District of Maryland
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Department of Justice Commemorates National Crime Victims’ Rights WeekRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur joins the Department of Justice and communities nationwide in observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, celebrating victims’ rights, protections, and services throughout the week. This year’s observance takes place April 19-25 and features the theme, “Seek Justice| Ensure Victims' Rights | Inspire Hope.”
“Every year, millions of Americans suffer the shock and trauma of criminal victimization, affecting their well-being and sense of security and dignity,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “To these victims, we affirm our unwavering commitment to supporting them in their hour of need. We also commend the thousands of victim advocates and public safety professionals who labor tirelessly to secure victims’ rights and support survivors.”
“We are committed to seeking justice for those victimized by criminals,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. “The service and support provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office to victims never wavers and I commend all of those providing victim services for their caring and compassion. Your work makes a difference.”
“While we have made tremendous progress driving down crime and violence across the country, far too many Americans continue to suffer the pain and loss of criminal victimization,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the Office of Justice Programs. “This week, we stand by these survivors and their families, and we pledge our ongoing support to the countless men and women who serve them with such extraordinary skill and compassion.”
President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first Victims’ Rights Week in 1981, putting crime victims' rights, needs, and concerns in a prominent spot on the American agenda. He also established the President's Task Force on Victims of Crime, which laid the groundwork for a national network of services and legal safeguards for crime victims. President Donald Trump and his administration have implemented historic levels of support for victim assistance and victim compensation.
Some 3.3 million Americans age 12 and older were victims of violent crime in 2018, according to the National Crime Victimization Survey. The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), part of the Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs, supports more than 7,000 local victim assistance programs and victim compensation programs in every state and U.S. territory. Funds for these programs come from the Crime Victims Fund,
In Fiscal Year 2019, OVC provided $41 million for victims’ services in Maryland through the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services. The funds were used to award 124 grants to police and prosecutors, non-governmental organizations, and non-profits to serve all manner of crime victims—domestic violence, homicide, child abuse, rape and sexual assault, and human trafficking.
In addition, in FY19, OVC awarded more than $1 million dollars to support Maryland’s Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund, in addition to the money provided by the State of Maryland
During National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, victim advocacy organizations, community groups, and state, local and tribal agencies traditionally host rallies, candlelight vigils, and other events to raise awareness of victims’ rights and services. This year, many communities are organizing virtual gatherings and online public awareness campaigns.
This year’s commemoration began on Sunday, April 19th, 25 years to the day when a truck bomb exploded in front of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, taking the lives of 168 people, including 19 children, as well as injuring hundreds of others. The mass murder remains the worst act of domestic terrorism in our nation’s history and led to the establishment of the Antiterrorism Emergency Reserve, which is administered by OVC, and has been used to provide direct services to hundreds of victims of mass violence and terrorism.
“Crime victims deserve to know that they have the encouragement and support of the American people,” said OVC Director Jessica E. Hart. “I hope that citizens throughout the nation will take the opportunity this week to remember all victims of crime and their heroic stories of survival. I encourage everyone to also find meaningful ways to express their appreciation to the many committed and compassionate service providers across the country who work tirelessly supporting these survivors.”
This year, the annual National Crime Victims’ Service Awards Ceremony will be postponed until a time when we can honor this year’s award recipients in person. During the ceremony, OVC will present awards recognizing individuals and organizations from across the nation for their outstanding service on behalf of crime victims. The awardees will be selected from public nominations in 11 categories, including federal service, special courage, public policy, and victim services. Visit www.ovc.gov/gallery to learn more about past recipients.
For more information on how to create your own public campaigns to raise awareness about crime victims’ rights online and at events throughout the year, please visit: https://ovc.ncjrs.gov/ncvrw2020/overview.html.
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Maryland Cardiologist and Related Medical Practices to Pay the United States $750,000 for Alleged KickbacksRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland - Mubashar Choudry, M.D., and related medical practices Washington Cardiovascular Institute, Advanced Vascular Resources, and Washington Vascular Institute, have agreed to pay the United States $750,000 to resolve federal False Claims Act allegations that they knowingly billed Medicare and TRICARE for claims in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute. Choudry is a cardiologist who has treated patients in Maryland and Washington, D.C. for peripheral arterial disease.
The settlement was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur and Assistant Attorney General Jody Hunt of the Department of Justice’s Civil Division; and Special Agent in Charge Maureen Dixon, Office of Investigations, Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services.
“Kickback schemes like the scheme alleged in this case not only call into question the integrity of individual medical decisions, but they also raise the cost of health care for all of us,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. “Patients deserve care based on a doctor’s sound medical judgment, not the doctor’s personal financial interest.”
“Providing impermissible remuneration to induce patient referrals undermines government health care programs,” said Assistant Attorney General Jody Hunt of the Department of Justice’s Civil Division. “Patients are entitled to expect that the medical testing they receive and any resulting referral decision are free of financial inducements to the referring physician that may inappropriately impact the physician’s judgment.”
The settlement resolves allegations that, between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2016, Choudry, Washington Cardiovascular Institute, Advanced Vascular Resources, and Washington Vascular Institute submitted, or caused, false claims in violation of the federal Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS). Specifically, the defendants allegedly induced patient referrals by providing ankle-brachial index testing on patients under agreements with the referring physicians but without collecting from the physicians the fair market value for the tests. Ankle-brachial index testing is used to detect peripheral arterial disease, which Choudry and the practices would treat.
The AKS prohibits the knowing and willful payment of any remuneration to induce the referral of services or items that are paid for by a federal healthcare program, such as Medicare and TRICARE. Claims submitted to these programs in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute give rise to liability under the federal False Claims Act.
The agreement resolves allegations brought by Steven Pringle, a former sales and operations employee of the practices, under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provisions of the False Claims Act, which permit private parties to sue on behalf of the government for false claims and to receive a share of any recovery. The qui tam case is captioned United States, et al., ex rel. Pringle v. Choudry, et al., Case No. GJH 16-cv-3779 (D. Md.). As part of this settlement, Pringle will receive $121,500 as his share of the government’s recovery.
The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations. The settlement is not an admission of liability by Dr. Choudry, nor a concession by the United States that its claims are not well founded.
This settlement was the result of a coordinated effort by the Civil Division of the United States Department of Justice; the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland; the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Counsel to the Inspector General and Office of Investigations; and the Defense Health Agency Office of General Counsel.
U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur and Assistant Attorney General Jody Hunt thanked Assistant United States Attorney Tarra DeShields and Trial Attorney Michael Hoffman of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, who handled this case.
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.
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Former Baltimore Police Officer Facing Federal Charges for Allegedly Lying to Federal Law Enforcement Officer Regarding the Illegal Sale of Drugs Seized During a BPD InvestigationRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A federal criminal information has been filed today charging former Baltimore Police Officer Victor Rivera, age 48, of Nottingham, Maryland, with making false statements to a federal law enforcement officer in connection with a scheme to sell three kilograms of cocaine seized during a Baltimore Police Department investigation.
Former Baltimore Police officer Ivo Louvado, age 46, of Harford County, Maryland was previously charged in federal court for his role in this matter.
The federal charges were 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.
Victor Rivera and Ivo Louvado joined the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) on July 11, 1994 and November 21, 1999, respectively. In February 2009, Rivera and Louvado were serving on a squad with W.J., C.J., P.G., and K.G., that was supervised by W.K.
According the charging documents, prior to February 19, 2009, W.J. and C.J. told Rivera and Louvado that they had received information from a confidential informant about a large-scale narcotics trafficker operating out of a residence on the 1400 block of Ellamont Street, in Baltimore, Maryland. On February 19, 2009, Rivera, Louvado, and other members of the squad were conducting surveillance at the residence of the alleged narcotics trafficker, an individual whose initials are T.M. Rivera and another member of his squad, W.K., followed a car from that residence to a nearby school where Rivera saw the driver throw something into a trash container. Once the driver left, Rivera and W.K. recovered the trash and found it to be empty kilogram drug wrappers. During this time other officers claimed to have followed a second individual who left the residence who threw trash from the car window, which was found to contain cocaine residue. Rivera, Louvado, and other officers remained at the house until W.J. and C.J. obtained a search warrant from a Baltimore City District Court judge.
As detailed in their criminal informations, Rivera and Louvado ultimately participated in the search of the residence and Louvado took photographs of items that BPD seized, including a jacket hanging behind a door that contained a large amount of cash in it. While no drugs were found in the house, officers found car keys, including a key that had the ability to activate an alarm in a vehicle remotely. A BPD officer activated the alarm and officers heard the alarm sound in a pickup truck that was parked nearby. Louvado and other officers went to the pickup. The back of the pickup truck had an opaque cover over it that could be locked. The cover was opened and in the back of the pickup truck, under construction debris, a significant quantity of cocaine was found. Rivera subsequently learned that drugs were found in the truck. Louvado and other officers waited with the cocaine until a SWAT team arrived 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 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 were turned in to the BPD’s Evidence Control Unit on February 20, 2009. Later that day, a criminal complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland charging T.M. with possessing with intent to distribute five or more kilograms of cocaine.
According to the charging documents, Rivera, Louvado, and K.G. subsequently discovered three additional kilograms of cocaine in the surveillance van that had been used to transport the cocaine to BPD. These kilograms of cocaine had come from the seizure from T.M.’s pickup truck on February 19 and 20, 2009, but had not been turned in to the BPD on February 20, 2009. Rather than turn this cocaine in to BPD, Rivera, Louvado, and K.G. agreed to sell the cocaine and split the proceeds from its sale.
Rivera allegedly sold the cocaine to a confidential informant of his, who trafficked in cocaine. The source sold the cocaine in Baltimore City. Rivera received the proceeds of the sale from his source and then shared them with Louvado and K.G. Ultimately, Rivera received $20,000 and Louvado received $10,000 in drug proceeds from the sale of the cocaine seized from T.M.’s pickup truck that had not been turned in to BPD.
If convicted, Rivera and Louvado each face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for making false statements to a federal law enforcement officer. No court appearance has been scheduled.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI for its work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leo J. Wise and Derek E. Hines, who are prosecuting the case.
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Baltimore Doctor to Pay $436,000 to the United States to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Relating to Medically Unnecessary ProceduresRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Ebenezer Quainoo, M.D., an internist in Baltimore, Maryland, who operates a medical practice known as Baltimore Health Care, P.C., has agreed to pay the United States $436,000 to settle allegations that he submitted false claims to the United States for medically unnecessary autonomic nervous function tests and trigger point injections with the use of ultrasound guidance.
The settlement agreement was announced today by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur and Maureen Dixon, Special Agent in Charge of the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services.
In his practice, Dr. Quainoo administered peripheral autonomic nervous function tests and he performed trigger point injections using ultrasound guidance. Autonomic nervous function disorders are relatively uncommon disorders and tests conducted to determine such disorders should be done only after a clinician suspects an autonomic nervous function disorder. Furthermore, such tests should be conducted only one time per beneficiary, with the necessary equipment, and only by clinicians with specialized training to administer and interpret these tests.
Trigger point injections may be indicated to treat patients with localized muscle pain in places where there are palpable and painful knots or nodules, but only after non-invasive medical management, such as muscle relaxers, topical analgesics and physical therapy, prove unsuccessful.
According to the settlement agreement, from July 24, 2014 to November 30, 2018, Dr. Quainoo submitted claims to Medicare for medically unnecessary autonomic nervous function tests and trigger point injections using ultrasound guidance. The United States alleged that autonomic nervous function tests were not medically necessary because Dr. Quainoo lacked the necessary equipment to conduct the tests, the patients did not have an autonomic nervous function disorder before the test was conducted, Dr. Quainoo lacked the specific training to conduct such tests, and he only used the tests to monitor patient symptoms, not make any clinical decisions about future patient care.
As to the trigger point injections, the United States alleged that these procedures were not medically necessary because Dr. Quainoo failed to document a muscular knot or nodule before the patient underwent the injections, Dr. Quianoo failed to exhaust conservative treatments or therapy before performing the injections, and ultrasound guidance was not needed to perform the injections because the site of the muscle knot should be palpable; otherwise, there is no indication to perform the treatment.
The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations. The settlement is not an admission of liability by Dr. Quainoo, nor a concession by the United States that its claims are not well founded.
The civil settlement reached by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland arose from an initiative launched by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, which involves the use of specialized resources and personnel to review Medicare billing data. The review of that data has enabled the United States Attorney’s Office to identify areas of concern where it appears that billing irregularities may have taken place. Partnering with the affected agencies, the United States Attorney’s Office has developed the ability to investigate these billing irregularities to determine whether the matter is appropriate for enforcement under the False Claims Act.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services for its work in the investigation. Mr. Hur also thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Thomas Corcoran and Neil White, who handled the case.
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Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office and IRS Criminal Investigation Warn Taxpayers to be Alert for Scams Related to Covid-19 Economic Impact PaymentsRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Maryland U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur and Special Agent in Charge Kelly R. Jackson of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) today warned taxpayers to be alert about possible scams relating to COVID-19, especially in connection with economic impact payments. The announcement is an effort to prevent taxpayers in need from being victimized by criminals using the recently approved payments as an opportunity to commit a crime.
U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur stated, “My office and the entire law enforcement community are committed to bringing to justice fraudsters who are preying on citizens during this unprecedented public health crisis. We will also continue our outreach efforts to make the public aware of scams and frauds. I urge citizens to remain vigilant and to be skeptical of any telephone calls, e-mails, or websites that request personal information or banking information, while promising money or services that seem too good to be true.”
“During this time of crisis, scammers and thieves prey on those most vulnerable in our community in an attempt to personally benefit by stealing their money and personal identifying information,” said IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Kelly Jackson. “Please help us protect everyone in your community by telling family, friends and elderly neighbors to be on the lookout for these potential scams.”
In a matter of weeks, COVID-19 economic impact payments will be on their way. For most Americans, this will be a direct deposit into your bank account. For the unbanked individuals who have traditionally received tax refunds via paper check, they will receive their economic impact payment through the mail.
Scammers may try to get you to sign over your check to them or get you to “verify” your filing information in order to steal your money. Your personal information could then be used to file false tax returns in an identity theft scheme. Because of this, everyone receiving a COVID-19 economic impact payment is at risk.
U.S. Attorney Hur and Special Agent in Charge Jackson offer the following information and tips to spot a scam and understand how the COVID-19 related economic impact payments will be issued.
- The IRS will deposit your payment into the direct deposit account you previously provided on your tax return (or, in the alternative, send you a paper check).
- The IRS will NOT call and ask you to verify your payment details. Do NOT give your bank account number, debit account number, or PayPal account information to anyone—even if someone claims it's necessary to get your check. It's a scam.
- If you receive a call, do NOT engage with scammers, even if you want to tell them that you know it's a scam. Just hang up.
- If you receive texts or e-mails claiming that you can get your money faster by sending personal identifying information or clicking on links, delete these texts and e-mails. Do NOT click on any links in those texts or e-mails.
- Reports are swirling about bogus checks. If you receive a “check” in the mail now, it’s a scam. It will take the Treasury Department a few more weeks to mail out the COVID-19 economic impact payments. If you receive a “check” for an odd amount (especially one with cents), or a check that requires you to verify the check online or by calling a number, it’s a scam.
In these uncertain and trying times, we need to remain vigilant. Please help law enforcement protect your community by telling family, friends, and elderly neighbors to be on the lookout for these potential scams. You work hard for your money, do NOT become a victim of these scams. If something sounds too good to be true, it is probably fraudulent.
For more information, visit the IRS website at www.irs.gov/coronavirus or DOJ’s website at https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
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- The IRS will deposit your payment into the direct deposit account you previously provided on your tax return (or, in the alternative, send you a paper check).
Department of Justice Makes $850 Million Available to Help Public Safety Agencies Address Covid-19 PandemicRead the Press Release
BALTIMORE, Maryland – The Department of Justice today announced that it is making $850 million available to help public safety agencies respond to the challenges posed by the outbreak of COVID-19. The Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, authorized by the recent stimulus legislation signed by President Trump, will allow eligible state, local, and tribal governments to apply immediately for these critical funds. The department is moving quickly to make awards, with the goal of having funds available for drawdown within days of the award.
“Law enforcement and public safety officials are facing extraordinary challenges as a result of the coronavirus pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. “These resources will help support their efforts to promote public safety during this difficult time.”
“This is an unprecedented moment in our nation’s history and an especially dangerous one for our front-line law enforcement officers, corrections officials, and public safety professionals,” said Office of Justice Programs Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. “We are grateful to the Congress for making these resources available and for the show of support this program represents.”
The solicitation, posted by the Bureau of Justice Assistance in the Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP), will remain open for at least 60 days and be extended as necessary. OJP will fund successful applicants as a top priority on a rolling basis as applications are received. Funds may be used to hire personnel, pay overtime costs, cover protective equipment and supplies, address correctional inmates’ medical needs and defray expenses related to the distribution of resources to hard-hit areas, among other activities. Grant funds may be applied retroactively to Jan. 20, 2020, subject to federal supplanting rules.
Agencies that were eligible for the fiscal year 2019 State and Local Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program are candidates for this emergency funding. A complete list of eligible jurisdictions and their allocations can be found at https://bja.ojp.gov/program/fy20-cesf-allocations.
For more information about the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, please visit https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-18553. For more information about the Office of Justice Programs, please visit https://www.ojp.gov/.
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.
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Maryland U.S. Attorney Encourages Marylanders to be Alert to Scammers Exploiting the Coronavirus Health EmergencyRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Maryland U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur is encouraging all Marylanders to be aware of individuals attempting to profit from the coronavirus pandemic. Coronavirus scams are being perpetrated around the country, including in Maryland. Recently, scammers sent e-mails to people in Maryland, purporting to be from a local hospital and offering coronavirus vaccines for a fee. In fact, no vaccine is currently available for the coronavirus. Other fraudsters are offering fake cures for the virus or posing as public health officials. Still other scams use websites that appear to be legitimate, but are actually fake websites that infect the users’ computers with harmful malware or seek personal information that can be later used to commit fraud. Many of these scams target the most vulnerable, especially the elderly.
U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur stated, “Fraudsters who are preying on citizens during this unprecedented public health crisis are reprehensible. My office and the entire law enforcement community are committed to bringing fraudsters who prey upon our most vulnerable citizens to justice. We will continue our outreach efforts to make the public aware of scams and frauds. I urge citizens to remain vigilant and to be skeptical of any telephone calls, e-mails, or websites that request personal information or banking information, while promising money or services that seem too good to be true.”
U.S. Attorney General William P. Barr sent a memo to all U.S. Attorneys making the investigation of these scams and the individuals perpetrating them a priority. Federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies are open and ready to investigate these frauds. While employees of the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office are responsibly practicing social distancing, the Office’s dedication to the safety of all Maryland citizens continues.
Don’t be taken in by a scam. There are resources available to learn the facts about the coronavirus and how to protect yourself from scammers. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has guidelines on how to keep from becoming ill, and other information about the disease, on its website. The Federal Trade Commission has consumer information about coronavirus scams on its website, including a complaint form to report scammers. Elderly victims may also call the newly launched Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311), if they believe they are victims of a coronavirus scam—or any other type of fraud.
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Fraudster Convicted After Federal Trial for Scamming More Than 100 Elderly Victims Through Lottery SchemeRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal jury yesterday convicted Keno Romario Brown, age 26, of Hyattsville, Maryland, on federal charges of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, wire fraud, and mail fraud, in connection with a scheme to defraud more than 100 elderly victims through an advance fee scheme, specifically, by falsely representing that the victims had won a lottery or sweepstakes and demanding taxes or other fees before the victims could receive the prize.
