District of Massachusetts
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Boston Man Charged with Assaulting Officers with a Firearm During June 1 Civil Disorder in BostonRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston man was charged today with assaulting officers with a firearm during the civil disorder in Boston early in the morning of June 1, 2020.
John Boampong, 37, was charged by criminal complaint with one count each of assaulting a federal officer, interfering with a law enforcement officer during the commission of a civil disorder, and being a prohibited person under felony indictment in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Boampong is currently detained in state court and will make an initial appearance in federal court in Boston at a later date.
“The charges in this case – which involve someone legally barred from having a gun indiscriminately firing 11 rounds at a crowd of officers and civilians – are a good reminder of a simple rule: Protests, even disruptive ones, are legal. Destroying property and endangering lives is not. We will enforce that rule. This is also today’s reminder that what police officers really do every day is put themselves at risk to protect our communities,” said United State Attorney Andrew E. Lelling. “My thanks to the Boston Police for their professionalism, restraint and sacrifices during the recent period of unrest.”
“Shooting toward police officers who are there for no other reason than to protect the public is appalling, and it’s against the law. So is illegally carrying a loaded handgun. But we believe that’s exactly what John Boampong is alleged to have done. He incited panic, putting everyone—including civilians—in danger,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Today’s charges should send a clear message: there will be serious consequences for violent instigators who are exploiting legitimate, peaceful protests and engaging in violations of federal law.”
“On May 31, 2020, while people were expressing their First Amendment rights, others unfortunately turned to violence directed toward our city, its residents, and my officers,” said Boston Police Commissioner William Gross. “I’m pleased to work in partnership with the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the United States Attorney's Office bringing federal charges against John Boampong. This sends a clear message that people committing violent crime in our city, against our residents, and my officers, will not be tolerated.”
“On June 3, 2020, my office charged Mr. Boampong with 21 counts of armed assault with intent to murder. Since that day, he has been removed from the community pursuant to a dangerousness hearing initiated by the Suffolk County DA's Office,” said DA Rachael Rollins. “Mr. Boampong’s behavior was egregious, violent and unacceptable and he will be held accountable. Any opportunity to work in collaboration with our federal partners to keep Suffolk County residents and the members of law enforcement that are sworn to protect and serve us, is welcomed by my office.”
According to court documents, on the evening of May 31, 2020 and continuing through the morning of June 1, 2020, what began as a peaceful demonstration in Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood devolved into widespread acts of violence, vandalism, looting and destruction of police property, including the burning of at least one police vehicle on Tremont Street. Some protestors threw rocks, bricks and commercially-available explosives, such as M-80s, at police officers. Numerous police officers were injured.
It is alleged that, on June 1, 2020 at approximately 3:00 am, Boampong was driving his car near the Arlington Street and Boylston Street intersection in front of a store that had been victimized by looting that evening. Police officers instructed Boampong and his passengers to leave the area. The occupants of Boampong’s car initially became verbally combative towards the officers and failed to leave the area as instructed. When Boampong reversed the car, officers told him to stop, as officers and another vehicle were in the way. Boampong kept driving in reverse until one officer knocked with his baton on Boampong’s car to get his attention.
Boampong then drove away, but soon returned to the area, parked on Providence Street, and allegedly shot at least 11 times toward officers, including a deputized federal officer. The officers took cover by bracing or ducking behind cars and others objects. Bullets broke through the windows of two apartments above ground level in a building behind some of the officers.
When officers eventually stopped Boampong’s car, they saw a Sig Sauer P230 9mm firearm lying on the floor of the front passenger-side floor mat, and a black holster underneath the driver’s seat, where Boampong had been sitting. The firearm was recovered, examined and revealed to have Boampong’s fingerprint on it.
At the time, Boampong was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition because he faced pending state charges carrying potential sentences exceeding one year.
The charge of assaulting federal officers provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charges of interfering with law enforcement officers during a civil disorder and being a prohibited person in receipt of a firearm or ammunition provide 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 upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Lelling, FBI Boston SAC Bonavolonta, Boston Police Commissioner Gross and Suffolk County District Attorney Rollins made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Dawley of Lelling’s Organized Crime and Gang Unit, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott L. Garland, Deputy Chief of Lelling’s National Security Unit, are prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the complaint are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Parent in College Admissions Case Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A California man was sentenced today for agreeing to pay more than $500,000 to participate in the college admissions scheme for his two children.
Manuel Henriquez, 56, the founder of Hercules Capital, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to six months in prison, two years of supervised release during which time he is ordered to conduct 200 hours of community service, and ordered to pay a fine of $200,000. In October 2019, Henriquez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and honest services mail and wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Beginning in 2015, Henriquez conspired with William “Rick” Singer and others to secure his children’s admission to selective colleges and universities through bribery and fraud. In June 2015, Henriquez paid Singer to have a corrupt proctor correct his older daughter’s answers on the SAT II subject tests. In October 2015, Henriquez again paid Singer to have a third party correct his older daughter’s answers on the SAT exam. Henriquez pursued exam cheating through Singer for his younger daughter on three additional occasions in 2016 and 2017, once in Houston, Texas and twice in Los Angeles, Calif. Finally, Henriquez paid Singer $400,000 to facilitate his older daughter’s admission to Georgetown University as a purported tennis recruit, even though she did not play tennis competitively.
In March 2020, the defendant’s wife, Elizabeth Henriquez, was sentenced to seven months in prison, two years of supervised release, during which time she is ordered to conduct 300 hours of community service, and ordered to pay a fine of $200,000.
Manuel Henriquez is the 28th parent to have pleaded guilty and the 20th parent to be sentenced in this case.
Singer previously pleaded guilty and is cooperating with the government’s investigation.
Case information, including the status of each defendant, charging documents and plea agreements are available here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/investigations-college-admissions-and-testing-bribery-scheme.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric S. Rosen, Justin D. O’Connell, Leslie A. Wright, Kristen A. Kearney, Karin M. Bell and Stephen E. Frank of Lelling’s Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the 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.
U.S. Attorney Lelling Announces MOU with Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery Brian D. MillerRead the Press Release
BOSTON – United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling announced today that the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Special Inspector General Brian D. Miller of the Office of the Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery (SIGPR), to investigate and prosecute fraud in the distribution of the massive relief package authorized by the CARES Act.
“It’s an unfortunate reality that a certain kind of criminal capitalizes on crises to take advantage of government programs,” said U.S. Attorney Lelling. “Since the outset of this pandemic, my office has worked with our law enforcement partners to disrupt fraudulent schemes targeting the government’s pandemic relief efforts. This partnership with SIGPR marks an important step in enhancing that effort.”
The MOU will allow the U.S. Attorney’s Office and SIGPR to enhance their cooperative efforts in investigating and prosecuting matters involving loans, loan guarantees and other investments made by the Secretary of the Treasury under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020, while using criminal and civil resources efficiently.
“I am looking forward to working with United States Attorney Andy Lelling and his team in Boston,” said Special Inspector General Miller. “Identifying fraud and preventing any waste or abuse of the money provided under the CARES Act is a top priority for both of our offices, and we are determined to bring those who attempt to steal from American taxpayers to justice. This partnership, I am confident, will help to ensure the security and efficiency of the CARES Act funds.”
The MOU outlines four objectives: 1) to provide a coordinated response to CARES Act funding fraud, with an emphasis on organized criminal activity, as well as criminal and civil fraud affecting federal money, vulnerable victims, and fraud recidivists; 2) to speed up legal process, case intake, and prosecution of CARES Act-related fraud; 3) to link and associate isolated CARES Act-related complaints with larger schemes and related unlawful activity; and 4) to deter future CARES Act funding fraud by increasing awareness of successful criminal prosecutions and civil enforcement actions against individuals and companies involved in CARES-related financial fraud.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys from the Criminal Division and the Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office will serve as liaisons to the partnership with SIGPR. The District of Massachusetts will also provide other staffing support for these investigations.
Massachusetts residents who believe they are victims of fraud or other criminal activity related to the pandemic should contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at [email protected] or call 1-888-221-6023. Members of the public can also contact the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) by visiting www.IC3.gov. If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, please call 911.
Member of North Shore Latin Kings Chapter Pleads Guilty to Drug Distribution ChargesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A member of the North Shore Chapter of the Massachusetts Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (“Latin Kings”) pleaded guilty today to drug distribution charges.
Henry Caribe a/k/a “King 40 Cal,” 29, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine base. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel scheduled sentencing for Nov. 3, 2020. Caribe was charged in December 2019, at which time he was serving a state sentence.
During the plea proceedings, Caribe admitted to selling a cooperating witness over 70 grams of cocaine base, or “crack” cocaine, in a series of audio/video recorded sales that took place between January and March of 2015.
The Latin Kings are a violent criminal enterprise comprised of thousands of members across the United States. 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.
The conspiracy charge provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a minimum of three years and up to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; 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 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.
Massachusetts Man Charged with Unemployment Insurance ScamRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Melrose man was arrested today and charged in connection with his role in an unemployment insurance fraud scheme.
Alan Neal Scott, 68, was charged by criminal complaint with one count of mail fraud. Following an initial appearance today, Scott was detained pending a probable cause and detention hearing set for July 30, 2020.
According to charging documents, Scott allegedly submitted numerous fraudulent unemployment insurance claims with the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA). Scott submitted these claims using his own identity as well as the identities of various individuals – including individuals who were not eligible for unemployment benefits as they were incarcerated at the time of the claims and could not have been employed as reported. Moreover, the fraudulent claims all reported prior employment at a non-operational Massachusetts-based business also associated with Scott. The complaint alleges that as a result of these fraudulent claims, the DUA sent unemployment benefits funds to several addresses connected to Scott and that the funds were deposited into accounts controlled by Scott.
The charging statute provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of not more than $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater, forfeiture and restitution. 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 Mikulka, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Labor Racketeering and Fraud Investigation, New York Regional Office; Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Joseph Cronin, Inspector in Charge of the United States Postal Inspection Service; and Scott Antolik, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Unemployment Assistance, Program Integrity Unit also provided assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Miron Bloom of Lelling’s Securities, Financial and Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the criminal complaint are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Harvard University Professor Charged with Tax OffensesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The former Chair of Harvard University’s Chemistry and Chemical Biology Department was charged today in a superseding indictment with tax offenses for failing to report income he received from Wuhan University of Technology (WUT) in Wuhan, China.
