District of Massachusetts

BOSTON – A member of the Vine/Forest Street gang was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for selling crack cocaine in and around Roxbury’s Orchard Gardens Housing Development.

Daiquan Lucas, a/k/a “Sav Montana,” 25, of Boston, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young to one year and one day in prison and six years of supervised release. While on supervised release, Scott will be precluded from entering the Orchard Gardens Housing Development and from being in contact or associating with approximately 20 individuals from the same area. In December 2017, Lucas pleaded guilty to distribution of cocaine base within 1,000 feet of a school.

On Dec. 11, 2015, Lucas sold cocaine base, a/k/a crack cocaine, to a cooperating witness near a school in Roxbury. Lucas is one of 12 defendants arrested and charged in June 2017 following a nearly two-year investigation into the high concentration of crime in and around the Orchard Gardens Development, the largest publically funded housing development in Roxbury, which is also adjacent to area schools and Dudley Square. According to court documents, the crime stems, in part, from the illegal activities of the members and associates of the Orchard Park Trailblazers, who allegedly have active feuds with rival gangs throughout the city that have produced numerous crimes of violence.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Mickey D. Leadingham, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Boston Police Commissioner William Evans made the announcement today. 

BOSTON – A Vietnamese national pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to his role in an international scheme to use stolen payment card data and personally identifiable information to purchase and re-sell hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of consumer goods. 

Tuan Dinh Nguyen, 30, a Vietnamese national, previously living in Melbourne, Australia, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud conspiracy, one count of money laundering conspiracy, 13 counts of money laundering and aiding and abetting, and one count of aggravated identity theft. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel scheduled sentencing for Aug. 1, 2018.

In August 2015, Nguyen was indicted in federal court in Boston. Nguyen was then arrested in Australia in June 2017, and on Oct. 5, 2017, he was extradited to the United States.

Between December 2007 and December 2013, Nguyen and at least three others conspired to use stolen payment card data and personally identifiable information to purchase consumer goods online and to re-sell those items on auction websites, including Amazon, eBay, and Buy.com; they then wired the proceeds overseas. 

Nguyen and his co-conspirators created fraudulent accounts on multiple auction websites, or used stolen usernames and passwords to take over subscribers’ legitimate accounts. They then posted popular goods for sale at a discounted price, including Apple merchandise, electronics, personal care items and books. However, Nguyen and his co-conspirators did not own or otherwise have these goods to sell. Instead, when customers of the auction websites purchased and paid for these items, Nguyen and his co-conspirators used stolen payment card and personally identifiable information to buy the items from Walmart.com or other e-commerce websites, and then shipped the items to the auction website customers, who never knew that the items they received had been purchased with stolen credit cards and re-sold to them at discounted prices. 

To obtain the proceeds of the scheme, Nguyen and his co-conspirators recruited U.S. residents to withdraw and wire overseas the money that the unwitting customers had paid through the auction websites. In total, Nguyen and his co-conspirators stole and re-sold approximately $500,000 in consumer goods.

The charges of wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering, and money laundering conspiracy provide for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, forfeiture and restitution. The wire fraud charge carries a fine of up to $250,000, or twice the conspiracy’s gain or loss to any victim; and the money laundering conspiracy charge carries a fine of up to $500,000, or twice the amount of the money laundered. The aggravated identity theft charge provides for a mandatory two-year sentence to be served consecutively to any sentence imposed for the wire fraud conspiracy charge. Sentences are imposed by a U.S. district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. 

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; and U.S. Marshal John Gibbons for the District of Massachusetts made the announcement today. Australia’s Attorney-General’s Department, the Australian Federal Police, and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs provided assistance in securing Nguyen’s extradition to the United States.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth Kosto of Lelling’s Cybercrime Unit is prosecuting the case.

BOSTON – A Guatemalan national was arrested yesterday and charged in federal court in Boston with illegally reentering the United States after being deported.  

Adolfo Martinez-Molina, 43, was charged in an indictment unsealed yesterday with one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien.

Law enforcement in Waltham encountered Martinez-Molina on Sept. 17, 2017, and determined him to be illegally present in the United States. Martinez-Molina was previously deported on Aug. 3, 2016.

Martinez-Molina faces a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000, and will be subject to deportation upon completion of his sentence. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Thomas P. Brophy, Acting Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine and of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the cases.

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

BOSTON – A Dominican national was indicted today with fentanyl distribution, Social Security fraud, and aggravated identity theft.

Domingo Garcia Suero, 53, a Dominican national residing in Haverhill, was indicted on five counts of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of a controlled substance, specifically fentanyl, two counts of Social Security account number fraud, and one count of aggravated identity theft. Garcia Suero appeared today before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Donald L. Cabell.  

The indictment alleges that on five occasions during in the fall of 2017, Garcia Suero sold and possessed fentanyl for sale. Garcia Suero also allegedly filed applications with the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles to renew his driver’s license and with MassHealth, in which he provided a name and a social security account number belonging to a United States citizen from Puerto Rico.

The charge of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of fentanyl in excess of 40 grams provides for a minimum sentence of five years and no greater than 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release and a fine of $5 million. The charge of Social Security fraud provides for a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of aggravated identity theft provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of two years to run consecutive to any other sentence. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.  

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Phillip Coyne, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations; Albert Angelucci, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Scott Antolik, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Office; and Haverhill Police Chief Alan DeNaro made the announcement today. Assistance was also provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Regional Office; the Boston Field Office of the U.S. Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service; and the Massachusetts State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Maxim Grinberg of Lelling’s Criminal Division is prosecuting the case.

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

BOSTON – A man serving a sentence for bank robbery pleaded guilty and was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for escaping from custody.

Joseph Matz, 48, of Boston, pleaded guilty to one count of escape from federal custody before U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns. Judge Stearns immediately sentenced Matz to 27 months in prison, to be served concurrently with a sentence Matz is already serving in state prison in Virginia, and three years of supervised release.

In 2004, Matz was convicted of bank robbery. In August 2011, Matz was again convicted of bank robbery and sentenced to seven years in prison. Because his second conviction occurred while he was on supervised release from his 2004 conviction, Matz was sentenced to an additional year in prison to be served consecutive with his 2011 bank robbery conviction.

In July 2016, Matz was transferred from federal prison to a Residential Reentry Center in Boston, where he was to serve the remainder of his sentence until his release on Dec. 18, 2016. On Nov. 4, 2016, Matz was allowed to sign out of the Center on a “medical pass,” and was required to return later that day; however Matz never returned to the Reentry Center and was placed on escape status.

On Dec. 1, 2016, Matz was arrested in Richmond, Va., for armed bank robbery. He subsequently pleaded guilty to that charge, and on May 23, 2017, was sentenced to 25 years in state prison with 15 years suspended. Matz is currently in state custody in Burkeville, Va.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and U.S. Marshal John Gibbons of the District of Massachusetts made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Soivilien of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case. 

TAUNTON – 10 individuals were charged in federal court in Boston on federal drug trafficking and money laundering offenses in connection with distributing cocaine in and around the Taunton and Worcester areas. Seven of the defendants were arrested today; three are fugitives.

In a federal indictment unsealed today, the following 10 individuals were charged in connection with their roles in a cocaine trafficking conspiracy that operated between May 2016 and April 2018:

1. Samuel Rodriguez, 59, of Taunton, was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine; one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine; and one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments;
2. Pedro Oyola, 33, of Cayay, Puerto Rico, was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments;
3. Jose Santos, 47, of Fall River, was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments;
4. Tina Rodriguez, 45, of Worcester, was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments;
5. Edgar Rios-Lopez, 38, of Naranjito, Puerto Rico, was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments;
6. Luis Elias, 43, of Worcester, was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments;
7. George Torres, 41, of Taunton, was charged with one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine;
8. Debra Demoranville, 49, of Taunton, was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments;
9. Angel Oyola, 35, of Caguas, Puerto Rico, was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine; and
10. Ricardo Zayas Ramos, 21, of Pawtucket, R.I., was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.