The conviction was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Assistant Director in Charge Timothy R. Slater of the Federal Bureau of Investigation - Washington Field Office; and Postal Inspector in Charge Peter R. Rendina of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service - Washington Division.
U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur stated, “The Department of Justice is committed to bringing fraudsters who prey upon the elderly to justice. 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 newly launched Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311).”
According to the evidence presented at his seven-day trial, in April 2013, Brown and two co-conspirators began contacting victims, falsely telling them that they were representatives of Company 1 or Company 2, which sponsored a lottery or sweepstakes. Brown and his co-conspirators misrepresented to victims that they had won a prize sponsored by Company 1 or Company 2, but in order to collect the prize, the victims had to pay advance fees and taxes to Brown or his co-conspirators. The conspirators directed the victims to send the advance fees and taxes electronically, or through an interstate mail carrier to “runners” who received the fraudulent proceeds and provided them to Brown and his co-conspirators. Evidence was presented that Brown used physical abuse to control at least one of the runners.
The trial evidence proved that to launder the fraud proceeds, Brown and a co-conspirator obtained debit cards using the personal information of elderly individuals without their knowledge or consent, and deposited that fraud proceeds onto those debit cards.
The evidence proved that during the course of the conspiracy, Brown and other members of the conspiracy successfully defrauded over 100 elderly victims.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gregory Bernstein, Dana J. Brusca, and Lindsay Eyler Kaplan, who are prosecuting the case.
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Beltsville Man Convicted After Federal Jury Trial for Narcotics Distribution and Sex Trafficking Conspiracies and Related ChargesRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal jury has convicted Kenneth Wayne Hart, a/k/a Redds, Wayne Hawkins, Hawk, Big Daddy, Billy Reds, and Bill Red Hart, age 58, of Beltsville, Maryland, on federal charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute narcotics; a sex trafficking conspiracy; sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion; and witness tampering. The verdict was returned late on March 12, 2020.
The conviction was 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; Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Chief Henry P. Stawinski III of the Prince George’s County Police Department.
According to the evidence presented at his seven-day trial, beginning in December 2016 and continuing until April 2017, Hart conspired to distribute narcotics and with a co-conspirator ran a prostitution business using force, threats, fraud, and coercion to cause women to engage in commercial sex acts. The evidence proved that Hart recruited women to engage in commercial sex acts in Maryland and Washington, D.C. Hart transported, photographed, and advertised the victims for commercial sex on websites set up for that purpose. According to trial testimony, Hart also supplied the victims with heroin and crack cocaine on a daily basis and threatened to withhold—and did withhold—the narcotics if the victims displayed any sign of disobedience or tried to leave the locations where the commercial sex acts occurred. According to trial evidence, in order to maintain control over the women he recruited to prostitute, Hart demanded that the women surrender to him their personal belongings, including identification cards, credit cards, cash, clothing, and cellular phones, and confiscated their earnings from the commercial sex acts. Hart also used physical force, threatened physical force, and verbally abused the victims to force them to engage in prostitution against their will.
The jury also found that the evidence proved that Hart used physical force and threatened physical force to prevent an individual from communicating to a law enforcement officer information related to the commission or possible commission of a federal offense.
Hart faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for the drug distribution conspiracy; a maximum of life in federal prison for the sex trafficking conspiracy; a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison and a maximum of life in prison for each of two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion; and up to 30 years in federal prison witness tampering. 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 Peter J. Messitte has scheduled sentencing for July 8, 2020 at 9:30 a.m.
The sex trafficking charges were investigated by the FBI-led Maryland Child Exploitation Task Force (MCETF), created in 2010 to combat child prostitution, with members from10 state and federal law enforcement agencies. The Task Force coordinates with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Maryland State Police Child Recovery Unit to identify missing children being advertised online for prostitution.
MCETF partners with 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.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the ATF, FBI, and the Prince George’s County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer R. Sykes and Daniel C. Gardner, who are prosecuting the case.
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Eastern Shore Repeat Offender Sentenced to 13 Years in Federal Prison for Cocaine Distribution and Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge George L. Russell, III today sentenced Takii Nikeya Smith, age 44, of Cambridge, Maryland, to 13 years in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release, on the federal charges of conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and to 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 John Eisert of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; and the members of the Dorchester and Wicomico County Narcotics Task Forces, including: Colonel Woodrow W. Jones III, Acting Superintendent of the Maryland State Police; Dorchester County Sheriff James W. Phillips, Jr.; Chief Mark Lewis of the Cambridge Police Department; Chief Bruce Jones of the Hurlock Police Department; Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis; Chief Barbara Duncan of the Salisbury Police Department; Chief Brian Swafford of Fruitland Police Department; Dorchester County State’s Attorney William Jones; and Wicomico County State’s Attorney Jamie Dykes.
According to Smith’s guilty plea, in early 2018, an investigation was conducted into the distribution of large quantities of cocaine on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, involving hundreds of hours of physical and electronic surveillance, and numerous controlled purchases of narcotics.
Information gathered through surveillance and the execution of search warrants—one of which turned up more than a kilogram of cocaine packaged for distribution—suggested that Smith was a large-scale cocaine supplier in the area. After several weeks of surveillance, Smith was stopped by the Maryland State Police and members of the Wicomico County Narcotics Task Force as he returned to Maryland from Delaware. Smith fled the traffic stop after being advised that a police K-9 would be conducting an open-air scan of his vehicle, which led to a vehicle pursuit. Law enforcement ultimately apprehended Smith when his vehicle got stuck in mud while driving over farmland. Later, after receiving citizen complaints about packages found along roadways traversed during the pursuit, law enforcement recovered two kilogram packages of cocaine. According to the guilty plea, Smith admitted that the drugs belonged to him and that he had discarded them during his flight from law enforcement.
Law enforcement subsequently executed search warrants at one of Smith’s properties in Mardela Springs, Maryland and at a trailer that Smith had stored at an auto body shop. Law enforcement recovered more than 600 grams of cocaine, a digital scale, cutting agents, and other drug distribution paraphernalia, as well as several rounds of .40-caliber ammunition from in and near the house. From the trailer, law enforcement recovered three firearms—a 9mm pistol, a .40-caliber pistol, and an AR-15 rifle—as well as $347,000 in cash in a vacuum-sealed bag. Smith knew that he was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition as the result of a previous felony conviction.
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 HSI, and participating agencies in the Dorchester and Wicomico County Narcotics Task Forces, who are both part of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Initiative, for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher M. Rigali and Christopher J. Romano, who prosecuted this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.
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Washington DC Man Pleads Guilty for the Armed Robbery of A Capitol Heights BarbershopRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – Ambrose Doye, age 24, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty yesterday to federal charges of armed robbery and for brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
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; and Chief Henry P. Stawinski III of the Prince George’s County Police Department.
According to Doye’s guilty plea, on November 26, 2018, Doye and his co-defendant, Akeem Bolton, drove to a barbershop in Capitol Heights, Maryland, and spoke with two employees outside of the shop, pretending to be potential customers. The two left and went to a convenience store across the street, then returned to the barbershop. Doye sat in the barbershop chair while an employee prepared to cut his hair. Doye drew a handgun and pointed it at the employee, while Bolton struck a second employee in the back of the head with a handgun.
As detailed in the plea agreement, Doye and Bolton then forced the employees to the back of the store and pulled the blinds down over the windows of the barbershop. Doye and Bolton forced the employees to strip naked and lie face down on the floor with their hands behind their heads, and ordered them to count to 1,000. Doye and Bolton robbed the employees of their cellphones, money, and jewelry. The robbers threatened to kill the employees if they moved while they counted to 1,000. Doye and Bolton demanded to know where additional money was located in the store and threatened to kill the employees when they were unable to locate additional money. Doye and Bolton again threatened to kill the employees if they reported the robbery then left the barbershop with the personal belongings of the employees.
A search of Doye’s residence recovered a distinctive silver necklace stolen from one of the barbershop employees and a silver and black .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol that was used in the armed robbery. When Bolton was arrested, a black 9mm semi-automatic pistol, which was used in the robbery, was recovered from his person.
Doye and the government have agreed that, if the Court accepts the plea agreement, Doye will be sentenced to between eight and 10 years in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang has scheduled sentencing for June 22, 2020 at 11:30 a.m.
Akeem Bolton, age 29, of Washington, D.C., previously pleaded guilty to the same charges and was sentenced on March 6, 2020 to nine years in federal prison.
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 Prince George’s County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine K. Dick and Special Assistant United States Attorney Jared Hernandez, who are prosecuting the case.
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Former Baltimore County Correctional Officer Pleads Guilty in Federal Court to Two Counts of Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Thomas Michael Mannion, Jr., age 46, of Parkville, Maryland, pleaded guilty today in federal court to two counts of production of child pornography, and admitted to engaging in sexually explicit conduct with two minor victims.
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 John Eisert of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; Chief Melissa R. Hyatt of the Baltimore County Police Department; and Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger.
According to his guilty plea, Mannion rented the basement apartment of a townhome in Parkville, Maryland, where he lived alone. On May 6, 2019, Baltimore County Police were called to a residence after a neighbor had seen Mannion in bed naked with Minor Victim 1, who was also unclothed. When police arrived, they located the minor victim, who was 13 years old at the time, in the basement bedroom area. Investigation revealed that Mannion had met the victim a few months before on a social networking application. Mannion had initially met the Minor Victim 1 on March 9, 2019, and brought him to his apartment, where they engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Mannion took photos and videos of Minor Victim 1 during the sexual encounter. Mannion admitted that on March 12, 2019 and March 17, 2019, as well as on additional occasions, he distributed the sexually explicit images of Minor Victim 1 to others. Mannion took additional sexually explicit photographs of Minor Victim 1 on May 6, 2019. A forensic analysis of Mannion’s cellphone revealed 21 images and two videos depicting the minor victim engaged in sexually explicit activity on March 9, 2019, and an additional eight images of Minor Victim 1 documenting the sexual activity on May 6, 2019.
As detailed in the plea agreement, Mannion also communicated with Minor Victim 2, a 14-year-old male, through the social networking application. Mannion admitted that on April 17, 2019, Mannion went to the home of Minor Victim 2, where he engaged in sexual activity with the victim and took photographs and videos documenting the sexual contact. Mannion distributed the child pornography images of Minor Victim 2 to multiple other users of the social networking application. The forensic analysis of Mannion’s cellphone recovered 18 images and two videos documenting the sexual activity with Minor Victim 2.
According to the plea agreement, Mannion attempted to meet with several other minors with whom he communicated on the social networking application, even after the minors advised Mannion of their ages. Mannion also discussed his sexual interest in other children that he knew or had contact with during sexually explicit chats with users of the application. In addition, a review of Mannion’s laptop computer revealed multiple images of child pornography.
Mannion faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison and a maximum of 30 years in federal prison for each of the two counts of production of child pornography, followed by up to lifetime supervised release. U.S. District Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher has scheduled sentencing for June 16, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.
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 the FBI, HSI, the Baltimore County Police Department, and the Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary W. Setzer, who is prosecuting the federal case.
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Baltimore Businessman Lance Lucas Pleads Guilty to Federal Honest Services Wire Fraud and Related ChargesRead the Press Release
Baltimore Maryland – United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur announced today that Lance Andre Lucas, age 44, of Baltimore, Maryland, has pleaded guilty to federal honest services wire fraud and use of an interstate facility to carry on unlawful activity, also known as the Travel Act.
“Lance Lucas paid $42,500 to former Maryland Delegate Cheryl Glenn in exchange for official actions, to give his businesses an advantage,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. “Legislative decisions should be made in the best interests of the public, not in exchange for bribes. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI will continue to hold accountable those who betray the public trust for their own greed.”
“As evident in today's plea, public corruption is not merely focused on persons holding public office, but extends to anyone attempting to leverage access to those with influence for personal benefit,” said Alfred Watson, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Baltimore Division of the FBI. “The FBI's pledge to the public is that we will seek to root out public corruption wherever it may be, no matter the person, position, or purpose.”
According to his plea agreement, Lance Lucas was an entrepreneur and businessman. He was employed by Company 1, which developed the Cyber Warrior Diversity Program curriculum to sell to institutions offering education and training to persons interested in cybersecurity professions. In addition, Lucas formed Non-Profit 1, to provide community Internet networks and computer instruction for children and adults. Lucas partnered with other individuals who were involved in businesses engaged in distributing or growing medical marijuana, including Company 2 and Company 3. Company 2 was awarded a Stage One license pre-approval for a medical marijuana dispensary license by the Natalie M. LaPrade Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission, and sought final approval from the Cannabis Commission. Company 3 applied for a medical marijuana growing license in May 2019.
Until her resignation on December 18, 2019, Cheryl Glenn was a Maryland State Delegate representing District 45, which covered portions of Baltimore.
As detailed in the plea agreement, from May 22, 2018 through July 30, 2019, Lucas paid Glenn $42,500, defrauding the citizens of Maryland of the right to her honest services by providing bribes in exchange for Glenn’s official actions. Specifically, Lucas paid bribes for Glenn to introduce legislation that included a provision requiring the award of contracts under the Cyber Warrior Diversity program to certain businesses that met specified criteria. Company 1 met the criteria specified in the initial draft of the bill, although that provision was removed in the final bill. Lucas also paid bribes to Glenn to help Company 2 to obtain final approval from the Cannabis Commission for a medical marijuana dispensary license. Finally, Lucas paid bribes to Glenn to assist him with the Cannabis Commission to ensure that Company 3’s application for a medical marijuana growing license was selected during the “double-blind” review process.
Lucas admitted that he wrote checks made out to Glenn personally, not to her campaign committee, and that he provided her with cash payments. Lucas made several statements that money was not an issue and that he would not leave anything to chance. Lucas also assured Glenn that they would not be caught and stated “I’m from Baltimore for real, for real Baltimore . . . This is the least illegal thing I’ve ever done. This is like patty-cake compared to the [expletive] in Baltimore City.”
Lucas faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for honest services wire fraud and five years in federal prison for the Travel Act charge. 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 scheduled sentencing for June 10, 2020, at 9:30 a.m.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI for its work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Derek E. Hines and Leo J. Wise, who are prosecuting the case.
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Washington DC Man Sentenced to Nine Years in Federal Prison for the Armed Robbery of a Capitol Heights BarbershopRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang today sentenced Akeem Bolton, age 29, of Washington, D.C., to nine years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for an armed commercial robbery and for brandishing a firearm during and in relation to 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; and Chief Henry P. Stawinski III of the Prince George’s County Police Department.
According to Bolton’s guilty plea, on November 26, 2018, Bolton and his co-defendant drove to a barbershop in Capitol Heights, Maryland, and spoke with two employees outside of the shop, pretending to be potential customers. The two left and went to a convenience store across the street, then returned to the barbershop. Bolton’s co-defendant sat in the barbershop chair while an employee prepared to cut his hair. The co-defendant drew a handgun and pointed it at the employee, while Bolton struck a second employee in the back of the head with a handgun.
As detailed in the plea agreement, Bolton and his co-defendant then forced the employees to the back of the store and pulled the blinds down over the windows of the barbershop. Bolton and the co-conspirator forced the employees to strip naked and lie face down on the floor with their hands behind their heads, and ordered them to count to 1,000. Bolton and the co-conspirator robbed the employees of their cellphones, money, and jewelry. The robbers threatened to kill the employees if they moved while they counted to 1,000. Bolton and the co-conspirator demanded to know where additional money was located in the store and threatened to kill the employees when they were unable to locate additional money. Bolton and the co-conspirator again threatened to kill the employees if they reported the robbery, then left the barbershop with the personal belongings of the employees.
When Bolton was arrested, a black 9mm semi-automatic pistol, which was used in the robbery, was recovered from his person. A search of the co-defendant’s residence recovered a distinctive silver necklace stolen from one of the barbershop employees and a silver and black .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol.
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 Prince George’s County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine K. Dick and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Hernandez, who are prosecuting the case.
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Eight Maryland Men Indicted on Federal Charges Related to a Heroin and Fentanyl Distribution Conspiracy Operating in Washington CountyRead the Press Release
Baltimore – A federal grand jury has returned a second 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 second superseding indictment, which was returned on March 4, 2020, adds two additional defendants and six counts. The following defendants are charged in the second superseding indictment:
Christopher Scott Benton, a/k/a Brisco, age 30, of Hagerstown, Maryland;
Jarvis Antonio Coleman-Fuller, age 32, of Hagerstown;
Eric Tyrell Johnson, a/k/a E, age 36, of Owings Mills, 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;
Philander Alexander Spruill, a/k/a Buddha, age 28, of Hagerstown;
Edward Melvin Ware, a/k/a Eddie, age 32, of Edgewater, Maryland; and
Tyler Lee Ware, a/k/a Bugsy, age 32, of Hagerstown.The second 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 Sheriff Charles P. Strong.
According to the 15-count indictment, beginning in about April 2019 and continuing to about November 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. Tyler Ware is also charged with distribution of heroin on July 4, 2019. 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, Johnson, Smith, Edward Ware, and Tyler Ware 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.
Nelson, Spruill, and Edward Ware have had an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Baltimore and remain detained. Benton, Coleman-Fuller, and Smith are expected to have initial appearances today. Johnson and Tyler Ware 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 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 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 Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.
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Baltimore Felon Sentenced to Nine Years in Federal Prison for Illegal Possession of a Stolen FirearmRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow today sentenced Kyle Greene, age 32, of Baltimore, Maryland, today to nine years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for possession of a stolen 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; and Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department.
“Kyle Greene had multiple felony convictions and was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition. Despite that prohibition, law enforcement recovered a loaded gun that had been stolen, from under Greene’s mattress. Now Greene will serve nine years in federal prison, where there is no parole—ever,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. “We are determined to work with our law enforcement partners to reduce violent crime by removing gun-toting criminals from our communities. I urge anyone who is tempted to follow Kyle Greene’s example to put down the gun. You’ll save a life, maybe even your own.”
According to Greene’s guilty plea, on February 27, 2019, members of the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) and FBI executed a search warrant at Greene’s residence. During the search, Greene was located in his bedroom. A loaded firearm was recovered from under the mattress in that room. The gun was found to have been stolen. Greene admitted that he knew the firearm was there and that it was stolen. As a result of previous felony convictions, Greene was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.
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 Matthew DellaBetta and Christine Goo, who prosecuted the case.
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Baltimore Drug Dealer Sentenced to More Than Four Years in Federal Prison – Rented an Apartment Within 1,000 Feet of an Elementary School to Store and Distribute DrugsRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge George L. Russell, III today sentenced Tyrell Daronte Curry, a/k/a “Mike,” age 28, of Baltimore, Maryland, to 51 months in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.
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; and Chief Melissa R. Hyatt of the Baltimore County Police Department (BCPD).
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur stated, “We absolutely will not tolerate drugs dealing near our schools. We are committed to working with our law enforcement partners to remove gun-toting drug dealers from our communities, in order to reduce violent crime.”
According to his guilty plea, from December 2018 to February 2019, Curry distributed fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine. On January 3 and again on February 6, 2019, Curry sold an undercover Baltimore County Police officer a “pack” of heroin—each containing 25 gel capsules—for $200 per pack.