Dr. Charles Lieber, 61, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston on two counts of making and subscribing a false income tax return and two counts of failing to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts (FBAR) with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). In June 2020, Lieber was indicted on two counts of making false statements to federal authorities. Lieber was arrested on Jan. 28, 2020.
The superseding indictment alleges that Lieber served as the Principal Investigator of the Lieber Research Group at Harvard University, which received more than $15 million in federal research grants between 2008 and 2019. Unbeknownst to his employer, Harvard University, Lieber allegedly became a “Strategic Scientist” at WUT and, later, a contractual participant in China’s Thousand Talents Plan from at least 2012 through 2015. China’s Thousand Talents Plan is one of the most prominent Chinese talent recruitment plans designed to attract, recruit and cultivate high-level scientific talent in furtherance of China’s scientific development, economic prosperity and national security.
Under the terms of Lieber’s three-year Thousand Talents contract, WUT allegedly paid Lieber a salary of up to $50,000 per month, living expenses of up to $150,000 and awarded him more than $1.5 million to establish a research lab at WUT. It is alleged that in 2018 and 2019, Lieber lied to federal authorities about his involvement in the Thousand Talents Plan and his affiliation with WUT.
According to the superseding indictment, in tax years 2013 and 2014, Lieber earned income from WUT in the form of salary and other payments made to him pursuant to the Strategic Scientist and Thousand Talents Contracts, which he did not disclose to the IRS on his federal income tax returns. The superseding indictment also alleges that Lieber, together with WUT officials, opened a bank account at a Chinese bank during a trip to Wuhan in 2012. Thereafter, between at least 2013 and 2015, WUT periodically deposited portions of Lieber’s salary into that account. U.S. taxpayers are required to report the existence of any foreign bank account that holds more than $10,000 at any time during a given year by the filing an FBAR with the IRS. Lieber allegedly failed to file FBARs for the years 2014 and 2015.
The charge of making false statements provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of making and subscribing false income tax returns provides for a sentence of up to three years in prison, one year of supervised release and a $100,000 fine. The charge of failing to file an FBAR 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 upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Leigh-Alistair Barzey, Special Agent in Charge of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Northeast Field Office; Philip Coyne, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General; and Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston made this announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Casey of Lelling’s National Security Unit is prosecuting this case with the assistance of Trial Attorney David Aaron of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
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.
Harvard University Professor Charged with Tax OffensesRead the Press Release
The former Chair of Harvard University’s Chemistry and Chemical Biology Department was charged today in a superseding indictment with tax offenses for failing to report income he received from Wuhan University of Technology (WUT) in Wuhan, China.
Dr. Charles Lieber, 61, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston on two counts of making and subscribing a false income tax return and two counts of failing to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts (FBAR) with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). In June 2020, Lieber was indicted on two counts of making false statements to federal authorities. Lieber was arrested on Jan. 28, 2020.
The superseding indictment alleges that Lieber served as the Principal Investigator of the Lieber Research Group at Harvard University, which received more than $15 million in federal research grants between 2008 and 2019. Unbeknownst to his employer, Harvard University, Lieber allegedly became a “Strategic Scientist” at WUT and, later, a contractual participant in China’s Thousand Talents Plan from at least 2012 through 2015. China’s Thousand Talents Plan is one of the most prominent Chinese talent recruitment plans designed to attract, recruit and cultivate high-level scientific talent in furtherance of China’s scientific development, economic prosperity and national security.
Under the terms of Lieber’s three-year Thousand Talents contract, WUT allegedly paid Lieber a salary of up to $50,000 per month, living expenses of up to $150,000 and awarded him more than $1.5 million to establish a research lab at WUT. It is alleged that in 2018 and 2019, Lieber lied to federal authorities about his involvement in the Thousand Talents Plan and his affiliation with WUT.
According to the superseding indictment, in tax years 2013 and 2014, Lieber earned income from WUT in the form of salary and other payments made to him pursuant to the Strategic Scientist and Thousand Talents Contracts, which he did not disclose to the IRS on his federal income tax returns. The superseding indictment also alleges that Lieber, together with WUT officials, opened a bank account at a Chinese bank during a trip to Wuhan in 2012. Thereafter, between at least 2013 and 2015, WUT periodically deposited portions of Lieber’s salary into that account. U.S. taxpayers are required to report the existence of any foreign bank account that holds more than $10,000 at any time during a given year by the filing an FBAR with the IRS. Lieber allegedly failed to file FBARs for the years 2014 and 2015.
The charge of making false statements provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of making and subscribing false income tax returns provides for a sentence of up to three years in prison, one year of supervised release and a $100,000 fine. The charge of failing to file an FBAR 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 upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers; U.S. Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Leigh-Alistair Barzey, Special Agent in Charge of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Northeast Field Office; Philip Coyne, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General; and Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston made this announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Casey of Lelling’s National Security Unit is prosecuting this case with the assistance of Trial Attorney David Aaron of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
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.
Former Real Estate Attorney and Wife Indicted on Mortgage Fraud and Tax ChargesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former Massachusetts attorney and his wife were indicted today in federal court in Boston in connection with various mortgage fraud schemes.
Barry Wayne Plunkett Jr., 60, and Nancy Plunkett, 55, both of Hyannis Port, were indicted on five counts of bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. Barry Wayne Plunkett Jr. was also charged with one count of tax evasion.
According to the indictment, until he was disbarred in October 2017, Barry Wayne Plunkett Jr. owned and operated the Plunkett Law Firm where his wife, Nancy Plunkett, was his office assistant and paralegal.
The indictment alleges that the defendants engaged in several bank fraud schemes. In one scheme, from September 2012 to July 2016, the defendants defrauded six mortgage lenders and 14 homeowners for whom the Plunkett Law Firm handled the closings for new mortgage loans to refinance residential properties. The defendants informed the mortgage lenders that pre-existing mortgages were paid off from the new loan proceeds when, in fact, the Plunketts intentionally failed to pay off the prior liens and instead converted more than $900,000 in payoff funds for their own purposes.
In other bank fraud schemes – between April 2015 and March 2018 – it is alleged that the Plunketts fraudulently used various names, entities and false documents to obtain three successive mortgage loans on their home in Hyannis Port in amounts of $412,000, $470,000 and $1.2 million. The defendants pledged as collateral a property in Hyannis Port that was held in a family trust for which Barry Wayne Plunkett Jr. was one of three beneficiaries. Both defendants participated in providing false documents to the lenders, including false title reports and other records to falsely represent that the property was free and clear of existing mortgage liens and forged documents in the names of other people. The defendants also allegedly made misrepresentations to a lender that Nancy Plunkett was a single woman living in Wellesley who was purchasing the property in her maiden name as a business investment when, in fact, the defendants had been married since 2014 and the property was their residence.
The charge of bank fraud provides for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of tax evasion provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of aggravated identity theft provides for a mandatory two-year sentence to be served consecutively to any other sentence imposed. 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 Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor A. Wild of Lelling’s Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.
Former UCLA Soccer Coach Enters Guilty Plea in College Admissions CaseRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The former men’s soccer coach at the University of California – Los Angeles (UCLA), entered a guilty plea today in connection with his involvement in a scheme to use bribery and fraud to facilitate the admission of applicants to UCLA.
Jorge Salcedo, 47, of Los Angeles, Calif., entered a guilty plea as to one count of conspiracy to commit racketeering. U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani deferred acceptance of the plea until sentencing, which is scheduled for Nov. 24, 2020. According to the terms of the plea agreement, the government will recommend a sentence at the low end of the sentencing guidelines, one year of supervised release, a fine, forfeiture in the amount of $200,000 and restitution.
In 2016, Salcedo agreed with William “Rick” Singer, Ali Khosroshahin – a former head coach of women’s soccer at the University of Southern California – and others to facilitate the admission of the daughter of Davina and Bruce Isackson to UCLA as a purported women’s soccer recruit. Salcedo emailed the UCLA women’s soccer coaches the Isacksons’ daughter’s transcript, test scores, and a fake soccer profile that he had received from Singer and Khosroshahin. When UCLA compliance officers questioned how the Isacksons’ daughter was discovered and whether she actually played soccer, Salcedo created a fake backstory about how he learned about the Isacksons’ daughter through a club team coach. Around June 29, 2016, UCLA provisionally admitted the Isacksons’ daughter as a recruited walk-on for the women’s soccer team. For his part in the deal, Salcedo received $100,000 of the $250,000 that the Isacksons paid Singer.
In 2018, Salcedo agreed with Singer and Khosroshahin to “recruit” the son of Xiaoning Sui, another client of Singer’s, to the UCLA men’s soccer team despite the fact that Sui’s son did not play soccer competitively. In the recruitment paperwork, Salcedo falsely reported that he had seen Sui’s son play in China and that he planned to offer him a 25% scholarship which would be “good value” for a player of his quality. Around Nov. 6, 2018, as a result of Salcedo’s recruitment, Sui’s son was admitted to UCLA as a student-athlete on the men’s soccer team with a 25% scholarship. In exchange, Salcedo accepted a $100,000 bribe from Singer, who had been paid $400,000 by Sui.
Salcedo also agreed with Singer to recruit another student. During a consensually recorded call on Nov. 30, 2018, Singer proposed to Salcedo that he had another student for Salcedo to recruit who was not a “real soccer player.” Singer asked Salcedo if they could “do the same deal we did with” Sui’s son. After Singer clarified that the deal would be for 2020, Salcedo affirmed that he could give the student a scholarship in return for $100,000.
Singer, Khosroshahin, Davina and Bruce Isackson, and Sui have all pleaded guilty to their roles in the offense. Sui was sentenced to time served of approximately five months in prison. Singer, Khosroshahin and Davina and Bruce Isackson are cooperating with the government’s investigation.
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 racketeering conspiracy provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater and restitution. 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 Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric S. Rosen, Justin D. O’Connell, Leslie A. Wright, Kristen A. Kearney, Karin M. Bell and Stephen E. Frank of Lelling’s Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.
Colombian National Agrees to Plead Guilty to $109 Million Medicare Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Colombian national residing in Lighthouse Beach, Fla., has agreed to plead guilty in connection with submitting more than $109 million in false and fraudulent claims for durable medical equipment (DME) such as arm, back, knee and shoulder braces.
Juan Camilo Perez Buitrago, 31, was charged by information with one count of health care fraud and one count of payment of kickbacks in connection with a federal health care program. A plea hearing has not yet been scheduled.
