District of Maine
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Justice Department’s Criminal Division Creates New England Prescription Opioid Strike Force to Focus on Illegal Opioid PrescriptionsRead the Press Release
Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr., of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division today announced the formation of the New England Prescription Opioid (NEPO) Strike Force, a joint law enforcement effort that brings together the resources and expertise of the Health Care Fraud Unit in the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for three federal districts, as well as law enforcement partners at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG), U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the FBI. The mission of the NEPO Strike Force is to identify and investigate health care fraud schemes in the New England region, and to effectively and efficiently prosecute individuals involved in the illegal distribution of prescription opioids and other prescribed controlled substances. The NEPO Strike Force will primarily target criminal conduct by physicians, pharmacists, and other medical professionals, focusing upon both health care fraud and drug diversion offenses, as relevant based upon the facts of the particular case.
“This NEPO Strike Force expands and sharpens the Justice Department’s response to the nation’s opioid epidemic,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr., of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “In the last year, more than 75,000 people in the United States lost their lives due to overdose. Since 2018, some of the greatest spikes in the drug overdose death rate have occurred in New England. The NEPO Strike Force will help to address one of the root causes of the epidemic: unlawful prescription and diversion of opioids. Together with our partners, we will fulfill the department’s solemn promise to deploy critical resources to address the opioid crisis.”
Assistant Attorney General Polite was joined in the announcement in Concord, New Hampshire, by U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young for the District of New Hampshire; U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee for the District of Maine; U.S. Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest for the District of Vermont; Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Christian J. Schrank of HHS-OIG; Assistant Administrator Kristi N. O’Malley of the DEA Diversion Control Division; and Acting Deputy Assistant Director Aaron Tapp of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division.
“The formation of NEPO presents a tremendous opportunity for our three Northern New England states to disrupt the illegal prescription and distribution of opioids,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young for the District of New Hampshire. “As a state, we are grateful to the Department of Justice to be part of this initiative and excited that it will be based here in New Hampshire.”
“Maine’s opioid overdose death rate has skyrocketed, and law enforcement has identified the opioid epidemic as the number one issue officers face,” said U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee for the District of Maine. “While the trafficking of illegal drugs, in particular fentanyl, is well publicized, 23% of overdose deaths in Maine are the result of pharmaceutical opioids, and many of those who died from illicit substances very likely first tried pharmaceuticals, either their own or those of a friend or family member. This Strike Force will provide vital resources to help fight a growing epidemic, and along with our partners, we will pursue any medical personnel who misuse their position to endanger lives through the overprescribing of opioids for their own financial gain.”
“The announcement of the New England Prescription Opioid Strike Force demonstrates the Department of Justice’s commitment to working with our law enforcement partners in Vermont and elsewhere to hold accountable health care providers who exploit the opioid epidemic for personal gain,” said U.S. Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest for the District of Vermont. “Health care providers who issue illegal opioid prescriptions undermine important efforts to address the epidemic while putting patients at risk of overdose and physical harm.”
“HHS-OIG is unwavering in our commitment to hold accountable providers who illegally prescribe opioids for personal profit while neglecting the safety and wellbeing of their patients,” said Inspector General Christi A. Grimm of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “Along with our law enforcement partners, HHS-OIG is proud to support the New England Prescription Opioid Strike Force in a collaborative effort to assist communities plagued by the opioid epidemic.”
“At a time when the United States is losing tens of thousands of Americans to opioid overdoses every year, it has never been more critical to ensure doctors and health care practitioners are prioritizing the safety and health of their patients,” said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram. “The creation of the New England Prescription Opioid Strike Force further strengthens our important cooperation with partners in the region to hold accountable any practitioner who recklessly distributes opioid medications.”
“The formation of the New England Prescription Opioid Strike Force provides the FBI and our law enforcement partners with important collective resources to combat health care fraud and drug diversion schemes within the region,” said Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “The FBI will not tolerate those medical professionals willing to sacrifice patients’ health for their personal profit and will work tirelessly to root out and bring to justice those individuals who illegally distribute prescription opioids and other controlled substances.”
The NEPO Strike Force will operate as a partnership between prosecutors and data analysts with the Fraud Section’s Health Care Fraud Unit, prosecutors with the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont, and special agents with HHS-OIG, DEA, and the FBI. It will operate out of the Concord, New Hampshire, area, supporting the three districts that make up the NEPO Strike Force region. In addition, the NEPO Strike Force will work closely with other federal and state law enforcement agencies, including the State Medicaid Fraud Control Units.
Today’s NEPO Strike Force announcement builds on the demonstrated success of the Health Care Fraud Unit’s Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid (ARPO) Strike Force. Since its inception in late 2018, ARPO has partnered with federal and state law enforcement agencies and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout Alabama, Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia, Tennessee, and West Virginia to prosecute medical professionals and others involved in the illegal prescription and distribution of opioids. Over the past three years, ARPO has charged 111 defendants, collectively responsible for issuing prescriptions for over 115 million controlled substance pills. To date, more than 60 ARPO defendants have been convicted.
