District of Maryland
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Dead Man Inc. Member Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Retaliating Against a Federal WitnessRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Roger W. Titus sentenced Anthony E. Alascio, age 31, formerly of Baltimore, Maryland, today to 15 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for retaliating against a witness who had testified in a federal criminal trial involving Dead Man Inc. (DMI).
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Don A. Hibbert of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District Office; Colonel Woodrow Jones, Chief of the Maryland Transportation Authority Police; Special Agent in Charge Daniel L. Board Jr. of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Baltimore Field Division; and Secretary Stephen T. Moyer of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.
“We have zero tolerance for any efforts to intimidate or retaliate against witnesses,” said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein.
On November 26, 2013, Alascio was an inmate at the Chesapeake Detention Facility (CDF) in Baltimore, awaiting trial in federal court on charges stemming from a December 28, 2012 armed robbery of a pharmacy in case number ELH-13-0153 (Robbery Case).
According to his plea agreement, Alascio was a member of Dead Man, Incorporated (DMI), a criminal gang founded in Maryland prisons in the 1990s. On November 26, 2013, during a series of recorded telephone call made from CDF, Alascio informed several individuals that he would soon be going into secure detention because of something he was about to do.
Later that day, Alascio assaulted another inmate at CDF using a sock filled with batteries and dominoes that had been taped together. The victim was seriously injured, including serious bleeding, lacerations that required stitches, and bruising. The victim was admitted to a nearby hospital for treatment and discharged two days later.
During the assault, Alascio called the victim a “snitch.” The assault was captured on video and the weapon was later found in Alascio’s cell. In a letter written in detention later that evening, Alascio admitted to beating the victim. Alascio referred to the victim as a “RAT” and stated that the victim “told on my peoples so he got what he deserved.”
Several weeks before the assault, the victim testified in the federal trial of Jose Morales. Evidence introduced at the Morales trial established that Morales paid DMI to murder Robert Long. Jose Joaquin Morales, age 40, of Baltimore, Maryland, was convicted at that trial by a federal jury for using a cell phone to arrange the murder-for-hire of Robert Long. Morales was sentenced to life in prison on December 9, 2013. The prosecution of Morales resulted in the exoneration of Demetrius Smith, who was serving life in state prison for the murder -- a crime he did not commit.
On December 23, 2013, Alascio pled guilty to robbery in the Robbery Case and was sentenced on March 28, 2014 to 135 months in federal prison. J udge Titus ordered that today’s sentence will be served consecutive to the sentence in the Robbery Case.
Earlier this year a federal grand jury indicted Troy Allen Lucas a/k/a “Troy Madron,” age 47, of Baltimore, Maryland on charges arising from the murder-for-hire of Robert Long. Lucas, an alleged DMI gang member, is scheduled to go to trial in September 2017.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the DEA, Maryland Transportation Authority Police, ATF and Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zachary A. Myers and Sandra Wilkinson, who prosecuted the case.
Caroline County Couple Pleads Guilty to Stealing over $265,700 in Social Security Disability BenefitsRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Josephine D. Wright, and her husband, James B. Wright, both age 55, of Greensboro, Maryland, pleaded guilty to theft of government property arising from a scheme to steal over $265,700 in social security benefits. Josephine Wright pleaded guilty today and James Wright pleaded guilty on September 13, 2016.
The guilty pleas were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein and Special Agent in Charge Michael McGill of the Social Security Administration - Office of Inspector General, Philadelphia Field Division.
According to their guilty pleas, in 1993, James Wright applied for and began receiving Social Security Administration’s (SSA) disability benefits for himself and his children based on his inability to work due to a mental impairment and head injury. Josephine Wright was designated as his representative payee. As the representative payee Josephine Wright was responsible for everything related to benefits that her husband would do for himself, including reporting any changes which could affect his eligibility for benefits. As of 2014, Wright was receiving $1,202 per month, which was direct deposited into a bank account in Josephine Wright’s name. In yearly mailings from SSA the Wrights were notified of the requirement that they report any return to work by James, regardless of the amount of earnings.
No later than January 1998, James Wright began working as a commercial truck driver, hauling freight for various companies. Between January 1998 and October 2014, Wright worked approximately 40 to 60 hours per week, owned his own truck, and maintained a commercial driver’s license. In order to maintain his commercial driver’s license, Wright regularly submitted medical documents verifying that he was in good health and capable of working. The Wrights did not report James Wright’s work to SSA.
In order to prevent SSA from discovering James Wright’s work activity, the Wrights formed a company in Josephine Wright’s name. James Wright’s paychecks were issued to the company and deposited in the company bank account. In 2011, SSA attempted to assess an overpayment to Wright’s record based on the company’s earnings, but Josephine Wright falsely reported that the earnings were not James Wright’s, but were paid solely to the company for other services. On several occasions, including in March 2014, SSA received a work activity report from Wright requesting updated information about his work activity. The form was completed by James Wright, and had hand written across the page “DID NOT FIND A JOB. NOT WORKING AT THIS TIME.” At the bottom of the page, Wright wrote, “NOT ABLE TO WORK!” and “NOT ABLE TO DRIVE, TAKE CARE OF MONEY, COOK, CLEAN, OTHER DAY TO DAY LIFE.” The form was signed by Josephine Wright.
Had SSA been aware of James Wright’s work activity and earnings, he would not have been qualified to receive the $265,746.60, in disability benefits SSA paid to Josephine Wright between January 1998 and October 2014.
As part of their plea agreements, the Wrights have agreed to the entry of a restitution order of $265,746.40.
Josephine Wright faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for theft of government property. U.S. District Judge J. Frederick Motz has scheduled sentencing for December 21, 2016 at 9:30 a.m.
James Wright and the government have agreed that if the Court accepts the plea agreement he will be sentenced to 18 months in prison. Judge Motz has scheduled James Wright’s sentencing for December 2, 2016 at 11:00 a.m.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the Social Security Administration - Office of Inspector General for its work in the investigation and thanked Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren E. Perry, who is prosecuting the case.
Member of $1.5 Million Fraudulent Check Cashing Scheme Sentenced to over Five Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Chief U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake sentenced Terry Bowman, age 56, of Laurel, Maryland, today to 66 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, and for aggravated identity theft arising from a scheme to defraud financial institutions. Chief Judge Blake also entered an order requiring James to pay restitution in the full amount of the victims’ actual foreseeable losses during the time he was involved in the conspiracy, $279,026.82. A federal jury convicted Bowman on June 9, 2016.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Postal Inspector in Charge Terrence P. McKeown of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service - Washington Division; and Special Agent in Charge Thomas Jankowski of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Washington, D.C. Field Office.
According to evidence presented at his four-day trial, from approximately 2007 through November, 2013, Bowman conspired with Nigerian nationals Friday James and Akintunde Akinlosotu and others to defraud financial institutions by depositing counterfeit and stolen checks and withdrawing the funds before the deposits were identified as fraudulent. James and Akinlosotu would register businesses with the state. James, Akinlosotu and other conspirators including Bowman would obtain post office box addresses and open bank accounts for the businesses. They would then deposit stolen, altered, and counterfeit checks into the accounts and withdraw the funds before the checks could bounce.
According to trial evidence and court documents, Bowman and others including LaKeisha Butler, Kesa Baker, obtained post office boxes and opened bank accounts for the businesses. Bowman and his co-conspirators used the identities of other people, or allowed their own identities to be used, to conduct these transactions. The paperwork for the transactions was prepared by James or Akinlosotu, and the mailbox keys, checkbooks and debit cards were provided back to them. Only James or Akinlosotu picked up the mail from the post office boxes.
Additional co-conspirators were recruited to deposit the counterfeit checks and to withdraw the money, including Naimah Okail, Isaac Kusimo, and others. James and Akinlosotu would pick up the individuals and provide them with a check to deposit or to cash, usually completing the checks in front of the cashers and obviously signing a name which was not theirs. James and/or Akinlosotue would transport the recruited individual to a bank, where that person used his or her own identification and the checks provided. The checks often had a telephone number written on the checks, which would be answered by James or Akinlosotu if the bank called to confirm that the check was genuine. Once the check was cashed, the money would be given to James or Akinlosotu, and a portion (usually 5-10%) paid to the recruit.
In addition to cashing checks using the identities of others and allowing his identity to be used in the scheme, Bowman recruited and assembled his own team of workers to be used in the scheme, including at least one whose identity was used to establish businesses, open mail boxes, and open financial accounts. Bowman was paid for the activities of his workers, and then he paid the workers himself.
During Bowman’s participation in the bank fraud conspiracy, he and his co-conspirators obtained extensions of credit from federal insured financial institutions of $279,026.82 which was foreseeable to Bowman. More than 10 financial institutions and individuals were victimized by this scheme.
Chief Judge Blake sentenced: Friday James, age 43, of Laurel, Maryland, to 54 months in prison; LaKeisha Butler, age 33, of Columbia, Maryland, to 30 months in prison; and Kesa Baker, age 43, of Baltimore, to 13 months in prison, after giving her credit for 13 months she served on a related case in Pennsylvania. Naimah Okail, age 35, of Baltimore; Isaac Kusimo, age 30, of Takoma Park, Maryland also pleaded guilty to their roles in the scheme and were sentenced to a year and a day in prison. Chief Judge Blake also entered an order requiring James to pay restitution in the full amount of the victims’ actual losses, currently computed to be approximately $1,909,021.57. Judge Blake scheduled the sentencing of Akintunde Akinlosotu, age 45, of Lanham, Maryland for October 31, 2016 at 9:30 a.m.
The Maryland Identity Theft Working Group has been working since 2006 to foster cooperation among local, state, federal, and institutional fraud investigators and to promote effective prosecution of identity theft schemes by both state and federal prosecutors. This case, as well as other cases brought by members of the Working Group, demonstrates the commitment of law enforcement agencies to work with financial institutions and businesses to address identity fraud, identify those who compromise personal identity information, and protect citizens from identity theft.
Today’s announcement is part of the efforts undertaken in connection with the President’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force. The task force was established to wage an aggressive, coordinated and proactive effort to investigate and prosecute financial crimes. With more than 20 federal agencies, 94 U.S. attorneys’ offices, and state and local partners, it’s the broadest coalition of law enforcement, investigatory and regulatory agencies ever assembled to combat fraud. Since its formation, the task force has made great strides in facilitating increased investigation and prosecution of financial crimes; enhancing coordination and cooperation among federal, state and local authorities; addressing discrimination in the lending and financial markets; and conducting outreach to the public, victims, financial institutions and other organizations. Since fiscal year 2009, the Justice Department has filed over 18,000 financial fraud cases against more than 25,000 defendants. For more information on the task force, please visit www.StopFraud.gov.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and IRS – CI for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamera L. Fine, who is prosecuting the case.
Anne Arundel County Man Sentenced to Five Years in Federal Prison for Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge J. Frederick Motz sentenced Robert P. Kramer, age 51, of Arnold, Maryland, today to five years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for distribution of child pornography. Judge Motz also ordered that upon his release from prison Kramer must register as a sex offender in the place where he resides, where he is an employee, and where he is a student, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Colonel William M. Pallozzi, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police.
According to his plea agreement and other court documents, Kramer was a VIP member of “The Website,” an online community dedicated to the advertisement and distribution of child pornography. The Website required its users to continually share child pornography in order to gain and keep membership. The Website operated on a network specifically designed to facilitate anonymous communication over the internet. In order to join and access the Website, Kramer had to install specialized computer software designed to mask the identity and location of the user. Website members were required to contribute postings to the site at least once every 30 days. These posts must either distribute and advertise child pornography depicting prepubescent children, from infancy to approximately ages 12-13, to other users, or provide assistance to other users in advertising or distributing child pornography. Members who went above and beyond the Website’s requirements could become “VIP” members of the website with the approval of Website administrators. VIP members are granted access to a “private” area of the child pornography forum, that was said to contain material that was “rare” and “new.”
Kramer admitted that between April 29, 2013 and December 9, 2014, he made a total of 69 postings to the Website and that many of those posts shared images of prepubescent girls engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
A search warrant was executed at Kramer’s home on June 16, 2015. Kramer had digital devices and storage media capable of storing over 3TB of data. Some of the data stored by Kramer on these devices were secured by a variety of means, including sophisticated encryption and use of “virtual machines,” or “shadow drives,” to conceal the existence of date. Kramer admitted that he had over 600 videos and images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
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 Attorneys' 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 Rod J. Rosenstein commended the FBI, and Maryland State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers, who prosecuted the case.
Maryland Man Sentenced to over 14 Years in Federal Prison for an Armed Robbery Conspiracy and Robberies of a St. Mary’s County Jewelry Store and PharmacyRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge George J. Hazel sentenced Abdelrahim Ayyad, a/k/a Sahid, age 50, of White Plains, Maryland, today to 174 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for an armed robbery conspiracy; two armed commercial robberies; and to using and brandishing a firearm in relation to a crime of violence. Judge Hazel also ordered Ayyad to forfeit $79,514.36.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and St. Mary’s County Sheriff Tim Cameron.
According to court documents, in June 2014, Ayyad conspired with Furman Troy, Darrell Lee and Michael Burgess, to rob commercial businesses in St. Mary’s County, Maryland. For example, on June 18, 2014, Ayyad admitted that he drove to Washington, D.C. and picked up Troy, Lee and Burgess and drove them to a jewelry store in Charlotte Hall, Maryland in order to commit a robbery. Ayyad handed Troy a bag containing a gun. Troy and Lee entered the store and Lee brandished a firearm at the owner of the store. Troy subsequently bound the victim with duct tape. The robbers then demanded the key to the jewelry counter from an employee of the store and stole jewelry worth more than $8,800, cash, a laptop computer and other items. On June 22, 2014, Ayyad and Burgess drove to a pharmacy in Mechanicsville, Maryland, with Troy and Lee following in another vehicle. Ayyad and Burgess waited in their vehicle while Troy and Lee robbed the pharmacy. During the robbery Lee again brandished a gun and Troy bound the pharmacy employee with duct tape. Troy and Lee stole cash and prescription bottles containing oxycodone, methadone, hydrocodone and endocet, subsequently valued at $64,325.
Furman Troy, age 45, and Darrell Lee, age 48, both of Charlotte Hall, Maryland, and Michael Burgess, age 54, of Alexandria, Virginia, previously pleaded guilty to their roles in the robberies. Lee and Troy were sentenced to 184 months and10 years in prison, respectively. Burgess is awaiting sentencing.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the FBI and St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office for their work in the investigation and recognized the St. Mary’s County State’s Attorney’s Office for its assistance in the case. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Leah J. Bressack and Thomas P. Windom, who are prosecuting the case.
Baltimore Man Sentenced to over 10 Years in Federal Prison for Robbing Three Stores and Three BanksRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Marvin J. Garbis sentenced Gregory George Branch age 42, of Essex, Maryland, today to 130 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for three armed commercial robberies and three bank robberies.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Baltimore Police Commissioner Kevin Davis; Chief James W. Johnson of the Baltimore County Police Department; Anne Arundel County Police Chief Tim Altomare; Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney Wes Adams; Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger; and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby.
According to his plea agreement, on June 23 and July 3, 2015, Branch robbed a grocery store in Baltimore and convenience store in Essex, respectively. In each robbery, Branch approached the cashier, pretending to make a purchase, before raising his shirt to display what appeared to be the handle of a black handgun. Branch then demanded money from the cashier, who gave him money from the register and Branch left the store. On July 4, 2015, Branch robbed a discount store in Brooklyn Park, Maryland, displaying what appeared to be a black handgun. Branch ordered the security guard to place guard’s weapon in a trash can, then ordered the security guard and the store manager to open the safe. The manager gave Branch approximately $300 from the safe and Branch ran away.
Branch also admitted that on July 1, July 14 and July 17, 2015, he robbed three banks, stealing a total of approximately $4,402. In each robbery, Branch presented the teller with a note demanding money. In the note presented in the July 14, 2015, robbery Branch claimed to have a gun and in the robbery on July 17, 2015, Branch pointed what appeared to be a handgun at the teller.
When Branch was arrested, he was in possession of a black pellet gun that was used in all three of the store robberies and the bank robbery on July 17, 2015.
Branch also admitted that he committed nine other robberies or attempted robberies of businesses in Baltimore City and Baltimore County during June and July of 2015.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the FBI, Baltimore Police Department, Baltimore County Police Department; Anne Arundel County Police Department; Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office, Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office and Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorney Matthew C. Sullivan, who prosecuted the case.
President of Maryland Tax and Financial Management Companies Pleads Guilty to Defrauding a Client of at Least $526,000Read the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Paul Randolph Beeks, Jr., age 58, of Mt. Airy, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to wire fraud arising from a scheme to defraud one of his clients of at least $526,000.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein and Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office.
According to his plea agreement, from January 2008 to the present, Beeks was the President of various Maryland tax and financial management companies including PRB Tax & Accounting Services, Inc. (hereafter “PRB”) and Elite Financial Services, LLC (hereafter “Elite Financial”). In 2008, at the request of the physician who owned and operated Mid Atlantic Radiology Services, LLC (MARS), Beeks incorporated MARS in Maryland, and was entrusted with all of MARS’ accounting, tax, and financial responsibilities. Beeks also conducted payroll on behalf of MARS, paid MARS’ vendors and paid malpractice insurance for MARS’ physicians.
Starting in November 2009 and continuing to August 2015, Beeks, in his capacity as MARS’ accountant and financial planner, caused approximately 24 wire transfers from MARS accounts to bank accounts associated with Beeks’ various companies. In order to disguise the theft of funds, Beeks falsely claimed that some of these wire transfers were for management fees and bonuses. However, no management fees or bonuses were authorized by any MARS representative and the remaining wire transfers were not for legitimate purposes.
As part of his plea agreement, Beeks will be required to forfeit all property involved in the offense, including, but not limited to a money judgment of at least $336,077.
Beeks faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for the conspiracy. U.S. District Judge George L. Russell III has scheduled Beeks’ sentencing for January 19, 2017, at 9:30 a.m.
Today’s announcement is part of the efforts undertaken in connection with the President’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force. The task force was established to wage an aggressive, coordinated and proactive effort to investigate and prosecute financial crimes. With more than 20 federal agencies, 94 U.S. attorneys’ offices, and state and local partners, it’s the broadest coalition of law enforcement, investigatory and regulatory agencies ever assembled to combat fraud. Since its formation, the task force has made great strides in facilitating increased investigation and prosecution of financial crimes; enhancing coordination and cooperation among federal, state and local authorities; addressing discrimination in the lending and financial markets; and conducting outreach to the public, victims, financial institutions and other organizations. Since fiscal year 2009, the Justice Department has filed over 18,000 financial fraud cases against more than 25,000 defendants. For more information on the task force, please visit www.StopFraud.gov.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the FBI for its work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Selden, who is prosecuting the case.
Federal Indictment Charges Two for Domestic Violence Resulting in Maryland MurderRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury has indicted Maliek Kearney, age 35, and Dolores Delgado, age 31, both of San Antonio, Texas, for interstate travel to commit domestic violence resulting in death, in connection with the death of Karlyn Ramirez. The indictment was returned on October 4, 2016, and unsealed upon the arrest of the defendants in San Antonio on October 6, 2016.
The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Commanding General Mark S. Inch of the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command; and Anne Arundel County Police Chief Tim Altomare.
“The indictment alleges that Maliek Kearney and Dolores Delgado conspired to murder Karlyn Ramirez, a U.S. Army private first class based at Fort Meade, Maryland,” said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein. “I am grateful to the police and prosecutors who have been working tirelessly to pursue justice in this case.”
According to the indictment, on August 24, 2015, Kearney and Delgado traveled from South Carolina to Maryland with the intent to kill Karlyn Ramirez, the spouse of Maliek Kearney, and used a firearm to murder Ramirez.
Both defendants face a maximum sentence of life in prison. The defendants each had an initial appearance on October 6, 2016 in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas in San Antonio. Both were ordered to be detained pending detention hearings. Kearney’s detention hearing is scheduled for October 13, 2016 at 10 a.m. and Delgado’s detention hearing is scheduled for October 18, 2016 at 9:00 a.m., both in U.S. District Court in San Antonio.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the FBI Baltimore, Army CID, and Anne Arundel County Police Department for their work in the investigation, and thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas and FBI San Antonio for their assistance. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys James G. Warwick, Kenneth S. Clark and John F. Purcell, Jr., who are prosecuting the case.
Federal Indictment Charges Four Conspirators in Fraudulent Credit Card SchemeRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal grand jury has indicted Hussain Abdullah, age 39 of Forestville, Maryland; Shazad Khan, age 56, of Maryland; Patricia Lynn Hiter, age 50, of Lawrenceville, Georgia: and James Edward Foster, age 60, of Woodbridge, Virginia, on charges related to a scheme to use victims’ stolen identity information to obtain credit. The conspirators allegedly used the fraudulent credit cards to obtain money and merchandise. The indictment was returned on August 17, 2016, and unsealed today.
Hiter and Foster are scheduled to have their initial appearances in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt today at 3:45 p.m. Abdullah had his initial appearance on Monday and was detained pending a detention hearing on Friday, October 7, 2016 at 2:30 p.m. Khan is currently serving a state sentence on unrelated charges and will have his initial appearance at a later date.
