District of Massachusetts
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Fall River Man Found Guilty of Violating Conditions of Supervised ReleaseRead the Press Release
Boston - A Fall River man was found guilty and sentenced today in federal court in Boston for violating the terms and conditions of his supervised release.
Scott Baptista, 42, was found to have violated his conditions of supervised release by United States District Court Judge Denise J. Casper by allegedly raping a woman and taking an un-prescribed suboxone pill. Baptista admitted to having sex with the victim, claiming that it was consensual. The victim died nine days after the incident of a drug overdose, and because the victim could not testify, the Commonwealth had to dismiss the related state criminal charges against Baptista. Revocation proceedings require that the government only prove that the alleged violation occurred by a preponderance of the evidence.
Judge Casper revoked Baptista’s supervised release and sentenced Baptista to two years in prison, the maximum period permitted by statute for his supervised release violation, and 12 months of supervised release to follow. In July of 2012, Baptista pleaded guilty to selling a stolen firearm and was sentenced to 55 months in federal prison followed by 36 months of supervised release.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Kanwit of Weinreb’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.
"Incognito Bandit" Indicted for Armed Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A man dubbed the “Incognito Bandit” has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston for armed bank robbery.
Albert Taderera, 36, of Brighton, was indicted for the Oct. 7, 2016 robbery of a branch of the TD Bank in Wayland, Mass. In March 2017, Taderera was arrested at Dulles International Airport in Virginia as he attempted to board an international flight, and charged in U.S. District Court in Boston by criminal complaint.
The charging statute provides for a sentence of no greater than 25 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the US sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney William Weinreb; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; William Ferrara, Director of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Wayland Police Chief Robert Irving; and Concord Police Chief Joseph F. O’Connor, made the announcement today. The Wayland Police Department assisted with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Weinreb’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.
South Dartmouth Man Sentenced for Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A South Dartmouth man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for receiving and possessing child pornography.
Jack L. Bean Jr., 29, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Dennis Saylor IV to 63 months in prison and five years of supervised release. In February 2017, Bean pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.
In September 2015, a law enforcement investigation identified an internet-based bulletin board dedicated to the advertisement, distribution and production of child pornography with over 1,500 users who actively post new content and engage in online discussions involving the sexual exploitation of minors. Bean was identified as a user on the bulletin board. Bean admitted that he downloaded and saved child pornography from the internet, and that he had a sexual preference for girls approximately 14 years old. Agents later identified 40 images and 29 videos of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct on Bean’s laptop, the majority of which involved children between the ages of one and eight years old.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; Matthew J. Etre, Special Agent in Charge of the Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Colonel Richard D. McKeon, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Dartmouth Police Chief Robert W. Szala, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of Weinreb’s Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
Former Tufts Health Plan Employee Sentenced for Disclosing Personal Patient InformationRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former employee of Tufts Health Plan was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for stealing personal identifying information belonging to hundreds of customers. The stolen data included names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers, primarily of customers over the age of 65.
Emeline Lubin, 30, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge George A. O’Toole Jr. to three months in prison, three years of supervised release with the first nine months to be served in home confinement, and approximately $52,000 in restitution. In August 2014, Lubin pleaded guilty to the unlawful disclosure of Social Security numbers.
In 2010, Lubin began working at Tufts Health Plan in Watertown. During her employment, she gave lists of customers’ personal identification information to a Florida man, Sniders Jean-Jacques, who was involved with her brother, Marvin Lubin, in a scheme to steal Social Security benefits and to collect fraudulent income tax refunds by using stolen identities to file false income tax returns. Emeline Lubin stole and disclosed the personal data of over 8,700 customers.
In December 2014, Jean-Jacques was sentenced to two years in prison. In October 2014, Marvin Lubin was sentenced to one year and one day in prison.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; Scott Antolik, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division; Phillip Coyne, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General; and Joel P. Garland, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Richardson of Weinreb’s Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
Former Berkshire Power Manager Sentenced for Conspiring to Tamper with Air Pollution MonitorsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The former operations and maintenance manager of Berkshire Power Plant in Agawam, Mass., was sentenced yesterday for tampering with environmental monitors in violation of the Clean Air Act.
Fred Baker, 53, of Southampton, Mass., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to 30 months of probation and ordered to pay a fine of $5,000. In May 2016, Baker pleaded guilty to three counts of violating the Clean Air Act and conspiracy.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb stated, “This case demonstrates our continued commitment to protect our natural resources and to hold accountable those who subvert environmental protections for profit.”
“This defendant engaged in a scheme to defraud energy and environmental regulations for his own profit,” said Attorney General Maura Healey. “We will vigorously defend laws and regulations put in place to protect the air we breathe and public health and safety.”
“Baker schemed with others to undermine a system that depends on honest data reporting -- resulting in an unfair competitive advantage over responsible companies,” said Tyler Amon, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division in Boston. “EPA will continue to pursue cases that maintain data integrity, so we can do our job to protect clean air.”
“MassDEP inspectors and enforcement personnel worked closely with our state and federal enforcement partners to detect the scheme to subvert important and mandatory air quality reporting requirements and follow up with strong action, ” said MassDEP Commissioner Martin Suuberg. “The requirements for accurate monitoring and reporting are essential to protecting public health, and those who circumvent these important regulations will be held accountable for their actions.”
From 2008 to March 2011, Baker, at the direction of the Berkshire Power Plant’s General Manager, instructed employees at the plant to tamper with the plant’s Continuous Emissions Monitoring System (CEMS). The CEMS is an environmental monitoring system, required by federal laws and permits, which continuously samples a power plant’s emissions and measures and records the concentration of regulated pollutants to monitor compliance with pollution emission limits. The purpose of the tampering was to delay repairs and avoid reporting to federal and state regulators that the plant was, at times, releasing certain pollutants, specifically nitrogen oxides, in excess of the plant’s Clean Air Act permit limits.
Initially, the tampering involved lowering monitors by a constant rate – approximately .5 parts per million (ppm) below the known value. These constant adjustments did not trigger any alarms or warnings and were thus usually maintained in the system through approximately mid-March 2011.
In the summer of 2009 and 2010 the plant underwent an independent annual audit. Prior to the audit, Baker instructed another employee to take out the adjustments in the CEMS monitors and to re-introduce them after the audit. Berkshire Power Plant reported the results of the audit to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
By 2010, this .5 ppm adjustment was not sufficient enough to allow the plant to run at full power and comply with the facility’s Clean Air Act permit. Rather than making necessary repairs, the General Manager and Baker instructed employees to lower the CEMS readings even more to avoid reporting pollution emissions in excess of the hourly limits or hitting warning levels.
In 2015, the Berkshire Power Plant was charged jointly by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office for tampering with its air pollution monitoring equipment and falsely reporting data to environmental and energy regulators regarding its emissions levels and its availability to produce power.
In March 2017, Berkshire Power Company and Power Plant Management Services, the owners and operators of the plant, respectively, were ordered to pay $7.25 million in fines, penalties and other payments for their role in tampering with air pollution emissions equipment. The strument and Control Technician at the plant, Scott Paterson, pleaded guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced on June 8, 2017.
Acting U.S. Attorney Weinreb, Massachusetts Attorney General Healey, EPA SAC Amon, and Massachusetts DEP Commissioner Suuberg, made the announcement today. Assistance with the investigation was provided by the Massachusetts Environmental Crimes Strike Force (an interagency investigative team dedicated to developing the most significant environmental enforcement cases) and the Massachusetts Environmental Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Miron Bloom of Weinreb’s Criminal Division prosecuted the federal case with the assistance of Dianne Chabot, USEPA Criminal Enforcement Counsel, and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.
Boston Man Sentenced for Identity Theft in Scheme to Defraud Retirement AccountsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston man was sentenced today for his role in a scheme to steal personal information and bank account numbers to withdraw money from retirement accounts.
Kevin Marseille, 26, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Patti B. Saris to 18 months in prison, one year of supervised release and ordered to pay $19,741. In February 2017, Marseille pleaded guilty to identity theft, access device fraud and conspiracy to commit those offenses.
In 2014, Marseille approached Jasmine Banks, who, at the time, worked as a customer service employee at Mercer Inc. in Norwood, Mass. Marseille used Banks to obtain personally identifiable information and bank account information for individuals whose retirement accounts were administered by Mercer, a New York-based company that provides consulting and related services for employers, including administration of retirement benefit plans.
From approximately February 2014 to April 2014, Banks accessed customer account information from her computer and provided this information to Marseille via email. Marseille obtained the names, addresses, and bank account and routing numbers for approximately 270 Mercer account holders. In many cases, he also obtained account holders’ dates of birth and social security numbers. He further sought and obtained detailed account access information, including usernames, answers to password-reset questions, and detailed instructions about how to access and withdraw funds from four retirement accounts with substantial balances.
The retirement account information was used to load a prepaid card with nearly $20,000 in fraudulently obtained funds. Marseille then used the prepaid card to purchase electronic goods and other products at retailers, including Target and Best Buy. Intervention by Mercer and law enforcement prevented further account access and withdrawals. Mercer has cooperated fully with the government’s investigation.
In March 2016, Banks pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit access device fraud and identity theft and was sentenced in April 2017 to four years of probation, with six months to be served in home confinement, and ordered to pay $19,741 in restitution.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb and Stephen A. Marks, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. D’Addio of Weinreb’s Cybercrime Unit prosecuted the case.
More Than 30 Individuals Charged in Federal Drug SweepRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Thirty individuals have been charged with federal drug, gun and immigration charges and two others have been charged with state drug and gun charges for their role in the distribution of fentanyl, heroin and cocaine in and around the Lawrence area.
More than 200 federal, state and local law enforcement officers were involved in a federal sweep today that was the culmination of a yearlong investigation dubbed “Operation Bad Company,” aimed at attacking the fentanyl and heroin problem in the Lawrence area. The defendants are alleged to have controlled and managed a lucrative and sophisticated drug trafficking and distribution ring in the region.
