District of Maryland
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Former Federal Employee Pleads Guilty to Receiving Unauthorized Compensation for Work He Was Supposed to Provide to the Public as Part of His JobRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles B. Day today sentenced Gerald F. Luchansky, age 82, of Annapolis, Maryland, to four months of home detention as part of one year of probation and ordered him to pay a $5,000 fine, after Luchansky pleaded guilty to receipt of unauthorized compensation by a government employee. Luchansky, a former employee of the National Archives and Records Administration, admitted that he accepted compensation from two different companies for work that he was supposed to provide to members of the public for free.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur and and Jason Metrick, Assistant Inspector General for Investigations, National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).
Gerald Luchansky was an Archives Specialist with NARA from 1979, until his retirement in 2017, after receiving a lifetime achievement award for his work.
According to his guilty plea, one of Luchansky’s job responsibilities was to pull archival aerial photographs of Allied bombing runs in World War II, digitize them, and make them available to researchers. Starting in 2008, and without the knowledge or approval of NARA, Luchansky was hired and paid by a German company to do this very same work while he was employed at NARA. Luchansky would scan NARA’s archival aerial photographs and provide them to the German company on thumb drives or CDs. The Germany company paid Luchansky for the photographs, even though Luchansky was being paid by NARA to provide those same photographs to members of the public for free.
As detailed in his plea agreement, between 2004 and 2017, and without the knowledge or approval of NARA, Luchansky was paid $27,510 by a second company—this one in Maryland—to research NARA cartographic holdings and obtain rolls of NARA’s aerial film. Luchansky provided the Maryland company with invoices for his work, even though as a NARA employee he was supposed to provide those services to the public for free. Luchansky admitted that he deposited the payments from the Maryland company into his bank account.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the NARA Office of Inspector General for its work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leah B. Grossi and Thomas M. Sullivan, who prosecuted the federal case.
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Federal Superseding Indictment Charges Two Baltimore Defense Attorneys and Private Investigator for Conspiracy to Create False Records in a Federal Investigation and to Obstruct Official ProceedingsRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury has returned a superseding indictment against attorney Kenneth Wendell Ravenell, age 60, of Monkton, Maryland, on federal charges of racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and narcotics conspiracy. The superseding indictment also adds two new defendants, attorney Joshua Reinhardt Treem, age 73, of Columbia, and Sean Francis Gordon, age 45, of Crownsville, a private investigator who worked for both Ravenell and Treem. The superseding indictment charges Treem and Gordon, along with Ravenell, with a conspiracy to commit offenses against the United States, specifically, to create false records and documents and to obstruct an official proceeding in order to protect members of the conspiracy who were under investigation by federal law enforcement and federal grand juries sitting in Baltimore, including Ravenell himself. Ravenell, Treem, and Gordon are also charged with one count of falsification of documents, and obstructing an official proceeding; Ravenell and Treem are charged with two counts of falsification of records in a federal investigation; and Gordon is charged with one count of falsification of records in a federal investigation. The superseding indictment was returned late on December 17, 2020.
The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Kelly R. Jackson of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, Washington, D.C. Field Office; and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Orville O. Greene of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District Office.
“Attorneys are officers of the Court,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. “They are not above the law. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will investigate and prosecute attorneys who violate the trust placed in them by breaking the law and obstructing justice.”
Ravenell and Treem practiced law at the same law firm in the 1990s and early 2000s. On January 21, 2016, Treem began representing Ravenell in connection with a federal grand jury investigation into Ravenell. Gordon had been previously hired by Ravenell in connection with Ravenell’s representation of a drug trafficker. Later, Gordon was retained to work with Treem and Ravenell in connection with the investigation of Ravenell. Treem continued to represent Ravenell until June 18, 2019.
The seven-count superseding indictment re-alleges the charges previously filed against Ravenell—specifically, that he violated the legitimate and lawful purpose of the law firm where he worked in order to enrich himself and Individual 1 by receiving payments from a drug trafficker client and his associates in exchange for laundering drug proceeds, obstructing justice to protect the client and his associates, and instructing the client and his associates how to evade law enforcement and continue their drug trafficking; that Ravenell allegedly knowingly protected and assisted co-conspirators in their drug trafficking by coaching co-conspirators about law enforcement techniques so that they could evade these techniques when they trafficked in narcotics; that Ravenell allegedly used the law firm’s bank accounts to launder hundreds of thousands of dollars and protect the drug trafficking organization; and that Ravenell allegedly used the law firm’s bank accounts to receive drug payments and make payments to attorneys retained to represent other members of the conspiracy, concealing and misrepresenting the source of the funds to those attorneys. Ravenell also allegedly received substantial cash payments derived from drug sales as compensation for laundering money and for protection he provided to his co-conspirators. The superseding indictment also re-alleges that Ravenell participated in a conspiracy to distribute 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana.
The superseding indictment adds four new counts alleging that from May 5, 2013 through December 11, 2018, Ravenell, Treem, and Gordon conspired to conceal, cover up, falsify, and make false entries in a record or document to impede, obstruct, or influence federal investigations into Ravenell and one of his clients and knowingly and corruptly impede official proceedings, specifically a grand jury investigation and federal criminal prosecution of one of Ravenell’s clients and a federal grand jury investigation and potential federal criminal prosecution of Ravenell himself. Specifically, the superseding indictment alleges that Ravenell obtained access to incarcerated individuals, whom he did not represent, and dispatched private investigators, including Gordon, to interview incarcerated individuals and civilian witnesses, so that Ravenell and others at his direction could attempt to improperly influence their testimony, attempt to cause them to execute false affidavits and witness statements which Ravenell knew to be false, and attempt to cause witnesses to withhold testimony from official proceedings.
As alleged in the superseding indictment, Treem and Gordon, at Ravenell’s direction, met with a former client of Ravenell’s, who they knew was a potential witness in a federal criminal investigation of Ravenell by the U.S. Department of Justice and a federal grand jury sitting in Baltimore and a potential criminal prosecution of Ravenell. At the meeting, Treem and Gordon allegedly presented the witness with a document, prepared by Ravenell, containing false statements exculpating Ravenell. Despite the fact that the witness told Treem and Gordon that these statements were false, the superseding indictment alleges that Treem and Gordon urged the witness to sign the document.
The superseding indictment alleges that Ravenell, Treem, and Gordon prepared false documents, including an affidavit on behalf of Gordon that had, as an exhibit, the document containing false exculpatory statements that Treem and Gordon had urged the witness to sign, and a letter to a United States District Judge signed by Treem, relating to their interview of the witness. These documents could be used to undermine the witness’ credibility and to provide evidence of a prior consistent statement by Gordon or Treem if either one of them were to testify. The superseding indictment alleges that the letter was sent to the Judge with the intent to impede, obstruct, or influence a federal investigation and prosecution of Ravenell. Finally, the superseding indictment alleges that the false affidavit prepared by Treem with Ravenell’s assistance, and which Gordon executed, was also an attempt to thwart the investigation and prosecution of Ravenell.
If convicted, Ravenell faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for the racketeering conspiracy; a maximum of 20 years in prison for the money laundering conspiracy; and a maximum of life in prison for the narcotics conspiracy. If convicted, Ravenell, Treem, and Gordon face a maximum of five years in prison for conspiracy to commit offenses against the United States; a maximum of 20 years in prison for each count of falsification of records in a federal investigation; and a maximum of 20 years in prison for each count of obstructing an official proceeding. The case will be handled by U.S. District Judge Liam O’Grady of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, who has been assigned to preside over this case in the District of Maryland.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the IRS-CI, the DEA, the Maryland Transportation Authority Police Department, the Phoenix (Arizona) Police Department, and the Arizona Financial Crimes Task Force for their work in the investigation and thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leo J. Wise and Matthew J. Maddox, who are prosecuting the case.
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Serial Bank Robber Pleads Guilty to Federal Bank Robbery Charge—Admits Committing Five Bank Robberies and Two Attempted Bank Robberies in Less Than a MonthRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Edward Omar Johnson, age 37, of Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to committing five bank robberies and two attempted bank robberies in Baltimore and York, Pennsylvania, between February 27, 2019 and March 19, 2019.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department; and Commissioner Michael Muldrow of the York City (Pennsylvania) Police Department.
According to his plea agreement, between from February 27, 2019 and March 19, 2019, Johnson robbed five banks and attempted to rob two others. During each robbery, Johnson presented the victim teller with a demand note stating that he had a firearm. Four of the robberies and the two attempted robberies took place in Baltimore. One robbery was committed in York, Pennsylvania.
Specifically, on February 27 and March 12, Johnson robbed a bank in the 400 block of West Baltimore Street in Baltimore. On March 4 and March 5, Johnson unsuccessfully attempted to rob banks in the 300 block of West Baltimore Street and the 2100 block of Eastern Avenue, both in Baltimore. On March 5, Johnson robbed a bank located in the 2000 block of East Monument Street in Baltimore. On March 12, Johnson robbed a second bank located in the 1100 block of North Charles Street in Baltimore. Finally, on March 19, Johnson robbed a bank in the unit block of West Market Street in York, Pennsylvania, throwing the demand note at the teller, then reaching into the victim teller’s cash drawer, stealing $30 in cash. In that robbery, Johnson also inadvertently took a GPS tracker hidden in bait money, which he threw in a nearby dumpster.
On March 14, 2020, the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force issued a media release of the robbery surveillance images captured during the robberies in Maryland. The Baltimore Police Department subsequently received an anonymous tip that the robber was Johnson. Law enforcement obtained prior photos of Johnson which matched the physical appearance of the suspect in the bank robberies. On March 22, 2019, the York City Police Department located and arrested Johnson in York, Pennsylvania. A search of Johnson recovered a bank robbery demand note, the language of which was consistent with the language in the notes used in previous robberies. Johnson waived his rights and during an interview with law enforcement admitted committing the robberies and identified himself in surveillance photos from the robberies. Later investigation revealed the existence of Johnson’s latent fingerprints on the demand notes he left behind after the attempted bank robbery and successful bank robbery on March 5, 2019, and the two March 12, 2019 bank robberies.
Johnson and the government have agreed that, if the Court accepts the plea agreement, Johnson will be sentenced to 141 months in federal prison. U.S. District Judge George L. Russell, III has scheduled sentencing for March 1, 2021 at 10:00 a.m.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI, the Baltimore Police Department, and the York City Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul A. Riley, who is prosecuting the federal case.
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Prince George’s County Bank Robber Sentenced to More Than 12 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge George J. Hazel today sentenced Donnell Duane Berry, age 44, of Forestville, Maryland, to 151 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for a 2019 bank robbery. Berry committed this crime while on supervised release for a previous federal conviction.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Interim Chief Hector Velez of the Prince George’s County Police Department.
According to his guilty plea, on September 4, 2019, Berry and two other individuals committed the robbery of a bank in Lanham, Maryland. Berry, who had previously committed a robbery at this same location, wrote the demand note and provided it to his co-defendant, who entered the bank and provided the demand note to the teller, while Berry and the third individual waited in the getaway car. In fear for her life, the victim teller gave the co-defendant over $4,000 in cash along with a GPS tracker. The co-defendant took the cash and fled the bank, getting into the waiting getaway car.
As detailed in the plea agreement, a short time later police located the getaway car, which was disabled in an intersection approximately five miles from the bank. Berry and the other robbers attempted to run away from police but were all subsequently apprehended. Officers recovered the following items from a bin underneath the deck of a house near the intersection: the hat worn by the co-defendant during the robbery; the co-defendant’s wallet; and $3,050 in cash, which still had the bank’s GPS tracker in it. Near the wood line several yards east of the intersection officers also recovered a black and gray backpack containing Berry’s identification and credit cards.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI and the Prince George’s County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erin B. Pulice and Dwight Draughon, who prosecuted the case.
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Catonsville Drug Dealer Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Conspiring to Distribute Fentanyl and Heroin in BaltimoreRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett today sentenced Jermol McCoy, age 37, of Catonsville, Maryland, to 10 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Orville O. Greene of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Baltimore District Office; Special Agent in Charge Timothy Jones of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division; Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department; Colonel Woodrow W. Jones III, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police (MSP); Secretary Robert L. Green of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS); and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby.
According to his guilty plea, from at least 2018 through 2019, McCoy conspired with others to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and crack cocaine in and around Baltimore. During the investigation, law enforcement intercepted phone calls and text messages in which McCoy made plans to distribute drugs, spoke about the hierarchy of the drug trafficking organization, and discussed methods to avoid detection by law enforcement.
On November 21, 2019, law enforcement executed a search warrant at McCoy’s apartment in Catonsville, which he used to manufacture and distribute controlled substances. Law enforcement recovered 4.9 grams of fentanyl in a plastic bag behind the microwave, cutting agent, and drug paraphernalia, including a kilogram press, digital scales, three boxes of plastic baggies, and cellular phones. In addition, law enforcement recovered a loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol concealed in a bag in the bedroom. McCoy is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition as a result of a previous felony conviction.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the DEA, the ATF, the Baltimore Police Department, MSP, DPSCS and the Office of the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joan C. Mathias and Michael C. Hanlon, who prosecuted the case.
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Baltimore Felon Pleads Guilty to Federal Charge for his Participation in a Fentanyl Distribution ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Thomas Corey Crosby, age 51, of Woodlawn, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, specifically, 40 grams or more of fentanyl.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Orville O. Greene of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District Office; and Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department.
According to his guilty plea, from at least May 2020 through August 2020, Crosby participated in a conspiracy to distribute illegal narcotics, including heroin and fentanyl.
Beginning in May 2020, investigators began wiretapping a cell phone known to be used by a co-conspirator, which revealed that the co-conspirator was operating an open-air drug market (commonly called a “drug shop”) that sold cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl, in Northwest Baltimore City in the area of Palmer and Spaulding Avenues and that the co-conspirator was communicating with Crosby regarding the drug business. Investigators also obtained authorization to intercept a phone used by Crosby. Investigation revealed that Crosby and the co-conspirator communicated approximately every 7 to 14 days concerning the sale of narcotics, including heroin and fentanyl. Crosby and the co-conspirator spoke in code during these calls, but it was clear that they were discussing the distribution of narcotics. After these conversations, Crosby and his co-conspirator would meet at a gas station, located at the intersection of Druid Park Avenue and Liberty Heights in Baltimore, where Crosby supplied the co-conspirator with drugs. Investigators conducted surveillance on several of these meetings and obtained video surveillance from the gas station.
On August 9, 2020, law enforcement executed a vehicle stop on the co-conspirator’s vehicle after Crosby had met the co-conspirator at the gas station, where Crosby was seen placing an item in the center console area of the vehicle. During a search of the vehicle, investigators recovered over 100 grams of fentanyl from a bag inside the center console of the vehicle. After this traffic stop, the co-conspirator immediately called Crosby and the pair then met at the same gas station. After this additional meeting, Crosby disposed of his cell phone, which investigators had obtained authorization to intercept and track. Crosby distributed the 100 grams of fentanyl to the co-conspirator.
On August 14, 2020, investigators executed a series of search warrants at locations related to the investigation, including a residence in the 2500 block of Park Heights Terrace in Baltimore, a location used by Crosby to manufacture and store drugs. Inside the residence, investigators recovered fentanyl, as well as drug paraphernalia and packaging material including: sifters, razor blades, plastic baggies, a digital scale, and cutting agents. Investigators also executed a search warrant at Crosby’s residence, where they recovered $134,499 in cash, which Crosby admitted constituted proceeds from his drug trafficking activities.
Crosby admitted that he distributed over 160 grams of fentanyl during his participation in the conspiracy,
As part of his plea agreement, Crosby will forfeit $134,499 in cash, which was seized on August 14, 2020. Additionally, Crosby acknowledges that he was previously convicted in federal court for possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.
Crosby and the government have agreed that, if the Court accepts the plea agreement, Crosby will be sentenced to 10 years in federal prison. U.S. District Judge George L. Russell, III has scheduled sentencing for February 11, 2021 at 10:00 a.m.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the DEA and Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew DellaBetta and Daniel A. Loveland, Jr., who are prosecuting the case.
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Washington, D.C. Felon Pleads Guilty in Maryland to Federal Charges for Illegal Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Ronald Clarence Kearney, age 32, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty on December 10, 2020, to a federal charge for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur and Director Donald W. Washington of the U.S. Marshals Service.
According to his guilty plea, on November 27, 2019, deputies of the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) went to Kearney’s residence in Washington, D.C. to arrest Kearney on an outstanding warrant. Kearney fled, getting into a 2011 Ford Crown Victoria parked in the parking lot at his residence, and drove away. USMS deputies followed Kearney with emergency equipment activated. Kearney drove onto the Suitland Parkway and crossed into Maryland, ultimately crashing the car into a concrete column supporting the Naylor Road Metrorail Bridge. Although the vehicle was stuck, Kearney continued to attempt to move the vehicle forward and backwards and nearly struck a USMS deputy who had left his vehicle after the crash. Fearing that Kearney would hit him the USMS deputy fired his service weapon, striking Kearney’s car.
Realizing that his efforts to dislodge the vehicle were unsuccessful, Kearney fled on foot and was apprehended by USMS deputies in a nearby creek bed. Kearney told the arresting law enforcement officers that he had a firearm in his car. USMS deputies searched the Crown Victoria and recovered a 9mm semi-automatic handgun. The Crown Victoria had been stolen in Prince George’s County three days earlier. Kearney had been convicted previously in the District of Columbia Superior Court of robbery with a deadly weapon and in Prince George’s County, Maryland Circuit Court of carjacking and robbery, all of which were felonies. Kearney knew that as a result of these felony convictions he was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition
Kearney faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. District Judge Paul W. Grimm has scheduled sentencing for April 22, 2021 at 12:00 p.m.
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. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is 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.
This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the U.S. Marshals Service for its work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Hollis Raphael Weisman, who is prosecuting this case.
