Eastern District of Louisiana
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Sanjoy Bhattacharya Charged with False Statements to an Agency of the United StatesRead the Press Release
SANJOY BHATTACHARYA, age 56, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was charged in a one-count indictment filed today for false statements to an agency of the United States, announced U. S. Attorney Dana J. Boente.
According to the Bill of Information, prior to and during the time of Hurricane Katrina, BHATTACHARYA resided on Tyler Drive in Slidell, Louisiana. On or about September 21, 2007, BHATTACHARYA applied for funds from the Louisiana Road Home Program claiming his primary residence at the time of the storm was on Joseph Street in New Orleans, a property he knew was leased to and inhabited by his tenants at time of the storm. As a result of the false statements in his application, BHATTACHARYA fraudulently received approximately $84,423 from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”), an agency and department of the United States.
If convicted, BHATTACHARYA faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five (5) years, a $250,0000 fine, restitution to the HUD, three (3) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a $100 special assessment.
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.The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U. S. Attorney Julia K. Evans.
(Download Indictment )
Rafael Antonio Murillo Indicted on Illegal Re-entry ChargeRead the Press Release
RAFAEL ANTONIO MURILLO, age 41, a citizen of El Salvador, was charged today in a one-count indictment by a Federal Grand Jury for illegal re-entry by an alien previously removed, announced U. S. Attorney Dana J. Boente.
According to court documents, on or about December 19, 2012, MURILLO, an alien who had previously been removed from the United States, was found in the United States, in Jefferson Parish 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, MURILLO, who was convicted of a felony prior to his previous removal, faces a maximum term of imprisonment of ten (10) years, a fine of $250,000 and three (3) 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 defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.The case was investigated by U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) - Enforcement and Removal Operations with the assistance of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U. S. Attorney Robert Weir.
(Download Indictment )
Dr. David G. Millaud Pleads Guilty to Defrauding the Small Business AdministrationRead the Press Release
DR. DAVID G. MILLAUD, age 52, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Court Judge Eldon E. Fallon to a one-count Superseding Bill of Information for theft of government funds in connection a disaster loan that he received from the Small Business Administration, announced U.S. Attorney Dana Boente.
According to the Bill of Information, MILLAUD submitted false invoices to the Small Business Administration in order to support his request for a loan disbursement. As a result of the false invoices, MILLAUD received a loan disbursement totaling $56,449.91in government funds to which he was not entitled.
MILLAUD faces a maximum term of five (5) years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000 and three (3) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.
The case was investigated by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of the Inspector General, Small Business Administration, Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U. S. Attorney Spiro G. Latsis.
(Download Factual Basis )
“murder Squad” Brothers Plead Guilty to Violations of Rico Conspiracy, the Federal Gun Control and Controlled Substances Acts, and Aiding and AbettingRead the Press Release
DANTE CARSON, age 21, and, DWIGHT CARSON, age 22, both of Algiers, Louisiana pled guilty in federal court today before U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk to Violations of the Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organization Act, the Federal Gun Control and Controlled Substances Acts, and Aiding and Abetting, announced U.S. Attorney Dana J. Boente.
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 where he will be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 360 months. The Court may accept or reject the plea agreement.DWIGHT CARSON, pled guilty to Count 1 - RICO Conspiracy; Count 2 - Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute 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 where he will be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 240 months. The Court may accept or reject the plea agreement.This case arose out of a joint investigation by ATF, FBI, 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.
Sentencing for the named defendants is set for April 18, 2013 before United States District Judge Lance M. Africk.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Federal Bureau Investigation, and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Duane A. Evans and Bill McSherry.
(Download Plea - Dante Carson )
(Download Plea - Dwight Carson )
Michael Page Charged with Federal Drug ViolationRead the Press Release
MICHAEL PAGE, age 36, a resident of Slidell, Louisiana, was charged today in a one-count indictment by a Federal Grand Jury for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine base (“crack”), announced United States Attorney Dana J. Boente.
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 28 grams of crack cocaine.
If convicted of this offense, PAGE faces a maximum of 40 years of incarceration, a maximum fine of $5,000,000, and four years of supervised release.
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 initiated by the Narcotics Unit of the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office and investigated with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Edward J. Rivera.
