribute 28 grams or more of crack cocaine, announced U. S. Attorney Dana J. Boente. This 115 month sentence represented the top of the recommended sentencing guidelines. In addition to the term of imprisonment, Judge Feldman ordered that MARCELIN be placed on 4 years of supervised release following the term of imprisonment, during which time the defendant will be under federal supervision and risks an additional term of imprisonment should he violate any terms of his supervised release.
According to court documents, the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) received information that illegal drugs were being sold from a residence located at 2312 First Street in
New Orleans. NOPD officers were advised that a female, approximately 30 years of age, was selling crack cocaine from the front door of the residence. After receiving this information, officers conducted a “controlled buy” of crack cocaine from the First Street address.After the controlled buy, officers obtained a search warrant for the residence. Prior to execution of the search warrant, officers conducted surveillance and observed the female, and a male, later identified as HOXIE MARCELIN, exit from the residence and depart in separate vehicles. Shortly thereafter, officers conducted a stop of each vehicle. Officers found 31 individually wrapped pieces of crack cocaine in MARCELIN’s rear pocket along with $230.00 in cash. MARCELIN also had a set of keys to the First Street residence.
Officers then returned and conducted a search of the First Street residence. Officers found a knotted plastic bag containing slabs and pieces of crack cocaine inside a coffee maker along with razor blades and plastic sandwich baggies. Additionally, there were pieces of mail and personal items belonging to MARCELIN inside the residence.
This case was investigated by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rick Veters of the Drug Unit.
Jose Roberto Pacheco-alvarado Pleads Guilty to Illegal Re-entryRead the Press Release
JOSE ROBERTO PACHECO-ALVARADO, age 23, a citizen of Honduras, pled guilty today in federal court before U. S. District Judge Kurt D. Engelhardt to a one-count indictment charging him with illegal re-entry of a removed alien, announced U.S. Attorney Dana J. Boente.
According to court documents, PACHECO admitted to being an alien who had previously been removed from the United States, was found in the Eastern District of Louisiana, on April 29, 2013, without having obtained consent from the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to reapply for admission to the United States.
The indictment charging PACHECO with illegal re-entry also included a notice of sentencing enhancement based on his prior felony conviction. With the enhancement, the offense carries a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and 3 years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment. Sentencing for the defendant is scheduled for October 16, 2013 at 9:00 A.M.
This case was investigated by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE). The prosecution is being handled by Special Assistant United States Attorney Robert Weir.
(Download Factual Basis )
Chief Engineer from M/t Stolt Facto, Inigo Albina, Sentenced for Obstruction of JusticeRead the Press Release
INIGO ALBINA, age 57, a citizen of the Phillipines, was sentenced today to 3 years probation and fined $10,000 by U. S. District Judge Stanwood R. Duval, Jr., for obstruction of justice in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1505, announced U. S. Attorney Dana J. Boente.
According to the court documents, ALBINA served as the Chief Engineer of the M/T Stolt Facto, a 26,328 gross ton oil tanker,from October 18, 2012 until on or about January 30, 2013. ALBINA was responsible for the overall operation of the engine room which included maintaining the Oil Record Book. During his tenure as Chief Engineer of the M/T Stolt Facto, ALBINA made and signed all the entries in the Oil Record Book. ALBINA’s entries stated that the bilge water on the vesselhad passed through the Oil Water Separator prior to being discharged overboard.
Contrary to the statements in the Oil Record Book, the contents of the bilge wells and bilge holding tank were actually pumped into the sewage holding tank with hoses that stretched upward onto the uppermost deck of the engine room and around the floor of the engine control room by-passing the Oil Water Separator. From the sewage holding tank, the bilge water was discharged into the ocean. ALBINA did not record these exceptional discharges in the Oil Record Book.
On or about January 15, 2013, the M/T Stolt Facto was boarded by the United States Coast Guard pursuant to its 89(a) authority while the vessel was anchored in the Mississippi River, near New Orleans, Louisiana, and within the Eastern District of Louisiana. During the boarding, the Coast Guard inspectors found the hoses and pump used to by-pass the Oil Water Separator. When the Coast Guard inspectors questioned the engine room crew about the purpose for the equipment and the operation of the Oil Water Separator, all except one engineer, denied that they by-passed the Oil Water Separator despite some of them having been ordered to assist with the connection of the hoses and pumps.
After the Coast Guard’s initial interviews of the engine crew, ALBINA asked each one how he had responded to the Coast Guard’s questions. ALBINA then conducted an all-hands meeting with the engineers and lower level engine room crew. The illegality of the operation was discussed, but ALBINA told everyone in the meeting to deny knowledge of the hoses going to the sewage holding tank by-passing the Oil Water Separator. ALBINA admits that he was trying to influence the Coast Guard inspection by telling the crew to lie in order to prevent the Coast Guard from detecting that the hoses and pump were used to by-pass.
The case was investigated by the United States Coast Guard. The case was prosecuted by Emily Greenfield.
Florida Man, Roger Brent Churchwell, Charged with Crimes Involving the Sexual Exploitation of ChildrenRead the Press Release
ROGER BRENT CHURCHWELL, age 58, of Vero Beach, Florida, was charged in a one-count bill of information today for crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children, announced United States Attorney Dana J. Boente.
If convicted, CHURHCWELL faces a mandatory minimum of five years, and a maximum of twenty years in prison, followed by up to a life term of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. CHURCHWELL can also be required to register as a sex offender.
United States Attorney Boente reiterated that the bill of information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case is being investigated by special agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Ginsberg.
(Download Bill of Information )
30-count Superseding Indictment Returned for Violations of the Controlled Substances Act and the Federal Gun Control ActRead the Press Release
LANGUNDO FLOWERS, age 33; ODELL WELLS, age 31; DENNIS MORGAN age 27; WALTREL KNOX, age 23, JONATHAN MARTIN, age 28, JOSEPH LEWIS, age 34, CARY BRYANT, age 22, DARREN WILLIAMS, age 25, RICHARD GARRETT, age 25, ALCEE JONES, age 24, RYAN MAGEE, age 20; and CLYDE MITCHELL, age 53, were charged on July 18, 2013, in a thirty (30) count superseding indictment for violations of the Controlled Substances Act and the Federal Gun Control Act, announced U. S. Attorney Dana J. Boente.
LANGUNDO FLOWERS is charged with Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute 280 grams or more of Cocaine Base; Use of a Communications Facility to Commit, Cause and/or Facilitate a Drug Trafficking Crime; Distribution of Cocaine Base; Possession With Intent to Distribute Cocaine Hydrochloride; Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon; and Possession of Ammunition by a Convicted Felon.
ODELL WELLS is charged with Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute 280 grams or more of Cocaine Base; Use of a Communications Facility to Commit, Cause and/or Facilitate a Drug Trafficking Crime; and Possession of Ammunition by a Convicted Felon.
DENNIS MORGAN is charged with Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute 280 grams or more of Cocaine Base and with Use of a Communications Facility to Commit, Cause and/or Facilitate a Drug Trafficking Crime.
WALTREL KNOX is charged Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute 280 grams or more of Cocaine Base; Use of a Communications Facility to Commit, Cause and/or Facilitate a Drug Trafficking Crime; and Distribution of Cocaine Base.
JONATHAN MARTIN is charged with Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute 280 grams or more of Cocaine Base; Use of a Communications Facility to Commit, Cause and/or Facilitate a Drug Trafficking Crime; and Distribution of Cocaine Base.
JOSEPH LEWIS is charged with Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute 280 grams or more of Cocaine Base; Use of a Communications Facility to Commit, Cause and/or Facilitate a Drug Trafficking Crime; and Possession With Intent to Distribute Cocaine Base.
CARY BRYANT is charged with Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute 280 grams or more of Cocaine Base; Use of a Communications Facility to Commit, Cause and/or Facilitate a Drug Trafficking Crime; and Possession With Intent to Distribute Cocaine Base.
