District of Massachusetts
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Former West Boylston Nurse Sentenced for Tampering with Hydromorphone and MeperidineRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former nurse was sentenced on Tuesday, June 29 in federal court in Boston for tampering with opioids intended for emergency department patients at a hospital where he worked and then attempting to conceal his crime by replacing the diverted narcotics with saline.
Mark Croft, 48, of West Boylston, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs to one year and one day in prison and three years of supervised release, with the first year to be severed in home confinement. On Jan. 28, 2021, Croft pleaded guilty to one count of tampering with a consumer product and one count of acquiring a controlled substance by deception and subterfuge.
While working at a Massachusetts hospital in January 2016, Croft administered hydromorphone and meperidine – both Schedule II controlled substances – to emergency department patients in need of pain relief. A month earlier, in December 2015, Croft had entered into an Agreement Not to Practice with the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing after being terminated from a previous position as a nurse. Croft did not inform his then-current employer that he had voluntarily agreed not to practice. Between Jan. 5 and Jan. 14, 2016, Croft tampered with carpujects – syringe devices used to administer injectable fluid medication – containing hydromorphone and meperidine by accessing the automated dispensing machine (ADM) in the hospital’s emergency department.
Specifically, Croft used his credentials to enter false “cancel” or “return to stock” transactions in the ADM, which allowed him to remove carpujects containing hydromorphone and meperidine. He then used syringes to puncture the carpujects and remove portions of the hydromprohone and meperidine for his own use. In several instances, Croft replaced the medication he removed with saline in an attempt to conceal his conduct. To avoid detection, Croft later put the carpujects with the diluted medication back in the ADM where they remained available for nurses to unwittingly use on patients.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Jeffrey Ebersole, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations, New York Field Office; and Margaret R. Cooke, Acting Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Callahan of Mendell’s Health Care Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.
Former Boston Police Officer Pleads Guilty in Overtime Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former Boston Police officer pleaded guilty today in connection with an ongoing investigation of overtime fraud at the Boston Police Department’s evidence warehouse.
Craig Smalls, 55, of Roxbury, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit theft concerning programs receiving federal funds and one count of embezzlement from an agency receiving federal funds. U.S. District Court Allison D. Burroughs scheduled sentencing for Oct. 21, 2021. Smalls was charged on June 17, 2021.
From at least March 2015 through September 2016, Smalls submitted false and fraudulent overtime slips for overtime hours that he did not work for two overtime shifts at the evidence warehouse. The first, called “purge” overtime, was a 4 – 8 p.m. weekday shift intended to dispose of old, unneeded evidence. The second shift, called “kiosk” overtime, involved driving to each police district in Boston one Saturday a month to collect old prescription drugs to be burned.
For the “purge” shift, Smalls claimed to have worked from 4 – 8 p.m., but he routinely left at 6 p.m., or earlier. For the “kiosk” shift, Smalls submitted overtime slips claiming to have worked eight-and-one-half hours, when in fact he and, allegedly, other members of the unit only worked three-to-four hours of those shifts.
Between March 2015 and September 2016, Smalls personally collected approximately $16,252 for overtime hours he did not work.
To date, 14 Boston Police officers have been charged in connection with committing overtime fraud at the Boston Police Department’s evidence warehouse. Smalls is the eighth officer to plead guilty.
From 2015 through 2019, BPD received annual benefits from the U.S. Department of Transportation and U.S. Department of Justice in excess of $10,000, which were funded pursuant to numerous federal grants.
The charge of embezzlement from an agency receiving federal funds provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss. The charge of conspiracy 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 other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Russell W. Cunningham, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General, Washington Field Office; and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Grady of Mendell’s Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
California Parent Agrees to Plead Guilty in College Admissions CaseRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A California parent has agreed to plead guilty to a tax offense in connection with his involvement in the college admissions case.
Homayoun Zadeh, 59, an associate professor of dentistry at the University of Southern California (USC), has agreed to plead guilty to a superseding information charging him with one count of filing a false tax return. A plea hearing has not yet been scheduled. Under the terms of Zadeh’s plea agreement, the parties have agreed to a sentence, subject to the Court’s approval, of six weeks in prison, one year of supervised release with 250 hours of community service and a fine of $20,000.
As set forth in the charging document, Zadeh agreed with William “Rick” Singer to pay $100,000 to facilitate the admission of Zadeh’s daughter to USC. Zadeh made installment payments toward that total to Singer’s purported charitable foundation, the Key Worldwide Foundation, and deducted the payments from his taxes as a purported gift to charity, despite knowing that they were not legitimate charitable contributions, but were made in exchange for facilitating his daughter’s admission to USC.
Singer has previously pleaded guilty for his role in the college admissions scheme.
Zadeh will be the 31st parent to plead guilty in the case.
Case information, including the status of each defendant, charging documents, and plea agreements are available here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/investigations-college-admissions-and-testing-bribery-scheme.
The charge of filing a false tax return provides for a sentence of up three years in prison, one year of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Ramsey E. Covington, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston; and Mark Deckett, Resident Agent in Charge of the Department of Education, Office of Inspector General made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justin D. O’Connell, Leslie A. Wright, Kristen A. Kearney, Ian J. Stearns, Karin M. Bell and Stephen E. Frank of Mendell’s Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Four Individuals Arrested for Producing and Trafficking Fentanyl PillsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Four defendants were arrested today and charged in connection with operating a prolific drug trafficking organization that allegedly supplied counterfeit prescription pills containing fentanyl to suppliers on the North Shore of Massachusetts. A fifth defendant currently in state custody was charged with firearm and drug offenses. It is alleged that the defendants possessed a pill press capable of generating up to 15,000 pills per hour, which they used to produce counterfeit Percocet pills, containing fentanyl.
Vincent Caruso, 26, a/k/a “Fatz” and “Big Boy,” and Ernest Johnson, 33, a/k/a “Yo Pesci,” both of Salem, were charged with one count of conspiracy to manufacture, distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl; one count of conspiracy to conduct financial transactions affecting interstate commerce involving the proceeds of dealing in a controlled substance; and one count of conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking conspiracy. Vincent Caruso was also charged with one count of conspiracy to possess a tableting machine to manufacture a controlled substance.
Laurie Caruso, 51, of Lynn, and Nicole Benton, 45, of Saugus, were with one count of conspiracy to manufacture, distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and one count of conspiracy to conduct financial transactions affecting interstate commerce involving the proceeds of dealing in a controlled substance.
Cesar Rivera, 22, of Revere, was charged separately with one count of possessing controlled substances with intent to distribute and one count of conspiracy to possess and use a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Vincent Caruso, Johnson, Laurie Caruso and Benton were arrested this morning and will make initial appearances via zoom in federal court in Boston this afternoon.
According to the charging documents, Vincent Caruso, a self-admitted Crip gang member, operates a large drug trafficking organization with co-defendants Johnson, Laurie Caruso (Vincent’s mother) and Benton, among others, to sell counterfeit prescription pills containing fentanyl to street gangs for further distribution on the North Shore of Massachusetts.
Vincent Caruso allegedly possessed multiple pill presses, which can generate thousands of pills per hour, to produce counterfeit pills designed to resemble Percocet pills, but in fact contained fentanyl. According to the charging documents, a counterfeit fentanyl pill retails at prices between $10-$20, thereby generating millions of dollars in retails sales. It is alleged that Caruso possessed multiple pill presses, including one described as being capable of producing 15,000 pills per hour and weighing 1,000 pounds.
It is further alleged that Vincent Caruso and Johnson possessed and used firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking activities. Vincent Caruso and Johnson posted and messaged photos and videos using social media that depicted firearms (including an AR15), fentanyl pills, cash and high-end jewelry. In a number of videos, Johnson allegedly described his involvement in shootings, beatings and drug trafficking and identified people he believed to be a “rat” or a “snitch.”
In addition, it is alleged that Benton and Laurie Caruso conducted cash transactions in order to launder portions of the illegal proceeds of the drug trafficking operation by placing sports bets at a New Hampshire casino.
The charge of conspiracy to manufacture, distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl provides for a sentence of up to life in prison, at least five years and up to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. The charge of conspiracy to conduct financial transactions affecting interstate commerce involving the proceeds of dealing in a controlled substance provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $500,000. The charge of conspiring to possess firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking conspiracy involving a machine gun provides for a sentence of up to life in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of conspiracy to possess a tableting machine to manufacture a controlled substance provides for a sentence of up to four years in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Division; and Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts States Police made the announcement today. Assistance was provided by the Essex, Middlesex and Suffolk County District Attorneys’ Offices; Essex, Middlesex and Suffolk County Sheriffs’ Departments; Boston, Cambridge, Chelsea, Danvers, Everett, Lynn, Malden, Salem, Saugus, Somerville and Revere Police Departments; U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine; Maine Drug Enforcement Agency; Bolton (ME), Bangor (ME), Portland (ME) and Westbrook (ME) Police Departments; and Hancock County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of Mendell’s Organized Crime and Gang Unit are prosecuting the case.
The operation was conducted by a multi-agency task force through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply. More information on the OCDETF program is available here: https://www.justice.gov/ocdetf/about-ocdetf.
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.
Dominican National Sentenced for Fentanyl and False Identity CrimesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominican national was sentenced on Monday, June 28 in federal court in Boston for distributing fentanyl, identity theft and fraudulent use of a Social Security number.
Cesar Lara Castillo, 37, a Dominican national previously residing in Lawrence, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to 44 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In October 2020, Castillo pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, one count of false representation of Social Security number and one count of aggravated identity theft.
