District of Massachusetts
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Roxbury Landlord Agrees to Settle False Claims Act AllegationsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Roxbury landlord has agreed to pay an $8,500 settlement to resolve allegations that he submitted false claims to the federal government after receiving impermissible water utility payments and excess rent from a low income tenant while participating in a federal housing subsidy program.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides federal funding through the Federal Housing Choice Voucher program, commonly referred to as “Section 8,” to assist low income individuals in securing safe housing. HUD provides funding through vouchers that are administered by local public housing agencies. HUD pays the housing subsidy, which may cover all or a portion of a tenant’s monthly rent, including certain utilities, directly to the landlord. As a condition for receiving the housing subsidy, the landlord contractually agrees not to charge the Section 8 tenant rent in excess of the amount set by the public housing agency.
Despite this restriction, Flemin Ortiz allegedly demanded and received monthly water utility payments from a Section 8 tenant for over four and a half years between November 2014 and June 2019, and excess rent for four months between March and June 2019. The Section 8 tenant first raised this allegation in a lawsuit filed against the defendant under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provisions of the False Claims Act.
“The Section 8 program provides precious funding allowing low-income families to afford safe housing,” said United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling. “We will hold accountable landlords who benefit from the program and then take advantage of their tenants.”
“This settlement is the latest example of our continued commitment to hold landlords accountable for actions that seek to enrich themselves at the expense of our poorest neighbors,” said Special Agent in Charge Christina Scaringi, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General.
The False Claims Act allows private citizens with knowledge of fraud to bring civil actions on behalf of the government and to share in any recovery. The settlement agreement requires the defendant to pay $8,500 to the United States.
U.S. Attorney Lelling and HUD OIG SAC Scaringi made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Sharobem of Lelling’s Office handled the matter.
Lowell Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute FentanylRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Lowell man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to fentanyl conspiracy.
Jonathan Bermudez, 23, of Lowell, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and distribution and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin scheduled sentencing for Jan. 13, 2021.
During the course of several months, using an undercover police officer, a federal investigation uncovered Bermudez’s fentanyl distribution operation. Although Bermudez was arrested on April 2, 2019, he connected the undercover police officer with his co-defendant so they could continue the fentanyl distribution operation.
The charge of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl carries 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 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 Field Division made the announcement. During the course of this investigation, valuable assistance was provided by Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, the Massachusetts State Police, and the Andover, North Andover, Billerica, Chelmsford, Lowell and Lawrence Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip C. Cheng of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering 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.
Dominican National Sentenced for Fentanyl DistributionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominican national was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for fentanyl distribution.
Santiago Rubel Guerrero Tejeda, 23, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to 18 months in prison and four years of supervised release. In May 2020, Guerrero Tejeda pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl.
Guerrero Tejeda sold 157.9 grams of a mixture containing fentanyl to an undercover officer in September 2019.
He was arrested and charged by complaint in September 2019 as part of a coordinated law enforcement operation in and around the Merrimack Valley known as “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.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Essex County District Attorney Jonathan W. Blodgett made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police, the Lawrence Police Department and the North Andover Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Annapurna Balakrishna of Lelling’s office prosecuted the case.
Gilead Agrees to Pay $97 Million to Resolve Allegations that it Paid Kickbacks through a Co-Pay FoundationRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Pharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Gilead), based in Foster City, Calif., has agreed to pay $97 million to resolve claims that it violated the False Claims Act by illegally using a foundation, Caring Voice Coalition (CVC), as a conduit to pay the Medicare co-pays for its own drug, Letairis.
When a Medicare beneficiary obtains a prescription drug covered by Medicare Part D, the beneficiary may be required to make a partial payment, which may take the form of a co-payment, co-insurance, or deductible (collectively, co-pays). Congress included co-pay requirements in these programs, in part, to encourage market forces to serve as a check on health care costs, including the prices that pharmaceutical manufacturers can demand for their drugs. The Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits pharmaceutical companies from offering or paying, directly or indirectly, any remuneration – which includes money or any other thing of value – to induce Medicare patients to purchase the companies’ drugs.
As part of today’s settlement, the government alleged that Gilead used CVC, which claimed 501(c)(3) status for tax purposes, as a conduit to pay the co-pay obligations of thousands of Medicare patients taking Letairis, which is approved to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). According to the government’s allegations, Gilead used CVC to cover the patients’ co-pays in order to induce those patients’ purchases of Letairis. Gilead knew that the prices it set for Letairis otherwise could have posed a barrier to those purchases.
The government specifically alleged that, from June 15, 2007, through Dec. 31, 2010, Gilead routinely obtained data from CVC detailing how many Letairis patients CVC had assisted, how much CVC had spent on those patients, and how much CVC expected to spend on those patients in the future. Gilead allegedly received this information through funding requests, telephone calls, and written reports. Gilead then used this information to budget for future payments to CVC to cover the co-pays of patients taking Letairis, but not of patients taking other manufacturers’ PAH drugs. The government alleged that Gilead engaged in this practice even though it knew it should not receive or use data concerning CVC’s expenditures on co-pays for Letairis. The government also alleged that, to generate revenue from Medicare, Gilead referred Medicare patients to CVC, which resulted in claims to Medicare to cover the cost of Letairis.
“Like its competitors, Actelion and United Therapeutics, Gilead used data from CVC that it knew it should not have, and effectively set up a proprietary fund within CVC to cover the co-pays of just its own drug,” said United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling. “Such conduct not only violates the anti-kickback statute, it also undermines the Medicare program’s co-pay structure, which Congress created as a safeguard against inflated drug prices. During the period covered by today’s settlement, Gilead raised the price of Letairis by over seven times the rate of overall inflation in the United States.”
“This settlement, like prior settlements concerning similar misconduct, demonstrates the government’s commitment to hold accountable companies that pay illegal kickbacks, whether directly or through a third party,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Bossert Clark of the Department of Justice’s Civil Division. “We will not permit pharmaceutical manufacturers to set unaffordable drug prices while circumventing important cost-control mechanisms within the Medicare program.”
“When pharmaceutical companies deceitfully employ the charitable donation process as an instrument to subsidize copays for their own drugs, it subverts a critical safeguard against the excessive inflation of drug costs,” said Phillip M. Coyne, Special Agent in Charge, Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Service’s Boston Regional Office. “Manipulation of this process threatens the integrity of our federal healthcare system, disregarding the American taxpayer who ultimately bears the cost. As such, we remain vigilantly focused on confronting this type of conduct and will continue our aggressive enforcement in this area.”
“Health care fraud costs our country tens of billions of dollars each year because of unscrupulous schemes like the one Gilead orchestrated that dangled kickbacks disguised as copay assistance in front of Medicare patients,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Boston Division. “Today’s $97 million settlement ensures Gilead pays for defrauding a government insurance program and reaffirms the FBI’s resolve to pursue investigations and exhaust all efforts to uncover these schemes.”
To date, the Department of Justice has collected over $1 billion from eleven pharmaceutical companies (United Therapeutics, Pfizer, Actelion, Jazz, Lundbeck, Alexion, Astellas, Amgen, Sanofi, Novartis, and Gilead) that allegedly used third-party foundations as kickback vehicles. The Department also has reached settlements with four foundations (Patient Access Network Foundation, Chronic Disease Fund, The Assistance Fund, and Patient Services, Inc.) and a pharmacy (Advanced Care Scripts, Inc.) that allegedly conspired or coordinated with pharmaceutical companies on these kickback schemes.
U.S. Attorney Lelling, Acting Assistant Attorney General Clark, HHS-OIG SAC Coyne and Boston FBI SAC Bonavolonta made the announcement today. The matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gregg Shapiro and Abraham George of Lelling’s Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit, and Trial Attorneys Sarah Arni and Augustine Ripa of the Department of Justice’s Civil Division.
Boston Woman Pleads Guilty to Role in Multimillion-Dollar Marijuana EnterpriseRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston woman pleaded guilty today to her role in a marijuana delivery service that operated in Massachusetts from 2015 to 2018.
Tatiana Fridkes, a/k/a Sonya, 34, of Dorchester, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute more than 100 kilograms of marijuana. U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman scheduled sentencing for Feb. 1, 2021.
Fridkes and Deana Martin, 52, of Milton, were indicted in May 2019 in connection with their management of Northern Herb, a marijuana delivery service that operated in Massachusetts from 2015 to 2018. Martin was also charged with one count of possessing more than 100 kilograms of marijuana and three counts of money laundering, and has pleaded not guilty.
According to court documents, Fridkes served as the office manager for Northern Herb. Fridkes coordinated with Martin on finances, marijuana suppliers, marijuana inventory, deliveries, workers and warehouse operations. Fridkes managed Northern Herb employees when Martin was not present, collected and organized cash from marijuana sales and paid cash wages to Northern Herb employees.