Seven of the defendants were arrested this morning; Pedro Oyola, Angel Oyola, and Luis Elias are presently fugitives.

The charges are the culmination of a nine-month investigation aimed at attacking the increased volume of cocaine flooding southern and central Massachusetts. The defendants allegedly controlled and managed a lucrative and sophisticated drug trafficking and distribution ring in the region. 

The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine provides for a sentence of up to life in prison, five years of supervised release, and a fine of $10 million. The charge of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine provides for a sentence of no greater than 40 years in prison, four years of supervised release, and a fine of $5 million. The charge of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $500,000. 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; Albert Angelucci, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division; Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston; Raymond Moss, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn; and Fairhaven Police Chief Michael Myers made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Miranda Hooker of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.

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

BOSTON – A Boston man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to robbing 10 banks in the greater Boston area.

Paul B. Landrum, dubbed the “Route 128 Bandit,” 38, pleaded guilty to 10 counts of bank robbery. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock scheduled sentencing for Aug. 13, 2018. In November 2017, Landrum was arrested and charged in federal court and has been in custody since.

Between July 31, 2017, and Oct. 6, 2017, eight banks were robbed in the Greater Boston area. After each robbery, the tellers described the perpetrator as a light-skinned black man, 30-to-45-years-old, wearing a baseball hat, sunglasses and a long-sleeved collarless shirt. Based on the descriptive similarities, law enforcement suspected that the same individual was involved in each robbery. 

Between Oct. 17, 2017, and Oct. 19, 2017, two more banks were robbed in the Greater Boston area. Following these robberies, the tellers described the robber, later determined to be Tamea Chambers, as a black woman, 30-to-35-years-old, wearing a wig. Based on the similar descriptions by the tellers, law enforcement suspected that the same individual was involved in these two robberies.

During their investigation of the latter robberies, law enforcement obtained video footage from a business connected to one of the banks that captured images of the female robber in the company of a light-skinned black male. Upon comparison of this video footage with the video footage of the first eight robberies, law enforcement determined the man to be the Route 128 Bandit.

An investigation into the robber’s get-away vehicle led law enforcement to identify Landrum as the suspect, and on Oct. 24, 2017, Landrum and Chambers were arrested in Boston. Landrum admitted to robbing eight banks individually, and assisting Chambers with the final two robberies.

Chambers was indicted in March 2018 and has a hearing in federal court in Boston on May 8.

Landrum faces a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. 

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and 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 is prosecuting the case.

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

BOSTON – A Springfield gynecologist was convicted today in connection with allowing a pharmaceutical sales representative to access patient records and lying to federal investigators.

Rita Luthra, M.D., 67, of Longmeadow, was convicted by a federal jury of one count of violation of the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act and one count of obstruction of a criminal health care investigation. U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni has not yet scheduled sentencing.

From January 2011 through November 2011, Luthra allowed a pharmaceutical company sales representative from Warner Chilcott to access protected health information in her patients’ medical files. She later provided false information to federal agents when interviewed about her relationship with Warner Chilcott.

The charge of violation of the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act provides for a sentence of no greater than one year in prison and/or a fine of $50,000 and one year of supervised release. The charge of obstructing a criminal health care investigation 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 and Phillip M. Coyne, Special Agent in Charge for the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, made the announcement today. Assistant United States Attorneys Miranda Hooker and Young Paik of Lelling’s Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.

BOSTON – Six individuals have been arrested and charged in federal court in Boston with illegally reentering the United States after being deported.  

According to six separate indictments unsealed today, the following individuals were each charged with one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien:

Marco Lopez-Chavez, 24, a Guatemalan national, was encountered by law enforcement in Lynn on Sept. 2, 2017, and determined to be illegally present in the United States. Lopez-Chavez was previously deported on April 28, 2016.

Bulmaro Enriquez, 32, a Mexican national, was encountered by law enforcement in Framingham on Nov. 23, 2017, and determined to be illegally present in the United States. Enriquez was previously deported in March 2006.

Milton Mejia-Padilla, 36, a Honduran national, was encountered by law enforcement in Chelsea on Jan. 7, 2018, and determined to be illegally present in the United States. Mejia-Padilla was previously deported on Aug. 16, 2010.

Leandro Guimaraes, 38, a Brazilian national, was encountered by law enforcement in Framingham in July 2015, and determined to be illegally present in the United States. Guimaraes was previously deported on Dec. 28, 2003.

Virgilio Pedro Vicente-Lopez, 39, a Guatemalan national, was encountered by law enforcement in Salem on Aug. 13, 2017, and determined to be illegally present in the United States. Vicente-Lopez was previously deported on Feb. 12, 2009.

Nivaldo Gomes, 57, a Brazilian national, was encountered by law enforcement in March 2018, and determined to be illegally present in the United States. Gomes was previously deported on Nov. 14, 2012.

The charges of illegal reentry provide for sentences of no greater than 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000, and each of the defendants will be subject to deportation upon completion of his sentence. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; and Thomas P. Brophy, Acting Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kenneth G. Shine and David G. Tobin of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit are prosecuting the cases.

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

BOSTON – A Providence, R.I., man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for distributing a kilogram of heroin to an undercover agent.

Dennys Villalona, a/k/a Xavier Martinez-Gonzalez, 30, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock to 66 months in prison and eight years of supervised release. In September 2017, Villalona pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of heroin and one count of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of more than 100 grams of heroin.

In November 2016, a cooperating source introduced an undercover officer to Villalona for the purpose of supplying heroin to the undercover officer. On Nov. 17, 2016, Villalona and the undercover officer met in a restaurant parking lot in Foxboro where Villalona agreed to sell the undercover officer one kilogram of heroin for $55,000. Villalona stated that if the undercover officer kept coming back and business was good, the price would drop to $50,000 or even less per kilogram. Two days later, Villalona and the undercover officer met again, and Villalona supplied the undercover officer with a nearly 10-gram sample of heroin. On Nov. 22, 2016, Villalona and the undercover officer met at a restaurant in Wrentham, where Villalona delivered a package containing 992 grams of heroin to the undercover officer. All three meetings were recorded.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Albert Angelucci, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Linda Ricci, Chief of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit, prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A Saugus loan broker was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for operating a scheme that defrauded small businesses from across the country in connection with their efforts to obtain business loans.

Joseph L. Angelo Jr., 59, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to 40 months in prison, three months of supervised release and ordered to pay restitution of $1.1 million. In September 2017, Angelo Jr. pleaded guilty to 11 counts of wire fraud.

From November 2011 to March 2015, Angelo defrauded 10 small business owners of more than $1 million by representing that his companies – Lease One Corp. and Palmtree Finance & Funding LLC – were brokers for obtaining loans for small businesses. Angelo required the customers to deliver to him what he said were fully refundable deposits, aggregating over $1.1 million for loans that he said had been approved and would be funded within a few days. In fact, none of the loans had been approved, and there were no funds available. When the small business owners complained about delays in receiving funds, Angelo promised that their deposits would be refunded, but he did not refund any of the deposits or secure funding for any of the requested loans.

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 Victor A. Wild of Lelling’s Economic Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – Two men were sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for their roles in a heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine trafficking organization that operated in Taunton and Boston.

Malvin Berrios, 35, of Fall River, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to 46 months in prison and five years of supervised release. In October 2017, Berrios pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine.

Roger Longmire, 34, of Taunton, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin to three years in prison and four years of supervised release. In September 2017, Longmire pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl.

In February 2017, the defendants were arrested and charged in two indictments with 21 co-defendants.  

From mid-2016 through February 2017, federal law enforcement investigated two drug trafficking organizations, one operating in Taunton, led by Fernando Hernandez, and another operating in Fall River and Boston, led by Jose Antonio Lugo-Guerrero. Hernandez’s organization sold heroin and fentanyl to customers, including Longmire, who re-distributed a portion of the drugs they obtained. It is alleged that Hernandez obtained drugs from a network of suppliers that included Lugo-Guerrero.