On February 22, 2019, law enforcement executed a search warrant at an apartment in Parkville, Maryland, which was rented by Curry, and was within 1,000 feet of a Baltimore County elementary school. Curry and his co-defendant, Deandre Laquan Jones, used the apartment to distribute fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine. From the apartment, law enforcement recovered two baggies containing a total of approximately 345 grams of fentanyl, cutting agents, digital scales, two kilogram presses, and bags of packaging materials. In addition, officers found mail and other documents in the names of Curry and Jones, and two empty .40-caliber extended magazines, from which the BCPD Forensic Services Section recovered a latent print of Jones’ left thumb. In the living room, officers located a coffee table that had been custom-manufactured to contain a hidden compartment secured by a wireless lock. Investigators later learned that the table had been purchased by, and shipped to, Deandre Jones at the Parkville apartment. When the hidden compartment in the table was opened, law enforcement recovered plastic bags containing 16 grams of fentanyl, 175 grams of heroin, 185 grams of crack cocaine, and 173 grams of powder cocaine, as well as a .410-caliber handgun and 19 rounds of .410-caliber ammunition.
That same day, BCPD officers executed a search warrant at Curry’s residence and recovered a total of $17,820 in cash, sandwich bags holding a total of 46 capsules of heroin, three cell phones, and a box containing .357-caliber ammunition, which was found in the mattress. Curry admitted that the cash was furnished or intended to be furnished in exchange for controlled substance, or was proceeds from the sale of controlled substances.
A subsequent forensic examination of the cell phones recovered messages between Jones and Curry relating to drug trafficking, including discussions about the Parkville apartment, potential customers, sources of supply, possible police surveillance, and ammunition.
Deandre Laquan Jones, a/k/a “Cuz,” age 27, of Towson, Maryland previously pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute drugs near a school, and to being a felon in possession of firearms. U.S. District Judge George L. Russell, III has scheduled sentencing for Jones on April 30, 2020 at 9:30 a.m.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended HSI Baltimore and the Baltimore County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey J. Izant and Christopher J. Romano, who are prosecuting the case.
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Repeat Offender Pleads Guilty in Federal Court to Baltimore County Cocaine Distribution ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Rondell Ronald Hackett, Jr., age 34, of Middle River, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to the federal charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine. At the time of his arrest, Hackett was on supervised release for a previous federal drug conviction.
The guilty plea 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; Chief Melissa R. Hyatt of the Baltimore County Police Department; and Colonel Woodrow W. Jones III, Acting Superintendent of the Maryland State Police.
According to Hackett’s plea agreement, HSI and the Baltimore County Police Department were investigating a drug trafficking organization in Baltimore County. Hackett was identified as a member of the organization, along with Tony Lee Bauer, Aaron Kenith Waller, Gary Gaines-Hidalgo, Adrian Gilberto Herrera-Diaz, and Carlos Alejandro Castro-Castro. In December 2017, Gaines arranged to purchase kilograms of cocaine for $26,500/kilogram from a confidential source (CS), who was working with law enforcement. Thereafter, Gaines arranged to resell the cocaine to Herrera for $28,000/kilogram. Gaines and Castro arranged to have 10 kilograms of cocaine delivered to them in Baltimore.
As detailed in his plea, on January 26, 2018, Gaines and Castro entered the United States from Mexico, then traveled to Baltimore. Gaines and Castro agreed to sell three kilograms of cocaine to Herrera, Bauer, and Waller, with additional sales of kilograms of cocaine to follow the initial purchase. Gaines agreed to meet the CS in the parking lot of a Baltimore hotel, and told Herrera, Bauer, and Waller to also meet him there.
Three cars arrived at the agreed-upon location, one driven by the CS. Hackett drove one vehicle with Herrera in the front passenger seat and Gaines in the driver’s side rear passenger seat. Waller drove the third vehicle, with Bauer in the front seat and Castro in the rear passenger seat. Bauer, Herrera, and Gaines exited their vehicles and met with the CS. The CS then opened the trunk of his car, which contained two kilogram-shaped packages, one of powder cocaine and one kilogram of “sham,” or fake narcotics. Gaines placed his hand in the bag containing the packages and members of HSI and the MSP Tactical Team approached. Hackett and Waller attempted to drive away, but were stopped. In Hackett’s car, a loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol was recovered from the center console and a loaded .45-caliber semi-automatic pistol was recovered from the rear passenger-side floor of the vehicle. On the rear seat was a vinyl bank bag containing bank-banded cash and a white bag containing cash. A search of Bauer also recovered banded-up amounts of cash. In all, law enforcement recovered $129,583 in cash from the defendants, their vehicles, and their residences.
As part of his plea agreement, Hackett will be required to forfeit the two loaded firearms and $129,583 in cash recovered after the arrests of Hackett and his co-defendants, and four vehicles, including a Range Rover, a Mercedes Benz, a Cadillac Escalade, and a Cadillac CTS.
Hackett and the government have agreed that, if the Court accepts the plea agreement, Hackett will be sentenced to between 10 and 15 years in federal prison. U.S. District Judge George L. Russell, III has scheduled sentencing for June 26, 2020 at 9:30 a.m.
Gary Gaines-Hidalgo, age 28, and Carlos A. Castro-Castro, age 36, both of Baja California, Mexico, pleaded guilty to the drug conspiracy and were each sentenced to 37 months in federal prison. Tony Lee Bauer, age 37, of Baltimore, Maryland, previously pleaded guilty to the drug conspiracy and to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and Aaron Kenith Waller, age 52, of Crofton, Maryland, previously pleaded guilty to the drug conspiracy. Both are awaiting sentencing.
The final defendant, Adrian Herrera-Diaz, age 29, of Baltimore County, absconded in March 2018 while on home detention with electronic monitoring. Herrera-Diaz was arrested in Georgia in August 2019 and returned to Maryland, where he is scheduled for trial on March 30, 2020. 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 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 HSI Baltimore, the Baltimore County Police Department, and the Maryland State Police for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Romano and Derek E. Hines, who are prosecuting the case.
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Baltimore Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges for Distributing Fentanyl, Heroin, and Fentanyl Analogues and for Illegal Possession of a Stolen FirearmRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Brian Lockett, age 48, of Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to the federal charges of possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of an analogue of fentanyl, 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and 100 grams of more of heroin, and to possession of a stolen firearm. Fentanyl analogues are chemical compounds designed to have effects similar to fentanyl and can be just as deadly. Lockett was charged in federal court as part of a federal-state initiative announced in December 2018 to combat the fentanyl crisis in Maryland.
Under this new initiative, titled the “Synthetic Opioid Surge,” or “SOS” for short, every arrest involving distribution of fentanyl made by law enforcement in Baltimore is reviewed jointly by the State’s Attorney’s Office for Baltimore City, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to determine whether the case will be handled in the state or federal system. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will prosecute more cases involving fentanyl as a result of this new program. The use of federal resources and statutes, which carry significant terms of imprisonment, is necessary to prosecute those individuals who pose the greatest threat to public safety in distributing lethal doses 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; Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department; and State’s Attorney for Baltimore City Marilyn Mosby.
“Just 2 milligrams of fentanyl-which is 50-100 times stronger than morphine-can kill you,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. “We are working with our law enforcement partners to arrest and prosecute those who peddle deadly fentanyl in our neighborhoods. We must do all we can to reduce the supply of fentanyl and related substances that are causing so many tragic overdoses.”
According to his guilty plea, on May 24, 2018, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Lockett’s residence in the 1500 block of East Preston Street. Some of the agents knocked on the front door to announce their entry to execute the warrant. As they did so, Lockett and another individual were caught going out the rear door of the home in an attempt to get away.
From Lockett’s basement bedroom, law enforcement recovered approximately 1,644 gelcaps, which laboratory analysis found contained acetylfentanyl, fentanyl, or heroin, as well as smaller quantities of small ziplocks containing suspected cocaine. From under the mattress agents recovered a 9mm handgun and a magazine for that weapon, loaded with 15 9mm cartridges. Also in the basement were bottles marked quinine and several bags of white and brown powdered substances, believed to be drugs and drug cutting agents. One of the bags was found to contain approximately 182.52 grams of a mixture of acetylfentanyl, fentanyl, and heroin. Agents also recovered cash, a cellular phone, and other supplies used in the packaging for drugs for street-level sale. The gun recovered from Lockett’s bedroom was found to be stolen.
Lockett and the government have agreed that, if the Court accepts the plea agreement, Lockett will be sentenced to 12 years in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander has scheduled sentencing for May 28, 2020 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.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the DEA and the Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey M. Hann, a cross-designated Baltimore City Assistant State’s Attorney, who is prosecuting the case.
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Armed Drug Trafficker Convicted on Federal Murder, Gun, and Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A federal jury convicted Sydni Frazier, a/k/a Sid, Junior Boss, and Perry, age 26, of Baltimore, Maryland late yesterday on a federal charge of conspiracy to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime resulting in death, possession with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl, and possession of firearms by a felon. Frazier went to trial last year with members and associates of the Murdaland Mafia Piru (MMP), a subset of the Bloods gang, but had a mistrial after his lawyer had a medical emergency.
The conviction was 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; Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department; Chief Melissa R. Hyatt of the Baltimore County Police Department; Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn J. Mosby; and Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur stated, “We are committed to working with our law enforcement partners to get guns out of the hands of drug dealers and off of our streets, in order to reduce 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.”
According to the evidence presented at Frazier’s six-day trial, between at least 2014 and 2017, Frazier conspired with others, including members and associates of the MMP gang, to distribute narcotics. For many years, MMP controlled the drug trade in large swaths of Northwest Baltimore City and neighboring Baltimore County, including Forest Park, Windsor Mill, Gwynn Oak, Howard Park, and Woodlawn. The gang’s drug shop in the 5200 block of Windsor Mill Road was particularly lucrative due to its close proximity to Interstate 70, and it frequently attracted drug customers driving from Western Maryland and neighboring states.
The evidence presented at trial established that on August 10, 2016, Frazier and his co-conspirators kidnapped, robbed, and murdered Ricardo Johnson in order to enrich themselves and their drug trafficking conspiracy. The victim was abducted at approximately 2:30 am as he was returning home to his apartment in the 1100 block of West Lanvale Street in Baltimore. Less than four hours later, the victim’s body was discovered in the back of a stolen minivan parked next to the light rail tracks in the 2200 block of Kloman Street. Johnson had been bound by the wrists and ankles, blindfolded, and shot over twenty times. There was partially burned flammable material sticking out of the gas tank of the van, indicating that the killers had attempted to set the van on fire before departing the scene.
Less than twelve hours after Johnson’s body was found, members of the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) attempted to stop Frazier for riding an illegal dirt bike in the 2100 block of Tucker Lane. Frazier fled and was able to get away, but in the process of fleeing, he abandoned the dirt bike as well as a backpack and gloves he had been wearing. The backpack contained two cell phones belonging to Frazier and two loaded 9mm caliber handguns. Both guns were a ballistic match to the 9mm caliber casings recovered from the murder scene. In addition, the BPD DNA and Serology laboratory determined that Frazier’s DNA profile matched DNA from the insides of the gloves, and the victim’s DNA profile matched DNA from the outsides of the gloves. Frazier illegally possessed the two loaded 9mm firearms, as he was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition due to previous felony convictions.
Frazier faces a maximum sentence of life in prison for possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking resulting in death; a maximum of 40 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin; a maximum of 20 years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl; and a maximum of 10 years in federal prison for possession of firearms by a felon. U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake has scheduled sentencing for May 29, 2020, at 9:30 a.m.
On February 20, 2020, co-defendant Corloyd Anderson, a/k/a Bo, age 37, of Baltimore, was sentenced to 22 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise related to his participation in the gang activities of the MMP gang. Anderson was convicted on April 30, 2019, after a six-week trial. The evidence showed that Anderson supplied large volumes of heroin to members of MMP for distribution in MMP’s territory in the area of Windsor Mill Road and Forest Park Avenue. There was also evidence presented that Anderson disposed of a murder weapon for MMP Boss Dontray Johnson, a/k/a “Bino,” and he illegally possessed a loaded handgun after having been convicted of at least three prior felonies.
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, the Baltimore City and Baltimore County Police Departments, and the Baltimore City and Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Offices for their work in the investigation and prosecution. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Christina Hoffman, Lauren E. Perry, and Christopher M. Rigali, who are prosecuting this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.
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Previously Convicted Felon Sentenced to 33 Months in Federal Prison for Illegal Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge George J. Hazel sentenced Alonzo Darnell Wood, age 39, of Washington, D.C., yesterday to 33 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, 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 and Special Agent in Charge Timothy Jones of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division.
According to court documents, Wood was attempting to enter a Maryland casino when a casino security officer observed a blue folded knife near his waist band. The security officer advised Wood that the knife was not permitted in the casino and instructed Wood to put the knife in his car. As Wood walked away, the security officer and a police officer noticed a strong odor emanating from Wood.
A short time later, Wood returned to the same security podium and the security officer asked Wood to present identification. When Wood began to reach into his pockets, the security officer asked Wood to open his jacket, which was completely zipped up. The police officer searched Wood to check for weapons and recovered a fully-loaded .40-caliber handgun from Wood’s waistband. Wood was placed under arrest. A subsequent search of Wood resulted in the discovery of 2.5 ounces of PCP in a glass bottle, two grams of marijuana, and the blue folded knife. Wood was prohibited from possessing a firearm of ammunition due to previous felony drug convictions.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts, 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 ATF for its work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dwight Draughon and Catherine Dick, who prosecuted the case.
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Former Hampstead Bookkeeper Sentenced to Almost Four Years in Federal Prison for a Scheme to Embezzle Almost $1 Million from Her EmployerRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander today sentenced Lisa Fore, age 48, of Hampstead, Maryland, to 45 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for mail fraud and aggravated identity theft related to a scheme to embezzle almost $1 million from her employers. Judge Hollander also scheduled a hearing on April 20, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. concerning the requested restitution.
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.
“Less than a year after she was hired, Lisa Fore began embezzling from the family-owned company for which she worked and from the family themselves. She continued the embezzlement scheme for at least 16 years, taking advantage of the relationships she cultivated for her own purposes,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. “Now Lisa Fore will have almost four years in federal prison to reflect on her betrayal of trust. Let this sentence serve as a warning to others who might be tempted to abuse their position for personal gain.”
According to Fore’s plea agreement, beginning in 2001, Fore was employed as a bookkeeper for victims J.C., C.C., the Cirelli Company, and related entities. Beginning in at least 2002 and continuing until July 2018, Fore embezzled more than $996,193.02 from the Cirelli entities and victims J.C. and C.C.
As detailed in her plea agreement, Fore accomplished the scheme by various means, including forging the signature of J.C. on checks drawn from the personal accounts of J.C. and C.C., and from the accounts of the Cirelli entities; making electronic transfers of funds from the Cirelli accounts; and using credit cards for accounts associated with the Cirelli entities, all for her personal benefit. Fore used the embezzled funds to pay her personal credit card bills, property taxes on her home in Carroll County, Maryland, utility bills associated with her home, and taxes owed to the U.S. Department of Treasury. She also repeatedly used a company credit card to purchase items and services for her own benefit. including auto repairs for her and her family’s personal vehicles at a local auto repair shop.
Fore admitted that she concealed her scheme by creating fake bank statements and fake invoices from a legitimate vendor used by the Cirelli entities, and by inaccurately coding forged checks used to pay her personal expenses in the online accounting application used by the company, among other means. For example, Fore would code a forged check as payable to a frequently used vendor, when the check was in fact payable to one of her creditors.
On July 30, 2018, J.C. confronted Fore about suspicious charges on a company credit card. Fore acknowledged that she was responsible for the suspicious charges and her employment was terminated shortly thereafter.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur praised the FBI for its work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul A. Riley, who prosecuted the case.
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Department of Justice Charges Unprecedented Number of Elder Fraud Defendants Nationwide and Launches HotlineRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Maryland U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur joined Attorney General William P. Barr, FBI Director Christopher A. Wray, and Chief Postal Inspector Gary R. Barksdale today in announcing the largest coordinated sweep of elder fraud cases in history. This year, prosecutors charged more than 400 defendants, far surpassing the 260 defendants charged in cases as part of last year’s sweep. In each case, offenders allegedly engaged in financial schemes that targeted or largely affected seniors. In total, the charged elder fraud schemes caused alleged losses of over a billion dollars.
In two separate cases in Maryland, three defendants were charged with mail fraud related to schemes targeting elderly victims. In each case, the defendants allegedly obtained more than $1 million from the fraud. Specifically, Osakwe Ismael Osagbue, age 32, of Los Angeles, California was sentenced in January 2020, to four years in federal prison for mail fraud and aggravated identity theft in connection with a scheme to obtain and use fraudulent credit cards resulting in a loss of at least $1,365,746.24. In the second case, two Florida men, David James Green, age 24, of Miami Gardens and McArnold Charlemagne, age 32, of Miramar, are charged with mail fraud and conspiracy to commit mail fraud by allegedly defrauding more than 65 elderly victims of at least $1.5 million. The indictment alleges that the defendants falsely told the victims that a relative, typically a grandchild, needed money for bail, legal fees, or other expenses.
“Americans are fed up with the constant barrage of scams that maliciously target the elderly and other vulnerable citizens,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “This year, the Department of Justice prosecuted more than 400 defendants, whose schemes totaled more than a billion dollars. I want to thank the men and women of the Department’s Consumer Protection Branch, which coordinated this effort, and all those in the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and Criminal Division who worked tirelessly to bring these cases. The Department is committed to stopping the full range of criminal activities that exploit America’s seniors.”
U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur stated, “The Department of Justice is committed to bringing fraudsters who prey upon the elderly to justice. 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 newly launched Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311).”
This interactive map provides information on the elder fraud cases highlighted by today’s sweep announcement.
Elder Fraud Hotline
Attorney General Barr also announced the launch of a National Elder Fraud Hotline, which will provide services to seniors who may be victims of financial fraud. The Hotline will be staffed by experienced case managers who can provide personalized support to callers. Case managers will assist callers with reporting the suspected fraud to relevant agencies and by providing resources and referrals to other appropriate services as needed. When applicable, case managers will complete a complaint form with the Federal Bureau of Investigation Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) for Internet-facilitated crimes and submit a consumer complaint to the Federal Trade Commission on behalf of the caller. The Hotline’s toll free number is 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311).
For the second year, the Department of Justice and its law enforcement partners also took comprehensive action against the money mule network that facilitates foreign-based elder fraud. Generally, perpetrators use a “money mule” to transfer fraud proceeds from a victim to ringleaders of fraud schemes who often reside in other countries. Some of these money mules act unwittingly, and intervention can effectively end their involvement in the fraud. The FBI and the Postal Inspection Service took action against over 600 alleged money mules nationwide by conducting interviews, issuing warning letters, and bringing civil and criminal cases. Agents and prosecutors in more than 85 federal district participated in this effort to halt the money flow from victim to fraudster. These actions against money mules were in addition to the criminal and civil cases announced as part of this year’s elder fraud sweep.
Maryland Outreach
The District of Maryland became one of only ten districts throughout the country to form an Elder Justice Task Force in 2016. The Elder Justice Task Force joins state, local, and federal law enforcement partners, the Maryland Department of Aging, the Maryland Office of Health Care Quality, the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and other private sector stakeholders and free legal service providers to collaborate on cases and outreach programs to combat elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
In one recent outreach event, the U.S. Attorney’s Office partnered with Maryland AARP, the Social Security Administration, and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration to present tips on how seniors can protect themselves from government imposter scams. Every day thousands of Marylanders receive calls from identity thieves pretending to represent the Internal Revenue Service, the Social Security Administration, and other government agencies, in an effort to steal personal information or coerce the victim to make cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest over an “irregularity with their account.” Participants from every county in the State attended the call, from Western Maryland to the Eastern Shore.
These outreach efforts have helped to prevent seniors from falling prey to scams and have frustrated offenders’ efforts to obtain even more money from vulnerable elders.
