District of Maryland
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Gunman in Largo Pizza Restaurant Robbery Exiled to 11 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – Chief U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow sentenced Keith Dana Steedley, Jr., age 29, of Germantown, Maryland, today to 11 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for conspiring to rob a business and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, in connection with the May 22, 2013 armed robbery of a pizza restaurant.The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Acting Special Agent in Charge William P. McMullan of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Baltimore Field Division; Chief Mark A. Magaw of the Prince George’s County Police Department; and Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Angela D. Alsobrooks.
According to Steedley’s plea agreement, he conspired with another individual to rob a pizza restaurant in Largo, Maryland. Steedley went into the restaurant brandishing a shotgun, while his accomplice stayed by the front door. Steedley pointed the shotgun at several employees and demanded money. Steedley took five dollars from a store employee and took the cash register money drawer, which contained $90. Steedley and his accomplice fled in a vehicle. Witnesses called 911 and described the getaway vehicle.
While responding to the 911 calls, a Prince George’s County Police officer saw a vehicle matching the description of the getaway car a few blocks from the restaurant. The officer followed the vehicle turn onto a dead end street, and saw Steedley bail out of the passenger side and run into a wooded area. A K-9 search was conducted and Steedley was found hiding in the woods. A search of the area recovered 48 one dollar bills. Victims brought to the scene identified Steedley as the person who robbed them. The shotgun used in the robbery was recovered from the vehicle, along with a starter’s pistol, a money drawer from a cash register, and cash and receipts from the pizza restaurant.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the ATF, Prince George’s County Police Department and Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorney Thomas M. Sullivan, who prosecuted the case.
Baltimore Area Cocaine Dealer Sentenced to over 28 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
Defendant Shipped Hundreds of Kilograms of Cocaine in Hollow Computer Shells
from California to Maryland
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander sentenced Richard Anthony Wilford, age 41, of Baltimore and Elkton, today to 340 months in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Judge Hollander enhanced Wilford’s sentence upon determining that he is a career offender based on two prior federal drug trafficking convictions.The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Gary Tuggle of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District Office; Police Commissioner Anthony W. Batts of the Baltimore City Police Department; Chief James W. Johnson of the Baltimore County Police Department; and Baltimore City State=s Attorney Gregg L. Bernstein.
"The Drug Enforcement Administration working in partnership with our law enforcement partners dismantled a drug trafficking organization that distributed very large amounts of cocaine throughout the Maryland metropolitan area,” stated Gary Tuggle, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration – Baltimore District Office. “Wilford ran from law enforcement, but was apprehended. Wilford will not be walking the streets of Maryland for a very long time,” added Tuggle.
According to evidence presented at the five day trial, from 2010 to September 2011, Wilford was a member of a cocaine-trafficking organization in and around Baltimore, Maryland. Wilford and his co-conspirators, including Lawrence Hayes, conspired to obtain large quantities of cocaine from sources of supply in California and ship the cocaine to Maryland. Once in Maryland, Wilford sold the cocaine to his co-conspirators who processed and packaged the cocaine for distribution in the Baltimore metropolitan area.
During the week of May 16, 2011, Hayes and others were arrested. Wilford’s residence was searched and a hollowed-out computer shell, a large cardboard box, and a mold for forming a kilogram of narcotics were seized. A shipment of cocaine destined to Wilford’s address was also intercepted and seized on May 20, 2011. Approximately eight kilograms of cocaine were concealed inside of a hollow computer shell. Moreover, UPS shipping records revealed that in 2010 to 2011, 18 shipments of cocaine were made to Wilford’s residence, including the shipment intercepted by DEA agents on May 20, 2011. Testimony at trial revealed that between November 2010 and May 2011, approximately nine hollowed-out computer shells and their respective shipping boxes were removed from Wilford’s residence by a co-conspirator.
In addition, approximately $1.6 million dollars was seized from a residence in Reisterstown, Maryland. Testimony at trial indicated that Wilford had a key to and stored the cash in the residence.
Wilford’s residence in Elkton, Maryland was searched and agents seized a small amount of currency, receipts for six UPS shipments to California, and materials for wrapping and shipping currency. Testimony at trial indicated that this residence was sometimes used as a location to prepare large sums of U.S. currency for shipment to California. UPS shipping records indicated that Wilford shipped no less than 28 packages to California from Maryland, using fake names.
In May, 2011, Wilford fled to Los Angeles, California. In August 2011, a federal law enforcement agent attempted to arrest Wilford, but Wilford was able to escape when he attempted to run-down the agent with the vehicle that Wilford was operating. The investigation revealed that Wilford had rented an apartment in Los Angeles under a fake name. A search of Wilford’s Los Angeles apartment and vehicle revealed approximately $68,000 and fake IDs.
Wilford was arrested on September 16, 2011, at a secret apartment located on Laurel
Avenue in Baltimore City. Approximately $189,000, 14 cell phones and a fake ID were seized from either the apartment or his vehicle.Trial evidence was presented that Wilford was responsible for the distribution of at least 200 kilograms of cocaine in furtherance of the conspiracy, and the entire conspiracy invovled no less than 336 kilograms of cocaine.
Co-defendants Lawrence Lee Hayes and Bryan Eammon Williams, both age 41, and both of Baltimore, previously pleaded guilty to their participation in the conspiracy and were sentenced to 15 years in prison, and 135 months in prison, respectively.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the DEA, Baltimore City Police Department, Baltimore County Police Department and the Baltimore City State=s Attorney=s Office for their work in the investigation and prosecution. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys John W. Sippel, Jr. and Benjamin M. Block, who prosecuted this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.
Mount Airy Man Admits to Robbing Four Gas Stations and Stealing A CarRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Joshua Payne, age 21, of Mount Airy, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to four counts of robbery and one count of using a firearm during a robbery.The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Stephen E. Vogt of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Carroll County Sherriff Ken Tregoning; Frederick County Sheriff Charles A. "Chuck" Jenkins; Major Gary Gardner, Chief of the Howard County Police Department; Carroll County State’s Attorney Jerry Barnes; Frederick County State’s Attorney J. Charles Smith; and Howard County State’s Attorney Dario Broccolino.
According to his plea agreement, from November 27 to December 1, 2013, Payne pointed a handgun - which he stole from his brother - at the cashiers of the following gas stations in Maryland: Shell gas station, 649 Lakeview Drive, Mount Airy; High’s gas station, 6700 Sykesville Road, Eldersburg; and BP gas station, 15882 Frederick Road, Lisbon. He stole hundreds of dollars from the cash registers.
On December 6, Payne returned to the Shell gas station on Lakeview Drive in Mount Airy, and threatened the cashier with a long kitchen knife, taking approximately $690 from the register.
Payne also admits that on November 29, 2013, he pointed a gun at a driver of a car and stole the car, along with the owner’s two cell phones.
Payne and the government have agreed that if the Court accepts the plea agreement, Payne will be sentenced to 13 and half years in prison. U.S. District Judge William D. Quarles, Jr. scheduled his sentencing for October 22 , 2014 at 1:00 p.m.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the FBI, the Carroll and Frederick County Sheriff’s Offices, Howard County Police Department, and the Carroll, Frederick and Howard County State’s Attorney=s Offices for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Scott A. Lemmon and Bonnie S. Greenberg, who are prosecuting the case.
Laurel Woman Sentenced for Stealing Social Security Benefit ChecksRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Peter J. Messitte sentenced Yolando Guerrero, age 59, of Laurel, Maryland today to a year and a day in prison followed by three years of supervised release for theft of government property. Judge Messitte also entered an order that Guerrero pay restitution of $335,197.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Michael McGill of the Social Security Administration (SSA) - Office of Inspector General, Philadelphia Field Division; and Special Agent in Charge William Winter of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
According to her plea agreement, Guerrero lived with an individual, who she considered to be her adopted mother, in Silver Spring, Maryland. The individual received social security retirement benefits. A few months before the individual’s death on October 17, 1994, Guerrero became the individual’s representative payee, and was required to spend the individual’s social security benefits on the individual’s behalf, and to report the individual’s death.Instead, Guerrero failed to report the individual’s death in numerous forms that she filed with the SSA subsequent to the individual’s death. Law enforcement interviewed Guerrero on October 22, 2013. Guerrero initially claimed that the individual was still alive, but later in the interview admitted that the individual had died many years prior. From October 1994 to October 2013, Guerrero admitted that she cashed a total of $335,197 in SSA checks that had been mailed to the individual, and used the money for her own benefit, including payment of her rent, taxes, car insurance, and to raise her children and grandchildren.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the Social Security Administration - OIG and HSI Baltimore for their work in the investigation, and thanked Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul K. Nitze, who prosecuted the case.Elkton Drug Dealer Sentenced to 10 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
Member of Heroin Organization that Operated in Cecil County, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania and New York; Also a Member of a Cocaine Organization That Operated in Delaware and Elsewhere
Baltimore, Maryland – District Judge Catherine C. Blake sentenced Rachine Huron Garnett, a/k/a “Sheen,” “Red,” “Ray,” and “Blockhead,” age 38, of Elkton, Maryland today to 10 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a kilogram or more of heroin, and cocaine, in connection with two drug distribution rings.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Gary Tuggle of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District Office; Special Agent in Charge David G. Dongilli, Philadelphia Division of the DEA; Cecil County Sheriff Barry A. Janney, Sr.; Chief Matthew Donnelly of the Elkton Police Department; Colonel Marcus L. Brown, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police; Cecil County State’s Attorney Ellis Rollins; and Colonel Nathaniel McQueen, Jr. of the Delaware State Police.
According to his plea agreement, since at least December 2012, Garnett obtained bulk quantities of heroin from co-defendant Luis Lugo-Santiago and his associates for re-distribution to associates and customers in Maryland. Garnett would meet with a courier in Philadelphia where he would obtain a new supply of heroin. Garnett and associates had vehicles with hidden compartments where they could store either heroin or money. Often to exchange drugs, money or both, they would simply switch vehicles when they met. Over the course of a seven month wiretap, investigators identified 59 money deliveries from Garnett totaling $1,668,510, for the purchase of approximately 8.98 kilograms of heroin.On August 15, 2013, investigators arrested Garnett and executed search warrants at his residence, and on a Honda Odyssey that Garnett had been using to transport narcotics and proceeds. Officers recovered $31,700 from the residence, $18,430 from a hidden compartment in the vehicle and $5,649 from Garnett.
Garnett also admitted that from at least February 6, 2013 until March 14, 2013, he obtained at least 924 grams of cocaine from other supply sources, which he re-distributed to customers in Delaware and elsewhere.
Seven defendants, including Garnett and Lugo-Santiago, have pleaded guilty to their participation in the heroin conspiracy. Judge Blake sentenced Abel Nunez-Reyes, age 30, of Philadelphia yesterday to two years in prison. Barry Jenkins, Jr., age 24, of Elkton, is scheduled to be sentenced tomorrow. Luis Lugo-Santiago, a/k/a “Papi,” and “Andres Galvez,” age 39, of New York, New York is scheduled to be sentenced on September 24, 2014.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the DEA, Cecil County Drug Task Force, and Delaware State Police for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein also recognized the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the District of Delaware, Southern District of New York and the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor for the City of New York and the New York Police Department for their assistance. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Kenneth S. Clark and James G. Warwick, who prosecuted this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.Electric Company Owner Pleads Guilty in Navy Exchange Procurement Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – Noe Rodriguez, age 34, of Boyds, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to making false statements, and illegal possession of a firearm by an alien, arising from a scheme in which he failed to comply with federal wage, hour and records regulations under the Davis-Bacon Act.The plea agreement was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Bill Jones, U.S. Department of Labor - Office of Inspector General, Office of Labor Racketeering and Fraud Investigations, Washington Regional Office; Special Agent in Charge Rocco Pierri of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Washington Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Michael McGill of the Social Security Administration - Office of Inspector General, Philadelphia Field Division.
According to his plea agreement, Rodriguez was a citizen of Mexico who entered the United States illegally in the late 1990s. He moved to Maryland in 2003, and began operating an electrical contracting business in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area under various corporate guises, including RDZ Electric, RCM Services, Rodriguez Electric and O&G Electric. Rodriguez provided electrical work on numerous construction projects in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area as an electrical subcontractor.
Rodriguez, on behalf of RDZ, provided electrical work during the construction of the Navy Exchange (NEX) at the National Military Medical Center located in Bethesda, Maryland. The NEX was owned by the Department of the Navy. Rodriguez was required to comply with federal wage, hour and records regulations under the Davis-Bacon Act. The Act required subcontractors to pay workers employed at the project site wages determined by the Department of Labor. The Department of Labor determined that the electrician’s prevailing wage rate at the NEX project was $49.88 an hour.
Between August 2011 and June 2012, Rodriguez provided no fewer than 30 electrical workers at the NEX project. Rodriguez, however, listed no more than eight workers on RDZ=s certified payrolls and falsely stated that he paid the workers the prevailing wage. Rodriguez in fact paid his electrical workers between $12 and $20 per hour, and failed to pay them overtime, despite the fact that many worked more than 40 hours a week. Rodriguez did not pay benefits to any of the workers. The certified payrolls, of which he submitted at least 17, also contained other material misstatements regarding the names, wages and hours of RDZ employees performing work. Over the lifespan of the NEX project, the difference between the wages actually paid to RDZ employees and the wages due under the Davis-Bacon prevailing wage rate, exceeded $1 million.
Rodriguez used the social security numbers assigned to another person and to his minor son to open bank accounts for his business and obtain his Maryland driver’s license.
On November 20, 2013, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Rodriguez’s residence and seized numerous fraudulent identification documents, some of which contained his picture and fraudulent identifiers. Law enforcement also seized a revolver and ammunition.
Rodriguez faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison for making a false statement, and 10 years for the illegal possession of a firearm by an alien. Rodriguez has agreed to forfeit funds in two bank accounts, a pick-up truck, $989,969 and a revolver. U.S. District Judge Roger W. Titus scheduled sentencing for October 30, 2014 at 2:30 p.m.
The National Procurement Fraud Task Force was formed in October 2006 to promote the early detection, identification, prevention and prosecution of procurement fraud associated with the increase in government contracting activity for national security and other government programs. The Procurement Fraud Task Force includes the United States Attorney’s Offices, the FBI, the U.S. Inspectors General community and a number of other federal law enforcement agencies. This case, as well as other cases brought by members of the Task Force, demonstrate the Department of Justice's commitment to helping ensure the integrity of the government procurement process.United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the U.S. Department of Labor - OIG, Naval Criminal Investigative Service and Social Security Administration - OIG for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Special Assistant United States Attorney Paul Nitze and Assistant United States Attorney Bryan E. Foreman, who are prosecuting the case.
Westminster Business Owner Pleads Guilty to Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Ramon Anthony Jadra, age 47, of Westminster, Maryland pleaded guilty today to tax evasion.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein and Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Kelly of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, Washington, D.C. Field Office.“The longevity and scope of Mr. Jadra’s scheme to embezzle corporate funds from the Raloid Corporation is simply astonishing,” said Thomas J. Kelly, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Washington D.C. Field Office. “Mr. Jadra cheated both his own company by illegally diverting corporate funds to himself and the American taxpayer by evading paying taxes on the substantial income he earned from these actions. Today’s plea is an important step in finally bringing this defendant to justice after so many years of engaging in illegal activity.”
