District of Massachusetts

BOSTON – A New Bedford man pleaded guilty on May 22, 2023 to fentanyl distribution charges.

Hector Diaz, 45, pleaded guilty to two counts of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl. Chief U.S. District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV scheduled sentencing for Aug. 7, 2023. Diaz was indicted in March 2022 and was arrested in June 2022. 

On two occasions between December 2020 and January 2021, Diaz distributed and possessed with intent to distribute fentanyl in New Bedford.

The charge of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, 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 statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy E. Moran and Sarah Hoefle of Levy’s Organized Crime & Gang Unit are prosecuting the case. 

BOSTON – Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Associates, Inc., and the Foundation of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Inc. (collectively “Massachusetts Eye and Ear”) have agreed to pay over $5.7 million to resolve allegations that seven of their physician compensation plans, involving 44 doctors, violated federal law.

The government alleges that Massachusetts Eye and Ear compensated 44 physicians in a manner that violated the Physician Self-Referral Law (sometimes referred to as the Stark Law). Mass General Brigham, which has owned and operated Massachusetts Eye and Ear since April 2018, disclosed this issue to the government in connection with the government’s investigation into related allegations. The Stark Law prohibits physicians from referring patients to receive “designated health services” payable by Medicare from entities, like hospitals, with which the physician has a financial relationship, unless the arrangement falls into the exceptions provided for by law. It also prohibits the entity from billing Medicare for those services. The law is intended to ensure that physicians’ medical judgments are not compromised by improper financial inducements.  

“Stark Act violations drive up the overall costs of the health care system due to fraud and abuse,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua Levy. “We will continue to vigorously investigate False Claims Act violations arising out of improper financial relationships between hospitals and physicians. We applaud Massachusetts Eye and Ear for its cooperation with the Department’s investigation. This settlement agreement demonstrates the advantages that actors can enjoy when they disclose non compliance, and we encourage others in the health care industry to come forward when they suspect wrongdoing.” 

“This settlement is a warning to other health care entities that seek to boost their profits by entering into improper financial arrangements with referring physicians,” said Phillip M. Coyne, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “Working with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to investigate such deals to prevent financial arrangements that could undermine impartial medical judgement, drive up health care costs, and corrode the public’s trust in the health care system.”

“We all rely on our health care providers to make treatment decisions based on clinical needs, not financial ones arising out of improper relationships between physicians and hospitals,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “Today’s settlement with Massachusetts Eye and Ear demonstrates the FBI’s ongoing commitment to ensure that publicly funded health care programs to which we all contribute and on which we all depend are not abused.”

All seven physician compensation models at issue began before Mass General Brigham acquired Massachusetts Eye and Ear. One physician compensation model ended before Mass General Brigham took control of Massachusetts Eye and Ear. Mass General Brigham voluntarily terminated the remaining six physician compensation models on Oct. 1, 2019.  

The government’s investigation was prompted by False Claims Act allegations brought in a lawsuit filed by a whistleblower under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act. Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the government and share in any recovery. In connection with today’s settlement, the whistleblower will receive 17% of the recovery. 
 
Acting U.S. Attorney Levy; HHS-OIG SAC Coyne; FBI SAC Bonavolonta; and Christopher Algieri, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, Northeast Field Office made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steven Sharobem and Charles B. Weinograd of Levy’s Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit handled the matter.  

BOSTON – A Dominican man has been sentenced in federal court in Boston for conspiring to traffic multiple kilograms of heroin and fentanyl from the Dominican Republic to states on the East Coast. 

Kelvin Regalado, 42, was sentenced on May 10, 2023 by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to 87 months in prison and three years of supervised release. On Jan. 6, 2023, Regalado pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, and 100 grams or more of carfentanil; one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute ketamine; and one count of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. 

Regalado was indicted in December 2020, along with co-defendant Marcos Cabrera, while he was residing in the Dominican Republic. Regalado was extradited to the United States in May 2022 after being taken into custody by Dominican authorities. 

From August 2019 through March 2020, in the Dominican Republic, Regalado conspired with Cabrera to deliver nearly three kilograms of heroin and carfentanil to cooperating witnesses in New York, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Additionally, Regalado arranged to have one kilogram of fentanyl and one kilogram of ketamine sent to the cooperating witnesses through the mail in Massachusetts.

In January 2022, Cabrera was sentenced to 87 months in prison after previously pleading guilty to his role in the conspiracy. 

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen W. Hassink of Levy’s Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuted the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

BOSTON – A Dominican man has been charged with illegally reentering the United States after deportation.

Franklin Alcantara Lorenzo, 35, was charged with one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. Alcantara Lorenzo was detained following an initial appearance before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge M. Page Kelley on May 22, 2023.

According to the charging documents, Alcantara Lorenzo was deported from the United States on July 6, 2021, following a federal conviction in the District of Massachusetts for conspiracy to distribute in excess of 40 grams of fentanyl and the possession with intent to distribute in excess of 40 grams of fentanyl.  

It is alleged that sometime after his July 2021 removal, Alcantara Lorenzo unlawfully reentered the United States. On April 26, 2023, Alcantara Lorenzo was arrested by immigration authorities in Chestnut Hill.  

In December 2020, Alcantara Lorenzo was convicted of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, for which he was sentenced to 21 months in prison. 

The charge of unlawful reentry of a deported alien provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Todd M. Lyons, Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Grady, Deputy Chief of Levy’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

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

BOSTON – A Worcester man was sentenced on May 17, 2023 for distributing fentanyl and methamphetamine.

Johanny Torres-Rojas, 57, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to 57 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In December 2022, Torres-Rojas pleaded guilty to two counts of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. 

Between November 2019 and January 2020, Torres-Rojas distributed methamphetamine, fentanyl, heroin and cocaine to a confidential source in six controlled purchases, three of which formed the basis for the charges. On Nov. 20, 2019, and on Nov. 26, 2019, Torres-Rojas distributed pills containing fentanyl and heroin to a confidential source at a store in Worcester. Later, on Jan. 13, 2020, Torres-Rojas distributed pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine to the confidential source outside of the same store. Across the three charged purchases, Torres-Rojas distributed approximately 835 grams of pills containing methamphetamine, 102 grams of pills containing fentanyl and 30 grams of pills containing heroin.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Worcester Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lucy Sun, Samuel R. Feldman and Alathea Porter of Levy’s Criminal Division prosecuted the case. 

BOSTON – The United States Attorney’s Office filed a civil forfeiture action to recover cryptocurrency alleged to be proceeds of a business email compromise (BEC) fraud scheme targeting a Massachusetts business. 

The government seeks to forfeit cryptocurrency seized from seven accounts located at Binance, a cryptocurrency exchange and custodian. The seized cryptocurrency included bitcoin (BTC), Tether (USDT), APE (APEcoin), JASMY (an Ethereum token), OGN (Origin Protocol), SHIB (Shiba Inu), XEC (eCash), TLM and BNB (Binance coin).

In March 2022, a federal investigation began into a BEC scheme targeting a Massachusetts business that was allegedly tricked, through a fraudulent email, into wiring $898,342 from its Massachusetts bank account to a bank account opened in California. From that transfer, proceeds were traced to another bank account and then to a cryptocurrency exchange where the funds were converted to bitcoin. From there, the funds, in the form of cryptocurrency, were transferred through a series of intermediary cryptocurrency addresses, in a manner consistent with tactics employed in money laundering transactions. Ultimately, some of the funds were traced to accounts located at Binance, where they, or things of equivalent value, were seized in August and September 2022.  

It is a violation of federal law to use wire communications as part of a scheme to defraud or to obtain money or property by means of false or fraudulent pretenses. The complaint alleges that the seized currency was both proceeds of the wire fraud and/or property involved in money laundering. 

A civil forfeiture action allows third parties to assert claims to property, which must be resolved before the property can be forfeited to the United States and returned to victims.

Members of the public who believe they are victims of a cybercrime – including cryptocurrency scams, romance scams, investment scams, and BEC fraud scams – should contact [email protected]. 

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. The civil forfeiture action is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carol E. Head, Chief of Levy’s Asset Recovery Unit. 

The details contained in the civil forfeiture complaint are allegations. The United States Attorney’s Office has not filed a corresponding criminal action on the matter.

BOSTON – A Sudbury man pleaded guilty on May 17, 2023 to child pornography charges.

Tyson Tu, 50, pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled sentencing for Aug. 9, 2023. Tu was indicted by a federal grand jury in October 2021. 

In May 2020, Tu was identified as the subscriber of an IP address downloading child pornography from a peer-to-peer file sharing network. During a search of Tu’s residence on April 13, 2021, multiple electronic devices were seized – one of which was actively downloading and sharing child pornographic files at the time. Three of the seized devices were found to contain child pornography files. It was determined that between approximately Feb. 20, 2021 through April 13, 2021, Tu received child pornography. 

The charge of receipt of child pornography provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Michael J. Krol, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; and Sudbury Police Chief Scott Nix made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of Levy’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.  

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

BOSTON – A Springfield man pleaded guilty on May 17, 2023 in federal court in Boston to charges related to the theft and transportation of stolen catalytic converters and the sale of stolen catalytic converters to core buyers in other states. 

Jose Torres, a/k/a “Goldy,” a/k/a “Goldy Tech,” 37, pleaded guilty to an indictment charging him with conspiracy transport stolen property in interstate commerce, interstate transportation of stolen property, and conspiracy commit money laundering. U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin scheduled sentencing for Sept. 6, 2023. 

Torres and six other men were arrested on April 12, 2023, and charged with offenses related to the theft, transportation, and sale of stolen catalytic converters taken from over 470 vehicles during 2022 and 2023.

Catalytic converters are a component of a vehicle’s exhaust device that reduce the toxic gas and pollutants from a vehicle's internal combustion engine into safe emissions by catalyzing a redox reaction process. They are required components on all combustion engine automobiles in the United States as regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Catalytic converters use precious metals in their center or “core” and are regularly targeted for theft due to the high value of these metals – including palladium, platinum, and rhodium. Some of these precious metals are more valuable per ounce than gold and their value has been increasing in recent years, with black-market prices being more than $1,000 each. 

Catalytic converter theft has become a nationwide problem across a multitude of state, local, and federal jurisdictions. Catalytic converters thieves, sometimes referred to as “cutters,” conduct searches in residential neighborhoods, parking lots, and other locations to steal the most high-value catalytic converters. Located in a vehicle’s undercarriage, the theft of a vehicle's catalytic converter results in damage that renders the vehicle inoperable – both mechanically and legally under EPA regulations – until properly replaced. 
 
According to the charging documents, law enforcement throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire identified a large number of catalytic converter thefts for which a Maroon Acura was identified as having been involved. These incidents involved at least two suspects wearing dark clothing, who would target residential and commercial vehicles. The suspects were skilled and able to locate and cut away the catalytic converter from a vehicle within a minute in most instances, using battery operated power-tools, specifically a fast-cutting reciprocating saw. Some vehicles needed to be jacked up in order to access the catalytic converters and the suspects would promptly place the jack under the vehicle, raise it, cut the catalytic converter, stow it in the rear of the Maroon Acura and move on.