From May 2016 through July 2018, Northern Herb had total revenue exceeding $14 million. Northern Herb did not withhold or pay taxes on its millions of dollars in marijuana sales, did not remit or pay employment taxes in connection with its workforce and did not pay taxes on its profits. Northern Herb was not licensed by Massachusetts or any other governmental entity to sell or distribute marijuana. While Northern Herb purported to provide medical marijuana, it did not require a customer to provide proof of a medical marijuana card and would deliver marijuana to unattended locations (such as a front door or hallway) where unknown third parties might have access to it.
Fridkes faces a sentence of five to 40 years in prison, a minimum of four years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 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; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division; and Joleen Simpson, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston made the announcement today. The United States Postal Inspection Service also provided valuable assistance with this investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Abely of Lelling’s Criminal Division is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the indictment and complaint are allegations. The remaining defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Whitman Man Sentenced for Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Whitman man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for child pornography offenses.
Matthew Kulikowski, 38, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to 151 months in prison and five years of supervised release. In January 2020, Kulikowski pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. Kulikowski was arrested and charged in September 2018, and has been in custody since that time.
Law enforcement learned that an internet user at Kulikowski’s Whitman home distributed child pornography using the Kik messenger application. A search of the home resulted in the seizure of a tablet located in Kulikowski’s bedroom that contained at least 300 images and videos depicting child pornography, including the sexual assault of girls who appeared to be between four-and-eight-years-old.
At the time of his arrest, Kulikowski was on pretrial release from Plymouth County Superior Court, where he had a case pending for multiple child exploitation offenses, including possession of child pornography, disseminating obscene material to a minor, indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, and enticement of a child under 16. He has since been convicted of those offenses.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston made the announcement. Assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police, Whitman Police Department and the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne Paruti, Lelling’s Project Safe Childhood Coordinator and a member of the Major Crimes Unit, prosecuted 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 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/.
Rhode Island Man Sentenced to 17 Years in Prison for Somerville Armed Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Rhode Island man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for the May 1, 2019 armed bank robbery in Somerville that resulted in shots fired.
Daniel Rosado, 32, of Providence, R.I., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin to 17 years in prison and five years of supervised release. In February 2020, Rosado pleaded guilty to one count of armed bank robbery, one count of brandishing and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Rosado was arrested and charged on May 23, 2019, and has been in custody since.
“As Rosado was robbing a Somerville bank at gunpoint, a passing police officer entered the bank, exchanged gunfire with Rosado, and chased him out the door. Good police work later led to his arrest and conviction,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew E. Lelling. “This is today’s reminder of what police officers actually do each day: they risk their lives to keep us safe.”
“For his own greed and selfishness, Daniel Rosado robbed a bank, shot at a police officer, and terrorized innocent bystanders at gunpoint. Had he not been identified and arrested by the FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force, this convicted felon would still pose a significant threat to public safety. Our communities are now safer with him behind bars,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division.
On May 1, 2019, a man, later identified as Rosado, entered the Middlesex Federal Savings Bank in Somerville, brandished a handgun, fired a shot into the ceiling, and pointed the firearm at customers and bank employees. Rosado yelled: “Get down!,” “Everybody on the ground!,” “Second Drawer,” “Hurry Up!” and “Give me money or I’ll shoot!” Customers and bank employees laid on the floor, while the robber approached a teller window, threw a backpack at the teller and demanded money.
While the teller filled the backpack with money, a customer exited the bank and flagged down a marked police cruiser. The police officer entered the bank, pointed his gun at the robber and ordered him to freeze. In response, Rosado faced the officer, pointed his gun in the officer’s direction and fired one shot. The officer shot back. During the exchange of gunfire, Rosado exited the bank and the officer chased after him on foot.
As Rosado fled down College Avenue in Somerville, a bystander, noticing that Rosado was being pursued by a police officer, attempted to tackle Rosado, which caused Rosado to drop his backpack. Rosado kept running, and witnesses eventually lost sight of him. A Webley revolver loaded with four unfired rounds of ammunition, two cartridge casings and more than $500 was recovered from the backpack.
Further investigation, including forensic analysis of the backpack, linked the DNA profile found on the backpack to Rosado. A subsequent review of Rosado’s driver’s license photo matched the images of the robber captured on video surveillance at the bank.
According to court records, Rosado has prior felony convictions, including negligent operation of a motor vehicle, larceny from a person and witness intimidation and assault by means of a dangerous weapon. Due to these prior convictions, Rosado is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.
U.S Attorney Lelling; Boston FBI SAC Bonavolonta; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Somerville Police Chief David Fallon made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island and the Providence (R.I.) Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kenneth G. Shine and Lindsey E. Weinstein of Lelling’s Criminal Division prosecuted the case.
Puerto Rican Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Cocaine OffenseRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Puerto Rican man pleaded guilty today to his role in a cocaine conspiracy.
William Torres, a/k/a Poro, 34, of Tao Baja, P.R., pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine before U.S. District Court Judge Timothy Hillman, who scheduled sentencing for Jan. 19, 2020. In April 2019, Torres was charged and arrested in San Juan, P.R.
A federal investigation revealed that, around October 2018, Torres made arrangements for his associate, Melvin Burgos, to obtain a kilogram of cocaine from Julio Rivera. Torres provided Burgos with Rivera’s number, and on Nov. 1, 2018, Burgos and Rivera met at a storage facility in Worcester. Police subsequently stopped the men and inside the vehicle driven by Burgos they found approximately 900 grams of cocaine. Inside Rivera’s vehicle, law enforcement found a phone that had been used to contact Torres.
Burgos and Rivera were arrested on state charges that day and have since been charged in federal court in Worcester. Burgos pleaded guilty to conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 8, 2021. Rivera has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.
Torres faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 40 years in prison, a minimum of four years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $5 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 Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bill Abely and John Mulcahy of Lelling’s Criminal Division are 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.
Fitchburg Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Fitchburg man pleaded guilty today to enticement of a minor and child pornography charges in federal court in Worcester.
Ryan Decarolis, 27, pleaded guilty to five counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, two counts of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography before U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman, who scheduled sentencing for Jan. 15, 2021. Decarolis has been in custody since his arrest on Aug. 2, 2019.
Decarolis admitted that he used a social media account to communicate with an individual who was subsequently charged with production and distribution of child pornography. With the consent of that individual, an undercover federal agent assumed control of that individual’s account and began communicating in an undercover capacity with Decarolis. In January 2019, Decarolis distributed child pornography to the undercover officer, and in April 2019, Decarolis provided the undercover officer with access to his Dropbox account, which contained hundreds of images and videos depicting child pornography. Included in that material was at least one video that depicted Decarolis sexually assaulting a young boy.
In August 2019, during a search of Decarolis’s Fitchburg residence, agents seized a tablet belonging to Decarolis that contained additional videos depicting child pornography. In addition, agents identified a second Dropbox account used by Decarolis that contained videos depicting the sexual exploitation of several children. Included within that material were numerous images and videos that Decarolis produced himself, some of which depicted Decarolis separately sexually assaulting at least four boys under the age of 12.
The charge of sexual exploitation of a minor provides for a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years and up to 30 years in prison, a minimum mandatory of five years and up to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of distribution of child pornography provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 20 years in prison, a minimum mandatory of five years and up 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 because the material involved a child who had not attained the age of 12, a minimum mandatory of five years and up to life 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.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations, Boston Field Division; and Fitchburg Police Chief Ernest F. Martineau made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle L. Dineen Jerrett from Lelling’s Worcester Office is prosecuting the case.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorney’s 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.
Duxbury Man Sentenced for Child Pornography ChargeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Duxbury man was sentenced in federal court today for a child pornography offense.
Louis Ackerman Jr., 46, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to 78 months in prison and five years of supervised release. In May 2020, Ackerman pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography. Ackerman was arrested and charged in November 2019.
On Nov. 15, 2019, federal agents executed a search warrant at Ackerman Jr.’s home and located an iMac computer and two hard drives belonging to him. An onsite forensic review revealed images and videos of child pornography on that computer. From under Ackerman Jr.’s bed, agents recovered printed material which depicted child pornography. Elsewhere in the residence, agents recovered DVDs which depicted child pornography. Further review of the computer and other materials seized from the residence revealed approximately 295 videos and approximately 322 images of child pornography, including prepubescent minors under the age of 12.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz; Joseph W. Cronin, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Field Division; Barnstable Police Chief Matthew Sonnabend; and Duxbury Police Chief Stephen McDonald made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit prosecuted 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 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/.
Connecticut Men Arrested and Charged with Theft of Seventeen Firearms from West Springfield Gun StoreRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Two Connecticut men were charged in federal court in Springfield on Friday, Sept. 18, 2020 in connection with the theft of 17 firearms from a firearms store in West Springfield.