On July 10, 2019, Castillo arrived at the location of a pre-arranged sale of fentanyl with approximately 53 grams of a substance containing fentanyl, packaged in five “fingers,” or compact cylinders designed for distribution. When Castillo was arrested, he gave police a Massachusetts driver’s license in the name of a United States citizen. Castillo had applied for the driver’s license from the Massachusetts RMV in April 2019, using the personal identifying information of the victim, including their Social Security number.
This case is part of a coordinated enforcement operation in the Merrimack Valley dubbed “Devil’s Highway.” The operation targeted the distribution of opioids, including fentanyl and heroin, and resulted in charges against a total of 40 people for federal drug offenses, with at least a dozen more individuals facing state charges.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; William S. Walker, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division; Massachusetts State Police; Lawrence Police Department and North Andover Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred M. Wyshak III of Mendell’s Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted the case.
Dominican National Arrested for Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominican national was arrested yesterday for illegally reentering the United States after deportation.
Melvin Baez Peguero, 46, a Dominican national residing in Boston, was indicted on one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. Peguero was detained following an initial appearance yesterday before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Judith G. Dein.
According to the charging documents, Peguero was previously removed from the United States in April 2013, and subsequently found in Boston in November 2020.
The charge of illegal reentry 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. Peguero will be subject to deportation upon completion of his sentence. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathanial R. Mendell and William S. Walker, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Homeland Security Investigations made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Estes of Mendell’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.
Boston Gang Associate Pleads Guilty to Cocaine TraffickingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston gang associate pleaded guilty on Monday, June 28, 2021 to his role in a cocaine trafficking conspiracy.
Michael Toussaint, 40, of Hyde Park, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base. U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns scheduled sentencing for Nov. 2, 2021.
In June 2020, Toussiant was charged along with 23 others as part of Operation Snowfall. According to the charging documents, beginning in November 2018, law enforcement conducted an investigation into drug trafficking activities by Boston-based street gang members and associates in the Commonwealth Development in Brighton, formerly known as Fidelis Way, a multi-apartment public housing development. It is alleged that the defendants, through their drug trafficking activities, assumed control over multiple apartments, where they stored, cooked, packaged and sold drugs. As a result, their activities caused a blight of the development and reduced the quality of life of the other residents.
The investigation also targeted large-scale drug suppliers and their associates. It is alleged that the targets continued to distribute cocaine and cocaine base throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and shutdown. Toussaint is the fifth defendant to plead guilty in the case.
During the investigation, investigators identified Toussaint as a drug customer and distributor for co-defendant Hassan Monroe, who was a significant supplier to co-defendant Kenji Drayton, the leader of the drug-trafficking organization. Over the course of the investigation, Monroe provided a large quantity of cocaine to Toussaint for the purpose of drug trafficking. Monroe has agreed to plead guilty and Drayton pleaded not guilty.
The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years and up to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division; John Gibbons, U.S. Marshal for the District of Massachusetts; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Boston Police Acting Commissioner Gregory Long made the announcement. Assistance with the investigation was provided by the Braintree, Cambridge, Canton, Randolph and Weymouth Police Departments; the Suffolk, Norfolk and Bristol County District Attorneys’ Offices; and the Suffolk, Plymouth and Norfolk County Sheriffs’ Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kaitlin O’Donnell and Timothy Moran of Mendell’s Organized Crime and Gang Unit are prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Former U.S. Congressional Candidate Indicted for Federal Election Campaign Act Violations and False StatementsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in the 3rd Congressional District of Massachusetts was arrested today on charges of violating the Federal Election Campaign Act and false statements.
Abhijit Das, a/k/a “Beej,” 47, of North Andover, was indicted on one count of accepting excessive campaign contributions, one count of conduit contributions, one count of conversion of campaign funds, one count of engaging in a scheme to falsify, conceal, and cover up material facts and two counts of making a false statement. Das was arrested today and will make his initial appearance before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Jennifer C. Boal at 2:30 p.m.
“Mr. Das allegedly solicited illegal campaign donations, used the money for his own business expenses and debts, and then attempted to conceal his actions,” said Nathaniel R. Mendell, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts. “We are committed to prosecuting this kind of criminal conduct, because doing so protects the election process and vindicates every voter’s right to law-abiding campaigns and transparent elections.”
“Today, we arrested Abhijit Das for allegedly soliciting his friends and family for at least $125,000 in illegal campaign contributions, repeatedly dipping into his campaign coffers to pay outstanding debts related to his hotel business, and falsifying campaign finance reports to try and cover his tracks,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “We believe Mr. Das engineered this calculated scheme to show he was a viable candidate for office, at the expense of voters and the election process. The FBI will continue to investigate allegations of campaign finance abuse like these to ensure openness and fairness in our elections so that everyone’s interests are protected.”
“Campaigns funds are governed by strict federal rules so political contributions aren’t used as personal slush funds, among other reasons,” said Ramsey E. Covington, Boston Field Office Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division. “Today’s indictment alleging campaign finance violations for the personal benefit of the defendant, represent a flagrant violation of those laws and blatant betrayal of the public trust.”
According to the indictment, Das was a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in the 3rd Congressional District of Massachusetts in the 2017-2018 election. In order to overcome a fundraising deficit, Das allegedly devised a scheme in or about December 2017 to solicit personal loans from friends and close associates in excess of the legal limit. On or about Dec. 17, 2017, Das allegedly emailed a contributor asking for a friend to support his campaign to reach a specific fundraising goal of over $450,000 by the end of the year and indicated that reaching that goal might need “some engineering.” It is alleged that Das advised a member of his campaign that he would “aggregate” the loans into “one batch” and execute a main transfer into the campaign account.
The indictment further alleges that Das caused three different individuals to contribute approximately $125,000 to his campaign and structured the contributions as personal loans to a family member to circumvent Federal Election Commission (FEC) reporting requirement and contribution limits. Das allegedly concealed the excessive campaign contributions from the FEC, falsely claimed that the funds from the excessive contributions were his own personal funds and engaged in illegal conduit contributions to his campaign.
In addition, the indictment also alleges that between January and May 2018, Das withdrew approximately $314,500 in funds from his campaign account and used at least $267,000 of these funds to pay outstanding debts for his hotel business relating to vendors, the hotel’s yacht and real estate taxes unrelated to his congressional campaign. In making these withdrawals, Das allegedly sought to conceal his conversion of campaign funds by instructing bank tellers to report the withdrawals as separate withdrawal and deposit transactions, rather than direct transfers.
Das allegedly aided and abetted in the submission of false information in quarterly reports to the FEC by overstating the amount of cash-on-hand the Das-for-Congress Campaign had in its campaign bank account. For example, on June 30, 2018, Das allegedly reported that his campaign’s total amount of cash-on-hand was approximately $440,000, when in fact the amount of cash-on-hand in the campaign bank account was less than $5,000.
Each of the charges provide for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting U.S. Attorney Mendell, FBI Boston SAC Bonavolonta and IRS-CI Acting SAC Covington made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil J. Gallagher Jr. of Mendell’s Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Winchester Man Pleads Guilty to Robbing and Assaulting Federal Postal Worker and Cocaine PossessionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Winchester man pleaded guilty today to robbing and assaulting a federal postal worker and possessing cocaine.
Raymond Acevedo, 29, pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to one count of robbing a federal postal worker, one count of assaulting a federal postal worker and one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young scheduled sentencing for Oct. 26, 2021. Acevedo was arrested and charged in November 2019.
On Oct. 24, 2019, a U.S. postal worker attempted to deliver an Express Mail package from Puerto Rico to an addressee in Dorchester. The postal worker was unable to locate the addressee and was returning to his vehicle when another individual, later determined to be Acevedo, approached the postal worker and demanded the package. When the postal worker would not give Acevedo the package, Acevedo assaulted the postal worker, took the package, and a fight ensued. As the postal worker and Acevedo were fighting over the package, police arrived and eventually arrested Acevedo. The postal worker was transferred to a local hospital for the injuries he received during the altercation.
On Oct. 25, 2019, law enforcement officers opened the package pursuant to a federal search warrant and seized approximately 1.390 kilograms of cocaine.
The charge of robbery of United States’ property provides for a sentence of up to 25 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of assaulting a federal postal worker 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. The charge of distribution of cocaine provides for a minimum mandatory sentence of five years and up to 40 years in prison, four years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Joshua McCallister, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Field Division; and Boston Police Acting Commissioner Gregory Long made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Mendell’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
Associate of Former Fall River Mayor Sentenced for Extorting Marijuana Vendors and Making False StatementsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – An associate and co-conspirator of the recently convicted former Mayor of Fall River, Jasiel F. Correia II, was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for extortion and lying to federal agents about his role in assisting Correia to obtain money and property from local marijuana vendors.
Antonio Costa, 52, of Fall River, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock to three years of probation, with the first 15 months to be in home confinement with electronic monitoring, and ordered to complete 100 hours of community service to benefit the city of Fall River. Costa was also ordered to pay a $10,000 fine and $107,550 in forfeiture. In September 2019, Costa pleaded guilty to two counts of extortion conspiracy, two counts of extortion and one count of false statements.
Costa conspired with Correia and others to obtain cash bribes and other payments from local marijuana vendors in exchange for non-opposition letters and community host agreements. Correia, as Mayor, was solely responsible for approving all non-opposition letters in Fall River. Costa facilitated the bribe payments between two marijuana vendors and Correia in return for non-opposition letters. In one instance, Costa kept between $20,000 and $30,000 for himself and kept all of the approximately $77,550 paid by another vendor in cash and marijuana. In addition, Costa gave Correia a Rolex watch in return for the City’s activation of a water line to a commercial building owned by Costa.