According to the charging documents, the investigation revealed that the Maroon Acura belonged to Rafael Davila, allegedly the theft crew leader who planned and participated in each of the thefts. It is further alleged that Rafael Davila engaged in catalytic converter thefts and burglaries on a full-time basis, committing these multiple nights per week for upwards of eight hours a night. Additionally, cell phone data allegedly revealed that Rafael Davila maintained meticulous notes accounting for the locations that he and his co-conspirators had targeted and the number of catalytic converters that had been stolen, including the makes and models, and when they were dropped off. 

It is alleged that Rafael Davila would undertake the thefts with a group of individuals, including his brother Nicolas Davila, Fonseca, Feliberty and Marshall. As leader of the crew, Rafael Davila was allegedly responsible for the planning of and transportation to each targeted theft – utilizing his vehicle, determining price values for stolen converters and purchasing needed materials. Specifically, it is alleged that Rafael Davila regularly purchased large quantities of bi-metal saw blades designed to be used with a reciprocating power saw as well as cut resistant gloves which, according to surveillance footage, appear identical to those worn by the thieves  

Surveillance footage, communications and location monitoring data obtained from the defendants’ cell phones and Davila’s vehicle identified that the defendants were allegedly involved in the theft of catalytic converters from at least 471 vehicles across Massachusetts and New Hampshire in 2022 and 2023 alone. It is believed that a significant number of additional thefts have not been identified or were not ever reported to law enforcement. It is alleged that, on numerous occasions, the defendants targeted more than 10 vehicles in a single night, with one night reporting thefts from 26 vehicles.  

Once in possession of the stolen catalytic converters, the crew would then allegedly sell them to Torres. It is alleged that Torres who would accumulate stolen catalytic converters from multiple theft crews and then in turn sell them to scrap dealers in the Northeast. In particular, Torres sold stolen catalytic converters to scrap dealers who have since been charged federally for interstate transportation of stolen property and money laundering, including Alexander Kolitsas and Downpipe Depot charged in the District of Connecticut, as well as DG Auto, a New Jersey based company charged in the Eastern District of California and Northern District of Oklahoma. Torres transacted approximately $30,000 to $80,000 in stolen catalytic converters per week to these entities.

Through use of digital pricing applications, and communication with the core buyers, Torres allegedly provided prices to Davila and other theft crews based of the make and model of the vehicle and by the code on the catalytic converter. Knowing the prices of the most valuable converters, Davila and his crew would seek out those makes and models to target.  Torres then negotiated with the core buyer and delivered the catalytic converters to their facility. Torres is known to have sold and transported thousands of stolen catalytic converters to scrap dealers in Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York and New Jersey areas.

The charge of conspiracy to transport stolen property in interstate commerce provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of interstate transportation of stolen property provides for a sentence of up to 10 years, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of conspiracy to commit bank theft provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of bank theft provides for a sentence of up to 10 years, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of conspiracy to commit money laundering provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $500,000 or twice the value of the proceeds, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; John E. Mawn, Interim Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police; and Kevin Gallagher, Director of Operations for the National Insurance Crime Bureau, Northeast Region made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was also provided by the United States Attorney’s Offices for the District of Connecticut, the Northern District of Oklahoma and the Eastern District of California; Homeland Security Investigations; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; and the New England State Police Information Network (NESPIN). Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of Levy’s Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.

Over 70 local police departments in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Connecticut contributed to this investigation through the submission of their investigations of catalytic converter thefts in their jurisdiction. The Massachusetts Police Departments contributing to the investigation were Abington, Acton, Andover, Auburn, Bedford, Bellingham, Beverly, Billerica, Burlington, Bridgewater, Canton, Carver, Chelmsford, Concord, Cranston, East Hampton, Easton, Fitchburg, Framingham, Franklin, Gardner, Hampton, Hanover, Haverhill, Hingham, Holliston, Holyoke, Hudson, Ipswich, Lawrence, Leominster, Lynn, Malden, Mansfield, Medford, Marlborough, Methuen, Middleton, Milford, Millbury, Needham, Newton, Northborough, Norwell, Norwood, Peabody, Pembroke, Plymouth, Randolph, Rockland, Sharon, Shrewsbury, Springfield, Sterling, Sturbridge, Sudbury, Tyngsborough, Walpole, Waltham, Watertown, West Bridgewater, Weymouth, Wilmington, Woburn and Worcester. The New Hampshire Police Departments contributing to the investigation were Bow, Concord, Derry, Hooksett, Hudson, Londonderry, Manchester, Salem and Windham. The South Windsor and Windsor Connecticut Police Departments also contributed to the investigation.

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

BOSTON – A Boston man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for the April 2020 robbery of a Santander Bank branch in Boston.
 
Dennis C. Taylor, 49, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to 10 years in prison and three years of supervised release. On March 11, 2022 Taylor pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery. 
 
On April 29, 2020, an individual – later determined to be Taylor – dressed in a dark hooded jacket, blue latex gloves and a facemask entered a Santander Bank branch on Massachusetts Avenue in Boston where he approached a teller and demanded money. The teller handed Taylor cash from her drawer, which he placed in a white plastic bag before exiting the bank. Included within the cash was a red dye pack. Surveillance cameras on Massachusetts Avenue captured video of Taylor exiting the area and running towards a local parking garage as the red dye pack exploded into a plume of red smoke. During a subsequent search of the parking garage, law enforcement recovered a white plastic bag containing red dye-stained money and a pair of blue latex gloves. The gloves were found to match Taylor’s DNA profile.

Taylor was previously convicted of federal bank robbery in 2004 and again in 2010. In 2010, Taylor was sentenced to 10 years in prison and three years of supervised release for the December 2009 robberies of a Rockland Trust bank and a TD Bank in Yarmouth.
 
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke A. Goldworm of Levy’s Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – An operator of numerous sober homes in Massachusetts, who also operated insulation companies receiving funds through the Mass Save Program, was indicted along with a sober home manager, for their alleged involvement in numerous fraud schemes involving sober homes in the Greater Boston area, the Mass Save Program and a federal loan program to assist businesses during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Daniel Cleggett, 37, of Kingston and Nicholas Espinosa, 37, of Randolph, were charged in a 37-count indictment with two counts of wire fraud conspiracy; one count of conspiracy to make false statements to a mortgage lending business (mortgage fraud conspiracy); 21 counts of wire fraud; six counts of unlawful monetary transactions (money laundering); and one count of making false statements to a mortgage lending business. In addition, Cleggett was separately charged with four counts of wire fraud and two counts of making false statements to a mortgage lending business. The defendants were arrested this morning and released following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston today before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Paul G. Levenson.

According to the charging documents, Cleggett was the founder of the sober home business A Vision From God LLC (AVFG). Established in November 2016, AVFG owns and operates sober homes in Boston, Wakefield, Quincy and Weymouth under trade names including Brady’s Place, Lakeshore Retreat and Lambert House. Espinosa managed the day-to-day affairs of Cleggett’s sober home business. 

It is alleged that Cleggett, Espinosa and a sober home client entered into a conspiracy to defraud a New York-based family trust that was paying for the client’s room and board at Brady’s Place, located in Quincy. Specifically, Cleggett and Espinosa allegedly overcharged the family trust for room and board by up to $12,500 per month by submitting false and fraudulent invoices to the family trust. Cleggett and Espinosa would allegedly then issue “refund” checks to the client in furtherance of the fraud scheme. 

According to the charging documents, from approximately October 2019 to December 2021, Cleggett personally, and through straw purchasers including Espinosa, purchased the three residential properties in Weymouth and Boston to use as sober homes. It is alleged that Cleggett, Espinosa and others submitted false information and fraudulent documentation including falsely representing that the three properties were intended to be purchased as primary residences when, in reality, each was intended to be a sober homes.

In addition to the sober home business, Cleggett operated numerous insulation contracting companies that participated in the Mass Save Program: Green Save Energy Corporation; Environmental Construction Objective Inc. (ECO); Green Giants, LLC; and Insulation Situation, LLC. Mass Save is a Massachusetts public/private partnership sponsored by gas and electric utility companies that funds energy conservation projects and improvements via energy efficiency funds charged to Massachusetts residents’ utility bills. Specifically, Green Save and ECO received millions of dollars for residential insulation work from a lead vendor company under the Mass Save program. It is alleged that, from 2018 through mid-2021, Green Save and ECO fraudulently billed the vendor company for required permits that were not actually obtained. Green Save and ECO were ultimately terminated from participating in the company’s program in June 2021, and Cleggett was banned from participating in the Mass Save program. In response to this, Cleggett, Espinosa and other co-conspirators allegedly formed Insulation Situation and Green Giants to enter as new lead vendors with the same company under straw owners. As a result, Cleggett allegedly obtained a total of $954,443 in payments from the company to Green Giants and Insulation Situation, despite him being banned from participating in the Mass Save program.

Additionally, it is alleged that on April 1, 2020, Cleggett submitted three Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) applications to the Small Business Administration for AVFG, the Daniel Cleggett Sole Proprietorship and Green Save. Cleggett obtained a total of $794,900 in EIDL loans and advances. In the applications, it is alleged that Cleggett falsely denied involvement in illegal activity despite his alleged involvement in the sober home wire fraud scheme and the mortgage fraud scheme involving one of his Weymouth sober homes. It is also alleged that Cleggett’s Sole Proprietorship EIDL application was false because the Daniel Cleggett Sole Proprietorship did not exist. Despite certifying that EIDL proceeds would only be used for “working capital” for the entity seeking the loan, Cleggett allegedly used tens of thousands of dollars from the funds to pay for personal expenses including EZ-Pass bills, gym membership fees, pet expenses, airline tickets, car rentals, vacation trips to Yellowstone, Montana and Aruba, and thousands of dollars in hotel resort stays for Cleggett and his girlfriend – which included spa fees as well as a wine and caviar dinner, among other expenses. Cleggett also allegedly used Green Save EIDL funds for $37,997 in wedding expenses.

The charges of wire fraud and wire fraud conspiracy provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of making false statements to a mortgage lending business provides for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. The charge of unlawful monetary transactions provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Kingston, Randolph and Quincy Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys and John T. Mulcahy of Levy’s Criminal Division and Dustin Chao, Chief of Levy’s Public Corruption Unit, are prosecuting the case.

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

BOSTON – A Gardner man was sentenced on May 17, 2023 in federal court in Worcester for distributing and possessing child pornography.  

Michael Irons, 46, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to 10 years in prison and five years of supervised release. On Jan. 27, 2023, Irons pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography. 

During a search of Iron’s residence in July 2020, two cell phones were discovered in Iron’s bedroom – belonging to him – that a preliminary search revealed to contain approximately 500 videos and over 1,000 images of child pornography.  It was determined that Irons used an application called Kik Messenger to distribute child pornography; in the application, Irons participated in a group chat where he distributed and encouraged other members to upload child pornography. Irons also had a Snapchat account, which Irons used to solicit nude photographs and videos from purported minors.  

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Michael J. Krol, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. Assistance was provided by the Gardner and Worcester Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lucy Sun and Kaitlin J. Brown of Levy’s Criminal Division prosecuted the case.  
 
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

BOSTON – A Winthrop man was charged yesterday for allegedly using a fraudulently obtained passport to enter the United States from Istanbul, Turkey in 2021.  

Azem Gigo Zebic, 51, was charged with one count of use of a fraudulently obtained passport. 

