District of Maine
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Former Arizona Man Sentenced to 5 Years for Stealing Mainers’ Identities as Part of Pandemic Unemployment Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A former Arizona man was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Bangor today after pleading guilty to six counts of wire fraud and six counts of aggravated identity theft.
U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced, James McAuliffe, 55, to 60 months followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $203,616 in restitution. He pleaded guilty on August 29, 2023.
According to court records, from January to November 2020 McAuliffe filed false claims for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits. He filed fraudulent applications for UI payments with the Maine Department of Labor, Bureau of Unemployment Compensation using others’ personal identifying information without their knowledge and consent. As a part of the scheme, he caused fraudulent applications for replacement drivers licenses to be filed with the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles and changed the drivers’ mailing addresses, using the falsified licenses as proof of identification in support of the fraudulent UI claims. McAuliffe had the UI benefits loaded onto debit cards and wired into an account he opened in another person’s name and withdrew the funds at ATMs in Arizona. At the time of his arrest, McAuliffe was living in Kansas.
The U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated the case.
“The prosecution of Mr. McAuliffe is one of numerous cases brought by the Department of Justice nationwide to bring to justice those who sought to exploit COVID-19 relief fund programs,” said U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee. “To those who defrauded and stole from American taxpayers in the middle of a global crisis, you should expect that our Office and the Department of Justice will do everything possible to hold you accountable.”
“James McAuliffe engaged in a scheme to obtain unemployment insurance benefits by submitting fraudulent claims using the stolen identities of Maine residents and others. McAuliffe stole federal benefits intended to assist unemployed American workers struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to safeguard Department of Labor programs from those who seek to exploit them,” said Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent-in-Charge, Northeast Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General.
Coordinated, nationwide enforcement action to combat COVID-19 fraud: On August 23, 2023 the Justice Department announced the results of a coordinated, nationwide enforcement action to combat COVID-19 fraud, which included 718 enforcement actions – including federal criminal charges against 371 defendants – for offenses related to over $836 million in alleged COVID-19 fraud. The Justice Department has now seized over $1.4 billion in COVID-19 relief funds that criminals had stolen and charged over 3,000 defendants with crimes in federal districts across the country. Many of the cases in the enforcement action involve charges related to pandemic unemployment insurance benefit fraud and fraud against the two largest pandemic Small Business Administration programs: the Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loans. Additional matters involved pandemic healthcare billing fraud, fraud against the Emergency Rental Assistance program, and fraud committed against the IRS Employee Retention Credit program (ERC), a refundable tax credit for businesses and tax-exempt organizations that had employees and were affected during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Federal Jury Finds St. Albans Man Guilty of Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A St. Albans man was found guilty this week of conspiring to distribute and possess controlled substances. The verdict came after a two-day jury trial in U.S. District Court in Bangor with Judge Lance E. Walker presiding.
According to evidence presented at trial, between June 2017 and February 2018, Adam Johnson, 32, participated in a conspiracy to traffic fentanyl in central Maine. Johnson would travel out of state to meet the source and pick up fentanyl that he would then bring back to Maine to package and sell to dealers. The amount of fentanyl exceeded 400 grams. Just 2 milligrams of fentanyl is a potentially lethal dose.
Johnson faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison followed by five years to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); and Somerset County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
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DEA Controlled Buys Lead to 6-Year Sentence for Violent Massachusetts FelonRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: A Worcester, Massachusetts man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Portland for distributing and possessing with intent to distribute controlled substances.
U.S. District Judge Nancy Torresen sentenced Devon Ashton, 28, to 72 months in prison followed by four years of supervised release. Ashton pleaded guilty on July 26, 2023.
According to court records, between January and March 2023, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) conducted four controlled purchases of fentanyl from Ashton, for a total of approximately 192 grams. At the end of March 2023, Ashton was stopped for speeding in Lewiston, and $8,000 and approximately 59 grams of cocaine were seized. He was arrested in May 2023.
Ashton has previous convictions for unlawful firearms possession and assault, among other offenses. While awaiting sentencing, he was involved in an altercation at the Strafford (NH) County Department of Corrections and has been indicted in New Hampshire state court for the crime of Assault by Prisoner.
The DEA investigated the case.
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Woodville Woman Ordered to Repay $103,596.91 after Committing Yearslong Fraud to Obtain BenefitsRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Woodville woman was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Bangor for Social Security fraud, health care fraud, and theft of public money.
U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker ordered Rella Austin-Kimball, 51, to pay $103,596.91 in restitution, consisting of $78,858.25 to the Social Security Administration (SSA), and $4,550.66 for the MaineCare program and $20,188 for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) administered by the Maine Department of Health & Human Services (ME/DHHS). Austin-Kimball was also sentenced to serve three years of probation. She pleaded guilty on May 26, 2023.
According to court records, from about January 2005 through March 2021, Austin-Kimball lied to the SSA about her husband’s presence in her household and failed to report her receipt of alimony payments following divorce to fraudulently appear eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. Austin-Kimball also concealed her husband’s presence from ME/DHHS from about January 2005 to July 2017, during which time she received MaineCare and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. By lying about her husband’s presence, Austin-Kimball was also able to fraudulently receive SSI, MaineCare, and SNAP benefits for a then-minor child.
In multiple benefit eligibility reviews, Austin-Kimball falsely represented to the SSA and ME/DHHS that she and her husband had separated in January 2005 and had lived separately since that time. Following her divorce, she failed to disclose her receipt of alimony payments during eligibility reviews. She failed to disclose these events despite knowing that she was required to and that they would affect her eligibility to receive benefits for herself and on behalf of her child.
SSA’s Office of the Inspector General and ME/DHHS’s Fraud Investigation and Recovery Unit investigated the case.
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Castine Man Who Used Snapchat to Send Obscene Images to 12-Year-Old in Sexual Exploitation Attempt Sentenced to 7 YearsRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Castine man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor for transferring obscene material to a minor, attempting to possess child sexual abuse material, and obstructing a federal investigation.
U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Nicholas Wood, 26, to 84 months in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release. Wood pleaded guilty on April 24, 2023.
According to court records, in late July and early August 2018, Wood used Snapchat to send a series of obscene images of himself to a 12-year-old child. Wood attempted to manipulate the young victim into engaging in sex acts with him and asked her to send him sexually explicit images. After being informed by federal agents that they were investigating the use of his Snapchat account to send obscene images to minors, Wood deleted the application and associated data from his phone to prevent its use in the investigation.
Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case.
Reports of child sexual exploitation are increasing: In 2022, The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) CyberTipline received 32 million reports of suspected child sexual exploitation. That included more than 80,000 reports of online enticement of children for sexual acts, an increase of 82% from 2021 to 2022, and more than 31 million reports of child sexual abuse material. Victimization can take place across every platform, including social media, messaging apps, gaming platforms, etc. To make a CyberTipline Report, visit https://report.cybertip.org/. If you are in Maine and you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted or abused, you can get help by calling the free, private 24-hour statewide sexual assault helpline at 1-800-871-7741.
Project Safe Childhood: This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Retired Police Officer Sentenced for Falsifying ATF Form to Transfer Machine GunRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: A former Portland police officer was sentenced on Thursday in U.S. District Court in Portland for falsifying an application to acquire a machine gun.
Chief U.S. District Judge Jon D. Levy sentenced Levi Thomas Robinson Jr., 69, to two months incarceration followed by two years of supervised release. Robinson pleaded guilty on June 21, 2023.