The following individuals were charged in federal indictments unsealed today:
- Juan Anibal Patrone, a/k/a Juan Anibal, a/k/a Juan Anibal Patrone-Gonzalez, a/k/a Flaco, a/k/a Poppo, a/k/a Carlos, 26, a resident of Lawrence, dual citizen of the Dominican Republic and Italy
- Domingo Gonzalez Martinez, a/k/a Guega, 26, a resident of Lawrence, from the Dominican Republic
- Oscar Francisco Marcano Valverde, a/k/a Oscar Marcado, a/k/a Oscar Malcano, 38, a Dominican national and former resident of Haverhill, currently in custody at Bristol County House of Corrections
- Josuel Moises Patrone-Gonzalez, a/k/a Coqui, a/k/a Kiko, 22, resident of Lawrence, dual citizen of the Dominican Republic and Italy
- Luis F. Lugo, 20, of Lawrence
- Victor Alexander Gonzalez-Gonzalez, a/k/a Alex, 24, Dominican national residing in Lawrence
- Daniel Diaz, 34, of Lawrence, currently in custody at Essex House of Corrections
- Luis A. Perez-Tomassini, 29 of Lawrence
- Leonel Vives, 30, of Methuen
- Santo Marino Nivar-Tejeda, a/k/a Mello, 46, a Dominican national residing in Lawrence
- Andreury Fana Burgos, a/k/a Andreury Fanas, 21, a resident of Lawrence, from the Dominican Republic
- Lacey Picariello, 33, of Burlington, Mass.
- Matthew Shover, 29, of Sandown, N.H., currently in custody at Essex House of Corrections
- Rafael Omar Arias-Rodriguez, a/k/a Prieto Tita, 37, of Lawrence
- Rafael Arce, 46, of Lawrence
- Reynaldo Duran Lora, 23, of Lawrence
- Stacey Littlefield, 41, of Rochester, N.H.
- Melvin Weatherspoon, 57, of Rochester N.H.
- Euclides Alcantara, 49, a resident of Methuen, from the Dominican Republic
- Ramon Gonzalez Nival, a/k/a Santo Ramon Gonzalez Nivar, a/k/a Santo Marino Gonzalez-Nival, a/k/a Santo Marino Guerrero Ruiz, a/k/a Luis Rivera, a/k/a Richard Romero, a/k/a Ismael Rivera-Ayala, a/k/a Caballito, a/k/a Ramoncito, a/k/a Caballo, 40, a Dominican national residing in Lawrence
- Jose Rosado Sanchez, a/k/a Chiquito, a/k/a Pequeno, a/k/a Luis D. Resto, a/k/a Timothy O’Leary, a/k/a Luis Vega Martinez, 46 (true identity unknown)
- Julio Baez Gonzalez, a/k/a Manolo, 34, a Dominican national residing in Lawrence
- Ruddy Rafael Soto Lara, a/k/a Flor Saez Guzman, a/k/a Yernan Freight, a/k/a Rafael Ruddy, a/k/a Manuel Gonzalez, a/k/a Flor Saez, a/k/a Jorge Navarez, a/k/a Peje, 38, a Dominican national, currently in custody at Essex House of Corrections
- Geronimo Confesor Gonzalez Nivar, a/k/a Geronimo Gonzalez-Nival, a/k/a Geronimo Ruiz-Gonzalez; a/k/a Alexie, a/k/a Jaboa, 35, a Dominican national residing in Lawrence
- Carlos Hernandez, a/k/a Gordo, 34, of Lawrence, currently in custody at Essex House of Corrections
- Rory Connolly, 33, of Manchester, N.H.
- Bernaldo Rosario Santiago, a/k/a Bori, 25, of Lowell
- Diosmary Burgos, 39, resident of Lawrence, from the Dominican Republic
- Caonablo Mayobanex Pol Montero, a/k/a Cesar Eliel Echavarria Navarez, a/k/a Ely Manzano, a/k/a Mayo Baney Pol; a/k/a Mayo Pol; a/k/a Eddie Soto; a/k/a Jorge Mercado; a/k/a Israel Cortes; a/k/a Israel Cortez; a/k/a Ismael Guerra Cortez; a/k/a Ismael Cortez; a/k/a Israel P. Cortez; a/k/a Ismael Guerra; a/k/a Jorge L. Santiago; a/k/a Albertoz Vasquez; a/k/a Mayo Baney Montero; a/k/a Mayo Bane Montero; a/k/a Bani, 45, a Dominican national residing in Lawrence
- Shawn Keefe, 27, of Lowell
Four additional individuals were taken into custody on administrative immigration charges and will appear in immigration court. The Essex County District Attorney’s Office charged the following individuals with distribution of fentanyl:
- Leonny Burgos, of Lawrence
- Miriam Roche, of Lawrence
The drug statute provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison; the firearm statute provides for no more than 10 years in prison; the unlawful re-entry after deportation statute provides for no more than 10 years in prison. Defendants who are charged with unlawful re-entry after deportation are subject to deportation after serving any sentence imposed. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; Michal J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division; Matthew J. Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Essex County District Attorney Jonathan W. Blodgett; Colonel Richard D. McKeon, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Lawrence Police Chief James Fitzpatrick made the announcement today at a press conference. The DEA Cross Border Initiative, comprised by the DEA and the Andover, Haverhill, Lawrence, Lowell, and Wilmington Police Departments, conducted the investigation jointly with the Massachusetts State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan Winkler of Weinreb’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.
Pennsylvania Man Charged with Failure to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Pennsylvania man was charged yesterday in federal court in Boston with failure to register as a sex offender.
Carlos Pagan-Reyes, 31, was indicted for failing to register as a sex offender after moving from Pennsylvania to Boston.
According to court documents, on Feb. 17, 2017, Pagan-Reyes was arrested in Boston on state charges of possession of narcotics, buying/receiving stolen goods, assault with a dangerous weapon and failure to register as a sex offender. Pagan-Reyes was released from state custody pending charges. On April 27, 2017, federal investigators arrested Pagan-Reyes for failing to register as a sex offender in Massachusetts.
The court documents further allege that on April 25, 2007, Pagan-Reyes was convicted in Dauphin County, Penn., of statutory sexual assault and indecent assault on a child less than 16-years-old. Pagan-Reyes was sentenced to state prison and ordered to register as a sex offender in any communities where he lived and worked upon release. Upon his release from prison, Pagan-Reyes registered as a sex offender in Pennsylvania. However, Pennsylvania authorities later became aware that Pagan-Reyes had left Pennsylvania without notifying the proper authorities, as he was required to do; they then issued a warrant for his arrest. Pagan-Reyes was arrested by federal authorities in Boston after determining that he had been living in Massachusetts since Nov. 30, 2016, and had not registered as a sex offender.
The charging statute provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, a minimum of five years and no longer than a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb and John Gibbons, U.S. Marshal of the District of Massachusetts, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Tobin of Weinreb’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.
Honduran National Charged with Illegal Reentry After DeportationRead the Press Release
BOSTON - A Honduran national was charged yesterday in federal court in Boston with a federal immigration crime.
Ivan DeJesus Lopez-Lopez, 29, a Honduran national residing in Boston, was charged with illegally reentering the United States after being deported.
According to the indictment, Lopez-Lopez was deported in November 2009 for unlawfully entering the United States. In May 2017, federal agents in Boston discovered Lopez-Lopez and found him to be again illegally present in the United States.
The charge of illegal reentry after deportation provides for a sentence of no greater than two years in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Lopez-Lopez 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.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb and Matthew J. Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Weinreb’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.
Holyoke Woman Charged with Bank Fraud and Identity TheftRead the Press Release
Boston – A Holyoke woman was charged yesterday in federal court in Boston with bank fraud and identity theft.
Heather Bingle, 26, was indicted on two counts of bank fraud and two counts of identity theft. According to court documents, Bingle was a member of a Cape Cod-based group of conspirators committing retail fraud. Bingle and others allegedly used counterfeit motor vehicle licenses and other forms of identification issued in the names of third parties to open up retail credit cards; they then used the newly issued lines of credit to buy thousands of dollars’ worth of merchandise. Specifically, Bingle fraudulently assumed a woman’s identity in order to obtain a credit card in the woman’s name at a retail store in Holyoke. Bingle then used the card to purchase almost $4,000 worth of items. Bingle committed the same fraud at a store in Attleboro, where she allegedly purchased $1,487 worth of merchandise.
The charge of bank fraud provides for a sentence of no greater than 30 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $1million. The charge of identity theft provides for a sentence of no greater than 15 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.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; Shelly Binkowski, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division; and Yarmouth Police Chief Fred Fredrickson made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Tobin of Weinreb’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
Guatemalan National Charged with Illegal Reentry After DeportationRead the Press Release
BOSTON - A Guatemalan national was charged yesterday in federal court in Boston with a federal immigration crime.
Jose Sanchez-Alarcon, 40, a Guatemalan national residing in Boston, was charged with illegally reentering the United States after being deported.
According to the indictment, in February 2011, Sanchez-Alarcon was deported for unlawfully entering the United States. In May 2017, federal agents in Boston discovered Sanchez-Alarcon and found him to be again illegally present in the United States.
The charge of illegal reentry after deportation provides for a sentence of no greater than two years in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sanchez-Alarcon 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.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb and Matthew J. Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Weinreb’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.
Guatemalan National Charged with Illegal Reentry After DeportationRead the Press Release
BOSTON - A Guatemalan national was charged yesterday in federal court in Boston with a federal immigration crime.
Selvin Jarquin-Felipe, 31, was charged with illegally reentering the United States after being deported.
According to the indictment, Jarquin-Felipe was previously deported in September 2014 after unlawfully entering the United States. In May 2017, federal agents in Framingham discovered Jarquin-Felipe and determined him to be in the United States illegally.
The charge of illegal reentry after deportation provides for a sentence of no greater than two years in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Jarquin-Felipe 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.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb and Matthew J. Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Tobin of Weinreb’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.
Brazilian National Charged with Illegal Reentry after DeportationRead the Press Release
BOSTON - A Brazilian national was charged yesterday in federal court in Boston with a federal immigration crime.