According to his plea agreement, Jadra was the president and majority shareholder of Raloid Corporation, a family-owned business located in Reisterstown, Maryland. Raloid manufactured parts for the defense and aerospace industries. Beginning in 2008, Jadra fraudulently diverted company funds to himself.Jadra carried out his scheme by causing checks to be written on Raloid’s bank account in the names of actual companies with which Jadra or Raloid had business dealings with in the past, but which were not owed the amounts shown on the checks. These checks totaled $495,950 between 2008 and 2011. In an effort to avoid triggering the requirement that banks are required to file a currency transaction report in connection with financial transactions involving more than $10,000 in cash, Jadra caused all of the checks to be issued in amounts of $9,500 or less.
As part of this scheme, Jadra established a check cashing account at a liquor store in Reisterstown, where he cashed fraudulently obtained checks totaling $368,350. Jadra then deposited $316,585 of these funds in a checking account he had established in the name of DIA Solutions, a shell company that did not actually conduct any business, again in amounts less than $10,000.
In the spring of 2010, Jadra implemented a new aspect of his scheme. He hired an attorney to incorporate a company named DIA Solutions in Georgia, and established a bank account under DIA Solutions’ name. Jadra then falsely advised his father and Raloid’s controller that DIA Solutions, an independent consulting firm, was entitled to receive 5% of the payments Raloid received on a contract DIA Solutions had helped it obtain that was worth over $6 million. Jadra instructed Raloid’s controller that he should issue a check to DIA Solutions for 5% of the amount of every payment that Raloid received on this contract. DIA Solutions had not in fact provided any goods or services to Raloid and had played no role in obtaining the contract in question. Once Jadra received these checks, totaling $313,218.02, he deposited them into the DIA Solutions bank account and then converted the money to his personal use.
Finally, in 2010 and 2011, Jadra implemented a third aspect of his fraudulent scheme. Raloid’s manufacturing processes generated quantities of scrap metal, which it sold to two other companies. However, Jadra withheld this information from Raloid’s controller, who was left under the impression that Raloid had to pay a company to haul away the scrap materials from the plant. This enabled Jadra to intercept checks from the two companies that were tendered to Raloid to pay for scrap metal it had sold, deposit the funds in the DIA Solutions bank account, and convert these funds to his own use. In all, Jadra derived $91,249.75 from this aspect of his scheme.
Jadra used the majority of the embezzled funds for largely unsuccessful on-line stock trading. Other embezzled funds were used as follows: $50,000 down payment on a new 2012 BMW 535i costing $73,775.70; $14,512.58 for home renovations; $7,500 to buy a boat trailer; $31,295 to buy a watercraft; and a $15,929 down payment on a new Harley Davidson MC Screamin’ motorcycle costing $48,416.82.
As a result of the schemes, from 2008 to 2011, Jadra fraudulently converted $900,418 from Raloid, and failed to pay $283,481 in taxes on this fraudulently obtained money.
Jadra faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake scheduled sentencing for December 5, 2014 at 9:15 a.m.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the IRS- Criminal Investigation for its work in the investigation and thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Jefferson M. Gray, who is prosecuting the case.Drug Dealer Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Selling Crack and Pcp in Prince George’s CountyRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Roger W. Titus sentenced Iziah E. Ennis, a/k/a “Ike,” age 34, of Fairfax, Virginia today to 12 years in prison followed by four years of supervised release for conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine base, commonly known as crack, and phencyclidine, commonly known as PCP.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Richard Marianos of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Washington Field Division; and Chief Mark A. Magaw of the Prince George’s County Police Department.
According to his plea agreement, from May 2012 to June 2013, Ennis, Kevin Dixon, Glen Price and others sold crack and PCP to drug customers in and around Riverdale, Prince George’s County, Maryland. The conspirators manufactured and distributed crack out of a confidential informant’s residence. The confidential informant, working under the direction of ATF, met with Ennis and his co-conspirators on numerous occasions. Twice in May 2013, the confidential informant sold crack and/or PCP to Ennis.Kevin L. Dixon, a/k/a “Richie White Bread,” of Washington, D.C., and Glen Price, a/k/a “Mynds,” of Laurel, Maryland, both age 35, previously pleaded guilty to their participation in the conspiracy. Dixon was sentenced to 30 months in prison and Price is scheduled to be sentenced on August 27, 2014 at 11:00 a.m.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the ATF and Prince George’s County Police Department for their work in the investigation and thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas M. Sullivan and Nicolas Mitchell, who prosecuted the case.Worcester County Man Admits to Producing Pornography Involving Two Girls Ages 10 and 12Read the Press Release
Also Possessed Over 8,000 Images and Videos of Child Pornography
Baltimore, Maryland – Laiton Blake Witkowski, age 42, of Stockton, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to producing and possessing child pornography.The plea agreement was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge William Winter of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Worcester County Sheriff Reggie T. Mason, Sr.; Colonel Marcus L. Brown, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police; and Worcester County State’s Attorney Beau Oglesby.
According to his plea agreement, on October 8, 2013, Witkowski used a file sharing network which enabled a law enforcement officer to download from Witkowski’s computer. After further investigation, a search warrant was executed at his residence on February 6, 2014. Computers, hard drives, other electronic devices and approximately 455 CDs and DVDs were seized, all containing, or were used to produce and store, child pornography. A computer, eMachine and electronic notebook alone contained 8,000 images and 100 videos of child pornography. The CDs and DVDs also contained thousands of images and videos of child pornography, including images and videos involving prepubescent minors, and depicting sadism, masochism and other violence.
Further analysis revealed that Witkowski had produced images and videos of child pornography of two girls in August to September of 2009. The girls were approximately 10 and 12 years old at the time. In some images one victim appears to be sleeping, and in other images, the other victim is using the bathroom, or sitting at a computer with Witkowski standing behind her in sexually explicit poses.
Witkowski faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years in prison for production of child pornography; and a maximum of 20 years in prison for possession of child pornography. U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander scheduled sentencing for December 19, 2014 at 1:30 p.m.
As part of his plea agreement, Witkowski 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).
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 Ocean City, Worcester County Sheriff’s Office, Maryland State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) and the Worcester County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Judson T. Mihok, who is prosecuting the case.
U.s. Attorney’s Office to Take Part in National Night OutRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – The U.S. Attorney’s Office will join law enforcement and community leaders on Tuesday, August 5th at the following two events as part of the 31st Annual National Night Out crime and drug prevention event. Admission is free:5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Annapolis Walk Community Park
1701 Belle Drive
Annapolis, Maryland5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. New Carrollton
8511 Legation Road, Beckett Field
New Carrollton, MarylandNational Night Out is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; generate support for and participation in local anticrime efforts; strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back. Help build a stronger, safer community by joining forces and participating in National Night Out.
“National Night Out is a perfect opportunity for neighbors to join with their law enforcement and community partners to demonstrate that citizens are standing up to criminals and neighborhoods are organizing against crime,” stated United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein.
Join the fun in Annapolis, which is offering a moon bounce, obstacle course, child fingerprint identification cards, K-9 demonstration, Ravens tickets raffle, honor guard, food and drinks.
"We're grateful to the U.S. Attorney's Office for their support of our National Night Out event," said Annapolis Police Chief Michael Pristoop. "Citizens, law enforcement, and community partners must work together to make a difference by fighting crime through awareness and prevention."Celebrate community and police partnerships at the festival style event in New Carrollton. Law enforcement agencies will be on hand to educate and disseminate crime-prevention materials. Activities will include live music, special appearances by the Dark Knight and Iron Man, water slides, a mechanical bull ride, face painting, balloon animals, as well as a classic car show. Child fingerprint identification kits, give-aways and free hot dogs, sno-cones, popcorn and drinks will be available.
"Law enforcement cannot fight crime alone,” said New Carrollton Police Chief David G. Rice. “It's a community effort and requires everyone's participation. Our community is the eyes and ears of the police department and National Night Out is a great platform to build trusting relationships."
National Night Out organizers are expecting over 16,000 communities and 38 million people nationwide to take part in community events on Tuesday.
Bond Claim Attorney Pleads Guilty to Embezzling over $3 Million in Mail Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Used the Stolen Funds to Purchase Luxury Vehicles, a Yacht, and to Fund a NASCAR Team
Baltimore, Maryland – Saleh Stevens, age 41, of Owings Mills, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to mail fraud, in connection with a scheme to embezzle over $3 million from the insurance company where he worked.The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein and Special Agent in Charge Stephen E. Vogt of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
According to Stevens’ plea agreement, from September 2011 through November 2013, Stevens, a licensed attorney, was employed as a senior claims adjuster and bond claim attorney for an insurance company with offices in Towson, Maryland. In this position, Stevens was responsible for reviewing and managing claims related to surety bonds, generally for construction projects. The insurance company also hired outside certified public accounting (CPA) firms to assist with claims processing.
Stevens admits that beginning in December 2011, he embezzled funds from the insurance company’s surety accounts. Stevens used his position as a bond claim attorney to direct the outside CPA firms to issue checks from the insurance company’s surety accounts to third-party bank accounts of entities controlled by Stevens, his friends, or family members. For example, Stevens paid a high school friend $40,000 in exchange for opening a nominee company with a bank account, and attempted to have a former law school classmate also open a bank account for a fictional company. In some instances, Stevens directed the owners of these accounts to issue checks to Stevens for his personal benefit or to send funds to other payees, such as credit card companies on Stevens’ behalf. In other instances, Stevens directed the CPA firms to issue checks to entities he controlled. Stevens also used his daughter and his former law school classmate to launder money, without explaining to them the source of the funds.
Stevens used the embezzled funds to purchase luxury automobiles, including a Maserati and a Mercedes; to fund a NASCAR racing team; to pay cash gifts to friends; to purchase a yacht, and to pay college tuition for his daughter.
Stevens also admits that he filed false individual tax returns for 2011, 2012 and 2013, failing to report a total of $3,119,129.22, the amount embezzled from the insurance company.
As part of his plea agreement, and as a condition of his supervised release, Stevens must pay the IRS all additional taxes, interest and penalties that he owes for tax years 2011 – 2013. In addition, Stevens has agreed to the entry of a restitution order for $3,119,129, the full amount of the insurance company’s loss, less any amount returned to the company prior to sentencing.
Saleh Stevens faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for mail fraud and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss caused by the offense. U.S. District Judge J. Frederick Motz has scheduled Stevens’ sentencing for November 12, 2014 at 9:15 a.m.
Today’s announcement is part of efforts underway by President Obama’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force (FFETF) which was created in November 2009 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 the inception of FFETF in November 2009, the Justice Department has filed more than 12,841 financial fraud cases against nearly 18,737 defendants including nearly 3,500 mortgage fraud defendants. For more information on the task force, visit www.stopfraud.gov.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the FBI for its work in the investigation and thanked Assistant United States Attorney Gregory R. Bockin, who is prosecuting the case.Armed Bank Robber Sentenced to over 11 Years in Prison for Robbery in DundalkRead the Press Release
Used Inside Information Provided by His Accomplice, a Former Teller-Trainee at the Bank
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced Darrius Roszario D. Washington, age 20, of Baltimore, Maryland, today to 135 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for an armed bank robbery in which Washington forced a teller at gunpoint to accompany him and open the bank vault.The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Stephen E. Vogt of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Chief James W. Johnson of the Baltimore County Police Department.
According to Washington’s plea agreement, on October 1, 2013, Washington and his accomplice, Janaya Brittne Person-Robinson parked his car in a lot near the M&T Bank in Dundalk. Person-Robinson had previously been a teller-trainee at the bank and was familiar with the bank layout, procedures and the tellers who worked at the bank. Shortly before 7:30 a.m., Washington and Person-Robinson approached a teller in the parking lot when she got out of her car. Washington pointed a .32 caliber gun at the teller’s head and ordered her to unlock the door of the bank. The teller initially told Washington that she could not open the door but Washington told her he knew she was lying and threatened to “blow her head off,” if she didn’t unlock the door. The teller opened the door and after Washington and Person-Robinson entered the bank, the teller fled and called police.
Once inside the bank, Washington, using information provided by Person-Robinson, approached a second teller, calling her by name. Washington knew that the teller had access to the bank’s vault. Using the gun, Washington forced the teller to accompany him to the vault and ordered her to open the door, threatening that if she did not, she would never see her child, whom Washington called by name, again. The teller opened the vault door and Washington forced her to the floor at gunpoint. Washington removed the money from the vault, while Person-Robinson emptied the cash from the teller drawers. Washington and Person-Robinson then left the bank, carrying a canvas bag filled with $133,600, got into their car and attempted to flee. They were arrested a short time later. Officers recovered the cash stolen from the bank, the gun used during the robbery, and the hats and latex gloves worn by Washington and Person-Robinson during the robbery.
Person-Robinson, age 20, of Baltimore, pleaded guilty to her role in the bank robbery. Judge Bennett has scheduled her sentencing for October 22, 2014, at 3:00 p.m.
Washington and Person-Robinson remain in federal custody.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the FBI and Baltimore County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Gregory R. Bockin and Judson T. Mihok, who prosecuted the case.
Armed Baltimore Robber Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison Robbed Eight 7-Eleven Stores in 18 DaysRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake sentenced John Robinson, age 34, of Baltimore, today to 20 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for robbery and using a gun in furtherance of the robbery.The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Stephen E. Vogt of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Baltimore City State’s Attorney Gregg L. Bernstein; Baltimore Police Commissioner Anthony W. Batts; Chief James W. Johnson of the Baltimore County Police Department; and Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger.
According to his plea agreement, from December 1 to 18, 2013, Robinson and a co-conspirator robbed eight 7-Eleven Stores using a loaded revolver. The stores were located in Baltimore on Boston Street, Holabird Avenue, West 33rd Street, Belair Road, Reisterstown Road, Harford Road, Frederick Road and Pulaski Highway. In each of the robberies, Robinson wore a mask and pointed the gun at the store employee, demanding money. Robinson or his co-conspirator, who was also masked, would take other items as well, such as cigarettes and lottery scratch-off tickets. On some occasions, Robinson would order the store employee to lie on the floor.
Co-defendant Bryant Smith, age 26, also of Baltimore, was charged by indictment with robbery and using a gun in furtherance of the robbery. Smith pleaded not guilty on October 25, 2013 and is scheduled for a re-arraignment on August 22, 2014.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the FBI, Baltimore Police Department; Baltimore City State’s Attorney=s Office, Baltimore County Police Department and Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorney Bonnie S. Greenberg, who prosecuted the case.
Anne Arundel County Cocaine Dealer Exiled to over 11 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge George L. Russell, III sentenced Paul Rodney Cain, age 48, of Pasadena, Maryland, today to 135 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Gary Tuggle of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District Office; Anne Arundel County Police Chief Kevin Davis; and Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney Anne Colt Leitess.
