District of Massachusetts
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Lowell Man Arrested on Illegal Firearm and Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Lowell man was arrested today and charged in connection with advertising the sale of a firearm on Snapchat.
Juan Aparicio, 29, was charged by criminal complaint with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Aparicio will make an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Donald L. Cabell this afternoon.
According to the charging document, on Jan. 6, 2020, police officers executed a search of Aparicio’s residence after viewing Snapchat videos that evening showing Aparicio offering to sell numerous firearms. A loaded assault rifle and cocaine were recovered during the search. Due to previous convictions punishable by more than one year in prison, Aparicio 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, one year of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of possession with intent to distribute cocaine provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years 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; Middlesex County District Attorney Marian T. Ryan; Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Lowell Superintendent of Police Raymond Kelly Richardson made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan Panich of Lelling’s Office is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN is part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Worcester Man Pleads Guilty to Wildlife SmugglingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Worcester man pleaded guilty yesterday in connection with unlawfully importing and exporting salamander and turtle species.
Nathan Boss, 27, pleaded guilty to two counts of smuggling wildlife into the United States, two counts of smuggling wildlife out of the United States, and making a false statement to a federal agent. U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman scheduled sentencing for Sept. 24, 2020. Boss was arrested and charged by criminal complaint in October 2019 and indicted in November 2019.
The investigation began in 2017 when Boss lied to federal investigators about the identity of a recipient of wildlife illegally imported into the United States. Subsequently, federal investigators intercepted an inbound U.S. Postal Service package from Hong Kong that was addressed to “Shelton Boss” at an address on Mildred Avenue in Worcester. The package was found to contain four black-breasted leaf turtles (Geoemyda spengleri), a species included in the Convention for Trade in Endangered Species and Wild Fauna, an international agreement joined by the U.S. that governs the importation of designated wildlife. Specifically, any black-breasted leaf turtle imported into the United States must be declared and approved by Fish and Wildlife Service before any shipment can be received.
Boss was also found to have illegally imported an injurious species of salamander which can carry a fungal disease and is prohibited from importation into the United States. Further investigation revealed that, on multiple occasions, Boss illegally exported undeclared wildlife destined for locations in Hong Kong and Sweden.
The charges provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Ryan Noel, Special Agent in Charge, of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement made the announcement. Assistance with the investigation was provided by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Massachusetts Environmental Police and the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nadine Pellegrini of Lelling’s Criminal Division is prosecuting the case.
Holyoke Man Sentenced for Heroin DistributionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Holyoke man was sentenced in federal court in Springfield today for heroin distribution.
Glenn Jacobs, 37, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to 20 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In January 2020, Jacobs pleaded guilty to possessing with intent to distribute heroin.
Jacobs possessed heroin with intent to distribute it on June 12, 2019 in Holyoke. The case was the result of a joint investigation into heroin trafficking in Holyoke.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Holyoke Police Chief Manny Febo made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd E. Newhouse of Lelling’s Springfield Branch Office prosecuted the case.
Harvard University Professor Indicted on False Statement ChargesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The former Chair of Harvard University’s Chemistry and Chemical Biology Department was indicted today on charges of making false statements to federal authorities regarding his participation in China’s Thousand Talents Program.
Dr. Charles Lieber, 61, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on two counts of making false statements and will be arraigned in federal court in Boston at a later date. Lieber was arrested on Jan. 28, 2020 and charged by criminal complaint.
According to charging documents, since 2008, Dr. Lieber has served as the Principal Investigator of the Lieber Research Group at Harvard University, specializing in the area of nanoscience. Lieber’s research at the Lieber Research Group has been funded by more than $15 million in research grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Department of Defense (DOD). Among other things, these grants required the disclosure of all sources of research support, potential financial conflicts of interest and all foreign collaboration.
It is alleged that, unbeknownst to Harvard University, beginning in 2011, Lieber became a “Strategic Scientist” at Wuhan University of Technology (WUT) in China. He later became 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. According to court documents, these talent recruitment plans seek to lure Chinese overseas talent and foreign experts to bring their knowledge and experience to China, and they often reward individuals for stealing proprietary information. Under the terms of Lieber’s three-year Thousand Talents contract, WUT allegedly paid Lieber a salary of up to $50,000 USD per month, living expenses of up to 1 million Chinese Yuan (approximately $158,000 USD at the time) and awarded him more than $1.5 million to establish a research lab at WUT. In return, Lieber was obligated to work for WUT “not less than nine months a year” by “declaring international cooperation projects, cultivating young teachers and Ph.D. students, organizing international conference[s], applying for patents and publishing articles in the name of [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. On or about April 24, 2018, during an interview with federal investigators, it is alleged that Lieber falsely stated that he was never asked to participate in the Thousand Talents Program, but that he “wasn’t sure” how China categorized him. In November 2018, NIH inquired of Harvard about whether Lieber had failed to disclose his then-suspected relationship with WUT and China’s Thousand Talents Plan. Lieber allegedly caused Harvard to falsely tell NIH that Lieber “had no formal association with WUT” after 2012, that “WUT continued to falsely exaggerate” his involvement with WUT in subsequent years, and that Lieber “is not and has never been a participant in” China’s Thousand Talents Plan.
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. 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; and Philip Coyne, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General made this announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason Casey and Benjamin Tolkoff of Lelling’s National Security Unit are 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 Indicted on False Statement ChargesRead the Press Release
The former Chair of Harvard University’s Chemistry and Chemical Biology Department was indicted today on charges of making false statements to federal authorities regarding his participation in China’s Thousand Talents Program.
Dr. Charles Lieber, 61, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on two counts of making false statements and will be arraigned in federal court in Boston at a later date. Lieber was arrested on Jan. 28, 2020, and charged by criminal complaint.
According to charging documents, since 2008, Dr. Lieber has served as the Principal Investigator of the Lieber Research Group at Harvard University, specializing in the area of nanoscience. Lieber’s research at the Lieber Research Group has been funded by more than $15 million in research grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Department of Defense (DOD). Among other things, these grants required the disclosure of all sources of research support, potential financial conflicts of interest and all foreign collaboration.
It is alleged that, unbeknownst to Harvard University, beginning in 2011, Lieber became a “Strategic Scientist” at Wuhan University of Technology (WUT) in China. He later became 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. According to court documents, these talent recruitment plans seek to lure Chinese overseas talent and foreign experts to bring their knowledge and experience to China, and they often reward individuals for stealing proprietary information. Under the terms of Lieber’s three-year Thousand Talents contract, WUT allegedly paid Lieber a salary of up to $50,000 USD per month, living expenses of up to 1 million Chinese Yuan (approximately $158,000 USD at the time) and awarded him more than $1.5 million to establish a research lab at WUT. In return, Lieber was obligated to work for WUT “not less than nine months a year” by “declaring international cooperation projects, cultivating young teachers and Ph.D. students, organizing international conference[s], applying for patents and publishing articles in the name of [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. On or about April 24, 2018, during an interview with federal investigators, it is alleged that Lieber falsely stated that he was never asked to participate in the Thousand Talents Program, but that he “wasn’t sure” how China categorized him. In November 2018, NIH inquired of Harvard about whether Lieber had failed to disclose his then-suspected relationship with WUT and China’s Thousand Talents Plan. Lieber allegedly caused Harvard to falsely tell NIH that Lieber “had no formal association with WUT” after 2012, that “WUT continued to falsely exaggerate” his involvement with WUT in subsequent years, and that Lieber “is not and has never been a participant in” China’s Thousand Talents Plan.
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. 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 for the District of Massachusetts 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; and Philip Coyne, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General made this announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason Casey and Benjamin Tolkoff of Lelling’s National Security Unit are 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.
Dominican National Pleads Guilty to Distributing FentanylRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominican national previously residing in Methuen pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to distributing fentanyl.
Milton Elias Lara, 42, pleaded guilty to distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Mark L. Wolf scheduled sentencing for Aug. 31, 2020. In July 2019, Lara was arrested and charged.
During the course of an investigation, Lara was identified as a fentanyl distributor operating in the Merrimack Valley. A search of Lara’s apartment resulted in the seizures of approximately 289 grams of fentanyl, 24 grams of cocaine, and drug packaging tools and materials.
The charge of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $5 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew Lelling; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division; and Tewksbury Police Chief Timothy Sheehan made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by Homeland Security Investigations and the Andover, Billerica, Lawrence, Lowell, Methuen, and North Andover Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip C. Cheng of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.