Daybson Pereira, 34, a Brazilian national residing in Boston, was charged with illegally reentering the United States after being deported.
According to the indictment, Pereira was deported in March 2009 after unlawfully entering the United States. In May 2017, federal agents in Boston discovered Pereira and determined him to be in the United States illegally.
The charge of illegal reentry after deportation provides for a sentence of no greater than two years in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Pereira 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.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb and Matthew J. Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Weinreb’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 Man Charged with Sex TraffickingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston man was charged Wednesday in federal court in Boston with sex trafficking.
Corey Smith, 35, was indicted on one count of transportation of a minor for purposes of prostitution, one count of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and two counts of transportation of an individual with intent to engage in prostitution.
According to the indictment, between January 2015 and March 2015, Smith transported a minor girl between Massachusetts, Georgia, and Connecticut, with the intent that she would engage in prostitution. Between November 2014 to June 2015, Smith transported another woman between Massachusetts, Georgia, and Connecticut with the intent that she would engage in prostitution, and used force and threats to coerce her to do so. Smith transported a third woman between Massachusetts and Connecticut with the intent that she would engage in prostitution between January and February 2015.
The charge of sex trafficking provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to a lifetime in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of transportation of a minor for purposes of prostitution provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to a lifetime in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of transportation for purposes of prostitution 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 upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney William D. Weinreb and Matthew J. Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Miranda Hooker of Weinreb’s Civil Rights Enforcement Team 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.
Leominster Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Leominster man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Worcester in connection with his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy.
Felix Melendez, 41, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman and is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 15, 2017. Melendez is the final of five co-defendants to plead guilty this month to conspiracy to distribute heroin and cocaine in Worcester County.
Osvaldo Vasquez, 49, of Worcester; Jose Federico Vasquez, 55, a Dominican national residing in Providence, R.I.; Elvis Genao, 27, of Fitchburg; and Hugo Santana-Dones, a/k/a Raphael Ventura, 43, a Dominican national residing in Leominster, all recently pleaded guilty to their involvement in the conspiracy and will be sentenced in August and September 2017.
In the late summer of 2014, federal agents began investigating narcotics trafficking activities by Osvaldo Vasquez and his associates, Federico Vasquez, Melendez, Genao, and Santana-Dones. Between November 2014 and July 2015, with the help of a cooperating witness, agents made numerous recorded purchases of heroin - sometimes laced with fentanyl - from members of the conspiracy, seizing over 400 grams of heroin as a result.
During a court-authorized wiretap, Vasquez and his co-defendants were heard discussing the purchase and sale of multiple kilograms of narcotics and demonstrated an awareness of the potential deadly consequences of the narcotics they were distributing. On May 7, 2016, Osvaldo Vasquez, Melendez, and Federico Vasquez were intercepted discussing how the high number of heroin overdose deaths occurring at the time were cutting into their sales.
In August 2015, federal agents executed a search warrant at the conspirators’ homes. At Osvaldo Vasquez’s home in Worcester, agents found 679 grams of heroin and 723 grams of cocaine, as well as a Taurus PT .380 semi-automatic handgun. The telephone that was the subject of the wiretap, cutting tools, and over $7,000 in cash was also recovered in the home. At the residence of Santana-Dones in Leominster, agents found 224 grams of heroin, 110 grams of cocaine, and 8.9 grams of cocaine base (crack cocaine), along with cutting tools, a hydraulic kilogram press, over $1,300 in cash, and two phones that had been intercepted on the wiretap. At the residence of Melendez, who was on parole for state firearm and narcotics charges at the time, 3.1 grams of cocaine, a digital scale, over $1,000 in cash, and a phone that had been intercepted on the wiretap was recovered. At the residence of Jose Federico Vasquez in Providence, agents found 3.4 grams of cocaine.
Felix Melendez, Jose Federico Vasquez, and Hugo Santana-Dones each face a mandatory minimum sentence of five years up to 40 years in prison, a minimum of four years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $5 million. Santana-Dones and Federico Vasquez will be subject to deportation proceedings upon completion of their sentences. Osvaldo Vasquez faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years up to a lifetime in prison, a minimum of four years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $5 million. Elvis Genao faces a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a minimum of three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Colonel Richard D. McKeon, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Worcester Police Chief Steven M. Sargent; Fitchburg Police Chief Ernest F. Martineau; and Leominster Interim Police Chief Michael Goldman, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark J. Grady of Weinreb’s Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
Lawrence Man Pleads Guilty to Heroin TraffickingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Lawrence man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to heroin trafficking.
Jose Antonio Rosario, 40, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin and fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani scheduled sentencing for Aug. 17, 2017.
From about April 2015 to March 2016, federal law enforcement investigated the drug distribution activities of Ramon Baez, a Dominican national based in Lawrence, and his associates. Rosario supplied Baez with kilograms of heroin, which Baez then repackaged for distribution. Baez pleaded guilty in March 2017 and is scheduled for sentencing on June 16, 2017. Baez is subject to deportation following the completion of his sentence.
The charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin and fentanyl provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, a minimum of three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb and Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Ferguson of Weinreb’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.
Haverhill Man Arrested for Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Haverhill man was arrested and charged today with robbing a branch of Santander Bank in Boston.
Gregory Carter, 58, was charged in a criminal complaint with one count of bank robbery and is scheduled to appear in federal court in Boston at 3:15 p.m.
According to court documents, on the morning of March 25, 2017, an individual entered a branch of the Santander Bank on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston and handed a teller a note indicating a robbery. The robber stated that he had a gun and repeatedly gestured to his pocket. During the robbery, the robber pulled down a facemask he was wearing and exposed his skin and a thin moustache. The teller handed the robber cash, which was later determined to be $6,129. The robber then exited the bank walking toward Beacon Street.
Following the robbery, the teller described the robber to law enforcement officers as a 5’10” light-skinned black male wearing a dark hat, black ski mask, sunglasses, a black puffy jacket and blue latex gloves. Law enforcement officers reviewed images from exterior surveillance cameras and determined that the robber drove through the area in a black Ford Fusion sedan and parked on Beacon Street. Following the robbery, surveillance images also recorded the robber returning to the sedan and driving away. The description of the robber and the vehicle were disseminated to law enforcement.
On March 28, 2017, a law enforcement officer who was aware of the recent bank robbery observed a black Ford Fusion on Dudley Street in Boston. The driver, who matched the description of the robber, exited the vehicle and began to approach a Bank of America branch. When a Boston Police cruiser stopped in front of the bank, the individual turned around and returned to the vehicle. The officer queried the vehicle’s registration number and learned that it belonged to Carter. A criminal record check revealed that Carter is currently on probation for a prior bank robbery conviction in federal court.
Officers began conducting an investigation and surveillance of Carter, who they later determined matched the description of the individual who robbed the Santander Bank on March 25th.
The charging statute provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000 and restitution. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge bases upon the US Sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Somerville Police Chief David Fallon; Haverhill Police Chief Alan DeNaro; and Boston Police Commissioner William Evans, made the announcement today. The investigation was conducted with the assistance of the FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Weinreb’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
Hanson Man Sentenced for Child Sexual ExploitationRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Hanson man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for sending sexually explicit messages to two pre-teen girls.
Mark L. Leach, 49, was sentenced by U.S District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to 10 years in prison and five years of supervised release. Upon completion of his sentence, Leach is required to register with the Sex Offender Registry Board in any community where he resides. On March 1, 2017, Leach pleaded guilty to coercion and enticement of a minor.
In 2016, law enforcement officers learned that Leach, using the Skype screen name “funtimehockey,” had sent sexually explicit messages via text, live video and audio to two pre-teen girls. One of the girls occasionally babysat for Leach’s daughter. The victims told law enforcement officers that Leach asked them to send him naked and sexually explicit pictures of themselves. Leach also sent naked and sexually explicit pictures of himself to the victims.
During an interview with law enforcement following his arrest, Leach admitted that he set up the Skype account to communicate with these minor victims and others, and that he frequently requested that they expose themselves to him during the conversations. Leach also admitted that when the minor victim babysat for his daughter, he would expose himself and masturbate in front of her.
Acting U.S. Attorney William D. Weinreb; Shelly Binkowski, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Colonel Richard D. McKeon Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Hanson Police Chief Michael Miksch; and Whitman Police Chief Scott D. Benton, made the announcement today. The Waltham Police Department also assisted with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Weinreb’s Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
Former Principals of Vehicle Financing Company Plead Guilty to Fraud ChargesRead the Press Release
BOSTON - The founders and principals of Inofin Inc., a shuttered motor vehicle finance company based in Rockland, Mass., pleaded guilty today to fraud in connection with soliciting investments that resulted in losses of over $11 million to investors.
Michael J. Cuomo, 54, of Plymouth, and Kevin J. Mann Sr, 66, of Marshfield, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, three counts of mail fraud, and one count of wire fraud. U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani scheduled sentencing for Sept. 20, 2017.
From 1994 through February 2011, Cuomo and Mann owned and operated Inofin, which funded loans to used car buyers who could not qualify for traditional financing. In order to fund Inofin’s operations, Cuomo and Mann raised capital by securing investments from dozens of individuals. Cuomo and Mann falsely represented that the investors could rollover money held in retirement plans to Inofin, and that Inofin, as an authorized custodian of retirement money, would invest and then return the principle with interest. In fact, at no point was Inofin an authorized custodian, or trustee, of retirement funds. As a result of these misrepresentations by Cuomo and Mann, Inofin investors transferred more than $11 million in retirement funds to Inofin, practically all of which was lost. Inofin ultimately entered into involuntary bankruptcy proceedings.
The charging statutes each provide a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; Joel P. Garland, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston; 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 and Exchange Commission also provided assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Vassili Thomadakis and Victor A. Wild of Weinreb’s Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.
Former Massachusetts Man Sentenced for Multi-Million Dollar Ponzi SchemeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former Massachusetts man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston in connection with running a $10 million Ponzi scheme.