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Serial Fraudster, Who Was a Fugitive for More Than 14 Years, Sentenced to More Than 12 Years in Federal Prison in Maryland for Bank Fraud and ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Peter J. Messitte sentenced Adetubokun Adesioye age 45, formerly of Bladensburg, Maryland, to 153 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for bank fraud and bank fraud conspiracy. Adesioye pleaded guilty to those federal charges in Maryland, which were part of two separate cases, on March 31, 2001, then fled the United States to Nigeria prior to sentencing. Adesioye was a fugitive for 14 years before being arrested in 2019, as he arrived at JFK Airport in New York, New York.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur and Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office.
According to his plea agreement, from approximately March to June 2000, Adesioye conspired with four bank tellers to defraud financial institutions. Specifically, co-conspirator Dawn Hall provided information to Adesioye about various bank accounts, then arranged for other tellers to issue fraudulent bank checks from accounts of unsuspecting victims and give the checks to Adesioye and his accomplices. Co-conspirators then forged signature on and deposited the fraudulent checks at financial institutions. After depositing the checks, co-conspirators withdrew, and attempted to withdraw funds from the accounts. The total face value of the fraudulent checks was $194,209.67. Adesioye provided payment to Hall for her participation in the scheme and Hall passed on payments to the other teller co-conspirators. Upon learning that one of the tellers had been arrested, Adesioye advised the teller to tear up the fraudulent checks and to tell law enforcement she did not know the person who asked her to get the checks.
As further detailed in his plea agreement, in a separate bank fraud in approximately October 1999, Adesioye also personally obtained counterfeit checks drawn on financial institutions with forged signatures, then arranged for the checks to be deposited into the bank accounts of others who agreed to allow Adesioye to use their bank accounts. After the counterfeit checks were deposited, Adesioye arranged to withdraw the funds. The total face value of these checks was $170,250.
Adesioye committed both the bank fraud and bank fraud conspiracy offenses while on supervised release for earlier convictions for bank fraud and assault on a federal officer in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
Adesioye admitted that he fled to Nigeria prior to sentencing, where he remained a fugitive for more than 14 years. On October 23, 2019, Adesioye was arrested at JFK Airport and stated to officers that he was aware of his outstanding arrest warrant. Adesioye has been detained since his arrest in October 2019.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur praised the FBI for its work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer L. Wine, who prosecuted the case.
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Baltimore Bank Robber Sentenced to 13 Years in Federal Prison for Firearm and Armed Bank Robbery ChargesRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow today sentenced David Gollahon, age 59, of Baltimore, Maryland, to 13 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for the federal charges of armed bank robbery and brandishing of a firearm during a crime of violence.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department; and Chief Melissa R. Hyatt of the Baltimore County Police Department (BCPD).
According the his plea agreement, on January 23, 2019 and February 1, 2019, David Gollahon and his co-defendant, Richard Tingler, committed two armed bank robberies in Baltimore, with co-defendant Richard Adams serving as the getaway driver in each robbery. During each of the robberies, Gollahon and Tingler brandished firearms and threatened victim bank employees.
Specifically, on January 23, 2019, Adams drove Gollahon and Tingler in a gray Hyundai Accent car that he had rented two weeks earlier, to a bank located in the 3600 block of Boston Street in Baltimore. Gollahon carried a loaded black .380-caliber firearm and Tingler carried a loaded black .45-caliber firearm and both men wore ski masks to disguise their identities. Tingler also carried a black leather duffel bag.
After entering the bank, Tingler approached the victim teller, pointed his firearm at her and demanded $100 dollar bills and “loose bills” from the bottom drawer of the till. Meanwhile, Gollahon held the other bank employees and customers at gunpoint in the lobby area of the bank. He told the bank employees and customers, “don’t move.” Tingler took more than $7,000 in cash from the victim teller. Tingler and Gollahon then ran away, accidentally dropping $5,584 in cash as they ran through a parking lot. They then got into the waiting gray Hyundai Accent car driven by Adams, and drove away
On February 1, 2019, Adams drove Tingler and Gollahon in a 2006 Chevy Monte Carlo, which was registered to Adams, to a bank located in the 2900 block of O’Donnell Street in Baltimore. Tingler and Gollahon each had the same firearm they had used in connection with the January 23, 2019 bank robbery, and their faces were covered. After entering the bank, Tingler and Gollahon approached the teller window. Tingler pointed his firearm at the teller and demanded $100 bills. The victim teller handed over cash from the till, but Tingler continued to demand more money. At the same time, Gollahon approached the teller line with his firearm pointed in the direction of the tellers and bank customers. In response to the demands for more cash, the victim teller and a co-worker went to the bank’s vault and removed more cash, which they provided to Tingler and Gollahon, along with a GPS tracker, which was activated.
Tingler and Gollahon then fled the bank and got into the 2006 Chevy Monte Carlo driven by Adams, who was waiting for them. Adams drove the Monte Carlo away from the bank. Law enforcement received GPS information concerning the location of the GPS tracker taken from the bank, which they relayed to Baltimore Police Department (BPD).
BPD officers stopped the vehicle and, when the vehicle was stopped, the GPS tracker became stationary. Adams, Tingler, and Gollahon were ordered out of the vehicle and arrested. At the time of his arrest, Gollahon had the same firearm he used during the robbery on his person. All were transported to the BPD Citywide Robbery Office.
Law enforcement searched Adams’ 2006 Monte Carlo car and located in the vehicles’ front floor board was a blue backpack containing the cash taken in the robbery, the GPS tracker, and the .45-caliber firearm carried by Tingler during both bank robberies.
Later that day, law enforcement searched Adams’ residence in Essex, Maryland and seized Gollahon’s gray hooded sweatshirt and the black leather duffel bag carried by Tingler during the January 23, 2019 robbery.
Richard Tingler, age 56, of Baltimore and Richard Adams, age 60, of Essex, Maryland both pleaded guilty to their roles in the bank robberies. Adams was sentenced to 90 months in federal prison on November 12, 2020. Tingler is expected to be sentenced to up to 18 years in federal prison as his sentencing on January 19, 2021, at 9:30 a.m. before Judge Chasanow.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI, the Baltimore Police Department, and the Baltimore County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul A. Riley and Daniel A. Loveland, Jr., who are prosecuting the case.
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Member of the Violent Extremist Group “the Base” Pleads Guilty in Maryland to Federal Charges for Transporting an Illegal Alien—A Fellow Base Member Whom He Knew Was Planning to Engage in Subversive and/or Criminal Activity in the United StatesRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang today sentenced a member of the racially motivated violent extremist group “The Base” William Garfield Bilbrough IV, age 20, of Denton, Maryland, to five years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after Bilbrough pleaded guilty to conspiring to transport an alien and to transporting the alien, specifically, a fellow member of The Base.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; United States Attorney for the District of Delaware David C. Weiss; Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Timothy Jones of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division.
“Preserving our nation’s security against terrorist threats continues to be the Justice Department’s top priority. Lives were saved due to the skill and dedication of law enforcement in this case. William Bilbrough and his cohorts intended to inflict violence on the basis of their racist and hateful beliefs. As long as violent extremists take steps to harm innocent people, we will continue to use all of the tools we have to prevent and deter them,” said United States Attorney Robert K. Hur.
“Today's admission of guilt shows how far Mr. Bilbrough was willing to go to support extremist activity,” said Jennifer C. Boone Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Baltimore Field Office. “This investigation and the guilty plea underscores the continuing threat we face from domestic extremist groups. The FBI and our law enforcement partners remain fully prepared to take actions necessary to safeguard our communities.”
According to his plea agreement, Bilbrough was a member of The Base, a racially motivated violent extremist group. Since 2018, The Base has built a coalition of white supremacist members within the United States and abroad through, among other things, online chat rooms, in-person meetings, propaganda, and military-style training. Bilbrough participated in a regional training camp conducted by members of The Base in Georgia from August 2 through August 4, 2019, including participating in tactical training and firearms drills. Later that month, Bilbrough attended another Base training camp in a different state.
As detailed in his plea agreement, on August 30, 2019, Bilbrough and a co-conspirator traveled in the co-conspirator’s truck from Maryland to southern Michigan to pick up a member of The Base who had fled from Winnipeg, Canada and illegally entered the United States. Bilbrough admitted that he knew the person they were picking up had entered the United States illegally and that they were picking him up in order to transport him to the East Coast where he could safely reside and continue his participation in The Base. Bilbrough and his co-conspirator remained in Michigan for approximately two hours, after which all three men headed back east. Bilbrough drove at least part of the time and was dropped off at his house in Maryland on the evening of August 31, 2019. Bilbrough brought back a few souvenirs, including a flag for The Base and a book widely distributed in white nationalist circles.
Bilbrough acknowledged that on about October 30, 2019, Bilbrough’s co-conspirator picked him up at his Maryland residence and the two drove to Georgia to attend a training camp at the property of another member of The Base. The illegal alien whom they had picked up in August was already residing at the Georgia property and also attended the training camp. While in Georgia, on November 2, 2019, Bilbrough and his co-conspirator purchased approximately 1,550 rounds of 5.56 ammunition for $558.54. Later that day, Bilbrough, his co-conspirator, and the illegal alien traveled from Georgia to Maryland, with Bilbrough driving at least part of the way.
As detailed in the plea agreement, as of November 2019, Bilbrough’s co-conspirator and the illegal alien lived at a residence in Delaware. Bilbrough visited the Delaware residence on at least one occasion. On December 21, 2019, Bilbrough arrived at the Delaware residence and handled an assault rifle that the illegal alien had constructed with the co-conspirator’s assistance and encouragement. Bilbrough and the two men discussed an upcoming rally in Virginia, activities of The Base, and other members of the organization. Bilbrough also discussed with them the manufacture of DMT (dimethyltryptamine), a controlled substance, and attempted to actually manufacture DMT. Bilbrough stated that he may try to sell DMT to the people to whom he delivers pizza and stated that he knew DMT was illegal and that it was a felony to have DMT.
Bilbrough admitted that he knew the illegal alien had entered the United States to engage in subversive activity or other serious criminal activity, and had never disavowed that purpose while Bilbrough transported and otherwise interacted with the illegal alien.
Federal charges in Maryland and Delaware remain pending against two other alleged members of The Base, Brian Mark Lemley, age 34, of Elkton, Maryland, and Newark, Delaware; and Canadian national Patrik Jordan Mathews, age 28, most recently of Newark, Delaware. Both defendants have motions pending and no trial date has been set. The defendants remain detained.
United States Attorneys Robert K. Hur and David C. Weiss commended the FBI Baltimore Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) and ATF for their work in the investigation, and thanked U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the Maryland State Police, and the Delaware State Police for their assistance. Mr. Hur and Mr. Weiss thanked their offices’ national security prosecutors, who are handling the case.
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Laurel Pimp Pleads Sentenced to Two Years in Federal Prison for Enticing Three Women to Cross State Lines to Engage in ProstitutionRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge George J. Hazel today sentenced Robert Carl Diienno, age 32, formerly of Laurel, Maryland, to two years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for enticing three victims to travel in interstate commerce for the purposes of prostitution. Judge Hazel also ordered that, upon his release from prison, Diienno must register as a sex offender in the places where he resides, where he is an employee, and where he is a student, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge John Eisert of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); and Chief Russell E. Hamill III of the Laurel Police Department.
According to his plea agreement, from at least November 2016 through June 2017, Diienno acted as a pimp for Victim 1, and at other times for Victims 2 and 3, who were all adult women. During that time, Diienno persuaded, enticed, induced, and coerced the victims to engage in a prostitution enterprise that included travel between Maryland and Washington, D.C., Virginia, Florida, and South Carolina in order to service “dates” in acts of prostitution. The victims provided any money earned from the commercial sex to Diienno, including transferring payments electronically through Internet-based payment services, such as PayPal and Venmo.
As detailed in his plea agreement, Diienno and the victims resided at a residence in Laurel, which was used as a group home and the base of the enterprise. “Meeting minutes” recovered from the house identify the location as “Duh ho house.” Some of the meeting minutes are signed by one of the victims and include attendance at the meeting; a report on potential new recruits; and the “Comptroller’s Report” showing the amount earned by each of the victims related to their prostitution activities. In the residence and on Diienno’s laptop law enforcement recovered documents titled, “ho Training Manual,” “ho Rules,” and “Pimp/ho Contract.” The documents stated requirements that a “ho” submits to the control of the “Pimp,” including accepting any punishment the Pimp decides to inflict, with certain limitations, such as punishment must not incur permanent bodily harm, and must stop immediately if blood is drawn, among others.
A text exchange in late May 2017, between Diienno and Victim 3 demonstrated how Diienno coerced the victims. When Diienno persuaded Victim 3 to “walk the streets” in Washington, D.C., Victim 3 claimed to be ill. Diienno told Victim 3, “I care about seeing you become a strong ho and a strong person in general…Taking you home is what would show that I don’t care. That would mean I don’t give a f*** about your development as a person.”
On June 1, 2017, Laurel Police Department was called to the residence for a disturbance at that location. Victim 1 and Victim 3 were found hiding in a nearby treeline and reported that Diienno had assaulted Victim 1 when she refused to walk the streets. Diienno was arrested.
During the subsequent investigation, two firearms belonging to Diienno were recovered from the Laurel residence. At least one victim recalled seeing Diienno handle a firearm and was intimidated by that behavior.
This case was investigated by law enforcement agencies that are members of the Prince George’s County Human Trafficking Task Force, part of the Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force, formed in 2007 to discover and rescue victims of human trafficking while identifying and prosecuting offenders. Members include federal, state and local law enforcement, as well as victim service providers and local community members. For more information about the Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force, please visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/md/priorities_human.html.
Report suspected instances of human trafficking to HSI's tip line at 866-DHS-2ICE (1-866-347-2423) or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended HSI and the Laurel Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Baldwin, who is prosecuting the case.
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Baltimore Cocaine Dealer Pleads Guilty, Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake sentenced Antoine Coles, age 33, of Baltimore, yesterday to 10 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after Coles pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
The guilty plea and sentence were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Timothy Jones of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division; and Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department.
According to Coles’ plea agreement, on September 25, 2019, Baltimore Police officers on patrol in the 2100 block of West Lexington Street in Southwest Baltimore approached a group of men who were running a power line out of a vacant home. Coles was sitting on a stoop nearby holding a marijuana blunt. When an officer approached him to conduct a pat down, Coles stood up, clenched his right hand in a fist around his cell phone, and punched the officer in his jaw.
As detailed in his plea agreement, immediately after striking the officer, Coles ran away, dropping a spare magazine as he fled. Coles was quickly apprehended by other officers. While attempting to arrest Coles, detectives recovered a handgun from Coles’ waistband, loaded with 12 rounds of .45 caliber ammunition, including a round in the chamber. A search of Coles after his arrest recovered 11 blue-top vials, each containing cocaine. Coles admitted that he intended to distribute the cocaine.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur praised the ATF and Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Goldsticker, who prosecuted the case.
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Secretary-Treasurer of Maryland Labor Union Pleads Guilty to Embezzling More Than $294,000Read the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – Sarah Geddes Holmes, age 65, of Clinton, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to the federal charges of embezzlement from a labor organization and bank fraud. Holmes, who was the Secretary-Treasurer of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Local Lodge 24, admitted that she embezzled $294,585.18 from the union.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur and District Director Mark Wheeler of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Labor - Management Standards.
Between May 2015 and June 2018, Local 24 represented approximately 423 members, who worked for 10 different employers at Andrews Air Force Base. Local 24 members paid monthly dues that were intended to fund legitimate union purposes, including bargaining with employers, litigating grievances, and providing any administrative support that Local 24 required to conduct its business.
According to her guilty plea, from May 2015 through June 2018, while Holmes was the Secretary-Treasurer of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Local Lodge 24 (“Local 24”), she embezzled union funds by writing checks to herself, altering checks and entries in Local 24’s accounting software, and forging signatures. One hundred thirty-eight checks were signed only by Holmes, in violation of Local 24’s bylaws, which require that funds disbursed from the union’s account via check be countersigned by the President of Local 24. Holmes forged the second signature on 22 checks; and altered information in Local 24’s accounting software to fraudulently obtain 33 checks. Additional, in order to fraudulently deposit the Local 24 checks, Holmes altered the check numbers on 14 checks, as well as altered the dates on four of those 14 checks and altered the amount on one of those 14 checks. Finally, Holmes deposited one check twice—the second deposit being fraudulent. In total, Holmes deposited 160 fraudulent checks, totaling $294,585.18. Holmes deposited the checks into her personal checking account—primarily using a mobile application on her cellular phone.
Holmes used the fraudulently obtained union funds at casinos and to make personal purchases, including food, household goods, beauty supplies, online gaming, and other gambling-related charges. On 17 occasions, Holmes deposited fraudulent Local 24 checks, totaling $39,894.79 on the same day that her player card was used at Maryland Live! Casino.
As detailed in her plea agreement, in order to conceal her embezzlement, Holmes altered Local 24’s accounting software. In some instances, Holmes to made it appear as though the checks Holmes wrote to herself were authorized for a legitimate union purpose. In other instances, Holmes changed the amounts listed for some checks and/or changed the name of the payee or the memo attached to that check. The false records in Local 24’s accounting software resulted in false reports that were filed by the union with the Department of Labor and signed by Holmes as Secretary-Treasurer. On two occasions, on December 4, 2017, and April 23, 2018, Holmes returned a total of $30,000 to Local 24’s bank account. However, Holmes continued embezzling union funds by writing checks to herself during and after she made these deposits.
As part of her plea agreement, Holmes will be required to forfeit and pay restitution in the full amount of the victim’s losses, which is at least $264,585.18.
Holmes faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for embezzlement from a labor organization and a maximum of 30 years in federal prison for bank fraud. U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang has scheduled sentencing for March 4, 2021 at 2:00 p.m.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Labor - Management Standards for its work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rajeev R. Raghavan and Erin B. Pulice, who are prosecuting the federal case.
