District of Massachusetts

BOSTON – A California man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Worcester for his role in a conspiracy to traffic drugs from California to Western Massachusetts and launder the proceeds.

Victor Hugo Gonzalez, 27, of Perris, Calif., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman to 76 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In July 2020, Gonzalez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine and conspiracy to commit money laundering. 

On July 26, 2016, as part of a Mexican drug trafficking organization (DTO), Gonzalez traveled from California to Western Massachusetts to oversee the arrival of 11 kilograms of cocaine and the subsequent laundering of the sale proceeds back to the DTO. On Aug. 2, 2016, in West Springfield, Gonzalez and a co-conspirator removed 11 kilograms of cocaine from a vehicle, which had arrived by car carrier from California, and transferred the cocaine into the co-conspirator’s apartment. These kilograms were subsequently broken down, repackaged, and distributed. On Aug. 6 and 8, 2016, Gonzalez made multiple structured cash deposits at banks in Hartford and Bloomfield, Conn., thus laundering the proceeds of the drug transactions into multiple bank accounts held by individuals in California. 

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Brian Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Joleen Simpson, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston made the announcement today. DEA’s Carlsbad Resident Office, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Westfield Police Department assisted in the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil Desroches, Catherine Curley and Steven H. Breslow of Lelling’s Springfield Office prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A Boston man was arrested last night and charged with illegally carrying a loaded pistol. The defendant, who allegedly purchased a firearm and body armor, and material that could be used to assemble explosives, adheres to the anti-government/anti-authority sovereign citizen extremist ideology.

Pepo Herd El a/k/a Pepo Wamchawi Herd (El), 47, of Dorchester, was charged by criminal complaint with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Following an initial appearance, El was detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for Dec. 2, 2020.

According to the criminal complaint, El is suspected of compiling chemicals that can be used to manufacture explosives and has been under law enforcement surveillance.

It is alleged that in the early afternoon of Nov. 26, 2020, El took a bus from his house in Dorchester to the Ruggles MBTA station. At Ruggles, El was detained and searched pursuant to a search warrant. During that search, law enforcement discovered that El was in possession of a loaded pistol, three spare magazines that were also fully loaded, a knife and a bullet-proof vest. El was also wearing a security jacket although he is not believed to work as a security guard. Due to a 2004 state conviction for possessing firearms without permits, El is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition. The investigation remains ongoing. 

The charging statute provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the United States Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. The investigation was conducted by FBI Boston’s Joint Terrorism Task Force with substantial assistance from the Boston Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amanda Beck and Benjamin Tolkoff of Lelling’s National Security Unit are prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the criminal complaint are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BOSTON – A Fall River woman was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury on child sexual exploitation charges.

Nichole Cyr, 25, was indicted on two counts of sexual exploitation of children. According to the indictment, Cyr produced child pornography involving two minors on various dates between November 2019 and July 2020. Cyr will make an initial appearance in federal court in Boston at a later date. She is currently in state custody.

The charging statute provides for a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years and up to 30 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the United States Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; David Magdycz, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III; Fall River Police Chief John M. Souza; and New Bedford Police Chief Joseph C. Cordeiro the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne Paruti, Lelling’s Project Safe Childhood Coordinator and Deputy Chief of the Major Crimes Unit, is prosecuting the case.

The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood.  In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse.  Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.

The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BOSTON – A Sutton man was arrested and charged today with possession of child pornography.

Oliver Smith, 45, a citizen of Sweden and the United States, was charged by criminal complaint with possession of child pornography. Following an initial appearance this afternoon before Magistrate Judge David H. Hennessy, Smith was detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for Dec. 3, 2020.

According to the criminal complaint, on Nov. 15, 2020, after receiving investigative information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and Swedish law enforcement authorities, and conducting its own investigation, federal agents executed a search warrant at Smith’s Sutton residence and seized several devices. A preliminary forensic review of devices seized revealed images and videos of child pornography. During an interview with federal agents, Smith admitted that he had downloaded child pornography upon his return to the U.S. from Sweden.

Members of the public who have questions, concerns or information regarding this case should call 617-748-3274.

The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a mandatory minimum of five years and up to life of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the United States Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian C. Rabbitt of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; David Magdycz, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; and Sutton Police Chief Dennis J. Towle made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Noto of Lelling’s Worcester Branch Office and Jessica Urban of the Justice Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section are prosecuting the case.

The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood.  In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse.  Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.

The details contained in the criminal complaint are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 

BOSTON – A Peabody man pleaded guilty today in connection with over a dozen armed robberies throughout greater Boston.

Luis Cintron, 41, pleaded guilty to 14 counts of interfering with commerce by robbery and conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery. He also pleaded guilty to charges of possession of cocaine and cocaine base with intent to distribute. U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani scheduled sentencing for March 12, 2021. In March 2018, Cintron was arrested and charged by criminal complaint.

Cintron was involved in the robbery of 15 convenience stores in the greater Boston area between Dec. 28, 2017 and Feb. 15, 2018. During each of the robberies, which occurred in East Boston, Chelsea, Lynn, Winthrop, Peabody, and Everett, two robbers entered the store wearing masks and wielding a firearm. During a Jan. 8, 2018, robbery in Lynn, one of the robbers fired a gun at a clerk who had followed the robbers out of the store.

Each charge of interfering with commerce by robbery provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of possession of 28 grams or more of cocaine base with intent to distribute provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, at least eight years and up to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $8 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Boston Police Commissioner William Evans; Chelsea Police Chief Brian Kyes; Lynn Police Chief Michael Mageary; Winthrop Police Chief Terence M. Delehanty; Peabody Police Chief Thomas M. Griffin; and Everett Police Chief Dan Templeman made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Richardson of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

BOSTON – A North Attleboro man pleaded guilty today to child pornography offenses.

Nicholas Robillard, 39, pleaded guilty to one count each of distribution and possession of child pornography. U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs scheduled sentencing for March 18, 2021. Robillard was indicted in October 2019.

Robillard distributed and possessed child pornography on various dates between Oct. 16, 2018 and Feb. 14, 2019.

Based on his prior record, Robillard faces a minimum sentence of 15 years and up to 40 years in prison on the charge of distribution of child pornography, and a minimum of 10 years and up to 20 years in prison on the charge of possession of child pornography. Both offenses provide for a minimum of five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; David Magdycz, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; and Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today. The Bristol County District Attorney’s Office provided assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne Paruti, Lelling’s Project Safe Childhood Coordinator and Deputy Chief of the Major Crimes Unit, is prosecuting the case.

The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood.  In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse.  Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.

A Sutton, Massachusetts, man was arrested and charged today with possession of child pornography.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian C. Rabbitt of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Andrew E. Lelling for the District of Massachusetts, Acting Special Agent in Charge David Magdycz of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, and Sutton Police Chief Dennis J. Towle made the announcement.

Oliver Smith, 45, a citizen of Sweden and the United States, was charged by criminal complaint with possession of child pornography.  Following an initial appearance this afternoon before Magistrate Judge David H. Hennessy, Smith was detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for Dec. 3, 2020.

According to the criminal complaint, on Nov. 15, 2020, after receiving investigative information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and Swedish law enforcement authorities, and conducting its own investigation, federal agents executed a search warrant at Smith’s Sutton residence and seized several devices.  A preliminary forensic review of the seized devices revealed images and videos of child pornography.  During an interview with federal agents, Smith admitted that he had downloaded child pornography upon his return to the United States from Sweden.

Jessica Urban of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Noto of the District of Massachusetts' Worcester Branch Office are prosecuting the case. The case is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, and the Sutton Police Department.

The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood.  In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse.  Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.

The details contained in the complaint are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice.  Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

BOSTON – United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling announced today that the District of Massachusetts has been allocated funding to hire an Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) to focus on prosecuting cases involving fraudulent schemes to unlawfully obtain unemployment insurance (UI) benefits and related offenses through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020.