Mark Anderson Jones, 64, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Senior Judge Mark L. Wolf to 70 months in prison, three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution of $3,749,039 and forfeiture. In September 2016, Jones pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of engaging in monetary transactions in proceeds of unlawful activity.
Between 2008 and 2015, Jones obtained more than $10 million in investments from over 20 individuals by leading them to believe that they would be providing financing to Jamaican businesses. Because Jamaican banks can take time to close business loans, Jones claimed that he was offering these businesses “bridge loans” as an interim measure, i.e., loans to bridge the gap between the date a business sought a loan from a Jamaican bank and the date the bank actually distributes the requested funds. However, Jones misled investors about the purported bridge loan investments and how their money would be used. Specifically, rather than investing in bridge loans and paying returns based on those investments, Jones used new capital to either repay investment principal or to pay purported returns to earlier investors. For example, in January 2015, a Massachusetts-based victim invested approximately $200,000 with Jones. Later that month, Jones used approximately $180,000 of that investor’s money to pay four other investors.
Acting U.S. Attorney William D. Weinreb and Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division, made the announcement. Valuable assistance was also provided by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric A. Forni from the SEC prosecuted the case.
Canton Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute Kilo of HeroinRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Canton man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for conspiracy to distribute heroin.
Obinna Obiora, 38, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young to 10 years in prison and three years of supervised release. Obiora, a native of Nigeria, will be subject to deportation upon completion of his sentence. On Jan. 17, 2017, following a six-day trial, a federal jury convicted Obiora of conspiring with others to distribute one kilogram of heroin in the greater Brockton area.
Over the course of three weeks between September and October 2015, Obiora and his brother, Chukwuma Obiora, supplied heroin to Marvin Antoine in amounts ranging from 300 to 400 grams. The last time the Obioras distributed heroin to Antoine, he stole the drugs and refused to pay. To collect his debt, Obinna Obiora repeatedly placed calls to Antoine, which were intercepted on a federally-authorized wiretap.
In January 2017, Chukwuma Obiora pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute heroin and was sentenced in March to four years in prison and three year of supervised release. Marvin Antoine pleaded not guilty and is scheduled for trial on Sept. 18, 2017.
Acting Unitd States Attorney William D. Weinreb and Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division, made the announcement. The Brockton Police Department, Massachusetts State Police and Barnstable Police Department assisted with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric Rosen and Leah Foley of Weinreb’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.
Spanish Native Sentenced for Defrauding Charities and Law FirmsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Spanish native residing in Quincy was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for using counterfeit cashier’s checks to defraud victims, including charities and law firms, of nearly $1 million.
Manuel Ponce Vazquez, 60, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to 31 months in prison, three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution of over $995,000. Ponce Vazquez, a Spanish citizen, will face removal proceedings upon the completion of his sentence. In July 2016, Ponce Vazquez pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud.
Beginning around August 2013, Ponce Vazquez and his co-conspirators defrauded law firms and non-profits, including charities, by sending them fraudulent cashier’s checks and convincing them to wire money to Ponce Vazquez, and others, with the false assurance that the fake checks would cover the expense.
When Ponce Vazquez and his co-conspirators targeted charities, they pretended to be donors who accidentally donated more than they intended. For example, Ponce Vazquez would mail the charity fraudulent cashier’s checks that purported to be donations. To pressure the charities to return the excess donation immediately, co-conspirators told the charities, among other things, that the money was needed to fund surgery for a young girl “to better her chances of living” through a “life threatening situation.” The conspirators asked that the money be sent to associates, including Ponce Vazquez. Only after the charities complied did they discover the cashier’s check representing the original “donation” was fraudulent.
When law firms were targeted, the conspirators pretended to be new clients in need of help collecting a debt. Before the firms took any action to collect the supposed debt, they received counterfeit cashier’s checks, ostensibly from the debtors, fully repaying the debt. At the direction of one of Ponce Vazquez’s co-conspirators, the firms forwarded the majority of the checks’ purported value to a bank account that Ponce Vazquez controlled, unwittingly paying Ponce Vazquez using the firms’ own money.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Joel P. Garland, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston; and Shelly Binkowski, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, made the announcement today. Assistance was also provided by the Braintree Police Department and the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian A. Pérez-Daple of Weinreb’s Economic Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
Romanian Man Sentenced for ATM Card Skimming SchemeRead the Press Release
BOSTON - A Romanian man was sentenced today in federal court in Springfield in connection with an ATM card skimming scheme.
Bogdan Mocanu, 31, a Romanian national residing in Queens, N.Y., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to 28 months in prison and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $342,971 and forfeiture of $342,971. Mocanu will be deported immediately upon completion of his sentence. On Aug. 30, 2016, Mocanu pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.
From January 2013 until his arrest on July 15, 2015, Mocanu conspired with others to defraud several banks through a massive ATM skimming operation in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey and elsewhere. Mocanu and others installed skimmer devices and pinhole cameras on ATMs at various banks, which captured the names and account numbers of hundreds of customers as they made transactions at the ATMs. The pinhole cameras recorded the personal identification numbers of the customers as they entered the information on the ATM keypads. The conspirators then removed the skimmer devices and pinhole cameras and used the account numbers and personal identification numbers to create fraudulent cards; they then used the fraudulent cards to withdraw money from the customers’ bank accounts, resulting in substantial losses to the financial institutions.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; David L. Jaffe, Acting Chief of the Justice Department’s Organized Crime and Gang Section; Stephen A. Marks, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service, Boston Field Division; and Terence S. Opiola and Matthew J. Etre, Special Agents in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Newark and Boston, respectively, made the announcement today. Assistance was provided by the East Longmeadow, Cambridge, and Medford Police Departments, as well as Bank of America’s Security and Fraud Section and PNC Bank’s Security Division. The Middlesex (Massachusetts) County District Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey assisted in the investigation and prosecution. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven H. Breslow of Weinreb’s Springfield Branch Office and Trial Attorney Marianne Shelvey of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section prosecuted the case.
Former Lawrence Public School Aide Pleads Guilty to Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former aide at a Lawrence public school pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to drug charges involving kilos of cocaine and thousands of oxycodone pills.
Reynaldo Sanchez, 26, of Lawrence, pleaded guilty to attempted possession with intent to distribute oxycodone and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young scheduled sentencing for Sept. 8, 2017.
In August 2015, federal agents began investigating Sanchez for his involvement in a narcotics and money laundering organization operating in the Boston area. During the investigation, Sanchez arranged to purchase 10–15 kilograms of cocaine for $33,000 per kilogram from undercover federal agents. Furthermore, between March 29, 2016, and March 31, 2016, Sanchez sought to purchase what he believed were 4,000 oxycodone pills for $12 per pill from an undercover agent posing as a drug courier. At the time of his arrest, Sanchez was carrying $48,000 in cash in a duffle bag and on his person. After executing a search warrant at Sanchez’s residence, agents recovered approximately 2.2 kilograms of cocaine.
The charge of attempted possession with intent to distribute oxycodone provides for a sentence of no more than 20 years in prison, a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of $1 million. The charge of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and no greater than 40 years in prison, a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $5 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; Matthew J. Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations, Boston Field Office; and Colonel Richard D. McKeon, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, made the announcement today. Assistance was also provided by the Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Police and the Lawrence, Franklin, Wareham and Dartmouth Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David D’Addio and Kelly Begg Lawrence of Weinreb’s Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.
Taunton Man Pleads Guilty to Heroin TraffickingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Taunton man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to trafficking heroin and fentanyl in southeastern Massachusetts.
Oniel Rivera, 30, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge George A. O’Toole Jr. has not yet scheduled sentencing.
In October 2015, Rivera was arrested and charged along with 24 others in connection with a heroin trafficking ring operating in southeastern Massachusetts; an April 2016 superseding indictment brought the number of defendants charged in the case to 26. These charges are the result of a 15-month investigation into heroin and fentanyl trafficking in Taunton and surrounding communities, which have seen a steep increase in opioid related deaths since 2013.
Rivera received heroin and fentanyl from co-defendant Dedwin Cruz-Rivera, who received the drugs from three other co-defendants, Eric Matos, a former heroin and fentanyl supplier based in Lawrence, Manuel Romero-Gonsalez, a former heroin supplier based in Providence, R.I., and Jonathan Ruiz, a former Lawrence drug supplier, among others. Rivera would then distribute the drugs to customers in and around Taunton.
20 of the 26 defendants charged in the superseding indictment have pleaded guilty including Matos, whose sentencing is scheduled for June, 8, 2017, and Romero-Gonsalez, who was sentenced to 66 months in prison and will be subject to deportation hearings upon completion of his sentence. Cruz-Rivera pleaded not guilty; his trial is scheduled for June 12, 2017.
The charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin and fentanyl provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, a minimum of three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb and Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas E. Kanwit, Karen Beausey, Katherine Ferguson and Ann Taylor of Weinreb’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit are prosecuting the cases.
Springfield Man Sentenced for Federal Drug and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Springfield man was sentenced today in federal court in Springfield for distributing cocaine and crack cocaine and for selling firearms and ammunition to a convicted felon.
Eric Vale, 35, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to 10 years in prison and five years of supervised release. In January 2017, Vale pleaded guilty to three counts of selling a firearm to a convicted felon and three counts of drug distribution.
On Aug. 27, 2013, Vale sold a Davis Industries .380 caliber pistol and four rounds of .380 caliber ammunition to a convicted felon. On Sept. 5, 2013, Vale sold 50 rounds of .380 caliber ammunition to the same individual, and on Jan. 30, 2015, Vale again sold the same individual a FEG 9mm pistol and four rounds of 9mm ammunition. In addition, Vale distributed crack cocaine on Aug. 26, 2013, and Sept. 5, 2013, and distributed cocaine on March 3, 2015, all in Springfield.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb and Mickey D. Leadingham, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katharine A. Wagner of Weinreb’s Springfield Branch Office prosecuted the case.
Massachusetts Insurance Broker Convicted of Filing False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
A Dover, Massachusetts, insurance broker was convicted today by a federal jury of filing false tax returns, announced Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Acting U.S. Attorney William D. Weinreb for the District of Massachusetts.