(Download Indictment )
Defendant’s Plead Guilty to Violations of the Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organization Act, the Federal Gun Control and Controlled Substances Acts, and Obstruction of JusticeRead the Press Release
TRAVIS HUDSON, age 29; RODERICK WIGGINS, age 22; SHAYNE LEBLANC, age 40, all residents of Harvey, Louisiana; as well as TOREY RICHARDSON, age 21, a resident of Marrero, Louisiana; and AKAI SULLIVAN, age 27, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, all pled guilty in federal court yesterday before U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk to Violations of the Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organization Act, the Federal Gun Control and Controlled Substances Acts, and Obstruction of Justice, announced
U. S. Attorney Dana J. Boente.TRAVIS HUDSON
Pled guilty to:
Count 1 – RICO Conspiracy
Possible sentence – maximum term of life imprisonment, a maximum fine of $250,000.00 and a five years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.Count 21 – Distribution of Cocaine Base.
Possible sentence – maximum of twenty (20) years imprisonment, a maximum fine of $1,000,000.00, and three (3) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonmentRODERICK WIGGINS and TOREY RICHARDSON, both pled guilty to:
Count 1 – RICO Conspiracy
Possible sentence – each face a maximum term of life imprisonment, a maximum fine of $250,000.00 and five years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.Count 2 – Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute over 25 grams Cocaine Base
Possible sentence – each face a maximum term of life imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000,000.00 and at least five (5) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.Count 5 – Conspiracy to Possess Firearms During and In Relation to Crimes of Violence and Drug Trafficking Offenses
Possible sentence – each face a maximum of twenty (20) years imprisonment, a maximum fine of $250,000.00, and at least three (3) years supervised release following any term of imprisonment.SHAYNE 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.
LEBLANC faces a maximum term of imprisonment of twenty (20) years imprisonment, a maximum of $1,000,000.00 in fines and at least three (3) years supervised release following any term of imprisonment.AKAI SULLIVAN, pled guilty to Count 6 Obstruction of Justice. SULLIVAN faces a maximum of twenty (20) years imprisonment, a maximum of $250,000.00 in fines and a maximum of three (3) years supervised release following any term of imprisonment.
This case arose out of a joint investigation by ATF, FBI, 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. 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.
Sentencing for these defendants is scheduled for April 18, 2013.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Federal Bureau Investigation, and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Duane A. Evans and Bill McSherry.
(Download Indictment - TRAVIS HUDSON )
(Download Indictment - RODERICK WIGGINS )
(Download Indictment - TOREY RICHARDSON )
(Download Indictment - SHAYNE LEBLANC )
(Download Indictment - AKAI SULLIVAN )
Ryan Michael Burras Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Import Violations and to Violate Fda Laws by Mislabeling and Distributing Synthetic MarijuanaRead the Press Release
RYAN MICHAEL BURRAS, age 23, a resident of Slidell, Louisiana, pled guilty in federal court today before U. S. District Judge Mary Ann Vial Lemmon to one count of an indictment charging him with conspiring to commit import violations and to violate the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act by mislabeling and distributing synthetic marijuana, announced U. S. Attorney Dana J. Boente.
According to court documents, beginning in the first half of 2010 and continuing through at least July 2011, BURRAS conspired with co-defendants, Cody Beaudette, Christopher Buelle, and C Square, L.L.C., a Slidell-based company, to knowingly receive, buy, and sell synthetic marijuana imported into the United States contrary to law, specifically causing the introduction and delivery of a drug that is adulterated and misbranded under Federal law. BURRAS’s role in the offense was to designed labels for C Square, L.L.C.’s brands of synthetic marijuana, and he also assisted in the distribution of C Square, L.L.C.’s synthetic marijuana brands. C Square, L.L.C.’s brands included “ZeRo GrAviTy”, “iAroma”, and “Primo,” among others.
BURRAS 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 April 17, 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 is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U. S. Attorney Robert Weir.
(Download Indictment )
Myles Fitzgerald Guidry Pleads Guilty to Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
MYLES FITZGERALD GUIDRY, age 48, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, pled guilty today before the U.S. District Court Judge Nanette Jolivette Brown to one-count of receipt of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Dana J. Boente.