The CARES Act allocated $270 billion for supplemental federal UI benefits. Additionally, President Donald J. Trump directed that $44 billion in federal Disaster Relief Funds be used to provide supplemental UI benefits to eligible claimants. The substantial increase in funding for UI benefits spurred a dramatic spike in UI fraud across the country, resulting in the theft of federal funds intended to help those struggling with unemployment during the current pandemic and economic crisis. 

As part of its ongoing effort to investigate and prosecute fraud stemming from the Coronavirus pandemic, the District of Massachusetts will hire an AUSA for a one-year term, with the possibility of a one-year extension. 

“Unfortunately, there are those who take advantage of national crises to enrich themselves at the expense of American taxpayers,” said U.S. Attorney Lelling. “From the onset of the pandemic, my office has aggressively investigated and prosecuted scams and fraud related to this national crisis, including efforts to steal funds intended for the millions of Americans who suddenly find themselves out of work and without an income. I look forward to doubling down on our prosecutions of unemployment insurance fraud with the welcomed addition of a prosecutor focused solely on these cases.”

The U.S. Department of Justice, in close coordination with the U.S. Department of Labor and other federal agencies, created the U.S. Department of Justice National Unemployment Insurance Fraud Task Force. This task force is charged with investigating numerous CARES Act fraud schemes targeting the unemployment insurance programs of state workforce agencies and will work closely with United States Attorneys’ Offices to prosecute those individuals who have fraudulently diverted these funds from those struggling with unemployment. 

The Department encourages the public to report suspected fraud schemes related to COVID-19 to the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) hotline by phone at (1-866-720-5721) or via an online reporting form available at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

BOSTON – A Chelsea man pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to robbing 11 convenience and variety stores in 2017 and 2018. At the time of the offenses the defendant was on federal supervised release after having had his federal sentence reduced following a Supreme court decision. 

Rigoberto Ramirez, 47, pleaded guilty on Nov. 19, 2020 to 11 counts of armed robbery, one count of conspiracy to commit armed robbery, and one count of using and carrying a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock scheduled sentencing for March 22, 2021. Ramirez was arrested on March 28, 2019.

Between Dec. 9, 2017 and Jan. 24, 2018, a group of at least four individuals, including Ramirez, conspired to rob, and did rob, 10 convenience and variety stores in the greater Boston area, and attempted to rob another store. During a Jan. 8, 2018 robbery, a firearm was discharged.

Ramirez was sentenced to 12 years in prison following a conviction for distribution of cocaine base and conspiracy in in 2011, although that sentence was subsequently reduced to time served in 2016 based on a 2015 Supreme Court decision.

Each count of armed robbery and conspiracy to commit armed robbery carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of using a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence carries a minimum mandatory sentence of five years and up to life in prison, which must run consecutively to any other sentence imposed, up to five years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.  Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Boston Police Commissioner William Gross; Everett Police Chief Steven A. Mazzie; Chelsea Police Chief Brian Kyes; Lynn Police Chief Michael Mageary; Malden Police Chief Kevin Molis; Peabody Police Chief Thomas M. Griffin; and Winthrop Police Chief Terence Delehanty made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine and Robert E. Richardson of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit are prosecuting the case.

BOSTON – A Medford man was indicted by a federal grand jury on a charge of being a felon in possession of ammunition.

Kyle Evans, 34, was indicted on Nov. 19, 2020 on one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition.   

According to the indictment, on Aug. 4, 2020, in Everett, Evans possessed four rounds of .22LR caliber ammunition. Due to a prior conviction punishable by at least one year in prison, Evans is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.

The charging statute provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; Everett Police Chief Steven A. Mazzie; and Medford Police Chief Jack D. Buckley made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BOSTON – A Dominican national was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for Social Security fraud and theft of government money.

Jesus Barbosa Pimentel, 56, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper to 18 months in prison and two years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $47,762 in restitution and will face deportation proceedings. In September 2020, Barbosa Pimentel pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful reentry, one count of false representation of a Social Security number and two counts of theft of government money. He was arrested and charged in June 2019.

On Oct. 7, 2015, Barbosa Pimentel, who was deported from the United States in 1998, applied for a Massachusetts identification card using the name and Social Security number of a U.S. citizen. Based on the application, Barbosa Pimentel was issued an identification card in the name of the U.S. citizen. Barbosa Pimentel also used that name and Social Security number to receive Section 8 housing assistance and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, formerly known as Food Stamps. He fraudulently received $32,352 in Section 8 benefits over more than six years, and $15,409 in SNAP benefits over 10 years.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; David Magdycz, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Phillip Coyne, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General; Tonya Perkins, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division; Christina Scaringi, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Regional Office; Michael Mikulka, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations; Jonathan Davidson, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service, Boston Field Office; Joseph W. Cronin, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Massachusetts State Auditor Suzanne M. Bump made the announcement. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Burzycki of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case. 

BOSTON – A Chelsea man pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Semaj Leary, 26, pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled sentencing for March 17, 2021. Leary was indicted in December 2019.

On Aug. 15, 2019, Leary was found in possession of a 9mm Glock semi-automatic pistol, seven rounds of R-P 9mm caliber ammunition, four rounds of WIN 9mm caliber ammunition, two rounds of VPT 9mm caliber ammunition, one round of WCC 9mm caliber ammunition, one round of Tulammo 9mm caliber ammunition and an extra magazine. Leary had previously been convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm and other crimes punishable by more than a year in jail, and therefore was prohibited from possessing firearms.

The charging statute provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Kelly Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; Suffolk County District Attorney Rachel Rollins; and Boston Police Commissioner William Gross made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mackenzie Queenin of Lelling’s Criminal Division is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

BOSTON – A Boston man made an initial appearance today in federal court in Boston after he was charged with robbing a bank in Boston on Nov. 13, 2020. At the time, the defendant was on supervised release and on electronic monitoring, after being convicted of committing two bank robberies in 2016.

Stephen D. Williams, 56, was charged by criminal complaint with one count of bank robbery. Williams, who is currently on supervised release for two 2016 bank robberies, was arrested on state charges on Nov. 13, 2020. Williams was detained following an initial appearance before Magistrate Judge Judith Dein this afternoon.

According to court documents, in March 2018, Williams was sentenced to 60 months in prison after pleading guilty to robbing two banks in 2016. In July 2020, Williams’s sentence was modified pursuant to a motion for compassionate release, and he was released from prison to home confinement on electronic monitoring.  According to the prosecutor at today’s hearing, Williams allegedly removed his court authorized electronic monitoring bracelet. 

According to charging documents, on Nov. 13, 2020, an individual wearing a grey knit cap, later identified as Williams, entered a branch of the Santander Bank in Boston. Williams passed the teller a note indicating a robbery and that he had a gun. The teller gave Williams $7,000 cash and Williams allegedly stuffed it into the pockets of the blue jacket he was wearing and exited the bank.

It is alleged that Williams was later observed a short distance from the bank counting money, removing his blue jacket and placing it into a black trash bag. A short time later, Williams was observed carrying the black trash bag. While Williams was being questioned by police, he dropped the trash bag and after a brief chase was arrested. Inside the black trash bag, a blue jacket, grey knit cap and a large sum of cash in excess of $7,000 was recovered.  

The charge of bank robbery provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.  

​​United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Boston Police Commissioner William Gross; and Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

​​The details contained in charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BOSTON – A Worcester restaurant manager was sentenced today in federal court in Worcester for conspiring with the wife of a convicted drug dealer to use drug proceeds to renovate and operate a Shrewsbury Street restaurant.

Joseph Herman, 37, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman to 22 months in prison and one year of supervised release. Herman will also be ordered to pay forfeiture to be determined at a later date. In January 2019, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering, making false statements to federal investigators and attempted witness tampering.