According to charging documents, Perez manufactured and submitted false and fraudulent Medicare claims by instructing his employees to establish shell companies in more than a dozen different states, including Massachusetts. Perez directed employees to list his mother, wife, and yacht captain as corporate directors and to use fictitious names when registering the shell companies as DME providers. Perez allegedly purchased Medicare patient data from foreign and domestic call centers that targeted elderly patients, and instructed call centers to contact the Medicare beneficiaries with an offer of ankle, arm, back, knee, and/or shoulder braces “at little to no cost.” He then submitted Medicare claims for those patients without obtaining a prescriber’s order to ensure that the braces were medically necessary. It is further alleged that he submitted blatantly fraudulent claims, including claims for deceased patients and repeat claims for the same patient and the same DME. Perez failed to provide any DME for more than $7.5 million in claims. When Perez did provide DME to patients, he typically billed insurance policies more than 12 times the average price of the DME that he provided to the patient.
In total, the charging document alleges that Perez submitted $109 million in Medicare claims and collected more than $12 million.
Each charge provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Johnnie Sharp Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Birmingham Field Division: Phillip Coyne, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General, Boston Division; and Joseph W. Cronin, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elysa Q. Wan of Lelling’s Health Care Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Commemorates 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities ActRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Sunday, July 26, 2020, marks the 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (the ADA), a critical civil rights law that aims to eliminate discrimination against people with disabilities.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts is proud to play a critical role in the Justice Department’s enforcement efforts under the ADA, which was signed into law on July 26, 1990, and is the nation’s preeminent civil rights law for providing access and equal opportunity for people with disabilities.
“During my tenure as U.S. Attorney, my office has aggressively enforced civil rights protections on behalf of the people of Massachusetts, and nowhere is this more important than in the context of disability rights,” said United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling. “The ADA is an important and powerful law that addresses issues ranging from making sure restaurants can accommodate wheelchairs, to ensuring that web services are accessible to those with vision, hearing and physical disabilities. Despite this year’s 30th anniversary commemoration, there is more work to do. Our role in advancing disability rights is crucial to ensure that the aspiration of the ADA—the elimination of discrimination against all forms of disability, both physical and mental—is achieved.”
Since the formation of the Civil Rights Unit in the fall of 2015, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has investigated a number of ADA cases. This includes agreements with Tufts Medical Center to adopt policies that ensure effective communication for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and with McLean Hospital to make the hospital’s buildings physically accessible. In addition, the office entered into settlements with two skilled nursing facilities, Athena Health Care Systems and Charlwell House, ensuring that individuals prescribed medication assisted treatment to treat their opioid use disorder would not be denied admission. The U.S. Attorney's Office also reached agreements with a number of schools and school districts, including Hudson Public Schools, The Park School and Lexington Chinese School, to ensure that students with disabilities enjoy the same access to education and educational programs as their peers.
The promise of the ADA is its wide-ranging efforts to eliminate disability discrimination across the range of services, programs and activities that most Americans take for granted, but were largely inaccessible to individuals with disabilities. Whether in employment, areas of civic life, or in the day-to-day activities and access to goods and services that we all enjoy – the ADA requires that we take those steps necessary to ensure access for all.
Over the past 30 years, the United States has undertaken the challenge of changing perceptions about disability, tearing down barriers to equality and altering the systems that have historically excluded people with disabilities. Today, the Justice Department commemorates the many ways that the ADA has transformed society—by replacing exclusion with access, segregation with integration and limitations with self-determination.
For more information about the 30th Anniversary of the ADA, please visit www.ada.gov. To file a complaint with the Department, please visit the Civil Rights Division’s portal at https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/. For more information about the ADA, call the Department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 (TTY).
Boston Man Charged with Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston man was charged yesterday with being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.
Tevin Abercrombie, 25, was charged by criminal complaint with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Abercrombie is currently detained on a supervised release violation and will make an initial appearance in federal court in Boston at a later date.
According to the criminal complaint, on April 16, 2020, Abercrombie possessed a black Taurus 9mm pistol with an obliterated serial number, loaded with one round in the chamber and an additional seven rounds of 9mm ammunition in the magazine. In 2016, Abercrombie was convicted in federal court of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and conspiracy to distribute cocaine base, cocaine and heroin and sentenced to 60 months in prison. Abercrombie was on federal supervised release at the time of this offense.
The charging statute provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Boston Police Commissioner William Gross made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Dawley of Lelling’s Organized Crime and Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
The details contained in the complaint are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
U.S. Attorney’s Office and FBI Team with AARP for Tele-Town Hall on COVID Scams Targeting SeniorsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Boston Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation have partnered with AARP to educate senior citizens in Massachusetts about COVID-19 scams and other fraud targeting the aging population.
Through AARP’s Fraud Watch Network, approximately 5,600 Massachusetts seniors participated in the hour-long tele-town hall event yesterday with U.S. Attorney Andrew E. Lelling, federal prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI. During the tele-town hall, federal officials discussed the types of schemes currently being reported, provided tips and tools on how to avoid becoming a victim and answered callers’ questions.
“As communities undertake efforts to stem the spread of COVID-19, scammers are using the pandemic as an opportunity to prey on public fear and take advantage of vulnerable members of our communities,” said United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling. “Over recent months, we’ve seen a surge of scams including counterfeit medical supplies, bogus treatments and fake vaccines, and scams attempting to gain access to personal financial information. We are committed to finding and prosecuting those who perpetrate these scams as well as educating individuals about how to protect themselves from becoming victims of crime.”
“Scammers targeting seniors are a growing concern here in Massachusetts. Last year alone, more than $11.2 million in losses were reported to us by elderly victims, and we know for a fact these crimes are grossly underreported because of shame and embarrassment,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Fraudsters are using the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic to their advantage and that’s why we need to work together to put them out of business for good. Educating ourselves, as well as our aging family members and friends through tele-town halls like this one, is crucial to avoid becoming a victim.”
Throughout the current health crisis, federal investigators and prosecutors have continued to fulfill the Justice Department’s critical mission of protecting public safety. Federal authorities have prioritized the disruption, investigation and prosecution of crimes related to COVID-19, including fraud schemes, unapproved treatments and scams related to stimulus money and unemployment.
Massachusetts residents who believe they are victims of fraud or other criminal activity related to the pandemic should contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at [email protected] or call 1-888-221-6023. Members of the public can also contact the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) by visiting www.IC3.gov. If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, please call 911.
Eighteen Charged in Wide-Ranging Fentanyl, Heroin, Crack, and Cocaine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Eighteen individuals from Massachusetts and elsewhere were charged in a superseding indictment unsealed today in federal court in Boston on charges related to a wide-ranging fentanyl, heroin, crack, and cocaine trafficking conspiracy.
Eight individuals, Pedro Baez, 50, of Fitchburg; Anthony Baez, 31, of Fitchburg; Amanda Ford, 33, of Fitchburg; Monica Troche, 27, of Fitchburg; Branny Taveras, 37, of Fitchburg; Shastaalena Blair, 39, of Fitchburg; Jessica Hughes 28, of Gardner; and Valerie Lucier, 30, of Fitchburg, were previously arrested and charged in a November 2019 indictment. Pedro and Anthony Baez are both detained pending trial. The superseding indictment unsealed today charges eight additional individuals who were arrested: Pablo Vidarte Hernandez, 46, of Fitchburg; Adiangel Paredes, 33, of Leominster; Kevin Martinez, 41, of Fitchburg; Ricky Figueroa, 29, of Fitchburg; Pedro Villot-Santiago, 30, of Fitchburg; Ivan Torres, 30, of Fitchburg; Jonathan Villot, 29, of Fitchburg; and Hector Matos, 29, of Whitinsville. Two other individuals were also indicted and remain at large.
The November 2019 indictment charged the defendants with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 100 grams or more of heroin, and 28 grams or more of cocaine base (crack). Anthony Baez and Monica Troche were also charged with five counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute and distribution of fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine.
The superseding indictment adds defendants Pablo Vidarte Hernandez, Adiagel Paredes, Kevin Martinez, Ricky Figueroa, and Pedro Villot-Santiago to count one and alleges the conspiracy involved one kilogram or more of heroin, 280 grams or more of cocaine base, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, and 500 grams or more of cocaine. The superseding indictment charges Pedro Baez and Anthony Baez with distribution and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 100 grams or more of heroin, and cocaine. In addition, the superseding indictment charges Ricky Figueroa, Pedro Villot-Santiago, Ivan Torres, Jonathan Villot, Hector Matos, and two others with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base and 500 grams or more of cocaine.
The charge of conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, 280 grams or more of cocaine base, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, and 500 grams or more of cocaine provides for a sentence of up to life in prison, a term of supervised release of at least three years and up to life, and a fine of up to $10 million. The charge of conspiracy to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base and 500 grams or more of cocaine provides for a sentence of up to life in prison, a term of supervised release of at least four years and up to life, and a fine of up to $10 million. The other drug trafficking charges provide for a sentencing range of five years to a lifetime in prison, a term of supervised release of at least four years and up to life, and a fine of between $5 million to $10 million. Due to a previous conviction of a qualifying drug trafficking offense, Pedro Baez faces enhanced mandatory minimum sentences. 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 Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today. The Fitchburg and Lunenburg Police Departments, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Massachusetts State Police provided valuable assistance. Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is 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 indictment are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Dorchester Man Charged in Second Superseding Indictment with Sex Trafficking over 15 Year PeriodRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dorchester man and a Rehoboth woman have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston on sex trafficking charges.
Bruce Brown, a/k/a “Arki,” 41, of Boston, was indicted in a second superseding indictment unsealed today in federal court. The second superseding indictment charges Brown with an additional count of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and an additional count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking. It also charges Muriel Close, 42, of Rehoboth, with conspiracy to commit sex trafficking.
Brown was previously indicted on Feb. 13, 2020, with four counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion; one count of sex trafficking of a minor by force, fraud and coercion; one count of transportation of a minor for purposes of prostitution; and one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking. On June 16, 2020, Brown was charged in a superseding indictment with obstruction of justice and witness tampering for his attempt to influence a victim’s testimony related to the pending charges against him. Brown dubbed this scheme his “Plan B.”
According to the second superseding indictment, Brown engaged in the sex trafficking of five victims over a 15 year period beginning in June 2004 and continuing through approximately December 2019.
Close’s conspiracy charges are based on her conduct involving three victims, two from 2012, and one from 2019.
The charges of sex trafficking and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking provide for a sentence of up to life in prison, five years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The sex trafficking statute also imposes a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years for offenses committed by means of force, threats of force, fraud or coercion. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. The Newton Police Department provided valuable assistance in the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Lelling’s Civil Rights Enforcement Team.