DARREN WILLIAMS is charged with Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute 280 grams or more of Cocaine Base and Use of a Communications Facility to Commit, Cause and/or Facilitate a Drug Trafficking Crime.
RICHARD GARRETT is charged with Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute 280 grams or more of Cocaine Base and Use of a Communications Facility to Commit, Cause and/or Facilitate a Drug Trafficking Crime.
ALCEE JONES is charged with Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute 280 grams or more of Cocaine Base; Use of a Communications Facility to Commit, Cause and/or Facilitate a Drug Trafficking Crime; and Distribution of Cocaine Base.
RYAN MAGEE is charged with Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute 280 grams or more of Cocaine Base; Use of a Communications Facility to Commit, Cause and/or Facilitate a Drug Trafficking Crime; and Distribution of Cocaine Base.
CLYDE MITCHELL is charged with Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute 280 grams or more of Cocaine Base; and Possession With Intent to Distribute Cocaine Hydrochloride.
FLOWERS, WELLS, MORGAN, KNOX, MARTIN, LEWIS, BRYANT, WILLIAMS, GARRETT, JONES, MAGEE, and MITCHELL face not less than ten (10) years up to a maximum term of life imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000,000.00 and not less than five years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.
This case arose out of a joint investigation conducted by the DEA, HIDTA, Kenner Police Department, HSI, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, Criminal Intelligence Center, Louisiana State Police, ATF, U.S. Marshals, U.S. Border Patrol, and the Saint John Parish Sheriff’s Office. This investigation targeted a violent Drug Trafficking Organization that operated out of the Lincoln Manor area of Kenner, LA. During the course of the investigation, two major sources of supply of “crack” cocaine for the Lincoln Manor area of Kenner, LA, were identified and dismantled along with their distribution network. Most of the street level distributors for this Drug Trafficking Organization were identified as being affiliated with a local gang who called themselves the “Flippa Squad.” The investigation in on-going.
U. S. Attorney Boente reiterated that the Superseding Indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendants must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney J. Collin Sims.
(Download Indictment )
Tangipahoa Parish Men Indicted on Drug and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
JEFFREY MICHELE, 43; LESLIE MCMORRIS, 55; and SAM MICHELE, III, 40, all residents of Tangipahoa Parish, were indicted today by a federal Grand Jury on two counts involving cocaine conspiracy and distribution charges occurring in Tangipahoa Parish, announced U. S. Attorney Dana J. Boente.
According to the indictment, beginning at a time unknown and continuing until on or about July 7, 2013, JEFFREY MICHELE, LESLIE MCMORRIS and SAM MICHELE, III did knowingly and intentionally conspire and agree to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine hydrochloride. JEFFREY MICHELE is also charged in the indictment with distribution of a quantity of cocaine hydrochloride.
If convicted on all charges, JEFFREY MICHELE, LESLIE MCMORRIS and SAM MICHELE, III, face a minimum term of imprisonment of ten years, a maximum term of life imprisonment, a fine of $10,000,000, and a minimum term of five years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.
U. S. Attorney Boente reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendants must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
The investigation is being conducted by Special Agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U. S. Attorney Andre’ Jones.
(Download Indictment )
New Orleans Man, Jordan A. Sanchez, Pleads Guilty to Mail Fraud in Fraudulent Oil Spill ClaimRead the Press Release
JORDAN A. SANCHEZ, age 27, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, pled guilty yesterday in federal court before U. S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo, to a one-count indictment charging him with mail fraud, announced U. S. Attorney Dana J. Boente.
According to court documents, SANCHEZ submitted a fraudulent claim to the Gulf Coast Claims Facility claiming that he lost his job with a local catering company in New Orleans as a result of the oil spill. In support of his claim, SANCHEZ submitted a fraudulent letter from the catering company stating that he was terminated because the oil spill affected their business to the point where they could no longer keep him on the payroll. Shortly after submitting the claim form, the Gulf Coast Claims Facility mailed a check for $27,000 to SANCHEZ. After the payment was issued, an investigator with the Gulf Coast Claims Facility contacted the owner of the catering company to discuss SANCHEZ’S work history. The owner stated that she never operated her business in New Orleans and that SANCHEZ never worked for her. On September 28, 2012, an agent with the FBI interviewed SANCHEZ about the matter. SANCHEZ admitted that the claim he filed with the Gulf Coast Claims Facility was fraudulent.
SANCHEZ faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, a fine of up to $250,000, and three years of supervised release following imprisonment. Sentencing is scheduled for October 17, 2013, at 10:00am.
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.
The case was investigated by special agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Spiro Latsis.
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Ivan Gabriel Castro-alvarez Indicted for Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
IVAN GABRIEL CASTRO-ALVAREZ, age 29, a citizen of Honduras, was charged in a one-count indictment by a Federal Grand Jury today with illegal reentry by an alien previously removed, announced U. S. Attorney Dana J. Boente.
According to the indictment, on or about June 28, 2013, CASTRO-ALVAREZ, an alien who had previously been removed from the United States, was found in the United States, within the Eastern District of Louisiana, without having obtained consent from the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to reapply for admission to the United States.
If convicted, CASTRO-ALVAREZfaces a maximum term of imprisonment of two years, a fine of $250,000 and one year of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.
U. S. Attorney Boente 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 investigated by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE). The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney David Haller.
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Slidell Tax Preparer, John Labee, Charged in 13-count IndictmentRead the Press Release
JOHN LABEE, age 35, a resident of Slidell, Louisiana, was charged today in a thirteen-count Indictment with nine counts of assisting in the preparation of false tax documents, two counts of making false statements on his own tax returns, one count of attempted mail fraud, and one count of lying to a federal Grand Jury, announced United States Attorney Dana J. Boente.
According to the Indictment, beginning in about 2005, LABEE owned and operated two tax preparation businesses in Slidell, IP Financial Services, Inc. and Milennium [sic] Bookkeeping Services. An investigation revealed between tax years 2008 and 2010, LABEE regularly claimed false deductions and claimed false federal tax withholdings for his clients to generate large refunds to which they were not entitled. LABEE also failed to report his income from his tax preparation business and falsified the amount of federal tax withholdings on his own tax returns that resulted in LABEE receiving refunds to which he was not entitled.
The Indictment also alleges that LABEE filed a loss claim to the Gulf Coast Claims Facility (GCCF) seeking over $958,000 in compensation for losses he claimed IP Financial Services suffered as a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill incident. To support his claim, LABEE submitted false tax records that were not true and had never been filed with the IRS.
Lastly, the Indictment alleges that LABEE lied when he testified under oath on
March 14, 2013, before the Grand Jury that he had not prepared any tax returns in 2013 other than his own. The Indictment alleges that LABEE had prepared the tax return of at least one other individual.If convicted, LABEE faces a maximum term of three years imprisonment each as to Counts 1 through 11; 20 years as to Count 12; and five years as to Count 13, for a maximum total sentence of 58 years in prison, followed by up to three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
United States Attorney Boente reiterated that the Indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.The case is being investigated by agents from the Internal Revenue Service- Criminal Investigation Division. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Ginsberg.
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Florida Men Plead Guilty Relating to Their Involvement in Illegal Possession of A FirearmRead the Press Release
RUBEN JAUREGUI, 24, and FRANCISCO MALDONADO, 46, both of Dade City, Florida, pled guilty in federal court today before U. S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey to misprision of a felony, announced U. S. Attorney Dana Boente.
According to the factual basis, between February 6 and March 21, 2013, RUBEN JAUREGUI and FRANCISCO MALDONADO both travelled from Florida with a co-defendant, Jaime Jauregui, who was travelling to the Eastern District of Louisiana to negotiate the purchase of weapons. Jaime Jauregui possessed a weapon, specifically, a Colt M4, .233 caliber automatic assault rifle that is classified as a firearm under Federal Law. RUBEN JAUREGUI and FRANCISCO MALDONADO knew that Jaime Jauregui was a convicted felon, who could not possess a firearm, but they assisted Jaime Jauregui by willfully concealing his possession of the firearm and did not report this crime as soon as possible to the lawful authorities.