Lugo-Guerrero allegedly operated a drug trafficking organization in Fall River and Boston and sold to numerous customers, including Berrios. It is further alleged that Lugo-Guerrero and his associates obtained a significant quantity of illegal drugs by robbing other drug traffickers.

Hernandez pleaded guilty and was sentenced in February 2018 to 188 months in prison. Lugo-Guerrero has pleaded not guilty.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Albert Angelucci, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division; Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Fall River Police Chief Daniel S. Racine; New Bedford Police Chief Joseph C. Cordeiro; Taunton Police Chief Edward James Walsh; Boston Police Commissioner William B. Evans; and Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ted Heinrich of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.

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

BOSTON - A Salvadoran national was charged yesterday in federal court in Boston with illegally reentering the United States after being deported.  

Jose Antonio Reyes-Ramos, 33, was indicted on one count of illegal reentry of a deported alien.

According to court documents, on March 31, 2017, law enforcement officers in Framingham encountered Reyes-Ramos and determined him to be unlawfully present in the United States. Reyes-Ramos was previously deported on Jan. 6, 2012.  

Reyes-Ramos faces a sentence of no greater than two years in prison, one year of supervised release, a fine of $250,000, and will be subject to deportation upon completion of his sentence.  Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Tobin of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

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

BOSTON – A Peabody man was indicted yesterday in federal court in Boston in connection with 15 armed robberies throughout greater Boston.

Luis Cintron, 39, was indicted on 15 counts of interfering with commerce by robbery and one count of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. In March 2018, Cintron was arrested and charged by criminal complaint and has been in custody since.

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

Each charge of interfering with commerce by robbery provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. The charge of discharging a firearm during a violent crime provides for a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, to be served consecutive with any other sentence imposed, five 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; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Boston Police Commissioner William Evans; Chelsea Police Chief Brian Kyes; Lynn Police Chief Michael Mageary; Winthrop Police Chief Terence M. Delehanty; Peabody Police Chief Thomas Griffin; and Everett Police Chief Steven A. Mazzie made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Richardson of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

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

BOSTON – A Northborough man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Worcester to possession of child pornography.

Joshua Lundberg, 35, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography. U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman scheduled sentencing for July 23, 2018.

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.

On June 6, 2016, a search warrant was executed at Lundberg’s home in Northborough where a laptop that was hidden on top of the kitchen cabinets in a tight space against the ceiling was seized. 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 a child between the ages of six and eight-years-old being raped 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.

Lundberg is pleading guilty pursuant to a plea agreement in which both parties will recommend a sentence of 10 years in prison and 10 years of supervised release.

Because of the prior conviction, the charging statute provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and 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; 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 is prosecuting the case.

BOSTON - A Mexican national was charged yesterday in federal court in Boston with illegally reentering the United States after being deported.  

Carlos Altunar-Rueda, 25, was indicted on one count of illegal reentry of a deported alien.

According to court documents, law enforcement officers in Boston encountered Altunar-Rueda on Feb. 8, 2017, and determined him to be illegally present in the United States. Altunar-Rueda was previously deported on Feb. 23, 2013.

Altunar-Rueda faces a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000, and will be subject to deportation upon completion of his sentence. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today.  Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Tobin of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

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

BOSTON – A Haverhill man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to his role in an opioid trafficking conspiracy involving the distribution of fentanyl, heroin, and oxycodone across Massachusetts and Florida.

Jesus Gonzalez, 23, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute over 100 grams of heroin and/or 40 grams of fentanyl, one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute oxycodone, and one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments. U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled sentencing for Aug. 2, 2018.

Gonzalez was arrested along with several co-defendants in March 2017 for their roles in a widespread conspiracy involving opioid trafficking and money laundering offenses in Massachusetts and Florida. According to the charging documents, from at least 2014, Gonzalez obtained heroin and fentanyl from sources in Massachusetts and conspired with others to distribute the narcotics, including approximately 230 grams of a mixture of heroin and fentanyl in November 2015. Gonzalez also participated in a conspiracy to obtain oxycodone pills from Florida, have them shipped to Massachusetts, and then distributed in Massachusetts. Finally, Gonzalez participated in a conspiracy to launder and conceal the proceeds of the sale of narcotics by using funnel bank accounts to send money to Florida.     

Gonzalez is the final defendant to plead guilty in this case. Darren Infante is scheduled to be sentenced on May 23; Juan Reyes is scheduled to be sentenced on June 20; George Noukas and Moses Rodriguez are scheduled to be sentenced on June 25; Craig Drummond and Gorky Gonzalez are scheduled to be sentenced on July 17; Johnny Urena is scheduled to be sentenced on July 24; and Jenssi Astacio is scheduled to be sentenced on July 31, 2018.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute over 100 grams of heroin and/or 40 grams of fentanyl provides for a minimum of five years and up to 40 years in prison, a lifetime of supervised release, a fine of $5 million, and forfeiture. The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute oxycodone provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, a lifetime of supervised release, a fine of up to $1 million, and forfeiture. The charge of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, up to five years of supervised release, a fine of up to $500,000, or twice the value of the property laundered, and forfeiture. 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; Albert Angelucci, Acting 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 Investigation in Boston; Raymond Moss, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; John Gibbons, U.S. Marshal for the District of Massachusetts; and Mickey D. Leadingham, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Biddeford (Maine), Framingham, Haverhill, Lawrence, Manchester (N.H.), Methuen, Millis, Natick, Stoughton, and Waltham Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nadine Pellegrini and Craig Estes of Lelling’s Office are prosecuting the cases.

BOSTON – The founder and former president of National Fish and Seafood (National Fish), a major seafood processing company in Gloucester, was sentenced today for failing to pay taxes on approximately $2.9 million in income he earned from 2006 to 2013—money which the defendant agreed he fraudulently diverted from National Fish.

Jack A. Ventola, 71, of Ipswich, was sentenced by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock to two years in prison and one year of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $75,000 fine and restitution of $1,073,470 to the Internal Revenue Service. In December 2017, Ventola pleaded guilty to seven counts of making and subscribing a false tax return. 

Ventola was a 40 percent owner of National Fish, a major seafood processor he founded in Gloucester that employed the services of a temporary labor company, Continental Labor Team Inc. (Continental), which Ventola also controlled. Together with his co-conspirators—two National Fish executives and the company’s accountant—Ventola channeled more than $5 million from National Fish, through Continental, and into Ventola’s personal bank accounts, tax free. To do so, one of the co-conspirators prepared fraudulent invoices for work supposedly done for Continental by IFS, a shell company. Ventola and his co-conspirators used the fake IFS invoices to obtain payments from Continental, which they deposited into Ventola’s personal bank accounts.  During the later years of the scheme, the money was directed from Continental into an account Ventola controlled in the name of yet another shell company, Nordic Investments. From the various accounts, Ventola paid personal expenses and also wrote checks to his co-conspirators, or to shell companies they controlled. 

In addition to this income, Ventola received regular kickback payments from a shrimp repackaging company in Texas that performed services for National Fish. Between 2008 and 2014, Ventola caused those payments, which exceeded $400,000, to be deposited into bank accounts he controlled, but he did not report that income on his tax returns.

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 today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen E. Frank, Chief of Lelling’s Economic Crimes Unit, and Brian A. Pérez-Daple, of Lelling’s Criminal Division, prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – The former business manager of a local museum pleaded guilty today in federal court in Worcester to embezzling funds from the museum that employed her.

Jennifer Delorey McNamara, 36, of Clinton, pleaded guilty to wire fraud before U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman, who scheduled sentencing for Aug. 2, 2018. 

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.

McNamara faces a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, a fine of up to twice the loss involved, and restitution. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling 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, Chief of Lelling’s Worcester Branch Office, is prosecuting the case. 

