District of Maryland

Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Paul W. Grimm sentenced Rolando Oneal Thorpe, age 32, of Largo, Maryland, today to 10 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Danny 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; Chief Stanley Johnson, of the Maryland National Capital Park Police, Prince George’s County Division; and Chief Antonio DeVaul of the Maryland National Capital Park Police, Montgomery County Division.

According to his plea agreement, between September and November 2013, during an investigation of narcotics trafficking, Thorpe was overheard by law enforcement discussing with Marvin Taaff the various types of marijuana that Thorpe was distributing in Maryland.  On November 22, 2013, a search warrant was executed at Thorpe’s residence.  Law enforcement recovered 12 large ziplock bags containing over five kilograms of marijuana; a scale with drug residue; drug packaging materials; approximately $6,413 in cash; a 10mm handgun, with one round in the chamber and 14 rounds in the magazine; a 27 round capacity ammunition magazine, loaded with 23 rounds of 45 caliber ammunition; and a black laser site for a handgun.  Thorpe was at home during the search and admitted that everything found in the apartment belonged to him.

Marvin Taaff, age 29, of Takoma Park, Maryland, was sentenced on June 9, 2016, to 140 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, cocaine base and 100 kilograms or more of marijuana.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the ATF, Prince George’s County Police Department, and Maryland National Capital Park Police for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Deborah A. Johnston, Lindsay Eyler Kaplan, and Menaka Kalaskar, who prosecuted the case.

Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced Jonathan Robert Blackman, age 32, of Frederick, Maryland, today to 10 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin, powder and crack cocaine, and marijuana; and possession with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine and marijuana.  Judge Bennett also entered an order requiring Blackman to forfeit $63,571, and a 12 gauge shotgun with an obliterated serial number.

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 Frederick County Sheriff Charles A. “Chuck” Jenkins.  

According to Blackman’s plea agreement, law enforcement began an investigation into a drug conspiracy involving the distribution of heroin and other drugs in Frederick County and the Baltimore Metropolitan area. The investigation revealed that Blackman was a member of the drug trafficking organization.  Evidence revealed numerous calls and texts in which Blackman coordinated drug sales in and around the Frederick area.  Law enforcement subsequently executed a search warrant at Blackman’s residence and recovered: $63,571 in cash; 300.5 grams of heroin; 16.4 grams of cocaine; and 976 grams of marijuana.  

Blackman admitted that the amount of heroin reasonably foreseeable to him in, and in furtherance of, this conspiracy amounts to between one and three kilograms of heroin. 

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised HSI-Baltimore and the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Task Force. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorney Jason D. Medinger, who is prosecuting this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.

Baltimore, Maryland – Correctional Officer Stephen Wise, age 34, of Pocomoke, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to his participation in a racketeering conspiracy operating at the Eastern Correctional Institution in Westover, Maryland.  Wise also pleaded guilty to a civil rights violation, deprivation of rights under color of law, for participating in the stabbing of an inmate.

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, 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.

According to his plea agreement and court documents, the Eastern Correctional Institution (ECI) is the largest state prison in Maryland, operating near Westover, in Somerset County, on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. During the conspiracy, Wise was a Correctional Officer (CO) at ECI.

Wise admitted that he accepted bribes from at least eight inmates to smuggle contraband into ECI, including narcotics, cell phones and tobacco.  Wise generally charged approximately $500 per package of contraband he smuggled into ECI.  Law enforcement intercepted multiple calls and texts in which Wise and the inmates discussed contraband, and arranged payment for contraband. 

According to the plea agreement, Wise smuggled contraband in exchange for bribes for a co-defendant, who was a leader of the Dead Man Incorporated (DMI) prison gang at ECI. On July 31, 2016, Wise induced the DMI leader to arrange the assault of an inmate who had filed a complaint against Wise that caused Wise to be removed from the housing unit.  At the time he was removed, Wise had been given approximately $1500 by the DMI leader for contraband that he had not yet brought into the unit. Wise told multiple inmates, including the co-defendant, that the inmate who filed the complaint had to be taken out of the unit before Wise could be reassigned there.  Wise knew that if an inmate is physically assaulted he is removed from a housing unit for his own safety.  On July 31, 2016, the inmate who filed the complaint was assaulted and stabbed by several inmates who were members of the Cripps prison gang, and who had been paid $500 to do so by Wise’s co-defendant. 

Wise faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for the racketeering conspiracy, and a maximum of 10 years in prison for deprivation of rights under color of law for his participation in the stabbing of an inmate. U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar has scheduled sentencing for Wise on February 17, 2017 a 10:00 a.m.

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.  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.

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.

Baltimore, Maryland –Harry Crawford, age 56, of Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to collection of a debt by extortionate means from victim David Wutoh. Co-defendant Matthew Hightower, age 34, also of Baltimore, was convicted of extortion and the murder of David Wutoh on September 22, 2016, after a seven-day trial.

Crawford also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud in connection with schemes to defraud Medicaid and other health benefit programs, and conspiracy to defraud the United States, for not reporting income from the health care fraud scheme on his taxes.

The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; 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; and Chief James W. Johnson of the Baltimore County Police Department. 

According to his plea agreement, Crawford owned, and was President and CEO of RX Resources and Solutions (RXRS), a durable medical equipment provider located in Randallstown, Maryland. Beginning in 2012, co-defendant Matthew Hightower worked as a delivery driver for RXRS.

According to his plea agreement, in 2013 Crawford approached Hightower to facilitate a loan to Crawford’s longtime friend, David Wutoh.  Wutoh promised Hightower an enormous rate of return.  In exchange for $15,000 in cash, Wutoh would pay Hightower $20,000 within a short period of time.  Crawford also loaned Wutoh at least $6,000 of his own money. Wutoh did not pay either man back the money he had borrowed, as a result, from May through September 2013, Crawford and Hightower used cellular telephones and electronic messaging to harass, threaten, and coerce Wutoh to repay the loans.

For example, according to the plea agreement, on June 7, 2013, Wutoh sent an electronic message to Crawford stating, “Battery dying.”  Crawford responded, “You will be also.  Stop playing with people’s money.”  On September 13, 2013, Crawford sent an electronic message to Wutoh telling him to put him in his will.  Wutoh responded to Crawford, “you are.” As of September 21, 2013, Wutoh had not repaid Crawford or Hightower all of the money he borrowed from them.

According to Crawford’s plea agreement, on the evening of September 21 and the early morning hours of September 22, 2013, Hightower traveled from West Baltimore to East Baltimore County in the area of Wutoh’s home.  At about 2:50 a.m. on September 22, 2013, Wutoh was shot in the living room of his home, by an assailant who fired multiple shots through the front window. According to the plea agreement and evidence presented in court, moments later, Hightower answered a phone call on a phone registered registered in another person’s name. Records showed the phone was located in close proximity to the house where Wutoh was murdered. 

During interviews conducted with Crawford by law enforcement officers investigating the murder, Crawford never disclosed Hightower’s outstanding loan to Wutoh, nor Crawford’s efforts to have Wutoh repay it.  When asked directly whether Hightower had any reason to harm Wutoh, Crawford said, “No.”

Further, Crawford admitted that from 2010 through May 2014, he conspired with others to defraud Medicaid and other health benefit programs by having RXRS bill for supplies that were never provided, overcharge for materials actually delivered, and bill for supplies that were unneeded and had not been prescribed by a physician. 

According to his plea agreement, Crawford and his co-conspirators used the personal identity information of clients to submit fraudulent claims to Medicaid and other health care benefits programs for disposable medical supplies that were not delivered to the beneficiary.  In addition, Crawford and his co-conspirators delivered medical supplies to beneficiaries who did not need the supplies and whose physicians had not prescribed the supplies, even after the beneficiaries reported that they did not want or need the supplies.  According to the plea agreement, a co-conspirator would sign or have someone else sign delivery tickets when deliveries had not actually taken place so that the records of RXRS would falsely document the delivery. 

On February 4, 2014, federal agents executed a search warrant at RXRS and Crawford’s home.  Agents recovered almost $60,000 in cash from a clothes bin beside the bed in Crawford’s room, and boxes of patient files from the house.  From RXRS agents recovered emails documenting a criminal plan at the inception of RXRS, and fraudulent delivery tickets from December 2013 and January 2014.

An analysis of RXRS billing of Medicaid from 2007 through 2014 establishes that the loss to Medicaid just for incontinent supplies billed but not provided is approximately $1.2 million.

Finally, Crawford admitted that he conspired to defraud the United States by not reporting or paying taxes on the proceeds of the fraud.  A review of bank records shows that Crawford used the proceeds of the fraud directly for the accounts of RXRS, using a significant portion of the proceeds for his personal benefit, including mortgage payments, personal travel, restaurants, and hosting social events. The IRS determined that Crawford owes $102,782.17 in federal taxes and $25,000 for state taxes for tax years 2010 through 2013.

Crawford faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for collection of extension of credit by extortion. Crawford also faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for health care fraud and a maximum of five years in prison for conspiracy to defraud the United States. U.S. District Judge Marvin J. Garbis has scheduled sentencing for Hightower on November 30, 2016, at 10:00 a.m.  Hightower remains detained.  Judge Garbis scheduled sentencing for Crawford on March 28, 2016, at 11:30 a.m.  Crawford is released under the supervision of U.S. Pretrial Services.

Hightower and co-defendant Elma Myles, age 52, of Baltimore, are scheduled to go to trial on charges related to the health care fraud scheme on January 23, 2017.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the HHS-OIG, IRS, and Baltimore County Police Department for their work in the investigation, and thanked the Maryland Attorney General’s Office Medicaid Fraud Control Unit for its assistance.  Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron S.J. Zelinsky, Judson T. Mihok, and Sandra Wilkinson, who are prosecuting the case.

Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow sentenced Curtis Portland Litten, age 54, of Huntingtown, Maryland, today to 21 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted person. Litten pleaded guilty to that charge on September 1, 2016, and has been detained since his arrest on April 22, 2016.

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; and Chief Matthew R. Verderosa of the U.S. Capitol Police.

According to his plea agreement, from January 28 through March 24, 2016, Litten wrote and mailed at least nine cards and letters to the President of the United States and members of the United States Congress threatening harm to them and/or their family members.  Fingerprint analysis of several of the cards identified latent fingerprints belonging to Litten.

In connection with the investigation into the identity of the sender of the threatening communications, a search warrant was executed at Litten’s home.  Law enforcement seized envelopes and unsent greeting cards addressed to members of Congress and signed by Litten, computer printouts of addresses for elected officials, and reminders to write letters to elected officials.  In addition, law enforcement seized: .22 caliber, .38 caliber, and .380 caliber pistols; a 12-gauge shotgun; a .410 bore shotgun; a .38 caliber blank firing revolver; 300 rounds of .22 caliber ammunition; 24 rounds of .380 caliber ammunition; four rounds of .410 caliber shotgun ammunition; and one 12-gauge shotgun shell.

As a result of a previous felony conviction, Litten was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the ATF and U.S. Capitol Police for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer R. Sykes and Thomas P. Windom, who prosecuted the case.

Greenbelt, Maryland – Charles County Sheriff’s Deputy Alexander C. Sullivan, age 37, of King George, Virginia, has been charged federally with possession of child pornography.   The federal criminal complaint was filed on November 21, 2016 and Sullivan was arrested that evening.  Sullivan is expected to have an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt at 3:00 p.m. today, before U.S. Magistrate Judge William Connelly.

The criminal complaint 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 Charles County Sheriff Troy Berry.