Between May 2017 and September 2017, Herman conspired with co-defendant Stacey Gala to launder the proceeds of illegal drug sales by Gala’s husband, Kevin A. Perry Jr.   Herman worked as the manager of The Usual, a Worcester restaurant owned and operated by Perry and Gala. Herman admitted that, after Perry’s arrest in March 2017, he and Gala conspired to use Perry’s drug proceeds to renovate the restaurant and to reopen the business under a new name, “The Chameleon,” and ostensibly under new ownership.  Herman also admitted that he lied to federal investigators about the source of the funds used to renovate the restaurant, and attempted to convince another witness to falsely testify about Herman’s involvement in the money laundering scheme.

In October 2017, Perry pleaded guilty to money laundering and drug distribution charges and was sentenced to 14 years in prison. In September 2020, Gala was sentenced to time served and three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division; Joseph W. Cronin, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Boston; and Steven Sargent, Chief of the Worcester Police Department made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Greg A. Friedholm and John T. Mulcahy of Lelling’s Worcester Branch Office, prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A U.S. Postal employee was arrested today and charged in connection with stealing mail on at least 21 occasions.

Angela Gomez, 40, of Lynn, was charged in a criminal complaint with theft of mail by an employee. Gomez made an initial appearance in federal court in Boston this afternoon.

According to charging documents, postal inspectors received information that customers in Lynn reported missing mail. For example, one USPS customer reported that an expected Lilly Pulitzer gift card never arrived in the mail. Further investigation revealed that USPS City Carrier Assistant Angela Gomez handled that particular customer’s route. Records indicated that the expected gift card was used in January 2020 for purchases delivered to Gomez’s then-home address and that the corresponding email address belonged to Gomez. Subsequent surveillance of Gomez during the performance of her duties revealed that she rifled through and stole mail on 21 separate occasions. 

The charging statute provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Matthew Modafferi, Special Agent in Charge, North East Area Field Office, United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General; and William Kalb, Special Agent in Charge of the North East Field Division, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugenia M Carris of Lelling’s Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the complaint are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BOSTON – A New Bedford man was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury with illegally possessing a Mustang .380 pistol and ammunition.

Victor Morales, 35, was indicted on one count of possessing a firearm and ammunition while being a convicted felon.

According to the indictment, on or about July 20, 2020, Morales possessed a Colt MK IV Mustang .380 loaded pistol and 12 rounds of .380 caliber ammunition in his apartment. 

The charge of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; and New Bedford Police Chief Joseph C. Cordeiro made the announcement today. Assistant United States Attorney Evan Gotlob of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case. 

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BOSTON – A Worcester man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Nicholas Briggs, 21, was indicted on one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Briggs is currently in state custody and will make an initial appearance in federal court in Worcester at a later date.

According to court documents, on July 4, 2020, Briggs was arrested by police for carrying a loaded Glock pistol. Briggs is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to prior convictions punishable by more than one year in prison.

The charging statute provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Kelly Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Worcester Police Chief Steven M. Sargent made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Danial E. Bennett of Lelling’s Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN is part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BOSTON – A federal grand jury in Worcester returned a superseding indictment adding money laundering and tax fraud charges against a Worcester man already under indictment for cocaine and firearms charges.

William Hoey, 40, was indicted in a superseding indictment with two counts of money laundering and three counts of filing a false and fraudulent tax return.

These charges augment the November 2019 indictment charging Hoey with three counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and distribution of cocaine; one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine; one count of possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine; one count of using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a drug trafficking crime; and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

According to the indictment, Hoey was involved in at least two financial transactions involving proceeds from illegal controlled substances, and he knew that the transactions were designed to conceal the nature of the illegal proceeds. The first transaction involved an $80,400 check issued on Oct. 25, 2019. The second transaction occurred on March 24, 2020 and involved a check for approximately $87,000. It is further alleged that Hoey filed false and fraudulent tax returns for himself in 2016, 2017 and 2018 in which he falsely reported his total income for those years.

The charge of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and distribution of cocaine provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years and up to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. The charge of possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years and up to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million. The charge of using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, provides for a mandatory sentence of five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of money laundering provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $500,000. The charge of filing a false tax return provides for a sentence of up to three years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division; and Joleen Simpson, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Mulcahy of Lelling’s Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BOSTON – A Nigerian national pleaded guilty today in connection with defrauding victims using various online scams during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nosayamen Iyalekhue, 33, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel scheduled sentencing for March 4, 2021. Iyalekhue was arrested in June 2020 along with a co-defendant, Esogie Osawaru, 27, who pleaded guilty on Nov. 12, 2020.

Iyalekhue and Osawaru participated in a series of romance, pandemic unemployment insurance, and other online scams designed to defraud victims by convincing them to send money to accounts controlled by the defendants. To carry out the scams, the defendants used false foreign passports in the names of others, but with their photos, to open numerous bank accounts, and in turn directed the victims to send money to these accounts. Iyalekhue and Osawaru then rapidly withdrew the victims’ money from various bank branches and ATMs, often multiple times during a single day. The schemes included collecting unemployment insurance in the name of others during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The charging statute provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater, and forfeiture. The defendant is also subject to deportation proceedings. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Miron Bloom of Lelling’s Securities, Financial and Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.

BOSTON – A New Bedford man was indicted today by a federal grand jury with illegally possessing three firearms and ammunition.

Jose Montanez, 23, was indicted on one count of possessing a firearm and ammunition while being a convicted felon. Montanez will make an appearance in federal court in Boston tomorrow.

According to the indictment, on or about July 20, 2020, Montanez possessed a Smith and Wesson .380 Bodyguard; an H&R .22 caliber revolver; a Springfield XD-40 .40 caliber handgun; 6 rounds of .380 ammunition; and 279 rounds of .22 caliber ammunition inside of a hotel room he was staying in.

The charge of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; and New Bedford Police Chief Joseph C. Cordeiro made the announcement today. Assistant United States Attorney Evan Gotlob of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case. 

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BOSTON – A Dominican national was sentenced today for unlawful re-entry of a deported alien. After reentering the United States within months of being removed, the defendant was charged with a heroin-related offense and was in possession of a phone that had been used in a drug transaction with an individual who died of an apparent overdose.

Joel Perez Matos, 35, who resided in Boston, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to 48 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In August 2020, Matos pleaded guilty to unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported. He has been detained since his arrest in April 2020 and will be subject to deportation following his sentence.  

Perez Matos unlawfully re-entered the United States after being deported in December 2019. He had previously been removed in February 2016, and had unlawfully returned to the United States later that year.

On March 22, 2020, within a few months of having been removed from the United States, Perez Matos was arrested by local law enforcement in Stow and charged with a heroin-related offense. At the time of his arrest, Perez Matos was in possession of a cell phone that had been used the previous day to set up a drug transaction with a Massachusetts resident. On March 22, 2020, that resident died of an apparent drug overdose. When arrested, Perez Matos presented police with an out-of-state driver’s license in a fake name.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Todd Lyons, Field Office Director, Enforcement and Removal Operations, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Boston, made the announcement today. The Stow Police Department also provided valuable assistance.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Abely, Chief of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit, prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A Dominican national was sentenced today for distributing fentanyl.

Jose Guerrero-Soto, 26, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young to two years in prison and two years of supervised release. In July 2020, Guerrero-Soto pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 40 grams of more of fentanyl. Guerrero-Soto was initially charged by criminal complaint and has been in custody since Sept. 12, 2019.

With a companion, Guerrero-Soto sold over 40 grams of fentanyl to an undercover officer in Lawrence on Sept. 12, 2019.

United States Attorney Andrew Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Office; Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey; and Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney James R. Drabick of Lelling’s Criminal Division prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A Dominican national pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to heroin trafficking.

Angel Martinez-Peguero, 28, formerly of Lawrence, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, one count of possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and one count of  possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs scheduled sentencing for Jan. 14, 2021.