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Information about available treatment programs is available as follows:
New Hampshire: For a referral to addiction treatment services, please call 211. If you or a loved one is in a substance use crisis please call/text the New Hampshire Rapid Response Access Point at 1-833-710-6477. New Hampshire residents can call and speak to trained and caring clinical staff 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Maine: The Overdose Prevention Through Intensive Outreach Naloxone and Safety (OPTIONS) initiative is a coordinated effort of the Maine Office of Behavioral Health (OBH) and other state agencies to improve the health of Mainers using substances through harm reduction strategies, helping them on the road to recovery, and dramatically reducing the number of fatal and non-fatal drug overdoses. Go to https://knowyouroptions.me. If you or a loved one are struggling with opiate addiction, please contact 211 to receive help and find information about local treatment programs.
Vermont: No matter where in Vermont you are, there are resources to help. Vermont 211 (https://vermont211.org/) is available. To speak to someone about substance use resources including treatment options, call VT Helplink 802-565-LINK (toll free at 833-565-LINK) or visit online at VTHelplink.org, and Vermont Alcohol and Abuse Programs (802-651-1550). All information and referral services are free and confidential.
For individuals seeking help in other states, please call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or TTY: 1-800-487-4889. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations.
Bangor Man Sentenced to 9+ Years for Fentanyl Trafficking, Illegal Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Bangor man was sentenced today in federal court for drug trafficking and firearms offenses, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.
U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Nikolas Raines 30, to 111 months in prison and four years of supervised release. Raines pleaded guilty on June 30, 2021.
According to court records, in November 2020, agents with the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency executed a search warrant at a Bangor motel room where Raines was staying. Agents found 310 grams of fentanyl, along with a digital scale, blender and other drug paraphernalia. They also found a loaded .22 caliber revolver close to the fentanyl. Raines was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition due to prior Maine felony convictions.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case.
Project Safe Neighborhoods: Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is a nationwide initiative that brings together federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement officials, prosecutors, community leaders and other stakeholders to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in a community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. PSN is coordinated by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in the 94 federal judicial districts throughout the 50 states and U.S. territories. PSN is customized to account for local violent crime problems and resources. Across all districts, PSN follows four key design elements of successful violent crime reduction initiatives: community engagement, prevention and intervention, focused and strategic enforcement, and accountability.
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Lincoln Man Sentenced for Making False Statements to Firearms DealerRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Lincoln man was sentenced today in federal court for providing false information to a firearms dealer while purchasing firearms, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.
U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Dwight Gary, 51, of Lincoln to time served and two years of supervised release. Gary pleaded guilty in November 2021.
According to court records, in February 2021, Gary knowingly made two false and fictitious written statements to Maine Military Supply in Holden, a licensed firearms dealer. When asked on an ATF form, “Are you the actual transferee/buyer of the firearm(s) listed on this form and any continuation sheets,” he checked the box for “yes.” However, at the time of the purchases, Gary knew that he was not the actual buyer of the firearms, but rather was buying them for and at the direction of another person. It is against federal law to provide false information to federal firearm licensees when purchasing firearms. His false statements were discovered after the Orono Police Department seized a Sig Sauer P365 9mm pistol on February 14, 2021.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Orono Police Department investigated the case as part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative.
Project Safe Neighborhoods: Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide initiative that brings together federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement officials, prosecutors, community leaders and other stakeholders to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in a community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. Project Safe Neighborhoods is coordinated by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in the 94 federal judicial districts throughout the 50 states and U.S. territories, and the program is customized to account for local violent crime problems and resources. Across all districts, Project Safe Neighborhoods follows four key design elements of successful violent crime reduction initiatives: community engagement, prevention and intervention, focused and strategic enforcement, and accountability. To learn more information about Project Safe Neighborhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psn.
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Father and Son Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute FentanylRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: A father and son were sentenced in federal court for conspiracy to distribute and possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.
U.S. District Court Judge George Z. Singal sentenced Shane Seavey, 40, of Baileyville, to 92 months in prison and three years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possessing with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. Craig Seavey, 67, of Baileyville, was sentenced to time served and three years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl.
Court records reveal that between August 2018 and August 26, 2019, the Seaveys conspired with others to distribute fentanyl. Agents seized approximately three kilograms of fentanyl when the Seaveys were arrested on August 26, 2019. The drugs were acquired by Shane Seavey and Craig Seavey in Lawrence, Mass. and were sold to others for distribution throughout New England.
This investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration - Portsmouth Tactical Diversion Squad and the Maine State Police
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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U.S. Attorney Darcie McElwee Marks World Elder Abuse Awareness Day by Reconfirming Commitment to Combatting Senior FraudRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: Today marks World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, and U.S. Attorney Darcie McElwee is concerned for Maine’s senior generation. Elder abuse can take many forms, including financial exploitation, caregiver neglect, and physical, sexual or psychological abuse. Annually, 15-20 million older Americans face some form of elder abuse.
“The impact on victims of elder abuse can be devastating,” U.S. Attorney Darcie McElwee said. “At the federal level, the cases we most often see involve senior scams, and instances are becoming far too prevalent. Last year alone, 475 senior Maine residents were scammed out of more than $2.5 million while nationally the losses were a staggering $1.7 billion.”
Across the country, Department of Justice personnel and its law enforcement partners are pursuing fraudsters who swindle money from older adults. For example:
- Transnational Elder Fraud Task Force is a federal-state collaborative body that investigates and prosecutes individuals and organizations engaged in foreign-based fraud schemes that disproportionately affect older Americans.
- Money Mule Initiative involves federal, state and local law enforcement agencies specifically identifying and addressing money mule activity to disrupt these fraud schemes that impact older Americans.
- The National Nursing Home Initiative coordinates and enhances civil and criminal pursuit of nursing homes that provide grossly substandard care to their residents.