BOSTON – A disbarred Somerset attorney was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for a scheme to defraud an acquaintance of $60,000 and for witness tampering based on his efforts to influence the victim’s testimony at trial.

John Silvia, 68, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge George A. O’Toole Jr. to 57 months in prison, two years of supervised release and ordered to pay restitution of $310,000 and forfeiture. In February 2016, Silvia was convicted by a federal jury of eight counts of securities fraud. The following year, Silvia was convicted in a second jury trial of two counts of wire fraud, five counts of mail fraud, one count of structuring cash transactions and one count of witness tampering. 

In March 2014, Silvia was indicted on fraud charges, and convicted in February 2016 for purporting to sell ownership interests in Advanced Space Monitor (ASM), when, in reality, he did not have the right to do so. Silvia created and used a fake “Subscription Agreement” that purportedly gave him the right to receive and sell shares in ASM.  He also cut and pasted the signature of ASM’s founder on the document claiming to give Silvia ownership interest in the company. Silvia defrauded multiple investors out of more than $300,000 based on false representations about his ability to sell the shares. Many of the victims were Silvia’s friends and family members.

One victim was a nurse caring for his wife, whom Silvia convinced to invest $60,000 in a real estate venture and an alleged “performance bond.” In reality, however, Silvia used the money for personal expenses, including to pay for his portion of Red Sox season tickets and an interest in a Marriott timeshare. Long after the money was gone, Silvia lulled his victim into believing that the money had been used as promised and that the investment, along with interest, would be returned.

In the months leading up to his first trial, when it was clear that Silvia’s victim was preparing to testify against him, Silvia pulled together more than $70,000, which he deposited in small increments—some on the same day—into six different bank accounts. He then prepared a series of checks and attempted to pay back his victim the full $60,000 “plus interest.” As the jury in Silvia’s 2017 trial concluded, Silvia intentionally “structured” the cash deposits in this way to avoid mandatory bank reporting requirements and detection.  Furthermore, Silvia’s belated attempt to repay the victim—years after the initial investment and within a few months of his anticipated testimony—was really an attempt to influence the victim’s testimony.

Silvia, who was licensed to practice law in Massachusetts in 1975, has been disbarred since 2003. 

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 Massachusetts Securities Division referred the case to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and cooperated with the criminal investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil Gallagher of Lelling’s Economic Crimes Unit.

BOSTON - A Brazilian national was charged yesterday in federal court in Boston with illegally reentering the United States after being deported.  

Adilson Barbosa, 40, was indicted on one count of illegal reentry of a deported alien.

According to court documents, on Dec. 6, 2017, law enforcement officers in Framingham encountered Barbosa and determined him to be unlawfully present in the United States. Barbosa was previously deported on Aug. 23, 2017.  

Barbosa faces a sentence of no greater than two years in prison, one year of supervised release, a fine of $250,000, and will be subject to deportation upon completion of his sentence.  Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Tobin of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

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

BOSTON – A Boston-area investment adviser pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to using his clients’ funds to make his own investments and to pay personal expenses.

James Polese, 51, of Wenham, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy and investment adviser fraud, eight counts of bank fraud, and one count of aggravated identity theft. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Mark L. Wolf scheduled sentencing for Aug. 2, 2018. In January 2018, Polese and Cornelius Peterson, 28, of Newton, were charged and agreed to plead guilty.

From approximately 2014 to June 2017, Polese and Peterson misappropriated approximately half a million dollars from their clients by transferring funds out of their clients’ accounts without their knowledge or consent. Specifically, On Aug. 20, 2014, Polese and Peterson used $100,000 from a client’s account to invest in a wind farm project despite the fact that it was not an investment opportunity authorized by their company. On May 15, 2015, Polese and Peterson used $400,000 from another client’s account to back a letter of credit in support of the wind farm project. On multiple occasions in 2017, Polese transferred funds from a client’s account to pay personal expenses, including college tuition payments and credit card bills. Polese and Peterson were terminated from the company in June 2017.

The charges of conspiracy and investment adviser fraud each provide for a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,00 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of bank fraud provides for a sentence of no greater than 30 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of $250,00 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of aggravated identity theft provides for a mandatory consecutive term of two years in prison. 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 Division, made the announcement today. The U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission also provided valuable assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Miron Bloom of Lelling’s Economic Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

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

BOSTON – A Boston man pleaded guilty today to federal drug and firearm charges arising out of a large-scale seizure of fentanyl and other contraband.  

Edgar Belis, 34, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for July 27, 2018.

In 2015, law enforcement identified Belis as a large-scale heroin trafficker in the Boston area. At the time, Belis had been convicted of heroin-related offenses on at least four prior occasions in Massachusetts state court.  

In 2016, using a cooperating witness, law enforcement arranged calls with Belis seeking to purchase heroin. During those calls, Belis stated that he had kilogram quantities of heroin to sell, but suggested that the heroin must contain fentanyl or customers on the street would notice a difference. Belis stated that he would be willing to sell heroin or fentanyl for $40,000 per kilogram.  

On May 3, 2016, a cooperating witness called Belis and placed an order for two kilograms of heroin. The purchase was set up for three days later. On May 6, 2016, law enforcement surveilled Belis as he drove from Hopkinton to Boston, where he picked up a backpack from a basement apartment. Belis then travelled to a prearranged meeting location in South Boston, where he was met by law enforcement agents. Belis ignored several orders to exit the vehicle and locked himself in the car. Agents broke the car windows and arrested Belis. A search of the backpack in the car resulted in the seizure of approximately 2.35 kilograms of fentanyl and approximately 250 grams of cocaine. 

Later that day, agents executed a search warrant at the apartment associated with Belis, and seized an additional 300 grams of fentanyl, approximately 125 grams of cocaine, $57,500 in cash, a Glock Model 22 .40 caliber pistol, and 31 rounds of .40 caliber ammunition.

The charge of distribution of fentanyl and cocaine involving over 400 grams of fentanyl provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, a minimum of five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine up to $10 million.  The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. If Belis is determined to be an armed career criminal under federal law, he will face a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to life in prison.  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; Albert Angelucci, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division; Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Boston Police Commissioner William B. Evans made the announcement today.

BOSTON – The owner of Esther’s Fashion Paradise was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Worcester for defrauding the SNAP benefits program and selling counterfeit merchandise.

Esther Acquaye, 31, of Worcester, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman to eight months in prison, three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $285,075 in restitution. In December 2017, Acquaye pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to acquire, possess, and redeem SNAP benefits in an unauthorized manner, and to convert public money; one count of SNAP fraud; and one count of trafficking in counterfeit goods.

On numerous occasions between November 2013 and April 2016, Acquaye, the owner of Esther’s Fashion Paradise in Worcester, accepted EBT cards from SNAP recipients wishing to exchange their SNAP benefits for cash. Specifically, Acquaye passed the EBT cards through a point-of-sale terminal causing the full value of the SNAP benefits to be electronically transferred to her business, and then provided less than the full value of the SNAP benefits in cash to the SNAP recipients. In total, Acquaye caused approximately $282,541 in fraudulent EBT transactions and SNAP benefits to be transacted at Esther’s.

In addition, on at least four occasions between November 2015 and March 2016, Acquaye accepted an EBT card from an undercover investigator as payment for counterfeit retail goods. Acquaye sold the investigator two counterfeit Michael Kors purses, one counterfeit Gucci purse, one counterfeit The North Face jacket, and one counterfeit Michael Kors wallet.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Bethanne M. Dinkins, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Northeast Region; and Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Dineen Jerrett of Lelling’s Worcester Branch Office prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – An MS-13 member was sentenced today in federal court in Boston in connection with a 2014 shooting in Chelsea and a 2015 conspiracy to kill a suspected cooperating witness. 

David Lopez, a/k/a “Cilindro,” a/k/a “Villano,” 22, a Salvadoran national, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to 20 years in prison and three years of supervised release. Lopez will also be subject to deportation upon completion of his sentence. In October 2017, Lopez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more commonly referred to as RICO conspiracy.