Both RUBEN JAUREGUI and FRANCISCO MALDONADO face a maximum term of imprisonment of three years, a fine of $250,000.00 and one year of supervised release following any term of imprisonment. Sentencing is scheduled for October 22, 2013.
This investigation was conducted by Special Agents of Homeland Security Investigations and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecution is being handled by Special Assistant United States Attorney Robert Weir.
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California Man, Martin Vellozzi, Charged with Creating and Selling Fake Mercedes-benz Automotive EquipmentRead the Press Release
MARTIN VELLOZZI, age 56, of Rancho Palos Verdes, California, was charged today in a one-count Bill of Information with mail fraud for his role in creating and selling non-authentic Merceds-Benz diagnostic equipment, announced United States Attorney Dana J. Boente.
According to the Bill of Information, VELLOZZI owned a LMV Industries, which offered technical information and support for Mercedes-Benz automobiles. Between about 2005 and July 2012, VELLOZZI also produced and sold unauthorized and non-authentic versions of the Mercedes-Benz Star Diagnostic System (SDS), a hand-held computer containing proprietary, confidential software. Such diagnostic devices are used by mechanics to identify problems with and assure the safety of motor vehicles employing electronic control systems. By selling non-authentic, unauthorized SDS that bore Mercedes-Benz logos and trademarks, VELLOZZI represented that the SDS he was selling were authentic and authorized by Daimler AG, when, in fact, they were not. The “real” SDS sold for between $8,300 and $22,000 each; VELLOZZI sold the non-authentic SDS, which contained Mercedes-Benz logos and trademarks, for approximately $6,000. The fake devices VELLOZZI sold were manufactured by companies located in Durham, North Carolina and Harahan, Louisiana. On some occasions, when one of the fake SDS units VELLOZZI sold would break, the Harahan-based company would provide fixes or “patches” directly to the customer. VELLOZZI also used cracking software, called “keygens” to “unlock” SDS software and make it work on his unauthorized SDS.
If convicted, VELLOZZI faces a maximum term of imprisonment of twenty (20) years, followed by up to three (3) years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
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Slidell Man, Michael Page, Sentenced to 5 Years for Federal Drug ViolationRead the Press Release
MICHAEL PAGE, age 36, a resident of Slidell, Louisiana, was sentenced to 60 months imprisonment by U. S. District Court Judge Lance M. Africk after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine base (“crack”), announced United States Attorney Dana J. Boente. In addition to the term of imprisonment, Judge Africk ordered that PAGE be placed on 3 years of supervised release following the term of imprisonment, during which time the defendant will be under federal supervision and risks an additional term of imprisonment should he violated any terms of the supervised release.
According to court documents, PAGE conspired with others, known and unknown from February of 2010 until September of 2010 to distribute and possess with intent to distribute at least twenty-eight (28) grams of crack cocaine.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Narcotics Unit of the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Edward J. Rivera.
Defendants Sentenced After Pleading to Rico Violations, Violations of the Federal Gun Control and Controlled Substances Acts, and Obstruction of JusticeRead the Press Release
TRAVIS HUDSON, age 29; RODERICK WIGGINS, age 22; DANTE CARSON, age 21; DWIGHT CARSON, age 22; SHAYNE LEBLANC, age 40; and AKAI SULLIVAN, age 27, all from the New Orleans area, were sentenced today before U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk, after pleading guilty to Violations of the Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organization Act, the Violent Crime in Aid of Racketeering Act, the Federal Gun Control and Controlled Substances Acts, Aiding and Abetting, and Obstruction of Justice.
TRAVIS HUDSON was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment and 5 years of supervised release. Travis Hudson pled guilty to Count 1 RICO Conspiracy and Count 21 Distribution of Cocaine Base.
RODERICK WIGGINS was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment and 5 years of supervised release. Roderick Wiggins pled guilty to Count 1 RICO Conspiracy, Count 2 Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute over 280 grams Cocaine Base and Count 5 Conspiracy to Possess Firearms During and In Relation to Crimes of Violence and Drug Trafficking Offenses.
DANTE CARSON was sentenced to 30 years imprisonment and 5 years of supervised release. DANTE CARSON pled guilty to Count 1 RICO Conspiracy, Count 5 Conspiracy to Possess Firearms During and In Relation to Crimes of Violence and Drug Trafficking Offenses and Count 10 Aiding and Abetting in the Unlawful Acquisition of a Firearm. As part of the RICO Conspiracy, DANTE CARSON admitted that both he and other Murder Squad members participated in the murder Reginald Francois on April 1, 2010. DANTE CARSON pled guilty pursuant to an 11(c)(1)(C) plea agreement.DWIGHT CARSON was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment and 10 years of supervised release. DWIGHT CARSON pled guilty to Count 1 RICO Conspiracy, Count 2 Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Cocaine Base over 280 grams of Cocaine Base, Count 5 Conspiracy to Possess Firearms During and In Relation to Crimes of Violence and Drug Trafficking Offenses and Count 11 Aiding and Abetting in the Unlawful Acquisition of a Firearm. DWIGHT CARSON pled guilty pursuant to an 11(c)(1)(C) plea agreement.
SHAYNE LEBLANC was sentenced to 6 years imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release. LEBLANC pled guilty to a one count Bill of Information with violations of Conspiracy to Manufacture and Possess with the Intent to Distribute a Quantity of Cocaine Base.AKAI SULLIVAN, was sentenced to 3 years probation along with 6 month home detention. SULLIVAN pled guilty to Count 6 Obstruction of Justice.
This case arose out of a joint investigation by FBI, ATF, and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. This investigation targeted an area which exhibited a disproportionate amount of violent crimes and narcotics trafficking. During the course of the investigation, specific individuals were identified as the main perpetrators of many of the violent acts and much of the narcotics distribution. Federal and local law enforcement officers interviewed witnesses, confidential informants, as well as state defendants, relative to the targeted individuals. It was revealed that a group of individuals operated in various areas of Harvey Louisiana, specifically the neighborhoods known as Scottsdale and Haydel. This group controlled these areas for their narcotics distribution activities through violence and through threats of violence, to include murder, attempted murder, obstruction and assaults. They were referred to as the Harvey Hustlers and/or Murder Squad.
The “Murder Squad,” or “MS,” was a faction of the Harvey Hustlers composed primarily of individuals residing in the Harvey, Louisiana area of Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. While they primarily operated on the Westbank of Jefferson Parish, members conducted business in other parts of the Eastern District of Louisiana. The “Harvey Hustlers” also referred to as “HH” originated in the Harvey area in the mid-1980s. Members of the organization “hustled” meaning they distributed illegal narcotics. The original goal of the Harvey Hustlers was to make money from sales of illegal narcotics.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Duane A. Evans and Bill McSherry.
Terrytown Man, Warren Stewart, Charged with Recording Movies in A Local Theater and Criminal Infringement of A CopyrightRead the Press Release
WARREN STEWART, age 37, a resident of Terrytown, Louisiana, was charged in a two-count Bill of Information with unauthorized recording of a motion picture and criminal infringement of a copyright, announced United States Attorney Dana J. Boente.
According to the Bill of Information, on January 27, 2013, STEWART used a digital camcorder to record the motion picture Broken City at the AMC Westbank Palace, located in Harvey, Louisiana. The Bill of Information also charges that until March 6, 2013, STEWART knowingly and willfully, for the purpose of commercial advantage and private financial gain, infringed the copyright of copyrighted works by distributing ten or more copies of the works during a 180-day period, which had a total retail value in excess of $2,500.
If convicted, STEWART faces a maximum term of imprisonment of not more than three years as to Count 1 and five years as to Count 2, followed by up to three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
United States Attorney Boente reiterated that the Bill of Information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Ginsberg.