Fernando Rivera, 24, and Christian Castro, 29, were charged in a criminal complaint with one count each of stealing firearms from a federal firearms licensee.
As alleged in charging documents, on Aug. 29, 2020, Rivera, Castro and others drove in two cars, one of which was stolen and driven by Castro, from Connecticut through Massachusetts to Vermont and New Hampshire, and then back through those three states to Connecticut. At various locations in Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire, members of this group either stole, or attempted to steal, ATMs. Finally, in West Springfield, both cars stopped near a firearms store, and three men exited the car driven by Castro, broke the doors of the store and stole 17 firearms of various calibers. The cars then returned to Connecticut, where the stolen car was abandoned.
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 based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Boston Feld Division made the announcement. The West Springfield Police Department, New Britain (Conn.) Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police provided assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven H. Breslow of Lelling’s Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the complaint are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
California Executive Pleads Guilty in College Admissions CaseRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A California insurance and private equity executive pleaded guilty today in connection with using fraud and bribery to cheat on the ACT exam on behalf of his daughter.
Mark Hauser, 59, of Los Angeles, Calif., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock scheduled sentencing for Jan. 21, 2021.
According to the terms of Hauser’s plea agreement, the government will recommend a sentence of six months in prison, one year of supervised release, a fine of $40,000 and restitution.
Hauser agreed with William “Rick” Singer to pay an amount, ultimately totaling $40,000, to facilitate cheating on his daughter’s ACT exam. As part of the scheme, co-conspirator Mark Riddell traveled to Houston, Texas, where Hauser’s daughter took the exam and purported to proctor the test. Instead, Riddell corrected the answers on the exam after she completed it. Two days later, Singer paid an intermediary, Martin Fox, $25,000, with the understanding that Fox would pass part of the payment on to Niki Williams, the test site administrator who allowed the cheating to occur. Singer also paid Riddell $10,000 for his role in the scheme.
Singer, Riddell and Fox have previously pleaded guilty and are cooperating with the government’s investigation. Williams has agreed to plead guilty. The details contained in the court documents are allegations and the remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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.
The charge of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail 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. 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; 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 Eric S. Rosen, Justin D. O’Connell, Leslie A. Wright, Kristen A. Kearney, Stephen E. Frank and Karin M. Bell of Lelling’s Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.
Auto Body Shop Owner Pleads Guilty to Tax FraudRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The owner of Everett and Worcester auto body shops pleaded guilty today to a payroll tax scheme resulting in a tax loss to the IRS of more than $290,000.
Adam Haddad, 43, of Shrewsbury, pleaded guilty to three counts of aiding the preparation of false tax returns before U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman, who scheduled sentencing for Jan. 13, 2021. Haddad was charged in August 2020.
For tax quarters ending in March 2015 through June 2017, Haddad paid a significant portion of the wages to employees of his company, Accurate Collision, Inc. “under the table.” In doing so, Haddad caused Accurate Collision, Inc. to file false returns with the IRS which underreported the actual wages he had paid his employees as well as the employment taxes due to the IRS. In total, Haddad caused a loss to the IRS of at least $292,231.
The charging statue provides for a sentence of up to three years in prison, one year 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.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Joleen Simpson, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Miron Bloom of Lelling’s Securities, Financial and Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.
Southbridge Man Indicted for Cocaine PossessionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Southbridge man was indicted by a federal grand jury yesterday for cocaine possession.
Revel Pedro Rivera, 42, was indicted on one count of attempted possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. Rivera was previously arrested and charged by criminal complaint on July 7, 2020.
According to charging documents, in early July 2020, federal agents intercepted a package containing a kilogram of cocaine that was shipped to Rivera’s residence. Agents removed the cocaine and replaced it with a counterfeit substance. On July 6, 2020, Rivera accepted delivery of the package and was arrested as he left the property with the package that he believed contained cocaine.
The charge of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 40 years in prison, 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 E. Lelling; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division; Joseph W. Cronin, Postal Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division; and Southbridge Police Chief Shane Woodson made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Danial Bennett of Lelling’s Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Former Holyoke Teacher Sentenced for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former Holyoke kindergarten teacher was sentenced today in federal court in Worcester for possession of child pornography.
Gregory Lisby, 40, of Worcester, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman to six years in prison and five years of supervised release. In February 2020, Lisby pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography. Lisby was arrested and charged on Sept. 13, 2019, and resigned the day before from his position as a kindergarten teacher for the Holyoke Public Schools.
Law enforcement discovered an image depicting child pornography that had been uploaded to a Microsoft OneDrive account that belonged to Lisby. Approximately 180 images and 15 videos of child pornography were identified on the OneDrive. On Sept. 11, 2019, a search was executed at Lisby’s home where Lisby’s iPad and cellphone were recovered. On those devices, investigators found login credentials for the OneDrive account used to store the child pornography.
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 Worcester, Holyoke, Northboro and Southboro Police Departments and the Massachusetts State Police provided assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Noto of Lelling’s Worcester Branch Office prosecuted 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 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 Man Sentenced for Life Insurance Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for a scheme to defraud numerous life insurance companies.
Kellerman Jason Zheng, 33, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to 15 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Zheng was also ordered to pay $49,084. In February 2020, Zheng pleaded guilty to mail and wire fraud.
Between December 2016 and March 2018, Zheng took out at least 24 life insurance policies in his brother’s name. These policies, which carried total coverage limits in excess of $11.5 million, listed Zheng and his parents as the beneficiaries. Zheng’s brother however, had died months earlier during a visit to China in April 2015. As part of the scheme, Zheng also took steps to make it appear as though his brother was still alive by opening and using bank accounts in his brother’s name and renewing his brother’s Massachusetts driver’s license.
Later, Zheng obtained a false Chinese death certificate for his brother indicating that his brother had died in August 2018, and used it to submit over $5 million in life insurance claims. Zheng admitted that his brother died prior to the inception of the insurance policies during meetings with an undercover agent who was posing as a claims manager willing to assist in the fraud scheme.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph W. Cronin, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Iowa Insurance Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordi de Llano, Deputy Chief of Lelling’s Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit, prosecuted the case.
Springfield Man Sentenced to More than 15 Years in Prison for Sex TraffickingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Springfield man was sentenced yesterday for sex trafficking female victims through a prostitution business.
William Coleman, 49, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to 186 months in prison and five years of supervised release. In February 2020, Coleman pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and nine counts of sex trafficking. Coleman has been in custody since his arrest on Dec. 23, 2018.
“This sentence is a stern reminder of the consequences facing those involved in the unconscionable practice of sex trafficking,” said United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling. “My office, in tandem with our law enforcement partners, remains steadfast in its resolve to eradicate illegal sex trafficking operations that prey on vulnerable victims.”
“This sentencing is yet another success in the fight against the crime of human trafficking in our region,” said Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Boston. “We applaud this sentence as a measure of justice for the victims who suffered often brutal sexual exploitation at the hands of Coleman through his web of illegal activity which covered multiple states. This case could never have been completed without the expert, close coordination of our concerned community of stakeholders in the Western Massachusetts Human Trafficking Working Group.”
From 2016 to 2018, Coleman ran a prostitution business in the Springfield area, the greater Hartford, Conn., area, and other parts of Connecticut. Coleman used violence and the drug addictions of eight female victims to coerce them into engaging in commercial sex acts with paying customers. The victims were typically required to turn over all of their earnings to Coleman, and their daily lives were tightly controlled by him. Most of the women were not allowed to keep any of the money they earned, and they were only to obtain their drugs – in most cases, heroin – from Coleman. Victims who did not engage in prostitution for Coleman, or who did not follow his rules, were subjected to physical assaults, sexual violence and the withholding of drugs. Coleman used websites to post prostitution advertisements for the victims working for him.
U.S. Attorney Lelling; Hampden County District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni; HSI Boston Acting SAC Shea; Hampden County Sheriff Nicholas Cocchi; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Springfield Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood; and Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex J. Grant of Lelling’s Springfield Branch Office prosecuted the case.
This case is the result of the efforts of the Western Massachusetts Human Trafficking Working Group, which was established in August 2015 to investigate and prosecute crimes involving commercial sex trafficking.
New Bedford Member of the Latin Kings Pleads Guilty to Being a Felon in PossessionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm as a result of a federal investigation into a shooting on April 19, 2020, in New Bedford.
Alexander Pizarro, a/k/a “King Tego,” 28, pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock scheduled sentencing for Jan. 19, 2021. Pizarro was charged in May 2020.
