District of Massachusetts

BOSTON –A complaint has been filed against Massachusetts-based SunSetter Products LP (SunSetter), alleging that the company delayed reporting a hazardous defect involving protective vinyl covers for its retractable awnings. The announcement was made by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, the Department of Justice and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

SunSetter is a limited partnership based in Malden, Mass. that manufactures motorized, retractable awnings for outdoor use. The complaint, filed in federal court in Boston, alleges that SunSetter knowingly failed to immediately report to the CPSC that when bungee tie-downs securing its protective awning covers were removed, the retractable awnings could spring open unexpectedly with enough force to strike consumers and cause them to fall and suffer death or serious injury. The complaint alleges that between 2012 and 2017, SunSetter received 14 reports of its motorized awnings springing open, which resulted in several injuries and one death. Despite notice of these incidents, the company did not report the problems with its awning covers to the CPSC until October 2017. 

According to the complaint, the protective covers at issue were sold separately or given away as a promotional item with the company’s motorized awnings between June 1999 and January 2019.  The covers were recalled in August 2019.

“Prompt reporting of potentially dangerous defects or problems with products is vital to impactful and immediate consumer protection. CPSC cannot do its job without strict compliance by industry. The defect in this matter, as alleged, can cause serious injury up to and including death,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “Manufacturers must be held accountable for failing to comply with this important obligation which jeopardizes the safety of consumers.”

“Companies must report safety issues in consumer products immediately, as the law requires, to prevent unnecessary injury or death,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Department of Justice will continue to work closely with the CPSC to hold accountable manufacturers that put profits over the safety of consumers.”

“SunSetter knew for years that its product was hazardous, yet failed to tell CPSC as required by federal law,” said Chair Alex Hoehn-Saric of the CPSC. “It took a tragic death and numerous other injuries before they finally took action – which is unacceptable. When a company continues to sell dangerous products – knowing they can cause injuries and death – it must be held accountable.”

The Consumer Product Safety Act requires manufacturers, distributors and retailers of consumer products to report “immediately” to the CPSC information that reasonably supports the conclusion that a product contains a defect which could create a substantial product hazard or creates an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death. 

This matter is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin E. Brizius of Rollins’ Civil Division and Senior Litigation Counsels Christina Parascandola and Claude Scott and Trial Attorney Nicole Frazer of the Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch, with the assistance of Harriet Kerwin and Renee H. McCune of the CPSC’s Office of the General Counsel. 

The claims made in the complaint are allegations that, if the case were to proceed to trial, the government would be required to prove by a preponderance of the evidence. 

Additional information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts may be found at http://www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch.

BOSTON – A Providence man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Worcester for allegedly selling oxycodone on multiple occasions to an undercover officer.  

Brandon Jones, 32, has been indicted on one count of possession with intent to distribute oxycodone and two counts of distribution of oxycodone. Jones was previously arrested and charged by criminal complaint on March 13, 2023. He has remained in custody since. 

According to the charging documents, in July 2022, Jones was identified as an oxycodone and cocaine distributor in the Worcester area. Specifically, it is alleged that Jones traveled to Worcester in rental vehicles on a daily basis to sell drugs throughout the area in the afternoon before returning to Providence. On at least three occasions between October 2022 and January 2023, Jones allegedly distributed oxycodone pills to an undercover officer in controlled purchases. It is alleged that, at the time of his arrest on March 13, 2023, Jones was found in possession of approximately 1,500 oxycodone pills. 

The charges each provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and 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 Southbridge Police Chief Shane D. Woodson made the announcement today. Valuable assistance in the investigation was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island and the Rhode Island State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Friedholm of Rollins’ Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.  

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

BOSTON – A New Jersey man was sentenced today for his role in a scheme to use stolen identities to fraudulently apply for and utilize bank accounts and credit cards.

Jose Irizarry, 46, of Union City, N.J., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris to five years in prison and three years of supervised release. On Jan. 6, 2023, Irizarry pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and false representation of a Social Security number.

The Irizarry and multiple co-defendants were charged by criminal complaint in September 2020 and subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury in October 2020. In a coordinated multi-jurisdictional effort, Irizarry was also charged in the State of New Jersey. 

According to charging documents, between October 2017 and January 2019, Irizarry visited Massachusetts car dealerships to purchase late-model vehicles and applied for 100% financing. In support of the applications, Irizarry 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. He used the stolen identities to illegally open bank accounts and credit cards and purchase vehicles, many of which were exported out of the United States. Irizarry used stolen identities to obtain car loans and purchase three cars worth $140,124, collectively, although at sentencing he was held responsible for losses of 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 Nuzum and Adam 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.

BOSTON – A member of a violent Brockton drug crew was sentenced yesterday to six years in prison for drug and firearm charges.

Placido Pereira, 36, of Brockton, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to six years in prison and three years of supervised release. In December 2022, Pereira pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl; three counts of distribution of fentanyl; one count of possession with the intent to distribute marijuana; one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition; and one count of possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking offense. 
  
In 2019, an investigation began into a violent Brockton-area drug crew that distributed large quantities of fentanyl throughout southeastern Massachusetts. The drug crew ran a fentanyl delivery service that encompassed all of Brockton as well as neighboring cities. Specifically, drug users/customers placed orders for fentanyl by contacting a cell phone maintained and shared by crew members, which included Pereira, Djoy Defrancesco and brothers Jason Miranda and Natalio Miranda, who worked together to deliver the fentanyl order.

A search of Pereria’s Brockton home in October 2019 resulted in the seizure of a loaded firearm with an obliterated serial number, over $5,000 in cash, digital scales, marijuana packaged for sale and the cell phone used by members of the crew to distribute fentanyl. 

According to court records, in 2017, Pereira was convicted of unlawful possession of a firearm and possession with intent to distribute marijuana and was sentenced to three years in prison. In 2010, Pereira was arrested on drug trafficking charges at Boston’s Logan Airport as he returned to the United States from Cape Verde and was later sentenced to 30 months in prison and three years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute cocaine base. 

On Feb. 8, 2023, Natalio Miranda, the last of the four charged defendants, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and six counts of distribution of fentanyl. Judge Stearns scheduled sentencing for June 8, 2023. On Feb. 17, 2023 Jason Miranda was sentenced to 78 months in prison and six years of supervised release. In June 2021, Defrancesco was sentenced to time-served, 20 months in prison, after previously pleading guilty.
 
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; Brockton Police Chief Brenda Perez; Brian Kyes, U.S. Marshal for the District of Massachusetts; and Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz made the announcement. Assistance was provided by the East Bridgewater, West Bridgewater, Whitman and Bridgewater State University Police Departments as well as the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Pohl of Rollins’ Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A Maryland man was arrested today for making extortionate threats toward victims in Massachusetts. 

Brandon D. Kane, 27, of Baltimore, was charged with making extortionate threats in interstate commerce. Kane was detained following an initial appearance in federal court in the District of Maryland this afternoon. He will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date. 

According to the charging documents, Kane used an online dating website to meet victims locally in Eastern Massachusetts. It is alleged that, during such meetings, Kane made unauthorized videos of his victims engaging in illicit drug use or sexual activity with him. Kane then allegedly threatened to release the videos to the victims’ families and employers unless his victims paid him.

The charge of making extortionate threats in interstate commerce provides for a sentence of up to two years in prison, one year 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 Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Tolkoff of Rollins’ 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 yesterday to methamphetamine distribution.

Joshua Westbrook, 26, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley scheduled sentencing for Aug. 2, 2023. Westbrook was indicted by a federal grand jury in December 2021. 

In November 2021, Westbrook distributed over 360 grams of pure methamphetamine in Dorchester. An additional 500 grams of pure methamphetamine and a machete were also seized from Westbrook over the course of the investigation.   

The charge of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine provides for a sentence of at least 10 years and up to life years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million.  Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Commissioner Carol Mici of the Massachusetts Department of Correction made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the United States Postal Service; Plymouth County and Norfolk County Sheriff’s Offices; Massachusetts State Police; and the Portland (Maine), Watertown, Waltham, Concord, Reading, Peabody and Hudson Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alathea Porter of Rollins’ Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting 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 – Walsh Construction Company (Walsh) and Melo’s Rodbusters, Inc. (Melo’s) have agreed to pay $1.24 million collectively to resolve False Claims Act allegations that they participated in a fraudulent scheme designed to take advantage of the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program in connection with their work on the federally funded Whittier Bridge/I-95 Improvement Project. 

Walsh, an Illinois corporation, is a general contracting and construction management firm. Melo’s is a Massachusetts corporation and a certified DBE that subcontracted with Walsh on the project to perform furnishing and installation of steel rebar.

The DBE program provides opportunities for businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals to work on projects financed by the federal government. The program requires contractors to award, or make good faith efforts to award, a percentage of subcontracts on a given project to DBEs that serve a “commercially useful function.” A DBE does not serve a commercially useful function if it acts as a mere pass-through—that is, a DBE through which funds are passed to create the appearance that historically disadvantaged persons did the work, when they did not. Companies regularly certify their compliance with the DBE regulations when making claims for payment on federally funded contracts.

In February 2013, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) selected Walsh, along with its joint venture partner, to be the prime contractor for a federally funded MassDOT project known as the Whittier Bridge/I-95 Improvement Project. Walsh, in turn, subcontracted with DBEs, including Melo’s, for portions of the work. The project was completed in 2018.

As part of the settlement agreement, Walsh admitted that it assisted with certain work functions for Melo’s, and for another DBE on the project that is not a party to the settlement, including assistance in the selection of suppliers and participation in price discussion and negotiation. As part of its own settlement agreement, Melo’s admitted that Walsh performed these functions even though they should have been performed by Melo’s. Melo’s also admitted to providing inaccurate information in response to a MassDOT inquiry regarding Melo’s price negotiation with suppliers. Melo’s has agreed to pay $146,102 to resolve the government’s investigation and Walsh has agreed to pay $1,099,000.  

First Assistant United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General’s Special Agent-in-Charge Christopher A. Scharf made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexandra Brazier of the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit and Assistant U.S. Attorney Elianna J. Nuzum of the Major Crimes Unit handled the matter. 

BOSTON – The former CEO, COO, and Director of Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs for Magellan Diagnostics, Inc. (Magellan), a medical device company headquartered in Billerica, Mass., have been charged in connection with concealing a device malfunction that allegedly produced inaccurately low lead test results for tens of thousands of children and other patients.

Amy Winslow, 51, of Needham Heights, Mass.; Hossein Maleknia, 64, of Bonita Springs, Fla.; and Reba Daoust, 66, of Amesbury, Mass., were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud; wire fraud; conspiracy to defraud an agency of the United States; and introduction of misbranded medical devices into interstate commerce with intent to defraud and mislead. Winslow and Daoust will make an initial appearance in federal court in Boston later today. Maleknia is expected to make an initial appearance in federal court in Tampa later today. 

Magellan’s devices – LeadCare Ultra, LeadCare II and LeadCare Plus – detected lead levels and lead poisoning in the blood of children and adults using either venous (i.e., blood draws through the arm) or fingerstick samples. LeadCare II, which was predominantly used to test fingerstick samples, accounted for more than half of all blood lead tests conducted in the United States from 2013 through 2017. LeadCare Plus and LeadCare Ultra were predominantly used to test venous samples.

According to the indictment, Winslow, Maleknia and Daoust – Magellan’s former CEO, COO, and Director of Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs, respectively – repeatedly misled Magellan customers and the FDA about a serious malfunction that affected Magellan’s LeadCare devices when they were used to test venous blood samples. By allegedly hiding the malfunction and later deceiving customers and the FDA about when they discovered the malfunction, the nature, extent and frequency of the malfunction, and the risks associated with the malfunction, the defendants caused an estimated tens of thousands of children and other patients to receive inaccurately low lead test results.