(Download Bill of Information )
Illegal Alien, Sergio Jose Nogueira, Pleads Guilty to Illegal Use of A Social Security Number and Making False Statements on A Passport ApplicationRead the Press Release
SERGIO JOSE NOGUEIRA, age 34, a citizen of Brazil, pled guilty in federal court today before U.S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance, to a two-count indictment charging him with illegal use of a Social Security number and making false statements on a passport application, announced U.S. Attorney Dana J. Boente.
According to the factual basis, on or about June 8, 2012, NOGUEIRA falsely represented that a Social Security number had been assigned to him by the Commissioner of Social Security with intent to deceive, for the purpose of obtaining a Louisiana driver’s license. NOGUEIRA also admitted to knowingly making false statements in a passport application by providing a false name, date of birth, and place of birth, to secure the issuance of a United States Passport for his own use on or about June 12, 2012. NOGUEIRA is illegally present in the United States.
NOGUEIRA faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years, a fine of up to $500,000, and three years of supervision following release from imprisonment. Sentencing is scheduled for October 16, 2013 at 9:30 A.M.
This case was investigated by Untied States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations with the assistance of the United States Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service. The prosecution is being handled by Special Assistant United States Attorney Robert Weir.
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Hollygrove Gang Member, Norman Ratcliff, Pleads Guilty to Federal Rico, Drug, and Murder ChargesRead the Press Release
NORMAN RATCLIFF, aka “Turk,” 21, a resident of New Orleans, pled guilty today in federal court to various federal violations stemming from a 34 count second superseding indictment. RATCLIFF and several of his associates were charged with participating in a violent drug gang that operated in the Holly Grove area of the City of New Orleans.
RATCLIFF pled guilty to RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute 28 grams or more of crack cocaine. He also pled to the illegal use of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime and/or crime of violence in connection with the murder of Eula May Ivey.
RATCLIFF could be sentenced to life in prison and is also subject to a sentence of five to forty years as to the crack cocaine count. He is also faces a fine of up to $5,000,000. Sentencing is scheduled for October 2, 2013.
In November of 2012, a Federal Grand Jury returned a 34-count indictment charging Walter Conley, aka “Ike Neezy;” Tyronne Stevenson, aka “Duke;” Theron Golston, aka “Thema;” Bernell Williams, aka “Bussy,” aka “A-Boogie;” and Mark Glenn with participating in a RICO conspiracy, drug conspiracy, firearms conspiracy, and several substantive acts of violence.
These defendants and others were members and associates of a criminal enterprise which operated in an area of the City that historically encompassed the Hollygrove area of New Orleans, Louisiana. The boundaries of the area include South Carrollton Avenue, Earhart Boulevard, Interstate 10, and the Jefferson Parish line.
RATCLIFF is the sixth defendant in this case to plead guilty.
Co-defendant Carey Jones also pled guilty to a life sentence for his participation in the RICO conspiracy, two separate non-fatal shootings, and for his participation in the murder of Ms. Eula May Ivey.
Co-defendant Bernell Williams pled guilty to participating in the RICO conspiracy, drug conspiracy, gun conspiracy, and to his involvement in two separate non-fatal shootings. He will face a sentence of 25 to 30 years in prison.
Co-defendant Ryan Carroll pled guilty to participating in the RICO conspiracy and to discharging a firearm during a drug trafficking crime and a crime of violence. He faces a sentence of 10 years to life.
Co-defendant China Stewart pled guilty to possession with the intent to distribute crack cocaine and will face a maximum sentence of five years.
Co-defendant Theron Golston recently pled guilty to a life sentence for his participation in the RICO conspiracy, two separate non-fatal shootings, and for his participation in the murder of Ms. Eula May Ivey.
The remaining defendants, Tyronne Stevenson, Mark Glenn, and Walter Conley are scheduled to stand trial on September 23, 2013. All are presumed innocent until proven guilty at trial.
The Multi-Agency Gang Unit is an N.O.P.D. led division which includes federal agents from A.T.F., D.E.A., F.B.I., and the U.S. Marshal’s Service, as well as participants from the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, The Louisiana State Police, State Probation and Parole, and the New Orleans District Attorney’s Office.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Maurice E. Landrieu, Jr.
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Harvey Man, Jermaine Hudson, Sentenced for Rico and Federal Controlled Substances Acts ViolationsRead the Press Release
JERMAINE HUDSON, age 25, of Harvey, Louisiana was sentenced today before U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk after pleading guilty to Violations of the Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organization and the Federal Controlled Substances Acts, announced U.S. Attorney Dana J. Boente.
HUDSON was sentenced to 27 years (324 months) imprisonment. In addition to the term of imprisonment, Judge Africk ordered that HUDSON be placed on 10 years of supervised release following the term of imprisonment, during which time the defendant will be under federal supervision and risks an additional term of imprisonment should the violate any terms of the supervised release
This case arose out of a joint investigation by FBI, ATF, and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. This investigation targeted an area which exhibited a disproportionate amount of violent crimes and narcotics trafficking. During the course of the investigation, specific individuals were identified as the main perpetrators of many of the violent acts and much of the narcotics distribution. Federal and local law enforcement officers interviewed witnesses, confidential informants, as well as state defendants, relative to the targeted individuals. It was revealed that a group of individuals operated in various areas of Harvey Louisiana, specifically the neighborhoods known as Scottsdale and Haydel. This group controlled these areas for their narcotics distribution activities through violence and through threats of violence, to include murder, attempted murder, obstruction and assaults. They were referred to as the Harvey Hustlers and/or Murder Squad.
The “Murder Squad,” or “MS,” was a faction of the Harvey Hustlers composed primarily of individuals residing in the Harvey, Louisiana area of Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. While they primarily operated on the Westbank of Jefferson Parish, members conducted business in other parts of the Eastern District of Louisiana. The “Harvey Hustlers” also referred to as “HH” originated in the Harvey area in the mid-1980s. Members of the organization “hustled” meaning they distributed illegal narcotics. The original goal of the Harvey Hustlers was to make money from sales of illegal narcotics.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. The case was being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Duane A. Evans and Bill McSherry.
Alien, Narciso Ramos-lopez, Pleads Guilty to Illegal Use of A Social Security NumberRead the Press Release
NARCISO RAMOS-LOPEZ, age 41, a citizen of Mexico, pled guilty in federal court today before U. S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance to a one-count indictment charging him with illegal use of a Social Security number, announced U. S. Attorney Dana Boente.
According to the factual basis, on or about March 8, 2010, RAMOS, with intent to deceive and for the purpose of obtaining a Transportation Worker Identification Credential, falsely represented that a Social Security number had been assigned to him by the Commissioner of Social Security. RAMOS is unlawfully present in the United States.
RAMOS faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, a fine of $250,000 and three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment. Sentencing is scheduled for October 16, 2013.
This investigation was conducted by U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE) with the assistance of the Louisiana State Police. The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U. S. Attorney Robert Weir.
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New Orleans Man, Michael Larrieu, Pleads Guilty for Failure to Register as Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
MICHAEL LARRIEU, age 25, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, pled guilty today for failure to register as a sex offender, announced U. S. Attorney Dana J. Boente.
According to documents filed in federal court, in 2007, LARRIEU pled guilty to possession of child pornography in U. S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana. LARRIEU was sentenced to forty (40) months imprisonment to be followed by a life time supervised release term. As a result of LARRIEU's conviction, he was required to register pursuant to the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.
LARRIEU admitted that between February 27, 2013 and March 25, 2013 he failed to comply with his sex offender registration requirements.
LARRIEU faces a maximum term of imprisonment of ten (10) years, a fine of $250,000 and up to five (5) years of supervised release. LARRIEU is scheduled to be sentenced on September 24, 2013.
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 United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), 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, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
The case was investigated by the United States Marshals and prosecution of this case is being handled by Project Safe Childhood Coordinator and Strike Force Chief, Assistant U. S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba.
