District of Massachusetts
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Boston Man Pleads Guilty to Obtaining Cocaine via U.S. Mail and to Assaulting Federal OfficersRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston man pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston yesterday to charges of drug possession and assaulting federal law enforcement officers in connection with his role in obtaining cocaine from Puerto Rico through the U.S. mail.
Pablo Santiago-Cruz, 47, pleaded guilty to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and assaulting federal officers. U.S. Senior District Court Judge George A. O’Toole Jr. scheduled sentencing for Dec. 17, 2018.
According to court records, Santiago-Cruz participated in a conspiracy to obtain cocaine from Puerto Rico via the United States mail from at least March 2016 through July 2016. As part of the investigation, agents identified more than 30 suspicious parcels that were sent from Puerto Rico to individuals known to be associated with Santiago-Cruz. These parcels were delivered to co-conspirators at residences in Quincy and Framingham and to commercial mail receiving facilities in Canton and Randolph.
On July 18, 2018, law enforcement stopped a vehicle driven by co-conspirator Carlos Reyes and seized a kilogram of cocaine that was hidden inside a toy oven that was in the trunk of Reyes’ vehicle. The next day, agents executed a search warrant at Santiago-Cruz’s apartment in Roslindale. Upon hearing the agents knock and announce their presence, Santiago-Cruz grabbed a silver bowl with cocaine from under the kitchen sink and then attempted to flush approximately 93 grams of cocaine down the toilet, meanwhile ignoring repeated orders from the officers to stop. When the agents entered the apartment and attempted to subdue Santiago-Cruz, he physically resisted and struck several of the officers, resulting in physical injuries to the officers.
Reyes pleaded not guilty; his trial is scheduled to begin Sept. 24, 2018.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Raymond Moss, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Colonel Kerry Gilpin, Superintendent, Massachusetts State Police; Norfolk County District Attorney Michael W. Morrissey; and Stoughton Police Chief Donna McNamara made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys James E. Arnold and Craig E. Estes of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit are prosecuting the case.
Worcester Man Sentenced for Fraud and Identity TheftRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Worcester man was sentenced today in federal court in Worcester for fraud and identity theft charges arising from unlawfully using the identity of a disabled Medicare beneficiary for 17 years.
Jose Agosto, 51, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman to 37 months in prison, three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $11,036 in restitution. In January 2018, Agosto pleaded guilty to four counts of wire fraud, four counts of misusing a Social Security number, three counts of making false statements relating to health care services, and five counts of aggravated identity theft. Agosto was charged on Aug. 9, 2017, and has been in custody since.
Agosto admitted that he began living under the name of another individual in order to avoid the consequences of an arrest warrant, and that he used the victim’s name and other personal identifying information to obtain replacement Social Security cards, driver’s licenses and bank accounts. Agosto also sought medical treatment under the victim’s name and in doing so caused medical providers to submit more than $148,000 in claims to Medicare, despite the fact that Agosto was not a Medicare beneficiary. In addition, Agosto executed promissory notes under the victim’s name and then defaulted on those notes. By using the victim’s identity, Agosto threatened the victim’s continued receipt of Social Security and Medicare benefits as well as the victim’s credit rating.
Agosto also left threatening voice mails in an effort to intimidate the victim and his family. In these voice mails, Agosto threatened to kill various members of the victim’s family and warned of a “massacre.” One such statement made by Agosto was: “I’m going to start killing all of your family one-by-one. I’ll start killing your mother, I’ll kill your sister, and then the last one’s going to be you.”
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Scott Antolik, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division; Philip Coyne, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigations; and Christina Scaringi, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of the Inspector General, Northeast Regional Office, made the announcement today. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, and the Massachusetts Bureau of Special Investigations provided assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Abely of Lelling’s Worcester Branch Office prosecuted the case.
Somerville Man Sentenced for Illegal Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Somerville man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Fredy Arbaiza, 25, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young to 64 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In November 2017, Arbaiza pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
In May 2017, law enforcement began investigating illegal activities by Arbaiza. A confidential source reported to law enforcement that Arbaiza had been abusing alcohol, ecstasy, and Xanax pills, and became increasingly violent while under the influence of these substances. The source also informed law enforcement that Arbaiza was selling marijuana out of two Somerville apartments and that he carried a black handgun. Arbaiza told another confidential source that he carried “a Glock police issued” handgun for protection that he bought from a friend for $1000.
On June 15, 2017, law enforcement executed a search warrant at a Somerville apartment where Arbaiza stayed and recovered a Glock, Model 17, 9mm pistol with a partially obliterated serial number. In addition, a thirty-round magazine for the Glock pistol, loaded with 23 rounds of 9mm ammunition, was recovered from Abraiza’s pocket. Law enforcement also found various drug paraphernalia in a bedroom used by Arbaiza, including a digital scale, plastic baggies and a bag with a small amount of marijuana.
Arbaiza is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition due to prior felony convictions, which include various convictions of assault, assault and battery, and resisting arrest. Arbaiza was arrested on June 15, 2017, and charged by a federal criminal complaint.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Mickey D. Leadingham, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Somerville Police Chief David R. Fallon; and Chelsea Police Chief Brian A. Kyes made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Crowley of Lelling’s Organized Crime and Gang Unit prosecuted the case.
Rhode Island Man Pleads Guilty to Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
BOSTON - A Rhode Island man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to bank robbery.
Stephen A. Davidow, 55, of Pawtucket, R.I., pleaded guilty to four counts of bank robbery. U.S. District Court Chief Judge Patti B. Saris scheduled sentencing for Dec. 20, 2018.
Between Dec. 6 and Dec. 11, 2017, an individual, later identified as Davidow, robbed four banks in the Greater Boston area. Based on the physical location of the banks, surveillance footage, the bank tellers’ descriptions of the robber, and other similarities, law enforcement determined that the same individual was involved in each robbery. On Dec. 15, 2017, having distributed images of the alleged perpetrator to the local news, law enforcement received a tip that the suspect was Davidow. Photos of Davidow were shown to one of the tellers who positively identified Davidow as the man who robbed the bank.
During the time of the robberies, Davidow was on supervised release for a 2007 bank robbery conviction in Rhode Island. He was arrested on Dec. 18, 2017, in Massachusetts on a Rhode Island federal warrant.
Each count provides for a sentence of no greater than 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; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Office; John Gibbons, U.S. Marshal for the District of Massachusetts; Boston Police Commissioner William Gross; and Boston University Police Chief Kelly A. Nee made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
Grand Jury Indicts California Man for Making Violent Threats Against Boston Globe EmployeesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A federal grand jury has indicted a California man who was previously arrested and charged with making violent threats against Boston Globe employees in retaliation for the newspaper’s editorial response to political attacks on the media.
Robert D. Chain, 68, of Encino, Calif., was indicted on seven counts of use of interstate and foreign commerce to transmit a threat to injury another person. Chain was previously charged by criminal complaint and arrested on Aug. 30, 2018. He is scheduled to appear in federal court in Boston on Sept. 24, 2018.
On Aug. 10, 2018, the Boston Globe announced that it was requesting that other newspaper publications around the country publish a coordinated editorial response to political attacks on the media. The coordinated editorial response was to be published on Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018. Immediately following the announcement, Chain allegedly began making threatening calls to the Boston Globe’s newsroom. In the calls, Chain referred to the Globe as “the enemy of the people” and threatened to kill newspaper employees.
On Aug. 16, 2018, the day the editorial response was published in the Boston Globe, Chain called the Globe newsroom and threatened that he was going to shoot Globe employees in the head “later today, at 4 o’clock.” As a result of that call, law enforcement officers responded to the Globe’s offices and maintained a presence outside the building to ensure the safety of the employees.
The seven counts charged in the indictment relate to seven separate threatening phone calls that Chain allegedly made to the Globe newsroom.
The charge of making threatening communications in interstate commerce provides for a sentence of no greater than five years, one year of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Los Angeles Field Division; the Drug Enforcement Administration, Los Angeles Division; the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Los Angeles Division; the California Highway Patrol; and the Los Angeles Police Department. The Boston Police Department also provided assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney George P. Varghese of Lelling’s National Security 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.
Boston Woman Sentenced for Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston woman was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for robbing two banks in the greater Boston area.
Tamea Chambers, 37, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge George A. O’Toole Jr. to two years in prison, three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $1,958 in restitution. In May 2018, Chambers pleaded guilty to two counts of bank robbery. Chambers was arrested on Oct. 24, 2017, and has been in custody since.
On Oct. 17, 2017, a branch of the East Boston Savings Bank in Roxbury was robbed. The tellers stated that a black female entered the bank, demanded money and stated that she had a gun. The tellers gave the robber cash from their drawers and the robber exited the bank. Information, including pictures of the robber, was disseminated on various public websites and provided to local media. Two days later, on Oct. 19, 2017, a branch of Bank of America in Brookline was robbed. The tellers described the robber as a black female wearing a dark wig and reported that the robber entered the bank, stated that she had a gun and demanded cash. Based on the similar descriptions by the tellers at both banks, law enforcement suspected that the same individual was involved in both robberies.
Video footage from a business adjoining one of the banks captured images of the female robber, later determined to be Chambers, in the company of a man. The man was later determined to be Paul Landrum, previously dubbed by law enforcement as the “Route 128 Bandit,” and responsible for eight other bank robberies in the Greater Boston area. On Oct. 24, 2017, Chambers and Landrum were arrested and admitted their involvement in the various bank robberies. In May 2018, Landrum pleaded guilty to bank robbery and was sentenced in August to 57 months in prison.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Office, made the announcement today. The Massachusetts State Police, and the Boston, Brookline, Medford, Somerville, and Wellesley Police Departments assisted with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
Whitman Man Charged with Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Whitman man was arrested and charged in federal court in Boston on Monday, Sept. 10, 2018, with child pornography offenses. On Friday, he appeared in federal court for a detention and probable cause hearing.