- Elder Fraud Initiative within the Consumer Protection Branch is the Department’s leader in prosecuting elder fraud crimes.
- Elder Justice Coordinators serving in each of the U.S. Attorney’s Offices actively pursue elder fraud in their respective jurisdictions.
“The Department has a strong elder justice history that I continue to fully support,” U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said. “We all know an older family member or friend who has been the victim of financial fraud, either domestically or internationally, and we’ve witnessed first-hand how financial loss impacts older adults. The Department has devoted significant personnel and resources specifically to combat financial fraud committed against older Americans.”
Report Elder Abuse: Victims of elder abuse are often hesitant to report it. While the Department of Justice remains committed to prosecuting cases of elder abuse, raising public awareness of scams and encouraging the reporting cases of abuse are vital to combatting the epidemic.
- To report financial fraud: contact the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-FRAUD-11 or 833-372-8311.
- To report elder abuse in Maine: call 1-800-624-8404 (24-hour, toll free) or Maine Relay 711 to report abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
“Maine seniors deserve to feel safe and secure without the concern of predators lurking, whether online or in person,” McElwee said. “We all must play a role in protecting our elder generation by being aware, vigilant and reporting suspected or attempted abuse.”
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Biddeford Man Sentenced to 40 Years for Child Sexual Exploitation OffensesRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: A Biddeford man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Portland for sexually exploiting a minor and transporting child pornography, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.
U.S. District Judge Nancy Torresen sentenced Jason Proulx, 44, to 40 years in prison and 10 years of supervised release. Proulx pleaded guilty on September 27, 2021.
According to court records, in 2016 or 2017, Proulx recorded sexually explicit videos of a girl who was seven or eight years old at the time. In July 2019, Proulx uploaded the videos to a French website. Investigators with Homeland Security Investigations executed a search warrant at a residence in Biddeford in June 2020. Proulx was present and agreed to speak with investigators. After initially denying any involvement with pornography, he eventually admitted that he had sexually abused the girl and recorded videos of the abuse in a room in the residence.
In discussing the reasons for her sentence, Judge Torresen noted that the videos Proulx created and shared would remain on the internet forever. As a result, she said, the victim and her family would have a “cloud over their heads to the end of their days.” Judge Torresen also noted that Proulx’s crimes were committed against the most vulnerable victims in society.
Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case with assistance from the Biddeford Police Department.
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, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Machias Woman Sentenced for Unlawfully Possessing FirearmRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Machias woman was sentenced today in federal court for being an unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.
U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Suzanne Wilcox, 48, to time served (five months) and two years of supervised release. Wilcox pleaded guilty on February 16, 2022.
According to court records, in December 2021, Wilcox visited a Federal Firearms Licensee located in Calais and purchased a 9mm pistol. The following day, Wilcox was a passenger in a vehicle subjected to a lawful traffic stop in East Machias by Washington County Sheriff s Office personnel. While stopped roadside, Wilcox stated that she had the handgun in her purse and admitted to drug use. Wilcox was later found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
Project Safe Neighborhoods: Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide initiative that brings together federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement officials, prosecutors, community leaders and other stakeholders to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in a community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. Project Safe Neighborhoods is coordinated by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in the 94 federal judicial districts throughout the 50 states and U.S. territories, and the program is customized to account for local violent crime problems and resources. Across all districts, Project Safe Neighborhoods follows four key design elements of successful violent crime reduction initiatives: community engagement, prevention and intervention, focused and strategic enforcement, and accountability.
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Massachusetts Man Sentenced to over 9 Years for Attempted Bank Fraud, Aggravated Identity Theft and Criminal ContemptRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: A Massachusetts man was sentenced in federal court for conspiring to commit bank fraud, aggravated identity theft and for committing criminal contempt while on pretrial release, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.
Chief U.S. District Judge Jon D. Levy sentenced Bernard Gadson, 31, of Weymouth, Massachusetts to 110 months in prison and four years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $243,341 in restitution. Gadson pleaded guilty on October 25, 2021.
According to court records, beginning in about December 2018, Gadson oversaw a scheme to defraud banks and credit unions throughout New England. Gadson would obtain the names and personal identifying information of real individuals with good credit scores. Other members of the conspiracy would apply for unsecured personal loans in those names. Gadson obtained fake identification documents (e.g., driver’s licenses) bearing the names of the stolen identities with a photograph of a co-conspirator as well as bogus pay stubs and lease agreements to support the fraudulent loan applications. In January 2019, individuals working for Gadson attempted to obtain a $20,000 loan from KeyBank in Kittery. A loan officer at KeyBank became suspicious and alerted local law enforcement.
While on bail pending trial, Gadson engaged in new criminal conduct and orchestrated the submission of fraudulent loan applications to financial institutions in Minnesota. He also traveled extensively outside of the state without the prior approval of his supervising probation officer in violation of his conditions of release.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Kittery Police Department investigated the case.
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Bangor Man Sentenced to 5 Years for Methamphetamine and Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Bangor man was sentenced in federal court today for possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.
U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Blaine Footman, 35, to five years in prison and four years of supervised release. Footman pleaded guilty on June 22, 2021.
According to court records, in May 2021, members of the Bangor Police Department responded to a gas station to find Footman passed out behind the wheel of a running vehicle. He possessed with the intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine and an amount of fentanyl. Footman was also in possession of a Glock Model 19 9mm handgun.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency with assistance from the Bangor Police Department.