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Engineer from M/t Stolt Facto, Anselmo Capillanes, Sentenced for Violating Act to Prevent Pollution from ShipsRead the Press Release
ANSELMO CAPILLANES, age 46, a citizen of the Philippines, was sentenced to two years probation and ordered to pay a $15,000 fine by U. S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey for violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships, announced U. S. Attorney Dana J. Boente today.
According to the court documents, CAPILLANES served as the Second Engineer of the M/T Stolt Facto, a 26,328 gross ton oil tanker,from September 22, 2012 until on or about January 16, 2013. CAPILLANES was responsible for the operation of the Oil Water Separator onboard the vessel. The Oil Water Separator is the principal technology utilized to detect and prevent excessive concentrations of oil the vessel’s bilge water from being discharged overboard.
Starting in October 2012, CAPILLANES directed members of the engine room crew to connect hoses from the bilge wells and bilge holding tank located on the lower deck of the engine room and pump the contents of those tanks into the sewage holding tank on the uppermost deck of the engine room. By transferring the contents of the bilge wells to the sewage holding tank the oily water by-passed the Oil Water Separator and was then discharged from the sewage holding tank into the ocean.
These transfers and discharges were not recorded in the M/T Stolt Facto’s Oil Record Book. The Oil Record Book entries indicated that the Oil Water Separator had been used. In court documents associated with his guilty plea, CAPILLANES admitted he ran fresh water or sea water through the Oil Water Separator so that he could get readings from the White Box, the data recorder on the Oil Water Separator, making it appear that the Oil Water Separator was used in a manner consistent with the statements in the Oil Record Book to conceal that not all of the ship’s oily waste water was properly treated before being dumped overboard.
On or about January 15, 2013, the M/T Stolt Facto entered the waters of the United States in the Eastern District of Louisiana with this inaccurate Oil Record Book onboard. On or about that same date, the United States Coast Guard boarded the M/T Stolt Facto pursuant to their 89(a) authority and were presented with the false Oil Record Book."Falsifying records and by-passing mandatory pollution prevention equipment are serious offenses. Those who threaten the health of our marine environment must be held accountable. I applaud the professionalism and dedication of the members of Coast Guard Sector New Orleans, the Coast Guard Investigative Service, and the Department of Justice as they investigated and prosecuted this case," said Rear Admiral Kevin S. Cook, Eighth Coast Guard District Commander.
The case was investigated by the United States Coast Guard. The case was prosecuted by Emily Greenfield.
Three Men Sentenced After Pleading to Violations of the Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organization Act, the Federal Gun Control and Controlled Substances Acts, and Obstruction of JusticeRead the Press Release
MELVIN HUDSON, age 26, MOSES LAWSON, age 27, and TEDRICK REYNARD, age 24, all of Harvey, Louisiana were sentenced today before U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk after pleading guilty to Violations of the Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organization Act, the Violent Crime in Aid of Racketeering Act, the Federal Gun Control and Controlled Substances Acts, Aiding and Abetting, and Obstruction of Justice.
MELVIN HUDSON was sentenced to twenty-five (25) years imprisonment and ten (10) years of supervised release. HUDSON pled guilty to Count 1: Conspiracy to Violate the Racketeer Influence and Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO”), in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1962(d); Count 2: Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute over 280 grams of Cocaine Base (“crack”), in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), and 846; Count 5: Conspiracy to Possess Firearms, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(o); Count 6: Obstruction of Justice, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1519; Count 15: Distribution of a Quantity of Heroin, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C); Count 16: Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2); Count 17: Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine Base (“crack”), in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C); and Count 18: Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i). Melvin Hudson pled guilty pursuant to an 11(c)(1)(C) plea agreement.
MOSES LAWSON was sentenced to twenty-five (25) years imprisonment and ten (10) years of supervised release. LAWSON was also ordered to pay restitution to the victim’s family in the amount of $8,000.00. LAWSON pled guilty to Count 1: Conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influence and Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO”), in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1962(d); Count 2: Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute over 280 grams of Cocaine Base (“crack”), in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), and 846; Count 7: Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2); and Count 8: Person in Possession of a Stolen Firearm, in violation to Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(j) and 924(a)(2). LAWSON admitted that both he and other Murder Squad members participated in the murder Reginald Francois on April 1, 2010. LAWSON pled guilty pursuant to an 11(c)(1)(C) plea agreement.
TEDRICK REYNARD was sentenced to twenty (20) imprisonment and ten (10) years of supervised release. REYNARD pled guilty to Count 1:Conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influence and Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO), in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1962(d); Count 2: Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute over 280 grams of Cocaine Base (“crack”), in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), and 846; Count 5: Conspiracy to Possess Firearms, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(o); Count 20: Distribution of a Quantity of Cocaine Base (“crack”), in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C); and Count 22: Possession with Intent to Distribute a Quantity of Cocaine Base (“crack”), in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C).
This case arose out of a joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. This investigation targeted an area which exhibited a disproportionate amount of violent crimes and narcotics trafficking. During the course of the investigation, specific individuals were identified as the main perpetrators of many of the violent acts and much of the narcotics distribution. Federal and local law enforcement officers interviewed witnesses, confidential informants, as well as state defendants, relative to the targeted individuals. It was revealed that a group of individuals operated in various areas of Harvey, Louisiana, specifically the neighborhoods known as Scottsdale and Haydel. This group controlled these areas for their narcotics distribution activities through violence and through threats of violence, to include murder, attempted murder, obstruction and assaults. They were referred to as the Harvey Hustlers and/or Murder Squad.
The “Murder Squad,” or “MS,” was a faction of the Harvey Hustlers composed primarily of individuals residing in the Harvey, Louisiana area of Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. While they primarily operated on the Westbank of Jefferson Parish, members conducted business in other parts of the Eastern District of Louisiana. The “Harvey Hustlers” also referred to as “HH” originated in the Harvey area in the mid-1980s. Members of the organization “hustled” meaning they distributed illegal narcotics.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. The case was being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Duane A. Evans and Bill McSherry.
Sheriff, Irvin F. Hingle, Sentenced for Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud and BriberyRead the Press Release
IRVIN F. HINGLE, a/k/a “JIFF” HINGLE, age 61, a resident of Belle Chasse, Louisiana, was sentenced today to 46 months imprisonment by U. S. District Judge Sarah R. Vance after he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy, announced U. S. Attorney Dana J. Boente. In addition to the term of imprisonment, Judge Vance ordered that HINGLE be placed on two years of supervised release following the term of imprisonment, pay a $10,000 fine and a $100.00 special assessment.
According to court documents, from approximately 1992 through 2011, HINGLE was employed as the elected Sheriff of Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. As the Sheriff, HINGLE was the chief law enforcement officer for Plaquemines Parish.
In 2007, the Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office entered into a contract with Benetech, LLC (Benetech) to provide services relating to recovery from damages due to previous and future natural disasters. In early- to mid- 2008, on two separate occasions, HINGLE, as the Sheriff, approved Benetech’s invoices and issued checks to Benetech in connection with work purportedly done under the 2007 contract. Within weeks of HINGLE’s approvals, W. Aaron Bennett, the owner of Benetech, paid HINGLE $10,000 in cash, on two separate occasions, intending to influence him in connection with the contract between Benetech and the Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office.
In addition, as the elected Sheriff, HINGLE was required to file annual campaign reports with the Louisiana Board of Ethics in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and to certify, among other things, information relating to campaign contributions and expenditures. According to court documents, in 2008, HINGLE solicited campaign contributions from contributors and instead of expending those funds for campaign-related activities, HINGLE expended them for personal use, in violation of Louisiana campaign finance laws. HINGLE and others in his campaign finalized the 2008 campaign finance report and mailed it to Baton Rouge, Louisiana in February 2009, falsely listing over $100,000 in expenditures as campaign-related when, in fact, they were for personal use.
The case was investigated by agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U. S. Attorneys Matt Chester and Eileen Gleason.