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Pennsylvania Man Who Sold Counterfeit Prescription Pills Containing Fentanyl and Other Substances Pleads Guilty, Sentenced to More Than Four Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Chief U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar today sentenced Jacob Leister, age 29, of Glenville, Pennsylvania, to 51 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after Leister pleaded guilty to distribution of fentanyl and Alprazolam. Chief Judge Bredar also ordered Leister to forfeit $15,400 in the form of a money judgment, which represents the net proceeds of his sale of drugs to an undercover officer.
The guilty plea and sentence were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Orville O. Greene of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District Office; Postal Inspector in Charge Peter R. Rendina of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service - Washington Division; and Anne Arundel County Interim Police Chief William Lowry.
According to his guilty plea, from December 2018 through September 2019, Leister sold purported prescription pills to an undercover law enforcement officer on several occasions. As a result of these sales, Leister distributed at least 56 grams of a mixture containing fentanyl and 708 pills containing Alprazolam.
As detailed in his plea agreement, on three occasions between December 18, 2018 and February 7, 2019, Leister sold the undercover officer a total of 600 pills purported to be Alprazolam. In fact the pills were found to contain flubromazolam, a substance similar to Alprazolam, but that is not a controlled substance. Between May 13, 2019 and July 25, 2019, Leister sold the undercover officer 499 pills purported to be Oxycodone, which in fact contained fentanyl. During that same timeframe, Leister sold the undercover officer 308 Alprazolam pills—that actually contained Alprazolam. On September 9, 2019, Leister sold the undercover officer 400 suspected Alprazolam pills for $800. The undercover officer paid Leister a total of $15, 400 for all of the pills.
On November 21, 2019, Leister sold the undercover officer a large quantity of suspected Alprazolam pills, and was then arrested by investigators. A search warrant was executed at Leister’s residence that same day. Law enforcement recovered a number of computers. Subsequent searches of the computers revealed information and photographs about bitcoin, cryptocurrency, and cryptocurrency exchanges; information about dark web marketplaces, where individuals can purchase drugs, among other things. Law enforcement also recovered a pump action tactical-style shotgun, two rifles, and another hunting-style shotgun, in addition to ammunition and magazines for the firearms.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the DEA, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Anne Arundel County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth S. Clark, who prosecuted the federal case.
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Member of Violent Baltimore Drug Trafficking Organization Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges, Including MurderRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Justin Antoine, a/k/a Justo, age 24, of Baltimore, Maryland, a member of a drug trafficking organization operating in Southwest Baltimore, pleaded guilty today to the federal charges of conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine and to discharging a firearm resulting in death during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. In addition to the murder, Antoine admitted to being part of a shoot-out where a bystander was shot.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Timothy Jones of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division; and Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department.
“Federal, state, and local law enforcement are working together to target members of violent drug gangs operating in Baltimore City,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. “Justin Antoine’s activities demonstrate how this drug trafficking organization brought danger to our community through the deadly combination of guns and drugs. Now Justin Antoine likely faces at least 20 years in federal prison, where there is no parole—ever. Please, put down the guns and save a life—maybe even your own.”
“Today’s guilty plea represents how law enforcement agencies are working together in the state of Maryland to target and dismantle violent street gangs that threaten the safety and stability of our neighborhoods,” said FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone. “The citizens of Maryland have the FBI’s commitment that we will work with our local, state and federal partners to attack these dealers and remove violent criminals from their neighborhoods.”
According to his plea agreement, from at least April 2018 through January 2019, Antoine participated in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) operating in and around the Edmondson Village neighborhood of southwest Baltimore. The DTO sold heroin and crack cocaine on a daily basis in street-level quantities. Antoine regularly sold heroin and crack cocaine, which he obtained from other members of the DTO.
As detailed in his plea agreement, on several occasions in early 2018, individuals in the Edmondson Village robbed Antoine, stealing drugs, drug proceeds, and a cell phone that Antoine used to communicate with drug customers.
Antoine admits that on May 8, 2018, he sought out victim “J.D.” because Antoine believed J.D. was one of the participants in these robberies. Antoine was armed with a loaded pistol and went to the Mary Rodham Recreation Center. Once at the location, Antoine walked up to J.D. and shot him two times in the head, killing J.D. Antoine acknowledged that this was an intentional killing and occurred during and in relation to his drug trafficking activities. Following the murder of J.D., Antoine continued to distribute heroin and crack cocaine. In November 2018, Antoine was standing on the block where he frequently distributed drugs when a vehicle operated by friends of J.D. arrived. At least one occupant of that vehicle fired a gun at Antoine. Antoine was armed with a handgun and shot back at the vehicle. During this exchange of gunfire, a bystander was struck by gunfire.
Law enforcement arrested Antoine on January 10, 2019, as he was traveling to work. Investigators seized a loaded firearm and heroin from Antoine. Antoine admits that he possessed the heroin with the intent to distribute the drugs.
Antoine and the government have agreed that, if the court accepts the plea, Antoine will be sentenced to between 20 and 25 years in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Paul W. Grimm has scheduled sentencing for Antoine on March 18, 2021, at 12:00 p.m.
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. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is 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.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI, the ATF, and the Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation and thanked the Anne Arundel County Police Department for its assistance. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew DellaBetta and Michael Goldsticker, who are prosecuting the case.
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Maryland Lawyer Facing Federal Indictment in Maryland for Defrauding Financial Institutions and Other Entities to Obtain Control over More Than $12.5 Million of Somali Sovereign AssetsRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal grand jury returned an indictment yesterday charging Maryland lawyer Jeremy Schulman, age 45, of Bethesda, Maryland, on federal charges for wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud, and money laundering conspiracies, and three counts of wire fraud, one count of mail fraud, one count of bank fraud, and four counts of money laundering, in connection with his alleged participation in a scheme to defraud financial institutions of more than $12.5 million that was held on behalf of the Somali government.
The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian C. Rabbitt of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Kelly R. Jackson of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, Washington, D.C. Field Office.
The 11-count indictment alleges that from 2009 to 2014, Schulman conspired with others to fraudulently obtain control of financial assets held on behalf of the Somali Government around the world and enrich himself and his co-conspirators by taking a portion of those assets in fees and expenses. To effectuate this scheme, Schulman and others allegedly created false documents regarding Schulman’s authority to recover assets on behalf of the Somali government. Schulman presented these allegedly false documents to a federally insured bank and other institutions. In addition to using forged and fraudulent documents, Schulman also allegedly made material misrepresentations and concealed material information from these banks and institutions regarding his authority to act on behalf of the Somali government.
As a result of this scheme, Schulman, his co-conspirators, and the law firm where Schulman was a shareholder ultimately obtained control of approximately $12.5 million of frozen Somali funds. Schulman caused his law firm to improperly retain more than $3.3 million of the Somali funds while remitting the rest to the Somali government. Schulman received hundreds of thousands of dollars of additional compensation from his law firm based on the revenue from the scheme, and allegedly engaged in further fraud and money laundering to cause a portion of the funds retained by his law firm to be wired to accounts for the benefit of his co-conspirators.
If convicted, Schulman faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, mail fraud, and bank fraud and a maximum of 30 years in federal prison for each count of wire fraud, mail fraud, and bank fraud. Schulman also faces a maximum of 10 years in federal prison for the money laundering conspiracy and for each count of money laundering. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Schulman is expected to have an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt, on Monday, December 7, 2020, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gina L. Simms.
An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
If you believe you are a victim of this offense, please call (888) 549-3945 or visit https://www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/victim-witness-program.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur and Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian C. Rabbitt commended the FBI and IRS-CI for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney David Salem and First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan F. Lenzner and Trial Attorneys Jason Manning and Amy Markopoulos of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, who are prosecuting the case.
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Maryland Lawyer Charged with Defrauding Financial Institutions and Other Entities to Obtain Control over $12.5 Million of Somali Sovereign AssetsRead the Press Release
UPDATE: On Aug. 30, 2024, the court granted the United States' motion to dismiss the charges announced in the press release below.
A Maryland lawyer was charged in an 11-count indictment for his alleged role in a scheme to fraudulently obtain control of more than $12.5 million that was held by financial institutions on behalf of the Somali government, to improperly take part of those funds for fees and expenses, and to launder a portion of those funds to accounts for the benefit of his co-conspirators.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian C. Rabbitt of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur of the District of Maryland, Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Kelly Jackson of the IRS-Criminal Investigation’s Washington D.C. Field Office made the announcement.
Jeremy Schulman, 47, of Bethesda, Maryland, was charged in an indictment filed in the District of Maryland with one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud and bank fraud; three counts of wire fraud; one count of mail fraud; one count of bank fraud; one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering; and four counts of money laundering.
The indictment alleges that from 2009 to 2014, Schulman conspired with others to fraudulently obtain control of financial assets held on behalf of the Somali government around the world and enrich himself and his co-conspirators by taking a portion of those assets in fees and expenses.
To effectuate this scheme, Schulman and others allegedly created false documents regarding Schulman’s authority to recover assets on behalf of the Somali government. Schulman presented these allegedly false documents to a federally insured bank and other institutions. In addition to using forged and fraudulent documents, Schulman also allegedly made material misrepresentations and concealed material information from these banks and institutions regarding his authority to act on behalf of the Somali government.
As a result of this scheme, Schulman, his co-conspirators, and the law firm where Schulman was a shareholder ultimately obtained control of approximately $12.5 million of frozen Somali funds. Schulman caused his law firm to improperly retain more than $3.3 million of the Somali funds while remitting the rest to the Somali government. Schulman received hundreds of thousands of dollars of additional compensation from his law firm based on the revenue from the scheme, and allegedly engaged in further fraud and money laundering to cause a portion of the funds retained by his law firm to be wired to accounts for the benefit of his co-conspirators.
An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
If you believe you are a victim of this offense, please visit https://www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/victim-witness-program or call (888) 549-3945.
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office and IRS-Criminal Investigation’s Washington D.C. Field Office. Trial Attorneys Jason Manning and Amy Markopoulos of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, and First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Lenzner and Senior Litigation Counsel David Salem of the the District of Maryland are prosecuting the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs also provided assistance in this matter.
The Criminal Division’s Fraud Section is responsible for investigating and prosecuting all FCPA matters. Additional information about the Justice Department’s FCPA enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal/fraud/fcpa.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Two More Defendants Charged with Federal Crimes Related to a Heroin and Fentanyl Trafficking Operation in Washington CountyRead the Press Release
Baltimore – A federal grand jury today returned a third superseding indictment charging eight defendants with federal charges related to a conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, specifically fentanyl and/or heroin in Washington County, Maryland. The third superseding indictment adds two additional defendants. The third superseding indictment alleges that the defendants conspired to distribute enough fentanyl to kill at least 600,000 people, and possessed firearms in furtherance of the drug conspiracy. The following defendants are charged in the third superseding indictment:
Christopher Scott Benton, a/k/a Brisco, age 30, of Hagerstown, Maryland;
Jarvis Antonio Coleman-Fuller, age 32, of Hagerstown;
Sirage Ekwan Carter Delaney, a/k/a Drama, age 41, of Hagerstown;
Eric Tyrell Johnson, a/k/a E, age 36, of Owings Mills, Maryland;
Michael Eugene Lyles, a/k/a Big Mike, age 45, of Frederick, Maryland;
Jeroam Edwin Nelson, Jr., a/k/a Boob, age 30, of Hagerstown;
Thamar J. Smith, a/k/a SK and Skoal, age 46, of Hagerstown; and
Philander Alexander Spruill, a/k/a Buddha, age 28, of Hagerstown.The third superseding indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Orville O. Greene of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District Office; Special Agent in Charge John Eisert of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; Washington County Sheriff Douglas Mullendore; Chief Paul “Joey” Kifer of the Hagerstown Police Department; and Washington County State’s Attorney Charles P. Strong, Jr..
According to the 14-count indictment, beginning in about April 2019 and continuing to about September 2019, the defendants conspired to distribute heroin and/or fentanyl in the Washington County area. During the course of the investigation, law enforcement seized narcotics, including at least 1.2 kilograms of fentanyl, four firearms and ammunition, and at least $16,223 in cash. All of the defendants are charged with being members of the conspiracy. Smith, Johnson, Spruill, Nelson, and Coleman-Fuller are charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and/or heroin; Johnson, Spruill, Nelson, and Coleman-Fuller are charged with being felons in possession of a firearm and/or ammunition; Spruill and Coleman-Fuller are charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and Coleman-Fuller is charged with possession of body armor by a violent felon.
If convicted, Benton, Nelson, and Spruill face a mandatory minimum sentence of at least 10 years in federal prison and up to life in prison for the drug charges; Coleman-Fuller, Delaney, Johnson, Lyles, and Smith all face a mandatory minimum sentence of at least five years in federal prison and up to 40 years in prison for the drug charges; Coleman-Fuller, Nelson, and Spruill each face a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison for being felons in possession of firearms and/or ammunition; Johnson faces a mandatory minimum sentence of at least 15 years in federal prison and up to life in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm; and Coleman-Fuller and Spruill face a mandatory minimum of five years in federal prison, consecutive to any other sentence, and up to life in federal prison for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Coleman-Fuller also faces a maximum of three years in federal prison for possession of body armor by a violent felon. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
No initial appearance has been scheduled for Delaney and Lyles.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
Edward Melvin Ware, a/k/a Eddie, age 33, of Edgewater, Maryland and his twin brother, Tyler Lee Ware, a/k/a Bugsy, age 33, of Hagerstown, who were charged in the second superseding indictment, have each pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. Edward Ware pleaded guilty today and his brother pleaded guilty on October 28, 2020.
According to their plea agreements, from at least April 2019 through November 2019, the Wares were members of a drug trafficking organization (DTO) that operated in Hagerstown and elsewhere, distributing kilogram quantities of fentanyl and heroin, which DTO members acquired from sources of supply in Baltimore, New York City, and Mexico. DTO members, including Tyler Ware, also possessed firearms and ammunition in furtherance of their drug trafficking activity.
In June 2019, the Washington County Narcotics Task Force learned that the Wares were two of the primary retail distributors of narcotics for the DTO and were being supplied by at least three different wholesalers associated with the DTO. Law enforcement officers witnessed Tyler Ware and Edward Ware engaging in drug-related transactions with two of their wholesale suppliers and overheard numerous conversations with DTO members during which they discussed suppliers, types, amounts, and prices of narcotics; the locations, size, and pace of narcotics transactions; and the storage and disposition of narcotics, proceeds, and distribution paraphernalia.
As detailed in his plea agreement, between June 13 and June 23, 2019, Eddie Ware was overheard discussing plans to sell at least 23 grams of fentanyl and discussing at least $7,475 in narcotics proceeds. During the same time frame, Tyler Ware was overheard discussing plans to sell at least 55 grams of fentanyl and at least $3,925 in narcotics proceeds. It was reasonably foreseeable to the Wares that the conspiracy would involve—during this 10-day period alone—at least 94 grams of fentanyl.
The Wares face a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a maximum of 40 years in prison for the conspiracy. U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow has scheduled sentencing for Edward on March 9, 2021 and for Tyler on February 16, 2021 at 10:00 a.m.
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. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is 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.
This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the DEA, HSI, the Washington County Narcotics Task Force, and the Washington County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation, and thanked the Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office for its assistance. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey J. Izant and Christina A. Hoffman, who are prosecuting this case.
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Bowie Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Wire Fraud Charge for Stealing More Than $233,000 from His Employer and Another BusinessRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – Howard Ware, age 42, of Bowie, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to wire fraud in connection with a fraud scheme to steal more than $233,000 from his employer and another business.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur and Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office.
According to his guilty plea, Ware admitted that between March 18, 2018 and July 20, 2018, he stole over $233,040 from his employer and from a trucking business by submitting more than 2,118 fraudulent invoices for services that were not actually performed.
As detailed in his plea agreement, Ware was an employee of Business 1, an environmental services company that operated a facility in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, to treat contaminated material. As part of his job, Ware was supposed to coordinate the hauling of materials to and from the facility with trucking companies, including Business 2, a trucking company based in Charlotte Hall, Maryland. Business 1 frequently hired Business 2 to haul material between the Upper Marlboro treatment facility and another facility that it operated. Business 2 would hire subcontractors to haul material on Business 2’s behalf.
In early 2018, Business 1 had an exceptionally large amount of material that needed to get moved from Facility 1. Ware coordinated with Business 2 to purportedly provide trucks to assist Business 2 with the additional hauling, working as subcontractors for Business 2 in order to help Business 2 haul Business 1’s material. In fact, Ware did not have a trucking business and never intended to provide any trucks or hauling services to Business 2. Ware simply offered his services as a way to embezzle funds from Business 1, because he intended to bill Business 2 for services that Ware never provided.
Business 1 was not aware of Ware’s arrangement with Business 2. Neither Business 1 nor Business 2 were able to monitor whether Ware actually performed any of the hauling services, since Ware alone was coordinating the trucks going and coming to the Upper Marlboro facility. Between at least March 18, 2018 and July 20, 2018, Ware invoiced Business 2 more than 2,000 times for services that were never performed. Business 2, in turn, invoiced Business 1. Business 1 paid Business 2, and Business 2 paid Ware, depositing $233,040 in bank accounts that Ware controlled. Ware then used the money to pay his personal expenses.
As part of his plea agreement, Ware will be required to forfeit and to pay restitution in the amount of $233,040.
Ware faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for wire fraud. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. District Judge Paul W. Grimm has scheduled sentencing for February 26, 2021 at 10:00 a.m.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI for its work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin B. Pulice, who is prosecuting the federal case.
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Baltimore Man Indicted on Federal Sex Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal grand jury today returned an indictment charging Ryan Odell Oliver, a/k/a Dre, Fame, and Foreign, age 38, of Baltimore, Maryland, on federal charges for conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and sex trafficking; conspiracy related to interstate prostitution and interstate transportation for prostitution; enticement to travel interstate for the purposes of prostitution; and possession of ammunition by a felon.