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Aroostook County Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: An Aroostook County man was sentenced in federal court today for conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.
U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Greg Libby, 44, to ten years in prison and five years of supervised release. Libby pleaded guilty on July 1, 2021.
According to court records, between approximately July 2018 and May 2019, members of the conspiracy obtained methamphetamine in western and southern states from sources in Mexico. Libby and his co-conspirators then distributed the drugs in Aroostook County and other parts of central and northern Maine.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency investigated this case with the assistance of multiple state and local law enforcement agencies including the Presque Isle Police Department.
Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces: This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
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Westbrook Woman Pleads Guilty to Serving as “Money Mule” in FEMA Funds ScamRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: A Westbrook woman pleaded guilty in federal court today for serving as a “money mule” for someone she met online, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced. A money mule is someone who transfers or moves illegally acquired money on behalf of someone else.
According to court records, Cheryl White, 58, met an unknown person on the internet. At their request, White purchased prepaid debit cards at retail stores and provided the account numbers associated with those cards to him online. She was later contacted by the person and informed that the cards had been loaded with money. In October 2017, White withdrew the money from the cards and used them to purchase money orders which she deposited in her bank account. She withdrew the money days later and mailed most of the money to an address provided by the person she met online.
The money loaded onto the prepaid cards came from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”). FEMA issued the money based on false and fraudulent claims for disaster relief filed with the agency. Although White did not file the false claims, she admitted that she knew the money came from some type of crime. Two banks had previously closed her accounts due to similar conduct; one of those banks informed White that her deposits and withdrawals were part of a fraud scheme. White opened a third bank account and continued the same conduct.
White faces up to 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine. She also faces up to three years of supervised release. White 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 Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General (DHS OIG) investigated the case, with assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Fraud Prevention and Investigations Branch; and the Westbrook Police Department.
“DHS OIG will continue to aggressively investigate criminal actors and networks associated with FEMA disaster relief programs. We all suffer when federal programs are undermined by fraud. This guilty plea should send a clear message that DHS OIG and our law enforcement partners are resolute in our efforts to ferret out these criminal fraud schemes” said Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari, DHS OIG.
Money Mule Scams: Acting as a money mule is illegal and punishable even if you aren’t aware that you are committing a crime. If you are a money mule, you could be prosecuted and incarcerated as part of a criminal money laundering conspiracy. Some money mules know they are supporting criminal enterprises; others are unaware that they are helping criminals profit. Criminals often target students, those looking for work, or those on dating websites, but anyone can be approached to be a money mule. Learn more about money mule scams at https://www.fbi.gov/scams-and-safety/common-scams-and-crimes/money-mules.
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Russian Man Sentenced to 11 Months Time Served on Visa Fraud and False Statement ChargesRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: A man previously from Togliatti, Russia, now of Portland, was sentenced in federal court today for conspiracy to commit visa fraud, false statements to a federal law enforcement agency, and visa fraud, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.
U.S. District Judge Nancy Torresen sentenced Alexander Gormatov, 34, to time served (333 days), a $2,000 fine, and one year of supervised release. Gormatov was found guilty following a jury trial in October 2021.
According to court records, Gormatov, a Russian national, entered the U.S. on a student/work visa in 2009, and later successfully adjusted his status to that of an academic student visa by attending Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) in 2010.
In 2011, Gormatov met a 17-year-old female U.S. citizen through a Craigslist employment advertisement. A few months later when she reached age 18, Gormatov paid her to marry him in pursuit of a permanent immigration benefit. Gormatov then quit school. By November 2012, when he failed to re-enroll at SMCC, Gormatov became unlawfully present in the U.S.
In January 2013, per their agreement, the sham couple made a series of material false statements on immigration documents that Gormatov later filed seeking a formal adjustment to his immigration status. In April 2013, the couple was interviewed by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service in South Portland during which, per Gormatov’s instruction, the couple falsely claimed to be living as husband and wife. Following the interviews, based on the fraud, Gormatov obtained conditional lawful permanent resident (LPR) status in the U.S.
In January 2014, Gormatov’s bride gave birth to a child she conceived with her actual live-in boyfriend, but Gormatov’s name was placed on the birth certificate. In March 2015, Gormatov filed a petition to remove the conditions of his permanent residence, accompanied by a copy of the child’s falsified birth certificate.
In January 2017, after learning he was under investigation, Gormatov departed the U.S. for Russia and failed to return within one year. In May 2019, in order to return to the U.S., Gormatov falsely represented the paternity of his sham wife’s child on a form filed in Riga, Latvia.
During the trial, the young sham wife testified that Gormatov had told her to “just trust him” because such sham marriages happen all the time and “nobody cares.”
The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, the Department of Homeland Security - Homeland Security Investigations, and the Department of State - Diplomatic Security Service investigated this case.
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Houlton Man Pleads Guilty to Being a Felon in Possession of FirearmsRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Houlton man pleaded guilty in federal court to being a felon in possession of firearms, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced today.
According to court records, in September 2020, the Maine Warden Service and Houlton Police Department executed a search warrant at the Houlton home of Daniel Tyce, 40. Tyce admitted to being a felon and that he was in possession of firearms. Law enforcement seized a shotgun and ammunition from inside the residence. They also seized a shotgun, a receiver completed into a pistol with stabilizing brace, and various rounds of ammunition and magazines from a truck Tyce used. Tyce is prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior felony convictions in New Jersey.