On May 14, 2021, Correia was convicted by a federal jury of nine counts of wire fraud, four counts of filing false tax returns, four counts of extortion conspiracy and four counts of extortion. He is awaiting sentencing which is scheduled for Sept. 20, 2021.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Ramsey E. Covington, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Christina Scaringi, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Regional Office; and Glenn A. Cunha, Massachusetts Inspector General made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zachary Hafer and David Tobin of Mendell’s Criminal Division prosecuted the case.
Repeat Fraudster Sentenced for Embezzling more than $1.4 Million from Non-Profit EmployersRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Canton woman was sentenced yesterday in connection with two fraud and embezzlement schemes that netted more than $1.4 million from her non-profit employers.
Nicole Lescarbeau, a/k/a “Nicole Coulibaly,” 53, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to six years in prison, five years of supervised release and was ordered to pay restitution.
In December 2019, Lescarbeau pleaded guilty to wire fraud, bank fraud and aggravated identity theft in connection with an embezzlement scheme. In December 2020, Lescarbeau was charged again with a separate embezzlement scheme and agreed to plead guilty on May 3, 2021 to wire fraud and bank fraud.
From August 2013 until her termination in January 2018, Lescarbeau stole funds from her employer, a Boston-based non-profit, for her personal use. Specifically, Lescarbeau wrote unauthorized checks to herself using the non-profit’s accounting software and affixed the signatures of the authorized signers on the account. In addition, Lescarbeau repeatedly logged on to the non-profit’s online bank accounts and directed unauthorized payments and transfers for her personal benefit. Lescarbeau also made unauthorized personal charges using the non-profit’s business credit cards. In total, Lescarbeau embezzled more than $1.3 million from the non-profit organization.
While out on pre-trial release for the prior case, Lescarbeau was hired as an administrator at a small, Brookline-based non-profit organization. Lescarbeau did not tell the non-profit about her pending indictment and applied for the position using her married name in an effort to conceal the prior charges. From August 2019 until February 2020, Lescarbeau used her position to steal funds from the non-profit for her personal use by diverting checks to herself that the non-profit had issued for legitimate business and depositing them into her personal bank account. Lescarbeau also opened a PayPal account in the non-profit’s name to make unauthorized wire transfers from the non-profit’s bank account and made transfers directly from the non-profit’s bank account to pay for her personal rent. In total, as a result of this scheme, Lescarbeau embezzled nearly $57,000 from the non-profit’s bank account.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement. Assistant United States Attorney Justin D. O’Connell of Mendell’s Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.
Former Boston Police Sergeant Pleads Guilty in Overtime Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former Boston Police Sergeant pleaded guilty today in connection with an ongoing investigation of overtime fraud at the Boston Police Department’s evidence warehouse.
William Baxter, 62, of Hyde Park, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit theft concerning programs receiving federal funds and one count of embezzlement from an agency receiving federal funds. U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris scheduled sentencing for Oct. 21, 2021. Baxter was charged on May 24, 2021.
From March 2015 through June 2016, Baxter submitted false and fraudulent overtime slips for overtime hours that he did not work for two overtime shifts at the evidence warehouse. The first, called “purge” overtime, was a 4 – 8 p.m. weekday shift intended to dispose of old, unneeded evidence. The second shift, called “kiosk” overtime, involved driving to each police district in Boston one Saturday a month to collect old prescription drugs to be burned.
For the “purge” shift, Baxter claimed to have worked from 4 – 8 p.m., but he routinely left at 6 p.m., and sometimes earlier. Additionally, Baxter knowingly endorsed the fraudulent overtime slips of his subordinates who, allegedly, also left early from this shift. For the “kiosk” shift, Baxter and, allegedly, others routinely submitted overtime slips claiming to have worked eight-and-one-half hours, when in fact he and, allegedly, other members of the unit, only worked three-to-four hours of those shifts.
Between March 2015 and June 2016, Baxter personally collected approximately $9,223 for overtime hours he did not work.
To date, 14 Boston Police officers have been charged in connection with committing overtime fraud at the Boston Police Department’s evidence warehouse. Baxter is the seventh officer to plead guilty. An eighth former officer, Craig Smalls, is scheduled to plead guilty on July 1, 2021.
From 2015 through 2019, BPD received annual benefits from the U.S. Department of Transportation and U.S. Department of Justice in excess of $10,000, which were funded pursuant to numerous federal grants.
The charge of embezzlement from an agency receiving federal funds provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss. The charge of conspiracy 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 other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Russell W. Cunningham, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General, Washington Field Office; and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Grady of Mendell’s Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Auburn Man Charged in Superseding Indictment with Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – An Auburn man was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury on child pornography offenses.
Jesse Laino, 25, was charged in a superseding indictment with one count of distribution of child pornography. The original indictment charged Laino with one count of possession of child pornography. Laino was arrested and charged by criminal complaint on July 22, 2020.
According to the charging documents, from about January 2019 to July 2020, Laino distributed child pornography. In July 2020, a search of Laino’s residence resulted in the seizure of electronic devices that contained images and videos of child pornography.
The charge of distribution of child pornography provides for a sentence of at least five and up to 40 years in prison, at least five and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of possession of child pornography 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 $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; William S. Walker, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Auburn Police Chief Andrew J. Sluckis, Jr.; and Worcester Police Chief Steven M. Sargent made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Mulcahy of Mendell’s Worcester Branch Office 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 www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Georgetown Woman Sentenced for Bank FraudRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Georgetown woman was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for embezzling over $419,000 from her employer.
Michelle Higson, 46, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard G. Stearns to 27 months in prison, five years of supervised release and was ordered to pay over $419,000 in restitution. In September 2019, Higson pleaded guilty to four counts of bank fraud.
Higson was also sentenced separately for violating her supervised release, which was imposed in a prior case following her September 2017 conviction for a fraudulent scheme. U.S. District Judge Denise J. Casper sentenced Higson to an additional six months in prison for the supervised release violation.
In 2013, Higson began working as a part-time bookkeeper for a Wilmington company. From 2015 until her termination in 2018, Higson stole a series of the company’s checks, made them payable to herself or to her husband, and forged her employer’s signatures. Higson cashed and deposited the checks for her own personal use. To conceal her criminal conduct and avoid detection by the company, Higson falsified entries in the company’s books to make it appear as if the stolen checks had been issued to satisfy payment to actual vendors. In addition, on several occasions, Higson inflated her pay rate and falsified the number of hours she worked, thereby collecting more money than what she actually earned. In total, Higson embezzled over $419,000.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell and Joshua McCallister, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne Paruti, Deputy Chief of Mendell’s Major Crimes Unit, prosecuted the case.
Dominican National Pleads Guilty to Misusing a Social Security NumberRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominican national pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to fraudulently using another person’s Social Security number.
Manuel Maria German Familia, 30, who previously resided in Lawrence, pleaded guilty to one count of false representation of a Social Security number. U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris scheduled sentencing for Sept. 30, 2021. German Familia was arrested and charged on Feb. 9, 2021.
German Familia admitted to fraudulently using a Social Security number that was assigned to someone else in an application at the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles in 2016.
The charge of false representation of a Social Security number provides for a sentence of up to five 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 other statutory factors.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security’s Investigation’s Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force (DBFTF), a specialized field investigative group comprised of personnel from various local, state, and federal agencies with expertise in detecting, deterring, and disrupting organizations and individuals involved in various types of document, identity, and benefit fraud schemes.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; William S. Walker, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; and Joshua McCallister, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police; U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service; U.S. Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General; Billerica Police Department and Lawrence Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred M. Wyshak, III, of Mendell’s Criminal Division, is prosecuting the case.
Brockton Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Brockton man pleaded guilty yesterday to distributing fentanyl throughout southeastern Massachusetts.
Christian Collins, 19, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and three counts of distribution of fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris scheduled sentencing for Sept. 28, 2021.
In 2019 and 2020, law enforcement officers conducted an investigation into fentanyl traffickers operating in southeastern Massachusetts. On Dec. 16, 2019, it is alleged that Collins worked with a co-defendant to distribute 20 grams of fentanyl to a cooperating witness and an undercover police officer in Plympton. On Jan. 3, 2020, Collins and a third man sold 10 grams of fentanyl and a Taurus .38 caliber firearm to the same cooperating witness and undercover officer. On Jan. 6 and Jan. 8, 2020, Collins distributed a total of 45 grams of fentanyl to the cooperating witness and undercover officer.
The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 40 years in prison, a minimum of four years of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million. The charge of distribution of fentanyl provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; William S. Walker, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Brockton Police Chief Emanuel Gomes; East Bridgewater Police Chief Paul O’Brien; John Gibbons, U.S. Marshal for the District of Massachusetts; and Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Pohl of Mendell’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.
The remaining defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Boston Man Sentenced for Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for fentanyl distribution.
Anthony Smallwood, 30, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to seven years in prison and four years of supervised release. In January 2020, Smallwood pleaded guilty to four counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.
Between March and May 2019, Smallwood engaged in four separate drug sales of fentanyl to a cooperating witness. These sales totaled over 230 grams of fentanyl.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Boston Police Acting Commissioner Gregory Long made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen W. Hassink of Mendell’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Boston Man Sentenced for Cocaine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for his role in a cocaine conspiracy.
Luis Alfredo Baez, 53, of Boston, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to 41 months in prison and two years of supervised release. On Feb. 23, 2021, Baez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, cocaine, cocaine base, oxycodone and marijuana and one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.