Lopez was a member of MS-13’s Enfermos Criminales Salvatrucha (ECS) clique, which operated in Chelsea and other parts of Massachusetts. On May 29, 2014, Lopez and co-defendant Daniel Menjivar, a/k/a “Roca,” approached a victim near the Washington Avenue bus stop in Chelsea. Menjivar repeatedly stabbed the victim, and as the victim was struggling for his life, Lopez ran over and shot the victim multiple times in an attempt to ensure that the victim died.  The victim suffered significant life threatening injuries and cardiac arrest, but survived the attack.

Following the May 2014 attempted murder, Lopez fled from Massachusetts to New Jersey. MS-13 members in New Jersey promoted Lopez to “homeboy,” or a full member of MS-13, to reward him for his effort to commit murder. 

Then, in March 2015, members of the ECS clique decided to kill a fellow MS-13 member whom they incorrectly believed was cooperating with law enforcement. Needing a more experienced member to complete the job, MS-13 members went to New Jersey to pick up Lopez so that he could return to Massachusetts to help kill the suspected cooperating witness. Law enforcement became aware of this plan and intervened by moving the victim for his safety before Lopez and others could find and kill the suspected cooperating witness.   

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Michael Shea, Acting 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 Evans; 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. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations.

BOSTON – A Leominster man was indicted today in federal court in Boston for passport fraud.

“John Doe,” whose true identity and age are presently unknown, and whose last known address was in Leominster, was indicted on one count of making false statements in a passport application. On April 4, 2018, “Doe” was arrested on a criminal complaint and has been in custody since.

It is alleged that in December 2011, “Doe” entered a Jamaica Plain post office and used the name, date of birth, and Social Security number of a United States citizen from Puerto Rico to apply for a United States passport.

The charge of passport fraud provides 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 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. Attorneys Sandra S. Bower and Lauren A. Graber of Lelling’s Criminal Division are prosecuting this case.

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

BOSTON – A Gloucester woman was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for her role in a conspiracy to traffic steroids and launder money.  

Melissa Sclafani, 30, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to one year and one day in prison and two years of supervised release. In June 2017, Sclafani pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy with intent to distribute and to distribute counterfeit steroids and one count of conspiracy to launder money. On April 12, 2017, Sclafani and five others were charged by criminal complaint.

From at least February 2016 until April 12, 2017, Sclafani conspired with others to manufacture steroid products, market them as “Onyx” steroids, and sell them to customers across the United States using email and social media platforms. Customers paid for the steroids via money remitters, such as Western Union and MoneyGram, and members of the conspiracy used false identifications and multiple remitter locations to pick up the steroid proceeds.

Sclafani obtained materials and supplies to manufacture the counterfeit steroids and served as the corporate secretary of Wicked Tan LLC, a tanning business in Beverly that was owned by two co-conspirators. Sclafani assisted members of the conspiracy in laundering proceeds from the sale of counterfeit steroids through the business.     

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Raymond Moss, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and Jeffrey Ebersole, Special Agent in Charge of the Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal investigation, New York Field Office, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amy Harman Burkart and David J. D’Addio of Lelling’s Cybercrime Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A former owner of restaurants in Boston and Chelsea was charged yesterday in federal court in Boston with committing fraud to obtain U.S. citizenship.  

Burhan Ud Din, 49, of Watertown, was charged in a superseding indictment with one count of conspiracy, six counts of willful failure to collect and pay over tax, one count of making false statements under oath in a naturalization matter, and one count of procurement of naturalization contrary to law. Din was initially indicted for tax fraud in August 2017; the superseding indictment adds the naturalization allegations to the charges against him.

Din’s co-conspirators, Hazrat Khan, 58, of Middletown, NY, and Khurshed Iqbal, 58, both Pakistani nationals, were separately charged in an April 2017 18-count superseding indictment with conspiracy and willful failure to pay over taxes. In November 2017, Khan pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 30 months in prison. Iqbal’s whereabouts are unknown. 

According to the superseding indictment, Din and his co-conspirators defrauded the government and avoided paying payroll and income taxes owed by the restaurants they owned and operated, Crown Fried Chicken located in Chelsea and Kennedy Fried Chicken in Boston. Din, Khan, and Iqbal allegedly took steps to conceal Khan’s ownership interests in one of the stores, and Din provided the tax preparer for both stores with false information about the restaurants’ payroll and income, causing the tax preparer to file false tax returns.

The superseding indictment adds allegations that Din falsely stated under oath during naturalization proceedings in 2009 that he did not owe any overdue taxes.

Federal law requires employers to withhold payroll taxes and then pay them over to the IRS.  To avoid paying taxes, Din, Khan, and Iqbal allegedly falsely reported the number of employees—some of whom were undocumented workers—and wages paid to the IRS. They also allegedly paid employees under the table and filed income-tax returns that falsely described their sales, total income, compensation of officers, salaries and wages, and taxable income.

The charge of making false statements under oath in a naturalization matter 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. The charge of procuring citizenship contrary to law provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. If convicted, Din will lose his U.S. citizenship. The charge of conspiracy to defraud the IRS provides for a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000 and restitution. The tax charges against Din provide for a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine up to $250,000, restitution, and payment of the costs of prosecution. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Andrew E. Lelling; Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston; Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division, and Boston Police Commissioner William Evan made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian A. Pérez‑Daple and George Varghese of Lelling’s Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.

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

BOSTON – A Boston gang member pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to distributing crack cocaine in a Jamaica Plain housing development.

Jarrod Simmons, a/k/a “Rizz,” 21, pleaded guilty to distribution of controlled substances within 1,000 feet of a public housing facility. U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled sentencing for July 31, 2018.

Following a two-year investigation, Simmons 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. Simmons, a member of the Heath Street Gang, sold cocaine base, also known as crack cocaine, to a cooperating witness inside the development on Sept. 18, 2016. According to court documents, Simmons was on pretrial release for state drug and firearm offenses when he conducted the drug sale.  

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 who were involved in gang activity in and around the development.

Simmons is the first defendant to plead guilty in this case.

The charge of distribution of controlled substances within 1,000 feet of a public housing development provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of one year and no greater than 40 years in prison, a minimum of six years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of $2 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; Mickey D. Leadingham, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Boston Police Commissioner William Evans made the announcement today. 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.       

BOSTON – Two men pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to their roles in an opioid trafficking conspiracy involving the distribution of fentanyl, heroin, and oxycodone across Massachusetts and Florida.

Johnny Urena, 30, of Lawrence, pleaded guilty yesterday to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl, one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute oxycodone, and one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments. Jenssi Astacio, 32, of Sunny Isles Beach, Fla., pleaded guilty today to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute oxycodone and one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments. U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled their sentencings for July 24, 2018, and July 31, 2018, respectively.

Urena and Astacio were arrested along with seven others in March 2017 for their roles in a widespread conspiracy involving opioid trafficking and money laundering offenses in Massachusetts and Florida. Their arrests were the result of a three-year federal investigation into opioid-trafficking in New England.

From at least 2014, Urena conspired with co-defendants to sell quantities of heroin and/or fentanyl in Massachusetts, and to receive, transport, and distribute large quantities of oxycodone pills shipped from Florida to Massachusetts. Urena then deposited the cash proceeds of drug sales into various funnel bank accounts in order to conceal the nature and ownership of the funds. Astacio shipped - and directed other co-conspirators to ship - large quantities of oxycodone pills from Florida to Massachusetts, negotiated with other co-conspirators the sale of oxycodone pills for redistribution, and directed co-conspirators to use bank accounts to launder the cash proceeds of their illicit sale of drugs.

Co-defendants Darren Infante, Juan Reyes, George Noukas, Moses Rodriguez, Craig Drummond, and Gorky Gonzalez have pleaded guilty. Infante is scheduled to be sentenced on May 23; Reyes’ sentencing is scheduled for June 20; Noukas and Rodriguez are scheduled to be sentenced on June 25; and Drummond and Gonzalez are scheduled to be sentenced on July 17.

The charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl provides for a sentence of no greater than 40 years in prison, a lifetime of supervised release, a fine of $5 million, and forfeiture. The charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute oxycodone provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, a lifetime of supervised release, a fine of up to $1 million, and forfeiture. The charge of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, up to five years of supervised release, a fine of up to $500,000, or twice the value of the property laundered, and forfeiture. 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; Albert Angelucci, Acting 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 Investigation in Boston; Raymond Moss, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; John Gibbons, U.S. Marshal for the District of Massachusetts; and Mickey D. Leadingham, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Biddeford (Maine), Framingham, Haverhill, Lawrence, Manchester (N.H.), Methuen, Millis, Natick, Stoughton, and Waltham Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nadine Pellegrini and Craig Estes of Lelling’s Office are prosecuting the cases.

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

BOSTON – A New Bedford man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for aiding and abetting the distribution of methamphetamine.

Alexander Gomes, 27, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper to 22 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In December 2017, Gomes pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting the distribution of methamphetamine.

On Dec. 12, 2016, Gomes accompanied co-defendant Peter Lobo to a meeting in Revere with an undercover agent posing as a Maine methamphetamine dealer. At that meeting, Lobo distributed a half pound sample of methamphetamine to the agent. Lobo then introduced Gomes, and explained that the undercover agent could meet with Gomes in the future if Lobo was out of town. Two days later, Gomes again accompanied Lobo to Revere, where Lobo received payment from the agent of $4,000 for the half pound, and distributed an additional four pounds of methamphetamine to the agent. Lobo and Gomes were arrested shortly after they began to drive away. At the time of their arrest, Lobo had $3,000 in his pocket and Gomes had $1,000 hidden in his sock. Subsequent drug analysis determined that the substance consisted of approximately 1,777 grams of 99% pure d-methamphetamine hydrochloride, also known as “Ice.” 

Lobo pleaded guilty to distributing methamphetamine; on Nov. 29, 2017, he was sentenced to five years in prison.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Albert Angelucci, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Office, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Theodore B. Heinrich of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case. 

BOSTON – A former postal employee was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for embezzling over $22,000 from the U.S. Postal Service (USPS).   

Dennis Reis, 37, of Taunton, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper to two years of probation, with the first six months to be served in home confinement, and ordered to pay restitution of $22,773. In January 2018, Reis pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement and theft of public money, property or records.

Reis started working for the USPS in approximately 2000, and in 2014, became the Lead Sales & Service Associate at the East Taunton Post Office. In that capacity, Reis sold stamps to customers and maintained accountability for the funds and stamp stock. From January 2015 to March 2017, Reis engaged in a scheme to embezzle funds by voiding cash transaction sales of stamps so that the system did not account for the cash paid by customers. Reis then entered a “no sale” transaction into the system, causing the cash drawer to open and taking the cash paid by customers for his own use. Through this scheme, Reis embezzled at least $22,773 from the USPS.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Eileen Neff, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Area Office, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugenia M. Carris of Lelling’s Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A Revere man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for failure to register as a sex offender. 

Steven Veno, 55, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge George A. O’Toole Jr. to time served and five years of supervised release, the first year of which must be served in home detention. In January 2018, Veno pleaded guilty to one count of failing to register as a sex offender.

Veno is required to register as a Level 2 sex offender in Massachusetts based on Massachusetts state court convictions for rape of a child in 1993. The federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act requires Veno to register in any jurisdiction where he lives or works.

Law enforcement officers learned that over the past several years Veno had been traveling from Massachusetts to Florida, where he lived and worked for periods of time without registering as a sex offender in that community.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and John Gibbons, United States Marshal for the District of Massachusetts, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne Paruti, Lelling’s Project Safe Childhood Coordinator and a member of the Major Crimes Unit, prosecuted 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 the 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/.

BOSTON – Meisum Bakery Inc. and its owner, Xi Xian Lei, were sentenced today in federal court in Boston in connection with a more than $740,000 food stamp fraud scheme that Lei and his employees operated out of a Chinatown bakery.

Meisum Bakery Inc. was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to one year of probation and Lei was sentenced to one year and one day in prison and one year of supervised release. Lei and Meisum Bakery were also ordered to pay $747,134 in restitution. In November 2016, Meisum Bakery Inc. and Lei pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit SNAP (Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program) benefits fraud and two counts of SNAP fraud. 

SNAP, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), provides eligible households with government subsidies for food and allows holders to exchange their SNAP benefits for food at authorized retail food stores.

From about October 2010 through April 2012, Lei and Meisum Bakery employees purchased SNAP benefits from legitimate SNAP beneficiaries for cash at a discounted value of approximately 50 cents for every SNAP dollar; however, neither Meisum Bakery Inc. nor Lei was authorized to accept SNAP benefits as payment for goods at the bakery. Lei and Meisum Bakery employees subsequently redeemed the SNAP benefits by using the beneficiaries’ EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) cards to buy goods and earn credit at stores that were authorized to accept SNAP benefits.

During the course of the conspiracy, Meisum Bakery Inc. and Lei defrauded the USDA of more than $740,000 in SNAP funds.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Bethanne M. Dinkins, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Northeast Region; Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston; and Boston Police Commissioner William Evans, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert Richardson and Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – An MS-13 member pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to racketeering conspiracy involving the murder of a 16-year-old boy in East Boston.   

Rigoberto Mejia, a/k/a “Ninja,” 32, a Salvadoran national, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more commonly referred to as RICO conspiracy. U.S. District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV scheduled sentencing for July 24, 2018.

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 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. 

After a multi-year investigation, Mejia was one of dozens of alleged leaders, members, and associates of MS-13 named in a superseding indictment targeting the gang’s criminal activities in Massachusetts. Mejia is the 44th defendant to be convicted as part of the ongoing prosecution. To date, all eight defendants who have gone to trial have been convicted, and 36 others have pleaded guilty. 

Under the terms of the proposed plea agreement, Mejia will be sentenced to 330 months in prison. He will also be subject to deportation upon the completion of his sentence. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Michael Shea, Acting 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 Evans; 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 remaining defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BOSTON –The chief executive officer of PixarBio Corp., a Boston-based biotech company, and two associates were arrested today and charged with securities fraud in connection with a scheme to manipulate trading in the company’s shares. 

Frank Reynolds, 55; M. Jay Herod, 51; and Kenneth Stromsland, 45, were charged by criminal complaint with securities fraud. They are scheduled to appear before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge M. Page Kelley this afternoon.

As alleged in the charging document, beginning in approximately August 2013, PixarBio CEO Reynolds, and two of his associates, Herod and Stromsland, engaged in a scheme to defraud PixarBio investors by making false and misleading statements about the company - its prospects, its financing, and the background and track record of Reynolds - and by engaging in manipulative trading of its shares.  

For example, the complaint alleges that in a December 2015 email and memorandum to potential investors, Reynolds promised investors “a HUGE return on investment (ROI) for any investors in PixarBio’s NeuroRelease.” He told investors: “The value of our portfolio on Wall Street is soaring with excitement around our sales partnership. At only $1,000,000,000 right now, as we prepare to replace morphine in the clinic in late 2017 or early 2018, and we expect our valuation to long-term trend UP.” In reality, the government alleges, PixarBio did not have a market value of one billion dollars, or a product to end “thousands of years of morphine and opiate addiction.” Rather, the complaint alleges, the prospective drug, carbamazepine, is not a treatment for opiate addiction at all, but an existing drug for which PixarBio purported to have developed an additional means of delivery, via injection, in a time-release form. 