“According to the CDC, there is no safe level of lead in the blood. Additionally, young children and pregnant mothers from low-income households living in public housing are the most vulnerable to lead exposure. We allege that these defendants deceived customers and the FDA about the reliability of medical tests that detected lead levels. By doing so, we assert that they endangered the health and lives of incredibly vulnerable victims,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “This office, along with our other law enforcement partners, will vigorously investigate and prosecute those who put corporate profits before patient health. Here, we allege the personal gain is at the expense of poor people, children, and individuals who are pregnant. We pledge to advocate on these victims’ behalf and hold bad corporate actors accountable.”

“Individuals and companies whose lead testing devices provide inaccurate results can put the health of all patients, and especially vulnerable children, at significant risk,” said Special Agent in Charge Fernando P. McMillan, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations New York Field Office. “We will continue to pursue and bring to justice those who jeopardize the health of patients and the public.”

“Today, we arrested three former senior executives at Magellan Diagnostics for hiding a serious flaw in the lead testing devices the company produced, resulting in inaccurate test results for tens of thousands of children and other patients. We believe these executives knew about this malfunction for years, but failed to come clean to their customers and the FDA about it in order to boost their company’s bottom line,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “The last thing sick children and their parents should have to worry about is whether diagnostic tests and devices live up to their manufacturer’s claims. This case should make it crystal clear to all companies that do business in Massachusetts, healthcare or otherwise, that they will be brought to justice for misleading consumers with false promises about their products.”

“Concealing the fact that a device is producing inaccurate lead test results to boost profits while knowing that there is no safe level of lead in the blood, as alleged in this case, is a brazen disregard to the health and safety of our program beneficiaries,” said Phillip M. Coyne, Special Agent in Charge for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General. “Today’s arrests should serve as strong reminder that we will never tolerate such behavior that puts patients at risk.”

It is alleged that the defendants first learned that a malfunction in their LeadCare Ultra device could cause inaccurate lead test results –specifically, lead test results that were falsely low – during the FDA clearance process in or around June 2013. The defendants, however, allegedly released LeadCare Ultra to the market in December 2013 without informing customers or the FDA of the malfunction. Several months after the release, LeadCare Ultra customers independently discovered the malfunction and complained about inaccurate results. It is further alleged that the defendants drafted and caused Magellan to provide false and misleading statements to customers that they “recently identified cases” of the malfunction and they did not observe the malfunction “in our clinical trials prior to the product release.” According to court documents, the defendants, in fact, had known about the malfunction for over a year, including before the product release. 

Magellan’s testing in 2013 also indicated that the same malfunction affected the LeadCare II device, which was by far Magellan’s highest-revenue product. Winslow and Maleknia, however, were positioning Magellan for sale, which could have been put in jeopardy if there was a malfunction affecting LeadCare II. It is alleged that Winslow told a Magellan employee to stop studying the malfunction in LeadCare II devices because Magellan needed to maintain “plausible deniability.” Only after Magellan was acquired by Meridian Bioscience, Inc. for $66 million in March 2016, did the defendants notify customers and the FDA about the LeadCare II malfunction. Magellan’s report to the FDA about LeadCare II allegedly made materially false and misleading statements and concealed material facts about Magellan’s discovery of the malfunction in LeadCare II (after Meridian acquired Magellan, Winslow received a bonus of approximately $2 million and Maleknia received a bonus of approximately $448,000).

According to court documents, the defendants delayed notifying the FDA and then misled the FDA about the malfunction. The defendants only filed an FDA report for LeadCare Ultra after an outside consultant told Magellan that if they did not notify the FDA about the malfunction, the consultant would. In 2017, the FDA contacted Magellan and asked when the company first discovered the malfunction. It is alleged that, at Daoust and Maleknia’s instruction, Magellan’s representative falsely told the FDA that Magellan first discovered the problem after receiving customer complaints in late 2014 and shortly before Magellan notified the FDA in 2015 – even though Magellan actually discovered the malfunction almost four years earlier, in 2013. Winslow also caused Magellan to send a false timeline to the FDA, which omitted the company’s internal 2013 studies about the malfunction.

The FDA ultimately found that the LeadCare Devices could not accurately test venous samples, leading to a recall of all LeadCare Devices using venous samples and a warning to the public not to use LeadCare Ultra, LeadCare II and LeadCare Plus for venous blood samples because of the malfunction.

According to court documents, as referenced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is no safe level of lead in the blood. Lead exposure may cause irreversible lifelong physical and mental health problems. Young children and pregnant women are most vulnerable to lead exposure, especially those from low-income households and those who live in housing built before 1978 because those homes are more likely to contain lead-based paint and have fixtures containing lead. 

If you or a family member believe you received an inaccurate blood lead test result from a LeadCare device between 2013-2017, please complete the questionnaire located on the FBI’s website at https://www.fbi.gov/MagellanCaseInquiry. Information about the status of the case is located on the U.S. Attorney’s Office website https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/press-highlights. 

The charges of wire fraud and wire fraud conspiracy as alleged in the indictment provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of conspiracy to defraud an agency of the United States 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 charges of introduction of misbranded medical devices provide for a sentence of up to three years in prison, up to one year 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; Fernando McMillan, Special Agent in Charge of the Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations, New York Field Office; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Phillip M. Coyne, Special Agent in Charge for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elysa Wan, David Derusha, and James Herbert of Rollins’ Criminal Division and Kelly Lawrence, Chief of Rollins’ Healthcare Fraud Unit, are prosecuting the case.

BOSTON – A Brockton man pleaded guilty today to bribing a road test examiner to issue driver’s licenses to individuals who did not pass, or even take road tests at the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) in Brockton.

Estevao Semedo, 61, of Brockton, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit honest services mail fraud before U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani who scheduled sentencing for Aug. 1, 2023. Semedo was charged on March 2, 2023.

Semedo, the owner of a driving school, conspired to defraud the RMV into issuing driver’s licenses to applicants who did not pass the road test. Specifically, Semedo paid a road test examiner at the Brockton RMV service center to misrepresent to the RMV that certain driver’s license applicants had passed their road test when, in fact, they had not. Some of the applicants did not even show up to take the test. As a result of the fraud, the RMV mailed driver’s licenses to unqualified applicants. In total, Semedo paid the road test examiner no less than $17,000 in bribes in exchange for fraudulent passing scores on road tests.

The charge of conspiracy to commit honest services mail fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The charging document also seeks a $17,000 forfeiture money judgment against Semedo. 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; Michael J. Krol, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; and U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General’s Special Agent-in-Charge Christopher A. Scharf made the announcement today. The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigation’s Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force (DBFTF). Valuable assistance was provided by the Mattapoisett Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christine Wichers and Adam Deitch of Rollins’s Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mackenzie Duane of Rollins’ Major Crimes Unit are prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugenia M. Carris, Deputy Chief of Rollins’ Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit also assisted with the case.

BOSTON – The former Assistant Chief Engineer of Facilities for Keolis Commuter Services (Keolis) and the former general manager of a Massachusetts-based electrical company have been charged in a scheme to defraud Keolis of over $8 million. 

John P. Pigsley, 58, was indicted by a federal grand jury on five counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, six counts of tax evasion, one count of filing a false tax return and four counts of structuring financial transactions to evade reporting requirements. Pigsley was arrested this morning and will appear in federal court in Boston at 1:45 p.m. today. 

John Rafferty, 69, of Hale’s Location, N.H., has been charged by an Information and has agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

“There is perhaps no single state agency that impacts the daily lives of the millions of people who live and work in the greater Boston area more than the MBTA. Over the last few years, T ridership has had to endure its fair share of both acute and chronic issues. Today, unfortunately, we add fraud to that list. The criminal conduct alleged here specifically involves the Commuter Rail – the entity Keolis operates for the T – and two men who lied to, cheated and stole from Keolis,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “We allege that the defendants stole over $8 million from Keolis, and that Pigsley did so while an employee of the organization. The $8 million they stole could have been used to ensure significantly safer, faster and more reliable transportation for riders. Instead, these men lined their pockets for their own selfish gain. It is my hope that this prosecution holds these alleged criminals accountable.”

“These men are accused of crossing the line from fixing our broken rail system to defrauding it when they devised a plan to pad their paychecks by stealing more than $8 million that was meant for repairs and routine maintenance at a time when overall needs on the commuter rail are so deep, funding sources are so strained, and the need for better service is so crucial,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “Their alleged actions demonstrate both a disdain for the rule of law, and a clear-cut case of greed. Today’s arrests should be a warning to others that the FBI and our partners are committed to investigating and bringing to justice anyone who abuses their positions of trust to fraudulently siphon off public funds.”

"The serious accusations against John Pigsley are particularly troubling as he breached the trust he was given as a senior lead with Keolis,” said Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston. “These allegations represent an egregious breach of the trust that had been placed in Keolis through its operation of the MBTA. The Special Agents of IRS Criminal Investigation are committed to protecting the integrity of our system of taxation by investigating individuals who violate the tax laws."  

“Today’s announcement should serve as notice that we are committed to thwarting and unravelling complex fraud schemes involving millions of taxpayer dollars used to maintain MBTA commuter rail systems,” said U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General’s Special Agent-in-Charge Christopher A. Scharf. “We will continue working with our Federal and prosecutorial partners to pursue those who deceitfully manipulate business contracting and accounting practices for personal gain.”

According to the charging documents, Keolis has operated the MBTA commuter rail system since 2014 under an annual contract of $291–$349 million. Between 2014 and November 2021, Pigsley was employed as Keolis’ Assistant Chief Engineer of Facilities and was responsible for the maintenance of MBTA Commuter Rail Facilities and their engineering operations, including handling corrective repair and project management for assets and maintenance and ordering and approving his subordinates’ orders of electrical supplies from outside vendors for Keolis. Pigsley also operated a separate construction company called Pigman Group. Rafferty was the general manager of LJ Electric, Inc., an electrical supply vendor to which Keolis paid over $17 million between 2014 through 2021. 

Between July 2014 and November 2021, Pigsley and Rafferty allegedly defrauded Keolis of over $4 million through a false LJ Electric invoicing scheme. Specifically, it is alleged that Rafferty purchased vehicles, construction equipment, construction supplies and other items for Pigsley, Pigman Group and others, and Pigsley directed Rafferty to recover the cost of these items by submitting false and fraudulent LJ Electric invoices to Keolis. The fraudulent LJ Electric invoices included a percentage profit that Rafferty allegedly kept for himself. It is further alleged that Rafferty spent more than $3 million on items for Pigsley and others – including: at least nine trucks; construction equipment including at least seven Bobcat machines; at least $1 million in home building supplies and services; and a $54,000 camper– for which Keolis paid Rafferty more than $4 million based on false LJ Electric invoices.  

In addition to the false invoicing scheme, it is alleged that Pigsley directed Keolis to purchase copper wire which he then stole and sold to scrap metal businesses, keeping the cash proceeds for himself. To conceal the theft, it is alleged that Pigsley personally picked up the copper wire orders from vendors or had the orders delivered to his Beverly home. Pigsley allegedly then personally transported the wire to scrap yards where he traded it for thousands of dollars in cash several times a month and sometimes more than once a day. According to the charging documents, Pigsley obtained more than $4.5 million in cash by stealing and scrapping the copper wire.  

It is further alleged that Pigsley defrauded the IRS by failing to withhold and pay federal income taxes on income he received from the LJ Electric invoicing scheme and from scrapping copper wire. Pigsley also allegedly filed a false tax return for the tax year 2016. Additionally, Pigsley is alleged to have deposited over $1.9 million in cash into his bank accounts between 2014 and 2021, and to have structured some of those deposits to evade currency transaction reporting requirements applicable to financial institutions.   

With respect to the Indictment charging Pigsley, the charges of wire fraud and wire fraud conspiracy provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of tax evasion 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 filing a false tax return provides for a sentence of up to three years in prison, up to one year of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of aggravated structuring 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. 

With respect to the Information filed against Rafferty, the charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. 

Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

U.S. Attorney Rollins, FBI SAC Bonavolonta, IRS-CI SAC Simpson, and DOT-OIG SAC Scharf made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristina E. Barclay and Elysa Q. Wan of Rollins’ Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit are prosecuting the cases.

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 father and son who own two Woburn restaurants, Taste of Brazil—Tudo Na Brasa and The Dog House Bar and Grill, along with their relative who lives in Brazil, have been charged with conspiring to obtain labor and services from migrants whom they smuggled into the United States from Brazil through threats of serious harm. 

Jesse James Moraes, 65, and Hugo Giovanni Moraes, 43, both of Woburn; and Chelbe Willams Moraes, 62—the brother of Jesse Moraes and uncle of Hugo Moraes—of Minas Gerais, Brazil were charged in a superseding indictment with forced labor conspiracy; Jesse Moraes and Hugo Moraes were charged with forced labor and attempted forced labor; and Jesse Moraes was charged with labor trafficking and attempted labor trafficking and money laundering conspiracy.

Jesse Moraes, Hugo Moraes and Chelbe Moraes were previously charged with encouraging and inducing, and conspiring to encourage and induce, an alien to come to, enter and reside in the United States for the purpose of commercial advantage or private financial gain, knowing and in reckless disregard of the fact that such coming to, entry, and residence is or will be in violation of law. Chelbe Moraes also faces additional charges of money laundering conspiracy and money laundering with intent to promote the smuggling operation and conceal the source of smuggling proceeds. 

“This case is another stark example of the human trafficking that’s happening every single day in our country and our Commonwealth and the heinous lengths some employers go to in the pursuit of profit,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “It is alleged that these defendants conspired to take advantage of the American dream. Individuals seeking to come to the United States for a better life to benefit themselves and their families were allegedly taken advantage of and deceived. We allege that these defendants endangered the victims they smuggled and compelled them to work through threats of violence and other serious harm. Additionally, Chelbe Moraes allegedly provided false documents to help migrants enter the United States and claim asylum. This hurts the overwhelming majority of people who abide by our immigration laws, especially those seeking refuge out of fear of persecution in their home country. The victims in this case are real people with families who have taken on immeasurable risk to come to the United States, only to be met with threats of violence and oppression. Such conduct will not be tolerated in our Commonwealth.”

“Labor traffickers treat humans like commodities, profiting from the mistreatment of their workforce and using force, fraud, or coercion to push people to work and make it difficult or impossible to leave. Today’s superseding indictment alleges that Moraes and his conspirators smuggled individuals into the United States, charging them tens of thousands of dollars only to withhold wages to ostensibly pay back their smuggling debt,” said Michael J. Krol, Acting Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations in New England. “Homeland Security Investigations is proud to work every day with our partners to investigate and seek justice for survivors of human trafficking.”

“An important part of the mission of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General is to investigate allegations of labor trafficking involving the use of coercion or force. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate these types of allegations,” said Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General. 

According to the charging documents, Chelbe Moraes and his co-conspirators targeted and smuggled migrants from Brazil into the United States for a fee of approximately $18,000 – 22,000. Once the migrants were in the United States, Jesse Moraes and Hugo Moraes allegedly targeted and recruited migrants to work in their restaurants in Woburn by promising them good jobs and a better life than they had in Brazil and arranging for the victims to rent or share the rental of one or more apartments owned or controlled by the defendants. It is alleged that Jesse Moraes and Hugo Moraes withheld wages from the victims in order to pay off their smuggling debts and forced the victims to work long hours, often performing difficult manual labor, while subjecting the victims to threats of serious harm – including financial harm, violence and deportation to prevent them from quitting and demanding better pay and working conditions. It is further alleged that Chelbe Moraes, Jesse Moraes and Hugo Moraes gave or offered to give fake documentation to the victims in order to support asylum claims or false claims of work authorization. 
    
Members of the public who believe they may be victims of the alleged crimes, or have information or questions about this case, are encouraged to call 888-221-6023, Option 5 or send an email with contact information to [email protected].

The charges of forced labor, attempted forced labor, and forced labor conspiracy provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of labor trafficking  and attempted labor trafficking provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of encouraging and inducing, and conspiring to encourage and induce, an alien to come to, enter, and reside in the United States for financial gain, knowing and in reckless disregard of the fact that such coming to, entry, and residence is or will be in violation of law 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. The charges of money laundering and money laundering conspiracy provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $500,000 or twice the amount involved in the transaction, 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.

U.S. Attorney Rollins; HSI Acting SAC Krol; DOL-OIG SAC Mellone; Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston; and Woburn Police Chief Robert F. Rufo, Jr., made the announcement today. Valuable assistance in the investigation was provided by the Norwood Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys James D. Herbert, Kelly Lawrence and Samuel R. Feldman of Rollins’ 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.

BOSTON – A registered sex offender from Lawrence has been sentenced in federal court in Boston for sexually exploiting a 12-year-old girl. 

Irvin Abreu, 38, was sentenced on March 31, 2023 by US District Judge Patti B. Saris to 315 months in prison and 10 years of supervised release. In April 2022, Abreu pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of children. 

“Upon being released from custody for enticing a 15-year-old child, Mr. Abreu – a registered sex offender – immediately began to sexualize and harm another child. His victim was even younger this time at 12 years old. This recidivist is a predator who has repeatedly sought out to harm innocent children and rob them of their childhood. He is a danger to our society and remains exactly where he belongs – behind bars and away from our children. We commend the victim’s mother for reporting this predator’s exploitation and harm of her child so swiftly,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins.

“Abreu is a registered sex offender who went on to offend again, sexually abusing a child and documenting the abuse by producing child exploitation material. We are grateful to our law enforcement partners whose vigilance and collaboration brought this case to our attention and has resulted in this significant sentence,” said Michael J. Krol, Acting Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations in New England.

Two months after being released from state custody and placed on probation for the exploitation of a 15-year-old girl, Abreu met a 12-year-old girl on the internet, groomed her and had sex with her on more than one occasion, documenting the sexual abuse in videos and photographs. The victim’s mother discovered communications between them and immediately reported the matter to local police. Forensic analysis of Abreu’s phone revealed photos, videos and text messages, including imagery depicting his sexual abuse of and sexualized communications with the victim. Additionally, Abreu’s internet history revealed searches for elementary schools in Lawrence, an internet search for “first time sex positions for virgins,” and an internet search for “what does pedophile mean.”

U.S. Attorney Rollins and HSI Acting SAC Krol made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Lawrence Police Department and the Essex County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne Paruti, Chief of Rollins’ Major Crimes Unit and the District’s Project Safe Childhood Coordinator, 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. “My office is also committed to prevention,” said U.S. Attorney Rollins. “In addition to our school-based outreach, we offer trainings for parents and guardians across the Commonwealth to help demystify some of the ways predators access our children through modern technology. We will always investigate and prosecute predators, while simultaneously committing to educate caregivers about the dangers our young people can face in the digital world.” For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

BOSTON – A Lynn man has been arrested and charged in connection with using a stolen identity to rent an apartment, for which he allegedly made no rent payments.  

Steeve Jean, 36, was charged with wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and unauthorized use of a Social Security number. Jean will make an initial appearance in federal court in Boston at 4 p.m. today.

According to the charging documents, from September 2021 through June 2022, Jean rented an apartment in Lynn under an assumed name. Jean allegedly paid no rent for the apartment and left when the apartment complex began steps to evict him. It is further alleged that, while serving a state prison sentence in April 2021, Jean submitted two fraudulent federal Paycheck Protection Program loan applications claiming business losses for a business that did not exist.

The charge of wire fraud provides 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 aggravated identity theft, if convicted, provides for a mandatory sentence of two years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of unauthorized use of a Social Security number, if convicted, provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three 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 Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin A. Tolkoff of Rollins’ 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 Maryland woman pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to her role in a conspiracy to defraud the government of thousands of dollars from 2014 to 2018.

Chantelle Boyd, 53, of Woodsboro, Md., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy, 10 counts of theft of government funds and false declarations before the grand jury. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Mark L. Wolf scheduled sentencing for June 26, 2023. Boyd was arrested and charged in July 2020 along with co-defendant Thomas Bouchard. 

Bouchard was the Contracting Officer in charge of the U.S. Army Natick Contracting Division, a full-service contracting organization for the Department of Defense. According to the charging documents, in 2014, Bouchard used his long-standing relationship with Evolution Enterprise, Inc., a government contractor, to have Boyd hired for a “no show” job as an assistant that specifically supported Bouchard. Boyd’s position cost the Department of Defense more than $490,000 during her time at Evolution from 2014 to 2018, during which Boyd performed little if any useful function. 
 
Bouchard and Boyd took numerous government-funded trips, ranging in duration from two to 15 days, under the guise that they were work related. This included 31 trips to Orlando, Fla., among other locations such as Clearwater Beach, Fla., and Stafford, Va., during which Boyd allegedly performed little if any work. For many of the trips, Bouchard and Boyd stayed in the same hotel room and spent time at the pool and Disney parks – all during business hours. In order to conceal the personal nature of the trips, Bouchard altered, created and approved false travel to reimburse the Boyd for out-of-pocket expenses. Additionally, Boyd made false statements to the grand jury in May 2018 in relation to these trips.

The charge of conspiracy provides a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charges of theft of government funds each provide for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of lying to a grand jury provides a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of 250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Joseph Dattoria, Special Agent in Charge of the General Services Administration Office of Inspector General; Patrick Hegarty, Special Agent in Charge of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service; and Scott Moreland, Special Agent in Charge of the Army Criminal Investigation Division Major Procurement Fraud Field Office made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil J. Gallagher, Jr. of Rollins’ Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting the case.

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 Lawrence man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for stealing the identity of a United States citizen to fraudulently obtain a United States passport.

Arciliano Gregorio Arias Suarez, 65, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin to two years and one day in prison and two years of supervised release. In November 2022, Arias Suarez pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated identity theft, one count of false representation of a Social Security number and one count of passport fraud. 

In January 2016, Arias Suarez submitted a U.S. passport application at a post office in Lawrence in the name of a United States citizen from New York. In support of the fraudulent passport application, Aris Suarez submitted copies of a Massachusetts driver’s license and a New York birth certificate, both in the victim’s name. Later, in May 2019, Aris Suarez submitted a license renewal application at the Lawrence Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) in the name of the same victim and provided the RMV with a copy of a U.S. passport, a Massachusetts driver’s license and a Social Security card all in the victim’s name.

Arias Suarez has two prior federal heroin related convictions in the District of Massachusetts. He was sentenced to federal prison in both of those cases.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Michael J. Krol, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Tobin of Rollins’ Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A federal jury convicted a Boston man on March 30, 2023 for his role in a money laundering conspiracy.

Mark Anthony Figueroa, 49, was convicted following a three-day trial of one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns scheduled sentencing for Aug. 16, 2023. Figueroa was indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2021. 

Evidence at trial established that Figueroa used clandestine deliveries of cash to currency couriers to launder the proceeds of drug trafficking on behalf of Mexican drug cartels. Between February 2019 and May 2020, Figueroa conducted or attempted to conduct six money laundering transactions totaling more than $580,000 in cash. Once the couriers received the laundered cash from Figueroa, the organization Figueroa was working with transferred the funds via the U.S. banking system to Mexican accounts and exchange it for pesos which could be used by cartels to pay for narcotics sold in the United States.

The charging statute provides a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $500,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and 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 Michael J. Krol, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leah B. Foley, Deputy Chief of Rollins’ Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit and Evan D. Panich of Rollins’ Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit are 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 Worcester man pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. 

Lawrence Rutherford, 37, pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni scheduled sentencing for July 7, 2023. Rutherford was indicted by a federal grand jury in October 2019. 

On June 5, 2019, two guns and more than 600 rounds of ammunition were found in Rutherford’s home while executing a federal search warrant. Rutherford is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to prior convictions punishable by more than one year in person. 

The charging statute provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to 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.    

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Worcester Police Chief Steven M. Sargent made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Greg A. Friedholm and John T. Mulcahy of Rollins’ Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.