Worcester Man Sentenced for Gun ViolationRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Worcester man was sentenced today for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Christopher Brown, 35, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman to 41 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In February 2020, Brown pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
On Nov. 25, 2018, Brown was arrested in Worcester for possession of a loaded Taurus .38 revolver and 4 rounds of ammunition. Brown is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to prior convictions punishable by more than one year in prison.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Worcester Police Chief Steven M. Sargent made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Mulcahy of Lelling’s Worcester 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. PSN is part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
North Dartmouth Woman Sentenced for Obtaining Cocaine from Puerto Rico Through the U.S. MailRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A North Dartmouth woman was sentenced today in connection with her role in obtaining cocaine from Puerto Rico through the mail.
Cristina Lopez, 45, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Leo Sorokin to six years in prison and three years of supervised release. In October 2019, Lopez pleaded guilty to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. Lopez has been in custody since her arrest in August of 2018.
Between March 2017 and August 2018, postal inspectors identified more than 40 suspicious parcels that had been sent through the mail from Puerto Rico to various addresses in Massachusetts, including residences in Quincy, North Dartmouth, Weymouth, and New Bedford. The suspicious parcels were often sent on the same day from Puerto Rico to two or more different addresses in Massachusetts. Agents executed search warrants on two of the parcels and seized approximately two kilograms of cocaine hidden in sealed coffee cans. Through surveillance, it was determined that Lopez and John Tavares, 31, of Weymouth, were receiving the majority of the parcels. It was also determined that Lopez and Tavares had been flying regularly from Massachusetts to Puerto Rico for trips lasting only 30 to 72 hours, and that the parcels suspected of containing cocaine were then typically sent to Massachusetts within one to three days after their return. At sentencing, Judge Sorokin found that Lopez and Tavares were responsible for distributing more than 44 kilograms of cocaine.
Multiple search warrants were executed on Aug. 18, 2018, including at three different residences in Weymouth, North Dartmouth and Boston. During those searches, more than three kilograms of cocaine, in excess of $100,000 in U.S. currency, two firearms and various drug paraphernalia was seized.
Tavares pleaded guilty to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. He is scheduled to be sentenced before Judge Sorokin on June 22, 2020.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph W. Cronin, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Boston; Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Norfolk County District Attorney Michael W. Morrissey; Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn, III; and Bristol County Sheriff Thomas M. Hodgson made the announcement today. Police Departments in Quincy, Weymouth, Braintree, North Dartmouth and Boston also assisted with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys James E. Arnold and Nadine Pellegrini of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.
Dominican National Sentenced for Fentanyl DistributionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominican national previously residing in Lawrence pleaded guilty and was sentenced today for distributing fentanyl.
Enel Alfredo Mendez-Aquino, 30, pleaded guilty to distribution of fentanyl and was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Mark L. Wolf to 12 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Mendez-Aquino will face deportation proceedings upon completion of his sentence. Mendez-Aquino was indicted by a grand jury on Aug. 1, 2019.
On June 11, 2019, federal agents observed Mendez-Aquino throw objects into a SUV parked on Abbott Street in Lawrence. During a subsequent stop of the SUV, the occupants of the vehicle admitted that they had just purchase drugs from Mendez-Aquino. Law enforcement officers arrested Mendez-Aquino, who has been in custody since. A lab test confirmed that the drugs were fentanyl and cocaine.
This case is part of a coordinated enforcement operation in the Merrimack Valley called “Devil’s Highway.” The operation targeted the distribution of opioids, including fentanyl and heroin, and resulted in charges against a total of 40 people for federal drug offenses, with at least a dozen more individuals facing state charges.
United States Attorney Andrew Lelling and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lucy Sun prosecuted the case.
Brockton Man Charged with Illegal Possession of FirearmsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Brockton man was charged in connection with attempting to purchase six firearms from an undercover federal agent.
Rotchill Seme, 21, of Brockton, was arrested yesterday and charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Following an initial appearance today, Seme was detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for June 10, 2020.
According to the criminal complaint, beginning on May 25, 2020, Seme began texting with an uncover federal agent about purchasing multiple firearms. After meeting on May 27, 2020, Seme agreed to purchase six handguns from the undercover agent for $3,500. On June 3, 2020, Seme met the undercover agent in a Brockton fast food restaurant parking lot to conduct the transaction. As the meeting concluded, law enforcement approached to arrest Seme, who attempted to flee but was arrested. Seme, who was wearing an ankle GPS bracelet at the time of his arrest, is on parole following state convictions for various drug and firearms offenses and is therefore prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.
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; Kelley D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Scott Antolik, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Tobin, of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit, is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the court documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Amesbury Man Previously Charged with Child Pornography Offenses Re-Arrested for Violating Conditions of ReleaseRead the Press Release
BOSTON – An Amesbury man who was previously charged with child pornography offenses was re-arrested today after allegedly violating his conditions of pretrial release.
Thomas Cross, 30, was arrested today for violating the conditions of his pretrial release by possessing devices with internet accessibility. Cross was ordered detained following a detention hearing in federal court in Boston this afternoon.
Cross was initially detained by a Magistrate Judge following his arrest on Nov. 15, 2018, on charges of possession, receipt, and distribution of child pornography. Cross appealed the order of pretrial detention to the District Court, who released Cross on July 17, 2019 on conditions which, among other things, prohibited him from accessing the internet, possessing pornographic material, and possessing internet-accessible devices.
Today, during a search at Cross’s home based on a CyberTip regarding the potential use of social media to exchange child pornography, Cross was found to be in possession of multiple cell phones and an internet-connected gaming console. The search of those devices is ongoing.
According to the charging documents, Cross’s pending charges stem from the Nov. 15, 2018 search of Cross’s home that resulted in the seizure of several electronic devices, which contained files depicting child pornography and chats between Cross and a person he identified as Desiree Daigle, in which they exchange various child pornography files. Some of the images depict an infant known to Daigle, allegedly taken in Daigle’s home. It is alleged that in the course of the chat, the two discussed plans for Cross to meet the child in person so that they could sexually abuse the child together. Both Cross and Daigle admitted to exchanging child pornography with each other. Daigle, who is in custody, has been separately charged with the sexual exploitation of children, and her case remains pending.
The charges of distribution and receipt of child pornography each provide for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 20 years in prison. The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison. All of the charges provide for a minimum of five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. Assistance was provided by the Amesbury Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne Paruti, Lelling’s Project Safe Childhood Coordinator and a member of the Major Crimes Unit, is prosecuting the case.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.
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.
Worcester Man Charged with Civil Disorder and Possession of a Destructive DeviceRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Worcester, Mass. man was arrested and charged today with civil disorder and possession of a Molotov cocktail during a demonstration over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The incident occurred during demonstrations in the City of Worcester.
Vincent Eovacious, 18, has been charged with civil disorder, in that he attempted to obstruct or interfere with law enforcement officers engaged in responding to the violent demonstration in Worcester on June 1, 2020, and unlawful possession of firearm, namely a destructive device. Eovacious was arrested today after being released on bond following state charges, including possession of an incendiary device. He will appear in federal court in Worcester tomorrow.
“The right to protest is not the right to hurt police officers and destroy property,” said United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling. “According to the complaint, this self-proclaimed anarchist built Molotov cocktails – homemade firebombs – to use during a demonstration honoring George Floyd. We will aggressively prosecute anyone who pursues violence under cover of peaceful protest.”
“This defendant was in possession of several Molotov Cocktails and appeared intent to use them as lethal devices against Police Officers while they were protecting the rights of protestors. This violent act puts the our entire community, protestors and first responders alike, at risk. I commend the outstanding work of the Worcester Police Department who acted swiftly and were able to arrest this individual before any harm could be done,” stated ATF Special Agent in Charge Kelly D. Brady.
“As alleged, the danger posed by Vincent Eovacious in this case was very real. The apparent intent to hurl Molotov cocktails at police officers who are risking their lives to protect the Constitutional rights of protesters and the safety of us all is utterly reprehensible,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Today’s arrest sends a clear message--when you are intent on conducting a violent act that breaks federal law, the FBI and our law enforcement partners will move with speed to hold you accountable. After all, this type of behavior puts our entire community in danger, and we simply will not let it go unaddressed.”