According to the evidence presented at trial, Anthony J. May, 62, owned and operated Clients First Financial Insurance Agency, LLC, through which May sold life insurance products as a broker, and Advantage Life Settlements, LLC, through which he served as a broker for insured individuals looking to sell their personal life insurance policies to third party investors. May operated his businesses out of an office suite in Hingham where he also leased space to other independent insurance agents. May filed false 2008 and 2009 individual income tax returns that did not report $396,554 in income that he received from insurance commissions, broker fees and lease rental payments.
Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 2, 2017. May faces a statutory maximum sentence of three years in prison on each count as well as a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Goldberg and Acting U.S. Attorney Weinreb thanked special agents of the Internal Revenue Service–Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor A. Wild and Trial Attorney Eric Powers of the Tax Division, who are prosecuting the case.
Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found on the division’s website.
East Wareham Man Pleads Guilty to His Role in Drug and Money Laundering RingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – An East Wareham man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to drug charges.
Evan Lopes, 28, pleaded guilty today to possession of Methylone with intent to distribute and is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 24, 2017. Lopes is the last of four Cape Cod co-defendants to plead guilty to drug and money laundering charges.
On Jan. 15, 2015, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Lopes’ where they recovered two kilograms of Methylone from a woodpile on the property. Lopes stashed the drugs for co-defendant David Landry, who, from 2010 to 2014, led a drug and money laundering ring on Cape Cod. Landry, was arrested by state authorities in September 2014, but continued to communicate with and direct his drug associates from prison. Landry had asked Lopes to store the Methylone at his house in preparation for transferring it to other associates who would sell it for $40,000.
From May 2014 to January 2015, Landry and another co-defendant, Justin Groom, conspired to manufacture and distribute marijuana. Landry, along with his mother, Diane Johnson, and Groom conspired to launder the drug proceeds in order to disguise the nature of the funds and continue their drug trafficking activities. Landry, a convicted felon, was also found in possession of a .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol at the time of his arrest.
David Landry and Justin Groom were sentenced in March 2017 to 78 months in prison and two years of probation, respectively. Diane Johnson pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy on May 17, 2017, and is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 23, 2017.
The charge of possession of Methylone with intent to distribute provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; Mickey D. Leadingham, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Boston Field Division; Joel P. Garland, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston; Barnstable Police Chief Paul MacDonald; Barnstable County Sheriff James M. Cummings; Colonel Richard D. McKeon, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Cape & Islands District Attorney Michael O’Keefe, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ted Heinrich of Weinreb’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.
Dover Insurance Broker Convicted of Tax FraudRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dover, Mass. insurance broker was convicted today by a federal jury in Boston in connection with filing fraudulent personal tax returns.
Anthony J. May, 62, was convicted of two counts of filing false tax returns for 2008 and 2009. U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young scheduled sentencing for Oct. 2, 2017.
May owned and operated Clients First Financial Insurance Agency, LLC, through which he sold life insurance products as a broker, and Advantage Life Settlements, LLC, through which he which served as a broker for insured individuals looking to sell their personal life insurance policies to third party investors. May operated his businesses out of an office suite in Hingham where he also leased space to other independent insurance agents. May filed false 2008 and 2009 individual income tax returns that did not report $396,554 in income that he received from insurance commissions, broker fees and lease rental payments.
The charging statute provides for a sentence of no greater than three years in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other sentencing factors.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division; and Joel P. Garland, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor A. Wild of Weinreb’s Economic Crimes Unit and Trial Attorney Eric Powers of the Justice Department’s Tax Division are prosecuting the case.
Dominican National Sentenced for Illegal Reentry After DeportationRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominican man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for illegally reentering the United States after being deported.
Wilson Pena-Arias, 33, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Senior Judge Mark L. Wolf to 70 months in prison, to be served consecutively with a state sentence he is currently serving, and three years of supervised release. Pena-Arias is subject to deportation following the completion of his sentence.
In 2014, Pena-Arias was arrested for distribution of cocaine. During an interview with law enforcement, Pena-Arias admitted to a prior deportation and to illegally re-entering the country. On Oct. 26, 2015, Pena-Arias was convicted in Middlesex Superior Court on the cocaine distribution charge and sentenced to five years in prison, which he is currently serving.
In 2009, Pena-Arias was arrested for distribution of cocaine, and, after a conviction in Middlesex Superior Court, he was sentenced to three years in prison. In 2010, Pena-Arias was again convicted in the Essex Superior Court with distribution of cocaine and sentenced to three years in prison. In April 2012, upon completion of his sentence, Pena-Arias was deported to the Dominican Republic.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb and Matthew J. Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Lowell Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Weinreb’s Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
Dominican National Pleads Guilty to Illegal Reentry After DeportationRead the Press Release
Boston – A Dominican national pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to illegally reentering the United States after being deported.
Jose Manuel Arroyo, 39, a Dominican national residing in Boston, pleaded guilty to one count of illegal reentry after deportation. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.
Between 2005 and 2014, Arroyo, who also goes by the name Juan Manuel Tejeda-Serrano, was deported from the United States five times.
Between 2010 and 2013, Arroyo was convicted of illegal reentry after deportation on three occasions in federal court in Boston, as well as once in Texas in 2006. Arroyo most recently came to the attention of federal immigration officials after being arrested for identity fraud. In March 2017, Arroyo, under the name Juan Manuel Tejeda-Serrano, was charged in federal court in Boston with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin, fentanyl and cocaine.
The charge of illegal reentry after deportation provides for a sentence of no greater than two years in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Arroyo 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.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb and Matthew J. Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Tobin of Weinreb’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
West Virginia Man Charged with Fraud Tied to Stolen Gardner Museum PaintingsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Beckley, W.Va. man was arrested today on fraud charges in connection with his scheme to sell paintings stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in 1990 on Craigslist.
Todd Andrew Desper, a/k/a “Mordokwan,” 47, was charged in federal court in Boston with wire fraud and attempted wire fraud. Desper was arrested this afternoon at his home in Beckley, W.Va. He will be held in custody overnight and will have an initial appearance in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia tomorrow morning. He will appear in federal court in the District of Massachusetts on June 9, 2017.
According to the criminal complaint, Desper, acting under the pseudonym “Mordokwan,” solicited buyers for both the Storm on the Sea of Galilee and Vermeer’s The Concert on Craigslist in a number of foreign cities including Venice and London. Desper directed interested buyers to create an encrypted email account to communicate with him. Authorities were notified of the foreign Craigslist notices by individuals seeking to assist in the recovery of the artwork, as well as those seeking the $5 million reward offered by the Museum.
At the direction of federal authorities, the security director for the Gardner Museum engaged in encrypted communications with Desper in an attempt to determine whether Desper had access to the stolen masterpieces. Desper allegedly instructed him to send a cashier’s check for $5 million to a location in West Virginia and that Storm on the Sea of Galilee would then be sent in return, concealed behind another painting.
It is alleged that the investigation ultimately revealed that Desper had no access to, nor information about, the stolen paintings, but was instead engaged in a multi-million dollar fraud scheme targeting foreign art buyers.
The charging statute provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
On March 18, 1990, 13 pieces of artwork were stolen from The Isabella Stewart Gardner museum in the early morning hours. According to security guards, two white males dressed in Boston Police uniforms gained entrance to the Gardner Museum by explaining that they were responding to a report of a disturbance within the museum compound. Upon entry, the thieves subdued and secured the guards and went on to commit the largest art theft in history, taking 13 works of art including Rembrandt’s Storm on the Sea of Galilee and Vermeer’s The Concert. The combined value of the art stolen during the Gardner theft is estimated at $500 million, although several of the works are considered priceless within the art community.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb and Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. Assistance was provided by the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, as well as the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia, the FBI Pittsburgh Field Division, and Beckley Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. McNeil of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division.
The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Cambridge Hedge Fund Manager Arrested for Investment Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The owner of two Cambridge-based investment advisory firms was arrested in Vermont on Saturday, May 20, 2017, in connection with a scheme to defraud hedge fund investors.
Yasuna J. Murakami, 44, of Cambridge, was charged with wire fraud in federal court in Boston. Murakami was arrested in Vermont as he crossed back into the United States from Canada. He is scheduled to appear in federal court in Boston on May 24, 2017.
Murakami was a managing member of MC2 Capital Management LLC and MC2 Canada Capital Management LLC – investment advisory firms through which Murakami established and managed three hedge funds: the MC2 Capital Partners Fund, MC2 Capital Value Fund, and MC2 Capital Canadian Opportunities Fund. It is alleged that between 2011 and 2016, Murakami fraudulently diverted millions of dollars of investor funds to business and personal accounts he controlled. He allegedly used the money to pay for lavish personal expenses such as a luxury sports car, international travel, and payments to personal credit cards and high-end department stores. According to court documents, Murakami used new investor contributions to make Ponzi scheme-like payments to earlier investors who had made redemption requests and to place investments in his own name.
As part of the fraud, it is also alleged that Murakami withheld material information regarding the management of the MC2 Canadian Opportunities Fund and provided investors with falsified account statements and tax documentation in an effort to lull them into believing their investments were safe.
In a parallel action, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced securities fraud charges against Murakami and his hedge fund advisory firms. The SEC also filed charges against Murakami’s former business partner, Avi Chiat, in connection with the scheme. January 2017, the Massachusetts Securities Division filed civil fraud charges against Murakami for the same conduct.
The charging statute provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Joel P. Garland, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. Jordi de Llano, Deputy Chief of Weinreb’s Economic Crimes Unit, is prosecuting the case.
Dorchester Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun OffenseRead the Press Release
Michael Browne, 49, of Dorchester, pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to knowingly selling a firearm and ammunition to a felon. United States District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin scheduled sentencing for Sept. 1, 2017.
On Oct. 4, 2010, Browne sold a .357 caliber Smith and Wesson revolver and four bullets for $700 to an individual Browne knew had been previously convicted of a felony offense.
The charging statute provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; 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. Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Tobin is prosecuting the case.