In May 2019, Baez and two others were charged following an investigation of a drug trafficking organization in and around Brockton and Boston. According to court documents, in 2018, federal and state law enforcement began investigating a Brockton drug crew. That investigation identified Baez, a Boston-based drug dealer who distributed large quantities of cocaine. In June 2019, a federal grand jury returned a 17-count superseding indictment charging Baez and 16 others with controlled substance and firearm offenses. Baez is the eighth defendant to be sentenced in the case.
The charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, cocaine, cocaine base, oxycodone and marijuana provides for a sentence of up to life in prison, at least three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. The charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine 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 on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; William S. Walker, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division; and Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Pohl and Alathea Porter of Mendell’s Narcotics and Money Laundering 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.
The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Boston Man Sentenced for Being a Felon in Possession of FirearmRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Elvis R. Abinader, 22, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Mark L. Wolf to two years in prison and three years of supervised release. On May 13, 2021, Abinader pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Abinader possessed a Ruger .380 caliber pistol with an obliterated serial number and three rounds of ammunition on June 24, 2019, at Mt. Pleasant Park, a playground in Boston. Federal law prohibits Abinader from possessing a firearm or ammunition due to a prior felony conviction for a narcotics distribution offense.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins; and Boston Police Acting Commissioner Gregory Long made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney James R. Drabick of Mendell’s Criminal Division prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Hingham Man Indicted for Role in Business Email Compromise SchemeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Hingham man was arrested today in connection with a business email compromise (BEC) scheme.
Gustaf Njei, 26, was indicted on two counts of wire fraud, one count of structuring to avoid reporting requirements, one count of unlawful monetary transactions, and one count of money laundering conspiracy. Njei was released on conditions following an initial appearance before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Judith G. Dein.
As alleged in the indictment, Njei conspired with others to open bank accounts in Massachusetts in the name of a sham company, as part of the apparent BEC scheme. A BEC scheme is a sophisticated scam often targeting businesses involved in wire transfer payments. The fraud is carried out by compromising and/or “spoofing” legitimate business email accounts through social engineering or computer intrusion techniques, to cause employees of the victim company (or other individuals involved in legitimate business transactions) to transfer funds to accounts controlled by the scammers.
It is alleged that, through the use of fraudulent invoices and spoofed email accounts, Njei conspired to trick the victims of the scheme into wiring hundreds of thousands of dollars to a bank account under his control. Njei then allegedly transferred part of the funds to a bank account located overseas, while splitting the remaining funds with a co-conspirator in the United States.
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, or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of structuring to avoid reporting requirements provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine up to $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of unlawful monetary transactions provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine up to $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of money laundering conspiracy provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $500,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney William B. Brady of Mendell’s Criminal Division, and Jordi de Llano, Deputy Chief of Mendell’s Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit, are prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Turkish National Charged with Wire Fraud and Illegally Exporting Defense Articles to TurkeyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Turkish national was arrested today and charged in federal court in Boston in connection with fraudulently having various parts and machine components for the United States military made by a Turkish manufacturer in violation of arms regulations.
Arif Ugur, 52, formerly of Cambridge, Mass., was charged by criminal complaint with one count of wire fraud, one count of violating the Arms Export Control Act and one count of conspiring to violate the Arms Export Control Act. Ugur was arrested today in Virginia and will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.
The criminal complaint alleges that in approximately May 2015, Ugur founded and was the sole managing partner of the Anatolia Group Limited Partnership (Anatolia), a domestic limited partnership registered in Massachusetts. Beginning in approximately July 2015, Ugur bid on and acquired numerous contracts to supply the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) with a variety of machine parts and hardware items intended for use by the United States military. Many of these contracts required that the parts be manufactured in the United States. In his initial bids and in subsequent email communications with DOD representatives, it is alleged that Ugur falsely claimed that Anatolia was manufacturing the parts in the United States. In fact, Anatolia and Ugur had no manufacturing facilities in the United States or elsewhere. Instead, Ugur allegedly contracted with a Turkish manufacturer to make the parts and then passed them off to DOD as if they had been manufactured by Anatolia in the United States.
It is further alleged that Ugur shared technical specifications and drawings of various DOD parts and components with employees of the Turkish manufacturer so that they could produce the parts for Anatolia. Ugur also allegedly provided employees of the Turkish manufacturer and other Turkish nationals with access to DOD’s online library of technical specifications and drawings. Many of the parts that Ugur contracted to provide, and did provide to DOD, were designated as defense articles under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the United States Munitions List (USML). Thus, an export license was required to export the parts and related technical data (drawings, specifications, etc.) from the United States to Turkey. The complaint alleges that Ugur knew of these restrictions, but nonetheless exported technical data controlled under the ITAR and USML to employees of the Turkish manufacturer without an export license.
The charge of violating the Arms Export Control Act provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million, or twice the gross gain or loss of the offense. The charge of conspiring to violate the Arms Export Control Act 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 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 or twice the gross gain or loss of the offense. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Patrick J. Hegarty, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Northeast Field Office; William S. Walker, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigation in Boston; and William Higgins, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Commerce, Boston Field Office made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason A. Casey and Timothy H. Kistner of Mendell’s National Security Unit are prosecuting the case.
Details contained in the criminal complaint are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Milton Man Sentenced for Bank Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Milton man was sentenced in federal court in Boston today in connection with a scheme involving the use of false identification documents to obtain funds from bank customers’ accounts.
Fesnel Lafortune, 32, of Milton, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Senior Judge Douglas P. Woodlock to 31 months in prison and five years of supervised release. Lafortune was also ordered to pay approximately $200,000 in restitution. In November 2019, Lafortune pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.
In April 2017, co-conspirators accessed the account of a Santander Bank customer using fraudulent identification documents and withdrew approximately $350,000 in the form of official bank checks and cash. Lafortune deposited one of these checks, in the amount of $175,500 into a sham business bank account he had opened using a false identity. Within days of depositing the check, Lafortune withdrew nearly $30,000 in cash in three separate transactions at three different bank branches. In June 2017, Lafortune used a second false identity to open business bank accounts in the name of another fictitious entity, into which co-conspirators wired more than $200,000 in fraudulently-obtained funds. The loss to banks and individual bank customers totaled approximately $200,000.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Joshua McCallister, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Leslie A. Wright of Mendell’s Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.
Former Member of New Bedford Latin Kings Chapter Sentenced for Racketeering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Massachusetts Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (Latin Kings) was sentenced today on racketeering and drug charges.
Natanael Velazquez, a/k/a “King Nael,” 21, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel to two years in prison and three years of supervised release. On March 16, 2021, Velazquez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more commonly referred to as RICO conspiracy.
The Latin Kings are a violent criminal enterprise comprised of thousands of members across the United States. The Latin Kings adhere to a national manifesto, employ an internal judiciary and use a sophisticated system of communication to maintain the hierarchy of the organization. As alleged in court documents, the gang uses drug distribution to generate revenue, and engages in violence against witnesses and rival gangs to further its influence and to protect its turf.
In December 2019, a federal grand jury returned an indictment alleging racketeering conspiracy, drug conspiracy and firearms charges against 62 leaders, members and associates of the Latin Kings. Natanael Velazquez is the 33rd defendant to be sentenced in the case.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Commissioner Carol Mici of the Massachusetts Department of Correction; and New Bedford Police Chief Joseph C. Cordeiro made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was also provided by the FBI North Shore Gang Task Force and the Bristol County and Suffolk County District Attorney’s Offices. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Philip A. Mallard and Lauren Graber of Mendell’s Criminal Division 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.
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.
Former Boston Police Officer Pleads Guilty in Overtime Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former Boston Police officer pleaded guilty today in connection with an ongoing investigation of overtime fraud at the Boston Police Department’s (BPD) evidence warehouse.
Joseph Nee, 48, of Randolph, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit theft concerning programs receiving federal funds and one count of embezzlement from an agency receiving federal funds. U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris scheduled sentencing for Sept. 24, 2021. Nee was charged on June 4, 2021.
From at least January 2015 through August 2017, Nee submitted false and fraudulent overtime slips for overtime hours that he did not work for two overtime shifts at the evidence warehouse. The first, called “purge” overtime, was a 4 – 8 p.m. weekday shift intended to dispose of old, unneeded evidence. The second shift, called “kiosk” overtime, involved driving to each police district in Boston one Saturday a month to collect old prescription drugs to be burned.
For the “purge” shift, Nee claimed to have worked from 4 – 8 p.m., but he routinely left at 6 p.m., or earlier. For the “kiosk” shift, Nee submitted overtime slips claiming to have worked eight-and-one-half hours, when in fact he and, allegedly, other members of the unit only worked three-to-four hours of those shifts. As a result, between January 2015 and August 2017, Nee personally collected approximately $12,636 for overtime hours he did not work.
In September 2020, nine Boston Police officers were arrested and charged for their roles in an overtime fraud scheme that is alleged to have collectively embezzled over $250,000 between May 2016 and February 2019. As part of the ongoing investigation, Nee and three additional officers have been charged: former Captain Richard Evans and former Sergeants George Finch and William Baxter. On April 8, 2021, Evans pleaded not guilty. Finch pleaded guilty on June 1, 2021 and Baxter is scheduled to plead guilty on June 25, 2021.
From 2015 through 2019, BPD received annual benefits from the U.S. Department of Transportation and U.S. Department of Justice in excess of $10,000, which were funded pursuant to numerous federal grants.
The charge of embezzlement from an agency receiving federal funds provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss. The charge of conspiracy 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 other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Russell W. Cunningham, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General, Washington Field Office; and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistance was provided by the Boston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Grady of Mendell’s Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Dominican National Pleads Guilty to Identity Theft ChargesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominican national pleaded guilty yesterday in connection with using the identity of a U.S. citizen at the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles.