According to his plea agreement, from November 2012 through July 24, 2013, Cain conspired with Daryell Rexrode, Allan Ferdock, Julie Marie Gardner and others to distribute cocaine. On November 16, 2012, Rexrode was arrested in Baltimore upon arriving to accept a controlled delivery of a kilogram of cocaine that he intended to split with Cain.
In May 2013, law enforcement initiated wiretaps on two cell phones belonging to Cain and learned that Rexrode and Cain were building their inventory of cocaine. For example, between May 21 and 24, 2013, law enforcement overheard Cain agree to buy one kilogram of cocaine from Ferdock for $36,000. Law enforcement arrested Ferdock on May 24 after witnessing Ferdock purchase a kilogram of cocaine which he intended to re-sell to Cain. Law enforcement seized the cocaine.
Following Ferdock’s arrest, law enforcement intercepted many calls in which Rexrode and Cain, who did not believe that law enforcement had seized the cocaine, discuss confronting Ferdock about the cocaine that Ferdock had agreed to deliver. The conspirators devised a plan to have Cain take Rexrode’s brother to Ferdock’s residence to confront Ferdock.
On May 26, 2013, law enforcement intercepted a call in which Cain told Rexrode that he had just left Rexrode’s brother at Ferdock’s home. In the early morning hours of the next day, law enforcement arrested Rexrode’s brother on Ferdock’s property. At the time of his arrest, Rexrode’s brother was wearing latex gloves and carrying a mallet, a knife and a roll of duct tape.
On July 24, 2013, law enforcement executed a search warrant at a storage unit in Glen Burnie, Maryland, which was rented in Gardner’s name. Gardner was Cain’s girlfriend. Officers seized approximately one kilogram of cocaine from the storage unit.
Cain conspired to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine.
Daryell M. Rexrode, Allan Clay Ferdock, both age 56, Julie Marie Gardner, age 36, all of Pasadena, previously pleaded guilty to their roles in the conspiracy. Rexrode was sentenced to 160 months in prison; Ferdock was sentenced to 51 months in prison; and Gardner was sentenced to 21 months in prison.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the DEA, Anne Arundel Police Department and Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney=s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Peter J. Martinez and Christopher J. Romano, who prosecuted this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.
Washington, D.C. Man Pleads Guilty to Traveling to Maryland to Engage in Sexual Activity with A MinorRead the Press Release
Communicated With the Victim Through a Social Networking Site
Greenbelt, Maryland – Gregory King, age 28, of Washington, D.C. pleaded guilty today to traveling across state lines to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a 14 year old female and to using a computer to persuade, induce, entice and coerce the minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct.The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Stephen E. Vogt of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Chief Richard McLaughlin of the Laurel Police Department.
According to King’s plea agreement, on October 9, 2013, he initiated a chat with the victim, a 13 year old girl, on a social networking site. The girl advertised her age on her profile page as 13. During October and November 2013, King and the victim exchanged sexually explicit photographs and engaged in sexually explicit conversations. On October 30, 2013, King chatted with the victim about coming to her house in Maryland from Washington, D.C., telling the victim that he would take a bus to her house. The victim provided King with her address, but King was not able to get to the victim’s house that night. King continued to chat with the victim and on November 21, 2013, shortly after the victim’s 14th birthday, again discussed coming to the victim’s home. King took a bus from Washington, D.C. and met the victim at her home, where he spent the night. King was arrested on January 19, 2014.
As part of his plea agreement, King 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).
King faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison for the traveling charge; a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison, for using a computer to coerce a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct; each followed by a minimum of five years and up to lifetime of supervised release. U.S. District Judge Peter J. Messitte has scheduled sentencing for October 15, 2014 at 9:30 a.m.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States 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 Laurel Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Special Assistant U.S. Attorney LisaMarie Freitas of the U.S. Justice Department, Criminal Division, Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristi N. O’Malley, who are prosecuting the case.
Two Tighlman Island Fishermen Plead Guilty to Illegal Fish Harvesting in the Chesapeake BayRead the Press Release
Ship Captains Poached Hundreds of Thousands of Pounds of Striped Bass
Baltimore, Maryland – Michael D. Hayden, age 41, and William J. Lednum, age 42, both of Tilghman Island, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to conspiring to violate the Lacey Act and to defraud the United States through their illegal harvesting and sale of 185,925 pounds of striped bass.The plea agreements were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division Sam Hirsch; Colonel George F. Johnson IV, Superintendent of the Maryland Natural Resources Police; and Honora Gordon, Regional Special Agent in Charge for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
“These defendants admitted to systematically plundering the Chesapeake Bay of an important and protected natural resource, and at the expense of the many honest fishermen who play by the rules,” Acting Assistant Attorney General Hirsch said. “The Justice Department is committed to enforcing environmental laws that protect our shared natural resources and sustain the vital marine life of the Chesapeake Bay for future generations.”
According to their plea agreements, Hayden and Lednum were “captains” on fishing vessels owned by them, William J. Lednum Fisheries, d/b/a, Michael D. Hayden, Jr., and Michael D. Hayden, Jr., Inc. The defendants also employed numerous “helpers” as part of this scheme, including, co-defendant Kent Sadler.From at least 2007 to 2011, Hayden and Lednum illegally harvested, possessed, falsely labeled and/or sold at least 185,925 pounds of striped bass. They used illegally weighted and/or anchored gill nets, left the nets in the water overnight, and set the nets during times when the commercial striped bass gill-netting season was closed. The defendants exceeded their maximum daily vessel limit of striped bass and either unloaded the surplus onto an anchored vessel or paid others a fee to check-in fish for them. Hayden and Lednum falsified the permit allocation cards and daily catch records for their striped bass fishing trips to over-report the numbers of striped bass caught and under-report the weights. This allowed them to request additional state tags under false pretenses and therefore harvest additional striped bass illegally.
Hayden and Lednum shipped and sold the striped bass to wholesalers in New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland in the total amount of $498,293.47. None of the fish was properly reported at check-in stations or on the permit allocation cards of daily catch records submitted to the State of Maryland. Maryland in turn submits such paperwork to numerous federal and interstate agencies responsible for setting harvest levels all along the eastern seaboard.
The investigation in this case started in February 2011 when the Maryland Department of Natural Resources found tens of thousands of pounds of striped bass snagged in illegal, anchored nets before the season officially reopened. The conspirators were seen on the water in the vicinity of the illegal nets. The subsequent investigation unveiled a wider criminal enterprise to which Hayden and Lednum pled guilty today. Co-defendant Kent Conley Sadler, age 31, also of Tilghman Island, previously pleaded guilty to his participation in the conspiracy and is scheduled to be sentenced on October 21, 2014.
Hayden and Lednum face a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The defendants have agreed to pay restitution to the State of Maryland of between $498,293 and $929,625. The defendants have further agreed to forfeit the monetary equivalent of 80% of the value of the vessel primarily used during the conspiracy. U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett scheduled sentencing for Hayden and Lednum on November 4 and 5, 2014, respectively.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Todd W. Gleason and Shennie Patel of the Department of Justice’s Environmental Crimes Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney P. Michael Cunningham, who prosecuted the case.Two Leaders of A Burglary Crew Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
Robbed 13 Banks, Credit Unions and Retail Stores of at Least $250,000
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced Aaron Thelbit Davis, age 39, of Baltimore today to five years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for bank larceny, in connection with a two year scheme to burglarize banks, credit unions and retail stores. Judge Bennett sentenced co-defendant Kenneth Alexander Manns, age 48, of Baltimore, yesterday to four years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for bank burglary. Judge Bennett also entered orders requiring that the defendants each pay $250,000 in restitution.
The sentences were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Assistant Director in Charge Valerie Parlave of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Washington Field Office; Colonel Marcus L. Brown, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police; Chief James W. Johnson of the Baltimore County Police Department; Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger; and Chief Cathy L. Lanier of the Metropolitan Police Department.
According to their plea agreements, from May 2011 through May 2013, Davis and Manns conspired with a group of associates, including Donald Taylor, to steal money and property from 13 banks, credit unions and retail stores.In order to avoid apprehension, the burglary crew would case the target location and assess the likelihood of obtaining valuables. One or more conspirators would stand as a look-out while others went inside gas stations, convenience stores, credit unions and other businesses in Maryland and Washington D.C., wearing either white paper suits or dark outfits, and masks and gloves, while communicating with handheld radios. The burglary crew would cut power and telephone lines, cables and other wires, and destroy, reposition or disconnect surveillance video cameras. They stole cash, safes, cash-register drawers and lock boxes. On several occasions, the burglary crew gained entry to the ATM room of the target location by carving a hole with a power saw from an adjacent retail space. They transported the stolen goods to their homes and businesses in Maryland.
For example, on March 19, 2011, Davis and Manns donned paper suits and black masks and forcibly gained entry to the ATM room of the Tower Federal Credit Union on Baltimore National Pike in Normandy Shopping Center in Ellicott City, Maryland, by cutting through the adjoining retail business. They waited for approximately one hour before entering the credit union’s ATM room, where they tried unsuccessfully to pry open the rear door of the ATM machine.
On August 17, 2012, Davis and Manns wore white paper Tyvek suits, black masks and gloves, and entered an ATM room of a bank in Washington, D.C. by carving a hole with a power saw from an adjacent retail space. When the Metropolitan Police responded to alarms, Davis and Manns fled before gaining access to the cash drawer of the ATM machine.
On April 28, 2013, shortly before midnight, Davis and Manns broke a glass window to the Edmondson Sunoco station in Catonsville, Maryland, and severed phone, cable and alarm power lines inside. Taylor served as a lookout from inside a van rented by Manns and parked nearby. After going behind the cashier area, Davis and Manns left and drove away from the gas station in a stolen U-Haul Ford van. Over an hour later, they returned, attempted to enter the manager’s office and then left the gas station again. At approximately 3:15 a.m., Manns and Davis returned to the gas station a third time, stole $200 from the cash register drawer and removed two store safes containing $10,080, while Taylor again served as a look-out. They loaded the safes into the stolen U-Haul van and drove away, while Taylor followed them in the van.
Donald Taylor, age 56, also of Baltimore, pleaded guilty to his role in the scheme on April 3, 2014.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the FBI, Maryland State Police, Baltimore County Police Department, Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office and the Metropolitan Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark W. Crooks, who is prosecuting the case.
Rockville Physician Indicted for Illegally Distributing Prescription Drugs, Causing Death of A PatientRead the Press Release
Maryland Authorities Working to Identify Corrupt “Pill Mill” Medical Professionals
Greenbelt, Maryland - A federal grand jury has indicted Silviu Ziscovici, M.D., a/k/a “Dr. Z,” age 59, of Rockville, Maryland, on charges of conspiracy to distribute and distribution of controlled dangerous substances, distribution of a controlled dangerous substance resulting in death, and money laundering, in connection with his Rockville pain management practice. The indictment was returned on July 28, 2014, and unsealed today upon the arrest of the defendant.The indictment 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 Division; Assistant Director in Charge Valerie Parlave of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Washington Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Kelly of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, Washington, D.C. Field Office; and Chief J. Thomas Manger of the Montgomery County Police Department.
“Sadly, many drug users become hooked on oxycodone with the assistance of medical professionals, then move on to even more dangerous drugs such as heroin,” said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein. “Local, state and federal authorities in Maryland are working together to identify corrupt medical professionals who operate ‘pill mills,’ put them out of business and hold them accountable.”
“To those who practice medicine and abuse the privilege of caring for their patients by inappropriately prescribing controlled substances, DEA has a strong message for you: We will investigate you and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law,” said Special Agent in Charge Karl C. Colder of the Drug Enforcement Administration - Washington Field Division.
“Providing prescription drugs to people who do not need them is no different than distributing illegal street drugs,” said Assistant Director in Charge Parlave. “When abused and used outside of legitimate medical purposes, pain medications have dangerous effects on users. The FBI is committed to the pursuit of prescription drug abuse and will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to protect our community from the dangers of these crimes.”
“Physicians who exploit the trust given to them by facilitating the abuse of controlled dangerous substances are negatively impacting our entire community. IRS-Criminal Investigation will work with our law enforcement partners to insure that these individuals are held accountable for their actions and do not profit from their criminal activity,” said Thomas J. Kelly, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Washington D.C. Field Office.
According to the indictment, Silviu Ziscovici was a physician who held a Maryland medical license. Ziscovici worked as a pain management specialist and practiced out of an office in Rockville, Maryland. As a medical doctor, Ziscovici was authorized to prescribe medicine, including controlled substances, to patients for legitimate medical purposes and in the usual course of professional practice.
The 29-count indictment alleges from at least July 2009 through June 22, 2010, Ziscovici conspired to distribute and distributed controlled dangerous substances. As part of the conspiracy, Ziscovici prescribed oxycodone, methadone, morphine, alprazolam and other controlled substances to patients without individually assessing their medical needs. As a result, the indictment alleges that Ziscovici’s office served as a “pill mill,” at which individuals paid a fee to obtain prescriptions for controlled substances without any demonstrated medical need.
The indictment alleges that a co-conspirator residing in Tennessee repeatedly provided transportation for himself and others from Tennessee to Ziscovici’s office in Rockville, to obtain prescriptions for controlled substances. According to the indictment, Ziscovici instructed the co-conspirator not to bring anyone under the age of 25, or anyone with visible “track marks” to Ziscovici’s office. The indictment alleges that, among other things, Ziscovici conducted cursory, incomplete, or no medical examination of patients, prescribed inappropriate combinations of medications, increased patients’ dosages without medical justification, and treated a large number of patients who had travelled long distances to his office in order to obtain prescriptions for highly addictive controlled substances.
The indictment alleges that Ziscovici repeatedly caused oxycodone, methadone, morphine, alprazolam and other drugs to be distributed, outside the course of professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose. According to the indictment, on February 2, 2010, Ziscovici caused methadone to be distributed to a patient, outside the usual course of professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose, and the patient died as a result of using the methadone.
Finally, the indictment charges that Ziscovici used the proceeds of the drug distribution to purchase a vehicle, specifically, using a check in the amount of $13,983.70 drawn on his business checking account. The indictment seeks the forfeiture of at least $651,500, which constitutes proceeds traceable to the drug distribution, as well as cash, coins and jewelry seized from Ziscovici’s bank accounts, safe deposit boxes, and from his home.
Ziscovici faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison, and up to life in prison, for distribution of controlled substances resulting in death; 20 years in prison for each of the 26 counts of distribution of controlled substances and for the conspiracy; and 10 years in prison for money laundering. Ziscovici had an initial appearance this afternoon in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt, and remains in custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for Friday, August 1, 2014, at 3:30 p.m.
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 DEA, FBI, IRS-CI, and Montgomery County Police Department for their work in the investigation and recognized the Virginia State Police, Knox County, Tennessee, Sheriff’s Office, and the Blount County, Tennessee Sheriff’s Office for their assistance. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Arun G. Rao and Daniel C. Gardner, who are prosecuting this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.