Matthew Kulikowski, 37, was charged with one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. On Friday, Sept. 14, 2018, Kulikowski appeared in federal court for a detention hearing before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Marianne B. Bowler, who has taken the matter under advisement. Kulikowski was remanded to custody until further notice.
According to the charging document, law enforcement learned that an internet user at Kulikowski’s Whitman home distributed child pornography using the Kik messenger application. A search of the home resulted in the seizure of a tablet located in Kulikowski’s bedroom that contained approximately 100 images and videos depicting child pornography, including the sexual assault of girls who appeared to be between four-and-eight-years-old. Kulikowski was subsequently arrested and charged in federal court. Forensic analysis of devices seized pursuant to the search warrant is ongoing.
According to court documents, at the time of his arrest, Kulikowski was on pretrial release from Plymouth County Superior Court, where he has a case pending for multiple child exploitation offenses, including possession of child pornography, disseminating obscene material to a minor, indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, and enticement of a child under 16.
The charge of receipt of child pornography provides 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 no greater than 20 years in prison. Both 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 on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston made the announcement. Assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Whitman Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne Paruti of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
Members of the public who have questions, concerns, or information regarding this case should call 617-748-3274.
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/.
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.
Springfield Man Sentenced for Distributing Crack CocaineRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Springfield man was sentenced today in federal court in Springfield for distributing crack cocaine.
Kayvon Lovejoy, 26, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to 17 months in prison and six years of supervised release. In May 2018, Lovejoy pleaded guilty to two counts of distribution of crack cocaine. Lovejoy was arrested in February 2018 and has been in custody since.
Lovejoy distributed crack cocaine on Aug. 9, 2017, and Aug. 15, 2017. On each occasion, Lovejoy sold approximately two grams of crack cocaine for $160 to a government witness.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Office; Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Springfield Police Commissioner John Barbieri; and Holyoke Police Chief Manny Febo made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil L. Desroches of Lelling’s Springfield Branch Office prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Marlborough Business Owner Sentenced for Bank FraudRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Marlborough business owner was sentenced today in federal court in Worcester in connection with a scheme to commit bank fraud.
James R. Faro, 61, of Dover, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman to two years in prison, three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $1,121,155 in restitution. In March 2018, Faro pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit bank fraud. Faro and co-conspirator John J. Crowley, 62, of Boca Raton, Fla., were charged in January 2018. Crowley has also pleaded guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 24, 2018.
Faro is the former owner and president of Sea Star Seafood Corporation, a company previously headquartered in Marlborough that distributed frozen seafood products. Crowley is the former chief financial officer for Sea Star.
From October 2010 until August 2012, Sea Star maintained an asset-backed loan agreement whereby a bank agreed to loan Sea Star up to $6 million pursuant to a revolving line of credit. Sea Star pledged its assets – most notably its inventory and accounts receivable – as collateral for the loan.
Between November 2010 and August 2012, Faro and Crowley conspired to intentionally overstate the value of Sea Star’s outstanding accounts receivable that it reported to the bank. By doing so, Faro and Crowley fraudulently increased the level of assets against which Sea Star could borrow from the bank. In August 2012, Sea Star informed the bank that it had discovered a “discrepancy” of well over $2.5 million in its reported versus actual accounts receivable. Sea Star declared bankruptcy and discontinued its business operations approximately one week later.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg A. Friedholm of Lelling’s Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
Former Boston Police Officer Convicted by Federal Jury in Connection with Straw Purchases of FirearmsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former Boston Police Officer was convicted today by a federal jury in Boston with illegally purchasing two firearms on behalf of acquaintances.
Adarbaad Karani, 38, of West Roxbury, was convicted following a five-day jury trial of two counts of making a false statement during the purchase of firearms and two counts of making a false statement in a record. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel scheduled sentencing for Dec. 10, 2018. In May 2017, Karani was indicted.
On two different occasions, in November 2014 and September 2015, Karani acted as the “straw purchaser” of two firearms, a Glock, model 27, .40 caliber pistol and a Glock, model 30S, .45 caliber pistol, which he purchased for two acquaintances. Karani purchased the firearms, which cannot be acquired by civilians, using his police identification and falsely certified that the firearms were for his official police use. During one purchase, Karani also indicated that the firearm was not for resale.
Straw purchases interfere with firearm regulation and recordkeeping, and federal law prohibits making false statements to a firearms dealer in connection with the sale of a firearm.
The charging statutes each provide for a sentence of no greater than 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; Mickey D. Leadingham, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Boston Police Commissioner William Gross made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugenia M. Carris of Lelling’s Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting the case.
Corrections Officer Sentenced for Scheme to Smuggle Opioids into Prison for InmateRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A corrections officer at the Massachusetts Correctional Institute facility in Norfolk (MCI-Norfolk) was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for a conspiracy to smuggle Suboxone strips into the facility for an inmate.
William Holts, 51, of Pawtucket, R.I., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to time served in prison, two years of supervised with the first three months to be served in home confinement, and ordered to pay a fine of $2,000. Holts previously forfeited a 2006 M35 Infinity and $1,250 in cash. In July 2018, Holts pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess a controlled substance.
Beginning around April 30, 2018, Holts advised an inmate, for whom he had smuggled other contraband, that he was willing to smuggle drugs into MCI-Norfolk in exchange for cash. In a series of recorded calls, Holts arranged to meet with a source outside the correctional facility to get the cash and obtain drugs to be smuggled in. Holts agreed to bring in over 100 Suboxone strips in exchange for $2,000 in cash.
According to court documents, Suboxone is a Class III controlled substance intended to treat heroin addiction, but some abuse the drug to get high. It is coveted contraband in prisons across the nation and particularly in New England. Suboxone strips, which dissolve under the tongue, may be tucked behind envelope seams and stamps.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Commissioner Thomas A. Turco III of the Massachusetts Department of Correction made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugenia M. Carris of Lelling’s Public Corruption and Special Prosecutions Unit prosecuted the case.
Massachusetts State Trooper Pleads Guilty in Overtime Abuse InvestigationRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A suspended Massachusetts State Police Trooper pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston in connection with being paid over $5,900 for overtime hours that he did not work.
Kevin Sweeney, 40, of Braintree, pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement from an agency receiving federal funds and one count of wire fraud. U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled the sentencing for Dec. 11, 2018. On Aug. 17, 2018, Sweeney was charged and agreed to plead guilty.
Sweeney was an MSP Trooper assigned to Troop E, which was responsible for enforcing criminal and traffic regulations along the Massachusetts Turnpike, Interstate I-90. In 2016, Sweeney earned $218,512, which included over $97,000 in overtime pay.
Sweeney admitted that between Sept. 1, 2016, and Dec. 31, 2016, he was paid over $5,900 for overtime shifts that he either did not work at all or from which he left early. Sweeney concealed his fraud by submitting fraudulent citations designed to create the appearance that he had worked overtime hours that he had not, and falsely claimed in MSP paperwork and payroll entries that he had worked the entirety of his overtime shifts.
For example, on Dec. 14, 2016, Sweeney claimed in MSP payroll submissions and other paperwork to have worked a “D AIRE” overtime shift from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Sweeney claimed to have written eight motor vehicle citations during that shift and submitted copies of those citations to MSP as evidence that he had worked. Yet, Sweeney’s cruiser radio was not turned on during the overtime shift, he did not run any driver histories during the shift, and Registry of Motor Vehicle (RMV) records reflect that none of the motorists that Sweeney claims to have cited actually received a citation that day.
In another instance, on Dec. 21, 2016, the RMV did have copies of two of the citations Sweeney claimed to have written during the shift, but closer inspection revealed that Sweeney had falsified the times of those citations on the copies submitted to the MSP. The RMV copies revealed that the citations had been written at 5:00 p.m. and 5:05 p.m., which was written on the citations in military time as “1700” and “1705.” On the copies of those same citations submitted to MSP, however, Sweeney changed “1700” and “1705” to “700” and “705” so that it would appear to MSP that the citations had been written during the overtime shift that Sweeney did not work. And, like Dec. 14, Sweeney’s cruiser radio was not turned on during the overtime shift, he did not run any driver histories during the shift, and Registry of Motor Vehicle (RMV) records reflect that the other six motorists that Sweeney claims to have cited did not actually receive a citation that day.
The overtime in question involved the Accident and Injury Reduction Effort program (AIRE) and the “X-Team” initiative, which were intended to reduce accidents, crashes, and injuries on I-90 through an enhanced presence of MSP Troopers assigned to target vehicles traveling at excessive speeds.
In 2016, MSP received annual benefits from the U.S. Department of Transportation in excess of $10,000, which were funded pursuant to numerous federal grants. Sweeney received payment for overtime hours he did not work through direct deposits into his bank account that had travelled through interstate and foreign wires.
Sweeney is the sixth trooper charged as a result of the ongoing investigation. On June 27, 2018, former Lieutenant David Wilson, 57, of Charlton; Trooper Gary Herman, 45, of Chester, and former Trooper Paul Cesan, 50, of Southwick, were arrested and charged with the same crime. Wilson has since been indicted. On July 2, 2018, former Trooper Gregory Raftery, 47, of Westwood, was charged and pleaded guilty. On July 25, 2018, retired Trooper Daren DeJong, 56, of Uxbridge, was initially charged by criminal complaint and has since been indicted.
The charge of theft of government funds provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss. The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Douglas Shoemaker, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dustin Chao and Mark Grady of Lelling’s Public Corruption Unit and Neil Gallagher of Lelling’s Economic Crimes Unit are prosecuting the case.
MS-13 Member Sentenced to 35 Years in Prison for RICO Conspiracy Involving Murder of 16-Year-Old East Boston BoyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – An MS-13 member was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for his role in the murder of a 16-year-old boy in East Boston.
Jairo Perez, a/k/a “Seco,” 27, a Salvadoran national, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to 35 years in prison and five years of supervised release. Perez will be subject to deportation upon completion of his sentence. In May 2018, Perez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more commonly referred to as RICO or racketeering conspiracy. Perez admitted that his racketeering activity involved the Jan. 10, 2016, murder of a 16-year-old boy in East Boston.