According to court records, Robinson was the owner of a federally licensed firearms dealer (FFL), Robinson Arms in North Yarmouth. In October 2022, he provided a falsified letter that included a forged signature of a Portland Police Department official and was written on department stationery in an attempt to transfer a Kriss USA Inc. Vector Cal. .45 ACP machine gun to Robinson Arms from an FFL in Rockwell, Texas. An FFL who pays the special occupational tax may acquire samples of post-1986 machine guns in order to demonstrate them to governmental entities for possible purchase. The qualifying FFL must obtain a letter from the governmental entity stating they are interested in having a demonstration of the machine gun for evaluation and possible purchase.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case.
Project Safe Neighborhoods: This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. To learn more information about Project Safe Neighborhood, visit www.justice.gov/psn.
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Theft of 22 Firearms from J.T. Reid Gun Shop Leads to 12-Year Sentence for Biddeford ManRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: A Biddeford man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Portland for theft from a federally licensed firearms dealer (FFL), possession of a stolen firearm, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of cocaine base with intent to distribute.
U.S. District Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. sentenced Tomas Johnson, 40, to 12 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Johnson pleaded guilty on April 27, 2023.
On October 20, 2021, Johnson spent over an hour inside of J.T. Reid’s Gun Shop in Auburn. While there, he asked store employees about multiple firearms and handled a semi-automatic assault rifle with a large-capacity magazine attached to it. Johnson was prohibited from possessing firearms due to multiple prior felony convictions.
On October 24, 2021, Johnson threw a rock through the glass window of J.T. Reid’s front door. Johnson, wearing a hood, mask, and gloves, unlawfully entered the premises through the front door with a backpack and stole 22 firearms from J.T. Reid’s business inventory before fleeing the scene.
On October 28, 2021, as part of the investigation to locate and apprehend Johnson, an undercover officer called a phone number associated with Johnson and arranged to buy a quantity of cocaine base from him. When investigators saw Johnson walking toward the agreed-upon location for the drug deal, they exited their vehicle to approach him and he fled on foot. During the pursuit, Johnson discarded a loaded firearm that was later identified as one of the firearms stolen from J.T. Reid’s. At the time of his arrest, he was found in possession of a quantity of cocaine base.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Auburn Police Department and Lewiston Police Department investigated this case.
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Recovery of Nearly a Kilo of Fentanyl in Scarborough Leads to 13 Year Sentence for Massachusetts ManRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: A career offender from Lawrence, Massachusetts was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Portland for possessing 400 grams or more of fentanyl with intent to distribute.
Chief Judge Jon D. Levy sentenced Eddy Azcona, aka Cucu, 27, to 13 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Azcona pleaded guilty on July 31, 2023.
According to court records, in February 2023, members of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), assisted by members of the Scarborough Police Department, arranged to make a controlled purchase of approximately a kilogram of fentanyl from Azcona. When Azcona arrived to complete the drug deal in a shopping center parking lot in Scarborough, law enforcement approached him and he attempted to flee. Driving his vehicle at high speed, Azcona crashed into an unmarked police vehicle, lost control of his vehicle and hit a light pole in the parking lot. Investigators recovered 975.4 grams of fentanyl from Azcona.
At the time of his federal arrest, Azcona had prior state convictions for drug offenses in both New Hampshire and Maine.
The DEA and Scarborough Police Department investigated this case.
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Sanford Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Production and Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: A Sanford man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Portland for producing and distributing child sexual abuse material.
U.S. District Judge Nancy Torresen sentenced Joseph Daniel Zoll, 63, to 25 years imprisonment followed by 10 years of supervised release.
According to court documents, Zoll shared child sexual abuse material with a child sex trafficker in the Philippines and paid the trafficker to sexually abuse a prepubescent minor over a livestreaming videochat platform. For around two years, Zoll communicated with the trafficker and repeatedly instructed them how to abuse the child, watching over video calls. Zoll engaged in similar conduct with other child sex traffickers over the same platform for years. Zoll frequently recorded the livestreaming video calls, which he would then show to other traffickers when instructing them on how to sexually abuse children during their own calls.
Trial Attorney William G. Clayman of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig M. Wolff for the District of Maine prosecuted the case.
Homeland Security Investigations in New England investigated the case.
“It is difficult to put into words the horror and pain experienced by the children abused at Zoll’s behest. Not only did he direct the sexual abuse of several children, he used the videos of that abuse to teach others how to do the same, equipping more predators with the tools to hurt children,” said Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations in New England. “Today’s sentence puts Zoll behind bars and away from the means to abuse more children. We will continue to work alongside our partners in Maine and around the world to detect and end this type of sex trafficking.”
“Joseph Zoll paid for and directed the sexual abuse of children overseas from the comfort of his home in Maine, destroying lives half a world away,” said U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee. “That Zoll caused the abuse of young children to occur and observed and shared it with others, which led to the sexual abuse of additional victims, is beyond sickening and heartbreaking. Today’s sentence ensures that he will no longer be able to victimize another child. I commend the extraordinary work of HSI in this operation.”
Reports of child sexual exploitation are increasing: In 2022, The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) CyberTipline received 32 million reports of suspected child sexual exploitation. That included more than 80,000 reports of online enticement of children for sexual acts, an increase of 82% from 2021 to 2022, and more than 31 million reports of child sexual abuse materials. Victimization can take place across every platform, including social media, messaging apps, gaming platforms, etc. To make a CyberTipline Report, visit https://report.cybertip.org/. If you are in Maine and you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted or abused, you can get help by calling the free, private 24-hour statewide sexual assault helpline at 1-800-871-7741.
Project Safe Childhood: This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Paying Philippine Sex Trafficker to Live-Stream Child Sex AbuseRead the Press Release
A Maine man was sentenced today to 25 years in prison for the production and distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) depicting a minor in the Philippines.
According to court documents, Joseph Daniel Zoll, 63, of Sanford, shared CSAM with a child sex trafficker in the Philippines and paid the trafficker to sexually abuse a prepubescent minor over a live-streaming videochat platform. For around two years, Zoll communicated with the trafficker and repeatedly instructed the trafficker to sexually abuse the minor over live-streaming video calls. Zoll engaged in similar conduct with multiple individuals in the Philippines over the same platform. In addition, Zoll frequently recorded the live-streaming video calls, which he would then show to other individuals when instructing them to sexually abuse children during their own calls.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee for the District of Maine, and Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New England made the announcement.
HSI New England investigated the case.
Trial Attorney William G. Clayman of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig M. Wolff for the District of Maine prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Justice Department. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
State Revocation Warrant Leads to Federal Gun Charges for Carroll Plantation ManRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Carroll Plantation man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Bangor to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court records, in November 2022, a Maine State Police trooper arrested Jason Levasseur, 47, for a state probation revocation after recognizing Levasseur’s pickup truck at a gas station in Danforth. The trooper ordered Levasseur to get on the ground and restrained him. The trooper removed a sheathed knife from Levasseur’s belt and asked whether he was carrying a gun. Levasseur indicated there was a firearm in the truck, and the officer retrieved a .458-caliber rifle wrapped in a blanket from the backseat. The rifle had two rounds in the magazine and one round in the chamber.
Levasseur is precluded from possessing firearms due to previous convictions in May and July 2022. He has three prior state convictions for illegal possession of a firearm.
Levasseur faces up to 15 years in prison, a fine up to $250,000 and up to three years of supervised release. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The Maine State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case.
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Madison Man Sentenced to 33 Months for “Ticket Switching” ScamRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Madison man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor for wire fraud and attempted wire fraud.
U.S. District Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. sentenced Aaron Hoster, 51, to 33 months imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $57,593.19 in restitution. Hoster pleaded guilty on September 11, 2023.