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 MS-13 Members Plead Guilty to RICO Conspiracy and July 2018 Murder of Teenager in LynnRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Two members of the violent transnational criminal gang known as “La Mara Salvatrucha” or “MS-13” pleaded guilty in federal court yesterday to RICO conspiracy and admitted to their participation in the July 2018 murder of a teenage boy in Lynn.
Erick Lopez Flores, a/k/a “Mayimbu,” 31, of Lynn, and Marlos Reyes, a/k/a “Silencio,” 20, of Chelsea, pleaded guilty in separate proceedings before Senior U.S. District Court Judge Mark L. Wolf to one count of conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, also known as RICO conspiracy, on behalf of the MS-13 gang. As part of their plea, the defendants admitted that on July 30, 2018, they participated in the murder of a teenage boy who was murdered with extreme atrocity and cruelty, and with deliberate premeditation, in violation of Massachusetts law. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 14, 2020
According to court documents, MS-13 is a violent transnational criminal organization whose branches or “cliques” operate throughout the United States, including Massachusetts. MS-13 members often commit acts of violence against rival gang members, those suspected of cooperating with law enforcement, and others. In recent years, dozens of MS-13 members have been convicted of RICO conspiracy and other serious felonies in the District of Massachusetts.
Both Lopez Flores and Reyes belonged to the “Sykos Locos Salvatrucha” clique of MS-13, which operated in Lynn, Chelsea and other parts of Massachusetts. Lopez Flores was one of the leaders of the Sykos clique. Both defendants admitted that their racketeering activity on behalf of MS-13 included acts involving murder.
Specifically, Lopez Flores and Reyes admitted that they participated in the July 30, 2018 murder of a teenage boy, whose body was found in a wooded area in Lynn on Aug. 2, 2018. The victim was found dead with dozens of sharp force trauma wounds consistent with being stabbed numerous times. The investigation revealed that Lopez and others had lured the victim to the wooded park a few days prior, where they murdered him because they did not believe he was sufficiently loyal to the group.
Lopez Flores and Reyes are two of six alleged MS-13 members arrested in October 2018.
The charge of RICO conspiracy involving murder provides for a sentence of up to life in prison, five years of supervised release, a fine up to $250,000 and restitution. 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; Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Boston Field Division; Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Lynn Police Chief Michael Mageary made the announcement . The Boston, Chelsea, and Peabody Police Departments, as well as the Massachusetts Department of Corrections, provided valuable assistance with the investigation.
The case was investigated 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 merely allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Massachusetts Man Sentenced for Illegally Retaining Classified National Defense Information Regarding U.S. Military ProgramsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former Raytheon systems engineer was sentenced today for illegally retaining national defense information. The defendant retained 31,000 pages of information that was marked as classified, some of which pertained to U.S. missile defense and was classified at the SECRET level, and altered or obliterated the classification markings on documents.
Ahmedelhadi Yassin Serageldin, 67, of Sharon, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris to 18 months in prison, one year of supervised release and ordered to pay a fine of $10,000. In December 2019, Serageldin pleaded guilty to one count of willfully retaining national defense information.
Serageldin was a systems engineer at Raytheon Technologies in Massachusetts from August 1997 until he was terminated in May 2017. Serageldin had a SECRET level security clearance in order to complete his assignments on several defense contracts for the U.S. government involving military radar technology.
After Raytheon raised suspicions to federal authorities about whether Serageldin was being candid during an internal investigation of his computer usage, agents followed Serageldin to a local library where they discovered that he was researching how to delete files from his computer. During the execution of search warrants, over 3,100 electronic files and over 110 paper documents belonging to Raytheon or the Department of Defense, over 570 of which were marked as containing classified information, were recovered. The documents marked as containing classified information totaled approximately 31,000 pages in length. Court documents list five specific documents, all of which pertain to U.S. military programs involving missile defense and are classified at the SECRET level. It was also determined that Serageldin had altered or obliterated the classification markings on approximately 50 documents.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Assistant Attorney General John C. Demers of the Justice Department’s National Security Division; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Michael Wiest, Special Agent in Charge of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Northeast Field Office made the announcement today. Assistance with the investigation was provided by the Air Force Office of Special Investigations and the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston. Raytheon Technologies has cooperated with the investigation, which was launched after they notified federal authorities about the suspicious conduct. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott L. Garland, Deputy Chief of Lelling’s National Security Unit, prosecuted the case with assistance from Trial Attorney Scott Claffee of the Justice Department’s National Security Division.
Auburn Man Charged with Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – An Auburn man was arrested and charged with possession of child pornography.
Jesse Laino, 26, was charged in a criminal complaint with one count of possession of child pornography. Laino was released on conditions following an initial appearance in federal court in Worcester today.
As alleged in charging documents, federal agents executed a search of Laino and his residence and seized two cellphones that contained child pornography, including hundreds of images and dozens of videos.
The charging statute provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; 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.
Transportation Broker for MassHealth Agrees to Pay $300,000 to Resolve False Claims AllegationsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The Montachusett Regional Transportation Authority (MART), a transportation broker for MassHealth, has agreed to pay $300,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by submitting reimbursement claims for rides that never happened.
As a state Medicaid program, which the federal government jointly finances, MassHealth must provide its members with non-emergency transportation to and from medical appointments that MassHealth covers. MassHealth uses transportation brokers, including MART, to help its members find these rides. MART in turn contracts with third-party transportation companies to provide rides to MassHealth members. MART pays the transportation companies for the rides and submits reimbursement claims to MassHealth for the costs of the rides. In addition, MassHealth’s parent agency, the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS), pays MART a management fee for its brokerage services.
The government alleges that, from Jan. 1, 2011 through Dec. 31, 2015, MART submitted reimbursement claims to MassHealth for thousands of rides that MART’s contracted transportation companies did not actually provide. MART’s contract with EOHHS required MART to have “procedures to verify that scheduled trips were performed as authorized and as billed, and that the Transportation Provider performed Consumer trips in a timely and satisfactory manner.” According to the allegations in the settlement agreement, however, MART’s verification procedures were not sufficient to prevent transportation companies from submitting false invoices to MART, resulting in MART then billing the invoiced amounts to MassHealth.
“MART obtained reimbursement from MassHealth for services that its vendors did not actually deliver,” said United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling. “We expect companies doing business with the government to comply with their contractual obligations. This office will continue to pursue those responsible for undermining the benefits that the government has bargained for.”
“The Medicaid program provides health care benefits to low-income individuals and families. Billing for transportation services that were never provided is a waste of valuable taxpayer funds that are intended to provide critical services to those in need,” said Special Agent in Charge Phillip M. Coyne of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. “This settlement is an example of how the State and the Federal government can work together to recoup and deter overbilling practices.”
“Not only did the Montachusett Regional Transportation Authority try to steal from a government program intended to support a vulnerable population, but they saddled taxpayers with the bills,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “Today’s settlement underscores the FBI’s commitment to working with our law enforcement partners in rooting out Medicaid fraud and ensuring that businesses aren’t taking more than what they have legitimately earned.”
U.S. Attorney Lelling, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, HHS-OIG SAC Coyne and FBI Boston SAC Bonavolonta made the announcement today. The matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan Panich of Lelling’s Office.
Malden Man Indicted for CARES Act Pandemic Unemployment Fraud and Identity FraudRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Malden man was charged today with identity fraud and with submitting fraudulent applications for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). The federal PUA program provides unemployment-related benefits to individuals who have been impacted by COVID-19.
Wagner Sozi, 32, was indicted on two counts of wire fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft and one count of making a false claim to the United States. Sozi was initially charged by criminal complaint and arrested on June 25, 2020. He was released on conditions following a detention hearing before U.S. Magistrate Court Judge David H. Hennessy on June 30, 2020.
Charging documents allege that Sozi engaged in a scheme to use stolen identity information to open accounts, make purchases, rent cars and apply for PUA benefits. Sozi allegedly obtained this stolen identity information from various sources, including from a Cambridge realty company that collected the personal identifying information of people who sought to rent local apartments. Sozi lived with an individual who had worked for this realty company, and agents found various files belonging to the company in Sozi’s apartment. Numerous identity theft victims tied to Sozi had been clients of this realty company, including at least one person in whose name a fraudulent PUA claim was filed.
Court documents reflect that Sozi, along with a female accomplice, opened credit accounts at an office supply retailer under various fake identities and then used these accounts to purchase Visa gift cards, resulting in a loss to the retail chain of more than $100,000. Sozi allegedly used another stolen identity to purchase a Rolex for more than $15,000. It is further alleged that he also possessed a Maine driver’s license, bearing his photograph and the name of an identity theft victim, which was used to open a bank account and to make large purchases at an Apple Store.
Following his arrest on June 25, 2020, agents seized documents from Sozi’s apartment, including a PUA debit card in another individual’s name. Further investigation revealed that the PUA claim associated with the seized debit card listed Sozi’s address as the mailing address and that another fraudulent PUA claim had been submitted under Sozi’s own name but with another person’s Social Security number.
The charges of 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. The charge of aggravated identity theft provides for a mandatory consecutive sentence of two years in prison, up to one year of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The false claim charge provides for a sentence of up to three years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Frederick J. Regan, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service, Boston Field Office; and Michael Mikulka, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Labor Racketeering and Fraud Investigation made the announcement today. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Unemployment Assistance, Program Integrity Unit, the Massachusetts State Police and the Malden, Medford and Braintree Police Departments provided valuable assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Abely, Deputy Chief of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit, is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Boylston Business Owner Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boylston man was sentenced today to prison for filing false and fraudulent corporate and individual tax returns.
Robert Fuller, 70, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman to six months in prison, one year of supervised release and ordered to pay restitution of $451,535 to the Internal Revenue Service. In February 2020, Fuller pleaded guilty to a two counts of filing false corporate and personal tax returns.
In 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016, Fuller, who is the owner of Fuller Motor Home in Boylston, Mass, omitted more than $900,000 in income from his corporate tax returns by cashing checks written to the business and not reporting the cashed checks to his tax preparers. Fuller also failed to report any of this diverted income as income on his personal tax returns as he was required to do.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Mulcahy of Lelling’s Worcester Branch Office prosecuted the case.
Alleged Members of La Oficina de Envigado – a Criminal Organization that Provided Enforcement and Collection Services for Medellín Cartel – Arrested for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Two Colombian men and two Massachusetts men have been arrested and charged in connection with organized crime in the Republic of Colombia.