According to the charging documents, Zebic first came to the United States from Croatia in 1997. It is alleged that Zebic was admitted to the United States after falsely claiming that he had been the subject of persecution by Serb forces during the Bosnian War. Specifically, Zebic allegedly claimed, among other things, that Serb forces had captured, interrogated, beaten him and forced him to pull wounded soldiers from the front lines. It is further alleged that, once in the United States, Zebic continued to make false statements about his past, including that he had never assisted anyone else enter the country illegally. Zebic allegedly used this false history to obtain lawful permanent residency, American citizenship and a United States passport. 

The use of a fraudulently obtained passport provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, followed by 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 statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Michael J. Krol, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; Sharon B. MacDermott, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Boston Field Office; and Jonathan Davidson, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. This matter was investigated with the assistance of the United States Interagency Human Rights Violators & War Crimes Center. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John T. McNeil and Jason A. Casey of Levy’s National Security Unit are 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.

BOSTON – A Dominican man was sentenced on May 17, 2023 in federal court in Boston for illegally reentering the United States after deportation.

Felix Bienvenido Gonzalez-Arias, a/k/a “Victor Manuel Trinidad-Lugo,” 38, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to 21 Months in prison and three years of supervised release. Gonzalez-Arias will be subject to deportation proceedings upon completion of his sentence. On Feb. 23, 2023, Gonzalez-Arias pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. 

At an unknown time, Gonzales-Arias illegally entered the United States. In November 2014, he was arrested in Essex County on state charges of heroin trafficking. Gonzales-Arias was convicted of the offense, sentenced to three and a half to five years in state prison and upon completion of his sentence, he was removed from the United States in April 2018. Some point thereafter, Gonzales-Arias illegally reentered the United States. 

On Sept. 1, 2022, Gonzalez-Arias was arrested in Lawrence on drug trafficking charges. Gonzalez-Arias’ fingerprints produced a positive match from those from his 2014 arrest and 2018 removal and he was identified as being illegally present in the United States after deportation.
                                     
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Todd Lyons, Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke A. Goldworm of Levy’s Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A Somerville man was sentenced on May 17, 2023 for distributing fentanyl and subsequently possessing fentanyl with intent to distribute while being illegally in possession of a loaded firearm.    
 
Tevon Ngomba, 30, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to 97 months in prison and four years of supervised release. In November 2022, Ngomba pleaded guilty to one count of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, one count of possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. 
  
On July 16, 2020, less than two months following his release from state prison, Ngomba distributed more than 40 grams of fentanyl to an individual in exchange for $1,800 in a recorded drug transaction.

On Aug. 3, 2020, Ngomba purported to sell a loaded firearm to the same individual in exchange for $1,500 in another recorded transaction. During the deal, which occurred in the individual’s vehicle, Ngomba loaded the firearm and pretended to leave it under the driver’s seat before exiting the vehicle. Instead, Ngomba took both the $1,500 cash from the individual as well as the firearm he had pretended to sell. Ngomba did not realize, however, that he accidentally left his cellphone in the individual’s vehicle which he preceded to chase down. Law enforcement immediately apprehended Ngomba who was still clutching the $1,500 in his hand. 

During a subsequent search of Ngomba’s vehicle, a loaded Ruger firearm with an obliterated serial number was found in the trunk. Sixteen grams of fentanyl and a second cellphone containing drug-related communications were in the glove compartment. The cellphone Ngomba left in the individual’s car was found to contain images from the night before of Ngomba posing with what appeared to be the same firearm found in his vehicle. One image also showed Ngomba posing alongside two associates while he had a firearm in his pocket. 

At the sentencing hearing, the Court also found that Ngomba obstructed justice during the litigation of the case, determining that Ngomba had submitted false documents to the Court in connection with a detention reconsideration hearing. Those documents included two letters purportedly written by two acquaintances of Ngomba (the same individuals depicted in one of the cellphone images) in which they denied any gang affiliation or association. A transcript of jail recordings captured Ngomba contacting an individual requesting that she draft letters in the names of those two associates. Ngomba detailed what to write in the letters and then instructed the female to create a fake email account from which to transmit the letters onto his attorney for submission to Court in support of his pretrial release. The letters ultimately were filed with the Court in connection with Ngomba’s detention reconsideration hearing.   

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, New England Field Division; Somerville Police Chief Charles Femino; and Somerville Housing Authority Chief of Police Daniel Meade made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kaitlin R. O’Donnell and Fred M. Wyshak, III of Levy’s Organized Crime and Gang Unit prosecuted the case.
    
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

BOSTON – A Brazilian man residing in Revere has been sentenced in federal court in Boston for illegally reentering the United States after deportation. 

Julio Cesar Ferreira Artur, 41, was sentenced on May 17, 2023 by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to 18 months in prison followed by one year of supervised release. Ferreira Artur will be subject to deportation proceedings upon completion of his sentence. On Jan. 17, 2023, Ferreira Artur pleaded guilty to illegal reentry.

In 2005, Ferreira Artur was encountered by federal immigration authorities in Arizona and determined to be illegally present in the United States. Ferreira Artur was subsequently placed into removal proceedings and, on March 30, 2005, was deported to Brazil. 

Sometime after his 2005 removal, Ferreira Artur illegally reentered the United States. In February 2018, he was encountered by immigration authorities in Revere, determined to be illegally present and again deported to Brazil in April 2018.  

On an unknown date and place, Ferreira Artur illegally reentered the United States for the third time. In February 2022, federal immigration authorities located Ferreira Artur at the Middlesex County House of Correction where he was being held pretrial on unrelated state charges. According to court records, in January 2022 he was convicted in a state case of carrying a firearm and ammunition without a license and sentenced to more than four years in prison.  
  
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Todd M. Lyons, Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elianna J. Nuzum of Levy’s Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A father and son were sentenced today in federal court in Boston for orchestrating an elaborate “ten-percenting” scheme involving dozens of convenience stores across Massachusetts. The defendants unlawfully claimed more than 14,000 winning lottery tickets, laundered over $20 million in proceeds, and then lied on their tax returns. The result was more than $6 million in federal tax loss. As a direct result of this case, the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission is in the process of revoking or suspending the licenses of more than 40 of its lottery agents.

Ali Jaafar, 63, and Yousef Jaafar, 29, both of Watertown, were sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to five years and 50 months in prison, respectively, in addition to orders of restitution in the amount of $6,082,578 and forfeiture of their profits from the scheme. In December 2022, Ali and Yousef Jaafar were convicted by a federal jury of one count of conspiracy to defraud the Internal Revenue Service, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and one count each of filing a false tax return. 

Mohamed Jaafar, another of Ali Jaafar’s sons who was also involved in the scheme, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the Internal Revenue Service on Nov. 4, 2022 and is scheduled to be sentenced on July 25, 2023.

In 2019 alone, Ali Jaafar was the top individual lottery ticket casher for Massachusetts. Mohamed Jaafar was the third highest individual ticket casher and Yousef Jaafar was the fourth highest individual ticket casher. The scheme also resulted in federal tax losses of over $6 million, more than $1.2 million of which went directly to the defendants in the form of fraudulent tax refunds.

“This case is, at its core, an elaborate tax fraud. Over the course of a decade, this father-and-son team defrauded the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission and the IRS to pocket millions of hard-earned taxpayers’ dollars. These defendants worked together to recruit a wide network of co-conspirators and spread their lottery scam across Massachusetts, avoiding detection by repeatedly lying to government officials. In total, the Jaafars laundered more than $20 million in proceeds, and their scheme resulted in more than $6 million in tax loss. These defendants pocketed $1.2 million from fraudulent taxpayer refunds,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “I commend the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission and the IRS for their exceptional collaboration and partnership. As a direct result of this case, the Commission is in the process of revoking or suspending the licenses of more than 40 of its lottery agents. This case should serve as a warning to those who think they can cheat the system for their own financial gain: you will be identified, prosecuted and held accountable.”  
    
“Instead of using business savvy and skill to build a legitimate multi-generational family business, the Jaafars carried out a complex decade-long tax and lottery scam, building a vast network of coconspirators to further their illegal activities. Tax violations have been erroneously referred to as victimless crimes, but it's the honest law-abiding citizen who is harmed when someone tries to manipulate our nation's tax system,” said Joleen Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston.

“This case is an example of the extensive efforts the Lottery will take in partnering with law enforcement to assist in the prevention of illegal activities. This decision is the culmination of years of hard work to maintain the integrity of the Lottery,” said Deborah B. Goldberg, Massachusetts State Treasurer & Receiver General, and Chair of the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission.

“The outcome of this case sends a clear message that anyone complicit in the avoidance of financial obligations through fraudulent Lottery prize claims faces real and severe consequences. We commend the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Massachusetts State Police and the IRS for their efforts in assisting us in confronting these illegal activities and securing the public’s trust in the Lottery,” said Mark William Bracken, Interim Executive Director, Massachusetts State Lottery.

Between 2011 and 2020, the defendants purchased winning lottery tickets from individuals across Massachusetts who wanted to sell their winning tickets for a cash discount instead of claiming their prizes from the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission. This allowed the real winners to avoid identification by the Commission, which is legally required to identify lottery winners and withhold any outstanding taxes, back taxes and child support payments before paying out prizes. The defendants recruited and paid the owners of dozens of convenience stores to facilitate the transactions. After purchasing tickets from the lottery winners at a discount, using the convenience stores as go-betweens, the defendants lied to the Commission, claiming the full amount of the prize money as their own. The defendants then further profited by reporting the winnings on their income tax returns and claiming equivalent fake gambling losses as an offset, thereby avoiding federal income taxes and receiving fraudulent tax refunds. 

Acting U.S. Attorney Levy; IRS SAC Simpson; Treasurer & Receiver General Goldberg; and Interim Executive Director Bracken made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher J. Markham and Kristen A. Kearney of Levy’s Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – Two men have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston in connection with a traffic stop in Littleton on March 29, 2023, that resulted in the seizure of 20 kilograms of cocaine. 

Cornelio Hernandez, 51, of Fort Worth, Texas; and Erasmo Lira-Mendez, 38, a citizen of Mexico, have been indicted on one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and one count of possession with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine. Hernandez and Lira-Mendez were arrested on March 29, 2023, on related state charges. The defendants were detained following an initial appearance in federal court in Worcester today before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge David H. Hennessy.

According to court documents, Hernandez and Lira-Mendez were arrested after a traffic stop in Littleton resulted in the seizure of 20 kilograms of cocaine from a duffle bag on the back seat of their car. The driver, Lira-Mendez, lacked a driver’s license. The passenger, Hernandez, also lacked a driver’s license and had a pending warrant for his arrest in Texas.

The charges of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances (involving 5 kilograms or more of cocaine) and possession with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine provide for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years incarceration and a maximum of life, at least five years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $10 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel R. Feldman of Levy’s Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.

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

BOSTON – In a 42 count third superseding indictment, 22 members and associates of the Boston-based Cameron Street gang have been charged with various crimes including racketeering (RICO) conspiracy, gun and drug trafficking, illegal possession of firearms, and possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking. 

According to court documents, the Cameron Street gang is a violent criminal enterprise whose members and associates are involved in a variety of criminal activities – including murders, attempted murders, armed robberies, carjackings, home invasions, human trafficking, as well as drug and firearms trafficking, among other offenses – in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston and surrounding areas. While the gang is primarily based in Boston, Cameron Street criminal activity has spanned other communities, including Brockton, Cambridge, Somerville, Quincy, Everett, Randolph, Taunton and elsewhere in Massachusetts.