According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received four tips from a company that provides cloud security concerning suspected child pornography being uploaded to a specific telephone number in October and November 2016. An officer from the Charles County Sheriff’s Department conducted a search on the telephone number and determined that it belonged to Alexander Sullivan of Indian Head, Maryland.  The officer recognized Sullivan’s name and telephone number as belonging to a fellow officer.  Sullivan had resided in Indian Head prior to recently relocating to Virginia.

A state search warrant for Sullivan and his telephone was executed in Charles County on November 17, 2016.  A preview of the materials on the phone allegedly revealed more than 200 images and five videos containing child pornography. The forensic investigation is ongoing.

If convicted, Sullivan faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for possession of child pornography. 

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. 

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 Charles County Sheriff’s Office for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph R. Baldwin and Kristi N. O’Malley, who are prosecuting the federal case.

Baltimore, Maryland – Howard County youth gymnastics coach Paul Daniel Bollinger, age 57, of Windsor Mill, Maryland pleaded guilty today to distribution of child pornography. Bollinger worked as a youth gymnastics coach in Maryland for over 30 years prior to his arrest in this case. 

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, Baltimore Field Office; Chief James W. Johnson of the Baltimore County Police Department; Special Agent in Charge Andre R. Watson of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); and Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger

According to his plea agreement, on May 15, 2016, Bollinger distributed computer files containing videos of child pornography using a file sharing program.  An undercover Baltimore County Police detective downloaded at least 10 movie files containing child pornography that Bollinger distributed.

On May 25, 2016, investigators executed a state search warrant at Bollinger’s residence. During the search, investigators found a desktop computer powered on and running peer-to-peer file sharing software, and numerous files with titles indicative of child pornography were being shared and downloaded through use of the software.  The wallpaper image on the computer monitor depicted a naked female child lying on her stomach.  Law enforcement seized the desktop computer, hard drives and other digital media which contained over 40,000 image files and over 100 video files of child pornography.  Next to Bollinger’s bed, detectives found over 100 pages of handwritten stories about an adult male having sex with young children. 

According to his plea agreement, Bollinger was present during the execution of the search warrant and spoke with law enforcement.  He characterized his involvement with child pornography as an obsession and stated that he had been viewing child pornography since approximately 1990.  Bollinger advised that he prefers female children aged 8 to 12 years, the same age group of girls that he currently coached, but denied any inappropriate contact with children.  Bollinger stated that he had sexual thoughts about a girl he coached in gymnastics and that he was attracted to the “body type” of many of the girls he coached.

Bollinger faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for distributing child pornography. U.S. District Judge Marvin J. Garbis has scheduled sentencing for Bollinger on March 3, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. Bollinger remains detained.

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, Baltimore County Police Department, HSI Baltimore, and Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. Maddox, who is prosecuting the federal case.

Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal jury convicted the following defendants late on November 18, 2016, for conspiracies to commit wire fraud and money laundering arising from a scheme to defraud vulnerable victims of millions of dollars:

Gbenga Benson Ogundele, a/k/a “Benson Ogundele,” age 58, of Laurel, Maryland; Victor Oyewumi Oloyede, age 42, of Laurel; Babtunde Emmanuel Popoola, a/k/a “Emmanuel Popoola” and “Tunde Popoola, age 34, of   Bowie, Maryland; and his sister, Mojisola Tinuola Popoola, a/k/a “Mojisola Oluwakemi Tin Popoola” and “Moji T. Popoola,” age 42, of Laurel.

The conviction 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.

According to evidence presented at the 17-day trial, from January 2011 to May 18, 2015, members of the conspiracy searched online dating websites to initiate romantic relationships with vulnerable male and female individuals.  They phoned, emailed, texted and used internet chat messenger services to form romantic relationships with the victims, who lived in Maryland and around the country. 

Witnesses testified that members of the conspiracy used false stories and promises to convince the victims to provide money to the conspirators, including fake hospital bills, plane trips to visit the victims, problems with overseas businesses and foreign taxes.  Ogundele, Oloyede, the Popoolas and other conspirators opened bank accounts, called “drop accounts,” in order to receive millions of dollars from the victims.  Testimony at trial showed that victims provided money to the defendants as a result of the false stories and promises, either depositing money directly into drop accounts controlled by the defendants, or by checks sent to the conspirators.  The payments from victims ranged from $1,720 to $50,000.

Ogundele, Oloyede, the Popoolas, and their co-conspirators dispersed money received from the victims by transferring funds to other accounts controlled by the conspirators, by obtaining cashier’s checks, and by writing checks to individuals or entities, in order to conceal the nature, source, and control of those assets.

The defendants face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for conspiring to commit wire fraud, and for conspiring to commit money laundering. Additionally, all of the defendants except for Mojisola Popoola face a mandatory minimum sentence of two years in prison to be served consecutive to any other sentence for aggravated identity theft, arising from the use of a victim’s name, bank account number or driver’s license in furtherance of the fraud scheme. U.S. District Judge Paul W. Grimm has scheduled sentencing for Oloyede on January 25, 2017; for the Popoolas on February 22, 2017; and for Ogundele on February 23, 2017.

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 FBI for its work in the investigation and thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas P. Windom and Leah Jo Bressack, who are prosecuting the case.

Greenbelt, Maryland – Derrick Rondell Battle, age 43, of Bladensburg, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to armed commercial robbery, using and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence and being a felon in possession of a firearm, related to three robberies he committed in September 2015. 

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 Chief Henry P. Stawinski of the Prince George’s County Police Department.

According to his plea agreement, Battle committed three armed robberies between September 21 and September 25, 2015.  In each robbery Battle wore a mask and was armed with a black semi-automatic handgun, which he brandished at store employees.

Specifically, Battle robbed: a pharmacy in the 6400 block of Landover Road in Landover, Maryland on September 21, 2015, stealing $200; a discount store in the 6500 block of Annapolis Road in Landover Hills, Maryland on September 24, 2015, stealing $1,200; and a gas station in the 5800 block of Annapolis Road in Cheverly, Maryland, stealing $200.

As Battle fled the gas station, a strong wind blew the stolen money out of the bag and Battle stopped to collect the money.  Responding police officers saw Battle in a nearby ravine and he was apprehended after a brief chase.  Police officers recovered cash from Battle and within feet of where he was apprehended recovered the gun used in the robbery, additional cash and the jacket Battle wore during the robbery. 

The gun was a .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun loaded with six .45 caliber rounds of ammunition.  The total cash recovered was approximately $1,200.  

Battle was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition as a result of previous felony convictions.

Battle and the government have agreed that if the Court accepts the plea agreement Battle will be sentenced to 198 months in prison.  U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang has scheduled sentencing for January 19, 2017 at 2:00 p.m.   

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the FBI and Prince George’s County Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Menaka Kalaskar and Bryan E. Foreman, who are prosecuting the case.

Baltimore, Maryland – Correctional Officer Rachelle Hankerson, age 26, of Salisbury, Maryland; Ramel Chase, age 34, of Glen Burnie, Maryland; and Miguel Matos, age 46, of Ft. Washington, Maryland, pleaded guilty this week to racketeering conspiracy operating at the Eastern Correctional Institution in Westover, Maryland.  Hankerson also pleaded guilty to deprivation of rights under color of law for participating in the stabbing of an inmate.

The guilty pleas 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.

According to their plea agreements and court documents, 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. During the conspiracy, Hankerson was a Correctional Officer (CO) at ECI, Chase was an inmate, and Matos was the father of an inmate at ECI.

Hankerson admitted that she accepted payments from facilitators and inmates to smuggle contraband into ECI, including narcotics, cell phones and tobacco.  Hankerson charged at least $500 per package of contraband she smuggled into ECI.  Hankerson also admitted that she approached a co-defendant who was a member of the Bloods gang at ECI for whom she smuggled contraband, and asked the inmate to confront inmate D.S., with whom Hankerson had had a verbal dispute.  Hankerson twice allowed her co-defendant onto the tier where D.S. was housed.  The second time that the co-defendant entered D.S.’s cell he violently attacked D.S., stabbing him multiple times.  Another inmate told Hankerson about the violent confrontation, but rather than notifying prison authorities, Hankerson left the area.  She later told an inmate to provide a false story to prison authorities that Hankerson had not been on the tier when the attack occurred.

Chase admitted that he bribed and attempted to bribe COs to smuggle contraband, including narcotics, into ECI. Chase managed a contraband smuggling and distribution network involving co-defendants and others. Matos admitted that he facilitated his son’s contraband smuggling in ECI by obtaining narcotics and other contraband and transferring it to co-conspirators who smuggled it into the facility.  In addition, Matos performed financial transactions in furtherance of the smuggling.

Law enforcement intercepted multiple calls in which Hankerson, Chase, Matos and others working with them discussed contraband, arranging meetings with correctional officers, and payment for contraband.  In calls between Matos and his son, investigators overheard them discussing COs who smuggled contraband into ECI for them.  Matos was also overheard discussing the packaging and delivery of contraband with a supplier.

The defendants each face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for the racketeering conspiracy. Hankerson also faces a maximum of 10 years in prison for deprivation of rights under color of law for her participation in the stabbing of an inmate. U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar has scheduled sentencing for Matos on February 24, 2017, at 10:00 a.m.; for Hankerson on March 7, 2017 at 2:00 p.m.; and for Chase on January 17, 2017 at 2:00 p.m.

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.  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.

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.

Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury has indicted Marie Joy Tanamor-Steffan, a/k/a Marie Joy Steffan-Tanamor and Marie Joy Acibo Tanamore, age 42, of Baltimore, for wire fraud and false use of a passport in connection with schemes to defraud two retail chains.  The indictment was returned on November 16 and unsealed today upon her arrest. 

The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Richard Ingram of the Washington Field Office of the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service; Special Agent in Charge Brian Murphy of the United States Secret Service - Baltimore Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Brian J. Ebert of the United States Secret Service - Washington Field Office.

The eight-count indictment alleges that Tanamor-Steffan defrauded a retail lingerie chain by shoplifting items from stores in Maryland, Virginia, and other states.  The indictment alleges that Tanamor-Steffan then exchanged the shoplifted items at another store for items costing slightly more in total. The lingerie store allowed customers who did not have a receipt to exchange or return merchandise for store credit.  Customers were required to provide a driver’s license, state identification card, or passport number, which was entered into the store’s computer system.  The store limited the amount a customer could receive in non-receipted exchanges/returns in a 90-day period. Tanamor-Steffan presented a Philippine passport as her identification, but allegedly altered the passport number for each exchange to avoid triggering the store limit.  Tanamor-Steffan paid the additional amount due with her debit card and received a receipt for the transaction.  According to the indictment, Tanamor-Steffan then returned the items, with the refund being credited to the debit card she used during the exchange.

The indictment further alleges that Tanamor-Steffan conducted a similar scheme targeting a home improvement store.  According to the indictment, Tanamor-Steffan would go to the home improvement store with a receipt for merchandise, but without the merchandise.  The indictment alleges she would select the items on the receipt from inventory in the store, then take those items to customer service and “return” the items she had just selected but not purchased, using the receipt she brought to the store with her.  The refund would be credited to Tanamor-Steffan’s bank account.

The indictment seeks the forfeiture of at least $61,322.42, alleged to be the proceeds of the fraud schemes.

If convicted, Tanamor-Steffan faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for each of seven counts of wire fraud, and a maximum of 10 years in prison for passport fraud.  Tanamor-Steffan had an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Baltimore today and was ordered to be detained, pending a detention hearing scheduled for November 21, 2016 at 2:30.

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. 

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 Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, United States Secret Service – Baltimore Field Office and Washington Field Office, and National Capitol Region Fraud Task Force for their work in the investigation and thanked HSI-Baltimore for its assistance.  Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamera L. Fine and Special Assistant United States Attorney Brian Fish, on detail from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, who are prosecuting the case.

Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Theodore J. Chuang sentenced Gloria Patricia Taylor, age 52, of Lanham, Maryland today to 146 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 1000 kilograms or more of marijuana, two counts of use of a communication device to facilitate narcotics trafficking, and possession with intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana.  Judge Chuang also entered an order requiring Taylor to forfeit $3.7 million.  Taylor was convicted by a federal jury on April 28, 2016.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein and Special Agent in Charge Karl C. Colder of the Drug Enforcement Administration - Washington Field Division.  

According to evidence presented at her seven-day trial, on July 1, 2013, law enforcement officers intercepted three crates containing a total of approximately 630 kilograms of marijuana at a nationwide delivery company with a shipping office located in Maryland.  All three crates were shipped from Tucson, Arizona.  The crates were addressed to companies in in Landover and Lanham, Maryland.  The bill of lading for the shipments described the contents as “Stone Group, Amethyst Stone,” and “Stone Group, Aragonite.”   In total, the bales of marijuana from those three crates weighed over 1300 pounds, which evidence at trial showed was approximately $1.3 million dollars’ worth of marijuana.  

According to trial evidence, records showed that at least 28 additional crates shipped from Arizona to those and other companies were sent from March 2011 through October 2013. The shipping company driver who delivered the packages testified that Taylor accepted delivery of and signed fictitious names for each of the crates (with the exception of 5 or so shipments, which were delivered to an associate of Taylor’s, at Taylor’s request), and that none of the crates were delivered to the addresses found on the bills of lading.  Evidence at trial further showed that none of the delivery addresses on the bills of lading were in any way associated with any of the businesses.  Taylor tipped the driver approximately $100 for each delivery.

Trial testimony showed that the driver first met Taylor when he attempted to deliver a crate to one of the companies.  When the driver arrived at the address listed on the bill of lading, the individuals at that address did not accept the package.  Shortly thereafter, Taylor contacted the driver and asked him to deliver the package to a location around the corner.  Taylor arrived at the delivery spot with a U-Haul.  Taylor requested that the driver become her regular delivery driver for all future deliveries. According to trial testimony, prior to each delivery, Taylor would contact the driver by telephone and inform him that the crates were arriving at the shipping company in Maryland.  The day of the delivery, Taylor would call the driver to let him know where to make the delivery.  When law enforcement intercepted the three crates in July 2013, shipping company personnel told the driver that drugs were found in the crates.  The driver confronted Taylor, who apologized for getting him involved, and offered to pay the driver $10,000 to get the crate back and also offered him a new cell phone so that they could communicate.  The driver refused the money and the cell phone and cut off all communication with Taylor. Taylor stopped using the shipping company.

The government’s evidence showed that Taylor traveled to Arizona during the same time period each of the shipments were shipped from Tucson, Arizona to Maryland.  Even after Taylor stopped using the Maryland shipping company in July 2013, she continued to travel to and from Arizona and Maryland, renting a U-Haul within days of each return to Maryland, including in October 2013, January 2014, February 2014, April 2014, July 2014, and September 2014. 

According to trial evidence, after Taylor returned to Maryland from Arizona on September 30, 2014, she rented a U-Haul van, which she drove to Washington, DC, and then back to her residence.  On that same date, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Taylor’s residence and the U-Haul van.  Law enforcement recovered 250 pounds of marijuana (approximately 130 kilograms) from a crate that Taylor was seen unloading from the U-Haul van, and nine cell phones from throughout the residence.  In addition, within her master bedroom, law enforcement recovered additional marijuana, over $30,000 in cash, and drug ledgers which calculated Taylor’s sales and profit from her marijuana business. 

The government’s evidence showed that, just between October 2012 and July 2013, Taylor shipped approximately 5,220 pounds (approximately 2,367 kilograms) of marijuana, worth approximately $5 million.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the DEA for its work in the investigation.  Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly O’Connell Hayes and Bryan E. Foreman, who prosecuted the case.

Greenbelt, Maryland – Oluwafemi Charles Igberase, a/k/a Charles John Nosa Akoda, age 54, of Bowie, Maryland, pleaded guilty on November 15, 2016, to misusing a Social Security Account number to fraudulently obtain a medical license in Maryland.

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); Special Agent in Charge Michael McGill of the Social Security Administration - Office of Inspector General, Philadelphia Field Division; 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 Drew Grimm of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management - Office of Inspector General; Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Chief Hank Stawinski of the Prince George’s County Police Department.

According to his plea agreement, Igberase entered the United States in October 1991 on a nonimmigrant visa.  In November 1991, January 1995, and September 1998, Igberase obtained fraudulent social security numbers using other names and false identifying information.  Between 1992 and 1998, Igberase obtained three certifications from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) under different names, dates of birth and fraudulent social security numbers, in order to practice medicine and get into a residency program in the United States.  The ECFMG Committee on Medical Education Credential subsequently revoked or suspended two certifications in December 1995, after learning that they were fraudulently obtained.  In 1998, after receiving his third ECFMG certification in the name Charles John Nosa Akoda, Igberase was admitted to a residency program in New Jersey.  Igberase was dismissed from the program two years later after officials learned that the social security number he used did not belong to him. 

In 2011, Igberase also used the third social security number to fraudulently apply for federal education loans for his children.  That same year, using a fourth fraudulent social security number that belonged to another individual, and other fraudulent documents in the name Charles John Nosa Akoda, Igbergase obtained a medical license in Maryland, after completing a U.S. residency program.  He went on to practice obstetrics and gynecology and obtained medical privileges at a hospital in Prince George’s County.

In 2012, Igberase, using the Akoda identity, submitted a Medicare Enrollment Application, which was denied based in part on their determination that Igberase did not provide an accurate social security number.

A search warrant executed at Igberase’s residence recovered a false social security card in the Akoda name, a false Nigerian passport for Akoda, a false U.S. visa in the Akoda name, and fraudulent or altered documents related to immigration, medical diplomas, medical transcripts, letters of recommendation and birth certificates.

Igberase and the government have agreed that if the Court accepts the plea agreement Igberase will be sentenced to six months in prison, followed by six months of home detention as part of three years of supervised release.  U.S. District Judge Paul W. Grimm has scheduled sentencing for February 27, 2017 at 1:00 p.m.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended HSI Baltimore, the Offices of Inspector General for the Social Security Administration, Department of Health and Human Services and Office of Personnel Management, the FBI, and Prince George’s County Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly O’Connell Hayes and Michael T. Packard, who are prosecuting the case.

Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge J. Frederick Motz sentenced James Kingsborough, age 26, of Baltimore, Maryland, today to 10 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm.  Kingsborough was convicted by a federal jury on June 22, 2016.

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; Baltimore Police Commissioner Kevin Davis; and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby.

According to the evidence presented at the two-day trial, on June 17, 2015, at approximately 11:25 a.m., Baltimore Police officers saw Kingsborough bent over at the waist appearing to be injured.  The officers approached Kingsborough inquiring if he was “OK.” Kingsborough responded he was “on the box,” meaning he had on an electronic monitoring device. Kingsborough departed abruptly and walked across the intersection of North Franklintown Road and West Franklin Street.  As he walked, the officers saw him adjusting his waistband and altering his gait in a manner suggesting he had a firearm.  Kingsborough went into a nearby barber shop and an officer followed him inside.  Kingsborough turned around, grabbed his right midsection, and walked towards the officer.  The officer instructed Kingsborough to show his hands, but Kingsborough refused.  The officer attempted to grab Kingsborough, who shifted out of the officer’s grasp, but the officer was able to grab the back of Kingsborough’s shirt as he squirmed past the officer.  Kingsborough and officer struggled through the shop’s front door and the second officer approached them.  A firearm dropped from Kingsborough’s waistband onto the ground and Kingsborough and the second officer began struggling.  The first officer, fearing for the safety of his fellow officer, deployed his Taser.  The officers arrested Kingsborough and recovered the firearm, a .380 caliber handgun, loaded with .380 hollow point rounds.

Kingsborough is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition as a result of four previous felony convictions, including a conviction for attempted second degree murder.  This offense occurred less than five months after Kingsborough’s release from prison on that conviction.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the ATF, Baltimore Police Department and Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Metcalf and John W. Sippel, Jr. who prosecuted the case.

Baltimore, Maryland – On November 14, 2016, U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar sentenced BGF leader Mark Bazemore, a/k/a Uncle Mark, age 31, of Baltimore, to life in prison for racketeering and drug conspiracies related to his Black Guerilla Family (BGF) gang activities.  Judge Bredar sentenced Michael Smith, Jr., a/k/a Mikey, Lil Mike and Mik, age 30, of Baltimore, to 210 months in prison, and Timothy Hurtt, a/k/a Uncle Tim and Tim, age 45, of Baltimore County, to 324 months in prison, each followed by five years of supervised release for participating in a racketeering conspiracy and drug conspiracy related to their membership in BGF.  A federal jury convicted them of those charges on June 6, 2016.  Bazemore and Hurtt were also convicted of conspiring to use and carry a firearm in relation to a crime of violence and a drug trafficking crime.  Bazemore was also convicted of conspiring to commit murder in aid of racketeering; and attempted murder in aid of racketeering.

Today, Judge Bredar sentenced Irvin Vincent, age 28, of Hanover, Maryland, to 18 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for racketeering and drug conspiracies related to his membership in the Black Guerilla Family (BGF) gang, possession with intent to distribute heroin, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. 

The sentences 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; Baltimore Police Commissioner Kevin Davis; Chief Gary Gardner of the Howard County Police Department; Howard County State’s Attorney Dario Broccolino; and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby.

“If we want to stop the killing in Baltimore, we need to remove the killers from Baltimore,” said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein. 

The Black Guerilla Family (BGF) is a nationwide gang operating in prisons and on the streets of cities throughout the United States.  BGF is involved in criminal activity, including murder, robbery, extortion, narcotics trafficking, obstruction of justice and witness intimidation in Baltimore, in Maryland, and elsewhere. BGF members were required to follow a code of conduct.  Members who violate this code or disobey an order from a superior are subjected to disciplinary measures called “sanctions,” which include fines, physical beatings, stabbings, and murders administered by other BGF members. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, these defendants and other BGF members regularly paid dues to BGF and met to discuss gang business, including: the sanctioning of BGF members; the identities of individuals suspected of cooperating with law enforcement and actions to be taken against them; and the commission of future crimes. 

According to trial evidence, Bazemore, who was a BGF leader, issued sanctions on several fellow BGF members, including the attempted murder of one BGF member who was shot on March 10, 2014, and the murder of another member who was killed on June 16, 2014.  Bazemore and Smith collected dues from BGF members who were dealing drugs in the area of Pratt and Payson Streets, a BGF controlled open-air drug shop in Baltimore.  In addition to collecting dues, the defendants conspired to operate street-level drug shops throughout Baltimore where they distributed heroin.  Timothy Michael Gray, a/k/a “Mike Gray,” who was the Baltimore “city-wide” commander of BGF would often be driven by Hurtt to various BGF-controlled drug shops, like Pratt and Payson, to collect drugs and money from their subordinates.  In addition, Hurtt and Gray provided armed protection in a BGF drug deal.

According to his plea agreement, Vincent obtained wholesale quantities of heroin, which he distributed to other BGF members for redistribution, or provided the heroin to intermediaries to be sold in Howard County, Maryland, and elsewhere. Vincent often packaged his individual units of heroin in small green bags.  Vincent was overheard by law enforcement discussing the wholesale purchase and sale of heroin to various customers in Howard County and other locations throughout Maryland.  On July 8, 2014, Vincent was arrested driving his vehicle after being observed meeting with his source of supply, and a search and seizure warrant was executed on his apartment in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.  Agents recovered approximately 75 grams of heroin, as well as heroin packaged in green bags; a loaded Taurus .357 revolver on top of a document containing the BGF oath; and a loaded 9mm handgun.   A later search of Vincent’s car revealed a hidden compartment behind the dashboard containing an additional 50 green bags containing heroin, a ski mask, and a loaded 9mm handgun. 