According to charging documents, on June 1, 2020, crowds gathered at various locations in Worcester to protest the recent death of George Floyd, including South Main Street. At approximately 10:00 p.m., a large crowd blocked traffic and began throwing objects in the direction of the police. As officers on scene gathered into a line formation, one officer observed a man dressed in a trench coat standing on top of a building at 848 Main Street which is clearly marked, “No Trespassing.” The man, later identified as Eovacious, allegedly yelled for the crowd below to kill the police and paced back and forth on the rooftop. The officer then observed Eovacious remove from a bottle from his satchel that appeared to contained liquid and attempt to insert a rag into the bottle while holding a silver object that the officer believed to be a lighter. Minutes later, officers observed Eovacious walking in the area of May and Main Streets, still carrying the satchel, and stopped him. According to court documents, officers searched the satchel and recovered three clear glass bottles with a slightly yellow liquid that smelled of gasoline, five white rags, one green lighter and one silver lighter. Eovacious stated that the liquid in the glass bottles was gasoline and that he was “with the anarchist group” and was “waiting for an opportunity.”
The civil disorder charge provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine $250,000. The charge of unlawful possession of a firearm provides for a sentence of up to ten 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.
U.S. Attorney Lelling, ATF SAC Brady, FBI SAC Bonavolonta, and Worcester Police Chief Steven M. Sargent made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Greg Friedholm and Danial Bennett, of Lelling’s Worcester Branch Office, are prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the court documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Swiss Attorney Sentenced for Participating in Global Pump-and-Dump SchemeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Swiss lawyer was sentenced today in federal court in Boston in connection with participating in an international pump-and-dump scheme.
Matthew Ledvina, 46, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young to 30 months of probation and ordered to pay a fine of $50,000. In February 2019, Ledvina pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud.
In or about June 2017, Ledvina assisted his co-conspirators by creating nominee entities that were used to hold shares in Environmental Packaging Technologies Inc. (EPTI), a publicly-traded company. The nominee entities allowed the true owners of the shares to mask their identities and to secretly sell large quantities of EPTI shares, even as they and others simultaneously orchestrated promotional campaigns and other manipulative efforts to artificially inflate the price and trading volume of those shares.
Roger Knox, the operator of Silverton, a Switzerland-based asset management firm, was charged with helping to facilitate the EPTI pump-and-dump and other market manipulation schemes. During the pump-and-dump, Silverton sold approximately $1.5 million worth of EPTI stock before trading was halted by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Knox previously pleaded guilty and is currently scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 30, 2020.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Rosen of Lelling’s Securities and Financial Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.
Springfield Man Charged with Being a Felon in PossessionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Springfield man was charged yesterday with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Lavon Pemberton, 32, was charged by criminal complaint with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Pemberton will make an initial appearance in federal court in Worcester on Friday, June 5, 2020.
According to the charging documents, on May 14, 2020, Pemberton was stopped by law enforcement for speeding on the Massachusetts Turnpike while driving a rented vehicle. Law enforcement subsequently located a loaded firearm in the vehicle. Pemberton is currently on supervised release for a previous conviction in federal court of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The charging statute provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release years 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; Kelley D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Noto of Lelling’s Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the complaint are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Mortgage Short Sale Negotiator Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Mortgage LendersRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The principal and co-founder of a North Andover mortgage short sale assistance company pleaded guilty today in connection with defrauding mortgage lenders and investors out of nearly $500,000 in proceeds from about 90 short sale transactions.
Gabriel T. Tavarez, 40, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to scheduled sentencing for October 7, 2020.
Tavarez founded and co-operated Loss Mitigation Services, LLC, with co-conspirator Jaime L. Mulvihill, 40, who previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced in February 2020 to six months in prison.
The charges arise out of the defendants’ scheme to steal undisclosed and improper fees from mortgage lenders in connection with short sales of homes. A short sale occurs where the mortgage debt on the home is greater than the sale price, and the mortgage lender agrees to take a loss on the transaction.
Loss Mitigation Services, purportedly acting on behalf of underwater homeowners, negotiated with mortgage lenders for approval of short sales in lieu of foreclosure. Mortgage lenders typically forbid short sale negotiators, such as Loss Mitigation Services, from receiving any proceeds of a short sale.
From 2014 to 2017, Tavarez and Mulvihill, directly or through their employees, falsely claimed to homeowners, real estate agents, and closing attorneys that mortgage lenders had agreed to pay Loss Mitigation Services fees known as “seller paid closing costs” or “seller concessions” from the proceeds of the short sales. In reality, the mortgage lenders had never approved Loss Mitigation Services to receive those fees. When the short sales closed, at the instruction of Tavarez or Mulvihill, or others working with them, settlement agents paid Loss Mitigation Services the fees, which typically were 3% of the short sale price above and beyond any fees to real estate agents, closing attorneys and others involved in the transaction. To deceive mortgage lenders about the true nature of the fees, Tavarez or Mulvihill filed, or caused others to file, false short sale transaction documents with mortgage lenders, including altered settlement statements and fabricated contracts and mortgage loan preapproval letters. Tavarez and Mulvihill fabricated the transaction documents, or caused them to be fabricated, in order to justify the additional fees and conceal that they were being paid to Loss Mitigation Services. In addition, Tavarez created, or directed others to create, fake letters from mortgage brokers claiming that the brokers had approved buyers for financing, in order to convince mortgage lenders to approve the additional fees.
The charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss. The charge of aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory two-year sentence that must run consecutively to any other sentence imposed, one year of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Robert Manchak, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Housing Finance Agency, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Region; Christina Scaringi, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Regional Office; 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. Attorneys Sara Miron Bloom and Brian M. LaMacchia of Lelling’s Office are prosecuting the case.
Lawrence Man Sentenced for Role in Fentanyl ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Lawrence man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for his role in a fentanyl distribution conspiracy.
Carlos Torres, 28, of Lawrence, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock to 90 months in prison and three years of supervised release. On Dec. 10, 2019, Torres pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute fentanyl and one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
On April 19, 2018, during an undercover operation, agents surveilled Torres providing his co-conspirator, Carlos Rodriguez, with fentanyl from a residence in Methuen. Upon arresting Rodriguez, agents seized 157 grams of fentanyl. During the execution of a search warrant at the Methuen residence, agents seized an additional 586 grams of fentanyl, drug packaging, a digital scale, a firearm, and ammunition from the residence.
In May 2019, Rodriguez was sentenced 60 months in prison and four years of supervised release.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Lawrence, Andover and Methuen Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Philip C. Cheng and Jared C. Dolan of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit are prosecuting the cases.
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.
Colombian Nationals Sentenced for Conspiring to Distribute CocaineRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Two Colombian nationals were sentenced today in federal court in Boston for conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
Fredi Catano, a/k/a “Leonardo Favio Gonzalez-Patino,” 35, a Colombian national previously residing in Revere, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to five years in prison and four years of supervised release. Catano previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, and one count each of distribution of 500 grams or more of cocaine and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.
Wilson Acevedo, a/k/a “Edwin Morales Lozada,” 43, a Colombian national previously residing in East Boston, was sentenced by Judge Saylor to 30 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Acevedo previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and one count of distribution of 500 grams or more of cocaine.
Both defendants will be deported upon completion of their sentences.
Between November 2017 and May 2019, Catano and Acevedo conspired to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. During that period, Catano supplied Acevedo with approximately one ounce of cocaine on multiple occasions, which Acevedo subsequently sold to a cooperating witness. On May 2, 2019, in a drug deal arranged by Acevedo, Catano sold 500 grams of cocaine to the same cooperating witness. Catano and Acevedo were arrested immediately thereafter. A search of Catano’s Revere residence resulted in the seizure of an additional half-kilogram of cocaine, drug distribution paraphernalia and approximately $13,000 in U.S. currency.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Ferguson of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.
Boston Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and oxycodone.
Yonatan Lara, 35, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, cocaine, cocaine base, oxycodone, and marijuana. U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for Oct. 1, 2020. Lara has been in custody since he was charged by criminal complaint and arrested on May 30, 2019.