It is alleged that Cameron Street members use violence against rival gangs and witnesses, typically with the use of firearms, to maintain and enhance their status and the overall reputation of the gang, as well as to protect the gang’s power, reputation and territory. Cameron Street members are allegedly responsible for assisting one another with obtaining and accessing firearms, forming and maintaining drug trafficking connections, resolving territorial disputes with rival gangs and providing safe havens for fellow members who are wanted by law enforcement. It is further alleged that Cameron Street gang members regularly post videos or use social media to promote Cameron Street, denigrate gang rivals and to celebrate murders and other violent crimes committed by the gang. To identify themselves as members of the gang, members obtain tattoos, use hand signs and wear jewelry and clothing involving the letters “C,” “A” and “M,” or numbers corresponding with the letters’ places in the alphabet, “3-1-1-3.” Members engage in drug trafficking activity and distributed kilograms of cocaine, cocaine base (crack cocaine), oxycodone and marijuana throughout Massachusetts. During the investigation, 21 firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition were allegedly seized from 11 of the defendants.

The third superseding indictment adds three Cameron Street members to the RICO conspiracy count: Takari Elliot, a/k/a “T-Paper”; Daronde Bethea, a/k/a “Freeze”; and Michael Nguyen, a/k/a “Asian.” The third superseding indictment alleges that, as part of the Cameron Street enterprise, Elliot was paid to commit the Oct. 13, 2020 murder of a gang rival in Brockton. It is further alleged that Cameron Street members committed previously uncharged attempted murders, including Eric Correia and Clayton Rodrigues’ attempted murder of a gang rival in Boston as well as the June 11, 2018 attempted murder of a gang rival in Boston by Betha and Anthony Centieo. Additionally, the indictment alleges that Bethea and Nguyen worked with Cameron Street associate Brendan Amado to commit a home invasion robbery of a Canton home in July 2018.

The charge of RICO conspiracy provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Because Elliot is alleged to have committed a murder during the Cameron Street enterprise, Elliot faces an increased penalty of life in prison on the RICO conspiracy count. The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm and/or ammunition provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime provides a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to life in prison, up to five of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charges of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine or 50 grams or more of methamphetamine provide for a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years in prison, up to 40 years in prison, supervised release of at least 4 years, and a fine of up to $5 million. The charges of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances each provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $1 million. The charge of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by threat or violence provides for a sentence of up to 20 years, a fine of up to $250,000, and supervised release for three years. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

This operation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Michael J. Krol, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police; Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office; Suffolk, Plymouth, Norfolk and Bristol County District Attorney’s Offices; and the Canton, Quincy, Randolph, Somerville, Brockton, Malden, Stoughton, Rehoboth and Pawtucket (R.I.) Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Pohl and Alathea E. Porter of Levy’s Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.

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

###

APPENDIX

1.    Kenny Romero, a/k/a “KG,” 28, charged with RICO conspiracy, felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, distribution of cocaine base and cocaine; 2.    Anthony Centeio, a/k/a “Wheezy,” a/k/a “Taliban Wheeze,” 33, charged with RICO conspiracy, felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine; 3.    Felisberto Lopes, a/k/a “Phil,” a/k/a “CheeB,” 36, charged with RICO conspiracy, felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, possession of 500 grams or more of cocaine with intent to distribute; 4.    Keiarri Dyette, a/k/a “Kemo,” 24, charged with RICO conspiracy, dealing in firearms without a license, and conspiracy to distribute cocaine; 5.    Eric Correia, a/k/a “Bubba,” 24, charged with RICO conspiracy and distribution of marijuana; 6.    Paulo Santos, a/k/a “Bucky,” 33, charged with RICO conspiracy, possession of 500 grams or more of cocaine with intent to distribute, felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking offense; 7.    Devante Lopes, a/k/a “D-Lopes,” 27, charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute marijuana, and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine; 8.    Charod Taylor, a/k/a “Pachino,” 33, charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute cocaine base and cocaine; 9.    Jose Afonseca, a/k/a “Zay,” 30, charged with RICO conspiracy, dealing in firearms without a license, and conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine; 10.    James Rodrigues, a/k/a “Bummy,” 32, charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute cocaine base; 11.    Jonathan Darosa, a/k/a “Jeezy,” 29, charged with RICO conspiracy, felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and distribution of cocaine and oxycodon; 12.    Clayton Rodrigues, a/k/a “Loo,” a/k/a “C-Loo,” 26, charged with RICO conspiracy and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number; 13.    Wilter Rodrigues, a/k/a “Walt,” a/k/a “Wo-Wo,” 35, charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine base; 14.    Michael Lopes, a/k/a “Meech,” 34, charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine base and cocaine; 15.    Victor Nunez, a/k/a “Tito,” 41, charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine base and cocaine; 16.    FNU LNU, a/k/a “Smoke,” charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine base and cocaine; 17.    Jamaal Davis, a/k/a “Marley,” 29, charged with distribution of cocaine and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking offense; 18.    Michael Nguyen, a/k/a “Asian,” 22, charged with RICO conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking offense;  19.    Steve Depina, a/k/a “Stizz,” 35, charged with felon in possession of a firearm and distribution of cocaine base and cocaine; 20.    Daronde Bethea, a/k/a “Freeze,” 30, charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to interfere with commerce by threat or violence, and being a felon in possession of a firearm;  21.    Takari Elliot, a/k/a “T-Paper,” 31, charged with RICO conspiracy; and
22.    Brendon Amado, 27, charged with conspiracy to interfere with commerce by threat or violence.

BOSTON – A Harwich man has been arrested on child pornography offenses.

Jonathan Fleischmann, 35, was charged with one count of possession of child pornography. Fleischmann was arrested on May 16, 2023 and remains federal custody following a detention hearing today before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge David H. Hennessey. 

According to the charging documents, Fleischmann’s co-workers reported to law enforcement that, between March 17 and March 18, 2023, Fleischmann’s cellphone was allegedly observed downloading suspected child pornography media files while his phone was left open and charging on a counter at their workplace. During a subsequent search of Fleischmann’s cellphone allegedly identified approximately 255 image files and 55 video files that contained suspected child pornography.   

Fleischmann is currently facing separate state charges in Barnstable Superior Court for allegedly invading a Yarmouth home and forcibly taking a 16-year-old female at gunpoint into her house as she arrived home from school in 2020. 

Fleishmann is a Level 3 sex offender due to prior convictions in Barnstable District Court of Indecent Assault and Battery on a Child Under 14 in 2006 and Open and Gross Lewdness in 2017.

Members of the public who have questions, concerns or information regarding this case should call 617-748-3274.

The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to 20 years in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Michael J. Krol, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke A. Goldworm of Levy’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

BOSTON – A Methuen man pleaded guilty on May 18, 2023 in federal court in Boston to using stolen identities to fraudulently obtain Economic Injury Disaster Loan funds from the Small Business Administration (SBA) and to launder the funds. 
 
Ramon Joseph Cruz, Jr., 27, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and four counts of wire fraud and aiding and abetting. U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns scheduled sentencing for Aug. 20, 2023. Cruz was arrested and charged by criminal complaint in December 2020 along with alleged co-conspirator Darwyn Joseph. The defendants were subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2021.  

According to the charging documents, the defendants were involved in a conspiracy to use stolen identity information of United States citizens to apply for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans. Specifically, Cruz and, allegedly, Joseph used stolen identity information of U.S. citizens to open fraudulent bank accounts which were then linked to other fraudulent bank accounts set up to receive the SBA funds. Cruz and, allegedly, Joseph also received some of the debit cards associated with fraudulent bank accounts into which SBA funds were deposited, and then laundered those funds by using them to purchase large numbers of iPhones for re-sale. Cruz and, allegedly, Joseph also wired a portion of the funds to the Dominican Republic in furtherance of the scheme.
 
Over $452,000 in SBA funds were fraudulently obtained in connection with this scheme. Approximately $250,000 of this money was used allegedly to purchase iPhones in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
 
The charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
 
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Michael J. Krol, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elianna Nuzum and Adam Deitch of Levy’s Criminal Division are prosecuting the case. 

On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus. 
 
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form. 

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

BOSTON – A former naval police officer at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in New Hampshire was sentenced on May 18, 2023 in federal court in Boston for making threatening communications to his ex-wife and her mother in Iowa.

Luis De Leon, 30, of Middleton, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young to 18 months in prison and three years of supervised release. On March 8, 2023, De Leon pleaded guilty to three counts of making threats in interstate commerce. 

On or about April 30, 2022, De Leon made a threatening phone call to his ex-wife in Iowa from a mobile telephone belonging to another individual. Specifically, during the call, De Leon made several threatening statements including, “You’re gonna f****** pay! Do you understand!? There will be death! There will be war in the street! You wanna to go war!? I’ll take you to f****** war!”

Between May and June 2022, De Leon sent two letters containing threats to his ex-wife’s mother in Iowa. In the letters, De Leon wrote, among other things, “I’ll be heading over there soon […] God help you and your dysfunctional family if you try and stop me. I won’t be alone either just so you know and that’s for your safety NOT MINE!!! […] If you don’t believe me just look where I’m sending this from. I don’t really have much else to lose, and do you know what men with nothing left to lose usually do?”

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy H. Kistner of Levy’s National Security Unit prosecuted the case. 

BOSTON – Rachael S. Rollins resigned today as United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts. In accordance with the Federal Vacancies Reform Act, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy has assumed the role of Acting U.S. Attorney.  

Mr. Levy joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office with over 25 years of legal experience and has served as First Assistant United States Attorney since January 2022. Mr. Levy was an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts, from 1997 to 2004, serving in the Criminal Division’s Economic Crimes Unit. There, he prosecuted a wide range of white-collar crimes including health care fraud, securities and investor fraud, terrorism financing and environmental crimes.

BOSTON – Earlier today, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, the Boston Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the National Park Service held a ceremony to mark the return of the late-19th century marksmanship medals that went missing from the Springfield Armory, a national historic site located in Springfield, Mass., in the 1990s. 

“The medals you see before you are a part of Massachusetts history that should be preserved for the benefit of the public. Today, we return the 24 marksmanship medals that were unlawfully removed from the Springfield Armory many years ago,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “This recovery would not have been possible without the efforts between the FBI, the National Park Service, and my office’s Asset Recovery Unit – whose collaboration is an example of our commitment toward the protection and preservation of our Commonwealth’s history. We are proud to say that these artifacts have returned to their rightful home.”

“As we return these treasured medals, we do so with the purpose of preserving history. Their absence represented not just a physical and financial loss, but a loss to every visitor who missed out on viewing these significant pieces of military history, and our nation’s heritage. The FBI is honored to be able to return them to their rightful owner,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “Combating the theft and sale of stolen historical property is a top priority of the FBI’s art crime team, and we’re grateful for the partnerships in this case that allowed us to recover, protect, and preserve these historic artifacts.”

“Thanks to the efforts of federal law enforcement officers the National Park Service is happy to have these medals returned to their rightful owners, the American people,” said Kirsten Talken-Spaulding, Deputy Regional Director of the National Park Service. “These medals are returned to Springfield Armory, where federal employees have the expertise to preserve them for future generations to appreciate.” 