The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge John Eisert of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department; and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby.
According to the 10-count indictment, from at least July 2018 through January 2019, Oliver and a co-conspirator recruited, transported, maintained, and trafficked two adult women, Victim 1 and Victim 2, using threats, force, and coercion to cause those victims to engage in commercial sex acts. Oliver and the co-conspirator allegedly received money and other things of value by having the women engage in commercial sex acts. From January 2018 through August 2018, the indictment alleges that Oliver also caused Victim 3 to engage in commercial sex acts, for which Oliver received money and other things of value.
The indictment alleges that Oliver and the co-conspirator took sexually explicit photographs of the victims which they used in online advertising websites, and listed a telephone number where the victims could be reached for a “date” or a commercial sex act. Oliver and others used a cellular phone to field responses to the online advertisements. At some point during the conspiracy Oliver physically assaulted the victims, including forced sexual intercourse or other sex acts, striking them with his hands, choking them, and displaying a firearm to them. Oliver also allegedly burned Victim 1 with lit cigarettes. Oliver and his co-conspirator transported the women from Maryland to other states, including Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, Washington, D.C., New Jersey, and South Carolina, where they were directed to meet with sex customers for prostitution. On at least one occasion the conspirators used a ride-sharing application to transport Victim 2.
According to the indictment, Oliver and others used various means to coerce the victims’ continued participation in the prostitution enterprise, including establishing “rules” governing the behavior of the victims. As to Victim 1, Oliver also established a “quota” for profit from the prostitution dates that Victim 1 had to attain, withheld food from Victim 1, and required Victim 1 to obtain a tattoo bearing Oliver’s aliases “Fame” and “Foreign.” Oliver also allegedly assaulted others in front of Victim 2 and gave unknown controlled substances to Victim 2.
The indictment also charges Oliver with sex trafficking Victim 3 and alleges that Oliver assaulted or threatened to physically assault Victim 3 to coerce her continued participation in the prostitution enterprise, including forced sexual intercourse or sexual acts, striking Victim 3 with his hands, throwing objects at her, displaying a firearm to Victim 3, and giving controlled substances to Victim 3. Oliver also allegedly transported Victim 3 to Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and elsewhere to engage in prostitution.
Finally, the indictment alleges that Oliver illegally possessed 54 9mm cartridges and five 7.62 x 39mm cartridges, which Oliver knew he was prohibited from possessing due to a previous felony conviction.
Oliver’s co-conspirator died in Ohio in March 2019.
If convicted, Oliver faces a maximum sentence of life in federal prison for conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and a mandatory minimum of 15 years and up to life in federal prison for each count of sex trafficking; a maximum of five years in federal prison for conspiracy related to interstate prostitution; a maximum of 10 years in federal prison for each count of two counts of interstate transportation for prostitution and for each of two counts of enticement to travel interstate for the purposes of prostitution; and a maximum of 10 years in prison for being a felon in possession of ammunition. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Oliver is currently serving a state sentence for rape and will have an initial appearance on the federal charges at a later date.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
This case was investigated by law enforcement agencies that are members of the Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force, formed in 2007 to discover and rescue victims of human trafficking while identifying and prosecuting offenders. Members include federal, state, and local law enforcement, as well as victim service providers and local community members. For more information about the Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force, please visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/md/priorities_human.html.
Report suspected instances of human trafficking to HSI's tip line at 866-DHS-2ICE (1-866-347-2423) or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended HSI, the Baltimore Police Department, and the Office of the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City for their work in the investigation and thanked the Alexandria, Virginia Police Department and the Lexington, Kentucky Police Department for their assistance. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel A. Loveland, Jr., Adam K. Ake, and Ayn B. Ducao, who are prosecuting the case.
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Serial Fraudster Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges for Conspiring to Steal Mail, Stealing Benefits Under the CARES Act, and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Nicholas Milano White, age 29, of Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to the federal charges of conspiracy to steal mail, emergency benefits fraud, and aggravated identity theft.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Postal Inspector in Charge Peter R. Rendina of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service - Washington Division; Special Agent in Charge Bo Keane of the United States Secret Service - Baltimore Field Office; and Chief Melissa R. Hyatt of the Baltimore County Police Department.
“It is crucial that funds available under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act go to those who have been hardest hit by this global pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. “My office and the entire law enforcement community are committed to bringing to justice fraudsters who are stealing taxpayer funds and preying on citizens during this unprecedented public health crisis to personally benefit by stealing victims’ money and personal identifying information.”
According to his guilty plea, between October 2019 and June 2020, White conspired to and engaged in various fraud schemes, theft of mail, counterfeiting of U.S. currency, production and possession of false identification documents and credit profiles, unemployment insurance fraud, and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
White admits that on October 11, 2019, he submitted a fraudulent application for financing to purchase a 2016 Maserati Ghibli vehicle. The credit application listed a false social security number for White and false employment and income information for White and his co-applicant. White also arranged to have fake paystubs created for attachment to the credit application as verification of his income. As a result, White secured financing of $30,227 to purchase the vehicle.
As detailed in his plea agreement, in February and March 2020, White devised schemes to defraud banks and to steal money from individuals by negotiating checks stolen from the United States mail. White and his co-conspirators, at White’s direction, stole mail from collection boxes in the Baltimore area. White then altered the stolen checks and deposited them into bank accounts he controlled and that had been opened for that purpose. On March 8, 2020, law enforcement was able to monitor the movements of White and his co-conspirators through a GPS tracking device installed in a parcel stolen from the collection box at the Rosedale Post Office in Baltimore County. The conspirators’ movements were tracked to several other post offices and collection boxes in Baltimore County where they continued to steal mail. When Baltimore County Police officers approached, the conspirators fled in a white sedan registered to one of White’s co-conspirators. Officers located the van in a residential area of Pikesville, Maryland. The vehicle was unoccupied and gloves, trash bags, and approximately 358 pieces of unprocessed U.S. mail were on the ground outside the vehicle. Law enforcement found and arrested White at a nearby location with a co-conspirator and seized cell phones and USB storage devices from White. White was released from custody following his arrest. There were at least 136 postal customers whose mail was stolen. Approximately 48 victims reported that their stolen mail contained bank checks or other financial instruments totaling $48,938 in value.
A search warrant was subsequently executed on the cell phones and other electronic media seized from White. The cell phones contained text messages about White creating fake credit profiles and false identification documents for himself and others, and conducting fraudulent bank transactions, as well as the personal identifying information (PII) of identity theft victims. White’s phones also contained credit card “dumps,” lists of sensitive information pertaining to at least 1,100 credit cards issued to other persons that could be used to create counterfeit copies of the cards. White had downloaded these lists from websites that illegally marketed and distributed them. White’s cell phones also revealed Internet searches for business and personal check refills, a credit card dump website and a personal data broker website, and photos of numerous stolen checks, among other things. Law enforcement also recovered text messages in which White negotiated prices for the purchase of multiple firearms. A search of White’s USB devices recovered images of U.S. currency in various denominations, which White admitted were used and/or intended to produce counterfeit U.S. currency. In at least one exchange of text messages, White attempted to sell $5,000 of counterfeit currency to another person, at one point claiming that he had purchased firearms with counterfeit currency.
Following White’s release from custody in March 2020, he continued to engage in fraud by submitting a false claim for Florida state unemployment benefits through the Internet in the name of a real person, using the victim’s personal information, but providing a false mailing address in Baltimore. As a result of this false application, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) issued at least two checks payable to the victim totaling $875 and mailed them to the Baltimore address. The victim, a resident of Florida was later contacted by Florida DEO and confirmed that the claim had been submitted without her knowledge or permission.
In addition, on a date no earlier than May 1, 2020, White unlawfully acquired an Economic Impact Payment (EIP) check issued by the U.S. Treasury and authorized under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The EIP check, in the amount of $2,900, was intended for the benefit of M.H. and M.I., a married couple residing in Maryland. The EIP check had been placed in the mail and addressed to the former home address of the couple in Baltimore. On June 23, 2020, White fraudulently negotiated the stolen check by endorsing it with the forged signature of M.H. and depositing it into a bank account fraudulently opened on June 14, 2020, in M.H.’s name and using his social security number and date of birth.
On June 24, 2020, law enforcement executed search warrants at White’s residence and at another address used by White, and conducted a consent search of a storage unit used by White, all in Baltimore. Law enforcement recovered the following items: the stolen EIP check issued to M.H. and M.I.; two fake driver’s licenses listing M.H.’s name and former address, but each displaying a different person’s face; two debit cards issued in the name of M.H.; stolen mail pieces and sensitive financial documents belonging to multiple victims; several blank checks issued for a trust account; numerous fake photo identification cards; counterfeit U.S. currency; fraudulently altered money orders; credit and debit cards displaying different names, at least one of which was determined to be counterfeit; equipment used to print counterfeit currency, create counterfeit credit cards, and fabricate false identification cards, as well as check stock intended to fabricate blank checks and money orders; a .45-caliber pistol; a 9mm pistol with a 50-round-capacity magazine; two .223 caliber high-capacity magazines; and several rounds of ammunition.
Two cell phones and a desktop computer were seized and subsequently searched pursuant to federal search warrants. One of the phones was found to contain notes listing individuals’ names and identifying information, including M.H., as well as a U.S. Postal Inspector who was involved in the investigation of White’s mail thefts and arrest on March 8, 2020. Information stored on White’s desktop computer revealed a search of the Postal Inspector’s name on a personal data broker website on March 14, 2020, following White’s release from custody.
As part of his plea agreement, White will be required to pay restitution in the full amount of the victims’ losses, which the parties have stipulated is no more than $50,000. In addition, White will forfeit his interest in the following items seized during searches in March and June 2020: firearms, ammunition, and firearms magazines; laptop and desktop computers; cell phones; electronic storage devices; blank plastic cards with magnetic strips and/or chips; blank checks and check stock; printers; embossing machines; and magnetic stripe reader/writers or encoders.
White and the government have agreed that, if the Court accepts the plea agreement, White will be sentenced to between five and eight years in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett has scheduled sentencing for March 11, 2021 at 10:00 a.m.
Charges remain pending against two co-conspirators, Dominic Jerry Robinson, age 26, of Baltimore, and Cedric Jonathan McNeal-Parker, age 29, of Randallstown, Maryland. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Baltimore County Police Department for their work in the investigation and thanked the Office of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration for its assistance. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. Maddox, who is prosecuting the federal case.
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Correctional Officer Sentenced to 27 Months in Federal Prison for Prison Corruption Racketeering Charge Related to Maryland Correctional Institute JessupRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis today sentenced Correctional Officer Janel Griffin, age 41, of Baltimore, to 27 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for a federal racketeering charge related to her participation in a scheme to smuggle contraband into the Maryland Correctional Institute Jessup (MCIJ), including narcotics, unauthorized flash drives, tobacco, and cell phones.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone, of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Secretary Robert L. Green, of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.
“This prosecution demonstrates that we will not tolerate employees in positions of trust violating their oaths. Janel Griffin will now serve more than two years in federal prison—where there is no parole, ever. Federal, state, and local officials will continue to work together to root out corrupt employees and others who undermine the administration of justice at our prisons,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur.
According to court documents, MCIJ was a medium-security prison in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, that housed approximately 1,100 male inmates, with 262 custody staff or Correctional Officers (COs) and 52 non-custody staff, including case management, medical, and administrative staff.
According to her plea agreement, Griffin smuggled contraband into MCIJ for at least inmate Corey Alston, including narcotics and tobacco. At Alston’s direction, Griffin met with co-conspirator facilitators, including Tyirisha Johnson, to receive contraband as well as bribe payments. Recorded jail calls between Alston and others confirm that between April 16 and August 14, 2017, Griffin met with Johnson or facilitator Ashley Alston on at least six occasions to obtain contraband and at least $2,800 in bribe payments. Griffin smuggled the contraband, including Suboxone and Percocet, into MCIJ.
Inmate Corey Alston previously pleaded guilty, admitting that he was a leader in the racketeering conspiracy. As detailed in the plea agreement, Alston conspired with four outside facilitators—Tryishia Johnson, Jamia Lawson, his sister, Ashley Alston, and his father, Aldon Alston—who obtained and packaged contraband, met with the correctional officers and employees to provide contraband and bribe payments, and managed the proceeds of illegal contraband sales for Alston. According to his plea agreement, Griffin and another MCIJ employee brought the contraband into the prison for Alston, in exchange for bribe payments, and Alston conspired with another inmate, Schvel Mack, to sell the contraband to other inmates. Alston was overheard by law enforcement on a series of recorded calls arranging for contraband to be smuggled into MCIJ and arranging payment for the contraband and for bribes.
In addition to Janel Griffin and Corey Alston, 12 other defendants—six outside facilitators, three prison employees, and three inmates—have pleaded guilty to their roles in the conspiracy, including Schvel Mack, Tyrishia Johnson, Jamia Lawson, Ashley Alston, and Aldon Alston. Twelve defendants are awaiting sentencing and five defendants are pending trial.
This case arose from the efforts of the Maryland Prison Task Force, coordinated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and comprised of local, state, and federal stakeholders that meet regularly to share information and generate recommendations to reform prison procedures and attack the gang problem that has plagued Maryland in recent years. The work of the Task Force previously resulted in the federal convictions of 77 defendants, including 16 correctional officers, at the Eastern Correctional Institution, and 40 defendants, including 24 correctional officers, at the Baltimore City Detention Center. DPSCS staff initiated the MCIJ investigation and have been full partners in this investigation.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI and the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren E. Perry and Sean R. Delaney, who are prosecuting this case.
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Baltimore Fentanyl Dealer Pleads Guilty and is Sentenced to More Than 10 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – On November 24, 2020, U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced Lovell Patterson, age 40, of Baltimore, to 123 months in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release, after Patterson pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and with violating his supervised release from a previous federal felony drug conviction by committing these crimes.
The guilty plea and sentence were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Orville O. Greene of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District Office; and Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department.
“Lovell Patterson admitted that he sold fentanyl—an especially deadly drug, of which just two milligrams can kill you,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. “But the organization he worked with also had guns to facilitate their drug dealing. The primary focus of the Baltimore OCDETF Strike Force will continue to be violent DTOs, who bring misery to our streets both through the deadly drugs they import and sell, and through the guns that they wield.”
According to Patterson’s plea agreement, from at least November 2019 through April 16, 2020, Patterson participated in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) operating in and around the 1800 block of Penrose Avenue in West Baltimore. The DTO sold fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine on a daily basis in street-level quantities. During the time of the conspiracy, law enforcement overheard calls between Patterson and other DTO members, conducted surveillance on the DTO, purchased narcotics from DTO members—including Patterson—and executed multiple search warrants at locations used by the DTO to store and process narcotics.
As detailed in the plea agreement, Patterson obtained drugs from suppliers and had a co-conspirator combine drugs with adulterants and package the drugs. Between February 4 and April 1, 2020, Patterson also personally sold fentanyl, fentanyl/heroin gel caps, and cocaine to an undercover officer. For example, on March 2, 2020, Patterson sold an undercover officer six grams of fentanyl and 100 gel caps of a heroin-fentanyl mixture for $1,100. During the conversation Patterson told the undercover officer that he was boss, but let another conspirator run the block. Patterson and the undercover officer also discussed future purchases of drugs.
On April 16, 2020, law enforcement executed search warrants at three houses used by the DTO to process narcotics. During the searches, law enforcement recovered: a loaded 9mm handgun and a fully loaded revolver; a total of $5,701 in cash; 332 grams of fentanyl; hundreds of gel caps; cutting agents; and drug paraphernalia, including gloves, sifters, and scales.
Patterson admitted that he supervised five or more members of the DTO and that he distributed, or knew the members of the conspiracy distributed or possessed with intent to distribute, at least 400 grams of fentanyl and a quantity of cocaine.
This prosecution was brought as a part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Co-located Strike Forces Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations against a continuum of priority targets and their affiliate illicit financial networks. These prosecutor-led co-located Strike Forces capitalize on the synergy created through the long-term relationships that can be forged by agents, analysts, and prosecutors who remain together over time, and they epitomize the model that has proven most effective in combating organized crime. The specific mission of the Baltimore OCDETF Strike Force is to reduce violent, drug-related, and gang crime in the Baltimore area and surrounding region.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur praised the DEA and Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lindsey N. McCulley and Clinton J. Fuchs, who prosecuted the case.
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Serial Bank Robber Pleads Guilty in Federal Court in Maryland for Robbing Nine Banks over Four MonthsRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Fletcher M. Dorsett, Jr., age 52, pleaded guilty today to bank robbery, in connection with nine bank robberies and attempted robberies committed while on escape status from a halfway house and after his release, while he was on supervised release for a previous federal bank robbery conviction.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Chief Melissa R. Hyatt of the Baltimore County Police Department; Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department; Chief Edward Jackson of the Annapolis Police Department; Interim Chief Hector Velez of the Prince George’s County Police Department; and Chief Peter Newsham of the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department.
According to his guilty plea, Dorsett was previously convicted of federal bank robbery charges and sentenced to 96 months of incarceration, to be followed by three years of supervised release. In May of 2019, Dorsett was placed at a halfway house to serve the final portion of his sentence, in an effort to segue from the Bureau of Prisons to life in the community. On July 25, 2019, Dorsett did not return to the halfway house and was placed in escape status. Dorsett was subsequently arrested on a warrant relating to that escape on August 9, 2019, and held at Piedmont Regional Jail in Virginia until he was released on September 24, 2019.Dorsett admitted that he robbed a bank in Baltimore on July 29, 2019, while he was on escape status. After his arrest and release on September 24, 2019, Dorsett continued to rob banks in Baltimore County, Baltimore City, Prince Georges County, and Washington, D.C., and attempted to rob two other banks. In all of these bank robberies, Dorsett used a note that threatened that he had a gun, and stole a total of more than $14,000.