In January 2019, Angel Martinez-Peguero was charged along with his brother Alexander Martinez-Peguero, 39, who previously pleaded guilty.

On Dec. 20, 2018, investigators seized nearly one kilogram of heroin from the Martinez-Peguero brothers during a law enforcement operation in Lawrence. Investigators also seized a loaded semi-automatic pistol from Angel Martinez-Peguero’s waistband upon his arrest. During a search of the Martinez-Peguero brother’s residence agents seized over $15,000 cash and $17,000 worth of jewelry.

The charges of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin carry a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release and a fine of $5 million. The charge of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison to be served consecutive to any sentence imposed for the underlying drug trafficking crime. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew Lelling; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New England Division; and Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip C. Cheng of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.

BOSTON – A Dominican national previously residing in Lawrence was indicted by a federal grandy jury for fentanyl possession.

Esteban Nivar Araujo, 38, was indicted on one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. Araujo was charged by criminal complaint in October 2020 and arrested.

According to charging documents, on July 25, 2019, Nivar Araujo possessed with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.

This case is part of a coordinated enforcement operation in the Merrimack Valley called “Devil’s Highway.” The operation targeted the distribution of opioids, including fentanyl and heroin, and resulted in charges against a total of 40 people for federal drug offenses, with at least a dozen more individuals facing state charges.

The charging statute provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to 40 years in prison, a least four years of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew Lelling and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division made the announcement. Assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Andover Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles B. Weinograd of Lelling’s office is prosecuting the case.

BOSTON – A Woburn man was indicted yesterday in connection with a scheme to defraud an elderly relative of her interest in a three-family home. 

Giorgio “George” Fiorenza, 50, was charged with one count of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. Fiorenza was previously charged by criminal complaint and arrested on Aug. 27, 2020.

The indictment alleges that between August and September 2017, Fiorenza defrauded the victim into unknowingly signing a deed conveying her interest in the property to his wife, and forged the victim’s name on a kinship affidavit concerning title to the property, both of which he caused to be recorded. Fiorenza then took out a $750,000 loan in his wife’s name and secured by the property, and subsequently caused the lender to foreclose on the property. 

The charge of wire fraud provides a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss. The charge of aggravated identity theft provides a mandatory sentence of two years in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen A. Kearney of Lelling’s Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BOSTON – A former member of the Boston-based Devon Street Kings Chapter of the Massachusetts Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (“Latin Kings”) pleaded guilty today to racketeering charges.

Angel Ortiz, a/k/a “King Ortiz,” 26, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more commonly referred to as RICO conspiracy. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel scheduled sentencing for Feb. 25, 2021. Ortiz was arrested and charged in December 2019, at which time he was a member of the Devon Street Kings, a Boston-based Chapter of the Latin Kings.

Named for its origin on Devon Street in Boston, the Devon Street Kings or D5K Chapter of the Latin Kings, included approximately a dozen members. The Devon Street Kings, in turn, reported to the Massachusetts State Leadership of the Latin Kings, providing information, structure, funds and other resources to further the Latin Kings goals and directives in the state. During court proceedings today, Ortiz admitted to conspiring with the gang members to further the operations of the Latin Kings, by attending meetings and discussing crimes of violence and witness retaliation with his fellow gang members.

The Latin Kings are a violent criminal enterprise comprised of thousands of members across the United States. The Latin Kings adhere to a national manifesto, employ an internal judiciary and use a sophisticated system of communication to maintain the hierarchy of the organization. As alleged in court documents, the gang uses drug distribution to generate revenue, and engages in violence against witnesses and rival gangs to further its influence and to protect its turf.

In December 2019, a federal grand jury returned an indictment alleging racketeering conspiracy, drug conspiracy and firearms charges against 62 leaders, members and associates of the Latin Kings. Ortiz is the 21st defendant to plead guilty in the case.

The RICO conspiracy charge provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Commissioner Carol Mici of the Massachusetts Department of Correction; and Boston Police Commissioner William Gross made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was also provided by the FBI North Shore Gang Task Force and the Bristol County and Suffolk County District Attorney’s Offices.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Philip A. Mallard and Lauren Graber of Lelling’s Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.

The operation was conducted by a multi-agency task force through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply. More information on the OCDETF program is available here: https://www.justice.gov/ocdetf/about-ocdetf.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BOSTON – A leader of the Rhode Island Chapter of the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (“Latin Kings”) pleaded guilty today to conspiracy charges.

Joel Francisco, a/k/a “King Casper,” 42, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute cocaine. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel scheduled sentencing for March 3, 2021.  Francisco was arrested and charged in December 2019, at which time he was identified as a leader of the Rhode Island Chapter of the Latin Kings.

During the plea proceedings, Francisco admitted that in August 2019, he conspired with others to purchase cocaine from members of the Latin Kings in New Bedford for resale. On Sept. 4, 2019, Francisco was captured in a video recording purchasing approximately 186 grams of cocaine from members of the New Bedford Chapter in a deal facilitated by a co-conspirator. 

The Latin Kings are a violent criminal enterprise comprised of thousands of members across the United States. The Latin Kings adhere to a national manifesto, employ an internal judiciary and use a sophisticated system of communication to maintain the hierarchy of the organization. As alleged in court documents, the gang uses drug distribution to generate revenue, and engages in violence against witnesses and rival gangs to further its influence and to protect its turf.

In December 2019, a federal grand jury returned an indictment alleging racketeering conspiracy, drug conspiracy and firearms charges against 62 leaders, members and associates of the Latin Kings. Joel Francisco is the 22nd defendant to plead guilty in the case.

The conspiracy charge provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, supervised release for a minimum of three years, up to life, and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Commissioner Carol Mici of the Massachusetts Department of Correction made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was also provided by the FBI North Shore Gang Task Force and the Bristol County and Suffolk County District Attorney’s Offices. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard and Mark Grady of Lelling’s Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BOSTON – The former office manager of a Boston-based dental practice was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for bank fraud and tax fraud stemming from her embezzlement of funds from her former employer.

Yuliya Vaysglus, a/k/a Julia Vaysglus, 36, formerly of Hopkinton and now residing in Campbell, Calif., was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Mark L. Wolf to 41 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In June 2020, Vaysglus pleaded guilty to eight counts of bank fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft and three counts of filing false tax returns.

From 2009 until she was terminated in February 2015, Vaysglus was the office manager of a Boston-area dental practice where her duties included tracking client invoices, depositing insurance payments into the practice’s bank account, and recording those deposits for accounting purposes. Between 2009 and December 2014, Vaysglus embezzled more than $348,000 from the dental practice by diverting to herself at least 276 checks from various insurance companies for services rendered to patients. As part of the scheme, Vaysglus made the checks payable to herself, forged the signature of the dental firm’s owner on the checks, and deposited them into her bank account. Vaysglus failed to report the embezzled funds on her federal tax returns.  

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph W. Cronin, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Boston; and Joleen Simpson, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sara M. Bloom and Victor A. Wild of Lelling’s Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A Dominican national previously residing in Haverhill was sentenced today for fentanyl distribution and illegal firearm possession, among other charges.

Domingo Garcia Suero, 55, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge George A. O’Toole Jr. to 262 months in prison, eight years of supervised release and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $14,923. In May 2020, Garcia Suero pleaded guilty to five counts of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of a controlled substance, specifically fentanyl, unlawful possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, two counts of Social Security fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. Garcia Suero was arrested and charged in December 2017.

Garcia Suero filed applications with the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles to renew his driver’s license and with MassHealth to receive benefits. In both applications, Garcia Suero provided a name and Social Security number belonging to a United States citizen from Puerto Rico.

On five occasions in 2017, Garcia Suero sold and possessed fentanyl for sale. During a search of Garcia Suero’s apartment following his arrest, law enforcement recovered a Colt, model Police Positive .38 caliber revolver with an obliterated serial number and six rounds of .38 caliber ammunition. Garcia Suero has two prior drug trafficking convictions and is therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition.  