On April 19, 2020, police responded to a report of seven shots fired near a residence on Clark Street in New Bedford. During the response, police located a tan and black Taurus 9mm firearm in an alleyway near the residence. Based on information received from a 911 caller, police were directed to an apartment and located Pizarro. After searching his cell phone, investigators located a photograph of Pizarro in the apartment holding what appeared to be the same firearm that was recovered from Clark Street. This photograph was taken approximately two hours before the shots-fired incident. Through ballistics comparison, the seized firearm was matched to the recovered shell casings from the shooting that evening.
Due to multiple prior convictions, Pizarro is prohibited from possessing firearms. According to court documents, Pizarro was known to investigators to be a member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings, and had recently posted multiple pictures holding firearms to his SnapChat account. At the time of the shooting incident, Pizarro was on probation for a 2017 firearms conviction in Rhode Island.
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.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, New England Field Division; and New Bedford Police Chief Joseph C. Cordeiro made the announcement today. 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 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. Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions 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.
Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Templeton man pleaded guilty today to illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, including an AR-15 short-barreled rifle.
John Shaw, 30, pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm not identified by serial number. U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman scheduled sentencing for Jan. 12, 2021. Shaw was arrested in September 2019 and indicted in October 2019.
During the execution of a search warrant at Shaw’s residence on Sept. 24, 2019, an AR-15 short-barreled rifle that did not bear a serial number, over 50 rounds of .22 Long Rifle caliber ammunition, 27 rounds of .357 Sig caliber ammunition, 10 expended brass cartridge cases and one complete round of 30-06 ammunition were seized. Shaw was previously convicted in Winchendon District Court of breaking and entering in the night with intent to commit a felony and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. As a previously convicted felon, Shaw was prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition.
The charges each provide 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 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; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Ashburnham Police Chief Loring Barrett, Jr.; Worcester Police Chief Steven M. Sargent; and Hopkinton Police Chief Edward Lee made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Noto of Lelling’s Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
Boston Man Sentenced to over 22 Years in Prison for Armed Robbery of Brockton Cell Phone Store and Shooting at PoliceRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston man was sentenced today in connection with an armed robbery of a T-Mobile store in Brockton, where multiple gunshots were fired at Brockton Police Officers during a high-speed chase.
Diovanni Carter, 30, of Boston, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Allison Burroughs to 270 months in prison and five years of supervised release. In March 2020, Carter was convicted by a federal grand jury of conspiracy to commit a robbery affecting interstate commerce, robbery affecting interstate commerce, and brandishing and discharge of a firearm during and in relation to the robbery.
On Jan. 26, 2019, Carter orchestrated a plan with three other men to rob a T-Mobile store in Brockton. Carter drove the group from Boston to Brockton. When they arrived, the three men went into the store carrying semi-automatic firearms that they pointed at the store manager, demanding cash and electronics, while Diovanni Carter waited in the getaway vehicle. During the robbery, the store manager was struck in the head with a firearm. The three men stole approximately $25,000 in cash and electronics, left the store and departed in the getaway vehicle driven by Carter.
Brockton Police responded, located the vehicle and a high speed chase ensued through residential neighborhoods reaching speeds of over 70 mph. During the chase, Carter ordered the other men to fire their weapons at the pursuing police cruisers as part of their effort to escape. In total, at least eight rounds were fired at the police. The suspects then abandoned the car and fled on foot.
During the search by law enforcement, the stolen phones, cash and the three firearms used in robbery were recovered. Darius Carter, Stephan Rosser-Steward and a third man were apprehended shortly after the robbery. Carter was not found, but later arrested on March 5, 2019.
Darius Carter is scheduled to plead guilty on Oct. 21, 2020. Rosser-Steward has pleaded not guilty.
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; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Colonel Christopher S. Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz; Plymouth County Sheriff Joseph D. McDonald, Jr.; and Brockton Police Chief Emanuel Gomes made the announcement. The Quincy and Boston Police Departments also provided valuable assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Glenn MacKinlay, Chief of Lelling’s Organized Crime and Gang Unit, and Philip A. Mallard prosecuted the case.
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.
Auburn Man Indicted for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – An Auburn man was indicted today by a federal grand jury for possession of child pornography.
Jesse Laino, 24, was indicted on one count of possession of child pornography. In July 2020, Laino was arrested and charged by criminal complaint.
As alleged in charging documents, in July 2020, federal agents executed a search warrant at Laino’s residence and seized electronic devices that contained images and videos of child pornography. According to charging documents, Laino admitted that the devices belonged to him.
Possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of no greater than 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; Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Auburn Police Chief Andrew J. Sluckis Jr.; and Worcester Police Chief Steven M. Sargent 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.
Worcester Business Owner Sentenced for Money Laundering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The former owner of two Worcester restaurants was sentenced today in federal court in Worcester for conspiring with her restaurant manager to use drug proceeds to renovate and operate her Shrewsbury Street restaurant.
Stacey Gala, 29, of Worcester, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman to time served (one day in prison) and three years of supervised release that will include six months of home confinement. The government recommended a sentence of 32 months in prison. In November 2019, Gala pleaded guilty to an indictment charging her with conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Gala owned and operated The Usual Restaurant on Shrewsbury Street beginning in October 2016, along with her husband Kevin Perry. Gala and Perry employed Joseph Herman as the manager of The Usual. In March 2017, federal authorities arrested Perry on charges of money laundering and drug distribution.
After Perry’s arrest, Gala learned that Perry had concealed a significant amount of drug proceeds at a self-storage locker in Northborough. In May 2017, Gala and Herman conspired to retrieve the drug proceeds and to use them to renovate The Usual restaurant and to re-open the business under a new name (The Chameleon) and ostensibly new management.
In October 2017, Perry pleaded guilty to the money laundering and drug distribution charges and was sentenced to 14 years in prison. In January 2019, Herman pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering, making false statements to federal investigators and attempted witness tampering. He is presently scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 29, 2020.
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 M. 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.
Somerville Man Indicted on Gun, Ammunition and Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Somerville man was indicted yesterday in connection with selling drugs while illegally in possession of a loaded firearm.
Tevon Ngomba, 27, was indicted on one count of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, one count of possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon.
According to charging documents, on or about July 16, 2020, Ngomba possessed with intent to distribute and distributed 40 grams or more of fentanyl in exchange for approximately $1,800. On or about Aug. 3, 2020, Ngomba possessed with intent to distribute fentanyl. He was also in possession of a Ruger, .40 caliber pistol with an obliterated serial number which was loaded with three rounds of .40 caliber S&W ammunition. Due to a prior state conviction punishable by more than one year of incarceration, Ngomba is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
The charge of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl 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 possession with intent to distribute fentanyl 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 being a 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 on 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 and Explosives, New England Field Division; Somerville Police Chief David Fallon; and Somerville Housing Authority Chief of Police Daniel Meade made the announcement. 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. Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions 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 documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Member of New Bedford Latin Kings Chapter Pleads Guilty to Racketeering Conspiracy ChargesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Massachusetts Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (“Latin Kings”) pleaded guilty today to racketeering charges. The defendant admitted to participating in a June 2019 shooting of another Latin Kings member who was in bad standing with the gang.
Shelton Johnson, a/k/a “King Shellz,” 31, 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 Jan. 6, 2021. Johnson was arrested and charged in December 2019, at which time he a member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings.
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.
Johnson admitted that he conspired with other Latin Kings members and leaders and participated in a June 2019 shooting of a Latin Kings member who was in bad standing with the gang. Johnson also admitted to participating in a beating of members of the Latin Kings who had violated the rules of the gang.
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. Johnson is the fifteenth 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 New Bedford Police Chief Joseph C. Cordeiro 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.
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.
Former Enforcer of Boston Latin Kings Chapter Pleads Guilty to Racketeering Conspiracy ChargesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The former Enforcer 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.
Matthew Palacios, a/k/a “King Nene,” 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 Jan. 7, 2021. Palacios was arrested and charged in December 2019, at which time he was the Enforcer of the Devon Street Kings.
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.
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. As Enforcer, Palacios was responsible for ensuring discipline, meting out punishment to members for violating the rules of the gang and organizing violence against rival gang members and those believed to be cooperating with law enforcement. 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 the investigation, various meetings were covertly recorded where Palacios and members of the Devon Street Kings discussed the business of the racketeering enterprise. Palacios was present during meetings where members were beaten and violence against rival gangs was discussed and decided upon.
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. Palacios is the fourteenth 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. Attorney Philip A. Mallard and Mark Grady 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.
Cambridge Woman Pleads Guilty to Stealing Social Security and SNAP BenefitsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Cambridge woman pleaded guilty today to stealing over $80,000 in Social Security and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
Phaedra M. Sheets, 45, pleaded guilty to two counts of theft of public funds. In February 2020, Sheets was charged by indictment and arrested. Sentencing has been scheduled for December 17, 2020.