Moises Chicaj-imul Pleads Guilty to Fraud and Misuse of A Permanent Resident Card and Illegal Use of A Social Security NumberRead the Press Release
MOISES CHICAJ-IMUL, age 26, a citizen of Guatemala, pled guilty in federal court today before U. S. District Judge Helen G. Berrigan to a two-count indictment charging him with fraud and misuse of a Permanent Resident Card and illegal use of a Social Security number, announced U. S. Attorney Dana Boente.
According to court documents, August 12, 2008, CHICAJ, knowingly possessed, used, and attempted to use a Permanent Resident Card, prescribed by law as evidence of authorized stay and employment in the United States, which CHICAJ knew was counterfeited. CHICAJ also admitted to falsely representing that a Social Security number had been assigned to him by the Commissioner of Social Security with intent to deceive for the purpose of completing an Employment Eligibility Verification Form.
CHICAJ faces a maximum term of imprisonment of fifteen (15) years, a fine of $500,000.00 and three (3) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.
This case was investigated by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations (ICE). The prosecution is being handled by Special Assistant United States Attorney Robert Weir.
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Former Orleans Parish Deputy, John P. Sens, Sentenced for Conspiracy to Commit BriberyRead the Press Release
JOHN P. SENS, 52, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced today to 60 months imprisonment by U. S. District Judge Kurt D. Engelhardt for conspiracy to commit bribery, announced U.S. Attorney Dana J. Boente. In addition to the term of imprisonment, Judge Engelhardt ordered that SENS be placed on three years of supervised release following the term of imprisonment, pay a $100.00 special assessment, and forfeit property valued at $67,903.25.
According to court documents, SENS, the former Director of Purchasing at the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office (“OPSO”), began illegally receiving things of value from two contractors, identified as Businessman A and Businessman B in court documents, in exchange for a rigged bidding system employed to steer OPSO work to Businessman A and Businessman B. In particular, from 2007 through 2011, Businessman A and Businessman B would submit bids for OPSO work in the names of their respective companies but, with the knowledge and participation of, among others, SENS, would also submit phony or fake bids for these same projects in the names of other local companies, in an effort to give the appearance of a competitive bidding process. In many cases, the phony bids would intentionally be higher than the bids from Businessman A or Businessman B and, consequently, SENS would award the work to Businessman A or Businessman B.
In exchange for this rigged bidding process, according to court documents, SENS received various things of value from Businessman A and Businessman B. For example, from 2007 through 2011, SENS received approximately $30,000 in cash from Businessman A, as well as the digging and installation of a pool at a residence owned by SENS, at no cost to him. Similarly, during this same period of time, Businessman B paid for the purchase, framing, and matting of several paintings (so-called “Blue Dog” prints) for SENS.
The case was investigated by special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matt Chester and Jon Maestri.
Anahit Hovhannisyan and Health Guard, Inc. Plead Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Health Care Fraud ViolationsRead the Press Release
ANAHIT HOVHANNISYAN, age 34, of Armenia, pled guilty on Monday, July 1, 2013, to health care fraud. HEALTH GUARD, INC., a Louisiana corporation that operated as a medical clinic, also plead guilty to a health care fraud conspiracy. The pleas were entered before U. S. District Court Judge Lance M. Africk, announced U. S. Attorney Dana Boente.
According to the Second Superseding Indictment, the defendants participated in a criminal organization for the purpose of fraudulently billing Medicare and Medicaid. Patients went to HEALTH GUARD, INC. for medical tests that were not performed or medically necessary. Patients were moved between other commonly owned health care clinics to HEALTH GUARD, INC. to repeatedly perform the same unnecessary tests. Five other clinics and their owners have already been sentenced for the same activity. According to the Second Superseding Indictment, if the patients refused the diagnostic tests at HEALTH GUARD, INC., prescriptions for narcotic drugs were withheld. Thereafter, bills for the unnecessary services were submitted to Medicare and Medicaid. HOVHANNISYAN was the owner of HEALTH GUARD, INC., and also an unlicensed and unqualified diagnostic technician, according to the indictment.
The Second Superseding Indictment to which HOVHANNISYAN pled guilty carries a possible maximum sentence of ten (10) years imprisonment. Sentencing has been scheduled for September 26, 2013.
The investigation was conducted by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, and the Louisiana Department of Justice, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U. S. Attorney Patrice Harris Sullivan.
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David Gonzalez Sentenced for Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
DAVID GONZALEZ (a/k/a Othoniel David Reconco), age 24, a citizen of Honduras, was sentenced today in federal court by U. S. District Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle, announced U.S. Attorney Dana Boente. GONZALEZ was sentenced to 20 months imprisonment. In addition to the term of imprisonment, Judge Lemelle ordered that GONZALEZ be placed on three years of supervised release following the term of imprisonment, during which time the defendant will be under federal supervision and risks an additional term of imprisonment should he violate any terms of supervised release.
According to court documents, on April 17, 2013, GONZALEZ pled guilty to a one-count indictment admitting he was an alien who was previously removed and was knowingly and unlawfully found in the United States, in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana on January 24, 2013, without the Attorney General or Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, having expressly consented to his re-application for admission into the United States. GONZALEZ’s sentence was subject to enhancement based on a previous aggravated felony conviction.
This case was investigated by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Robert Weir.
U.s. Attorney’s Office Remembers Colleague Albert J. Winters, Jr.Read the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Dana Boente, on behalf of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana, noted the passing of Albert J. Winters, Jr., who served the Department of Justice for nearly 35 years in the New Orleans area.
After graduating from Loyola Law School in 1968, Winters became a member of the Louisiana Bar in the same year and maintained a general practice for a few years. Winters joined the United States Attorney’s Office located in New Orleans in 1972 as an Assistant U.S. Attorney. In 1983, Winters became the Organized Crime and Racketeering Section Strike Force Chief, a Department of Justice Section which worked closely with, but was separate from, the local U.S. Attorney’s Office. In 1987, Winters returned to the U.S. Attorney’s Office where he remained until he retired in April, 2006.
Winters’ service was highlighted by the various positions he held within the U.S. Attorney’s Office over the years. Winters was Chief of Narcotics, Chief of the Criminal Division, First Assistant U.S. Attorney on two occasions, and Senior Litigation Counsel in addition to his service as Strike Force Chief. Winters also served as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida in Miami from 1986 through 1990 during which he participated in investigations and prosecutions of high level Colombian drug cases and contract murder cases involving the killing or attempts to kill federal witnesses.
Various prosecutions highlighted Winters’ career including the prosecution of Carlos Marcello and the sitting Louisiana Commissioner of Administration, Charles Roemer; the Gem Stone marijuana conspiracy case which resulted in 117 convictions including law enforcement officers and a State Judge and which resulted in approximately 25 million dollars in forfeiture and seizure of over one and a quarter million pounds of marijuana and the Len Davis case which resulted in 16 convictions of various individuals involved in cocaine trafficking and the protection of traffickers by police officers.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Louisiana wishes to acknowledge the dedicated service of our friend and colleague and hopes to celebrate his life and service with all who served with him from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Cannery, 3803 Toulouse St. in New Orleans on Tuesday, July 2, 2013.
David C. Hollingsworth Sentenced for Assault on Navy BaseRead the Press Release
DAVID C. HOLLINGSWORTH, 49, of New Orleans, Louisiana, was convicted and sentenced today by United States Magistrate Judge Sally Shushan for simple assault on a Department of Defense Police Officer, announced U. S. Attorney Dan J. Boente.
HOLLINGSWORTH, who previously pled guilty in August of 2012 to an Indictment for Receipt of Materials Involving the Sexual Exploitation of Minors and is serving 5 years incarceration, was sentenced to six (6) months of incarceration, to be served consecutively to the sexual exploitation sentence.
On August 9, 2010, HOLLINGSWORTH pointed an assault style rifle at an off duty Department of Defense Police Officer while on Naval Air station/Joint Reserve Base in Belle Chasse, Louisiana. HOLLINSWORTH was disarmed and arrested by Base Security and later charged with assault.