According to evidence presented at today’s sentencing hearing, two of Vincent’s regular drug customers obtained heroin from him or one of his employees which they provided to two individuals in Howard County who died of a heroin overdose.  According to today’s testimony, after being advised by his customers that someone may have died from using his heroin, Vincent stated that he did not want to hear about it, and told the customers not to bring it up again.

Timothy Michael Gray, a/k/a “Mike Gray,” age 48, of Baltimore, previously pleaded guilty to the racketeering conspiracy. Nine other co-defendants pleaded guilty to their roles in the conspiracies and are awaiting sentencing, including six defendants who are scheduled to be sentenced this week.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the FBI; Baltimore City and Howard County Police Departments; and Baltimore City and Howard County State’s Attorney’s Offices for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Keri Borzilleri, on detail from the Maryland Attorney General’s Office for her assistance in today’s sentencing, and Assistant United States Attorneys James T. Wallner and Clinton Fuchs, who prosecuted this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.

Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Marvin J. Garbis sentenced Taft Redd, age 45, of Baltimore, Maryland, today to 10 years in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for six commercial robberies committed between July 22 and August 18, 2015.    

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; 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. 

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.

Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar sentenced real estate consultant Alexander Sivels, II, age 32, of Baltimore, and real estate agent Christopher A. Kwegan, age 59, of Randallstown, Maryland, each to 27 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for related mortgage fraud schemes. Judge Bredar also ordered Sivels to pay restitution of $1,317,314.35, and ordered Kwegan to pay restitution of $530,641.27. Kwegan was sentenced today and Sivels was sentenced yesterday.

Sivels previously pleaded guilty to wire fraud involving the fraudulent purchase of at least nine properties in Baltimore using fraudulent loan documentation and settlement documents, resulting in actual or attempted losses of more than $1.3 million. Kwegan participated in the fraudulent sale of two properties with losses of more than $530,000.

The sentences 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; Special Agent in Charge Bertrand Nelson of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General; and Special Agent in Charge Brian Murphy of the United States Secret Service - Baltimore Field Office.

“Mortgage fraud perpetrators steal by inducing lenders to make loans that will never be repaid, and they harm neighborhoods when the inevitable foreclosures drive down property values,” stated U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein.

According to Sivels’ plea agreement and other court documents, Sivels owned Royal Real Estate Consultants LLC, and co-conspirator Cecil Chester worked as an accountant from an office located on New Hampshire Avenue in Hyattsville, Maryland.  Co-conspirator Andreas Tamaris purchased, renovated, and then resold distressed row houses in Baltimore City, primarily in Highlandtown.  In 2007 or 2008, Sivels met Andreas Tamaris and agreed to assist Tamaris to find purchasers for houses he had bought and renovated, or that were owned by developers who owed money to Tamaris for renovation work.  Tamaris told Sivels the amount he needed to receive from the sale of each property to recover his investment and earn a profit.  Tamaris told Sivels that he could keep any excess funds generated if Sivels sold the house for more than the amount Tamaris needed to cover his costs.

Between 2008 and 2011, Sivels participated in the sale of at least nine properties, all of which were eventually foreclosed upon, resulting in losses of more than $1.3 million.  In 2008 and 2009, Sivels and Chester recruited buyers to purchase houses, knowing that they did not qualify for the home mortgages.  To enable the buyers to purchase the properties, Sivels and his co-conspirators prepared fraudulent mortgage applications which misrepresented the buyers’ income and assets.  Sivels sometimes created fake tax documents and false pay stubs, and falsified bank statements to reflect the substantial balances referenced by the loan application.  The conspirators often inflated the price of the house to insure a profit for themselves.  At the settlements for the properties, the proceeds of the sale were generally distributed to Tamaris, who would write checks to Sivels for his portion of the profits.  From the sale of just four of the properties Sivels received payments totaling more than $200,000.

In 2010 and 2011, Sivels assisted with the sales of several other Tamaris-owned properties by providing prospective lenders with fraudulent verifications of employment for the purchasers, falsely representing that they worked at a home renovation company Sivels owned, receiving cash payments in return for his assistance.

According to his guilty plea, in the summer of 2008, Kwegan learned that the owner of a row house on Washington Boulevard in Baltimore City was trying to sell his home.  The owner had purchased the property 10 years earlier for $11,500 and Kwegan told him that he could sell it for $75,000.  The owner agreed to sell it for that price. Rather than trying to sell the property at the actual market price, Kwegan requested assistance from Cecil Chester, who was already operating a mortgage fraud scheme and they set the sale price of the row house at $250,000.    

Kwegan arranged to use the personal identifiers of an individual recruited by Chester to buy the property as a straw purchaser.  Kwegan and his co-conspirators knew that the straw purchaser lacked the necessary assets to pay for the down payments and closing costs on the property, or the income to keep up the mortgage payments on the house after the transaction closed.  Chester provided a mortgage loan broker with a false loan application and fraudulent supporting documents which inaccurately represented that the straw purchaser’s employment, annual income, and assets.  Based upon these false representations, a bank wired $242,500 to finance the purchase of the property, at the settlement on September 30, 2008.  Kwegan used his own funds to obtain a cashier’s check in the amount of $9,391.53 to cover the down payment and the straw purchaser’s share of the closing costs.  After the settlement, just $15,773.65 was disbursed to the seller of the property.  In contrast, $145,000 was wired to an entity identified as “CAK,” which were Kwegan’s initials.   These funds were transferred into Kwegan’s bank account.  Kwegan then wrote a check to Chester for $35,000.  No payments were made on the mortgage.  The property went into foreclosure and remains unsold at this time, resulting in a loss of between $150,000 and $235,000.  At today’s hearing, the Court found that Kwegan was also involved in the fraudulent sale of another property with Chester, resulting in a loss of $296,000.  Kwegan derived over $100,000 in proceeds from this transaction and paid another $40,000 to Chester for his assistance.

Andreas E. Tamaris, age 46, of Bel Air, Maryland, previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and is scheduled to be sentenced on November 15, 2016.  Co-conspirator Cecil Sylvester Chester, age 69, of Mitchellville, Maryland pleaded guilty to the fraudulent purchase of seven properties in Baltimore, using fraudulent loan documentation and straw purchasers, resulting in losses of over $1.4 million. Chester is scheduled to be sentenced on November 28, 2016. Michael Gerard Camphor, age 60, of Baltimore, previously pleaded guilty for his participation in the fraudulent purchase of four properties in Baltimore resulting in losses of over $736,000. Judge Bredar scheduled Camphor’s sentencing for December 19, 2016.

The Maryland Mortgage Fraud Task Force was established to unify the agencies that regulate and investigate mortgage fraud and promote the early detection, identification, prevention and prosecution of mortgage fraud schemes. This case, as well as other cases brought by members of the Task Force, demonstrates the commitment of law enforcement agencies to protect consumers from fraud and promote the integrity of the credit markets. Information about mortgage fraud prosecutions is available at http://www.justice.gov/usao-md/financial-fraud-and-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 FBI, HUD OIG - Office of Investigations and the U.S. Secret Service for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Jefferson M. Gray, who prosecuted the cases.

Greenbelt, Maryland – Alicia Jones, age 48, of Germantown, Maryland, pleaded guilty on November 3, 2016, to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in connection with a scheme to submit fraudulent insurance applications using the identities of others, in order to obtain over $630,000 in commissions.

The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein and Postal Inspector in Charge Terrence P. McKeown of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service - Washington Division.

According to her plea agreement, on November 23, 2011, Jones was licensed to sell insurance in Maryland and soon thereafter began working for Insurance Company A.  Insurance Company A routinely provided insurance agents with advance commission payments at the time a new application was submitted to the company, representing approximately 50% of the total commission due. 

Jones admitted that Between March 2012 and January 2013, she electronically submitted more than 3100 fraudulent insurance applications under her name and insurance license, as well as under the names and insurance licenses of others, in order to obtain the advance commissions.  Jones submitted over 1400 fraudulent applications for over 310 fictitious individuals and over 1700 fraudulent applications for over 370 real persons who were not eligible for policies and did not know the policies were submitted on their behalf.  Jones encouraged multiple family members to obtain licenses to sell insurance and work with her.  Jones submitted fraudulent applications under her name, the names of her family members and others.  Jones either had access or stole access to her family members’ bank accounts in order to withdraw the advance commission payments on the fraudulent policies she submitted under their names prior to them noticing the deposits.

As part of her plea agreement, Jones will be required to pay restitution of $636,278.12, the amount of loss or attempted loss foreseeable to Jones during the conspiracy.

Jones faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.  U.S. District Judge Paul W. Grimm has scheduled sentencing for February 8, 2017, at 2:30 p.m.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for its work in the investigation.  Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney David I. Salem who is prosecuting the case.

Baltimore, Maryland – Drug City Pharmacy, Inc. and its former owner, Mark Lichtman, have agreed to pay $900,000 to the United States to resolve allegations that they violated the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) by dispensing controlled substances pursuant to prescriptions that were not issued for a legitimate medical purpose.

The settlement agreement was announced today by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein and Special Agent in Charge Karl C. Colder of the Drug Enforcement Administration - Washington Field Division.

“Pharmacies and pharmacists are responsible for making sure controlled substances prescriptions were issued for legitimate medical purposes,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein. “Doctors and pharmacists are the gatekeepers in preventing abuse and diversion of pharmaceutical drugs for non-medical purposes.”  

“The abuse of prescription drugs has rampantly spread throughout our communities,” stated DEA Special Agent in Charge Karl C. Colder.  “This abuse has directly resulted in the escalation of heroin addiction and related overdoses. Today’s settlement sends a clear message to all pharmacies that it is essential to dispense controlled substances in compliance with DEA’s record keeping requirements. DEA is dedicated to combat the prescription drug abuse problem in Maryland and throughout the country and to hold pharmacies and its owners like Drug City and Lichtman, accountable.”

Under the CSA, pharmacies have a responsibility to dispense only those prescriptions that have been issued for a legitimate medical purpose by a health care provider acting in the usual course of professional practice.  Knowingly filling an illegitimate prescription subjects a pharmacy to civil penalties under the CSA. 

According to the settlement agreement, Drug City and Lichtman admitted that from January 1, 2010 to April 4, 2012 they dispensed controlled substances in a manner not fully consistent with their compliance obligations under the CSA and related regulations. Specifically, the settlement agreement states that controlled substances were dispensed to individuals that Drug City or Lichtman should have known were diverting the drugs. This settlement caps off an another investigation that began as part of the DEA’s crackdown on prescription drug abuse in Maryland. 

U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the DEA’s Office of Diversion Control, Washington Division, Baltimore District Office for its work in the investigation.  Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorney Thomas F. Corcoran, who handled the case.

Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge J. Frederick Motz sentenced Gregory Lee Butler, Jr., a/k/a Greg Baly, age 22, of Baltimore, today to pay $1 million in restitution, to serve 250 hours of community service and three years of supervised release, after giving him credit for time served (five weeks), for impeding firefighters by puncturing a firehose during the civil disturbance in Baltimore on April 27, 2015.

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; Commissioner Kevin Davis of the Baltimore Police Department; Maryland State Fire Marshal Brian Geraci; and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn J. Mosby.