Sheets’ mother was receiving Social Security benefits and SNAP benefits at the time of her death in November 2009. Her death was never reported to the Social Security Administration (SSA) nor to the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance, and the agencies continued to pay monthly benefits on her behalf. When SSA attempted to contact Sheets’ mother to perform a review of her benefits claim, Sheets posed as her mother and directed SSA to deposit her mother’s benefits into various bank accounts, from which Sheets withdrew the funds. Sheets also impersonated her deceased mother in interactions with the Department of Transitional Assistance and used her mother’s SNAP card to make purchases for nearly nine years after her death.
From December 2009 to September 2018, Sheets stole approximately $71,636 in Social Security benefits and approximately $13,923 in SNAP benefits.
The charge of theft of public funds 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, whichever is greater. 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; Tonya Perkins, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division; and Suzanne M. Bump, State Auditor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts made the announcement today. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Burzycki of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
Boston Man Indicted on Charge of Leaving Residential Re-Entry CenterRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston man was indicted yesterday in federal court in connection with leaving a residential re-entry center where he was serving the remainder of his federal sentence for drug possession.
Derek Rego, 33, of Boston, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one count of escape. Rego was previously charged by criminal complaint on July 31, 2020.
According to the charging documents, in September 2012, Rego was sentenced in the District of Massachusetts to 120 months in prison for a drug conviction. On Jan. 8, 2020, Rego was transferred from a correctional institution to a residential re-entry center in Boston to serve the remainder of his confined sentence. On April 3, 2020, Rego was placed on escape status and the U.S. Marshals Service was notified. On May 4, 2020, Rego was arrested by law enforcement in Boston on domestic violence charges.
The charging statute provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five 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 on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; John Gibbons, United States Marshal for the District of Massachusetts; and Boston Police Commissioner William Gross made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus 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.
Two Alleged Hackers Charged with Defacing Websites Following Killing of Qasem SoleimaniRead the Press Release
Two alleged computer hackers were indicted in the District of Massachusetts on charges of damaging multiple websites across the United States as retaliation for United States military action in January 2020 that killed Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization.
Behzad Mohammadzadeh (a/k/a “Mrb3hz4d”), believed to be approximately 19 years old and a national of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and Marwan Abusrour (a/k/a “Mrwn007”), believed to be approximately 25 years old and a stateless national of the Palestinian Authority, were charged in an indictment unsealed today on one count of conspiring to commit intentional damage to a protected computer and one count of intentionally damaging a protected computer. The defendants are believed to be living in Iran and the Palestinian Authority and are wanted by United States authorities.
“The hackers victimized innocent third parties in a campaign to retaliate for the military action that killed Soleimani, a man behind countless acts of terror against Americans and others that the Iranian regime opposed,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers. “Their misguided, illegal actions in support of a rogue, destabilizing regime will come back to haunt them, as they are now fugitives from justice.”
“Foreign hackers are a persistent commercial and national security threat to the United States,” said United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling. “Working with our law enforcement partners worldwide, we will aggressively pursue, prosecute and apprehend those who use the internet to attack American interests.”
“These hackers are accused of orchestrating a brazen cyber-assault that defaced scores of websites across the country as a way of protesting and retaliating against the United States for killing the leader of a foreign terrorist organization. Now, they are wanted by the FBI and are no longer free to travel outside Iran or Palestine without risk of arrest,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Today’s indictment should send a powerful message that we will not hesitate to go after anyone who commits malicious cyber intrusions against innocent Americans in order to cause chaos, fear, and economic harm.”
According to the indictment, Mohammadzadeh has publicly claimed to have personally defaced more than 1,100 websites around the world with pro-Iranian and pro-hacker messages, which he began in 2018 and continues through the present day. Abusrour is a self-described spammer (sender of unsolicited emails for profit), carder (illicit trader in stolen credit cards) and black hat hacker (a hacker who violates computer security for personal gain or maliciousness) who has publicly claimed to have defaced at least 337 websites around the world, which he began no later than June 6, 2016, and continued through at least July 2020.
The defendants allegedly started working together on or about Dec. 26, 2019, when Abusrour began providing Mahammadzadeh with access to compromised websites. On or about Jan. 2, 2020, the U.S. Department of Defense issued a statement that the United States military had “taken decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization.” The statement explained that the “strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans” and described briefly General Soleimani’s past actions and future plans. The United States’ responsibility for General Soleimani’s death was widely publicized.
Following this statement, and in retaliation for it, Mohammadzadeh allegedly transmitted computer code to approximately 51 websites hosted in the United States, and defaced those websites by replacing their content with pictures of the late General Soleimani against a background of the Iranian flag along with the message, in English, “Down with America,” and other text. Some of the websites defaced were hosted on computers owned by a company with corporate headquarters in Massachusetts. No later than Jan. 7, 2020, Abusrour provided Mohammadzadeh with access to at least seven websites, which they defaced with a similar image and text. The defendants took credit online for their website defacements.
The charge of conspiring to commit intentional damage to a protected computer 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 gain or loss, whichever is greatest. The charge of intentionally damaging a protected computer 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 gain or loss, whichever is greatest. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers; United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division made this announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott L. Garland, Deputy Chief of Lelling’s National Security Unit, and Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. D’Addio of Lelling’s Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit are prosecuting this case with the assistance of Cyber Counsel Ali Ahmad of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
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.
Two Alleged Hackers Charged with Defacing Websites Following Killing of Qasem SoleimaniRead the Press Release
BOSTON –Two alleged computer hackers were indicted in the District of Massachusetts on charges of damaging multiple websites across the United States as retaliation for United States military action in January 2020 that killed Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization.
Behzad Mohammadzadeh (a/k/a “Mrb3hz4d”), believed to be approximately 19 years old and a national of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and Marwan Abusrour (a/k/a “Mrwn007”), believed to be approximately 25 years old and a stateless national of the Palestinian Authority, were charged in an indictment unsealed today on one count of conspiring to commit intentional damage to a protected computer and one count of intentionally damaging a protected computer. The defendants are believed to be living in Iran and the Palestinian Authority and are wanted by United States authorities.
“Foreign hackers are a persistent commercial and national security threat to the United States,” said United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling. “Working with our law enforcement partners worldwide, we will aggressively pursue, prosecute and apprehend those who use the internet to attack American interests.”
“The hackers victimized innocent third parties in a campaign to retaliate for the military action that killed Soleimani, a man behind countless acts of terror against Americans and others that the Iranian regime opposed,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers. “Their misguided, illegal actions in support of a rogue, destabilizing regime will come back to haunt them, as they are now fugitives from justice.”
“These hackers are accused of orchestrating a brazen cyber-assault that defaced scores of websites across the country as a way of protesting and retaliating against the United States for killing the leader of a foreign terrorist organization. Now, they are wanted by the FBI and are no longer free to travel outside Iran or Palestine without risk of arrest,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Today’s indictment should send a powerful message that we will not hesitate to go after anyone who commits malicious cyber intrusions against innocent Americans in order to cause chaos, fear, and economic harm.”
According to the indictment, Mohammadzadeh has publicly claimed to have personally defaced more than 1,100 websites around the world with pro-Iranian and pro-hacker messages, which he began in 2018 and continues through the present day. Abusrour is a self-described spammer (sender of unsolicited emails for profit), carder (illicit trader in stolen credit cards) and black hat hacker (a hacker who violates computer security for personal gain or maliciousness) who has publicly claimed to have defaced at least 337 websites around the world, which he began no later than June 6, 2016, and continued through at least July 2020.
The defendants allegedly started working together on or about Dec. 26, 2019, when Abusrour began providing Mahammadzadeh with access to compromised websites. On or about Jan. 2, 2020, the U.S. Department of Defense issued a statement that the United States military had “taken decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization.” The statement explained that the “strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans” and described briefly General Soleimani’s past actions and future plans. The United States’ responsibility for General Soleimani’s death was widely publicized.
Following this statement, and in retaliation for it, Mohammadzadeh allegedly transmitted computer code to approximately 51 websites hosted in the United States, and defaced those websites by replacing their content with pictures of the late General Soleimani against a background of the Iranian flag along with the message, in English, “Down with America,” and other text. Some of the websites defaced were hosted on computers owned by a company with corporate headquarters in Massachusetts. No later than Jan. 7, 2020, Abusrour provided Mohammadzadeh with access to at least seven websites, which they defaced with a similar image and text. The defendants took credit online for their website defacements.
If you believe that a website that you hosted or owned was defaced by either of these defendants, please contact [email protected].