The indictments were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Brian J. Ebert of the United States Secret Service – Washington, D.C. Field Office; Chief J. Thomas Manger of the Montgomery County Police Department; and Chief Hank Stawinski of the Prince George’s County Police Department.
According to the indictment, Abdullah obtained and helped obtain the personal identifying information (PII) of others, without their knowledge or consent. The indictment alleges that from October 2014 through July 2016, Abdullah, Khan, Hiter, Foster and their co-conspirators, including Bland Shivers, used this information to create fake driver’s licenses in the names of the victims. Khan, Hiter, Foster, Shivers and others then allegedly used the driver’s licenses to apply for credit at retail stores, and used the credit cards they obtained to purchase merchandise and gift cards worth over $135,000. Prosecutors have stated that they believe there are at least 33 victims of the scheme, including nine victims specifically mentioned in the indictment - seven that were residents of Montgomery County, Maryland, and two that were residents of Washington, D.C.
If convicted, the defendants face a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison for wire fraud conspiracy, and a mandatory two years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence imposed, for aggravated identity theft.
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.
Bland Shivers, age 50, of New Bern, North Carolina, previously pleaded guilty to the wire fraud conspiracy and aggravated identity theft and is awaiting sentencing.
The Maryland Identity Theft Working Group has been working since 2006 to foster cooperation among local, state, federal, and institutional fraud investigators and to promote effective prosecution of identity theft schemes by both state and federal prosecutors. This case, as well as other cases brought by members of the Working Group, demonstrates the commitment of law enforcement agencies to work with financial institutions and businesses to address identity fraud, identify those who compromise personal identity information, and protect citizens from identity theft.
Today’s announcement is part of the efforts undertaken in connection with the President’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force. The task force was established to wage an aggressive, coordinated and proactive effort to investigate and prosecute financial crimes. With more than 20 federal agencies, 94 U.S. attorneys’ offices, and state and local partners, it’s the broadest coalition of law enforcement, investigatory and regulatory agencies ever assembled to combat fraud. Since its formation, the task force has made great strides in facilitating increased investigation and prosecution of financial crimes; enhancing coordination and cooperation among federal, state and local authorities; addressing discrimination in the lending and financial markets; and conducting outreach to the public, victims, financial institutions and other organizations. Since fiscal year 2009, the Justice Department has filed over 18,000 financial fraud cases against more than 25,000 defendants. For more information on the task force, please visit www.StopFraud.gov.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the U.S. Secret Service National Capitol Region Multi-Agency Task Force, the Montgomery County Police Department and Prince George’s County Police Department for their investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leah J. Bressack and Arun Rao, who are prosecuting the case.
Maryland Man Charged with Removal of Classified Materials and Theft of Government PropertyRead the Press Release
A criminal complaint has been filed charging Harold Thomas Martin III, 51, of Glen Burnie, Maryland, with theft of government property and unauthorized removal and retention of classified materials by a government employee or contractor.
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John P. Carlin, U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein for the District of Maryland and Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office made the announcement today.
According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, Martin was a contractor with the federal government and had a top secret national security clearance. Martin was arrested late on Aug. 27, 2016. The complaint was filed on Aug. 29, 2016 and unsealed today.
On Aug. 27, 2016, search warrants were executed at Martin’s residence in Glen Burnie, Maryland, including two storage sheds, as well as upon his vehicle and person. During execution of the warrants, investigators located hard-copy documents and digital information stored on various devices and removable digital media. A large percentage of the materials recovered from Martin’s residence and vehicle bore markings indicating that they were property of the U.S. government and contained highly classified information, including Top Secret and Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI). In addition, investigators located property of the U.S. government with an aggregate value in excess of $1,000, which Martin allegedly stole.
The complaint alleges that among the classified documents found in the search were six classified documents obtained from sensitive intelligence and produced by a government agency in 2014. These documents were produced through sensitive government sources, methods and capabilities, which are critical to a wide variety of national security issues. The disclosure of the documents would reveal those sensitive sources, methods and capabilities.
The documents have been reviewed by a person designated as an original classification authority, and in each instance, the authority has determined that the documents are currently and properly classified as Top Secret, meaning that unauthorized disclosure reasonably could be expected to cause exceptionally grave damage to the national security of the U.S.
If convicted, Martin faces a maximum sentence of one year in prison for the unauthorized removal and retention of classified materials and ten years in prison for theft of government property. An initial appearance was held for Martin in U.S. District Court in Baltimore on Aug. 29, 2016. Martin remains detained.
A criminal complaint is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by criminal complaint is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
Assistant Attorney General Carlin and U.S. Attorney Rosenstein commended the FBI for its work in the investigation and thanked the Maryland State Police for its assistance. Mr. Rosenstein and Mr. Carlin thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zachary A. Myers and Harvey E. Eisenberg, and Trial Attorney David Aaron of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, who are prosecuting the case.
Government Contractor Charged with Removal of Classified Materials and Theft of Government PropertyRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A criminal complaint has been filed charging Harold Thomas Martin III, age 51, of Glen Burnie, Maryland, with theft of government property and unauthorized removal and retention of classified materials by a government employee or contractor. According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, Martin was a contractor with the federal government and had a top secret national security clearance. Martin was arrested late on August 27, 2016. The complaint was filed on August 29, 2016, and unsealed today.
The criminal complaint was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Assistant Attorney General for National Security John P. Carlin; and Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office.
According to the affidavit, on August 27, 2016, search warrants were executed at Martin’s residence in Glen Burnie, including two storage sheds, as well as upon his vehicle and person. During execution of the warrants, investigators located hard copy documents and digital information stored on various devices and removable digital media. A large percentage of the materials recovered from Martin’s residence and vehicle bore markings indicating that they were property of the United States and contained highly classified information of the United States, including Top Secret and Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI). In addition, investigators located property of the United States with an aggregate value in excess of $1,000, which Martin allegedly stole.
The complaint alleges that among the classified documents found in the search were six classified documents obtained from sensitive intelligence and produced by a government agency in 2014. These documents were produced through sensitive government sources, methods, and capabilities, which are critical to a wide variety of national security issues. The disclosure of the documents would reveal those sensitive sources, methods, and capabilities.
The documents have been reviewed by a person designated as an original classification authority, and in each instance, the authority has determined that the documents are currently and properly classified as Top Secret, meaning that unauthorized disclosure reasonably could be expected to cause exceptionally grave damage to the national security of the United States.
If convicted, Martin faces a maximum sentence of one year in prison for the unauthorized removal and retention of classified materials, and ten years in prison for theft of government property. An initial appearance was held for Martin in U.S. District Court in Baltimore on August 29, 2016. Martin remains detained. A criminal complaint is not a finding of guilt.
An individual charged by criminal complaint is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the FBI for its work in the investigation and thanked the Maryland State Police for its assistance. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zachary A. Myers, Harvey E. Eisenberg and Trial Attorney David Aaron of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, who are prosecuting the case.
Former NASA Employee Pleads Guilty to Making False Statements Concerning His Interactions with ContractorsRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland –Nathaniel Wright, age 55, of Silver Spring, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to making false statements in connection with an investigation into his interactions with contractors.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; and Inspector General Paul K. Martin, NASA Office of Inspector General.
According to the plea agreement, Wright worked as a NASA employee at Goddard Space Flight Center. In late 2009 and early 2010, while still employed full-time at NASA, Wright also worked as a contract employee for a friend’s small business that performed work for several government agencies. Wright assisted the small business in the preparation and submission of bids to other government agencies.
According to admissions made in connection with his plea agreement, from 2009 through 2012, Wright’s official duties at NASA included significant responsibilities with respect to three contracts, including an $800 million contract, a $450 million contract and a $1.2 billion contract.
Wright admitted that, while working in his official capacity with NASA, he provided his resume to one of the contractors and said that he was looking for a position with their company. Wright suggested that he would wait to consider the contractor’s proposals until a position had been considered. Wright also admitted that he pressed a contractor to use his friend’s business to perform work on a specific task order, even though that businesses had no experience in the area.
Wright further admitted that he pressed additional contractors on a separate contract to direct work to his friend’s business. At a meeting in October 2012, Wright also instructed a contractor to include his friend’s business in a task order proposal and suggested that they include a document to justify the business’s involvement, even though the business had no expertise in the type of work called for under the contract.
NASA’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) opened an investigation into Wright’s conduct. As part of the investigation, on Oct. 23, 2012, three NASA OIG agents interviewed Wright. According to his plea agreement, Wright made a number of false statements during the interview regarding the circumstances surrounding his provision of his resume to the contractor and his pressuring of contractors to use his friend’s company. Wright admitted that he knew that these statements were false when he made them.
Wright faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for making false statements. U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang has scheduled sentencing for January 25, 2017 at 9:30 a.m.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein thanked NASA OIG for its work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein praised Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas M. Sullivan, Trial Attorney Victor R. Salgado of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section (PIN), who are prosecuting the case. Chief Kevin Driscoll of the Criminal Division’s Asset Forfeiture Money Laundering Section Policy Unit previously handled the case for the Public Integrity Section.
Former NASA Employee Pleads Guilty to Making False Statements Concerning His Interactions with ContractorsRead the Press Release
A former NASA employee pleaded guilty today to making false statements in connection with an investigation into his interactions with contractors, announced Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein of the District of Maryland and NASA Inspector General Paul K. Martin.
Nathaniel Wright, 55, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang of the District of Maryland. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 25, 2017.
According to the plea agreement, Wright worked as a NASA employee at Goddard Space Flight Center. In late 2009 and early 2010, while still employed full-time at NASA, Wright also worked as a contract employee for a friend’s small business that performed work for several government agencies. Wright assisted the small business in the preparation and submission of bids to other government agencies.
According to admissions made in connection with his plea agreement, from 2009 through 2012, Wright’s official duties at NASA included significant responsibilities with respect to three contracts, including an $800 million contract, a $450 million contract and a $1.2 billion contract.
Wright admitted that, while working in his official capacity with NASA, he provided his resume to one of the contractors and said that he was looking for a position with their company. Wright suggested that he would wait to consider the contractor’s proposals until a position had been considered. Wright also admitted that he pressed a contractor to use his friend’s business to perform work on a specific task order, even though that businesses had no experience in the area.
Wright further admitted that he pressed additional contractors on a separate contract to direct work to his friend’s business. At a meeting in October 2012, Wright also instructed a contractor to include his friend’s business in a task order proposal and suggested that they include a document to justify the business’s involvement, even though the business had no expertise in the type of work called for under the contract.
NASA’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) opened an investigation into Wright’s conduct. As part of the investigation, on Oct. 23, 2012, three NASA OIG agents interviewed Wright. According to his admissions, Wright made a number of false statements during the interview regarding the circumstances surrounding his provision of his resume to the contractor and his pressuring of contractors to use his friend’s company. Wright admitted that he knew that these statements were false when he made them.
NASA OIG investigated the case. Trial Attorney Victor R. Salgado of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas M. Sullivan of the District of Maryland are prosecuting the case. Chief Kevin Driscoll of the Criminal Division’s Asset Forfeiture Money Laundering Section Policy Unit previously handled the case for the Public Integrity Section.
Federal Indictments Charge 80 Defendants in Alleged Racketeering Conspiracy at Maryland’s Eastern Correctional InstitutionRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury has indicted 80 defendants in two separate indictments for a racketeering conspiracy operating at the Eastern Correctional Institution in Westover, Maryland. The indictments charge 18 correctional officers (COs), 35 inmates and 27 outside “facilitators,” for their roles in the conspiracy, which allegedly involved paying bribes to correctional officers to smuggle contraband, including narcotics, tobacco, and cell phones, into the prison. The indictments were returned on September 29, 2016, and unsealed today.
The indictments were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Postal Inspector in Charge Terrence P. McKeown of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service - Washington Division; Secretary Stephen T. Moyer of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services; and Colonel William M. Pallozzi, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police.
“Prison corruption is a longstanding, deeply-rooted systemic problem that can only be solved by a combination of criminal prosecutions and policy changes,” said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein. “We will continue to work closely with state officials to prosecute correctional officers who bring cell phones, drugs and other contraband into correctional facilities, and to propose appropriate changes in prison policies and practices.”
“Few things threaten our society more than public servants who betray their oath for personal gain,” said Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the FBI's Baltimore Division. “It was extremely courageous of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services to allow the access required to conduct this type of investigation. The state of Maryland and the FBI together have made this community safer.”
“After taking office last year, I assigned eight investigators to work directly with the federal agencies to root out corruption, which is my chief priority,” said Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Secretary Stephen T. Moyer. “Today’s actions, which are a result of the extraordinary partnership of the DPSCS Investigative Unit, the FBI, and our other state and federal partners, send a strong message that we will no longer tolerate corruption committed by a few tarnishing the good work of our 10,500 dedicated and committed department employees.”
“Today’s arrests by Postal Inspectors and our law enforcement partners serve as a warning to street criminals and corrupt public servants that the nation’s mail system is not a tool for use by those who traffic in drugs and illegal contraband,” said Postal Inspector in Charge Terrence P. McKeown of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service - Washington Division. “We are committed to safeguarding the interests of law abiding citizens and our Postal Service employees by working to eliminate these dangerous substances from the U.S. mail.”
According to the indictments, the Eastern Correctional Institution (ECI) is the largest state prison in Maryland, operating since 1987 near Westover, in Somerset County, on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. ECI is a medium-security prison for men built as two identical compounds (East and West) on 620 acres, and housing more than 3,300 inmates. The East and West Compounds are further divided into Housing Units, 1 through 4 in the West and 5 through 8 in the East.
The first indictment covers the West Compound at ECI and charges a total of 39 defendants, including nine COs, 17 ECI inmates, and 13 outside suppliers or “facilitators.” The second indictment covers the East Compound at ECI and charges a total of 41 defendants, including nine COs, 18 ECI inmates and 14 facilitators.
The indictments allege that the COs accepted payments from facilitators and/or inmates, or engaged in sexual relations with inmates, to smuggle contraband into ECI, including narcotics, cell phones and tobacco. The “going rate” for a CO to smuggle contraband into ECI was $500 per package, although some COs charged more and some COs charged less. According to the indictments, inmates and facilitators paid COs for smuggled contraband in cash, money orders, and through PayPal. Inmates were able to use contraband cell phones to pay COs directly using PayPal from within ECI. Inmates also received payments from other inmates for contraband through PayPal, often with the assistance of facilitators.
The indictments allege that the defendants conspired to smuggle and traffic in narcotics within ECI, including heroin, cocaine, MDMA, commonly referred to as “molly” or ecstasy, buprenorphine, commonly referred to as “Suboxone,” a prescription opioid used to treat heroin addiction, marijuana and synthetic cannabinoids (otherwise known as “K2”), and other contraband, including cell phones, pornographic videos and tobacco, in order to expand their criminal operations. The profits made by the inmates by selling contraband in the prison far exceeded the profits that could be made by selling similar items on the street. For example, defendant inmates could purchase Suboxone strips for $3 each and sell them inside ECI for $50 each, a profit of more than 15 times the purchase price.
According to the indictments, although COs and other ECI employees were required to pass through security screening at the entrance to ECI, defendant COs were able to hide contraband on their persons. Further, COs took breaks during their shifts and returned to their cars to retrieve contraband. Once the COs had the smuggled contraband inside the facility, they delivered it to: inmates in their cells; clerk’s offices, which were private offices within each housing unit where an inmate clerk worked; the officer’s dining room where officers could interact with inmate servers and kitchen workers; and pre-arranged “stash” locations like staff bathrooms, storage closets, laundry rooms and other places where contraband could be hidden and then later retrieved by inmates. The indictment alleges that defendant inmates who had jobs that allowed them to move throughout the housing unit and elsewhere in the prison, commonly referred to as “working men,” took orders for contraband from inmates, provided orders to corrupt COs and delivered contraband to inmates. The affidavits filed in support of the search warrants discuss an inmate who admitted paying COs $3,000 per week to smuggle. According to the West indictment, another inmate said he aimed to make $50,000 before he was released.
The defendants allegedly used cell phones to communicate with one another and coordinate contraband smuggling and trafficking activities and some shared a “dirty” phone among themselves for contraband smuggling purposes. According to court documents, the conspirators rented post office boxes to send drugs and bribe payments to the COs.
The indictment alleges that COs warned inmates when the prison administration was planning cell searches so that the inmates could hide contraband or pass it to other inmates whose cells were not being searched. The COs also monitored inmates to determine if they were providing information to the prison administration about contraband smuggling. When the COs learned that inmates were providing information to the prison administration, they would allegedly try to prevent them from doing so or would alert defendant inmates so that they could retaliate against these inmates, sometimes violently.
According to the indictment, defendants used violence to obtain contraband once it was smuggled into the facility, to ensure that contraband paid for by an inmate was delivered to that inmate, and to retaliate against inmates that provided information, or attempted to provide information, to the prison administration about corrupt COs and contraband smuggling, or that otherwise interfered with their contraband trafficking activities. For example, the West Compound indictment alleges that an inmate was stabbed at the direction of a defendant CO after the inmate filed a complaint against the CO which caused the CO to be removed from the housing unit. At the time of his removal, the CO owed several inmates contraband that he had been bribed to smuggle into ECI.
Each defendant faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for the racketeering conspiracy, and for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute drugs. Two correctional officers and two inmates charged in the indictment covering the West Compound at ECI also face a maximum of 10 years in prison for deprivation of rights under color of law for allegedly participating in the stabbing of two inmates in separate incidents. Initial appearances for the correctional officers and facilitators arrested today are being held in U.S. District Court in Baltimore. The inmates charged in the indictments will have initial appearances at a later date.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
The U.S. Attorney expressed appreciation to Secretary Moyer whose staff initiated the ECI investigation and who has made the full resources of the DPSCS available to assist the three-year investigation. The state/federal coordination was on display on October 5, 2016 when the execution of dozens of federal search warrants coincided with the simultaneous searches of cells of the more than 30 inmate defendants, some of whom are no longer at ECI.
U.S. Attorney Rosenstein also recognized the efforts of the Maryland Prison Task Force which has brought together federal, state and local agencies in meetings to generate reforms in prison procedures and facilitate joint investigations of prison corruption and prison gangs. Mr. Rosenstein thanked the members of the Maryland Prison Task Force and the and other agencies who assisted in this investigation and prosecution, including: United States Marshal Johnny Hughes; Special Agent in Charge Karl C. Colder of the Drug Enforcement Administration - Washington Field Division; Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh; Tom Carr, Director of the Washington-Baltimore High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area; Somerset County Sheriff Ronald Howard; Queen Anne’s County Sheriff Gary Hofmann; Wicomico County Sheriff Michael A. Lewis; Worcester County Sheriff Reggie T. Mason, Sr.; Salisbury Police Chief Barbara Duncan; Commissioner Kevin Davis of the Baltimore Police Department; Chief J. Thomas Manger of the Montgomery County Police Department; Somerset County State’s Attorney Dan Powell; Wicomico County State’s Attorney Matthew Maciarello; Worcester County State’s Attorney Beau Oglesby; Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby; Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney Wes Adams; and the Wicomico, Somerset, Queen Anne’s and Worcester County Narcotics Task Forces.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, the Baltimore Police Department and Maryland State Police for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leo J. Wise, Robert R. Harding, and Daniel C. Gardner, who are prosecuting this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.