Mortgage Company Owner Sentenced to over 3 Years in Prison in $1.3 Million Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Falsified Home Buyers’ Information to Generate Fraudulent Loan Applicationsin Order to Collect Commissions, Origination and Broker’s Fees
Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Peter J. Messitte sentenced Shola Risikat Balogun, age 48, of Upper Marlboro, today to 37 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for conspiring to commit wire fraud in connection with a mortgage fraud scheme that she organized and managed which resulted in over $1.352 million of actual losses to mortgage lenders. Judge Messitte also entered an order that Balogun pay restitution and forfeit $1,352,378, the amount lost by mortgage lenders.The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Kathy A. Michalko of the United States Secret Service, Washington Field Office; Special Agent in Charge, A. Derek Evans, of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General; and Special Agent in Charge Cary A. Rubenstein of the Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General - Office of Investigations.
According to her plea, Balogun was a licensed mortgage broker and sole proprietor of Newgate Mortgage. Balogun and others contacted individuals who wished to purchase homes. The buyers typically had moderate to low incomes, and provided the conspirators with accurate income and employment information.
The conspirators then typically inflated the buyer’s income and created bogus employment information in an effort to qualify these individuals for loans that they otherwise were unqualified to secure. In some cases, no payments were made and the property went swiftly into default. In other cases, the borrowers attempted to make mortgage payments for a period of time until they could no longer make payments. Balogun and others profited from these fraudulent transactions by collecting origination fees, commissions, yield spread premiums and broker’s fees from each loan that closed. Balogun was a leader of the scheme.
Balogun admitted that as the result of Newgate brokering at least 20 fraudulent transactions, mortgage lenders lost $1,352,378.
Emeka Udeze, age 39, of Bowie, Maryland, a licensed mortgage broker who worked at Newgate and other companies, previously pleaded guilty to his participation in this conspiracy, as well as to a separate fraud scheme. Udeze’s sentencing has not yet been scheduled.
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 http://www.justice.gov/usao/md/priorities_financialfraud.html.
Today’s announcement is part of efforts underway by President Obama’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force (FFETF) which was created in November 2009 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 the inception of FFETF in November 2009, the Justice Department has filed more than 12,841 financial fraud cases against nearly 18,737 defendants including nearly 3,500 mortgage fraud defendants. For more information on the task force, visit www.stopfraud.gov.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the U.S. Secret Service, FDIC and HUD-OIG for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Sujit Raman, who prosecuted the case.Immigration Attorney Sentenced for Bribing an Immigration OfficialRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge William D. Quarles, Jr. sentenced attorney Kiran Dewan, age 60, of Woodbine, Maryland today to two years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for bribing a public official. Judge Quarles also ordered Dewan to forfeit $50,000.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge William Winter of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Chief James W. Johnson of the Baltimore County Police Department; and District Director Gregory Collett of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Baltimore District Office.Dewan operated the Law Offices of Dewan and Associates, P.C., located at 7100 Security Boulevard in Windsor Mill, Maryland. He held himself out as having experience handling immigration matters and as a certified public accountant.
According to his plea agreement and court documents, from March 2011 to May 2013, Dewan conspired with clients, including Mohammad Khan, Narayan Thapa and Amjad Israr, to bribe an immigration official to provide immigration documents and benefits which would permit the clients to legally live and work in the United States. Unknown to Dewan and the clients, the immigration contact was actually an undercover agent posing as a public official. Dewan’s clients paid $170,000 in cash to Dewan to bribe the “public official,” of which Dewan kept $50,000. In return for the bribes, the purported public official provided green cards for the clients.
Additionally, in March 2011, Dewan offered to pay the purported public official $5,000 to have a foreign national removed from the United States. Dewan believed that the foreign national was going to start his own accounting business and compete with Dewan. The purported public official pretended to issue the notice to appear before an immigration judge, although in reality the USCIS had already decided to issue this notice independently. Dewan paid the $5,000 bribe in May 2011.
In the fall of 2011, Dewan offered to pay the purported public official another $5,000 to remove and add documents to the foreign national’s USCIS files. Dewan explained that he had previously submitted false tax returns to USCIS in support of the foreign national’s employment visa application and wanted those false tax returns replaced with new tax returns. In November, the purported public official pretended to provide the requested tax returns and Dewan subsequently paid the additional $5,000 bribe.
In 2012, Dewan spoke extensively about his knowledge of establishing an overseas hawala to transfer the purported public official’s alleged bribery profits. A hawala allows an individual to transfer money overseas using personal connections, without the money going through traditional government monitored means like money transfer services or banks. Dewan stated that he had previously used this hawala method for other clients, including a $400,000 transfer via a reverse hawala method.
Mohammad Khan, age 59, a citizen of Pakistan living in Baltimore who operated Pizza City in Brooklyn Park, Maryland, previously pleaded guilty to immigration fraud and was sentenced to a year and a day in prison.
Amjad Israr, age 47, a Pakistani citizen living in Cheshire, Connecticut, who operated many convenience stores in Connecticut, previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to bribe an immigration official in order to obtain lawful permanent residence (green card) and employment authorization documents. Judge Quarles sentenced Israr to 15 months in prison. Narayan Thapa, age 52, a citizen of Nepal residing in Baltimore, also pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy and awaits sentencing.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised HSI Baltimore, the Baltimore County Police Department and USCIS Baltimore District Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Harry M. Gruber and Gregory R. Bockin, who prosecuted the case.
Baltimore Man Sentenced to over 6 Years in Prison in Identity Theft SchemeRead the Press Release
Used Stolen Identity Information to Purchase over $124,000 in Motorcycles and Other Goods
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander sentenced Tavares Davon Miller, a/k/a “Tavon Jackson,” “Tavon Miller,” and “Ooh,” age 30, of Baltimore, Maryland today 75 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for conspiring to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, in connection with a scheme to use the personal identifying information of others to purchase motorcycles, electronic equipment, jewelry and other goods. Judge Hollander also entered an order that Miller pay restitution of $105,899.66.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Brian Murphy of the United States Secret Service - Baltimore Field Office; Colonel Marcus L. Brown, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police; Anne Arundel County Police Chief Kevin Davis; Charles County Sheriff Rex Coffey; Howard County Police Chief Gary Gardner; Chief J. Thomas Manger of the Montgomery County Police Department; and Chief Michael Phillips of the Fruitland Police Department.
According to his plea agreement, from September 25 through November 1, 2012, Miller acquired the identifying information of more than 10 victims, and used that information to fabricate driver’s licenses and credit cards in the names of those victims, but using the photograph of co-conspirator Monika Hill (where applicable). Miller and Hill traveled to motorcycle dealerships and retail stores in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia and Pennsylvania, and used the fraudulent identification documents to purchase merchandise, including electronic equipment, jewelry and clothing, or apply for lines of credit at those stores. Miller and Hill then loaded the motorcycles and merchandise into their vehicle and returned to Maryland. Miller advertised the motorcycles and merchandise for sale over the internet, retaining the proceeds of the sales and paid Hill a fee for her services.Judge Hollander determined today that the total amount of loss to the victims is $140,462.03.
Monika Michelle Hill, age 34, of Gwynn Oak, Maryland, pleaded guilty to the same offenses and is scheduled to be sentenced on October 24, 2014 at 2:00 p.m.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the U.S. Secret Service, Maryland State Police, the Anne Arundel, Howard and Montgomery County Police Departments, Charles County Sheriff’s Office and Fruitland Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein also recognized the following agencies for their assistance in the investigation: the Delaware State Police; Leesburg (Virginia) Police Department and Stafford County (Virginia) Sheriff’s Department; and the Lancaster (Pennsylvania) Police Department and Springettsbury Township (Pennsylvania) Police Department. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Judson T. Mihok, who prosecuted the case.Former Federal Employee Sentenced to Prison in $546,785 Fraudulent Tax Refund SchemeRead the Press Release
Recruited Individuals Who Did Not Owe Taxes Because They Had Little Or No Earned Income
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced Sheila Anderson-Cloude, age 34, of Notthingham, Maryland, to 15 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for her role in a conspiracy to obtain fraudulent tax refunds. Judge Bennett also ordered Anderson-Cloude to pay restitution of $546,785.The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein, Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Kelly of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, Washington, D.C. Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Kathryn Jones, U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General, Washington Regional Office.
"Criminal conspiracies using fraudulent refund schemes damage the integrity of the U.S. financial system. We as taxpayers ultimately pay the price for the greed of a few," said Thomas J. Kelly, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Washington D.C. Field Office. "IRS-CI, along with our law enforcement partners and the Maryland United States Attorney's Office, will continue to utilize every tool available to investigate those who conspire with each other to abuse the U.S. Treasury for their own personal gain."
According to Anderson-Cloude’s plea agreement, she was a Financial Management Specialist with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. From February 2010 through April 2013, Anderson-Cloude conspired with Tonia Lawson and her daughters Kiara Skipwith and Jasmine Thomas, to prepare fraudulent tax returns. The defendants recruited individuals who did not owe taxes because they had little or no earned income, and convinced these individuals that they could obtain a substantial refund and therefore should file a federal individual income tax return. Generally, Lawson, Skipwith and Thomas recruited prospects for the scheme, using a variety of methods, including paying referral fees to those who brought recruits to them.
Lawson, Skipwith and Thomas provided the recruits’ personal information to Anderson-Cloude, who would prepare the fraudulent return. The recruits provided limited income information. False wages and educational expenses were used to falsely claim tax credits. Anderson-Cloude, Lawson, Skipwith and Thomas misled the recruits by telling them that the refunds they had received were smaller than the refund amounts Anderson-Cloude had actually listed on the fraudulent returns. The “profit” for Anderson-Cloude and her co-conspirators was the difference between the refund claimed on each tax return and the smaller amount actually paid to the recruit.
For tax years 2009 through 2012, Anderson-Cloude was involved in the preparation of at least 90 fraudulent tax returns based upon the recruits referred by Lawson, Skipwith, Thomas and others. These fraudulent returns generated illicit refunds totaling $546,785. In 2011 alone, Anderson-Cloude received at least $104,961 in profits from her role in the conspiracy.
Tonia Patrice Lawson, age 43, of Middle River, Maryland, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 10 months in prison and ordered to pay restitution of $546,785. Jasmine L. Thomas, age 26, of Baltimore; and Kiara A. Skipwith, age 24, of Parkville, Maryland, also pleaded guilty to their roles in the scheme. Thomas and Skipwith were each sentenced to three years’ probation and ordered to pay restitution of $90,579 and $199,722, respectively.
Today’s announcement is part of efforts underway by President Obama’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force (FFETF) which was created in November 2009 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. Over the past three fiscal years, the Justice Department has filed more than 10,000 financial fraud cases against nearly 15,000 defendants including more than 2,700 mortgage fraud defendants. For more information on the task force, visit www.stopfraud.gov.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised IRS Criminal Investigation and DOT-OIG for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorney Gregory R. Bockin, who prosecuted the case.
Conspirator Admits to Stealing Aluminum Carts from the Postal ServiceRead the Press Release
Stole 2,031 Containers Which Cost Over $2.8 Million to Replace
Baltimore, Maryland - Roland Michael Muir, age 57, of Glen Burnie, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to conspiring to steal, and theft of, aluminum carts from the U.S. Postal Service.
The plea agreement was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Postal Inspector in Charge Gary R. Barksdale of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service - Washington Division; and Anne Arundel County Police Chief Kevin Davis."Many citizens across Anne Arundel County and the region are unaware of the impact that metal thefts have on our community," said Anne Arundel County Police Chief Kevin Davis. "We formed our Metal Unit in January to concentrate on these types of crimes and this investigation highlights the financial strain these thefts place on businesses, costs that are often passed on to our citizens. I commend the work of our detectives and our federal partners to bring this investigation to a successful prosecution."
The U.S. Postal Service used and stored mail transport equipment, including large aluminum carts known as over-the-road containers. Muir worked for a private mailer company located in Baltimore, driving a box truck.
According to his plea agreement, from July 2010 to 2014, Muir drove his employer’s box truck to two U.S. Postal Service bulk mail centers in Capitol Heights where he stole the over-the-road containers and loaded them on the truck. A co-conspirator accompanied Muir during the thefts, which typically occurred between midnight and 2:00 a.m. The co-conspirators then drove to a warehouse where they used spray paint to cover the U.S. Postal Service markings on the containers. They drove the truck to a metal recycler and sold the containers for scrap value, receiving about $1,300 in cash for each transaction.
Muir and his co-conspirator changed metal recyclers when questioned about the source of the containers, or when the recyclers refused to buy the containers. In the fall of 2013 when Muir’s employment position no longer allowed him access to his employer’s truck, his co-conspirator rented a truck to use in the scheme.
During Muir’s participation in the scheme, approximately 2,031 containers were stolen from the U.S. Postal Service on 253 days. The replacement cost of these containers is $2,873,865. The containers were sold to metal recyclers for $323,175.71 in cash.
Muir faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison for the conspiracy and 10 years in prison for the theft charge. U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett scheduled sentencing for October 28,2014, 2014 at 3:00 p.m.
Co- defendant Aaron Kevin Howard, age 52, of Brooklyn, Maryland, was charged by indictment with conspiring to steal, and theft of, aluminum carts from the U.S. Postal Service. Howard pleaded not guilty on May 9, 2014 and is scheduled for trial on September 2, 2014.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the U.S. Postal Inspection Service - Washington Division and Anne Arundel County Police for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorney Paul E. Budlow, who is prosecuting the case.
Baltimore Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Conspiracies to Pass Counterfeit Money and to Launder MoneyRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Peter J. Messitte sentenced Larry L. Barringer, age 54, of Baltimore, today to five years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy to pass counterfeit $100 bills and for conspiracy to commit money laundering. Judge Messitte ordered Barringer to pay restitution of $18,600 and to forfeit $30,001, plus electronics involved in the scheme.The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein and Special Agent in Charge Kathy A. Michalko of the United States Secret Service - Washington Field Office.
According to Barringer’s plea agreement, from January 4 through March 5, 2013, Barringer conspired with his nephew, Donte Barringer, Jamarr Little and others to pass counterfeit $100 bills. Specifically, the conspirators used counterfeit $100 bills to purchase inexpensive merchandise and receive change in genuine currency; to purchase money orders and prepaid money cards, including Greendot cards; and to purchase expensive merchandise, such as computers. The conspirators exchanged the merchandise purchased with the counterfeit $100 for genuine U.S. currency and used the money orders and money cards purchased with the counterfeit bills to conduct other financial transactions.Judge Messitte found that in the conspiracy to pass counterfeit money and in the money laundering conspiracy, the loss attributable to Barringer exceeded $30,000.
Donte Barringer, age 37, and Jamarr Little, age 21, both of Washington, D.C., have each pleaded guilty to the counterfeiting conspiracy and are awaiting sentencing.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the U.S. Secret Service – Washington Field Office for its work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas P. Windom, who prosecuted the case.
Baltimore Career Offender Exiled to over 12 Years in Prison for Drug DistributionRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake sentenced Langston Jackson, age 30, of Baltimore, today to 151 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for possession with the intent to distribute cocaine.The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Acting Special Agent in Charge William P. McMullan of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Baltimore Field Division; Commissioner Anthony W. Batts of the Baltimore Police Department; and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Gregg L. Bernstein
According to Jackson’s plea agreement, on October 10, 2013, investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Baltimore Police Department executed a search warrant at Jackson’s residence in Baltimore. Jackson was found at the location and a search recovered narcotics packaged for street level distribution and narcotics packaging materials. A search of Jackson’s vehicle recovered a large sum of cash. After being Mirandized and waiving his rights, Jackson told investigators that he was storing cocaine at another residence in Baltimore. Later that day, agents searched that location and found in a room used by Jackson, approximately 25 grams of cocaine, a large sum cash and additional narcotics packaging materials, including three digital scales.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 United States Attorneys Clinton J. Fuchs and Scott A. Lemmon, who prosecuted the case.