BOSTON – A commercial truck driver from Texas was sentenced today in federal court in Worcester for transporting large amounts of cocaine and drug proceeds to and from Massachusetts on behalf of a drug trafficking organization based in Mexico and Texas.

Carlos Alfredo Longoria, 33, of Laredo, Texas, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to 34 months in prison and two years of supervised release. In September 2022, Longoria pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.

In November 2021, Longoria was charged in a five-count superseding indictment along with co-defendants Javier Robledo Perez, Vicente Castro III and Francis Jose Perez-Baez. Longoria was a commercial truck driver who transported kilograms of cocaine, and hundreds of thousands of dollars in drug proceeds across state lines on behalf of a drug trafficking organization based in Mexico and Texas. In July 2020, Longoria collected nearly $280,000 in drug proceeds in Massachusetts and transported that money back to Texas to be sent back to the drug suppliers in Mexico. In September and October 2020, Longoria traveled to Massachusetts to deliver and/or pick up vehicles that had hidden compartments installed in them for the drug trafficking organization to use to hide drugs and drug proceeds. In January 2021, Longoria delivered nearly eight kilograms of cocaine to a cooperating witness in Massachusetts. In February 2021, Longoria’s co-conspirators made arrangements for Longoria and his co-defendant Castro to deliver an additional 10 kilograms of cocaine to Massachusetts. On Feb. 8, 2021, agents stopped Longoria and Castro and seized nearly 10 kilograms of cocaine from the truck they were driving. 

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and John E. Mawn, Interim Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today. The Drug Enforcement Administration, Dallas and Laredo (Texas) Divisions provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alathea Porter of Rollins’ Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting 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.

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

BOSTON – A former detective sergeant for the Stoneham Police Department has been arrested and charged for allegedly providing false information in rental applications to fraudulently obtain three separate apartment leases for which he intentionally withheld rent payments.

Robert Kennedy, 53, of Stoneham, was charged with one count of wire fraud. Kennedy will appear in federal court in Boston at 10:30 AM today. 

According to the charging document, Kennedy defrauded his last three landlords by providing materially false and misleading information in his rental applications to obtain the respective apartment leases. After moving in, it is alleged that Kennedy would intentionally withhold rent payments, despite making $141,000 - $187,000 a year from the Stoneham Police Department. As a result, Kennedy lived in the apartments rent-free by allegedly taking advantage of the slow eviction process.  

Specifically, it is alleged that Kennedy defrauded his most recent landlord by submitting materially false and fraudulent information during the rental application process. The landlord required Kennedy to submit to a tenant screening service, which included a credit check and eviction history check. Instead of providing his own date of birth and social security number to the tenant screening service – which would likely have shown Kennedy’s history of collections, delinquent payments, defaults and evictions – Kennedy allegedly provided the date of birth and social security number of a relative who shared his first and last name. The landlord relied on the information from the fraudulently obtained tenant screening report to approve Kennedy’s rental application and give Kennedy a lease for the apartment. It is further alleged that Kennedy immediately and intentionally violated the terms of the lease by giving the landlord bad checks for his rent and security deposit and failing to make subsequent rent payments. Kennedy lived in the apartment for approximately four months without making rent payments and currently owes the landlord approximately $14,000 in overdue rent.  

The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 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 Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Stoneham Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elysa Q. Wan of Rollins’ Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit and Assistant U.S. Attorney Dustin Chao, Chief of Rollins’ Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit, 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 Brockton woman pleaded guilty yesterday to accepting money in exchange for agreeing to issue passing learner’s permit test scores to applicants regardless of whether they actually passed or not, at the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) in Brockton. 

Mia Cox-Johnson, 43, pleaded guilty to two counts of extortion under color of official right and one count of conspiring to commit extortion. U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled sentencing for July 20, 2023. Cox-Johnson was charged by an Information on March 2, 2023. 

Cox-Johnson, a former manager of the RMV service center in Brockton, took money in exchange for agreeing to give passing scores on learner’s permit tests for both passenger vehicle driver’s licenses and Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs). Between December 2018 and October 2019, Cox-Johnson conspired to take money in exchange for agreeing to give customers passing scores on their multiple-choice learner’s permit tests even if they did not pass. These customers were told to request a paper test instead of taking the test on the RMV computer. Cox-Johnson scored these customers’ paper tests. 

On Dec. 28, 2018, Cox-Johnson accepted $1,000 in cash – delivered from a friend on behalf of another individual – in exchange for giving a passing score to the individual’s relative who had failed the passenger vehicle learner’s permit test six times when taking it in their native language. Cox-Johnson also agreed to score the relative as having passed the permit test regardless of whether they had actually passed. Cox-Johnson did, in fact, pass the relative’s test, which was taken on paper in English.

On Oct. 21, 2019, a customer came to the Brockton RMV and took three multiple-choice tests they needed to pass in order to get a commercial learner’s permit – a prerequisite to taking the road test for a CDL. Cox-Johnson accepted $200 in cash from an individual to score the customer as having passed the tests even if they did not actually pass. In fact, the applicant failed one of the tests, but Cox-Johnson scored the applicant as having passed all three tests.

The charges of extortion under color of official right and conspiracy to commit extortion each provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Michael J. Krol, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; and U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General’s Special Agent-in-Charge is Christopher A. Scharf made the announcement today. The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigation’s Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force (DBFTF). Valuable assistance was provided by the Mattapoisett Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christine Wichers and Adam Deitch of Rollins’s Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit; Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugenia M. Carris, Deputy Chief of Rollins’ Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit; and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mackenzie Duane of Rollins’ Major Crimes Unit are prosecuting the case.

BOSTON – A previously convicted felon was sentenced today in federal court in Worcester for illegally selling ghost guns. A ghost gun is a firearm that has been manufactured by an individual and not by a firearms manufacturing company.   

Zachary Zella, 30, of Dudley, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to 92 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In December 2022, Zella pleaded guilty to engaging in and conspiring to engage in the business of dealing and manufacturing firearms without a license. Zella was arrested and charged in June 2022 along with a co-defendant.  

“Ghost guns pose a real and imminent threat to public safety in our communities. When unregistered firearms get into the hands of prohibited individuals, we are less safe. Each of these illegal ghost guns could have been used in a violent crime, shooting or murder. Each bullet represents a potential shooting or homicide victim. Keeping illegal firearms off our streets and out of the hands of prohibited individuals is critical to addressing and eliminating gun violence,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “We pledge to do everything in our power to hold individuals engaged in illegal firearms sales accountable. Today’s sentence proves just that.”

“Zachary Zella is a now a twice convicted felon who has continued to demonstrate why he is a serious danger to the community. Most recently, Mr. Zella admitted to selling non-serialized firearms to us. With today’s sentence, this career criminal has been held accountable for his blatant disregard for the law, and for putting innocent people in potential danger,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “This investigation illustrates how the FBI is working closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and remove dangerous criminals and weapons from our streets.”

On three separate occasions between March and May 2022, the Zella sold a confidential source four 9mm ghost gun pistols – one of which contained a Gamo laser sight – and ammunition. 

U.S. Attorney Rollins, FBI Boston SAC Bonavolonta and Carol Mici, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Correction made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Danial Bennett and Brendan O’Shea of Rollins’ Worcester Branch Office prosecuted the case.

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

BOSTON – A Boston man has pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to illegally transporting firearms from Alabama into Massachusetts. 

Jarmori Brown, 20, pleaded guilty on March 29, 2023 to one count of illegal transportation or receipt in state of residency of firearm purchased or acquired outside of state of residency, and one count of conspiracy to illegally transport firearms. U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV scheduled sentencing for July 10, 2023. 

In July 2022, Brown was charged along with co-defendants Brandon Moore, Jahquel Pringle and Kobe Smith. Brown has been in state custody on unrelated state charges since being charged federally. Pringle and Smith are currently in federal custody pending the government’s appeal of a District of Oregon order of release on conditions. Moore’s case was transferred to his home district of the Middle District of Alabama, where he has since pleaded guilty.

“The illegal trafficking of firearms is a serious crime and threat to public health and safety. Every illegal firearm in our Commonwealth fuels gun violence in our communities. Each can potentially be used to commit a shooting or homicide. Preventing the trafficking of illegal firearms and removing them from our streets is critical to addressing and reducing violent crime,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “Mr. Brown knowingly circumvented the law to unlawfully purchase multiple firearms in another state and funnel them into our Commonwealth. At least seven of these illegal firearms have since been recovered from the streets of Boston and surrounding communities. Every single day, our City and our nation feel the devastating and deadly consequences of firearms. Trafficking plays a direct role in this. Anyone who attempts to evade firearm laws and put Massachusetts residents in jeopardy will be targeted and held accountable.”

“Transporting firearms across state lines with the express intent of furthering criminal activity will not be tolerated, and ATF will continue to use our resources to stop these crimes in their tracks,” said James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division.

According to court documents, Brown, Pringle, Smith and Moore conspired to obtain at least 24 firearms from Alabama, where Moore lived, and then transport them to Boston. In August 2020, Brown traveled from Boston to Alabama on a commercial bus to pick up the firearms from Moore and then transported the firearms, concealed within luggage, back to Boston on the commercial bus. At least seven firearms obtained in this manner have been recovered by law enforcement from the streets of Boston and surrounding communities.  

Both the interstate transportation charge and the conspiracy charge provide for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN is part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

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

BOSTON – A Worcester man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Worcester on two firearms charges.

Jose Rivera, 24, was charged by indictment with unlawful possession of a machine gun and receipt of a firearm while under indictment for a felony. Rivera was initially charged on March 7, 2023 for possession of a machinegun. 

According to the charging documents, during a search of Rivera’s Worcester residence on March 7, 2023, three Glock switches – including one attached to a Glock .40 caliber firearm were recovered. Glock switches convert semi-automatic Glock pistols into fully automatic machine guns and are considered machine guns under federal law. The indictment alleges that Rivera received the Glock .40 caliber firearm at some point on or after Oct. 9, 2021, while he was under indictment in state court for a felony punishable by a term of imprisonment of over a year.      

The charge of unlawful possession of a machinegun 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. The charge of receipt of a firearm while under felony indictment provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; Worcester Police Chief Steven M. Sargent; and John E. Mawn, Jr., Interim Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kaitlin Brown of Rollins’ Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.

This case is also a 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.

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 – The owner of Stash’s Pizza has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston with forced labor charges for allegedly targeting and employing at least seven victims who lacked immigration status and forcing them to work while subjecting them to verbal and physical abuse, including repeated threats of deportation. 

Stavros Papantoniadis, a/k/a “Steve Papantoniadis,” 48, of Westwood, was indicted on four counts of forced labor and three counts of attempted forced labor. Papantoniadis has remained in federal custody since his arrest on March 16, 2023. He was previously charged with one count of forced labor.

According to court documents, Papantoniadis is the owner and operator of Stash’s Pizza, a chain of pizzerias with locations in Dorchester and Roslindale, and previous locations in Norwood, Norwell and Randolph (d/b/a Boston Pizza Company), Weymouth (d/b/a Pacini’s Italian Eatery) and Wareham, Mass. Over the course of several years, Papantoniadis allegedly targeted victims who lacked immigration status, employed them at depressed wages and demanded that they work, in most cases, six to seven days per week, at times for far more than eight hours per day and often without breaks or overtime compensation. Papantoniadis also allegedly withheld wages. 

Papantoniadis allegedly forced or attempted to force at least seven victims to work for him and comply with excessive workplace demands by means of violent physical abuse; threats of violence or serious harm; and repeated threats to report victims to immigration authorities to have them deported. Specifically, it is alleged that Papantoniadis violently attacked one of the victims several times, including kicking him in the genitals, slapping and choking the victim and causing him to lose teeth. It is further alleged that, when three other victims separately expressed intentions to quit, Papantoniadis threatened one victim by telling the victim that he knew where he lived; he attacked another victim, forcing him to run to safety in the parking lot; and filed a false police report on another victim who wanted to leave Papantoniadis’ operation. According to court documents, at least four of the victims feared that if they did not continue working for Papantoniadis, he would hurt them and/or report them to immigration authorities.