Wareham Man Pleads Guilty to Cocaine TraffickingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Wareham man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston in connection with trafficking cocaine.
Aaron Mott-Frye, 27, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine and possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute. U.S. District Court Chief Judge Patti B. Saris scheduled sentencing for Sept. 28, 2017.
Mott-Frye was a cocaine supplier to Christopher Wilkins and Christian Chapman, members of the Nauti-Block gang that operated on Cape Cod. On June 14-15, 2016, Mott-Frye distributed cocaine to a cooperating witness.
Christian Chapman and Christopher Wilkins previously pleaded guilty to heroin trafficking charges, amongst other crimes, and will be sentenced on July 12, 2017, and Aug. 16, 2017, respectively. Denzel Chisholm, who is alleged to have been a leader of the Nauti-Block gang, and co-defendant Molly London, have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them and are scheduled for trial on June 5, 2017.
The charges provide for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; Mickey D. Leadingham, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division; Cape and Islands District Attorney Michael O’Keefe; and Barnstable Police Chief Paul MacDonald, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric S. Rosen and Miranda Hooker of Weinreb’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit are prosecuting the case.
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.
Athol Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – An Athol man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Worcester to possession of child pornography.
Arthur Cummings, 49, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman, who scheduled sentencing for July 11, 2017.
On March 10, 2016, federal agents executed a search warrant at Cummings’ residence based upon an investigation into individuals who use anonymizing software to traffic in child pornography on the “dark web,” a part of the internet accessible only by special software allowing users to remain anonymous. A forensic review of a laptop seized from Cummings’ home revealed the presence of more than 10 videos and more than 100 images of child pornography.
The charging statute provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, a minimum of five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Athol Police Chief Russel Kleber, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark J. Grady of Weinreb’s Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
United States Attorney's Office Honors Federal, State and Local Law Enforcement Personnel for Exceptional ServiceRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb recognized 129 officials from federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies yesterday at the annual Law Enforcement Awards Ceremony.
“It is an all too infrequent occasion that we thank those who keep us safe and pursue justice,” Acting U.S. Attorney Weinreb told the honorees. “There is no doubt that this work can be difficult, and at times, it may seem thankless – the late nights, the time away from family, and the stress that compounds with each passing year. Working in public safety is an inescapable calling...it requires a certain character, unshakable commitment and a level of motivation possessed by few.”
The event, held at the Federal Reserve Bank in Boston, highlighted 23 federal cases from 2016. The individuals who contributed to the success of the cases were recognized for bravery, outstanding collaboration, investigative achievement, investigative excellence, and victim assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorneys who prosecuted the cases and nominated the honorees, lauded them for their commitment to public service before presenting them with commemorative plaques.
The category of Investigative Excellence recognized individuals whose actions led to the arrest of a dangerous subject or the exposure of a significant criminal conspiracy. The following cases and agencies were honored:
Drug Enforcement Investigations, District of Massachusetts
Recipient: U.S. Postal Inspection ServiceOperation Opiate Express
Recipient: Massachusetts State Police
The category of Bravery is reserved for those whose actions showed such concern for others that the recipient’s own safety was in jeopardy while assisting the victim of a federal crime or in the apprehension of a suspect of a federal investigation. The following case and agency was honored:
U.S. v. James Morales
Recipient: Massachusetts State Police
The category of Outstanding Collaborative Investigation Award recognized investigators from a multi-agency collaboration whose exceptional efforts to overcome significant challenges led to a successful conclusion. Recipients in one case also received the Victim Service Award for extraordinary assistance to victims of a federal crime.
United States ex rel. Lokosky v. Accelarent Inc.
Recipients: Defense Criminal Investigative Service; Federal Bureau of Investigation; U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General; U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations; U.S. Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General
United States v. Matthew Clem
Recipients: Federal Bureau of Investigation; Homeland Security Investigations; Massachusetts State Police; Worcester County District Attorney’s Office; Worcester Police Department (Recipients also received the Victim Service Award)
United States v. David E. Gorski
Recipients: Defense Contract Audit Agency, Investigative Support Division; General Services Administration, Office of Inspector General; Naval Criminal Investigative Service; U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command; U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, Office of Inspector General; U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Inspector General
United States v. Gilvan Monteiro, et al.
Recipients: Brockton Police Department; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit, Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office; Massachusetts State Police Gang Unit; Massachusetts State Police Troop D Community Action Team; New England HIDTA
United States v. Andrew Gordon
Recipients: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Massachusetts State Police; Middlesex District Attorney’s Office; Middlesex Sheriff’s Office
The category of Investigative Achievement Award recognized those who substantially contributed to the mission of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Department of Justice. Several agency representatives also received a Victim Service Award for extraordinary assistance to victims of a federal crime.
United States v. Ygoa Almonte-Baez
Recipient: Drug Enforcement Administration
United States v. Robert Fitzpatrick
Recipient: Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Department of Justice
United States v. Tyrell Gorham, et al.
Recipients: Arlington Police Department; Boston Police Department; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Massachusetts State Police; Revere Police Department; Woburn Police Department
Victim Service Award Recipients: Federal Bureau of Investigation
United States v. Amit Kanodia
Recipient: Federal Bureau of Investigation; U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Litigation Economics, Division of Economic and Risk Analysis
United States v. Vida Causey
Recipients: Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation; U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, Retailer Investigations Branch; U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General; U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigation
United States v. Sihai Cheng and U.S. v. Qiang Hu
Recipients: Federal Bureau of Investigation; Homeland Security Investigations; U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Export Enforcement
Drug Diversion Settlements - Drug Enforcement Administration
Recipient: Drug Enforcement Administration
United States v. James Merrill
Recipient: Homeland Security Investigations (Recipients also received the Victim Service Award)
United States v. Elmer Reyes
Recipients: Chelsea Police Department; Federal Bureau of Investigation
United States v. Gary Sampson
Recipient: Massachusetts State Police (Recipients also received the Victim Service Award)
United States v. Patria Zuniga, et al.
Recipient: Homeland Security Investigations (Recipient also received the Victim Service Award)
United States v. Baljit Singh Rehal, et al.
Recipient: Federal Bureau of Investigations
United States v. R. David Cohen
Recipient: Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation
United States v. Raymond Jeffreys, et al.
Recipients: Boston Police Department; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Homeland Security Investigations; Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office (All recipients also received the Victim Service Award)
United States v. Edward Tutunjian
Recipients: Internal Revenue Service; Boston Police Department; Cambridge Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation; U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration; U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General; U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division; U.S. Housing and Urban Development, Office of the Inspector General
The category of Exceptional Contribution to a Federal Investigation recognized those whose actions significantly impacted law enforcement’s ability to arrest, apprehend, and prosecute a subject of a federal investigation; rescue and respond to victims; develop cooperating witnesses; or identify critical intelligence.
United States v. James Merrill
Recipients: Federal Bureau of Investigation
Southbridge Man Charged with Intent to Distribute OxycodoneRead the Press Release
BOSTON - Hector Espola, 30, was charged today in federal court in Worcester with possession of oxycodone with intent to distribute.
According to court documents, Espola allegedly sold 300 oxycodone pills on two occasions in July and August 2016 to an individual cooperating with federal investigators.
On Feb. 17, 2017, Espola was arrested in Massachusetts on a federal arrest warrant as he returned from New York City. Upon his arrest, agents found Espola in possession of 300 oxycodone pills.
The charge of possession with intent to distribute oxycodone provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, a minimum of three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; Michael Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Southbridge Police Chief Shane Woodson, made the announcement today. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg A. Friedholm of Weinreb’s Worcester Branch Office.
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.
Prison Inmate Pleads Guilty to Threatening to Kill President of the United StatesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former inmate at Old Colony Correctional Center in Bridgewater, Mass., pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to threatening to kill the President of the United States.
Alex Hernandez, 32, of Worcester, currently serving time on state charges at MCI-Shirley, pleaded guilty to one count of threatening to kill and inflict bodily harm upon the President of the United States. U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani scheduled sentencing for July 24, 2017.
In March 2015, federal agents learned that Hernandez, imprisoned at the time at Old Colony Correctional Center, told another inmate who was working as a cooperating witness in the investigation, that he was upset about the way his people were being treated and wanted to kill the President. Hernandez expressed an interest in obtaining false travel documents so he could flee the country after his attack.
Based on these statements, agents decided to introduce Hernandez to an undercover agent posing as an embassy contact who could assist Hernandez with obtaining false travel documents.
On Dec. 22 2015 and Feb. 12, 2016, the undercover agent met with Hernandez at Old Colony Correctional Center. During the first meeting, Hernandez stated that he wanted to attack, “the house with the big people there.” The agent inquired whether Hernandez meant the White House, and Hernandez said he did. When asked for additional details about his plan, Hernandez explained, “there is always a head. He’s the one who’s always in charge. So if you attack the head, everything will go down a little bit.” He also stated that he was studying how to make explosives that could be placed around government buildings to “create chaos.” During the second meeting with the undercover agent, Hernandez discussed the motivation for his planned attacks – telling the agent that his brothers are “fighting to uphold the laws and structure of the caliphate in the Middle East” and that “this government . . . is painting it like they are the bad guys[.]” Hernandez also explained that he wanted to target the President because “he’s the one that gives the orders[.]”
The charging statute provides 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.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Stephen A. Marks, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service's Boston Field Office; and Thomas Turco, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Correction, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordi de Llano of Weinreb’s Criminal Division is prosecuting the case.
Mexican National Charged with Illegal Reentry After DeportationRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Mexican national was charged in federal court in Worcester yesterday with illegally re-entering the United States after having been previously deported.
Oscar Conrado Ureiro Romero, 23, a Mexican national residing in Worcester, was charged in a criminal complaint with illegal re-entry. At his initial appearance today, Ureiro Romero was ordered detained pending indictment.
According to court documents, on March 27, 2017, Ureiro Romero was arrested by the Massachusetts State Police in Holden and charged with operating under the influence. Upon his arrest, it was revealed that he had been previously deported.