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; David Magdycz, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Phillip Coyne, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations; Brian Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Tonya Perkins, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Office; Christina Scaringi, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Regional Office; Michael Mikulka, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations; Jonathan Davidson, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service, Boston Field Office; Joseph W. Cronin, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Massachusetts State Auditor Suzanne M. Bump made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel Hemani of Lelling’s Health Care Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A Brockton man was arrested today and charged with illegally possessing a Smith & Wesson, .40 caliber pistol and ammunition.

David Dardy, 31, was indicted on one count of possessing a firearm and ammunition while being a convicted felon. Dardy will make an appearance in federal court in Boston this afternoon.

According to charging documents, on or about Sept. 19, 2020, Dardy possessed a Smith & Wesson, .40 caliber pistol. The firearm was loaded with five rounds of .40 caliber “Federal 40 S&W” ammunition, five rounds of .40 caliber “Perfecta 40 S.W.” ammunition, two rounds of .40 caliber “PPU 40 S&W” ammunition and one round of .40 caliber “FC NR 40 S&W” ammunition.   

The charge of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Boston Police Commissioner William Gross made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kaitlin R. O’Donnell of Lelling’s Organized Crime and Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BOSTON – A member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (“Latin Kings”) pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition following an investigation into an armed robbery in New Bedford and a shooting in Boston in April 2020.

Ramon Martinez, a/k/a “King Razor,” 26, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled sentencing for March 11, 2021. In July 2020, Martinez was charged by criminal complaint.

On April 30, 2020, an individual in New Bedford was robbed and punched by two men who were in a black Ford Fusion. The men put a knife to the victim’s back and stole his wallet and motorized scooter. The victim was targeted because he beeped his horn at a friend and the men in the Ford Fusion believed that the victim was honking at them.  Martinez, a known member of the Latin Kings, was later identified as one of the robbers and a warrant issued for his arrest.

Also on April 30, 2020, police responded to a report of shots fired in the area of Callender Street in Boston where three .45 caliber casings were recovered.  Martinez’s SnapChat account included postings related to this shooting incident.

On May 7, 2020, police witnessed Martinez exit a residence on Crapo Street in New Bedford and walk to the rear of a black Ford Fusion. They observed Martinez open the trunk and quickly close it, and then get into a nearby vehicle. Officers stopped the vehicle, placed Martinez under arrest for the April 30th armed robbery and located a set of keys for the Ford Fusion. In the trunk of the Fusion, a Glock Model 30S .45 caliber firearm with four rounds of ammunition was recovered. Ballistics testing matched the Glock Model 30S to the casings recovered on Callender Street.

Due to prior felony convictions, Martinez is prohibited from possessing firearms. Martinez was also known to investigators to be a member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings.

The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Charges related to the armed robbery in New Bedford remain pending in Bristol Superior Court and are being prosecuted by the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Kelly Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, New England Field Division; New Bedford Police Chief Joseph C. Cordeiro; and Boston Police Commissioner William Gross made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was also provided by the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of Lelling’s Organized Crime and Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.

BOSTON – A member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (“Latin Kings”) pleaded guilty today to drug conspiracy charges.

Ines Lugo, a/k/a “Queen China,” 42, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine base. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel scheduled sentencing for Feb. 24, 2021.  Lugo was charged in December 2019, at which time she was identified as a member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings.

During the plea proceedings, Lugo admitted that she conspired with other Latin Kings members and leaders to possess cocaine base (also known as “crack cocaine’) with the intent to distribute it.  Specifically, in August 2019 she conspired with others to obtain cocaine base from members of the Latin Kings in New Bedford for resale. On Aug. 24, 2019, Lugo was captured on video delivering cocaine base to another Latin Kings member in a trap house. 

The Latin Kings are a violent criminal enterprise comprised of thousands of members across the United States. The Latin Kings adhere to a national manifesto, employ an internal judiciary and use a sophisticated system of communication to maintain the hierarchy of the organization. As alleged in court documents, the gang uses drug distribution to generate revenue, and engages in violence against witnesses and rival gangs to further its influence and to protect its turf.

In December 2019, a federal grand jury returned an indictment alleging racketeering conspiracy, drug conspiracy and firearms charges against 62 leaders, members and associates of the Latin Kings. Ines Lugo is the 20th defendant to plead guilty in the case.

The charge of conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years and up to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Commissioner Carol Mici of the Massachusetts Department of Correction; and Worcester Police Chief Steven M. Sargent made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was also provided by the FBI North Shore Gang Task Force and the Bristol County and Suffolk County District Attorney’s Offices.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard and Lauren Graber of Lelling’s Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The Justice Department's Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts today concluded an investigation into conditions at the Massachusetts Department of Correction (MDOC).

The Justice Department concluded that there is reason to believe that the conditions violate the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution. The department concluded that there is reasonable cause to believe that the MDOC fails to provide constitutionally adequate supervision to prisoners in mental health crisis; fails to provide adequate mental health care to prisoners in mental health crisis; and violates the constitutional rights of prisoners in mental health crisis by using prolonged mental health watch under restrictive housing conditions. As a result of these failures and conditions, prisoners in mental health crisis have engaged in self-harm and have died or seriously injured themselves while on mental health watch. 

“Our investigation revealed that MDOC fails to provide adequate mental health treatment to prisoners experiencing a mental health crisis and instead exposes them to conditions that harm them or place them at serious risk of harm,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband for the Civil Rights Division. “Remedying these deficiencies promptly will ensure that we protect the constitutional rights of these vulnerable prisoners and promote public safety.”

“Our investigation found cause to conclude that the Massachusetts Department of Corrections fails to properly supervise and accommodate prisoners suffering from serious mental health issues,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew E. Lelling for the District of Massachusetts. “The conditions at MDOC facilities show how systemic deficiencies in prison facilities can compound each other and amount to constitutional violations. MDOC has cooperated with our investigation from the beginning and we look forward to working with state prison authorities to implement reform measures.”

As required by the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), the department provided the MDOC with written notice of the supporting facts for these alleged conditions and the minimum remedial measures necessary to address them.  

The Justice Department's comprehensive investigation involved review and analysis of documents, including policies and procedures, mental health records, incident reports, investigative reports, disciplinary reports, and training materials. The department also conducted tours of prison facilities and conducted interviews of administrative staff, security staff, mental health staff, and hundreds of prisoners. 

The Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts initiated the investigation in October 2018 under CRIPA, which authorizes the department to take action to address a pattern or practice of deprivation of constitutional rights of individuals confined to state or local government-run correctional facilities. The department is closing its investigation of geriatric and palliative medical care and restrictive housing other than the restrictive housing on mental health watch.

This investigation was conducted by attorneys with the Special Litigation Section of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts. Individuals with relevant information are encouraged to contact the department via phone at (833) 223-1550 or by email at [email protected].

Additional information about the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department is available on its website at www.justice.gov/crt.

BOSTON – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts and the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division have concluded an investigation into conditions at the Massachusetts Department of Correction (MDOC) and found reason to believe that the conditions violate the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution.

The Department determined that there is reasonable cause to believe that the MDOC fails to provide constitutionally adequate supervision to prisoners in mental health crisis; fails to provide adequate mental health care to prisoners in mental health crisis; and violates the constitutional rights of prisoners in mental health crisis by using prolonged mental health watch under restrictive housing conditions. As a result of these failures and conditions, prisoners in mental health crisis have engaged in self-harm and have died or seriously injured themselves while on mental health watch.

As required by the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), the Department provided the MDOC with written notice of the supporting facts for these alleged conditions and the minimum remedial measures necessary to address them.  The Department is closing the portion of the investigation related to restrictive housing and geriatric and palliative care.