In 2018, a federal and state investigation into the members of a drug trafficking organization in and around the Boston area revealed that Jose Perez Felix, a/k/a “Eugenio Piedraita-Rivera,” a/k/a “Roberto Patricio Ramirez,” a/k/a “Grande,” distributed large quantities of narcotics, including heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine, from a base of operations in Boston. Lara and, allegedly, Perez Felix used a 2008 black Subaru Outback, registered to Lara, to distribute narcotics. Federal agents observed Lara and, allegedly, Perez Felix take “meaningless” rides in the Subaru – essentially driving the car around the block or a short distance as a means of shielding their transactions from law enforcement – and saw Lara use the Subaru to distribute narcotics to street-level dealers and users. Agents intercepted Lara and, allegedly, Perez Felix discussing the acquisition and distribution of oxycodone pills. Over the course of the investigation, agents seized oxycodone and fentanyl pills from Lara after two street-level sales.
The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, cocaine, cocaine base, oxycodone, and marijuana, provides for a sentence of up to life in prison, up to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 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; Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Brockton Police Chief Emanuel Gomes; John Gibbons, U.S. Marshal for the District of Massachusetts; and Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Pohl and Alathea Porter of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit are prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the complaint are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Former Groton Postmaster Sentenced for Stealing Government FundsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former United States Postal Service (USPS) employee was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for stealing approximately $7,000 in government money.
Adam Lavertue, 37, of Dracut, was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to two years of probation, 500 hours of community service, and ordered to pay restitution to the USPS. In March 2020, Lavertue pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement and theft of public money, property or records.
Lavertue began working the USPS in April 2008 and became Postmaster of the Groton Post Office in June 2015. In this role, Lavertue performed a variety of managerial and administrative tasks to facilitate the daily operations of the Post Office, including maintaining the facility’s operational functions, handling customer transactions and managing mail clerks and delivery staff. In February 2017, Lavertue began using the purchase charge card issued to the Groton Post Office to make over $500 in personal purchases, including food, beverages and tobacco products. Additionally, Lavertue used Post Office Voyager cards, which are used by USPS mail couriers to fuel the official USPS delivery vehicles, to fuel his personally owned vehicle, charging over $5,000 in fuel. Lavertue also stole over $1,000 in cash from his assigned cash register drawer and reserve at the Groton Post Office. Lavertue’s scheme cost the USPS approximately $7,000.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Matthew Modafferi, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Postal Service Inspector General; and Joseph W. Cronin, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugenia M. Carris of Lelling’s Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit prosecuted the case.
Dominican National Pleads Guilty to Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominican national pleaded guilty yesterday to illegal reentry.
Severino Perez-Guzman, 30, pleaded guilty to illegal reentry before U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton who scheduled sentencing for Oct. 7, 2020. Perez-Guzman is currently in state custody pending unrelated charges.
In 2012, Perez-Guzman was encountered by immigration officials in Texas and determined to be illegally present in the United States. Perez-Guzman was placed into removal proceedings but later filed an asylum claim, and was released on bail. While awaiting determination on his asylum claim, Perez-Guzman was arrested and later convicted of possession of a firearm in Lawrence District Court. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison and, upon completion of his sentence, was deported to the Dominican Republic on Oct. 18, 2016.
Sometime after his deportation, Perez-Guzman illegally reentered the United States and on March 5, 2019, was arrested and charged with distribution of fentanyl and possession of child pornography. Those matters are currently pending in Essex County Superior Court. While detained in custody in these matters, Perez-Guzman was interviewed by law enforcement and admitted his alienage, his prior removal, and that he did not have permission to reenter the United States.
The charging statute provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Todd Lyons, Acting Field Office Director, Enforcement and Removal Operations, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Boston, made the announcement today. Assistant United States Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
California Parent Pleads Guilty in College Admissions CaseRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A California man pleaded guilty today to using fraud and bribery to facilitate his child’s acceptance to Georgetown University.
Peter Dameris, 60, of Pacific Palisades, Calif., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud. U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns scheduled sentencing for Oct. 5, 2020.
According to the terms of Dameris’ plea agreement, the government will recommend a sentence of time served, 21 months of home confinement, a fine of $95,000 and restitution.
Dameris agreed with William “Rick” Singer to pay an amount, ultimately totaling $300,000, to Singer’s purported charity, the Key Worldwide Foundation (“KWF”), knowing that the money would be used to facilitate Dameris’s son’s purported recruitment to Georgetown University as a tennis player, even though he did not play tennis competitively. 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.
The charge of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
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.
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. The Department of Education, Office of Inspector General provided assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric S. Rosen, Justin D. O’Connell, Leslie A. Wright, Kristen A. Kearney, Stephen E. Frank and Karin M. Bell of Lelling’s Securities and Financial Fraud Unit are prosecuting the cases.
Statement from United States Attorney Andrew E. LellingRead the Press Release
“Loud, even disruptive, protests honor the memory of George Floyd and increase the pressure for swift, transparent accountability for those who killed him. I commend those who protested loudly, yet peacefully. But stealing suits, robbing a jewelry store, and rounding out the night by vandalizing businesses in Back Bay, attacking police and torching cruisers? That’s crime, and nothing more.
Let me be clear: the violence and destruction last night in Boston was an embarrassment to the movement for police reform and accountability. The Boston Police, supported by State Police, Transit Police, federal law enforcement and the National Guard, was doing its job – the dangerous, necessary job of protecting the public safety. I support them completely and, if needed, I will use federal charges to make that point.
I commend the Boston Police and the hundreds of other local, state and federal officers on the streets last night, for their bravery, professionalism and restraint. You reminded us that 99% of law enforcement officers are true public servants, putting themselves in harm’s way for the rest of us.”
Holyoke Man Pleads Guilty to Heroin DistributionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Holyoke man plead guilty today in federal court in Springfield to distributing heroin.
Jayson Quinones, 36, pleaded guilty to distributing and possessing with intent to distribute heroin. U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni scheduled sentencing for Sept. 28, 2020.
Quinones sold heroin on Oct. 7, 2019 in Holyoke. The arrest was the result of a multi-agency investigation into heroin trafficking in Holyoke dubbed “Operation Open Air.”
The charging statute provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a fine of $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; 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 United States Attorney Todd E. Newhouse of Lelling’s Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
New York City Man Charged with Hacking, Credit Card Trafficking, and Money Laundering ConspiraciesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A New York City man was charged yesterday with conspiracies to engage in computer hacking, trafficking in stolen payment card numbers, and money laundering.
Vitalii Antonenko, 28, was indicted on one count of conspiracy to gain unauthorized access to computer networks and to traffic in unauthorized access devices, and one count of money laundering conspiracy. In March 2019, Antonenko was arrested and detained on money laundering charges at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport after he arrived there from Ukraine carrying computers and other digital media that held hundreds of thousands of stolen payment card numbers.
As alleged in the indictment, Antonenko and co-conspirators scoured the internet for computer networks with security vulnerabilities that were likely to contain credit and debit card account numbers, expiration dates, and card verification values (Payment Card Data) and other personally identifiable information (PII). They used a hacking technique known as a “SQL injection attack” to access those networks without authorization, extracted Payment Card Data and other PII, and transferred it for sale on online criminal marketplaces. Once a co-conspirator sold the data, Antonenko and others used Bitcoin as well as traditional bank and cash transactions to launder the proceeds in order to disguise their nature, location, source, ownership, and control.
The charge of conspiracy to gain unauthorized access and to traffic in access devices provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, restitution and forfeiture. The charge of money laundering conspiracy provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $500,000 fine, restitution and forfeiture. 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 Frederick J. Regan, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service Boston Field Office and made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth B. Kosto of Lelling’s Cybercrime Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
New Bedford Member of the Latin Kings Charged with Being a Felon in PossessionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation was charged yesterday with being a felon in possession of a firearm as a result of a federal investigation into a shooting on April 19, 2020, in New Bedford.
Alexander Pizarro, a/k/a “King Tego,” 28, was charged yesterday in a criminal complaint with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Pizarro, who is currently in custody in Rhode Island, will make his initial appearance in federal court at a later date.
According to the charging documents, on April 19, 2020, police responded to a report of seven shots fired near a residence on Clark Street in New Bedford. During the response, police located a tan and black Taurus 9mm firearm in an alleyway near the residence. Based on information received from a 911 caller, police were directed to an apartment and located Pizarro, who was known to be a member of the Latin Kings. After searching his cell phone, investigators located a photograph of Pizarro in the apartment holding what appears to be the same firearm that was recovered from Clark Street. This photograph was allegedly taken approximately two hours before the shots-fired incident. Through ballistics comparison, the seized firearm was matched to the recovered shell casings from the shooting that evening.