Howard County Bloods Gang Member Exiled to over 16 Years in Prison in Racketeering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge George L. Russell III sentenced Kenneth Ragan-Armstrong, a/k/a "Keezy," age 23, of Savage and Laurel, Maryland, today to 193 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for conspiring to participate in a racketeering conspiracy and using a gun during a crime of violence.The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Acting Special Agent in Charge William P. McMullan of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Baltimore Field Division; Howard County Police Chief Gary Gardner; and Howard County State’s Attorney Dario Broccolino.
“Howard County police and prosecutors are working closely with federal agencies to identify and disrupt gangs responsible for violence in the county,” said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein.
According to his plea agreement, Ragan-Armstrong was a member of the Bloods, a national criminal street gang. Beginning in at least 2010, Ragan-Armstrong founded “Cut Throat Committee,” or “CTC,” a gang whose members are associated with and/or members of the Bloods gang. CTC operated in and around Howard County, Maryland, and many of the members attended high school together.
Among his criminal activities as a gang member, Ragan-Armstrong admitted that he committed at least two armed robberies of individuals in which drugs, cash and/or other items were stolen. During one of the robberies, a home invasion in Laurel, Maryland, he pistol whipped the victim on the head resulting in serious bodily injury. Ragan-Armstrong regularly sold drugs, primarily marijuana.
On May 8, 2013, Ragan-Armstrong was arrested along with 20 others connected with the Bloods. Law enforcement seized a mask, digital scale, 2 ½ ounces of marijuana packaged for distribution and $371 from an apartment used by Ragan-Armstrong.
During a two day sentencing hearing on July 25 and July 28, 2014, evidence was presented relating to Ragan-Armstrong’s use and sale of weapons used by him and other CTC gang members. The guns were used for protection and to rob individuals who also sold drugs – known by gang members as “licks.” Witnesses also testified about Ragan-Armstrong’s participation in a sexual assault that occurred in December 2010 at an apartment in Catonsville, Maryland known by CTC as the “40 House.” The Court credited the evidence of the sexual assault when it imposed sentence.
Judge Russell sentenced David Jerome Robertson, age 23, of Columbia, Maryland on July 23, 2014 to 81 months in prison for his participation in the conspiracy. In addition to Ragan-Armstrong and Robertson, nine other defendants have pleaded guilty to the racketeering conspiracy, as the result of a two year long investigation by the ATF and Howard County Police Department into Bloods/CTC gang activity in Howard County. Three other individuals pled guilty to narcotics trafficking and five defendants are scheduled for trial on October 14, 2014.
Mr. Rosenstein commended the ATF, Howard County Police Department and Howard County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in this investigation and prosecution. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sandra Wilkinson and Rachel M. Yasser, who prosecuted the case.
Cocaine Dealer in St. Mary’s County Drug Trafficking Conspiracy Sentenced to 14 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – Chief U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow sentenced Alrahman Sharif Allen, a/k/a “Rock” and “Rahman Allen;” age 38, of Reisterstown, Maryland today to 14 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and 280 grams or more of cocaine base; and for violating his supervised release. Chief Judge Chasanow also entered an order requiring Allen to forfeit $14,706 seized from his residence during the execution of a search warrant, and a Land Rover.
The sentence 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 Division; St. Mary’s County Sheriff Tim Cameron; and Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Kelly of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, Washington, D.C. Field Office.
According to his plea agreement, from February 2012 to April 2013, Allen obtained cocaine and heroin from coconspirator Jamar Holt, for distribution to customers. Allen stored drugs in his apartment and at other locations. After he received the drugs, Allen called co-conspirator Damon Estep to coordinate the delivery of cocaine to Estep and other conspirators from St. Mary’s County. On a nearly weekly basis, the conspirators would meet in Glen Burnie to pay Allen for the drugs to be distributed in St. Mary’s County. Allen agreed that he was responsible for the distribution of between five and 15 kilograms of cocaine hydrochloride, and between 280 and 840 grams of cocaine base, during the conspiracy.On April 25, 2013, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Allen’s residence and seized 29 grams of cocaine that Allen was attempting to flush down the toilet, 14 cell phones, $14,706 in drug proceeds and drug paraphernalia.
Allen had been sentenced on July 23, 2000 in federal court in Maryland to 168 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for distributing and possessing with intent to distribute cocaine base. His drug trafficking activities occurred while on supervised release, thereby violating his terms of release.
Chief Judge Chasanow previously sentenced Jamar Holt, a/k/a “Reds,” “Jamal Holt” and “Rex,” age 36, of Baltimore, Maryland, to 20 years in prison; Damon Jerome Estep, a/k/a “Country,” age 38, of California, Maryland, to 188 months in prison; and Jeffrey Kirk Berry, a/k/a “Kojack,” to 15 years in prison.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the DEA, St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, and IRS-Criminal Investigation for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leah Jo Bressack, Deborah Johnston and James A. Crowell IV, who prosecuted this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.
California Man Pleads Guilty to Maryland Murder Solved by DNARead the Press Release
DNA Sample Taken by California Police in 2013 Matched 2009 Maryland Murder Scene
Baltimore, Maryland - Dellando Recardo Campbell, age 31, of Lemoore, California, pleaded guilty today to interstate domestic violence resulting in the death of a spouse, in connection of the death of Serika Dunkley Holness.The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Colonel Marcus L. Brown, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police; and Special Agent in Charge Stephen E. Vogt of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
“The blood Dellando Campbell left behind at the 2009 crime scene was analyzed and entered into a national DNA database, where it waited four years for a match,” said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein. “Thanks to a routine DNA analysis performed in California when Mr. Campbell was arrested on an unrelated charge, Maryland authorities finally learned the identity of the second killer of Serika Dunkley Holness.”
According to his plea agreement, Campbell conspired with Ryan Dave Holness to murder Ryan Holness’ wife, Serika Dunkley Holness. Campbell had known Holness since 2002, when they served together in the Navy. Between May and June 4, 2009, Holness contacted Campbell by phone and text at least 34 times and arranged for Campbell to travel to New York City to assist in the murder of Serika Holness. On June 4, 2009, Holness stated explicitly to Campbell that he was going to kill the victim and that he needed Campbell’s assistance to make the murder appear to have been committed during a carjacking on the drive to Maryland.
Campbell admitted that on the evening of June 4, 2009, Holness drove Campbell and the victim from New York to Maryland. At around 1:30 a.m. on June 5, 2009, Holness, Campbell and the victim arrived at a rural area along MD Route 290, just south of MD Route 291, in Crumpton, Kent County, MD. Holness parked the Honda on a farm access road. Serika Holness was murdered in a field beside Route 290 where she was repeatedly stabbed, resulting in her death.
Campbell purposely left his own blood at the murder scene in order to provide support for Holness’s plan to tell the police that an unknown carjacker had attacked Holness and murdered the victim. Campbell admitted that he helped Holness stage the crime scene by depositing droplets of blood at various locations inside the passenger compartment of the Honda and on several of the victim’s personal items that were placed at the crime scene to be discovered by the police. Items at the murder scene from which Campbell’s DNA was later recovered included the victim’s purse, one of her sandals and a paperback book. Campbell then drove the Honda, guided by a GPS system, to a location between 6th and 7th Streets NW, Washington, D.C., where it was located and seized by homicide investigators later on June 5, 2009. Meanwhile, Holness told the police a bizarre false story about the supposed carjacking.
After a two week trial, Ryan Holness, age 33, formerly of Lexington Park, Maryland, was convicted of domestic violence resulting in the death of a spouse and sentenced on June 9, 2011, to life in prison.
The DNA profile of the unidentified male found in Holness’ car and on items at the crime scene was entered into the national DNA data base, where it was regularly compared with DNA profiles recovered since its entry. On October 22, 2013, a sample of Campbell’s DNA was routinely obtained by police in Lemoore, California. In January 2014, the California Department of Justice notified the Maryland State Police that Campbell’s DNA profile matched the DNA profile for the unidentified male in the Holness case. Campbell was arrested by the Maryland State Police and FBI in Lemoore, California on February 7, 2014.
If U.S. District Judge William M. Nickerson accepts the plea agreement, Campbell will be sentenced to 30 years in prison on November 5, 2014.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the Maryland State Police and FBI for their work in the investigation and thanked the Kings County, California, District Attorney’s Office, the California Department of Justice and the Lemoore, California, Police Department for their assistance. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys John F. Purcell, and Kenneth S. Clark, who are prosecuting the case.
Washington, DC Man Pleads Guilty to Two Armed Robberies in Prince George’s CountyRead the Press Release
FBI Offering Reward for Information Leading to the Identity of a Co-Conspirator
Greenbelt, Maryland – Gregory Evans, age 28, of Washington, DC, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Stephen E. Vogt of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Chief Mark A. Magaw of the Prince George’s County Police Department; and Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler.
According to Evans’ plea agreement, on January 22, 2014, Evans and others robbed a store in the 4100 block of Southern Avenue in Capitol Heights, Maryland. Evans and a co-conspirator forced a store employee at gunpoint to open the cash register. While Evans was taking the money from the cash register, his co-conspirator placed a gun to the head of a second victim and stole $785 from the victim’s pockets.
A little over an hour later, Evans and two co-conspirators entered a liquor store located in the 3300 block of Walters Lane in District Heights, Maryland. Evans brandished a black handgun, jumped over the counter, pointed the gun at store employees and ordered the employees to lay on the ground. A second conspirator brandished a silver handgun and stood by the front door. A third, unidentified co-conspirator jumped the counter and removed money from a cash register. Evans then pointed the gun at one of the employees and ordered the employee to open another cash register. Evans then took the money from that register, opened another cash register and removed money from that register as well. Evans and the co-conspirators then left the liquor store, got into a van and fled the area.
A witness saw Evans and the co-conspirators leave the store and followed them. The witness called 911 and relayed a partial Maryland tag number. Law enforcement located the van and pursued the van into Washington DC, where the van came to a stop near 57th Street and Clay Place, NE. Officers saw three or four individuals exit the van and run away. Officers apprehended Evans and co-defendant, Donnell Calloway.
Law enforcement is seeking the identity of the third co-conspirator. The FBI is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of that individual, whose photo is attached. Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI at 410-265-8080.
Calloway, age 28, of Washington, DC, is charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. He is currently in federal custody on charges filed in Washington, D.C.
Evans faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for the robbery and a mandatory minimum of seven years and up to life in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, for brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. Chief U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow scheduled sentencing for Evans on September 23, 2014 at 2:30 p.m. Evans remains in federal custody.
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 Attorney Thomas M. Sullivan and Special Assistant United States Attorney Gerald A. A. Collins, a cross designated Maryland Assistant Attorney General assigned to Exile cases, who are prosecuting the case.
Postal Service Employee Admits to Stealing and Embezzling over 20,000 Pieces of MailRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Jeffrey L. Shipley, age 47, of Millersville, Maryland pleaded guilty today to stealing and destroying mail while employed as a postal employee.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; and Special Agent in Charge Paul Bowman of the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General.
According to his plea agreement, Shipley worked as a postal service carrier beginning in 1993. From about 2005 to March 10, 2014, Shipley stole and embezzled mail. Shipley was a letter carrier at the Brooklyn Carrier Annex from 1994 to January 2007, at the Parkville Branch until August 2007 and at the Catonsville Carrier Annex from August 4, 2007 to the present.Shipley embezzled mail that he was entrusted to deliver on his assigned route. He also stole mail directly from the Catonsville Carrier Annex that was not part of his assigned route. Shipley also took Postal Service property, including stools, mail bags, signs and a mirror, valued at over $500.
Agents executed a search warrant at Shipley’s residence on March 10, 2014 and at a storage facility that he rented in Glen Burnie on April 18, 2014. Agents seized 20,413 pieces of mail, including gift cards and credit cards. Agents also seized 55 gift cards and 15 credit cards which were located separately from the stolen and embezzled mail, along with prescription bottles of medicine, checks, passports, a U.S. citizenship and immigration card, jewelry, clothes, books, a Nook, sunglasses and other items.
The total loss resulting from the scheme is over $10,000 and involved over 250 victims.
Shipley faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison for theft of mail by a Postal employee and for destruction of mail by a Postal employee, and a $250,000 fine. Shipley has agreed to terminate his employment with the Postal Service and pay restitution of at least $10,000. U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander scheduled sentencing for January 23, 2015 at 10:30 a.m.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the U.S. Postal Service - OIG for its work in the investigation and thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Judson T. Mihok, who is prosecuting the case.Conspirator Sentenced to Prison for $1.5 Million in Mortgage Fraud LossesRead the Press Release
Five Co-Conspirators Have Pleaded Guilty
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar sentenced Demetrius Peete, age 46, of Manassas, Virginia, to a year and a day in prison followed by three years of supervised release for conspiring to commit wire fraud in connection with a mortgage fraud scheme which resulted in losses attributable to Peete of approximately $1.5 million. Judge Bredar also ordered Peete to pay restitution of $394,908 to the victims and to forfeit $1.5 million.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Stephen E. Vogt of the Federal Bureau of Investigation;
Special Agent in Charge Brian Murphy of the United States Secret Service Baltimore Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Michael P. Tompkins, Washington Field Office, U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General; Howard County Police Chief Gary Gardner; and Howard County State’s Attorney Dario Broccolino.According to his plea agreement and court documents, in 2008 and 2009, Peete agreed to participate in several fraudulent real estate transactions that settled at M&R Title, Inc., located in Alexandria, Virginia. In 2009, Peete also agreed to participate in several fraudulent real estate transactions that settled at Sanford Title Services, located in Columbia, Maryland. Peete, along with co-conspirators Bonnie Kreamer, Niesha Williams, Rhonda Scott and Emeka Udeze arranged real estate transactions so that they could siphon profits out of the transaction for themselves. Peete negotiated short sales on behalf of sellers in which the properties were sold for a higher price than was represented to the lien holders and the sellers.
Peete and his coconspirators deceived buyers, sellers and lenders to make it appear to sellers that they were selling their property at a low price, and to buyers and lenders that the property was being sold at a higher price. The co-conspirators created paperwork for two different sales of the property at the same time. The first sale was fraudulent because it was backdated, the buyer planned to immediately flip the property in a subsequent sale and the settlement statement listed a fake loan. In the second sale, the sales price was significantly increased and the settlement statement showed a large sum being disbursed to the lender to pay off an existing lien. In fact, those funds were improperly disbursed to the co-conspirators.
Peete admitted that his participation in the schemes involved at least 10 victims, including lenders, sellers and buyers of real estate, title insurance companies and lien holders. He further agreed that the reasonably foreseeable loss associated with Peete’s conduct is approximately $1.5 million.