“Our investigation found cause to conclude that the Massachusetts Department of Corrections fails to properly supervise and accommodate prisoners suffering from serious mental health issues,” said United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling. “The conditions at MDOC facilities show how systemic deficiencies in prison facilities can compound each other and amount to constitutional violations. MDOC has cooperated with our investigation from the beginning and we look forward to working with state prison authorities to implement reform measures.”

“Our investigation revealed that MDOC fails to provide adequate mental health treatment to prisoners experiencing a mental health crisis and instead exposes them to conditions that harm them or place them at serious risk of harm,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband for the Civil Rights Division.  “Remedying these deficiencies promptly will ensure that we protect the constitutional rights of these vulnerable prisoners and promote public safety.”

The Department’s comprehensive investigation involved review and analysis of documents, including policies and procedures, mental health records, incident reports, investigative reports, disciplinary reports and training materials. The Department also conducted tours of prison facilities and conducted interviews of administrative staff, security staff, mental health staff and hundreds of prisoners. 

The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Civil Rights Division initiated the investigation in October 2018 under the CRIPA, which authorizes the Department to take action to address a pattern or practice of deprivation of constitutional rights of individuals confined to state or local government-run correctional facilities.

Individuals with information are encouraged to contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office by phone at 888-221-6023 or via email at [email protected].  

The notice letter is posted here and the report is posted here.

U.S. Attorney Lelling and AAG Dreiband made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gregory Dorchak and Michelle Leung of Lelling’s Civil Rights Unit and Trial Attorneys from the Special Litigation Section of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division handled the matter.

BOSTON – A California couple was sentenced today for conspiracy charges in connection with securing the fraudulent admission of their daughter to the University of Southern California (USC) as a purported athletic recruit.

Diane Blake, 55, of Ross, Calif., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to six weeks in prison, two years of supervised release during which time she must complete 100 hours of community service and ordered to pay a fine of $125,000. In July 2020, Diane Blake pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud and honest services wire and mail fraud.

Todd Blake, 55, also of Ross, Calif., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to four months in prison, two years of supervised release during which time he must complete 100 hours of community service and ordered to pay a fine of $125,000. Todd Blake pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud and honest services wire and mail fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Beginning in 2017, the Blakes conspired with William “Rick” Singer and others to facilitate their daughter’s admission to USC as a purported volleyball recruit. Specifically, Singer had an athletic profile of their daughter created and sent to the USC athletic admissions committee, through co-conspirator Donna Heinel, then a USC athletics administrator. As a result, their daughter was allocated an athlete admission spot even though she was not actually recruited and did not play on the USC women’s volleyball team. The Blakes paid $50,000 to USC women’s athletics and $200,000 to Singer’s non-profit charity, The Key Worldwide Foundation, as a quid pro quo for the admission spot. The Blakes concealed this deal from USC personnel.

Diane and Todd Blake are the 24th and 25th parents to be sentenced in the college admissions case.  

Case information, including the status of each defendant, charging documents and plea agreements are available here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/investigations-college-admissions-and-testing-bribery-scheme.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justin D. O’Connell, Leslie A. Wright, Kristen A. Kearney, Karin M. Bell and Stephen E. Frank of Lelling’s Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BOSTON – The owner of a Chelmsford paving company was sentenced today for a payroll tax scheme resulting in a $300,000 tax loss.  

Robert W. Joyce, 59, of Carlisle, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to six months in prison, one year of supervised release and ordered to pay a $40,000 fine. In June 2020, Joyce pleaded to one count of willful failure to collect and pay over taxes.

For tax years 2012 through at least 2014, Joyce paid a portion of the wages to employees of his two companies, Allied Paving and Allied Equipment, “under the table.” He did so by paying them from his own personal bank account, rather than through the business accounts. In doing so, Joyce did not collect, account for, or pay the IRS the income withholding and FICA taxes that he, as the employer, was required to. Joyce also caused Allied Paving and Allied Equipment to file false returns with the IRS which underreported the actual wages he paid his employees, as well as the employment taxes due to the IRS. In total, Joyce caused a loss to the IRS of at least $331,060.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Joleen Simpson, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Miron Bloom of Lelling’s Securities, Financial & Cybercrime Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – The former fencing coach at Harvard College and a Maryland businessman were arrested today and charged with conspiring to secure the admission of the businessman’s two sons to Harvard in exchange for bribes totaling more than $1.5 million.

Peter Brand, 67, of Cambridge, Mass., and Jie “Jack” Zhao, 61, of Potomac, Md., were charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery. Brand will make an initial appearance at 2:00 pm in federal court in Boston. Zhao will make initial appearance today in federal court in Greenbelt, Md.

“This case is part of our long-standing effort to expose and deter corruption in college admissions,” said United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling. “Millions of teenagers strive for college admission every year. We will do our part to make that playing field as level as we possibly can.”

“Today’s arrests show how Peter Brand’s and Jie Zhao’s plan to circumvent the college admissions process ended up backfiring on both of them. Now they are accused of exchanging more than $1.5 million in bribes for their own personal benefit,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “The FBI will continue to work hard to identify others like them who are cheating the millions of kids laser-focused on getting into schools the right way.”

“As alleged, Peter Brand and Jie Zhao conspired in a scheme to secure the admission of Zhao’s two sons to Harvard College by recruiting them to join the men’s fencing team. The actions of both Brand and Zhao created an unfair playing field,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Joleen Simpson of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation Division. “I hope that the announcement of today’s charges against Brand and Zhao demonstrates to others that cheating to gain an unfair advantage will not be tolerated.”    

According to the charging documents, Brand, the former head coach of men’s and women’s fencing at Harvard, conspired with Zhao, the chief executive of a telecommunications company, to facilitate the admission of Zhao’s sons to Harvard by recruiting them to join the men’s fencing team in exchange for money.

It is alleged that in or about May 2012, Brand told a co-conspirator, “Jack doesn’t need to take me anywhere and his boys don’t have to be great fencers.  All I need is a good incentive to recruit them[.] You can tell him that[.]” In February 2013, as part of the alleged scheme, Zhao made a purported donation of $1 million to a fencing charity operated by a co-conspirator.  Zhao’s older son was admitted to Harvard as a fencing recruit in December 2013, and matriculated in the fall of 2014. Shortly thereafter, the charity passed $100,000 on to the Peter Brand Foundation, a charitable entity established by Brand and his spouse. Thereafter, Zhao began making payments to, or for the benefit of, Brand.

In total, Zhao made $1.5 million in payments to Brand, or for Brand’s personal benefit, even as Brand recruited Zhao’s younger son to the Harvard fencing team. Zhao allegedly paid for Brand’s car, made college tuition payments for Brand’s son, paid the mortgage on Brand’s Needham residence, and later purchased the residence for well above its market value, thus allowing Brand to purchase a more expensive residence in Cambridge that Zhao then paid to renovate. Zhao’s younger son matriculated to Harvard in 2017. The complaint alleges that Brand did not disclose the payments to Harvard when recruiting Zhao’s sons.

The charge of conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

U.S Attorney Lelling, FBI SAC Bonavolonta, and IRS-CI Acting SAC Simpson made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mackenzie A. Queenin of Lelling’s Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BOSTON – A Brazilian national who previously resided in Chelsea was charged with the April 21, 2020 armed robbery of Lanzilli’s Grocery in Boston.  

Diego Evangelista DaSilva, 33, was charged on Friday, Nov. 13, 2020 with one count of armed robbery. 

According to the charging documents, on April 21, 2020 at 8:20 p.m., an armed robbery occurred at Lanzilli’s Grocery in Boston. The robber was observed wearing a gray knit cap, a flesh colored mask, and a gray hooded sweatshirt with a red garment/jacket underneath. During the robbery, the robber passed a demand note to the clerk, made verbal demands for money and displayed what appeared to be a firearm tucked into the waistline of his pants. Following the robbery, law enforcement obtained surveillance photographs of the robber approaching Lanzillis, exiting the area, and at one point going between two buildings and later emerging wearing a red jacket and bulky clothing underneath. The robber then entered a store and used the store’s Wi-Fi to order a cab, which dropped off the robber near Washington Park in East Boston. 