The complaint further alleges that, beginning in or about November 2016, Stromsland and Herod engaged in manipulative trades in PixarBio stock that simulated market interest in the stock and artificially pushed up the trading price. These trades included overlapping orders to buy and sell PixarBio stock at the same price per share (a manipulative technique known as “matched trading”), small purchases to boost the trading price submitted shortly before trading closed at 4:00 p.m. (a technique known as “marking the close”), and orders to buy at a price much higher than the price of the preceding market transaction. The complaint alleges that Herod shared the proceeds of his trading with Reynolds and PixarBio itself.

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. 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.

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

BOSTON – A Walpole man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to producing child pornography.

Steven Bennett, 52, pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of children. U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs scheduled sentencing for July 18, 2018. 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. 

The charges of sexual exploitation of children each provide 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 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 Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. 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/.

BOSTON – A federal jury in Boston convicted three members of MS-13 of racketeering conspiracy and murder today.  They are the 41st, 42nd, and 43rd defendants, respectively, to be convicted in this case. 

Noe Salvador Perez Vasquez, a/k/a “Crazy,” 27, a Salvadoran national; Luis Solis Vasquez, a/k/a “Brujo,” 27, a Salvadoran national; and Hector Enamorado, a/k/a “Vida Loca,” 39, a Honduran national; were found guilty of conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more commonly referred to as RICO conspiracy, and of committing or knowingly participating in murder as part of the racketeering conspiracy. Perez also was found guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute marijuana. U.S. District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV scheduled Perez’s sentencing for July 17, 2018; Enamorado’s sentencing for July 23, 2018; and Solis’s sentencing for July 25, 2018.

According to testimony and exhibits introduced at trial, MS-13 is a violent transnational criminal organization whose branches, or “cliques,” operate throughout the United States, including in Massachusetts. At trial, Perez was identified as a leader of the Everett Locos Salvatrucha (ELS) clique; Solis was identified as a full member, or homeboy, with the Eastside Locos Salvatrucha (ESLS) clique; and Enamorado was identified as a homeboy with the Chelsea Locos Salvatrucha (CHS) clique. In furtherance of its mission, MS-13 members are required to commit acts of violence, specifically against rival gang members; kill informants; and support and defend fellow MS-13 members in attacks. MS-13 rewards members who commit acts of violence with promotions within the gang and punishes members who break gang rules.

On Dec. 14, 2014, Perez, Solis, and Enamorado worked together to murder a 29-year-old male victim at an apartment in Chelsea, Mass. According to testimony and exhibits introduced at trial, Enamorado and the victim had engaged in a gang-related fight the night before the murder, and when Enamorado encountered the victim again the following night, Enamorado called Perez to ask him for a gun. Perez delivered the murder weapon, a .380 caliber pistol, to Enamorado in Chelsea. Solis armed himself with a gun and went with Enamorado into the apartment to provide backup and necessary support for the attack. Enamorado used Perez’s gun to fatally shoot the victim three times. Enamorado also shot and wounded a second victim who was inside the apartment at the time of the murder.

On July 5, 2015, a 16-year-old mid-level member of the ELS clique was stabbed to death in a park in Lawrence, Mass. by two members of his clique. Perez, a leader of ELS, and other MS-13 members targeted the 16-year-old for murder because they believed, incorrectly, that he was cooperating with law enforcement. Perez planned and encouraged the murder. After the two ELS clique members stabbed the 16-year-old to death, Perez promised to promote them to homeboy status.

After a three-year investigation, Perez, Solis, and Enamorado were three of 61 persons named in a superseding indictment targeting the criminal activities of alleged leaders, members, and associates of MS-13 in Massachusetts. They are the 41st, 42nd, and 43rd defendants, respectively, to be convicted in this case.

Because the defendants committed or knowingly participated in murder as part of the racketeering conspiracy, they each face a maximum penalty of life in prison, up to five years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of conspiracy to distribute five or more kilograms of cocaine provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to  life in prison, a minimum of five years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $10 million. The charge of conspiracy to distribute marijuana provides for a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, a minimum of two years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. The defendants will be subject to deportation upon the completion of their sentence. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Michael Shea, Acting 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 Evans; Chelsea Police Chief Brian A. Kyes; Everett Police Chief Steven A. Mazzie; Lynn Police Chief Michael Mageary; Revere Police Chief James Guido; Somerville Police Chief David Fallon; and Wes Adams, State’s Attorney, Anne Arundel County (Maryland), Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office, made the announcement today.

BOSTON – A former Fitchburg postal employee was sentenced today in federal court in Worcester for failing to deliver mail.

Stephen Lehto, 37, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge David H. Hennessy to two years of probation. In January 2018, Lehto pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of obstruction of mails.

While working as a postal carrier for the United States Postal Service in Fitchburg between June 2016 and January 2017, Lehto began taking mail home instead of delivering it along his route. Law enforcement received a tip and interviewed Lehto at his home. A search of his vehicle resulted in the recovery of 758 pieces of mail, 341 pieces of which were first class pieces of mail.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Eileen Neff, Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Area Field Office, United States Postal Service Office of Inspector, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle L. Dineen Jerrett of Lelling’s Worcester Branch Office prosecuted the case.

BOSTON - A Dominican national was charged yesterday in federal court in Boston with illegally reentering the United States after being deported.

Casimiro Zapata-Martinez, 50, was indicted on one count of illegal reentry of a deported alien.

According to court documents, Zapata-Martinez was previously deported on April 8, 2002. Law enforcement officers discovered Zapata-Martinez on April 11, 2018, and determined him to be illegally present in the United States.

The charge of illegal reentry provides for a sentence of no more than 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Zapata-Martinez will face deportation proceedings upon completion of any sentence imposed. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Soivilien of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting this case.

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

BOSTON - A Colombian national was charged yesterday in federal court in Boston with illegally reentering the United States after being deported.

Alejandro Suarez, 45, was indicted on one count of illegal reentry of a deported alien.

According to court documents, Suarez was previously deported on July 26, 2000. Law enforcement officers discovered Suarez on March 22, 2018, and determined him to be illegally present in the United States.

The charge of illegal reentry provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Suarez will be subject to deportation proceedings upon completion of any sentence imposed. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Soivilien of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting this case.

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

BOSTON – A man who was a fugitive for 20 years was indicted today in federal court in Boston in connection with failing to appear in court for a sentencing hearing in 1997.

Luis Alberto Solano-Pimental, 51, was indicted on one count of failure to appear. Solano-Pimentel was arrested on March 6, 2018, in Rhode Island after eluding law enforcement for 20 years. He has been detained since his arrest.  

In 1997, Solano-Pimental pleaded guilty to passport fraud in federal court in Boston, but failed to appear on his scheduled sentencing date. Solano-Pimental remained a fugitive until he was arrested in Warwick, R.I.

The charge of failure to appear provides for a sentence of no greater than five 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; William B. Gannon, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service, Boston Field Office; John Gibbons, United States Marshal for the District of Massachusetts; and Jamie A. Hainsworth, United State Marshal for the District of Rhode Island, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Wichers of Lelling’s Major 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.

BOSTON – A Randolph man was indicted today in federal court in Boston on child pornography charges.

Michael Lee, 51, was indicted on one count of sexual exploitation of children and one count each of distribution, receipt, and possession of child pornography. In December 2017, Lee was charged in a criminal complaint and arrested and has been in federal custody since. 

According to court records, a search warrant at Lee’s Randolph home was conducted as part of an ongoing investigation into the online trade of child pornography through the use of Kik, an instant messaging app. Lee admitted to the agents to trading images and videos of child pornography with other Kik users, including a New Hampshire man who provided Lee with images and videos documenting the sexual abuse of the man’s eight-year-old daughter. Preliminary on-scene forensic analysis of Lee’s cell phone corroborated his admissions.

The charge of sexual exploitation of children carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to 30 years in prison. The charge of possession of child pornography carries a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison. The charges of distribution and receipt of child pornography carry a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 20 years in prison. All four charges provide for a minimum of five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district 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.   Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne Paruti, Lelling’s Project Safe Childhood Coordinator and a member of the Major Crimes Unit, is prosecuting the case.