West Compound Indictment
Correctional Officers:
Aaron Bohl, age 34, of Parksley, Virginia;
Rozlyn Bratten, age 31, of Snow Hill, Maryland;
Rachelle Hankerson, age 26, of Salisbury, Maryland;
David Hearn, age 54, of Eden, Maryland;
Xavier Holden, age 27, of Salisbury;
Jesse James Jones, age 27, of Delmar, Maryland;
Thomas Leimbach, age 32, of Pocomoke City, Maryland;
Kimberly Rayfield, age 37, of Crisfield, Maryland; and
Stephen Wise, age 34, of Pocomoke, Maryland.Inmates:
Mohammed Akram, age 34;
Aaron Bell, age 34;
Shawn Benbow, age 33;
David Bond, age 30;
Joseph Branch, age 35;
Robert Costen, age 35;
Michael Counts, age 37;
Travis Gie, age 24;
Jamar Hutt, age 27;
Samuel Johnson, age 36;
Troy Johnson, age 37;
Demario King, age 37;
Mark Lance, age 36;
Michael Page, age 35;
Ternell Lucas, age 42;
Shawn Sullivan, age 41;
Kevin Stanley, age 36.Facilitators:
Reggie Fosque, age 26, of Princess Anne, Maryland;
Cammay Gray, age 31, of Los Angeles, California;
Chastity Harmon, age 40, of Princess Anne;
Leondrus Higgins, age 29, of Salisbury, Maryland;
Deonya Johnson, age 34, of Baltimore;
Terrell King, age 23, of Chestertown, Maryland;
Markayla Reynolds, age 23, of Salisbury;
Chavia Savage, age 23, of Salisbury and Baltimore;
Ronald Stewart, age 33, of Baltimore;
Tyeacha Thomas Counts, age 34, of Columbia, Maryland;
Kevin Thompson, age 37, of Baltimore;
Trina Williams Johnson, age 44, of Baltimore; and
Angel Whittington, age 35, of Salisbury.East Compound Indictment
Correctional Officers:
Sherima Bell, age 37, of Pocomoke, Maryland;
Erin Burfield, age 32, of Salisbury, Maryland;
Jocelyn Byrd, age 39, of Salisbury;
Erica Cook, age 32, of Snow Hill, Maryland;
Travis Dennis, age 27, of Pittsville, Maryland;
Aaron Ennis, age 35, of Hebron, Maryland;
Dnte Harris, age 26, of Kennisburg, Colorado;
Jessica Vennie, age 27, of Crowley, Texas; and
Robert Waters, age 32, of Salisbury.Inmates:
Michael Andrews, age 27;
Artie Bailey, age 31;
Orlando Bowen, age 25;
Jamar Butler, age 33;
*Ramel Chase, age 34, of Glen Burnie, Maryland;
Alexander Crippen, age 42;
Maurice Fox, age 36;
Stewart Gough, age 38;
Darian Holmes, age 38;
Marty Imes, age 35;
Reginald Johnson, age 37;
Zachary Martin, age 36;
Devon Matos, age 33;
Vincent Middleton, age 31;
Michael Null, age 31;
Sean Smith, age 25;
Darrell Timms, age 32; and
Alvin Williams, age 35.Facilitators:
Keisha Barksdale, age 30, of Baltimore, Maryland;
Eugene Bowen, age 51, of Salisbury, Maryland;
Nicole Carpenter, age 29, of Denton, Maryland;
Katrina Crippen, age 38, of Ft. Washington, Maryland;
Darren Dale, age 29, of Salisbury, Maryland;
Antoine Gray, age 44, of Ft. Washington, Maryland;
Elvia Hall, age 46, of Baltimore, Maryland;
Marcus Lisbon, age 37, of Brooklyn, Maryland;
Miguel Matos, age 46, of Ft. Washington, Maryland;
Samantha Oliver, age 28, of Baltimore, Maryland;
**Apryl Robinson, age 32, of Baltimore, Maryland;
Rahman Shabazz, age 50, of New York, New York;
Rose Thomas, age 56, of Brooklyn, Maryland; and
Dameshia Vennie, age 34, of West Palm Beach, Florida.* recently released
**a former correctional officer who served with DPSCS from 2004 to 2007Silver Spring Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Federal Prison for Throwing Molotov Cocktails at Residence in Upper MarlboroRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge George J. Hazel sentenced Damien Travis Boddy, age 35, of Silver Spring, Maryland, late on October 3, 2016, to 12 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for possession of an unregistered firearm and to transportation of explosive material with the intent to injure, kill or intimidate.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Daniel L. Board Jr. of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Baltimore Field Division; Chief Hank Stawinski of the Prince George’s County Police Department; and Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Chief Marc S. Bashoor.
“Our public safety team effort was critical to the closure and conviction in this case. Our residents can rest safer today with the sentence handed down by Judge Hazel,” said Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Chief Marc S. Bashoor.
According to his plea agreement, in the early morning hours of October 19, 2014, Boddy drove to a gas station in Upper Marlboro, Maryland and filled several empty beer bottles with gasoline. Boddy placed the bottles in his car and drove to a residence in Upper Marlboro. Using protective gloves and a lighter, Boddy set fire to at least two of the bottles filled with gasoline and threw the lit bottles at the residence. The lit bottles, which qualify as explosives, struck a window on the first floor and ignited a small fire on the exterior of the residence. Luckily, the bottles did not penetrate to the interior of the residence and the fire was confined to the exterior of the window and shrubbery. Members of the Prince George’s County Fire Department responded and extinguished the fire. Fire investigators subsequently recovered the remnants of one of the gas filled beer bottles near the residence, gas residue on the window, and an intact gas-filled beer bottle on the sidewalk adjacent to the residence.
Members of the Prince George’s County Police Department encountered Boddy in his vehicle a short distance from the residence. Officers discovered a beer bottle filled with gasoline in the vehicle’s cup holder, a lighter, protective gloves and paperwork from the gas station where Boddy filled the beer bottles.
Boddy knew the owner of the residence and in previous years had set fire to a car parked at the victim’s residence, and had contacted the victim’s employer and threatened to kill the victim.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the ATF, Prince George’s County Police Department and Prince George’s County Fire/EMS for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael T. Packard, Erin B. Pulice, and Daniel C. Gardner, who prosecuted the case.
Leader of the Simple City Criminal Organization Pleads Guilty to a Racketeering Conspiracy and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – Jeff Crews, a/k/a “Fro,” age 25, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty today to conspiring to participate in a racketeering conspiracy and to aggravated identity theft, in connection with his activities as the leader of the Simple City Criminal Organization (SCCO), a racketeering enterprise engaged in fraud and related activity, including vehicle theft, interstate transportation of stolen property, and aggravated identity theft.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Chief Hank Stawinski of the Prince George’s County Police Department; and Chief J. Thomas Manger of the Montgomery County Police Department.
According to his plea agreement, the SCCO is a criminal organization based in the southeast quadrant of Washington, D.C. in a neighborhood known as “Simple City.” From at least 2009 to July 2015, Crews and his conspirators, including Sylvia Price and Stefon Janey, met on a regular basis, and planned criminal activity, including vehicle theft, the interstate transportation of stolen property, identity theft and credit/debit card fraud. The SCCO received money and income from those criminal activities.
According to his plea agreement, Crews and other SCCO members would steal vehicles in Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties, Maryland, as well as in Washington, D.C. Crews and SCCO members sometimes used the stolen vehicle in a short crime spree during which they committed a string of auto thefts; thefts from autos; and commercial burglaries targeting ATM machines. Once the SCCO had used a stolen vehicle to commit one or more crime sprees, the SCCO would then transport the stolen vehicle across state lines for resale.
Crews and other SCCO members would provide any personal identification information and access devices stolen during the crime spree to another group within the SCCO, which was led by Sylvia Price. Sylvia Price and those under her direction would conduct fraudulent transactions with the stolen identification documents and access devices, in Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia. Price would provide a portion of the fraud proceeds to Crews, for disbursement to the SCCO members who participated in the thefts.
For example, on April 18, 2015, Crews, Janey, and another co-conspirator robbed a BP Gas Station in Beltsville, Maryland. While Crews acted as the getaway driver, Janey and another co-conspirator used a crowbar to forcibly enter the vestibule area, where an employee was working. Janey and the co-conspirator threatened the employee and stole the employee’s cell phone and cash from a cash register. In addition, Janey and the co-conspirator forcibly opened an ATM in the gas station, causing damage to the ATM, and took cash from the ATM. They fled the gas station in a gray Acura MDX that had previously been stolen in Prince George’s County, on March 31, 2015.
At least $550,000, but not more than $1,500,000, was reasonably foreseeable to Crews based on his involvement in the activities of the SCCO.
As part of his plea agreement, Crews will be required to forfeit and pay restitution of at least $1,250,000.
Crews and the government have agreed that if the Court accepts the plea agreement Crews will be sentenced to between 96 and 120 months in prison for the RICO conspiracy, and a mandatory two years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence for aggravated identity theft. U.S. District Judge George J. Hazel has scheduled sentencing for January 31, 2017, at 9:30 a.m.
Seven other defendants have pleaded guilty to their participation in the racketeering conspiracy, including Sylvia Price, a/k/a “Deez Nuts,” age 50, of Suitland, Maryland, and Stefon Janey, a/k/a “Stef,” and “Stef Luva,” age 23, of Marlow Heights, Maryland. U.S. District Judge Hazel has scheduled sentencing for Sylvia Price on November 21, 2016, at 2:30 p.m. Judge Hazel previously sentenced Janey to 27 months in federal prison.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the FBI, Prince George’s County Police Department, Montgomery County Police Department and the members of the Washington Area Vehicle Enforcement Unit for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Thomas M. Sullivan, Nicolas A. Mitchell, and Sujit Raman, who are prosecuting the case.
Baltimore Man Sentenced to 27 Years in Federal Prison for Two Murder for Hire SchemesRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Chief U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake sentenced Tavon Slowe, age 24, of Baltimore, Maryland, today to 27 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for charges arising from two murder for hire contracts.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Commissioner Kevin Davis of the Baltimore Police Department; and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn J. Mosby.
According to his plea agreement, in March of 2012, a fight occurred near West Patterson Park Avenue and Chase Street. One of the participants was Gregory Parker. A few days later, an individual was given a “contract” to kill Gregory Parker. The individual arranged with Slowe to kill Gregory Parker for $5,000.
On March 16, 2012, the individual called Slowe on a cell phone and at approximately 2:30 p.m., Slowe drove his silver Honda Accord to meet the individual. Davon Sanford was seated in the front passenger seat. The individual told Slowe where Parker could be found and described Parker as wearing a blue floppy hat. Less than 90 minutes later, Gregory Parker was shot multiple times by Davon Sanford with a 9mm semi-automatic pistol in the 2300 block of East Chase Street in Baltimore City. Fourteen shell casings were found at the scene. Parker was wearing a blue floppy hat when he was shot and killed. Video surveillance depicts the shooter running from the murder scene and getting into a car driven by Slowe.
In March 2013, at the direction of the FBI, the individual called Slowe from a jail phone and told Slowe that he had been sentenced to a lengthy incarceration period after being set up by a person he had known since he was four years old. Slowe agreed to commit a murder for money. Slowe requested two guns to commit the murder. The individual told Slowe that another person would meet with Slowe to provide the money and guns.
On April 26, 2013, at the FBI’s direction, an undercover officer met with Slowe, and Slowe agreed to meet her again at a later date to receive the handguns and money. Slowe was upset that he was not getting the handguns that day and would only be paid $3,000 up front, arguing that it is usually $5,000.
On April 29th, the individual spoke with Slowe and worked out details concerning the murder for hire. Slowe stated that if the intended victim was not alone, Slowe would kill the other person as well. Slowe also expressed concerns over the undercover officer because he did not know her.
On April 30, an arrest operation was planned in which the undercover officer was going to meet with Slowe and provide him the guns that he requested for the murder-for-hire. Slowe did not show up for this meeting.
On August 8, 2013 Baltimore Police arrested Slowe on drug and gun charges, and Slowe was detained.
On February 4, 2014, at the direction of the FBI, the individual called Slowe’s half-brother to hire him for the same murder. The individual had previously used the brother, in addition to Slowe, for murder-for-hire contracts in Baltimore. The brother accepted this contract from the individual. Later that same day, the brother received a recorded jail call from Slowe in which the brother explained that he received a call from the individual and that he was going to meet the individual’s girl that day. Slowe cautioned his brother about the possibility of the “girl” being a police officer or “one of them.” Additionally, Slowe admitted to taking the contract to kill, but that he did not show up on April 30, 2013 because he believed the “girl” was a police officer.
On September 23, 2016, Chief Judge Blake sentenced co-defendant Davon Sanford, a/k/a “Chronic,” age 33, of Baltimore, to 30 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, after Sanford pleaded guilty to discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, resulting in death.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the FBI, Baltimore Police Department, Safe Streets Task Force and Baltimore State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys James G. Warwick and Joshua T. Ferrentino, who prosecuted the case.
Maryland Man Charged with Attempting to Provide Material Support to Isil for Plan to Kill U.S. Military MemberRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – Nelash Mohamed Das, age 24, a citizen of Bangladesh residing in Landover Hills, Maryland, has been charged by federal criminal complaint with attempting to provide material support and resources to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), a foreign terrorist organization, in connection with a plan to attack a U.S. military member. Das had an initial appearance at 2:00 p.m. today in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Sullivan. Das was ordered to be detained pending a detention hearing, which is scheduled for Thursday, October 6, 2016, at 3:15 p.m. before Magistrate Judge Sullivan in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt. The complaint was filed on October 1, 2016.
The charges were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; and Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office.
“Our goal is to catch dangerous suspects before they strike, while respecting constitutional rights,” said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein. “That is what the American people expect of the Justice Department, and that is what we aim to deliver.”
“The danger posed by Mr. Das during this investigation was very real. He was committed to carrying out an attack against a military member,” said Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the FBI’s Baltimore Division. “Through our proactive investigative stance, we were able to ensure the citizens of Maryland were protected. The covert nature of the defendant’s alleged actions is a stark reminder of the challenges we face in preventing attacks, and underscores the critical need for those with knowledge about terror plots to come forward.”
According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, Das was admitted to the United States in 1995 and is a legal permanent resident.
The affidavit alleges that from September 28, 2015 to early 2016, Das used social media to express his support for ISIL, including support for terrorist attacks in Paris, France, and San Bernardino, California.
On October 26, 2015, Das tweeted the name of an individual and the city where they lived, stating that the individual “aspires to kill Muslims.” Das knew that the individual hoped to become a member of the U.S. military. ISIL members and supporters have posted identifying information about United States military personnel in hopes that those inspired by ISIL would carry out attacks against them. The affidavit alleges that Das was advertising the individual’s identity and whereabouts in order to inspire violence against that individual.
On January 30, 2016, Das tweeted a picture of an AK-47 assault rifle along with the text, “This is more than just a gun. This is a ticket to Jannah.” “Jannah” is a reference to the Islamic concept of paradise.
According to the affidavit, on April 30, 2016, Das attended the Handgun Qualification License class at a firing range in Prince George’s County, Maryland. After the class, Das told another individual that he wanted to buy a Glock 9mm handgun and an AK-47. Over the next five months, Das returned to the firing range to practice firing weapons, and submitted his fingerprints to obtain a handgun permit.
During May 2016, DAS met a confidential source working for the FBI. Das believed the source to be a like-minded supporter of ISIL. On May 24, 2016, Das told the source that he knew people overseas in Al Dawla (a common name for ISIL), and communicated with the Al Dawla members through online communications.
On July 23, 2016, Das told the source that he wanted to kill a particular military member who lived in Prince George’s County, Maryland, and whose identifying information Das had obtained the prior year from a list posted online by ISIL. Das stated that he could acquire a firearm from an individual he knows and stated his desire to travel overseas for ISIL if he had the opportunity. On July 30, 2016, Das advised the source that he could no longer find the ISIL list from the year before and asked the source if he had any ISIL contacts who could re-send the list.
According to the affidavit, on August 19, 2016, even though Das had stated that he could acquire a firearm, the confidential source told Das that he could acquire weapons for both of them. In subsequent meetings with the confidential source, Das continued to state that he was looking for names of targets for them to kill. In a meeting on September 11, 2016, Das confirmed that he was committed “100%” to conducting an attack and, “That’s like my goal in life.” In a meeting the following day Das stated that he wanted to get paid by ISIL for future killings, but would do it for free as well. Das further confirmed that he specifically wanted to target United States military personnel.
On September 28, 2016, Das and the source drove from Maryland to a firearms store in Virginia, where Das purchased one box (50 rounds) of 9mm ammunition and one box (50 rounds) of .40 caliber ammunition. At Das’ request, that same day, the confidential source provided Das with the identifying information of a target, who the source claimed was a member of the U.S. military. The confidential source told Das he received the information from an ISIL contact in Iraq. In reality, the source provided false information on behalf of the FBI. Based on discussions with the source, Das also believed that the ISIL contact in Iraq would facilitate the payment of approximately $80,000 in exchange for Das and the source conducting the attack. After purchasing the ammunition, Das and the source traveled from the Virginia firearms store to the Maryland address of the target in order to conduct surveillance.
The affidavit alleges that on September 30, 2016, while the confidential source was en route to pick up Das so they could conduct the attack, Das sent a text to the source that stated, “I’m ready.” When the confidential source arrived at the residence, Das loaded ammunition into the magazine of one of the two firearms previously acquired by the confidential source, with DAS’s knowledge and support. Das inserted the magazine into the firearm and loaded a bullet in the chamber. The firearms were then placed into the trunk of the vehicle. Although Das believed that the firearms could fire ammunition; in reality, they had been rendered inert by the FBI. Das and the source then traveled to the address of the target, where Das exited the vehicle and approached the trunk, where the firearms were located. When Das was standing next to the trunk, FBI agents approached and Das ran away. Das was taken into custody by FBI agents a short distance away from the vehicle.
Das faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
A criminal complaint is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by criminal complaint is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force for its work in the investigation Mr. Rosenstein thanked his office’s national security prosecutors that are handling the matter, and recognized the Justice Department’s National Security Division, Counterterrorism Section, for its support.
Maryland Man Charged with Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIL for Plan to Kill U.S. Military MemberRead the Press Release
Nelash Mohamed Das, 24, a citizen of Bangladesh residing in Hyattsville, Maryland, has been charged by federal criminal complaint with attempting to provide material support and resources to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), a designated foreign terrorist organization, in connection with a plan to kill a U.S. military member.
The charges were announced by Assistant Attorney General for National Security John P. Carlin, U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein for the District of Maryland and Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office. Das had an initial appearance at 2:00 p.m. today in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Sullivan. Das was ordered to be detained pending a detention hearing, which is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016, at 3:15p.m. before Magistrate Judge Sullivan in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt. The complaint was filed on Oct. 1, 2016.
“Nelash Mohamed Das is alleged to have plotted to kill a U.S. service member on behalf of ISIL,” said Assistant Attorney General Carlin. “Individuals intent on carrying out violence in the name of foreign terrorist organizations pose one of the most concerning threats that law enforcement faces today and stopping these offenders before they are able to act is our highest priority.”
“Our goal is to catch dangerous suspects before they strike, while respecting constitutional rights,” said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein for the District of Maryland. “That is what the American people expect of the Justice Department, and that is what we aim to deliver.”
“The danger posed by Mr. Das during this investigation was very real. He was committed to carrying out an attack against a military member,” said Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the FBI’s Baltimore Division. “Through our proactive investigative stance, we were able to ensure the citizens of Maryland were protected. The covert nature of the defendant’s alleged actions is a stark reminder of the challenges we face in preventing attacks, and underscores the critical need for those with knowledge about terror plots to come forward.”
According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, Das was admitted to the U.S. in 1995 and is a legal permanent resident.
The affidavit alleges that from Sept. 28, 2015 to early 2016, Das used social media to express his support for ISIL, including support for terrorist attacks in Paris, France, and San Bernardino, California.
On Oct. 26, 2015, Das tweeted the name of an individual and the city where they lived, stating that the individual “aspires to kill Muslims.” Das knew that the individual hoped to become a member of the U.S. military. ISIL members and supporters have posted identifying information about U.S. military personnel in hopes that those inspired by ISIL would carry out attacks against them. The affidavit alleges that Das was advertising the individual’s identity and whereabouts in order to inspire violence against that individual.
On Jan. 30, 2016, Das tweeted a picture of an AK-47 assault rifle along with the text, “This is more than just a gun. This is a ticket to Jannah.” “Jannah” is a reference to the Islamic concept of paradise.
According to the affidavit, on April 30, 2016, Das attended the Handgun Qualification License class at a firing range in Prince George’s County, Maryland. After the class, Das told another individual that he wanted to buy a Glock 9mm handgun and an AK-47. Over the next five months, Das returned to the firing range to practice firing weapons, and submitted his fingerprints to obtain a handgun permit.
During May 2016, Das met a confidential human source (CHS) working for the FBI. Das believed the CHS to be a like-minded supporter of ISIL. On May 24, 2016, Das told the CHS that he knew people overseas in Al Dawla (a common name for ISIL) and communicated with them through online communications.
On July 23, 2016, Das told the CHS that he wanted to kill a particular military member who lived in Prince George’s County, Maryland, and whose identifying information Das had obtained the prior year from a list posted online by ISIL. Das stated that he could acquire a firearm from an individual he knows and stated his desire to travel overseas for ISIL if he had the opportunity. On July 30, 2016, Das advised the CHS that he could no longer find the ISIL list from the year before and asked the CHS if he had any ISIL contacts who could re-send the list.
According to the affidavit, on Aug. 19, 2016, even though Das had stated that he could acquire a firearm, the CHS told Das that he could acquire weapons for both of them. In subsequent meetings with the CHS, Das continued to state that he was looking for names of targets for them to kill. In a meeting on Sept. 11, 2016, Das confirmed that he was committed “100%” to conducting an attack and, “That’s like my goal in life.” In a meeting the following day, Das stated that he wanted to get paid by ISIL for future killings, but would do it for free as well. Das further confirmed that he specifically wanted to target U.S. military personnel.
On Sept. 28, 2016, Das and the CHS drove from Maryland to a firearms store in Virginia, where Das purchased one box (50 rounds) of 9mm ammunition and one box (50 rounds) of .40 caliber ammunition. At Das’ request, that same day, the CHS provided Das with the identifying information of a target, who the CHS claimed was a member of the U.S. military. The CHS told Das he received the information from an ISIL contact in Iraq. In reality, the CHS provided false information on behalf of the FBI. Based on discussions with the CHS, Das also believed that the ISIL contact in Iraq would facilitate the payment of approximately $80,000 in exchange for Das and the CHS conducting the attack. After purchasing the ammunition, Das and the CHS traveled from the Virginia firearms store to the Maryland address of the target in order to conduct surveillance.
The affidavit alleges that on Sept. 30, 2016, while the CHS was en route to pick up Das so they could conduct the attack, Das sent a text to the CHS that stated, “I’m ready.” When the CHS arrived at the residence, Das loaded ammunition into the magazine of one of the two firearms previously acquired by the CHS, with Das’ knowledge and support. Das inserted the magazine into the firearm and loaded a bullet in the chamber. The firearms were then placed into the trunk of the vehicle. Although Das believed that the firearms could fire ammunition, in reality, they had been rendered inert by the FBI. Das and the CHS then traveled to the address of the target, where Das exited the vehicle and approached the trunk, where the firearms were located. When Das was standing next to the trunk, FBI agents approached and Das attempted to run away. Das was taken into custody by FBI agents a short distance from the vehicle.