After a multi-year investigation, Perez was one of dozens of alleged leaders, members, and associates of MS-13 named in a superseding indictment unsealed in January 2016 that targeted MS-13’s criminal activities in Massachusetts.
The investigation revealed that Perez was a member of MS-13’s Trece Loco Salvatrucha clique. On Jan. 10, 2016, Perez and three other MS-13 members—Edwin Gonzalez a/k/a “Sangriento,” Edwin Diaz, a/k/a “Demente,” and Rigoberto Mejia, a/k/a “Ninja”—murdered a 16-year-old boy whom they believed to be a member of a rival gang. Perez, Gonzalez, and Diaz used machetes to strike the victim dozens of times, while Mejia shot the victim. The murder occurred late at night on the sidewalk of a residential street in East Boston.
A few days after the murder, law enforcement used a cooperating witness to capture Perez on tape admitting to his involvement in the murder. Perez was also recorded burying the knives used to murder the victim in a park on Deer Island in Winthrop. The murder weapons were later recovered by law enforcement.
Perez, Gonzalez, Diaz, and Mejia are four of 49 defendants who have been convicted on federal charges as part of the ongoing prosecution. Sixteen of those defendants—including Perez, Gonzalez, Diaz, and Mejia—have been held responsible for racketeering conspiracy involving murder. Forty of the 49 convictions, including Mejia, were the result of guilty pleas prior to trial. Nine other defendants, including Gonzalez, were convicted after trial.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Commissioner Thomas Turco of the Massachusetts Department of Corrections; Essex County Sheriff Kevin F. Coppinger; Suffolk County Sheriff Steven W. Thompkins; Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley; Middlesex County District Attorney Marian T. Ryan; Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett; Boston Police Commissioner William Gross; Chelsea Police Chief Brian A. Kyes; Everett Police Chief Steven A. Mazzie; Lynn Police Chief Michael Mageary; Revere Police Chief James Guido; and Somerville Police Chief David Fallon made the announcement today. The U.S. Marshals Service has provided crucial assistance with the case.
Foreign National Pleads Guilty to Theft of Government Property, Identity Theft, Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
A citizen of the Dominican Republic and former resident of New York pleaded guilty yesterday to theft of government property, aggravated identity theft, money laundering, conspiracy to commit money laundering, fraudulent use of a social security number, and failure to appear as ordered, all in connection with his involvement in a stolen identity tax refund fraud scheme, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Lelling for the District of Massachusetts.
According to court documents, in 2012, Hector Antonio Cruz-Mercedes, attempted to negotiate ten U.S. Treasury income tax refund checks totaling $75,808 generated from false tax returns filed in the names of stolen identities of Puerto Rican residents. Cruz-Mercedes also conspired to lauder the proceeds of the scheme by texting bank account deposit information to others involved in the scheme. Cruz-Mercedes was indicted in February 2014 and arrested in the Dominican Republic in January 2017, and later extradited to the United States.
Cruz-Mercedes’s sentencing is scheduled for Jan 8, 2019. He faces a statutory maximum sentence of ten years in prison for the theft of government property, a maximum of twenty years in prison for the money laundering conviction, a two year mandatory minimum prison term on the aggravated identity theft charge, five years in prison for the fraudulent use of a social security number, and five years for the failure to appear as ordered. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman and U.S. Attorney Lelling thanked special agents of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Homeland Security Investigation, and the United States Secret Service in Boston, who conducted the investigation, and Senior Litigation Counsel Corey J. Smith of the Department of Justice, Tax Division, who prosecuted this case.
East Bridgewater Man Arrested for Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – An East Bridgewater man was arrested yesterday and charged in federal court in Boston with producing child pornography.
Daniel O’Connor Jr., 57, was charged with one count of production/attempted production of child pornography. He appeared in federal court yesterday and was ordered detained pending a detention and probable cause hearing scheduled for Monday, Sept. 17, 2018.
According to the criminal complaint unsealed yesterday, on June 7, 2018, law enforcement executed a federal search warrant at the home of O’Connor Jr., where they located two iPhones belonging to the defendant. An onsite forensic review of one of the phones revealed images of child pornography.
It is alleged that further review of the phone revealed approximately 137 images and approximately 20 videos of child pornography. In addition, the phone contained multiple apps popular with minors, such as Kik Messenger. A review of O’Connor’s Kik app revealed chats between O’Connor and an 11-year-old girl during which O’Connor solicits and receives a number of images and videos depicting child pornography.
The charge of producing child pornography provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to 30 years in prison, 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 on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suanne 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/.
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.
Brockton Woman Sentenced for KidnappingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Brockton woman was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for the armed kidnapping of a Quincy man and two children.
Yesenia Diaz, 24, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Patti B. Saris to four years in prison and two years of supervised release. In December 2017, Diaz pleaded guilty to kidnapping.
In January 2018, co-defendant Malik Bangura, 20, was sentenced to 17 years in prison and two years of supervised release. On Aug. 23, 2018, co-defendant Sedrick Oliveira, 26, of Stoughton, was sentenced to 21 years in prison and five years of supervised release. On Aug. 16, 2018, Diego Pires was sentenced to 217 months in prison and five years of supervised release.
On Oct. 8, 2016, at approximately 10:25 p.m., a 30-year-old man was kidnapped from the driveway of his Quincy home after being struck in the head with a revolver as he got out of his truck, and dragged into a nearby sedan. The victim had two children strapped into car seats in his truck, as well as approximately 30 pounds of marijuana, at the time he was assaulted.
Once the victim was in the sedan, two masked perpetrators, later identified as Pires and Bangura, drove the victim’s truck, with the children still inside, to a secluded location where they unloaded the marijuana and $20,000 from the victim’s truck, into the sedan. The victim, who was face-down in the backseat of the sedan at gunpoint, begged for his life and the life of the two children who were still in their car seats in the back of his truck.
Pires, Bangura, Diaz, and Oliveira then drove the sedan with the drugs, cash and the victim, from Quincy to Brockton and called the victim’s wife demanding $100,000. Law enforcement officers spotted the sedan as it drove through Brockton, recognized the vehicle from a drive-by shooting that occurred in August 2016, and began to follow it. After the defendants recognized the police, they attempted to flee, but ultimately abandoned the sedan in a Brockton driveway. The victim escaped, flagged down law enforcement officers, and described to them the secluded location where the truck had been deserted. Law enforcement located the truck with the children inside, who were unharmed. Diaz was subsequently found standing by the sedan and arrested.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Mickey D. Leadingham, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Brockton Police Chief John Crowley; and Quincy Police Chief Paul Keenan, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily O. Cannon of Lelling’s Organized Crime and Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.
Boston Man Pleads Guilty to Role in Trans-National Methamphetamine Trafficking RingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to his role in a large-scale methamphetamine trafficking and money laundering ring operating between Massachusetts and California.
Mario Castro, 50, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and one count of possession of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. U.S. Senior District Court Judge George A. O’Toole Jr. scheduled sentencing for March 27, 2019.
Castro is one of 11 men from Massachusetts and California who were indicted in 2016 on drug and money laundering conspiracy charges. Beginning in at least 2013, the defendants participated in a conspiracy to transport sizeable quantities of methamphetamine from San Diego, Calif., to Massachusetts, where it was distributed in the greater Boston area. Proceeds from the sale of that methamphetamine were then transported and/or transferred back to California and laundered in various ways. In his plea agreement, Castro admitted that in December 2015, agents seized approximately 75 grams of methamphetamine hidden in his pants, and that he intended to distribute some of the drugs.
The charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and possession of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, both provide for a minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, a minimum of five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. 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; Harold H. Shaw, 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; Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston; William Ferrara, Director of Field Operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Boston Police Commissioner William Gross made the announcement. The Reading, Watertown, Quincy, Chelsea, Braintree, Peabody, Waltham, and Woburn Police Departments, and Connecticut State Police assisted with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys James E. Arnold and Jared C. Dolan of Lelling’s Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit are prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Boston Gang Member Sentenced for Distributing Drugs in and Around Public Housing DevelopmentRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston gang member was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for distributing crack cocaine in a Jamaica Plain housing development.
Cerone Davis, a/k/a “Jp,” 25, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs to one year and one day in prison and six years of supervised release. Davis previously pleaded guilty to distribution of controlled substances within 1,000 feet of a public housing facility.
Following a two-year investigation, Davis and eight co-defendants were charged in January 2018 in connection with illegal drug distribution and firearm possession within and near the Mildred C. Hailey Apartments in Jamaica Plain, formerly known as the Bromley Heath Housing Development. Davis, a member of the Heath Street Gang, sold cocaine base, also known as crack cocaine, in April 2017. According to court documents, Davis was most recently arrested in Westbook, Maine, and charged with sex trafficking after police responded to an advertisement on Backpage.com soliciting sex with a prostitute for $300. The contact information associated with the online advertisement was traced back to Davis.
The investigation and arrests sought to reduce violence and improve the quality of life in and around the Mildred C. Hailey Apartments for residents by removing individuals who trafficked drugs and/or were actively involved in violence and gang disputes.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Mickey D. Leadingham, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Boston Police Commissioner William Gross made the announcement. Assistance was also provided by the Boston Housing Authority’s Department of Police and Public Safety.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
North Dartmouth Woman and Weymouth Man Indicted on Drug Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A North Dartmouth woman and a Weymouth man were indicted yesterday and charged in connection with drug trafficking activities involving shipments of multiple kilograms of cocaine sent through the mail.
Cristina Lopez, 43, of North Dartmouth, and John Tavares, 31, of Weymouth, were indicted on charges of conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and of possessing with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. Lopez and Tavares were arrested on Aug. 18, 2018, and have been detained since that time.
According to court records, more than 40 suspicious parcels were identified that had been sent via the United States 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 allegedly seized approximately two kilograms of cocaine hidden in sealed coffee cans. Through surveillance, agents allegedly determined that Lopez and Tavares were receiving the majority of the parcels. It is further alleged that Lopez and Tavares had regularly been flying 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 an earlier court hearing, an agent testified that multiple search warrants were executed on Aug. 18, 2018, including at three different residences in Weymouth, North Dartmouth, and Boston. During those searches, agents seized more than three kilograms of cocaine, more than $100,000, two firearms, and various drug paraphernalia.
The charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine provides for a minimum sentence of 10 years and up to a lifetime in prison, a minimum of five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $10 million. The charges of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine provides for a minimum sentence of five years and up to 40 years in prison, a minimum of four years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $5 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division; Raymond D. Moss, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Boston; Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Norfolk County District Attorney Michael W. Morrissey; and Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III made the announcement today. Investigative assistance was provided by the Quincy, Weymouth, Braintree, North Dartmouth and Boston Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys James E. Arnold and Nadine Pellegrini of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit are prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Lawrence Woman Sentenced for Making False Statements on Naturalization ApplicationRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Lawrence woman was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for making false statements on her naturalization application.
Francisca De La Cruz, 50, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel to one year of probation, during which she must complete 200 hours of community service. In May 2018, De La Cruz pleaded guilty to one count of making false statements in an immigration document.
On Nov. 25, 2013, De La Cruz submitted an Application for Naturalization in which she omitted the fact that she had been arrested and criminally charged in 2006, and that when she was arrested, she identified herself to police as “Mercedes Abrue,” which was a false name.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Wichers of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
Former Mafia Boss and Associate Sentenced to Life in Prison for 1993 MurderRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Francis “Cadillac” Salemme, a former boss of the New England Family of La Cosa Nostra (NELCN), and former NELCN associate Paul Weadick were sentenced today in federal court in Boston in connection with the 1993 murder of Steven A. DiSarro.
Francis P. Salemme, 85, and Paul M. Weadick, 63, were sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs to life in prison. On June 22, 2018, Salemme and Weadick were convicted by a federal jury of one count of murder of a federal witness.
In the early 1990s, Salemme was the boss of the NELCN. At the time, DiSarro managed a South Boston night club, known as “The Channel,” in which Salemme and his son, Francis P. Salemme Jr. had a financial interest. As a federal investigation was narrowing in on the Salemmes, DiSarro’s connection to the mafia boss was discovered and he was approached by federal investigators to cooperate. Knowing this, Salemme had DiSarro murdered on May 10, 1993, in Salemme’s Sharon residence. Salemme, who had ordered the murder to prevent DiSarro from cooperating with law enforcement, watched as Salemme Jr. and Weadick fatally strangled DiSarro. Salemme then ordered DiSarro’s body transported to Providence, R.I., and buried. In March 2016, DiSarro’s remains were recovered by federal authorities behind a mill in Providence, R.I.
In 1995 Salemme was indicted on federal racketeering charges and convicted in 1999. He was subsequently convicted of obstruction of justice in 2008 for lying to federal authorities about the murder of DiSarro. Salemme Jr. died in 1995.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch for the District of Rhode Island; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Ann C. Assumpico, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police, made the announcement today. Assistance was also provided by the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office and the Providence, R.I., Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Fred M. Wyshak Jr., Chief of Lelling’s Public Corruption Unit, and William J. Ferland of Dambruch’s Office prosecuted the case.
Dominican National Sentenced for Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
BOSTON - A Dominican national was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for illegally reentering the United States after being deported.
Juan Laboy, 44, a Dominican national formerly residing in Lawrence, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young to 27 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In June 2018, Laboy pleaded guilty to one count of illegal reentry of a deported alien.
Laboy, who, at the time of his arrest, was on federal supervised release for a 2016 illegal reentry conviction, has previously been deported five times: Oct. 18, 2006; Jan. 12, 2008; April 7, 2010; Dec. 3, 2013; and April 5, 2016.
On Nov. 14, 2017, law enforcement arrested Laboy and charged him with trafficking in cocaine. Laboy’s prints were obtained and found to match the prints in his Alien file. The cocaine trafficking charges are currently pending in Lawrence District Court.
Immediately following his June 2018 plea hearing before Judge Young, Laboy appeared before U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs for a hearing related to violating his supervised release. Judge Burroughs found Laboy in violation of his supervised release and sentenced him to eight months in prison. Today’s sentence will be served consecutive to the eight months imposed in June.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Todd M. 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 prosecuted the case.
Worcester Man Pleads Guilty to Marriage FraudRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Worcester man pleaded guilty yesterday in connection with entering into six fraudulent marriages in order to evade immigration laws.
Peter Hicks, 57, pleaded guilty to one count of marriage fraud. U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman scheduled sentencing for Dec. 4, 2018. Hicks was arrested and charged in January 2018 and released on conditions following an initial appearance.
In 2014, federal law enforcement agents uncovered evidence that Hicks married six foreign national women from Sub-Saharan Africa between 2003 and 2013. Hicks filed for immigration benefits for four of his six wives.
During a routine interview as part of his application for benefits for a non-citizen spouse, Hicks admitted to marrying three of the women solely to obtain immigration benefits for them. During a second interview with immigration officials, Hicks admitted that he was paid to recruit people for fraudulent marriages. During an interview with federal agents on Jan. 8, 2015, Hicks admitted that he was involved in marriage fraud for approximately 13 years, and that he received payments to marry undocumented African women and to find willing United States citizens to marry illegal aliens for the purpose of allowing the women to establish legal status in the United States.
In addition, on at least one occasion, Hicks was still married to one spouse at the time of his marriage to another spouse. Hicks also fraudulently claimed on an immigration form submitted on behalf of one of his spouses, that he had only one former spouse and that he had only petitioned for immigration benefits for the one former spouse, when, in fact, Hicks had actually been married five times and submitted requests for immigration benefits for a number of his former spouses.
The charge of marriage fraud provides for a sentence of no greater than five 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 on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; and Denis C. Riordan, District Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, District 1, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Tobin of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
Walpole Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Sexually Exploiting Two ChildrenRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Walpole man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for producing child pornography.
Steven Bennett, 52, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs to 20 years in prison and five years of supervised release. In April 2018, Bennett pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of children. Bennett has been in custody since his arrest in May 2017.
On May 25, 2017, as a result of an April 2017 investigation into various individuals seeking nude pictures of underage girls via Craigslist, authorities executed a federal search warrant at Bennett’s home. Bennett admitted that he secretly video recorded two minor females who were known to him. Subsequent forensic analysis of several devices seized from Bennett during the search revealed more than 100 videos of the girls in the nude.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Walpole 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.
This 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 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and 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/.
Norwood Man Sentenced to 22 Years in Federal Prison for Heroin TraffickingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Norwood man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for distributing heroin in the Taunton area.
Oristel Soto-Peguero, 25, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel to 22 years in prison and five years of supervised release. In April 2018, Soto-Peguero was convicted by a federal jury of possession with intent to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin, conspiring to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a drug offense.
In early 2015, federal agents conducted a wiretap investigation of Eddyberto Mejia-Ramos, a regional heroin trafficker operating in Taunton. In May and June, agents identified Soto-Peguero as Mejia-Ramos’ primary source of supply. On July 6, 2015, law enforcement intercepted calls in which Mejia-Ramos asked Soto-Peguero to send him something “heavy,” to which Soto-Peguero responded that his girlfriend was on her way. At that time, agents were conducting surveillance outside Soto-Peguero’s Norwood apartment and observed co-conspirator Mercedes Cabral exit the apartment and drive towards Taunton. During a subsequent traffic stop, officers found 10 blocks of heroin (918 grams) protruding from Cabral’s purse.
After seizing the heroin, law enforcement officers attempted to secure Soto-Peguero’s apartment in anticipation of obtaining a federal search warrant. They knocked on the door and announced the presence of police, but no one answered. As officers began a forced entry through the front door, someone inside fired a gunshot through the front door. Fortunately, no one was shot. Officers eventually gained entry and arrested two men, identified as Soto-Peguero and Luis Guzman-Ortiz. The next day, officers executed a search warrant at the home and seized two kilograms of heroin, a loaded semiautomatic pistol, two hydraulic drug presses, and other evidence that showed the apartment was being used to prepare and package heroin. Gunshot residue testing and other evidence established that Soto-Peguero fired the shot through the door.
In September 2016, Mejia-Ramos was sentenced to 90 months in prison. In May 2017, Cabral was sentenced to time served (22 months) and three years of supervised release. Guzman-Ortiz was convicted by a federal jury in June 2018. He has not yet been sentenced.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division, made the announcement today. Investigative assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Massachusetts State Police Criminal Laboratory; the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office; and the Norwood, Taunton, Bridgewater, Fall River, New Bedford, Fairhaven, Westport, and Attleboro Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Theodore Heinrich and Brian Pérez-Daple of Lelling’s Criminal Division prosecuted the case.
New Jersey Broker Charged in “Cherry-Picking” SchemeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former New Jersey broker was arrested and charged today with defrauding his clients by engaging in a multi-year “cherry-picking” scheme.
Michael Bressman, 61, of Montville, N.J., was arrested and charged in an indictment unsealed today with securities fraud and investment advisor fraud. Bressman will appear this afternoon in federal court in New Jersey.
The indictment alleges that Bressman misused his access to an omnibus or “allocation” account to obtain at least $700,000 in illicit trading profits over a six-year period ending in February 2018. Bressman allegedly used the allocation account to place trades and cherry-picked profitable trades, which he then transferred to his own account and the account of two family members, while placing unprofitable trades in other customers’ accounts.
In a parallel action, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in New York today announced civil charges against Bressman.
The charge of securities fraud provides for a sentence of no greater than 25 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of $5 million. The charge of investment advisor fraud provides for a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, two 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 Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. The SEC’s Market Abuse Unit in New York provided assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Rosen of Lelling’s Economic Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
MS-13 Member Sentenced for RICO Conspiracy Involving MurderRead the Press Release
BOSTON – An MS-13 member was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for racketeering conspiracy involving the murder of a 16-year-old boy in East Boston.