 The medals were awarded to Milan Bull and Freeman Bull, members of the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia in the late 1800s. The daughter and niece of Freeman Bull and Milan Bull donated the medals to the Springfield Armory in 1944. 

In October 2021, a collector contacted Curator Alex MacKenzie at the Springfield Armory inquiring about the marksmanship medals. Based on the information provided by the collector, the Springfield Armory was able to determine that numerous items matching the collector’s items were missing from the Armory’s collection since the 1990s. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation subsequently seized the medals. It is a violation of federal law to embezzle, steal, purloin, or knowingly convert, or, without authority, to sell, convey or dispose of government property. 

In July 2022, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts filed a civil forfeiture action against the medals. A civil forfeiture action allows third parties to assert claims to property, which must be resolved before the property can be forfeited to the United States and returned to victims. After the conclusion of the forfeiture case, the Department of Justice granted the National Park Service’s petition for remission to return the medals. 

U.S. Attorney Rollins, FBI SAC Bonavolonta and NPS Deputy Regional Director Talken-Spauling made the announcement today. The civil forfeiture action was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carol E. Head, Chief of Rollins’ Asset Recovery Unit. 

ABOUT THE PARK: Springfield Armory National Historic Site is the location of the nation’s first armory (1794 – 1968) and was established by George Washington. The site includes historic grounds, buildings, and the world’s largest historic American military firearms collection. For updates and further information call 413-734-8551, check the website at https://www.nps.gov/spar/index.htm  or go to https://www.facebook.com/SPARNHS/.                   

BOSTON – A Swampscott man was arrested and charged today for allegedly making fraudulent claims of persecution to become a United States refugee and, later, a United States citizen. 

Kemal Mrndzic, 50, was charged with falsifying, concealing, and covering up a material fact from the U.S. government by trick, scheme, or device; using a fraudulently obtained U.S. passport; and possessing and using a fraudulently obtained naturalization certificate and fraudulently obtained Social Security card. Mrndzic was arrested this morning and, following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston this afternoon before Chief Magistrate Judge M. Page Kelley, was released on a $30,000 cash bond. 

According to the complaint affidavit, Mrndzic served as a supervisor of the guards at a notorious prison camp in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the sectarian war which fractured the country in the 1990s. The United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) found that guards at the Celebici prison camp had committed numerous murders, rapes, and had engaged in torture and other forms of persecution of Serb prisoners held at the camp. Three of Mrndzic’s fellow guards were convicted by the ICTY after a trial in the Hague at which survivors testified to the harrowing prison camp conditions. According to the complaint, numerous survivors have since identified Mrndzic as being involved in the beatings and other abuses committed there. 

According to court documents, after the war ended, investigators from the ICTY interviewed Mrndzic in Sarajevo and allegedly accused him of being involved in the abuses at Celebici. Mrndzic subsequently concocted a scheme to flee the country by crossing the border into Croatia and allegedly applying as a refugee to the United States using a fabricated story. It is alleged that in his refugee application and interview, he falsely claimed that he fled his home after he was captured, interrogated and abused by Serb forces, and could not return home for fear of future persecution. He was admitted to the U.S. as a refugee in 1999, and ultimately became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2009.     
 
Celebici Camp survivors and family members who have information about the operation of the Camp, or have questions regarding this matter, should call the U.S. Attorney’s Office at 888-221-6023 or send an email to: [email protected]. Please indicate if you would prefer to be contacted in English or Serbo-Croatian.

Bivši logoraši koji su bili u logoru u Čelebićima ili članovi njihovih porodica koji imaju informacije o logoru ili pitanje o ovom predmetu, mogu nazvati Jedinice za pomoć žrtаva kod kancelarije federalnog tužioca tel. 888-221-6023 ili putem e-mailom:  [email protected]. Molim obavjestite nas ako želite da mi vas kontaktiramo na engleskom ili na srpskom-hrvatskom-bosanskom jeziku.

Бивши логораши који су били у логору Челебићима или чланови њихових породица који имају информације о логору или питање о овом предмету, могу назвати Јединице за помоћ жртава код канцеларије федералног тужиоца тел. 888-221-6023 или путем е-маилом: [email protected].  Молим обавјестите нас ако желите да ми вас контактирамо на енгелеском или на српском-хрватском босанском језику.

The use of a fraudulently obtained passport and fraudulently obtained naturalization certificate charges each provide for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. On each of the two remaining charges, the maximum sentence under the statutes is five years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

The ICTY judgment which provides a detailed recitation of crimes committed at Celebici can be found here.  

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Michael J. Krol, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; Sharon B. MacDermott, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Boston Field Office; and Jonathan Davidson, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. This matter was investigated with the assistance of the United States Interagency Human Rights Violators & War Crimes Center. The Swampscott Police Department also provided important assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John T. McNeil and Jason A. Casey of Rollins’ National Security Unit are prosecuting the case.

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

A Massachusetts man was arrested on May 9 for allegedly acting as an agent of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) without providing notification to the U.S. Attorney General.

Litang Liang, 63, of Brighton, was indicted on one count of acting as an agent of a foreign government without providing notification to the U.S. Attorney General and one count of conspiracy to act as an agent of a foreign government without providing notification to the U.S. Attorney General.

“We will not tolerate the PRC’s efforts to interfere with public discourse and threaten civic participation in the United States,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “This case demonstrates, once again, the lengths that the PRC government, including its Ministry of Public Security, will go to target people in the U.S. who exercise their rights to speak out against the PRC.”

“The Department of Justice will protect these individual rights and protect our country against those who seek to unlawfully act on behalf of foreign governments while within our borders,” said U.S. Attorney Rachael S. Rollins for the District of Massachusetts. “We allege that Mr. Liang engaged in a series of acts on behalf of the PRC government including providing information on Boston-area residents, organizations and dissidents to PRC government officials – potentially placing people at risk here in Massachusetts and abroad. Attempts to repress constitutionally protected rights here in the United States will never be tolerated. Anyone who infringes upon those rights on American soil will be identified and held to account.”

“The United States requires agents of foreign countries to register with our government, and for good reason – in such cases, those agents often act against the interests of the United States,” said Assistant Director Suzanne Turner of the FBI Counterintelligence Division. “The FBI is not going to stand by and allow undeclared agents of the People’s Republic of China to operate in our country unchecked. We will continue to steadfastly enforce the law of the land, uncovering these efforts and holding accountable all those who work with foreign governments to violate our laws.”

According to the charging documents, from in or around 2018 through at least 2022, Liang acted within the United States as an agent of the PRC government by allegedly providing PRC government officials with information on Boston-area individuals and organizations; organizing a counter-protest against pro-democracy dissidents; providing photographs of and information about dissidents to PRC government officials; and providing the names of potential recruits to the PRC’s Ministry of Public Security. At no point did Liang notify the U.S. Attorney General that he was acting as a PRC government agent.

Specifically, beginning in or around 2018, Liang allegedly provided information about Chinese individuals and organizations in the Boston area to PRC government officials – including PRC officials formerly in the United States, the Ministry of Public Security, and the United Front Work Department, an entity which reports directly to the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and works to further the CCP’s goals.

It is alleged that Liang provided PRC government officials with information regarding members and leaders of Boston-area, Chinese family associations and community organizations with pro-Taiwan leanings. Additionally, it is alleged that Liang sent information regarding anti-PRC dissidents to PRC officials including: identification of an individual he accused of having “sabotaged” PRC flags in Boston’s Chinatown in October 2018; video of a dissident attending the “Boston Stands with Hong Kong” march in August 2019; and photographs of anti-PRC dissidents in front of the Boston Public Library in September 2019.

The charge of acting as an agent of a foreign government without providing notification to the U.S. Attorney General provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of conspiracy to act as an agent of a foreign government without providing notification to the U.S. Attorney General provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years 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 statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy H. Kistner for the District of Massachusetts is prosecuting the case. Valuable assistance was provided by Trial Attorney Elizabeth Abraham of the Justice Department’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.

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

BOSTON – A Massachusetts dentist was sentenced today for embezzling over $1.2 million from his employer and fraudulently obtaining government benefits in his employer’s name. 

Jack Massarsky, 65, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to two years in prison and three years of supervised release. Massarsky also paid more than $1.2 million in restitution prior to sentencing. On Jan. 25, 2023, Massarsky pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud and one count of wire fraud. 

Between 2015 and 2021, Massarsky worked as a dentist and bookkeeper for a general dentistry practice in Massachusetts. In 2015, Massarsky opened a secret bank account in the name of the dentistry practice. Massarsky then intercepted insurance reimbursement checks sent to the dentistry practice in the mail and deposited those checks in the secret bank account. He continued this practice for over five years and embezzled over $1.2 million. Massarsky used the stolen funds for personal and family expenses.

Additionally, Massarsky used the dentistry practice’s name to defraud the United States. In July 2020, he submitted a fraudulent application to the Health Resources and Services Administration Provider Relief Fund (HRSA PRF) in the name of the dentistry practice. The HRSA is an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services that provides health care to people who are geographically isolated or otherwise vulnerable. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the HRSA PRF provided economic assistance to qualifying healthcare providers, including certain dentistry practices. By submitting the fraudulent application to the HRSA PRF, Massarsky obtained over $52,000 in pandemic relief funds that were deposited in the secret bank account Massarsky had opened in the name of his employer.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance in the investigation was provided by the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Markham of Rollins’ Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A Guatemalan man residing in Framingham has been sentenced in federal court in Boston for illegally reentering the United States after deportation.

Carmen Jimenez-Cruz, 42, was sentenced on May 11, 2023 by U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley to one year and one day in prison followed by one year of supervised release. Jimenez-Cruz will be subject to deportation proceedings upon completion of his sentence. On Jan. 24, 2023, Jimenez-Cruz pleaded guilty to illegal reentry.

In May 2013, Jimenez-Cruz was encountered by federal immigration authorities after he illegally crossed the Mexican border into Texas without being admitted by an immigration officer. He was removed from the United States in June 2013. One month after his removal, Jimenez-Cruz illegally reentered the United States and, in July 2013, he was again encountered by federal immigration authorities in Texas after having entered the United States without inspection. He was removed from the United States shortly thereafter in July 2013. 

On an unknown date and place, Jimenez-Cruz illegally reentered the United States again. In April 2019, federal immigration authorities located Jimenez-Cruz at the Middlesex County House of Correction where he was being held pretrial on unrelated state charges. According to court records, in May 2022, Jimenez-Cruz was convicted of strangulation/suffocation and assault and battery on a family/household member and was sentenced to an 11-month split sentence followed by probation until May 2023. Upon completion of his sentence, Jimenez-Cruz was released from state prison. 

Jimenez-Cruz was later located in September 2022 after being identified as a passenger during a motor vehicle stop in Framingham. Jimenez-Cruz was taken into custody and fingerprints obtained during his booking process were confirmed as an identical match to a prior removal verification document. 
  
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Todd Lyons, Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations; and Framingham Police Chief Lester Baker made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of Rollins’ Major Crimes Unit is prosecuted the case. 

BOSTON – A Massachusetts man was arrested on May 9 for allegedly acting as an agent of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) without providing notification to the U.S. Attorney General.

Litang Liang, 63, of Brighton, was indicted on one count of acting as an agent of a foreign government without providing notification to the U.S. Attorney General and one count of conspiracy to act as an agent of a foreign government without providing notification to the U.S. Attorney General.