According to court records, from June 2021 to April 2023, Hoster removed UPC labels from low-cost items and applied them to higher-priced items which he then purchased. Hoster defrauded multiple Home Depot and Lowe’s Home Improvement stores in Maine, cheating the retailers out of more than $51,000. In one instance, Hoster purchased a $439 cordless finish nailer kit, paying just $19.98 by scanning a price code for trimmer line. In another example, he scanned a code for an $11.36 chrome-plated plastic tailpiece despite purchasing a powered drain cleaner valued at $429. In all, Hoster, who has 29 prior criminal convictions, committed 160 thefts using his “ticket switching” scam. Most of the thefts occurred in Maine, and additional thefts took place in Maryland and Pennsylvania.
In sentencing Hoster, Judge Woodcock stated, “The defendant had a full-time job of stealing for two years. You are causing the price of all goods to rise because people like you take what they haven’t paid for. There were plenty of times you could have stopped but didn’t because it was easy money.”
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigated this case.
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Errant Bullets that Struck an Exeter Residence Lead to Guilty Plea for Illegal Possession for Millinocket ManRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Millinocket man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Bangor to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court records, in November 2020, the Maine Warden Service (MWS) received a complaint about shots being fired at a residence in Exeter, Maine. A warden observed bullets lodged in the walls of the residence, and the homeowners reported hearing gunshots from across the pond and seeing two individuals wearing hunter’s orange. MWS located Scott Lynch Jr., 23, and a 14-year-old minor in a parked truck. Lynch admitted to the warden that he had been target shooting in the woods. He also told the warden that he was a convicted felon. MWS located .22 caliber and .308 caliber casings in the woods where Lynch stated they had been shooting.
While at the minor’s house to retrieve the .22 rifle, the warden overheard the minor tell his mother that there was another rifle hidden in the house, which was then retrieved by the mother. Lynch had the key to the gun case on a key ring on his belt. Two guns were retrieved from the case, a .308 caliber rifle and a 9mm pistol, with obliterated serial numbers. Further investigation showed both the guns and the case had been stolen from a vehicle in Millinocket, and Lynch told investigators that he had traded a dirt bike for the firearms.
Lynch faces up to 10 years in prison, a fine up to $250,000 and up to three years of supervised release. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The Maine Warden Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case.
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Waterville Man Sentenced to 9 Months Time Served, $38,000 Restitution for Downloading Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Waterville man was sentenced on Monday in U.S. District Court in Bangor for possessing child sexual abuse material.
U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Terrence Talbot, 57, to time served followed by five years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $38,000. Talbot was in custody for nine months.
According to court records, Talbot used a government computer to search for and obtain child sexual abuse material. He admitted to investigators that had used a government computer to seek out and download child pornography and provided the digital storage device to investigators from his car. Another device was found inside Talbot’s home during the execution of a search warrant.
The U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Inspector General and the Waterville Police Department investigated this case.
To report an incident involving the possession, distribution, receipt or production of child pornography: Child sexual abuse material – "child pornography" – captures the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. These images document victims’ exploitation and abuse, and they suffer revictimization every time the images are viewed. File a report with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at https://report.cybertip.org or 1-800-843-5678. If you are in Maine and you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted or abused, you can get help by calling the free, private 24-hour statewide sexual assault helpline at 1-800-871-7741.
Project Safe Childhood: This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Federal Jury Convicts Buxton Man for Twitter ThreatRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: A Buxton man was found guilty today of transmitting a threatening interstate communication. The verdict came after a three-day jury trial in the U.S. District Court in Portland with Chief Judge Jon D. Levy presiding.
According to evidence presented during the trial, on September 8, 2021, Brian Dennison, 27, posted on Twitter, “I’m going to kill jews with my ar15 tomorrow.” FBI investigators identified Dennison as the likely author of the threat and executed search warrants at his Buxton residence. Among the items seized were approximately 1,700 rounds of ammunition that could be fired from an AR-15-style rifle. Investigators also found evidence that Dennison had a long-standing animus toward Jewish people. In October 2021, investigators executed another search warrant at the property and found an AR-15-style rifle and ammunition in a case that had been hidden in the woods behind the residence.
Dennison faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI and U.S. Border Patrol investigated the case.
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Wayne Man Pleads Guilty to Lying to DEA Task Force OfficerRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Wayne man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Bangor to intentionally making false statements to a federal law enforcement agent.
According to court records, in November 2022, Victor Sousa, 24, was questioned by a Task Force Officer with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) regarding two subjects of a federal narcotics investigation. After denying that he knew either suspect, Sousa called Suspect A from jail multiple times. Court records further indicated that Sousa had previously lived with Suspect A and that Suspect B had supplied Sousa with narcotics in the past.
Sousa faces up to up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The DEA investigated the case.
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Jury Convicts Man of Sex Trafficking and Obstruction of a Sex Trafficking ProsecutionRead the Press Release
A federal jury in the District of Maine on Friday convicted Ricardo Middleton, aka Red, 32, of Boston, of sex trafficking and obstruction of a sex trafficking prosecution, after a four-day trial. Middleton was found guilty of sex trafficking a young woman through force, fraud and coercion, and, while detained pending trial, of instructing a co-defendant not to incriminate him.
The evidence presented at trial demonstrated that Middleton targeted a heroin-addicted 25-year-old woman living in South Portland, Maine. He compelled her to engage in commercial sex, using drugs, lies, intimidation, physical violence and rape as means to control her. Testimony provided details of the three days in November 2015, in which Middleton, along with co-defendants Sherry Jones of Dorchester, Massachusetts, and Mathew Thatcher of Scarborough, Maine, transported the victim to several locations in Maine and Massachusetts. Along the way, Middleton berated the victim, slapping her, punching her and throwing pennies at her when she said she was hungry and asked to buy food. The victim testified to painful details, including how the defendant raped her, and told her that he was “going to make a lot of money off” her.
“This defendant preyed on this vulnerable victim, and used cruel and brutal violence to coerce her into commercial sex acts for his own financial gain,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “We thank this survivor for coming forward and courageously reporting her harrowing experience. The Justice Department will vigorously prosecute human trafficking crimes to hold offenders accountable, to seek justice for survivors and to affirm their rights and dignity.”
“The prosecution of human trafficking in Maine is a top priority for my office, and this verdict ensures that Middleton will be held accountable for this unconscionable crime,” said U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee for the District of Maine. “Human trafficking takes advantage of our most vulnerable citizens and seeks to rob them of their basic human rights. Middleton perpetrated significant violence upon this victim, including sexual assault, all to coerce and exploit her into committing commercial sexual acts for Middleton’s own profit and gain.”
“Middleton and his collaborators treated their victims like property, exploiting their addiction and using horrific violence to ensure compliance. He further attempted to silence those who were prepared to testify against him, but after today’s guilty verdict Middleton is facing a significant sentence in federal prison, far away from those he’s victimized,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New England Field Office. “I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the survivor who made her voice heard, reliving what were surely some of the most terrifying moments of her life. HSI will never cease in its mission to investigate human traffickers and help survivors find the support they deserve to begin a new life with dignity.”
Prior to the defendant’s trial, Jones pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, and Thatcher pleaded guilty to interstate travel in aid of racketeering. Neither testified at trial. All three defendants are scheduled to be sentenced on a future date. Middleton faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The HSI New England Field Office, Office of the Portland Resident Agent in Charge investigated the case, with assistance from the Biddeford Police Department, Portland Police Department, South Portland Police Department, Topsham Police Department and Saco Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David Joyce for the District of Maine and Trial Attorney Meghan Tokash and Deputy Director William Nolan of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit are prosecuting the case.
Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org. Information on the Justice Department’s efforts to combat human trafficking can be found at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking.
Brewer Woman Sentenced to 2 ½ Years for Wire Fraud, Making False Statements to a Lending Business & Making Straw PurchaseRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Brewer woman was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor for wire fraud and making false statements to a mortgage lending business. She was also sentenced for making a false statement to a licensed firearms dealer in a separate case.
U.S. District Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. sentenced Carol Bragdon, 50, to 30 months imprisonment for her fraud counts and 12 months for her gun crimes, served concurrently, followed by three years of supervised release. Bragdon was also ordered to pay $177,000 in restitution. She pleaded guilty on April 13, 2023.
According to court records, between November 2020 and April 2021, Bragdon provided false statements and representations to a residential mortgage lender for the purpose of obtaining a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) backed loan. She used Google email accounts to communicate with the lender and the VA and to transmit documentation as part of the scheme. The emails were transmitted from Maine and through another state.
In August 2021, Bragdon purchased five firearms at Maine Military Supply in Brewer, falsely stating that she was the actual purchaser of the firearms. She was accompanied by an individual who directed her to specific firearms and who was later arrested with one of the firearms, a Walther model PK380 .380 caliber pistol. That individual was prohibited from purchasing a firearm under federal law.
The VA Office of Inspector General and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the cases.
STRAW PURCHASING: A straw purchase is an illegal firearm purchase where the actual buyer of the gun, being unable to pass the required federal background check or desiring to not have his or her name associated with the transaction, uses a proxy buyer who can pass the required background check to purchase the firearm for him/her.
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Berwick Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl and Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: A Berwick man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Portland today to distributing, and possessing with intent to distribute, methamphetamine and fentanyl.
According to court records, in January and February of 2023, Bo Rodden, 33, sold fentanyl and methamphetamine to a confidential source. On February 14, 2023, Rodden was pulled over by a police officer in a traffic stop in Lebanon, Maine. He possessed five bags containing approximately 49 grams of fentanyl in total and two bags containing approximately 150 grams of methamphetamine in total.
Rodden faces up to 20 years in prison, a fine up to $1 million, and up to three years of supervised release. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI, Strafford (NH) County Sheriff’s Office and York County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
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Mexican National Sentenced for Entering the United States After Prior RemovalRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Mexican national was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor for entering the United States after a prior removal.
U.S. District Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. sentenced Manuel Bonilla Davila, 39, to 15 months imprisonment. Bonilla Davila has been incarcerated since he was arrested by U.S. Border Patrol agents on April 21, 2023, after he was discovered in Aroostook County, a short distance from the international boundary.
Immigration records showed that Bonilla Davila had been previously removed from the U.S. in March 2011 in Brownsville, Texas and had not obtained the express consent of the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to reapply for admission.
The U.S. Border Patrol investigated the case.
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Federal Jury Finds Hancock Man Guilty of Assaulting FBI Special AgentRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Hancock man was found guilty of assaulting a federal officer following a one-day trial in U.S. District Court in Bangor.
According to evidence presented at trial, on June 22, 2023, FBI special agents were executing a federal search warrant at the residence of Alan Howell Parrot, 68, in Hancock. While the agents were trying to enter the residence, Parrot attempted to close the door and became combative, kicking one agent in the abdomen and pushing her backwards, resulting in injuries to her arm and elbow.
Parrot faces up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 and up to three years of supervised release. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
“Law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe. FBI Special Agents are no exception, and we courageously accept that danger is part of our job. Thankfully, the agent who was injured by Mr. Parrot is ok, and I’m thankful for her service and dedication,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “This conviction should be a warning to others that assaulting law enforcement undermines the rule of law and will not be tolerated. We take our oath seriously, and we won’t back down from ensuring that criminals are held accountable for their actions.”
The FBI investigated the case.
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Cambridge Man Sentenced to 6 Years for Penobscot County Drug Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Cambridge man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor for his role in a conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine base, methamphetamine and cocaine in Penobscot County.
U.S. District Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. sentenced Jeffrey Frost, 40, to 72 months in prison followed by four years of supervised release. Frost pleaded guilty on March 28, 2023.
According to court records, between January 2021 and April 2021, Frost conspired with others to distribute the drugs in the Penobscot County area and elsewhere. As part of the conspiracy, Frost regularly obtained drugs and supplied them to a local dealer, Jason Lee Lary, to sell for him. Frost came to investigators’ attention during jail house calls by and with Lary in which it was demonstrated that Frost was supplying drugs to sell, including the drugs recovered at the time of Lary’s arrest. Those drugs included 53 grams of cocaine base, 80 grams of fentanyl mixture, 25 grams of methamphetamine, and 40 grams of cocaine. In a later interview with investigators, Frost admitted that he had met Lary in 2021 through one of Frost’s customers and began supplying him with drugs after that introduction.
In September 2022, Lary was sentenced to two years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for his role in the conspiracy.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Somerset County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
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Bangor Woman Sentenced for Stealing More than $27,000 from Native American Tribal OrganizationRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Bangor woman was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor for stealing from her employer, a tribal organization.
U.S. District Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. sentenced Angelia Holt, 55, to three years of probation. She was also ordered to pay $27,979.78 in restitution.
According to court records, between June 2017 and April 2021, Holt stole more than $27,000 from her employer by using a credit card issued to another employee for unauthorized personal expenses and then altering the invoices to conceal the theft. Holt was employed as an accounting clerk for the organization.
The FBI investigated the case.
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Lewiston Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Exchanging Cash/Drugs for Illegal Firearms PurchasesRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Lewiston man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor for his role in an illegal straw purchasing conspiracy and for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
U.S. District Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. sentenced Abdullahi Issak, 26, to 10 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Issak pleaded guilty on April 13, 2023.
According to court records, between December 2021 and July 2022, Issak conspired to have 36 firearms straw purchased for him at federal firearms dealers throughout central and southern Maine. Issak directed the purchasers where to buy the firearms, what firearms to buy, and provided them cash or drugs in return for engaging in the illegal transactions. Issak took possession of the firearms from the straw purchasers following each sale. He was also sentenced for knowingly possessing one of the firearms which was purchased for him at a federal firearms dealer in Jay. A 2019 New York felony conviction precluded Issak from possessing firearms.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case.
Straw Purchasing: A straw purchase is an illegal firearm purchase where the actual buyer of the gun, being unable to pass the required federal background check or desiring to not have his or her name associated with the transaction, uses a proxy buyer who can pass the required background check to purchase the firearm for him/her.
Project Safe Neighborhoods: This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. To learn more information about Project Safe Neighborhood, visit www.justice.gov/psn.
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Maine Woman Who Traded Use of Her Avon Residence to Traffickers for Drugs Sentenced to 2 ½ YearsRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Franklin County woman was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor for using and maintaining a drug premises, possessing fentanyl and cocaine base with intent to distribute, and aiding and abetting.
U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Brandice Dotolo, 41, to 30 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Dotolo pleaded guilty on August 3, 2023.
According to court records, between March 2020 and July 2020, Dotolo allowed her Avon residence to be used for the use and distribution of heroin and cocaine base, commonly known as “crack,” in exchange for drugs. During the execution of a search warrant at the residence, law enforcement seized approximately 85 grams of a mixture of heroin and fentanyl and 40 grams of crack along with digital scales, drug paraphernalia and a large amount of cash. Dotolo told investigators that the drugs would be transported from out-of-state, an individual would stay at her residence to monitor the drugs and sell them and that she would answer calls from customers. In exchange for allowing them to use and stay at her residence, Dotolo would receive a set amount of heroin each week.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Maine State Police, Farmington Police Department and Franklin County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
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Florida Man Sentenced to 8 Years for Trafficking Methamphetamine in Bangor and Houlton AreasRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Florida man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor for conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Jared Fogg, 32, to eight years in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Fogg pleaded guilty on April 25, 2023.