Hector Antonio Cruz Ciprian, 33, a Dominican national previously residing in Lowell, pleaded guilty to one count of false representation of a Social Security number and one count of aggravated identity theft. U.S. Chief District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV scheduled sentencing for Oct. 22, 2021. Cruz Ciprian was arrested in December 2019.
On June 14, 2016, Cruz Ciprian used the identification of a U.S. citizen to apply for an out-of-state driver’s license conversion at the Registry of Motor Vehicles in Haverhill. In the application, Cruz Ciprian provided, among other things, a Social Security card, birth certificate and utility bill in the victim’s name.
The charge of false representation of a Social Security number provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of aggravated identity theft provides for a two year sentence to be served consecutively to any other sentence imposed, 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 other statutory factors.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security’s Investigation’s Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force (DBFTF), a specialized field investigative group comprised of personnel from various local, state, and federal agencies with expertise in detecting, deterring, and disrupting organizations and individuals involved in various types of document, identity, and benefit fraud schemes.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; William S. Walker, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; and Tonya Perkins, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Inspector General; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations; U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service; U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General; U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General; and the Lynn Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Deitch of Mendell’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
Dominican National Pleads Guilty to Identity Theft ChargesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominican national pleaded guilty yesterday in connection with using the identity of a U.S. citizen at the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles.
Hector Antonio Cruz Ciprian, 33, a Dominican national previously residing in Lowell, pleaded guilty to one count of false representation of a Social Security number and one count of aggravated identity theft. U.S. Chief District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV scheduled sentencing for Oct. 22, 2021. Cruz Ciprian was arrested in December 2019.
On June 14, 2016, Cruz Ciprian used the identification of a U.S. citizen to apply for an out-of-state driver’s license conversion at the Registry of Motor Vehicles in Haverhill. In the application, Cruz Ciprian provided, among other things, a Social Security card, birth certificate and utility bill in the victim’s name.
The charge of false representation of a Social Security number provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of aggravated identity theft provides for a two year sentence to be served consecutively to any other sentence imposed, 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 other statutory factors.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security’s Investigation’s Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force (DBFTF), a specialized field investigative group comprised of personnel from various local, state, and federal agencies with expertise in detecting, deterring, and disrupting organizations and individuals involved in various types of document, identity, and benefit fraud schemes.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; William S. Walker, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; and Tonya Perkins, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Inspector General; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations; U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service; U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General; U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General; and the Lynn Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Deitch of Mendell’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
Barnstable Man Charged with Firearm TraffickingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Barnstable man was charged on Tuesday, June 15th in connection with selling three “ghost guns” to an undercover officer.
Jacob Linhares, 34, was charged by criminal complaint with one count of dealing firearms without a federal license. Linhares was detained following a detention hearing yesterday before U.S. District Court Chief Magistrate Judge M. Page Kelley.
According to the criminal complaint, between May 25 and June 10, 2020, Linhares, sold three Privately Made Firearms (PMF) that he had personally fabricated to an undercover officer. PMFs are firearms that are not made by firearm manufacturers; instead, firearm manufactures sell individual buyers firearm parts, and the buyer uses various firearm drilling tools to construct and assemble the parts into a functional firearm. PMFs are also known as “ghost guns” because they are not serialized, and are thus, untraceable.
The charge of dealing firearms without a license provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; Barnstable County District Attorney Michael D. O’Keefe; Barnstable Police Chief Matthew Sonnabend; and Barnstable County Sheriff James M. Cummings made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Soivilien of Mendell’s Organized Crime and Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.
This prosecution 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. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
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.
Worcester Man Indicted for Using Stolen Identities to Open Bank Account and Attempting to Purchase $83,000 Sports CarRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Worcester man was indicted on Thursday, June 17, 2021 for using two victims’ identities to open a bank account and attempting to purchase an $83,000 Chevrolet Camaro.
Brandon Brouillard, 27, was indicted on two counts of bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. He is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow by U.S. District Court Chief Magistrate Judge M. Page Kelley.
According to the charging documents, in February 2021, Brouillard used the identity of a New Hampshire resident to open a bank account at Avidia Bank. Brouillard allegedly wired $108,000 to the Avidia Bank account from another individual’s Bank of America account.
On April 17, 2021, Brouillard test drove a 2021 Chevrolet Camaro at a dealership in Norwood. After test-driving the Camaro, Brouillard allegedly agreed to purchase it for $83,000 and paid for the vehicle with a cashier’s check made out to the dealership. It is alleged that Brouillard provided his Massachusetts driver’s license, proof of insurance and signed a sales contract and Massachusetts application for registration and car title in connection with the purchase.
On April 19, 2021, Brouillard allegedly picked up the Camaro from the dealership. A few days later, the dealership learned that the account listed on the bank check provided by Brouillard was frozen. The dealership contacted Brouillard, who allegedly promised that he would wire $83,000 to pay for the car.
On April 26, 2021, an Arizona resident contacted local police and reported an attempted fraudulent wire transfer of $83,000 from the victim’s bank account. The victim reported that a fraudulent email purportedly from the victim was sent to the bank, requesting a wire transfer of $83,000 to pay for the victim’s “brother-in-law’s car.” The bank contacted the victim for verification, and the victim did not approve the transfer. It is alleged that starting in or about September 2020, the victim’s accounts were compromised, and large fraudulent purchases were made and shipped to Brouillard’s address. It is estimated that approximately $500,000 of the victim’s funds were stolen
The charge of bank fraud provides for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of $1 million. The charge of aggravated identity theft provides for a mandatory sentence of two years in prison to be served consecutively to any other sentence imposed, 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 other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Boston, Braintree, Natick, Newton, Norwood, Worcester and Scottsdale (Ariz.) Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Mulcahy of Mendell’s Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Worcester Man Charged with Possessing Counterfeit Adderall Pills Containing MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Worcester man was arrested and charged today for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine disguised as counterfeit Adderall pills.
Nestiano Kristo, 20, of Worcester, was charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Following an initial appearance this afternoon before U.S. District Court Chief Magistrate Judge M. Page Kelley, Kristo was detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for June 30, 2021.
According to the charging document, over the course of two months, Kristo allegedly sold significant quantities of counterfeit Adderall pills containing methamphetamine, cocaine and suspected fentanyl to an undercover law enforcement officer. Specifically, on May 10, 2021, Kristo allegedly sold approximately 1,000 counterfeit Adderall pills containing 355 grams of methamphetamine and cocaine to the undercover law enforcement officer. Today, agents recovered over 50,000 suspected counterfeit Adderall pills which are estimated to have a combined weight of over 17 kilograms, approximately one kilogram of suspected cocaine and three firearms, one of which was modified into a fully automatic weapon, from Kristo’s residence.
The charge of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Worcester Police Chief Steven M. Sargent made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Friedholm of Mendell’s Worcester Branch Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the criminal complaint are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Springfield Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Springfield man pleaded guilty in federal court in Springfield today to child pornography offenses.
Ross Lopata, 33, pleaded guilty today to four counts of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni scheduled sentencing for Nov. 12, 2021. Lopata was indicted in June 2020 and has been in custody since his arrest on June 11, 2020.
Lopata received and possessed child pornography on various dates between Dec. 17, 2018 and June 11, 2020 by downloading image and video files from the internet that depicted prepubescent children engaged in sex acts.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell and William S. Walker, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex J. Grant of Mendell’s Springfield Branch Office 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 www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Roxbury Man Sentenced for Being a Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Roxbury man, who was previously convicted of cocaine distribution, was sentenced today for illegal possession of a semiautomatic pistol and ammunition.
Daiquan Lucas, 28, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock to 18 months in prison and three years of supervised release. On Jan. 22, 2021, Lucas pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
On June 18, 2020, Lucas possessed a Bryco Arms model 38, .32 auto caliber semiautomatic pistol, loaded with four rounds of .32 caliber ammunition. Due to a 2017 conviction in federal court of distribution of cocaine base, Lucas is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition. Lucas was on federal supervised release at the time of this offense.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Boston Police Acting Commissioner Gregory Long made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Dawley of Mendell’s Organized Crime and Gang Unit prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Pittsfield Man Sentenced for Marijuana and Tax OffensesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Pittsfield man was sentenced today in federal court in Springfield for marijuana and tax offenses.
Jacob Sweener, 31, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to three years of supervised release, with the first six months served in home confinement. Sweener was also ordered to pay a fine of $30,000 and restitution of $90,344. On March 19, 2021, Sweener pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute marijuana, one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana and two counts of filing a false tax return.
From 2013 to January 2017, Sweener conspired with others to distribute marijuana. A search of Sweener’s residence on Jan. 10, 2017, resulted in the seizure of 41 pounds of marijuana and over $69,000 in cash. Sweener also filed false income tax returns for tax years 2014 and 2015 by substantially underreporting his income by more than $300,000 and failing to pay more than $90,000 that he owed in federal income taxes.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Acting Assistant Attorney General David A. Hubbert of the Department of Justice’s Tax Division; Ramsey E. Covington, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston; William S. Walker, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex J. Grant of Mendell’s Springfield Branch Office and Trial Attorney Christopher O’Donnell of the Justice Department’s Tax Division prosecuted the case.
Newburyport Physician Agrees to Resolve Allegations of Illegal Prescribing of Opioid Controlled SubstancesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Newburyport physician has agreed to resolve allegations that he improperly prescribed opioid controlled substances outside the usual course of his professional practice.
Guido Navarra, M.D., an internist practicing in Newburyport, has agreed to pay $12,500 to resolve allegations that he violated the civil remedies provisions of the Controlled Substances Act.