The charges announced today are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Baltimore Drug Dealer Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Distribution ChargeRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – Kareem Mack, a/k/a K Mack, age 29, of Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances related to his participation in a drug trafficking organization that distributed heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, and crack cocaine in Maryland and surrounding states. Robert Williams, age 63, of Baltimore, also pleaded guilty today for providing cutting agents to the drug trafficking organization from his store in the Hollins Market area in Baltimore.
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 Jarod A. Forget of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Washington Division Office; Chief Marcus Jones of the Montgomery County Police Department; and Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department.
According to Mack’s guilty plea and other court documents, from October 2018 through April 2019, the FBI intercepted phone communications of the Butler drug trafficking organization (DTO), which operated in and around the Baltimore metropolitan area. Interceptions revealed that the DTO used phones to arrange heroin, cocaine base, and fentanyl sales to drug users and drug redistributors from Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania.
As detailed in Mack’s plea agreement, the DTO operated on a nearly daily basis and sold thousands of dollars in narcotics on a daily basis. Customers of the DTO believed they were purchasing heroin, but the DTO adulterated all heroin it sold with fentanyl. Street-level distributors in the DTO worked in shifts, sharing phones they used to communicate with DTO leadership and customers.
The investigation identified Kareem Mack as a street-level distributor in the DTO from at least November 2018 through his arrest in April 2019. During this period of time, Mack sold heroin, crack cocaine, and fentanyl on behalf of the DTO. A search warrant executed at Mack’s residence on December 7, 2018, by members of the Baltimore City Police Department (“BPD”) recovered over 100 grams of heroin, approximately 26 grams of crack cocaine, and $12,537 in drug proceeds. Officers also recovered a cellular telephone that street-level distributors used to communicate with DTO leadership. Mack was arrested, then released pending trial in state court.
Mack continued to distribute narcotics on behalf of the DTO while on pre-trial release for his state drug trafficking charges. Over the course of his participation in the DTO, Mack admitted that he distributed at least one kilogram of heroin.
In a related case, Robert Williams admitted that from at least September 2018 through June 2019, he supplied the DTO with narcotics cutting agents (i.e., drug paraphernalia). According to Williams’ plea agreement, wiretap interceptions of Williams’ phone revealed that he frequently sold cutting agents used for the processing of heroin and fentanyl in large quantities. Williams communicated by phone and text message about these transactions, but also attempted to disguise the nature of the illegal activity by using FaceTime, an encrypted video/audio application for Apple cellular devices.
In May 2019, the FBI searched Williams’ business in the Hollins Market area of Baltimore and recovered multiple boxes containing large quantities of cutting agents. Interceptions of Williams’ phone had confirmed that he hid the cutting agents inside the store to avoid detection by law enforcement. Williams admitted that he knowingly sold the drug paraphernalia to drug traffickers and knew that it was being used for the distribution of narcotics.
Mack faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a maximum of life in federal prison for the drug conspiracy. Williams faces a maximum of two years in federal 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 Mack on August 31, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. Judge Grimm set Williams’ sentencing for August 31, 2020, at 2:00 p.m.
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 this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.
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Baltimore Felon Pleads Guilty to Federal Charge for Illegal Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Linwood Davis, age 25, of Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to a federal charge for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Davis was charged federally last year for his alleged participation in a drug distribution conspiracy operating in Northwest Baltimore near the intersection of Liberty Heights Avenue and Garrison Boulevard, and for illegally possessing a firearm.
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.
“Gang members settling disputes with gunfire are plaguing our streets with violence and murder. The cycle of retributive violence has to stop,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. “We in federal law enforcement are determined to make our streets safer, working with our local and state partners. We’re committed to identifying and prosecuting armed criminals to remove them from our communities. To those who would do as this defendant did, I say, please put down the gun. You will save a life—maybe even your own.”
According to his guilty plea, in February 19, 2019, Davis was shot in Baltimore. Shortly after his release from the hospital, Davis posted on social media that he would seek vengeance against those who shot him. On March 21, 2019, Davis again posted on social media that he was looking for revenge for the death of his “brother.” Later that day, DEA investigators conducing a court-authorized wiretap on Davis’ phone overheard Davis telling an associate to bring him the “whatchamacallit,” and DEA agents began surveilling Davis. That night Davis left a residence on Mount Holly Street in Baltimore and got into a minivan. Investigators followed the van to the 1600 block of West North Avenue in Baltimore, where the vehicle abruptly stopped and the passenger-side door opened. Agents went up to the van, which was being driven by a livery driver.
In the back of the minivan were Davis and two co-conspirators. Agents searched the co-conspirators and recovered two loaded firearms from each co-conspirator. Davis admitted that he knew the co-conspirators had four guns and that he therefore jointly possessed the firearms with the co-conspirators. Davis had a previous felony conviction and was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.
Davis faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. 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 May 28, 2020 at 9:30 a.m.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the DEA and the Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation. 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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Three Maryland Men Sentenced to at Least 10 Years in Federal Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl in Baltimore Trafficked from Sinaloa and Tijuana Drug CartelsRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow has sentenced Nevone McCrimmon, age 48, of Edgewood, Maryland to 14 years in federal prison; and sentenced co-defendants William Elijah, age 52; and Terrance Mobley, age 51, both of Baltimore, Maryland, each to 10 years in federal prison, all followed by five years of supervised release, for the federal charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.
The sentences 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; Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department; Baltimore City Sheriff John Anderson; Chief Melissa R. Hyatt of the Baltimore County Police Department; and Special Agent in Charge John Eisert of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore.
“Fentanyl is one of the most lethal threats facing Maryland right now. As little as two milligrams of fentanyl can be a lethal dose, and the 20 kilograms of fentanyl seized in this case to date is enough to kill 10 million people—more than one and a half times the population of Maryland,” said Maryland U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. “We are working with our partners to attack the sources of supply, as well as the street dealers who are committing the most violence in our neighborhoods.”
“Fentanyl exacts a deadly toll in our community and in communities across the country,” said HSI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge John Eisert. “This problem crosses state and international borders and requires partnership between law enforcement agencies. We’re grateful for our allies in this battle against the opioid scourge.”
According to their plea agreements and other court documents, beginning in about May 2017 through October 2018, Nevone McCrimmon was the leader of the McCrimmon drug-trafficking organization (DTO), and William Elijah and Terrance Mobley were associates of McCrimmon, assisting with the day-to-day operations of the McCrimmon DTO, including the collection of money for and the distribution heroin and fentanyl to the DTO’s customers. The McCrimmon DTO obtained its heroin and fentanyl from Mexican drug cartels. The DTO would order kilograms of heroin and fentanyl from members and associates of the Jesus Prieto DTO, located in Miami. Florida.
As detailed in their plea agreements, members of the Prieto DTO would travel to the mid-Atlantic area to collect large sums of cash from the McCrimmon DTO, which would then be conveyed directly to members of various Mexican drug-trafficking cartels. The cartels would then facilitate the transportation of heroin and fentanyl to co-conspirators in California. The narcotics would then be transported from California to Baltimore for delivery to the McCrimmon DTO.
In August 2018, federal law enforcement agents intercepted a shipment of 20 kilograms of fentanyl in Ventura, California, that was intended for delivery to the McCrimmon DTO in Maryland. Law enforcement transported the fentanyl to Maryland and conducted a “controlled delivery” to a member of the McCrimmon DTO.
During the investigation, law enforcement seized more than 20 kilograms of fentanyl and over $500,000 in cash.
According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Drug Threat Assessment, Mexican DTOs pose the greatest crime threat to the United States. The cartels use drug trafficking and other criminal activities, such a money laundering, bribery, and gun trafficking, to obtain power, influence, and money, while protecting its activities through a pattern of violence and corruption. To combat this threat, the Department of Justice has formed a Transnational Organized Crime Task Force to coordinate and optimize the Department’s efforts to dismantle the cartels and other priority targets.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the DEA, the Baltimore Police Department, the Baltimore City Sheriff’s Office, the Baltimore County Police Department; and HSI-Baltimore for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys John W. Sippel, Jr., LaRai Everett, and Lauren Perry, who prosecuted this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.
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Southern Maryland Man Convicted After One-Week Trial on Federal Fentanyl Distribution Conspiracy Charges, Including Distribution of Fentanyl Resulting in DeathRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal jury today convicted Rodney Mondell Coby, a/k/a “Cuz,” age 31, of Waldorf, Maryland, on 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.
The conviction 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, “Rodney Coby knew that the fentanyl he was distributing was killing people, but he continued anyway. Drug traffickers are on notice that dealing in fentanyl increases their odds of federal prosecution—especially when they use guns to ply their trade. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to stop the tragic deaths resulting from opioid overdoses.”
“Coby was dealing fentanyl, a dangerous drug that is killing far too many people in the DMV,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Jesse Fong. “Cases like this are a great example of the work we are doing, side-by-side with our local law enforcement partners and federal prosecutors, to send a resounding message that drug dealers who callously profit by distributing deadly drugs in our neighborhoods will be held accountable.”
According to the evidence presented at his seven-day trial, Coby and his co-defendant, Steven Jerome, distributed fentanyl to an individual on September 6, 2017, resulting in the death of the victim. According to Steven Jerome’s plea agreement, after meeting with Coby for the drug transaction, Jerome and the individual used the fentanyl that Coby distributed. The individual immediately showed signs of overdosing. Because there was an unrelated warrant for Jerome’s arrest, however, Jerome did not call first responders or otherwise seek help for the individual. Instead, Jerome drove the individual from Waldorf to the St. Clement Shores neighborhood of St. Mary’s County, and walked to his mother’s house. Jerome’s mother then called first responders, who were unable to resuscitate the individual.
Further, the evidence introduced at trial also proved that Coby distributed fentanyl on November 29, 2017, resulting in the death of a second victim.
On April 13, 2018, law enforcement recovered five firearms from Coby’s apartment, including a loaded .45-caliber semi-automatic pistol from Coby; a .357-caliber semi-automatic pistol; a 5.7x28mm semi-automatic pistol; a .300-caliber semi-automatic AR type pistol, a 7.62x39 caliber semi-automatic AK type pistol, as well as 159 rounds of various types of ammunition. The .45-caliber semi-automatic pistol was found in a backpack next to 121 individual baggies of fentanyl and a bag of cocaine base. As such, the jury determined that Coby possessed the .45-caliber pistol in furtherance of his drug trafficking. During the execution of a search warrant at Coby’s apartment, law enforcement officers recovered a total of over 200 grams of a heroin/fentanyl mixture, over 40 grams of cocaine base, 12 cell phones, a money counter, four digital scales, over $22,000 in U.S. currency, and jewelry including a Rolex, gold chain, and gold and diamond grills. Moreover, Coby had a previous felony conviction and was prohibited from possessing firearms or 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. U.S. District Judge George J. Hazel has not yet scheduled sentencing for Coby. Coby has been in custody since his arrest on April 13, 2018.
Steven Jerome, age 33, of Leonardtown, Maryland, pleaded guilty before trial to distributing fentanyl. As detailed in his plea agreement, two individuals, including Jerome’s mother, died as a result of his distributing fentanyl to them. Jerome admitted to one of his associates that he worked with Coby to distribute narcotics. Jerome and the government have agreed that, if the Court accepts the plea agreement, Jerome will be sentenced to 150 months in federal prison. Judge Hazel has scheduled sentencing for Jerome on June 15, 2020 at 2:00 p.m.
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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Prince George’s County Man Sentenced to 22 Years in Federal Prison for Sex Trafficking of a MinorRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake today sentenced Rody L. Bowden, age 41, of Prince George’s County, Maryland, to 22 years in federal prison, followed by lifetime supervised release, on the charge of sex trafficking of a minor. Bowden was a registered sex offender at the time of the offense and will be required to continue to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.
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).
“This is an egregious case because the defendant was already a twice-convicted sex offender and his victim was a 14-year old child,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. “Rody Bowden will now serve 22 years in federal prison, where there are no suspended sentences and no parole – ever. This sentence sends a powerful message that the sex trafficking of children will not be tolerated in Maryland.”
“This man—already a two-time sex offender—exploited and trafficked a child,” said John Eisert, HSI Baltimore special agent in charge. “HSI is committed to finding and investigating predators like him so they can no longer harm our communities’ most vulnerable members—its children.”
According to Bowden’s plea agreement, in late 2016 and early 2017, Bowden engaged in commercial sex acts with a 14-year-old ninth-grade student, including in Anne Arundel County motel rooms. On January 4, 2017, Bowden recorded a video of the victim engaged in oral sex with him. The next day, Bowden created an account on a streaming pornographic website and uploaded the video to his account, where it could be viewed by all of Bowden’s followers on the site. On September 4, 2017, Bowden e-mailed a copy of the video to another account that he controlled.
Bowden was previously required to register as a sex offender, stemming from two convictions for third-degree sex offenses in Prince George’s County and Charles County. Bowden has been detained since his arrest.
This case was investigated by 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 for its work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers, who prosecuted the case.
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Dominican National Illegally in the United States Sentenced to More Than Five Years in Federal Prison for Selling Heroin in Cecil County, MarylandRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett today sentenced Ivanovich Constanzo Mercedes-Soriano, a/k/a German Pena-Lopez, age 31, of Aberdeen, Maryland, to 63 months in federal prison, followed by one year of supervised release, for conspiring to distribute heroin and cocaine and for making a false claim to U.S. citizenship.
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; and Colonel Woodrow W. Jones III, Acting Superintendent of the Maryland State Police (MSP).
According to his plea agreement, Mercedes-Soriano was born in the Dominican Republic and is illegally in the United States. At least as early as June 2017 and continuing until September 26, 2018, Mercedes-Soriano conspired with Elvin Solano-Pena, a/k/a Joseph Allen Fields, and Herme Soriano, a/k/a Miguel Urraca-Gonzalez, and others to distribute crack cocaine and 1000 grams or more of heroin to drug users that lived primarily in Cecil County, Maryland.
In July 16, 2018, Maryland State Police (MSP) developed information that drug users were using a designated phone number, referred to as the “dispatch phone,” to purchase drugs. On July 23, 2018, a drug user called the dispatch phone and spoke to a man who told the customer to meet him at a grocery store in Elkton. Mercedes-Soriano arrived in a black Honda Civic and sold the customer one gram of heroin and .4 grams of crack cocaine.
On August 3, 2018, the same drug user called the dispatch phone and spoke to Solano-Pena. After the call, Soriano arrived at the agreed meeting place and sold the customer .6 gram of heroin and .6 gram of crack cocaine. MSP stopped the vehicle; Soriano was driving, and MSP identified him as the man who sold the drugs. After searching the car, MSP recovered another .4 gram of heroin and $648 in cash, as well as a crack pipe and burnt cocaine. Soriano provided a false name at the time. MSP used social media to attempt to identify him and found pictures of Soriano with Mercedes-Soriano. The two men were later identified as brothers.
Mercedes-Soriano and Soriano were illegal aliens using fraudulently obtained driver’s licenses in their respective alias names. On September 6, 2018, both men were taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following a traffic stop of the black Honda Civic they were driving. Both men produced fraudulent documents and lied as to their identity, citizenship, and travel to the United States. Both Mercedes-Soriano and Soriano were interviewed by ICE officers after being advised of their rights in Spanish and falsely swore that they were U.S. citizens, born in Puerto Rico. In fact, both men are citizens of the Dominican Republic.
A towing company retrieved the black Honda Civic and stored it in Cecil County. The car was registered in the name of co-defendant Oscar Pilarte-Rivera, a close friend of Mercedes-Soriano, Solano-Pena, and Soriano. Pilarte-Rivera provided assistance to the drug dealers, among other things, by allowing them to use a car registered in his name, knowing the men were involved in drug trafficking. Pilarte claimed possession of the black Honda from police custody.
On September 25, 2018, Mercedes-Soriano called Pilarte-Rivera from jail. The call was in Spanish but Mercedes-Soriano indicated he had tried to call Pilarte-Rivera three times but that he had not answered the phone. The men discussed items in Mercedes-Soriano’s apartment that needed to be picked up. As a result, HSI obtained a federal search warrant for Mercedes-Soriano’s apartment on Stevens Circle in Aberdeen, Maryland and executed it on September 26, 2018. In addition to identity documents for Mercedes-Soriano and other records, law enforcement recovered drugs packaged for distribution. After laboratory testing, it was determined the drugs seized included approximately 160 grams of heroin, 222 grams of heroin and fentanyl, and approximately 32 grams of crack cocaine. The packaging tested positive for Mercedes-Soriano’s DNA.
In his plea agreement, Mercedes-Soriano admitted he sold between one and three kilograms of heroin. Mercedes-Soriano’s phone records reflect the frequency of calls with drug customers and corroborated their individual testimony about drug sales.
As part of his plea agreement and sentence, Mercedes-Soriano will be deported to the Dominican Republic upon his release from prison.
Pilarte-Rivara, Solano-Pena, and Soriano previously pleaded guilty to federal charges for their respective roles in the drug conspiracy and received sentences ranging from time served to four years in federal prison.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the HSI Baltimore and the Maryland State Police for their work in the investigation and thanked U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement Removal Operations for its assistance. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sandra Wilkinson and Paul Riley, who prosecuted the case.
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Former Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh Sentenced to Three Years in Federal Prison for Fraud Conspiracy and Tax ChargesRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow today sentenced Catherine Elizabeth Pugh, age 69, of Baltimore, Maryland, to three years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States, and two counts of tax evasion. Judge Chasanow also ordered Pugh to pay $411,948 in restitution and to forfeit $669,688 including property on Ellamont Road in Baltimore and $17,800 from the Committee to Re-elect Catherine Pugh.
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 Special Agent in Charge Kelly R. Jackson of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, Washington, D.C. Field Office.
“Baltimore City faces many pressing issues, and we need our leaders to place the interests of the citizens above their own,” said United States Attorney Robert K. Hur. “Catherine Pugh betrayed the public trust for her personal gain and now faces three years in federal prison, where there is no parole—ever. Law enforcement will remain vigilant to ensure that our citizens receive the honesty and professionalism they deserve from government officials and will prosecute officials who betray the public’s trust.”
“The defendant's scheme to cheat the taxpayers of Baltimore was as bold as it was brazen, and today's sentence shows that the punishment for those actions is swift and severe,” said Alfred Watson, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Baltimore Division of the FBI. “The public has a right to expect and demand honesty and integrity from their public servants and the FBI stands ready with our law enforcement partners to uphold those principals in our system.”
“Today, Catherine Pugh learned the consequences of her actions. When those in positions of trust conspire to defraud the government and engage in corrupt ventures, they must be held accountable,” said IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Kelly R. Jackson. “We will continue to pursue justice against those whose actions deteriorate the confidence of the citizens that they were elected to serve.”
According to her plea agreement, from approximately 2007 through 2016 Pugh served in the Maryland State Senate, where she served on various legislative committees, including the Senate Health Committee. In 2011, Pugh ran an unsuccessful campaign to be mayor of Baltimore. In September 2015, Pugh again ran for mayor of Baltimore, and won, becoming Mayor on December 6, 2016. Pugh owned Healthy Holly, LLC, a company formed in Maryland on January 14, 2011, and used to publish and sell children’s books she had written. Pugh also owned Catherine E. Pugh and Company, Inc., a marketing and public relations consulting company organized in Maryland in 1997. The principal address for both companies was Pugh’s residence in Baltimore. Pugh was also the sole signatory on the Healthy Holly and Pugh Company bank accounts. Pugh did not maintain a personal bank account, using her business bank accounts for personal and business finances.
Between June 2011 and August 2017, four Healthy Holly books were published, with each book listing “Catherine Pugh” as author. The vast majority of books published by Healthy Holly were marketed and sold directly to non-profit organizations and foundations, many of whom did business or attempted to do business with the Maryland and Baltimore City governments.