The charging statute provides for a sentence of no greater than two years in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Ureiro Romero 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.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb, Matthew J. Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston and Colonel Richard D. McKeon, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark J. Grady of Weinreb’s Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Gardner Man Charged with Conspiracy to Traffic Counterfeit SteroidsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Gardner, Mass., man was charged today in federal court in Boston for his role in a conspiracy to traffic counterfeit steroids.
Robert Medeiros, 32, was charged for his role in a conspiracy to traffic counterfeit steroids marketed on social media to bodybuilders and sold around the country to customers.
According to court documents, from approximately March 2016 until April 12, 2017, Medeiros participated in an organization whose purpose was to manufacture steroid products, market them under the Onyx brand, and sell them to customers across the United States using email and social media platforms. Medeiros’ principal role in the conspiracy was to fulfill orders for anabolic steroids by obtaining the finished steroid products, branded with Onyx labeling and packaging, from other members of the conspiracy, prepare the steroids for shipment, and ship the steroids via the U.S. Postal Service to customers across the United States. Customers paid for the steroids through financial institutions like Western Union and MoneyGram. Members of the conspiracy used false identifications and multiple financial locations to pick up the proceeds. They purchased counterfeit Onyx labeling and packaging from overseas suppliers, as well as the raw materials to manufacture the steroids, either by using money remitters or by shipping U.S. currency to foreign suppliers. They allegedly manufactured the steroids in the residential home(s) of one or more members of the conspiracy.
The charging statute provides for a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; Matthew Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Shelly Binkowski, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and Jeffreys Ebersole, Special Agent in Charge of the Food and Drug Administration made the announcement today. Assistance was provided by the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Massachusetts State Police; Boston Police Department, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Police Department; Customs and Border Protection; and Lynn, Shrewsbury, Gloucester, Saugus, and Gardner Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amy Harman Burkart and David J. D’Addio of Weinreb’s Cybercrime Unit are 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.
Cape Cod Woman Pleads Guilty to Her Role in Drug and Money Laundering RingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Cape Cod woman pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston in connection with a drug and money laundering ring.
Diane Johnson, 50, of Mashpee, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to one count of money laundering conspiracy and is scheduled to be sentenced on August 23, 2017.
From 2010 to 2015, Johnson and her son David Landry conspired to launder drug proceeds in order to disguise the nature of the funds and continue their drug trafficking activity. From May 2014 to January 2015, two of Johnson’s co-defendants, Landry and Justin Groom, conspired to manufacture and distribute marijuana and possessed marijuana with the intent to distribute it. Landry, a convicted felon, was also found in possession of a .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol. He continued participating in the criminal offense while in jail on state charges. Groom was also charged with eight counts of money laundering in connection with using the proceeds of the illegal activities to pay the rent of the home where he grew marijuana, at Landry’s direction. A third co-defendant, Evan Lopes, aided by Landry, possessed methylone.
David Landry and Justin Groom were sentenced in March 2017 to 78 months in prison and two years of probation, respectively. Evan Lopes is scheduled to plead guilty on May 23, 2017.
The charge of money laundering conspiracy provides for 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 on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; Mickey D. Leadingham, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Boston Field Division; Joel P. Garland, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston; Barnstable Police Chief Paul MacDonald; Barnstable County Sheriff James M. Cummings; Colonel Richard D. McKeon, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Cape & Islands District Attorney Michael O’Keefe, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ted Heinrich of Weinreb’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.
Worcester Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Worcester man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Worcester to attempting to solicit a minor, who was actually an undercover federal agent, to engage in illicit sexual conduct.
Timothy Biddy, 38, pleaded guilty to one count of attempted interstate travel to engage in illicit sexual conduct and attempted transfer of obscene images to a minor. U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman scheduled sentencing for September 11, 2017.
From October 2016 to November 2016, an undercover federal agent posing as a 13-year-old girl began chatting with Biddy through an online text messaging service. During the communications, Biddy proposed to meet the minor to engage in illicit sexual conduct in Sioux Falls, S.D., and graphically described sexual acts he wished to perform with her. He also sent her a video of himself masturbating. Biddy was arrested in November 2016.
The charge of attempted interstate travel to engage in illicit sexual conduct provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, a minimum of five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000; the charge of attempted transfer of obscene images to a minor provides for a sentence of 10 years in prison, a minimum of five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the United States Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb and Mathew J. Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark J. Grady of Weinreb’s Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by 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/.
Medford Man Sentenced for Oxycodone ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Medford man, and co-defendant of former NHL player Kevin Stevens, was sentenced in federal court in Boston today in connection with an oxycodone conspiracy.
Christopher Alonardo, 36, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge George A. O’Toole Jr. to 18 months in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $10,000. In December 2016, Alonardo pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute oxycodone and possession with intent to distribute oxycodone. On May 4, 2017, co-defendant and former NHL player Kevin Stevens was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to pay a fine of $10,000.
From approximately August 2015 through March 2016, Stevens and Alonardo conspired to distribute oxycodone in southeastern Massachusetts and the Boston area. Stevens supplied wholesale quantities of oxycodone to Alonardo who resold the drugs. On Nov. 5, 2015, Stevens was stopped by police and found in possession of 175 30mg pills of oxycodone that were intended for redistribution by Alonardo.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Colonel Richard D. McKeon, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, made the announcement today. The Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation, the Massachusetts Department of Correction, and the Boston, Medford and Quincy Police Departments provided assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy E. Moran of Weinreb’s Organized Crime and Gang Unit prosecuted the case.
Former Whitman Police Sergeant Pleads Guilty to Embezzling Funds from Disabled VeteransRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former Whitman, Mass., police sergeant pleaded guilty today in connection with misappropriating funds from the accounts of disabled veterans while he was a fiduciary appointed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and for preparing false income tax returns for clients of his tax preparation business.
Glenn P. Pearson, 60, pleaded guilty today to wire fraud, misappropriation by a federal fiduciary, preparation of fraudulent tax returns and obstruction of the Internal Revenue Service. U.S. District Court Chief Judge Patti B. Saris scheduled sentencing for Sept. 19, 2017.
“Mr. Pearson abused his position as a fiduciary and took advantage of vulnerable members of our society,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Weinreb. “Our veterans deserve the best care, and we will hold accountable those who seek to profit at their expense.”
“Glenn Pearson took advantage of disabled military veterans who could not manage their own financial affairs, by diverting hundreds of thousands of dollars in VA payments to his personal benefit,” said Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Goldberg. “He then used his tax preparation business to generate more than $1.5 million in bogus refunds and obstructed IRS audits looking into the fraudulent returns he prepared. Today Pearson is held fully accountable for his abuse of trust and fraudulent conduct.”
“Mr. Pearson now finds himself on the opposite end of the very laws he was once sworn to uphold,” said Special Agent in Charge Harold H. Shaw of the FBI’s Boston Field Division. “He took advantage of his position as a fiduciary to steal thousands of dollars from disabled veterans. The FBI will do everything we can to protect citizens against fraud and stop those who steal from them.”
“The American tax system is designed to provide vital government services to our citizens, especially disabled veterans, who have paid the highest price for our freedom,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Kristina O’Connell of the IRS Criminal Investigation (CI). “Mr. Pearson took advantage of both, motivated by greed and his desired lifestyle. The IRS will use all lawful means to identify and prosecute those, like Pearson, who prepare false tax returns.”
“Pearson deliberately targeted our most vulnerable veterans – those who were unable to handle their own financial affairs,” said Donna L. Neves, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Field Office. “Fiduciary fraud, especially in this case of multiple victims, is considered a high priority and aggressively investigated by the VA Office of Inspector General because those veterans deserve protection, not deceit.”
From 2007 to 2012, Pearson was a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs-appointed fiduciary for eight disabled veterans. Pearson took advantage of that position by misappropriating and embezzling VA-issued benefit money out of the accounts of several veterans for whom he served.
Beginning in 2012, Pearson operated a tax preparation business called FTS Tax Services, through which he prepared false tax returns for clients for a fee. From 2012 through 2015, Pearson prepared numerous tax returns that included false credits and fictitious deductions in an effort to get his clients larger refunds than they were entitled to receive. When Pearson’s clients were audited by the IRS, Pearson took steps to obstruct the audits by making false statements to the IRS and preparing false documents for his clients to submit to the IRS during the audits.
The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gain or loss to the victims; the charge of misappropriation of funds by a fiduciary provides for a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gain or loss to the victims; preparing false tax returns provides for a sentence of three years in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of $250,000; attempting to interfere with the administration of internal revenue laws provides for a sentence of no greater than three years in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. According to the terms of the plea agreement, Pearson will pay restitution to the victims, the VA and the IRS. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting U.S. Attorney Weinreb, Acting Assistant Attorney General Goldberg, FBI SAC Shaw, IRS-CI Acting SAC O’Connell and VA-OIG SAC Neves made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Vassili Thomadakis, of Weinreb’s Criminal Division, and Karen Kelly, Assistant Chief of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, are prosecuting the case.
Former Massachusetts Police Sergeant Pleads Guilty to Embezzling Funds from Disabled Veterans and Running Fraudulent Tax Preparation BusinessRead the Press Release
A former Whitman, Massachusetts police sergeant pleaded guilty today to wire fraud, preparing false income tax returns for clients of his tax preparation business, obstructing the internal revenue laws and misappropriating funds from the accounts of disabled veterans while he was a fiduciary appointed by the U.S. Department of Veterans ffairs (VA), announced Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Acting U.S. Attorney William D. Weinreb for the District of Massachusetts.
According to documents filed with the Court, from 2007 to 2012, Glenn P. Pearson, 61, was appointed a VA fiduciary for eight disabled veterans of the U.S. armed forces. A veteran, who has been awarded VA benefits but is unable to manage his or her funds due to injury, disease, mental incompetence or infirmities of advanced age, can have another individual, referred to as a fiduciary, appointed by the VA to receive funds on the veteran’s behalf and to manage those funds for the benefit of the veteran. Pearson used his position as a fiduciary to misappropriate and embezzle more than $250,000 in VA-issued benefit money from the accounts of several veterans.