It is alleged that Papantoniadis’ conduct enabled him to obtain a substantial financial benefit and an advantage over other businesses in the local pizza market. He could operate Stash’s Pizza with fewer and cheaper workers over whom he allegedly exercised significant control, all of which reduced his businesses’ labor and operating costs.

The charges of forced labor and attempted forced labor each provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to 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.

Members of the public who have information or questions relevant to this case should call 888-221-6023, Option 5 or send an email with contact information to [email protected].

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; and Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Region made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy E. Moran, Chief of Rollins’ Organized Crime & Gang Unit, and Brian A. Fogerty of Rollins’ Civil Rights & Human Trafficking Unit 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 New Jersey man has pleaded guilty in federal court in Springfield to his role in a conspiracy which resulted in a Massachusetts victim converting her bank account funds into gold, because she was tricked into believing that her accounts had been compromised by purported drug traffickers.

Gaurang Contractor, 38, a citizen of India living in Jersey City, N.J., pleaded guilty on March 27, 2023 to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni scheduled sentencing for May 24, 2023. Contractor was previously arrested on state charges in August 2022 and later indicted by a federal grant jury in December 2022. 

A man posing as an agent for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) who referred to himself as “Oscar White,” contacted a victim in early August 2022 and told the victim that her bank accounts had been “compromised” by drug dealers. “Oscar White” directed the victim to convert her life savings to gold. “Oscar White” provided the victim with the name of a jewelry store in Hadley, Mass. where the victim could purchase gold. “Oscar White” then directed the victim to leave the gold in her unlocked vehicle and promised to send a “court officer” to pick up the gold for safekeeping by the DEA.  The victim became suspicious and contacted law enforcement.  

On Aug. 8, 2022, Contractor, unaware that the victim had contacted law enforcement, drove from New Jersey to Hadley, Mass, and conducted surveillance at the jewelry store. Unbeknownst to Contractor, a law enforcement officer, posing as the victim, entered the jewelry store and completed a sham transaction for two buckets worth of gold. Contractor followed the victim’s vehicle containing fake gold to a nearby parking lot. Upon arriving at the meeting location in the parking lot, Contractor removed the two buckets he believed to contain gold from the victim’s vehicle and placed them in his own car. He was subsequently arrested.  

The charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to a $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; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Northwestern District Attorney David E. Sullivan; and Hadley Police Chief Michael A. Mason made the announcement today.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Danial Bennett and Kaitlin Brown of Rollins’ Worcester Branch Office are prosecuting the case.  

BOSTON – A Haverhill man pleaded guilty yesterday to distributing cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl and to conspiring to distribute fentanyl and cocaine.

Elijah Declet, 26, pleaded guilty to the charge before U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani, who scheduled sentencing for June 16, 2023. 

Declet was charged in November 2021 along with 12 others in connection with a large drug conspiracy centering around the Gangster Disciples in Lawrence, Haverhill and Methuen. The investigation, which began in August 2020, intercepted communications between Gangster Disciples’ leaders, members and drug suppliers pertaining to their alleged distribution of fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine and Suboxone in Massachusetts, Maine and southern New Hampshire as well as into the Essex County Jail. Calls were intercepted between Declet and other gang members, who conspired to distribute cocaine and fentanyl pills, and on several occasions, Declet distributed cocaine and methamphetamine pills to a cooperating witness. 

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and John E. Mawn, Interim Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip C. Cheng of Rollins’ Organized Crime & Gang 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.

This case is also a 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.

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 Fall River woman was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for sexually exploiting children she babysat on multiple occasions. 

Nichole Cyr, 27, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin to 25 years in prison and five years of supervised release. In September 2022, Cyr pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of children.

“The crimes committed by Ms. Cyr are unconscionable and every parent’s nightmare. While a trusted babysitter, she sexually exploited two defenseless children who were two and seven years old at the time. Specifically, she sexually abused the toddler on multiple occasions, documented it, and distributed that documentation. Today’s sentence ensures that this dangerous predator is exactly where she belongs – removed from our community and behind bars,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “Our children are among the most vulnerable, precious members of our communities. As the chief federal law enforcement officer in Massachusetts, ensuring their safety and wellbeing will always be my top priority. We will spare no expense or resource to keep our children safe from dangers like Ms. Cyr.”  

“Nicole Cyr was trusted to care for a child and betrayed that trust in the most egregious manner. The sexual abuse and exploitation of a child has long-term and far-reaching impacts on the life of the child and their family. We at Homeland Security Investigations hope that this sentencing offers some peace and a measure of justice as they move forward,” said Michael J. Krol, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England.

In July 2020, Cyr was arrested for child exploitation offenses after child sexual abuse material (CSAM), including images and videos, were located on her cell phones. Forensic analysis of Cyr’s phones revealed CSAM involving a two-year-old victim and a seven-year-old victim, including videos and photographs that showed Cyr sexually abusing the two-year-old victim on various dates. Forensic analysis also revealed that Cyr had shared the CSAM with another individual. Subsequent investigation determined that the Cyr produced the CSAM of the two minor victims, who she had babysat on multiple occasions.

U.S. Attorney Rollins, HSI Acting SAC Krol, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III, Fall River Police Chief Paul Gauvin and New Bedford Police Chief Paul Oliveira made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne Paruti, Chief of Rollins’ Major Crimes Unit 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 – Two California men have been indicted for their alleged involvement in a sophisticated securities fraud scheme that generated over $150 million in illicit profits.

Joseph A. Padilla, 53, of Carlsbad, Calif. and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud, two counts of securities fraud and one count of attempting to cause the production of an identification document without lawful authority.  Kevin C. Dills, 66, of Carlsbad, Calif., was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and one count of securities fraud. The defendants will appear in federal court in Boston via remote hearing on March 29, 2023.

According to the indictment, Padilla is a former stockbroker who was barred from the securities industry in 2012 by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  Dills is the former owner of a broker-dealer who was barred from the securities industry in 2001 by the SEC. Between 2020 and 2022, Padilla allegedly conspired with Dills and others to commit securities fraud by facilitating and participating in pump-and-dumps involving the concealed-control of the shares of penny-stock companies.  

The indictment alleges that, between October 2020 and July 2022, Padilla and Dills participated in a lucrative pump-and-dump involving the shares of Oncology Pharma, Inc., a thinly traded company that traded on the over-the-counter securities market under the ticker symbol ONPH.  As part of the scheme, Dills allegedly used two companies under his control to exercise convertible debt issued by ONPH and acquire nearly all of ONPH’s free-trading shares.  

Dills, who allegedly used the two companies to disguise that he was an affiliate of ONPH, then transferred the ONPH shares to nominees of Padilla, who in turn, caused the shares to be transferred to a broker-dealer in the Cayman Islands with which he had a close association.  Padilla and several of his associates then allegedly engaged in manipulative trading in ONPH to drive up the company’s stock price, after which Padilla allegedly began dumping ONPH shares to unsuspecting investors in Massachusetts and throughout the United States, while Dills caused ONPH to issue positive press releases. According to court documents, the scheme generated more than $150 million in illicit profits, $19 million of which Dills allegedly received through his companies for his role in the scheme.

The indictment further alleges that, between January 2020 and April 2021, Padilla participated in a pump-and-dump fraud scheme involving the shares of Charlestowne Premium Beverages Inc., a thinly traded company that traded on the over-the-counter market under the ticker symbol FPWM. As part of the scheme, Padilla allegedly orchestrated the manipulation of Charlestowne’s stock price using his brokerage account and those of several other individuals. He then allegedly facilitated the sale of millions of Charlestowne’s shares at pumped up prices to unsuspecting investors in Massachusetts and throughout the United States, generating over $7 million in illicit profits.

Padilla was arrested on a criminal complaint in August 2022 and released on pre-trial conditions, which included surrendering his passport and not obtaining another passport. The indictment alleges that while on pre-trial release, Padilla attempted to acquire a fraudulent Ukrainian passport so that he could flee prosecution. Based on this alleged conduct, Padilla was arrested in January 2023 for violating his terms of release. 

The charge of securities fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $5 million. The charge of conspiracy to commit securities fraud provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. The charge of attempt to cause the production of an identification document without lawful authority provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and 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 United States Attorneys James R. Drabick and Ian J. Stearns of Rollins’ Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit are prosecuting the case.

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

BOSTON – A Lawrence man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for distributing more than 100 grams of fentanyl.

Rafael Sierra-Baez, 42, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock to two years in prison and three years of supervised release. In November 2022, Sierra-Baez pleaded guilty to distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. 

On five separate occasions between Feb. 22, 2022 and May 4, 2022, Sierra-Baez sold fentanyl to a cooperating witness in Methuen. Sierra-Baez coordinated and arranged all five deals and personally met with the cooperating witness to conduct the hand-to-hand transactions. On one occasion, Sierra-Baez was observed returning to his residence with a young child before exiting a few minutes later to conduct the drug deal. In total, Sierra-Baez sold about 120 grams of fentanyl.

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. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Dell’Anno of Rollins’ Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case. 

BOSTON – A supervisor for the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has been charged in federal court in Boston with allegedly stealing thousands of dollars in government funds through a false travel reimbursement scheme.   

Anthony Fernandes, 37, of Douglas, Mass. was charged with one count of theft of government money. He will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.

According to the charging documents, Fernandes was a supervisor for the USPS in Buzzards Bay. It is alleged that Fernandes fraudulently used his USPS supervisor’s travel authorization account to approve approximately $52,987 in bogus travel reimbursement requests for the period of April through November 2022.

The charge of theft of government money provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to a $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Matthew Modafferi, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Area Office made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dustin Chao, Chief of Rollins’ Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions 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 Maine recidivist sex offender pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to failing to register as a sex offender when he moved from Haverhill, Mass. to Fryeburg, Maine.

Frank Boyd, 54, pleaded guilty to one count of failure to register as a sex offender, in violation of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young scheduled sentencing for July 18, 2023. Boyd was previously charged by complaint in August 2022 and subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2022. He has remained in state custody on unrelated charges since his arrest in July 2022. 

Boyd was a Level 3 Sex Offender who had been convicted of sex offenses against children in 2001 and 2009.  Accordingly, he was required to register as a sex offender and update his registration any time he moved or changed employment.  
 
In 2020, Boyd registered and listed a Haverhill, Mass., address as his residence. On or around March 23, 2021, it was determined that Boyd no longer lived at the Haverhill residence and was later found to have moved to Fryeburg, Maine. He did not register as a sex offender in Maine nor update his sex offender registration in Massachusetts at any point prior to his arrest on state charges on July 27, 2022. Boyd has two prior state court convictions in 2009 and 2015 for failure to register as a sex offender.

The charge of failure to register as a sex offender provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and 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 Kevin Neal, Acting U.S. Marshal for the District of Maine made the announcement today. The Haverhill and Fryeburg (Maine) Police Departments provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elianna J. Nuzum of Rollins’ Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

BOSTON – Two Boston men have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston for illegally selling a dozen machinegun conversion devices.

Elijah Navarro, 24, and Michael Wilkerson, 22, were indicted on one count each of engaging in the business as a manufacturer or dealer in firearms. Wilkerson and Navarro were also indicted on one count and two counts, respectively, of transferring or possessing a machine gun. The defendants were previously arrested and charged by criminal complaint on Feb. 16, 2023. 