From approximately 2011 until December 2016, Gary Brown, Jr. worked as a legislative aide to Pugh. Brown actively campaigned for Pugh’s reelection to the State Senate in 2014 and served as her campaign aide during her 2016 mayoral election campaign. Following Pugh’s election and inauguration as mayor of Baltimore City in December 2016, Brown was hired as the Deputy Director of Special Events in the mayor’s office. In December 2016, Brown was nominated by the Maryland Democratic Central Committee to fill the vacancy in the Maryland House of Delegates created by Pugh’s mayoral victory. However, the Governor withdrew Brown’s nomination after he was indicted for election law violations in January 2017.
Brown was the sole owner and operator of Stricker Abstracting, LLC, and GB Abstracting, LLC, both Maryland companies that purported to be title-abstracting businesses, and GBJ Consulting, LLC, a Maryland consulting business. Brown ran all three companies from his residences in Baltimore. Brown also freelanced as a tax return preparer. Between March 2011 until March 2019, Brown helped Pugh promote and sell the Healthy Holly books. Brown oversaw the transportation and storage of the books, drafted invoices, and corresponded with purchasers. Much of Brown’s work on Healthy Holly occurred during work hours while serving as Pugh’s legislative aide and mayoral staff member. Brown was not an employee of Healthy Holly and received no salary or compensation until approximately mid-2016 when he started to get sales commissions. None of his companies received compensation for services purportedly provided to Healthy Holly.
Wire Fraud
Pugh admitted that from November 2011 until March 2019, she conspired with Gary Brown to defraud purchasers of Healthy Holly books in order to enrich themselves, promote Pugh’s political career, and fund her campaign for mayor. Pugh and Brown admitted that they employed several methods to defraud, including: not delivering books after accepting payments for the books; accepting payments for books to be delivered to a third party on behalf of a purchaser, then converting some or all of the purchased books to their own use without the purchaser’s or third party’s knowledge; and by double-selling books without either purchaser’s knowledge or consent. Pugh stored quantities of fraudulently obtained Healthy Holly books at various locations, including Pugh’s residence, her state legislative offices, her mayoral office, the War Memorial building in Baltimore City, and a public storage locker used by Pugh’s mayoral campaign.
Specifically, Pugh admitted that she sold approximately 20,000 each of Healthy Holly books one, two, and three to the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) for $100,000 each. UMMS agreed to the purchase on the condition that it be on behalf of, and for distribution to, school children in the Baltimore City Public School system (BCPS), in part, to further the mission of UMMS’s community outreach program. As part of the agreement Pugh was to deliver the donated books to BCPS.
As detailed in her plea agreement, Pugh did not deliver the full 20,000 Healthy Holly books one, two, and three that UMMS purchased to BCPS, instead keeping some of the books for herself. In addition, Pugh sold to unwitting purchasers copies of Healthy Holly books one, two, and three that had already been sold to UMMS and donated to BCPS. Pugh used Associated Black Charities, a Baltimore-based public charity, to facilitate the resale and distribution of the books to new purchasers. Neither the charity nor the new purchasers knew that Pugh was double-selling the books. Pugh also accepted payment for books that were never delivered to the purchaser.
Conspiracy to Defraud the United States/Tax Evasion
Pugh further admitted that she used the proceeds of the sale of fraudulently obtained Healthy Holly books for her own purposes, including: to fund straw donations to Pugh’s mayoral election campaign; and to fund the purchase and renovation of a house in Baltimore City.
Specifically, Pugh issued Healthy Holly checks payable to Brown, for the purpose of funding straw donations to the Committee to Elect Catherine Pugh. Brown cashed the checks and used the untraceable cash to fund money orders, debit cards, and personal checks in the names of straw donors totaling approximately $35,800. The straw donations purchased with the cash were then deposited into the bank account of the Committee to Elect Catherine Pugh. Pugh wrote additional Healthy Holly checks to Brown totaling $26,300, which he cashed and gave the cash to Pugh. In total, Brown and Pugh cashed out approximately $62,100 of Healthy Holly checks during 2016, all of which went to straw donors or Pugh. To conceal the scheme, Brown and Pugh created the pretense of a legitimate business relationship between Brown and Healthy Holly. In furtherance of the pretense, Pugh and Brown signed an independent contractor agreement between Healthy Holly and GBJ Consulting, and Brown created a business ledger that misrepresented the Healthy Holly checks as payments for promotion services rendered by Brown’s company on behalf of Healthy Holly. At Pugh’s urging, Brown also created bogus GB Consulting invoices and backdated them.
On January 11, 2017, Brown was charged with, and ultimately convicted of, violating Maryland’s election laws for funneling $18,000 of the straw donations to Pugh’s campaign. The Committee to Elect Catherine Pugh issued five checks in the names of three of the straw donors, with a notation in the memo line on each check stating “returned contribution.” In fact, Pugh acknowledges that none of the straw donors received any of the returned money, and instead, at Pugh’s direction, Brown used the money to pay for his legal defense in the state election-law prosecution, a case that had legal implications for Pugh.
Pugh also admitted that she conspired to evade taxes on the income received from the sales of Healthy Holly books. To accomplish this, Pugh concealed from the IRS the fact that she created false business expenses to offset the income she received from the sale of books by issuing Healthy Holly checks to Brown for services and/or products purportedly supplied by his company. Pugh filed false income tax returns for 2015 and 2016, in which she underreported her income. For example, for tax year 2016 Pugh claimed her taxable income was $31,020 and the tax due was $4,168, when in fact, Pugh’s taxable income was $322,365, with an income tax due of approximately $102,444.
Former Baltimore City employee Gary Brown, Jr., age 38, of Baltimore, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, to two counts of conspiracy to defraud the United States, and to filing a false tax return. Judge Chasanow has not yet scheduled a sentencing date for Brown.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI and the IRS Criminal Investigation for their work in the investigation and thanked the U.S. Department of Labor - Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations - Labor Racketeering and Fraud, the Maryland State Prosecutor’s Office, and the Baltimore City Office of Inspector General for their assistance. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Martin J. Clarke and Leo J. Wise, who prosecuted the case.
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Baltimore Drug Dealer Pleads Guilty to Discharging a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking, Resulting in DeathRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Cortez Weaver, a/k/a Corty and Tez, age 28, of Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to possessing, brandishing, and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, resulting in death of Maurice Finney.
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; and Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department.
According to Weaver’s guilty plea, beginning in at least July 2017 Weaver was a member of a drug conspiracy that distributed heroin and crack cocaine in the Abington Avenue area of Baltimore. Christopher Hockaday was also a member of the Abington Avenue drug trafficking organization (DTO). Hockaday became involved in a dispute with a rival DTO over who could sell drugs at a gas station at the intersection of Baltimore Street and Hilton Avenue. As a result of the dispute, on July 14, 2017, a member of the rival drug organization shot and killed Hockaday.
As detailed in his plea agreement, on July 17, 2017, Weaver and another member of the Abington Avenue DTO went to the gas station to retaliate against members of the rival drug organization and encountered Maurice Finney, a/k/a Mitch. Weaver murdered Finney, shooting him in the head at close range with a .40-caliber handgun. Weaver also attempted to murder Victim 2, chasing him across Hilton Avenue while firing multiple shots at him. Meanwhile, Weaver’s co-conspirator attempted to murder Victim 3, shooting him multiple times with a 9mm handgun and causing life-threatening injuries. The shootings were captured on surveillance cameras at the gas station. Afterward, Weaver sent his co-conspirator a text message directing him to “burn them clothes.”
On November 12, 2018, a confidential informant (CI) placed a call to Weaver that was monitored by law enforcement. During the call, the CI made plans to meet Weaver to discuss the potential robbery of a drug stash house. During the conversation, Weaver confessed that he had killed Maurice Finney and described the murder using specific details that were consistent with the surveillance footage and other physical evidence recovered during the investigation. Weaver agreed to carry out the robbery, stating that it was what he had been doing with another member of the Abington Avenue DTO. Weaver showed the CI a .45-caliber firearm and talked about owning other firearms, including a “357” and a “40.”
Unbeknownst to Weaver, the robbery opportunity was a fiction and the drug stash house did not exist. On January 25, 2019, the CI introduced Weaver to an undercover Baltimore Police Officer (the UC), posing as a drug dealer who wanted to rob his source of supply. Weaver had several meetings with the UC to discuss the robbery, including distributing the heroin they planned to steal. In every meeting, Weaver confirmed his desire to commit the robbery and stated that he intended to kill everyone who was guarding the stash location. Weaver brought co-conspirators to two of the meetings who also agreed to assist with the robbery.
On March 7, 2019, Weaver and three co-conspirators met the UC to commit the robbery. Weaver and the co-conspirators were arrested. A search of Weaver recovered a loaded .357 revolver, 11 pin-top vials of suspected cocaine, and a mask. A pair of black gloves was also recovered from the area of the car where Weaver had been sitting. Law enforcement also recovered black masks from the co-conspirators, and from their vehicle they recovered a 9mm handgun loaded with 10 rounds of ammunition, including a round in the chamber, and two pairs of black woolen gloves.
Weaver admitted that from at least July 2017 through March 7, 2019, he conspired to distribute heroin and crack cocaine in Baltimore, and that it was foreseeable to Weaver that the members of the conspiracy would distribute between three and eight kilograms of heroin.
Weaver and the government have agreed that, if the Court accepts the plea agreement, Weaver will be sentenced to between 300 and 360 months in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett has scheduled sentencing for May 21, 2020 at 3:00 p.m.
Co-defendants Jamal Jackson, age 20; Kevin Brooks, age 29; and Jermaine Sumpter, age 43, all of Baltimore, previously pleaded guilty to their roles in the robbery conspiracy. Sumpter was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison. Jackson and Brooks are awaiting sentencing.
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 Christina A. Hoffman and Peter J. Martinez, who are prosecuting this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.
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Maryland Man Pleads Guilty to CarjackingRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – Dante Tyler-El, age 54, of Landover, Maryland, pleaded guilty carjacking and to using, carrying and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Tyler-El entered his guilty plea yesterday.
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 Marcus Jones of the Montgomery County Police Department; Chief Henry P. Stawinski III of the Prince George’s County Police Department; Calvert County Sheriff Mike Evans; and Chief Peter Newsham of the Metropolitan Police Department.
According to his guilty plea, on June 5, 2019, Tyler-El perpetrated three armed robberies, as well as the carjacking to which he is pleading guilty. As detailed in his plea agreement, at 5:30 a.m. Tyler-El assaulted a victim who was pumping gas at a gas station in Prince Frederick, Maryland, putting a gun in the victim’s face, stealing the victim’s wallets and credit cards, and then placing the victim in handcuffs.
Tyler-El admitted that at 5:00 p.m., he approached a victim who was sitting in her vehicle in a parking lot in Gaithersburg, Maryland, waiting for her daughter to finish a dance class. Tyler-El, dressed in a neon construction vest and hard hat, approached the victim holding a Walther PK380 pistol, which he put to the victim’s head and demanded money. Tyler-El then handcuffed the victim and forced her into the back seat of the vehicle, where he restrained her while he rummaged through the vehicle. When the victim screamed, Tyler-El struck her with the pistol, causing severe bruising on the victim’s face. After finding the victim’s credit cards, Tyler-El got into the driver’s seat and drove away with the victim still in the back seat. After driving for some distance, Tyler-El got out of the vehicle and fled.
According to his plea agreement, at 7:00 p.m. Tyler-El, brandishing the pistol and wearing the same neon construction vest and hard hat, robbed a victim outside his apartment building in Hyattsville, Maryland, stealing $150 in cash. Approximately one hour later, Tyler-El robbed three pedestrians at gunpoint as they walked along Eastern Avenue in Washington, D.C., just across the Maryland border. Tyler-El admitted that during the robbery he fired the pistol into the air as a show of force to compel the victims’ compliance. Tyler-El stole credit cards and $6 in cash from the victims.
Tyler-El was stopped by law enforcement early the next morning after crossing the Bay Bridge into Queen Anne’s County, Maryland. A search of the vehicle recover some of the victims’ credit cards, as well as the loaded Walther PK 380 used during the robberies and carjacking.
Tyler-El and the government have agreed that, if the Court accepts the plea agreement, Tyler-El will be sentenced to 150 months in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Paul W. Grimm has scheduled sentencing for May 12, 2020 at 2:30 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.
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 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; 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 FBI, the Montgomery County Police Department, the Prince George’s County Police Department, the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office, and the Metropolitan Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Burden H. Walker, who is prosecuting the case.
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California Fraudster Sentenced to Four Years in Federal Prison for International Mail and Wire Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge George J. Hazel yesterday sentenced Saul Eady, age 36, of Los Angeles, California, to four years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, in connection with a scheme to fraudulently obtain goods using what appeared to be a military e-mail address, but was actually a registered Yahoo e-mail address. Judge Hazel also entered an order requiring Eady to forfeit and to pay restitution in the full amount of the victim’s losses, which is $640,172.80. Eady has been detained since his arrest in October 2018.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Robert E. Craig, Jr. of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service - Mid-Atlantic Field Office; Special Agent in Charge John Eisert of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; and Special Agent in Charge Nasir Khan of the U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Export Enforcement's Washington Field Office.
According to Eady’s plea agreement, a co-conspirator established and used what was purported to be a U.S. Navy e-mail address, authentic forms, titles, addresses and other indicia to pose as U.S. government contracting agents and fraudulently obtain merchandise, including large-screen televisions, specialized communications equipment, cellular telephones and computers. Much of the fraud scheme was conducted from outside the United States, including from Nigeria. Three victim companies—one that provided wireless voice and data services that was headquartered in Washington State, one that was a wholesale audio-video distributor and manufacturer’s representative located in Virginia, and a defense contractor that designed, manufactured, and marketed communications equipment that was headquartered in Maryland—shipped merchandise, without prior payment, to Eady’s East Coast co-conspirators. Those individuals then shipped the stolen items to Eady and others on the West Coast.
Specifically, Eady admitted that from November 2016 until February 2017, he assisted in receiving, transporting, and storing the stolen televisions by renting trucks and transporting the stolen televisions to at least three storage locations in the Los Angeles area, where Eady and other had rented storage units. Following the sale of the televisions, Eady was paid in cash for receiving and moving the televisions. According to his plea agreement, the organization obtained approximately 2,109 televisions over the course of the scheme, and the number of televisions and loss attributable to Eady is 493 televisions worth at least $1,181,290.80.
Eady also admitted that he engaged in financial transactions using the proceeds of the fraud scheme. Specifically, Eady assisted in depositing cash obtained from the sale of the stolen goods into bank accounts of co-conspirators. At times, Eady received cash in excess of $10,000, but made smaller deposits at different bank locations in order to avoid detection by financial institutions and law enforcement.
Based on bank records, surveillance footage, financial and business records of the victim companies, and other information, the loss foreseeable to Saul Eady was between $1.5 million and $3.5 million.
Of the nine defendants charged in this case, six have pleaded guilty to their roles in the fraud scheme, including Saul Eady. Two others are scheduled for trial next month, and one defendant, Peter Unakalu, is a fugitive.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur praised the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement for their work in the investigation, and thanked the FBI Washington Field Office and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service for their assistance. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer R. Sykes and Joseph R. Baldwin, who prosecuted the case.
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Gaithersburg Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Federal Prison for Receipt of Child Pornography and Extortion by Threat to Ruin the Reputation of AnotherRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – On Friday, February 21, 2020, U.S. District Judge Peter J. Messitte sentenced Zhi Tian Lang, age 24, of Gaithersburg, Maryland, to 14 years in federal prison, followed by 15 years of supervised release, for receipt of child pornography and to extortion by threat to ruin the reputation of another. Judge Messitte also ordered that Lang 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). Lang is also required to pay a special assessment of $5,200. Lang admitted that he threatened to post revealing photos of his victims on social media and other Internet platforms if they did not send him sexually explicit photographs and/or videos of themselves.
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 Chief Marcus Jones of the Montgomery County Police Department.
According to his guilty plea, between at least January and October 2014 Lang communicated with minor female victims ranging in age from 13 to 17 years old and located throughout the United States, including South Dakota, Wisconsin, and New Jersey. Lang used an Internet messaging application and used the name “Seth” when contacting his victims. Lang would obtain pictures of minor victims from their social media accounts or through direct flirtation. The pictures often depicted the victims in their underwear. Lang would then demand that unless the victim provided him with nude pictures, he would post the initial pictures on a public Internet account or send them directly to one or more of the victim’s acquaintances.
As detailed in his plea agreement, Lang threatened at least eleven minor victims to provide him with sexually explicit photos and/or videos of themselves and only a few refused to do so. Lang admitted that he posted photographs of some of the minor victims to coerce them and sent at least one photo to another individual.
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 the FBI and the Montgomery County Police Department for their work in the investigation, and thanked law enforcement agencies in New Jersey and South Dakota for their assistance. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph R. Baldwin, who prosecuted the federal case.
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Baltimore Felon Sentenced to More Than 12 Years in Federal Prison for Two Armed RobberiesRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander today sentenced Benjamin Fowlkes, age 35, of Baltimore, Maryland, to 150 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for the armed robbery of a convenience store and the armed robbery of a bank. Judge Hollander also ordered Fowlkes to pay restitution of $13, 294.92.
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 his plea agreement, on November 26, 2018, shortly before 11 p.m., Fowlkes robbed a convenience store located in the 2700 block of West Franklin Street in Baltimore, displaying what appeared to be a silver semiautomatic handgun, but was in fact an air gun. Fowlkes ordered the store employees to open the cash register and give him the cash, which they did. Fowlkes then fled.
The next day, Fowlkes robbed a bank located in the 3600 block of Boston Street in Baltimore. Shortly after the bank opened, Fowlkes entered the bank and asked to open an account. Fowlkes was directed to a customer service employee in another part of the bank. Fowlkes pulled a yellow folder from a white mesh laundry bag, asked for a pen, and then wrote a note demanding money, which he passed to the employee. The employee advised that there was no money in the customer service area. Fowlkes took the note back, stated that he had a gun, and drew what appeared to be a silver semiautomatic handgun—but that was in fact an air gun—from the white mesh laundry bag. Fowlkes told the employee, who was on crutches, to get up slowly. The victim employee complied and walked to the teller area of the bank, where two other employees were working, to get the money Fowlkes demanded. Fowlkes followed her there. While in the teller area, Fowlkes again displayed the silver air gun and demanded money, and also demanded one of the tellers’ car keys. One employee handed over the keys to his car—a Hyundai Sonata—and another employee handed Fowlkes the cash from the teller drawers, which Fowlkes placed in the white mesh laundry bag. Fowlkes then escaped in the stolen Hyundai Sonata.
Fowlkes was arrested on November 29, 2018, after a Baltimore Police Officer in the Southwestern District determined that the tags on a Hyundai Sonata driven by Fowlkes had been stolen. When Fowlkes was pulled over, he was wearing the same zip-up hoodie worn during the robberies, and he had $2,021 in cash on him, which was stolen from the bank. A subsequent search warrant executed at his residence resulted in law enforcement recovering the white mesh laundry bag, yellow folder, and demand note used at the bank robbery, mail addressed to the owner of the Hyundai Sonata, which Fowlkes had taken from the stolen car, and the silver air gun used in connection with both robberies.
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. Attorney Paul A. Riley, who prosecuted the case.
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Four Baltimore Men Facing Fourteen-Count Federal Indictment Including Murder, Carjacking, and Racketeering Conspiracy ChargesRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury has indicted Karon Foster, age 26; Rashaud Nesmith, age 19; Jamai Wells, age 30; and Daniel Williams, age 29, all of Baltimore, Maryland, on federal charges related to a racketeering conspiracy, resulting in numerous murders, carjacking, robberies, and firearms crimes in Baltimore City.