According to the charging documents, from in or around 2018 through at least 2022, Liang acted within the United States as an agent of the PRC government by allegedly providing PRC government officials with information on Boston-area individuals and organizations; organizing a counter-protest against pro-democracy dissidents; providing photographs of and information about dissidents to PRC government officials; and providing the names of potential recruits to the PRC’s Ministry of Public Security. At no point did Liang notify the U.S. Attorney General that he was acting as a PRC government agent.

Specifically, beginning in or around 2018, Liang allegedly provided information about Chinese individuals and organizations in the Boston area to PRC government officials – including PRC officials formerly in the United States, the Ministry of Public Security, and the United Front Work Department, an entity which reports directly to the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and works to further the CCP’s goals.

It is alleged that Liang provided PRC government officials with information regarding members and leaders of Boston-area, Chinese family associations and community organizations with pro-Taiwan leanings. Additionally, it is alleged that Liang sent information regarding anti-PRC dissidents to PRC officials including: identification of an individual he accused of having “sabotaged” PRC flags in Boston’s Chinatown in October 2018; video of a dissident attending the “Boston Stands with Hong Kong” march in August 2019; and photographs of anti-PRC dissidents in front of the Boston Public Library in September 2019.

The charge of acting as an agent of a foreign government without providing notification to the U.S. Attorney General provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of conspiracy to act as an agent of a foreign government without providing notification to the U.S. Attorney General provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years 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 statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division; Assistant Director Suzanne Turner of the FBI Counterintelligence Division; and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy H. Kistner for the District of Massachusetts is prosecuting the case. Valuable assistance was provided by Trial Attorney Elizabeth Abraham of the Justice Department’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.

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

BOSTON – A former Boston woman who was sentenced to federal prison in 2021 has been arrested for allegedly failing to surrender to serve her sentence.

Yris Sanchez, 51, was indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2022 for failing to appear to serve a federal sentence and was arrested in Laredo, Texas on March 18, 2023. Following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston today, Sanchez was held pending further court proceedings on this charge and until she serves her prior sentence.   

According to court documents, Sanchez used the name and Social Security number of a U.S. citizen to apply for and use various U.S. passports and at least one Massachusetts Real ID driver’s license. Sanchez also used this person’s identifiers to apply for and use accounts with various banks, including Citizens Bank and Santander. In addition, Sanchez also used a different identity to obtain another U.S. Passport. Sanchez has previously been arrested under multiple identities.

In May 2020, Sanchez was convicted of misusing a passport and was sentenced to 15 months of prison. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sanchez requested release on conditions and to self-report to serve her sentence. The Court granted this request and released Sanchez on an appearance bond. It is alleged that, following several extensions of her self-report date, Sanchez failed to surrender to the Bureau of Prisons in June 2021 to serve her sentence. In July 2021, the Court forfeited Sanchez’s secured appearance bond and entered a further default judgment of $47,500 against Sanchez.

The charge of failure to surrender provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Any sentence on this charge will be served consecutively to the sentence imposed on her prior case. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Brian Kyes, U.S. Marshal for the District of Massachusetts; and Jonathan Davidson, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney William F. Abely, Chief of Rollins’ Criminal Division, is prosecuting the case.

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

BOSTON – A Concord man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for defrauding an investor of $72,000.

Eric Lyons, 52, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley to six months of home confinement and 100 hours of community service. Lyons was also ordered to pay $72,000 in restitution and placed on probation for two years during which he is prohibited from working as an investment advisor. On Nov. 2, 2022, Lyons pleaded guilty to one count of investment advisor fraud.

Between 2015 and 2017, Lyons participated in the operation of multiple investment funds, including the Synchrony Value Fund LP. Lyons defrauded an investor by allowing for the distribution of that investor’s gains, as well as a portion of their underlying investment, to other investors. The defrauded investor eventually liquidated their position in the fund, receiving approximately $72,000 less than the amount to which they were entitled. 

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Boston Division made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Markham of Rollins’ Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case. 

BOSTON – Two Massachusetts individuals have been arrested and charged in connection with the armed robberies of United States Postal Service (USPS) letter carriers that took place on Nov. 29, 2022 in Mattapan, Mass., and Dec. 16, 2022 in Hyde Park, Mass.

Myesha Lewis, 22, of Boston, and Kenneth Demosthene, 22, of Stoughton, were charged with two counts each of robbery of any person having lawful charge, control, or custody of any mail matter or of any money or other property of the United States, aiding and abetting; two counts each of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers or employees, aiding and abetting. Following an initial appearance today in federal court in Boston, the defendants were released on special conditions.

According to the charging documents, USPS has seen a rise in the use of arrow keys to facilitate the theft of U.S. Mail. An arrow key is a specific key designed to open designated blue USPS collection boxes in a specific area. These arrow keys are the property of USPS and it is a federal offense for an unauthorized person to possess one. Since July 2022, there have been at least 13 assaults on USPS letter carriers while in the performance of their official duties in Boston and surrounding cities and towns. These incidents included the attempted or successful robbery of USPS arrow keys from letter carriers in at least 10 instances. Additionally, of these 10, six of the robberies were instances where the perpetrators were reportedly armed with a knife, firearm, or both.

On Nov. 29, 2022, in Mattapan, it is alleged that Demosthene and Lewis followed and then forcibly robbed a USPS letter carrier of an arrow key. Demosthene allegedly approached the letter carrier and said, “I’m going to need your master key,” before reaching into the letter carrier’s mail satchel and grabbing the arrow key. The key was secured around the letter carrier’s belt with a brass chain. It is alleged that the force used to physically break the brass chain caused the letter carrier to be pulled off the front steps. Demosthene and Lewis allegedly fled the scene in a rental vehicle. 

It is further alleged that, on Dec. 16, 2022 in Hyde Park, Demosthene and Lewis followed and then robbed another USPS letter carrier of an arrow key at knife point. Demosthene allegedly approached the USPS letter carrier and said, “Give me your f****** arrow key.” It is alleged that the letter carrier put their hands in the air as the defendants attempted to remove the arrow key, at first by force pulling at the chain. Demosthene and Lewis then allegedly attempted to cut it with the knife, eventually breaking it loose, and fled the scene on foot.  

The charges of robbery of any person having lawful charge, control, or custody of any mail matter or of any money or other property of the United States each provide for a sentence of up to 25 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charges of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers or employees each provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least 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 statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Darnell Edwards, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Postal Service, Office of the Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke A. Goldworm of Rollins’ Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

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

BOSTON – A Springfield woman was sentenced today in federal court in Springfield for reselling stolen goods on eBay and money laundering. 

Mimi Mai, 50, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to 18 months in prison and two years of supervised release. Mai was also ordered to pay $3,472 in restitution and to forfeit $1.5 million to the United States. On Dec. 20, 2022, Mai pleaded guilty to one count of interstate transportation of stolen goods, four counts of money laundering, and two counts of engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity. 

Mai owned and operated a pawn shop in Holyoke, Mass., called EZ Exchange. Mai purchased stolen goods from people she knew had stolen the items and resold them on eBay at a price well above what she had paid the sellers. The stolen goods included a variety of household goods, including power tools, electronic devices, sunglasses, and beauty and personal care products. Between 2018 and 2021, Mai earned more than $2.1 million from the sale of items she had listed for sale as “new” on eBay. Mai then used her eBay earnings to buy property in Florida. 

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston; and Holyoke Police Chief David Pratt made the announcement today. Assistance was provided by the Springfield Police Department, New England State Police Information Network and investigators from Home Depot, CVS, Target and Stop & Shop. Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine G. Curley of Rollins’ Springfield Branch Office prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A New Bedford man pleaded guilty today to his role in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) operating in Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Jason Cruz, 42, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs scheduled sentencing for July 25, 2023. Cruz was indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2022 and has remained in custody since.   

Between approximately April 2022 and approximately June 2022, Cruz purchased fentanyl from the DTO that he then redistributed to others. Intercepted communications depicted Cruz discussing purchasing fentanyl from the DTO. In addition, surveillance footage showed other members of the DTO visiting the Cruz’s residence for brief periods of times, which is consistent with illegal drug trafficking.  

The charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least 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 statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; New Bedford Police Chief Paul Oliveira; and Fairhaven Police Chief Michael J. Myers made the announcement today. Special assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police; Homeland Security Investigations; Bristol County Sherriff’s Office; and Fall River, Taunton, Attleboro, Scituate, Yarmouth, Providence (R.I.) and West Warwick (R.I.) Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Mulcahy of Rollins’ Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

BOSTON – A Florida man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for his role in a scheme to steal thousands of customers’ debit and credit card account numbers and other personally identifying information via a network of electronic equipment clandestinely installed at gas stations across New England.
 
Luis Angel Naranjo Rodriguez, 32, of Hialeah, Fla., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to five years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. Naranjo Rodriguez was also ordered to pay $21,267 in restitution to victims of the scheme. On Jan. 18, 2023, Naranjo Rodriguez pleaded guilty to eight counts of wire fraud, four counts of bank fraud, four counts of aggravated identity theft, one count of possessing 15 or more counterfeit or unauthorized access devices (the debit and credit card account numbers) and one count of possessing device-making equipment (the card skimming devices).  
 
Naranjo Rodriguez secretly and unlawfully installed card skimming devices in gas pumps in Massachusetts gas stations and in other New England states. The devices were programmed to send Naranjo Rodriguez’s mobile phone a text message with stolen account information after customers had used their debit or credit cards to purchase gas at the compromised fuel pumps. Card skimming devices linked to Naranjo Rodriguez’s mobile phone were traced to at least 11 different gas stations located in Lynnfield, Concord, Malden, Taunton, Randolph and Raynham; Portland, Maine; Nashua, N.H.; and Willington, Conn.
 
Between April 2019 until November 2019, Naranjo Rodriguez traveled frequently from Florida to Massachusetts to maintain this network of card skimmers. During the course of the scheme, Naranjo Rodriguez’s mobile phone received at least 4,878 text messages containing stolen debit and credit card account numbers. Many of these text messages also included the account holders’ names and Personal Identification Numbers (PINs).   
 
Naranjo Rodriguez cloned the account information belonging to the unwitting victims onto gift cards and other prepaid cards in order to steal money from them, typically by using the cloned cards to make ATM withdrawals, to purchase expensive consumer goods that could be resold in secondary markets, and to request cash back on debit card transactions. On Nov. 16, 2019, security cameras at a Framingham gas station and CVS captured Naranjo Rodriguez using four cloned cards to withdraw money from victims’ bank accounts at ATMs. Naranjo Rodriguez was arrested the same night at the Concord Rotary Gulf gas station, where he was tampering with a fuel pump after the gas station had closed. In Naranjo Rodriguez’s car, the four cloned cards from the ATM withdrawals earlier that night were found, along with fuel pump keys, black latex gloves, four card skimming devices, and the mobile phone that was receiving the text messages with the stolen credit and debit card account numbers.
 
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Andrew Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service, Boston Field Office made the announcement. Special assistance was provided by the Concord, Lunenburg and Raynham Police Departments in Massachusetts, Nashua (N.H.) Police Department and the Portland (Maine) Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred M. Wyshak, III of Rollins’ Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – An Everett man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for committing the February 2021 armed bank of a TD Bank branch in Allston.

Jamaine Howell, 36, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to nine years in prison and five years of supervised release. On Jan. 5, 2023, Howell pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery and one count of using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a crime of violence. 