“When we look at crime data for Boston in 2022, our city remains one of very few urban centers in the country where overall violent crime remains down.  Every illegal firearm and conversion device we take off the street is preventing a potential homicide, shooting or maiming. Every piece of illegal ammunition we seize represents a life saved. The proliferation of illegal firearms and deadly conversion devices in our Commonwealth is a public health and a public safety crisis,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “Mr. Navarro and Mr. Wilkerson allegedly possessed unregistered machinegun conversion devices that turn already deadly firearms into weapons of war. Our city is far too familiar with the deadly and devastating effects of gun violence. In 2021, we had 40 homicides in Boston and in 2022 we had 41 homicides. The overwhelming majority of those murders were committed with an unregistered firearm by a person expressly prohibited from possessing one. According to the Boston Police Department, fatal shootings rose by eight between 2021 and 2022. Every case we charge that removes an illegal firearm, conversion device or ammunition from the streets of Boston and Massachusetts and ultimately holds prohibited users accountable matters. We will continue to charge these types of cases and work closely with our state, local and federal law enforcement partners to end gun violence.”

“Circumventing the law by selling unregistered machine guns, and operating as a licensed dealer without the benefit of following the legal requirements is egregious, particularly when the result is providing unlawful possessors with access to fully automatic firearms”, James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. “ATF will continue to actively enforce federal firearms laws to keep our communities safe.”

“It is this type of cooperative effort with our federal partners at the ATF and the U.S. Attorney's Office that allows us to take dangerous individuals off our streets and to lessen the availability of high-powered firearms in our City,” said Boston Police Commissioner Michael A. Cox. “We will continue to work together to stem the tide of illegal guns in Boston utilizing all city, state and federal resources available to us in doing so.”

According to the charging documents, in January 2023, Navarro agreed to sell 12 machinegun conversion devices to an individual in exchange for $1,700. It is alleged that, following a series of communications, Navarro met the individual twice at a pre-arranged location. It is alleged that on Jan. 19, 2023, Navarro sold the first two machinegun conversion devices to the individual for $400 and later, on Jan. 25, 2023, Navarro sold the remaining 10 devices for an additional $1,300 out of Wilkerson’s residence. 

It is alleged that during a search of Wilkerson’s residence on Feb. 16, 2023, two 3-D printers, 3-D printing material, machinegun conversion devices, a ballistic vest as well as firearms, ammunition and magazines were seized. 

Neither Navarro nor Wilkerson possess licenses to import, manufacture, deal or possess firearms.  

The charge of engaging in the business as a manufacturer or dealer in firearms provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $10,000. The charge of unlawful transferring or possession of a machinegun 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.

U.S. Attorney Rollins, ATF SAC Ferguson and BPD Commissioner Cox made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Dawley of Rollins’ Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.

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

BOSTON – A Boston man has been charged with the Jan. 4, 2023 armed robbery of a United States Postal Service (USPS) letter carrier in Massachusetts. 

Anthony Diaz, 20, was charged by an Information with forcibly assaulting, resisting, opposing, impeding, intimidating and interfering with a United States Postal Employee, while they were engaged in the performance of their official duties, and did so by use of a deadly weapon, a firearm. In addition, Diaz was also charged with assaulting a person having lawful charge, custody and control of United States mail, money and other property of the United States, with the intent to rob, steal and purloin that mail, money and other property of the United States, and in doing so put the life of that victim in jeopardy by the use of a firearm. Diaz was arrested on Feb. 17, 2023 and was detained following a hearing in U.S. District Court in Worcester on Feb. 27, 2023. 

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 12 assaults on USPS letter carriers while in the performance of their official duties in Boston and surrounding cities and towns. 

It is alleged that, on Jan. 4, 2023, in Peabody, Mass., Diaz approached a USPS letter carrier and stated, “Give me the keys,” while pointing a semi-automatic pistol at the victim. After the victim handed Diaz the USPS vehicle key, Diaz allegedly responded, “Give me the rest of the key,” and “Hurry up or I’ll shoot you.” The victim removed his keychain, which was attached to his belt, containing his USPS Arrow Key and asked if he could have his vehicle key back. Allegedly, Diaz did not respond, as he turned, placing the firearm in his right jacket pocket, and walked directly to the dark grey sedan parked in the area of 3A Veterans Memorial Drive. It is further alleged that Diaz stopped at the rear of the vehicle with the trunk open, before getting into the driver’s seat and departing. 

The charge of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers or employees, provides 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. The charge 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 provides 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. 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 Ketty Larco Ward, 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 defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BOSTON – A Springfield woman pleaded guilty today to stealing Social Security benefits.

Hilda Griffin, 41, pleaded guilty one count of false representations to Social Security Administration. U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni scheduled sentencing for June 30, 2023. 

Griffin served as the representative payee for three individuals who were receiving Social Security benefits. Griffin failed to disclose that the individuals stopped living with her in October 2014, and she continued to receive benefits on the individuals’ behalf through December 2014, when she stopped serving as the personal representative. In October 2016, Griffin reapplied to receive Social Security benefits on behalf of the three individuals, despite the fact that they were not in her custody. Griffin then improperly received benefits for two of the individuals through March 2017, and through May 2018 for the third individual. In total, Griffin stole more than $26,970 in benefits intended for the three individuals

The charge of false representations to the Social Security Administration provides for a sentence of up to one year in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of $1,000. 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 Sharon MacDermott, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Morgan of Rollins’ Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.  

BOSTON – A Lowell woman pleaded guilty to selling firearms to a prohibited person.
 
Leticia Alcantara, 25, pleaded guilty on March 22, 2023 to one count of selling or transferring firearms to a prohibited person. U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley scheduled sentencing for June 5, 2023. Alcantara was charged on Aug. 1, 2022.  

An investigation began in October 2021 which identified Alcantara as a firearms dealer in Massachusetts. On Feb. 15, 2022, Alcantara offered to sell a 9mm handgun to two individuals who, unbeknownst to her, were cooperating with law enforcement. On March 15, 2022, Alcantara met with the cooperating witnesses at a prearranged meeting location in a parking lot in Falmouth to conduct the transaction. There, Alcantara was observed entering the vehicle occupied by the cooperating witnesses and produced a black trash bag from her purse containing the firearm.  

On multiple occasions in July 2022, Alcantara communicated with one of the cooperating witnesses regarding additional firearms she was offering for sale, including sending photos of: a 9mm handgun on July 2, 2022; a small holster-grip revolver and one large black pistol on July 7, 2022; and two handguns on July 9, 2022. At the direction of law enforcement, the cooperating witness agreed to purchase the last two handguns Alcantara offered for sale. On July 12, 2022, Alcantara met with the cooperating witnesses during a controlled purchase in Plymouth. There, Alcantara was observed entering the vehicle and producing one .45 caliber pistol and one 9mm pistol from a dark colored bag.

On July 12, 2022, Alcantara sent additional photos of two firearms for sale which, at the direction of law enforcement, the cooperating witness agreed to purchase. On July 19, 2022, Alcantara arrived at the same prearranged meeting location in Plymouth where she entered the cooperating witnesses’ vehicle and provided two 9mm pistols. Following the transaction, Alcantara continued communicating with the cooperating witness about additional firearms for sale, including a handgun and an AR-15 rifle. Alcantara was arrested on July 29, 2022.

The charging statute provides for a sentence of up to 15 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 James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance in the investigation was provided by the Plymouth and Falmouth Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Dell’Anno of Rollins’ Major Crime Unit is prosecuting the case. 

BOSTON – A California man has pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to assaulting two women aboard a redeye flight from Los Angeles to Boston.  

Jairaj Singh Dhillon, 43, of Modesto, Cal., pleaded guilty on March 20, 2023 to two counts of assault while in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States. U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Paul G. Levenson scheduled sentencing for June 14, 2023. Dhillon was charged in June 2022. 

During an overnight flight from Los Angeles to Boston on May 31, 2022, Dhillon engaged in unwanted sexual contact with two female passengers sitting next to him. The first victim reported that Dhillon, seated in the aisle seat next to her, touched her thigh and groin area while she was taking care of her infant child who was in a car seat in the window seat next to her. The first victim called for help and stated out loud, “this man just groped me.” The second victim, who was seated in the aisle seat opposite Dhillon, reported that Dhillon reached out with both hands and simultaneously grabbed her groin and buttocks when she was standing in the aisle. Flight crew intervened and moved Dhillon to another part of the plane for the duration of the flight. Dhillon was immediately taken into custody upon the flight’s arrival in Boston. 

The charge of assault while in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States provides for a sentence of up to six months in prison, up to one year of supervised release and a fine of up to $5,000. 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; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and John E. Mawn Jr., Interim Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Dell’Anno of Rollins’ Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case. 

BOSTON – A Boston man was sentenced today for racketeering (RICO) and drug trafficking conspiracies stemming from his involvement in the Boston-based street gang, NOB. 

Ricky Pina, a/k/a “Blake,” 26, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin to 15 years in prison and three years of supervised release. In June 2022, Pina pleaded guilty to one count of RICO conspiracy.

Pina is one of 10 defendants indicted on various federal charges in June 2020, as part of a broader federal sweep targeting numerous NOB members and associates in which 31 total defendants were charged.  All of Pina’s co-defendants have pleaded guilty to various charges and have been sentenced.  

“For years, the NOB gang was responsible for brutal and senseless violence that terrorized neighborhoods in and around Dorchester. At the center of it all was Mr. Pina, who personally committed, planned, and supported the gang’s vicious crimes and illegal operations,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “Mr. Pina played a critical role in the brutal execution of a young man who was just getting a haircut. Mr. Pina’s conduct left behind a devastated family who lost a precious loved one. Dismantling these types of dangerous criminal enterprises – and prosecuting the individuals who run them – remains of the highest priorities of this office. This lengthy sentence should send a clear and direct message that those participate in gang violence will be identified, prosecuted and put behind bars.” 

“ATF is proud to work shoulder to shoulder with BPD and many other agencies to be a force multiplier in the fight against violent crime. Together we partner to focus on making our communities safer,” said James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division.

“Ricky Pina engaged in a ruthless campaign of gang-related violence, and trafficked deadly drugs, including fentanyl, to gain respect, reputation, and rank within this criminal enterprise. Today he learned his fate for victimizing the people of Dorchester, and beyond,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “While Mr. Pina spends the next 15 years behind bars, the FBI will continue to leverage our law enforcement partnerships to keep sustained pressure on gangs like NOB, and others who are the primary drivers of violent crime in our communities.”  

According to court documents, NOB – an abbreviation for the Norton/Olney/Barry Streets in Dorchester – is a violent criminal enterprise whose members and associates are involved in numerous types of criminal activities throughout Massachusetts, including murders, attempted murders, armed robberies, drug trafficking, sex trafficking and illegal firearms offenses. In addition to multiple firearms and drugs being recovered during the investigation, numerous contraband items were also seized, including: 11 firearms; over one kilogram of fentanyl (including over 2,000 fentanyl pills manufactured to appear as commercial oxycodone pills); a commercial pill press; over 15 pounds of marijuana; and approximately $36,000 in cash.

Pina was an active, central and violent member of the gang who personally committed, planned and supported various crimes on behalf of the NOB. At sentencing, Pina was found responsible for the Sept. 5, 2017 murder of a young man in a Boston barbershop. On that date, at approximately 10:46 a.m., a hooded and masked individual shot and killed the victim, who was getting a haircut inside the barbershop. The shooter fled with another accomplice on a scooter. 

At the time, Pina was subject to GPS monitoring for a state criminal case. GPS data for Pina’s location on the date of the shooting, corroborating images from various video cameras over several blocks near the shooting, witness interviews and analysis of several phones associated with NOB members/associates determined that the murder of the victim was a gang-related murder which Pina supported by providing the location of the victim to the shooter. Specifically, Pina repeatedly traveled to the barbershop in a relatively short period of time leading up to the murder, consistent with Pina gathering information about the victim. Pina’s final pass by the barbershop occurred within minutes of the victim being shot. 

FAUSA Levy; Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox; ATF SAC Ferguson; FBI SAC Bonavolonta; Brian Kyes, U.S. Marshal for the District of Massachusetts; Colonel John E. Mawn Jr., Interim Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police; New Bedford Police Chief Paul Oliveira; Quincy Police Chief Paul Keenan; Randolph Police Chief Anthony Marag; Brockton Police Chief Brenda Perez; Stoughton Police Chief Donna McNamara; Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden; Suffolk County Sheriff Steven W. Tompkins; Plymouth County Sheriff Joseph D. McDonald, Jr.; Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III; and Norfolk County Sheriff Patrick W. McDermott made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Crowley and Sarah Hoefle of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted the case. 