Rigoberto Mejia, a/k/a “Ninja,” 32, a Salvadoran national, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to 330 months in prison and five years of supervised release. Mejia will be subject to deportation upon completion of his sentence. In April 2018, Mejia pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more commonly referred to as RICO conspiracy.
During the multi-year investigation of MS-13, Mejia was identified as a “homeboy,” or full member, of MS-13’s Trece Locos Salvatrucha (TLS) clique. Evidence further showed that on Jan. 10, 2016, Mejia and three other MS-13 members murdered a 16-year-old boy whom they believed to be a member of the rival 18th Street gang. Mejia’s alleged co-conspirators stabbed the victim multiple times while Mejia shot the victim.
Mejia is one of 49 defendants who have been convicted as part of this ongoing prosecution. Sixteen of those defendants, including Mejia, have been held responsible for racketeering conspiracy involving murder. Forty of the 49 convictions, including Mejia, were the result of guilty pleas prior to trial. Nine other defendants were convicted after trial.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Commissioner Thomas Turco of the Massachusetts Department of Corrections; Essex County Sheriff Kevin F. Coppinger; Suffolk County Sheriff Steven W. Thompkins; Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley; Middlesex County District Attorney Marian T. Ryan; Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett; Boston Police Commissioner William Gross; Chelsea Police Chief Brian A. Kyes; Everett Police Chief Steven A. Mazzie; Lynn Police Chief Michael Mageary; Revere Police Chief James Guido; and Somerville Police Chief David Fallon made the announcement today. The U.S. Marshals Service has provided crucial assistance with the case.
Boston Man Sentenced for Distributing Drugs in and Around Public Housing DevelopmentRead the Press Release
BOSTON – An identified Boston gang member was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for distributing drugs in and around the Mildred C. Hailey Apartments in Jamaica Plain.
Joe Simmons, a/k/a “Profit,” 30, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper to seven years in prison and six years of supervised release. In June 2018, Simmons pleaded guilty to distribution of controlled substances within 1,000 feet of a public housing facility.
Following a two-year investigation, Simmons and eight others were charged in January 2018 in connection with illegal drug distribution and firearm possession within and near the Mildred C. Hailey Apartments in Jamaica Plain, formerly known as the Bromley Heath Housing Development. On May 11, 2017, Simmons, an alleged member of the Heath Street Gang, sold cocaine base, also known as crack cocaine, to a cooperating witness inside the development. Simmons told the cooperating witness that he could supply him with “eight balls all day” and would “take care” of him. According to court documents, Simmons’ criminal record includes convictions for assault and battery, possession of a firearm, resisting arrest, and drug possession, among other charges.
The investigation and arrests sought to reduce violence and improve the quality of life in and around the Mildred C. Hailey Apartments for residents by removing individuals who distributed drugs and/or were actively involved in violence and gang disputes.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Mickey D. Leadingham, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Boston Police Commissioner William Gross made the announcement. Assistance was also provided by the Boston Housing Authority’s Department of Police and Public Safety.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Romanian National Pleads Guilty in Multi-State ATM Card Skimming SchemeRead the Press Release
BOSTON - A Romanian national pleaded guilty today in federal court in Springfield in connection with a multi-state ATM card skimming scheme.
Bogdan Viorel Rusu, 38, a Romanian national formerly residing in Queens, N.Y., pleaded guilty to an Information that charged him with one count each of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft. U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni scheduled sentencing for Dec. 11, 2018. Rusu was arrested on Nov. 14, 2016, and initially charged by complaint in the District of New Jersey and has been in custody since.
From approximately Aug. 3, 2014, until his arrest on Nov. 14, 2016, Rusu engaged in a widespread bank fraud conspiracy that targeted various banks in Massachusetts, New York, and New Jersey. Rusu and his co-conspirators captured payment card account information from customers as they accessed their accounts through ATMs and then used that information to steal money from the customers’ bank accounts.
To capture the account information, Rusu and/or his co-conspirators installed electronic devices, i.e., skimming devices, which surreptitiously recorded customers’ bank account information on the banks’ card-readers at the vestibule door, the ATM machine, or both. In addition, Rusu and/or his co-conspirators installed other devices (generally either pinhole cameras or keypad overlays) in order to record the keystrokes of bank customers as they entered their personal identification numbers to access their bank accounts. After enough customers accessed the ATM machine, Rusu and/or his co-conspirators removed the skimming devices. They then transferred the illegally obtained information from the skimming devices and pinhole cameras to counterfeit payment cards. Finally, they visited other ATM machines with the counterfeit cards to obtain cash from the skimmed bank accounts before the bank or the customers became aware of their illicit conduct.
As a result of the scheme, $364,419 was lost in Massachusetts and $75,715 in New York (totaling $440,134 from 531 individual accounts), and another $428,581 was stolen in New Jersey.
The charges of bank fraud and bank fraud conspiracy each provide for a sentence of no greater than 30 years in prison, five years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million. The charge of aggravated identity theft provides for a mandatory sentence of two years in prison, to be served consecutive to any other sentence imposed, one year of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss and restitution.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Stephen Marks, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service, Boston Field Division; Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; East Longmeadow Police Chief Jeffrey Dalessio; and Medford Police Chief Leo Sacco made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven H. Breslow of Lelling’s Springfield Branch Office and Trial Attorney Marianne Shelvey of the Justice Department’s Organized Crime and Gang Section are prosecuting the case.
Owner of Milton Roofing Business Sentenced for Failing to Report $2.1 Million in Business ReceiptsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The owner of George H. Richard & Son Roofing in Milton, Mass., was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for filing a false tax return which failed to disclose substantial business receipts.
Harry S. Richard, 68, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to one year and one day in prison, one year of supervised release and ordered to pay restitution of $353,246. In May 2018, Richard pleaded guilty to one count of filing a false individual tax return.
Richard owned and operated Richard Roofing, a business established by his great-grandfather in 1865. From 2010 through 2013, Richard deposited the bulk of the payments he received for roofing services into his personal bank accounts and failed to disclose those receipts to his tax return preparer or on his tax returns. Many of the checks he received from his customers were made payable to Richard personally, at his direction. Over the course of four years, Richard failed to report more than $2.1 million in business receipts on his tax returns, and thereby avoided paying taxes totaling about $353,246.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark J. Balthazard of Lelling’s Economic Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
MS-13 Member Sentenced to 23 Years in Prison for RICO ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A member of MS-13 was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston.
German Hernandez Escobar, a/k/a “Terible,” 30, a Salvadoran national, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to 23 years in prison, three years of supervised release and will be subject to deportation upon completion of his sentence. In March 2018, Hernandez Escobar pleaded guilty to RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute marijuana.
According to court documents, Hernandez Escobar was a leader of MS-13’s Everett Loco Salvatrucha (ELS) clique and was previously arrested on a state gun possession charge. After his arrest, Hernandez Escobar was recorded suggesting to other ELS members that a 15-year-old member of the clique had cooperated with the police and that he was arrested as a result. Thereafter, the 15-year-old boy was murdered by MS-13 members in a park in Lawrence. Hernandez Escobar also conspired with other MS-13 members to sell marijuana as a means of raising funds to promote the ELS clique’s criminal activities, including purchasing firearms, and ensured that ELS sent dues regularly to incarcerated MS-13 leaders in El Salvador.
Hernandez Escobar is one of 49 defendants who have been convicted as part of this ongoing prosecution. Sixteen of those defendants have been held responsible for murder. Forty of the 49 convictions, including Hernandez Escobar, were the result of guilty pleas prior to trial. Nine other defendants were convicted after trial.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Commissioner Thomas Turco of the Massachusetts Department of Corrections; Essex County Sheriff Kevin F. Coppinger; Suffolk County Sheriff Steven W. Thompkins; Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley; Middlesex County District Attorney Marian T. Ryan; Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett; Boston Police Commissioner William Gross; Chelsea Police Chief Brian A. Kyes; Everett Police Chief Steven A. Mazzie; Lynn Police Chief Michael Mageary; Revere Police Chief James Guido; and Somerville Police Chief David Fallon made the announcement today.
Former Museum Business Manager Sentenced for Wire FraudRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The former business manager of a local museum was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Worcester for embezzling funds from the museum that employed her.
Jennifer Delorey McNamara, 36, of Clinton, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman to 20 months in prison, three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution of $754,000. In April 2018, McNamara pleaded guilty to wire fraud.
McNamara began working for the Museum of Russian Icons on a part-time basis in mid-2010. In 2012, the Museum promoted McNamara to full-time Business Manager. From approximately 2012 through October 2015, McNamara embezzled hundreds of thousands of dollars from the Museum by, amongst other means, failing to deposit cash received by the Museum into the Museum bank account and by repeatedly issuing unauthorized payments to herself from the Museum and depositing those payments into her personal account.
The Museum referred the matter to federal authorities when it became aware of the scope of McNamara’s theft and cooperated with federal investigators throughout the resulting investigation.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg A. Friedholm, Chief of Lelling’s Worcester Branch Office, prosecuted the case.
Dracut Contractor Charged with Bribing Naval Contracting Official in SingaporeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dracut man was arrested today and charged with bribing a United States Navy contracting officer on two occasions in connection with federal construction projects in Singapore.
Hector Sanchez, 52, was charged in an indictment unsealed today with two counts of bribery of a public official. Sanchez made an initial appearance this afternoon in federal court in Boston.
According to the indictment, Sanchez is the President and co-owner of P&S Construction Inc. (P&S), a general contracting corporation headquartered in Chelmsford. It is alleged that Sanchez paid a total of $15,000 to a contracting officer of the Naval Facilities Engineering Command Far East in Singapore (NAVFAC Far East) in exchange for the contracting official’s assistance in circumventing the assessment of liquidated damage against P&S. In recorded conversations between Sanchez and the Naval contracting officer, Sanchez allegedly stated that the liquidated damage assessments would negatively impact P&S’ ability to obtain government contracting work in the future. Subsequently, Sanchez delivered $10,000 in June 2016 and $5,000 in December 2016 to the Naval contracting officer in Singapore while federal agents conducted covert surveillance. During recorded conversations, Sanchez allegedly told the contracting official that P&S was “looking for the LDs [liquidated damages] to go away.” Sanchez also stated, “This is the first time we’re doing something, okay? Let’s keep it up … This is not a onetime deal … This is business.”