On Feb. 7, 2021, Howell entered a branch of TD Bank on Commonwealth Avenue in Allston and handed a demand note and a plastic bag to the teller. Howell threatened the teller and stated that he had a gun. Howell then threatened two bank customers and displayed a firearm. After taking the plastic bag –containing approximately $5,900 – from the teller, Howell instructed one of the customers to leave the bank with him. After walking about a block with Howell, the customer managed to flee while Howell was distracted. At the time, Howell was on probation for previous armed robbery convictions. 

Later that week, police received a report that Howell brandished a firearm at a guest at a hotel in Sharon. On Feb. 16, 2021, Howell was arrested and found armed with a loaded .45 caliber Ruger handgun. A loaded semi-automatic shotgun was also found in a vehicle that had previously been rented to Howell.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. The Boston, Sharon and Lynn Police Departments provided valuable assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Dell’Anno of Rollins’ Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A Providence man pleaded guilty yesterday to his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy that distributed fentanyl across Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Yeury Francisco Garcia-Rodriguez, 32, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs scheduled sentencing for Aug. 8, 2023. Garcia-Rodriguez was originally indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2022.  

According to court documents, Garcia-Rodriguez was a member of a drug trafficking organization operating in Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island before he was arrested. Specifically, on four occasions between March 2021 and May 2021, Garcia-Rodriguez delivered fentanyl to a federal co-operating source – with quantities ranging between approximately 49 grams to 127 grams of fentanyl. During a search of Garcia-Rodriguez’s residence on July 19, 2022, approximately 35 grams of fentanyl was recovered.  

The charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years and up to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; New Bedford Police Chief Paul Oliveira; and Fairhaven Police Chief Michael J. Myers made the announcement today. Special assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police; Homeland Security Investigations; Bristol County Sherriff’s Office; and Fall River, Taunton, Attleboro, Scituate, Yarmouth, Providence (R.I.) and West Warwick (R.I.) Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Mulcahy of Rollins’ Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

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

BOSTON – A New York woman was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for trafficking five kilograms of fentanyl from New York City.

Shanese DeJesus, 25, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to 21 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In September 2022, DeJesus pleaded guilty to one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more fentanyl. 

In October 2021, DeJesus drove from the New York City area to a hotel parking lot in Andover to deliver approximately five kilograms of fentanyl to a cooperating source. Upon arriving in the parking lot, DeJesus retrieved a shopping bag from her trunk and entered the source’s vehicle. Inside the shopping bag were two UPS boxes that were addressed to DeJesus’ home in Brooklyn, N.Y. and contained a total of five kilograms of fentanyl.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; John E. Mawn Jr., Interim Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police; and Colonel Nathan Noyes, Director of the New Hampshire State Police made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Mulcahy of Rollins’ Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A New Bedford man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for evading more than $431,000 in federal income taxes over the course of seven years. 

Victor M. Cruz, 43, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel to time served (10 months in prison) followed by one year of supervised release. Cruz was also ordered to pay $431,835 in restitution to IRS. On Feb. 12, 2023, Cruz pleaded guilty to three counts of tax evasion. 

From 2015 through 2017, while earning between $183,000 and $212,000 in annual wages as a crewmember for various fishing vessels, Cruz failed to file federal tax returns on his income for any of the years. In addition, Cruz had previously failed to file federal income tax returns for tax years 2010 through 2014 while receiving an annual income of at least $150,000. Despite receiving at least two notices from the Internal Revenue Service directing him to file returns and pay delinquent taxes, Cruz failed to file any federal tax returns and took other measures to prevent authorities from tracing his income or determining his tax liabilities. In total, Cruz evaded paying more than $431,000 in federal taxes, not including delinquency penalties and interest.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Joleen D. Simpson, 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 Rollins’ Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case. 

UPDATE: On June 2, 2025, the First Circuit Court of Appeals reversed Dana Pullman's three wire fraud convictions and affirmed the other convictions. The case was remanded for resentencing.

UPDATE: On June 2, 2025, the First Circuit Court of Appeals reversed Anne Lynch's convictions for three counts of wire fraud, one count of obstruction of justice and one count of tax fraud and affirmed the other convictions. The case was remanded for resentencing.

BOSTON – The former President of the State Police Association of Massachusetts (SPAM) and the union’s former Massachusetts lobbyist were sentenced today in federal court in Boston for racketeering, fraud, obstruction of justice and tax crimes.

Dana A. Pullman, 60, of Worcester, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock to 30 months in prison, three years of supervised release and restitution. Anne M. Lynch, 71, of Hull, was sentenced by Judge Woodlock to two years in prison, two years of supervised release and restitution. Lynch was also ordered to pay a fine of $25,000.

In November 2022, Pullman and Lynch were convicted by a federal jury of one count of racketeering conspiracy, one count of honest services wire fraud, three counts of wire fraud, one count of obstruction of justice and one count of conspiracy to defraud the Internal Revenue Service. Pullman was also convicted of two additional counts of wire fraud and two counts of aiding and assisting the filing of a false tax return. Lynch was convicted of an additional count of obstruction of justice and four counts of aiding and assisting in the filing of a false tax return. 

“Members of law enforcement have a duty to protect and serve – placing the needs of the community and others first. Mr. Pullman and Ms. Lynch’s actions violate these very obligations. The racketeering organization that these two individuals ran deprived hard working union members of honest services and defrauded vendors seeking to do business with the Massachusetts State Police. For six years, Mr. Pullman and Ms. Lynch used the State Police Association of Massachusetts as a criminal enterprise for their own personal financial benefit,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “Mr. Pullman was elected to represent the members of his union and put their interests above everything else. He violated that trust when he and Ms. Lynch chose to pursue their own greedy and unlawful financial gain. Today’s sentences illustrate the criminality of both Mr. Pullman and Ms. Lynch’s conduct. My office will continue to ensure that those who put their own self interest above those they are bound to serve are held accountable. Trusting our law enforcement partners is imperative for public health and safety.”

“Former Massachusetts State Police Trooper and union boss Dana Pullman failed his department, his sworn oath, and taxpayers when he and lobbyist Anne Lynch joined forces to line their pockets with thousands of dollars in bribes and kickbacks. Today’s sentences demonstrate that no one is above the law, and highlights the FBI’s ongoing efforts to preserve public confidence in law enforcement,” said Joseph Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division.

“Dana Pullman and Anne Lynch conspired to enrich themselves on the backs of the brave law enforcement professionals who placed their trust in them. For nearly a decade, through a series of bribes and kickbacks, these defendants took advantage of their access and completely disregarded their responsibility to serve honestly and fairly. Today’s sentences affirm that this conduct will not be tolerated or go unpunished,” said Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of Internal Revenue Service- Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office.

SPAM is an association consisting of more than 1,500 Troopers and Sergeants from the Massachusetts State Police (MSP). SPAM acts as the exclusive bargaining agent between its members and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts regarding the terms and conditions of SPAM members’ employment. Pullman, who was an MSP trooper from 1987 to 2018, was the President of SPAM from 2012 until his resignation on Sept. 28, 2018. Lynch’s lobbying firm represented SPAM during the same time period, in exchange for monthly retainer payments. 

From at least 2012 until Pullman resigned as the President in September 2018, Pullman and Lynch turned SPAM into a racketeering enterprise, using Pullman’s position and power to defraud SPAM members, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and vendors looking to do business with the MSP. Among other things, Pullman and Lynch defrauded SPAM members and the Commonwealth of their right to honest services from Pullman when Lynch paid Pullman a $20,000 kickback in connection with a settlement agreement between SPAM and the Commonwealth. Pullman and Lynch defrauded two different companies that sought to do business with the MSP by hiding from the vendors the fact that Lynch was paying Pullman to direct vendors to use Lynch’s services. The defendants hid the payments from Lynch and her lobbying firm to Pullman in a manner designed to avoid reporting and paying taxes on that income to the IRS. Pullman and Lynch also attempted to obstruct the grand jury’s investigation of this matter by manipulating subpoenaed records, and Lynch attempted to obstruct the grand jury’s investigation by lying to investigators.  

Additionally, Pullman embezzled and misused SPAM funds for personal use by using a debit card tied to a SPAM bank account to pay for thousands of dollars of meals and travel for an individual with whom Pullman was having a romantic relationship.

U.S. Attorney Rollins, FBI SAC Bonavolonta and IRS SAC Simpson made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristina E. Barclay and Neil J. Gallagher Jr. of Rollins’ Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A Chelsea man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston in connection with selling five kilograms of fentanyl to an undercover agent after unlawfully reentering the United States after deportation. 

Luis Alberto German-Peguero, a/k/a “Alberto Chirry,” 32, was indicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, one count of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, and one count of illegal reentry of a deported alien. Peguero was previously charged by complaint and arrested by federal authorities on April 14, 2023. He has been in federal custody since his arrest and will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.
    
According to the charging documents, German-Peguero is a citizen of the Dominican Republic and, in November 2020, was removed from the United States following a state drug trafficking conviction out of Plymouth Superior Court, for which he served more than one year in prison.

It is alleged that, sometime after his removal, German-Peguero unlawfully reentered the United States. On March 22, 2023, German-Peguero allegedly sold five kilograms of fentanyl to an undercover agent in Peabody. German-Peguero was subsequently arrested in Newton on April 14, 2023 and determined to be unlawfully present in the United States. 
    
The charges of conspiracy and distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl after committing a prior serious drug felony provide for a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. The charge of illegal reentry provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison 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 statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen W. Hassink of Rollins’s Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.  

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

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

BOSTON – A Brockton man has been arrested in connection for allegedly lying that his United States passport had been lost in order to secure a replacement to enter the country, when actually it had been confiscated by prosecuting courts in Cabo Verde following his arrest for murder. 

Johnny Barros Brandao, 40, was charged with one count of passport fraud. Following an initial appearance yesterday before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Paul G. Levenson, Brandao was detained pending a hearing set for May 12, 2023. 

According to the charging documents, on March 27, 2014, in Cabo Verde, Brandao shot an individual in the head using a .45 caliber revolver, took one million and five hundred thousand Cape Verdean Escudo and then dumped the victim’s body on the side of a road. It is further alleged that on July 26, 2021, Brandao shot and killed another individual using a 9mm caliber firearm and threw the victim’s body over a cliff.

Brandao was arrested in Cabo Verde on these charges. On Dec. 12, 2022, after a period of pretrial detention, Brandao was released subject to supervision. The Cabo Verde court also ordered that Brandao not depart Cabo Verde – confiscating his Cabo Verdean national ID card as well as his United States and Cabo Verde passports. 

According to the charging documents, on Dec. 28, 2022, Brandao applied for a replacement United States passport at the U.S. Embassy in Dakar, Senegal. In the section of the form that directs the applicant to explain how his prior passport was lost or stolen, it is alleged that Brandao reported he had lost his passport while out to dinner on Dec. 25, 2022.

The charge of passport fraud provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Jonathan Davidson, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Protective Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan C. Cleary of Rollins’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

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

BOSTON – A Boston man pleaded guilty today to drug distribution offense involving fentanyl and a fentanyl analogue known as para-fluorofentanyl.

Melvin Cordero, 41, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and p-fluorofentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns scheduled sentencing for Aug. 30, 2023. 