According to the information presented to the court at Butler’s plea hearing and today’s sentencing, on April 27, 2015, riots erupted in Baltimore and at approximately 6:30 p.m. the Baltimore City Fire Department (BCFD) was notified of a fire at the CVS Pharmacy located at 2509 Pennsylvania Avenue, which is adjacent to the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and West North Avenue in Baltimore. Several BCFD engines were dispatched to suppress and extinguish the fire at the CVS. Firefighters deployed fire hoses to provide water in those efforts and to protect firefighters inside and near the building. Throughout the course of BCFD’s fire suppression and extinguishment efforts, rioting continued in the vicinity of CVS Pharmacy.

One hose was attached to a hydrant near the intersection of Pennsylvania and West North Avenues.  Once the hose was attached to the hydrant and the water was flowing into the hose, Butler admitted that he punctured the hose twice using a knife. Both punctures released a high-pressure stream of water from the hose and rendered the hose inoperable.  As a result, the efforts to put out the fire at the CVS were impeded and delayed. 

Federal prosecutors previously have charged four other defendants for arson crimes committed during the Baltimore riots on April 27, 2015. Trevon Green, age 23, of Baltimore, pleaded guilty to the arson of a Baltimore food market and admitted that he participated in the looting of a liquor store and assaulted the store’s owner. Green was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison.  Darius Raymond Stewart, age 22, of Baltimore, pleaded guilty to malicious destruction of property by fire, arising from the arson of a liquor store and was sentenced to five years in federal prison. Donta Betts, age 20, of Baltimore, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for making a destructive device in connection with the April 27, 2015, riots in Baltimore and, in an unrelated case, for discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime on July 2, 2015. Raymon Carter, age 25, of Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty to the federal crime of rioting, including the arson of the CVS Pharmacy on April 27, 2015, and was sentenced to four years in prison and ordered to pay restitution of $500,000.

The investigation into arsons that occurred on April 27, 2015, is continuing. Anyone with information is urged to call the ATF hotline, 1-888-ATF-FIRE (1-888-283-3473). ATF continues to offer a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any individual responsible for these incidents.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the ATF, Baltimore Police Department, Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office and Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Philip A. Selden and Matthew J. Maddox, who prosecuted the case.

Baltimore, Maryland –Richard Byrd, a/k/a Robert Smith, age 43, a Jamaican national residing in Maryland and Arizona, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana, and to conspiracy to launder drug proceeds. 

The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Karl C. Colder of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Washington Field Office; Chief James W. Johnson of the Baltimore County Police Department; Colonel Woodrow Jones, Chief of the Maryland Transportation Authority Police; Special Agent in Charge Thomas Jankowski of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, Washington, D.C. Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Andre R. Watson of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Colonel Frank L. Milstead, Director of the Arizona Department of Public Safety; Chief Jeri Williams of the Phoenix, Arizona Police Department; and Chief Sean Duggan of the Chandler, Arizona Police Department.

“Richard Byrd ran a major drug distribution ring that generated millions of dollars in proceeds,” said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein.

“This is one of the largest and most prolific drug organizations that has been dismantled in Baltimore in recent memory”, stated Special Agent in Charge Karl C. Colder.  “This investigation and guilty plea is a prime example of how DEA, with our federal and local partners in HIDTA (High Impact Drug Trafficking Area), continues to target and dismantle large scale, complex trafficking organizations that operate in Baltimore, the surrounding metropolitan area, and throughout the nation.”

According to his plea agreement and court documents, from 2009 through April 2014, Richard Byrd was the leader and organizer a drug distribution network which provided for the acquisition, transportation and distribution of cocaine and marijuana.  The sale of marijuana and cocaine generated proceeds in the millions of dollars. These proceeds were counted and packaged in and around Baltimore. Byrd used couriers to transport the proceeds to the Atlanta, Georgia area, then others to transport the money from Atlanta to cities in Nevada, Texas, Arizona, and California, where the cash was used to purchase additional quantities of drugs.

Byrd also acquired a financial interest in a business in order to launder drug proceeds, finance commercial ventures, and pay other bills and expenses. At his direction, several million dollars in cash were deposited into the bank accounts maintained by the business. Many of these transactions involve deposits in excess of $10,000. In addition, Byrd used bank accounts in the name of an alias, Robert Smith, to conduct financial transactions intended to launder drug proceeds, including paying personal bills and expenses.

The conspirators used freight companies to ship drugs obtained in Arizona, California and elsewhere to distribution points in Baltimore, and other east coast destinations.  Rasan Byrd supervised the Arizona-based activities of organization. Under the direction of Richard Byrd, Rasan coordinated the acquisition of large quantities of marijuana and cocaine from Mexican sources of supply and supervised several workers who weighed and packaged the drugs in a way to avoid detection by law enforcement. On April 22, 2013, law enforcement officers in Arizona seized 16 kilograms of cocaine and over 600 pounds of marijuana which were about to be shipped to Byrd’s Baltimore-based distributors.

The Baltimore distributors included Jerome Castle, Joseph Byrd, and Harold Byrd. Castle supervised the Baltimore operation, taking delivery of the drugs, selling them, and collecting and counting proceeds from the drug sales. On April 22, 2013, law enforcement officers in Maryland seized approximately 350 pounds of marijuana and over 10 kilograms of cocaine from businesses and residences utilized by Castle, Joseph Byrd, and Harold Byrd. In addition, almost $58,000 in currency and jewelry valued at more than $400,000 were recovered at the residence of Jerome Castle. The money and jewelry were also proceeds from illegal drug sales.

In addition, over $1 million was seized in Arizona from Richard Byrd in early 2011. In July 2012, an additional of $372,000 was seized from a residence in Arizona occupied by Richard and Rasan Byrd. These money seizures were proceeds from east coast drug sales intended for use in acquiring additional quantities of marijuana and cocaine.

During the course of this conspiracy more than 150 kilograms of cocaine and 20,000 kilograms of marijuana were acquired and distributed by Richard Byrd and his associates.         

Byrd and the government have agreed that if the Court accepts the plea agreement Byrd will be sentenced to 26 years in prison and will be required to pay a money judgment of $20 million dollars, as well as forfeit his interest in two properties, three businesses, and 10 vehicles, and forfeit $1,609,411.51 in cash seized during the investigation.  U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett has scheduled sentencing for February 9, 2017, at 3:00 p.m.

Brothers Rasan Byrd, age 41, of Houston, Texas, Harold Alexander Byrd, age 27, of Phoenix, Maryland, and Joseph Ibreham Byrd, age 35, of Owings Mills, Maryland, previously pleaded guilty to their roles in the conspiracy. Rasan was sentenced to 14 years in prison and Harold and Joseph were each sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Jerome Adolfo Castle, a/k/a Dontwon Burris, age 37, a Jamaican citizen residing in Pikesville, Maryland, previously pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy and was sentenced to 14 years in prison. Castle was also ordered to forfeit $57,997 in cash, his interest in seven Baltimore properties, jewelry valued at more than $411,000, 98 pairs of men’s shoes, two laptop computers and an I-Pad, seven firearms and ammunition, as well as six vehicles, including a 2009 Jaguar XF Premium.

Maurice Jones, age 62, and Richard Drummond, age 40, both of Baltimore, also pleaded guilty to their roles in the conspiracy and were sentenced to seven years in prison and two years in prison, respectively.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the DEA, Baltimore County Police Department, the Maryland Transportation Authority Police, IRS-Criminal Investigation, HSI-Baltimore, Arizona Department of Public Safety, Phoenix Police Department, and Chandler, Arizona Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys James G. Warwick and Kenneth S. Clark, who are prosecuting this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.

Baltimore, Maryland – A federal criminal complaint has been filed charging Stephen Charles Williams-Hill, age 32, of Catonsville, Maryland, today for allegedly using a telephone and emails to threaten to kill, intimidate, or injure the victims and their residence by means of an explosive, and communicating in interstate commerce, a threat to kidnap or injure another person. 

The criminal complaint 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; Chief James W. Johnson of the Baltimore County Police Department; Commissioner Kevin Davis of the Baltimore Police Department, as part of the FBI Joint Violent Crimes Task Force; and Chief Chris Magnus of the Tucson Police Department.

According to the affidavit, from July through October 2016, Williams-Hill, using the name Gio Calle, made numerous threats to the victim and her family.  The affidavit alleges that Williams-Hill called, emailed and left messages, for the victim, her mother and her sibling.  In those calls and emails Williams-Hill allegedly threatened to blow up the building where the mother worked, blow up the family’s residence, kill, maim and torture the victim and the members her family.  Williams-Hill claimed to have a semiautomatic weapon, that he threatened to use to kill the family and individuals at the mother’s work place.  According to the affidavit, on several occasions Williams-Hill stated that he’d been wanting to kill someone since he was six years old.

If convicted, Williams-Hill faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for using a telephone and emails to threaten to kill, intimidate, or injure the victims and their residence by means of an explosive; and a maximum of five years in prison for communicating in interstate commerce, a threat to kidnap or injure another person.  Williams-Hill had an initial appearance this afternoon in U.S. District Court in Baltimore and was detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for November 3, 2016 at 2:00 p.m.

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, Baltimore City and Baltimore County Police Departments and the Tucson, Arizona Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney John W. Sippel, Jr. who is prosecuting the case.

Baltimore, Maryland –U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar sentenced Daniel Hill, age 44, of Baltimore, Maryland, today to 10 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for possession of a stolen gun.    

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; Baltimore Police Commissioner Kevin Davis; and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby.

According to Hill’s guilty plea, on October 14, 2014, three Baltimore Police Department officers were on patrol in a marked police vehicle on S. Pulaski Street in Baltimore City.  As the officers approached the 2100 block of Booth Street, they saw a woman and man standing in the block.  The woman appeared scared and the officers approached to investigate.  When the man, later identified as Daniel Hill, spotted the police officers, he ran away. Police pursued Hill through an alleyway and Hill was quickly apprehended.

The woman told police that Hill had brandished a black handgun and demanded money from her.  The woman gave Hill three $20 bills.  She also told police that Hill had thrown the gun into the back yard of a residence and police recovered a .44 caliber handgun from the yard.  After his arrest, Hill was searched and officers recovered three $20 bills from his left side pocket.  At a subsequent interview, after waiving his rights, Hill admitted that he was in possession of the gun.  Investigation showed that the gun was reported stolen in Ohio prior to its recovery in Maryland.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the ATF, Baltimore Police Department and Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney John W. Sippel, Jr., who prosecuted the case.

Baltimore, Maryland – Martin Aleksandrov Enev, age 27, a Bulgarian national residing in Randallstown, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to possession of device-making equipment with the intent to defraud.

The guilty plea 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 his plea agreement, on July 20, 2016, Bulgarian Customs Officers contacted U.S. Secret Service agents after they identified what they believed to be an illegal “ATM skimming device” concealed within a black and green nylon pouch, which is capable of reading the encrypted information contained in the magnetic strip on the back of a credit or debit card.  The pouch had been discovered during a routine screening of international shipments scheduled to depart from the airport.  The pouch was enclosed inside a shipper’s plastic delivery envelope with a packing slip attached addressed to “Marin Penev” at an address in Randallstown.  Bulgarian authorities sent photographs of the device and envelope to the Secret Service. 

On July 21, 2016, members of the USSS Maryland Electronic Crimes Task Force arranged a controlled delivery of the envelope and its contents once it arrived in the United States.  On July 26, 2016, Enev picked up the package, providing a Maryland driver’s license in his name as identification. Special Agents of the USSS and Baltimore County Detectives followed Enev to a residence in Randallstown. The owner of the residence advised agents that Enev rented a room on the first floor of the residence and provided agents with Enev’s telephone number. A Secret Service agent called the phone number and spoke to Enev who agreed to exit the residence.  Enev came out of the house and was taken into custody.