Das faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes. If convicted of any offense, the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Rosenstein and Assistant Attorney General Carlin thanked the FBI for its work in the investigation.
Two Maryland MS-13 Members Convicted in Racketeering Conspiracy Including MurderRead the Press Release
A federal jury today convicted two Hyattsville, Maryland, men on charges related to the racketeering enterprise activity of a gang known as La Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13.
Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein of the District of Maryland; Special Agent in Charge Andre R. Watson of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore Field Office; Chief Hank Stawinski of the Prince George’s County, Maryland, Police Department; Chief J. Thomas Manger of the Montgomery County, Maryland, Police Department; Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Angela D. Alsobrooks; and Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy.
Eric Antonio Mejia-Ramos, aka Flaco, 22, and Miguel Angel Manjivar, aka Masflow and Garra, 25, were both found guilty of conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise by a federal jury sitting in U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. In addition, Manjivar was found guilty of murder in aid of racketeering. U.S. District Judge Roger W. Titus of the District of Maryland scheduled sentencing for Mejia Ramos on Jan. 5, 2017, and Manjivar on Jan. 23, 2017.
MS-13 is a national and transnational gang composed primarily of immigrants or descendants from El Salvador. Branches or “cliques” of MS-13, one of the largest street gangs in the United States, operate throughout Prince George’s County and Montgomery County. MS-13 members are required to commit acts of violence to maintain membership and discipline within the gang. One of the principal rules of MS-13 is that its members must attack and kill rivals, known as “chavalas,” whenever possible.
According to evidence presented at trial, from at least 2009 through October 2014, MS-13 members planned and committed numerous crimes, including murders, attempted murders, kidnappings, assaults, robberies and witness tampering and retaliation in Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties. Gang members also extorted brothel operators and owners of other illegal businesses and tampered with and retaliated against witnesses, among other crimes. Mejia-Ramos was a member of the MS-13 Parkview Locotes Salvatrucha Clique and Manjivar was a member of the MS-13 Peajes Locotes Salvatrucha Clique.
Trial evidence showed that on Sept. 16, 2010, Manjivar shot and killed an individual he believed to be a rival gang member on the footbridge of a park in Hyattsville. On Jan. 10, 2011, Manjivar and other MS-13 members murdered a person they believed was a rival gang member and attempted to murder another purported rival gang member in a parking lot in Hyattsville. Manjivar and others repeatedly punched, kicked and stabbed the victims, one of whom survived the attack.
In addition, trial evidence demonstrated that on Jan. 13, 2011, Manjivar attended a Peajes Clique meeting, where he criticized other MS-13 members for not committing enough violent crimes. Manjivar then left in a mini-van driven by a co-defendant with other Peajes members as passengers, and as a group, they attacked a person they believed to be an associate of a rival gang and dragged him back into the vehicle. Manjivar and others continued to assault him, at times attempting to use a seat belt to strangle the victim, as well as kicked, stabbed and choked him. Trial evidence demonstrated that they forcefully stripped the victim of his heavy winter clothing in order to stab him, and then dragged him into the woods, where they left him for dead and fled. The victim survived the attack.
According to evidence presented at trial, on the night of Aug. 28, 2012, Mejia-Ramos lured a woman he believed to be a rival gang member to a park in Beltsville, Maryland, telling her they were going to party. He then shot the woman to death.
In addition to these convictions, eight of the 13 defendants charged in this investigation have pleaded guilty to their roles in the racketeering conspiracy and two have been convicted.
HSI Baltimore, Prince George’s County Police Department, Montgomery County Police Department, Prince George’s State’s Attorney’s Office and Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office investigated the case. Trial Attorney Catherine K. Dick of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section (OCGS) and Assistant U.S. Attorneys William D. Moomau and Lindsay Eyler Kaplan of the District of Maryland are prosecuting the case. Former OCGS Trial Attorney Kevin Rosenberg assisted in the prosecution of this case.
Two Maryland MS-13 Members Convicted in Federal Racketeering Conspiracy Including MurderRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal jury today convicted Eric Antonio Mejia-Ramos, aka “Flaco,” age 22, and Miguel Angel Manjivar, aka “Masflow or “Garra,” age 25, both of Hyattsville, of conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise in connection with their gang activities as members of La Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13. Manjivar was also found guilty of murder in aid of racketeering.
The convictions were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Special Agent in Charge Andre R. Watson of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Chief Hank Stawinski of the Prince George’s County Police Department; Chief J. Thomas Manger of the Montgomery County Police Department; Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Angela D. Alsobrooks; and Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy.
MS-13 is a national and transnational gang composed primarily of immigrants or descendants from El Salvador. Branches or “cliques” of MS-13, one of the largest street gangs in the United States, operate throughout Prince George’s County and Montgomery County, Maryland. MS-13 members are required to commit acts of violence to maintain membership and discipline within the gang. One of the principal rules of MS-13 is that its members must attack and kill rivals, known as “chavalas,” whenever possible.
According to evidence presented at the three-week trial, from at least 2009 through October 2014, MS-13 members planned and committed numerous crimes, including murders, attempted murders, kidnappings, assaults, robberies, and witness tampering and retaliation in Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties. Gang members also extorted brothel operators and owners of other illegal businesses and tampered with and retaliated against witnesses, among other crimes. Mejia-Ramos was a member of the MS-13 Parkview Locotes Salvatrucha clique and Manjivar was a member of the MS-13 Peajes Locotes Salvatrucha clique.
Trial evidence showed that on September 16, 2010, Manjivar shot and killed an individual he believed to be a rival gang member on the footbridge of a park in Hyattsville. On January 10, 2011, Manjivar and other MS-13 members murdered a person they believed was a rival gang member, and attempted to murder another purported rival gang member, in the parking lot of the former Shoppers Food Warehouse on University Boulevard in Hyattsville. Manjivar and others repeatedly punched, kicked, and stabbed the victims, one of whom survived the attack.
In addition, trial evidence demonstrated that on January 13, 2011, after attending a Peajes clique meeting at which he criticized other MS-13 members for not committing enough violent crimes, Manjivar and other MS-13 Peajes members got into a mini-van driven by a co-defendant. Near the Fort Totten Metro Station, they saw a person they believed was an associate of a rival gang. Manjivar and other MS-13 members attacked the victim and dragged him back into the mini-van. Manjivar and others continued to assault him, at times attempting to use a seat belt to strangle the victim. They eventually parked near a dead end in the vicinity of Chillum Manor Road. Manjivar and others kicked, stabbed and choked the victim. They forcefully stripped the victim of all of his heavy winter clothing in order to stab him. After assaulting the victim near the mini-van, they dragged the victim into the woods, where they left him for dead, and fled. The victim survived the attack.
According to evidence presented at trial, on the night of August 28, 2012, Mejia-Ramos lured a woman he believed to be a rival gang member to a park in Beltsville, telling her they were going to party. At the park, Mejia-Ramos shot the woman to death.
Both defendants face a maximum sentence of life in prison for conspiring to participate in a racketeering enterprise. Manjivar faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison for murder in aid of racketeering. U.S. District Judge Roger W. Titus has scheduled sentencing for Mejia-Ramon on January 5, 2017, and for Manjivar on January 23, 2017. Mejia-Ramos and Manjivar remain detained
In addition to these convictions, eight of the 13 defendants charged in this case have previously pleaded guilty to their roles in the racketeering conspiracy and two have been convicted after trial.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended HSI Baltimore, Prince George’s County and Montgomery County Police Departments, and Prince George’s and Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Offices for their work in the investigation and prosecution. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys William D. Moomau and Lindsay Eyler Kaplan, and Trial Attorney Catherine K. Dick with the Justice Department’s Organized Crime and Gang Section, who are prosecuting the case. Former OCGS Trial Attorney Kevin Rosenberg assisted in the prosecution of this case.
Postal Service Employee Convicted of Fraudulently Receiving over $50,000 in Worker’s Compensation BenefitsRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A federal jury today convicted U.S. Postal Service employee Lori A. Parry, age 44, of Baltimore, today on charges related to her fraudulent receipt of over $50,000 in federal worker’s compensation benefits.
The conviction was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein and Special Agent in Charge Paul L. Bowman of the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General.
According to information presented at her five-day trial, Parry was employed by the U.S. Postal Service from 1989 through July 2013, as a letter carrier and in other positions. On November 12, 1992, Parry, while employed as a letter carrier at the Dundalk Post Office, claimed that she suffered a left knee contusion while delivering mail.
Employees of the USPS who are disabled due to occupational injuries can receive compensation benefits under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA), which is administered by the Department of Labor (DOL) Office of Worker’s Compensation Programs (OWCP). In certain cases, employees can receive up to 75% of their monthly salary.
According to the evidence, in December 2004, Parry applied for FECA benefits due to the 1992 injury. Although Parry received treatment from various physicians, including several arthroscopic surgeries and extensive physical therapy, she reported little or no improvement. Parry returned to limited duty assignments at the Post Office, and worked semi-regularly for much of 2004 through 2007.
On February 8, 2007, Parry had surgery on her knee, and did not return to work. Parry reported that she was unable to work, and requested additional FECA benefits. Witnesses testified that Parry received FECA benefits for the knee injury from February 8, 2007 through June 1, 2013, totaling over $249,000. The evidence showed that multiple times during that period, Parry claimed in documents and oral statements supporting her claim for benefits that she was unable to return to work in any capacity during that time.
According to trial evidence, from at least February 2012 through August 22, 2013, Parry’s medical condition improved so that she was capable of performing work at the USPS. Parry did not report the improvement in her medical condition to the DOL or to the USPS, as required. In addition, witnesses testified that Parry falsely represented her medical condition to her treating physician, and on February 9, 2012, at the end of an appointment with her physician, Parry gave the doctor a $100 bill as she was leaving the office.
According to trial testimony, an investigation determined that from at least September 2012 through April 2013, while receiving FECA benefits, Parry regularly engaged in strenuous yard work and other vigorous activities. Parry was observed and videotaped as she performed these tasks without limitation and not wearing a brace of any kind.
At Parry’s next visit to her physician, she was informed that she was physically able to return to her employment. The same day as that visit, April 22, 2013, Parry returned to full duty as a mail processing clerk without restrictions at the Baltimore Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC).
Witnesses testified that on April 23, 2013, Parry was interviewed by investigators and confirmed she last worked on February 7, 2007 and returned to full duty on April 22, 2013. Parry falsely told investigators that she did not and could not engage in any strenuous activity while she was off work. Parry falsely stated that she just sat on the couch all day watching television, reading, and crocheting, and denied performing any strenuous activities.
Trial evidence showed that from March 2012, through June 1, 2013, Parry fraudulently received FECA benefits totaling more than $50,000.
Parry faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison for false statement and fraud to obtain federal employees’ compensation and for making false statements; and a maximum of 10 years in prison for theft of government property. U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander has scheduled sentencing for January 19, 2017, at 2:00 p.m.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the USPS-OIG for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Budlow, who is prosecuting the case.
Conspirators Sentenced to Federal Prison for Identity Theft SchemeRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar sentenced Shivani Patel, age 30, of Reisterstown, Maryland, to three years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and sentenced co-defendant Eddie Carey, age 32, of Baltimore, and two years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for their roles in a bank fraud scheme which used the PII and credit information of over 200 victims to fraudulently obtain credit. Judge Bredar also entered an order requiring Patel and Carey each to pay restitution of $61,030.78.
The sentences were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Andre R. Watson of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Special Agent in Charge Brian Murphy of the United States Secret Service - Baltimore Field Office; and Chief James Johnson of the Baltimore County Police Department.
According to their plea agreements and court documents, from at least June to December 18, 2013, Patel and her then boyfriend Carey conspired with Tariq Hicks and others to defraud financial institutions by accessing stolen credit card and debit card accounts belonging to real people and using counterfeit cards encoded with the stolen account information to make unauthorized purchases.
Hicks purchased the stolen account information over the internet. Patel and Hicks used a computer and an electronic device to encode the stolen credit and debit card information onto existing credit cards, gift cards, or other similar cards, which were sold or distributed to co-conspirators, such as Carey. The co-conspirators used the cards and provided the bulk of the proceeds to Hicks. Patel often delivered cards to the individuals who were conducting transactions, and recruited workers.
Hicks also purchased or obtained over the internet “credit profiles” containing the identity information of victims, then obtained full credit reports for these victims. Hicks gave this information to Patel, Cary and others, who went into stores where the victims had existing credit accounts, and used the victim’s PII to make purchases on the existing accounts (called “account takeover”). In addition, Hicks used the credit reports to identify stores at which a victim did not have an account, and sent Patel, Carey and others into those stores with the same PII to apply for new credit accounts in the victim’s identity. They then use that “instant credit” to make purchases before the victim learned of the account.
For all of these schemes, Hicks obtained fraudulent drivers’ licenses which bore the information of the victim, but the photograph of a co-conspirator. Patel had many such identifications which bore her photo but the identity information of victims. The co-conspirators could use the counterfeit license and the victims’ PII to establish their identity as the victim. Patel and others instructed those using the cards and information to travel to other states to engage in the fraud. Patel and Carey and other co-conspirators frequently traveled north to Pennsylvania and south as far as Georgia to engage in fraud, as well as the states that lie between Baltimore and Atlanta, including North and South Carolina, West Virginia, and Virginia.
Carey assisted Hicks by conducting wire transfers of money in payment for the stolen credit card numbers and personal profiles. Carey always used a victim identity, provided by Hicks, to wire the money, usually between $2,000 and $3,000, to an individual in the Ukraine. As one of the few men participating in the conspiracy, Carey was often involved in the exploitation of any male victim’s identity and account information. He used the counterfeit cards both to purchase merchandise and to rent cars for use by members of the conspiracy.
On December 18, 2013, a search warrant was executed at Patel, Carey, and Hicks’ residence. A complete set up for the fraud scheme was on the dining table, including a computer with the credit profiles and credit reports, credit cards in various states of manufacture, money gram receipts for payments for the stolen credit card numbers and profiles, lists of personal identity information, dozens of credit cards bearing victims’ names and accounts, as well as dozens of fraudulent identification to match the credit cards, all bearing the information of the victims but the photographs of co-conspirators.
In a basement space shared by Patel and Carey were more lists of victim information and a receipt for a storage locker rented to “Aishwarya Gupta,” a fictitious identity that Patel created as an alter ego and used to obtain a $42,073.22 loan for the purchase of a 2010 BMW 528XI. There was also a small notebook in Patel’s handwriting with the PII of numerous individuals; notations as to money grams which had to be sent to individuals in Kiev and the amounts owed; and other information related to the scheme.
Judge Bredar previously sentenced Tariq Hicks, age 48, of Owings Mills, Maryland, to 65 months in prison, and sentenced co-defendant Ishia Cason, age 36, of Baltimore, to 42 months in prison. Judge Bredar also ordered Hicks to forfeit the credit and identification card counterfeiting equipment seized during the investigation and ordered Hicks and Cason to pay restitution of $61,030.78.
The Maryland Identity Theft Working Group has been working since 2006 to foster cooperation among local, state, federal, and institutional fraud investigators and to promote effective prosecution of identity theft schemes by both state and federal prosecutors. This case, as well as other cases brought by members of the Working Group, demonstrates the commitment of law enforcement agencies to work with financial institutions and businesses to address identity fraud, identify those who compromise personal identity information, and protect citizens from identity theft.
Today’s announcement is part of the efforts undertaken in connection with the President’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force. The task force was established to wage an aggressive, coordinated and proactive effort to investigate and prosecute financial crimes. With more than 20 federal agencies, 94 U.S. attorneys’ offices, and state and local partners, it’s the broadest coalition of law enforcement, investigatory and regulatory agencies ever assembled to combat fraud. Since its formation, the task force has made great strides in facilitating increased investigation and prosecution of financial crimes; enhancing coordination and cooperation among federal, state and local authorities; addressing discrimination in the lending and financial markets; and conducting outreach to the public, victims, financial institutions and other organizations. Since fiscal year 2009, the Justice Department has filed over 18,000 financial fraud cases against more than 25,000 defendants. For more information on the task force, please visit www.StopFraud.gov.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended HSI-Baltimore, the U.S. Secret Service, and Baltimore County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamera L. Fine, who prosecuted the case.
Baltimore Drug Dealer Sentenced to 10 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge J. Frederick Motz sentenced James Webb, Jr. age 42, of Perry Hall, Maryland today to 10 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and heroin.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Don A. Hibbert of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District Office; Commissioner Kevin Davis of the Baltimore Police Department; and Chief James W. Johnson of the Baltimore County Police Department.
According to information presented to the court at Webb’s plea and sentencing hearings, from May through November 2015, Webb distributed cocaine and heroin which he obtained from co-conspirators in Houston, Texas. The co-conspirators made regular trips from Houston to Baltimore, bringing with them kilograms of cocaine and heroin, and then returning to Houston with the cash proceeds of those sales.
As a result of the DEA investigation, which included a court-ordered wiretap on Webb’s cellphone, on November 8, 2015, Webb was arrested and a search warrant was executed at Webb’s stash house in Parkville, Maryland. From that location, investigators recovered a hydraulic press intended for the repackaging of narcotics, packaging material, and other paraphernalia associated with drug distribution. From a storage unit in the basement of this apartment building, investigators seized more than five kilograms of cocaine and more than one kilogram of heroin. The co-conspirators had brought these drugs to Webb from Houston and they had left the stash house to return to Houston just prior to the searches conducted by police.
At today’s hearing, the government argued that during the course of the conspiracy, Webb obtained more than 15 kilograms but less than 50 kilograms of cocaine (including its equivalent in heroin) which was intended for distribution.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the DEA, Baltimore Police Department and Baltimore County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys James G. Warwick and Joshua T. Ferrentino, who prosecuted this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.
New York Man Convicted for Sex Trafficking Conspiracy and Sex Trafficking of a MinorRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A federal jury today convicted Raymond Idemudia Aigbekaen, age 29, of Amityville, New York, for conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, sex trafficking of a minor and other charges related to the trafficking of a 16 year-old female for prostitution in Maryland, Virginia, and New York.
The conviction was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Andre R. Watson of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Special Agent in Charge Kevin Perkins of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey R. Gahler and the Harford County Child Advocacy Center (HCCAC); and Colonel William M. Pallozzi, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police;.
According to information presented at his nine-day trial, from late February through April 12, 2015, Aigbekaen and his co-defendant, Marcell Greene, trafficked a 16 year-old girl for prostitution. On April 12, 2015, the victim called 911 from a motel room in Bel Air, Maryland. Members of the Harford County Child Advocacy Center responded and the victim eventually advised that she had been taken to Virginia and Maryland from New York by two men, one named Marcell and another named “Raymond” who was Nigerian. The victim advised that commercial sex ads of her were posted on a webpage, and that she engaged in commercial sex acts with prostitution dates. Law enforcement was able to identify Aigbekaen as the person who rented the hotel room where victim was staying.
Items, such as tissues and used condoms, were recovered from the trash cans of the hotel room used by Aigbekaen, Greene and the victim on April 11-12, 2015. Some of these items were found to contain DNA evidence, including DNA evidence that matched the co-defendant, Greene. Aigbekaen was determined to be a potential contributor to stains on the victim’s underwear. Hotel records also show that Aigbekaen also rented rooms on March 30, 2015 to April 1, 2015 and from April 2, 2015 to April 4, 2015. Hotel records also showed that Aigbekaen rented rooms at other hotels in Maryland and Fredericksburg, Virginia and Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Law enforcement were able to locate internet prostitution advertisements advertising the victim for prostitution using Aigbekaen’s email accounts. These advertisements were posted in the Long Island, New York, Maryland, and Virginia areas in February and March 2015. At least some of these advertisements listed Aigbekaen’s phone number. Photos of the victim that were used in the ads were also found on Aigbekaen’s computer. Finally, historical cell site records for Aigbekaen’s phones showed him travelling in Maryland and Virginia and puts him in vicinity of Maryland and Virginia hotels that were used when the victim was engaging in commercial sex acts.
As a result of this conviction, upon his release from prison Aigbekaen will be required to register as a sex offender in the place where he resides, where he is an employee, and where he is a student, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).
Aigbekaen faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison. U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar has scheduled sentencing for February 7, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. Aigbekaen remains detained.
Marcell Greene, age 28, of Wyandanch, New York, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and sex trafficking of a minor. Greene also faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison. U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar has scheduled sentencing for Greene on October 14, 2016, at 3:00 p.m. Greene remains detained.
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 Rod J. Rosenstein commended HSI-Baltimore, the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, Harford County Child Advocacy Center, Maryland State Police, FBI, for their work in the investigation and thanked U.S. Customs and Border Protection – New York for its assistance. The HCCAC is a task force comprised of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, Maryland State Police – Bel Air Barrack, Aberdeen, Bel Air, and Havre de Grace Police Departments, Harford County State’s Attorney’s Office, Harford County Department of Social Services – Child Protective Services, and Family and Children’s Services of Central Maryland, which investigates allegations of child maltreatment while also providing services and resources for the abused child and his/her family. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ayn B. Ducao and Matthew J. Maddox, who are prosecuting the case.