Tyce faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. He also faces 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, Houlton Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case.
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Massachusetts Woman Sentenced to 10 Years for Methamphetamine Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Brighton, Massachusetts woman was sentenced in federal court today for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.
U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Kimberly Tompkins, 52, to 10 years in prison and five years of supervised release. Tompkins pleaded guilty in November 2021.
According to court records, between January 2017 and August 2018, Tompkins and other members of the conspiracy distributed large quantities of methamphetamine in northern Maine. Tompkins coordinated multi-pound shipments of methamphetamine from Arizona to conspirators who distributed it in Aroostook County. Tompkins also sent thousands of dollars in cash to the out-of-state source to supply the drug trafficking enterprise.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency investigated the case.
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.
Holden Woman Sentenced to 3 Years for Methamphetamine and Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Holden woman was sentenced in federal court today for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.
U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Nicole Footman, 38, to three years in prison and three years of supervised release. She was also ordered to forfeit $1,229. Footman pleaded guilty on December 3, 2021.
According to court records, from approximately September 2019 through July 2021, Footman conspired to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. As part of the conspiracy, Footman obtained quantities of these drugs for distribution from a Bangor supplier, communicating with the supplier by telephone, text messaging and social media. In July 2021, police executed a search warrant at Footman’s residence and found methamphetamine and fentanyl along with scales, packaging materials, cell phones and $1,229 in cash.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency with the assistance of the Holden Police Department and Bangor Police Department.
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Former Orono Convenience Store Owner Pleads Guilty to Credit Card FraudRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Massachusetts man pleaded guilty today in federal court to access device fraud, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.
According to court records, in January 2020, Mohammad K. Mohmand, 43, formerly of Orono, operated the Orono Thriftway Food Center convenience store. Mohmand used a payment terminal at the store to process over $100,000 in false credit and debit card returns to the accounts of family and friends. The false returns caused illegitimate payments to be received by the account holders and the bank account linked to the store’s card settlements to be overdrawn, resulting in losses to a financial institution.
Mohmand faces up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He also faces 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 case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and the Orono Police Department.
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US Attorney Darcie McElwee Joins Others in Honoring Police WeekRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine – Today marks the start of National Police Week, a time to recognize the service and sacrifice of federal, state and local law enforcement. This year, the week will be observed Wednesday, May 11 through Tuesday, May 17, 2022.
“This week, we gather to pay tribute to the law enforcement officers who sacrificed their lives in service to our country,” said Attorney General Merrick Garland. “We remember the courage with which they worked and lived. And we recommit ourselves to the mission to which they dedicated their lives. On behalf of a grateful Justice Department and a grateful nation, I extend my sincerest thanks and gratitude to the entire law enforcement community.”
“I was honored to join with law enforcement from around the state earlier this week for the annual observance at the Maine Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, dedicated to Maine law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty,” said U.S. Attorney McElwee. “It was an opportunity to pay tribute to officers who lost their lives protecting Maine, though this year was made particularly somber with the addition of a new name.”
The Maine Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Augusta includes the names of 88 law enforcement officers. The name of Hancock County Sheriff’s Deputy Luke Gross was added this year after he lost his life while giving assistance to a motorist in Trenton, Maine in 2021.
In 1962, President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices. Peace Officers Memorial Day, which every year falls on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. Based on data submitted to and analyzed by the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), 472 law enforcement officers died nationwide in the line of duty in 2021. Of that number, 319 succumbed to COVID-19.
Additionally, according to 2021 statistics reported by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through the Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program, 73 law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty in 2021 were killed as a result of felonious acts, whereas 56 died in accidents. Deaths resulting from felonious acts increased in 2021, rising more than 58 percent from the previous year. In 2021, unprovoked attacks were the cause of 24 deaths significantly outpacing all other line of duty deaths resulting from felony acts and reaching the highest annual total in over 30 years of reporting. Additional LEOKA statistics can be found on FBI’s Crime Data Explorer website for the LEOKA program.
The names of the 619 fallen officers added this year to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial will be read on Friday, May 13, 2022, during a Candlelight Vigil in Washington, D.C., starting at 8:00 PM EDT. Those who wish to view the vigil live online, can watch on the NLEOMF YouTube channel found at https://www.youtube.com/TheNLEOMF. The schedule of National Police Week events is available on NLEOMF’s website.
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Massachusetts Man Sentenced to 7 Years for Federal Drug and Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Dorchester, Massachusetts man was sentenced today in federal court for conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and aiding and abetting the straw purchase of firearms, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.
U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Sergio Figueroa aka “Kash,” 26, to seven years in prison and four years of supervised release. Figueroa pleaded guilty on October 19, 2021.
According to court records, in April 2021, Figueroa conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl. As part of the conspiracy, he used a residence in Bangor to store and distribute drugs. On April 21, 2021, agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency executed a search warrant at the Bangor residence. Upon searching Figueroa’s bedroom, agents found 80 grams of fentanyl and $1,680 in cash along with a loaded .380 caliber pistol. Figueroa was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition because of a prior Maine felony conviction.