The indictment, returned on February 11, 2020, was 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; Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department; and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby.
“We will not allow armed carjacking and robbery crews to threaten our neighborhoods and victimize our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. “Having allegedly used guns to bring fear and death to our streets, these defendants now face the prospect of years in federal prison. Police officers, federal agents, and state and federal prosecutors are united and determined to bring such violent offenders to justice together.”
“Citizens of Baltimore City deserve to feel that they can drive down this city’s streets and stand in their front yard without fear of gun violence or death,” said ATF Baltimore Field Division Special Agent in Charge Timothy Jones. “We are proud of the partnerships we have with both prosecutors and law enforcement that allows ATF Special Agents and Baltimore Police Task Force Officers to get violent offenders, especially those who use firearms to commit their crimes, off the street and brought to justice.”
“The Baltimore Police Department has a deep appreciation for the dedicated work of our federal partners for indicting the people responsible for these heinous crimes,” said Commissioner Michael Harrison. “We are extremely grateful for this partnership that brought this case to closure and ensuring that justice will be served. We will continue to work side-by-side with all of our law enforcement partners in identifying and apprehending repeat violent offenders and taking them off the streets of Baltimore.”
“This federal indictment sends a loud and clear message to anyone who wishes to foster an atmosphere of fear within our neighborhoods,” said Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby. “This sort of reckless violence will not be tolerated by the community, law enforcement, nor my office. I applaud the work and ongoing partnership between my office and our federal partners. Collaboration and partnership like this is key to tackling the violence in our city to achieve the progress that we seek and that our city and state deserve.”
According to the indictment, Karon Foster and Rashaud Nesmith were part of a criminal organization whose members and associates engaged in acts of violence, including murders, attempted murders, robberies, carjackings, and using firearms during those acts of violence. The purpose of this was to intimidate others who would interfere with their enterprise and that they sought to gain a certain status in the community and on social media platforms, as well as generating profits for themselves.
It is specifically alleged that between April 19, 2019 and August 8, 2019, members of the conspiracy committed six armed carjackings and four armed robberies in Baltimore City. During the armed carjacking on June 12, 2019, one victim was murdered by Foster and others. The armed robberies on July 23, 2019 and August 1, 2019 resulted in the murder of two victims by Foster, Nesmith, and others. Additionally, an armed robbery by Foster and Nesmith on August 8, 2019 resulted in a non-fatal shooting of the victim. Jamai Wells and Daniel Williams are alleged to have participated with Foster and others in at least one armed carjacking.
Charges for each defendant include:
• Karon Foster – Conspiracy to Participate in Racketeering Activity; Carjacking Conspiracy; Conspiracy to Use and Carry a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence; three counts of Carjacking; three counts of Use, Carry, and Brandish a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence; Carjacking Resulting in Death; and Use, Carry, and Discharge a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence
• Rashaud Nesmith - Conspiracy to Participate in Racketeering Activity; Carjacking Conspiracy; Conspiracy to Use and Carry a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence; Carjacking; and Use, Carry, and Brandish a Firearm During and Relation to a Crime of Violence
• Jamai Wells - Carjacking Conspiracy; Conspiracy to Use and Carry a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence; Carjacking; Use, Carry, and Brandish a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence; and Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person
• Daniel Williams - Carjacking Conspiracy; Conspiracy to Use and Carry a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence; Carjacking; and Use, Carry, and Brandish a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence
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 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 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); 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 ATF and Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation, and the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office for their work during the state prosecution phase. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia C. McLane, who is prosecuting the case.
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Former President of Cecil Bank Facing Federal Indictment for A Bank Fraud Conspiracy, Receiving A Bribe, and Making False Statements in Bank Records and to Bank ExaminersRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury has indicted the former President and Chief Executive Officer of Cecil Bank, Mary Beyer Halsey, age 59, of Rising Sun, Maryland, on the federal charges of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, receipt of a bribe by a bank official, false statement in bank records, and false statement to a bank examiner, in connection with an alleged straw purchase of a home in Rising Sun, Maryland, upon which Cecil Bank had foreclosed. The indictment was returned on February 13, 2020, and was unsealed at her initial appearance today.
The indictment 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; Inspector General Jay N. Lerner of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of Inspector General (FDIC/OIG); 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).
“TARP bailed out banks to stabilize financial institutions, and SIGTARP is charged with investigating fraud in banks while the bank was in TARP,” said Special Inspector General Christy Goldsmith Romero. “Bankers that break the law to personally enrich themselves will be investigated, caught, and prosecuted. I thank U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur and his team for standing with SIGTARP in the fight against TARP-related crime.”
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. Later that year, Cecil Bank ordered an exterior-only appraisal of the property the showed a market value of $263,000. On September 10, 2012, Cecil Bank ordered a full appraisal of the property that showed a market value of $295,000.
According to the six-count indictment, 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, the indictment alleges that Halsey agreed to help Whitehurst to obtain a $650,000 line of credit from Cecil Bank, in exchange for Whitehurst agreeing to serve as the straw purchaser of 127 Ebenezer on behalf of Halsey.
The indictment alleges: that Halsey provided Whitehurst with her personal e-mail address, so that they could communicate about the plans to purchase 127 Ebenezer; Halsey and Whitehurst understated the physical condition of the property; and that they used inappropriate residential properties as comparables to justify the sale price of $150,000 for the property, which was less than its fair market value. Halsey sought authorization from Cecil Bank’s Board of Directors to sell 127 Ebenezer to Whitehurst, but allegedly did not disclose her personal interest in the property, nor Whitehurst’s role as her nominee to acquire the property on her behalf.
Specifically, the indictment alleges that on March 28, 2012, Halsey and Whitehurst met at a restaurant in Cecil County and Halsey agreed to review Whitehurst’s request for a $650,000 personal line of credit from Cecil Bank in return for Whitehurst agreeing to secretly buy 127 Ebenezer on Halsey’s behalf. On May 9, 2012, the indictment alleges that Halsey participated in a loan committee meeting at Cecil Bank that considered and approved a $650,000 line for credit for Whitehurst.
As detailed in the indictment, on May 23, 2012, Whitehurst e-mailed Cecil Bank his offer to purchase 127 Ebenezer for $145,000, which has previously been approved by Halsey. 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, and further noted that the property had “structural deficiencies and will require significant repairs.” 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 indictment, in October 2012, 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. The indictment alleges that Halsey subsequently wired $75,000 to Whitehurst’s bank account prior to the settlement of 127 Ebenezer to cover the cost of the down payment as well as closing costs and upgrades to the property that Halsey directed Whitehurst to arrange. 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. 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.”
Finally, the indictment alleges that Halsey and Whitehurst exchanged e-mails concerning money Halsey owed Whitehurst for improving and maintaining 127 Ebenezer, including the monthly mortgage payment and loan fees on the $100,000 loan he had secured from Rosedale Federal to purchase the property for Halsey. Halsey allegedly issued three checks to Whitehurst totaling $60,000 in response to Whitehurst’s request.
If convicted, Halsey faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison for each offense (all 6 counts have maximum sentence of 30 years): 1 Count of Conspiracy to commit bank fraud; 2 Counts of Bank Fraud; 1 Count of Receipt of Bribe by Bank Official; 1 Count of False Statement in Records; and 1 Count of False Statement to a Bank Examiner. 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 Thomas DiGirolamo ordered that Halsey be released pending trial under the supervision of U.S. Pretrial Services.
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.
Daniel Whitehurst, age 35, of Bel Air, Maryland, pleaded guilty under seal to mail fraud on April 6, 2018. His guilty plea was also unsealed today. Whitehurst faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit bank fraud. U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow has not scheduled a date for 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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Two MS-13 Members Each Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison for Participating in A Violent Racketeering Conspiracy, Including A MurderRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Chief U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar sentenced MS-13 gang members, Francisco Ramirez Pena, a/k/a Tepo and Advertencia, age 25, of Edgewater, Maryland, and Edwin Ruiz Urrutia, a/k/a Sylvestre, age 21, of Silver Spring, Maryland, to 25 years each in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, on a federal racketeering charge related to their participation in a violent racketeering conspiracy, specifically MS-13, including a murder. An MS-13 associate, Darvin Guerra Zacarias, a/k/a Chapin, age 27, of Silver Spring, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for his role in the conspiracy to murder Victim 18. Ruiz Urrutia and Guerra Zacarias were sentenced today and Ramirez Pena was sentenced yesterday.
The sentences were 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 John Eisert of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore Office; Chief Edward G. Hargis of the Frederick Police Department; Frederick County State’s Attorney J. Charles Smith, III; Chief Timothy J. Altomare of the Anne Arundel County Police Department; Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney Anne Colt Leitess; Chief Henry P. Stawinski III of the Prince George’s County Police Department; Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy; Chief Marcus Jones of the Montgomery County Police Department; and Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy.
“Federal, state, and local law enforcement will use all the tools at our disposal to arrest and prosecute MS-13 gang members who prey on our neighbors,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. “We will not rest until we dismantle this organization and remove the criminals who terrorize our communities—including the Central American immigrant communities in Maryland. I urge anyone with information about MS-13’s criminal activities to call federal law enforcement. You can reach the FBI at 1-866-STP-MS13 or HSI at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE.”
“These sentences show that a membership in MS-13 usually ends where it should - behind bars for decades in a federal prison,” said Jennifer Boone, special agent in charge of the Baltimore Division of the FBI. “At the FBI, we are committed to staying in the fight until this plague is purged from our communities.”
“HSI is committed to investigating and disrupting the violence MS-13 perpetrates in our communities,” said John Eisert, Special Agent in Charge for HSI Baltimore.
MS-13 is a national and international gang composed primarily of immigrants or descendants from El Salvador and other Central American countries. Branches or “cliques” of MS-13, one of the largest street gangs in the United States, operate throughout Frederick County, Anne Arundel County, Prince George’s County, and Montgomery County, Maryland. From at least January 2017, Ramirez Pena, Ruiz Urrutia, and Guerra Zacarias were members and associates of the Fulton Locotes Salvatrucha clique of MS-13.
At all times of this conspiracy, members of MS-13 were expected to protect the name, reputation, and status of the gang from rival gang members and other persons. To protect the gang and to enhance its reputation, MS-13 members were expected to use any means necessary to force respect from those who showed disrespect, including acts of intimidation and violence. MS-13 had mottos consistent with its rules, beliefs, expectations and reputation including “mata, viola, controla,” which translates as, “kill, rape, control,” and “ver, oir y callar,” which means, “see nothing, hear nothing and say nothing.”
MS-13 members are required to commit acts of violence both to maintain membership and discipline within the gang, as well as against rival gang members. Participation in criminal activity by a member, particularly in violent acts directed at rival gangs or as directed by gang leadership, increase the respect accorded to that member, resulting in that member maintaining or increasing his position in the gang, and opens the door to a promotion to a leadership position. One of the principal rules of MS-13 is that its members must attack and kill rivals, often referred to as “chavalas,” whenever possible.
According to their plea agreements, Ramirez Pena, Ruiz Urrutia, and Guerra Zacarias conspired with other MS-13 members and associates to engage in racketeering activity, including a murder, conspiracies to commit murder, extortion, and drug trafficking, in order to further the interests of the gang.
Murder in Crownsville. In June 2017, MS-13 gang members believed that Victim 18 was an associate of the rival 18th Street gang. Guerra-Zacarias was present when gang members, including Ramirez Pena and Ruiz Urrutia, were talking about how to lure out Victim 18 in order to murder her. On the day of the murder, Guerra-Zacarias picked up MS-13 gang members, along with a female associate of the gang who was supposed to lure out Victim 18, and drove them to meet with Victim 18. The female got Victim 18 to enter Guerra-Zacarias’s car, at which point they drove to another location where Ramirez Pena and other MS-13 gang members entered the car and subdued Victim 18. Guerra-Zacarias then drove them all to a secluded area in Crownsville, Maryland, where other gang members, including Ruiz Urrutia had dug a grave and gathered weapons. Guerra-Zacarias dropped Victim 18 and the gang members off, then he and the female co-conspirator left. Victim 18 started screaming and gang members subdued her by choking her. Ramirez Pena, Ruiz Urrutia and other MS-13 gang members then dragged her to the site of the grave and all present attacked her with a machete and knives until she was dead. Victim 18’s body was then dismembered and buried in the grave.
In September 2017, investigators recovered Victim 18’s body from a clandestine grave in Crownsville, Maryland. The medical examiner found that the cause of death was homicide. The victim had suffered numerous blunt and sharp force traumas, her head had been severed, and her body cut into several pieces.
The murder of Victim 18 was intended to maintain and increase the status of MS-13 and allow members to maintain or increase their status within the gang.
Drug Distribution. As stated in their plea agreements, members of the Fulton clique, including Ramirez Pena and Ruiz Urrutia, also conspired to distribute marijuana. As a part of that conspiracy, gang members would obtain bulk quantities of marijuana and then break it up for distribution. At least a portion of the proceeds from the drug sales would go to the gang to further its objectives. It was reasonably foreseeable to the defendants that the conspiracy would distribute at least five kilograms of marijuana.
A total of 29 defendants have been charged in this case with participating in a racketeering conspiracy and/or other crimes related to their association with MS-13, including 18 defendants charged in the fifth superseding indictment filed on October 21, 2019. A total of 13 defendants have pleaded guilty to crimes related to their participation in MS-13 gang activities.
Anyone with information about MS-13 is encouraged to provide their tips to law enforcement. The FBI and Homeland Security Investigations both have nationwide tiplines that you can call to report what you know. You can reach the FBI at 1-866-STP-MS13 (1-866-787-6713), or you can call HSI at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI; HSI; the Frederick Police Department; the Anne Arundel, Montgomery, and Prince George’s County Police Departments; and the Anne Arundel, Frederick, Montgomery, and Prince George’s County State’s Attorneys for their work in the investigation, and recognized the Baltimore County Police Department for its assistance. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kenneth S. Clark, Catherine K. Dick, and Matthew DellaBetta, who are prosecuting this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.
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Baltimore Man Sentenced to Nine Years in Federal Prison for His Participation in an Armed Robbery of a RestaurantRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge George L. Russell, III sentenced Joseph Coates, age 29, of Baltimore, Maryland, today to nine years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for an armed commercial robbery in which a firearm was brandished.
The sentence was 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.
As detailed in guilty plea, on February 21, 2018, Coates and co-conspirator Jason Walker robbed a restaurant in the 2200 block of Wilkins Avenue in Baltimore. Coates admitted that during the robbery, Walker pointed a handgun at one of the victims, while Coates took all the money from the cash register and tip jar. In addition, Coates and Walker took the victims’ personal cell phones before fleeing the restaurant.
After receiving a 911 call to report the robbery, a Baltimore Police officer was canvassing the area and saw two men in an alley who matched the description provided by the victims. The men were standing by a wall counting cash. Officers detained the men and brought one of the victims to the location. That person identified Coates as one of the men that had committed the robbery. Officers arrested and searched Coates and Walker, recovering $272 in cash, a plastic bag full of change, blue bandanas, a black mask, two cellular telephones that belonged to two of the victims of the robbery, and a receipt from the restaurant. Officers also recovered a fully loaded revolver from the area where Coates and Walker were counting money. Walker admitted that it was the gun he brandished during the robbery of the restaurant.
Jason Walker, age 31, of Baltimore, Maryland, was previously sentenced to 121 months in federal prison, for his role in the robbery.
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 ATF and Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Goldsticker, who is prosecuting the case.
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Two MS-13 Members Each Sentenced to 27 Years in Federal Prison for Participating in a Violent Racketeering Conspiracy, Including MurdersRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Chief U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar sentenced two MS-13 gang members, Jose Alberto Sibrian Garcia, a/k/a Chango, age 28, and Carlos Hernandez Diaz, a/k/a Positivo, age 29, both of Silver Spring, Maryland, to 27 years each in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, on a federal racketeering charge related to their participation in a violent racketeering conspiracy, specifically MS-13, including murders. Hernandez Diaz was sentenced today and Sibrian Garcia was sentenced yesterday.
The sentences were 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 John Eisert of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore Office; Chief Edward G. Hargis of the Frederick Police Department; Frederick County State’s Attorney J. Charles Smith, III; Chief Timothy J. Altomare of the Anne Arundel County Police Department; Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney Anne Colt Leitess; Chief Henry P. Stawinski III of the Prince George’s County Police Department; Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy; Chief Marcus Jones of the Montgomery County Police Department; and Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy.
“MS-13 members are committing horrifying acts of violence in Maryland. We must not allow these criminals to ravage our communities, spreading fear in their wake,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. “Federal, state, and local law enforcement will use all the tools at our disposal to arrest and prosecute gang members who prey on our neighbors. We will not rest until we dismantle this organization to make Maryland safer.”
“Today’s sentence takes out a small part of the plague that has spread throughout our communities. And while it means these defendants will be off the streets for decades, our work is not done,” said Jennifer Boone, Special Agent in Charge of the Baltimore Field Office of the FBI. “Together, working with our civic and community partners, the law enforcement community will be relentless in our pursuit of these gang members until our streets are safe from the scourge of MS-13.”
“MS-13 perpetuates senseless violence in our communities,” said HSI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge John Eisert. “Through coordination with our local and federal partners, domestically and abroad, we will continue in our mission to disable and dismantle MS-13.”
MS-13 is a national and international gang composed primarily of immigrants or descendants from El Salvador and other Central American countries. Branches or “cliques” of MS-13, one of the largest street gangs in the United States, operate throughout Frederick County, Anne Arundel County, Prince George’s County, and Montgomery County, Maryland. From 2016 and 2017, respectively, Sibrian Garcia and Hernandez Diaz were members and associates of the Fulton Locotes Salvatrucha clique of MS-13.
At all times of this conspiracy, members of MS-13 were expected to protect the name, reputation, and status of the gang from rival gang members and other persons. To protect the gang and to enhance its reputation, MS-13 members were expected to use any means necessary to force respect from those who showed disrespect, including acts of intimidation and violence. MS-13 had mottos consistent with its rules, beliefs, expectations and reputation including “mata, viola, controla,” which translates as, “kill, rape, control,” and “ver, oir y callar,” which means, “see nothing, hear nothing and say nothing.”
MS-13 members are required to commit acts of violence both to maintain membership and discipline within the gang, as well as against rival gang members. Participation in criminal activity by a member, particularly in violent acts directed at rival gangs or as directed by gang leadership, increase the respect accorded to that member, resulting in that member maintaining or increasing his position in the gang, and opens the door to a promotion to a leadership position. One of the principal rules of MS-13 is that its members must attack and kill rivals, often referred to as “chavalas,” whenever possible.
According to their plea agreements, Sibrian Garcia and Hernandez Diaz conspired with other MS-13 members and associates to engage in racketeering activity including murders, conspiracies to commit murder, attempted murders, extortion, robbery, and drug trafficking, in order to further the interests of the gang.
Attempted Murder in Wheaton Specifically, in July 2016, another MS-13 gang member identified Victim 9 as a suspected rival gang member and directed Sibrian Garcia and other MS-13 members to arrange to lure Victim 9 to a secluded area in Wheaton Park in order to murder him, however, Victim 9 refused to go to the secluded area. After that, another MS-13 member found Victim 9 on the street and shot him. Victim 9 survived.