Search warrants were executed at Enev’s residence and his vehicle.  From the vehicle, law enforcement recovered the opened shipping envelope, which was empty; one box containing 15 pre-paid gift and credit cards capable of being recoded with fraudulently obtained financial proceeds, along with various business cards; and three paper receipts indicating the reloading of a pre-paid gift card in the amount of $270. The search of Enev’s living area recovered: the black and green nylon pouch containing an ATM skimming, which matched the photographs of the device sent by Bulgarian authorities; two other ATM skimming devices inside the hall closet, along with a magnetic card re-encoder and 40 blank white credit cards; a desktop computer and cellular phone; and prepaid credit cards found in a desk and in Enev’s wallet.  Also located in the wallet was a Maryland driver’s license bearing his name and photograph, and a Bulgarian identification card bearing Enev’s photograph.  His Republic of Bulgaria driver’s license and European Union identification card were also seized during search.

A preliminary review of the prepaid gift cards and credit cards seized during the search revealed that some of them had been recoded with other people’s personal identifying information (PII), including their names and financial account numbers, creating a counterfeit access device capable of accessing those persons’ bank accounts and/or credit card balances through an ATM machine.  The USSS confirmed that money had already been withdrawn from some of those financial accounts. PII contained on some of the other cards in Enev’s possession was obtained from financial accounts or credit cards created and issued in Europe.  The government believes that Enev played a key role in an ongoing identity theft ring with ties to a criminal association based in Europe.

Enev and the government have agreed that if the Court accepts the plea agreement Enev will be sentenced to 33 months in prison.  U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett has scheduled sentencing for January 9, 2017 at 3:00 p.m.  Enev remains detained.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the U.S. Secret Service and Baltimore County Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Martin J. Clarke, who is prosecuting the case.

Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced Adrian Spence, a/k/a “AJ,” and “SP,” age 28, of Baltimore, Maryland, today to 10 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin.  Judge Bennett also entered an order requiring Spence to forfeit $26,320 seized from his residence during the execution of a search warrant.

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 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.

According to his plea agreement, law enforcement began an investigation into a drug conspiracy involving the distribution of heroin in the Baltimore Metropolitan area. The investigation revealed that Adrian Spence was a leader of a heroin distribution ring in Baltimore County.  Evidence revealed numerous calls in which Spence: coordinated drug sales in and around the Baltimore County area; directed his codefendant to “start stomping on it” and “crushing it down,” referring to cutting the heroin for a subsequent sale; and attempted to secure sources of heroin for later re-sale.  On July 31, 2015, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Spence’s residence and recovered: $26,320 in cash; cellular phones; and other items.  

Spence admitted that the amount of heroin reasonably foreseeable to him in, and in furtherance of, this conspiracy amounts to between one and three kilograms of heroin.  Spence also admitted that he was an organizer and leader of a drug trafficking organization of more than five individuals.   

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised HSI-Baltimore, the ATF, Baltimore City and Baltimore County Police Departments, and the Baltimore City and Baltimore County State’s Attorneys’ Offices for their work in the investigation and prosecution. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Jason D. Medinger, Christina Hoffman, and Daniel C. Gardner, who are prosecuting this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.

Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal grand jury today returned an indictment charging Ronald Anderson, age 48, of Suitland, Maryland, with kidnapping, murder of a federal officer, attempted murder of a federal officer, using and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, causing death by use of a firearm during a crime of violence, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. 

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; Chief Hank Stawinski of the Prince George’s County Police Department; Interim Chief Peter Newsham of the Metropolitan Police Department; and Director Eric Patterson of the Federal Protective Service, Department of Homeland Security.

The indictment alleges that on April 9, 2015, Anderson abducted Victim One from Washington, D.C. and drove Victim One to Maryland.  According to court documents, once in Maryland Victim One got out of Anderson’s vehicle and into a Honda CRV driven by an acquaintance of Anderson’s and they sped away.  Anderson pursued the CRV at a high rate of speed.

According to court documents, the acquaintance drove to the U.S. Census Bureau building at 4600 Silver Hill Road in Suitland, with Anderson continuing to pursue the CRV.  The Honda CRV crashed into a light pole near two armed security officers. Anderson stopped his vehicle behind the Honda CRV and exchanged gunfire with the two security officers.  The indictment alleges that Anderson shot and killed one of the officers and attempted to murder the second officer. 

Anderson was subsequently arrested in Washington, D.C. by Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers after a vehicle pursuit and gunfight, with Anderson firing numerous times at MPD officers.  Anderson was shot multiple times and an MPD officer was struck in the leg.  According to court documents, a .45 caliber pistol was recovered from Anderson’s vehicle.  The indictment alleges that Anderson has a previous felony conviction and is prohibited from possessing a firearm.

If convicted, Anderson faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. An initial appearance has not been scheduled.  Anderson continues to undergo medical treatment and remains detained on related charges filed in the Superior Court for 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 praised the FBI, Prince George’s County Police Department, Metropolitan Police Department, and the Federal Protective Service of the National Protection and Programs Directorate, Department of Homeland Security for their work in the investigation and thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia for its assistance.  Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas M. Sullivan and Bryan E. Foreman, who are prosecuting the case.

Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury has indicted Glenn R. Fischer, age 69, of Ellicott City, Maryland, on charges of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft arising from a scheme to defraud businesses seeking insurance.  The indictment alleges that as a result of the scheme, Fischer fraudulently collected more than $3 million in insurance premiums.  The indictment was returned on September 22, 2016 and unsealed today.

The indictment 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 the five-count indictment, Fischer was a partner at TriArc Financial Services, Inc., (TriArc Services) which provided automotive and mortgage insurance products, including residual value insurance.  Residual Value Insurance (“RVI”) helped companies leasing vehicles to consumers to manage the risk from decreases in the value of the vehicle during the term of an auto lease. RVI typically provided for payments to the owner of a leased vehicle if the value of the vehicle at the end of the lease was less than a certain amount specified in the terms of the insurance coverage when the lease began.  In the early 2000s, RVI policies were widely issued by insurance companies and TriArc Services generated substantial revenue for the company and its partners, including Fischer, who served as insurance brokers for RVI products.  In 2008 and 2009, in conjunction with the financial recession and changes in consumers’ desires for used automobiles, many insureds suffered substantial losses in conjunction with previously issued RVI insurance policies.

The indictment alleges that from 2009 until 2014, Fischer persuaded victim businesses to purchase RVI insurance coverage, which Fischer knew did not exist, so that Fischer could use a substantial portion of the victims’ insurance premiums for his personal benefit.  Specifically, in the summer of 2009, Fischer created a Nevada corporation called TriArc Marketing Solutions (TriArc Solutions) and opened bank accounts for TriArc Solutions.  According to the indictment, during the course of the scheme Fischer caused prospective insureds to believe that he was acting on behalf of TriArc Services.  Fischer concealed the creation and use of TriArc Solutions from his partners at TriArc Services.

Fischer allegedly created and sent false insurance coverage documents, fraudulent emails, premium invoices, lists of covered vehicles, and other documents to victim companies, causing them to falsely believe that they had purchased RVI insurance through Fischer.  Fischer used the identity of an employee of a multinational property and casualty insurance company in furtherance of the fraud, including his name, title and purported signature on the declaration pages of the fake insurance policies.  Fischer concealed from the employee and the company that Fischer was pretending to issue RVI insurance policies on behalf of the company.

The indictment alleges that Fischer collected millions in RVI insurance premiums from the victims, which he deposited into the TriArc Solutions bank accounts.  According to the indictment, Fischer and his relatives used the proceeds of the insurance premium payments for their personal benefit.

The indictment seeks the forfeiture of all property which constitutes or is derived from the proceeds of the fraud, including: a money judgment of $3 million, six bank accounts, coins, precious metals, a Nitro Z-8 boating vessel, and two vehicles.

If convicted, Fischer faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for each of the four counts of wire fraud, and a mandatory minimum of 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. 

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 Harry M. Gruber and David Metcalf, who are prosecuting the case.

Baltimore, Maryland – United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Leo J. Wise has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for Maryland in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 8, 2016, general elections.  AUSA Wise is responsible for overseeing the federal response to any complaints of election fraud and voting rights abuses in consultation with state authorities, the FBI, and Justice Department Headquarters.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted without it being stolen because of fraud.  The Department of Justice will act promptly and aggressively to protect the integrity of the election process.”

“The Justice Department’s nationwide election day program deters election fraud and discrimination and promotes public confidence in the election process,” said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein. “Every U.S. Attorney appoints an election officer to review specific allegations of election fraud and voting rights violations, consult with state and federal authorities where appropriate, and pursue any evidence that warrants prosecution.”          

The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring election fraud and discrimination at the polls, and combating these violations whenever and wherever they occur.  The Department’s long-standing Election Day Program furthers these goals, and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the election process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible election fraud and voting rights violations while the polls are open on election day.

Federal law protects against such crimes as intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input.  It also contains special protections for the rights of voters and provides that they can vote free from acts that intimidate or harass them.  For example, actions of persons designed to interrupt or intimidate voters at polling places by questioning or challenging them, or by photographing or videotaping them, under the pretext that these are actions to uncover illegal voting may violate federal voting rights law.  Further, federal law protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice.

The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy.  We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice.  In order to respond to complaints of election fraud or voting rights abuses on November 8, 2016, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, United States Attorney Rosenstein stated that AUSA/DEO Wise will be on duty in this District while the polls are open.  He can be reached by the public at 410-209-4800.

In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day.  The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at 410-265-8080.

Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section in Washington, DC by phone at 1-800-253-3931 or (202) 307-2767, by fax at (202) 307-3961, by email to [email protected] or by complaint form at https://www.justice.gov/crt/complaint/votintake/index.php.

Baltimore, Maryland – William Albert Engel, Jr., age 40, of Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to interstate transportation of stolen goods in connection with a scheme to steal property from shopping mall kiosks and sell it online.

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, Baltimore Field Office; and Colonel William M. Pallozzi, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police.

According to his plea agreement, from October 7, 2014 through March 29, 2016, Engel conspired with co-defendant Brian Halsey and others to steal property, including designer sunglasses, with a retail value of more than $500,000, and sell the items online.  Engel stole the items and brought them to Halsey, who used online accounts opened in different names and identities to sell the stolen items, including designer sunglasses, and ship them nationwide from his home in Dundalk, Maryland. 

Specifically, Engel broke into kiosks and stores in shopping malls in Cape Girardeau, Missouri; Fairview Heights, Illinois; Wilmington, North Carolina; and Myrtle Beach, Columbia, and Florence, South Carolina, and stole designer sunglasses and other merchandise which he brought to Halsey in Maryland. Halsey sold the property through an online market, and used the U.S. Postal Service and commercial carriers to ship the stolen property to the buyers. Halsey provided cash from the sale of the stolen property to Engel and also helped to finance Engel’s travel and travel expenses to other states to commit thefts in order to obtain more property for sale.  Halsey maintained multiple online market accounts, online payment accounts, and bank accounts under different names and identities during the scheme.

On August 28, 2015, law enforcement searched Halsey’s residence and recovered over $200,000 worth of stolen designer sunglasses, as well as a printing and labeling system, and a large number of documents related to selling sunglasses through an online market. Law enforcement also recovered lock-pick kits and numerous atlases and street maps.

Engel admitted that more than five individuals participated in the scheme, helping to package and ship the stolen sunglasses, providing their identification information to Halsey to set up bank and online accounts, and/or assisting Engel in the thefts.  The estimated loss from the scheme was approximately $500,000. 