Federal Racketeering Indictment of 24 Alleged Members of Baltimore “Murdaland Mafia Piru” Bloods GangRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland - A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging 24 defendants with a racketeering conspiracy involving their participation in the gang activities of Murdaland Mafia Piru (MMP), which allegedly operated in Northwest Baltimore and Baltimore County. MMP members allegedly engaged in criminal activities in furtherance of the gang, including narcotics trafficking, murder, attempted murder, assault, extortion, obstruction of justice, witness intimidation and retaliation, and money laundering.
The superseding indictment was returned on September 22, 2016 and unsealed today upon the arrest of the defendants. Led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), over 150 law enforcement officers participated in today’s operation, arresting seven defendants from this indictment. Agents executed 12 search warrants and seized five firearms, a taser and a small quantity of heroin and marijuana. A total of 17 defendants are in custody. ATF is still searching for seven of the defendants. Anyone having information can call the ATF 24/7 hotline at 1-888-ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477) or send an email to [email protected] . You can also send a text anonymously via the “ReportIt” mobile app (www.reportit.com) using the ATF Baltimore Field Division as the location.
The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Daniel L. Board, Jr. of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Baltimore Field Division; Commissioner Kevin Davis of the Baltimore Police Department; Chief James W. Johnson of the Baltimore County Police Department; Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn J. Mosby; and Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger.
“Most shootings in Baltimore are committed by drug dealers, and conspiracy cases get their attention,” said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein. “We can reduce violence by prosecuting members of gangs that foment violence.”
According to the indictment, MMP, also known as the “Mob” or “Mobsters,” is a violent subset of the Bloods gang that operates on the streets and in correctional facilities in Maryland and elsewhere. For many years, MMP has controlled the drug trade in large swaths of Northwest Baltimore City and neighboring Baltimore County, including Forest Park, Windsor Mill, Gwynn Oak, Howard Park, Woodlawn, and Walbrook Junction.
MMP is descended from the Tree Top Piru (TTP) subset of the Bloods gang. MMP gang paperwork, states that the 2008 federal indictment of the TTP Bloods gang “destroyed” TTP. Several former TTP members took advantage of the power vacuum created by the federal indictment and formed MMP in TTP’s stead. Although MMP adopted some of the same practices as TTP, it developed its own unique ideology—in particular, an association with the terminology and symbols of the Italian Mafia, and a preoccupation with money and murder.
According to the indictment, MMP is organized hierarchically, with Dante Bailey, known as “the Don,” at the top and various subordinates underneath. There are also MMP units corresponding to different geographic regions or prisons, each consisting of a “Boss,” an “Underboss,” and various “Capos,” “Lts,” and “soldiers.” MMP members are required to follow certain rules of conduct. Members who violate these rules are subject to disciplinary measures or “sanctions,” ranging from fines or work assignments for minor violations, to physical beatings or stabbings for more serious violations, to murder for the most serious violations. MMP members enhance their status within the gang by carrying out acts of violence against rivals; for instance, members can earn a “lightning bolt” tattoo for “killing for the Mob.” Prospective members of MMP were required to successfully complete an initiation process and recite an oath of loyalty called the “Omerta Code.” MMP members were required to pay dues to the gang consisting of a portion of the proceeds of their criminal activities, and they were subject to reprisal for failing to do so. MMP members and associates use gang-related terminology, symbols, and tattoos. They frequently identify with the letter “M,” which is the first letter of “Murdaland,” “Mafia,” and “Mob”; with the color red, which is the color of the Bloods gang; and with the number “5200,” which is a reference to the 5200 block of Windsor Mill Road. MMP members could “earn” gang tattoos, including an “M” for taking the MMP oath, a lightning bolt for committing murder in furtherance of the gang, and a pink rose for the wife of an MMP member.
The indictment alleges that members and associates of MMP operated street-level drug distribution “shops” in various locations in Baltimore City and distributed heroin, cocaine, and crack cocaine, among other controlled substances. Non-members who wished to sell drugs in MMP’s territories were forced to pay a “tax” or were targeted for violence by MMP members. MMP’s primary drug shops were located in the 5200 block of Windsor Mill Road (which MMP considered to be its headquarters), and at the intersection of Gwynn Oak Avenue and Liberty Heights Avenue. The drug shop in the 5200 block of Windsor Mill Road was particularly lucrative due to its close proximity to Interstate 70, which made it easily accessible to drug customers driving from western Maryland and neighboring states. It was not unusual for MMP members and associates to sell over a kilogram of drugs per week at this location, which could translate to over $100,000 in drug revenue per week.
According to the indictment, MMP members and associates purchased, maintained, and circulated weapons and firearms for use in criminal activity by MMP members. They frequently obtained firearms from drug customers in exchange for drugs. MMP members and associates used violence, threats of violence, and intimidation to prevent victims and witnesses from cooperating with law enforcement against members of MMP about criminal acts committed by MMP.
The indictment alleges that MMP members and associates concealed the illegal source of funds by purchasing automobiles and other valuable property through nominees. MMP members and associates also gambled drug proceeds at casinos in and around Maryland, or simply funneled drug proceeds through casinos to launder the money by making it appear as though they had won the money gambling.
Further, the indictment alleges that MMP members and associates attempted to assume control over legitimate businesses that operated in MMP’s drug territories, including a gas station in the 5200 block of Windsor Mill Road. MMP members and associates frequently stashed drugs and firearms on the premises of the gas station and made drug sales at the gas pumps or within the store itself. MMP allegedly used social media websites to assert its claim to particular drug territories, intimidate rival gangs and drug traffickers, enhance MMP’s status, and enhance individual members’ status within the gang. MMP members and associates posted photographs and rap videos to these social media websites in which they flaunted firearms and threatened to kill those who stood in the way of the gang.
The indictment charges the following defendants in the racketeering conspiracy:
Dante Bailey, a/k/a “Gutta,” “Almighty,” and “Wolf,” age 37, of Windsor Mill, Maryland;
Dontray Johnson, a/k/a “Gambino,” “Bino,” and “Tray,” age 31, of Windsor Mill;
Adrian Jamal Spence, a/k/a “Spittle,” “SP,” and “AJ,” age 29, of Baltimore;
William Banks, a/k/a “Trouble,” age 27, of Baltimore;
Randy Banks, a/k/a “Dirt,” age 38, of Baltimore;
Ayinde Deleon, a/k/a “Murda,” and “Yin,” age 31, of Baltimore;
Dominick Wedlock, a/k/a “Rage,” and “Nick,” age 29, of Baltimore;
Jamal Lockley, a/k/a “T-Roy,” and “Droid,” age 37, of Baltimore;
Dwight Jenkins, a/k/a “Huggie,” and “Unc,” age 48, of Baltimore;
Jacob Bowling, a/k/a “Jakey,” “Ghost,” and “Fred,” age 30, of Gwynn Oak, Maryland;
Corloyd Anderson, a/k/a “Bo,” age 33, of Owings Mills, Maryland;
Melvin Lashley, a/k/a “Menace,” age 26, of Baltimore;
Devon Dent, a/k/a “Tech,” age 26, of Gwynn Oak;
William Jones, a/k/a “Bill,” and “Smalls,” age 27, of Baltimore;
Jarmal Harrid, a/k/a “J-Rock,” and “PJ,” age 27, of Gwynn Oak;
Jamal Smith, a/k/a “Mal,” and “Lil Mal,” age 25, of Gwynn Oak;
Tiffany Bailey, a/k/a “Tiff,” age 31, of Windsor Mill;
Takuma Tate, a/k/a “Oop,” and “Ook,” age 37, of Baltimore;
Maurice Pollock, a/k/a “Reese,” age 22, of Baltimore;
Shakeen Davis, a/k/a “Creams,” age 22, of Baltimore;
Charles Blackwell, a/k/a “Ci-Bo,” and “Lil Charlie,” age 21, of Woodlawn, Maryland;
Kenneth Torry, a/k/a “Kenny,” age 39, of Owings Mills;
Delante Lee, a/k/a “Tay Tay,” age 21, of Baltimore; and
Jay Greer, a/k/a “Champagne,” “Montana Gold,” and “Slick,” age 24, of Baltimore.All but Spence are also charged with conspiracy to distribute narcotics.
All 24 defendants face a maximum sentence of life in prison for the racketeering conspiracy. All but Spence also face a mandatory minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison for the drug conspiracy. D. Bailey, Johnson, Spence, W. Banks, Jenkins, and Torry also face gun charges. D. Bailey, Johnson, T. Bailey, Lockley, Pollock, Lee, Jenkins, and Bowling also face related drug distribution charges. The defendants arrested today are expected to have initial appearances in U.S. District Court in Baltimore. The defendants already in custody will be scheduled for an initial appearance at a later date.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the ATF, 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. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Christina Hoffman, Jason D. Medinger, and Daniel C. Gardner, who are prosecuting the case.
MURDERLAND MAFIA
DEFENDANT
NICKNAME
COUNTS
Dante BAILEY
Gutta
1 RICO Conspiracy
2 Conspiracy to Distribute (1kg+ heroin; 280g+ cocaine base)
15 Felon in Possession of Firearms and Ammunition
18 Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin
Dontray JOHNSON
Gambino
1 RICO Conspiracy
2 Conspiracy to Distribute (1kg+ heroin; 280g+ cocaine base)
4 Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin
5 Felon in Possession of Ammunition
8 Discharging Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking Crime
Adrian Jamal SPENCE
Spittle
1 RICO Conspiracy
6 Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition
William BANKS
Trouble
1 RICO Conspiracy
2 Conspiracy to Distribute (1kg+ heroin; 280g+ cocaine base)
3 Discharging Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking Crime
28 Felon in Possession of Firearms and Ammunition
*Randy BANKS
Dirt
1 RICO Conspiracy
2 Conspiracy to Distribute (1kg+ heroin; 280g+ cocaine base)
Ayinde DELEON
Murda
1 RICO Conspiracy
2 Conspiracy to Distribute (1kg+ heroin; 280g+ cocaine base)
Dominick WEDLOCK
Rage
1 RICO Conspiracy
2 Conspiracy to Distribute (1kg+ heroin; 280g+ cocaine base)
Jamal LOCKLEY
T-Roy
1 RICO Conspiracy
2 Conspiracy to Distribute (1kg+ heroin; 280g+ cocaine base)
9 Distribution of Cocaine Base
Dwight JENKINS
Huggie
1 RICO Conspiracy
2 Conspiracy to Distribute (1kg+ heroin; 280g+ cocaine base)
16 Distribution of Heroin
17, 19, 21 Distribution of Heroin and Cocaine Base
22 Distribution of Cocaine Base (28+ grams)
23 Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition
24 Distribution of Heroin and Cocaine Base (28+ grams)
Jacob BOWLING
Jakey
1 RICO Conspiracy
2 Conspiracy to Distribute (1kg+ heroin; 280g+ cocaine base)
20, 25 Distribution of Cocaine Base
26, 27 Distribution of Cocaine Base (28+ grams)
Corloyd ANDERSON
Bo
1 RICO Conspiracy
2 Conspiracy to Distribute (1kg+ heroin; 280g+ cocaine base)
Melvin LASHLEY
Menace
1 RICO Conspiracy
2 Conspiracy to Distribute (1kg+ heroin; 280g+ cocaine base)
Devon DENT
Tech
1 RICO Conspiracy
2 Conspiracy to Distribute (1kg+ heroin; 280g+ cocaine base)
William JONES
Smalls
1 RICO Conspiracy
2 Conspiracy to Distribute (1kg+ heroin; 280g+ cocaine base)
Jarmal HARRID
J-Rock
1 RICO Conspiracy
2 Conspiracy to Distribute (1kg+ heroin; 280g+ cocaine base)
*Jamal SMITH
Mal
1 RICO Conspiracy
2 Conspiracy to Distribute (1kg+ heroin; 280g+ cocaine base)
*Tiffany BAILEY
Tiff
1 RICO Conspiracy
2 Conspiracy to Distribute (1kg+ heroin; 280g+ cocaine base)
18 Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin
*Takuma TATE
Oop
1 RICO Conspiracy
2 Conspiracy to Distribute (1kg+ heroin; 280g+ cocaine base)
Maurice POLLOCK
Reese
1 RICO Conspiracy
2 Conspiracy to Distribute (1kg+ heroin; 280g+ cocaine base)
10, 11, 12 Distribution of Heroin
*Shakeen DAVIS
Creams
1 RICO Conspiracy
2 Conspiracy to Distribute (1kg+ heroin; 280g+ cocaine base)
Charles BLACKWELL
Ci-Bo
1 RICO Conspiracy
2 Conspiracy to Distribute (1kg+ heroin; 280g+ cocaine base)
*Kenneth TORRY
Kenny
1 RICO Conspiracy
2 Conspiracy to Distribute (1kg+ heroin; 280g+ cocaine base)
7 Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition
*Delante LEE
Tay Tay
1 RICO Conspiracy
2 Conspiracy to Distribute (1kg+ heroin; 280g+ cocaine base)
13, 14 Distribution of Cocaine Base
Jay GREER
Slick
1 RICO Conspiracy
2 Conspiracy to Distribute (1kg+ heroin; 280g+ cocaine base)
*Indicates defendants not arrested.
Two Defendants Facing Federal Indictments for Aggravated Identity Theft in Connection with Separate SchemesRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – Two defendants have been arrested on federal indictments charging them with aggravated identity theft and related counts arising from separate fraud schemes. Michelle Renee Marshall, age 46, of Washington, D.C., was arrested on Monday September 19, 2016, and to had her initial appearance today. She will have a detention hearing in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt at 3:00 p.m. today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas DiGirolamo. Carlton W. Stuart, age 59, of Bowie, Maryland, was arrested and had his initial appearance on Friday, September 16, 2016. Stuart was released under the supervision of U.S. Pretrial Services. The indictments were returned in August and unsealed upon the defendants’ appearance in U.S. District Court in Maryland.
The indictments were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Thomas Jankowski of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, Washington, D.C. Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Drew Grimm of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management - Office of Inspector General.
Marshall’s indictment alleges that between April and September 2014, Marshall represented to two victims that she would assist them in preparing and filing their federal income tax returns with the IRS. According to the indictment, Marshall obtained the victims’ PII, which she used to prepare and file their tax returns, with the tax refunds supposedly directed to the victims’ bank accounts. However, the victims never received any tax refunds. The indictment alleges that the tax returns directed the over $17,000 in tax refunds owed to the victims into bank accounts controlled by Marshall, not into the victims’ bank accounts.
According to Stuart’s indictment, he did not notify the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) of Victim A’s death on June 4, 2012. As a result, between July 2012 and March 2016, OPM continued to make monthly federal retirement and survivor annuity payments to Victim A, totaling $142,490.90. The indictment alleges that Stuart repeatedly forged Victim A’s signature on U.S. Treasury checks mailed to the victim as part of the retirement annuity, depositing the forged checks into the victim’s bank account. Further, the indictment alleges that Stuart repeatedly forged Victim A’s signature on checks drawn from the victim’s bank account and made payable to Stuart.
If convicted, the defendants face a mandatory minimum of two years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence imposed, for aggravated identity theft. In addition, Marshall faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for wire fraud; and Stuart faces a maximum of 10 years in prison for theft of government property.
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 Maryland Identity Theft Working Group has been working since 2006 to foster cooperation among local, state, federal, and institutional fraud investigators and to promote effective prosecution of identity theft schemes by both state and federal prosecutors. This case, as well as other cases brought by members of the Working Group, demonstrates the commitment of law enforcement agencies to work with financial institutions and businesses to address identity fraud, identify those who compromise personal identity information, and protect citizens from identity theft.
Today’s announcement is part of the efforts undertaken in connection with the President’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force. The task force was established to wage an aggressive, coordinated and proactive effort to investigate and prosecute financial crimes. With more than 20 federal agencies, 94 U.S. attorneys’ offices, and state and local partners, it’s the broadest coalition of law enforcement, investigatory and regulatory agencies ever assembled to combat fraud. Since its formation, the task force has made great strides in facilitating increased investigation and prosecution of financial crimes; enhancing coordination and cooperation among federal, state and local authorities; addressing discrimination in the lending and financial markets; and conducting outreach to the public, victims, financial institutions and other organizations. Since fiscal year 2009, the Justice Department has filed over 18,000 financial fraud cases against more than 25,000 defendants. For more information on the task force, please visit www.StopFraud.gov.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended OPM – OIG for its investigation of Stuart and IRS-CI for its investigation of Marshall. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Leah J. Bressack, who is prosecuting both cases, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Pulice who is also prosecuting Marshall.
Shooter in Murder-For-Hire Exiled to 30 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland –Chief U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake sentenced Davon Sanford, a/k/a “Chronic,” age 33, of Baltimore, to 30 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, after Sanford pleaded guilty today to discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, resulting in death.
The plea and sentence were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Kevin Perkins of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Commissioner Kevin Davis of the Baltimore Police Department; and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn J. Mosby.
According to his guilty plea, in March of 2012 a physical altercation took place in the vicinity of West Patterson Park Avenue and Chase Street in Baltimore, Maryland. One of the participants to this altercation was Gregory Parker. In the days following the altercation, an individual arranged with Tavon Slowe to kill Gregory Parker. The agreed price for the murder was $5,000.
On March 16, 2012, at approximately 2:30 p.m., Slowe drove his silver Honda Accord to meet the individual. Davon Sanford was seated in the front passenger seat. The individual told Slowe where Parker could be found and described Parker as wearing a blue floppy (“Gilligan-style”) hat. Less than 90 minutes later, Gregory Parker was shot multiple times by Davon Sanford with a 9mm semi-automatic pistol in the 2300 block of East Chase Street in Baltimore City. Fourteen shell casings were found at the scene. Parker was wearing a blue floppy “Gilligan” hat when he was shot and killed.
According to witnesses, the “shooter” fled northbound on Bradford Street and got into a silver vehicle. Video surveillance shows Sanford, wearing a green hooded sweatshirt with white lettering across the front, running from the murder scene and getting into the silver Honda Accord driven by Slowe. Law enforcement recovered photographs from the cell phone of an associate that show Davon Sanford wearing the same green hooded sweatshirt with white lettering across the front, as he wore during the murder.
Tavon Slowe, age 24, of Baltimore, previously pleaded guilty to charges related to two murder for hire contracts. If the Court accepts the plea agreement, Slow will be sentenced to between 23 and 27 years in prison. Chief Judge Blake has scheduled Slowe’s sentencing for October 4, 2016 at 10:00 a.m.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the FBI, Baltimore Police Department, Safe Streets Task Force and Baltimore State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys James G. Warwick and Joshua T. Ferrentino, who are prosecuting the case.
Harford County Man Sentenced to Five Years in Federal Prison for Distribution and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge J. Frederick Motz sentenced Michael Francis Chaney, age 72, of Whiteford, Maryland, today to five years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for possession and distribution of child pornography. Judge Motz also ordered that upon his release from prison Chaney must register as a sex offender in the place where he resides, where he is an employee, and where he is a student, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Andre R. Watson of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); and Colonel William M. Pallozzi, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police.
According to his plea agreement, over the course of several years Chaney used several email addresses to both send and receive images of child pornography. On February 6, 2015, a search warrant was executed at Chaney’s residence and his laptop, external hard drive, and other digital media were seized. Forensic analysis of the items revealed that all had images depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, including prepubescent minors, and minors engaged in sadistic and/or masochistic conduct or other depictions of violence. There were approximately 1,941 videos and 23,381 image of child pornography which had been downloaded from internet websites. Chaney admitted that he sought child pornography on the internet and actively traded the images and videos with others, distributing them via the internet.
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 Attorneys' 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 Rod J. Rosenstein commended HSI Baltimore and the Maryland State Police for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Judson T. Mihok, who prosecuted the federal case.
Career Offender Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Robbing Queenstown Diamond StoreRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Chief U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake sentenced Roy Lee Tolbert, age 43, of Washington, D.C., today to 10 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for the armed robbery of a diamond store in Queenstown, Maryland.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent Kevin Perkins of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Colonel William M. Pallozzi, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police; Queen Anne’s County Sheriff Gary Hofmann; and Queen Anne’s County State’s Attorney Lance G. Richardson.
According to the facts agreed to at the plea hearing, on May 19, 2013, Roy Lee Tolbert, entered a diamond store in Queenstown wearing a ball cap, wig, fake beard, sunglasses, an oversized suit jacket, jeans, and dark colored shoes. Tolbert went to the back of the store, removed a handgun from his waistband and pointed it at employees of the store, demanding the diamonds that were in the display case. An employee complied with his demands and Tolbert stole approximately 59 engagement-style diamond rings worth an estimated $362,000, placing them into a gray backpack that he was wearing over his stomach.
The robbery was witnessed by an off-duty Maryland State Police sergeant, who provided Tolbert’s description to a 9-1-1 operator, then followed Tolbert as he left the store. The State Police sergeant saw Tolbert run behind a building to a waiting motorcycle. Tolbert removed his disguise and placed it into the backpack, then put on a black and neon motorcycle helmet and a black and neon motorcycle jacket. The State Police sergeant continued to follow Tolbert and saw him flee onto a section of Nesbit Road in Grasonville, Maryland, that is a dead-end street. The State Police Sergeant blocked the road until uniformed troopers arrived on the scene. They located Tolbert running through a nearby open field. Tolbert was able to reach the wood line in the area and escape capture. Found hidden on the property of a nearby residence was the motorcycle, the motorcycle helmet and jacket, and the disguise worn by Tolbert in the robbery.