Murder in Wheaton Sibrian Garcia also admitted that in March 2017, he and other MS-13 gang members brought Victim 13 from Annapolis to Wheaton Regional Park in Wheaton, Maryland, where other MS-13 gang members had dug a grave and gathered weapons. When Victim 13 arrived, Sibrian Garcia and other MS-13 gang members attacked him with a machete and knives, killing him. Victim 13’s body was then dismembered and buried in the grave. In September 2017, investigators recovered Victim 13’s body from the grave in Wheaton. As detailed in the plea agreement, the medical examiner found that the cause of death was homicide. The body had suffered numerous blunt and sharp force traumas, the victim’s head had been severed, and his heart had been removed.
Murder in Frederick As detailed in Hernandez Diaz’s plea agreement, in April 2017, MS-13 gang members found Victim 14 in Silver Spring, Maryland, and called Hernandez Diaz and others to confirm that Victim 14 was a rival gang member. After receiving confirmation that Victim 14 was a rival gang member, they arranged with other gang members to identify a place in Frederick, Maryland where the victim could be killed and contacted other gang members to arrange to transport Victim 14 to Frederick. Victim 14 was transported by MS-13 members to Frederick City Watershed off Gambrill Park Road in Frederick, where they had dug a grave and gathered weapons. When Victim 14 arrived, some gang members hit him with a tree branch and then Hernandez Diaz and other gang members attacked him with a machete and knives until he was dead. Victim 14’s body was then dismembered and buried in the grave. Victim 14’s remains were found in June 2017.
Assaults in Wheaton According to his plea agreement, on June 14, 2017, Sibrian Garcia and other MS-13 gang members were at Wheaton Regional Park in Wheaton, Maryland when they saw Victim 15 and Victim 16, who they suspected were rival gang members. Sibrian Garcia and other gang members found Victims 15 and 16 in a bathroom and forced them out at knife-point. Sibrian Garcia and the other gang members hit Victims 15 and 16 with branches, fists, and feet and talked about killing them with the knife. When bystanders approached, Sibrian Garcia and the other gang members ran away. The victims’ cell phones were stolen. Both victims were transported to the hospital for their injuries.
The defendants admitted that the murders, attempted murder and assault of these victims was intended to maintain and increase the status of MS-13 and allow members to maintain or increase their status within the gang.
Drug Distribution Finally, as stated in their plea agreements, members of the Fulton clique, including Sibrian Garcia and Hernandez Diaz, also conspired to distribute marijuana. As a part of that conspiracy, gang members would obtain bulk quantities of marijuana and then break it up for distribution. At least a portion of the proceeds from the drug sales would go to the gang to further its objectives. It was reasonably foreseeable to Sibrian Garcia and Hernandez Diaz that the conspiracy would distribute at least five kilograms of marijuana.
A total of 29 defendants have been charged in this case with participating in a racketeering conspiracy and/or other crimes related to their association with MS-13, including 18 defendants charged in the fifth superseding indictment filed on October 21, 2019. A total of 13 defendants have pleaded guilty to crimes related to their participation in MS-13 gang activities.
Anyone with information about MS-13 is encouraged to provide their tips to law enforcement. The FBI and Homeland Security Investigations both have nationwide tiplines that you can call to report what you know. You can reach the FBI at 1-866-STP-MS13 (1-866-787-6713), or you can call HSI at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI; HSI; the Frederick Police Department; the Anne Arundel, Montgomery, and Prince George’s County Police Departments; and the Anne Arundel, Frederick, Montgomery, and Prince George’s County State’s Attorneys for their work in the investigation, and recognized the Baltimore County Police Department for its assistance. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kenneth S. Clark, Catherine K. Dick, and Matthew DellaBetta, who are prosecuting this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.
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Three Members of an Eastern Shore Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced to Five, Eight, and Eleven Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Three members of an Eastern Shore drug trafficking organization have been sentenced to federal prison on drug conspiracy charges. U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced the three co-defendants to terms of imprisonment ranging from just over five years to just over 11 years.
Today, James Eley, age 34, of Millsboro, Delaware, was sentenced to 63 months in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release, for a drug distribution conspiracy involving heroin and fentanyl. On February 10, 2020, co-defendant James Martel Frazier, age 34, of Cambridge, was sentenced to 135 months—just over 11 years—in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, on the conspiracy charge and a related firearms charge. On January 15, 2020, co-defendant Jason Brittingham, age 37, of Federalsburg was sentenced to eight years in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release, for his role in the organization.
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; the members of the Dorchester County Narcotics Task Force, including: Colonel William M. Pallozzi, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police; Dorchester County Sheriff James W. Phillips, Jr.; Chief Mark Lewis of the Cambridge Police Department; Chief Bruce Jones of the Hurlock Police Department; Caroline County Sheriff Randy Bounds, Chief Rodney R. Cox of the Denton Police Department, and Colonel Nathaniel McQueen, Jr. of the Delaware State Police.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur stated, “All too often, guns and drugs go hand in hand—and both are killers. We are committed to working with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to arrest and prosecute those who bring these deadly drugs to our communities. Drug dealers take note, just like these defendants you can face years in federal prison, where there is no parole—ever.”
“We continue to fight against the devastating impact that opioids have on our community,” said John Eisert, special agent in charge, HSI Baltimore. “This investigation’s success is a direct result of the strong partnership between HSI Baltimore and our local, state and federal law enforcement partners.”
According to their plea agreements, the defendants were all part of narcotics conspiracy that was being investigated by the Dorchester County Narcotics Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations beginning in 2018. The conspirators were responsible for trafficking significant amounts of fentanyl, heroin, and other drugs in the Delmarva area.
During the investigation, Frazier was identified as personally distributing significant quantities of drugs, as well as working with his co-defendants and other to facilitate the distribution of drugs on behalf of the conspiracy. For his part, Brittingham helped store and distribute drugs on behalf of the organization, maintaining a “stash house” in Federalsburg, Maryland. According to his plea agreement, Brittingham delivered heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, and crack cocaine from the stash house to other locations and to customers.
Eley was arrested in conjunction with a traffic stop conducted by the Delaware State Police on December 13, 2018. A subsequent search of Eley’s vehicle revealed 10 cardboard boxes stamped with a red apple logo. Inside each box were bundles of branded waxed-paper folds, each containing a mixture of fentanyl and heroin. In total, the boxes contained 7,800 paper folds stamped and branded for distribution. The total weight of the fentanyl/heroin mixture in the folds was approximately 130 grams.
On February 23, 2019, law enforcement executed search warrants at locations associated with Frazier and Brittingham in Maryland and Delaware. In total, law enforcement recovered over 250 grams of a mixture of fentanyl and heroin, much of it packaged in individual waxed folds branded with words and/or images; over 250 grams of crack cocaine; over 400 grams of methamphetamine; and over a kilogram of cocaine. In addition, law enforcement recovered four firearms from residences associated with Frazier, including a .357-caliber pistol and a .40-caliber pistol at a residence where Frazier kept drugs, and over $40,000 in cash. Frazier admitted that those firearms were used in furtherance of the conspiracy’s drug trafficking.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur praised HSI, the Maryland State Police, the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office, the Cambridge Police Department, the Hurlock Police Department, the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office, the Denton Police Department, and the Delaware State Police for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher M. Rigali and Christopher J. Romano, who prosecuted the case.
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Leader of Violent Baltimore Heroin and Crack Cocaine and Heroin Distribution Conspiracy Sentenced to More Than 17 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake today sentenced Charles Gilliam, Jr., a/k/a “Big Head Charlie,” “Big C,” and “Chuck,” age 51, of Baltimore, Maryland, to 210 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute heroin and crack cocaine.
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; Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department; and Chief Melissa R. Hyatt of the Baltimore County Police Department.
“Charles Gilliam led a drug organization that also used guns and violence as part of their business model,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. “We will not tolerate those who bring death through drugs and gun violence to our neighborhoods. Gilliam now faces more than 17 years in federal prison, where there is no parole—ever. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to remove those who would commit violence from our community. ”
According to his guilty plea, Gilliam was the leader of a drug trafficking conspiracy which operated an open-air drug market near the 600 block of Glenwood Avenue in the Woodbourne-McCabe neighborhood of Baltimore, where they sold the organization's signature orange-top vials of crack cocaine. The organization also distributed crack cocaine and heroin at other locations in Baltimore. The members of the organization purchased cocaine and heroin, then used residences in and around North Baltimore to cut, package, and store the narcotics, as well as to convert the powder cocaine to crack by cooking it in the stash houses.
As detailed in his plea agreement, Gilliam was responsible for distributing wholesale quantities of heroin on behalf of the organization. Gilliam and other members of the conspiracy sold large quantities of heroin, and used stash houses to process and repackage these narcotics for distribution. On several occasions, Gilliam was recorded on video in a stash house, engaging in drug trafficking activities, including mixing heroin with cutting agents and packaging heroin for distribution.
On August 22, 2016, Gilliam was recorded on video in the stash house preparing heroin with co-conspirator Theodore Smith. During the recording, Gilliam discussed the organization’s sales of crack cocaine at the street shop and provided advice to Smith about how Smith could increase street sales of crack cocaine. Smith’s responsibilities in the organization included overseeing and managing the distribution of crack cocaine on the streets, collecting proceeds from sales, making sure the organization had a sufficient supply of cocaine, and cooking cocaine into crack cocaine.
Some members of the conspiracy committed acts of violence in furtherance of the organization's activities and routinely carried firearms. In an attempt to avoid detection, Gilliam and his co-conspirators frequently changed phones and conducted counter surveillance of law enforcement. The proceeds from the sale of the narcotics were used to expand the drug operation and to pay for legal counsel for other members who were arrested for trafficking narcotics.
Twelve members of the conspiracy were convicted in this case, including Gilliam and Theodore Smith, a/k/a “40 Money,” age 43, of Baltimore, Maryland, who was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison. The remaining defendants received sentences ranging from 50 months in federal prison to 14 years in federal prison.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the DEA, the Baltimore City Police Department, and the Baltimore County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Derek Hines and Leo Wise, who prosecuted the case.
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Fifteen Defendants Indicted on Federal Racketeering and Drug Conspiracy Charges at Jessup Correctional InstitutionRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal grand jury has indicted 15 defendants on federal racketeering and drug conspiracy charges at the Jessup Correctional Institution (JCI), including correctional officers, inmates, and outside “facilitators,” for allegedly paying bribes to correctional officers to smuggle contraband, including narcotics, alcohol, tobacco, and cell phones into the prison. The indictment was returned on February 5, 2020, and made public today upon the arrest of 11 of the defendants. Three of the defendants were arrested earlier this week. Law enforcement is still seeking outside facilitator, Trinesse Butts.
The indictment 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.
“Corrupt correctional officers endanger the lives of their co-workers and of the inmates entrusted to their care and supervision,” said United States Attorney Robert K. Hur. “They also endanger the entire community, as prisoners can use contraband cell phones to direct criminal activity outside prison walls. The United States Attorney’s Office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to root out prison corruption and prosecute correctional officers who abuse their positions of trust to facilitate and engage in criminal behavior.”
“The public expects its correctional officers to guard the wall that divides those who are in prison from the community. But the allegations in the indictment show that the defendants were nothing more than corrupt gatekeepers -- allowing the free flow of criminal activity in and out of the prison,” said Jennifer Boone, Special Agent in Charge of the Baltimore Field Office of the FBI. “Today’s charges show that no one in a position of public trust who carries out a criminal conspiracy is beyond the reach of the dedicated agents, officers and detectives from Maryland’s law enforcement agencies.”
“Nothing matters more than the safety of our citizens, our correctional employees, and the inmates in our custody," said DPSCS Secretary Robert L. Green. "We have worked diligently on this case from the moment we learned of the potential security compromise. And, we'll continue to work closely with our local and federal law enforcement partners to maintain secure facilities for our employees and the inmates in our care.”
According to the indictment, JCI was a maximum-security prison that housed approximately 1,800 male inmates, with approximately 423 Correctional Officers (COs).
The two-count indictment alleges that from at least 2017 until the present, the COs, inmates, and outside facilitators conspired 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 indictment, defendant COs accepted or agreed to accept payments from facilitators and/or inmates or engaged in sexual relations with inmates as consideration for smuggling contraband into JCI. Inmates allegedly 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.
The indictment alleges that the defendants conspired to smuggle and traffic in narcotics within JCI, including MDMA (commonly referred to as “molly” or ecstasy), buprenorphine (commonly referred to as “Suboxone,” a prescription opioid used to treat heroin addiction), and synthetic cannabinoids (otherwise known as “K2”), as well as other contraband, including cell phones, alcohol, and tobacco.
According to the indictment, although COs were required to pass through security screening at the entrance to JCI, the COs were able to hide contraband on their persons. Once the COs had the smuggled contraband inside the facility, they allegedly delivered it to inmates in the kitchens and in bathrooms or closets near where inmates and staff interacted, among other locations. The indictment alleges that defendant inmates who had jobs that allowed them to move throughout the prison took orders for contraband from inmates and delivered contraband to inmates. Further, the indictment alleges that defendant COs had sexual relationships with inmates and exchanged sex for contraband. In addition, these sexual relationships allegedly facilitated smuggling and trafficking relationships between COs and inmates.
According to the indictment, inmates and facilitators paid COs for smuggled contraband in cash, as well as using Cash App, Green Dot cards, and other forms of electronic payments. Inmate defendants were able to use contraband cell phones or the jail call system to direct outside facilitators to pay corrupt COs directly using the Cash App from within JCI. Inmate defendants also received payments from inmates for contraband through Green Dot and other forms of electronic payments, often with the assistance of facilitators.
If convicted, the defendants face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for the racketeering conspiracy and 20 years in prison for the drug trafficking conspiracy. 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. The arrested defendants will have initial appearances in U.S. District Court in Baltimore today.
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.
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 this case.
JCI Indictment Defendants
Correctional Officers:
Dominique Booker, Correctional Officer, age 43, of Baltimore;
Chanel Pierce, Correctional Dietary Officer, age 27, of Pikesville, Maryland.Inmates:
Page Boyd, age 35;
William Cox, a/k/a Dollar, age 43;
Kenneth Fonseca, a/k/a Bean, age 36;
Marshall Hill, a/k/a Boosie, age 28;
Vernard Majette, a/k/a Nard, age 38; and
Darnell Smith, a/k/a Hook, age 39.Facilitators:
Chaz Chriscoe, a/k/a Cheese, age 39, of Owings Mills, Maryland;
Vonda Bolden, age 55, of Baltimore;
Latina Braxton, age 34, of Baltimore;
Trinesse Butts, age 36, of Parkville, Maryland;
Sataya Hall, a/k/a Tia, age 37, of Baltimore;
Laurice Norfleet, age 41, of Taneytown, Maryland; and
Samantha Washington, a/k/a Pinky, age 28, of Baltimore.# # #
Baltimore Business Owner Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Conspiring to Burn Down His Business in Order to Obtain Insurance ProceedsRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander today sentenced Demetrios Stavrakis, a/k/a Jimmy, age 54, of Lutherville-Timonium, Maryland, to 15 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for an arson conspiracy to damage his business by setting it on fire in order to obtain insurance proceeds. Judge Hollander also ordered that Stavrakis forfeit $15,081,435. The federal jury returned the guilty verdict late on October 28, 2019.
The sentence was 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; Maryland State Fire Marshal Brian Geraci; and Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department.
U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur stated, “The evidence proved that ‘Jimmy’ Stavrakis conspired to burn down his business in order to defraud his insurance company of millions of dollars in insurance proceeds. Now he will serve 15 years in federal prison, where there is no parole—ever. Criminals who commit arson to obtain insurance proceeds jeopardize their community and first responders, and must be held accountable.”
According to evidence presented at his 7-week trial, beginning in July 2015, Stavrakis made a plan to set fire to commercial property he owned at 234 S. Haven Street in Baltimore, in order to collect insurance proceeds on the property. The building housed Adcor Industries, Inc., a manufacturing shop owned by Stavrakis since 1991, as well as Adcor Beverage, LLC and other LLC’s owned and created by Stavrakis.
Testimony at trial revealed that by 2010, Adcor’s business experienced a downturn due to the loss of a contract with Colt Industries. From 2011 to 2015, Stavrakis’s businesses defaulted on various loans, struggled to pay suppliers resulting in legal action, and sold off profitable divisions of the business to satisfy defaulted loans. In 2014, Adcor incurred an operating loss of $2,053,427 and its liabilities exceeded its assets by almost $900,000. Financial records showed that during 2014, Stavrakis liquidated personal assets and injected the proceeds into Adcor to utilize as working capital. A public accounting firm hired by Adcor to review its financial condition reported to Stavrakis that the balance of cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2014 was inadequate to fund operations through December 31, 2015. More losses followed, and Adcor was again in default on a line of credit and their monthly operating losses put them on pace to lose approximately $2.9 million for the year.
The evidence proved that on July 28, 2015, just before 6 p.m., Stavrakis used adhesive tape to defeat one of the security features on the front door of the building so that the person or persons setting the fire could enter the building.
According to the trial evidence, at 12:25 a.m. on July 29, 2015, someone disarmed the alarm inside the building by entering the four-digit code. At 12:33 a.m., an alarm in another part of the building was disarmed. At approximately 1:30 a.m., the fire was reported to law enforcement by a passerby who saw smoke emanating from the building. The Baltimore Fire Department responded to extinguish the blaze. The fire destroyed an office on the shop floor of the building and damaged a portion of the ceiling directly above the office area. Later on July 29, 2015, Stavrakis contacted a public adjuster firm that his company had previously retained to notify them of the fire and to request their assistance in filing claims with the insurance company.
Trial evidence proved that from July 29, 2015 through August 5, 2016, the adjusters, acting on behalf of Stavrakis and his companies, submitted insurance claims totaling more than $21 million. The insurance company paid a total of approximately $15,081,435. Of that amount, approximately $7.5 million was used to purchase new machinery, purchase parts inventory, restore the building, and for other business expenses. In addition, insurance proceeds were transferred or used for other expenses, including $600,000 which was transferred to an account in the name of Stavrakis’s wife, after which additional monthly payments of approximately $6,000 followed; approximately $98,499.20 used to purchase a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL 550, titled and registered to Stavrakis; approximately $52,890.55 used to purchase a BMW titled and registered in the name of Stavrakis’s wife; approximately $25,500 used to purchase a 2016 Harley-Davidson Street Glide motorcycle; and approximately $35,087 in watches and jewelry.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the ATF, the Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal, and the Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Judson T. Mihok and Paul E. Budlow, who prosecuted the case.
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Sanctuary Cities Impede the Administration of JusticeRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – The Justice Department yesterday announced that it has filed suit against local jurisdictions in the states of California and New Jersey, and King County, Washington, for implementing policies that it alleges violates the “Supremacy Clause” of the Constitution, which provides that the laws of the United States shall be the supreme law of the land. The Constitution vests the federal government with the sole authority to make and enforce immigration law. The jurisdictions sued by the Justice Department have passed laws or implemented policies that impede the Department of Homeland Security from deporting or detaining aliens, or from accessing information in state databases. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland supports efforts to prosecute those who commit federal crimes, regardless of their immigration status.
Maryland U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur stated, “Detainers—official requests to hold an inmate pending federal action—are issued every day by federal law enforcement agencies for individuals charged with, or suspected of committing, federal crimes and violations. When detainers are not honored, the justice system cannot work, and inmates are released into the community where they are free to commit crime, victims are denied the right to justice, and law enforcement officers, who must find and rearrest the suspect, are endangered. Our immigration laws are part of our justice system. Failing to honor immigration detainers—at the very least wastes limited law enforcement resources—and worse, can lead to tragic outcomes for law enforcement and victims. All jurisdictions must uphold the rule of law in order for our system of justice to work.”
Individuals who are suspected of committing federal crimes and violations have certain rights under the Constitution, including individuals brought into federal custody after having a detainer lodged against them.