This case was investigated by special agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) and prosecuted by Assistant U. S. Attorneys Edward J. Rivera and Brian M. Klebba.
Two Men Sentenced After Pleading Guilty to Drug ChargeRead the Press Release
JAMES SELF, 29, a resident of St. Helena Parish, was sentenced today to 70 months imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release by U. S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo after pleading guilty to cocaine and marijuana charges.
SELF pled guilty on November 13, 2012, to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute crack cocaine and marijuana, and one count each of possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
In a separate case, TULLIE WHITEN, 28, a resident of Clinton, Louisiana, was sentenced today to 53 months imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release by U. S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo after pleading guilty to cocaine and marijuana charges, announced U. S. Attorney Dana J. Boente.
WHITEN pled guilty on June 14, 2012, to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute crack cocaine and marijuana and one count each of possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
The investigations were conducted by Special Agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration. Both cases were prosecuted by Assistant U. S. Attorney Andre’ Jones.
Robert Packnett Pleads Guilty to Bank FraudRead the Press Release
ROBERT PACKNETT, age 47, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, pled guilty as charged today before the U.S. District Judge Carl J. Barbier to a bill of information charging him with one count of bank fraud, announced United States Attorney Dana J. Boente.
According to court documents, PACKNETT was the owner of numerous residential properties throughout New Orleans. From July 2011 through March 2012, PACKNETT applied for at least 6 mortgages, refinanced mortgages, and commercial lines of credit from First NBC Bank for various properties. As part of the application process, PACKNETT had to detail his income so First NBC could determine whether he was a candidate for a refinanced mortgage and, if so, the interest rate for which he qualified. On all of his applications PACKNETT overstated the amount of rental income he received from his properties. In some cases, PACKNETT simply overstated the amount he received in rent. In others, he claimed that he was receiving rental income from properties when the properties were actually vacant. As a result of the false statements on just one of the applications to refinance his primary residence, PACKNETT received approximately $256,000 to which he was not entitled.
PACKNETT faces a maximum penalty of 30 years, followed by up to 5 years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing in this matter has been scheduled for October 4, 2013, at 9:30 a.m.
This case was investigated by special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the New Orleans Office of Inspector General. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Ginsberg and Trial Attorney Hayden Brockett of the U.S. Department of Justice Tax Division.
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Ramiro Nava-delgadillo Pleads Guilty to Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
RAMIRO NAVA-DELGADILLO, age 33, a citizen of Mexico, pled guilty in federal court today before U. S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo to a one-count indictment charging him with illegal re-entry of a removed alien, announced U. S. Attorney Dana J. Boente.
According to court documents, NAVA admitted to being an alien who had previously been removed from the United States, was found in the United States, on April 10, 2013, without having obtained consent from the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to reapply for admission to the United States.
The indictment charging NAVA with illegal reentry also included a notice of sentencing enhancement based on his prior felony conviction. With the enhancement, the charge carries a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and 3 years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment. Sentencing for the defendant is scheduled for September 26, 2013 at 10:00 A.M.
This case was investigated by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE). The prosecution is being handled by Special Assistant United States Attorney Robert Weir.
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Nedra Bell Sentenced for Katrina Related Fraud and Making False Statements to Housing Authority of New OrleansRead the Press Release
NEDRA BELL, age 40, a resident of New Orleans, was sentenced today in federal court by U. S. District Judge Lance M. Africk to serve 5 years probation to include one year of home confinement, after pleading guilty to theft of government funds, and to making false statements to an agency of the United States, announced U. S. Attorney Dana J. Boente. In addition, BELL has been ordered to pay $113,252.97 in restitution to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”).
According to court documents, BELL applied for a Louisiana Road Home Program (“LRHP”) grant for property she was renting from her brother at the time of Hurricane Katrina. BELL applied for the grant on behalf of her brother, falsely stating that he was residing in the property at the time of Hurricane Katrina. As a result of her false statements in her application, BELL fraudulently received approximately $54,372 from HUD. BELL is also convicted of making false statements to a federal agency on a re-certification application and HUD Income Questionnaire to the Housing Authority of New Orleans (“HANO”) for HUD rental subsidized housing under its Section 8 program. BELL denied that she received self-employment income or owned property, when in truth and in fact, she received income from her business as a hair stylist and owned property. As a result of BELL’s misrepresentations, she received a total of $58,881 in rental assistance from HUD.
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.
The case was investigated by agents with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Julia K. Evans.
Kevin Tyler Pleads to Drug Conspiracy ChargeRead the Press Release
KEVIN TYLER, age 36, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, pleaded guilty today to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute
5 kilograms or more of cocaine hydrochloride before the Honorable Stanwood Duval, Jr., announced U.S. Attorney Dana J. Boente.According to the court record, TYLER’s charges stem from a Drug Enforcement Administration 2009 investigation of an illegal drug distributor named WILLIAM STEVENSON. During the course of the investigation, agents learned that STEVENSON conspired with several others to obtain wholesale supplies of heroin and STEVENSON also conspired with MARK ROSS, TYLER, and others to acquire quantities of cocaine hydrochloride. In August 2009, TYLER was the source of a kilogram of cocaine hydrochloride for STEVENSON’s cousin. Earlier in 2009, TYLER arranged for another of STEVENSON’s drug associates, ALVIN BARNES, and two other men to conduct a multiple kilogram cocaine deal at a house in Spring, Texas. Texas law enforcement intervened before the deal could take place and confiscated almost $400,000 from the house. Of the money confiscated, $100,000 was STEVENSON’s that he had given to BARNES to purchase 4 kilograms of cocaine hydrochloride.
TYLER was the last defendant to be adjudicated guilty in this multi-defendant case having been a fugitive from his initial indictment on November 5, 2010 until August 2012. TYLER is scheduled to be sentenced on October 2, 2013. He faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life imprisonment on the conspiracy charge.
The case was investigated by DEA in collaboration with the Gulf Coast High Intensity Drug Trafficking Task Force (HIDTA) and the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). OCDETF is an important program which targets the most significant drug trafficking organizations within the United States, as well as those outside of the United States borders that impact drug trafficking within the United States.
Also assisting in the enforcement operations were the Louisiana State Police, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, Kenner Police Department, and St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pasadena, Texas Police Department, and the Harris County Texas Sheriff’s Office.
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Hollygrove Gang Member, Theron Golston, Pleads Guilty to Federal Rico, Drug, and Murder ChargesRead the Press Release
THERON GOLSTON, aka “Thema”, 23 years old, a resident of New Orleans, pled guilty today in federal court to various federal violations stemming from a multi-count second superseding indictment which charged him and several of his associates with participating in violent drug gang that operated in the Hollygrove area of the City of New Orleans.
GOLSTON agreed to plead guilty to the following counts; RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine, conspiracy to use firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes and crimes of violence and with the murder of Eula May Ivey in aid of racketeering.
GOLSTON’s plea of guilty was entered in accordance with the terms of a plea agreement which specifies the defendant is to receive a term of life imprisonment. The Court may accept or reject the specified sentence at the time of sentencing.
According to the second superseding indictment, the above listed defendants were members and associates in fact of the criminal enterprise that operated in an area of the city that historically encompassed the Hollygrove area of New Orleans, Louisiana. The boundaries of the area include South Carrollton Avenue, Earhart Boulevard, Interstate 10, and the Jefferson Parish line.
GOLSTON is the fifth defendant in this case to plead guilty.
Co-defendant Carey Jones, aka “Bean”, also pled guilty to a life sentence for his participation in the RICO conspiracy, two separate non-fatal shootings, and for his participation in the murder of Ms. Eula May Ivey.
Co-defendant Bernell Williams, aka “Bussy”, pled guilty to participating in the RICO conspiracy, drug conspiracy, gun conspiracy, and to his involvement in two separate non-fatal shootings. He will face a sentence of 25 to 30 years in prison.