Tolbert’s DNA was recovered from the fake beard and helmet. The owner of the motorcycle, which had been reported stolen in 2010, was Tolbert’s girlfriend. In July 2013, she had filed a request for a protection order, in which she mentioned that Tolbert had a gun, and further described him in a confrontation “pacing the lot with something silver in his hand”. This matches the description of the weapon used during the robbery, which was a semi-automatic handgun with a silver slide.
Tolbert told another person that he committed the robbery, and showed this individual the diamonds. Tolbert also offered to sell diamonds to a co-worker.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the FBI, Maryland State Police, Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office, and Queen Anne’s County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation and prosecution. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Bonnie S. Greenberg, who prosecuted the case.
Indian Head Crack Distributors Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge George Jarrod Hazel sentenced Paul Raymond Gray, a/k/a “PJ,” age 35, of Lusby, Maryland, today to 66 months in prison, followed by four years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute powder and crack cocaine, two counts of distribution of crack cocaine, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. On September 6, 2016, Judge Hazel sentenced Kamau Muata Lumumba, age 53, also of Indian Head to five years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for his participation in the crack cocaine conspiracy.
The sentences were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Daniel L. Board, Jr. of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Baltimore Field Division; Special Agent in Charge Karl C. Colder of the Drug Enforcement Administration - Washington Field Division; Chief Hank Stawinski of the Prince George’s County Police Department; Chief Stanley Johnson, of the Maryland National Capital Park Police, Prince George’s County Division; Charles County Sheriff Troy Berry; St. Mary’s County Sheriff Tim Cameron; and Calvert County Sheriff Mike Evans.
According to their plea agreements and other court documents, from August 2011 through June 2015, Gray conspired with others, including Lumumba, to distribute crack cocaine. During the course of the conspiracy, Gray obtained powder cocaine from a number of sources, including through an intermediary whom Gray and Lumumba knew as “Jazz” or “Jazzy.” Gray generally purchased one or two ounce quantities of cocaine several times a month. Gray used the powder cocaine to manufacture crack in the kitchen of the mobile home the he owned, using cutting agents to increase the volume of crack for sale. Over the course of the conspiracy several co-conspirators, including Lumumba, lived in the mobile home with Gray. Gray, Lumumba and the other co-conspirators who lived at the mobile home distributed powder and crack cocaine from that location to a variety of customers. When Gray was not at the mobile home Lumumba regularly sold crack for Gray and received a portion of the profits for his assistance. On occasion Lumumba also transported money and picked up drugs for Gray related to their drug trafficking.
Gray admitted that he also possessed firearms and ammunition during the conspiracy, although he was prohibited from doing so due to several previous felony convictions in Charles County, including convictions for assault and unlawful possession of firearms.
According to Lumumba’s plea agreement, on May 22, 2015, after Gray learned that his drug trafficking was the subject of an active investigation, Gray called Lumumba and instructed him to remove incriminating evidence from the trailer and surrounding property, which Lumumba did. The evidence removed included containers in which Gray stored and cooked crack cocaine and several scales used by Gray and Lumumba to weigh their narcotics. After removing the incriminating evidence, Lumumba moved out of the trailer and fled Charles County in an effort to avoid apprehension by law enforcement. In August 2015, Lumumba learned that he and Gray had been indicted and Lumumba continued to make efforts to evade law enforcement. On April 14, 2016, the U.S. Marshals tracked down and arrested Lumumba.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the ATF, DEA, Prince George’s County Police Department, Maryland National Capital Park Police, Prince George’s County Division, and the Charles, St. Mary’s and Calvert County Sheriffs’ Offices for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael T. Packard and Leah J. Bressack, who prosecuted this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.
Five Defendants Face Federal Charges in Pain Management Clinic Kickback SchemeRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury indicted five defendants on charges arising from a scheme whereby physicians and administrative personnel associated with a Maryland pain management practice agreed to refer urine specimens to a testing lab for evaluation in return for $1.37 million in kickbacks:
Sandeep Sherlekar, age 51, of Germantown, Maryland,
Atif Babar Malik, age 46, of Germantown,
Muhammad Ahmad Khan, age 43, of Pakistan,
Mubtagha Shah Syed, age 49, of Jersey City, New Jersey, and
Konstantin Bas, age 40, of Brooklyn, New York.The indictment also charges Sherlekar, Malik and Khan with conspiring to defraud the IRS, and Sherlekar and Malik are further charged with health care fraud and making false statements on patient medical records. The indictment was returned on June 28, 2016 and unsealed today.
The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Kevin Perkins of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Nicholas DiGiulio, Office of Investigations, Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services; Special Agent in Charge Thomas Jankowski of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, Washington, D.C. Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Robert Craig of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service - Mid-Atlantic Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Scott Rezendes of the Office of Personnel Management – Office of Inspector General.
Sherlekar and Malik were physicians trained in pain management and Sherlekar was also trained in anesthesiology. The two merged their Maryland pain management practices in February 2009 to create Advanced Pain Management Services, LLC (APMS), first in Frederick, Maryland, and expanding to multiple offices in Maryland. Starting in August 2010, APMS began doing business under the name of American Spine Center, LLC (APMS/ASC) and the APMS entity was thereafter used in submitting bills for medical services. Khan was the CEO of APMS/ASC and co-conspirator Vic Wadwha was its CFO.
Bas was the owner and CEO of a medical testing laboratory principally located in Linden, New Jersey. Syed was a marketing agent who solicited medical practices to submit blood and urine specimens to the medical laboratory for testing. Bas also owned a company which provided pharmaceuticals and medications; and a third company which provided medical and surgical supplies, including orthotic devices.
Kickback Scheme
APMS/ASC required patients who were prescribed pain relief medications to submit urine samples for testing in order to monitor the levels of pain medication or other narcotics in their bodies. From spring 2011 to August 2012, APMS/ASC typically generated approximately 700 to 1,000 urine samples each month which were sent to an outside lab for testing.
According to the 36 count indictment, starting in February 2011, Bas agreed to pay kickbacks to the principals of APMS/ASC in return for the referral of APMS/ASC patients to his companies for the testing of urine samples, for back braces, and for pain creams. Syed is charged with facilitating the referrals-for-kickbacks arrangement, and receiving 5% of the proceeds of the agreement.
From the time the kickback payments commenced in June 2011 until the end of the scheme in August 2012, Bas caused his companies to pay kickbacks totaling approximately $1.37 million to Sherlekar, Malik, Khan and Wadhwa. Out of the total amount of the kickback payments, the indictment charges that Sherlekar and Malik received approximately $244,000 each, Khan received approximately $400,000, and the balance of the kickback payments were retained by Wadhwa.
All five defendants face a maximum sentence of five years in prison for conspiring to violate the Anti-Kickback Act. Sherlekar and Malik also face five years in prison on each of 12 counts of soliciting and receipt of unlawful remuneration in violation of the Anti-Kickback Act.
Defrauding the IRS
The indictment charges that from January 2009 to the end of 2013 Sherlekar, Malik and Khan conspired to defraud the IRS by not reporting as income cash payments received by APMS/ASC, and by filing false corporate tax returns that overstated the practice’s expenses and understated its revenues.
Specifically, the indictment charges that Sherlekar, Malik, Khan and Wadhwa caused cash payments received from patients to be collected without being recorded in the APMS/ASC accounting records, and provided fraudulent accounting records to an accountant to use in preparing inaccurate tax returns for APMS and its related entities. The indictment further charges that Sherlekar and Malik caused Wadhwa: to collect and distribute unrecorded cash payments; and to purchase luxury items such as expensive jewelry on their behalf, including an engagement ring and a watch purchased for Malik’s benefit in October 2010, with over $10,000 in cash skimmed from the business receipts of APMS. Sherlekar, Malik, Khan and Wadhwa also caused their accountant to falsely inflate corporate expenses, to shift revenue between different APMS-related entities, and to file false individual income tax returns on behalf of both Sherlekar and Malik.
Sherlekar, Malik and Khan face a maximum sentence of five years in prison for conspiring to defraud the IRS.
Health Care Fraud
APMS/ASC provided diagnostic or therapeutic nerve blocks and injections and other surgical procedures related to spinal conditions, which may be provided in conjunction with anesthesia services. If two providers are present during a surgical procedure, and one performs the surgical procedure and the other administers the anesthesia, then the anesthesiologist may separately bill for the anesthesia service. However, if a surgeon or anesthesiologist is alone in the procedure room and administers the anesthesia service while also performing the surgical procedure, then the anesthesia service may not be billed separately, but instead is included within the fee for the surgical procedure.
The indictment charges that from January 2010 to the summer of 2012, only one physician at APMS/ASC performed both the spinal injection and administered the anesthesia. On certain specified occasions, Sherlekar caused separate bills to be submitted for the surgical and anesthesia procedures as if both a surgeon and an anesthesiologist had been present. For example, on one occasion in January 2012, with Malik’s consent, Sherlekar caused patients’ medical records to reflect that Malik had also been present for the procedure when, in fact, he was in New Jersey at the time.
Sherlekar and Malik face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for health care fraud. Malik faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison for making false statements relating to health care matters.
No court appearance has been scheduled for the defendants.
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.
Vic Wadhwa, age 39, of Frederick, Maryland, previously pleaded guilty to his participation in the kickback scheme and awaits sentencing.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the FBI, Department of Health and Human Services – OIG, IRS - Criminal Investigation, Defense Criminal Investigative Service and Office of Personnel Management – OIG for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jefferson M. Gray and Sean Delaney, who are prosecuting the cases.
Lusby Man Sentenced to 17 Years in Federal Prison for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Paul W. Grimm sentenced Jose Antonio Jaramillo, age 55, of Lusby, Maryland, today to 17 years in federal prison, followed by 15 years years of supervised release, for production of child pornography. Judge Grimm also ordered that upon his release from prison, Jaramillo must register as a sex offender in the place where he resides, where he is an employee, and where he is a student, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Andre R. Watson of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; Special Agent in Charge Clark E. Settles of HSI Washington D.C.; Calvert County Sheriff Mike Evans; and Colonel William M. Pallozzi, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police.
According to his plea agreement, from at least December 2014 through July 2015, Jaramillo, posing as a teenaged male named “Tommy James,” “Thomas James Jones,” or “Thomas James,” used email, applications on cellular phones and social media sites to induce, coerce and entice more than five minor female victims between the ages of 13 and 16 to send him sexually explicit images of themselves over the internet.
Jaramillo admitted that, using the “Tommy James” persona, he had or attempted to have sexually explicit conversations with at least 14 minor females and induced at least seven victims to produce sexually explicit images and videos of themselves and transmit those images to Jaramillo.
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 Attorneys' 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 Rod J. Rosenstein commended HSI Baltimore and Washington, D.C, the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office, and the Maryland State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ray D. McKenzie and Kristi N. O’Malley, who prosecuted the case.
Federal Grand Jury Indicts Baltimore Man for Series of Commercial RobberiesRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury charged Sean Hill, age 26, of Baltimore, today to with 11 counts of commercial robbery committed over a three month period. The indictment was returned on September 20, 2016.
The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Kevin Perkins of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Commissioner Kevin Davis of the Baltimore Police Department; Chief James W. Johnson of the Baltimore County Police Department; and Chief Gary Gardner of the Howard County Police Department.
According to the 11-count indictment, from November 13, 2015 to January 6, 2016, Hill robbed six check cashing stores, three motels, a shoe store, and a garage. Specifically, the indictment alleges that Hill robbed the following Baltimore stores: Dolfield Money Center on Dolfield Avenue; Ace Cash Express stores on Patapsco, Clifton (twice), and Greenmount Avenues; America’s Cash Express on York Road; Payless Shoe Source on Liberty Road; Motel 6 on Whitehead Court; Gwynns Falls Auto on Gwynns Falls Parkway; and the Knights Inn on Security Boulevard. Hill also allegedly robbed the Holiday Inn on Washington Boulevard in Jessup.
If convicted, Hill faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison on each of the 11 counts. No court appearance has been scheduled for Hill in U.S. District Court in Baltimore. Hill is currently detained on related state 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.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the FBI, Baltimore City, Baltimore County and Howard County Police Departments for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney John W. Sippel, Jr., who is prosecuting the case.
Baltimore Fraudster Sentenced to Five Years in Federal Prison for Bank Fraud and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Chief U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake sentenced Jose Miguel Tapia, age 30, of Baltimore, to five years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for bank fraud and aggravated identity theft arising from several schemes in which Tapia fraudulently obtained over $130,000. Chief Judge Blake also entered an order requiring Tapia to pay restitution in the full amount of the victims’ losses, which is $132,548.85.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Brian Murphy of the United States Secret Service - Baltimore Field Office; and Chief James W. Johnson of the Baltimore County Police Department.
According to Tapia’s plea agreement, from October 2010 through November 2014, Tapia devised multiple schemes to defraud financial institutions. For example, during the time of the fraud Tapia obtained the personal identification information of an individual, which Tapia used to gain access to the victim’s credit accounts. Tapia then made purchases totaling approximately $41,000 against the victim’s credit cards. In addition, Tapia submitted fraudulent applications for the financing of automobiles, using the personal information of the victim in order to qualify for the loans and to purchase the vehicles. Tapia obtained and attempted to obtain vehicles worth approximately $38,000, including a 2011 Infinity G37X luxury vehicle, which Tapia purchased on October 9, 2014, using the social security number of the victim.
From September through November 2014, Tapia and others posed as account holders of two businesses in order to gain access to their business accounts at a home improvement store. Once he gained access to the accounts, he made purchases on the accounts, and changed the phone numbers and passwords for the accounts without the knowledge and consent of the business owners. Tapia made a total of approximately $48,000 in unauthorized purchases at the home improvement store against the business accounts of the victims. To extend the scheme and have access to more credit, Tapia obtained the financial account information of a hotel. Tapia withdrew approximately $45,000 from bank accounts owned by the hotel, which he used to pay down the account balances of the victim businesses at the home improvement store. Tapia also posed as an employee of the hotel to open an account at a phone store in Fullerton, Maryland, then charged approximately $2,800 against that account, which was billed to the victim hotel.
Finally, Tapia gained access to Verizon account information of employees at a university in Baltimore, which he used to obtain approximately $9,199 in smartphones, and other goods and services.
The total actual loss to the victims as a result of Tapia’s fraudulent activities was $132,548.85.
The Maryland Identity Theft Working Group has been working since 2006 to foster cooperation among local, state, federal, and institutional fraud investigators and to promote effective prosecution of identity theft schemes by both state and federal prosecutors. This case, as well as other cases brought by members of the Working Group, demonstrates the commitment of law enforcement agencies to work with financial institutions and businesses to address identity fraud, identify those who compromise personal identity information, and protect citizens from identity theft.
Today’s announcement is part of the efforts undertaken in connection with the President’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force. The task force was established to wage an aggressive, coordinated and proactive effort to investigate and prosecute financial crimes. With more than 20 federal agencies, 94 U.S. attorneys’ offices, and state and local partners, it’s the broadest coalition of law enforcement, investigatory and regulatory agencies ever assembled to combat fraud. Since its formation, the task force has made great strides in facilitating increased investigation and prosecution of financial crimes; enhancing coordination and cooperation among federal, state and local authorities; addressing discrimination in the lending and financial markets; and conducting outreach to the public, victims, financial institutions and other organizations. Since fiscal year 2009, the Justice Department has filed over 18,000 financial fraud cases against more than 25,000 defendants. For more information on the task force, please visit www.StopFraud.gov.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the U.S. Secret Service - Baltimore Field Office and Baltimore County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamera L. Fine, who prosecuted the case.
U.S. Attorney Rod Rosenstein, Attorney General Frosh, Mark Week of September 19th “Heroin and Opioid Awareness Week”Read the Press Release
Baltimore, MD –U.S. Attorney Rod Rosenstein and Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh joined state and federal officials throughout the country in proclaiming the week of September 19th as “Heroin and Opioid Awareness Week” to bring attention to the epidemic of heroin and opioid-related overdose deaths in Maryland.
Opioid and heroin addiction and abuse across the nation is rampant. In Maryland alone, heroin-related deaths increased by over 200% from 2011 to 2015, rising from 247 to 748. There has also been an alarming spike in deaths from fentanyl, rising 105% during the first quarter of 2016 as compared to the same time in 2015. The increases in overdose deaths are not just seen in Maryland’s larger cities – they have been reported throughout the state, including western and central Maryland and the Eastern Shore.
“Heroin and Opioid Awareness Week gives us the chance to educate the public about the dangers of heroin and opioid abuse, and strategies to stop this epidemic that is killing our children, friends, and neighbors,” said U.S. Attorney Rod Rosenstein. “We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to prosecute those who are putting these drugs on our streets, and to build community coalitions to fight this epidemic.”
“Raising awareness is just one step in addressing this widespread, complex epidemic in our State,” said Attorney General Frosh. “Opioids are highly addictive and extremely dangerous, altering the users’ brain permanently, even after just one use. Our goal is to educate as many people as possible so that we save lives, and prosecute those that traffic illegal heroin into Maryland. Addiction to opiates is dangerous, whether obtained through prescriptions or on the street.”
Every heroin overdose in Maryland is being investigated as a homicide, in an effort to identify the distributor. Together with the Drug Enforcement Agency and the State’s Attorneys of Maryland, the Maryland Attorney General’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office are developing a best practices model on gathering evidence required for criminal prosecution.
The Organized Crime Unit of the Attorney General’s Office has prioritized combatting the heroin epidemic by focusing on dismantling the most dangerous drug organizations across the State. Since its inception in 2015, the Organized Crime Unit has indicted over 50 drug traffickers – from the traffickers who knowingly distribute fatal doses of heroin – usually cut or mixed with fentanyl – to the violent trafficking organizations that profit off of addicted individuals. The Unit, in coordination with local, state, and federal prosecutors and law enforcement agencies, is currently investigating dozens more and is committed to continuing to aid in the fight against this tragic epidemic.
Many people become addicted to legally prescribed opiates, but switch to heroin, fentanyl or other drugs, when they can no longer obtain their prescription. A 2014 national survey found an estimated 1.4 million people in the U.S. abused a prescription painkiller for the first time that year. Approximately one in five high school seniors reports misusing prescription drugs at least once.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office and Maryland Attorney General’s Office will continue to work with federal, state and local law enforcement as well as medical and public health authorities, community groups and concerned citizens to develop a coordinated response across all elements of government. Our enforcement efforts are much more effective when they are part of a larger strategy that seeks to educate potential drug users and prevent their involvement with opioids in the first place.
Silver Spring Man Sentenced to 7 Years in Federal Prison for Internet Romance Scheme in Which Victims Were Defrauded of over $300,000Read the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge George J. Hazel sentenced Evans Appiah, a/k/a Sean Carter, age 28, of Silver Spring, Maryland, on September 12, 2016, to seven years in prison, followed by four years of supervised release, for conspiracy, mail and wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft arising from an internet romance scheme in which the victims were defrauded of more than $300,000. Judge Hazel also ordered Appiah to forfeit and pay restitution of $303,800.11, the total amount of the loss. Appiah has been detained since Judge Hazel ordered that he be immediately taken into custody following the jury’s guilty verdict on May 4, 2016.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Andre R. Watson of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Special Agent in Charge James Murray of the United States Secret Service - Washington Field Office; and Chief J. Thomas Manger of the Montgomery County Police Department.
According to testimony at his six day trial, Appiah and his co-conspirators searched online dating websites and initiated romantic relationships with male and female victims in order to obtain money from them. The relationships began with emails and instant messaging and escalated to telephone calls and primarily text messages. After gaining the victims trust, Appiah and his co-conspirators began asking for money for a variety of reasons, often invoking false stories and promises to convince the victims to send them money.
According to evidence presented at trial, from December 2013 through June 2015, Appiah opened and maintained accounts in order to receive money from the victims. Once the victims had deposited the funds requested by Appiah and the co-conspirators into the accounts controlled by Appiah, he disbursed the money by transferring it to other accounts, withdrawing cash, and by purchasing goods for shipment to co-conspirators outside of the United States. At least eleven confirmed victims were defrauded of more than $300,000.
Appiah also used the name and identifying information of one victim in particular, while depositing one of the victim cashier’s checks into his own bank account.
Today’s announcement is part of the efforts undertaken in connection with the President’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force. The task force was established to wage an aggressive, coordinated and proactive effort to investigate and prosecute financial crimes. With more than 20 federal agencies, 94 U.S. attorneys’ offices, and state and local partners, it’s the broadest coalition of law enforcement, investigatory and regulatory agencies ever assembled to combat fraud. Since its formation, the task force has made great strides in facilitating increased investigation and prosecution of financial crimes; enhancing coordination and cooperation among federal, state and local authorities; addressing discrimination in the lending and financial markets; and conducting outreach to the public, victims, financial institutions and other organizations. Since fiscal year 2009, the Justice Department has filed over 18,000 financial fraud cases against more than 25,000 defendants. For more information on the task force, please visit www.StopFraud.gov.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended HSI Baltimore, the U.S. Secret Service and Montgomery County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas P. Windom and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer L. Wine, who prosecuted the case.