Due to multiple prior convictions, Pizarro is prohibited from possessing firearms. According to court documents, Pizarro was known to investigators to be a member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings, and had recently posted multiple pictures holding firearms to his SnapChat account. At the time of the shooting incident, Pizarro was on probation for a 2017 firearms case in Rhode Island.
The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, New England Field Division; and New Bedford Police Chief Joseph C. Cordeiro made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of Lelling’s Organized Crime and Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
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.
Safety Manager of Charter Bus Company Sentenced for Bribing Federal Safety InspectorRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The safety manager of a charter bus company operating in Massachusetts was sentenced today for bribing a federal safety investigator in order to influence the safety review of the passenger buses.
Yat Kuen Chan, a/k/a “Andy,” 41, of Quincy, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge George A. O’Toole Jr. to two years of probation with the first eight months to be served in home detention. In October 2019, Chan and co-defendant Le Wen Wu pleaded guilty to one count conspiracy to pay an unlawful gratuity and to bribe a public official, one count of unlawful gratuities to a public official and one count of bribery of a public official. Chan was charged in September 2018. Wu is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 14, 2020.
L&W Travel Inc. was a passenger bus charter company purportedly located on Cambridge Street in Boston. Chan acted as the safety manager and Wu was the owner, president, treasurer, secretary, vice president and director of L&W. In January 2018, L&W applied to register as a charter bus company with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which establishes and enforces safe operating requirements for motor carriers, including mandatory safety audits within the first year of operation.
On multiple occasions in July and August 2018, during a safety audit of L&W, Chan and Wu gave a total of $2,800 in cash to an FMCSA safety investigator to influence the investigator’s compliance review and safety audit of L&W. For example, on Aug. 1, 2018 Chan gave the investigator $600 so that the investigator would not place an L&W bus immediately out of service based on two significant safety violations – inadequate brakes and a defective emergency exit door – but rather, would allow L&W to fix the brakes in Massachusetts and drive the bus to New Jersey for repair of the door.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Douglas Shoemaker, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General; 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 Kristina Barclay of Lelling’s Public Corruption and Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting the case.
Parent Charged and Agrees to Plead Guilty in College Admissions CaseRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Pennsylvania man will plead guilty today in connection with using fraud and bribery to facilitate his child’s acceptance to Georgetown University.
Robert Repella, 61, of Ambler, Penn., will plead guilty to an Information charging him with one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud. A plea hearing is scheduled before Judge Allison D. Burroughs today at 10:30 a.m.
According to the terms of Repella’s plea agreement, the government will recommend a sentence of 10 months in prison, one year of supervised release, a fine of $40,000, and restitution. Repella is the 26th parent to plead guilty in this case.
As set forth in the charging documents, Repella, who was not involved in the conspiracy with William “Rick” Singer, agreed to pay the Georgetown tennis coach more than $50,000 directly, in exchange for purporting to recruit his daughter to the Georgetown tennis team. Repella has also agreed to cooperate 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 conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. The Department of Education, Office of Inspector General provided assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric S. Rosen, Justin D. O’Connell, Leslie A. Wright, Kristen A. Kearney, Stephen E. Frank and Karin M. Bell of Lelling’s Securities and Financial Fraud Unit are prosecuting the cases.
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.
New Hampshire Man Charged in Financial Fraud Scheme Using Stolen IdentitiesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A New Hampshire man was charged today in federal court in Boston in connection with engaging in a complex scheme to conduct fraudulent financial transactions using stolen account information and other personally identifiable information (PII) of victims in Massachusetts and elsewhere throughout the United States.
Jonathan Nguyen, 23, of Windham, N.H., was charged with conspiring to engage in wire fraud, access-device fraud and identity theft.
According to the charging document, Nguyen and others involved in the scheme used Bitcoin to purchase names, addresses, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, email addresses and passwords as well as credit card account numbers, expiration dates, card verification values and other forms of PII. Nguyen and others then used this information to purchase tickets to sporting events and gift cards that Nguyen sold for profit. Nguyen also created e-commerce websites for sham companies and obtained payment-card processing capabilities for these sham companies in order to cash out the stolen credit cards. He used various technological means to thwart the fraud-detection mechanisms deployed by the internet merchants where he made purchases with the stolen PII.
The charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, access-device fraud, and identity theft provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling 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 U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. D’Addio of Lelling’s Cybercrime Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Dorchester Man Sentenced for Being a Felon in Possession of FirearmRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dorchester man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for illegally possessing a firearm.
Joquentz Constant, 24, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock to time served (approximately 19 months in prison) and three years of supervised release. In January 2020, Constant was convicted by a federal jury of one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Constant was arrested and charged in January 2019 and has been in custody since.
Constant was found to be in possession of a black Regent. 32 caliber revolver bearing obliterated model and serial numbers and containing five rounds of PPU .32 caliber ammunition and one round of WIN .32 caliber ammunition. Due to prior convictions punishable by more than one year in jail, Constant is prohibited from possessing a firearm.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins; and Boston Police Commissioner William Gross made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David J. D’Addio and Mackenzie A. Queenin of Lelling’s Criminal Division prosecuted the case.
Duxbury Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography ChargeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Duxbury man pleaded guilty today to a child pornography offense.
Louis Ackerman Jr., 46, pleaded guilty during a videoconference hearing to possession of child pornography. U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV scheduled sentencing for Sept. 21, 2020. Ackerman was arrested and charged in November 2019.
On Nov. 15, 2019, federal agents executed a federal search warrant at Ackerman Jr.’s home and located an iMac computer and two hard drives belonging to him. An onsite forensic review revealed images and videos of child pornography on that computer. From under Ackerman Jr.’s bed, agents also recovered DVDs and printed material, which depicted child pornography. Further review of the computer and other materials seized from the residence revealed approximately 295 videos of child pornography and approximately 322 images of child pornography, including prepubescent minors under the age of 12.
The charging statute provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a minimum of five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz; Joseph W. Cronin, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Field Division; Barnstable Police Chief Matthew Sonnabend; and Duxbury Police Chief Stephen McDonald made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by 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/.
California Parent Charged and Agrees to Plead Guilty in College Admissions CaseRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A California man has been charged and will plead guilty to using fraud and bribery to facilitate his child’s acceptance to Georgetown University.
Peter Dameris, 60, of Pacific Palisades, Calif., will plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud. A plea hearing has not yet been scheduled by the Court.
According to the terms of Dameris’ plea agreement, the government will recommend a sentence of time served, 21 months of home confinement, a fine of $95,000 and restitution. Dameris is the 25th parent to plead guilty in this case.
As set forth in the charging documents, Dameris agreed with William “Rick” Singer to pay an amount, ultimately totaling $300,000, to Singer’s purported charity, the Key Worldwide Foundation (“KWF”), knowing that the money would be used to facilitate Dameris’s son’s purported recruitment to Georgetown University as a tennis player, even though he did not play tennis competitively. 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.
The charge of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
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.
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. The Department of Education, Office of Inspector General provided assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric S. Rosen, Justin D. O’Connell, Leslie A. Wright, Kristen A. Kearney, Stephen E. Frank and Karin M. Bell of Lelling’s Securities and Financial Fraud Unit are prosecuting the cases.
Louisiana Man Sentenced for Business Email Compromise SchemeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Louisiana man was sentenced today in connection with an international business email compromise scheme that defrauded companies of almost $900,000.
Larry Brown Jr., 37, of Lafayette, La., was sentenced during a videoconference to time-served (approximately 10 months in prison), three years of supervised release and ordered to pay restitution and forfeiture of $10,425. In April 2020, Brown pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. In April 2019, Brown was charged with co-defendant Paul M. Iwuanyanwu, 39, of Medfield.
Brown and, allegedly, Iwuanyanwu worked with others who breached the email systems of companies and installed unauthorized computer programs that diverted company emails to accounts controlled by the conspirators. As a result, emails sent by or to the companies were first routed through the email accounts where conspirators could view the messages. Conspirators also had the ability to send and respond to emails as if they were representatives of the companies.