The charge of conspiring to commit intentional damage to a protected computer 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 gain or loss, whichever is greatest. The charge of intentionally damaging a protected computer 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 gain or loss, whichever is greatest. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Lelling, NSD Assistant Attorney General Demers and Boston FBI SAC Bonavolonta made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Scott L. Garland, Deputy Chief of Lelling’s National Security Unit, and David D'Addio of Lelling's Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit are prosecuting this case with the assistance of Cyber Counsel Ali Ahmad of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
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.
Texas Deputy Sheriff Sentenced to over 18 Years in Prison for Sexual Exploitation of a Child and CyberstalkingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A law enforcement officer from Texas was sentenced today in federal court in Worcester for sexual exploitation of a minor and cyberstalking charges.
Pasquale T. Salas, 26, a/k/a Gino, a former deputy sheriff with the Matagorda County Sheriff’s Office, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman to 220 months in prison and five years of supervised release. In May 2020, Salas pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of cyberstalking.
“The defendant was an online predator disguised in a law enforcement uniform,” said United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling. “He used the internet to gain the trust of vulnerable children and then turned around and exploited their innocence and played on their fears. This sentence is a warning to others, but it is also intended to stop this defendant, for the long term, from further victimizing children. We will always prioritize, and aggressively pursue, cases involving online predators.”
“Child predators often wear many disturbing disguises in our communities, and Pasquale Salas is no exception. As a deputy sheriff, he betrayed his oath and abused the trust that was placed in him. Instead of protecting children, he exploited children for his own sexual gratification. He is both a danger and a disgrace, and now, thanks to the courage of the victims who came forward in this case, and the hard work of our law enforcement partners, he’s been taken off the street so he can no longer harm anyone else," said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division.
Salas met the victim through an online video game website in 2014, when the minor was 12 years old. Salas and the girl communicated on a private chat room and then moved those communications to various other platforms, including text messaging, Skype and Snapchat. Salas repeatedly solicited the minor to transmit sexually explicit images and videos of herself.
Beginning as early as 2016, Salas intimidated the victim into maintaining contact with him and sending additional sexually explicit material by threatening that he would send the minor’s sexually explicit images and videos to her family and her friends. In May 2019, when the victim attempted to terminate contact with Salas, he repeatedly sent threatening communications to the victim, using web-based applications to disguise the source of the communications.
At the time of his arrest, Salas’ smartphone was seized by investigators and found to contain at least one video, sent via social media, of the minor performing sexually explicit acts that Salas had coerced her to perform.
Salas admitted to contacting a second Massachusetts minor through the same website. From the time the victim was 12 until the time she was 16, Salas coerced her into remaining in contact with him and solicited sexually explicit images from her. Salas forced her to disclose her social media credentials so that he could track her activities and view her photographs. Salas sent pictures of himself inside a police car and with a gun and told the victim that he had law enforcement friends in Massachusetts who would follow her and that no one would believe her if she reported what he had done. Salas was in contact with the victim until the time of his arrest.
U.S. Attorney Lelling and Boston FBI SAC Bonavolonta made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by Police Departments in Worcester County; the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Houston Field Office; the Matagorda (Texas) County Sheriff’s Office; and the Worcester Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Noto from Lelling’s Worcester Branch Office prosecuted 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 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/.
Lawrence Man Sentenced for Fentanyl DistributionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Lawrence man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston in connection with selling fentanyl.
John Mena, 25, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young to 10 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In December 2019, Mena pleaded guilty to one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
Mena sold approximately 13g of fentanyl in a transaction that an undercover agent witnessed. Mena was arrested in Lawrence on July 16, 2019, as part of a 10-week 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.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Essex County District Attorney Jonathan W. Blodgett; and Lawrence Police Chief Roy Vasque made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexandra Brazier of Lelling’s Office prosecuted the case.
Holyoke Man Sentenced for Heroin DistributionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Holyoke man was sentenced today in federal court in Springfield for distributing heroin.
Herman Gomez, 20, was sentenced to three years of probation by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni. In May 2020, Gomez pleaded guilty to distributing and possessing with intent to distribute heroin.
Gomez sold heroin on Oct.7, 2019 in Holyoke.
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; and Holyoke Police Chief Manny Febo made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd E. Newhouse of Lelling’s Springfield Branch Office prosecuted the case.
Former Member of Boston Latin Kings Chapter Pleads Guilty to Racketeering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
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. The defendant admitted to shooting in the direction of another Latin Kings member in June 2019.
Juan Figueroa, a/k/a “King Pun,” 25, 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 Dec. 9, 2020. Figueroa 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, and had formerly been a member of the New Bedford Chapter.
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.
Figueroa admitted to participating in a June 2019 shooting in which he shot in the direction of a Latin Kings member who was in bad standing with the gang. Figueroa further admitted to creating numerous songs and accompanying music videos that served as compelling propaganda for the gang. Producing music under the name, “The Almighty King Pun,” Figueroa’s songs and music videos depicted the gang members brandishing firearms, boasting about their proclivity for violence and describing the scope of their successful drug distribution operations. The music videos featured groups of Latin Kings members wearing gang colors, clothing and symbols, and throwing up gang signs. The lyrics of these music videos taunted and threatened rival gang members.
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. Figueroa is the twelfth 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; Boston Police Commissioner William Gross; and New Bedford Police Chief Joseph C. Cordeiro 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.
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.
Former Massachusetts Man Sentenced for IRS Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – An Illinois man, who previously lived in Massachusetts, was sentenced today in connection with a wire fraud scheme whereby victims were told they owed money to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Ashokkumar Patel, a/k/a Andy Patel, 30, of Hoffman Estates, Ill., and formerly of Worcester and Plainville, Mass., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman to 40 months in prison, one year of supervised release and ordered to pay restitution to the victims in an amount to be determined. In June 2019, Patel pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, two counts of wire fraud and one count of money laundering.
From December 2013 to October 2014, Patel was part of a conspiracy whereby victims in the United States were contacted by individuals, primarily in India, and falsely told that they owed money to the IRS. The victims were told that in order to avoid imminent arrest they had to purchase MoneyPak, or other types of prepaid stored value cards, load thousands of dollars onto the cards and provide the serial numbers to the callers. After doing so, the victims’ money was quickly transferred to prepaid debit cards, such as Green Dot Debit Cards, which were then used to purchase money orders. Patel was responsible for purchasing the prepaid debit cards, using them to purchase money orders and then depositing the purchased money orders into various bank accounts, including his own. The loss amount to victims tied to Patel totaled $881,622.
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 Michelle L. Dineen Jerrett of Lelling’s Office prosecuted the case.
Former Leader of Latin Kings Pleads Guilty to Racketeering Conspiracy and Drug Conspiracy ChargesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former member of the Connecticut Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (“Latin Kings”) leadership body, known as the “Crown Council,” pleaded guilty today to racketeering conspiracy charges.
Hector Vega, a/k/a “King Demon,” 34, 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 Dec. 22, 2020. Vega was arrested and charged in December 2019, at which time he was a member of the Crown Council for the Latin Kings in Connecticut.
The Latin Kings are a violent gang 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 criminal organization. As alleged in court documents, the gang uses drug distribution to generate revenue, and is motivated by a desire to further its influence and to protect its turf from rival gangs.
Evidence developed during the investigation included recordings of Vega presiding over a Latin Kings “trial” against two Massachusetts members who had violated rules of the gang. Regional leadership of the Latin Kings chose Vega and the Connecticut Crown Council as the judges for the trial in order for the hearing to be unbiased. After hearing evidence from members and finding the two members guilty of violating Latin Kings rules, Vega and the Crown Council ordered the beatings of both members, which were captured on recording. Vega participated in the assault of one of the members.
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. Vega is the thirteenth 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; 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.
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.
Convicted Money Launderer Pleads Guilty to Business Email Compromise SchemeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Hingham man who was previously convicted of money laundering pleaded guilty today in connection with a business email compromise (BEC) scheme.
Yannick A. Minang, 27, pleaded guilty five counts of wire fraud, one count of unlawful monetary transactions and one count of money laundering conspiracy. U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Sarris scheduled sentencing for Dec. 16, 2020.
In September 2019, Minang was sentenced to 46 months in prison after pleading guilty to his role in a separate business email compromise (BEC) scheme.
Minang conspired with others to open numerous bank accounts in Massachusetts in the name of sham companies, as part of an apparent BEC scheme. A BEC scheme is a sophisticated scam often targeting businesses involved in wire transfer payments. The fraud is carried out by compromising and/or “spoofing” legitimate business email accounts through social engineering or computer intrusion techniques to cause employees of the victim company (or other individuals involved in legitimate business transactions) to transfer funds to accounts controlled by the scammers.
Through the use of fraudulent invoices and spoofed email accounts, Minang conspired to trick the victims of the scheme into wiring hundreds of thousands of dollars to bank accounts under his control. Minang and his co-conspirators then transferred funds from the accounts to others located overseas.