According to court records, between May 2018 and July 2018, Fogg was obtaining large quantities of methamphetamine from Florida and distributing it in locations around Bangor and Houlton through a group of co-conspirators. On July 12, 2018, a truck driven by a co-conspirator and in which Fogg was a passenger was stopped by law enforcement in Lincoln. A search of the vehicle revealed 30 grams of heroin and 100 grams of methamphetamine. A loaded 9mm handgun and nearly $20,000 in cash was in Fogg’s bag, and multiple grams of methamphetamine were later recovered from Fogg’s home.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency investigated this case.
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New York Men Convicted of Violent Attempted Theft of Drugs from Rangeley HomeRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: Two New York men were found guilty today of conspiring to commit Hobbs Act robbery in connection with a violent home invasion in Rangeley in 2016. The verdict came after a three-day jury trial in the U.S. District Court in Bangor with Judge Nancy Torresen presiding.
According to evidence presented during the trial, in July 2016, Andre Muller (aka “Dre Muller”), 53, and Robert Holland (aka “Kurt Holland”), 43, along with three other men, developed a plan to steal controlled substances from a Rangeley residence. On July 26, 2016, Muller traveled from New York City with two co-conspirators, meeting up with Holland and another co-conspirator at a property just outside of Rangeley. Muller, Holland and the three other co-conspirators discussed how to carry out the robbery. On July 28, 2016, two co-conspirators entered the Rangeley residence armed with knives with the intent to take the controlled substances. During the commission of the robbery, the intended target of the robbery shot and killed one of the co-conspirators.
Muller and Holland had previously been convicted following a five-day jury trial that concluded August 10, 2022. Judge Torresen granted a motion for a new trial, however, based on evidence of juror prejudgment.
Muller and Holland both face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. They will be sentenced after the completion of presentence investigation reports by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
A third defendant in this case (Hector Munoz, 56, Florida) pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Maine State Police; the Rangeley Police Department; the U.S. Border Patrol; and the Carrabassett Valley Police Department investigated the case, with assistance provided by the Maine Office of the Attorney General.
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Former Bangor Man Sentenced to 4 Years for Role in Penobscot and Aroostook County Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A former Bangor man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor for his role in a conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl.
U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Christopher Coty, 43, to 48 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.
According to court records, between January 2018 and December 2021, Coty and others trafficked methamphetamine and fentanyl in Penobscot and Aroostook counties and elsewhere. Coty knowingly and intentionally joined and participated in the conspiracy.
Coty is the ninth participant involved in the northern Maine conspiracy to be sentenced. Eight of the remaining 12 defendants have pleaded guilty:
BANGOR, Maine: A former Bangor man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor for his role in a conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl.
U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Christopher Coty, 43, to 48 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.
According to court records, between January 2018 and December 2021, Coty and others trafficked methamphetamine and fentanyl in Penobscot and Aroostook counties and elsewhere. Coty knowingly and intentionally joined and participated in the conspiracy.
Coty is the ninth participant involved in the northern Maine conspiracy to be sentenced. Eight of the remaining 12 defendants have pleaded guilty:
Sentenced:
- Andrew Adams (32, Aroostook County) – 10 years
- Wayne Smith (33, Bangor) – 85 months
- Danielle McBreairty (33, Glenburn) – 20 years
- Blaine Footman (37, Bangor) – 5 years
- Nicole Footman (40, Holden) – 3 years
- Dwight Gary, Jr. (53, Medway) – Time served
- Matthew Catalano (37, Penobscot County) – 165 months
- Thomas Hammond (25, Charleston) – 84 months
- Christopher Coty (43, Bangor) – 4 years
Pleaded Guilty:
- Sarah McBreairty (35, Dixmont)
- John Miller (22, Caribou)
- Shelby Loring (28, Bangor)
- Joshua Young (48, Presque Isle)
- Joshua Jerrell (29, Orrington)
- Carol Gordon (53, Bangor)
- Jason Cunrod (42, Caribou)
- James King (54, Caribou)
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and Maine Drug Enforcement Agency investigated the case. Assistance was provided by the police departments in Orono, Bangor, Brewer, Caribou, Presque Isle and Houlton. U.S. Attorney Darcie McElwee also recognized the cooperation and coordination provided by the Maine State Attorney General’s Office and the Aroostook County District Attorney’s Office.
Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces: This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
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Sextortion of Maine Child Leads to 20 Years in Prison for Florida ManRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Florida man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor for sexually exploiting a child and distributing child sexual abuse material (“child pornography”).
U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Wesley Deal (aka “Wesley Troy Harris”), 43, to 20 years in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release. Deal pleaded guilty on April 7, 2023.
According to court records, beginning in August 2020, Deal posed as a teenage boy to engage with an 11-year-old from Maine through Instagram. Deal convinced the child to send him sexually explicit images and videos then threatened to post the child sexual abuse material on Snapchat and Instagram if the victim did not send more. During the investigation, law enforcement seized Deal’s cell phone. A forensic examination of the phone uncovered more than 700 child sexual abuse images as well as evidence of Google Hangouts chats similar to those Deal had with the Maine victim.
In sentencing Deal, Judge Walker said, "That type of terrorism would have left the victim in an ocean of despair. The trauma you imposed on this girl is something that she and her family will have to unpack for years.”
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigated the case with assistance of multiple local law enforcement agencies in Maine and Florida. U.S. Attorney Darcie McElwee also recognized the invaluable computer crimes expertise of forensics examiner Holly Huntington and Lieutenant Brent Beaulieu of the Bangor Police Department.
“It is far too easy for predators like Mr. Deal to hide behind fake profiles online to engage with and exploit children like this young victim,” McElwee said. “The internet makes children from across Maine accessible targets. It is so important for parents and guardians of children accessing the internet – whether it’s playing Roblox, Minecraft or simply believed to be engaging with their friends on social media – to talk to them regularly and warn them never to engage with anyone they haven’t met in real life and to never share intimate images, videos, or livestreams with anyone, even someone they know, love and trust.”
Reports of child sexual exploitation are increasing: In 2022, The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) CyberTipline received 32 million reports of suspected child sexual exploitation. That included more than 80,000 reports of online enticement of children for sexual acts, an increase of 82% from 2021 to 2022, and more than 31 million reports of child sexual abuse materials. Victimization can take place across every platform, including social media, messaging apps, gaming platforms, etc. To make a CyberTipline Report, visit https://report.cybertip.org/. If you are in Maine and you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted or abused, you can get help by calling the free, private 24-hour statewide sexual assault helpline at 1-800-871-7741.
Project Safe Childhood: This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Justice Department Files Civil Rights Lawsuit Against Maine Landlord for Sexually Harassing TenantsRead the Press Release
The Justice Department filed a lawsuit today against Fred Wheeler, of Manchester, Maine, for sexually harassing female tenants and housing applicants in violation of the Fair Housing Act (FHA). Wheeler has managed residential rental properties in Lewiston, Maine, and other central Maine municipalities since at least 2016.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine, alleges that since at least 2016, Wheeler subjected female tenants to unwelcome sexual contact and comments about their physical appearances; entered rental units without consent; conditioned a tenant’s rental agreement on a romantic relationship; and offered to forgive unpaid rent in exchange for sex acts. The lawsuit also names Landscape Center of Maine Inc., the property owner, as a defendant.