Bonnie Kathleen Kreamer, a/k/a Bonnie Meehan, age 49, of Riva, Maryland; Gregory Green, age 49, of Waldorf, Maryland; Niesha Williams, age 35, of Fort Washington, Maryland; Rhonda Scott, age 53, of Oxon Hill, Maryland; and Emeka Udeze, age 39, of Bowie, Maryland, each previously pleaded guilty to their roles in the fraud. Kraemer, who was responsible for the daily operations at Sanford Title, was sentenced to 51 months in prison, and ordered to pay restitution of $2,499,048 to the victims and to forfeit $4.8 million. Scott was sentenced to 30 months in prison and ordered to forfeit $2.7 million and pay restitution of $703,000. Williams was sentenced to 27 months in prison and ordered to forfeit $3.1 million and pay restitution of $1,445,593. Green was sentenced to three months in prison and ordered to pay restitution of $404,596. The other conspirators await sentencing.
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 www.justice.gov/usao/md/Mortgage Fraud/index.html.
Today’s announcement is part of efforts underway by President Obama’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force (FFETF) which was created in November 2009 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 the inception of FFETF in November 2009, the Justice Department has filed more than 12,841 financial fraud cases against nearly 18,737 defendants including nearly 3,500 mortgage fraud defendants. For more information on the task force, visit www.stopfraud.gov.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the FBI, Department of Justice - OIG, Howard County Police Department, Secret Service and Howard County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Harry M. Gruber and Judson T. Mihok, who are prosecuting the case.
Baltimore Felon Exiled to 10 Years in Prison for Possessing A Gun in Connection with Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar sentenced James Arwine, age 36, of Baltimore, Maryland, today to 10 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy to use a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Acting Special Agent in Charge William P. McMullan of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Baltimore Field Division; Commissioner Anthony W. Batts of the Baltimore Police Department; and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Gregg L. Bernstein.
According to Arwine’s plea agreement, on September 21, 2012, a detective with the Baltimore Police Department was in a covert location and saw James Arwine and Nathanial Hickman enter an alley. The detective observed what appeared to be a hand to hand transaction drug transaction by other individuals while Arwine and Hickman seemed to be acting as lookouts for law enforcement. The detective changed locations in an attempt to determine the drug stash location.
The detective saw Arwine and Hickman remove items from a vehicle and walk back into the alley to a dumpster. Hickman removed a black handgun from his waistband and placed it under the dumpster. Arwine then handed Hickman a second black handgun from his pocket which Hickman also placed under the dumpster. Arwine then gave Hickman a package, which he stashed with the guns.
Detectives moved in and arrested Arwine and Hickman. Two handguns, a loaded .357 handgun and a loaded .38 caliber handgun were recovered from under the dumpster, along with a package containing a bag of empty yellow top vials but no narcotics.
Arwine admitted that he possessed the gun and packaging material in relation to a conspiracy to distribute narcotics and that he was acting as a look-out for other individuals who were distributing narcotics.
Nathaniel Hickman, age 26, of Baltimore, pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy and Judge Bredar has scheduled his sentencing on August 19, 2014.
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 Special Assistant United States Attorney H. Brandis Marsh, Jr., a cross-designated Baltimore City Assistant State’s Attorney assigned to Exile cases, who prosecuted the case.
Queen Anne’s County Drug Trafficker Exiled to 9 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar sentenced Warren Troy Gibson, Jr., age 33, of Stevensville, Maryland, today to nine years in prison for conspiring to distribute narcotics.The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Stephen E. Vogt of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Queen Anne’s County Sheriff R. Gery Hofmann III; Colonel Marcus L. Brown, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police; Colonel George F. Johnson IV, Superintendent of the Maryland Natural Resources Police; Annapolis Police Chief Michael A. Pristoop; Chief Charlie Rhodes of the Centreville Police Department; and Queen Anne’s County State’s Attorney Lance G. Richardson.
According to his plea agreement, from June through August 23, 2012, Gibson conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine hydrochloride and cocaine base in Queen Anne’s County, Maryland. Gibson helped distribute cocaine and other drugs, and made drug deals on the phone in cooperation with his coconspirators. On August 23, 2012, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at a residence and stash location partly maintained by Gibson, and seized quantities of powder cocaine.
It was reasonably foreseeable to Gibson that between 500 grams and two kilograms of cocaine would be distributed to others during the conspiracy.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the FBI, Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office, Maryland State Police Maryland Natural Resources Police, Annapolis Police Department, Centreville Police Department and Queen Anne’s County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorney Michael C. Hanlon, who prosecuted this Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force case.
BGF Leader Sentenced to over 10 Years in Prison in Baltimore Jail Racketeering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Directed Correctional Officers to Smuggle Contraband into Baltimore Correctional Facility,
and Had Sex with Two Correctional OfficersBaltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander sentenced Jamar Anderson, age 24, of Baltimore, today to 121 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for participating in a racketeering conspiracy that included the smuggling of drugs and contraband inside the Baltimore City Detention Center (BCDC). Judge Hollander ordered that 60 months of his federal sentence will be served consecutive to the state murder sentence that he is currently serving.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Stephen E. Vogt of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Secretary Gregg Hershberger of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services; Baltimore Police Commissioner Anthony W. Batts; and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Gregg L. Bernstein.This case was developed as a result of the efforts of the Maryland Prison Task Force, formed in 2011 with the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, and prosecutors. The Task Force has met regularly for over three years, generating recommendations to reform prison procedures and producing leads that have been pursued by state, local and federal criminal investigators. The investigation is continuing.
According to court documents, the Black Guerilla Family (BGF) has been the dominant gang at the BCDC, and in several connected facilities, including the Baltimore Central Booking Intake Center (BCBIC), the Women’s Detention Center, which houses many men, and in the Jail Industries Building.
According to his plea agreement, Anderson is a member of the BGF and was in pretrial custody at BCDC from 2012 to 2013. During that time, Anderson often directed correctional officers to smuggle contraband into BCDC, including cell phones, tobacco and drugs. In return, the correctional officers received payments, gifts or a share of the profits. Anderson knew many correctional officers involved in contraband trafficking, and had sexual relationships with two of them. Anderson and his closest BGF allies frequently used others to obtain contraband from outside the prison, and hold it or deliver it to correctional officers for smuggling.
Twenty-four of the 44 defendants charged in the conspiracy have pleaded guilty, including 14 correctional officers. One defendant has died. Trial is scheduled to begin November 17, 2014 for the remaining defendants.
U.S. Attorney Rosenstein recognized the efforts of the other members of the Maryland Prison Task Force, including: Colonel Marcus L. Brown, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police; Chief Mark A. Magaw of the Prince George’s County Police Department; United States Marshal Johnny Hughes; Special Agent in Charge Karl C. Colder of the Drug Enforcement Administration - Washington Field Division; Tom Carr, Director of the Washington-Baltimore High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area; and Dave Engel, Executive Director of the Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the FBI, Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, Baltimore Police Department, and Maryland Prison Task Force, for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Robert R. Harding and Ayn B. Ducao, who are prosecuting this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.Armored Truck Robber Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
Conspirators Stole Over $270,000 in 2012 Armored Truck Robbery
Greenbelt, Maryland – Adrian Baldwin, age 28, of Washington, DC, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit an armed commercial robbery in connection with the robbery of an armored truck.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Stephen E. Vogt of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Chief Mark A. Magaw of the Prince George’s County Police Department.
According to Baldwin’s plea agreement, between mid-November and November 21, 2012, Baldwin conspired with Damione Lewis, Delacey Brown, Taurian Miller, and others to rob an armored truck that serviced a bank branch in the 3400 block of Kenilworth Avenue in Hyattsville, Maryland. As part of the conspiracy, Baldwin was recruited to participate in the robbery, in exchange for sharing in the proceeds of the robbery.On November 21, 2012, an armored car employee picked up $272,956.17 from the bank. Baldwin and other co-conspirators were in vans outside the bank. As the employee was taking the money from the bank to the armored truck, Baldwin and his co-conspirators approached the employee brandishing firearms, took the money bags to the vans and drove away. The robbery proceeds were later divided between the conspirators. Baldwin admitted that part of his share of the proceeds was used to purchase a 2002 Ford Explorer, which he must forfeit as part of his plea agreement.
Baldwin faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Chief U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow has scheduled sentencing for November 10, 2014 at 10:00 a.m.
Damione Lewis, age 35, of New Carrolton, Maryland; Delacey Kinte Brown, age 37, of Landover, Maryland; and Taurian Devon Miller, age 29, of Washington, DC; have all pleaded guilty to their roles in the robbery and are awaiting sentencing.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the FBI and Prince George’s County Police Department for their work in the investigation and thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys William D. Moomau and Bryan E. Foreman, who are prosecuting the case.Montgomery County Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison in Violent Sex Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Sex Trafficking Victims Testified to Defendant’s Physical and Sexual Abuse, Threats, Tattoo Branding, and Bragging About Beating Murder Charges
Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Paul W. Grimm sentenced Jean Claude Roy, a/k/a “Dredd the Don,” and “Dreddy,” age 32, of Germantown, Maryland, to 20 years in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release for conspiring to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, three counts of interstate transportation for prostitution, and witness and evidence tampering.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division Jocelyn Samuels; Special Agent in Charge William Winter of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); and Chief J. Thomas Manger of the Montgomery County Police Department.
“Jean Claude Roy preyed on vulnerable young women,” said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein. “Law enforcement agencies will continue to work to identify and prosecute human traffickers.”
“The Civil Rights Division is committed to pursuing justice on behalf of vulnerable members of our society,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Jocelyn Samuels for the Civil Rights Division. “This sentence sends a clear message that the United States will not tolerate modern-day slavery and will work tirelessly to restore the rights and dignity of its victims.”
“This case serves as another chilling example of the callous disregard for human life demonstrated by traffickers,” said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigation’s (HSI) Baltimore Deputy Special Agent in Charge James P. Nagle. “Our special agents will continue pursuing these criminals to ensure they are behind bars where they can no longer exploit the innocent.”
According to evidence presented during the two week trial, between August and September 2012 Roy transported a victim across state lines to engage in prostitution. He also took the victim’s identity documents and kept all of the victim’s money.
During the trial, victims recounted their fear of Roy, explaining instances of physical and sexual abuse, threats, tattoo branding and Roy’s bragging of beating a murder charge years prior in Massachusetts. “If he could kill a man, who’s gonna care about a prostitute,” one victim said from the witness stand. Witnesses detailed the guns in Roy’s possession and how he prostituted women in Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina.
In November 2012 Roy recruited co-defendant Brittney Creason to engage in prostitution. Thereafter, Creason helped Roy recruit and transport girls from Illinois and North Carolina to engage in prostitution. Roy conspired to force the women to engage in prostitution by again bragging about beating murder charges, taking their identity documents and taking their money.
Trial evidence also showed that from January 1 through 10, 2013, while Roy was in jail on related state charges, he called an individual several times and had that person access online accounts and storage services belonging to Roy and Creason in order to erase evidence related to these charges.
The jury found Roy not guilty of sex trafficking and attempted sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion; and possessing and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.Brittney Creason, a/k/a “Kitty Amor,” age 20, of Decatur, Illinois, previously pleaded guilty of using a facility in interstate commerce for an illegal activity, and was sentenced to time served of three months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.
This case was investigated by the Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force, formed in 2007 to discover and rescue victims of human trafficking while identifying and prosecuting offenders. Members include federal, state and local law enforcement, as well as victim service providers and local community members. For more information about the Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force, please visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/md/priorities_human.html.
Report suspected instances of human trafficking to HSI's tip line at 866-DHS-2ICE (1-866-347-2423) or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended HSI Baltimore and the Montgomery County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristi N. O’Malley, and Trial Attorney William E. Nolan of the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division's Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit, who prosecuted the case.Convenience Store Operator Pleads Guilty to Food Stamp Fraud on the First Day of TrialRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Abdo Mohamed Nagi, age 54, a citizen of Yemen residing in Baltimore, pleaded guilty on July 21, 2014, to two counts of food stamp fraud and six counts of wire fraud in connection with a scheme to illegally redeem food stamp benefits in exchange for cash. Nagi admitted that he obtained more than $1.2 million from the food stamp program, to which he was not entitled. Nagi entered his guilty plea on the first day of his trial.The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge William G. Squires, Jr. of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General, Northeast Region; and Special Agent in Charge Stephen E. Vogt of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
According to the indictment to which he pleaded guilty, Nagi owned and operated New York Deli and Grocery, located at 1207 West Baltimore Street, in Baltimore. Through the store, Nagi participated in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), previously known as the Food Stamp Program. In Maryland, the program provides eligible individuals with an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card called the Independence Card, which operates like a debit card. Recipients obtain EBT cards through the state Department of Human Resources, then use the EBT card to purchase approved food items from participating retailers.
Nagi knew that it was a violation of SNAP regulations to trade cash for SNAP benefits. Nevertheless, from February 2011 through May 2013, Nagi exchanged SNAP benefits for cash at less than face value of the EBT benefits, in violation of the food stamp program rules. Typically, Nagi and kept up to 50 percent of the benefits for himself. To avoid detection, Nagi often debited funds in multiple transactions within minutes of each other. As a result of these illegal cash transactions, Nagi admitted that he obtained more than $1.2 million for food sales that never occurred.
Nagi faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for each of the six counts of wire fraud and five years in prison for each of the two counts of food stamp fraud. U.S. District Judge J. Frederick Motz has scheduled sentencing for October 10, 2014 at 10:00 a.m.
Eight of the 10 convenience store owners or operators who were indicted in September 2013 in connection with schemes to illegally redeem food stamp benefits in exchange for cash have pleaded guilty to food stamp fraud and/or wire fraud. Abdullah Aljaradi, age 52, and Ahmed Ayedh Al-Jabrati, age 56, both citizens of Yemen residing in Baltimore, were each sentenced to two years in prison, and ordered to pay restitution of $1.2 million. Jung Kim, age 52, of Ellicott City, Maryland, was sentenced to 20 months in prison, and ordered to forfeit $95,453.50 and pay restitution of $205,000. Amara Cisse, age 51, of Windsor Mill, Maryland, was sentenced to 27 months in prison and ordered to pay restitution of $654,349.24, and his wife, Fanta Keita was sentenced to two months in prison. John Cunningham, age 55, of Baltimore, was sentenced to two years in prison. Retailer Hyung Cho, age 40, was sentenced to 38 months in prison, and his mother Dae Cho, age 67, was sentenced to 18 months in prison. The Chos were also ordered to forfeit $371,439.21 and pay restitution of $1.4 million. Two more retailers were indicted in January 2014.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised USDA’s Office of Inspector General and FBI for their work in the investigation. U.S. Attorney Rosenstein expressed appreciation to Secretary Ted Dallas and the Maryland Department of Human Resources, as well as U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services - Office of Fraud Detection and National Security for their assistance in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorney Leo J. Wise, who is prosecuting this case.