Specifically, on July 29, 2019, while on escape status, Dorsett robbed a bank in the 5000 block of Sinclair Lane in Baltimore. Between September 26 and October 28, 2019, Dorsett robbed a bank in the unit block of Massachusetts Avenue, NW in Washington, D.C.; banks on North Calvert Street and West Baltimore Street in Baltimore; a bank on Bay Bridge Road in Annapolis; and banks on Campbell Boulevard and Honeygo Boulevard in Nottingham, Maryland. On September 25 and 26, 2019, Dorsett attempted to rob a bank in the 9300 block of Lanham Severn Road in Lanham, Maryland and a bank in the 400 block of North Capitol Street, N.W. in Washington, D.C. As Dorsett left the bank on Honeygo Boulevard in Nottingham on October 28, 2019, an off-duty police officer who happened to be in the bank pursued and detained him until on-duty Baltimore County Police Officers arrived and arrested him.
Dorsett agreed to be interviewed by law enforcement and admitted to robbing the nine above-referenced banks in Maryland and Washington, DC. Dorsett also identified himself in various bank surveillance images captured during the robberies.
Dorsett and the government have agreed that, if the Court accepts the plea agreement, Dorsett will be sentenced to 150 months in federal prison. U.S. District Judge George L. Russell, III has scheduled sentencing for January 26, 2021 at 2:00 p.m.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI, and the Baltimore County, Baltimore City, Annapolis, Prince George’s County and Metropolitan Police Departments for their work in the investigation and thanked the State’s Attorneys for Baltimore County, Baltimore City, Prince George’s County, and Anne Arundel County, and the U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C. for their assistance in the investigation and prosecution. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Judson T. Mihok, who is prosecuting the federal case in Maryland.
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Prince George’s County Man Sentenced to Four Years in Federal Prison for 2019 Oxon Hill Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland -- U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang today sentenced Saleem Abdul Muhammad, age 55, of Prince George’s County, Maryland, to four years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for bank robbery.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Interim Chief Hector Velez of the Prince George’s County Police Department.
According to Muhammad’s guilty plea and court documents, on July 15, 2019, Muhammad entered a bank in Oxon Hill, Maryland, approached the teller’s window, and stated “Give me my money.” The victim teller advised Muhammad that he needed to provide his identification and debit card to withdraw money. Muhammad became agitated and stated, “Give me the money, this is a robbery, I will shoot everyone out here.” Fearing for her safety, the victim complied and provided Muhammad with $202 in cash with a GPS tracking device hidden inside. Muhammad fled on foot. The GPS tracker led officers to a fast food restaurant located in the same shopping center as the bank. The officers apprehended Muhammad and, after a review of surveillance footage showing Muhammad throwing something in the trash, recovered the GPS tracking device from the trash can. The $202 in cash was found on Muhammad’s person.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI and the Prince George’s County Police Department for their work in these investigations. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Morgan and Burden Walker, who are prosecuting the case.
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Outside Facilitator in Prison Corruption Scheme Sentenced to a Year and a Day in Federal Prison for Racketeering Conspiracy Involving Former Correctional Officers and Inmates at Jessup Correctional InstitutionRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang sentenced Trinesse Butts, age 37, of Parkville, Maryland, to a year and a day in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for a racketeering conspiracy at the Jessup Correctional Institution (JCI). The conspiracy included former correctional officers, inmates, and outside “facilitators,” like Butts, who paid bribes to correctional officers to smuggle contraband, including narcotics, alcohol, tobacco, and cell phones into the prison. The sentence was imposed on November 23, 2020.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone, of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Secretary Robert Green, of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.
JCI was a maximum-security prison that housed approximately 1,800 male inmates, with approximately 423 Correctional Officers (COs).
According to her plea agreement, from at least 2017 until her arrest earlier this year, Trinesse Butts was romantically involved with a JCI inmate. While her boyfriend was an inmate, Butts conspired with JCI COs, inmates, and other outside facilitators to smuggle contraband into JCI, including narcotics, alcohol, tobacco, and cell phones, in order to enrich themselves and protect and expand their criminal operation. According to the plea agreement and other court documents, COs accepted or agreed to accept payments from facilitators and/or inmates or engaged in sexual relations with inmates in exchange for smuggling contraband into JCI. Inmates acted as both wholesalers and retailers of contraband and in the process made profits that far exceeded the profits that could be made by selling similar drugs on the street. For example, conspirator inmates could purchase Suboxone strips for approximately $3 each and sell them inside JCI for approximately $50 each, or for a profit of more than 1,000 percent.
As detailed in her plea agreement, Butts conspired with a JCI CO, her inmate boyfriend, and others to smuggle controlled substances, including Suboxone and K2, into JCI, then distribute the contraband to other inmates. As part of the conspiracy, Butts made bribe payments to the CO and others. In addition, Butts managed financial accounts used to collect the profits from the smuggling operation. For example, Butts’ inmate boyfriend would routinely provide her with his customers’ reloadable prepaid debit card account numbers and instruct Butts to load their payments into accounts that Butts managed.
Three other co-defendants have pleaded guilty to their roles in the racketeering conspiracy and are awaiting sentencing. Eleven co-defendants are still facing charges.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
The U.S. Attorney expressed appreciation to the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, whose staff initiated the JCI investigation and have been full partners in this investigation.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI and the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Burden H. Walker and Lauren E. Perry, who are prosecuting the case.
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Final Defendant and Drug Supplier in Anne Arundel and Calvert County Drug Conspiracy Pleads Guilty to Federal ChargesRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Larry Michael Brown, age 62, of Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to three counts of using a telephone to facilitate a drug trafficking conspiracy. Three co-defendants previously pleaded guilty to their roles in the drug conspiracy.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Jesse R. Fong of the Drug Enforcement Administration - Washington Field Division; and Calvert County Sheriff Mike Evans.
According to his guilty plea, in November 2018, Brown was identified as a heroin supplier to Watson Patrick Bruce, a/k/a “Tree,” whom the DEA had been investigating for dealing large quantities of narcotics in Anne Arundel and Calvert counties. During the course of the investigation, law enforcement overheard phone conversations between Brown and Bruce discussing the quality of narcotics supplied by Brown to Bruce.
For example, on February 27, 2019, Brown contacted Bruce to check on the quality of two batches of narcotics that Brown had provided to Bruce the previous day. On March 1, 2019, Bruce contacted Brown to express his preference for a particular batch, based on customer feedback, which Brown and Bruce called interchangeably “classic” or “old school.” Brown agreed to sell Bruce his preferred batch of narcotics in whatever amount he requested. On March 12, 2019, Brown again reached out to Bruce to discuss the quality of drugs he’d provided to Bruce two days prior.
On March 15, 2019, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Brown’s residence and seized a digital scale with heroin residue. Brown also consented to a search of his vehicle, where investigators found an additional scale with heroin residue.
Bruce, age 36, of Millersville, Maryland, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and crack cocaine, and related charges. Bruce admitted that he committed these crimes while on supervised release for a previous federal felony drug conviction. On March 15, 2019, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Bruce’s residence and seized approximately 78 grams of heroin mixed with fentanyl and 69 grams of fentanyl. If the Court accepts his plea, Bruce is expected to be sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for the drug case, and a consecutive year in prison for violating his federal supervised release.
Co-defendants Lawrence Michael Branch, age 34, of Odenton, Maryland, and Todd Rayshard Thomas, a/k/a “Little Man,” age 36, of Annapolis, Maryland, were identified during the investigation as assisting Bruce with the distribution of narcotics. Thomas, who was on probation at the time for a previous state narcotics conviction, also assisted in collecting the proceeds of the drug dealing. On March 15, 2019, Thomas dumped heroin down the bathroom toilet and sink as investigators executed a search warrant at his residence. Meanwhile, Branch, fleeing in a vehicle from law enforcement, tossed small baggies containing heroin and fentanyl out of the window and dumped heroin and fentanyl out of the window. Both pleaded guilty to their roles in the drug conspiracy. Branch was sentenced to five years in federal prison. If the Court accepts his plea, Thomas is expected to be sentenced to seven years in federal prison.
Brown faces a maximum sentence of four years in federal prison for each of the three counts. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow has scheduled sentencing for Bruce and Brown on January 21, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., respectively. Judge Chasanow has scheduled sentencing for Thomas on February 18, 2021, at 11:30 a.m.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the DEA and the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office for their work in the investigation and thanked the Anne Arundel and Prince George’s County Police Departments for their assistance. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samika N. Boyd and Joseph R. Baldwin, who are prosecuting the case.
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Maryland Tax Preparer Indicted for Preparing False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal grand jury in Greenbelt, Maryland, returned an indictment today charging Temple Hills tax return preparer Anita Fortune, age 56, with one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and thirty-nine counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns.
The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division; and Special Agent in Charge Kelly R. Jackson of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, Washington, D.C. Field Office.
According to the indictment, Anita Fortune used multiple names for her tax preparation business, including Tax Terminatorz, Inc. For the tax years 2012 to 2018, Fortune, along with two co-conspirators, allegedly added fictitious or inflated itemized deductions and business losses to clients’ electronically filed federal income tax returns. The indictment further alleges that although the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) revoked Fortune’s e-file privileges, Fortune continued to prepare tax returns for her clients by filing the returns using her co-conspirators’ business and personal identifiers. Fortune allegedly provided money and office space in exchange for the use of her co-conspirators’ information.
If convicted, Fortune faces a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison for the conspiracy count and 3 years for each false return count. Fortune also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Attorney Hur and Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman commended IRS-Criminal Investigation for its work in the investigation, and thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Leah Grossi and Trial Attorney Kathryn Sparks of the Tax Division, who are prosecuting the case.
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Maryland Tax Preparer Indicted for Preparing False ReturnsRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury in Greenbelt, Maryland, returned an indictment today charging an Upper Marlboro tax return preparer with conspiracy to defraud the United States and aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur.
According to the indictment, Anita Fortune provided tax preparation services under multiple business names, including Tax Terminatorz Inc. Fortune allegedly prepared and filed returns using co-conspirators’ electronic filing identification numbers and identifiers. In addition, Fortune allegedly provided money and office space in exchange for her co-conspirators’ electronic filing credentials. For the tax years 2012 to 2018, Fortune, along with her two co-conspirators, allegedly added fictitious or inflated itemized deductions and business losses to clients’ returns, which fraudulently reduced their tax liabilities and increased their refunds.
If convicted, Fortune faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison for the conspiracy count and three years for each false return count. Fortune also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman and U.S. Attorney Hur commended special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Trial Attorney Kathryn Sparks of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Leah Grossi, who are prosecuting the case.
Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found on the division’s website.
Greenbelt Felon Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Drug Charges and to Illegal Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge George J. Hazel sentenced Lucian Bernard Jackson, age 53, of Greenbelt, Maryland, yesterday to 10 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Judge Hazel also ordered Jackson to forfeit the $81,957 in cash, two firearms and ammunition seized from his residence during a search of his residence. This case was the result of investigative efforts by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the District of Maryland and for the Eastern District of Virginia.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia G. Zachary Terwilliger, Special Agent in Charge Timothy Jones of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division; Special Agent in Charge Jesse R. Fong of the Drug Enforcement Administration - Washington Field Division; and Interim Chief Hector Velez of the Prince George’s County Police Department; and Attorney General of Virginia Mark R. Herring.
“Drug traffickers must know that using a gun will lead to federal time, which has no parole—ever,” said United States Attorney Robert K. Hur. “Lucian Jackson will now serve 10 years in federal prison. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to remove those who would deal drugs and commit violence from our community.”
According to his guilty plea, from June 2017 to September 2019, Jackson was a supplier of cocaine in and around the Maryland region, redistributing cocaine to local dealers. For example, from October 2017 to September 2019, Jackson distributed approximately 500 grams of cocaine per week to a co-conspirator, with the transactions generally occurring at Jackson’s residence. The co-conspirator then redistributed the cocaine to 30 or more customers. The hierarchal distribution continued with the customers redistributing the cocaine around the region, including in the Eastern District of Virginia and in the District of Maryland. In addition, Jackson occasionally purchased cocaine from other suppliers through the co-conspirator. During one month, Jackson, through the co-conspirator, purchased approximately four kilograms of cocaine from another supplier.
Law enforcement executed a search warrant at Jackson’s residence in Greenbelt, Maryland, on September 26, 2019, and recovered: $81,957 in cash; more than 700 grams of cocaine; a .45-caliber pistol and 54 rounds of .45-caliber ammunition; a 9mm pistol and 114 rounds of 9mm ammunition; and an additional $400 in cash recovered from Jackson’s person. Jackson admitted that the cash from the residence and Jackson’s person were proceeds from his cocaine distribution. Further, Jackson admitted that he knew he was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition as a result of a previous felony conviction.
Jackson was personally involved in the distribution of, or it was reasonably foreseeable to Jackson that his co-conspirators distributed, in furtherance of the conspiracy, at least 50 kilograms but less than 150 kilograms, of cocaine.
As agreed upon in Jackson’s plea agreement, now that Jackson has been sentenced, related charges filed in federal court in the Eastern District of Virginia will be dismissed.
United States Attorneys Robert K. Hur and G. Zachary Terwilliger commended the ATF, and the Prince George’s County Police Department for their work in the Maryland investigation and thanked the DEA, the FBI Washington Field Office, the Arlington County Police Department, the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, the Fairfax County Police Department, and the Alexandria Police Department for their work in the Virginia investigation. Mr. Hur and Mr. Terwilliger thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Burden Walker and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Karolina Klyuchnikova, who prosecuted the Maryland and Virginia cases, respectively.
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Former Montgomery County Music Teacher Sentenced to More Than Four Years in Federal Prison for Possession of Child Pornography and Ordered to Pay $144,000 in Restitution to VictimsRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang today sentenced Charles Victor Kopfstein-Penk, age 75, of Bethesda, Maryland, to 54 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for possession of child pornography. As part of his plea agreement, Kopfstein-Penk was ordered to pay $144,000 in restitution to 35 victims. Kopfstein-Penk, a music teacher who gave lessons out of his home, pleaded guilty to the federal charge on February 10, 2020.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge John Eisert of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; Colonel Woodrow W. Jones III, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police; and Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy.
According to his plea agreement, on March 5, 2019, Maryland State Police were conducting an investigation on an online peer-to-peer network for individuals sharing and downloading child pornography. An IP address associated with Kopfstein-Penk’s residence was requesting blocks of suspected child pornography files.
As detailed in the plea agreement, on May 21, 2019, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Kopfstein-Penk’s residence. Kopfstein-Penk was present and agreed to speak to officers at the scene. Kopfstein-Penk admitted to using file-sharing software for approximately 10 years to download child pornography from the Internet and stated that he had been collecting child pornography files for over 20 years. An on-scene preview of a computer located in Kopfstein-Penk’s office revealed over 400,000 files of suspected child pornography. Kopfstein-Penk directed law enforcement to five external hard drives that he also used to store child pornography. A subsequent forensic analysis of the computer and external storage media revealed that Kopfstein-Penk possessed over 1,126,000 images and over 6,800 videos depicting the sexual abuse of children, including images of child pornography involving prepubescent minors and some material involving the portrayal of sadistic or masochistic conduct against children.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc and click on the "Resources" tab on the left of the page.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended HSI, the Maryland State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rajeev Raghavan and Timothy Hagan, who prosecuted the federal case.
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Member of Gregory Butler Drug Trafficking Organization Pleads Guilty to Federal Charge of Possession of a Firearm During a Drug Trafficking CrimeRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – Davon Owens, age 36, of Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty on November 17, 2020, to possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. Owens was a member of the Gregory Butler Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) which distributed heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, and crack cocaine in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Orville O. Greene of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District Office; Chief Marcus Jones of the Montgomery County Police Department; and Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department.
According to his guilty plea, from at least November 2018 through April 3, 2019, Owens participated in the DTO, taking custody of narcotics that he would then store in his house in Baltimore. When the DTO needed to re-supply street-level drug distributors, Owens would provide the narcotics to a supervisor in the DTO.
As detailed in his plea agreement, law enforcement intercepted communications where Owens discussed the storage and movement of large quantities of heroin. On April 3, 2019, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Owens’ residence in the 700 block of Denison Street in Baltimore, and recovered a duffle bag containing over one kilogram of heroin, and a loaded 9mm pistol. Owens admitted that he possessed the heroin with the intent to distribute and that he possessed the firearm during and in relation to the conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
Owens faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum of life in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. District Judge Paul W. Grimm has scheduled sentencing for April 1, 2021, at 2:00 p.m.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI, the DEA, the Montgomery County and the Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur commended the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; the City of Rockville Police Department; the Baltimore County, Howard County, and Montgomery County Police Departments; the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office; the Maryland State Police; the West Virginia State Police; the Virginia State Police; the Warren County (VA) Sheriff’s Department; the Winchester (VA) and Front Royal (VA) Police Departments; and the Frederick County and Howard County State’s Attorney’s Offices. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew DellaBetta and Michael Goldsticker, who are prosecuting the case.
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Maryland Man Facing Federal Indictment for Threatening Former Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Kamala Harris During the Presidential CampaignRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury returned an indictment late yesterday charging James Dale Reed, age 42, of Frederick, Maryland, on the federal charge of threats to a major candidate for President or Vice President—specifically, former Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Kamala Harris. Reed is currently in state custody and a federal warrant has been lodged as a detainer to ensure his appearance in U.S. District Court at a future date. A federal criminal complaint for the same charge was filed against Reed on October 21, 2020.
The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur and Special Agent in Charge Bo Keane of the United States Secret Service - Baltimore Field Office.
“We take these types of threats extremely seriously. The right to vote and peacefully support the candidate of your choice are bedrocks of our democracy,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. “Alleged conduct like this that threatens major candidates and fellow citizens only undermines our democracy and the principles upon which America was founded. We will hold accountable those who seek to intimidate, harass or dissuade Americans from exercising their right to vote.”