The lawsuit seeks monetary damages to compensate persons harmed by the alleged harassment, civil penalties to vindicate the public interest and a court order barring future discrimination.
“No one should live in fear in their home because of their landlord’s sexual harassment and predatory conduct,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “No one should be denied access to housing because of their refusal to accept a landlord’s sexual demands. The Justice Department stands ready to hold accountable any landlord who preys upon vulnerable tenants and those seeking housing.”
“I urge any other tenants alleging discrimination by Mr. Wheeler to contact my office,” said U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee for the District of Maine. “A home should be a sanctuary. No one should be subjected to sexual harassment under any conditions, but particularly not by the person responsible for providing safe and secure housing. The Justice Department and my office will hold accountable any property owners who engage in sexual harassment and will enforce fair housing laws designed to protect against this and other discriminatory conduct.”
The FHA prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability and familial status. It also prohibits sexual harassment, a form of sex discrimination. Individuals who believe that they may have been victims of sexual harassment or other types of housing discrimination at rental properties owned or managed by Fred Wheeler, or who have other information that may be relevant to this case, may contact the Justice Department by calling the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine at 207-780-3257 or emailing [email protected].
The Justice Department’s Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative is led by the Civil Rights Division, in coordination with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country. The initiative seeks to address and raise awareness about sexual harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, loan officers and other people who have control over housing. Since launching the initiative in October 2017, the department has filed 37 lawsuits alleging sexual harassment in housing and recovered over $10.8 million for victims of such harassment. The Civil Rights Division is committed to protecting people from sexual misconduct.
wheeler_complaint_november_16.pdfXavier Pelkey Sentenced to 15 Years for Conspiring to Provide Material Support to TerroristsRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Waterville man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor for conspiring to provide material support to terrorists.
U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Xavier Pelkey, 20, to 15 years in federal prison followed by 20 years of supervised release. Pelkey pleaded guilty on April 7, 2023.
According to court records, beginning in November 2021, Pelkey conspired with two minors, one located in Chicago and one in Canada, to conduct a mass shooting at a Shia mosque in the Chicago area. Pelkey and his coconspirators were subscribers to a radical form of Sunni Islam and supporters of the foreign terrorist organization the Islamic State, also known as ISIS. Pelkey planned to contribute firearms, ammunition and explosives to be used in the attack.
In February 2022, the FBI executed a search warrant at Pelkey’s Waterville residence and discovered three handmade explosive devices. Investigators observed a hand-painted version of the flag used by ISIS on the wall of Pelkey’s bedroom and recovered written statements intended to be released just prior to the planned attack claiming the attack in the name of ISIS. The FBI investigated the case.
“The threat of a mass casualty shooting is all too real and fresh for the people of Maine today, as is the case for far too many communities across our nation,” said Darcie N. McElwee, U.S. Attorney, District of Maine. “Mr. Pelkey bought into hate and rhetoric he found online, and it cost him his future. I commend the quick work of the FBI to stop this conspiracy before it was able to cause any death, fear or destruction.”
"Xavier Pelkey self-radicalized, pledged loyalty to ISIS, and plotted with two others to commit a mass shooting at a mosque in Illinois. Thankfully, the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force was able to thwart these plans,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “This case highlights the very real threat posed by homegrown violent extremists who self-radicalize and are prone to attack with little to no warning. Rest assured, the FBI will use every investigative tool available to us to identify and disrupt terrorists like Mr. Pelkey in order to keep our communities safe.”
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Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Conspiring to Provide Material Support to TerroristsRead the Press Release
A Maine man was sentenced today to 15 years in prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release for conspiring to provide material support to terrorists.
According to court documents, Xavier Pelkey, 20, of Waterville, pleaded guilty on April 7. Beginning in November 2021, Pelkey conspired with two minors, one located in Chicago and one in Canada, to conduct a mass shooting at a Shia mosque in the Chicago area. Pelkey and his co-conspirators were subscribers to a radical form of Sunni Islam and supporters of the foreign terrorist organization the Islamic State, also known as ISIS. Pelkey planned to contribute firearms, ammunition and explosives to be used in the attack.
In February 2022, the FBI executed a search warrant at Pelkey’s Waterville residence and discovered three handmade explosive devices. Investigators observed a hand-painted version of the flag used by ISIS on the wall of Pelkey’s bedroom and recovered written statements intended to be released just prior to the planned attack claiming the attack in the name of ISIS.
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee for the District of Maine and Executive Assistant Director Larissa Knapp of the FBI’s National Security Branch made the announcement.
The FBI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig M. Wolff for the District of Maine and Trial Attorney Jennifer Levy of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section prosecuted the case.
Livermore Falls Man Sentenced for Fraudulently Obtaining Needs-Based BenefitsRead the Press Release
PORTLAND Maine: A Livermore Falls man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Portland for Social Security fraud, health care fraud, and theft of public money.
U.S. District Judge Nancy Torresen sentenced Rick V. Greene, 56, to five years of probation, and he was ordered to pay $34,119 in restitution to the Social Security Administration (SSA) and $37,944.34 in restitution to the Maine Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS). Greene pleaded guilty on June 20, 2023.
According to court records, from about January 2017 through December 2020, Greene concealed self-employed work activity, as well as various assets, from SSA to appear eligible to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. SSI benefits are paid to people with limited income who are blind, disabled or elderly. Greene also concealed his work activity and assets from the Maine DHHS to appear eligible to receive MaineCare and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, which are also needs-based programs.
In multiple benefit eligibility reviews, Greene falsely represented to the SSA and Maine DHHS that his only income was from SSI. He did not disclose his income and assets despite knowing that he was required to do so and that they would affect his eligibility to receive benefits.
This investigation was conducted by SSA’s Office of the Inspector General and the Maine DHHS’s Fraud Investigation & Recovery Unit.
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Federal Jury Finds Former Fort Hood Texas Soldier Guilty on 5 Child Exploitation CountsRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A former Fort Hood, Texas soldier was found guilty today of one count of enticement of a child, two counts of travelling with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct and two counts of transportation with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. The verdict came after a two-day jury trial in the U.S. District Court in Bangor with Judge Lance E. Walker presiding.
According to evidence presented during the trial, between February and December 2021, Christopher Meza, 22, interacted with a 13-year-old from Maine on a popular online gaming platform. The conversations included descriptions of sex as well as Meza’s acknowledgement of the victim’s age. Meza twice traveled from Texas to Maine to meet with the then 14-year-old victim, and on both occasions was successful in leaving the state with the victim.
Of the five counts for which Meza was found guilty, three counts carry a minimum of ten years and a maximum of life in prison while the remaining two counts have maximum penalties of 30 years. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) was the lead law enforcement agency. Additional investigative resources were provided by U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division and multiple police departments in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Texas.
Reports of child sexual exploitation are increasing: In 2022, The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) CyberTipline received 32 million reports of suspected child sexual exploitation. That included more than 80,000 reports of online enticement of children for sexual acts, an increase of 82% from 2021 to 2022, and more than 31 million reports of child sexual abuse materials. Victimization can take place across every platform, including social media, messaging apps, gaming platforms, etc. To make a CyberTipline Report, visit https://report.cybertip.org/. If you are in Maine and you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted or abused, you can get help by calling the free, private 24-hour statewide sexual assault helpline at 1-800-871-7741.