St. Mary’s County Drug Dealer Sentenced to 15 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – Chief U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow sentenced Jeffrey Kirk Berry, a/k/a “Kojack,” age 55, of Lexington Park, Maryland, today to 15 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute powder and crack cocaine; and for being a felon in possession of firearms. Chief Judge Chasanow also found that Berry was an armed career criminal based on three previous drug convictions.The sentence 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 Division; St. Mary’s County Sheriff Tim Cameron; and Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Kelly of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, Washington, D.C. Field Office.
According to Berry’s plea agreement and other court documents, from February 2012 to April 2013, Berry conspired with Damon Estep, Alrahman Allen, Jamar Holt and others to distribute cocaine and crack in southern St. Mary’s County. Holt provided Allen with cocaine and other drugs and then regularly called Estep to coordinate the delivery of cocaine to Estep, Berry or others from St. Mary’s County.Nearly every week, Berry, Estep and others met Allen in the Glen Burnie area and paid Allen for one-fourth, one-half and one kilogram quantities of cocaine for further distribution in St. Mary’s County by Estep, Berry and others at Estep’s direction. Once Berry and others transported the cocaine back to their stash locations in St. Mary’s County, Estep and others would cook portions of the cocaine into crack, and distribute the cocaine and crack throughout southern Maryland at Estep’s direction.
Estep stored the powder and crack cocaine in several locations, including Berry’s residence at 18310 Three Notch Road in Lexington Park. Berry, Estep and others sold the drugs at locations in southern Maryland.
A search of Berry’s home on April 15, 2013, recovered a 9 mm rifle, two 9mm handguns, a .40 caliber handgun, and a .25 caliber handgun, as well as ammunition for the guns. Due to his previous felony convictions, Berry was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. Berry admits that over the course of the conspiracy he was responsible for the distribution of between five and 15 kilograms of cocaine, and between 280 and 840 grams of crack.
Chief Judge Chasanow sentenced Jamar Holt, a/k/a “Reds,” “Jamal Holt” and “Rex,” age 36, of Baltimore, Maryland, to 20 years in prison and Damon Jerome Estep, a/k/a “Country”, age 39, of California, Maryland, to 188 months in prison. Co-defendant Alrahman Sharif Allen, a/k/a “Rock” and “Rahman Allen,” age 38, of Baltimore, Maryland, previously pleaded guilty to his participation in the conspiracy and awaits sentencing.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the DEA, St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, and IRS-Criminal Investigation for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leah Jo Bressack and Deborah A. Johnston and James A. Crowell IV, who prosecuted this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.
Resident of Great Britain Sentenced for Stealing Camera Equipment from A Bethesda Production CompanyRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Roger W. Titus sentenced Darren Oliver Raymond Charles Defoe, age 40, a citizen and resident of Great Britain, today to a year and a day in prison for interstate transportation of property taken by fraud. Judge Titus also entered an order that Defoe pay $275,000 in restitution.The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge William Winter of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); and Chief J. Thomas Manger of the Montgomery County Police Department.
Visual Edge Productions was a business located in Bethesda, Maryland, specializing in providing rental cameras and filming equipment. According to his plea agreement, on February 12, 2011, Defoe and a conspirator flew from Heathrow to Dulles airports and arrived at Visual Edge in Bethesda. Defoe and the conspirator took possession of Visual Edge camera equipment pursuant to a rental agreement. On February 13 to 14, they flew back to Heathrow Airport with the rented camera equipment, valued at approximately $275,000, knowing that they had stolen the equipment.Co-defendant William Henry Stickland, age 40, also a citizen and resident of Great Britain, was charged with conspiracy and interstate transportation of property taken by fraud in connection with this scheme. The government intends to seek extradition of Stickland.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the HSI Baltimore and Montgomery County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas P. Windom, who prosecuted the case.
Glenarden Crack Dealer Sentenced to 6 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – Chief U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow sentenced Clifton Robotham, age 41, of Glenarden, Maryland, today to six years in prison, followed by four years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine.The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge William Winter of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); and Chief Mark A. Magaw of the Prince George’s County Police Department.
According to Robotham’s plea agreement, on August 30, 2012, aPrince George’s County Police Department (PGPD) officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop of a vehicle being driven by Robotham. Rather than pull over, Robotham attempted to elude the officers, eventually driving to the end of a dead end street, then exiting the vehicle and running away. A PGPD officer in the neighborhood saw Robotham running through a nearby yard, caught up to Robotham and placed him under arrest. Robotham resisted arrest refusing commands to place his hands behind his back. While he was resisting arrest, Robotham put a plastic bag of crack cocaine in his mouth and began to chew the bag. Robotham was eventually handcuffed and he spit out the plastic bag. The bag and the crack cocaine Robotham had spit out on the grass were recovered, along with a plastic bag containing eight smaller bags of crack cocaine that was recovered from his pants pocket.The total weight of the crack cocaine recovered from Robotham was 53.55 grams.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the HSI Baltimore and the Prince George’s County Police Department, for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes and Mara Zusman Greenberg, who prosecuted the case.
Conspirator Sentenced to Prison in $2.3 Million Government Contract Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Ordered to Pay Over $400,000 in Restitution
Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Paul W. Grimm sentenced Christopher Johnson, age 36, of Clinton, Maryland today to 18 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for conspiring to commit wire fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud businesses which supplied goods under government contracts. Judge Grimm also entered an order that Johnson pay restitution of $426,376.99.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein and Special Agent in Charge Stephen E. Vogt of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
According to his plea agreement, from December 2007 to May 2013, Johnson and his co-conspirators used at least seven businesses in Maryland, Delaware, Georgia, Nevada, North Carolina and Tennessee which they incorporated to bid on contracts to provide goods – such as books, snowmobiles, plants and paint – to federal, state and local government agencies. The conspirators’ businesses included: The Encompass Group, The Crescant Group Inc., Taylor Hailey Group, United Partners Consulting Group, Worldwide Industries, Global Synergy Group and Parktech Group.
Most of the contracts were awarded using an online marketplace. The conspirators’ businesses often submitted extremely low bids to secure the contracts. Once awarded the contracts, Johnson enticed victim businesses to act as subcontractors and supply the goods required by contract by providing fake references and by falsely promising that the subcontractors would be paid after the government paid Johnson. After the subcontractors delivered the goods required by the contracts, government agencies paid Johnson, typically by electronic transfers to bank accounts set up in the business names but controlled by Johnson and his conspirators. Johnson and his conspirators fraudulently retained these proceeds for their own personal benefit and did not pay the subcontractors.
The conspirators typically operated under a particular business name for six to 12 months until the business was either disqualified from the online marketplace or burdened with lawsuits or liens. The conspirators then continued the scheme under a newly-registered business name. The conspirators initially used their true names and addresses to register their businesses, but later attempted to conceal their true identities by using aliases.
From December 2007 to March 2013, Johnson and co-conspirator Larayne Whitehead received at least 144 bank deposits from governmental agencies totaling approximately $2,321,058.95 of which $426,376.99 was reasonably foreseeable to Johnson. The scheme involved between 10 and 50 business victims.
Larayne Whitehead, age 35, also of Clinton, Maryland, previously pleaded guilty to her participation in the conspiracy and has agreed to forfeit $2,393,579 and a car. Whitehead is scheduled to be sentenced on August 18, 2014.The National Procurement Fraud Task Force was formed in October 2006 to promote the early detection, identification, prevention and prosecution of procurement fraud associated with the increase in government contracting activity for national security and other government programs. The Procurement Fraud Task Force includes the United States Attorneys’ Offices, the FBI, the U.S. Inspectors General community and a number of other federal law enforcement agencies. This case, as well as other cases brought by members of the Task Force, demonstrate the Department of Justice’s commitment to helping ensure the integrity of the government procurement process.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the FBI for its work in the investigation and thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan E. Foreman, who prosecuted the case.
Cocaine Trafficker Exiled to 10 Years in Prison on Drug and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – Chief U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow sentenced Marvin Bowden, Jr., age 31, of Colmar Manor, Maryland, today to 10 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, and for conspiracy to carry and use firearms in furtherance of a crime of violence and drug trafficking.The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Acting Special Agent in Charge William P. McMullan of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Baltimore Field Division; Chief Mark A. Magaw of the Prince George’s County Police Department; and Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler.
According to his plea agreement and court documents, from May 9 to 16, 2013, Bowden conspired with Shane Hare, Antonio Edwards and Gregory Williams to rob drug dealers operating in Baltimore, Maryland, and sell over five kilograms of cocaine, using firearms.
On May 9, 2013, Bowden and his conspirators were introduced to an undercover ATF agent who proposed robbing a stash house operated by a drug cartel of multiple kilograms of narcotics. Bowden and his coconspirators agreed to commit the robbery and intended to resell the stolen narcotics to customers in the Prince George’s County and Washington Metropolitan area.
On May 14, 2013, Bowden and his conspirators met again with the undercover agent and outlined their plan to carry guns and execute the robbery soon after the undercover agent entered the stash house. The conspirators told the undercover agent that they would wear black clothing with police insignias as disguises and yell “Police” upon entering.
On May 16th, the conspirators left the hotel room they used to prepare for the robbery and met with the undercover agent, telling him that they were ready to commit the robbery. The conspirators followed the undercover agent to a secluded location in Laurel where they believed they would be told of the location of the stash house. On arrival, the conspirators confirmed again that they were ready to commit the robbery and had weapons to be used during its commission. After discussing final preparations, law enforcement arrested them, and seized two loaded pistols from under and in the car used by the conspirators.
Between five and 15 kilograms of cocaine were reasonably foreseeable to Bowden’s participation in the conspiracy.
Shane Elliott Hare, age 27, of Hyattsville, Maryland; Antonio Edwards, age 40, of Capital Heights, Maryland; and Gregory Antoine Williams, age 28, of Washington, D.C., were all convicted at trial on July 27, 2014 of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery; conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine; conspiracy to carry and use firearms in furtherance of a crime of violence and drug trafficking; and carry and use of firearms in furtherance of a crime of violence and drug trafficking. Edwards was also convicted of possession of ammunition by a felon. They are scheduled to be sentenced on September 29, 2014.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the ATF, Prince George’s County Police Department and Maryland Attorney General’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Special Assistant United States Attorneys Gerald A. A. Collins, a cross designated Maryland Assistant Attorney General assigned to Exile cases, and Jennifer Sykes, a prosecutor with the Department of Justice Criminal Division, who prosecuted the case.
Baltimore Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander sentenced Justin Stevens, age 31, of Baltimore, today to five years in prison, followed by 25 years of supervised release, for distribution of child pornography. Judge Hollander ordered that upon his release from prison, Stevens 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 William Winter of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
According to Stevens’ plea agreement, on January 2, 2013, after a computer chat with Stevens, an undercover law enforcement agent downloaded 11 files depicting children engaged in sexually explicit conduct from Stevens’ computer utilizing file sharing software. After reviewing the downloaded files, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children issued a report indicating that three of the files depicted at least one child previously identified by law enforcement as being a victim of child exploitation.
A search warrant was obtained for Stevens’ residence on January 30, 2013 and a computer, multiple external hard drives and other digital media were seized. A forensic examination of the computer and one of the hard drives recovered over 600 images of child pornography, including numerous images documenting the sexual abuse of prepubescent children. Also observed in plain sight during the execution of the search warrant was drug paraphernalia, drug packaging and drugs, which were tested and determined to be methamphetamine.
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 Wilmington for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamera L. Fine, who prosecuted the case.
X-Ray Technician Who Became Company’s Vice President Pleads Guilty to Health Care FraudRead the Press Release
Performed and Interpreted X-rays and Other Tests in Lieu of Qualified Physicians and Radiologists, in Scheme Involving Over $2.5 Million in Medicare Losses
Baltimore, Maryland – Timothy Emeigh, age 50, of York Springs, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty today to health care fraud arising from a scheme in which insurance providers and Medicare were fraudulently billed for tests interpreted by unlicensed personnel, and for tests and services which in fact had not been provided.
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; and Special Agent in Charge Stephen E. Vogt of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
According to his plea agreement, Emeigh was a licensed x-ray technologist in Maryland. Emeigh was not a licensed physician. Emeigh worked at Alpha Diagnostics Services beginning in 1993 as an x-ray technologist. In 1997, he was named vice president of the company’s operations.Alpha Diagnostics was principally a portable x-ray supplier in Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Virginia. However, Alpha Diagnostics also supplied or provided portable ultrasound tests, electrocardiograms (“EKGs”), echocardiograms and Holter monitors. The majority of its clients were nursing homes, whose patients Alpha Diagnostics tested. Alpha Diagnostics was headquartered in Owings Mills, Maryland with an office in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Alpha Diagnostics was enrolled in the Medicare program. Medicare required that a licensed physician order and interpret the x-ray or other test, and render a formal report.
Nonetheless, in 1997, Emeigh began performing x-ray interpretations in lieu of a licensed physician or radiologist, and producing fraudulent reports using the names of actual physicians who had never seen the x-rays in question. In 2003, as technology improved, Emeigh began interpreting medical tests and writing reports in the name of registered licensed physicians from his home using his home computer. In addition to x-rays, Emeigh began interpreting and drafting fraudulent reports for ultrasounds and EKGs from his home, while traveling out of state, and at times, from overseas. Sometimes Emeigh performed medical interpretations and transmitted x-ray images using a cell phone application.
By 2010, Emeigh performed more than 70% of the x-ray interpretations, masquerading as a licensed radiologist or physician. On an average month, more than 1,000 x-ray interpretations were conducted by Alpha Diagnostics in Maryland alone.
Emeigh suggested to Alpha Diagnostics that he transmit particularly difficult medical interpretations to actual licensed physicians. If a patient caregiver contacted Alpha Diagnostics to question any of the medical interpretation reports generated by Emeigh or other unlicensed Alpha Diagnostics personnel, the diagnostic interpretation was reassigned to an actual licensed physician for a second interpretation, who would not be apprised of the first interpretation and conclusion.
Alpha Diagnostics would bill insurance providers for 2-view chest x-rays even where single-view x-rays had been ordered or performed. Alpha Diagnostics routinely submitted insurance payment claims which exaggerated the number of anatomical views performed by its x-ray and ultrasound technologists; and for multiple transportation charges on occasions when multiple patients had been examined at the same facility. Alpha Diagnostics would routinely bill Medicare for “global” x-ray procedures (i.e., both professional and technical components), along with transportation and setup charges, for studies interpreted "in-house" by Emeigh or other unlicensed Alpha Diagnostics personnel.
From January 2007 through October 2012, the financial loss to Medicare alone for the misconduct described herein was more than $2.5 million.Emeigh faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar scheduled sentencing for October 29, 2014 at 2:00 p.m.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the HHS- Office of Inspector General and FBI for their work in the investigation, and thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark W. Crooks, who is prosecuting the case.Keymar Man Exiled to 10 Years in Prison for Possession of Stolen FirearmsRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge George L. Russell III sentenced Christopher Stevens, age 23, of Keymar, Maryland, today to 10 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for possession of stolen firearms. Judge Russell ordered that six years of the federal sentence will be served consecutive to state sentences that Stevens is currently serving.The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Acting Special Agent in Charge William P. McMullan of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Baltimore Field Division; Captain Thomas J. Ledwell, Chief of the Frederick Police Department; Frederick County Sheriff Charles A. “Chuck” Jenkins; and Colonel Marcus L. Brown, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police.