It is alleged that conspirators used this unauthorized access to companies’ email accounts to cause the companies to redirect payments intended for legitimate business operations to bank accounts controlled by Brown and Iwuanyanwu.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Homeland Security Investigations in Boston made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sara Miron Bloom, of Lelling’s Securities & Financial Fraud Unit and Carol Head, of Lelling’s Asset Recovery Unit, are prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The remaining defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Gang Member Pleads Guilty to Distributing Crack Cocaine in Public Housing DevelopmentRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A man identified as a member of the Heath Street Gang pleaded guilty today to charges of distributing crack cocaine in a public housing development.
Michael Pridgen, 36, pleaded guilty during a videoconference hearing to two counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, one count of possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine and fentanyl, and one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine in a public housing development. U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns will schedule sentencing at a later date. Pridgen has been detained since his arrest on Sept. 10, 2019.
Pridgen distributed crack cocaine in and around the Mildred C. Hailey Apartments, formerly known as the Bromley Heath Housing Development, in Boston on June 5, 2019 and July 2, 2019. In the June 5, 2019, incident, Pridgen stored the crack cocaine and a digital scale in an electrical box affixed to the wall in the stairwell of the public housing complex. Both transactions occurred in common stairwells in the complex. At the time of his arrest on Sept. 10, 2019, Pridgen was found on a bench in a courtyard at the Mildred C. Hailey Apartments, in possession of a distributable-quantity of crack cocaine and fentanyl. Although Pridgen has been identified by law enforcement as a member of the Heath Street Gang, he was living in Westborough at the time of these incidents.
The charge of distributing or possessing with intent to distribute a controlled substance provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a minimum of three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million. The charge of distributing or possessing with intent to distribute controlled substances in a public housing development provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of one year and up to 40 years in prison, a minimum of six years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $2 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Boston Police Commissioner William Gross made the announcement today.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
California Couple in College Admissions Case Agrees to Plead GuiltyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Lori Loughlin and Mossimo Giannulli have agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy charges in connection with securing the fraudulent admission of their two children to the University of Southern California as purported athletic recruits.
Loughlin, 55, and Giannulli, 56, both of Los Angeles, Calif., will plead guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton on a date to be specified by the Court. Loughlin will plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, while Giannulli will plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud and honest services wire and mail fraud.
Under the terms of Loughlin’s plea agreement, the parties have agreed to a sentence, subject to the Court’s approval, of two months in prison, a $150,000 fine and two years of supervised release with 100 hours of community service. Under the terms of Giannulli’s plea agreement, the parties have agreed to a sentence, subject to the Court’s approval, of five months in prison, a $250,000 fine and two years of supervised release with 250 hours of community service.
Loughlin and Giannulli are the 23rd and 24th parents to plead guilty in the college admissions case.
“Under the plea agreements filed today, these defendants will serve prison terms reflecting their respective roles in a conspiracy to corrupt the college admissions process and which are consistent with prior sentences in this case. We will continue to pursue accountability for undermining the integrity of college admissions,” said United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling.
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. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney 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.
Scottish Man Pleads Guilty to Obstruction of JusticeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Scottish man who was previously employed by Global Premier Soccer LLC (GPS), a youth soccer organization, pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to obstructing justice.
Gavin MacPhee, 34, pleaded guilty to one count of destruction, alteration, or falsification of records in a federal investigation. U.S. District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock scheduled sentencing for Sept. 21, 2020.
MacPhee used his access to GPS’s information technology platform to delete an email account and other files related to an ongoing criminal investigation. A search at GPS’s corporate headquarters was executed in October 2019. Thereafter, with full knowledge of the federal investigation and the relevance of those materials, MacPhee deleted at least one email account for an individual who had since left the company, and with whom he had a close relationship.
The charging statute provides for a sentence of 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; Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; 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; and William B. Gannon, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security Service, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was also provided by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, Fraud Detection and National Security Unit. HSI’s Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force, a specialized investigative group comprised of various local, state and federal agencies, conducted this investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordi de Llano, Deputy Chief of Lelling’s Securities and Financial Fraud Unit, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mackenzie Queenin of Lelling’s Cybercrime Unit are prosecuting the case.
Former New Bedford Man Resentenced for 2013 Armed Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former resident of New Bedford was resentenced today in federal court for a 2013 armed bank robbery.
David A. Frates, 41, was resentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to 84 months in prison, five years of supervised release and ordered to pay restitution of $1,098. Frates was originally sentenced in July 2016 to 11 years in prison after he was classified as a career offender. In 2018, Frates’s classification as a career offender was vacated by the First Circuit Court of Appeals, and he was ordered resentenced.
On Sept. 24, 2013, Frates, who was masked and armed with what appeared to be a semi-automatic firearm, entered a branch of the St. Anne’s Credit Union in New Bedford. Once inside, Frates approached a teller, pointed the firearm at the teller and demanded the bank’s money. The teller complied with Frates demands and he exited the bank. The bank’s surveillance cameras and witness interviews identified Frates as a possible suspect. On Oct. 1, 2013, law enforcement recovered items involved in the robbery, including a black BB gun. Frates was later located and arrested for the robbery.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
Dominican National Sentenced for Identity Theft and Stealing MassHealth BenefitsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominican national formerly residing in Lawrence was sentenced today for Social Security and benefit fraud.
Cesar Franco Lara, 37, was sentenced during a videoconference before U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin to 20 months in prison and ordered to pay $3,468 in restitution to MassHealth. Franco Lara will also face deportation proceedings upon completion of his sentence. In January 2020, Franco Lara pleaded guilty to one count of false representation of Social Security number and one count of theft of government money. Pursuant to a plea agreement that was accepted by the Court today, the government dismissed one count of aggravated identity theft after the defendant was sentenced.
On Aug. 5, 2016, Franco Lara applied for a Massachusetts identification card using the name, date of birth and Social Security number of a United States citizen born in Puerto Rico. On Aug. 18, 2016, he used that Massachusetts identification card to apply for and receive nearly $3,500 of MassHealth benefits in the U.S. citizen’s name. In an effort to determine the true identity of the defendant, law enforcement found a non-immigrant visitor visa application bearing the defendant’s photograph and fingerprints. This application was refused by the Department of State in 2015.
When arrested on federal charges, Franco Lara had on him a MassHealth ID card in the U.S. citizen’s name. His fingerprints were found to be a match of the fingerprints on file from the refused visa application.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Phillip Coyne, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division; William B. Gannon, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service, Boston Field Office; Joseph W. Cronin, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and John Gibbons, U.S. Marshal for the District of Massachusetts made the announcement today. HSI’s Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force, a specialized investigative group comprised of various local, state and federal agencies, conducted this investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lindsey E. Weinstein and David G. Tobin of Lelling’s Criminal Division prosecuted the case.
Dominican National Charged with Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominican national was charged yesterday with illegal reentry of a previously deported alien.
Eddy Arias Tejada, 45, was charged today by Information with one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. Arias is currently in the custody of the United States Marshals Service.
According to the charging documents, Arias was deported from the United States to the Dominican Republic on March 7, 2017. Sometime after his March 2017 removal, Arias illegally reentered the United States. On or about Aug. 15, 2019, Arias was encountered in Quincy, Mass.
The charging statute provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Todd Lyons, Acting Field Office Director, Enforcement and Removal Operations, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Boston, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Boston Man Sentenced for Being a Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Jovani Miranda, 28, was sentenced during a videoconference before U.S. Senior District Court Judge Mark L. Wolf to 30 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In January 2020, Miranda pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
On Jan. 15, 2019, Jovani Miranda was found in possession of a Rossi, Model 462, .357 Magnum revolver, with an obliterated serial number, loaded with five .357 Magnum rounds of ammunition. Miranda is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to multiple prior felony convictions.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and the Boston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alathea Porter of Lelling’s Criminal Division is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN is part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Dominican National Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl Distribution, Firearm Possession and Social Security FraudRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominican national previously residing in Haverhill pleaded guilty today to fentanyl distribution and illegal firearm possession, among other charges.
Domingo Garcia Suero, 55, pleaded guilty during a videoconference to five counts of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of a controlled substance, specifically fentanyl, unlawful possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, two counts of Social Security fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. U.S. Senior District Court Judge George A. O’Toole Jr. scheduled sentencing for Sept. 22, 2020. Garcia Suero was arrested and charged in December 2017.