Jurisdictions that fail to honor detainers impede the administration of justice. While cooperation among law enforcement agencies in Maryland is generally excellent, there are some instances where local jurisdictions failed to honor federal detainers, sometimes with tragic consequences. Josue Rafael Fuentes-Ponce and Joel Ernesto Escobar, two Salvadoran national underage teenagers, were arrested in May 2018 and charged in Prince George’s County with attempted first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, participation in gang activity, conspiracy to commit murder, attempted robbery, and other charges. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged immigration detainers with the Prince George’s County Detention Center for both individuals. Both Fuentes-Ponce and Escobar were released following the conclusion of that case, without the ICE detainer being honored and without any notification provided to ICE. According to court documents, in May 2019, Fuentes-Ponce and Escobar were again arrested and charged with the MS-13-related murder of a 14-year-old girl.
In another Prince George’s County case, on February 18, 2019, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued a detainer with the Prince George’s County Detention Center for Guatemalan national Juan Vincente Gomez-Quintana, who was in the United States illegally, after his arrest on local charges. Gomez-Quintana is a previously convicted felon who had been deported, with prior criminal convictions for identity theft, fraud, multiple DUIs, and trespassing. ICE also notified the county of an outstanding federal criminal arrest warrant for illegal reentry issued by the U.S District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. On May 8, 2019, Prince George’s County released Gomez without honoring the detainer or the federal criminal arrest warrant. Gomez is still being sought by law enforcement.
On March 26, 2019, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested Carlos Manuel Murcia-Brizuela, a Salvadoran national in Manassas, Virginia. as a previously deported criminal alien. On April 9, 2019, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia issued a criminal arrest warrant for Murcia on the federal charge of illegal reentry. On April 11, 2019, Murcia was turned over to the Fairfax County, Virginia, Police Department pending extradition to Montgomery County, Maryland, due to an outstanding criminal warrant issued by Montgomery County Circuit Court for felony rape and third-degree sex assault. In addition to notifying Montgomery County of the outstanding federal criminal arrest warrant, an immigration detainer was also placed on Murcia. Unfortunately, a sexual predator is now free, since neither the federal criminal arrest warrant nor the immigration detainer was honored by Montgomery County, and Murcia was released on July 12, 2019. Murcia is still being sought by law enforcement. Some of Murcia’s previous convictions include felony DUI causing injury, inflicting corporal injury on a spouse, and a misdemeanor conviction for cruelty towards animals.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland values its relationship with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners and we will continue to work with them to arrest and prosecute violent criminals—regardless of immigration status—and remove them from our communities.
The Attorney General’s remarks are available here.
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Prince George’s County Felon Sentenced to More Than 5 Years in Federal Prison for Illegal Possession of a Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge George J. Hazel sentenced Warren Louis Taylor, Jr., age 48, of Suitland, Maryland, to 66 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. The sentence was imposed on February 10, 2020.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Tim Jones of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division; and Chief Henry P. Stawinski III of the Prince George’s County Police Department.
According to Taylor’s guilty plea, on February 21, 2019, officers with the Prince George’s County Police Department were patrolling the area of an apartment complex in District Heights, Maryland, when they got out of their cars to investigate a strong odor of fresh and burnt marijuana. They saw two individuals in the back seat of a black Nissan Pathfinder and a cloud of smoke inside the vehicle. Taylor was seated behind the driver’s seat and a female was seated behind the front passenger’s seat. As the officers spoke with Taylor, they saw several marijuana cigarettes and loose marijuana and conducted a search of the vehicle. The officers located a .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol, loaded with seven rounds of .40-caliber ammunition, underneath the driver’s seat, directly in front of where Taylor was sitting. They also recovered approximately 198 grams of marijuana, $5,755 in cash, and drug distribution paraphernalia.
Taylor admitted that the firearm, drugs and cash belonged to him and that he planned to distribute the marijuana. Further, Taylor knew that he was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition as a result of a previous felony drug conviction.
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 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; 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 ATF and the Prince George’s County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica Collins and Elizabeth Wright, who prosecuted the case.
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MS-13 Member Sentenced to 32 Years in Federal Prison for Participating in a Violent Racketeering Conspiracy, Including Two MurdersRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Chief U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar today sentenced MS-13 gang member Carlos Alas Brizuela, a/k/a “Truco” and “Stewie,” age 29, to 32 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, on a federal racketeering charge related to his participation in a violent racketeering conspiracy, specifically MS-13, including two murders, two attempted murders, and a kidnapping.
Anyone with information about MS-13 is encouraged to call the FBI’s nationwide tipline, 1-866-STP-MS13 (1-866-787-6713). The FBI tipline allows individuals to provide information about MS-13’s criminal activities to a central location and the FBI will then disseminate the information to the appropriate law enforcement authorities for investigation. Your identity will be protected.
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; Special Agent in Charge John Eisert of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore Office; Chief Edward G. Hargis of the Frederick Police Department; Frederick County State’s Attorney J. Charles Smith, III; Chief Timothy J. Altomare of the Anne Arundel County Police Department; Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney Anne Colt Leitess; Chief Henry P. Stawinski III of the Prince George’s County Police Department; Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy; Chief Marcus Jones of the Montgomery County Police Department; and Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy.
“Brizuela and his fellow MS-13 members committed a horrifying series of violent acts, ravaging communities throughout Maryland,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. “Brizuela will now serve 32 years in federal prison, where there is no parole - ever. Federal, state, and local law enforcement will use all the tools at our disposal to arrest and prosecute gang members who prey on our neighbors. We will not rest until we dismantle this organization to make Maryland safer.”
“The defendant and his conspirators committed numerous criminal violations to include extortion, kidnapping and murder. This prosecution exemplifies the ruthless violence committed by MS-13 gang members, which threatens the stability and safety of our communities,” said FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Boone. “While today’s sentence will not bring back those who had their lives taken from them, we hope it provides justice to the victims and their families and shows the FBI’s commitment to continue to work with our law enforcement partners and be uncompromising in our pursuit to bring these violent criminals to justice.”
“The violence and fear MS-13 inflicts upon the community is unacceptable,” said John Eisert, special agent in charge for HSI Baltimore. “HSI will continue to work towards safer streets through collaboration with our law enforcement partners to combat and dismantle criminal gangs like MS-13.”
MS-13 is a national and international gang composed primarily of immigrants or descendants from El Salvador and other central American countries. Branches or “cliques” of MS-13, one of the largest street gangs in the United States, operate throughout Frederick County, Anne Arundel County, Prince George’s County, and Montgomery County, Maryland. Brizuela was a member and associate of the Fulton Locotes Salvatrucha clique of MS-13.
At all times of this conspiracy, members of MS-13 were expected to protect the name, reputation, and status of the gang from rival gang members and other persons. To protect the gang and to enhance its reputation, MS-13 members were expected to use any means necessary to force respect from those who showed disrespect, including acts of intimidation and violence. MS-13 had mottos consistent with its rules, beliefs, expectations and reputation including “mata, viola, controla,” which translates as, “kill, rape, control,” and “ver, oir y callar,” which means, “see nothing, hear nothing and say nothing.”
MS-13 members are required to commit acts of violence both to maintain membership and discipline within the gang, as well as against rival gang members. Participation in criminal activity by a member, particularly in violent acts directed at rival gangs or as directed by gang leadership, increase the respect accorded to that member, resulting in that member maintaining or increasing his position in the gang, and opens the door to a promotion to a leadership position. One of the principal rules of MS-13 is that its members must attack and kill rivals, often referred to as “chavalas,” whenever possible.
According to Brizuela’s plea agreement, beginning in 2015 Brizuela conspired with other MS-13 members and associates to engage in racketeering activity including murders, conspiracies to commit murder, attempted murders, extortion, robbery, and drug trafficking, in order to further the interests of the gang.
Specifically, on April 7, 2015, MS-13 members and associates murdered Victim 1, whom they believed to be a rival gang member, with Brizuela’s knowledge and permission. MS-13 members identified Victim 1 at a restaurant in Frederick, Maryland, then called Brizuela to inform him that they had a potential victim. Brizuela contacted other gang leaders to get approval to kill Victim 1 and arranged for another gang member to participate in the murder of Victim 1. MS-13 members lured Victim 1 to a wooded area in Frederick, where they disabled Victim 1 by hitting him in the head with a rock, then struck him repeatedly with a machete and a knife until he was dead. During the course of the attack, they contacted Brizuela on the phone to confirm that they should complete the murder of Victim 1 and Brizuela confirmed that they should kill Victim 1. The next day, MS-13 members buried Victim 1 in the woods near the site of the murder, where his body was ultimately recovered.
Brizuela admitted that on May 10, 2015, he and other MS-13 members kidnapped Victim 2, who had stopped making his required extortion payments to the gang. Brizuela and the other MS-13 members forced Victim 2 into a car at gunpoint and took him to a wooded area. Although the plan was to kill Victim 2, Brizuela and other gang members got approval from gang leadership to let Victim 2 live, after he agreed to pay the gang immediately.
In August 2015, MS-13 members and associates sought—and received—the approval of Brizuela and other gang leadership to murder Victim 3, whom they believed to be a rival gang member. On August 28, 2015, after previously conducting surveillance of the residence where Victim 3 lived with his girlfriend, Victim 4, the MS-13 members and associates entered the apartment and waited there for the victims to return. After the victims returned to the apartment, three gang members attacked Victim 3 with machetes and knives while restraining and assaulting Victim 4. Although both victims survived, the attack on Victim 3 left him with both hands nearly severed, and severe wounds to his face and torso. He still has no use of one hand and limited use of the other. Following the attempted murder, gang members contacted Brizuela and others to report that Victim 3 had been killed.
Finally, Brizuela admitted that on August 31, 2015, he and other MS-13 members and associates murdered Victim 5, whom they believed to be a rival gang member. On that day, Brizuela and other MS-13 gang members were drinking in Wheaton and went to Dunkin Donuts where they saw Victim 5, who was wearing Nike Cortez sneakers. According to MS-13 rules, Nike Cortez sneakers were only to be worn by gang members. Brizuela said that he had previously warned Victim 5 about wearing those sneakers. Victim 5 spit on one of the MS-13 gang members as they walked by, who then punched him in the mouth. Victim 5 threw a beer on Brizuela and ran. Brizuela and another gang member chased Victim 5 and stabbed him to death. Following the homicide, Brizuela and others reported to gang leadership that they had killed a rival gang member.
A total of 29 defendants have been charged in this case with participating in a racketeering conspiracy and/or other crimes related to their association with MS-13, including 18 defendants charged in the fifth superseding indictment filed on October 21, 2019. A total of 13 defendants, including Brizuela, have pleaded guilty to crimes related to their participation in MS-13 gang activities.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI; HSI; the Frederick Police Department; the Anne Arundel, Montgomery, and Prince George’s County Police Departments; and the Anne Arundel, Frederick, Montgomery, and Prince George’s County State’s Attorneys for their work in the investigation, and recognized the Baltimore County Police Department for its assistance. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kenneth S. Clark, Catherine K. Dick, and Matthew DellaBetta, who are prosecuting this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.
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Maryland Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Charge for Threatening a Member of CongressRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Darryl Albert Varnum, age 43, of Westminster, Maryland, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to the federal charge of making a threatening communication, specifically to threatening a member of Congress.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur and Chief Steven A. Sund of the U.S. Capitol Police.
United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur stated, “We take violent threats extremely seriously. The investigation began immediately upon learning of the threats. Mr. Varnum was arrested on July 8th and subsequently indicted.”
According to his plea agreement, on June 26, 2019, Varnum called the office of a member of Congress which was located in Florida and left a voicemail message in which he threatened to murder the member of the U.S. House of Representatives, who supported legislation that Varnum opposed.
Varnum faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal 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 Richard D. Bennett has scheduled sentencing for May 20, 2020 at 3:00 p.m.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the U.S. Capitol Police for its work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen O. Gavin, who is prosecuting the case.
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Former Baltimore Police Detective Sentenced to 18 Months in Federal Prison for Lying to a Federal Grand JuryRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake today sentenced former Baltimore Police Detective Carmine Vignola, age 35, of Thurmont, Maryland, to 18 months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, for making false statements to the grand jury, in connection with the planting of evidence at a crime scene.
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.
“Prosecuting criminals who work in police agencies is essential both to protect our communities and to support the many honorable officers whose reputations they unfairly tarnish,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur.
“The public deserves law enforcement officers committed to serve and protect with honesty and integrity,” said Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone. “This individual and his conspirators violated their sworn duties to uphold the law, abusing their positions of trust. Together with our law enforcement partners, FBI Baltimore will continue to investigate and hold accountable those who violate the laws they have sworn to uphold.”
Carmine Vignola joined the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) as an officer on September 4, 2007, and was promoted to Detective on March 20, 2014. In March 2014, Vignola served on a Special Enforcement Section (SES) unit assigned to BPD’s Western District. Officer 2 was Vignola’s partner and Sergeant Keith Gladstone was the officer-in-charge.
According his plea agreement, on the evening of March 26, 2014, Vignola, who was on duty, was having dinner with Gladstone when Gladstone received a call on his cell phone from W.J., who had just run over an arrestee, D.S., in the front yard of a home in Northeast Baltimore. Gladstone asked Vignola if he had a BB gun. Vignola advised that he did not and Gladstone asked Vignola to call his partner to ask him if he had a BB gun. Vignola then called Officer 2, who was not working that day, and learned that Officer 2 had a BB gun at his home. Gladstone and Vignola drove to Officer 2’s home and retrieved the BB gun. Vignola and Gladstone then drove to the site of D.S.’s arrest on Anntana Avenue and Belair Road in Northeast Baltimore City. Vignola understood that Gladstone had retrieved the BB gun so that Gladstone could plant it at the scene of D.S.’s arrest in an attempt to justify W.J. running D.S. over. Once there, Gladstone exited the vehicle and headed toward the scene. Vignola exited the vehicle but remained near it. Gladstone subsequently returned to the car, without the BB gun, and he and Vignola left the scene.
D.S. was subsequently charged in Maryland state court with possession, use, and discharge of a gas or pellet gun, for the BB gun that Gladstone planted at the scene of D.S.’s arrest, and a number of drug offenses. D.S. was detained on those charges until at least April 2, 2014. On January 16, 2015, the charges were disposed of by nolle prosequi, which is a form of dismissal.
As detailed in his plea agreement, on March 1, 2017, W.J. and six other officers who had been members of the BPD’s Gun Trace Task Force (“GTTF”) were arrested on federal racketeering charges. Thereafter, it became public that multiple GTTF defendants were cooperating and providing information to the United States in an ongoing investigation.
In January 2018, Vignola and Gladstone arranged to meet in person. In order to avoid detection, they arranged the meeting using their wives’ cell phones. Gladstone arranged for the meeting to take place in a swimming pool, to ensure that Vignola was not wearing a recording device. Once Gladstone and Vignola were in the swimming pool, Vignola asked Gladstone words to the effect of, “do you have anything to worry about now, you know, since [W.J.] was arrested, do you have any concerns?” Gladstone responded that the only thing he was worried about was the incident on “Bel Air Road,” which was a reference to the arrest of D.S. Gladstone told Vignola that if he was brought in for questioning by federal law enforcement or prosecutors who had investigated the GTTF, that Vignola should lie about being at the scene and about obtaining the BB gun from Officer 2. Specifically, Gladstone said to tell investigators that he and Gladstone were there for “scene assessment” and that Gladstone had taken the gun from his, Gladstone’s, trunk. Vignola knew that neither of those statements were true because they had not provided any scene assessment and Gladstone and Vignola had obtained the BB gun from Officer 2.
On February 13, 2019, Vignola testified before a federal grand jury in Baltimore that was investigating allegations that the BB gun recovered at the scene of D.S.’s arrest had been planted there by law enforcement. Vignola falsely testified that at Gladstone’s request he called his partner to see if he had a BB gun, but his partner did not, and that after that Gladstone went into the trunk of his vehicle.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI for its work in the investigation and thanked the Baltimore Police Department for its assistance. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leo J. Wise and Derek E. Hines, who prosecuted the case.
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Delaware Facility Supervisor Pleads Guilty in Maryland to Federal Charges of Tax Evasion and Interstate Transportation of Stolen GoodsRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Joseph Kukta, age 43, of Laurel, Delaware, pleaded guilty today to federal charges of interstate transportation of stolen goods and tax evasion, in connection with his theft and resale of merchandise being shipped through a commercial mail service.
The guilty plea 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 Special Agent in Charge John Eisert of U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore.
According to his plea agreement, from 2007 through July 30, 2019, Kukta worked as a Senior Manager at the FedEx facility located in Seaford, Delaware. The facility handled all the FedEx Ground and FedEx Home Delivery packages passing through the Delmarva Peninsula. As the most senior employee at the facility, Kukta oversaw all operational aspects of the facility and supervised over 100 employees and contractors, earning an annual salary of more than $92,000.
Kukta admitted that beginning in 2009 and continuing until June 2019, he stole packages shipped via FedEx and resold the items to Person A, currently living in Colorado, at approximately 50% of the item’s retail price. Kukta then transported the stolen items, using his vehicles and trailers, to Person B who resided in Maryland. Person B is Person A’s father. From 2012 through 2019 Person A made 275 payments to Kukta totaling more than $1.8 million for merchandise worth approximately $3.6 million that was stolen from FedEx.
As detailed in his plea agreement, Kukta stole packages that contained bulk retail goods and merchandise shipped by suppliers including Sony Electronics, Panasonic, Apple and others, intended for delivery to a Walmart Distribution Center in Smyrna, Delaware. Beginning in 2012, Kukta’s theft of packages became frequent and consistent, occurring on a weekly basis in certain months. Kukta identified packages he would steal by accessing FedEx computer systems and reviewing packages that had been loaded onto a FedEx trailer awaiting delivery to the Walmart Distribution Center. Kukta selected specific packages which he believed, based on the shippers of the packages, contained high-end electronics or other merchandise of value that could be easily resold. In 2018, Kukta began to also steal packages from FedEx trailers that were loaded for delivery to a Nike Store in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.
Kukta went to the FedEx facility on Sundays, holidays, or other times when employees were not at the facility, and removed the packages he previously identified from the FedEx trailers. Kukta attempted to avoid detection by turning off the lights at the facility and blocking certain surveillance cameras with cardboard boxes and other objects. Kukta loaded the stolen packages into his GMC Yukon or into vehicles operated by FedEx contractors and parked at the facility, then drove the vehicles to his rented storage unit in Seaford, where he unloaded and stored the items.
On June 5, 2019, Kukta learned that law enforcement had subpoenaed surveillance footage from the FedEx facility in Seaford. Approximately two weeks later, Kukta went to the storage unit and retrieved the remaining stolen items. Kukta sold that merchandise at an auction house in Lincoln, Delaware.
Kukta also admitted that he evaded paying income taxes on the proceeds of the scheme by failing to report that income on his annual joint federal income tax returns, causing a tax loss to the United States totaling $660,439. To conceal the income, Kukta provided false information to two banks when they questioned why he was receiving money from Company A (which was controlled by Person A). As to each bank, Kukta falsely told bank representatives that he had been selling items from his father’s estate, which he knew was false. Kukta also provided false information to the IRS during a correspondence audit, claiming that the items he had sold on eBay during 2014 were from his father’s estate, not the sale of stolen goods.
Kukta faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison for interstate transportation of stolen goods; and a maximum of five years in federal prison for tax evasion. 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 scheduled sentencing for June 18, 2020 at 9:15 a.m.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended IRS-CI and HSI for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Harry M. Gruber and Paul A. Riley, who are prosecuting the case.
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