Project Safe Childhood: This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Massachusetts Man Sentenced for Straw Purchase ConspiracyRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: A Brockton, Massachusetts man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Portland for conspiring to violate federal firearms laws.
U.S District Judge Nancy Torresen sentenced Antoine Montrond, 23, to a year plus one day in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Montrond pleaded guilty on April 26, 2023.
According to court records, in January 2020, Montrond and a co-conspirator used a straw purchaser to buy two firearms from a store in Kittery. The purchaser falsely indicated they were the true purchaser of the firearms when in fact they were buying them for Montrond and his co-conspirator. In May 2020, police recovered one of the firearms, a Glock Model 23 .40 caliber pistol, from Montrond during a traffic stop. In total, Montrond’s co-conspirators succeeded in illegally straw purchasing seven firearms; they were previously sentenced by Judge Torresen for their respective roles in the scheme.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case.
STRAW PURCHASING: A straw purchase is an illegal firearm purchase where the actual buyer of the gun, being unable to pass the required federal background check or desiring to not have his or her name associated with the transaction, uses a proxy buyer who can pass the required background check to purchase the firearm for him/her.
Project Safe Neighborhoods: This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. To learn more information about Project Safe Neighborhood, visit www.justice.gov/psn.
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U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee Statement on Mass Casualty Shooting in LewistonRead the Press Release
The horrific violence perpetrated on our friends and neighbors in the Lewiston community last evening has been shocking and frightening for us all. The devastating impact on the families of the victims weighs heavily on everyone today.
We know the events of the past day have created an atmosphere of fear and anxiety. Please know that the top priority of the entire Maine law enforcement community is to address any immediate danger. Everything possible is being done to locate the suspect and bring this situation to a safe end. The investigation is ongoing, and our local and state law enforcement partners are confidently leading the way, using every tool at their disposal. Maine enjoys uniquely strong partnerships among local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies within and beyond its borders. I assure you that hundreds of dedicated law enforcement professionals at all levels from across the Northeast have responded to Lewiston, and will continue to respond, as needed, to assist and support the officers, detectives, deputies, troopers, and wardens who are conducting the manhunt and processing these tragic events, and to offer critical victim support and resources.
These experienced professionals will continue to work together around the clock to bring this incident to a close. They, too, are deeply affected by the senseless attack of this scale on the Lewiston community. Please show patience, have faith in them, and keep them in your thoughts as we witness their bravery and dedicated service.
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Bangor Man Sentenced to 10 Years after Transporting Fentanyl from MassachusettsRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Bangor man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor for possessing fentanyl with intent to distribute.
U.S District Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. sentenced Chad Savage, 34, to ten years in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Savage pleaded guilty on June 13, 2023.
According to court records, in June 2022, Maine Drug Enforcement Agency (MDEA) investigators, after receiving information that Savage had purchased large quantities of drugs in Massachusetts to sell in the Bangor area, executed a search warrant on a vehicle Savage was operating. Savage directed investigators to the glovebox of the vehicle where 50 pressed “sticks” of suspected fentanyl were recovered. A lab later confirmed the drugs seized were 588.7 grams of fentanyl. Less than two milligrams of fentanyl can be fatal, depending on a person’s body size, tolerance and past usage. In an interview with authorities, Savage stated that he had traveled to Massachusetts to obtain the drugs, that the drugs were “fronted” to him, and that he estimated that he had been provided with 1000 grams.
MDEA, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
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Albion Man Pleads Guilty to Guns for Drugs SchemeRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: An Albion man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Bangor today for knowingly making false statements to a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) while purchasing firearms.
According to court records, between June and August 2022, Jason Palmer, 42, obtained five pistols in five separate transactions with an FFL located in Fairfield. In each of those transactions, Palmer completed the required Form 4473 and misrepresented that he was the actual buyer of the firearm when he was in fact purchasing it for another individual. He also falsely indicated on the form that he was not an unlawful user of any controlled substances. In an interview with law enforcement, Palmer admitted that he had been offered heroin/fentanyl in exchange for purchasing the firearms.
Palmer faces up to five years in prison, a fine up to $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Waterville Police Department investigated the case.
STRAW PURCHASING: A straw purchase is an illegal firearm purchase where the actual buyer of the gun, being unable to pass the required federal background check or desiring to not have his or her name associated with the transaction, uses a proxy buyer who can pass the required background check to purchase the firearm for him/her.
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Norway Man Pleads Guilty to Fraudulently Obtaining $240K in PPP Loans During PandemicRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: A Norway man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Portland to filing fraudulent applications for loans from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
According to court records, between May 2020 and January 2021, Merton Weed Jr., 51, filed eight fraudulent PPP loan applications with different lenders and received over $240,000 in PPP funds. The applications listed false average monthly payrolls and numbers of employees and were supported by false payroll records and bank records.
Weed faces up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigative report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI investigated the case.
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP): The PPP was a COVID-19 pandemic relief program administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA) that provided forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses. The PPP permitted participating third-party lenders to approve and disburse SBA-backed PPP loans to cover payroll, fixed debts, utilities, rent/mortgage, accounts payable and other bills incurred by qualifying businesses during, and resulting from, the COVID-19 pandemic. PPP loans were fully guaranteed by the SBA.
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Missouri Man Pleads Guilty to Illegally Crossing U.S. – Canada BorderRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Missouri man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Bangor to failing to present at a border crossing point.
According to court records, in April 2023, Clayton Dehaven, 39, was observed walking with a flashlight down a road on the Canadian side of the border in the Union Corners area of Hodgdon. A minivan was observed parked on the U.S. side of the border. A person, later identified as Dehaven’s wife, was observed crouching in the bushes and then running across the border to the van. Dehaven was then also seen running across the border and entering the driver’s side of the van. After being apprehended by the U.S. Border Patrol, Dehaven admitted that he had illegally crossed from Canada into the U.S. without going through a designated border crossing point.
Dehaven faces up to one year in prison and up to a $100,000 fine followed by up to one year of supervised release. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The U.S. Border Patrol investigated the case.
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Mexican National Sentenced for Entering the United States After Prior RemovalRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Mexican national was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor for entering the United States after a prior removal.
U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Eduardo Ruiz Rojas, 36, to time served, and he will be turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for removal to Mexico. Ruiz Rojas had been incarcerated since he was arrested by U.S. Border Patrol agents on April 21 after he and others were discovered in Aroostook County, a short distance from the international boundary.
Immigration records showed that Ruiz Rojas had been previously removed from the U.S. in September 2019 and had not obtained the express consent of the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to reapply for admission.
The U.S. Border Patrol investigated the case.
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Lewiston Man Sentenced to 7+ Years for Being a Felon in Possession of AmmunitionRead the Press Release
A Lewiston man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Portland for being a felon in possession of ammunition.
U.S. District Judge George Z. Singal sentenced Shaiquan Moran-Stenson, 27, to 77 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release, to be served consecutively with an 18-month sentence for revocation of a term of supervised release on a previous felon-in-possession conviction in the Western District of New York. Moran-Stenson pleaded guilty on May 16, 2023.
According to court records, in December 2021, Moran-Stenson fired multiple shots near Bartlett Street in Lewiston. Video cameras at two residences recorded him firing shots across the street before he ran to a parked car and fired additional shots as the vehicle drove away. Investigators recovered .40 caliber shell casings from the area. At the time of the shooting, Moran-Stenson was on supervised release for a prior conviction and was prohibited from possessing ammunition.
The Lewiston Police Department, Portland Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation.
Project Safe Neighborhoods: This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. To learn more information about Project Safe Neighborhood, visit www.justice.gov/psn.