The charge of bribery of a federal public official provides for a sentence of no greater than 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000, or three times the monetary equivalent of the bribe, whichever is greater. 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 Leo S. Lamont, Special Agent in Charge, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Northeast Field Office, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney William F. Bloomer of Lelling’s Public Corruption and Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
CEO of “Penny Stock” Company Sentenced for Stock Manipulation SchemeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The CEO of a microcap company that claimed to own valuable patented drug delivery technology was sentenced today in federal court in Boston in connection with a scheme to manipulate the market for his company’s publicly traded stock.
Learned Jeremiah Hand, 59, of Durham, N.C., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Patti B. Saris to nine months in prison and one year of supervised release, with restitution to be determined at a later date. In August 2016, Hand pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit securities fraud. In May 2018, his brother, Jehu Hand, 61, was convicted by a federal jury of conspiracy, securities fraud and wire fraud, and he is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 25, 2018. Their other brother, Adam Hand, 53, of Newport Beach, Calif., was sentenced to 30 months in prison and three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud.
The Hand brothers conspired in a pump-and-dump scheme to manipulate the market for the stock of Crown Marketing, a microcap or “penny stock” company that claimed to own valuable patented drug delivery technology. Specifically, Learned Hand and his brothers engaged in a scheme to conceal their control over the majority of Crown’s free-trading stock so that they could “pump” up the company’s share price and then secretly “dump” their shares into the market. Jehu Hand filed false registration statements with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) so that the stock that the co-conspirators controlled could be sold to the public. Meanwhile, Learned Hand, who had been named Crown’s CEO, orchestrated a press campaign, including the distribution of press releases containing false and misleading statements regarding the drug delivery technology purportedly owned by Crown. Crown’s share price and trading volume shot up as a result of the hype created by the false press, and the co-conspirators, including Adam Hand, then proceeded to sell millions of shares of Crown stock to unwitting investors at inflated prices.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. The United States Attorney’s Office received valuable assistance from the Securities & Exchange Commission and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority during the investigation of this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie Herbert of Lelling’s Criminal Division and SEC Attorney Andrew Palid, who was appointed as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, prosecuted case.
Wilmington Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Dealing FentanylRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Wilmington man was sentenced Friday, Sept. 7, 2018, in federal court in Boston for dealing fentanyl.
Bryan Moran, 35, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to 10 years in prison and eight years of supervised release. In May 2018, Moran pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.
In June 2016, Moran was arrested and charged after investigators seized approximately 80 grams of fentanyl from a storage unit in North Reading. Due to a 2003 conviction in federal court for heroin conspiracy, Moran faced a 10-year mandatory minimum sentence.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division; Wilmington Police Chief Michael Begonis; and North Reading Police Chief Michael Murphy made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Ferguson of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.
Warrant Issued for Dominican Woman Who Failed to Appear for Trial in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominican national failed to appear in federal court in Boston this morning for the first day of her trial; she was previously charged for her role in a widespread heroin and fentanyl conspiracy.
Isis Y Lugo-Guerrero, 46, a Dominican national residing in Dorchester, was arrested on Feb. 14, 2017, and charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine. On March 2, 2017, Lugo-Guerrero was released from custody on $10,000 unsecured bonds and additional conditions. The first day of her week-long trial was scheduled to begin today, but she failed to appear in court. U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani issued a warrant for Lugo-Guerrero’s arrest.
Lugo-Guerrero is the sister of Jose Antonio Lugo-Guerrero, the convicted leader of a Boston-based heroin and fentanyl trafficking organization. Isis Lugo-Guerrero is alleged to have conspired with her brother and others by regularly obtaining heroin and cocaine from him and by supplying him with substances to cut his drugs to make additional profit.
Jose Antonio Lugo-Guerrero pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin, more than 400 grams of fentanyl, and more than five kilograms of cocaine, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to life in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 27, 2018.
The charge of conspiring to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine provides for a sentence of no greater than 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. 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 made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ted Heinrich of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering 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.
Sturbridge Woman Charged with Government Theft and False StatementRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Sturbridge woman was charged in federal court in Worcester today in connection with receiving government funds for a disabled child who was no longer in her custody.
Tanya Chobot, 31, was charged with one count of government theft and one count of making a false statement to the Social Security Administration. She will appear in federal court in Worcester later today.
According to the charging documents, Chobot accepted more than $23,000 in Social Security disability payments on behalf of her biological child, but did not have custody or provide care to the child. On multiple occasions between 2011 and 2017, Chobot made materially false and fraudulent statements to Social Security to facilitate her continued receipt of the funds. For example, in October 2013, Chobot submitted a report to Social Security that falsely indicated that the child lived with her and that she had used money from Social Security for the support of the child. Chobot did not in fact use the Social Security payments made on behalf of the child for that child’s benefit.
The charge of theft of government funds provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison and the charge of making a false statement provides for a sentence of no greater than five years in prison. Each charge provides for up to three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling 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 Bill Abely of Lelling’s Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Northborough Man Sentenced for Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Northborough man was sentenced today in federal court in Worcester for possession of child pornography.
Joshua Lundberg, 35, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman to 10 years in prison and 10 years of supervised release. In April 2018, Lundberg pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography.
In May 2016, law enforcement began an investigation of peer-to-peer file sharing networks used to share and obtain child pornography. On May 15, 2016, a member of law enforcement reviewing available public files on one such peer-to-peer network located several files he suspected to contain child pornography and was able to partially download one of the files. Law enforcement then traced the IP address used to share the partially downloaded video to Lundberg’s residence.
A search of Lundberg’s home in Northborough resulted in the seizure of a laptop that was hidden on top of the kitchen cabinets in a tight space against the ceiling. Forensic analysis of that computer revealed the presence of the peer-to-peer file sharing program that had been used to share the partially downloaded video along with dozens of digital files containing child pornography, one of which depicted the rape of a child between the ages of six and eight-years-old by an adult male.
At the time of Lundberg’s arrest, he was on probation for a 2012 conviction in Worcester Superior Court for charges relating to the possession and dissemination of child pornography.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Grady of Lelling’s Worcester Branch Office prosecuted the case.
Massachusetts Man Agrees to Plead Guilty to Sending Threatening Letters Containing Suspicious White PowderRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Beverly, Mass., man agreed to plead guilty today in connection with mailing six threatening letters containing suspicious white powder to high-profile individuals and to sending another seven threatening letters to law enforcement officials and others.
Daniel Frisiello, 25, has agreed to plead guilty to 13 counts of mailing a threat to injure the person of another and six counts of false information and hoaxes. On March 1, 2018, Frisiello was arrested and charged with five counts of mailing a threat to injure and five counts of false information and hoaxes. He has since remained in home detention under restrictions.
Law enforcement originally connected Frisiello to mailing five high-profile individuals around the country an envelope that contained suspicious white powder and a note indicating that the powder was dangerous or intended to cause harm. There were notable commonalities among the envelopes, including a Boston postmark. Further investigation revealed that one victim had also received a “glitter bomb,” that is, an envelope containing glitter sent to an unsuspecting individual that, when opened, spills out onto the recipient. Law enforcement traced financial records to Frisiello, who had ordered and paid for the glitter bomb to be delivered to the victim. Furthermore, agents recovered trash from Frisiello’s residence that appeared to contain remnants of the cut-out messages that Frisiello sent to some victims.
Frisiello also sent a white-powder letter to members of the First Family during the 2016 presidential campaign, which caused a significant hazardous material response by law enforcement. Additional evidence then demonstrated that Frisiello had sent multiple other threatening letters to other victims, including two letters in 2015 to the manager of a Massachusetts company that had recently terminated one of Frisiello’s family members, and five letters in 2016 and 2017 to members of law enforcement in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island.
The charge of mailing a threat to injure the person of another provides for a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, or 10 years in prison for threats addressed to a federal official, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of false information and hoaxes provides for a sentence of no greater than 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; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Raymond Moss, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division; Stephen Marks, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service Boston Field Office and Beverly Police Chief John G. LeLacheur made the announcement today. This investigation was conducted by the FBI Boston Division’s Joint Terrorism Task Force led by members of the FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Secret Service and the Beverly Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Garland of Lelling’s National Security Unit is prosecuting the case.
Former Golf Professional Pleads Guilty to Tax FraudRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former golf professional, who worked at two courses owned by the City of Springfield, pleaded guilty today in federal court in Springfield to tax fraud.
Ryan McDowell, 32, of Springfield, pleaded guilty to six counts of tax fraud. U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni scheduled sentencing for Dec. 6, 2018.
Between 2011 and 2016, McDowell worked as an Assistant Golf Professional for a golf management company that contracted with the City of Springfield to manage its two municipal golf courses, Franconia and Veterans Memorial Golf Courses. During that time period, McDowell skimmed approximately $101,050 from golf revenues belonging to the City and then filed false tax returns each year that intentionally omitted the stolen money. McDowell’s filing of the false tax returns resulted in a federal tax loss of $34,236.
Each of the tax fraud charges provides for a sentence of no greater than three years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of $100,000. 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 Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, New England Field Division, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven H. Breslow of Lelling’s Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
Braintree Man Sentenced for Cocaine TraffickingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Braintree man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston on drug trafficking charges.
Vaughn Lewis, 38, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Patti B. Saris to nine years in prison and three years of supervised release. In April 2018, Lewis pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and cocaine base, also known as crack cocaine.
During an investigation into a network of street gangs trafficking illegal firearms and drugs, investigators identified Lewis as a Brockton-based drug dealer. Lewis was a customer of, and distributor for, Luis Rivera, a/k/a “Fat Louie,” a major cocaine supplier in the Brockton area. Lewis was arrested and charged on June 9, 2016, at which time a search warrant was executed on his property. During the search, drugs, drug trafficking paraphernalia and a loaded handgun were recovered.