Fabio de Jesus Yepes Sanchez, 54, and Mario Zapata Velez, 39, both of Medellín, were charged in indictments unsealed today with conspiracy to commit extortion, conspiracy to commit money laundering, conspiracy to make extortionate threats, interstate travel in aid of racketeering, collection of credit by extortionate means and conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. Yepes and Zapata were arrested by Colombian authorities on Wednesday, July 15, 2020.
Miguel Colindres, 59, and Juan Pablo Ariasgil, 39, both of Lowell, were indicted today on conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. Colindres and Ariasgil were previously charged by criminal complaint and arrested on July 15.
According to charging documents, Yepes and Zapata were members of La Oficina de Envigado (La Oficina), a criminal organization based in Medellín, Colombia. La Oficina originated in the 1980s when its members provided enforcement and collection services for the Medellín Cartel, including deceased Medellín Cartel leader Pablo Escobar. Today, La Oficina is allegedly involved in international narcotics trafficking, drug debt collection, money laundering, extortion and murder for hire.
It is alleged that Yepes and Zapata conspired to use threats to extort approximately $750,000 in drug debt from two cocaine traffickers based in Massachusetts. Yepes and Zapata also conspired with Colindres and Ariasgil to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine in Massachusetts. Colindres and Ariasgil also allegedly possessed with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.
The operation, dubbed “Operation Týr,” was conducted by a multi-agency task force through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). 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.
The charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, a minimum of five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. The charges of extortion conspiracy and collection of extensions of credit by extortionate means each provide for a sentence up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of interstate travel in aid of racketeering provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charges of money laundering and money laundering conspiracy each provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $500,000, or twice the value of the property 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 Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division, made the announcement today. The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs of the Justice Department, Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston and the Government of Colombia provided critical assistance with the investigation.
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.
Holyoke Man Sentenced for Selling CocaineRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Holyoke man was sentenced on Friday, July 17, in federal court in Springfield for drug possession and distribution charges.
Roberto Santiago, 45, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to 10 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Santiago sold cocaine on Sept. 30, 2019 in Holyoke. The arrest was the result of a multi-agency investigation into heroin trafficking in Holyoke dubbed “Operation Open Air.”
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 Neil L. Desroches of Lelling’s Springfield Branch Office 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. 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.
Felon Charged with Possession of Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Lawrence man was charged yesterday with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Stephen Skeirik, 36, was charged by criminal complaint with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Skeirik is currently serving a state sentence and is scheduled to appear in federal court in Boston on July 23, 2020.
According to charging documents, on Feb. 27, 2020, police observed Skeirik and another individual engage in a suspected drug transaction. When detectives approached Skeirik, he ran and threw a loaded Rugar .380 caliber pistol into a neighboring yard. During a search of his home detectives located another loaded firearm – a Rugar 9mm pistol loaded with seven rounds of ammunition, drug paraphernalia, police badges and clothing and handcuffs.
Due to previous convictions punishable by more than one year in prison, Skeirik is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.
The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts Parole Board, Lawrence Police Department and the Essex County District Attorney’s Office. 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.
This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
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.
Felon Charged with Possession of Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Lawrence man was charged yesterday with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Nathaniel Toribio, 22, charged by criminal complaint with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, made an initial appearance yesterday in federal court in Boston. He was detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for July 20, 2020.
As alleged in court documents, on Nov. 24, 2019, state parole officers were in Lawrence in an attempt to locate Toribio, who had removed his GPS monitoring device and absconded from parole supervision. Upon locating Toribio, the officers discovered an un-holstered, loaded firearm inside Toribio’s waistband. The firearm was identified as a Ruger Security-9 9mm pistol with 10 rounds of ammunition in the magazine. Toribio was arrested and charged in state court.
Due to previous convictions punishable by more than one year in prison, Toribio is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.
The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts Parole Board, Lawrence Police Department and the Essex County District Attorney’s Office. 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.
This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
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.
Winchester Man Charged with COVID-Relief FraudRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Winchester man was indicted yesterday in connection with allegedly filing fraudulent loan applications seeking more than $13 million in forgivable loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) for COVID-19 relief through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Elijah Majak Buoi, 38, was indicted on four counts of wire fraud and one count of making a false statement to a financial institution. Buoi was arrested and charged by criminal complaint in June 2020.
According to the indictment, Buoi is the president and CEO of an information technology services company, Sosuda Tech, LLC. Between April 2020 and June 2020, Buoi allegedly submitted fraudulent applications for over $13 million in PPP loans through SBA-approved lenders. In these applications, Buoi misrepresented the number of employees and payroll expenses and falsely certified that the United States was the primary residence for his employees. Buoi also allegedly submitted falsified documentation in support of his applications for PPP funds. The indictment further alleges that Buoi ultimately received over $2 million in PPP funds.
The CARES Act is a federal law enacted on March 29, 2020, designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses, through the PPP. In April 2020, Congress authorized over $300 billion in additional PPP funding.
The PPP allows qualifying small-businesses and other organizations to receive loans with a maturity of two years and an interest rate of 1 percent. PPP loan proceeds must be used by businesses on payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent and utilities. The PPP allows the interest and principal on the PPP loan to be forgiven if businesses spend the proceeds on these expenses within a set time period and use at least a certain percentage of the loan towards payroll expenses.
The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to 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 making a false statement to a financial institution provides for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. 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; Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston; Inspector General Mark Bialek of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Consumer Protection Bureau, Office of Inspector General; Kevin Kupperbusch, Special Agent in Charge of the Small Business Association, Office of Inspector General, Eastern Regional Office; and Inspector General Jay N. Lerner of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Officer of Inspector General made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mackenzie Queenin and Carol Head of Lelling’s Office and Trial Attorney Della Sentilles of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.
Massachusetts residents with information about attempted fraud involving COVID-19 should contact (add our hotline/email). Information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can also report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (BCDF) hotline by phone (1-866-720-5721) or via an online reporting form available at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
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.
Rhode Island Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Launder Funds of Email Compromise Fraud Targeting Massachusetts LawyerRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Rhode Island man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston in connection with a conspiracy to launder funds derived from Business Email Compromise (BEC) fraud schemes, including one that targeted a Dorchester, Mass. real estate attorney.
Sayon Balogun a/k/a “Oshine,” 32, a dual citizen of the United States and Nigeria, pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering conspiracy before U.S. Senior District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock, who scheduled sentencing for Nov. 10, 2020. Balogun was initially charged by criminal complaint on May 31, 2019, and arrested in Florida on June 10, 2019.
In January 2018, Balogun’s co-conspirators gained access to email accounts belonging to a Massachusetts attorney engaged in real estate closings. The co-conspirators then mimicked (spoofed) the real estate attorney’s email account and sent emails to a Massachusetts resident who was the purchaser in a legitimate real estate transaction. The spoofed emails directed the Massachusetts real-estate purchaser to wire transfer $531,981 (which the purchaser believed was for a legitimate real estate transaction) to the Wells Fargo account of a California woman, who in turn sent $60,000 to an account in the name of “David Tecum,” a fraudulent identity used by one of Balogun’s co-conspirators, Oghenetchouwe Adegor Ederaine, Jr. This account, and others, were opened by Ederaine to receive fraudulent proceeds at Balogun’s direction.
Ederaine pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft and money laundering conspiracy and was sentenced to 40 months in prison.
The charging statute 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 value of the funds laundered in the conspiracy. 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. The United States Attorney’s Office and the FBI in the Southern District of Florida provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney David D’Addio of Lelling’s Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.
Outlaws Motorcycle Club Regional President Pleads Guilty to Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The regional president of the Brockton/East Bridgewater Chapters of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club pleaded guilty yesterday to possession of an unregistered firearm.
Bruce Sartwell, a/k/a “Monster,” 48, of East Bridgewater, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of an unregistered firearm and 153 rounds of 5.56 caliber ammunition before U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper, who scheduled sentencing for Nov. 10, 2020. On Oct. 30, 2019, following the execution of a federal search warrant, Sartwell was arrested and charged.
On Oct. 19, 2019, agents intercepted a package originating in China and addressed to Sartwell that was declared as a “Fuel Filter” but actually contained a firearm silencer. A review of importation records revealed that Sartwell had received approximately 65 shipments from Asia (including over 55 from China), many of which were labeled as innocuous items that could have been more easily and cheaply purchased in the United States. During the investigation, law enforcement determined that Sartwell is the Regional President of the Brockton/East Bridgewater Chapters of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club.
On Oct. 30, 2019, a search was executed at Sartwell’s residence. Twelve or more AR-15 style Air-Soft rifles discovered in Sartwell’s garage were later determined not to be firearms. Hidden in the garage was an AR-15 styled “ghost gun” (a firearm without any manufacturing or serial numbers), two empty 30 round magazines, firearm manufacturing tools, assembly parts including milling equipment, buffer spring, buffer tube and a drill press. The AR-15 was later successfully test fired.
In addition, hidden compartments were located in Sartwell’s bedroom that concealed 153 rounds of 5.56 caliber ammunition compatible with the AR-15 styled rifle, two firearm silencers, a guide for assembly and disassembly of an AR-15 rifle, 20 knives, a black powder handgun and a flare gun. In the basement of the house, a floor-length mirror concealed the entrance to a hidden storage area that was found to contain a safe with silencer parts and a firearm assembly instruction book.
The charge of possession of an unregistered firearm provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based 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; and Kelly Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, New England Field Division made the announcement today. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Customs and Boarder Protection; Massachusetts State Police; East Bridgewater Police Department; Bristol County Sheriff’s Office; and the Massachusetts Environmental Protection Agency provided assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kenneth G. Shine and Linsey Weinstein of Lelling’s Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.
Leader of Worcester Latin Kings Chapter Pleads Guilty to Drug Distribution ChargesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A leader of the Worcester Chapter of the Massachusetts Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (“Latin Kings”) pleaded guilty today to drug distribution charges.
Alvin Mojica, a/k/a “King Humble,” 32, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of cocaine. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel scheduled sentencing for Oct. 28, 2020. Mojica was arrested and charged in December 2019, at which time he was the leader of the Worcester based Chapter of the Latin Kings.
During the plea proceedings, Mojica admitted that in May 2019 he distributed just under 14 grams of cocaine to a cooperating witness in an audio/video recorded transaction.
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.
Mojica is the third defendant to plead guilty in the case.