According to court documents, GUIDRY downloaded images and videos depicting the sexual exploitation of children (“child pornography”) by receiving the images from other individuals with whom he communicated via the Internet. Pursuant to a search warrant, Special Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation recovered one computer that was determined to contain images and videos of child pornography. GUIDRY used an Internet-based, real-time video chat program to communicate with multiple individuals. During the course of a chat session conducted using the program, GUIDRY requested that the individual(s) with whom he was communicating send him images and videos depicting the sexual victimization of children.
GUIDRY faces a maximum penalty of twenty (20) years imprisonment, followed by up to a life term of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. He may also be required to register as a sex offender. Sentencing is currently scheduled for April 18, 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, 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.projectsafechildhood.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
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 Indictment )
Cristian Edgardo Mejia-diaz Pleads Guilty to Illegal Re-entryRead the Press Release
CRISTIAN EDGARDO MEJIA-DIAZ, age 25, a citizen of El Salvador, pled guilty in federal court today before U. S. District Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown to a one-count indictment charging him with illegal re-entry by a removed alien, announced U. S. Attorney Dana J. Boente.
According to court documents, on November 13, 2012, MEJIA, an alien who had previously been removed from the United States, was found in Jefferson Parish, 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.
The single count carries a maximum statutory penalty of two (2) years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and one (1) year of supervised release following any term of imprisonment. Sentencing is scheduled for April 18, 2013 at 10:00 A.M.The case was investigated by U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations with assistance from the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U. S. Attorney Robert Weir.
(Download Indictment )
Darvell Hall Sentenced to 7 Years for Filing False Tax Returns and Wire FraudRead the Press Release
DARVELL HALL, age 32, of New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Sarah Vance to seven (7) years for making false claims to an agency of the United States and Wire Fraud, announced United States Attorney Dana Boente. In addition to the term of imprisonment, Judge Vance ordered HALL to pay full restitution in the amount of $317,389. HALL was also ordered to pay a $200.00 special assessment fee.
According to court documents, HALL prepared, and caused to be prepared, taxes for individuals located throughout the New Orleans metropolitan area without their knowledge or authorization. To do this, HALL obtained personal information, including the name, date of birth, and Social Security Number, of individuals without their knowledge or permission, and he used this information to file unauthorized tax returns in the names of these individuals. Many of these individuals were either minors or incarcerated at the time the tax returns were filed. The individuals did not know HALL and did not authorize HALL to prepare or file a tax return using their name or on their behalf. HALL prepared and filed with the Internal Revenue Service, approximately forty-eight (48) United States Individual Tax Returns from March 2009 through in or about March 2011 resulting in an attempted loss to the Government of approximately $317,389. When preparing those forty-eight (48) tax returns, HALL included a variety of false statements and information designed to qualify the returns for various credits and refunds. HALL arranged to have the refunds electronically deposited into bank accounts under his control. He neither informed the individuals for whom he was filing tax returns that he was filing such returns, nor shared any of the refund with the individuals.
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigations Division. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Ginsberg.
W&t Offshore, Inc. Pleads Guilty and Is Sentenced for Violations of Clean Water Act Related to Offshore Production in Gulf of MexicoRead the Press Release
W&T OFFSHORE, INC., a publicly traded company with offices in Houston, Texas and New Orleans, Louisiana was sentenced today to pay a total monetary penalty of $1,000,000 by United States District Court Judge Eldon E. Fallon after pleading guilty to one felony count of violating Title 33, United States Code, Section 1319(c)(4) for tampering with, falsifying or rendering inaccurate a monitoring method required to be maintained under the Clean Water Act, and one misdemeanor count of violating Title 33, United States Code, Section 1319(c)(1)(a) for the negligent discharge of oil into the waters of the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Dana J. Boente.
According to the court documents the charges stem from conduct on W&T OFFSHORE, INC.’s, EW 910 Platform, a manned, offshore facility designed for the production of oil and gas located in the Gulf of Mexico. From at least January 1, 2009, and continuing to present, W&T OFFSHORE, INC., operated EW 910 Platform and was required to conduct its production operations on EW 910 Platform in accordance with a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit which imposed limitations upon the type and amount of pollutants that W&T OFFSHORE, INC., was legally allowed to discharge into the Gulf of Mexico. As required by the NPDES Permit, W&T OFFSHORE, INC., collected and submitted monthly samples of its produced water discharged from EW 910 Platform into the Gulf of Mexico to a laboratory for testing to determine whether the quantity of oil and grease contained in the produced water did not exceed a daily maximum of 42mg/l and a monthly average of 29 mg/l as required by its Permit.