Maryland MS-13 Member Pleads Guilty to Violent Racketeering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Defendant Admitted to Shooting and Killing an Individual Believed to Be a Rival Gang Member
A Hyattsville, Maryland, man pleaded guilty today, just before trial, to conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise known as La Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, including participating in a murder.
Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein of the District of Maryland; Special Agent in Charge Andre R. Watson of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Chief Hank Stawinski of the Prince George’s County, Maryland, Police Department; Chief Douglas Holland of the Hyattsville Police Department; and Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Angela D. Alsobrooks made the announcement.
Luis Guzman-Ventura, aka Casper, 22, pleaded guilty before Senior U.S. District Judge Roger W. Titus of the District of Maryland to conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 4, 2017.
MS-13 is a national and transnational gang with branches or “cliques” operating throughout the United States, including in Prince George’s County, Montgomery County and Frederick County, Maryland. In pleading guilty, Guzman-Ventura admitted that he was a member of MS-13 and and associate of the MS-13 Weedons Clique.
According to his plea agreement, from at least 2010 through 2013, Guzman-Ventura conspired with members and associates of MS-13 to engage in crimes to further the interests of the gang, including murder, assault, robbery, extortion by threat of violence, obstruction of justice, witness tampering and witness retaliation.
Specifically, Guzman-Ventura admitted that on Dec. 5, 2012, he was the front-seat passenger in a vehicle being driven by another MS-13 member, Jose Rodriguez-Nunez, and Guzman-Ventura shot at three individuals believed to be rival gang members, killing one and wounding another. After the shooting, Rodriguez-Nunez and Guzman-Ventura fled the scene to avoid being identified, according to their plea agreements.
Rodriguez-Nunez, aka Killer, 27, also of Hyattsville, previously pleaded guilty to being the driver in this drive-by shooting and is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 9, 2017. Guzman-Ventura and Rodriguez-Nunez remain detained pending sentencing.
In total, 10 defendants have pleaded guilty and three have been convicted at trial for their roles in the racketeering conspiracy.
HSI Baltimore, the Prince George’s County Police Department, the Hyattsville Police Department and the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office investigated the case. The Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Office, HSI Baltimore’s Operation Community Shield Task Force and the Maryland Department of Corrections Intelligence Unit provided assistance in the investigation. Trial Attorney Catherine Dick of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys William D. Moomau and Lindsay Eyler Kaplan are prosecuting this case.
Maryland MS-13 Member Pleads Guilty to Violent Racketeering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland –Luis Guzman-Ventura, a/k/a “Casper,” age 22, of Hyattsville, Maryland, pleaded today, just before the first day of trial, to conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise known as La Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, including participating in a murder.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Special Agent in Charge Andre R. Watson of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Chief Hank Stawinski of the Prince George’s County Police Department; Chief Douglas Holland of the Hyattsville Police Department; and Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Angela D. Alsobrooks.
MS-13 is a national and transnational gang composed primarily of immigrants or descendants from El Salvador. Branches or “cliques” of MS-13, one of the largest street gangs in the United States, operate throughout Prince George’s County, Montgomery County, and Frederick County, Maryland. MS-13 members are required to commit acts of violence to maintain membership and discipline within the gang. One of the principal rules of MS-13 is that its members must attack and kill rivals, known as “chavalas,” whenever possible.
According to his plea agreement and court documents, from at least 2010 through 2013, Guzman-Ventura conspired with members and associates of MS-13 to engage in crimes to further the interests of the gang, including murder, assault, robbery, extortion by threat of violence, obstruction of justice, witness tampering, and witness retaliation. During that time, Guzman-Ventura was a member and associate of MS-13 and of the Weedons Clique of MS-13.
Specifically, Guzman-Ventura admitted that on December 5, 2012, he was the front seat passenger in a vehicle being driven by another MS-13 member, Jose Rodriguez-Nunez. They were driving in the Lewisdale area of Prince George’s County, looking for rival gang members. Guzman-Ventura admitted that he had a hand gun and shot at three individuals believed to be rival gang members, killing one and wounding another. After the shooting, Rodriguez-Nunez drove away from the scene. When police stopped the vehicle a short time later, Guzman-Ventura got out of the vehicle and ran away.
Guzman-Ventura and the government have agreed that if the Court accepts the plea agreement, Guzman-Ventura will be sentenced to between 312 and 360 months in prison. U.S. District Judge Roger W. Titus has scheduled sentencing for January 4, 2017. Guzman-Ventura remains detained pending sentencing.
Jose Rodriguez-Nunez, a/k/a “Killer,” age 27, of Hyattsville, Maryland, previously pleaded guilty to being the driver in this drive-by shooting and is expected to be sentenced to between 216 and 240 months in prison at his sentencing, scheduled on January 9, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. Rodriguez-Nunez also remains detained.
In addition, eight other defendants have pleaded guilty and three have been convicted at trial for their roles in the racketeering conspiracy.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended HSI Baltimore, the Prince George’s County Police Department, the Hyattsville Police Department; and the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein also recognized the Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Office, HSI Baltimore’s Operation Community Shield Task Force, and the Maryland Department of Corrections Intelligence Unit for their assistance. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys William D. Moomau, Lindsay Eyler Kaplan, and Trial Attorney Catherine Dick with the Justice Department Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section, who are prosecuting this case.
Beltsville Man Convicted for Financial Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal jury today convicted Jemel Maurice Lyles, a/k/a Michael Anderson, Anthony Alva and Tony Alva, age 35, of Beltsville, Maryland, for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud and money laundering, arising from a scheme in which he fraudulently received $72,000 from a victim after falsely promising to assist the victim to obtain $1 million in financing for a day care center.
The conviction was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Kevin Perkins of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office.
According to court documents and evidence presented at his five-day trial, co-conspirator Stephen Courtney Evans introduced Victim 1 to Lyles, whom he identified as “Michael Anderson.” The victim was looking for capital to finance a day care center. Lyles communicated with the victim by email or telephone under the alias of Michael Anderson, the CFO of Capital Group Holdings. Lyles and Evans falsely represented that CGH was a financial services business and for a fee, could obtain a Standby Letter of Credit (SBLC) for the victim. Lyles agreed to sell the victim a $1 million SBLC in exchange for a 7.2% fee of the total amount, or $72,000. According to trial testimony, Lyles falsely represented that the victim could use the SBLC as collateral to obtain a non-recourse loan (a loan that the victim would not be required to pay back) from another financial institution.
The evidence showed that Lyles falsely told the victim that Hampstead Private Finance Group Limited (HPFG) would provide the victim with an $800,000 non-recourse loan, using the $1 million SBLC as collateral. According to witness testimony, Lyles communicated with the victim using a purported HPFG email address, which Lyles created to perpetrate the scheme, and the alias “Tony Alva,” the Chief Financial Officer of Hampstead Private Finance Group, which at that time was a defunct entity. Using the Alva alias, Lyles falsely confirmed to the victim that HPFG would accept the $1 million SBLC, which the victim was to obtain from CGH, as collateral on an $800,000 non-recourse loan.
According to evidence presented at trial, after receiving the victim’s $72,000 fee for the SBLC, Lyles took the money for his personal use, including the purchase of a Land Rover, and payment of past due rent. Lyles (as Anderson) continued to assure the victim that a $1 million SBLC had been purchased and that the transaction was being processed. Lyles (as Anderson) also falsely told the victim that he would return the victim’s $72,000 fee.
Lyles faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 for the conspiracy, and for wire fraud; and a maximum of 10 years in prison for each of the two counts of money laundering. U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow has scheduled his sentencing for January 23, 2017, at 9:00 a.m.
Co-conspirator Stephen Courtney Evans, age 50, of Manassas, Virginia, previously pleaded guilty to his role in the scheme and is scheduled to be sentenced on November 7, 2016, at 10:00 a.m.
Today’s announcement is part of the efforts undertaken in connection with the President’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force. The task force was established to wage an aggressive, coordinated and proactive effort to investigate and prosecute financial crimes. With more than 20 federal agencies, 94 U.S. attorneys’ offices, and state and local partners, it’s the broadest coalition of law enforcement, investigatory and regulatory agencies ever assembled to combat fraud. Since its formation, the task force has made great strides in facilitating increased investigation and prosecution of financial crimes; enhancing coordination and cooperation among federal, state and local authorities; addressing discrimination in the lending and financial markets; and conducting outreach to the public, victims, financial institutions and other organizations. Since fiscal year 2009, the Justice Department has filed over 18,000 financial fraud cases against more than 25,000 defendants. For more information on the task force, please visit www.StopFraud.gov.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the FBI for its work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ray D. McKenzie and Thomas M. Sullivan, who are prosecuting the case.
Havre de Grace Sex Offender Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Transporting Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge J. Frederick Motz sentenced registered sex offender Gary Scott Conway, age 45, of Havre de Grace, Maryland, today to 20 years in prison, followed by lifetime supervised release. Conway pleaded guilty to transporting child pornography, and admitted a 20 year history of sexually abusing at least eight minor victims, including infants and a severely autistic, non-verbal child. Judge Motz ordered that upon his release from prison Conway must continue to register as a sex offender in the place where he resides, where he is an employee, and where he is a student, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Kevin Perkins of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Idaho Office; Ada County (Idaho) Sheriff Stephen Bartlett; Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey R. Gahler and the Harford County Child Advocacy Center; and U.S. Marshal Johnny Hughes.
According to court documents and testimony at today’s sentencing hearing, Conway has 10 previous criminal convictions, including sexual abuse of a minor and failing to register as a sex offender. Conway’s collection of child pornography numbered over 3,100 images and 319 videos, which Conway collected on the internet. According to the statement of facts in his plea agreement, from October 2014 to July 2015, Conway used an internet chat website to communicate with adults and minor children. Conway admitted that during live video chats on the website, Conway directed teenage boys to masturbate or display their genitalia, and also broadcast videos of himself masturbating to the teenage boys. Beginning on March 30, 2015, he uploaded child pornography to an internet-based file storage service (the service).
On May 29, 2015, representatives from the service notified the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that Conway’s account contained at least 35 videos of child pornography. After an investigation determined that the files were uploaded from Conway’s residence, on July 8, 2015, the Harford County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at the residence. Investigators seized a desktop computer and other digital media. Forensic analysis of the computer revealed at least 350 images of child pornography, including depictions of prepubescent children engaged in sexual acts.
Conway’s internet file storage service account was examined pursuant to a search warrant, and was found to contain approximately 3,174 unique images and 319 unique videos of child pornography. The graphic and disturbing videos and images depicted prepubescent boys and girls, engaged in sexual acts with adult men, including oral sex and anal sex, and other images of sadistic conduct against children.
On July 14, 2015, Conway fled Maryland. Conway was a registered sex offender having been convicted in 2004 in the Circuit Court for Harford County, Maryland of a sexual offense involving 15 year old victim, and was sentenced to 10 years in prison, all of which was initially suspended. When he left Maryland, Conway failed to notify the Maryland Sex Offender Registration authorities, as required by law. He travelled to Virginia, Tennessee, New Mexico, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, California, Arizona and Idaho.
Conway stayed at a resort in Sedona, Arizona for 12 days, never notifying state authorities of his sex offender status. During that time, two families at the resort complained to the local authorities that Conway made inappropriate sexual advances toward their teenage sons. After being questioned by Sedona Police, Conway left Sedona before his resort reservation was completed. Conway went to an amusement park in California, then to Idaho, where he stayed for more than three weeks, never notifying the state authorities of his sex offender status. He was arrested in Idaho on August 26, 2015.
After his arrest, Conway told law enforcement that on a previous visit to the amusement park he discovered a peephole in a men’s bathroom stall, which allowed him to see the genitalia of children using the nearby stall. He had hoped the peephole still existed, but it did not. Conway admitted that as a medical professional in the Navy, he once performed oral sex on a male patient while the patient was sedated. He also admitted to sexually molesting a severely autistic, non-verbal boy while the victim was 11 to 13 years old; having sexual contact on multiple occasions with an eight year old girl; sexually molesting two infants, one of which was the child of a Navy colleague whom he was babysitting; fondling two boys between the ages of nine and 10 years old while playing with them in and around a pool; and engaging in sex acts with two different 15 year old boys who he met online.
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 Attorneys' 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 Rod J. Rosenstein commended the FBI, Harford County Sheriff’s Office, Harford County Child Advocacy Center (HCCAC), Ada County (Idaho) Sheriff’s Office; and U.S. Marshal Service for their work in the investigation. The HCCAC is a task force comprised of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, Maryland State Police – Bel Air Barrack, Aberdeen, Bel Air, and Havre de Grace Police Departments, Harford County State’s Attorney’s Office, Harford County Department of Social Services – Child Protective Services, and Family and Children’s Services of Central Maryland, which investigates allegations of child maltreatment while also providing services and resources for the abused child and his/her family. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Budlow, who prosecuted the case.
Federal Indictment Charges 21 Defendants for Violent Drug Distribution Conspiracy Operating in the Cherry Hill Area of BaltimoreRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland - A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging 21 defendants for being part of the Hillside Enterprise, a drug distribution conspiracy which operated for 14 years in the Cherry Hill section of Baltimore. The indictment alleges that member of the Hillside Enterprise committed acts of violence in order to fund their narcotics activities and intimidate others who would interfere with the enterprise. The indictment was returned on September 8, 2016 and unsealed today. Thirteen defendants are in custody. Law enforcement is still searching for eight of the defendants.
The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Daniel L. Board, Jr. of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Baltimore Field Division; Commissioner Kevin Davis of the Baltimore Police Department; and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn J. Mosby.
“The most important thing law enforcement officers can do to stop violence is to make clear that killers will be held accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein. “Although the only crime charged in this indictment is a drug conspiracy, the allegations include 13 murders and 21 non-fatal shootings. Conspiracy cases are a valuable tool to put violent gangs out of business.”
According to the indictment, beginning in at least early 2002, the Hillside Enterprise distributed powder and crack cocaine, heroin, oxycodone and marijuana, primarily in the Cherry Hill Shopping Center, in other locations throughout Cherry Hill, and in west and southwest Baltimore City. The indictment alleges that members of the Hillside Enterprise used the proceeds of their narcotics sales to purchase firearms, to enrich themselves, and to further the activities of the organization, including narcotics trafficking. Hillside members allegedly used residences in and around Cherry Hill to cut and package drugs for distribution, primarily heroin, powder cocaine, and crack. Only trusted members of the Hillside Enterprise were admitted to these locations while the drugs were being prepared for sale. In an effort to distinguish their narcotics, members used colored topped vials or colored the drugs with food coloring.
The indictment alleges that members of the Hillside Enterprise routinely carried firearms, and committed home invasion and street robberies, and other acts of violence in furtherance of the organization’s activities, including shootings, beatings, murders, and other violence in order to intimidate others who would interfere with their narcotics trafficking. Acts of violence were also committed to discipline members within the Hillside Enterprise for transgressions, real or perceived, against the conspiracy. According to the indictment, members of the Hillside Enterprise used gang signs to communicate and some had tattoos reflecting their allegiance to the conspiracy.
The indictment charges the following defendants:
*Travis Alewine, a/k/a Sticks, age 24;
*Jerryan Burrell, a/k/a Rhino, age 31;
*Leonard Chase, a/k/a Nard, age 22;
*Deaven Cherry, a/k/a Gotti, age 29;
Delonte Conley, a/k/a Tay, Ziggy, age 24;
*Christopher Dukes, a/k/a Scarface, age 24;
Michael Evans, a/k/a Pee Wee, age 22;
*Marshon Floyd, a/k/a Killer, age 25;
*Kevin Horsey, a/k/a What What, age 24;
Marcus Johnson, a/k/a Black, age 25;
*Keenan Lawson, a/k/a Blackface, age 24;
Stevie Lawson, a/k/a GB, age 26;
*Terrell Luster, a/k/a Relly, age 28;
Cintront Lynn, a/k/a Stitch, Lil Cuz, age 20;
Van McNutt, a/k/a Butt Butt, age 38;
*Caesar Rice, a/k/a Stinky, age 24;
Devin Rodgers, a/k/a Donkey, Dick Butkus, age 21;
Daniel Seawell, a/k/a June Bug, age 20;
Michael Truehart, a/k/a Papers, age 20;
Robert White, a/k/a Beanhead, age 29; and
*Lemar Williams, a/k/a Mar; Tutta, age 25.Eleven defendants (denoted by *) also face enhanced sentences for murder. The indictment specifically alleges that: Burrell was involved in the murder of three persons; Floyd was involved in the murder of three persons; Williams was involved in the murder of three persons, Dukes, Horsey, Cherry, and Keenan Lawson were each involved in the murder of two persons; and Chase, Luster, Rice and Alewine were each involved in a single murder. Incidents of attempted murders and aggravated assaults are also alleged against these defendants and others named in the indictment. Rodgers, Seawell, Stevie Lawson, and Lynn are alleged to have been involved in drug distribution but face no allegations of violent activities.
All 21 defendants face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison. The defendants arrested today are expected to have initial appearances in U.S. District Court in Baltimore. The defendants already in custody will be scheduled for an initial appearance at a later date.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
Since 2013, federal prosecutors have convicted at least 35 members of three other rival drug-dealing organizations that operated in Cherry Hill: “Up da Hill,” “Little Spelman” and “Coppin Court.”
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the ATF, Baltimore Police Department, and Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation and thanked the FBI, Baltimore County Police Department, Anne Arundel County Police Department, and Baltimore City Sheriff’s Office for their assistance. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Andrea L. Smith, Seema Mittal, and Patricia C. McLane, who are prosecuting this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.
Maryland MS-13 Member Pleads Guilty to Violent Racketeering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – Jose Rodriguez-Nunez, a/k/a “Killer,” age 27, of Hyattsville, Maryland, pleaded guilty late on September 7, 2016, to conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise known as La Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, including participating in a murder.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Special Agent in Charge Andre R. Watson of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Chief Hank Stawinski of the Prince George’s County Police Department; Chief Douglas Holland of the Hyattsville Police Department; and Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Angela D. Alsobrooks.
MS-13 is a national and transnational gang composed primarily of immigrants or descendants from El Salvador. Branches or “cliques” of MS-13, one of the largest street gangs in the United States, operate throughout Prince George’s County, Montgomery County, and Frederick County, Maryland. MS-13 members are required to commit acts of violence to maintain membership and discipline within the gang. One of the principal rules of MS-13 is that its members must attack and kill rivals, known as “chavalas,” whenever possible.
According to his plea agreement and court documents, beginning in 2010, Rodriguez-Nunez conspired with members and associates of MS-13 to engage in crimes to further the interests of the gang, including murder, assault, robbery, extortion by threat of violence, obstruction of justice, witness tampering, and witness retaliation. Rodriguez-Nunez was a member of MS-13 and an associate of the Weedons Clique of MS-13.
Specifically, Rodriguez-Nunez admitted that on December 5, 2012, he was the driver in a drive-by shooting in which another MS-13 member shot at three individuals believed to be rival gang members, killing one and wounding another. Rodriguez-Nunez admitted that after the shooting he fled the scene to avoid being identified.
Rodriguez-Nunez and the government have agreed that if the Court accepts the plea agreement, Rodriguez-Nunez will be sentenced to between 216 and 240 months in prison. U.S. District Judge Roger W. Titus has scheduled sentencing for January 9, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. Rodriguez-Nunez remains detained pending sentencing.
In addition to Rodriguez-Nunez, eight other defendants have pleaded guilty and three have been convicted at trial for their roles in the racketeering conspiracy.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended HSI Baltimore, the Prince George’s County Police Department, the Hyattsville Police Department; and the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein also recognized the Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Office, HSI Baltimore’s Operation Community Shield Task Force, and the Maryland Department of Corrections Intelligence Unit for their assistance. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys William D. Moomau, Lindsay Eyler Kaplan, and Trial Attorney Catherine Dick with the Justice Department Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section, who are prosecuting this case.
Maryland MS-13 Member Pleads Guilty to Violent Racketeering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A Hyattsville, Maryland, man pleaded guilty to charges related to his participation in a racketeering enterprise known as La Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, including participating in a murder.
Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein of the District of Maryland; Special Agent in Charge Andre R. Watson of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Chief Hank Stawinski of the Prince George’s County, Maryland, Police Department; Chief Douglas Holland of the Hyattsville Police Department; and Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Angela D. Alsobrooks made the announcement.
Jose Rodriguez-Nunez, aka Killer, 27, pleaded yesterday before Senior U.S. District Judge Roger W. Titus of the District of Maryland to conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise.
MS-13 is a national and transnational gang with branches or “cliques” operating throughout the United States, including in Prince George’s County, Montgomery County and Frederick County, Maryland. In pleading guilty, Rodriguez-Nunez admitted that he was a member of MS-13 and an associate of the MS-13 Weedons Clique.
According to his plea agreement, beginning in 2010, Rodriguez-Nunez conspired with members and associates of MS-13 to engage in crimes to further the interests of the gang, including murder, assault, robbery, extortion by threat of violence, obstruction of justice, witness tampering and witness retaliation. Specifically, Rodriguez-Nunez admitted to his role as the driver in a drive-by shooting on Dec. 5, 2012, in which another MS-13 member shot at three individuals believed to be gang rivals, killing one and wounding another. After the shooting, Rodriguez-Nunez fled the scene to avoid being identified, he admitted.
In addition to Rodriguez-Nunez, eight other defendants have pleaded guilty and three have been convicted at trial for their roles in the racketeering conspiracy.