Garcia Suero filed applications with the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles to renew his driver’s license and with MassHealth to receive benefits. In both applications, Garcia Suero provided a name and Social Security number belonging to a United States citizen from Puerto Rico. On five occasions in 2017, Garcia Suero sold and possessed fentanyl for sale. During a search of Garcia Suero’s apartment following his arrest, law enforcement recovered a Colt, model Police Positive .38 caliber revolver with an obliterated serial number and six rounds of .38 caliber ammunition. Garcia Suero has two prior drug trafficking convictions and is therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition.
The charge of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of fentanyl in excess of 40 grams provides for a minimum sentence of eight years and up to life in prison, at least four years of supervised release and a fine of $8 million. The charge of felon in possession of a firearm 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 Social Security fraud 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 minimum sentence of two years to run consecutive to any other imposed sentence. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Phillip Coyne, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations; Brian Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Scott Antolik, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Office; Christina Scaringi, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Regional Office; Michael Mikulka, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations; William B. Gannon, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service, Boston Field Office; Joseph W. Cronin, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Massachusetts State Auditor Suzanne M. Bump made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel Hemani of Lelling’s Criminal Division is prosecuting the case.
Dominican National Pleads Guilty and Sentenced for Identity Fraud ChargeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominican national previously residing in Hyde Park pleaded guilty and was sentenced today for misuse of a passport.
Yris Sanchez, 48, pleaded guilty during a videoconference hearing to one count of misuse of a passport. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock then sentenced Sanchez to 15 months in prison and one year of supervised release. Sanchez was arrested and charged on Jan. 10, 2020.
Sanchez used the name and Social Security number of a U.S. citizen to apply for and use various U.S. passports and at least one Massachusetts REAL ID driver’s license. Sanchez also used this person’s identifiers to apply for and use accounts with various banks, including Citizens Bank and Santander. In addition, Sanchez also used a different identity to obtain another U.S. Passport. Sanchez has previously been arrested under multiple identities.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and William B. Gannon, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Abely, Deputy Chief of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit, prosecuted the case.
Rhode Island Man with Ties to National Gang Sentenced for Narcotics and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Rhode Island man with ties to the Almighty Vice Lords, a national street gang, was sentenced today in federal court in Worcester for drug and firearm offenses.
Antoine Mack, 37, of Pawtucket, R.I., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman to 54 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In January 2020, Mack pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute cocaine and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The charges against Mack arose from a drug and firearm investigation into the alleged leader of the Massachusetts chapter of the Almighty Vice Lords street gang and his associates. The investigation revealed that Mack delivered between 600-800 grams of powder cocaine and 200-300 grams of crack cocaine for the alleged gang leader from Worcester to Manchester, N.H., and transported cash payment for those drugs back to the alleged gang leader on several occasions. Law enforcement agents arrested Mack on May 25, 2019, in Worcester in possession of a loaded .380 caliber firearm.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Ammunition, Boston Field Division; and Worcester Police Chief Steven M. Sargent made the announcement today. Assistance with the investigation was provided by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Massachusetts State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Greg A. Friedholm and John T. Mulcahy of Lelling’s Worcester office prosecuted the case.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Parent Sentenced in College Admissions CaseRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Chinese woman who resides in Canada was sentenced today for using bribery to facilitate her son’s admission to the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) as a purported soccer recruit.
Xiaoning Sui, 48, of Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, was sentenced during a videoconference hearing before U.S. District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock to time served (approximately five months in prison) and is ordered to pay a fine of $250,000. Sui has agreed to forfeit the $400,000 that she paid to facilitate the crime. In February 2020, Sui agreed to plead guilty to one count of federal programs bribery, and Judge Woodlock accepted that plea during her sentencing. Sui was arrested in Spain on Sept. 16, 2019, and detained until she was extradited to Boston for the plea hearing.
Sui agreed with William “Rick” Singer to pay $400,000 to facilitate her son’s admission to UCLA as a purported soccer recruit, even though he did not play competitive soccer. During a phone call in August 2018, Singer explained to Sui that he would write Sui’s son's application in a “special way” that would guarantee his admission to UCLA, in exchange for $400,000.
On Oct. 24, 2018, Singer instructed Sui to wire Singer $100,000 which he told her would be “paid to the coach at UCLA” in exchange for a letter of intent from the coach recruiting Sui’s son onto the soccer team. Two days later, Sui wired the $100,000 to a bank account in Massachusetts in the name of Singer’s sham charitable organization, Key Worldwide Foundation (KWF). The head coach of men’s soccer at UCLA subsequently designated Sui’s son as a recruited soccer player, which also resulted in his receipt of a scholarship.
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, and Kristen A. Kearney of Lelling’s Securities and Financial Fraud Unit are prosecuting the cases.
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.
United States Attorney’s Office Honors Law Enforcement Personnel for Exceptional ServiceRead the Press Release
BOSTON – United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling recognized National Police Week by announcing the recipients of the Annual 2020 Law Enforcement Awards. Over 130 federal, state and local law enforcement personnel who contributed to the success of federal cases during the 2019 calendar year are being recognized for their commitment to pursuing justice and public safety.
These awards recognize the outstanding collaboration, investigative achievement and excellence, victim assistance, community engagement and bravery of agents, troopers, officers, investigators and others who work every day to keep the District of Massachusetts safe. Each year the U.S. Attorney in Massachusetts holds a formal ceremony during National Police Week to honor award recipients; however, due to ongoing pandemic, this year’s event has been postponed.
“The Annual Law Enforcement Awards are an opportunity to recognize and thank the law enforcement professionals who make it possible for cases to be investigated and prosecuted each year,” said U.S. Attorney Lelling. “These awards acknowledge those who take on tough cases – tackle the hardest problems – and do so with professionalism and integrity. Due to COVID-19, our ceremony will look a little different this year, but the sentiment remains the same and is amplified by our gratitude to the law enforcement officers risking their lives to keep us safe during this pandemic.”
The category of Investigative Excellence Award recognizes individuals whose actions led to the arrest of a dangerous subject or the exposure of a significant criminal conspiracy. Recipients in two cases also received the Victim Service Award for extraordinary assistance to victims of a federal crime. The following cases and agencies were honored:
U.S. v. Jean Leonard Teganya
Recipient: Homeland Security Investigations
U.S. v. John Nardozzi
Recipients: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigative Service
U.S. v. Michael Babich
*Victim Service Award
Recipients: Drug Enforcement Administration; Defense Criminal Investigative Service; U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration; Federal Bureau of Investigation; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General; U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations; Office of Personnel Management, Office of Inspector General; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General; U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General
U.S. v. Reginald Abraham
*Victim Service Award
Recipients: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations
U.S. v. Addison Choi
Recipient: Federal Bureau of Investigation
The Investigative Achievement Award is reserved for those who substantially contributed to the mission of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Department of Justice. Recipients in one case also received the Victim Service Award. The following cases and agencies were honored:
Co-Pay Investigations
Recipients: Federal Bureau of Investigation; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs, Office of Inspector General
U.S. v. Vinh Q. Huynh, et al.
Recipients: Boston Police Department; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Massachusetts State Police; Quincy Police Department
U.S. v. Michael Lee & U.S. v. Richard Silvestri
Recipient: Federal Bureau of Investigation
U.S. v. Christopher Roeder
*Victim Service Award
Recipient: Federal Bureau of Investigation
U.S. v. Michael Chapman
Recipients: Federal Bureau of Investigation; Homeland Security Investigations; Worcester Police Department
The category of Exceptional Contributions to a Federal Investigation/Prosecution Award recognizes those whose actions significantly impacted law enforcement’s ability to arrest, apprehend and prosecute a subject of a federal investigation; rescue and respond to victims; develop cooperating witnesses; or identify critical intelligence. The following cases and agencies were honored:
U.S. v. Kenneth Brissette & U.S. v. Timothy Sullivan
Recipients: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Federal Bureau of InvestigationU.S. v. Clarance Jones, et al.
Recipients: Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations, Massachusetts State Police
U.S. v. Fathallah Mashali & U.S. v. Moustafa Aboshady
Recipients: Drug Enforcement Administration; Federal Bureau of Investigation; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General; Insurance Fraud Bureau of Massachusetts; Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations; Marshfield Police Department; Massachusetts State Police
U.S. v. Daniel Gibson
Recipients: Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations, Internal Revenue Service, Special Enforcement Programs
The Exceptional Bravery Award is reserved for those whose actions showed such concern for others that the recipient’s own safety was in jeopardy while assisting the victim of a federal crime or in the apprehension of a suspect of a federal investigation. The following case and agency was honored:
U.S. v. Dwayne Leaston-Brown
Recipient: Boston Police Department
The Outstanding Collaborative Award recognizes investigators from a multi-agency collaboration whose exceptional efforts to overcome significant challenges led to a successful conclusion. The following cases and agencies were honored:
Document Benefit Fraud Task Force’s Stolen Identity Initiative
Recipients: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General; Homeland Security Investigations; U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service
U.S. v. Erasmo Alexis De Garcia Catillo, et al.