On March 15, 2022, Cordero delivered 7,000 pills containing fentanyl and para-fluorofentanyl to an individual who was cooperating with federal law enforcement. The buy was part of a broader federal investigation into a drug-trafficking organization based in the Dominican Republic. Cordero delivered the pills to the cooperator in Boston’s South End. Cordero was arrested and charged in November 2022. Following Cordero’s arrest, law enforcement seized from him a machine used for manufacturing counterfeit pills that he had attempted to sell to an undercover officer. 
The charge of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and p-fluorofentanyl provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least 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 statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the DEA New York Field Office, the Boston Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel R. Feldman of Rollins’ Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.

BOSTON – A Leominster man and woman have been arrested and charged for allegedly conspiring to distribute large quantities of counterfeit Adderall pills containing methamphetamine. 

Chanhda Onesyvieng, 48, and Bonnie Bounkong Namsaly, 45, were charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, controlled substances. Following initial appearances in federal court in Worcester on May 1, 2023, Onesyvieng was ordered detained pending trial and Namsaly was released on conditions.  

According to the charging documents, in early April 2023, federal law enforcement received information that Onesyvieng was distributing significant quantities of counterfeit Adderall pills containing methamphetamine in Rhode Island using a phone subscribed under Namsaly’s name. On April 28, 2023, during a traffic stop of Onesyvieng and Namsaly in Worcester, it is alleged that approximately two kilograms of counterfeit Adderall pills containing methamphetamine and approximately 135 grams of cocaine were seized. It is further alleged that, during a subsequent search of the defendants’ residence in Leominster, approximately one kilogram of counterfeit Adderall pills containing methamphetamine, approximately one kilogram of cocaine, and approximately $60,000 in cash were seized.    

The charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, controlled substances provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and John. E. Mawn Jr., Interim Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Danial E. Bennett of Rollins’ Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.

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

BOSTON – A Wellesley man was sentenced in federal court in Boston for trafficking fentanyl, heroin and cocaine. 

Charialdi Tejeda-Lara, 25, was sentenced on May 4, 2023, by U.S. District Court Judge Judge Leo T. Sorokin to 54 months in prison and five years of supervised release. In November 2022, Tejeda-Lara pleaded guilty to three counts of possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, 400 or more grams of fentanyl and 100 or more grams of heroin. 

In May 2022, law enforcement opened an investigation into Tejeda-Lara’s distribution of fentanyl. During a search of his residence, approximately 5 kilograms of fentanyl, 327 grams of heroin and 46 grams of cocaine was seized.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Michael J. Krol, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; John E. Mawn, Colonel Massachusetts State Police; and Wellesley Police Chief Jack Pilecki made the announcement.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan D. O’Shea of Rollins’ Worcester Branch Office prosecuted the case.

This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

BOSTON – Three Essex County men have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston in connection with a drug conspiracy involving distribution of fentanyl, fentanyl analog and cocaine. 

Daniel Lopez-Gonzalez, 27, of Methuen; Erickson Castro Perez, 30, of Lawrence; and Gustavo Adolfo Reyes Gonzalez, 21, of Haverhill, have been indicted on one count each of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Castro Perez was also indicted on three additional counts: one count of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute para-fluorofentanyl; one count of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine; and one count of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. 

Reyes Gonzalez was arrested on May 4, 2023 and was released on conditions following an initial appearance in federal court in Worcester that day. Lopez-Gonzalez was arrested on state charges on Jan. 23, 2023 and remains in state custody. Castro Perez is in state custody on an unrelated matter. Lopez-Gonzalez and Castro Perez will appear in federal court in Worcester at a later date.

According to the charging document, between June 2022 and January 2023, Lopez-Gonzalez, Castro Perez and Reyes Gonzalez conspired to distribute controlled substances. Lopez-Gonzalez is allegedly responsible for distributing 400 grams of more of fentanyl and 100 grams or more of substances that are chemically analogous to fentanyl known as acetyl fentanyl and para-fluorofentanyl. It is further alleged that, on June 30, 2022, Castro Perez distributed para-fluorofentanyl in Haverhill; that on July 20, 2022, Castro Perez distributed fentanyl and cocaine in Haverhill; and that on Aug. 25, 2022, Castro Perez distributed fentanyl in Haverhill.

The charges of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, distribution of and possession with intent to distribute para-fluorofentanyl, distribution of and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, and distribution of and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million. The charge of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 100 grams or more of acetyl fentanyl, and 100 Grams or more of para-fluorofentanyl provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million.  Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel R. Feldman of Rollins’ Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.

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

BOSTON – A Stoughton man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to charges in connection with using the identifying information of another person to apply for a driver’s license and United States passport. 

Wilfrido Baez Villar, 49, pleaded guilty to one count of false representation of a Social Security number and one count of making a false statement in an application for a passport. U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young scheduled sentencing for Sept. 12, 2023.

In January 2019, Baez Villar falsely represented another individual’s Social Security number as his own on a renewal application for a Massachusetts driver’s license. Additionally, in December 2019, Baez Villar used the victim’s name, date of birth and Social Security number on an application for a U.S. passport.

The charge of false representation of a Social Security number provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of making a false statement in an application for a passport provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Sharon B. MacDermott, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Boston Field Office; Michael J. Krol, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; and Philip M. Coyne, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Regional Office, made the announcement. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Nagelberg and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mackenzie A. Queenin of Rollins’ Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.

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

BOSTON – A Nigerian man has been sentenced in federal court in Boston for his role in online fraud schemes.

Happy Chukwuma, 30, was sentenced on May 5, 2023 by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock to eight months in prison (time served). On April 10, 2023, Chukwuma pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud conspiracy. Chukwuma was indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2019. He was arrested and detained in the United Kingdom in September 2022 and extradited to the United States in March 2023.  

Between November 2015 and January 2019, Chukwuma and his co-conspirators participated in a variety of online fraud schemes, including “phishing” and romance scams. They exchanged victims’ personally identifiable information, including identification and financial documents, and engaged in financial transactions with that information. Several of the victims whose information was compromised were from Massachusetts.  

Phishing schemes mimic the appearance of legitimate websites to gather victims’ online credentials, including usernames, passwords, financial account information, social security numbers and other types of personal identifiable information. In romance scams, perpetrators generally create fictitious online personas to develop online romantic relationships with individuals in the United States, and then leverage those relationships to obtain money and property.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Mackenzie A. Queenin of Rollins’ Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and the United Kingdom’s Metropolitan Police National Extradition Unit provided critical assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of Chukwuma.

BOSTON – A former nurse was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for diverting opioids from two Boston-area hospitals.

Lisa Tarr, 33, of St. Petersburg, Fla., was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock to five years of probation, with the first year spent in home detention. In October 2022, Tarr pleaded guilty to four counts of unlawfully obtaining controlled substances by fraud, deception and subterfuge. 

In August 2018, Tarr was a Student Nurse working at a Boston-area hospital. Tarr admitted to investigators at the hospital that she had stolen and self-injected fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance, from the hospital. 

In 2020, while working for another Boston-area hospital, Tarr stole an infusion bag containing fentanyl that was being used to treat a patient. On another occasion in 2020, while still working at the second hospital, Tarr stole multiple syringes of hydromorphone, a Schedule II controlled substance, from a locked drug cabinet.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Fernando McMillan, Special Agent in Charge of the Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations, New York Field Office; and Robert H. Goldstein, MD, PhD, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly Begg Lawrence, Chief of Rollins’ Health Care Fraud Unit, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan Panich of Rollins’ Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – Each year, we set aside time to honor crime victims and recognize the work of those who serve and advocate for survivors. The 2023 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week theme—“Survivor Voices: Elevate. Engage. Effect Change.”—called upon communities to amplify the voices of survivors and commit to creating an environment where survivors have the confidence that they will be heard, believed and supported.
 
At the U.S. Attorney’s Office, we are committed to highlighting that theme in our work not just one week a year, but every day. We take a trauma-informed approach to our prosecution and enforcement work that centers the experience of survivors. We seek to elevate and engage survivors to lift their voices, inform policy and practice and effect change. We also stand firmly with families who have lost their loved ones to violent crime by seeking justice, amplifying their voices and ensuring that their loved ones will never be forgotten.

It is equally as important that we honor the resilience, courage and love of survivors and their families, who have suffered devastating loss. Some of these moments are well known. For example, as we recognized the 10th anniversary of the tragic events at and following the April 2013 Boston Marathon, we bore witness to the capacity of survivors to conquer the unimaginable. We publicly honored law enforcement, first responders and the medical community, while privately uplifting and acknowledging the bravery and strength of the hundreds of victims. Of course, there are countless other victims whose names are never forgotten, such as Philip McCloskey, Jonathan Rizzo and Robert Whitney; and the 19 known murder victims of James “Whitey” Bulger, just to name a few.

However, many acts of inspiration and strength are not as publicized or documented. I am moved, for example, by families like those of Jeremiah Hurley and Francis Foley, two Boston Police Officers who were killed and maimed, respectively, by a bomb when they responded to a call to investigate a suspicious device in 1991. These families not only endured the initial and continuing devastation and trauma caused by those responsible for the bombing, but also bravely weathered the challenges of the legal system as the case progressed through investigation, trial and the post-conviction process. Members of both families continue to serve as first responders – a testament to the enduring legacy of Officers Hurley and Foley.

Often, as time passes, attention shifts away from survivors. For us at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the victims and their families will always remain the center of our focus and the motivation for our work. As we recognize all crime victims, we recommit ourselves to ensuring that our approach and services to victims and survivors are meaningful, responsive and centered on their individual needs.

For assistance locating community based services for victims of crime, please see the U.S. Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime resource directory and the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance resource directory at https://ovc.ojp.gov/directory-crime-victim-services/search and https://www.mass.gov/orgs/askmova.

BOSTON – A New Hampshire man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for his role in a scheme to use the stolen identities of United States citizens from Puerto Rico to fraudulently purchase vehicles and apply for and utilize credit cards. 

Ricardo Acevedo, 34, of Manchester, N.H., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris to six years in prison and three years of supervised release. On Jan. 13, 2023, Acevedo pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and false representation of a Social Security number. 

Acevedo and multiple co-defendants were charged by criminal complaint in September 2020 and subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury in October 2020. The defendant was also charged in the State of New Jersey.

According to court documents, between October 2017 and January 2019, Acevedo visited Massachusetts car dealerships to purchase late-model vehicles and applied for 100% financing. In support of the applications, Acevedo provided stolen biographical information of real United States citizens, fraudulent Puerto Rico driver’s licenses and Social Security cards in those identities, as proof of identification. Acevedo used the stolen identities to illegally open bank accounts and credit cards and to purchase vehicles, many of which were exported out of the United States. Acevedo used stolen identities to obtain car loans and purchase at least 19 vehicles, resulting in losses between $550,000 and $1.5 million.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Michael J. Krol, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; John E. Mawn, Jr., Interim Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police; and Brockton Police Chief Brenda Perez made the announcement today. Assistance was provided by the Lowell, Lawrence, Methuen, Haverhill, Woburn and Dartmouth Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elianna J. Nuzum and Adam W. Deitch of Rollins’ Criminal Division prosecuted the case.

The District of Massachusetts investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigation’s Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force (DBFTF), a specialized investigative group comprising personnel from various state, local, and federal agencies with expertise in detecting, deterring, and disrupting organizations and individuals involved in various types of document, identity and benefit fraud schemes.

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