According to the single-count indictment and court documents, on October 4, 2020, a letter threatening candidates for President and Vice President—specifically, former Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Kamala Harris—with physical harm and execution, was left on the doorstep of a resident in Frederick in the early hours of the morning. The resident had several signs in the yard supporting the candidates threatened in the letter. The likeness of the subject delivering the letter was captured by a door camera.
If convicted, Reed faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the U.S. Secret Service for its work in the investigation and thanked the Frederick Police Department for its assistance. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys James G. Warwick and Joan C. Mathias, who are prosecuting the case.
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Gaithersburg Brothers Facing Federal Charge for Their Roles in a $5 Million Romance SchemeRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – David Annor, age 27, and Lesley Annor, age 22, both of Gaithersburg, Maryland, were arrested on November 16, 2020, on the federal charge of money laundering, in connection with an alleged romance scheme in which the participants in the scheme induce their victims, often people who are elderly and isolated, to send money to other co-conspirators based on romantic assertions and other misrepresentations, including promises to travel to the United States to unite with the victims. The Annors allegedly received and laundered the payments from the victims.
The federal charge was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge James A. Dawson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation - Washington Field Office Criminal Division; Postal Inspector in Charge Peter R. Rendina of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service - Washington Division; and Special Agent in Charge Matthew S. Miller of the United States Secret Service - Washington Field Office.
U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur stated, “The criminal complaint charges that these defendants were part of a conspiracy that stole from many vulnerable and elderly victims from around the world, defrauding them through lies and laundering the funds internationally. The deceit used to steal from these victims was heartless. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners are committed to bringing to justice fraudsters who prey upon the elderly. We will continue our outreach efforts to make the public aware of scams and frauds targeting elderly victims and encourage anyone who believes they may be a victim to contact the Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311).”
According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, the Annors are part of a romance scheme in which their co-conspirators find their victims online, typically through social media or dating websites, and communicate with the victims using e-mail, cell phones and online applications. The complaint alleges that since April 2017, the brothers and another co-conspirator have received and laundered over $5 million from approximately 200 romance fraud victims throughout the United States and overseas. The age range of the known victims is from 38 to 83 years old.
Specifically, the affidavit alleges that David registered a business entity in the State of Maryland called Ravid Enterprise LLC, a shell company through which the conspirators laundered the proceeds of the fraud scheme. According to the articles of organization, Ravid Enterprise is “a car sale business where buyers come in to get cars which are from the auction.” David is listed as the resident agent for the company and his Gaithersburg residence—which is an apartment—is the registered address of the company. Bank records show that between at least May 2017 and September 2020, David and Lesley Annor opened or maintained bank accounts at 10 different financial institutions, including accounts opened in the name of Ravid Enterprise, for the purpose of receiving payments from victims of the romance scheme.
As detailed in the criminal complaint, the Annors’ co-conspirators made contact with the victims and after convincing the victims that they were in a romantic relationship, requested money from the victims for various purposes, often assuring the victims that they would be repaid. The co-conspirators provided the victims with details on where to send the payments, which were accounts controlled by the Annors or another co-conspirator, or their mailing address, where victims would mail cashier’s checks. The eight victims described in the criminal complaint each allegedly lost between $17,500 and $201,000.
The criminal complaint alleges that after receiving the victim payments, the Annors sent a portion of the money to other co-conspirators, often located in Ghana, and kept at least 10 percent of the victim payments for themselves. The Annors also allegedly laundered the victim payments by sending each other wires, checks, and possibly cash.
If convicted, David and Lesley Annor each face a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for money laundering. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. David and Lesley Annor had initial appearances and detention hearings in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt and U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles B. Day ordered that they both be detained pending trial.
A criminal complaint is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by criminal complaint is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the U.S. Secret Service for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gregory Bernstein and Leah B. Grossi, who are prosecuting the case.
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Five Baltimore Men—Including Former Member of Baltimore Safe Streets Program—Facing Federal Indictment for Drug Trafficking OffensesRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury has returned a superseding indictment charging four Baltimore men on the federal charge of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and a fifth man with possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The superseding indictment, which was returned on November 18, 2020, adds three new defendants and nine new counts. Charged in the indictment are:
Ronald Alexander, age 50;
Mark Brinkley, age 51;
Thomas Corey Crosby, age 51;
Joseph McClean, age 49; and
Mark McCoy, age 53.The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Orville O. Greene of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District Office; and Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department.
According to the 10-count indictment, from at least May 2020 through August 14, 2020, Alexander, Brinkley, Crosby, and McClean conspired to distribute heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, and crack cocaine. According to court documents, Alexander participated in the conspiracy while he was employed by the Safe Streets program in Baltimore City. McClean allegedly distributed controlled substances, including fentanyl and heroin on five occasions between July 1 and July 30, 2020. Brinkley allegedly possessed with the intent to distribute at least 100 grams of heroin, 40 grams of fentanyl, and cocaine. Finally, on August 14, 2020, McCoy allegedly possessed a .40-caliber pistol in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, specifically, possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine. As stated in the superseding indictment, McCoy had a previous felony conviction and was prohibited from possessing a firearm.
If convicted, as a result of previous federal felony convictions, Alexander and Crosby face a mandatory minimum of 10 years in federal prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison for the drug conspiracy. Brinkley and McClean each face a mandatory minimum of five years in federal prison and a maximum of 40 years in federal prison for the conspiracy. McClean also faces a maximum of 20 years in federal prison for each of five counts of distribution of controlled substances. Brinkley and McCoy face a maximum of 20 years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and McCoy also faces a maximum of 10 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Finally, as a result of a previous federal conviction on the same charge, McCoy faces a mandatory 25 years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence imposed, and up to life in prison, for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties and a federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. An initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Baltimore has not yet been scheduled. Alexander and Crosby remain detained. Brinkley and McCoy are in state custody on related charges.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the DEA and Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew DellaBetta and Daniel A. Loveland, Jr., who are prosecuting the case.
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Virginia Man Sentenced to More Than 12 Years in Federal Prison for Kidnapping and Later Attempting to Silence the Victim by Having Her KilledRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge George J. Hazel today sentenced Henry Lee Kenner II, age 43, of Alexandria, Virginia, to 150 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for kidnapping and witness tampering.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Colonel Woodrow W. Jones III, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police.
According to Kenner’s plea agreement, on June 8, 2019, Kenner, dressed in black, drove from Virginia to the home of the victim in Prince Frederick, Maryland, and asked to speak with the victim. An argument ensued and Kenner struck the victim with his fist and cut her hand with a knife, then forcibly removed the victim from her home, without her consent. Kenner continued to assault the victim as he took her to his car and put her in the passenger seat. A witness who saw some of these events stated that Kenner threatened to kill the victim if she opened the door when Kenner was walking around the car to the driver’s seat.
As detailed in the plea agreement, Kenner drove the vehicle from Calvert County through Charles and Prince George’s County, and continued to assault and yell at the victim. At one point, a Trooper from the Maryland State Police called Kenner on his cellular phone and asked that he return with the victim to her residence. Kenner indicated that he would do so, but instead continued across the state line, into Virginia. Kenner then pulled over and disposed of the knife. Eventually, Kenner dropped the victim off at a hospital where she was treated for her injuries. Kenner ultimately turned himself in to the Maryland State Police.
In October 2019, Kenner was charged federally in Maryland for kidnapping. In December 2019, while in federal custody awaiting trial, Kenner attempted to persuade an individual, in exchange for money, to arrange for the killing of the victim so that she would be unable to testify against him. Kenner provided the victim’s personal identifying information to the individual so that it could be used to locate and kill the victim. The individual did not execute the plan and no money changed hands.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur praised the FBI and Maryland State Police for their work in the investigation and thanked the Calvert County State’s Attorney’s Office for its assistance. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys G. Michael Morgan, Jr. and Joseph R. Baldwin, who prosecuted the case.
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Southern Maryland Man Sentenced to 150 Months in Federal Prison for Fentanyl DistributionRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge George J. Hazel today sentenced Steven Jerome, age 33, of Leonardtown, Maryland, today to 150 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for the federal charge of distribution of fentanyl. Jerome acknowledged that his distribution of fentanyl resulted in the death of two victims.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Jesse R. Fong of the Drug Enforcement Administration - Washington Field Division; St. Mary’s County Sheriff Tim Cameron; and Charles County Sheriff Troy D. Berry.
U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur stated, “Steven Jerome knew that the fentanyl he was distributing killed someone and still went on to distribute fentanyl to his own mother, killing her, too. He’s now sentenced to 12½ years in federal prison. Drug traffickers are on notice that dealing in deadly fentanyl increases their odds of prosecution in federal court, where there are no suspended sentences and no parole—ever. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to stop the tragic deaths resulting from opioid overdoses.”
According to his plea agreement, Jerome and his co-defendant, Rodney Coby, distributed fentanyl to an individual on September 6, 2017, resulting in the death of the victim. Specifically, on September 6, 2017, Victim 1 drove Jerome from the St. Clement Shores neighborhood of St. Mary’s County, Maryland, to Waldorf, Maryland, where Jerome met with a physician to obtain prescriptions for Xanax and Adderall. Victim 1 then drove Jerome to a nearby pharmacy where Jerome filled the Xanax prescription, then to a pre-arranged meeting location in Waldorf where Coby distributed fentanyl to Jerome. Jerome then distributed a portion of that fentanyl to Victim 1.
As detailed in the plea agreement, Victim 1 then used the fentanyl and immediately showed signs of an overdose. Jerome did not call first responders or seek medical attention for Victim 1 because he had an unrelated arrest warrant pending against him. Instead, Jerome drove Victim 1 back to St. Clement Shores, parked the car, and walked to his mother’s house, which was nearby. Jerome’s mother then called first responders, who were unable to resuscitate Victim 1. The medical examiner later determined that Victim 1 died of fentanyl intoxication.
On March 26, 2018, Jerome’s mother texted him to order a “cap,” which is a gel capsule filled with an opioid such as fentanyl. On March 27, 2018, Jerome sold a gel capsule that contained fentanyl to his mother. On March 30, 2018, Jerome’s mother used the contents of the gel capsule that he distributed and died from a fentanyl overdose. Next to her body, investigators found a used syringe and the gel capsule that Jerome distributed. The contents of the gel capsule tested positive for fentanyl, and the medical examiner concluded that Jerome’s mother died of fentanyl intoxication.
Jerome subsequently admitted to one of his associates that he worked with Coby to distribute narcotics.
Rodney Mondell Coby, a/k/a “Cuz,” age 31, of Waldorf, Maryland, was convicted on February 28, 2020, after a seven-day trial for the federal charges of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death, conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. Coby faces a mandatory minimum of 20 years and up to life in prison for distribution of fentanyl resulting in death. Coby also faces a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison for the conspiracy and for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances; a maximum of life in prison for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and a maximum of 10 years in prison for being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. Judge Hazel has not yet scheduled a sentencing date for Coby. Coby has been in custody since his arrest on April 13, 2018.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the DEA, the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, and the Charles County Sheriff’s Office for their work in the investigation, and thanked the Prince George’s County Police Department for its assistance. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gregory Bernstein and Erin Pulice, who are prosecuting the case.
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Illegal Alien Sentenced to 18 Months in Federal Prison for Re-Entering the United States After Being DeportedRead the Press Release
November 17, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact MARCIA MURPHY
www.justice.gov/usao/md at (410) 209-4885
Illegal Alien Sentenced to 18 Months in Federal Prison for Re-Entering the United States After Being Deported
Previously Convicted in Federal Court of Sex Trafficking Offense; It Was the Fourth Time She Entered the United States Illegally
Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Peter J. Messitte today sentenced Iris Martinez-Napper, age 47, a Guatemalan national residing in Prince George’s County, Maryland, to 18 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally re-entering the United States after being deported. Martinez-Napper was previously convicted in federal court of conspiracy to transport individuals interstate to engage in prostitution and had previously been deported twice—once in 2010 and then again in 2012.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur and Special Agent in Charge John Eisert of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore.
According to her plea agreement, Martinez-Napper first illegally entered the United States in or around 1999. On April 30, 2009, she was sentenced in Maryland to 32 months in federal prison for conspiracy to travel to transport at least 100 women from New York and New Jersey to Maryland for the purpose of employing them in prostitution. She was removed from the United States on July 29, 2010. Less than four months later, Martinez-Napper illegally re-entered the United States near Naco, Arizona. On September 19, 2011, she was sentenced in Arizona to 11 months in federal prison for illegal re-entry and on February 9, 2012, was removed from the United States for a second time. At some time after that, Martinez-Napper again illegally re-entered the United States and was found in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Martinez-Napper admitted that she has never sought, nor obtained, the consent of the Attorney General of the United States or the Secretary of Homeland Security to apply for readmission to the United States.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur praised HSI for its work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Wright, who prosecuted the case.
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Baltimore Armed Career Criminal Pleads Guilty in Federal Court to Distributing Heroin, Fentanyl, Cocaine, and Crack CocaineRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Cephus Albert Powell, age 54, of Baltimore, pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm and to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Orville O. Greene of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District Office; and Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur stated, “All too often, guns and drugs go hand in hand—and both are killers, especially fentanyl. We are committed to getting both off of our streets and to reducing violent crime in our neighborhoods. If you use a gun, you could face federal time, where there is no parole—ever. Please, put down the guns and save a life—maybe even your own.”
“Guns and drugs take far too many lives in our communities, and Cephus Powell was contributing to the devastating impact of both in Baltimore City,” said Jennifer C. Boone, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Baltimore Field Office. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to disrupt and dismantle criminal drug operations.”
According to his guilty plea, in April 2019, law enforcement officers were investigating drug trafficking activity in the 1400 block of Mosher Street and installed a covert camera to monitor the area. Between April 23 and April 29, 2019, law enforcement observed Powell conduct suspected hand-to-hand drug transactions in this area. Powell followed the same basic pattern each day: He arrived to the location in the morning using a ride service, then placed a white bag inside the first-floor window of a vacant rowhouse at 1417 W. Mosher Street. Powell conducted what investigators believed were hand-to-hand drug transactions using a large white Styrofoam cup to store the suspected narcotics.
As detailed in his plea agreement, on April 30, 2019, law enforcement officers were watching the covert camera and saw Powell engage in what they believed to be a hand-to-hand drug transaction. At approximately 7:20 a.m., moments after they observed the suspected drug transaction, law enforcement officers located and detained Powell, retrieving his Styrofoam cup, which he had placed in a nearby trash can. Inside the cup, investigators seized 23 red and clear gelcaps, each containing a mixture of heroin and fentanyl; 20 clear top vials each containing crack cocaine; and 13 green top vials containing cocaine. Powell also had $2,161 in cash on his person. Investigators then looked inside the window of the vacant rowhouse at 1417 W. Mosher Street and retrieved a white bag. Inside the bag was a .40-caliber handgun, loaded with seven live rounds; 230 red and white gelcaps containing a mixture of heroin and fentanyl; two knotted plastic bags each containing crack cocaine; 46 clear top vials each containing crack cocaine; 20 green top vials each containing cocaine; and a digital scale.
Subsequent DNA analysis conducted pursuant to a federal search warrant confirmed that the handgun contained Powell’s DNA. A review of the video footage from the covert camera revealed that at approximately 6:45 a.m. Powell had opened the front window at 1417 W. Mosher Street and placed a white bag inside.
In total, law enforcement recovered approximately 96 grams of a mixture of heroin and fentanyl; 20 grams of crack cocaine; and three grams of cocaine. Powell admitted that he possessed the drugs with the intent to distribute them. Powell further admitted that he had a previous felony conviction which he knew prohibited him from possessing a firearm or ammunition.
Powell and the government have agreed that, if the Court accepts the plea agreement, Powell will be sentenced to 15 years in federal prison. U.S. District Judge George L. Russell, III has scheduled sentencing for January 14, 2021, at 1:00 p.m.
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. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is 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.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI Strike Force Group, the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, the DEA, and the Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Anatoly Smolkin, who is prosecuting the case.
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Prince George’s County Man Indicted in Maryland on Federal Charges for Sexually Exploiting Two Children to Produce Child Pornography and for Possession and Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal grand jury in Maryland has indicted Brian Anthony Gilbert, age 33, of District Heights, Maryland, on the federal charges of production, distribution, and possession of child pornography. The indictment was returned on November 2, 2020 and Gilbert had his initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt today. At today’s initial appearance, U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles B. Day ordered that Gilbert be detained pending trial.
The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian C. Rabbitt of the U.S. Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Interim Chief Hector Velez of the Prince George’s County Police Department; and Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Aisha N. Braveboy.
According to the nine-count indictment, between December 28, 2018, and September 10, 2020, Gilbert sexually exploited minor Victim 1, and between January 3, 2019, and September 10, 2020, Gilbert sexually exploited minor Victim 2, in order to produce visual depictions of the children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. On August 26, 2020 and August 29, 2020, Gilbert allegedly distributed visual depictions documenting the sexual abuse of children. Finally, as alleged in the indictment, on September 11, 2020, Gilbert possessed visual depictions of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct, including a prepubescent minor and a minor under 12 years of age.
If convicted, Gilbert faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and a maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison for each of the six counts of production of child pornography; a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and a maximum of 20 years in federal prison for each of the two counts of distribution of child pornography; and a maximum of 20 years in federal prison for the possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor and a minor under 12 years of age. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc and click on the "Resources" tab on the left of the page.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur and Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian C. Rabbitt commended the FBI, the Prince George’s County Police Department, and the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Leah Grossi and Trial Attorney Jessica L. Urban of the Justice Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, who are prosecuting the federal case.
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Serial Fraudster Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges of Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft—All Committed While on Supervised Release for a Previous Federal Fraud ConvictionRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Boaz Salmon Bratton-Bey, age 37, of Owings Mills, Maryland, pleaded guilty late yesterday to federal bank fraud conspiracy and aggravated identity theft charges, as well as to committing those crimes while on supervised release for a previous federal conviction for a similar scheme.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Chief Melissa R. Hyatt of the Baltimore County Police Department; and Postal Inspector in Charge Peter R. Rendina of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service - Washington Division.