Recipients: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Drug Enforcement Administration; Framingham Police Department; Massachusetts State Police
U.S. v. Ludemis Bonculescu, et al.
Recipients: Braintree Police Department; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Chatham County (N.C.) Sheriff’s Department; Chicago Police Department; Connecticut State Police; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Greenwich (Conn.) Police Department; Houston (Texas) Police Department; Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department; Massachusetts State Police; Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office; Financial Crimes Task Force, New York Police Department; Richland County (S.C.) Sheriff’s Department; South Carolina Law Enforcement Division; U.S. Secret Service; Waltham Police Department
The category of Excellence in Community Outreach and Prevention Award recognizes individuals, or a team of individuals, who have shown outstanding commitment and/or innovation in the area of law enforcement and community outreach to include training, relationship building, prevention programs and other similar activities. The following programs and agencies were honored:
Project Safe Childhood
Recipients: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Longmeadow Police Department
Project Safe Neighborhood – Western Massachusetts
Recipients: Greater Holyoke YMCA; Hampden County Sheriff’s Office; Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame; Westover Job Corps
Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative
Recipient: LIFT – Living in Freedom Together
Dominican National Charged with Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominican national living in Lawrence was charged yesterday in federal court with illegal reentry.
Wilkin Jose Guerrero Villar, 40, was charged by criminal complaint with illegal reentry after deportation. Following his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith G. Dein, Guerrero Villar was detained pending a detention hearing set for May 20, 2020.
According to charging documents, in June 2016, Guerrero Villar was encountered by an ICE official while in pre-trial custody at the Middlesex House of Corrections. At that time, Guerrero Villar was determined to be illegally present in the United Sates, placed into removal proceedings, and deported to the Dominican Republic on June 21, 2016.
It is alleged that sometime after his removal in 2016, Guerrero Villar illegally reentered the United States. On May 5, 2020, Guerrero Villar was encountered by ICE in Haverhill, his prints were taken, and found to match the prints in his alien file. Guerrero Villar was then taken into ICE administrative custody.
The charging statute provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Guerrero Villar will be subject to deportation upon completion of his sentence. 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 Todd Lyons, Acting Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
Colombian National Pleads Guilty to Cocaine TraffickingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Colombian national pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to cocaine trafficking charges.
Diego Sanchez, 34, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, two counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. U.S. District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV scheduled sentencing for Sept. 14, 2020. Sanchez has been in federal custody since his arrest on Oct. 9, 2019.
Sanchez engaged in two sales of cocaine to a cooperating witness on Sept. 10 and 27, 2019, in East Boston. Sanchez and his co-defendant also conspired to sell one kilogram of cocaine to that same cooperating witness. On Oct. 9, 2019, law enforcement agents observed both men walking towards the location for the expected drug transaction and arrested them near the pre-arranged meeting spot in East Boston.
The charges of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine provide 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. The charges of distribution of cocaine provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years 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.
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.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Boston Police Commissioner William Gross made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen W. Hassink of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.
VA Employee Pleads Guilty to Embezzling $70,000 Using Mobile Payment ApplicationRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) employee pleaded guilty today to embezzling nearly $70,000 in VA funds.
Michael Donaher, 41, of Lakeville, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to one count of embezzlement and theft of public money, property or records. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 10, 2020. He has agreed, as part of a plea agreement, to reimburse the government for the funds he stole. Donaher was arrested in January on a criminal complaint.
Donaher worked as an Inventory Management Specialist for the Veterans Affairs Medical Facility in Brockton and was responsible for purchasing various equipment necessary for use in the facility. Donaher conducted fraudulent transactions using his government-issued purchase cards and routed the proceeds to his personal bank account. Donaher attempted to conceal these fraudulent purchases by making it appear as if the purchases were made through a large company that the VA frequently used for legitimate business, when, in fact, they were actually made through a company Donaher created through Square, Inc., a mobile payment company. These purchases were not for actual items ever received by the VA. Furthermore, Donaher attempted to hide this fact by annotating the items as having been received within the VA’s accountability system. Donaher fraudulently routed approximately $70,000 of VA funds to his personal account since the scheme began in 2016.
The charging statute provides 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 Christopher Algieri, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Veteran Affairs, Office of the Inspector General, Northeast Field Office made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugenia M. Carris of Lelling’s Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting the case.
Texas Deputy Sheriff Pleads Guilty to Sexual Exploitation of a Child and CyberstalkingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A law enforcement officer from Texas pleaded guilty today in federal court in Worcester to sexual exploitation of a minor and cyberstalking charges.
Pasquale T. Salas, 26, a/k/a Gino, a former deputy sheriff with the Matagorda County Sheriff’s Office, pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of cyberstalking. U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman scheduled sentencing for Sept. 3, 2020.
Salas met the victim through an online video game website in 2014, when the minor was 12 years old. Salas and the girl communicated on a private chat room and then moved those communications to various other platforms, including text messaging, Skype and Snapchat. Salas repeatedly solicited the minor to transmit sexually explicit images and videos of herself.
Beginning as early as 2016, Salas intimidated the victim into maintaining contact with him and sending additional sexually explicit material by threatening that he would send the minor’s sexually explicit images and videos to her family and her friends. In May 2019, when the victim attempted to terminate contact with Salas, he repeatedly sent threatening communications to the victim, using web-based applications to disguise the source of the communications.
At the time of his arrest, Salas’ smartphone was seized by investigators and found to contain at least one video, sent via social media, of the minor performing sexually explicit acts that Salas had coerced her to perform.
Salas admitted to contacting a second Massachusetts minor through the same website. From the time she was 12 until the time she was 16, he coerced her into remaining in contact with him and solicited sexually explicit images from her. Salas forced her to disclose her social media credentials so that he could track her activities and view her photographs. Salas sent pictures of himself inside a police car and with a gun and told the second victim that he had law enforcement friends in Massachusetts who would follow her and that no one would believe her if she reported what he had done. Salas was in contact with her until the time of his arrest.
Members of the public who have questions, concerns, or information about this case should contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at 617-748-3274.
The charge of sexual exploitation of a minor provides for mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to 30 in prison, a minimum of five years and up to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of cyberstalking provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling 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 Police Departments in Worcester County; the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Houston Field Office; the Matagorda (Texas) County Sheriff’s Office; and the Worcester Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Noto from Lelling’s Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.
Rhode Island Man Sentenced for Carfentanil and Fentanyl ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Rhode Island man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for his role in a fentanyl and carfentanil distribution conspiracy.
Robert Soucy, 26, of Providence, R.I., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs to 16 months in prison and six years of supervised release. In February 2020, Soucy pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, 10 grams or more of acetyl fentanyl, and carfentanil.
On May 2, 2019, Soucy delivered fentanyl and heroin to an undercover officer. A subsequent test confirmed that the white powder Soucy claimed was fentanyl actually contained .32 grams of carfentanil and that the brown powder Soucy claimed was heroin was actually .4 grams of fentanyl. Carfentanil is a synthetic opioid that is 10,000 times more potent than morphine and 100 times more potent than fentanyl, which itself is 50 times more potent than heroin.
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. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Graber of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.
Lawrence Man Sentenced for Distributing FentanylRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Lawrence man was sentenced yesterday for selling fentanyl to an undercover officer.
Jonathan Marquez, 32, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin to 33 months in prison and 36 months of supervised release. In January 2020, Marquez pleaded guilty to one count of distributing fentanyl. Marquez was arrested in September 2019 and has been detained since October 2019.
In September 2019, an undercover officer placed an order with a fentanyl dealer, and Marquez then met the undercover officer at an arranged location in Lawrence. Marquez handed the officer 11 individually-wrapped bags containing brownish powder in exchange for cash. Laboratory results later determined that the brownish powder contained fentanyl.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division; and Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Homeland Security Investigations in Boston made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Abely, Deputy Chief of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit, prosecuted the case.