​On April 26, 2020, law enforcement surveilled the area of Washington Park and observed an individual, who fit the physical description of the robber getting into and then driving away in a car. Law enforcement conducted a vehicle stop, determined that the driver, Da Silva, did not possess a driver’s license and detained him. During a later search of the car, a black semi-automatic BB gun was recovered under the vehicle’s seat, along with a gray knit cap. 

A search of DaSilva’s home led to the seizure of a red jacket and other items consistent with the clothing worn by the robber. DaSilva was later interviewed and admitted to robbing Lanzilli’s and to his involvement in 11 other armed robberies between Jan. 4, 2020 and April 20, 2020 in Greater Boston.

The charge of Hobbs Act robbery provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.   

​United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Kelly Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins; Boston Police Commissioner William Gross; Everett Police Chief Steven Mazzie; Chelsea Police Chief Brian Kyes; and Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

​​The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BOSTON – A Boston man, who is currently on supervised release for a 2010 bank robbery conviction, was indicted in connection with bank robbery.

Dennis C. Taylor, 47, was indicted by a federal grand jury on Nov. 12, 2020 on one count of bank robbery. He was arrested and charged by criminal complaint on Nov. 4, 2020.

According to charging documents, on April 29, 2020, Taylor, dressed in a dark hooded jacket, blue latex gloves and a facemask entered a branch of the Santander Bank on Massachusetts Avenue in Boston, approached a teller and demanded the money. The teller handed Taylor cash, which he placed in a white plastic bag and exited the bank. Included within the cash was a red dye pack. Surveillance cameras on Massachusetts Avenue captured video of Taylor exiting the area and running towards a local parking garage as the red dye pack exploded into a plume of red smoke. During a subsequent search of the parking garage, law enforcement recovered a white plastic bag containing red dye stained money and a pair of blue latex gloves, which were found to match Taylor’s DNA profile.

The charge of bank robbery provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Boston Police Commissioner William Gross made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BOSTON – A Providence, R.I. man was arrested and charged yesterday with firearms trafficking.  

Chiweze Ihunwo, 24, previously of Randolph, was charged by criminal complaint with engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license. Ihunwo will remain in federal custody pending a detention hearing.

According to the complaint, Ihunwo acquired numerous firearms in North Carolina and then re-sold them for a profit. In addition, Ihunwo allegedly made arrangements to sell firearms to a person who was soon thereafter arrested in connection with a June 23, 2020 shooting incident on I-95 in Providence, R.I. According to the charging, Ihunwo also made numerous social media posts referencing firearms or ammunition.

During a search of Ihunwo’s residence in Providence, an AK-style handgun and various rounds of ammunition were recovered.  

The charge of dealing in firearms without a license carries a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Kelly Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives made the announcement. Assistance was provided by the Randolph Police Department, the Providence Police Department and the Rhode Island State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Abely, Chief of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BOSTON – A Nigerian national pleaded guilty yesterday in connection with defrauding victims using various online scams during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Esogie Osawaru, 27, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock scheduled sentencing for March 11, 2021. Osawaru was arrested in June 2020 along with a co-defendant, Nosayamen Iyalekhue.

Osawaru and, allegedly, Iyalekhue participated in a series of romance, pandemic unemployment insurance, and other online scams designed to defraud victims by convincing them to send money to accounts controlled by the defendants. To carry out the scams, the defendants allegedly used false foreign passports in the names of others, but with their photos, to open numerous bank accounts, and in turn directed the victims to send money to these accounts. Osawaru and, allegedly, Iyalekhue then rapidly withdrew the victims’ money from various bank branches and ATMs, often multiple times during a single day. It is alleged that the schemes included collecting unemployment insurance in the name of others during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The charging statute provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater, and forfeiture. The defendant is also subject to deportation proceedings. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Miron Bloom of Lelling’s Securities, Financial and Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BOSTON – A Haverhill man was sentenced today for illegal firearm and drug possession.

Kevin Gomez, 32, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper to 70 months in prison and three years of supervised release. On Feb. 25, 2020, Gomez pleaded guilty to distribution of heroin and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Between August 2019 and October 2019, during an undercover investigation, agents seized from Gomez approximately 80 grams of heroin mixed with fentanyl, a Tec-9 pistol, an AR-15 rifle and two other pistols.

United States Attorney Andrew Lelling and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division made the announcement. The FBI’s North Shore Gang Task Force and the Massachusetts State Police conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip Cheng of Lelling’s Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

BOSTON – The former president of a private tennis academy in Texas was sentenced today in connection with his involvement in a scheme to use bribery to facilitate the admission of applicants to selective colleges and universities.

Martin Fox, 63, of Houston, Texas, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to three months in prison and 15 months of supervised release, with the first three months to be in home confinement. He must also complete 250 hours of community service. Fox was also ordered to pay a fine of $95,000 and forfeiture in the amount of $245,000. In November 2019, Fox pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit racketeering.

In 2015, Fox introduced co-conspirator William “Rick” Singer to Michael Center, a tennis coach at the University of Texas (U-Texas). Center facilitated the admission of a son of one of Singer’s clients to U-Texas as a purported tennis recruit in exchange for a bribe. In return for assisting with the bribe transaction, Singer paid Fox $100,000.

Between 2015 and 2018, Fox also agreed with Singer and others to facilitate cheating on the ACT and SAT college entrance exams. Fox funneled bribe payments from Singer to Niki Williams, a test administrator for the ACT and SAT, for four of Singer’s clients. In exchange, Williams allowed another co-conspirator, Mark Riddell, to purportedly proctor the exams, despite knowing that Riddell was not proctoring the exam consistent with ACT and SAT requirements. Singer typically paid Fox $25,000 per exam, a portion of which Fox funneled to Williams.

Singer, Center, Williams and Riddell previously pleaded guilty. Singer, Williams and Riddell are pending sentencing, and Center was sentenced in February 2020 to six months in prison.

Case information, including the status of each defendant, charging documents and plea agreements are available here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/investigations-college-admissions-and-testing-bribery-scheme.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Joleen Simpson, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston; and Mark Deckett, Resident Agent in Charge of the Department of Education, Office of Inspector General made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristen A. Kearney, Justin D. O’Connell, Leslie A. Wright, Stephen E. Frank and Karin M. Bell of Lelling’s Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.

BOSTON – The Chairman of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and the owner of an architecture firm were arrested today and charged in connection with a bribery scheme involving plans to build a resort and casino in Taunton. 

Cedric Cromwell, 55, of Attleboro, the Chairman of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, and David DeQuattro, 54, of Warwick, R.I., were each indicted on two counts of accepting or paying bribes as an agent (or to an agent) of an Indian tribal government and one count of conspiring to commit bribery. Cromwell was also indicted on four counts of extortion under color of official right and one count of conspiring to commit extortion. The defendants will make initial appearances via videoconference this afternoon.

“The charges allege that Mr. Cromwell violated the trust he owed the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe by committing extortion, accepting bribes and otherwise abusing his position,” said United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling. “Many American Indians face a host of difficult financial and social issues. They require - and deserve - real leadership. But it appears that Cromwell’s priority was not to serve his people, but to line his own pockets. We will continue to aggressively investigate public corruption, including by those who purport to serve our American Indian tribes.”    

“Instead of working honestly on behalf of the Mashpee Wampanoags as their duly elected representative, Cedric Cromwell is accused of using his position as Chairman of the Tribe to enrich himself by extorting tens of thousands of dollars in bribes and engaging in a conspiracy with David DeQuattro to commit bribery. These allegations are extremely troubling and indicate a disdain for the rule of law,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Both men’s alleged actions undercut the efforts of hard-working tribe members and betrayed their trust.  Cases like this fuel our commitment to rooting out public corruption, and as our investigation continues, we urge anyone with information to contact us.”