Moreover, beginning in 2012, Pearson operated FTS Tax Services, a tax preparation business through which he prepared false tax returns for clients for a fee. From 2012 through 2015, Pearson prepared numerous tax returns that included false credits and fictitious deductions in an effort to get his clients bigger refunds than they were entitled to receive. When Pearson’s clients were audited by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Pearson took steps to obstruct the IRS—including making false statements to the IRS and preparing false documents for his clients to submit to the IRS during the audits. Pearson admitted to causing a tax loss of more than $1.5 million.
“Glenn Pearson took advantage of disabled military veterans who could not manage their own financial affairs, by diverting hundreds of thousands of dollars in VA payments to his personal benefit,” said Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Goldberg. “He then used his tax preparation business to generate more than $1.5 million in bogus refunds and obstructed IRS audits looking into the fraudulent returns he prepared. Today, Pearson is held fully accountable for his abuse of trust and fraudulent conduct.”
“Mr. Pearson abused his position as a fiduciary and took advantage of vulnerable members of our society,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Weinreb. “Our veterans deserve the best care, and we will hold accountable those who seek to profit at their expense.”
“Mr. Pearson now finds himself on the opposite end of the very laws he was once sworn to uphold,” said Special Agent in Charge Harold H. Shaw of the FBI’s Boston Field Division. “He took advantage of his position as a fiduciary to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars from disabled veterans. The FBI will do everything we can to protect citizens against fraud, and stop those who steal from them.”
“The American tax system is designed to provide vital government services to our citizens, especially disabled veterans, who have paid the highest price for our freedom,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Kristina O’Connell of the IRS Criminal Investigation (CI). “Mr. Pearson took advantage of both, motivated by greed and his desired lifestyle. The IRS will use all lawful means to identify and prosecute those, like Pearson, who prepare false tax returns.”
“Pearson deliberately targeted our most vulnerable veterans – those who were unable to handle their own financial affairs,” said Special Agent in Charge Donna L. Neves of the VA Office of Inspector General (OIG), Northeast Field Office. “Fiduciary fraud, especially in this case of multiple victims, is considered a high priority and aggressively investigated by the VA Office of Inspector General because those veterans deserve protection, not deceit.”
Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 19 before Judge Saris. Pearson faces a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for wire fraud, five years in prison for misappropriation of funds by a fiduciary, three years in prison for preparing false tax returns, and three years in prison for attempting to interfere with the administration of internal revenue laws. As part of the terms of the plea agreement, Pearson will make restitution to the veterans, the VA and the IRS. Pearson also faces a period of supervised release and monetary penalties. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Goldberg and Acting U.S. Attorney Weinreb thanked special agents of IRS–CI, FBI and VA-OIG, who conducted the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Vassili Thomadakis and Assistant Chief Karen Kelly of the Tax Division, who are prosecuting the case.
Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found on the division’s website.
Dominican National Pleads Guilty to Social Security FraudRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominican national has pleaded guilty in federal court to using a stolen Social Security number in order to obtain a Massachusetts driver’s license.
Julio Cesar Baez-Mejia, 37, a Dominican national formerly residing in Lawrence, pleaded guilty today to one count of misuse of a Social Security number. U.S. District Court Judge George A. O’Toole scheduled sentencing for Sept. 12, 2017. Mejia-Baez is currently serving an 18-month sentence in the Lawrence Correctional Alternative Center for assault with a deadly weapon, breaking and entering and malicious destruction of property.
On Nov. 19, 2012, Baez-Mejia entered a Massachusetts branch of the Registry of Motor Vehicles and applied for a Massachusetts Class D Driver’s License under the name of an American citizen from Puerto Rico. On the application, the defendant listed the name, date of birth, and Social Security number of the American citizen as his own. Baez-Mejia then signed the license application and was issued a driver’s license under the stolen identity.
The charge of misuse of a Social Security number provides for a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Baez-Mejia will be subject to deportation upon the completion of his sentence. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb and Matthew J. Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Soivilien of Weinreb’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
Charlton Woman Pleads Guilty to Oxycodone ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Charlton woman pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Worcester to conspiracy to distribute oxycodone.
Jennifer Toledo, 45, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman, who scheduled sentencing for Sept. 12, 2017.
From August 2015 until April 2016, Toledo conspired with co-defendants John Tautenhan III and Amina Young to distribute oxycodone pills in and around Worcester County. On April 17, 2016, federal agents followed Toledo as she drove from Massachusetts to a restaurant in Yonkers, N.Y., to acquire oxycodone from Young. Five days later, on April 22, 2017, Toledo again drove to Yonkers to purchase additional oxycodone from Young. Investigators stopped the vehicle that Toledo was driving and seized over 500 oxycodone pills from Young and two other passengers.
Tautenhan pleaded guilty in April 2016 and is scheduled to be sentenced on July 12, 2017. Amina Young pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.
The charging statute provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a minimum of three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb and Michael Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg A. Friedholm of Weinreb’s Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The remaining defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Three Indicted in $2.7 Million Bank Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Rockland couple has been arrested and charged today with engaging in a scheme to embezzle more than $2.7 million from Bank of America using fraudulent donations to non-profit organizations. A third person, who was previously charged in a criminal complaint, was also charged in the indictment unsealed today.
Palestine Ace, aka Pam Ace, 45, a former Senior Vice President of Bank of America’s Global Wealth & Investment Management Division; her husband, Jonathan R. Ace, 46; and Brianna Alexis Forde, 35, of Boston, were each indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud. In addition, Palestine Ace was also indicted on 12 counts of bank fraud and four counts of wire fraud; Jonathan Ace was also charged with two counts of wire fraud and one engaging in an unlawful monetary transaction; and Forde was also indicted on two counts of wire fraud.
According to the indictment, from approximately October 2010 to April 2015, the defendants engaged in an embezzlement and kickback scheme to defraud Bank of America of approximately $2.7 million using fraudulent donations to non-profit organizations. As part of the scheme, Palestine Ace used her position as a Senior Vice President at Bank of America to misappropriate funds from a marketing budget and transfer the money to non-profit organizations. Specifically, Palestine Act allegedly authorized 75 transactions, each under $50,000, to non-profit organizations in Boston and Atlanta. Then, the defendants, either directly or indirectly, informed the non-profit organizations that a substantial portion of the donated funds must be returned in order to ensure that Bank of America would continue to fund the organization. The non-profit organizations either wrote a check to Jonathan Ace or Forde, or they returned funds to a Bank of America account, to which the defendants had access. On various occasions, Jonathan Ace pressured the recipients of the donated funds to return a higher percentage of the funds to him, by using intimidation and threats of public humiliation.
The indictment also alleges that Palestine and Jonathan Ace used a portion of the funds they embezzled from Bank of America to support their lifestyle and pay for personal expenses, including lavish birthday parties and the purchase of a $17,000 Kawasaki motorcycle.
The charges of wire fraud and bank fraud each provide 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 unlawful monetary transaction provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, two 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.
Acting United States Attorney William B. Weinreb; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Boston Police Commissioner William B. Evans; Joel P. Garland, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston; and Shelly Binkowski, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil J. Gallagher of Weinreb’s Economic Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
MS-13 Gang Leader Charged with Authorizing Two Murders in MassachusettsRead the Press Release
BOSTON –The nationwide leader of MS-13’s Molinos clique was charged in a fifth superseding indictment in connection with authorizing two of the six murders identified in prior superseding indictments. This indictment is part of an ongoing investigation into the criminal activities of leaders, members and associates of MS-13.
Oscar Duran, a/k/a Demente, 25, an El Salvadorian national residing in East Boston, allegedly authorized the murders of Wilson Martinez, 15, stabbed to death on Constitution Beach in East Boston on Sept. 7, 2015 and Christofer Perez de la Cruz 16, who was shot and stabbed to death on Jan. 10, 2016, on Falcon Street in East Boston. Duran is charged in a fifth superseding indictment with conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, commonly referred to as RICO conspiracy, which specifically includes both murders. Duran was previously charged in prior superseding indictments with RICO conspiracy. The new indictment alleges that Duran was the leader of the Molinos Loco Salvatrucha (MLS) clique of MS-13 for the entire United States, as well as the Boston-area clique of MLS, and in those positions authorized (i.e. “greenlighted”) the murders of Wilson Martinez and Christofer Perez de la Cruz.
Prior superseding indictments, and the new indictment, allege that the following members of MS-13 were also responsible for the murder of Wilson Martinez: Carlos Melara, a/k/a Chuchito, a/k/a Criminal; Henry Josue Parada Martinez, a/k/a Street Danger; Edwin Gonzalez, a/k/a Sangriento; and a juvenile known to the Grand Jury. Prior superseding indictments, and the new indictment, allege that the following members of MS-13 were also responsible for the murder of Christofer Perez de la Cruz: Edwin Gonzalez, a/k/a Sangriento; Edwin Diaz, a/k/a Demente; Rigoberto Mejia, a/k/a Ninja; and Jairo Perez, a/k/a Seco.
After a three-year investigation, Duran was one of 61 defendants named in prior superseding indictments targeting the criminal activities of alleged leaders, members, and associates of MS-13 in Massachusetts. According to court documents, MS-13 is a violent transnational criminal organization whose branches or “cliques” operate throughout the United States, including Massachusetts. MS-13 members are required to commit acts of violence against rival gang members to gain promotions and to maintain membership and discipline within the group. Specifically, MS-13 members are required to attack and murder rival gang members whenever possible. The fifth superseding indictment alleges that, from approximately 2014 to 2016, MS-13 cliques in Massachusetts were responsible for, among other things, six murders and approximately twenty attempted murders, as well as robberies and drug trafficking.
The charge of RICO conspiracy provides a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison or life, if the violation is based on racketeering activity for which the maximum penalty includes life imprisonment under state law (such as murder); 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.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Matthew Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Colonel Richard D. McKeon, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Commissioner Thomas Truco 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 Joseph Cafarelli; and Somerville Police Chief David Fallon made the announcement.
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.