According to court documents, Lewis had a lengthy criminal record, including convictions for drug trafficking in Massachusetts in 1997 and 2009.
Lewis is one of 53 defendants indicted in June 2016 on federal firearms and drug charges following an investigation into a network of street gangs that created alliances to traffic weapons and drugs throughout Massachusetts and to generate violence against rival gang members. According to court documents, the defendants, who are leaders, members, and associates of the 18th Street Gang, East Side Money Gang and the Boylston Street Gang, were responsible for fueling a gun and drug pipeline across a number of cities and towns in eastern Massachusetts. During the course of the investigation, over 70 firearms were seized.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Mickey D. Leadingham, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; John Gibbons, U.S. Marshal for the District of Massachusetts; Maura Healey, Attorney General of Massachusetts; Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Boston Police Commissioner William Gross; Chelsea Police Chief Brian Kyes; and Brockton Police Chief John Crowley made the announcement today. The U.S. Attorney’s Office also acknowledges the assistance of the Suffolk and Middlesex County Sheriff Departments and the Malden, Revere and Everett Police Departments.
Biotech Officer Pleads Guilty to Securities Fraud and Obstruction of SEC ProceedingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The former Vice President of Investor Relations for PixarBio Corp., a Boston-based biotech company, pleaded guilty today to charges of securities fraud in connection with a scheme to manipulate trading in the company’s shares and obstruction of proceedings before the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Kenneth Stromsland, 46, of Rumson, N.J., pleaded guilty today to one count of securities fraud through manipulative trading and one count of obstructing an agency proceeding. On April 24, 2018, Stromsland was arrested and charged.
At his plea, Stromsland admitted that beginning in or about November 2016, he engaged in manipulative trades in PixarBio stock that simulated market interest in the stock and artificially pushed up the trading price. These trades included orders to buy at a price much higher than the price of the preceding market transaction.
Stromsland also admitted that during a 2017 SEC investigation into manipulative trading in PixarBio’s stock, he testified falsely before the SEC. In his testimony on three different days, Stromsland falsely denied that he had purchased shares of PixarBio to affect the share price and falsely denied that he had been instructed to do so by PixarBio’s then Chief Executive Officer.
The charge of securities fraud provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $5 million. The charge of obstruction of an agency proceeding provides for a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Carl W. Hoecker, Inspector General of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Office of Inspector General, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Miron Bloom of Lelling’s Economic Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
Massachusetts State Trooper Indicted in Overtime Abuse InvestigationRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A retired Massachusetts State Police Trooper was indicted today by a federal grand jury in connection with the ongoing investigation of overtime abuse at the Massachusetts State Police (MSP).
Daren DeJong, 56, of Uxbridge, was indicted on one count of with embezzlement from an agency receiving federal funds. DeJong was previously charged by a criminal complaint and arrested on July 25, 2018.
According to court documents, DeJong, who is currently retired, was a Trooper assigned to Troop E, which is responsible for enforcing criminal law and traffic regulations along the Massachusetts Turnpike, Interstate I-90. DeJong allegedly received overtime pay for hours that he either did not actually work at all, or shifts in which he departed one to seven hours early.
The alleged conduct involves overtime pay for selective enforcement initiatives, including the Accident and Injury Reduction Effort program (AIRE) and the “X-Team” initiative. Both initiatives are intended to reduce accidents, crashes, and injuries on I-90 through an enhanced presence of MSP Troopers and targeting vehicles traveling at excessive speeds. DeJong was required to work the entire duration of the shifts – either four or eight hours – and truthfully report the date, time and sector of deployment on the citations issued during the shift. As alleged, DeJong concealed the fraud by submitting citations that were issued prior to the overtime shift, altered the citations to create the appearance that citations were issued during the overtime shift, and/or submitted citations that were never issued and never took place.
Trooper DeJong earned $200,416 in 2016, which included approximately $68,394 in overtime, of which more than $14,000 was attributable to AIRE and X-Team shifts that DeJong either left early or did not show up for.
In 2015 and 2016, MSP received annual benefits from the U.S. Department of Transportation in excess of $10,000, which were funded pursuant to numerous federal grants.
On June 27, 2018, former Lieutenant David Wilson, 57, of Charlton; suspended Trooper Gary Herman, 45, of Chester; and former Trooper Paul Cesan, 50, of Southwick, were arrested and charged with the same crime. On July 2, 2018, former Trooper Gregory Raftery, 47, of Westwood pleaded guilty and on Aug. 17, 2018, suspended Trooper Kevin Sweeney, 40, of Braintree, was charged and agreed to plead guilty.
The charge of theft of government funds provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Douglas Shoemaker, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dustin Chao and Mark Grady of Lelling’s Public Corruption Unit and Neil Gallagher of Lelling’s Economic Crimes Unit are prosecuting the case.
MS-13 Member Sentenced to 23 Years in Prison for Role in 2015 MurderRead the Press Release
BOSTON – An MS-13 member was sentenced today in federal court in Boston on charges of racketeering conspiracy involving murder.
Oscar Noe Recinos Garcia, a/k/a “Psycho,” 24, a Salvadoran national, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to 23 years in prison and five years of supervised release. Recinos Garcia will be subject to deportation upon the completion of his sentence. In March 2018, Recinos Garcia pleaded guilty to RICO conspiracy and being an alien in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Recinos Garcia was a member of the Everett Locos Salvatrucha, or ELS clique, of MS-13. On behalf of MS-13, Recinos Garcia engaged in racketeering activity, which included involvement in the murder of a teenager who was associated with MS-13 and wrongly suspected by the gang of cooperating with law enforcement. On July 5, 2015, the victim was murdered in Lawrence by Josue Alexis De Paz, a/k/a “Gato,” and Manuel Diaz Granados, a/k/a “Perverso.” Evidence showed that Recinos Garcia and others were involved in planning the murder and shared the intent to have the victim killed.
Recinos Garcia, De Paz, and Diaz Granados were arrested on July 8, 2015, in Somerville in a raid that resulted in the recovery of a firearm, several large knives, photographs of MS-13 members flashing gang signs, and a large volume of MS-13 paraphernalia, including blue and white hats, bandanas and rosary beads. Recinos Garcia was also charged with possession of the firearm seized on that day.
Recinos Garcia is one of 49 defendants who have been convicted as part of this ongoing prosecution. Sixteen of those defendants have been held responsible for murder. 40 of the 49 convictions, including Vasquez, were the result of guilty pleas prior to trial. Nine other defendants were convicted after trial.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Commissioner Thomas Turco of the Massachusetts Department of Corrections; Essex County Sheriff Kevin F. Coppinger; Suffolk County Sheriff Steven W. Thompkins; Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley; Middlesex County District Attorney Marian T. Ryan; Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett; Boston Police Commissioner William Gross; Chelsea Police Chief Brian A. Kyes; Everett Police Chief Steven A. Mazzie; Lynn Police Chief Michael Mageary; Revere Police Chief James Guido; and Somerville Police Chief David Fallon made the announcement today.
Lawrence Man Charged with Identity TheftRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Lawrence man was arrested yesterday and charged in federal court in Boston with one count of passport fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.
According to court documents, “John Doe,” whose true identity and age are presently unknown, applied for a passport at a Lawrence Post Office in November 2014, purporting to be a U.S. citizen. On the application, he represented that the name, Social Security number, and date of birth of a Puerto Rican man were his. The defendant supported the application with a Puerto Rican birth certificate and Massachusetts driver’s license in the name of the U.S. citizen. It is further alleged that the defendant committed aggravated identity theft in connection with the passport application.
The charge of aggravated identity theft provides for a mandatory sentence of two years in prison, to be served consecutive to any other sentence imposed, up to one year of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of passport fraud provides for no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised released, 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 William B. Gannon, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, Boston Field Office, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elianna Nuzum 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.
Guatemalan National Sentenced for Illegal Reentry After DeportationRead the Press Release
BOSTON - A Guatemalan national was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for illegally reentering the United States after being deported.
Ariel Humberto Diaz, 27, a Guatemalan national formerly residing in Framingham, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young to eight months in prison and three years of supervised release. Humberto Diaz will be subject to deportation upon completion of his sentence. In May 2018, Humberto Diaz pleaded guilty to one count of illegal reentry of a deported alien.
On Feb. 4, 2018, law enforcement officers encountered Humberto Diaz and determined him to be illegally present in the United States. Humberto Diaz was previously deported on April 13, 2016.
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. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Soivilien of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
Burlington Man Arrested for Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former civilian employee of the Hanscom Air Force Base was arrested today for possessing thousands of files depicting child pornography, including a manual titled “How to Practice Child Love.”
William Gates, 41, of Burlington, was charged with one count of possession of child pornography. Gates appeared in federal court today and was ordered detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for tomorrow.
According to the charging document, in November 2017, law enforcement in Boston received information from authorities in Australia about an investigation involving an online personal photo site, known for hosting child pornography. Australian investigators observed a user of the site posting photographs of, and comments regarding, an approximately six-year-old boy on a school bus, who the user identified as a child on a field trip that the user was chaperoning. Australian and U.S. authorities were able to trace the account activity to IP addresses assigned to Gates’s home in Burlington and to Hanscom Air Force Base, where Gates was a civilian employee at the time.
It is alleged that during an interview with law enforcement in early December 2017, Gates admitted that he used his iPhone to take some of the photographs while chaperoning a field trip to the zoo with his son’s elementary school. After Gates provided written consent for the search of certain electronic devices, law enforcement conducted a preliminary exam of two of the defendant’s digital devices and allegedly located approximately 51 images of child pornography. A month later, on Jan. 8, 2018, agents executed a search warrant at Gates’s home, where they found more than 900 child pornography files. Gates was subsequently indicted by a Middlesex grand jury for possession of child pornography.
During the week of Aug. 27, 2018, it is alleged that further forensic analysis of one of Gates’ laptops revealed an encrypted volume, where approximately 2,900 images and 70 videos of child pornography were hidden, as well as a document titled, “How to Practice Child Love,” which purports to serve as a guide to teach adults how to practice sex with children.