According to Stevens’ plea agreement, on January 27, 2013, he and an accomplice broke into a sporting goods store, gaining entry through the roof of the building. Stevens stole 12 firearms from the store and hid them at his mother’s residence. Stevens and his accomplice then distributed 10 of the guns to an individual whom they believed to be a member of a “Crips” gang section located in Frederick, Maryland. At least one of the stolen firearms was used in a shooting in Frederick. Stevens also bartered at least one of the stolen guns in exchange for tattoos.
On March 5, 2013, Stevens was the rear passenger in a car stopped by a Maryland State Police trooper. A police drug detection canine that was brought to the scene alerted positively for the presence of drugs in the car. The occupants were removed from the car prior to a search. While exiting the car, the front seat passenger told the trooper that there was a gun under the front seat and neither of the other passengers knew of the gun. The gun, an unloaded semi-automatic handgun, was recovered. Investigation revealed that the gun had one obliterated serial number, but a second serial number was discovered, which revealed that the gun had been stolen in the sporting goods store robbery. Witnesses were found who would testify that Stevens brought the seized firearm into the car and when the car was stopped by the trooper, Stevens asked Myers to claim that the gun was his.
According to his plea agreement, Stevens also told several witnesses that the seized gun was his and that he had stolen it in the sporting goods store robbery. The government also obtained recordings of conversations with Stevens and individuals who were incarcerated in which Stevens admitted his participation in the firearms robbery from the sporting goods store.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the ATF, Frederick Police Department, Maryland State Police and Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorney John F. Purcell, who prosecuted the case.
Former Official of Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs Admits to Fraudulently Obtaining over $1.4 Million in BenefitsRead the Press Release
Eight Other Veterans Have Admitted to Paying U.S. Army Veteran David Clark
Cash to Fraudulently Obtain Veteran Benefits
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. Army veteran David Clark, age 67, of Hydes, Maryland, the former Deputy Chief of Veterans Claims in the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs, pleaded guilty today to extortion in connection with a scheme to fraudulently obtain over $1.4 million in veterans benefits.The plea agreement was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein and Special Agent in Charge Kim R. Lampkins of the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General.
In January 2011, Clark retired from the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) as the Deputy Chief for Veterans Claims. Clark’s duties included submitting claims and documentation on behalf of veterans in Maryland who appointed the MDVA to represent them in obtaining federal benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Clark also submitted documents to the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) in support of veterans’ applications for property tax waivers.
According to his plea agreement, while serving at Deputy Chief of Claims, Clark fraudulently obtained VA compensation for himself and at least 17 others, by submitting false documents to the VA purporting to show that the claimants had been diagnosed with diabetes, and in some cases that the claimant had served in Vietnam when they had not. The claimants paid Clark half of the retroactive lump sum payment they received in cash, or some other amount of cash. These payments to Clark were made in unmarked envelopes, at MDVA offices in Bel Air, Maryland; at the Fallon Federal Building in Baltimore; and at other locations.
In support of these claims, Clark submitted fake letters from doctors purportedly treating the veterans, which falsely stated that the claimants suffered from Type II diabetes. Clark used the names and addresses of real doctors who were unaware of his conduct. Each letter stated that the diagnosis of Type II diabetes had been made a year or more prior to the date of the letter, which entitled each claimant to a retroactive lump-sum payment. The letters also stated that the claimants were currently taking insulin, which increased the amount of compensation the VA paid the claimant.
Clark created counterfeit versions of a Defense Department form for himself and five others, which falsely stated that each had served in Vietnam. These forms also falsely stated that these individuals had received various awards and decorations for the Vietnam service, including that Clark himself had been awarded the Purple Heart Medal. These documents were submitted to the VA to provide false evidence that they qualified for compensation benefits for diabetes.
Clark also submitted false certifications to the SDAT, on behalf of claimants that owned homes in Maryland, that the filers were entitled to a property tax waiver due to a service-connected disability.
The total loss to the government caused by false submissions to the VA is $1,151,219 and the loss from the property tax evasion is $255,555, for a total loss of $1,407,134.
Clark faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Clark has agreed to forfeit $1,407,134. U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake scheduled sentencing for November 17, 2014 at 9:15 a.m.
Eight other veterans have previously pleaded guilty to paying Clark cash to submit false documentation to receive VA benefits:
John Bratcher, age 56, of Conowingo, Maryland, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force;
Richard Genco, age 71, of Baltimore, a veteran of the U.S. Navy;
Paul Heard, age 65, of Baltimore, a veteran of the U.S. Navy;
George Kulla, age 68, of Dillwyn, Virginia, a veteran of the U.S. Army;
Sandra Tyree, age 65, of Baltimore, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and former employee
of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
Kenneth Webster, age 68, of Pasadena, Maryland, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and a former police officer with AMTRAK;
Raymond Sadler, age 63, of Middle River, Maryland, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps; and Kenneth Williams, age 65, of Baltimore, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps.Today’s announcement is part of efforts underway by President Obama=s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force (FFETF) which was created in November 2009 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. Over the past three fiscal years, the Justice Department has filed more than 10,000 financial fraud cases against nearly 15,000 defendants including more than 2,700 mortgage fraud defendants. For more information on the task force, visit www.stopfraud.gov.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein thanked the VA Office of Inspector General for its work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein praised Assistant U.S. Attorney Leo J. Wise, who is prosecuting the case.
Cocaine Dealer in St. Mary’s County Drug Trafficking Conspiracy Sentenced to 20 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – Chief U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow sentenced Jamar Holt, a/k/a “Reds,” “Jamal Holt” and “Rex,” age 36, of Baltimore, Maryland, today to 20 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and a kilogram or more of heroin; engaging in money laundering; and violating his supervised release. Chief Judge Chasanow also entered an order requiring Holt to forfeit $1 million, two vehicles, three properties located in Baltimore, as well as jewelry and $22,390 seized at Holt’s 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 Karl C. Colder of the Drug Enforcement Administration - Washington Field Division; St. Mary’s County Sheriff Tim Cameron; and Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Kelly of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, Washington, D.C. Field Office .
According to his plea agreement, from October 2012 to April 2013, Holt acquired kilograms of cocaine and other quantities of heroin, and provided the drugs to conspirators who distributed the drugs to customers. Co-conspirator Damon Estep coordinated the delivery of cocaine to himself and other conspirators from St. Mary’s County. The conspirators would meet in Glen Burnie to pay for the drugs to be distributed in St. Mary’s County by Estep and others. The distribution of between 15 and five kilograms of cocaine hydrochloride, and between three and one kilograms of heroin, were reasonably foreseeable to Holt.Holt had been sentenced on April 14, 2005 in federal court in Maryland to six years in prison followed by four years of supervised release for conspiring to distribute heroin. His drug trafficking activities occurred while on supervised release, thereby violating his terms of release.
In November 2012, Holt gave his girlfriend around $20,000, more or less, to buy a 2012 Jeep. In December 2012, Holt also delivered checks totaling $54,440.42 to an individual to pay off an outstanding loan on properties located at 524-530 Oldtown Mall, Baltimore. In return, Holt received an ownership interest in the properties. In February 2013, Holt provided $51,000 in cash to the seller of property located at 4338 Glenmore Avenue in Baltimore, in order to buy the property. The monies Holt provided in these transactions included the proceeds of his drug trafficking, which Holt intended to conceal.
When Holt was charged in May 2013 in a superseding indictment, he was notified that the government would seek forfeiture of any property obtained as a result of the drug conspiracy. Nevertheless, on June 25, 2013, Holt filed a false document purporting to transfer his ownership in 4338 Glenmore to his sister and mother. The signatures of his mother and sister on the document were forged. In filing this document, Holt intended to obstruct forfeiture proceedings.
On April 25, 2013, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Holt’s residence and seized drug paraphernalia, seven cell phones, $22,390 in cash and over $119,000 in jewelry, including 12 watches with brands such as Rolex and Breitling.
Chief Judge Chasanow sentenced Damon Jerome Estep, a/k/a “Country”, age 38, of California, Maryland, on February 7, 2014 to 188 months in prison. Co-defendants Alrahman Sharif Allen, a/k/a “Rock” and “Rahman Allen;” and Jeffrey Kirk Berry, a/k/a “Kojack,” previously pleaded guilty to their participation in the conspiracy and await sentencing.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the DEA, St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, and IRS-Criminal Investigation for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leah Jo Bressack and Deborah Johnston, who prosecuted the case.
Bladensburg Man Sentenced to over 14 Years in Prison in Bank Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland - U.S. District Judge Roger W. Titus sentenced Lateef Akande, age 36, of Bladensburg, Maryland, today to 175 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiring to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, aggravated identity theft and money laundering. Judge Titus also ordered Akande to pay restitution of $418,042.58.The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Kathy A. Michalko of the United States Secret Service B Washington Field Office; and Postal Inspector in Charge Gary R. Barksdale of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service - Washington Division .
According to his plea agreement, from January 2010 to May 2012, Akande and others recruited individuals to provide personal bank information regarding existing bank accounts in their names, or to open new accounts in their own names. Akande and others then caused third-party checks to be deposited into those bank accounts. For any of the checks that cleared, the co-conspirators would withdraw monies from those accounts.
For example, on January 29, 2010, Akande opened a bank account under the name of Tyrone Jackson and deposited a check in the amount of $29,750.90, drawn on the account of a victim. The check contained the words “Tax Refund” on the memo line. Akande then caused a check in the amount of $12,920, payable to an electric company, to be negotiated using the funds from this account.
Akande admits that the loss or intended loss as a result of the fraud scheme was $1,798,456.30.
Today’s announcement is part of efforts underway by President Obama’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force (FFETF) which was created in November 2009 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 the inception of FFETF in November 2009, the Justice Department has filed more than 12,841 financial fraud cases against nearly 18,737 defendants including nearly 3,500 mortgage fraud defendants. For more information on the task force, visit www.stopfraud.gov.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the Secret Service and U.S. Postal Inspection Service for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys David I. Salem and Thomas P. Windom, and Special Assistant United States Attorney Margaret Moeser, of the U.S. Justice Department’s Asset Forfeiture & Money Laundering Section, who prosecuted the case.Odenton Man Sentenced to Prison for Laundering More Than $1.5 Million in Scheme to Steal Waste Vegetable OilRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge J. Frederick Motz sentenced Anthony Jean-Claude, age 40, of Odenton, Maryland today to 18 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for laundering over $1.5 million, in connecting with a scheme to steal waste vegetable oil. Judge Motz also entered an order requiring Jean-Claude to pay restitution and forfeiture of $1,586,747.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Chief James W. Johnson of the Baltimore County Police Department; and Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Kelly of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, Washington, D.C. Field Office.“Jean-Claude’s actions were motivated by pure greed as evidenced by the more than $1.5 million in laundered fraud proceeds he received while perpetuating a waste vegetable oil scheme,” said Thomas J Kelly, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Washington D.C. Field Office. “IRS Criminal Investigation is committed to unraveling money laundering schemes such as this, where individuals attempt to conceal the true source of their money. Today’s sentencing shows IRS-CI, in conjunction with our law enforcement partners, will continue to bring cases like these to justice.”
Waste collection businesses contract with local restaurants to collect waste vegetable oil which is used to make bio-diesel fuel or processed as an additive for animal feed. Waste collection businesses place recycling containers behind the restaurants with which they have contracts. When the containers are full, the businesses collect the oil using a vacuum truck.According to his plea agreement, from May through October 2010, Jean-Claude and a friend stole waste vegetable oil from restaurants in Maryland and Virginia using a tow truck owned by his friend. Jean-Claude and his friend stored the stolen oil at a warehouse near Waterview Avenue in Baltimore County, then sold the oil to out-of-state oil companies.
At the end of October, Jean-Claude’s friend developed a legitimate waste vegetable oil collection company named Waste Not Inc. The friend purchased a vacuum truck, hired salesmen to assist him, and eventually obtained 650 contracts to collect waste vegetable oil from restaurants. From June through October, 2011, Jean-Claude’s friend collected the oil pursuant to the contracts and sold the oil to Jean-Claude.
In May 2011, Jean-Claude used a straw purchaser to buy a truck which was titled in the name of Waste Not. The truck was used to steal waste vegetable oil from restaurants that did not have a collection contract with Waste Not. The driver of that truck was caught stealing waste vegetable oil in July 2011.
In late 2011, Jean-Claude met R.F. during a renovation project at Jean-Claude’s home. Jean-Claude requested that R.F. lease a large warehouse facility to collect, process and sell waste vegetable oil. The owner of Waste Not took both his legitimate waste vegetable oil and the stolen oil to the facility, located at 1701 Leland Avenue in Middle River. Jean-Claude then sold the waste vegetable oil to fuel companies in Pennsylvania and elsewhere. The proceeds of these transactions were directed back to Jean-Claude through a bank account in the name of Rafxcel Services, which account was held by both R.F. and Jean-Claude.
Jean-Claude subsequently used the straw purchaser to buy another truck in October 2011. A conspirator used the truck to steal waste vegetable oil from 20 locations in Baltimore City and Baltimore County. The conspirator then took the stolen oil to the Leland Avenue facility. From January 5, 2012 through October 1, 2012, approximately $1,586,747 was deposited in the Rafxcel account for the sale of waste vegetable oil to companies in Maryland, Pennsylvania and elsewhere.
The operations manager at the Leland Avenue facility received checks from Jean-Claude in the name of the manager’s wife, which were drawn on the Rafxcel business account. Jean-Claude directed the manager to cash the checks, use a portion of the cash for the operations of the Leland Avenue facility, and give the remainder of the cash back to Jean-Claude.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the Baltimore County Police Department and IRS – Criminal Investigation for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory R. Bockin, who prosecuted the case.
Lutherville Man Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison for Possession and Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake sentenced Brian Shaw, age 23, of Lutherville, Maryland, today to 7 years in prison, followed by lifetime supervised release, for distribution and possession of child pornography. Judge Blake ordered that upon his release from prison, Shaw 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 William Winter of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
According to court documents and testimony at today’s sentencing hearing, from December 18, 2012 through January 12, 2013, Shaw distributed images and videos documenting the sexual abuse of children, including prepubescent minors, to an undercover agent with HSI New Orleans. A search warrant was obtained for Shaw’s email account. From November 26, 2011 through January 29, 2013, Shaw’s email contained approximately 2140 emails, most of which referenced the trade of child pornography over the internet and the sexual exploitation of children. Upon the creation of the account, Shaw immediately began emailing others to trade child pornography files. In addition to attaching hundreds of videos and images of child pornography, Shaw also sent links for file sharing services in his email, which gave access to child pornography files.
Based on the evidence in Shaw’s emails, HSI obtained a search warrant for his residence. Law enforcement seized and subsequently forensically examined Shaw’s computer and other digital media. Approximately 5860 images and 562 videos of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct, as well as stories describing sex acts with children in graphic detail, were located during the forensic analysis. Some of the images included sadistic or masochistic conduct, or other depictions of violence, and depicted children under the age of 12.
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 for its work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Judson T. Mihok, who prosecuted the case.