“Preventing the illegal prescription of drugs is essential to patient safety, particularly during an opioid epidemic,” said Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell. “This settlement is an example of how our office and the DEA work to ensure that doctors prescribe dangerous medications only when legally authorized to do so. We appreciate Dr. Navarra’s cooperation in the government’s investigation and swift resolution of the claims against him.”
“The DEA is committed to ensuring that all registrants are in compliance with the required regulations, which are enforceable through the Controlled Substances Act,” said Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Division. “Failure to do so increases the potential for diversion and jeopardizes public health and public safety. DEA pledges to work with our law enforcement and regulatory partners to ensure these rules and regulations are followed.”
According to the settlement agreement, on two occasions, Dr. Navarra prescribed opioid controlled substances to patients outside the course of his professional practice. In one instance, a urine drug screen had revealed that the patient was taking controlled substances that Dr. Navarra had not prescribed. Dr. Navarra continued to prescribe controlled substances to this patient despite the patient’s positive test result, a basis for discharge from his practice.
In another instance, a patient requested an early refill of a prescription for a controlled substance based on the patient’s assertion that police officers had seized the prescribed medication from her home. Dr. Navarra continued to prescribe controlled substances to this patient for several more months despite the patient’s inability to substantiate the assertion. A urine drug test ultimately revealed this patient’s use of illicit drugs. In both instances, Dr. Navarra prescribed opioid controlled substances outside the usual course of his professional practice.
Acting U.S. Attorney Mendell and DEA SAC Boyle made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan Panich of Mendell’s Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit handled the case.
Kenyan National Pleads Guilty to Fraud Conspiracy Involving Romance ScamsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Kenyan national pleaded guilty today in connection with her role in a fraud conspiracy involving romance scams targeting individuals in the United States.
Florence Mwende Musau, 36, a Kenyan national previously residing in Canton, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud. U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs scheduled sentencing for Oct. 14, 2021.
On March 25, 2021, Musau and five others were charged in connection with their roles in online scams that are alleged to have collectively defrauded victims of more than $4 million.
According to the charging documents, Musau participated in a series of romance scams designed to defraud victims into sending money to bank accounts controlled by her and others. Romance scams occur when a criminal adopts a fake online identity to gain a victim’s affection and trust. The scammer then uses the illusion of a romantic or close relationship to manipulate and/or steal from the victim. To carry out the schemes, Musau used fake passports in the names of numerous aliases to open bank accounts in and around Boston to collect and launder the proceeds of the romance scams. She then executed large cash withdrawals from those accounts, often multiple times on a single day and generally structured in amounts less than $10,000, in an effort to evade detection and currency transaction reporting requirements.
The charge of conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud provide for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, five years of supervised release, a fine of up to $1 million or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater, restitution, and forfeiture. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; William S. Walker, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Joshua McCallister, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division; and Jonathan Davidson, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ian Stearns of Mendell’s Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Boston Man Pleads Guilty to Illegal Possession of Loaded FirearmRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition. The defendant led police on a car chase before he was apprehended in Chelsea.
Raughn Williams, 23, pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin scheduled sentencing for Oct. 12, 2021. Williams was charged by criminal complaint in October 2020.
On Aug. 10, 2020, a state trooper attempted to pull over a vehicle driven by Williams on Storrow Drive in Boston for a tinted windows violation. Williams refused to pull over, and instead led police on a chase down Storrow Drive and onto the Tobin Bridge. Williams exited the Tobin Bridge into Chelsea, where he crashed the vehicle into two other cars and then fled on foot. Williams was apprehended and a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber handgun loaded with 14 rounds of ammunition was recovered. Federal law prohibits Williams from possessing a firearm or ammunition due to a prior felony conviction.
The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition 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 other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Chelsea Police Chief Brian Kyes 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.
Two Career Criminals Arrested for Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Two career criminals still on supervised release on previous federal convictions were indicted by a federal grand jury on drug trafficking charges.
Ozair Pereira, 33, of Brockton, and Robert Roscoe, 30, of Boston and Attleboro, were each charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and one count of distribution of fentanyl. Following an initial appearance today before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge M. Page Kelley, Pereira and Roscoe were detained pending detention hearings scheduled for June 25, 2021 and June 21, 2021, respectively.
According to the indictment, on four occasions in February and March 2021, Pereira and Roscoe conspired with others to distribute over 40 grams of fentanyl. At the time of their involvement in the fentanyl trafficking, Pereira and Roscoe were each on supervised release for separate federal convictions.
In October 2018, Pereira was sentenced to 30 months in prison and three years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute heroin. At the time of his sentencing, Pereira had two previous convictions for unlawful possession of a firearm.
In December 2019, Roscoe was sentenced to 27 months in prison and three years of supervised release for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. At the time of his sentencing, Roscoe had previously been convicted of armed robbery, unlawful possession of a firearm, and assault and battery on a police officer.
Due to Pereira’s previous federal drug trafficking conviction, on the charge of conspiracy to distribute 40 grams of fentanyl, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, at least eight years of supervised release and a fine of up to $8 million. On the charge of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and distribution of fentanyl, Roscoe faces a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Boston Division; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Brockton Police Chief Emanuel C. Gomes; and New Bedford Police Chief Joseph C. Cordeiro made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Pohl of Mendell’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
New Bedford Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Distribute CocaineRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A New Bedford man pleaded guilty yesterday to conspiring to distribute large quantities of cocaine.
Jaime Torres, 48, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, 100 grams or more of heroin, 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and five grams or more of methamphetamine. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock scheduled sentencing for Oct. 19, 2021. Torres was charged in December 2019, along with 12 co-defendants.
From at least February 2019 through December 2019, Torres conspired with others to distribute large quantities of cocaine. Investigators intercepted a number of communications between Torres and co-conspirators, including communications on or about June 17, 2019, in which Torres and various co-conspirators agreed to distribute two kilograms of cocaine or more. Later that same day, investigators seized approximately two kilograms of cocaine from Torres’s storage unit, along with 117 grams of a mixture and substance containing heroin, 55 grams of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl and over 43 grams of methamphetamine.
The charging statute for each count 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 other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Joshua McCallister, Acting Inspector in Charge of the United States Postal Inspector Service, Boston Division; and New Bedford Police Chief Joseph C. Cordeiro made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Estes of Mendell’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Lawrence Man Sentenced for Fentanyl OffensesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Lawrence man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for distributing and possessing fentanyl.
Yunior Darismir Prandys Torres, 24, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to five years in prison and five years of supervised release. In October 2020, Torres pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and one count of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, aiding and abetting.
Torres was arrested on July 17, 2019 after he participated in the sale of over 20 grams of a substance containing fentanyl to an undercover agent on two occasions in July 2019 in Lawrence.
Torres was indicted as part of a coordinated enforcement operation in the Merrimack Valley dubbed “Devil’s Highway.” The operation targeted the distribution of opioids, including fentanyl and heroin, and resulted in charges against 40 people for federal drug offenses, with at least a dozen more individuals facing state charges.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Massachusetts State Police, the Lawrence Police Department and the North Andover Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Kanwit of Mendell’s office prosecuted the case.
Former Enforcer of New Bedford Latin Kings Chapter Sentenced for Drug Trafficking and ManufacturingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former Enforcer for the New Bedford Chapter of the Massachusetts Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (Latin Kings) was sentenced today on drug charges.
Jeremia Medina, a/k/a “King Sweepy,” 33, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel to eight years in prison and three years of supervised release. On March 10, 2021, Medina pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute, manufacture and possess with intent to distribute cocaine base.
Medina was a former Enforcer of the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings and conspired with other gang members to distribute, manufacture and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base. As Enforcer, Medina was a leader of the New Bedford Chapter charged with organizing violent acts by the gang and administering violations and other violence. Medina also conspired with other Latin Kings members and leaders to operate a vast drug trafficking network throughout New Bedford, using a number of multi-unit apartment buildings controlled by the Latin Kings, known as trap houses. Medina was also recorded on video participating in multiple beatings of individuals targeted by the gang.
The Latin Kings are a violent criminal enterprise comprised of thousands of members across the United States. The Latin Kings adhere to a national manifesto, employ an internal judiciary and use a sophisticated system of communication to maintain the hierarchy of the organization. As alleged in court documents, the gang uses drug distribution to generate revenue, and engages in violence against witnesses and rival gangs to further its influence and to protect its turf.
In December 2019, a federal grand jury returned an indictment alleging racketeering conspiracy, drug conspiracy and firearms charges against 62 leaders, members and associates of the Latin Kings. Medina is the 32nd defendant to be sentenced in the case.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Commissioner Carol Mici of the Massachusetts Department of Correction; and New Bedford Police Chief Joseph C. Cordeiro made the announcement. Valuable assistance was also provided by the FBI North Shore Gang Task Force and the Bristol County and Suffolk County District Attorney’s Offices. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Philip A. Mallard and Lauren Graber of Mendell’s Criminal Division 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.
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.
Former Boston Police Sergeant Pleads Guilty to Overtime FraudRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former Boston Police Sergeant pleaded guilty today in connection with committing over $25,000 in overtime fraud while assigned to the Boston Police Department’s (BPD) evidence warehouse.
Gerard O’Brien, 62, of Braintree, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit theft concerning programs receiving federal funds and one count of embezzlement from an agency receiving federal funds. U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for Oct. 28, 2021.