The Justice Department, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts have entered into a consent decree with the City of Holyoke, Massachusetts, to resolve the Clean Water Act and Massachusetts state law. The proposed consent decree calls for Holyoke to take further remedial action to reduce ongoing sewage discharges into the Connecticut River from the city’s sewer collection and stormwater systems.

As detailed in the consent decree, Holyoke discharges pollutants from combined sewer overflow (CSO) into the Connecticut River in violation of its federal and state wastewater discharge permits. A combined sewer system collects rainwater runoff, domestic sewage and industrial wastewater into one pipe. Under normal conditions, it transports all of the wastewater to a sewage treatment plant for treatment before discharging to a waterbody. However, during periods of heavy rain, the wastewater volume can exceed the carrying capacity of the sewer system or the treatment facility, resulting in the discharge of untreated wastewater to the Connecticut River. CSO discharges contain raw sewage and are a major water pollution concern.

In full cooperation with federal and state environmental agencies, the city has taken steps in recent years to address these unlawful discharges, including finalizing a long-term overflow control plan, separating sewers and eliminating overflows in the Jackson Street area. The consent decree will require the city to undertake further sewer separation work that will eliminate or reduce additional CSO discharges, as well as requiring a $50,000 penalty for past permit violations resulting in illegal discharges to the Connecticut River.

The city will also conduct sampling of its storm sewer discharges, work to remove illicit connections and take other actions to reduce pollution from stormwater runoff. The total cost to comply with the proposed consent decree is estimated at approximately $27 million.

“Today’s settlement will significantly reduce pollution in the Connecticut River and improve water quality for the Holyoke community,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “The Justice Department will continue pursuing environmental justice in communities burdened by pollution in rivers and streams to support the health and safety of all communities.”

“Fiercely protecting our environment is a civil and human rights issue and ensuring that every community has clean water is a vital part of that work. This consent decree better protects the residents of Holyoke and every single community that lives along and enjoys the Connecticut River,” said U.S. Attorney Rachael S. Rollins for the District of Massachusetts. “We will continue to require with the full force of the federal government that every community is healthy and safe.”

“Under the terms of today’s settlement, the City of Holyoke will take additional steps to reduce the amount of untreated sewage discharged during heavy rain events,” said Acting Assistant Administrator Larry Starfield of the EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “The result of this work will be cleaner, safer water for communities that make use of the Connecticut River.”

Holyoke owns and operates a sewer collection system that services approximately 70% of the city, two-thirds of which carries both sewage and stormwater.

This settlement is part of EPA’s continuing efforts to keep raw sewage and contaminated stormwater out of our nation’s waters. Raw sewage overflows and inadequately controlled stormwater discharges from municipal sewer systems introduce a variety of harmful pollutants, including disease causing organisms, metals and nutrients that threaten our communities’ water quality and can contribute to disease outbreaks, beach and shellfish bed closings, flooding, stream scouring, fishing advisories and basement backups of sewage.

The proposed consent decree is subject to a 30-day public comment period and approval by the federal court. Once it is published in the Federal Register, a copy of the consent decree will be available on the Justice Department website at www.justice.gov/enrd/consent-decrees.

BOSTON – A Manchester, N.H., man was sentenced in federal court in Boston for possessing fentanyl with intent to distribute.

Michael Warner, 30, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to 77 months in prison and four years of supervised release. On Dec. 19, 2022, Warner pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. 

In August 2020, Warner was observed leaving a known drug source location in Lawrence. Once on the highway, law enforcement stopped Warner, who admitted to buying 70 grams of fentanyl, an amount consistent with narcotics distribution. Additionally, Warner committed this offense while on parole following a state robbery conviction. 

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 Philip C. Cheng of Rollins’ Organized Crime & 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 Lowell postal worker was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for attempting to bribe a postal supervisor and sell them cocaine.

John Noviello, of Nashua, N.H., 61, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley to one day in prison and three years of supervised release, with nine months spent in home detention. On Nov. 1, 2022, Noviello pleaded guilty to one count of bribery of a public official and one count of distribution of cocaine.

Noviello was a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service in Lowell. On Feb. 15, 2022, Noviello approached a U.S. Postal supervisor seeking their assistance in a scheme to divert postal packages suspected of containing cocaine. Noviello offered to pay the supervisor $1,750 per kilogram of cocaine successfully obtained from any diverted packages. On Feb. 17, 2022, Noviello left $850 in cash, concealed in a bag, inside the supervisor’s vehicle in an attempt to encourage the supervisor to agree to the scheme. Noviello, referring to the $850, later commented to the supervisor, “that was a nice envelope for starters.” After contacting authorities, the supervisor conducted a controlled purchase from Noviello during which the defendant distributed approximately 3.7 grams of cocaine for $200. Noviello was charged for the offense on May 11, 2022.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Matthew Modafferi, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Area Office; and Ketty Larco Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Mulcahy of Rollins’ Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A former Tyngsborough police officer was sentenced today in federal court in Boston. 

Daniel Whitman, 39, of Salisbury, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris to one year and one day in prison and two years of supervised release. Whitman was also ordered to pay a $20,000 fine. In October 2022, Whitman pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud conspiracy; two counts of bank fraud; two counts of making false statements to a bank; one count of possession of an unregistered firearm; one count of conspiracy to violate provisions of the National Firearms Act (NFA); one count of making a firearm in violation of the NFA; and one count of transferring a firearm in violation of the NFA.

Whitman was a police officer with the Tyngsborough Police Department and the owner of Hitman Firearms, LLC, a retail gun shop in Tyngsborough. Whitman created Freedom Alley Shooting Sports LLC, which he envisioned as a large indoor shooting range that would serve regional and international customers and offer shooting clinics and other services. Whitman and his co-conspirator, Bin Lu, brought in a Chinese investor who contributed several million dollars to Freedom Alley in exchange for a majority interest in the company. However, in applying for loans from federally insured banks to fund the construction of Freedom Alley, Whitman hid the true source of their initial funding from the banks and filed false documents in connection with their loan applications.

In addition, Whitman knowingly made, possessed and transferred firearms that had been modified by the addition of stocks and short barrels, resulting in their classification as short-barreled rifles (SBR) under the NFA. These SBRs were not properly registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record as required by the NFA, nor did Whitman pay the applicable taxes or fulfill other requirements under the NFA.

In June 2021, Lu pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of possession of an unregistered firearm. He is scheduled to be sentenced on April 6, 2023.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Michael J. Krol, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; Jonathan Davidson, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, Boston Field Office; Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Boston; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston made the announcement today. The Tyngsborough and Westford Police Departments provided special assistance in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Evan D. Panich of Rollins’ Criminal Division, Christine J. Wichers of Rollins’ Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit and Eugenia M. Carris, Deputy Chief of Rollins’ Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit, prosecuted the case. 

BOSTON – The former Mayor of Les Irois, Haiti was indicted today for illegally obtaining a Permanent Resident Card (commonly referred to as a Green Card) by means of a false statement, specifically, that he had not ordered, carried out or materially assisted in extrajudicial and political killings and other acts of violence against the Haitian people.

Jean Morose Viliena, 50, was indicted on three counts of visa fraud and will appear in federal court in Boston today later today. 

“The atrocities alleged here – the extrajudicial torture, murder and attempted murder of multiple people – are hard to comprehend. But the political corruption and violence endured in other parts of the world are very real. Immigrants seeking asylum in the United States are often fleeing war, persecution or natural disaster. That this defendant, a former Mayor in Haiti, is alleged to have personally committed or ordered the maiming, harm, humiliation or death of his adversaries and then blatantly deceived our country to seek refuge here is not only unacceptable, it is a crime. Moments ago, he was arrested and officially charged with visa fraud. We intend to hold him accountable for this crime,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “Gaining lawful entry into our country is a privilege, not a right. Our nation offers protection, assistance and asylum to those who are persecuted. People that perpetrate acts of violence and harm in their countries — and then allegedly lie about their conduct to US immigration officials — are not welcome here.”

“Today’s indictment recounts horrific violence Viliena is alleged to have committed against the people of Haiti, both through armed groups he directed and by his own hand,” said Michael J. Krol, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England. “He’s alleged to have lied about this violent past, evading the consequences of his actions and beginning a life here in Massachusetts. With today’s indictment and arrest, Viliena is finally facing federal criminal charges for his lies.”

According to court documents, Viliena was the former mayor of Les Irois, Haiti from December 2006 until at least February 2010. As a candidate and as a Mayor, Viliena was backed by a political machine called Korega, which exerts power throughout the southwestern region of Haiti through armed violence. Viliena personally supervised his mayoral staff and security detail and led an armed group in Les Irois aligned with Korega. Under Viliena’s direct supervision, the Korega militia enforced Viliena’s policies by various means, including by targeting political opponents in Les Irois through armed violence.

According to the indictment, as Mayor, Viliena was involved in several instances of violence. The first allegedly occurred in or around July 27, 2007 when a witness spoke at a judicial proceeding in Les Irois on behalf of a neighbor who had been assaulted by Viliena. In reprisal for that testimony, that evening, Viliena allegedly led an armed group to that witness’ home, where Viliena and his associates shot and killed the witness’ younger brother, and then smashed his skull with a large rock before a crowd of bystanders. 

The second incident allegedly occurred in or around March 2008, when a group of local journalists and activists founded a community radio station. According to court documents, Viliena opposed establishment of the radio station and, on April 8, 2008, mobilized members of his staff and the Korega militia to forcibly shut down the radio station and seize its broadcasting equipment. At that time, Viliena distributed firearms to the Korega militia members, some of whom also carried machetes, picks, and sledgehammers. 

On the day of the attack on the radio station, Viliena allegedly pistol-whipped an individual with his gun and struck him with his fists. When the individual tried to flee, it is alleged that Viliena ordered one of his associates to shoot and kill him. Shots were fired which hit the individual in the leg. The individual spent several months in various hospitals and his leg was later amputated above his knee. Another individual, also a citizen of Haiti, became a target of Viliena allegedly because of his association with the radio station. It is alleged that on the day of the attack of the radio station, that individual was present and when he tried to flee, he was hit by a bullet in the face. He required months of intensive medical treatment, including two surgeries to extract shotgun pellets from his face, which left him permanently blind in one eye. According to court documents, pieces of shotgun pellets remain in the individual’s scalp and arms.  

On June 3, 2008, Viliena presented himself at the United States Embassy Consular Office in Port au Prince, Haiti where he submitted an Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration, Form DS-230, Part II in order to gain entry to the United States. The form specifically requires that each applicant state whether or not they are a member of any class of individuals that are excluded from admission into the United States, including those who have “ordered, carried out or materially assisted in extrajudicial and political killings and other acts of violence against the Haitian people.” It is alleged that Viliena falsely responded that he was not. Viliena thereafter swore to, or affirmed, before a U.S. Consular Officer that the contents of the application were true and signed the application. According to court documents, thereafter, on or about June 4, 2008 and based upon Viliena’s false representations in the Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Form DS-230, the U.S. Department of State approved Viliena’s DS-230 application.  

On or about July 14, 2008 – as the result of the approval of his DS-230 application – Viliena gained entry into the United States and was thereafter granted lawful permanent residence status in the United States. As a further result, Viliena received a Permanent Resident Card. Viliena has continued to possess a Permanent Resident Card and has used such card on numerous occasions to enter the United States.  

The charge of visa fraud 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.

U.S. Attorney Rollins; HSI Acting SAC Krol; Jennifer De La O, Director of Field Operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Boston Field Office; and Malden Police Chief Glenn Cronin made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura J. Kaplan of Rollins’ National Security Unit and Christina Giffin and Alexandra Skinnion of the Justice Department’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Unit Section (HRSP) are prosecuting the case, with assistance from HRSP historian Christopher Hayden.