Earlier, in a separate January 2020 incident, court records show that Figueroa arranged for a straw purchaser to buy two pistols for him from a federal firearm licensee in Androscoggin County. While purchasing the firearms, the straw purchaser responded “Yes” to a question on a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives form that asked whether the purchaser was the actual buyer of the firearms. In truth, the straw purchaser bought the firearms at Figueroa’s instruction, using money provided by Figueroa, and gave the firearms to Figueroa minutes after the sale. It is against federal law to aid and abet the provision of false information to federal firearm licensees when purchasing firearms from them.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the Lewiston Police Department.
Project Safe Neighborhoods: Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide initiative that brings together federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement officials, prosecutors, community leaders and other stakeholders to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in a community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. Project Safe Neighborhoods is coordinated by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in the 94 federal judicial districts throughout the 50 states and U.S. territories, and the program is customized to account for local violent crime problems and resources. Across all districts, Project Safe Neighborhoods follows four key design elements of successful violent crime reduction initiatives: community engagement, prevention and intervention, focused and strategic enforcement, and accountability.
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Bronx Man Sentenced to 2 Years for Crack and Heroin TraffickingRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Bronx, New York man was sentenced in federal court today for possession with the intent to distribute cocaine base and heroin, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.
U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Troy Roberts, 27, to two years in prison and three years of supervised release.
According to court records, on November 21, 2019, investigators received a tip that Roberts was coming to Bangor by bus from New York City with drugs that he intended to sell in the area. Law enforcement officers conducted surveillance of the bus station and observed Roberts exit a bus carrying a backpack. Officers followed the waiting vehicle that Roberts entered and conducted a traffic stop. During the roadside investigation, officers discovered approximately one ounce of cocaine base (crack) and one ounce of heroin in the backpack Roberts had been carrying. Further investigation revealed that Roberts was a member of a group who had made multiple trips to Bangor from New York City for the purpose of selling drugs.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Maine State Police investigated the case.
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Presque Isle Man Sentenced for Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Presque Isle man was sentenced in federal court today for conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and for possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.
U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Robert Poliero, a/k/a “Charlie,” 58, to 18 years in prison and five years of supervised release.
According to court records, between approximately July 2018 and May 2019, Poliero and others conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Poliero personally traveled to Georgia on at least two occasions to obtain methamphetamine. Once he transported the drugs back to Maine, he and his co-conspirators distributed them in Aroostook County.
On May 19, 2019, Poliero was returning from one such trip to Georgia with another person. Poliero intended to bring a large quantity of methamphetamine back to northern Maine for distribution. The Maine State Police stopped the vehicle in which Poliero was traveling. A search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of approximately 6,100 grams of a mixture containing methamphetamine. While on federal bail for this offense, Poliero was arrested on a new aggravated drug trafficking charge prosecuted by the Aroostook County District Attorney’s Office.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Maine State Police investigated these cases with the assistance of multiple state and local law enforcement agencies.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office appreciates the assistance of the Aroostook County District Attorney’s Office with these cases.
Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces: This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Houlton Man Sentenced on Federal Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Houlton man was sentenced in federal court today on two counts of distributing methamphetamine, one count of distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and one count of possessing 500 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.
U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Derek Fitzpatrick, 31, to 10 years in prison and five years of supervised release.
According to court records, Fitzpatrick sold methamphetamine to a confidential informant on two occasions in August 2018. In September 2018, Fitzpatrick sold more than 50 grams of methamphetamine to the informant. On September 28, 2018, law enforcement officers executed search warrants at Fitzpatrick’s residence in Houlton and his garage in Littleton. Agents seized almost 2,000 grams of methamphetamine from the residence.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency investigated this case, with the assistance of the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office, the Houlton Police Department and the Maine State Police.
Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces: This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
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Former Brunswick Resident Sentenced for Transferring Obscene Matter to Minor and Obstructing JusticeRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: A former Brunswick resident, most recently living in Pennsylvania, was sentenced today in federal court for transferring obscene matter to a minor and obstructing justice, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.
U.S. District Judge Nancy Torresen sentenced Shawn Cook, 42, to 46 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Cook pleaded guilty on November 10, 2021.
According to court records, in July 2018, Cook sent an obscene image to a 15-year-old boy. Cook also offered to send the boy a video of himself having sexual intercourse with his girlfriend. Cook knew at the time he sent the image that the boy was under the age of 16. The boy’s mother found the image on her son’s phone and contacted law enforcement.
Also according to court records, in March 2021, Cook learned that his girlfriend had been contacted by an FBI agent about testifying before a federal grand jury regarding Cook’s actions. Cook contacted the mother of the boy to whom he had sent the obscene image and asked her to “just tell them you lied.” He also told her to tell the boy to “keep his mouth shut.”
The Bath Police Department and the FBI investigated the case.
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Seal Cove Man Sentenced to 70 Years for Multiple Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Seal Cove man was sentenced today in federal court for three counts of production of child pornography, one count of transportation of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.
U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Keegan Richardson, 28, to 70 years in prison and a lifetime of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $29,000 in restitution. Richardson pleaded guilty on October 4, 2021.
“These cases shock the conscience,” Judge Walker said in handing down the sentence. “It is impossible to overstate the harm the defendant has inflicted on [these children] and, by extension, to an unknown degree, on the community at large. What is just punishment for terrorizing [these children] and marketing that terrorism to strangers over the internet?”