The charge provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a minimum of three years and up to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Commissioner Carol Mici of the Massachusetts Department of Correction; and Worcester Police Chief Steven M. Sargent made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was also provided by the FBI North Shore Gang Task Force and the Bristol County and Suffolk County District Attorney’s Offices. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard and 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.
Canadian Parent in College Admissions Case SentencedRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Canadian man was sentenced to prison today for paying approximately $200,000 to conspire with others to secure his children’s admission to college by cheating on their college entrance exams.
David Sidoo, 61, of Vancouver, Canada, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to three months in prison, one year of supervised release and ordered to pay a fine of $250,000. In March 2020, Sidoo pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud.
In 2011, Sidoo agreed to pay $100,000 to co-conspirator William “Rick” Singer to have another co-conspirator, Mark Riddell, secretly take the SAT in place of his older son. The following year, Sidoo agreed to pay $100,000 to have Riddell take the SAT in place of his younger son.
As part of the scheme, Sidoo engaged in various other types of fraud related to the college admissions and application process. In the summer of 2012, Riddell flew to Vancouver to take a high school exam for Sidoo’s older son. In the fall of 2013, Sidoo and Singer crafted a college application admissions essay for Sidoo’s son that falsely claimed that Sidoo’s son had been held up at gunpoint by members of a Los Angeles street gang and that he had then been rescued by a rival gang member. In 2015 and 2016, Riddell, Singer and Sidoo explored cheating on various graduate school admissions tests, although they ultimately did not pursue this plan.
Singer and Riddell have previously pleaded guilty and are cooperating with the government’s investigation.
Case information, including the status of each defendant, charging documents and plea agreements are available here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/investigations-college-admissions-and-testing-bribery-scheme.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric S. Rosen, Justin D. O’Connell, Leslie A. Wright, Kristen A. Kearney, Karin M. Bell and Stephen E. Frank of Lelling’s Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
California Woman Sentenced in College Admissions CaseRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A California woman was sentenced today in connection with paying $9,000 to have an individual take online classes for her son, in order to earn credits to facilitate his graduation from Georgetown University.
Karen Littlefair, 57, of Newport Beach, Calif., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs to five weeks in prison, two years of supervised release which includes 300 hours of community service, and a fine of $209,000. In January 2020, Littlefair pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
Littlefair agreed with William “Rick” Singer and others to pay approximately $9,000 to have an employee of Singer’s for-profit college counseling business, The Edge College & Career Network (“The Key”), take online classes in place of Littlefair’s son and submit those fraudulently earned credits to Georgetown to facilitate his graduation. The Key employee allegedly completed four classes for Littlefair’s son at Georgetown and elsewhere, and in exchange, Littlefair paid Singer’s company approximately $9,000. Littlefair’s son graduated from Georgetown, using the credits earned by the Key employee, in May 2018.
Singer previously pleaded guilty and is cooperating with the government’s investigation.
Case information, including the status of each defendant, charging documents and plea agreements are available here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/investigations-college-admissions-and-testing-bribery-scheme.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric S. Rosen, Justin D. O’Connell, Leslie A. Wright, Kristen A. Kearney, Karin M. Bell and Stephen E. Frank of Lelling’s Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the court documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed not guilty unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Ashburnham Man Pleads Guilty to Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – An Ashburnham man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Worcester to selling firearms on three occasions in 2019 in Fitchburg.
Terrick Bishoff, 39, pleaded guilty to one count each of unlawful possession or transfer of a machine gun, dealing in firearms without a license and possession of a machinegun without a serial number. U.S. District Court Judge Timothy J. Hillman scheduled sentencing for Oct. 27, 2020. Bishoff was arrested on Sept. 24, 2019 and indicted in October 2019.
On three separate occasions in 2019, Bishoff sold firearms to an individual he did not know in Fitchburg. On May 10, 2019, Bishoff sold a Glock-style pistol without a serial number and 54 rounds of 9mm ammunition in exchange for $580. Bishoff told the buyer that the firearm was “untraceable” and that it had been custom made for a silencer. On May 15, 2019, Bishoff again met with the buyer and sold him a machinegun without a serial number and a 25 round magazine. In return, the individual paid Bishoff $2,500. On June 24, 2019, Bishoff sold the buyer a Glock-style firearm without a serial number, and a magazine, in exchange for $800. Bishoff told the buyer he was getting what he could before authorities started cracking down on firearms without serial numbers.
The charge of unlawful possession or transfer of a machine gun provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of dealing in firearms without a license provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of possession of a machinegun without a serial number provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $10,000. 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 & Explosives, Boston Field Division; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Ashburnham Police Chief Lorring Barrett, Jr.; Worcester Police Chief Steven M. Sargent; and Hopkinton Police Chief Joseph Bennett made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michelle L. Dineen Jerrett and Kristen Noto of Lelling’s Worcester Branch Office are prosecuting the case.
Weston Man Agrees to Plead Guilty to Wire Fraud in International Student Recruitment SchemeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Weston man has agreed to plead guilty in connection with a scheme to defraud private high schools and international students of millions of dollars in tuition and other fees.
Keenam “Kason” Park, 59, of Weston, has agreed to plead guilty to one count of wire fraud. A plea hearing has not yet been scheduled by the Court. According to the terms of the plea agreement, the government will recommend a sentence of 51 months in prison, two years of supervised release, a fine and restitution/forfeiture of at least $5,192,330.
According to the charging documents, Park caused EduBoston to collect tuition and other payments from students’ families for the 2019-2020 academic year but failed to remit tuition payments to partnering schools. Instead, Park used the funds on unrelated expenses, including personal expenses. Park also caused EduBoston to collect advance tuition and other payments for the 2020-2021 academic year, which Park failed to return to the students’ families after EduBoston went out of business around September 2019. As a result, EduBoston owes over $5 million to partnering schools.
The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. 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 Leslie A. Wright of Lelling’s Securities, Financial and Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.
California Couple in College Admissions Case Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A California couple pleaded guilty today to conspiracy charges in connection with agreeing to pay $250,000 to secure the fraudulent admission of their daughter to the University of Southern California (USC) as a purported athletic recruit.
Diane Blake, 55, and Todd Blake, 54, both of Ross, Calif., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud and honest services wire and mail fraud. Todd Blake also pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for Nov. 17, 2020.
Beginning in 2017, the Blakes conspired with William “Rick” Singer and others to facilitate their daughter’s admission to USC as a purported athletic recruit. Specifically, Singer had an athletic profile of their daughter created and sent to the USC athletic admissions committee, allegedly through co-conspirator Donna Heinel, then a USC athletics administrator. As a result, their daughter was allocated an athlete admission spot even though she was not actually recruited and did not play on the USC women’s volleyball team. The Blakes paid $50,000 to USC women’s athletics and $200,000 to Singer’s non-profit charity, The Key Worldwide Foundation, as a quid pro quo for the admission spot. The Blakes concealed this deal from USC personnel.
Under the terms of Diane Blake’s plea agreement, the parties have agreed to a sentence, subject to the Court’s approval, of six weeks in prison, a $125,000 fine and two years of supervised release with 100 hours of community service. Under the terms of Todd Blake’s plea agreement, the parties have agreed to a sentence, subject to the Court’s approval, of four months in prison, a $125,000 fine and two years of supervised release with 100 hours of community service.
Diane and Todd Blake are the 27th and 28th parents to plead guilty in the college admissions case.
Case information, including the status of each defendant, charging documents and plea agreements are available here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/investigations-college-admissions-and-testing-bribery-scheme.
The charge of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and honest services mail and wire fraud provides for a sentence of up 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of conspiracy to commit money laundering 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 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; and Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric S. Rosen, Justin D. O’Connell, Leslie A. Wright, Kristen A. Kearney, Karin M. Bell and Stephen E. Frank of Lelling’s Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Springfield Man Charged with Racketeering Offenses Relating to ProstitutionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Springfield man was indicted yesterday with racketeering offenses relating to the promotion of commercial sex.
Kevin Smoot, 59, was indicted on one count of conspiracy to use a facility of interstate commerce to promote prostitution offenses and seven counts of use a facility of interstate commerce to promote prostitution offenses. On June 26, 2020, Smoot was arrested and charged by complaint and has been detained since his arrest.
According to the charging documents, between February 2019 and June 2020, Smoot conspired with others to promote commercial sex involving several women. Smoot promoted prostitution by transporting females to and from commercial sex appointments, recruiting and encouraging women to engage in commercial sex acts for money, and helping to procure illegal drugs for use by drug-addicted women engaged in commercial sex. It is further alleged that Smooth promoted prostitution by providing a residential location for commercial sex acts between female sex workers and male customers, taking actions to collect money from male customers, and benefiting from the proceeds of commercial sex acts performed by female sex workers.
The charging statutes provide 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 upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey; Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Hampden County Sheriff Nicholas Cocchi; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Springfield Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex J. Grant of Lelling’s Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
Members of the public who have questions, concerns, or information regarding this case should call 617-748-3274.
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.
Randolph Man Sentenced for Dealing FentanylRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Randolph man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for distributing fentanyl.
Anthony Pena-Diaz, 25, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to five years in prison and four years of supervised release. In February 2020, Pena-Diaz pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and three counts of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
Between May 2, 2018, and Nov. 11, 2018, an undercover federal agent purchased fentanyl from Pena-Diaz and others on multiple occasions in Randolph, Canton and Foxboro. The investigation revealed that Pena-Diaz was a member of the No Fear Ones street gang in Randolph.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Randolph Police Chief William Pace; Stoughton Police Chief Donna M. McNamara; and Foxboro Police Chief Michael A. Grace made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Soivilien of Lelling’s Organized Crime and Gang Unit prosecuted the case.
Former Department of Defense Contracting Officer and Maryland Woman Charged with Defrauding GovernmentRead the Press Release
BOSTON – An Uxbridge man and Maryland woman were charged with conspiring to defraud the government of thousands of dollars from 2014 to 2018.
Thomas Bouchard, 57, of Uxbridge, Mass., was arrested yesterday, and Chantelle Boyd, 50, of Woodsboro, Md., was arrested on Monday, July 6, 2020, and charged with one count of conspiracy and 10 counts of theft of government funds. Boyd was also charged with false declarations before the grand jury.
As alleged in the indictment, Bouchard was the Contracting Officer in charge of the U.S. Army Natick Contracting Division, a full service contracting organization for the Department of Defense. In 2014, Bouchard allegedly used his long-standing relationship with Evolution Enterprise, Inc., a government contractor, to have Boyd hired for a “no show” job as an assistant that specifically supported Bouchard. Boyd’s position cost the Department of Defense more than $490,000 during her time at Evolution from 2014 to 2018, during which she performed little if any useful function.