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 Florida entrepreneur was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for his role in an insider trading scheme that generated more than $4.5 million in profits.

David Schottenstein, 39, of Surfside, Fla., was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock to one year and one day in prison and five years of supervised release, during which he will be required to perform 30 hours per week of community service. In February 2022, Schottenstein pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit securities fraud. Judge Woodlock delayed formal imposition of the pronounced sentence pending additional briefing.

Between August 2017 and May 2019, Schottenstein obtained material nonpublic information (MNPI) from members of his own family—who are major shareholders or directors of several publicly traded companies—regarding the earnings results and merger-and-acquisition activity of those companies. According to court documents, Schottenstein traded on that information and provided it to two of his friends—one of whom controlled a hedge fund in which Schottenstein was an investor—who also traded on it. The publicly traded companies in which Schottenstein and his co-conspirators traded included Aphria, Inc., DSW, Inc. and Rite Aid Corp., among others. Through this scheme, Schottenstein and his alleged co-conspirators netted at least $4.5 million.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Criminal/Cyber Division, Washington Field Office, made the announcement today. The Securities & Exchange Commission and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Miami Field Office provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen E. Frank and Seth B. Kosto – Chief and Deputy Chief, respectively, of Rollins’ Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit – prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – An Easton man pleaded guilty today to conspiring to distribute cocaine in Massachusetts and Maine as part of a large-scale drug trafficking conspiracy.

Christopher Riley, 40, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute cocaine before U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani, who scheduled sentencing for June 13, 2023. 

Riley was charged in November 2021 along with 12 others in connection with a large drug conspiracy centering around the Gangster Disciples in Lawrence, Haverhill and Methuen. The investigation, which began in August 2020, intercepted communications between Gangster Disciples’ leaders, members and drug suppliers pertaining to their alleged distribution of fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine and Suboxone in Massachusetts, Maine and southern New Hampshire as well as into the Essex County Jail. The investigation intercepted phone calls between Riley and other gang members, who conspired distribute cocaine in Massachusetts and Maine. 

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and John E. Mawn, Interim Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip C. Cheng of Rollins’ Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted 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.

This case is also a 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.

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 – The City of Holyoke has entered into a proposed consent decree with federal and state environmental enforcement authorities agreeing to resolve violations of the Clean Water Act and Massachusetts state law to reduce future sewage discharges into the Connecticut River from the City’s sewer collection and stormwater systems.

The consent decree, filed today in federal court, is the result of an enforcement action brought by the Department of Justice, on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, on behalf of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP). 

As stated in the settlement document, Holyoke discharges pollutants from combined sewer overflow (CSO) into the Connecticut River in violation of its federal and state wastewater discharge permits. In full cooperation with federal and state environmental agencies, the City has taken steps in recent years to address these discharges, including finalizing a CSO long term control plan and eliminating the Jackson Street CSO.  The consent decree will require the City to undertake further sewer separation work that will eliminate or reduce additional CSO discharges.

The City will also conduct sampling of its storm sewer discharges, work to remove illicit connections, and take other actions to reduce pollution from stormwater runoff. The consent decree also includes a $50,000 penalty for past permit violations as a result of CSO discharges. 

In 2019, at the request of the Department of Justice and the Massachusetts Attorney General, the court entered a partial consent decree whereby Holyoke agreed to develop a long-term plan for reducing sewer discharges. The consent decree filed today represents the parties’ proposed final agreement to reduce sewer discharges and would supersede the prior decree.

“Fiercely protecting our environment is a civil and human rights issue and ensuring that every community has clean water is a vital part of that work. This consent decree better protects the residents of Holyoke and every single community that lives along and enjoys the Connecticut River,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “We will continue to require with the full force of the federal government that every community is healthy and safe.” 

“Today’s settlement will significantly reduce pollution in the Connecticut River and improve water quality for the Holyoke community,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “The Justice Department will continue pursuing environmental justice in communities burdened by pollution in rivers and streams to support the health and safety of all communities.”

“This settlement is good news for Holyoke citizens, and for the health and enjoyment of the Connecticut River and downstream communities. As Holyoke includes historically disadvantaged communities, this settlement is especially important for ensuring that all citizens can enjoy a clean and healthy environment,” said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. “EPA is committed to continuing to work with the city to ensure that residents who live along the Connecticut River have clean and safe water. The timing of this is fortunate, as funding assistance available in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law may help defray costs borne by local ratepayers.”

Holyoke owns and operates a sewer collection system that services approximately 70% of the City, two-thirds of which carries both sewage and stormwater. Most of the time, the combined system transports all wastewater to the facility for treatment. However, during periods of heavy rain the wastewater volume can exceed the capacity of the sewer system or the treatment facility and the excess wastewater will discharge to the Connecticut River without treatment. CSO discharges contain raw sewage and are a major water pollution concern.    

The proposed consent decree is subject to a 30-day public comment period and approval by the federal court. Once it is published in the Federal Register, a copy of the consent decree will be available on the Justice Department website at https://www.justice.gov/enrd/consent-decrees.

U.S. Attorney Rollins; AAG Kim; EPA Regional Administrator Cash; Massachusetts Attorney General Campbell; and MassDEP Acting Commissioner Gary Moran made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. LaMacchia of Rollins’s Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit, Assistant Attorney General I. Andrew Goldberg of Campbell’s Environmental Protection Division, Tonia Bandrowicz of EPA and Henry Friedman of the Environmental Enforcement Section of the Department of Justice handled the matter.

BOSTON – A Boston man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston for a drug distribution offense involving fentanyl. 

Csean Skerritt, a/k/a “Shizz Grimmy,” a/k/a “Black,” 34, was indicted on one count of distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl. Skerritt was previously arrested and charged by criminal complaint on Feb. 6, 2023. 

According to the charging documents, on Feb. 1, 2023, Skerritt agreed to sell 50 grams of fentanyl to an individual in exchange for $1,500. It is alleged that, following a series of communications, Skerritt met the individual at a pre-arranged location. There, Skerritt allegedly entered the individual’s car and provided approximately 55 grams of fentanyl in exchange for the agreed-upon amount.

The charge of distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox; and Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Dawley of Rollins’ Organized Crime & Gang 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 has been sentenced in federal court in Worcester for conspiracy to commit a robbery and distribute over 500 grams of cocaine. 

Junior a/k/a “Junito” Melendez, 42, was sentenced on March 17, 2023 by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman to 156 months in prison followed by eight years of supervised release. In March 2022, Melendez was convicted after trial of conspiracy to distribute over 500 grams of cocaine. On May 17, 2022, Melendez pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit a Hobbs Act robbery.  

In March 2019, law enforcement intercepted a series of calls revealing that Melendez and three other Worcester men – Grace Katana, Keith Johnson and Shaun Walker – were organizing a robbery. 
   
On March 25, 2019, the four men were tracked as they drove over 60 miles in two cars from Worcester to the robbery target in Rockland, specifically, the home of a seller of glass marijuana smoking devices. Melendez and Katana went to a nearby hardware store and purchased a crowbar, razor blades and an 8-inch screwdriver, while Johnson and Walker waited in a parked car outside the store. Law enforcement intervened and seized a loaded .380 caliber firearm from the car occupied by Johnson and Walker, who were arrested. Melendez and Katana were released from the scene. 

Intercepted communications following the robbery confirmed that Melendez was conspiring with at least five other men – including Juan Rodriguez, Antoine Mack, Kevin Jean, Angel Cordova and Carlos Richards – to buy significant quantities of powder cocaine, convert some of that powder cocaine into crack cocaine and distribute powder and crack cocaine in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. From March 2019 through June 2019, investigators identified over four kilograms of cocaine that Melendez either purchased or sold, including over 300 grams of cocaine that was seized in New Hampshire on May 25, 2019.    

All three of Melendez’s co-defendants in the robbery conspiracy have been convicted. Katana was convicted after jury trial and sentenced to 64 months in prison. Walker pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three years in prison. Keith Johnson pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.  

As to Melendez’s co-defendants in the drug trafficking conspiracy, Juan Rodriguez and Kevin Jean were convicted after a jury trial and sentenced to 52 months and 40 months in prison, respectively. Antoine Mack pleaded guilty and was sentenced 54 months in prison. Angel Cordova pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing. Carlos Richards remains a fugitive.   

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Worcester Police Chief Steven M. Sargent made the announcement today. Valuable was provided by Massachusetts State Police, New Hampshire State Police, Shrewsbury Police and the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Greg A. Friedholm, Kristen M. Noto and Lauren A. Graber of Rollins’ Criminal Division prosecuted the cases.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and 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.

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 Massachusetts man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for his role in a fraud scheme that stole more than $8 million from hundreds of romance scam victims. 

Kofi Osei, 30, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to 54 months in prison and two years of supervised release. Osei was also ordered to pay $4,122,558 in restitution and forfeiture. In September 2022, Osei pleaded guilty to seven counts of making a false statement to a bank, six counts of wire fraud and two counts of money laundering. 

Between 2016 and 2020, Osei opened at least 77 bank accounts using fake passports in others’ names and then received and quickly withdrew proceeds obtained from fraud victims. The victims, often elderly, were the targets of romance scams. Osei’s co-conspirators created and used fictious online dating profiles to capitalize on the victims’ desire for companionship, gain their trust and direct victims to transfer money based on lies. Osei coordinated with his co-conspirators to receive the fraud proceeds into the bank accounts he opened. Osei then withdrew the fraud proceeds in cash or with a cashier’s check, sending a portion back to his co-conspirators. In total, the money-laundering scheme received more than $8 million in fraud proceeds, $4 million of which went directly into accounts that Osei opened and controlled. 

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division; and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristen A. Kearney and Christopher J. Markham of Rollins’ Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A Mexican man residing in Lawrence pleaded guilty yesterday to possessing fentanyl intended for distribution and to illegally re-entering the United States after deportation.

Jesus Gracielo Garcia-Vega a/k/a Jonathan Ivan Badillo-Hernandez, 35, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and one count of unlawful re-entry of a deported alien. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock scheduled sentencing for July 26, 2023. Garcia-Vega was initially charged by criminal complaint in March 2022 and subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2022. Garcia-Vega was again charged in a superseding indictment in June 2022 and in a superseding information in January 2023.

On March 23, 2022, Garcia-Vega gave a sample of fentanyl to a confidential source working with law enforcement. During that transaction, Garcia-Vega agreed to sell fentanyl the next day to the confidential source. On March 24, 2022, Garcia-Vega drove to the Premium Outlets in Wrentham with a kilogram of fentanyl inside a laundry bag, intending to sell it to the confidential source.  Garcia-Vega was later stopped by police on I-495 in Westford and arrested.  Subsequent investigation determined that Garcia-Vega had been deported from the United States on March 23, 2016, after which he unlawfully re-entered the country.

The charge of possession 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. The charge of unlawful reentry of a deported alien 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 Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance in the investigation was provided by the Massachusetts State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel R. Feldman of Rollins’ Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.

BOSTON – A Chelsea man was arrested yesterday for possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM). 

Lasall Johnson, 54, was charged with possession of child pornography. Following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston yesterday afternoon before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Judith G. Dein, Johnson was detained pending a hearing scheduled for March 23, 2023.

According to the charging documents, an investigation into suspected CSAM being exchanged on an online peer to peer file sharing network identified a user located at Johnson’s residence. It is alleged that, during a subsequent search of Johnson’s address, six electronic devices were seized that were found to contain several images and videos depicting CSAM.

In 1989, Johnson was convicted in Norfolk County Superior Court of two counts of assault to rape, for which he received a 20-year state prison sentence with two years committed and the balance suspended for 18 years. As a result of those convictions, Johnson is a Level-2 registered sex offender. 

Due to Johnson’s prior convictions, 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 and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; and Chelsea Police Keith Houghton made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of Rollins’ 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.

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.