Engel faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.  As part of his plea agreement, Engel will also be required to forfeit and pay a money judgment of $500,000.  U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett has scheduled sentencing for January 24, 2017 at 3:00 p.m.  Engel remains detained.

Brian Nelson Halsey, age 52, of Westminster, Maryland, formerly of Dundalk, Maryland, previously pleaded guilty to his role in the scheme and is scheduled to be sentenced on November 15, 2016 at 3:00 p.m.  Halsey remains detained.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended FBI and Maryland State Police for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron S. J. Zelinsky, who is prosecuting the case.

Baltimore, Maryland – Tuesday afternoon, U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander sentenced William Kyndall Francis, age 39, of Elkridge, Maryland, to 42 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for wire fraud.  Judge Hollander also entered an order requiring Francis to pay a money judgment forfeiting $2.5 million, and restitution in the amount of $93,935.28.

The sentence 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.

Francis owned and operated Legacy Investment and Management, Inc. (Legacy Inc.) and Legacy Investment and Management, LLC (Legacy LLC), which were both located at 10015 Old Columbia Rd. in Columbia, Maryland.  Legacy Inc. and Legacy LLC (collectively Legacy) were both management firms that provided financial and property services primarily to homeowner and condominium associations (HOAs) in Maryland, Washington D.C. and Virginia in exchange for a monthly fee. One of the services that Legacy provided was management of the HOAs’ reserve funds, which were typically held in savings or money market accounts and were to be used to cover long term and unexpected capital expenses.

According to his plea agreement, from October 2011 to August 2012, Francis defrauded at least 51 of Legacy’s HOA clients by taking reserve funds that belonged to the HOAs.  For many of the HOAs, Francis created false bank statements that he gave to the HOA representatives that falsely reflected that their reserve funds were intact and earning returns.  In fact, Francis had spent the funds for his own personal and business benefit, including: $7,165.70 to Dogtopia, a dog grooming service; $2,339 to Delicate Touch Nails, a nail salon; $8,244.42 to the Washington Wizards; $1,000.01 to Bare Exposure and $3,848.67 to Pure Gold, adult entertainment clubs; $2,088.50 to A Platinum Plus Limousines; $3,700 to Shadow Room, a Washington D.C. night club; thousands of dollars for the purchase of clothing, liquor, restaurant meals, groceries and other living expenses; $40,025.07 for payroll for Legacy Inc. employees; and payment to AT&T.

The total loss caused by the fraudulent scheme was at least $2,573,753.92.

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 and thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen O. Gavin, who prosecuted the case.

Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Paul W. Grimm sentenced George Jack Smith, age 29, of Burtonsville, Maryland, today to 22 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute phencyclidine (PCP), illegal possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon; and using, carrying and discharging a weapon in connection with drug trafficking.  A federal jury convicted Smith of those charges on December 7, 2015.

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; and Chief Hank Stawinski of the Prince George’s County Police Department.

According to evidence presented at the five day trial, on December 1, 2013, Smith got into a vehicle outside an apartment complex in the 9300 block of Cherry Hill Road in College Park, Maryland, in order to sell PCP to the vehicle’s occupants.  One of the vehicle’s occupants pulled out a knife.  Smith got out of the car and fired a gun in the direction of the vehicle as it drove away.  One of the bullets broke a pane of glass at the entrance to the apartment building.

Witnesses testified that a short time later, Smith got into a taxi, which was stopped by law enforcement at the apartment complex.  Smith was ordered out of the cab and taken into custody.  Law enforcement recovered the following items from the pockets of Smith’s jacket: a vial containing ¾ ounce of PCP; a loaded .380 caliber pistol, which had been reported stolen; and a .38 caliber revolver with five spent rounds.

A search warrant was executed at Smith’s residence on December 2, 2013, and law enforcement recovered a third gun (a.22 caliber revolver).

Smith had at least two previous felony drug convictions and a conviction for robbery conspiracy, all in Montgomery County Circuit Court, and was therefore prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the ATF and Prince George’s County Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Nicolas A. Mitchell and Kristi N. O’Malley, who prosecuted the case.

Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander sentenced William Frederick Cornish, age 52, of Abingdon, Maryland, today to 14 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.

The sentence were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Karl C. Colder of the Drug Enforcement Administration - Washington Field Division; Colonel Woodrow Jones, Chief of the Maryland Transportation Authority Police; Commissioner Kevin Davis of the Baltimore Police Department; Chief James W. Johnson of the Baltimore County Police Department; Anne Arundel County Police Chief Tim Altomare; Chief Michael A. Pristoop of the Annapolis Police Department; Colonel William M. Pallozzi, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police; Chief Richard McLaughlin of the Laurel Police Department; Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey R. Gahler; and Special Agent in Charge Thomas Jankowski of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, Washington, D.C. Field Office.

According to his plea agreement and court documents, in August 2015, DEA received information about a group that was trafficking large amounts of cocaine into Maryland and using a warehouse on Golden Ring Road in Baltimore. Investigation showed that the business using that location, KMKJ Trucking, LLC, had been evicted by July 31, 2015.  The investigation subsequently identified a warehouse on Hammonds Ferry Road in Linthicum Heights, Maryland, as the new location being used by the group.

According to the plea agreement, on April 6, 2016, a tractor trailer with the KMKJ logo arrived at the Hammonds Ferry Road warehouse and backed up to the rear bay door of the unit. Investigators observed items being unloaded from the tractor trailer into the warehouse.  A short time later, law enforcement observed a van traveling around the parking lot and warehouse building, conducting counter-surveillance to determine if law enforcement was in the area. 

On the evening of April 8, 2016, investigators saw Cornish’s co-conspirators arrive at the Linthicum Heights warehouse.  One of the co-conspirators then left in a black Honda, followed by a silver F-150 pickup truck.  After a conversation on a nearby street between the drivers of the Honda and the pickup truck, they returned to the warehouse.  The co-conspirator got out of his car and went into the warehouse and the F-150 entered the warehouse through the bay door, which was then closed.  A few minutes later, the bay door re-opened and the F-150 drove out of the warehouse.  The truck, driven Cornish, was stopped by law enforcement shortly after leaving the warehouse area.  A narcotics detection dog was brought to the scene.  The dog scanned the truck resulting in a positive response for the presence of illegal drugs.  Law enforcement recovered 31 kilograms of cocaine from a box in the back seat of the truck.  Law enforcement also stopped Cornish’s co-conspirators as they left the warehouse. 

Search warrants were obtained and executed at the warehouse and at the residences of Cornish and his co-conspirators.  Law enforcement recovered three large duffel bags in the basement of one of the homes containing approximately $2.4 million in cash, vacuum sealed in plastic bags marked with the amount of cash on the outside of each plastic bag.  Investigators also recovered a drug/money ledger in the home documenting just over $2.4 million in receipts from the sale of illegal drugs. From Cornish’s home, law enforcement recovered a money counter, colored rubber bands, latex gloves and a digital scale, typically used in the narcotics trade to count and package money and to weigh drugs prior to distribution.  Investigators also recovered a radio frequency detector that is commonly used by drug traffickers to “sweep” cars, people, and other items for hidden transmitters and electronic devices that are often used by law enforcement while investigating the distribution of illegal drugs.

The 31 kilograms of cocaine recovered from Cornish’s truck have a wholesale value in Baltimore of approximately $1 million.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended DEA, the Maryland Transportation Authority Police, Baltimore Police Department, Baltimore County Police Department, Anne Arundel County Police Department, Annapolis Police Department, Maryland State Police, Laurel Police Department, Harford County Task Force, and IRS Criminal Investigation for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys James G. Warwick and Joshua T. Ferrentino, who are prosecuting the case.

A federal grand jury charged Nelash Mohamed Das, 24, a citizen of Bangladesh residing in Landover Hills, Maryland, with attempting to provide material support and resources to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), a designated foreign terrorist organization. 

The announcement was made by Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security Mary B. McCord, 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.

The indictment alleges that from October 2015 to Sept. 30, 2016, Das knowingly attempted to provide material support and resources to a foreign terrorist organization, namely ISIL.  Further, the indictment alleges that Das knew that ISIL is a designated foreign terrorist organization and engages in terrorist activity.

According to court documents 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. Das allegedly planned to kill a U.S. military member in support of ISIL.

If convicted, Das faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. 

An indictment is not a finding of guilt.  An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings. 

U.S. Attorney Rosenstein and Acting Assistant Attorney General McCord commended the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force for its work on the investigation and thanked the prosecutors that are handling the matter.

Baltimore, Maryland – On October 14, 2016, U.S. District Judge George L. Russell III sentenced Junaidu Saljan Savage, a/k/a James Kamara, age 30, of Lanham, Maryland, to 87 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiring to commit bank fraud and for aggravated identity theft arising from a scheme to defraud a bank by using account holders’ personal information to take over their accounts. Judge Russell also ordered Savage to pay restitution of $36,400. A federal jury convicted Savage on March 15, 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; Special Agent in Charge Brian Ebert 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, from January 1, 2012 through April 2012, Savage conspired with Jayad Zainab Ester Conteh, Paul Anthony Williams and others to defraud a bank.  Conteh, a bank teller, looked up bank account holder information on the computer system without authorization and disclosed the account holders’ personal identifying information to Savage and other co-conspirators.  Using that information, Savage would call the bank pretending to be the account holder, change certain account information and order checks on the compromised account to be delivered by overnight mail.  Savage and other co-conspirators would obtain those checks, including by intercepting the checks upon delivery at the actual account holders’ addresses.  Wilson cashed the checks at bank branches in Maryland. 

Trial evidence showed that as a result of the conspiracy at least seven bank account holders’ accounts were improperly accessed, with intended losses of more than $120,000.

Jayad Zainab Ester Conteh, age 24, of Glenarden, Maryland, was convicted after trial and sentenced to 64 months in prison for conspiring to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, aggravated identity theft and unauthorized access to a computer to obtain banking information. Judge Russell also entered an order that Conteh pay $36,400 in restitution to the victim bank and forfeit $36,400.

According to court documents and trial testimony, in July 2014, after Conteh had reported to prison to begin serving her sentence, Savage went to visit her relatives.  An audio and video recording of the meeting revealed that Savage told Conteh’s relatives that he was involved in her criminal conduct and would pay the restitution ordered by the Court.  In late August 2014, Savage’s girlfriend provided $6,000 in cash to a relative of Conteh as partial payment of Conteh’s restitution.

Co-conspirator Paul Anthony Wilson, a/k/a Anthony Johnson, age 53, of Washington, D.C., was arrested while attempting to cash a check on the account of one of the victims.  Wilson pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy and was sentenced to 39 months in prison.

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 praised the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Secret Service and Montgomery County Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Thomas P. Windom and Ray D. McKenzie, who prosecuted the case.

Washington, D.C. – Retired General James E. Cartwright, age 67, of Gainesville, Virginia, pleaded guilty today to making false statements in connection with the unauthorized disclosure of classified information.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security Mary B. McCord; and Assistant Director in Charge Paul M. Abbate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation - Washington Field Office

 “People who gain access to classified information after promising not to disclose it must be held accountable when they willfully violate that trust,” said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein. “We conducted a thorough and independent investigation that included collecting tens of thousands of documents through subpoenas, search warrants and document requests, and interviewing scores of current and former government employees. The evidence showed that General Cartwright disclosed classified information without authorization to two reporters and lied to federal investigators. As a result, he stands convicted of a federal felony crime and faces a potential prison sentence.”

“General Cartwright violated the trust that was placed in him by willfully providing information that could endanger national security to individuals not authorized to receive it and then lying to the FBI about his actions,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General McCord. “With this plea, he will be held accountable.”