The indictment alleges that Bouchard and Boyd took numerous government-funded trips, ranging in duration from two to 15 days, under the guise that they were work related. This included 31 trips to Orlando, Fla., among other locations such as Clearwater Beach, Fla., and Stafford, Va., during which Boyd performed little if any work. For many of the trips, Bouchard and Boyd stayed in the same hotel room and spent time at the pool and Disney parks – all during business hours. It is alleged that in order to conceal the personal nature of the trips, Bouchard altered and created false travel expenses for Boyd, which Bouchard approved to reimburse Boyd for out-of-pocket expenses.
In addition, Boyd is charged with making false statements to the grand jury in May 2018 in relation to these trips.
The conspiracy charge provides a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of 250,000. Each charge of theft of government funds provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of lying to a grand jury provides 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 upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Luis A. Hernandez, Special Agent in Charge of the General Services Administration Office of Inspector General; Leigh-Alistair Barzey, Special Agent in Charge of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service; and Michael Connor, Resident Agent in Charge of the Army Criminal Investigations Command, Major Procurement Fraud Unit made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan Gotlob of Lelling’s Criminal Division is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
California Couple in College Admissions Case Agrees to Plead GuiltyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A California couple has agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy charges in connection with securing the fraudulent admission of their daughter to the University of Southern California as a purported athletic recruit.
Diane Blake, 55, and Todd Blake, 54, both of Ross, Calif., will plead guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton on a date to be specified by the Court. Diane Blake will plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud and honest services wire and mail fraud. Todd Blake will plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud and honest services wire and mail fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Under the terms of Diane Blake’s plea agreement, the parties have agreed to a sentence, subject to the Court’s approval, of six weeks in prison, a $125,000 fine and two years of supervised release with 100 hours of community service. Under the terms of Todd Blake’s plea agreement, the parties have agreed to a sentence, subject to the Court’s approval, of four months in prison, a $125,000 fine and two years of supervised release with 100 hours of community service.
Diane and Todd Blake are the 27th and 28th parents to plead guilty in the college admissions case.
Case information, including the status of each defendant, charging documents and plea agreements are available here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/investigations-college-admissions-and-testing-bribery-scheme.
The charge of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and honest services mail and wire fraud provides for a sentence of up 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of conspiracy to commit money laundering 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 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; and Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric S. Rosen, Justin D. O’Connell, Leslie A. Wright, Kristen A. Kearney, Karin M. Bell and Stephen E. Frank of Lelling’s Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Dominican National Pleads Guilty to Identity Theft ChargesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominican national pleaded guilty today in connection with using the identity of a U.S. citizen.
Roberto Melo Guerrero, 39, a Dominican national who formerly resided in Lawrence, pleaded guilty to one count of false representation of a Social Security number and one count of making a false statement relating to a health care benefit program. U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled sentencing for Sept. 9, 2020. Melo Guerrero was arrested in December 2019 and has been detained since that time.
Melo Guerrero used the name and identifiers of a U.S. citizen for at least 15 years, including to obtain a Massachusetts driver’s license and to apply for MassHealth benefits. MassHealth then provided benefits valued at $18,505 to Melo Guerrero. In addition, on multiple occasions, Melo Guerrero was arrested and charged in Massachusetts with drug trafficking offenses under the name of this U.S. citizen.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigation’s Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force (DBFTF), a specialized investigative group comprised of personnel from various state, local 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 charges of false representation of a Social Security number and false statement relating to a health care benefit program provide 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 upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service; U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General; Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Office; U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Inspector General; Massachusetts State Police; HSI Attaché in the Dominican Republic; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Abely, Deputy Chief of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
Justice Department Announces Findings of Investigation into Narcotics Bureau of Springfield, Massachusetts Police DepartmentRead the Press Release
Following a comprehensive investigation, the Justice Department announced today that it has found reasonable cause to believe the Narcotics Bureau of the Springfield, Massachusetts, Police Department (SPD) engages in a pattern or practice of using excessive force in violation of the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution. The investigation was conducted pursuant to the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 and was announced on April 13, 2018.
The Department of Justice found that the Narcotics Bureau’s pattern or practice of excessive force is directly attributable to systemic deficiencies in policies, which fail to require detailed and consistent use-of-force reporting, and accountability systems that do not provide meaningful reviews of uses of force.
“I’ve said many times that being a police officer is the toughest job in America. We owe these public servants our respect and our support,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “But with this high calling comes a tremendous responsibility to uphold the public trust. The Department of Justice is committed to supporting our law enforcement while holding departments accountable that violate this sacred trust. The department will work with the City of Springfield and the Police Department to ensure that the police officers and people of Springfield get the law enforcement agency they deserve, one that effectively and constitutionally stops violent crime and narcotics trafficking.”
“The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution protects all people in our nation from excessive force by law enforcement,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division. “The Department of Justice looks forward to working with the City of Springfield and its Police Department to protect this very important Constitutional right.”
“As demonstrated by recent events, it is crucial that our urban police departments keep the trust of their communities and ensure accountability for officer misconduct," said U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Andrew Lelling. "Our investigation of the Springfield Police Department over the last year revealed chronic issues with the use of force, poor record keeping on that subject, and repeated failures to impose discipline for officer misconduct. That said, the department and the City of Springfield have fully cooperated with this investigation and have made clear their commitment to genuine reform. We look forward to working with them to make Springfield a safer place.”
In the course of its investigation, the Justice Department conducted an in-depth review of SPD documents, including over 100,000 pages of written policies and procedures, training materials, and internal reports, data, video footage, and investigative files. Justice Department attorneys and investigators also conducted interviews with SPD officers, supervisors and command staff, and city officials, and met with community members and local advocates. SPD has cooperated with the department’s investigation and has already begun to implement a number of remedial measures.
This investigation was conducted jointly by the Special Litigation Section of the Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, with the assistance of law enforcement experts.
Attached are the Department of Justice’s Report of its Investigation of the Narcotics Bureau of the Springfield, Massachusetts Police Department, and a cover letter to Springfield government officials transmitting that Report.
The Civil Rights Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office was established in 2015 with the mission of enhancing federal civil rights enforcement. For more information on the Office’s civil rights efforts, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-ma/civil-rights.
Justice Department Announces Findings of Investigation into Narcotics Bureau of Springfield Police DepartmentRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Following a comprehensive investigation, the Justice Department has found reasonable cause to believe the Narcotics Bureau of the Springfield, Mass. Police Department (SPD) engages in a pattern or practice of using excessive force in violation of the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution. The investigation was conducted pursuant to the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 and was announced on April 13, 2018.
The Department of Justice found that the Narcotics Bureau’s pattern or practice of excessive force is directly attributable to systemic deficiencies in policies, which fail to require detailed and consistent use-of-force reporting, and accountability systems that do not provide meaningful reviews of uses of force.
“As demonstrated by recent events, it is crucial that our urban police departments keep the trust of their communities and ensure accountability for officer misconduct,” said United State Attorney Andrew E. Lelling. “Our investigation of the Springfield Police Department over the last year revealed chronic issues with the use of force, poor record keeping on that subject, and repeated failures to impose discipline for officer misconduct. That said, the Police Department and the City of Springfield have fully cooperated with this investigation and have made clear their commitment to genuine reform. We look forward to working with them to make Springfield a safer place.”
“I’ve said many times that being a police officer is the toughest job in America. We owe these public servants our respect and our support,” said Attorney General William Barr. “But with this high calling comes a tremendous responsibility to uphold the public trust. The Department of Justice is committed to supporting our law enforcement while holding departments accountable that violate this sacred trust. The Department will work with the City of Springfield and the Police Department to ensure that the police officers and people of Springfield get the law enforcement agency they deserve, one that effectively and constitutionally stops violent crime and narcotics trafficking.”
In the course of its investigation, the Justice Department conducted an in-depth review of SPD documents, including over 100,000 pages of written policies and procedures, training materials, and internal reports, data, video footage, and investigative files. Justice Department attorneys and investigators also conducted interviews with SPD officers, supervisors and command staff, and city officials, and met with community members and local advocates. SPD has cooperated with the Department’s investigation and has already begun to implement a number of remedial measures.
This investigation was conducted jointly by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts and the Special Litigation Section of the Civil Rights Division, with the assistance of law enforcement experts.
Attached are the Department of Justice’s Report of its investigation of the Narcotics Bureau of the Springfield Police Department and a cover letter to Springfield government officials transmitting that Report.
The Civil Rights Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office was established in 2015 with the mission of enhancing federal civil rights enforcement. For more information on the Office’s civil rights efforts, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-ma/civil-rights.
Framingham Man Sentenced for Illegally Possessing Ammunition After Domestic Violence ConvictionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Framingham man, who was previously convicted of a domestic violence misdemeanor, was sentenced today in federal court in Boston in connection with illegally selling ammunition.
Julien King, 26, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young to two years in prison and three years of supervised release. In March 2020, King pleaded guilty to one count of possession of ammunition after a domestic violence conviction.
On March 29, 2019, in broad daylight, King sold a .22 caliber bolt-action rifle and 45 pieces of .22 caliber ammunition to a confidential informant in exchange for $120 in Framingham. Just prior to the sale, King fired the rifle out a window of a residence. The sale was captured by recording. Due to a 2017 conviction of assault and battery on a family or household member, King is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Kelly Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Framingham Police Chief Steven Trask made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
Dominican National Sentenced for Distributing FentanylRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominican national formerly residing in Lawrence was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for distributing fentanyl.
Rosario Lara, 37, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young to four years in prison and two years of supervised release. In March 2020, Lara pleaded guilty to distributing cocaine and more than 400 grams of fentanyl.
Lara sold more than a half-kilogram of fentanyl to a confidential informant in Lawrence on Feb. 21, 2019.
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. Valuable assistance was provided by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts State Police and Lawrence Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Abely, Deputy Chief of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit, prosecuted the case.
American Man Charged with Exploiting Children in LaosRead the Press Release
An American citizen was arrested and charged yesterday in connection with exploiting teenage boys in Laos.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian C. Rabbitt for the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Andrew E. Lelling for the District of Massachusetts and Special Agent in Charge Joseph R. Bonavolonta of the FBI’s Boston Field Division made the announcement.