In September 2020, O’Brien and eight other Boston Police officers were arrested and charged for their roles in an overtime fraud scheme that is alleged to have collectively embezzled over $250,000 between May 2016 and February 2019. As part of the ongoing investigation, four additional officers have been charged: former officer Joseph Nee, former Captain Richard Evans and former Sergeants George Finch and William Baxter. Finch pleaded guilty on June 1, 2021. Nee and Baxter are each scheduled to plead guilty on June 22, 2021 and June 25, 2021, respectively. On April 8, 2021, Evans pleaded not guilty.
From December 2016 through February 2019, O’Brien submitted false and fraudulent overtime slips for overtime hours that he did not work for two overtime shifts at the evidence warehouse. The first, called “purge” overtime, was a 4 – 8 p.m. weekday shift intended to dispose of old, unneeded evidence. The second shift, called “kiosk” overtime, involved driving to each police district in Boston one Saturday a month to collect old prescription drugs to be burned.
For the “purge” shift, O’Brien claimed to have worked from 4 – 8 p.m., but he routinely left at 6 p.m., and sometimes earlier. Additionally, O’Brien knowingly endorsed the fraudulent overtime slips of his subordinates who, allegedly, also left early from this shift. For the “kiosk” shift, O’Brien and, allegedly, others submitted overtime slips claiming to have worked eight-and-one-half hours, when in fact he and, allegedly, other members of the unit, only worked three-to-four hours of those shifts.
From December 2016 to February 2019, O’Brien personally collected approximately $25,930 for overtime hours he did not work.
From 2015 through 2019, BPD received annual benefits from the U.S. Department of Transportation and U.S. Department of Justice in excess of $10,000, which were funded pursuant to numerous federal grants.
The charge of embezzlement from an agency receiving federal funds provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss. The charge of conspiracy 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 other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Russell W. Cunningham, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General, Washington Field Office; and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistance was provided by the Boston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Grady of Mendell’s Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Former Boston Police Officer Charged in Overtime Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former Boston Police officer has been charged and has agreed to plead guilty in connection with an ongoing investigation of overtime fraud at the Boston Police Department’s (BPD) evidence warehouse.
Craig Smalls, 55, of Roxbury, agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit theft concerning programs receiving federal funds and one count of embezzlement from an agency receiving federal funds. A plea hearing has not yet been scheduled.
Smalls admitted that from at least March 2015 through September 2016, he submitted false and fraudulent overtime slips for overtime hours that he did not work for two overtime shifts at the evidence warehouse. The first, called “purge” overtime, was a 4 – 8 p.m. weekday shift intended to dispose of old, unneeded evidence. The second shift, called “kiosk” overtime, involved driving to each police district in Boston one Saturday a month to collect old prescription drugs to be burned.
For the “purge” shift, Smalls claimed to have worked from 4 – 8 p.m., but he routinely left at 6 p.m., or earlier. For the “kiosk” shift, Smalls submitted overtime slips claiming to have worked eight-and-one-half hours, when in fact he and, allegedly, other members of the unit only worked three-to-four hours of those shifts. As a result, between March 2015 and September 2016, Smalls personally collected approximately $16,252 for overtime hours he did not work.
In September 2020, nine Boston Police officers were arrested and charged for their roles in an overtime fraud scheme that is alleged to have collectively embezzled over $250,000 between May 2016 and February 2019. As part of the ongoing investigation, four additional officers have been charged: former officer Joseph Nee, former Captain Richard Evans and former Sergeants George Finch and William Baxter. Finch pleaded guilty on June 1, 2021. Nee and Baxter are each scheduled to plead guilty on June 22, 2021 and June 25, 2021, respectively.
From 2015 through 2019, BPD received annual benefits from the U.S. Department of Transportation and U.S. Department of Justice in excess of $10,000, which were funded pursuant to numerous federal grants.
The charge of embezzlement from an agency receiving federal funds provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss. The charge of conspiracy 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 other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Russell W. Cunningham, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General, Washington Field Office; and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistance was provided by the Boston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Grady of Mendell’s Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Charlestown Man Pleads Guilty to Trafficking Firearms and Being a Felon in Possession of FirearmsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Charlestown man pleaded guilty yesterday to trafficking more than two dozen firearms obtained from a straw purchaser in New Hampshire and illegally possessing multiple firearms.
Charles Baker, 45, pleaded guilty to one count of dealing in firearms without a license and two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for Oct. 26, 2021. Baker was arrested and charged in August 2020.
From August 2018 to May of 2019, Baker acquired over 36 firearms from a straw purchaser in New Hampshire and then resold the firearms to individuals in Massachusetts, taking pictures and negotiating the prices with numerous potential buyers over text message. Many of these firearms were recovered in Massachusetts from gang members and prohibited persons. Based on photographs that proved Baked possessed certain firearms in Massachusetts, he was convicted of specifically possessing multiple firearms that were later trafficked. Due to a prior conviction, Baker is prohibited from possessing firearms and does not possess a federal license to sell firearms.
The charge of dealing in firearms without a license 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 being a felon in possession of a firearm provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell and Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, New England Field Division made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of Mendell’s Organized Crime and Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Former Leader of New Bedford Latin Kings Chapter Pleads Guilty to Racketeering and Cocaine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former leader of the New Bedford Chapter of the Massachusetts Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (Latin Kings) pleaded guilty yesterday to racketeering and drug charges. In December 2019, a federal grand jury returned an indictment alleging racketeering conspiracy, drug conspiracy and firearms charges against 62 leaders, members and associates of the Latin Kings. Rodriguez is the 45th defendant to plead guilty in the case.
Jose Rodriguez, a/k/a “King Stutter,” 34, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base and to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more commonly referred to as RICO conspiracy. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel scheduled sentencing for Sept. 22, 2021.
The Latin Kings are a violent criminal enterprise comprised of thousands of members across the United States. The Latin Kings adhere to a national manifesto, employ an internal judiciary and use a sophisticated system of communication to maintain the hierarchy of the organization. As alleged in court documents, the gang uses drug distribution to generate revenue, and engages in violence against witnesses and rival gangs to further its influence and to protect its turf.
Rodriguez served as Inca, or leader, of the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings. Rodriguez admitted to conspiring with other members of the Latin Kings to distribute controlled substances such as cocaine and cocaine base in New Bedford through a series of “trap houses” or multi-unit apartment buildings controlled by the Latin Kings. Following the murder of a Latin Kings member in October 2019, and while serving as Inca of the New Bedford Chapter, Rodriguez was recorded during a Latin Kings meeting instructing members to attack rival gang members without seeking his specific approval for the acts of violence.
The RICO conspiracy charge provides 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 other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Commissioner Carol Mici of the Massachusetts Department of Correction; and New Bedford Police Chief Joseph C. Cordeiro made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was also provided by the FBI North Shore Gang Task Force and the Bristol County and Suffolk County District Attorney’s Offices. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Philip A. Mallard and Lauren A. Graber of Mendell’s Criminal Division 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.
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.
Former Boston Police Officer Pleads Guilty in Overtime Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former Boston Police officer pleaded guilty today in connection with an ongoing investigation of overtime fraud at the Boston Police Department’s (BPD) evidence warehouse.
Diana Lopez, 56, of Milton, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit theft concerning programs receiving federal funds and one count of embezzlement from an agency receiving federal funds. U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for Oct. 21, 2021.
In September 2020, Lopez and eight other Boston Police officers were arrested and charged for their roles in an overtime fraud scheme that is alleged to have collectively embezzled over $250,000 between May 2016 and February 2019. As part of the ongoing investigation, four additional officers have been charged: former officer Joseph Nee, former Captain Richard Evans and former Sergeants George Finch and William Baxter. Nee is scheduled to plead guilty on June 22, 2021. Finch pleaded guilty on June 1, 2021 and Baxter is scheduled to plead guilty on June 25, 2021.
Lopez submitted false and fraudulent overtime slips for overtime hours that she did not work for two overtime shifts at the evidence warehouse. The first, called “purge” overtime, was a 4 – 8 p.m. weekday shift intended to dispose of old, unneeded evidence. The second shift, called “kiosk” overtime, involved driving to each police district in Boston one Saturday a month to collect old prescription drugs to be burned.
For the “purge” shift, Lopez claimed to have worked from 4 – 8 p.m., but she routinely left at 6 p.m., and sometimes earlier. For the “kiosk” shift, Lopez and, allegedly, others submitted overtime slips claiming to have worked eight-and-one-half hours, when in fact she and, allegedly, other members of the unit, only worked three-to-four hours of those shifts.
From January 2016 to February 2019, Lopez personally collected approximately $36,028 for overtime hours she did not work.
From 2015 through 2019, BPD received annual benefits from the U.S. Department of Transportation and U.S. Department of Justice in excess of $10,000, which were funded pursuant to numerous federal grants.
The charge of embezzlement from an agency receiving federal funds provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss. The charge of conspiracy 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 other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Russell W. Cunningham, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General, Washington Field Office; and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistance was provided by the Boston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Grady of Mendell’s Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
East Longmeadow Man Convicted of Placing Firebomb at Entrance of Jewish Nursing HomeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – An East Longmeadow man was convicted by a federal jury yesterday in connection with placing a lit firebomb at the entrance of a Longmeadow senior health care facility in April 2020.
John Rathbun, 37, was convicted following a week-long trial of one count of attempting to transport or receive explosive devices in interstate or foreign commerce with the knowledge or intent that the device will be used to kill, injure, or intimidate any individual or unlawfully to damage or destroy any building, vehicle or other real or personal property and one count of attempting to maliciously damage or destroy, by means of fire or an explosive, any building, vehicle, or other real or personal property used in interstate or foreign commerce. U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni scheduled sentencing for Nov. 12, 2021.