According to his guilty plea, Bratton-Bey and his co-conspirators committed numerous acts of bank fraud using the stolen personal identifying information (“PII”) of individual victims, without the victims’ knowledge or permission.
Specifically, on June 5, 2019, Bratton-Bey and his co-conspirators executed an “instant credit” scheme in which a co-conspirator, Terrell Meadows, used a fictitious driver’s license bearing the image of Meadows and the personal information of an individual victim to obtain a store credit card at a home improvement store. The credit application contained the name, date of birth, Social Security Number, and other personally identifying information (PII) of a real person who did not consent to the use of his PII. The credit application was approved and a credit card with a $12,000 line of credit was issued in temporary form instantaneously. Transaction records indicate that on June 5 and June 6, 2019, the account was used to make a total of four purchases at four different store locations. The purchases totaled $5,988.14. Bratton-Bey and Meadows used a U-Haul truck to load and carry away the fraudulently obtained goods. That U-Haul truck bore an equipment number on its front bumper, which was captured by store surveillance cameras.
As detailed in the plea agreement, approximately one month later a U-Haul representative contacted Baltimore County Police to report that the U-Haul truck was stolen because Bratton-Bey had stopped paying for the truck and had not returned it. The truck was located and Baltimore County Police officers conducted a traffic stop, briefing detaining the driver, who was Bratton-Bey. From Bratton-Bey’s pocket, officers retrieved at least 14 credit cards, which featured at least 14 different names of real persons on them. Bratton-Bey’s own name was not on any of these credit cards, though officers were able to identify Bratton-Bey using his real identification, which he produced for them.
Following the seizure of those credit cards, investigators obtained bank records from financial institutions which showed that these cards had been used to commit fraudulent transactions, totaling at least $6,822.03 in actual fraud and at least $1,046.85 in attempted fraud. Additionally, these bank records and surveillance images showed that Bratton-Bey had used at least three of these cards personally for ATM withdrawals. Investigators obtained records from U-Haul regarding the rental of the truck. These records showed that Bratton-Bey had rented the truck using his real name, address, and telephone number. However, Bratton-Bey had paid for the rental of the U-Haul truck using fraudulent credit cards issued to real persons. Bratton-Bey paid a total of $4,039.91 to rent the U-Haul truck through fraudulent transfers and attempted to pay an additional $743.94 using fraudulently obtained funds from one of the credit cards issued in another real person’s name. The total loss amount from the U-Haul rental and the cards recovered from Bratton-Bey following the traffic stop was $12,652.73.
On July 25, 2019, investigators executed a search warrant at Bratton-Bey’s apartment. Law enforcement located counterfeit identification documents bearing photographs of Bratton-Bey and other individuals, credit/debit cards issued to individuals or entities other than Bratton-Bey, mail and financial correspondence addressed to individuals other than Bratton-Bey, and several cell phones and other electronic devices. Investigators recovered at least 12 credit/debit cards issued to individuals other than Bratton-Bey. Investigators also found Bratton-Bey’s real driver’s license, along with a fictitious driver’s license that included Bratton-Bey’s picture and his alias, “Boa Salmon” and a fictitious social security card for the “Boa Salmon” alias. The items recovered from Bratton-Bey’s apartment also included four other counterfeit identifications in the form of fictitious driver’s licenses bearing the PII of real victims, including counterfeit driver’s licenses for Pennsylvania and New York, in addition to Maryland. The total loss amount from the accounts related to the cards recovered from Bratton-Bey’s apartment was $40,222.30.
Bratton-Bey was previously convicted in U.S. District Court in Maryland for bank fraud conspiracy, access device fraud, and aggravated identity theft. For that case, he was sentenced to 102 months in federal prison in July 2012.
Bratton-Bey faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison for bank fraud conspiracy; and a mandatory two years in federal prison, consecutive to any other sentence, for aggravated identity theft. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. District Judge George L. Russell, III has scheduled sentencing for Bratton-Bey on March 5, 2021, at 1:00 p.m.
Terrell Meadows, age 32, of Rosedale, Maryland, pleaded guilty to bank fraud conspiracy for his role in the scheme on November 5, 2020. Judge Russell has scheduled sentencing for Meadows on March 12, 2021 at 11:00 a.m.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the Baltimore County Police Department and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel A. Loveland, Jr. and Tamera Fine, who are prosecuting the case.
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Prince George’s County Felon Sentenced to 81 Months in Federal Prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana and Illegal Possession of a Loaded GunRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge George J. Hazel today sentenced Renaldo Solomon Hayes, age 28, of Seat Pleasant, Maryland, to 81 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and for possession with intent to distribute marijuana. Judge Hazel also entered an order requiring Hayes to forfeit $1,468 in apparent drug proceeds, the .357-caliber semi-automatic pistol and ammunition seized at the time of his arrest, as well as the Cadillac sedan which he was driving at the time of his arrest.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Ashan Benedict of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Washington Field Division; and Chief Jarod J. Towers of the Cheverly Police Department.
According to his plea agreement, on the evening of March 7, 2018, a Cheverly Police Department officer conducted a traffic stop of the black Cadillac sedan owned and being driven by Renaldo Hayes. While talking to Hayes, the officer noticed a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. After Hayes was directed to get out of the car and the officer smelled burnt marijuana coming from Hayes, the officer searched Hayes and recovered two large folds of cash from his front left pants pocket. A search of the vehicle recovered approximately 54 grams of marijuana, in two plastic bags, hidden in a makeshift secret compartment under his vehicle’s rear seat. Two officers then attempted to arrest Hayes, but Hayes tried to run away, tensing, flailing, and pushing the officers to resist until the officers had to use their Tasers. Once Hayes was under control, the search of the vehicle resumed and officers recovered a loaded .357-caliber semi-automatic pistol, with a round in the chamber and a full 10-round magazine. Hayes also had two cell phones in the vehicle. Law enforcement located text messages on the phones referring to Hayes’ distribution of marijuana, including a planned sale that evening. The cash recovered from Hayes’ pocket totaled $1,468.
Hayes admitted that he possessed the firearm and ammunition in connection with his drug trafficking. Hayes was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition based on his prior felony convictions, including two separate convictions for attempted second-degree murder. Hayes was also on parole from a prior conviction at the time of this conduct.
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. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is 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.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur praised the ATF and the Cheverly Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Wright, who prosecuted the case.
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Waldorf Man Sentenced to More Than Five Years in Federal Prison for Dealing Fentanyl, Heroin, and Cocaine in Prince George’s and Charles CountiesRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge George J. Hazel today sentenced Marvin Windell Gray, a/k/a Marv, age 45, of Waldorf, Maryland to 66 months in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release, on the federal charges of: conspiracy to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl; distribution of fentanyl; and being a felon in possession of a firearm, in connection with a drug distribution organization operating in Prince George’s and Charles Counties in Maryland, that sold fentanyl, heroin, and powder and crack cocaine.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Jesse R. Fong of the Drug Enforcement Administration - Washington Field Division; St. Mary’s County Sheriff Tim Cameron; Charles County Sheriff Troy Berry; and Interim Chief Hector Velez of the Prince George’s County Police Department.
U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur stated, “Drug traffickers are on notice that dealing in fentanyl increases their odds of federal prosecution. We’re also targeting drug dealers who use guns and increase the risk of gun violence in Maryland. Working together with our local, state, and federal partners, we are determined to reduce the number of opioid overdose deaths in Maryland.”
According to his plea agreement, between August 2018 and August 2019, Gray conspired with Anthony Kenneth Dotson, Jr., James Harvey, Marcellus Woodland, and Tiara Mackall to distribute fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and crack cocaine in Maryland and elsewhere. Gray and Dotson were drug distributors who operated in Charles County, Maryland, and sold drugs to users and street-level drug dealers. Harvey, Woodland, and Mackall were “runners,” subordinate drug distributors who sold drugs on behalf of Gray and Dotson.
The plea agreement details numerous drug transactions between Gray, Dotson, and their suppliers, runners, and customers, using coded language, including controlled purchases of drugs made at the direction of law enforcement. For example, between January and May 2019, several individuals made controlled purchases of fentanyl and heroin from Gray and Dotson, at the direction of law enforcement. As detailed in the plea agreement, on July 9, 2019, Gray and Dotson discussed strategies for selling drugs over the phone. During that conversation, Gray told Dotson, “I’m a bag up most of them all in balls. I got like, I got like 70 of good,” meaning that he had 70 grams of high-quality controlled substances and intended to package the drugs into eight balls, or 3.5-gram quantities. Five days later, Gray told Dotson over the phone that he received an order for “14 grams . . . of down,” meaning 14 grams of fentanyl. The next month, on August 4, 2019, Dotson texted Gray a photograph depicting 13.99 grams of fentanyl on a digital scale, then asked Gray to delete the text message.
On August 15, 2019, law enforcement executed search warrants at nine different locations, including Gray’s residence. From Gray’s residence, law enforcement seized: a .40-caliber pistol; a .45-caliber pistol; a .380-caliber pistol; a 9mm-caliber pistol; 35 rounds of various caliber ammunition; $1,800 in cash, which was the proceeds from Gray’s drug distribution; and several small bags of crack cocaine. A search of Gray’s truck recovered three 9mm magazines and 29 rounds of 9mm ammunition, one .45 magazine and nine rounds of .45-caliber ammunition, 92 rounds of .357-caliber ammunition, and six rounds of .380-caliber ammunition. Gray knew that he had a previous felony conviction and was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.
Gray admitted that he possessed the firearms and ammunition to facilitate his distribution of fentanyl and other controlled substances, and that he purchased his truck with drug proceeds and used the truck to commit or facilitate his drug distribution. As agreed upon in his plea, Gray will forfeit the firearms, ammunition, and his 2007 Ford F-150 truck, as well as the $1,800 in cash.
Anthony Kenneth Dotson, Jr., a/k/a Streetz, Ghost, and Rico, age 34, of Clinton, Maryland; James Anthony Harvey, Jr., a/k/a Fat Bread, and Patches, age 48, of King George, Virginia; Marcellus Jerome Woodland, a/k/a Cellus, age 30, of Waldorf; and Tiara Mackall, a/k/a Tee, age 27, of Waldorf have all pleaded guilty to their roles in the drug distribution organization. Judge Hazel has scheduled sentencing for Dotson on December 15, 2020. Harvey was sentenced to 13 months in federal prison and Woodland and Mackall were sentenced to time served.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the DEA, the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, the Prince George’s County Police Department, and the Charles County Sheriff’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gregory Bernstein and Erin Pulice, who are prosecuting this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.
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Getaway Driver Sentenced to More Than Seven Years in Federal Prison on Charges Related to Two 2019 Bank Robberies in BaltimoreRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow today sentenced Richard Adams, age 60, of Baltimore, Maryland, to 90 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for aiding and abetting armed bank robbery and aiding and abetting the brandishing of a firearm during a crime of violence, in connection with armed bank robberies committed in Baltimore on January 23 and February 1, 2019.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department.
According to Adams’ guilty plea, he served as the getaway driver in connection with two armed bank robberies committed by his two co-defendants, Richard Tingler and David Gollahon. On January 23, 2019, Adams drove Tingler and Gollahon to a bank in the 3600 block of Boston Street in Baltimore, in a car he had rented two weeks earlier. The robbers were each armed and wore masks and gloves when they entered the bank. The robbers told everyone to put their hands up. Tingler approached the victim teller, pointed his firearm at her, and demanded $100 dollar bills and “loose bills” from the bottom drawer of the till. Meanwhile, Gollahon held the customers and other bank employees at gunpoint in the lobby area of the bank. The victim teller handed over the cash and the robbers ran away. As they ran through a parking lot adjacent to the bank, they accidentally dropped more than $5,000 in cash. They then got into the gray car driven by Adams, who had been waiting for them, and Adams drove them away from the area.
On February 1, 2019, Adams drove his co-defendants to a bank located in the 2900 block of O’Donnell Street in Baltimore, in a 2006 Chevy Monte Carlo that was registered to Adams. Tingler and Gollahon entered the bank armed with the same firearms they had used in the previous robbery and again wore masks and gloves to conceal their identities. The robbers pointed their firearms at the tellers and demanded money. After the tellers handed over cash from the till, the robbers demanded more cash. The tellers provided the robbers with cash from the bank’s vault and included a GPS tracker, which was activated. The robbers fled the bank and got into Adams’ car and Adams drove them away from the bank.
Baltimore Police Department (BPD) units responding to the robbery were provided with the GPS tracking information and located the vehicle with Adams and his co-defendants inside. All three were arrested. At the time of their arrests, Gollahon had the gun used in the robbery on his person. A subsequent search of the vehicle recovered the second firearm used by Tingler in both robberies, and a blue backpack containing the cash stolen during the robbery and the GPS tracking device. Later that day, a search was executed at Adams’ residence which recovered clothing and a leather duffel bag used during the first robbery.
Adams’ co-defendants, Richard Tingler, age 56, and David Gollahon, age 59, both of Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty to the federal charges of armed bank robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. If the court accepts their guilty pleas, Gollahon is expected to be sentenced to between 12 and 15 years in federal prison and Tingler is expected to be sentenced to up to 18 years in federal prison. Judge Chasanow has scheduled Gollahon’s sentencing for December 10, 2020, and set Tingler’s sentencing for January 19, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. All three defendants remain detained.
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. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is 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.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI and the Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul A. Riley and Daniel A. Loveland, Jr., who are prosecuting the case.
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Baltimore Man Sentenced to 21 Years in Federal Prison for Five Bank Robberies, Five Armed Robberies of Liquor Stores, and Related Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge George L. Russell today sentenced Anthony Eugene Wiggins, age 40, of Baltimore, Maryland, to 21 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for a string of robberies, and for violating his supervised release from a previous federal conviction. Wiggins committed five bank robberies and five armed robberies at liquor stores, between September 24, 2018 and November 15, 2018, as well as an attempted robbery on November 15, 2018, all while on supervised release for a previous federal conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department; Chief Melissa R. Hyatt of the Baltimore County Police Department; and Chief Charles Moore of the Bel Air Police Department.
“Anthony Wiggins was a walking crime spree, endangering the lives of employees and customers at the banks and liquor stores that he robbed,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. “As a convicted felon, Wiggins should not have been able to purchase a gun, but he was able to obtain a gun that had been assembled from firearm parts kits. So-called ‘ghost guns’ circumvent the laws designed to prevent felons from possessing firearms because they have no serial numbers and do not require background checks. We will continue working with our partners to keep guns out of the hands of people who cannot possess them lawfully.”
“Anthony Wiggins committed 10 armed robberies in less than 60 days,” said Jennifer C. Boone, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Baltimore Field Office. “As a convicted felon, he should have never been in possession of a gun, but because ‘ghost guns’ have become so easy to obtain, the lives of customers and employees were put in danger. We hope today’s sentence sends a clear message that the FBI and our law enforcement partners will do everything in our power to bring these offenders to justice.”
According to his plea agreement, between September 24 and October 18, 2018, Wiggins committed robberies at five separate Maryland banks, including two banks in Baltimore, and one each in White Marsh, Bel Air, and Arbutus. Wiggins was on federal supervised release at the time of the robberies, having previously been convicted for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
As detailed in his plea agreement, between November 2 and November 15, 2018, Wiggins committed five armed robberies at four liquor stores in Dundalk, Middle River, and Baltimore, Maryland. Wiggins admitted that he discharged a firearm in two of those robberies, specifically, a robbery in Dundalk on November 2, 2018 and a robbery in Baltimore on November 13, 2018, and brandished a firearm in the other three robberies. Wiggins also attempted to rob a fifth liquor store, located in Dundalk, on November 15, 2018. In nearly all of the robberies, Wiggins threatened victim employees with physical violence and, during one robbery, fought with and assaulted a store customer and a victim employee.
As stated in the plea agreement and other court documents, the gun discharged by Wiggins in two of the robberies was an untraceable “ghost gun,” which was assembled from a firearm parts kit and did not have a serial number. These kits can be purchased from various kit manufacturers or secondary retailers, including Internet websites. Crucially, convicted felons, who are prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition as a result of their convictions, can order such firearm kits and assemble an untraceable working gun in the privacy of their homes in as little as one hour with minimal effort.
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. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is 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.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI, the Baltimore Police Department, the Baltimore County Police Department, and the Bel Air Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul A. Riley and Mary W. Setzer, who prosecuted the case.
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Baltimore Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Charge for Selling Heroin and Cocaine in Southwest BaltimoreRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – Calvin Claxton, a/k/a Cal, age 41, of Baltimore, pleaded guilty today to his participation in a drug distribution conspiracy operating in the Edmondson Village neighborhood in southwest Baltimore. The drug trafficking organization (“DTO”) of which Claxton was a member sold heroin and cocaine on a daily basis in street-level quantities.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Timothy Jones of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division; and Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department.
According to his guilty plea, from at least September 2018 through June 2019, Claxton participated in a DTO and conspired to distribute heroin, powder cocaine, and crack cocaine to drug users and redistributors in and around the Edmondson Village neighborhood of southwest Baltimore. During the course of the investigation, law enforcement learned that Claxton engaged in communications regarding the DTO’s distribution of narcotics, the whereabouts of co-conspirators, the presence of law enforcement, and the availability of narcotics. The investigation also revealed that Claxton owned and maintained a stash house in Baltimore, where the DTO stored and processed heroin and crack cocaine.
On April 10, 2019, law enforcement executed a search warrant at the stash house and recovered over 200 grams of crack cocaine, which Claxton admitted that he intended to distribute. Claxton agreed that over the course of the conspiracy he distributed over 280 grams of crack cocaine.
Claxton and the government have agreed that 150 months in prison is the appropriate sentence in this case. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. District Judge Paul W. Grimm has scheduled sentencing for February 18, 2021, at 3:30 p.m.