According to court records, on July 6, 2020, Richardson entered a private internet chat group and began communicating with an undercover FBI agent. This chat group was known to the agent as a place where people met, discussed and traded original child sexual abuse material of underage children and links to child pornography. Richardson confirmed that he had access to a female minor and shared multiple sexually explicit images of the minor with the agent. A search warrant was obtained for Richardson’s residence and phone, and he was arrested. Investigators later learned that he had access to two additional minors. On his phone, a forensic examiner found multiple sexually explicit images of the three minors that Richardson had taken with his phone. Additional child sexual abuse material involving different minors was also discovered.
The FBI, the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, the Maine State Police, and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency investigated the case.
“Holding those who engage in child exploitation enterprises and create child sexual abuse material accountable is and will remain a top priority for the Justice Department, the FBI and our office,” McElwee said. “Keegan Richardson not only preyed on children, he callously violated three children who trusted him, causing lasting and profound damage. I can think of no greater violation, and I commend the FBI for their quick action to protect those children from further harm.”
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, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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*Corrected 04/29/22: U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker was incorrectly listed as “U.S. District Judge Lawrence E. Walker” in the original press release dated 04/28/22. The press release has been updated with the correct information.
Old Town Man Pleads Guilty to Being a Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: An Old Town man pleaded guilty in federal court today to being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.
According to court records, in October 2021, a concerned citizen saw William Abney, 57, in possession of an AK-47 style rifle in the living room of Abney’s Old Town residence and notified the police. Based on this and other information, a search warrant was executed at Abney’s residence. During the execution of the search warrant, Abney admitted that he possessed an AK‑47. In Abney’s room, law enforcement found an AK-47 under the mattress and an AK-47 magazine full of ammunition. Abney has a 1999 conviction in U.S. District Court in Bangor for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Abney faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He also faces 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; the Old Town Police Department and the Brewer Police Department investigated the case. The Penobscot County District Attorney’s Office also assisted with the case.
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Augusta Man Charged for Assault on a Federal OfficerRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced today that Derik Broox Wight, 41, of Augusta has been charged by criminal complaint with assaulting a federal officer.
According to the criminal complaint, on April 20, 2022, Wight entered the Edmund S. Muskie Federal Building in Augusta with a knife and attacked a security officer contracted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Protective Service, at one point holding the knife near the officer’s throat. A second officer shot Wight who was then arrested and transported to the hospital for treatment of his wound.
If convicted of the charge, Wight faces up to 20 years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, or both, followed by up to three years supervised release.
A charge in a criminal complaint is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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Orono Man Sentenced for Possessing Unregistered Short-Barreled RifleRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: An Orono man was sentenced today in federal court for possessing an unregistered firearm, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.
U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Louis J. Dettling, 27, to time served (nine months) and two years of supervised release. Dettling pleaded guilty on December 2, 2021.
According to court records, on March 2, 2021, Dettling was pulled over by the Holden Police Department and arrested on state charges of terrorizing and criminal trespass. A subsequent inventory search of Dettling’s vehicle revealed a short-barreled rifle that was not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record (NFRTR). Federal law prohibits the possession of a rifle having a barrel length of less than 16 inches unless that weapon is registered to the possessor in the NFRTR.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office; and the Holden Police Department.
Project Safe Neighborhoods: Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is a nationwide initiative that brings together federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement officials, prosecutors, community leaders and other stakeholders to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in a community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. PSN is coordinated by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in the 94 federal judicial districts throughout the 50 states and U.S. territories. PSN is customized to account for local violent crime problems and resources. Across all districts, PSN follows four key design elements of successful violent crime reduction initiatives: community engagement, prevention and intervention, focused and strategic enforcement, and accountability.
US Attorney Darcie N. McElwee: Updated federal firearms definition will expand our ability to reduce violent crimeRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: In response to the announcement of the “Frame or Receiver” Final Rule this week, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee issued the following statement:
“One year ago, the Department of Justice committed to addressing the growing concern of ghost guns and their increasing role in violent crime. These weapons, often assembled from kits, generally do not contain serial numbers and are sold without background checks, making them difficult to trace and easy to acquire by criminals.
This week, following an extensive public comment period, the Department announced the “Frame or Receiver” Final Rule, which modernizes the definition of a firearm. Including privately made firearms in the definition of what constitutes a federal firearm expands our ability to enforce federal law and assist our state and local law enforcement partners in keeping Maine streets safe.
Those who sell and use these weapons to commit crimes in Maine should know ATF and the U.S. Attorney’s Office are prepared to take action. Prosecuting gun crimes - including those involving ghost guns - in order to reduce violent crime is a top priority of my office.”
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Massachusetts Man Sentenced for Transporting Child PornographyRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: A Massachusetts man was sentenced today in federal court for transporting child pornography, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.
Chief U.S. District Judge Jon D. Levy sentenced Daniel Stasiak, 44, to six years in prison to be followed by seven years of supervised release. Stasiak pleaded guilty on September 23, 2021.
According to court records, while present in Maine, Stasiak sent a video of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct over the Kik messaging app. Among the recipients of the video was an undercover law enforcement officer in Winnebago County, Wisconsin. The video depicted a child appearing to be four to six years old.
The FBI and the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
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, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
To report an incident involving the possession, distribution, receipt, or production of child pornography, file a report with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at www.cybertipline.com or 1-800-843-5678. Your report will be forwarded to a law enforcement agency for investigation and action. If you have an emergency that requires an immediate law enforcement response, please call 911 or contact your local police or sheriff’s department.
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Greenbush Man Sentenced for Possessing Unregistered Short-Barreled ShotgunRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Greenbush man was sentenced today in federal court for possessing an unregistered firearm, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.