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Federal Jury Convicts Hebron Man of Being a Felon in Possession of FirearmsRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: A Hebron man was found guilty today of being a felon in possession of firearms following a two-day jury trial in U.S. District Court in Portland.
According to evidence presented during the trial, in January 2022, Maine State Troopers executed search warrants at the home of Dario Giambro, 75. Investigators located hundreds of firearms, including shotguns, rifles, pistols, and revolvers, and a large amount of ammunition inside Giambro’s residence. Giambro is prohibited from possessing firearms due to a prior federal conviction in the District of Maine for possessing an unregistered firearm, a felony offense.
Giambro faces up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 and up to three years of supervised release. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Maine State Police investigated this case, with assistance from the Oxford County Sheriff’s Office and Norway Police Department.
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Penobscot Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Role in Fentanyl Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Penobscot man was sentenced Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Bangor for conspiring to distribute fentanyl.
U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Christopher Beaucage, 38, to 180 months in prison followed by four years of supervised release.
According to court records, in October 2021, Beaucage and a coconspirator were stopped by an officer from the Bucksport Police Department. After a search of the vehicle revealed approximately 60 grams of fentanyl, Beaucage admitted the fentanyl belonged to him, and he was arrested on outstanding warrants. While he was incarcerated, monitored and recorded phone calls revealed that Beaucage and others continued to engage in drug trafficking activities. Details discussed included traveling out of state to meet with a source, the prices of the narcotics and distributing fentanyl to customers in Maine.
The FBI and Bucksport Police Department investigated the case.
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Bangor Bank Robber Sentenced to 17 ½ Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Bangor, Maine, man was sentenced on Friday, October 6 in U.S. District Court in Bangor for bank robbery and possession of a firearm by a felon.
U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Donald Turner, 52, to 210 months in prison and a consecutive 24-month sentence for violating his supervised release in a separate docket. Following incarceration, Turner will be on supervised release for five years.
According to court records, Turner entered Bangor Savings Bank in Bangor on September 10, 2020 and handed a bank teller a note indicating his intent to rob the bank, that he had a firearm, and ordering the teller not to speak to anyone. After the bank teller gave Turner money, he walked out of the bank. Law enforcement responded to the bank and obtained surveillance videos. Several surveillance images were sent to local media, leading to multiple citizens to contact law enforcement and identify Turner as the robber. Law enforcement located Turner at an apartment in Bangor, and at the time of his arrest, Turner had a firearm in the front waistband of his pants. Turner admitted he had robbed the bank but denied having the gun with him during the robbery.
At the time he committed this bank robbery, Turner was on supervised release for a 2011 conviction for bank robbery. Turner has two previous convictions for bank robberies he committed in 2006.
The Federal Bureau of Investigations, the Bangor Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated the case.
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Florida Man Sentenced to 5 Years for Bangor and Houlton Area Methamphetamine Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Florida man was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Bangor today for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
U.S. District Court Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Rogelio Rios, 34, to 60 months followed by four years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $5,000 in restitution. Rios pleaded guilty on April 27, 2023.
According to court records, between May 2018 and July 2018, Rios obtained methamphetamine from Florida and distributed it in locations around Bangor and Houlton through a group of co-conspirators. On July 12, 2018, a truck driven by Rios and in which a co-conspirator was a passenger was stopped by law enforcement in Lincoln. A search of the vehicle revealed multiple grams of methamphetamine and nearly $20,000 in cash in the co-conspirator’s bag.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency investigated this case.
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South Thomaston Man Sentenced to 1.5 Years for Fraudulently Obtaining More than $1 Million in PPP LoansRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: A South Thomaston man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Portland for a bank fraud scheme in which he filed fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications and received over $1 million in fraud proceeds.
U.S. District Judge Nancy Torresen sentenced Mark X. Haley II, 43, to 18 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $1,010,581 in restitution. Haley pleaded guilty on February 8, 2023.
According to court records, Haley filed fraudulent PPP loan applications in an attempt to obtain PPP loans. He listed false employee and payroll information on each application and submitted fraudulent documents to support the false information to the banks. These documents included false federal employment tax returns, fake timesheets and falsified bank records. Haley used some of the funds he obtained to make a down payment on a sailboat, which he then claimed was itself a functioning business with multiple employees in an attempt to steal additional PPP funds. Over an 11-month span, Haley submitted 12 fraudulent applications to three lenders, each with phony supporting documentation. In total, he attempted to steal nearly $1.5 million and succeeded in obtaining $1,010,581.
The Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation investigated the case.
“Mark Haley exploited a worldwide epidemic to enrich himself through fraud,” said U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee. “This was a prolonged and opportunistic scheme motivated by sheer greed that only ended when the program meant to help businesses survive the pandemic itself ended. The Department of Justice and my office will continue to pursue those, like Mr. Haley, who attempted to capitalize on an unprecedented crisis.”
Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP): The PPP was a COVID-19 pandemic relief program administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA) that provided forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses. The PPP permitted participating third-party lenders to approve and disburse SBA-backed PPP loans to cover payroll, fixed debts, utilities, rent/mortgage, accounts payable and other bills incurred by qualifying businesses during, and resulting from, the COVID-19 pandemic. PPP loans were fully guaranteed by the SBA.
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Mexican National Pleads Guilty to Entering the United States After Prior RemovalRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Mexican national pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Bangor to entering the United States after a prior removal.
According to court records, in April 2023, Alberto Beltran-Martinez, 44, and six others were pulled over in a van with six others in Hamlin near the international boundary by a U.S. Border Patrol Agent from the Van Buren Border Patrol Station. Immigration records showed that Beltran-Martinez had twice been previously removed from the U.S., in September 2006 at Laredo, Texas and in April 2021 at Del Rio, Texas. Beltran-Martinez had not obtained the express consent of the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to reapply for admission.
Beltran-Martinez faces up to 20 years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine followed by five years of supervised release. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection investigated the case.
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Caribou Man Pleads Guilty for Role in Penobscot and Aroostook County Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Caribou man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Bangor for his role in a conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl.
According to court records, between January 2018 and December 2021, James King, 54, along with others, trafficked methamphetamine and fentanyl in Penobscot and Aroostook counties and elsewhere. King knowingly and intentionally joined and participated in the conspiracy.
To date, eight of the 21 defendants in this and related cases have been sentenced and nine of the remaining 13 defendants have pleaded guilty.
King faces 10 years to life in prison and a fine up to $10 million followed by five years to life of supervised release. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigative report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and Maine Drug Enforcement Agency investigated the case. Assistance was provided by the police departments in Orono, Bangor, Brewer, Caribou, Presque Isle and Houlton. U.S. Attorney Darcie McElwee also recognized the cooperation and coordination provided by the Maine State Attorney General’s Office and the Aroostook County District Attorney’s Office.
Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces: This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
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Madison Man’s “Ticket Switching” Scam Leads to Guilty Plea to Wire Fraud, Attempted Wire FraudRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Madison man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Bangor today to wire fraud and attempted wire fraud.
According to court records, from June 2021 to April 2023, Aaron Hoster, 51, removed UPC labels from low-cost items and applied them to higher-priced items which he then purchased. Hoster defrauded multiple Home Depot and Lowe’s Home Improvement stores in Maine, cheating the retailers out of more than $51,000. In one instance, Hoster purchased a $439 cordless finish nailer kit, paying just $19.98 by scanning a price code for trimmer line. In another example, he scanned a code for an $11.36 chrome-plated plastic tailpiece despite purchasing a powered drain cleaner valued at $429.
Hoster faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigated these cases.
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