However, on at least six occasions from on or about January 1, 2009, through on or about December 31, 2009, employees of a contractor working for W&T OFFSHORE, INC., on EW 910 Platform ran the produced water samples collected through coffee filters before submitting the samples to the laboratory for testing. Running the produced water samples through coffee filters before it went into the sample jars resulted in the samples not being representative of actual produced water discharge conditions. The employees of the contractor working for W&T OFFSHORE, INC., who tampered with the testing believed that running the produced water samples through the coffee filters would ensure that the samples did not fail the laboratory tests, and thus, W&T OFFSHORE, INC., would not incur additional laboratory costs and regulatory scrutiny.
Court documents also reveal that on or about November 22, 2009, a process upset on the EW 910 Platform resulted in the release of oil from the facility’s flare boom that coated sections of the open grating on the platform and production equipment. Visible oil staining remained on the platform after a professional cleaning company worked for three days to clean the platform. On or about November 27, 2009, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) inspectors arrived at EW 910 Platform and observed oil on the platform and a light, visible sheen on the water around the platform due to ongoing cleaning efforts. W&T OFFSHORE, INC., had not reported the sheen to the Coast Guard National Response Center at the time the BSEE inspector arrived despite the visible sheen on the water.
W&T OFFSHORE, INC., was sentenced to pay a total monetary penalty of $1,000,000 with $700,000 designated as fines and $300,000 designated as community service payments. W&T OFFSHORE, INC., was placed on a three year term of probation during which the company is required to have the majority of its 107 offshore facilities audited pursuant to the Safety and Environmental Management Systems (“SEMS”) audit as described in Title 30, C.F.R. Part 250. According to the Environmental Compliance Plan, by the end of the last year of probation, 75% of W&T OFFSHORE, INC.’s, Gulf of Mexico facilities will have been audited.
"We appreciate the efforts of the Department of Justice in reaching this agreement," said
Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) Director James A. Watson. "We are committed to holding companies accountable for operating in a safe and environmentally responsible manner, and we will continue to work closely with DOJ to enforce the laws and regulations governing offshore energy exploration, development and production activities."Mary Kendall, Deputy Inspector General of the Department of Interior, Office of
Inspector General said, "This settlement, the result of collaboration and cooperation between the OIG, DOJ, EPA and BSEE, should send a clear message to deter companies from engaging in fraudulent and noncompliant activities."“One of EPA’s primary missions is to ensure that federal laws protecting human health and the environment are enforced fairly and effectively. To do that, we must receive accurate and honest tests and measurements,” said Ivan Vikin, Special Agent in Charge of EPA’s criminal enforcement program in Louisiana. “Violators who submit false information and illegally discharge pollutants undermine our efforts to protect the public and the environment. These illegal actions cannot and will not be tolerated.”
This case was referred by the Houma District of the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, investigated by the U.S. Department of Interior-OIG and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-CID. The case was prosecuted by Emily K. Greenfield and Dorothy Manning Taylor.
(Download Joint Factual Statement )
Kevin Alexander Santamaria-oviedo Sentenced for Unlawful Transfer of Identification Documents and Possession of Document-making ImplementsRead the Press Release
KEVIN ALEXANDER SANTAMARIA-OVIEDO, age 22, a citizen of El Salvador, was sentenced today in federal court by U. S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo to twenty-one (21) months imprisonment, announced U. S. Attorney Dana Boente. In addition to the term of imprisonment, Judge Milazzo ordered that SANTAMARIA 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 his supervised release.
According to court documents, on September 27, 2012, SANTAMARIA pled guilty to knowingly transferring a fraudulent Social Security card and a fraudulent Permanent Resident Card (also known as a “green card”) on April 4, 2012, knowing that such documents were produced without lawful authority, and the false identification documents appear to have been issued by or under the authority of the United States. SANTAMARIA also pled guilty to possession of document-making implements, specifically a card printer, with intent that the document-making implements would be used to produce false identification documents. SANTAMARIA illegally entered the United States. SANTAMARIA’s wife, JENNIFER MARILYN HERRERA, was sentenced to a two-year term of probation on December 20, 2012 for her role in the scheme.
The case was investigated by the U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations. The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U. S. Attorney Robert Weir.