Co-defendant Ryan Carroll, aka “Ronnie Boo”, pled guilty to participating in the RICO conspiracy and to discharging a firearm during a drug trafficking crime and a crime of violence. He faces a sentence of 10 years to life.
Co-defendant China Stewart, aka “Ms. China”, pled guilty to possession with the intent to distribute crack cocaine and will face a sentence of not more than five years.
The remaining defendants, Tyronne Stevenson, aka “Duke”; Norman Ratcliff, aka “Turk”; Mark Glenn; and Walter Conley, aka “Ike Neezy”, are scheduled to stand trial on September 23, 2013. All are presumed innocent until proven guilty at trial.
U. S. Attorney Dana J. Boente stated that “these long sentences are a clear example of what lies ahead for those who continue to commit acts of violence in this City. We are starting to see the results of the strong cases resulting from the newly formed Multi-Agency Gang Unit (“MAG Unit”). These pleas and sentences should put all, including gang members, on notice that the MAG Unit has the ability, the tools, and the knowledge to completely dismantle an entire criminal enterprise. The federal government, in partnership with local law enforcement, will continue to develop these cases in order to combat violent crime.”
The Multi-Agency Gang Unit is an N.O.P.D. led division which includes federal agents from A.T.F., D.E.A., F.B.I., and the U.S. Marshal’s Service, as well as participants from the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, The Louisiana State Police, State Probation and Parole, and the New Orleans District Attorney’s Office.
The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Maurice E. Landrieu, Jr.
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Florida Man, George W. Potter, Indicted for Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
GEORGE W. POTTER, 27, of Navarre, Florida, was indicted by a federal grand jury today for crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children, announced U. S. Attorney Dana J. Boente.
POTTER was charged in an Indictment for Distribution of Child Pornography. According to today’s indictment, on January 6, 2012, POTTER distributed images of child pornography through the use of a computer.
If convicted, POTTER faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum penalty of twenty years, followed by up to a lifetime term of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. In addition, POTTER will likely be required to register as a sex offender.
U. S. Attorney Boente 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."
This case was investigated by special agents from the U. S. Department of Homeland Security, HSI. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Project Safe Childhood Coordinator and Strike Force Chief, Assistant U. S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba.
Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office Vendor, Richard P. Molenaar, Iii, Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit BriberyRead the Press Release
RICHARD P. MOLENAAR, III, 47, a resident of Las Cruces, New Mexico, pled guilty today in before U. S. District Judge Martin L.C. Feldman to one count of with conspiracy to commit bribery, announced U. S. Attorney Dana J. Boente.
According to court records, MOLENAAR was the owner of several maintenance/construction companies, including Ricky’s A/C, Inc., Landmark Mechanical Contractors, LLC, and Custom Carpentry Renovations, LLC. From in or around 2008 through in or around 2011, MOLENAAR used these companies to bid on maintenance jobs at the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office (“OPSO”). MOLENAAR’s primary point of contact at the OPSO was its former Director of Purchasing, John Sens (“Sens”). According to the factual basis, MOLENAAR, among others, including Sens, engaged in a rigged bidding process for various OPSO maintenance jobs. In particular, from 2007 through 2011, MOLENAAR would submit bids for OPSO work in the names of his respective companies but, with the knowledge and participation of, among others, Sens, he would also submit phony or fake bids for these same projects in the names of other local companies, in an effort to give the appearance of a competitive bidding process. In many cases, the phony bids would intentionally be higher than the bids from MOLENAAR and, consequently, Sens would award the work to MOLENAAR.
In exchange for this rigged bidding process, according to court documents, MOLENAAR provided Sens with various things of value. For example, from 2007 through 2011, MOLENAAR provided approximately $30,000 in cash to Sens, as well as the digging and installation of a pool at a residence owned by Sens, at no cost to him.
MOLENAAR faces a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment, three years supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment. Sentencing has been set for October 16, 2013, at 1:30 PM.
The case was being investigated by special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U. S. Attorneys Matt Chester and Jon Maestri.
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Luis Baena-olivares Sentenced for Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
LUIS BAENA-OLIVARES, age 52, a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced yesterday in federal court by U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey to 37 months imprisonment, announced U. S. Attorney Dana J. Boente. In addition to the term of imprisonment, Judge Zainey ordered that BAENA be placed on three years of supervised release following the term of imprisonment, during which time the defendant will be under federal supervision and risks an additional term of imprisonment should he violate any terms of supervised release.
According to court documents, on March 14, 2013, BAENA pled guilty to a one-count indictment admitting he was an alien who was previously removed and was knowingly and unlawfully found in the United States, in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana on December 18, 2012, without the Attorney General or Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, having expressly consented to his re-application for admission into the United States. BAENA’s sentence was subject to enhancement based on a previous aggravated felony conviction.
This case was investigated by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Enforcement and Removal Operations and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Robert Weir.
Former Sports Agent, Benjamin M. Geller, Pleads Guilty to Wire FraudRead the Press Release
BENJAMIN M. GELLER, age 53, a resident of Austin, Texas, pled guilty last Friday before U. S. District Judge Lance M. Africk to one count of wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Dana J. Boente.
According to court documents, GELLER was employed as a sports agent for, among others, Frank W. Warren, III, a former NFL player who played with the New Orleans Saints. In or around 1994, according to the Bill of Information, GELLER assisted Warren in obtaining a life insurance policy worth approximately $1,000,000. In the event of Warren’s death, the life insurance proceeds were going to fund a trust, which was established by Warren and GELLER, for the benefit of Warren’s spouse. GELLER was named trustee of the trust.
In or around 2002, according to the Factual Basis, Warren died and the funds from the life insurance policy (approximately $1,000,000) were disbursed to a trust in Warren’s name for the benefit of his widowed spouse. From in or around 2003 through in or around 2007, according to court documents, GELLER acted as the trustee of the trust and was only permitted to expend funds as the trust provided; he was not permitted to expend trust funds for his own personal use. Despite that prohibition, according to court documents, from in or around 2003 through in or around 2007, GELLER unlawfully defrauded the trust and its beneficiary by spending over $500,000 in trust funds for his own personal use, including for travel, lodging, and entertainment purposes. GELLER also spent some of the $500,000 in trust funds for his own personal businesses, as well as for other, miscellaneous purchases.
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Former Orleans Parish Bond Clerk, Lear Enclarde, Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
LEAR ENCLARDE, age 68, a resident of New Orleans, pled guilty today to Conspiracy to Commit Honest Services Mail Fraud in a one-count Bill of Information, announced U. S. Attorney Dana Boente.
According to court documents, ENCLARDE, who worked in the Orleans Parish Criminal Clerk’s Office from 1973 through 2010, accepted cash and things of value from an
unlicensed bail bondsman in exchange for her permitting the unlicensed bondsman to use the name of another, licensed bondsman and to forge that licensed bondsman’s signature on official court documents.Upon sentencing, which is scheduled for September 17, 2013, ENCLARDE faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 5 years, a fine of $250,000.00 and 3 years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New Orleans Police Department, the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office, and the United States Attorney’s Office.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U. S. Attorney Dan Friel.
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St. Helena Parish Man, Christien Scott, Sentenced After Pleading Guilty to Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
CHRISTIEN SCOTT, 29, a resident of St. Helena Parish, was sentenced today by U. S. District Court Judge Jane Triche Milazzo to seventy months imprisonment after pleading guilty to cocaine and marijuana charges, announced U. S. Attorney Dana J. Boente. In addition to the term of imprisonment, Judge Milazzo ordered that SCOTT be placed on four years of supervised release following his term of imprisonment and risks an additional term of imprisonment should be violated any terms of supervised release.
SCOTT pled guilty on March 12, 2013 to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute crack cocaine and marijuana and one count each of possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
The investigation was conducted by Special Agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U. S. Attorney Andre’ Jones.