According to the indictment, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe’s Gaming Authority, led by Cromwell, contracted with an architecture-and-design company, owned by DeQuattro, in connection with the Tribe’s plans to build a resort and casino in Taunton. Between approximately July 26, 2014 and May 18, 2017, the architecture firm, through DeQuattro, provided Cromwell with a stream of payments and in-kind benefits valued at $57,549, and, in exchange, the architecture firm was paid approximately $4,966,287 under its contract with the Gaming Authority.

It is alleged that the payments to Cromwell included $44,000 in personal checks written by DeQuattro to CM International Consulting LLC, an entity owned by a friend of Cromwell. Cromwell directed his friend to deposit DeQuattro’s checks and use the funds to buy treasurer’s checks payable to either Cromwell or a shell entity that Cromwell had incorporated called One Nation Development. DeQuattro also wrote one $10,000 personal check directly to One Nation Development. The indictment alleges that Cromwell spent all of the money on personal expenses, including payments to his mistress. The president of the architecture firm authorized and signed company checks reimbursing DeQuattro for his payments to Cromwell, falsely characterizing the reimbursements as payroll expenses to conceal what they really were.

The alleged in-kind benefits included a used Bowflex Revolution home gym that DeQuattro and the architecture company’s president bought for Cromwell and had delivered to his home. They also agreed to pay for Cromwell’s weekend stay at a Boston hotel after Cromwell texted that he wanted DeQuattro to “get me a nice hotel room at the Four Seasons or a suite at the Seaport Hotel” for his birthday weekend, adding, “I am going to have a special guest with me.”

The charge of paying a bribe to an agent of an Indian tribal government, or being an agent of an Indian tribal government who accepts a bribe, provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of conspiring to commit bribery provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charges of extortion under color of official right and conspiring to commit extortion each provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

U.S. Attorney Lelling and FBI Boston SAC Bonavolonta made the announcement today. Assistance was provided by Attleboro Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Wichers of Lelling’s Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BOSTON – A Boston man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to drug distribution charges.

David A. Wood, 31, pleaded guilty to two counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine and one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for March 16, 2021. Wood was charged by criminal complaint and has been in custody since his arrest on Dec. 19, 2019.

According to the charging documents, Wood distributed fentanyl in Boston on Nov. 26 and Dec. 3, 2019, distributed crack cocaine in Boston on Dec. 10, 2019, and on Dec. 19, 2019, possessed fentanyl in Boston with the intent to distribute it.

The charge of distributing or possessing with intent to distribute controlled substances provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division made the announcement today.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

BOSTON – A federal grand jury in Boston indicted a Randolph man today on charges of child pornography.

Spencer Hughes, 38, was indicted on one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor and a minor who had not attained 12 years of age.  

Hughes was arrested and charged by criminal complaint on Oct. 13, 2020, following the execution of a search warrant at his residence. He has been released to home detention subject to electronic monitoring and prohibited from accessing the internet, among other pre-trial conditions.

According to charging documents, during the execution of a search warrant, an external hard drive on Hughes’ kitchen table was found to contain a folder labeled with a female’s name. The folder contained numerous pornographic images and videos of a female child appearing to be approximately 10 or 11 years old.

A forensic examination of Hughes’ phone revealed that defendant was using the Kik Messenger application to view dozens of images and videos of child pornography.

The charge of receipt of child pornography provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 20 years in prison, five years to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, five years to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and David Magdycz, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred M. Wyshak, III, of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit, is prosecuting the case.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.

BOSTON – An Illinois man, who previously lived in Massachusetts, was charged in federal court in Worcester with contempt after attempting to flee the United States.   

Ashokkumar Patel, a/k/a “Andy” Patel, 31, of Bartlett, Illinois, and formerly of Worcester and Plainville, Mass., was indicted on one count of contempt.

According to court records, Patel was convicted in June 2019 of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud and money laundering. As part of that case, Patel was released from custody pending sentencing, and was subject to court-ordered conditions of release which included, among other things, that his travel was restricted to Massachusetts, as well as parts of Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana. In September 2020, Patel was sentenced to 40 months in prison and ordered to self-report to the Bureau of Prisons on Nov. 3, 2020. 

It is alleged that on Oct. 15, 2020, Patel was encountered by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in a ditch in an area of blueberry fields in Canada, just over the Washington state border.  Patel was returned to the United States and arrested. 

Patel faces a sentence of up to six months in prison and a $1,000 fine on the contempt charge plus up to an additional year in prison for committing this offense while on release, which must be served consecutive to any sentence he receives for contempt. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. Assistance was provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Blaine Border Patrol Station in Washington. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle L. Dineen Jerrett of Lelling’s Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BOSTON – A Boston man was sentenced today for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Naysaan Austin, 23, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris to 66 months in prison and one year of supervised release. In August 2020, Austin pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

On June 16, 2019, Austin was arrested in Dorchester for carrying a Sig Sauer .22 caliber Mosquito Pistol loaded with five rounds of ammunition. The serial number on the gun was obliterated. Before he was arrested, Austin ran away from law enforcement officers, despite numerous orders to stop. At the time of his arrest, Austin was on probation and therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Boston Police Commissioner William Gross made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Mulcahy of Lelling’s Criminal Division prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN is part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

BOSTON – A Texas man pleaded guilty today in connection with kidnapping and stalking his then wife, and his subsequent efforts to prevent her testimony in federal court.

Sunil K. Akula, 32, pleaded guilty to one count of kidnapping, one count of stalking, one count of obstruction of justice and one count of witness tampering. U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni scheduled sentencing for March 5, 2021. Akula was arrested and charged in September 2019. 

On Aug. 6, 2019, Akula traveled from his home in Texas to Agawam, Mass. to confront his then wife, from whom he was living apart. A couple of days later, he physically assaulted his wife and forced her to leave her apartment and get into a car with him, stating that he was taking her back to Texas.

Akula then drove his wife south through many states, during which time he again assaulted her, forced her to send a resignation e-mail to her employer, and smashed her laptop and threw it on the side of the highway. Akula stopped at a Knox County, Tenn. hotel, where he again beat his wife. When Akula could not quiet his wife from crying loudly, he opened the door to leave the hotel room and was arrested by local law enforcement officers.

While Akula was held before trial, he made phone calls to family in India instructing them to contact his wife's father so that he would convince her to withdraw her statements to law enforcement and not to testify, not to go to court or to have the charges against Akula dropped.

The charge of kidnapping provides for a sentence of up to life prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of stalking provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of obstruction of justice provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of witness tampering provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Chicopee Police Chief William R. Jebb; Agawam Police Chief Eric Gillis; Knox County Sheriff Tom Spangler; and Plano (Texas) Interim Police Chief Dan Curtis made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Deepika Bains Shukla, Chief of Lelling’s Springfield Branch Office, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine G. Curley are prosecuting the case.

BOSTON – A Quincy real estate broker was charged today for his role in a scheme to falsely market properties that were not for sale, or had already been sold, to steal real estate deposits. 

Michael P. Flavin, 38, was charged with two counts of wire fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft.

The indictment alleges that between 2017 and April 2020, Flavin solicited deposits on real estate transactions by marketing numerous real estate properties that were not actually for sale. In each case, Flavin executed purchase and sale agreements and received deposit checks from or on behalf of the potential buyers, even though the actual owners of the properties had not agreed to sell them, or to sell them to those buyers. Flavin forged the signatures of the sellers on the purported purchase and sale agreements. All told, Flavin allegedly cashed more than 60 deposit checks totaling approximately $1.8 million. 

The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater.  The charge of aggravated identity theft provides for a mandatory sentence of two years in prison to be served consecutive to any other sentence imposed, up to one year of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Miron Bloom of Lelling’s Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case. 

The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.