The charging statute provides for a sentence of no greater than 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 and Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Burlington 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.
Members of the public who have questions, concerns, or information regarding this case should call 617-748-3274.
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/.
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.
Massachusetts Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Planning ISIS Inspired AttackRead the Press Release
BOSTON – An Adams, Mass. man was sentenced today in federal court in Springfield in connection with a plot to engage in terrorist activity inspired by and in the name of ISIS.
Alexander Ciccolo, a/k/a Ali Al Amriki, 26, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to 20 years in prison and a lifetime of supervised release. In May 2018, Ciccolo pleaded guilty to one count of attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, one count of attempting to use weapons of mass destruction, one count of being a convicted person in possession of firearms, and one count of assaulting a nurse during a jail intake process by use of a deadly weapon causing bodily injury.
“Alexander Ciccolo planned to kill innocent civilians in the United States on ISIS’s behalf,” said United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts Andrew E. Lelling. “Even though he was born and spent most of his life in Massachusetts, Ciccolo decided to turn against his country and plotted to attack his fellow Americans. Thanks to the tireless investigation and swift response of our law enforcement partners, Ciccolo was unable to carry out his violent plan. The sentence handed down today reflects our commitment to bringing all those whose allegiance lies with terrorists to justice.”
“The National Security Division will not tolerate threats to our country and its people,” said Assistant Attorney General John C. Demers. “Not only did Ciccolo admit to supporting ISIS — a well-known terrorist group — but he also collected weapons and explosives in order to further their goal of murdering innocent Americans. This sentence holds him accountable for breaking our laws and putting American lives at risk.”
“Make no mistake, Alexander Ciccolo was a committed soldier of ISIS who wanted to kill innocent people at a United States university with assault rifles and pressure cooker bombs, not an unwitting dupe who didn’t understand the gravity of what he was doing,” said Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. “He repeatedly expressed his desire to engage in acts of violent jihad against our country, and with this sentencing, he will now pay the price for conspiring with a foreign terrorist organization. I commend the hard work and collaboration of all involved, specifically the Western Massachusetts Joint Terrorism Task Force who successfully thwarted Ciccolo’s terroristic plot before any lives were lost. We all play a role in safeguarding our country, and this case not only highlights the importance of continued vigilance, but the significance that family, friends, or by-standers can play in reporting threats or suspicious activities.”
Alexander Ciccolo was a soldier of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization. Ciccolo heeded the call of ISIS to commit terrorist attacks in the United States. He intended to inflict maximum damage upon the United States and create mass casualties on behalf of ISIS. At the time of his arrest in July 2015, Ciccolo was planning to attack a university using firearms and improvised explosives, and attempted to recruit others to assist him in his attack plan. Even after being arrested, Ciccolo attacked a nurse who was merely trying to provide him medical care.
Until his arrest in July 2015, Ciccolo had spoken with a person who was cooperating with law enforcement in recorded conversations about his plans to commit acts of terrorism inspired by ISIS. The plans included setting off improvised explosive devices, such as pressure cookers filled with black powder, nails, ball bearings and glass, in places where large numbers of people congregate, like college cafeterias. Prior to his arrest, agents had observed Ciccolo purchase a pressure cooker similar to that used in the Boston Marathon bombings.
On July 4, 2015, Ciccolo was arrested after he received four firearms which he had ordered from a cooperating witness who had been communicating with Ciccolo about his plans to engage in a terrorist act. Ciccolo was arrested in possession of a Colt AR-15 .223 caliber rifle, a SigArms Model SG550-1 556 rifle, a Glock 17-9 mm pistol, and a Glock 20-10 mm pistol. Ciccolo had previously been convicted of a crime punishable by more than a year in jail and therefore was prohibited from possessing firearms.
In addition, several partially constructed “Molotov cocktails” were found in Ciccolo’s apartment after he was arrested. These incendiary devices contained what appeared to be shredded Styrofoam soaking in motor oil. Ciccolo had previously stated that this mixture would cause the fire from the exploded devices to stick to people’s skin and make it harder to put the fire out.
Shortly after his arrest, while he at the Franklin County Correctional Center, Ciccolo stabbed a nurse with a pen more than ten times, leaving a bloody gash on the top of the nurse’s head.
U.S. Attorney Lelling, Assistant Attorney General Demers, and FBI SAC Shaw made the announcement today. The investigation was conducted by members of the Joint Terrorism Task Force including the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Springfield, Ludlow, Holyoke, West Springfield, Easthampton, and Pittsfield Police Departments; the Massachusetts State Police; and Homeland Security Investigations, with critical assistance from the Adams Police Department and the Massachusetts State Regional Hazardous Materials Response Team.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Deepika Bains Shukla and Kevin O’Regan of Lelling’s Springfield Branch Office and Trial Attorney Andrew Sigler of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section of the Department of Justice prosecuted the case.
Massachusetts Man Inspired by ISIS Sentenced for Plotting to Engage in Terrorist ActivityRead the Press Release
Alexander Ciccolo, aka Ali Al Amriki, 26, of, Adams, Massachusetts, was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni in Springfield, Massachusetts to 20 years in prison and a lifetime of supervised release in connection with a plot to engage in terrorist activity inspired by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization. In May 2018, Ciccolo pleaded guilty to one count of attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, one count of attempting to use weapons of mass destruction, one count of being a convicted person in possession of firearms, and one count of assaulting a nurse during a jail intake process by use of a deadly weapon causing bodily injury. Ciccolo has been detained since his arrest in July 2015.
The sentencing was announced by Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, U.S. Attorney Andrew E. Lelling, and Special Agent in Charge Harold H. Shaw of the FBI’s Boston Field Office.
“The National Security Division will not tolerate threats to our country and its people,” said Assistant Attorney General Demers. “Not only did Ciccolo admit to supporting ISIS — a well-known terrorist group — but he also collected weapons and explosives in order to further their goal of murdering innocent Americans. This sentence holds him accountable for breaking our laws and putting American lives at risk.”
“Alexander Ciccolo planned to kill innocent civilians in the United States on ISIS’s behalf,” said U.S. Attorney Lelling. “Even though he was born and spent most of his life in Massachusetts, Ciccolo decided to turn against his country and plotted to attack his fellow Americans. Thanks to the tireless investigation and swift response of our law enforcement partners, Ciccolo was unable to carry out his violent plan. The sentence handed down today reflects our commitment to bringing all those whose allegiance lies with terrorists to justice.”
“Make no mistake, Alexander Ciccolo was a committed soldier of ISIS who wanted to kill innocent people at a United States university with assault rifles and pressure cooker bombs, not an unwitting dupe who didn’t understand the gravity of what he was doing,” said Special Agent in Charge Shaw. “He repeatedly expressed his desire to engage in acts of violent jihad against our country, and with this sentencing, he will now pay the price for conspiring with a foreign terrorist organization. I commend the hard work and collaboration of all involved, specifically the Western Massachusetts Joint Terrorism Task Force who successfully thwarted Ciccolo’s terroristic plot before any lives were lost. We all play a role in safeguarding our country, and this case not only highlights the importance of continued vigilance, but the significance that family, friends, or by-standers can play in reporting threats or suspicious activities.”
On July 4, 2015, Ciccolo received four firearms that he ordered from an individual, who was cooperating with law enforcement, and who had been communicating with Ciccolo about his plans to engage in a terrorist act. Ciccolo was arrested immediately after receiving the firearms, which included a Colt AR-15 .223 caliber rifle, a SigArms Model SG550-1 556 rifle, a Glock 17-9 mm pistol, and a Glock 20-10 mm pistol. Ciccolo had previously been convicted of a crime punishable by more than a year in jail and therefore was prohibited from possessing firearms.
Ciccolo had spoken with a cooperating witness in recorded conversations about his plans to commit acts of terrorism inspired by ISIS, including setting off improvised explosive devices, such as pressure cookers filled with black powder, nails, ball bearings and glass, in places where large numbers of people congregate, like college cafeterias. Prior to his arrest, agents had observed Ciccolo purchase a pressure cooker similar to the one used in the Boston Marathon bombings.
After his arrest, law enforcement recovered several partially constructed “Molotov cocktails” during a search of Ciccolo’s apartment. These incendiary devices contained what appeared to be shredded Styrofoam soaking in motor oil. Ciccolo had previously stated that this mixture would cause the fire from the exploded devices to stick to people’s skin and make it harder to put the fire out.
While Ciccolo was being processed after his arrest at the Franklin County Correctional Center, Ciccolo attacked and stabbed a nurse with a pen nearly a dozen times leaving a bloody gash on the top of the nurse’s head.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI and a coalition of other Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Deepika Bains Shukla and Kevin O’Regan of Lelling’s Springfield Branch Office and Trial Attorney Andrew Sigler of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section prosecuted this case.
Gardner Man Sentenced for Illegally Possessing FirearmRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Gardner man was sentenced today in federal court in Worcester for a federal firearm offense.
Edwin Labaw, 34, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman to 39 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In March 2018, Labaw pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Labaw was arrested in November 2017.
On Sept. 19, 2017, Labaw and another individual, Travis Miller, sold an undercover agent a double-barrel 12-gauge shotgun, a 9mm Kel-Tech Sub 2000 rifle, and 11 rounds of 12-gauge shotgun ammunition in exchange for $1,200. Miller and Labaw met again with an undercover federal agent on Sept. 27, 2017, and sold the agent a 7.62x39mm caliber SKS rifle, along with ammunition and magazines, in exchange for $1,800.
According to court documents, Labaw has prior felony convictions and is therefore prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.
Miller was also arrested in November 2017 and subsequently convicted in federal court with being a felon in possession of ammunition and with distributing fentanyl. Miller was sentenced last month to 80 months in prison and three years of supervised release.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Mickey D. Leadingham, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. Valuable investigative assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Worcester, Gardner, and Fitchburg Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Abely of Lelling’s Worcester Branch Office prosecuted the case.