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 grain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of unlawful monetary transactions provides for a sentence up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross grain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of money laundering conspiracy provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $500,000 or twice the amount involved in the transaction, whichever is greater. 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 William B. Brady of Lelling’s Criminal Division and Jordi de Llano, Deputy Chief of Lelling’s Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit, are prosecuting the case.
Boston Man Sentenced for Illegally Possessing Loaded HandgunRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston man was sentenced today for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Kerry Charlotin, 30, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young to five years in prison and three years of supervised release. In January 2020, Charlotin pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
On May 1, 2019, officers were in the area of Blue Hill Avenue in Mattapan due to resident complaints of drug dealing and public drinking. When Charlotin, who was seen by the officers wearing a black backpack, observed the police presence, he ran. As the officers pursued him the black backpack was thrown into the air and landed on the roof of a building. Charlotin, no longer wearing the backpack, continued running from the officers; he was eventually found hiding in a fenced in area in a backyard. When officers recovered the black backpack, they found, among other things, a loaded Glock 26, 9mm caliber Lugar semi-automatic pistol containing nine rounds of ammunition, one of those rounds was in the chamber.
Based on prior felony convictions, Charlotin is prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition under federal law.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Kelly Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Boston Police Commissioner William G. Gross made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey E. Weinstein 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.
Statement by U.S. Attorney Andrew E. Lelling on the Passing of Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Ralph D. GantsRead the Press Release
“We are saddened by the passing of Chief Justice Gants. He was an outstanding jurist and a good man. He will be missed.”
Registered Nurse Sentenced for Morphine TamperingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Haverhill nurse was sentenced in federal court in Boston today for tampering with patients’ morphine.
Brianna Duffy, 32, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young to 60 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In July 2019, Duffy pleaded guilty to one count of tampering with a consumer product and one count of acquiring a controlled substance by fraud or deception.
On March 17 and 18, 2019, while working as a registered nurse at Hunt Nursing and Rehab in Danvers, Duffy tampered with morphine sulfate prescribed to an 89-year old hospice patient. In an attempt to avoid detection, she replaced the extracted medication with another liquid, diluting the morphine to just 26% of the prescribed concentration. The hospice patient received the diluted morphine and suffered unnecessary pain.
From December 2016 until July 2017, while working as a registered nurse at Maplewood Care and Rehabilitation Center in Amesbury, Duffy diverted morphine from two bottles that were prescribed to a 68-year old patient. Duffy subsequently diluted the remaining morphine with another liquid, leaving only 1.2%-2.5% of the declared concentration of morphine. Duffy tested positive for morphine on July 18, 2017.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Jeffrey Ebersole, Special Agent in Charge of the Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations; Phillip Coyne, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General, Office on Investigation; and Acting Commissioner Margret Cooke of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elysa Wan and Patrick Callahan of Lelling’s Health Care Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.
Former VA Employee Pleads Guilty to Embezzling $70,000 Using Mobile Payment ApplicationRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) employee was sentenced today for embezzling nearly $70,000 in VA funds.
Michael Donaher, 41, of Lakeville, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to time served (approximately one day), three years of supervised release with the first six months to be served in a sober house, and ordered to pay $69,720 in restitution. The government recommended a sentence of one year and one day incarceration. In May 2020, Donaher pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement and theft of public money, property or records after being arrested and charged in January.
Donaher worked as an Inventory Management Specialist for the Veterans Affairs Medical Facility in Brockton and was responsible for purchasing various equipment necessary for use in the facility. Donaher conducted fraudulent transactions using his government-issued purchase cards and routed the proceeds to his personal bank account. He attempted to conceal these fraudulent purchases by making it appear as if the purchases were made through a large company that the VA frequently used for legitimate business, when, in fact, they were actually made through a company Donaher created through a mobile payment company. These purchases were not for actual items ever received by the VA. Furthermore, Donaher attempted to hide this fact by annotating the items as having been received within the VA’s accountability system. Donaher fraudulently routed approximately $70,000 of VA funds to his personal account since the scheme began in 2016.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Christopher Algieri, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Veteran Affairs, Office of the Inspector General, Northeast Field Office made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugenia M. Carris of Lelling’s Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit prosecuted the case.
Lawrence Man Arrested and Charged with Distributing Fentanyl PillsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Lawrence man was arrested today and charged in federal court in Boston in connection with distributing fentanyl pills.
Ruben Mejia, 28, was charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute and distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl. Following an initial appearance, Mejia was detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for Sept. 18, 2020.
According to charging documents, Mejia sold an estimated 500 fentanyl pills disguised as oxycodone pills for $4,000 ($8 per pill) on Aug. 13, 2020. Mejia sold the pills, which he stored in a baby diaper, in five bags containing approximately 100 pills each. On Aug. 26, 2020, Mejia sold another estimated 500 fentanyl pills for another $4,000. Today, Mejia was arrested after he was found in possession of an estimated 5,000 fentanyl pills, which he planned to sell for $40,000.
The charge of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl 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. 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, New England Field Division; and Lawrence Police Chief Roy Vasque made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Estes of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.
Fraud Alert: Scammers Claiming to be with Department of Justice Preying on ElderlyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The Department of Justice has received reports that individuals claiming to represent the Department of Justice are calling members of the public as part of an impostor scam. The Department strongly encourages the public to remain vigilant and not to provide personal information during these calls, which appear to target the elderly.
Reports to the National Elder Fraud Hotline indicate these scammers falsely represent themselves as Department of Justice investigators or employees and attempt to obtain personal information from the call recipient, or they leave a voicemail with a return phone number. The return phone number directs users to a recorded menu that matches the recorded menu for the Department’s main phone number. Eventually, the user reaches an “operator” who steers the user to someone claiming to be an investigator. That “investigator” then attempts to gain the user’s personal information.
“Especially with so much of the elderly population isolated at home by COVID, phone scams are an intrusive, calculated effort to target the vulnerable,” said United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling. “This scam is especially obnoxious because the perpetrators pose as employees of the Justice Department, and so manipulate the public’s trust in the Department. Anyone who receives a potentially fraudulent call as part of this scam should report it immediately. My office would be happy to investigate and prosecute those involved.”
Those who receive these calls are encouraged not to provide personal information and to report these scams to the FTC via their website at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov or by calling 877–FTC–HELP (877-382-4357). Fraud can also be reported to the FBI for law enforcement action at https://www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/report-fraud.
The National Elder Fraud Hotline is a resource created by OVC for people to report fraud against anyone age 60 or older. Reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible, and within the first 2–3 days, can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is open seven days a week. For more information about the hotline, please visit https://ovc.ojp.gov/program/stop-elder-fraud/providing-help-restoring-hope.
Dominican National Sentenced to Nine Years in Prison for Drug and Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominican national was sentenced today for possession of approximately one kilogram of fentanyl and illegal possession of a firearm.
Caonabo Cruz, 54, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Mark L. Wolf to 108 months in prison and five years of supervised release. On May 10, 2019, Cruz pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
On Aug. 14, 2018, federal agents conducted an investigation that concluded in the search of Cruz’s apartment and his arrest in Lawrence. In his apartment, agents found a drug processing room hidden behind a kitchen cabinet, which was only accessible using a remote control. In the hidden room agents seized approximately one kilogram of fentanyl and heroin, drug processing tools and materials and a .22 caliber rifle.
United States Attorney Andrew Lelling and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip C. Cheng of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.
Brockton Man Sentenced for Fentanyl and Carfentanil ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Brockton man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and carfentanil.
Rickey Depina, 32, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock to 30 months in prison, three years of supervised release and ordered to pay a fine of $1,000.
From May 2019 through August 2019, Depina and co-defendants David Fernandes, Keanu Fernandes and Viviana Fontes conspired to distribute fentanyl and carfentanil in Brockton, Abington, Boston, Braintree, Easton, Fall River, Holbrook, Norton, Quincy, Raynham, South Easton, West Bridgewater and Whitman. During this time, law enforcement made controlled purchases of fentanyl and carfentanil on multiple occasions. On Oct. 1, 2018, law enforcement stopped a car in which Depina, David Fernandes and Viviana Fontes were traveling and recovered over 17 grams of fentanyl, approximately $1,750 and four cellular phones. They were arrested on state charges. In search warrants executed later that day, law enforcement recovered another $10,000.
Co-defendants Keanu Fernandes, 33, of Brockton, and Fontes, 30, of Brockton, previously pleaded guilty. Co-defendant David Fernandes, 33,of Braintree, is scheduled to plead guilty on Sept. 28, 2020.
Carfentanil is an analog of fentanyl and approximately 10,000 times more potent than morphine and 100 times more potent than fentanyl. It is used commercially in tranquilizer darts for large mammals such as elk or elephants and can be lethal in a dose as small as 2 milligrams.