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

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

BOSTON - A Chinese national was charged today in federal court in Boston with illegally reentering the United States after being deported.

Chun Lin Zhang, 41, was indicted on one count of illegal reentry of a deported alien.

According to court documents, Zhang was previously deported on July 17, 1999. Law enforcement officers discovered Zhang on Jan. 29, 2018, and determined him to be illegally present in the United States.

The charge of illegal reentry provides for a sentence of no greater than two years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Zhang will be subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Soivilien of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting this case.

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

BOSTON – A Cape Cod woman was indicted today in federal court in Boston in connection with a fraudulent lottery scheme.

Ashley Barrett, 25, of Hyannis, was indicted on seven counts of mail fraud. On March 29, 2018, Barrett was arrested and was released from custody on conditions.

According to the indictment, between September 2012 and January 2016, Barrett and others devised a scheme to defraud victims across the country by falsely representing to them that they had won millions of dollars in a lottery, and that, in order to receive their winnings, they had to pay a fee. The victims were directed to make payments to specific addresses. Between May and July 2015, one victim mailed Barrett seven checks totaling $23,600.

In March 2018, co-conspirator Peter Anthony Chin Jr. was indicted in connection with his role in the scheme.

The charging statute for mail fraud 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 on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Raymond Moss, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Wichers of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

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

BOSTON – A Brazilian couple was indicted in federal court in Boston in connection with an ATM skimming operation.

Alexandre Kawamura, 42, was indicted today on two counts of using a counterfeit access device, four counts of possessing device-making equipment, and two counts of aggravated identity theft. On April 12, Karem Kawamura, 25, was indicted on one count of aiding and abetting the use of a counterfeit access device. The Kawamuras were charged by complaint on March 30, 2018, and are both currently in custody.

According to the complaint affidavits, the ATM skimming equipment consisted of devices attached to ATM card slots that recorded bank account information on the magnetic strips of debit cards that unwitting victims inserted into ATMs, combined with pinhole cameras that captured the victims entering their PINs on ATM keypads. Alexandre Kawamura was caught on ATM security video placing and removing skimming devices on drive-up ATMs at Eastern Bank branches in Saugus, Stoneham, and Medford between Feb. 24 and March 16, 2018. On two occasions, when he drove up to the ATMs to check on the devices, Karen Kawamura was in the car.

On March 16, 2018, a bank customer called local police to report that he had found and removed a skimming device from the drive-up ATM at the Eastern Bank branch in Stoneham. Police responded and discovered that the pinhole camera was still attached to the ATM. They set up surveillance while bank security personnel monitored the ATM’s security video, and shortly before 11 pm, Alexandre Kawamura drove up to the ATM in a rental car, looked around for the skimming device, never inserted a card into the machine, and then drove off. Stoneham Police stopped Alexandre Kawamura’s car shortly thereafter. Mr. Kawamura had a Brazilian passport in his true name, but had rented the vehicle under an alias.

The same alias was embossed on a credit card in Alexandre Kawamura’s possession when he was arrested, but the bank account information contained in the magnetic strip of the card belonged to a bank customer whose debit card had been compromised at one of the Eastern Bank ATMs the day before. Eastern Bank records showed that, on the day of Mr. Kawamura’s arrest, purchases were made on the bank customer’s account at Dick’s Sporting Goods in Medford. The store’s security camera recorded the defendants shopping at that store during the time when the bank customer’s account was used to buy a shirt, jacket, and hat.

After Mr. Kawamura was arrested, federal agents located Ms. Kawamura at an Extended Stay America in Woburn. On March 30, agents executed a search warrant for the room used by Ms. Kawamura and found the shirt, jacket, and hat that had been purchased at Dick’s Sporting Goods.

The charge of using a counterfeit access device provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of possession of device-making equipment provides for a sentence of no greater than 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of aggravated identity theft provides for a mandatory sentence of two years in prison, to run concurrently with any other sentence imposed, up to one year of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of aiding and abetting the use of a counterfeit access device provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based 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 Office; Medford Police Chief Leo Sacco; Milton Police Chief John E. King; Saugus Police Chief Domenic J. DiMella; Stoneham Police Chief James T. McIntyre; and Woburn Police Chief Robert J. Ferullo Jr. made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Wichers of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

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

BOSTON – A Boston man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for failing to register as a sex offender.

Rodney Anderson, 47, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to a year and a day in prison and five years of supervised release. In December 2017, Anderson pleaded guilty to one count of failure to register as a sex offender.

Anderson is required to register as a sex offender in Massachusetts based on a North Carolina state court conviction for second degree rape in 1986.  According to court documents, shortly following his release from custody in 2014 for his 1986 conviction, Anderson left North Carolina for Massachusetts. When he arrived, he failed to report to authorities, but was tracked to a residence in Boston.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; U.S. Marshal John Gibbons of the District of Massachusetts; and Boston Police Commissioner William B. Evans made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne Paruti, Lelling’s Project Safe Childhood Coordinator and a member of the Major Crimes Unit, prosecuted the case.

The case 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/.

BOSTON – A Boston man was charged today in federal court in Boston in connection with a scheme to distribute crack cocaine on the Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center campus in Bedford.

Demone Coleman, 39, was indicted on four counts of distributing cocaine base, also known as crack cocaine. In October 2017, Coleman and two others, Michael Sexton and Austin Wilkerson, were charged in a criminal complaint. Coleman was arrested in December 2017 and has been held in custody since.

According to court documents, in January 2017, a cooperating witness reported to law enforcement that Coleman was selling crack cocaine to an individual residing at the VA Medical Center. On four occasions in 2017 Coleman provided crack cocaine to his contact at the VA, who then sold it to the cooperating witness on the VA Medical Center campus in Bedford.

Coleman faces a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, five years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. 

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Sean Smith, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Field Office; Albert Angelucci, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division; and Shawn Kelly, Chief of Police of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Police Service, Bedford VA Medical Center, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Soivilien of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

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

BOSTON - A Mexican national was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for illegally reentering the United States after being deported.  

Juan Carlos Cervantes-Rivera, 30, a Mexican national residing in Chelsea, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to eight months in prison and one year of supervised release. Cervantes-Rivera will be subject to deportation proceedings upon completion of his sentence. In January 2018, Cervantes-Rivera pleaded guilty to one count of illegal reentry of a deported alien.

Law enforcement encountered Cervantes-Rivera in Cambridge on Oct. 26, 2017, and determined him to be illegally present in the United States. Cervantes-Rivera was previously deported on four occasions.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today.  Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Tobin of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A Maine man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to his role in an opioid trafficking conspiracy involving the distribution of oxycodone from Florida to Massachusetts and Maine.

Gorky Gonzalez, 26, of Biddeford, Maine, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute oxycodone. U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled sentencing for July 17, 2018.

Gonzalez was arrested in March 2017 along with approximately nine co-defendants for their roles in a widespread conspiracy involving opioid trafficking and money laundering offenses in Massachusetts and Florida. Their arrests were the result of a three-year federal investigation into opioid-trafficking in New England.

According to charging documents, between September 2016 and November 2016, Gonzalez obtained sizeable quantities of oxycodone intended for distribution that were shipped from Miami, Fla., to Massachusetts and then transported to Maine. Payment for the oxycodone pills was then delivered to co-conspirators in Massachusetts, who then forwarded the money to the source of supply in Florida.

Each count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute oxycodone provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, a lifetime of supervised release, a fine of up to $1 million, and forfeiture. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Michael J. Ferguson, 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 Investigation in Boston; Raymond Moss, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; John Gibbons, U.S. Marshal for the District of Massachusetts; and Mickey D. Leadingham, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Biddeford (Maine), Framingham, Haverhill, Lawrence, Manchester (N.H.), Methuen, Millis, Natick, Stoughton, and Waltham Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nadine Pellegrini and Craig Estes of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit are prosecuting the cases.

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.