“The jury has spoken: Mr. Rathbun is guilty of lighting a firebomb right at the entrance to a Jewish assisted living facility – a cruel and senseless crime,” said Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell. “Thanks to the jury’s verdict and the good work of prosecutors and investigators, the man who targeted vulnerable members of our community will not be a threat to public safety anytime soon.”
“Mr. Rathburn’s dangerous and cruel acts harmed not only the elderly residents of this Jewish assisted living facility, but also the entire community,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “I thank the jury, prosecutors, and investigators for their efforts to ensure the defendant was held accountable for his actions.”
“The danger posed by John Rathbun in this case was very real. By trying to ignite a firebomb outside a Jewish assisted living facility, he put the lives of innocent people at risk,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “Through the diligent efforts of our Western Massachusetts Joint Terrorism Task Force, and the jury’s hard work, the community is much safer now.”
On Nov. 23, 2020, a federal jury convicted Rathbun of making false statements to a federal agent, but deadlocked on the arson counts, requiring a re-trial.
On the morning of April 2, 2020, Rathbun assembled, placed, and lit a homemade incendiary device outside the entrance of Jewish Geriatric Services Lifecare, Inc., an assisted living facility in Longmeadow. The device consisted of a five-gallon Scepter fuel canister filled with gasoline and a Christian religious pamphlet as the wick. Forensic analysis identified Rathbun’s DNA on the canister and pamphlet.
On April 15, 2020, Rathbun falsely stated to a federal agent that he was at home on April 2, he was not familiar with the location on Converse Street where the device was placed, and he had not possessed or even seen the fuel canister.
The charge of attempting to transport or receive explosive devices in interstate or foreign commerce with the knowledge or intent that the device will be used to kill, injure, or intimidate any individual or unlawfully to damage or destroy any building, vehicle, or other real or personal property provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of attempting to maliciously damage or destroy, by means of fire or an explosive, any building, vehicle, or other real or personal property used in interstate or foreign commerce provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The false statement charge provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting U.S. Attorney Mendell, DOJ Civil Rights Division AAG Clarke and FBI Boston SAC Bonavolonta made the announcement. The investigation was led by the FBI’s Western Massachusetts Joint Terrorism Task Force with valuable assistance also provided by the Longmeadow and East Longmeadow Police Departments and the Massachusetts State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Neil L. Desroches and Steven H. Breslow of Mendell’s Springfield Branch Office prosecuted the case. The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division also assisted with the prosecution.
Boston Man Sentenced for Distributing Fentanyl and Crack CocaineRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston on drug distribution charges.
David A. Wood, 32, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to three years in prison and three years of supervised release, during which time he will be subject to geographic restrictions. In November 2020, Wood pleaded guilty to two counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine and one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
Wood distributed fentanyl in Boston on Nov. 26 and Dec. 3, 2019, distributed crack cocaine on Dec. 10, 2019, and possessed fentanyl with the intent to distribute it on Dec. 19, 2019.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Owner of Construction Company Sentenced for Tax and Workers' Compensation Insurance FraudRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The owner of a Revere construction company was sentenced on Thursday, June 10, 2021 on charges of engaging in an under-the-table payroll fraud scheme that defrauded the government of more than $500,000 and insurance carriers of approximately $93,000.
Ralph Caruso, 72, of Wenham, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge George A. O’Toole to three years of probation with the first year to be served in home confinement. Caruso was also ordered to pay restitution of $546,320 to the IRS and $93,430 to workers’ compensation insurance carriers and forfeiture of $93,000. The government recommended a sentence of one year and one day in prison.
In January 2021, Caruso pleaded guilty to seven counts of filing false tax returns and five counts of mail fraud.
For tax years 2008 through 2016, Caruso paid wages to his employees via payroll and under-the-table. The employee wages paid through payroll accounts were reported to the IRS and taxes were properly withheld and paid in returns. However, the under-table wages totaled more than $2.2 million, which Caruso did not collect, account for, or pay to the IRS in required withholding and FICA taxes. The cash payments to employees were funded through off-the-books accounts Caruso created and used solely to pay the under-table wages. By failing to pay the required taxes on $2.2 million in wages, Caruso evaded more than $546,000 in federal taxes.
Caruso was also required by state law to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Workers’ compensation premiums were based on an audit of his payroll records to determine actual wages paid. By providing only the payroll records for the wages paid on the books, Caruso underreported the wages for which he owed insurance premiums by more than $93,000.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Ramsey E. Covington, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston; and Anthony DiPaolo, Chief of Investigations of the Insurance Fraud Bureau of Massachusetts made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor A. Wild of Mendell’s Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.
Two Alleged Boston Gang Members Sentenced for Cocaine Trafficking and Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Two alleged Boston gang members were sentenced this week in federal court in Boston for cocaine conspiracy and firearm charges.
Winston McGhee, 36, of Dorchester, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to 115 months in prison, six years of supervised release and ordered to pay forfeiture of $24,984.
Eric Davis, 37, of Mattapan, was sentenced on Wednesday, June 9, 2020 by Judge Stearns to 105 months in prison, four years of supervised release and ordered to pay forfeiture of $49,000.
In February 2021, both men pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine and cocaine base and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
In June 2020, Davis and McGhee were charged along with 22 others as part of Operation Snowfall. According to the charging documents, beginning in November 2018, law enforcement conducted an investigation into drug trafficking activities by Boston-based street gang members and associates in the Commonwealth Development in Brighton, Mass., formerly known as Fidelis Way, a multi-apartment public housing development. It is alleged that the defendants, through their drug trafficking activities, assumed control over multiple apartments, where they stored, cooked, packaged and sold drugs. As a result, their activities caused a blight of the development and reduced the quality of life of the other residents.
The investigation also targeted large-scale drug suppliers and their associates. It is alleged that the targets continued to distribute cocaine and cocaine base throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and shutdown. Davis even traveled to California in April 2020 to try to obtain kilograms of cocaine.
At the conclusion of the investigation, law enforcement executed search warrants at Davis’s residence, a hotel room in Canton where Davis was arrested, McGhee’s residence and a “stash house” and recovered approximately two kilograms of cocaine, firearms, ammunition and nearly $75,000 in cash.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division; John Gibbons, U.S. Marshal for the District of Massachusetts; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Boston Police Acting Commissioner Gregory Long made the announcement. Assistance with the investigation was provided by the Braintree, Cambridge, Canton, Randolph and Weymouth Police Departments; the Suffolk, Norfolk and Bristol County District Attorneys’ Offices; and the Suffolk, Plymouth and Norfolk County Sheriffs’ Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kaitlin O’Donnell and Timothy Moran of Mendell’s Organized Crime and Gang Unit prosecuted the case.
The operation was conducted by a multi-agency task force through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply. More information on the OCDETF program is available here: https://www.justice.gov/ocdetf/about-ocdetf.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Dominican National Pleads Guilty to Misusing a Social Security Number and Making a False StatementRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominican national pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to false statement and Social Security fraud charges.
Juan Baez, 57, who previously resided in Roslindale, pleaded guilty to one count of false representation of a Social Security number and one count of making a false statement relating to health care matters. U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young scheduled sentencing for Oct. 4, 2021.
Baez used the identity of a Puerto Rican citizen to obtain Massachusetts driver’s licenses and identification cards. He also used the identity to apply for and receive MassHealth benefits. Between Jan. 1, 2008 and Dec. 31, 2019, Baez fraudulently received approximately $18,977 in federally funded MassHealth benefits he was not entitled to by using the victim’s identity.
The charge of false representation of a Social Security number provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of making a false statement relating to health care matters provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Tonya Perkins, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Boston Field Office; William S. Walker, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Philip M. Coyne, Special Agent in Charge or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigations; and Suzanne M. Bump, State Auditor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts made the announcement today. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Burzycki of Mendell’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
Former Member of New Bedford Latin Kings Chapter Sentenced for Racketeering Conspiracy and Drug Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Massachusetts Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (Latin Kings) was sentenced today on racketeering charges.
Kevin Guadalupe, a/k/a “King K-Milly,” 19, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel to time served (14 days) and three years of supervised release. On March 3, 2021, Guadalupe pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more commonly referred to as RICO conspiracy.
Guadalupe participated in an unarmed robbery committed in November 2019 by members of the Latin Kings in New Bedford. During the robbery, which was captured on video, the victim was chased down in the middle of a busy street, thrown to the ground and kicked and beaten by six members of the Latin Kings. At the end of the beating, an item believed to be a wallet or cell phone was taken from the victim’s pants pocket.
The Latin Kings are a violent criminal enterprise comprised of thousands of members across the United States. The Latin Kings adhere to a national manifesto, employ an internal judiciary and use a sophisticated system of communication to maintain the hierarchy of the organization. As alleged in court documents, the gang uses drug distribution to generate revenue, and engages in violence against witnesses and rival gangs to further its influence and to protect its turf.
In December 2019, a federal grand jury returned an indictment alleging racketeering conspiracy, drug conspiracy and firearms charges against 62 leaders, members and associates of the Latin Kings. Guadalupe is the 31st defendant to be sentenced in the case.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Commissioner Carol Mici of the Massachusetts Department of Correction; and New Bedford Police Chief Joseph C. Cordeiro made the announcement. Valuable assistance was also provided by the FBI North Shore Gang Task Force and the Bristol County and Suffolk County District Attorney’s Offices. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Philip A. Mallard and Lauren Graber of Mendell’s Criminal Division prosecuted the case.
The operation was conducted by a multi-agency task force through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply. More information on the OCDETF program is available here: https://www.justice.gov/ocdetf/about-ocdetf.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.