HSI Baltimore, the Prince George’s County Police Department, the Hyattsville Police Department and the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office investigated the case. The Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Office, HSI Baltimore’s Operation Community Shield Task Force and the Maryland Department of Corrections Intelligence Unit provided assistance in the investigation. Trial Attorney Catherine Dick of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys William D. Moomau, Lindsay Eyler Kaplan are prosecuting this case.
Baltimore Man Pleads Guilty in Federal Court to a Series of Commercial RobberiesRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Taft Redd, age 45, of Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to six commercial robberies committed between July 22 and August 18, 2015.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Kevin Perkins of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Baltimore Police Commissioner Kevin Davis; and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby.
According to his plea agreement, in each robbery Redd entered the store, approached the register, displayed what appeared to be a black handgun, and demanded money. Redd stole cash from each store and occasionally took merchandise as well. Specifically, on July 22 and August 18, 2015 Redd robbed the same convenience store located in the 5200 block of Harford Road in Baltimore; on July 22 Redd robbed a shoe store located in the 3200 block of Greenmount Avenue in Baltimore; July 29 and August 12, 2015 Redd robbed the same shoe store located in the 3900 block of Erdman Avenue in Baltimore; and on August 16, 2015 Redd robbed a fast food restaurant in the 2000 block of N. Broadway in Baltimore.
When Redd was arrested on August 19, 2015, he was in possession of a black BB gun that was the same weapon seen by witnesses in the six robberies.
Redd and the government have agreed that if the Court accepts the plea agreement Redd will be sentenced to 10 years in prison. U.S. District Judge Marvin J. Garbis has scheduled sentencing for November 9, 2016 at 11:00 a.m.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the FBI, Baltimore Police Department, and Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew C. Sullivan, who is prosecuting the case.
Executives of Maryland Telemarketing Business Facing Federal Indictment in $50 Million Nationwide Office Supply ScamRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury has indicted Brian Keith Wallen, age 52, of Lutherville, Maryland, and Andrew Stafford, age 56, of Bel Air, Maryland with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and mail fraud arising from a nationwide fraudulent telemarketing scheme designed to ship unwanted and vastly over-priced light bulbs and cleaning supplies to thousands of businesses and non-profit organizations. The indictment was filed on June 30, 2016 and unsealed today upon the arrest of Andrew Stafford. Brian Keith Wallen was reported missing on April 28, 2016, and is still being sought by law enforcement.
The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Kevin Perkins of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Postal Inspector in Charge Terrence P. McKeown of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service - Washington Division.
“Based in Maryland, the defendants allegedly cheated thousands of American businesses out of more than $50 million through a sophisticated scheme that involved sham sales of light bulbs and cleaning supplies,” said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein. “According to the allegations, company employees followed a script that included sending unsolicited supplies, lying to victims, and repeatedly submitting fraudulent bills.”
According to the indictment, on March 24, 2003, Midway Industries, LLC and Johnson Distributing, LLC were incorporated in Maryland, each with the stated purpose to engage in the retail sale of light bulbs and cleaning supplies, among other activities. Between July 22, 2008 and April 18, 2014, Wallen and another individual incorporated additional shell entities, in Maryland and Florida. Midway, Johnson Distributing and the shell entities will be collectively referred to here as “Midway.”
According to the indictment, at different times the Midway companies were owned, in whole or in part by Wallen, who held the title of CEO. Andrew Stafford held the title of President. According to the indictment, Wallen and Stafford exercised supervision over the practices at Midway.
The seven count indictment alleges that from 2007 through 2014, Wallen, Stafford, and the Midway co-conspirators fraudulently obtained millions of dollars from thousands of victim businesses by deceiving the businesses’ into paying exorbitant prices for light bulbs and cleaning supplies, as well as paying for products that the businesses never ordered.
Specifically, the indictment alleges that from about 2007 to 2014, Wallen, Stafford and other conspirators telephoned authorized representatives of businesses, who were often maintenance employees, on behalf of Midway companies. During these phone calls, the conspirators sought to conceal Midway’s true locations in Reisterstown, Maryland and in Florida. According to the indictment, during the initial calls, Wallen, Stafford, and the conspirators promised national store gift cards to the authorized representatives to induce them to place initial orders, or to provide Midway with additional company information or personal information, like the authorized representatives’ home address and personal phone number. The conspirators used the cell phone numbers and/or birthdays of the authorized representatives as “purchase order” numbers in order to lend legitimacy to later collections efforts.
In addition, during the calls the conspirators allegedly made false statements, including: that the victim businesses had an existing business relationship with Midway; and that Midway would send a “half box” of light bulbs. In fact, the “half box” was a deceptive technique used to understate the volume and price of shipments, and disguise unwanted future shipments. Wallen, Stafford, and the conspirators allegedly did not divulge the price of any products, engaging in a practice called the “price blow-off,” falsely telling the victim business that they did not have the price in front of them, but that it would be at the corporate discount. In fact, Midway did not offer a corporate discount.
As long as the victims continued paying the Midway invoices, in subsequent calls Wallen, Stafford, and the conspirators allegedly misrepresented that the balance of the victim’s order, or their “regular seasonal order” had recently been shipped, despite no order having been made by the victim business, and no actual shipment having yet been sent. The conspirators called authorized representatives under the guise of different Midway companies in order to repeat the process using a product other than light bulbs, often cleaning supplies.
The indictment further alleges that when the authorized representative could not be reached, Wallen, Stafford, and the conspirators would simply send the product and an inflated invoice to the victim, without the victim placing an order. The conspirators referred to this practice as “just ship.” If the authorized representative had quit, been fired, or even passed away, the conspirators sent a product and inflated invoice to the victim business knowing that the victim would be unable to dispute the validity of the order. This practice was referred to by the Midway conspirators as a “down the road.” The Midway conspirators regularly sought the approval of Wallen and Stafford, as their supervisors, to engage in the practices of “just ship,” or “down the road.”
According to the indictment, Wallen, Stafford, and the co-conspirators ordered the light bulbs and cleaning supplies from a company located in New Jersey (supplier). They instructed the supplier to ship the products to the victim without an invoice, and to send the invoices directly to Midway. Wallen, Stafford, and the conspirators then sent inflated invoices to the billing departments of the victims. The indictment alleges that the invoices sent to the victim businesses were regularly 900% above the prices Midway paid the supplier. After a victim had paid one invoice, Wallen, Stafford, and the conspirators sent invoices to the victim that were sometimes greater than 8,000% above the supplier’s prices.
When victims did not remit payment, the indictment alleges that the collections department at Midway repeatedly called the victims in order to force them to pay the inflated invoices. If the victim company continued to protest, the Midway collections department made false representations, including that an order had actually been placed with Midway, using as proof that the authorized representative had received a gift card, or provided his home address.
If the victim threatened to contact law enforcement or the Better Business Bureau, Wallen, Stafford and the conspirators allegedly offered to revise the invoice to a discounted rate, or take back a product for either a “re-stocking fee” or “at cost,” which was still substantially greater than the cost of the products purchased from the supplier.
The indictment alleges that as a result of the fraud scheme, Midway sent fraudulent invoices to victim companies for more than $100 million and received more than $50 million in payments on those invoices.
Wallen and Stafford each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the mail fraud conspiracy and for each count of mail fraud.
The guilty pleas of co-conspirators Robert Chesser, age 46, of Dundalk, Maryland; Brandon Johnston, age 38, of Catonsville, Maryland; Alan Landsman, age 36, of York, Pennsylvania; Steven Phillips, age 64, of Pikesville, Maryland; Brandon Riggs, age 34, of Baltimore; and Thomas Wishon, age 54, of Cockeysville, Maryland, were also unsealed today. All six have all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud in connection with their roles in the scheme, and are awaiting sentencing.
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 FBI is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the location and arrest of Brian Keith Wallen. Anyone with information concerning Wallen's whereabouts is urged to call the Baltimore office of the FBI at 410-265-8080.
Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of this fraud scheme is asked to complete and submit this form Midway Victims Form to the email or mailing address on the form. Additional information can be found at the U.S. Attorney's Office website.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean R. Delaney and Harry M. Gruber, who are prosecuting the case.
Former DPW Employee Sentenced to Federal Prison for Two Separate Schemes to Defraud the City of BaltimoreRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Marvin J. Garbis sentenced Charles Dennis Bolden, Sr., age 69, of Baltimore, a former employee at the Quarantine Road Landfill (Landfill), today to 15 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release for conspiring to commit two separate criminal schemes: one in which Department of Public Works (DPW) employees sought and accepted cash payments from commercial haulers in return for allowing the haulers to deposit trash at the Landfill without paying the required disposal fees (extortion scheme); and a second scheme in which DPW employees stole scrap metal from the Landfill for personal gain (the junking scheme).
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Kevin Perkins of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Robert H. Pearre, Jr., Inspector General, City of Baltimore Office of Inspector General; Special Agent in Charge Thomas Jankowski of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, Washington, D.C. Field Office; and Colonel William M. Pallozzi, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police.
Extortion Scheme
Baltimore City residents can deposit small amounts of trash and/or recyclables in dumpsters at the Convenience Center located near the main entrance of the Landfill, free of charge. Individuals or companies commercially hauling trash that have registered their vehicles with Baltimore City and obtained Landfill permits, as well as Baltimore City residents with larger loads, must deposit their trash in an open area located within the Landfill. Commercial haulers of trash that meet certain vehicle weight limitations must, in addition to purchasing a Landfill permit, pay a waste disposal fee of $67.50 per ton of trash deposited at the Landfill. DPW employees assigned as scale house operators weigh each truck as it enters the Landfill, which is recorded on a computerized point-of-sale system. The scale house operators reweigh each truck as it leaves the Landfill. The net weight of the deposited trash and the required disposal fee is then calculated and printed on a receipt that is handed to the driver.
According to the statement of facts presented by the government to the court, Bolden, who was employed by DPW as a laborer at the Landfill, and other DPW employees sought and accepted cash payments from commercial haulers in return for allowing the commercial haulers to deposit trash at the Landfill without paying the required disposal fees.
On August 28, 2013, an FBI confidential source (CS) went to the Convenience Center and spoke with Bolden about the cost of dumping a truckload of trash at the Landfill. Bolden told the CS that he and his “girls” at the scale house would have to be paid a “fair” amount of money in order for the CS to avoid paying the required disposal fee assessed at the scale house. When the CS agreed to make the payment, Bolden said that the scale house “girl gonna wave you thru.”
The next day, Latonya Drinkard, a scale house operator, waved the CS past the scale house and allowed him to dump his truckload of trash without paying the required fee. Afterwards, the CS paid Bolden $70 in cash, which Bolden explained was a lot less than what he and the scale house “girls” have charged others. On September 12, 2013 and October 9, 2013, Drinkard allowed the CS to dump two more truckloads of trash without paying the required disposal fee. Bolden charged the CS $200 for each truckload.
During a recorded conversation on October 17, 2013, Drinkard asked the CS how much Bolden was charging the CS. Upon learning that it was $200 per trip, the scale house operator agreed to waive the disposal fee for less money without Bolden’s involvement and stated, “Just call and let me know whenever you want to come in and I got you.”
Illegal Junking Scheme
In addition to the revenue generated by the collection of disposal fees, Baltimore City’s waste management system generates revenue by collecting and selling recyclable scrap metal dumped at the City’s trash collection facilities, including household appliances, steel cables, copper wires, car parts, computer parts, door and window frames. The City awards contracts to private salvage companies to purchase and remove such scrap metal from its trash collection facilities.
DPW employees at the Landfill and other trash collection sites are required to segregate the recyclable scrap metal from general refuse and place it in separate bins provided by the salvage companies. The companies regularly pick up the scrap metal, weigh it and send a tonnage report to the City. Based on predetermined prices per ton, the City sends an invoice to the companies requesting payment for the value of the scrap metal the companies removed during a given period of time. Salvaging by employees, also referred to as “junking,” was strictly prohibited and employees were put on notice that any salvaging of metal constituted theft of City property.
According to the statement of facts presented by the government to the court, from 2005 to May 2015, Bolden and other Landfill employees falsely represented to the DPW that they were performing the jobs for which they were hired when, in fact, they used their paid positions during work hours to unlawfully collect, remove and sell scrap metal for personal gain.
For most of the period, Bolden oversaw operations at the Convenience Center where residential trash was dumped. Video recordings documented Bolden’s use of a front-end loader to separate salvageable metal from the general trash bins. After setting aside a sufficient amount of such metal, Bolden would use his cell phone to contact other laborers, including Jarrod Hazelton and Michael Bennett, to pick up what he had collected. Video footage showed Bolden helping to load the salvageable metals onto other employees’ pick-up trucks as well as his own. Those employees, in turn, would sell the metal to salvage companies and share the proceeds of the sales with Bolden. Sometimes the other laborers would meet with Bolden after hours to pick up his stolen metal and pay him.
The scrap metal that Bolden, Hazelton, Bennett and others stole and sold to private salvage companies resulted in a loss of revenue to the City totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars.
In addition, video footage established that Bolden and other employees spent a significant part of almost every workday coordinating the search and collection of salvageable metals to steal. Nonetheless, Bolden and other employees regularly signed and submitted daily time and attendance sheets falsely reflecting that they had fulfilled the hourly requirements of their respective paid positions when, in fact, they were routinely engaged in unauthorized “junking.” As a result, Bolden received hourly wages every pay period for work he did not perform on behalf of the City. More specifically, for calendar years 2013 and 2014, Bolden stole and conspired to steal salvageable metals and unearned wages from Baltimore City totaling more than $5,000 per year.
Former DPW employees William Charles Nemec, Sr., age 56; Tamara Oliver Washington age 56; and Michael Theodore Bennett, age 47, all of Baltimore, pleaded guilty to their roles in the scheme and were sentenced to 78 months, 18 months, and 46 months in prison, respectively. Judge Garbis also entered orders requiring Nemec and Washington to pay restitution of $6 million. Jarrod Terrell Hazelton, age 33, of Parkville, Maryland, also pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years in prison. Judge Garbis ordered Bennett and Hazelton each to pay restitution of $400,000. Latonya Drinkard, age 39, of Baltimore, also pleaded guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced on October 13, 2016.
Commercial trash hauler, John Howard Brady, age 74, was convicted by a federal jury in the bribery scheme, and sentenced to three years in prison. The five remaining commercial trash haulers pleaded guilty to their participation in the bribery scheme. Quentin Turgot Glenn, age 50, of Hanover, Maryland, who owned and operated Glenn Services, LLC, a trash hauling business, was sentenced to three years in prison. Jessie Lee Wilson, Jr., age 41, of Baltimore, who was employed by Glenn Services as a truck driver, was sentenced to three years of probation, with the first year to be spent in community confinement. Adam Williams, Jr., age 53, of Randallstown, was sentenced to one year in prison; and Larry Lowry, age 61, of Orchard Beach, Maryland, to 30 months in prison. Judge Garbis also ordered that Glenn pay restitution of $306,000; Williams pay restitution of $900,000; and Lowry pay restitution of $180,000. Mustafa Sharif, age 64, of Baltimore, awaits sentencing.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the FBI, IRS-CI, Baltimore Office of Inspector General and Maryland State Police for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Martin J. Clarke and Leo J. Wise, who are prosecuting the cases.
Hyattsville Man Facing Federal Indictment Related to a Firebombing on March 4, 2016Read the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal grand jury charged Richard Butler III, age 34, of Hyattsville, Maryland, with being a felon in possession of an explosive, transportation of explosive materials with intent to injure, and use of a destructive device during a crime of violence, in connection with a firebombing on March 4, 2016. The indictment was returned on August 31, 2016.
The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Daniel L. Board, Jr. of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Baltimore Field Division; and Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Chief Marc S. Bashoor.
According to the three count indictment, on March 4, 2016, Butler manufactured one or more improvised incendiary bombs at a gas station on Landover Road in Hyattsville, then used those bombs to set fire to a victim’s apartment in Hyattsville. The indictment alleges that Butler used the improvised incendiary bombs with the intent to kill or injure the victim and to destroy the building and property of the victim. Butler had previously been convicted of a felony and was therefore prohibited from possessing explosives.
Butler faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for being a felon in possession of an explosive; 10 years in prison for transportation of explosive materials with intent to injure; and a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years and up to life in prison for using an explosive device during a crime of violence. An initial appearance has not yet been scheduled for Butler in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt. Butler is currently detained on unrelated state charges in the District of Columbia.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the ATF and Prince George’s County Fire/EMS for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer R. Sykes, who is prosecuting the case.
Former Pastor of St. Mary’s County Church Indicted on Federal Bank Fraud ChargesRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal grand jury has charged John S. Mattingly, age 70, of Charlotte Hall, Maryland, today for bank fraud in connection with a scheme to steal funds from St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, while he was the pastor. The indictment was returned on August 29, 2016, and unsealed today after Mattingly’s arrest.
The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Kevin Perkins of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, St. Mary’s County Sheriff Tim Cameron, and St. Mary’s County State’s Attorney Richard Fritz.
According to the 20-count indictment, Mattingly was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest in 1972 and was the pastor of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church (St. Francis), in Leonardtown, Maryland, from 1994 until September 1, 2010, when he resigned. While serving as a parish priest, Mattingly was paid a salary and stipend by St. Francis.
The indictment alleges that from September 2006 through September 2010, Mattingly fraudulently deposited checks from parishioners made payable to St. Francis and to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, which were intended by the St. Francis parishioners to be charitable donations, into a bank account he controlled. In order to conceal the scheme, Mattingly allegedly falsely represented that that the checks he deposited into his bank account would be used for charitable purposes and/or church maintenance and renovations. According to the indictment, Mattingly did not use the charitable contributions from the St. Francis parishioners for their intended purposes, but instead transferred the fraudulently obtained funds from his bank account to Mattingly’s personal individual retirement account. The indictment further alleges that Mattingly also wrote unauthorized checks from the St. Francis bank account payable to himself and deposited those checks into his personal individual retirement account.
The indictment alleges that over the course of the scheme Mattingly fraudulently deposited more than 500 checks, totaling at least $76,000, written by more than 135 parishioners and made payable to St. Francis or the St. Vincent de Paul Society, and not to Mattingly.
Mattingly faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison for each of the 20 counts of bank fraud. An initial appearance was held today in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt. Mattingly is released 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.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the FBI, St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, and St. Mary’s County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan E. Foreman, who is prosecuting the case.
Maryland MS-13 Member Pleads Guilty to Federal Racketeering Conspiracy, Attempted Murder in Aid of Racketeering, and Discharging a Firearm During a Crime of ViolenceRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland –Francisco Zamora-Flores, age 25, of Silver Spring, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise known as La Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, attempted murder in aid of racketeering, and using, carrying, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Andre R. Watson of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Chief Hank Stawinski of the Prince George’s County Police Department; Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Angela D. Alsobrooks; and Chief Douglas Holland of the Hyattsville Police Department.
MS-13 is a national and transnational gang composed primarily of immigrants or descendants from El Salvador. Branches or “cliques” of MS-13, one of the largest street gangs in the United States, operate throughout Prince George’s County, Montgomery County, and Frederick County, Maryland. MS-13 members are required to commit acts of violence to maintain membership and discipline within the gang. One of the principal rules of MS-13 is that its members must attack and kill rivals, known as “chavalas,” whenever possible.
According to his plea agreement and court documents, from about 2014, Zamora-Flores was a member of the Normandie Clique of MS-13. MS-13 members committed crimes to further the interests of the gang, including murder, assault, robbery, extortion by threat of violence, obstruction of justice, witness tampering, and witness retaliation.
Zamora-Flores admitted that on July 30, 2014, he and four other members of MS-13 and the Normandie Clique were advised that three rival gang members had harassed and tried to steal the bike of a person who was a friend of MS-13. One of the co-conspirators drove Zamora-Flores and the other MS-13 members to the area of 30th Avenue in Hyattsville, where they saw three individuals walking north on the street. Zamora-Flores admitted that he and another MS-13 member shot two of the individuals. One victim was shot seven times, with wounds to his upper torso, right arm, and face. The other victim had a gunshot wound to his right side.
Eleven .380 caliber shell casings fired from two different handguns were collected at the scene of the shooting. A firearms examiner determined that five of the shell casings were fired from the same gun used at other crime scenes including: murders that occurred on November 11, 2012 and February 28, 2013, in the Hyattsville area; an attempted murder that occurred on that on March 28, 2014, in Laurel, Maryland; and a murder that occurred on November 30, 2013 in Frederick, Maryland. The other six shell casings were fired from another .380 caliber firearm that was recovered in Montgomery County, Maryland, on October 5, 2014.
Zamora-Flores faces a maximum sentence of life in prison for the racketeering conspiracy; a maximum of 10 years in prison for attempted murder in aid of racketeering; and a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence imposed, and up to life in prison for discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. U.S. District Judge Peter J. Messitte has scheduled sentencing for December 9, 2016, at 9:30 a.m.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended HSI Baltimore, the Prince George’s County Police Department, Hyattsville Police Department, and Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office and its Strategic Investigations Unit, for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein also recognized the Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Office, Prince George’s County Department of Corrections, and HSI Baltimore’s Operation Community Shield Task Force for their assistance. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys William D. Moomau and Lindsay Eyler Kaplan, who are prosecuting this case.