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. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is 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.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI, the ATF, and the Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation and thanked the Anne Arundel County Police Department for its assistance. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew DellaBetta and Michael Goldsticker, who are prosecuting this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.
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Former President and CEO of Cecil Bank Sentenced in Maryland to Two Years in Federal Prison for a Bank Fraud Conspiracy, Receiving a Bribe, and Making False Statements in Bank RecordsRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow today sentenced the former President and Chief Executive Officer of Cecil Bank, Mary Beyer Halsey, age 59, of Rising Sun, Maryland, to two years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Halsey pleaded guilty on July 31, 2020, to the federal charges of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, receipt of a bribe by a bank official, and false statement in bank records, in connection with the straw purchase of a home in Rising Sun, Maryland, upon which Cecil Bank had foreclosed. Judge Chasanow also ordered Halsey to forfeit her interest in the home in Rising Sun and to pay restitution in the amount of $145,000.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Mark P. Higgins of Federal Housing Finance Agency, Office of Inspector General (FHFA-OIG), Mid-Atlantic Region; Special Agent in Charge Patricia Tarasca of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of Inspector General (FDIC/OIG), New York Region; Special Inspector General Christy Goldsmith Romero for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (SIGTARP); and Inspector General Hannibal “Mike” Ware of the Small Business Administration, Office of Inspector General (SBA/OIG).
“Mary Beyer Halsey will now serve time in federal prison after she used her position as President and CEO of Cecil Bank for her personal benefit, causing a loss to the bank, which had already received federal taxpayer funds as part of the Troubled Asset Relief Program,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. “Corrupt bank officials undermine the public’s trust in our financial system.”
“The Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of Inspector General (FHFA-OIG) is committed to investigating allegations of fraud committed by officers of financial institutions which are members of the 11 Federal Home Loan Banks (FHLBanks) because their crimes strike at the heart of the FHLBank System,” said Mark Higgins, Special Agent in Charge of the FHFA-OIG’s Mid-Atlantic Region. “We are proud to have partnered with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland and our law enforcement partners on this case.”
“Today the former CEO of Cecil Bank was sentenced to prison, becoming the 78th banker sentenced to prison resulting from a SIGTARP investigation,” said Special Inspector General Christy Goldsmith Romero. “Treasury wrote off $11 million from its TARP investment in Cecil Bank. We commend U.S. Attorney Hur and his team of prosecutors in standing with SIGTARP to combat fraud that hurt banks during critical times.”
Cecil Bank, located in Elkton, Maryland, had received $11,560,000 in federal taxpayer funds in 2008, under the Capital Purchase Program, as part of the Troubled Asset Relief Program. On April 20, 2011, Cecil Bank initiated the foreclosure of a single-family house located at 127 Ebenezer Church Road in Rising Sun.
According to her plea agreement, from 2012 to 2013, Halsey conspired with Daniel Whitehurst, an employee of a real estate development company that did business in Maryland, to defraud Cecil Bank and another bank to purchase a home through false pretenses, representations and promises. Specifically, on March 28, 2012, Halsey and Whitehurst met at a restaurant in Cecil County. Whitehurst asked Halsey if she could help him and a business partner get a $500,000 line of credit from Cecil Bank. Halsey agreed to help Whitehurst to obtain a line of credit from Cecil Bank, in exchange for Whitehurst agreeing to serve as the straw purchaser of 127 Ebenezer on behalf of Halsey. Halsey suggested that she increase the line of credit for Whitehurst to $650,000 to include the funds needed to buy the house. Whitehurst agreed to Halsey’s request to secretly buy 127 Ebenezer on Halsey’s behalf. On May 9, 2012, Halsey participated in a loan committee meeting at Cecil Bank that considered and approved a $650,000 line for credit for Whitehurst and a $500,000 line of credit for his business partner.
Halsey admitted that at her request, on May 14, 2012, Whitehurst visited 127 Ebenezer and provided Halsey with an estimate of the costs to update the house. Whitehurst determined that beyond replacing the kitchen subflooring at a cost of about $1,000, there were no significant repairs needed. Whitehurst provided a letter of intent to purchase the home from the bank for $150,000 for Halsey to review. Halsey suggested lowering the price to $145,000 to allow room to increase the offer later. Halsey knew that an exterior-only appraisal of the property ordered by Cecil Bank on November 9, 2011, showed a market value of $263,000. A full appraisal on September 10, 2012, reflected a market value of $295,000. To support the below-market price that Halsey wanted to pay, Whitehurst included in the letter of intent a list of lower-priced home sales in the same area that were not comparable to 127 Ebenezer and therefore was not reflective of the property’s actual market value.
As detailed in the plea agreement, on May 23, 2012, Whitehurst e-mailed Cecil Bank his offer to purchase 127 Ebenezer for $145,000. On the same day, during a meeting of the Cecil Bank Board of Directors, Halsey advised the Board that Whitehurst had made a purchase offer of $140,000 for 127 Ebenezer, $5,000 less the actual offer. To support the below-market price of $140,000, Halsey falsely characterized the property as having “structural deficiencies [that] will require significant repairs.” Halsey did not disclose her personal interest in the property, nor Whitehurst’s role as her nominee to acquire the property on her behalf. The Board authorized Halsey to “negotiate the best price.” Thereafter, Whitehurst submitted a contract for him to purchase 127 Ebenezer from Cecil Bank for $150,000, which Halsey signed on August 17, 2012 on behalf of Cecil Bank.
According to the plea agreement, subsequent to authorizing the sale of 127 Ebenezer, Halsey told Whitehurst that he should not use his line of credit from Cecil Bank to purchase the house, but should instead get the funds from a different source. Whitehurst applied for and obtained a $100,000 loan from another bank to purchase 127 Ebenezer, fraudulently claiming that he was purchasing the property for himself and that the down payment was from an investment account. On October 31, 2012, prior to 127 Ebenezer going to settlement, Halsey wired $75,000 to Whitehurst’s bank account to cover the cost of the down payment as well as closing costs and upgrades to the property that Halsey directed Whitehurst to arrange. To conceal the true purpose of the wired funds, Whitehurst sent Halsey a fictitious real estate contract purporting to show that the $75,000 was the down payment for a different property that Whitehurst owned in Havre de Grace, Maryland.
On November 21, 2012, the settlement of 127 Ebenezer was held with Halsey representing Cecil Bank as the seller, and Whitehurst as the purported purchaser, selling the property to Whitehurst for $150,000. Both signed the HUD-1 form which falsely represented that Whitehurst had paid approximately $52,566 at settlement, when in fact, the down payment and all related closing costs were paid from the $75,000 Halsey had wired to Whitehurst’s bank account beforehand. From October 31, 2012 through March 29, 2013, Halsey transferred an additional $60,000 to Whitehurst to cover the cost the upgrades to the house that they had previously discussed, as well as to reimburse Whitehurst for mortgage payments he made on the property. Halsey and Whitehurst also made plans to transfer title of the property to Halsey by selling the house to her at a price that would minimize the tax consequences of the sale for Whitehurst.
In December 2012, in response to a question from a bank examiner for the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond inquiring about the sale of the property to Whitehurst, Halsey falsely stated that she was “not totally familiar with [that] property” and that the bank had difficulty marketing the property and had not listed it with a realtor because of “issues with the county over the bonds outstanding.”
In April 2013, federal agents began interviewing employees and other borrowers about banking irregularities at Cecil Bank. Title to 127 Ebenezer was never transferred to Halsey. Halsey never told the bank that she was the true purchaser of 127 Ebenezer, nor did the bank know that Halsey and Whitehurst had orchestrated the sale of the foreclosed property at the fraudulent price of $150,000, instead of the appraised pre-renovation price of $295,000.
As a result of Halsey’s misrepresentations and omissions, the bank lost approximately $145,000.
Daniel Whitehurst, age 36, of Bel Air, Maryland, pleaded guilty under seal to the federal charge of mail fraud on April 6, 2018. Whitehurst faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Judge Chasanow has not scheduled a date for Whitehurst’s sentencing.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FHFA-OIG, Mid-Atlantic Region; FDIC/OIG; SIGTARP; and SBA/OIG for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Martin J. Clarke and Harry M. Gruber, who are prosecuting the case.
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Former Baltimore Police Detective Pleads Guilty to Making False Statements to Federal AgentsRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Ivo Louvado, age 47, of Bel Air, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to making false statements to federal agents.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur and Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office.
According to his guilty plea, Louvado joined the Baltimore Police Department on November 21, 1999, and was promoted to Detective in 2008. In February 2009, one of Louvado’s co-workers advised that they had received information from a confidential informant about a large-scale narcotics trafficker operating out of a residence in the 1400 block of Ellamont Street in Baltimore. On February 19, 2009, Louvado and other members of his squad were conducting surveillance in the 1400 block of Ellamont Street, targeting an individual, T.M.
As detailed in the plea agreement, other officers participating in the law enforcement action followed a car from that residence. Those officers claimed to have recovered trash that contained cocaine residue that had been thrown from the car they had followed. Louvado and other officers then entered the residence that the man was allegedly observed leaving. Louvado and other officers remained in the house until two members of the squad obtained a search warrant from a Baltimore City District Court judge. Louvado ultimately participated in the search of the residence, specifically, taking photographs of items that BPD seized. At some point, Louvado was alerted to the presence of a jacket hanging behind a door that contained a large amount of cash in it, which Louvado photographed.
While in the house, officers found car keys and a BPD officer activated the remote alarm on one of the keys. Officers heard the alarm sound in a pickup truck that was parked nearby. Louvado and other officers went to the pickup and opened an opaque cover that was over the back of the pickup truck. Under construction debris, a significant quantity of cocaine was found. Louvado and other officers waited with the cocaine until a SWAT team arrived. The SWAT team was called to provide protection during the transportation of the cocaine to BPD headquarters because it was such a large quantity. In order to transport the cocaine from the scene to BPD headquarters, it was loaded into a BPD surveillance van driven by another member of Louvado’s squad, K.G. After the cocaine was loaded into the surveillance van, Louvado followed the SWAT team to BPD headquarters to maintain chain-of-custody over the cocaine. Forty-one kilograms of cocaine was turned into the BPD’s Evidence Control Unit on February 20, 2009. Later that day, federal drug charges were filed against T.M.
Louvado admitted that he, K.G., and V.R. (another member of the squad) later discovered three kilograms of cocaine in the surveillance van that had been used to transport the 41 kilograms that were turned into BPD. The three kilograms were part of the seizure from T.M.’s pick-up truck but had not been turned into BPD. Louvado, K.G., and V.R. agreed that rather than turn this cocaine into BPD, they would sell it and split the proceeds. According to the plea agreement, a confidential informant of V.R.’s who was a drug trafficker purchased the cocaine, which the trafficker then sold in Baltimore. V.R. received the proceeds of the sale from his source and shared them with Louvado and K.G. Louvado acknowledged that he received $10,000 in drug proceeds from the sale of the three kilograms of cocaine.
On March 1, 2017, seven members of the BPD’s Gun Trace Task Force were arrested on federal racketeering charges, including W.J. Following the filing of charges, the FBI continued to investigate misconduct by members of the BPD. On May 30, 2018, Louvado agreed to participate in a voluntary interview with an FBI special agent and an FBI task force officer, who questioned him about the seizure of cocaine on February 19 and 20, 2009. In that interview, Louvado knowingly falsified, concealed, and covered up material facts, namely, that he and two other officers had split the proceeds from the sale of the three kilograms of cocaine that had been seized by BPD that day. As a former federal task force officer himself, Louvado knew that it was a crime to provide false information during interviews with federal law enforcement. Louvado also knew that the FBI was investigating police corruption and was questioning him about the seizures that day in order to determine if police misconduct had occurred.
Louvado faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for making false statements to federal agents. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake has not yet scheduled sentencing.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI for its work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Leo J. Wise, who is prosecuting the case.
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Three Foreign Nationals Facing Federal Indictment in Maryland for $3.5 Million Wire Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury has indicted three foreign nationals residing in Baltimore County for a bank fraud scheme in which the defendants and their co-conspirators obtained or attempted to obtain more than $3.5 million. The defendants, Damilola Lawal, a/k/a DML, D Baba, and Dami, age 31, of Windsor Mill, Maryland, Idowu Ademola Raji, a/k/a ID, King Soso, and James, age 39, of Pikesville, Maryland; and Akolade Ojo, a/k/a Kola and Boogz, age 30, of Owings Mills, Maryland are charged with a federal wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud, passport fraud, and aggravated identity theft. The indictment was returned on October 26, 2020, and was unsealed at their initial appearances late on November 4, 2020.
The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge John Eisert of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; and Special Agent in Charge Edwin Guard of the Washington Field Office of the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service.
According to the 12-count indictment, from August 2018 and continuing until October 26, 2020, the defendants conspired with Adewumi Abioye, Hameed Adesokan, Lukman Salam, and another person to defraud victim businesses and victim financial institutions. Specifically, the indictment alleges that the defendants and their co-conspirators used false, forged, and counterfeited passports and other identification documents that contained the facial images of co-conspirators but not their real names. They used the forged documents to create limited liability companies, and to open fraudulent bank accounts, often where the only authorized signatory was an alias or stolen identity used by the defendants and their co-conspirators. The defendants and their co-conspirators used a messaging app to communicate the timing of financial transactions, including directing members of the conspiracy regarding the deposit, withdrawal, transfer, and conversion of fraudulently obtained funds.
For example, as detailed in the indictment, on September 17, 2019, a co-conspirator sent a victim a fraudulent e-mail purporting to be from the victim’s attorney, advising the victim to send a $65,000 wire transfer to an account controlled by Salam as part of a real estate purchase. Lawal used the messaging app to send photographs and messages to Salam to show that the victim was making the wire transfer and listed a reference number. Once the funds had arrived in the account, Lawal instructed Salam to obtain a cashier’s check and make cash withdrawals so Salam could pay some of the cash to Lawal. Similarly, the indictment alleges that between October 5, 2018 and October 9, 2018, Salam engaged in numerous financial transactions at Raji’s direction, after a co-conspirator fraudulently obtained $390,000 from a victim business by sending the victim business e-mails purporting to come from an employee of one of the victim business’ service providers and requesting that payment be wired to an account in the name of Salam’s alias, Matthew John. Salam then allegedly purchased checks, made cash withdrawals, and engaged in ATM and point of sale transactions using a debit card, in order to obtain access to the fraudulently obtained funds and to conceal their further use.
According to the indictment, on June 11, 2019, Lawal alerted Abioye that fraud proceeds from another victim business were being sent to a bank account that Abioye had opened using a fraudulent passport in the name of Andrew Ali. The account was registered to Geotric Global LLC, and listed Andrew Ali as the only signatory. That same day, the victim business sent a $339,680.63 ACH transfer to the account, believing it was paying a legitimate services vendor after receiving fraudulent e-mails purporting to be from the vendor, and providing payment instructions. On December 30, 2019, Ojo received a $33,729 cashier’s check purchased by a co-conspirator using part of the $66,278.81 fraudulently obtained from a victim business. Ojo provided the check to Salam for deposit. Between December 2019 and January 2019, Salam engaged in multiple withdrawals from the account where the fraudulent funds were deposited and provided Ojo with a portion of the proceeds from the fraud of the victim business.
If convicted, the defendants face a maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison for the wire fraud conspiracy and for each count of wire fraud. Lawal also faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison for passport fraud; and Raji faces a mandatory sentence of two years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence imposed for aggravated identity theft. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. At today’s initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Baltimore, U.S. Magistrate Judge Deborah Boardman ordered that that all three defendants be detained pending a detention hearing. Detention hearings for Ojo and Lawal are scheduled for November 13, 2020, at 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., respectively, and a detention hearing for Raji is scheduled for November 18, 2020 at 11:30 a.m.
In a separate federal case in Maryland, Nigerian nationals Abioye, age 33, of Baltimore, and Salam, age 36, of New Jersey and Delaware, have pleaded guilty to related federal charges are awaiting sentencing. Adesokan, age 33, also of New Jersey and Delaware, is scheduled to go to trial, although no date has been set.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended HSI and the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service for their work in the investigation and thanked the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for its assistance. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Harry M. Gruber and Dana Brusca, who are prosecuting the case.
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Prince George’s County Man Facing Federal Indictment for Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl and for Assaulting a Federal OfficerRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal grand jury has indicted Andrew Joseph Trimmer, a/k/a D and Smoke, age 31, of Bowie, Maryland, on the federal charges of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and for assault on a federal officer. The indictment was returned on November 4, 2020.
The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Jesse R. Fong of the Drug Enforcement Administration - Washington Field Division; and Interim Chief Hector Velez of the Prince George’s County Police Department.
According to the two-count indictment, on September 25, 2020, Trimmer possessed a substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, with the intent to distribute that substance. According to court documents, Trimmer was the subject of an investigation into narcotics sales in Southern Maryland. The investigation revealed that Trimmer had been living in a rental home in Bowie, Maryland, but had moved on September 15, 2020. Trimmer was subsequently located living in a hotel in the area of the Bowie Towne Center. As detailed in court documents, law enforcement found Trimmer sitting in his vehicle outside the hotel. As soon as investigators identified themselves as police officers, Trimmer fled. A law enforcement officer grabbed Trimmer, but Trimmer assaulted the officer. During the physical altercation, another officer deployed his Taser, but Trimmer continued to fight. Trimmer was able to get to his feet and run to a nearby fast food restaurant, where he was apprehended by a third law enforcement officer. Court documents allege that Trimmer continued to resist arrest and physically assaulted the third officer during the arrest.
If convicted, Trimmer faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and 20 years in federal prison for assaulting a federal officer. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Trimmer is expected to have an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt, although no date has been scheduled. Trimmer is detained on an unrelated state charge.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the DEA and Prince George’s County Police Department for their work in the investigation and thanked the Crofton Police Department and the Anne Arundel County Police Department for their assistance. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin B. Pulice, who is prosecuting the case.
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