“Today, General Cartwright admitted to making false statements to the FBI concerning multiple unauthorized disclosures of classified information that he made to reporters,” said Assistant Director in Charge Abbate. “This was a careful, rigorous, and thorough multi-year investigation by special agents who, together with federal prosecutors, conducted numerous interviews to include Cartwright. The FBI will continue to take all necessary and appropriate steps to thoroughly investigate individuals, no matter their position, who undermine the integrity of our justice system by lying to federal investigators.”

 According to his plea agreement, Cartwright is a retired U.S. Marine Corps four-star general who served as the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from August 31, 2007, to August 3, 2011, and as Commander of the U.S. Strategic Command from 2004 to 2007. During that time, Cartwright held a top secret security clearance with access to sensitive compartmented information (SCI). 

Cartwright signed more than 36 non-disclosure agreements related to Department of Defense programs. The forms explain that the recipient is obligated by law and regulation not to disclose classified information without authorization.  The forms also contain warnings that any breach of the agreement may violate federal criminal law. In addition, Cartwright received annual training about handling classified information.

On September 1, 2011, Cartwright retired from the U.S. Marine Corps.  Upon his retirement, Cartwright maintained his top secret clearance. The clearance enabled him to engage in consulting and private employment, including sitting on a special committee of the board of directors of a defense contractor, which oversaw the company’s classified U.S. government contracts.

At the time of his retirement, Cartwright again signed a “Classified Information Non-Disclosure Agreement,” which included warnings “that unauthorized disclosure…by me could cause damage or irreparable injury to the United States or could be used to advantage by a foreign nation.”                                                          

Between January and June 2012, Cartwright disclosed classified information to two reporters without authorization. Some of the information disclosed to the reporters was classified at the top secret level. Each reporter included the classified information in published articles.  In addition, classified information that Cartwright communicated to one reporter was included in a book.                                                                                                              

FBI agents interviewed Cartwright on November 2, 2012.  During the interview, Cartwright gave false information to the interviewing agents, including falsely stating that he did not provide or confirm classified information to the first reporter and was not the source of any of the quotes and statements in that reporter’s book.  In addition, Cartwright falsely stated that he had never discussed a particular country with the second reporter, when in fact, Cartwright had confirmed classified information about that country in an email to the reporter.

Cartwright faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison for making false statements to federal investigators.  The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes. The sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court. U.S. District Judge Richard J. Leon has scheduled sentencing for January 17, 2017.

U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein and Acting Assistant Attorney General McCord commended the FBI for its work in the investigation and thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leo J. Wise and Deborah A. Johnston, Justice Department National Security Division Counterintelligence and Export Control Section Trial Attorney Elizabeth Cannon, and U.S. Attorney’s Office National Security Chief Harvey Eisenberg, who are handling the prosecution.

Retired General James E. Cartwright, 67, of Gainesville, Virginia, pleaded guilty to making false statements in connection with the unauthorized disclosure of classified information. The guilty plea was entered in the District of Columbia.

The announcement was made by Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security Mary B. McCord, U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein for the District of Maryland and Assistant Director in Charge Paul M. Abbate of the FBI’s Washington Field Office.

“General Cartwright violated the trust that was placed in him by willfully providing information that could endanger national security to individuals not authorized to receive it and then lying to the FBI about his actions,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General McCord. “With this plea, he will be held accountable.”

“People who gain access to classified information after promising not to disclose it must be held accountable when they willfully violate that promise,” said U.S. Attorney Rosenstein. “We conducted a thorough and independent investigation included collecting tens of thousands of documents through subpoenas, search warrants and document requests, and interviewing scores of current and former government employees. The evidence showed that General Cartwright disclosed classified information without authorization to two reporters and lied to federal investigators. As a result, he stands convicted of a federal felony offense and faces a potential prison sentence.”

“Today, General Cartwright admitted to making false statements to the FBI concerning multiple unauthorized disclosures of classified information that he made to reporters,” said Assistant Director in Charge Abbate. “This was a careful, rigorous, and thorough multi-year investigation by special agents who, together with federal prosecutors, conducted numerous interviews, to including Cartwright. The FBI will continue to take all necessary and appropriate steps to thoroughly investigate individuals, no matter their position, who undermine the integrity of our justice system by lying to federal investigators.”

According to his plea agreement, Cartwright is a retired U.S. Marine Corps four-star general who served as the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from Aug. 31, 2007, to Aug. 3, 2011, and as Commander of the U.S. Strategic Command from 2004 to 2007. During that time, Cartwright held a top secret security clearance with access to sensitive compartmented information (SCI). 

Cartwright signed more than 36 non-disclosure agreements related to Department of Defense programs. The forms explain that the recipient is obligated by law and regulation not to disclose classified information without authorization. The forms also contain warnings that any breach of the agreement may violate federal criminal law. In addition, Cartwright received annual training about handling classified information.

On Sept. 1, 2011, Cartwright retired from the U.S. Marine Corps. Upon his retirement, Cartwright maintained his top secret clearance. The clearance enabled him to engage in consulting and private employment, including sitting on a special committee of the board of directors of a defense contractor, which oversaw the company’s classified U.S. government contracts.

At the time of his retirement, Cartwright again signed a “Classified Information Non-Disclosure Agreement,” which included warnings “that unauthorized disclosure…by me could cause damage or irreparable injury to the United States or could be used to advantage by a foreign nation.”                  

Between January and June 2012, Cartwright disclosed classified information to two reporters without authorization. Some of the information disclosed to the reporters was classified at the top secret level. Each reporter included the classified information in published articles. In addition, the classified information that Cartwright communicated to one reporter was included in a book.                                                            

FBI agents interviewed Cartwright on Nov. 2, 2012. During the interview, Cartwright gave false information to the interviewing agents, including falsely stating that he did not provide or confirm classified information to the first reporter and was not the source of any of the quotes and statements in that reporter’s book. In addition, Cartwright falsely stated that he had never discussed a particular country with the second reporter, when in fact, Cartwright had confirmed classified information about that country in an email to the reporter.

Cartwright faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison for making false statements to federal investigators. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes. The sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court. U.S. District Judge Richard J. Leon has scheduled sentencing for January 17, 2017.

Acting Assistant Attorney General McCord and U.S. Attorney Rosenstein commended the FBI for its work in the investigation and thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leo J. Wise and Deborah A. Johnston of the District of Maryland, Trial Attorney Elizabeth Cannon of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section and National Security Chief Harvey Eisenberg of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, who are handling the prosecution. 

Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal grand jury charged Nelash Mohamed Das, age 24, a citizen of Bangladesh residing in Landover Hills, Maryland, today with attempting to provide material support and resources to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), a foreign terrorist organization.  

The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security Mary B. McCord; and Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office.

The indictment alleges that from October 2015 to September 30, 2016, Das knowingly attempted to provide material support and resources to a foreign terrorist organization, namely ISIL.  Further, the indictment alleges that Das knew that ISIL is a designated foreign terrorist organization and engages in terrorist activity.

According to court documents 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. Das allegedly planned to kill a U.S. military member in support of ISIL.

If convicted, Das faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. 

An indictment is not a finding of guilt.  An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings. 

United States Attorney 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.

Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge George L. Russell, III sentenced Donte Powell, a/k/a “Rain,” age 29, of Washington, D.C. and Columbia, Maryland, on October 14, 2016, to 11 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for robbery, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.  Powell is currently serving a 20-year state sentence for an unrelated armed robbery and Judge Russell ordered that the federal sentence was to be served consecutive that sentence.                   

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 Gary Gardner of the Howard County Police Department; Howard County State’s Attorney Dario Broccolino; and Chief Richard McLaughlin of the Laurel Police Department.

According to his plea agreement, Powell is a member of the Crips gang and is affiliated with the set called “Dogghouse Crips.”  Powell admitted that on January 21, 2014, he and co-defendant Avery Terry robbed the CVS Pharmacy in Elkridge, Maryland at gun point.  A store video camera recorded the robbery, including the distinctive clothing worn by the robbers.   Powell was armed with a black handgun.  Powell had a previous felony conviction and was prohibited from possessing a gun or ammunition.

On January 26, 2014, Howard County Police arrested Desmick Lewis in connection with a January 23, 2014 robbery and homicide.  At the time of his arrest, Lewis was in a car driven by Avery Terry.  Police recovered a black .38 caliber revolver, different from the gun used in the CVS robbery, from under the driver’s seat where Terry was sitting. 

A Howard County detective who was investigating the CVS robbery was also participating in the execution of the arrest warrant that day.  The detective noticed clothing in Terry’s car that matched the distinctive clothing worn by the Powell and Terry during the CVS robbery on January 21.  Law enforcement executed a search warrant at Terry’s home and recovered a mask and other clothing matching that worn by one of the CVS robbers.

Powell was arrested on February 3, 2014 in Laurel.  According to Laurel Police, an officer spotted a car without its lights on just after 1 a.m., traveling the wrong way on a one-way street.  When officers began pursuing the driver, they saw a naked man jump out of the passenger side of the car.  The driver crashed shortly thereafter, flipping the car. The naked man told police he was the victim of an armed robbery.  After Powell’s arrest, a loaded .40 caliber pistol was recovered from the car.  That gun was subsequently identified as the gun used in the CVS robbery.  Powell pleaded guilty to the armed robbery and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. While serving his sentence, Powell continued to state his allegiance to the Crips gang in recorded jail calls and in letters.

Subsequent investigation revealed Powell and Terry had additional knowledge of the January 23, 2014, robbery/homicide.  Evidence presented at the sentencing reflected that Powell, Terry, Lewis, and others involved in the robbery/homicide met after the murder and discussed what had happened.  Call records show that between January 21 and January 26, 2014, there were also frequent telephone communications between Powell, Terry, Lewis, and others involved in the robbery/homicide.

Avery Terry, age 23, of Laurel, Maryland, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to the robbery of the CVS Pharmacy on January 21, 2014, in Elkridge, Maryland, and to using and brandishing a firearm during that robbery.  In addition, Terry pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact to the January 23, 2014 robbery and murder.  Terry was sentenced to 181 months in prison. 

Desmick Lewis, age 24, of Columbia, pleaded guilty in Howard County Circuit Court to his role in the January 23, 2014 robbery and murder and was sentenced to life in prison

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the ATF, Howard County Police Department, Laurel Police Department, and Howard County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Sandra Wilkinson and Lauren E. Perry, who prosecuted the case.

Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Paul W. Grimm sentenced Steven Edward Baker, age 41, of Kensington, Maryland, today to 17 years in federal prison, followed by lifetime supervised release, for producing child pornography.  Judge Grimm also ordered that upon his release from prison, Baker 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 and Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office.

According to his plea agreement, on July 8, 2015, FBI agents interviewed Baker at his business, Action Signs, located in Vienna, Virginia.  Baker admitted that he had child pornography on both his work and home computers, and that he had been downloading child pornography for approximately 10 years.  He estimated that his child pornography collection was approximately one terabyte in size. 

Further investigation of digital media items obtained from Action Signs and Baker’s residence revealed 45 images and seven videos of a girl under the age of 12, all constituting child pornography, and produced by Baker.  Baker produced the images and videos, including pictures taken at a park and what appears to be Baker’s home, from January 2008 to July 2013, using two cameras.  The images included close ups of the victim, including numerous close-ups of the victim’s genitalia, and showing Baker touching areas in and around her genitalia. 

Additionally, over 50,000 images and 1,000 videos of child pornography were found on the digital media which were not produced by Baker, but were downloaded from the internet.  These images and videos depict real, prepubescent children 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 for its work in the investigation and thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas M. Sullivan, who prosecuted the case.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.