Michael Sebastian, 52, was charged by criminal complaint with engaging in illicit sexual conduct in foreign places and sex trafficking of children. Sebastian was arrested yesterday in Lynn, Massachusetts, where he has been living with his mother. Following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston today, Sebastian was detained pending a detention and probable cause hearing scheduled for July 13, 2020.
According to the charging documents, Sebastian has been living in Laos, where he teaches English to Laotian youth. During at least the past two years, Sebastian provided housing to at least three boys, aged 13 through 18, to whom he taught English. In lieu of paying rent to live with him, Sebastian allegedly allowed the boys to pay off their rent by performing chores. According to allegations in the complaint, these chores included giving Sebastian massages – which, in turn, included masturbating Sebastian.
The charges in the complaint are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Trial Attorney Leslie Fisher with the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne Paruti for the District of Massachusetts are prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
American Man Charged with Exploiting Children in LaosRead the Press Release
BOSTON – An American man was arrested and charged yesterday in connection with exploiting teenage boys in Laos.
Michael Sebastian, 52, was charged by criminal complaint with engaging in illicit sexual conduct in foreign places and sex trafficking of children. Sebastian was arrested yesterday in Lynn, where he has been living with his mother. Following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston today, Sebastian was detained pending a detention and probable cause hearing scheduled for July 13, 2020.
According to the charging documents, Sebastian has been living in Laos, where he teaches English to Laotian youth. During at least the past two years, Sebastian provided housing to at least three boys, aged 13-18, to whom he taught English. In lieu of paying rent to live with him, Sebastian allegedly allowed the boys to pay off their rent by performing chores. According to the complaint, these chores included giving Sebastian massages – which, in turn, included masturbating Sebastian.
The charge of engaging in illicit sexual conduct in foreign places provides for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of sex trafficking of children provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Criminal Division Brian C. Rabbitt; 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 Anne Paruti, Lelling’s Project Safe Childhood coordinator, and Leslie Fisher, a Trial Attorney in the Justice Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, are prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. 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.
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.
Southbridge Man Arrested on Federal Drug ChargeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Southbridge man was arrested and charged today in connection with attempting to receive a kilogram of cocaine through the mail.
Revel Rivera, 42, was arrested yesterday afternoon and charged by criminal complaint with attempted possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. Rivera will make an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge David H. Hennessy this afternoon.
According to the charging documents, law enforcement learned of a mail package suspected to contain illegal drugs destined for Rivera’s residence. After obtaining a warrant, federal agents opened the package and found approximately one kilogram of cocaine hidden inside. The agents removed the cocaine, resealed the package, and conducted a controlled delivery to Rivera’s residence on High Street in Southbridge. Federal agents arrested Rivera after he took possession of the sealed package and drove away from his residence.
The charge of attempted 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, 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 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, 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 today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Danial Bennett 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.
Seventh Former eBay Employee Charged in Aggressive Cyberstalking CampaignRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A seventh former employee of eBay, Inc. has been charged with participating in a cyberstalking campaign targeting a Natick, Mass. couple who published a newsletter that eBay executives viewed as critical of the company.
Philip Cooke, 55, of San Jose, Calif., a former police captain in Santa Clara, Calif., and a supervisor of security operations at eBay’s European and Asian offices, was charged by Information with conspiracy to commit cyberstalking and conspiracy to tamper with witnesses. Cooke will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.
According to charging documents, Cooke conspired with six other former eBay employees: David Harville, 48, of New York City; James Baugh, 45, of San Jose, Calif.; Stephanie Popp, 32, of San Jose, Calif.; Stephanie Stockwell, 26, of Redwood City, Calif.; Veronica Zea, 26, of San Jose, Calif.; and Brian Gilbert, 51, of San Jose, Calif. Harville and Baugh were charged on June 15, 2020, with conspiracy to commit cyberstalking and conspiracy to tamper with witnesses. The charging documents identified Cooke as “Supervisor 1.” A previously filed Information charging Gilbert, Popp, Stockwell, and Zea with the same offenses was also unsealed on June 15, 2020.
According to the charging documents, the victims of the cyberstalking campaign were a Natick couple who are the editor and publisher of an online newsletter that covers ecommerce companies, including eBay. Members of eBay’s executive leadership team followed the newsletter’s posts, often taking issue with its content and the anonymous comments underneath the editor’s stories.
It is alleged that in August 2019, the defendants allegedly executed a three-part harassment campaign. Among other things, several of the defendants ordered anonymous and disturbing deliveries to the victims’ home, including a preserved fetal pig, a bloody pig Halloween mask, a funeral wreath, a book on surviving the loss of a spouse, and pornography – the last of these addressed to the newsletter’s publisher but sent to his neighbors’ homes.
As part of the second phase of the campaign, some of the defendants allegedly sent private Twitter messages and public tweets criticizing the newsletter’s content and threatening to visit the victims in Natick. The charging documents allege that Cooke, Baugh, Gilbert, and Popp planned these messages to become increasingly disturbing, culminating with “doxing” the victims (i.e., publishing their home address). It is alleged that the same group intended then to have Gilbert, a former Santa Clara police captain, approach the victims with an offer to help stop the harassment that the defendants were secretly causing, in an effort to promote good will towards eBay, generate more favorable coverage in the newsletter, and identify the individuals behind the anonymous comments.
The third phase of the campaign allegedly involved covertly surveilling the victims in their home and community. The victims spotted the surveillance, however, and notified the Natick police, who began to investigate.
Aware that the police were investigating, the defendants allegedly sought to interfere with the investigation by lying to the police about eBay’s involvement while pretending to offer the company’s assistance with the harassment, as well as by lying to eBay’s lawyers about their involvement. For example, it is alleged that Cooke and several of the other defendants discussed the possibility of presenting Natick Police with a false investigative lead to keep the police from discovering video evidence that could link some of the deliveries to eBay employees. As the police and eBay’s lawyers continued to investigate, the defendants allegedly deleted digital evidence that showed their involvement, further obstructing what had by then become a federal investigation.
The charges of conspiracy to commit cyberstalking and conspiracy to tamper with witnesses each carry a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000 and restitution. 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 Natick Chief of Police James G. Hicks made the announcement today. eBay provided valuable assistance and cooperation with the federal investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Seth B. Kosto and David J. D’Addio of Lelling’s Securities, Financial and Cyber Fraud Unit are prosecuting the case.
The details contained in charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Lynn Man Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering and Visa FraudRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Lynn man pleaded guilty today in connection with money laundering and visa fraud.
Fortune Aikorogie, a/k/a Imuetinyan Aikorogie, a/k/a Fortune Aikoriogie, a/k/a Imuetinyan Aikoriogie, 33, pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement to a bank, five counts of money laundering and one count of visa and passport fraud. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel scheduled sentencing for Oct. 14, 2020. In March 2019, Aikorogie was charged by indictment.
On Sept. 28, 2016, Aikorogie used a counterfeit Zimbabwean passport and U.S. visa bearing his photograph, but with the fictitious name “Tinashi Chipo,” to open an account at a branch of TD Bank in Dracut. Aikorogie had obtained the counterfeit documents from a friend in Africa to whom he had texted a photo of himself. Between Oct. 5 and Dec. 15, 2016, two women in Texas whom Aikorogie did not know wired a total of $75,500 into the Chipo account. They did so at the request of fraudsters who romanced them online. One victim was a 71-year old widow with advanced Parkinson’s disease and the other was a 78-year old retiree. Aikorogie withdrew the money from the Chipo account in cash and delivered it to men he did not know at the direction of his friend in Africa. A bank investigator became suspicious of the account activity and called the phone number on the Chipo account signature card. Aikorogie answered, pretending to be Tinashi Chipo, and claimed that the wired money was for his uncle’s construction business. The investigator told “Chipo” that the bank was going to close his account and to visit a branch. Aikorogie went to the Lawrence branch, where he was met by local police, who confiscated the counterfeit passport and visa.
The charge of making a false statement to a bank provides for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of $1 million. The charge of money laundering provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $500,000. The charge of visa/passport fraud provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. 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; William B. Gannon, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service, Boston Field Office; and Lawrence Police Chief Roy P. Vasque made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Wichers of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
Leader of Boston Chapter of Latin Kings Pleads Guilty to Racketeering Conspiracy and Drug Conspiracy ChargesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The former leader 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.
Wilson Peguero, a/k/a “King Dubb,” 29, 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 Oct. 20, 2020. Wilson Peguero was arrested and charged in December 2019, at which time he was the leader of the Devon Street Kings, a Boston-based 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.
In December 2019, a federal grand jury issued an indictment alleging racketeering conspiracy, drug conspiracy and firearms charges against 62 leaders, members and associates of the Latin Kings. Wilson Peguero is the second defendant to plead guilty in the case.
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 who reported to Peguero, who served as “Inca” or the leader of the Chapter. 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. As described in the court documents, Peguero produced various music videos touting his allegiance to the Latin Kings, distribution of controlled substances, and threats against rival gang members. During the investigation, various meetings were covertly recorded in which Peguero and members of the Devon Street Kings discussed the business of the racketeering enterprise. Internally, Peguero was present during meetings where members were beaten and violence against rival gangs was discussed and decided upon.
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.
Salem New Hampshire Police Captain Arrested for Tax Fraud Related to Profit from Sales of FirearmsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Captain with the Salem, N.H. Police Department was arrested today and charged with tax fraud deriving from profits he earned from selling firearms.
Michael Wagner, 48, of Pelham, N.H., was arrested and charged in an indictment unsealed today on one count of filing a false tax return. Wagner will make an initial appearance via videoconference at 2:15 p.m. in federal court in Boston. Wagner is a Captain with the Salem, N.H. Police Department.
The indictment alleges that in December 2012 and January 2013, Wagner purchased approximately 36 assault rifles from Sig Sauer Academy in Epping, N.H. and resold them in 2013 to earn a profit of more than $33,000 that Wagner purposely omitted from his 2013 tax return. Wagner allegedly used a 25 percent discount that Sig Sauer offered law enforcement officers, which increased his profit, and directed a subordinate police officer to make a purchase of an assault rifle for him after Sig Sauer stopped giving Wagner the law enforcement discount. The indictment further alleges that Wagner overstated his deductions in his 2013 tax return by falsely claiming more than $10,000 in reimbursed expenses for police equipment, ammunition and firearms.
The charging statute provides for a sentence of up to three years in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of up to $100,000. 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; Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston; Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Boston Field Division; Attorney General of New Hampshire Gordon MacDonald; 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 Neil J. Gallagher, Jr. of Lelling’s Public Corruption Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.