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; and Brockton Police Chief Emanuel Gomes made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy Moran and Nicholas Soivilien of Lelling’s Organized Crime and Gang Unit are prosecuting the case.
Boston Man Charged with Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Failing to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston man was arrested today and charged with illegal firearm possession and failing to register as a sex offender.
Shane Brown, 35, was indicted on one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and one count of failing to register as a sex offender. Brown made an initial appearance in federal court in Boston today, and was detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for Sept. 16, 2020.
According to the indictment, on July 2, 2020, Brown possessed an SCCY Industries, model CPX-2, 9mm caliber pistol and seven 9mm Luger cartridges. Due to a previous conviction for a crime punishable by at least one year in prison, Brown is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition. Brown was also charged with failing to register as a sex offender between May 7, 2020 and July 2, 2020.
The charge of being a 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. The charge of failing to register as a sex offender carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, a minimum of five years and up to lifetime 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; U.S. Marshal John Gibbons for the District of Massachusetts; U.S. Marshal Thomas L. Foster of the Western District of Virginia; and Boston Police Commissioner William Gross made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elianna Nuzum of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit 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.
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.
Methuen Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing FentanylRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Methuen man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to distributing fentanyl.
Alexsander Padro, 28, pleaded guilty to distributing more than 40 grams of fentanyl before U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV, who scheduled sentencing for Jan. 8, 2021. In July 2019, Padro was arrested and charged.
Padro sold more than 40 grams of fentanyl to a cooperating source at a restaurant in Methuen on July 10, 2019. Padro also sold more than 40 grams of fentanyl to an undercover officer in March 2019 and $1,000 worth of fentanyl to an undercover officer in April 2019.
Padro faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 40 years in prison, a minimum of four years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $5 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 Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Abely, Deputy Chief of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit, is prosecuting the case.
Member of New Bedford Latin Kings Chapter Pleads Guilty to Racketeering Conspiracy ChargesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Massachusetts Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (“Latin Kings”) pleaded guilty today to racketeering charges. The defendant admitted to his role in a May 28, 2019 incident in New Bedford, where a rival gang member was shot at.
Luis Santiago, a/k/a “King Tiny,” 22, 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 Dec. 17, 2020. Santiago was charged in December 2019, at which time he was a member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings.
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.
As detailed during the hearing, Santiago admitted that on May 28, 2019, he was one of multiple members of the Latin Kings who travelled to Dartmouth Street in New Bedford to confront and assault rival gang members. For this incident, Santiago was provided with a firearm by another member of the gang. The confrontation began as a fight, but at some point Santiago pulled the firearm and began to chase the rival gang members. Santiago fired one shot at the fleeing rival gang members, missing and striking a parked vehicle.
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. Santiago is the 11th 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 New Bedford Police Chief Joseph C. Cordeiro 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.
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 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.
Marlboro Woman Sentenced for Distributing Synthetic Marijuana into State Correctional FacilitiesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Marlboro woman was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for distributing synthetic marijuana, or “K2,” into state correctional facilities.
Caitlin Marcey, 28, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Patti B. Saris to two years of probation, with the first six months to be served in home confinement. In January 2020, Marcey pleaded guilty to distribution of a controlled substance. Marcey was arrested and charged in June 2019.
Marcey mailed papers soaked in synthetic marijuana, or “K2,” to Massachusetts correctional facilities. The most common means of doing so is by soaking or spraying synthetic marijuana onto documents and then transporting those documents, either in person or by mail, into the jail, where they can be smoked. It is also common to attempt to include documents soaked in synthetic marijuana in mailings disguised as legal mail, as this mail is generally not subjected to rigorous screening due to attorney-client privilege.
In November 2018, investigators at the Souza Baranowksi Correctional Center (SBCC) in Lancaster, Mass., monitored recorded jail calls during which Marcey arranged for the delivery of synthetic marijuana. Investigators subsequently intercepted mail sent by Marcey that purported to be an attorney mailing to an SBCC inmate. The mail tested positive for synthetic marijuana.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, New England Field Division; Commissioner Carol Mici of the Massachusetts Department of Correction; Worcester County Sheriff Lewis Evangelidis; and Worcester Police Chief Steven M. Sargent made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Greg A. Friedholm and John T. Mulcahy of Lelling’s Worcester Branch Office prosecuted the case.
Lowell Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing FentanylRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Lowell man pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.
Steven Perez, 30, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl before U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young, who scheduled sentencing for Dec. 10, 2020. Perez was arrested and charged with co-defendant Anthony Holloway, of Methuen, on Dec. 11, 2019.
Over the course of several months, law enforcement investigated Perez and Holloway’s fentanyl distribution operation. Perez and, allegedly, Holloway used an elderly housing complex run by the Methuen Housing Authority to conduct drug sales.
The charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years and up to 40 years in prison, at 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; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Boston Field Office; and Methuen Police Chief Joseph Solomon made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip C. Cheng of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering 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.
Eight Individuals Charged with Using Stolen Identities to Fraudulently Purchase Vehicles Worth at Least a Half Million DollarsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Eight individuals have been charged with using the stolen identities of United States citizens from Puerto Rico to fraudulently purchase and finance late-model vehicles from dealerships in Massachusetts. In a coordinated effort, District of New Jersey, the State of New Jersey and the Northern District of Ohio also charged defendants in this scheme.
According to charging documents, between October 2017 and January 2019, the defendants visited Massachusetts car dealerships to purchase late-model vehicles and applied for 100% financing. In support of their applications, the defendants provided stolen biographical information of real United States citizens, fraudulent Puerto Rico driver’s licenses and Social Security cards in those identities, as proof of identification. The group allegedly used the stolen identities to illegally open bank accounts, credit cards and purchase vehicles, many of which were exported out of the United States.
The following individuals were charged today by criminal complaint, and all but two defendants who were already in custody, have been arrested.
- Ricardo Acevedo, 31, of Manchester, N.H., was charged with false representation of a Social Security number, aggravated identity theft and wire fraud. Acevedo allegedly used stolen identities to obtain car loans and purchased three cars worth $90,582, collectively;
- Joshua Cruz, 32, of Manchester, N.H., was charged with false representation of a Social Security number, aggravated identity theft and wire fraud. Cruz allegedly used stolen identities to obtain car loans and purchased three cars worth $170,288, collectively. Cruz is currently in custody serving a sentence on related state charges;
- Jose Irizarry, 44, of Union City, N.J., was charged with false representation of a Social Security number, aggravated identity theft and wire fraud. Irizarry allegedly used stolen identities to obtain car loans and purchased three cars worth $140,124, collectively. Irizarry was previously charged on related state charges in New Jersey, and remains in custody;
- Neida Lopez, 43, of Methuen, Mass., was charged with aggravated identity theft and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Lopez allegedly used a stolen identity to obtain a credit card and accrue $21,931 in charges on that card;
- Arialka Moya, 31, of Lowell, Mass., was charged with false representation of a Social Security number and wire fraud. Moya allegedly used a stolen identity to obtain a car loan and purchased one car worth $60,982;
- Alvin Rivera, 37, of Haverhill, Mass., was charged with false representation of a Social Security number, aiding and abetting the same, aggravated identity theft, aiding and abetting the same and wire fraud. Rivera allegedly assisted other individuals with the fraudulent purchase of vehicles by providing them with stolen personal identities and information;
- Iyaury Rodriguez, 39, of Reading, Penn., was charged with false representation of a Social Security number, aggravated identity theft and wire fraud. Rodriguez allegedly used stolen identities to obtain car loans and purchase three cars worth $98,432, collectively; and
- Wanda Sanchez, 36, of Lawrence, Mass., was arrested for false representation of a Social Security number, aggravated identity theft and wire fraud. Sanchez allegedly used a stolen identity to obtain a car loan to purchase one car worth $50,962.
In a coordinated multi-jurisdictional effort, individuals allegedly involved in this scheme were also charged in the District of New Jersey, the State of New Jersey and the Northern District of Ohio.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security’s Investigation’s Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force (DBFTF), a specialized field investigative group comprised of personnel from various local, state, and federal agencies with expertise in detecting, deterring, and disrupting organizations and individuals involved in various types of document, identity, and benefit fraud schemes. The DBFTF has been investigating this scheme since January 2019.
The charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud provide for 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 from the offense. The charge of aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory two-year sentence that must run consecutively to any other sentence imposed, up to one year of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of false representation of a Social Security number provides for 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; Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Brockton Police Chief Emanuel Gomes made the announcement today. Assistance was provided by the Lowell, Lawrence, Methuen, Haverhill, Woburn, and Dartmouth Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elianna Nuzum and Adam Deitch of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit are 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.