U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Lawrence Shirland, 52, to time served and two years of supervised release. Shirland pleaded guilty on September 15, 2021.
According to court records, on November 10, 2019, Shirland was involved in an altercation at his home in Greenbush during which he fired a warning shot from a sawed-off shotgun. The shot hit a truck windshield. When police arrived, Shirland admitted that he had fired the shotgun and provided it to officers. He explained that he had modified the shotgun himself. Specifically, he cut the barrel with a hack saw, cut and sanded the stock, and wrapped it in tape.
Shirland’s shotgun was not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record (NFRTR). Federal law prohibits the possession of a weapon made from a shotgun if the modified weapon has a barrel less than 18 inches in length or an overall length of less than 26 inches unless that weapon is registered to the possessor in the NFRTR.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case as part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative.
Project Safe Neighborhoods: Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is a nationwide initiative that brings together federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement officials, prosecutors, community leaders and other stakeholders to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in a community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. PSN is coordinated by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in the 94 federal judicial districts throughout the 50 states and U.S. territories. PSN is customized to account for local violent crime problems and resources. Across all districts, PSN follows four key design elements of successful violent crime reduction initiatives: community engagement, prevention and intervention, focused and strategic enforcement, and accountability.
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U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee Statement on the Retirement of the Honorable John H. Rich IIIRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: Following the retirement of U.S. Magistrate Judge John H. Rich III on Friday, April 1, 2022, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee issued the following statement:
“During the fourteen years he served the federal court in Maine, Magistrate Judge Rich worked tirelessly to provide every party due process with great care. Judge Rich was most often the first face of the Court seen by criminal defendants, jurors, agents, litigants, and attorneys. He always treated every person in the courtroom with fairness and civility and considered every issue thoroughly. His extraordinary work ethic allowed justice to be dispensed swiftly. My colleagues and I at the U.S. Attorney’s Office are grateful for his remarkable service and wish him well in retirement.”
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Waldoboro Woman Pleads Guilty to Social Security FraudRead the Press Release
PORTLAND Maine: A Waldoboro woman pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court to Social Security fraud and Theft of Public Money, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.
According to court records, from about July 2005 through April 2019, Deborah Moore, 68, a recipient of Supplemental Security Income (SSI), concealed the presence of her husband in her household to maintain her eligibility to receive benefit payments. SSI benefits are paid to people with limited income who are blind, disabled or elderly. Moore’s husband had sufficient income to render her ineligible for the benefits she received.
In multiple reviews of her eligibility for benefits, Moore falsely represented to the Social Security Administration (SSA) that she and her husband had separated in July 2005 and had lived separately since that time. At an interview with law enforcement agents, Moore admitted to concealing her living situation from SSA because she knew it would make her ineligible to receive SSI.
Moore faces up to five years in prison on the Social Security fraud charge, up to ten years in prison on the Theft of Public Money charge, a fine of up to $250,000 on both charges, and up to three years of supervised release. She will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.
The investigation was conducted by SSA’s Office of the Inspector General.
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Statement from U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee on International Transgender Day of VisibilityRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee today released the following statement in recognition of International Transgender Day of Visibility:
“As I have had the opportunity to meet transgender Mainers throughout the state, I have been impressed by their sincerity, creativity, and desire to enjoy all that Maine offers, but I have been shocked and saddened by the horrific accounts of discrimination, harassment and violence they have experienced.
Today, on a day when we should be celebrating the contributions of transgender Mainers, we instead face an epidemic of violence and discrimination directed towards their community. Here in Maine, fear or hatred of the victim’s sexual orientation or gender identification is the motivation behind nearly half of all hate crimes reported according to FBI statistics.
We are committed to engaging in a meaningful dialogue with the transgender community in Maine, both to show support and increase public safety. We strive to build trust in our office and in law enforcement to foster an environment where the reporting of hate crimes feels safe. We will work to build new and lasting partnerships. We recognize that we can all do better in seeing, hearing, and respecting people for who they are.
Ensuring that all Mainers are treated fairly and with respect, and in accordance with federal law, is among the highest priorities of my office.”
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Corinth Man Pleads Guilty to Being a Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Corinth man pleaded guilty in federal court today to being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.
According to court records, the FBI and the Denton, Texas Police Department were tasked with finding Francis Cahill, aka Bruce Cossett, 73, and learned that he may have moved to Maine. The Maine State Police was asked to help in determining his location. Cahill was subsequently located at his residence in Corinth and arrested by the Maine State Police. During a subsequent interview with law enforcement, Cahill admitted that he possessed two firearms in his residence. A subsequent search of Cahill’s residence uncovered a .22 caliber rifle and a 12-gauge shotgun. Cahill is prohibited from possessing firearms due to a 1978 conviction in Texas for murder.
Cahill faces up to ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine. However, if the Court determines that Cahill is an armed career criminal, he faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison. He also faces up to three years of supervised release. Cahill 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; the Denton, Texas Police Department; the Maine State Police; and the ATF investigated the case. The Penobscot County District Attorney’s Office also assisted with the case.
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Aroostook County Man Sentenced for Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: An Aroostook County man was sentenced in federal court today for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.
U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Zane Willhide, 25, to ten years in prison and five years of supervised release.
According to court records, between approximately July 2018 and May 2019, members of the conspiracy obtained methamphetamine in western and southern states from sources in Mexico. Willhide and his co-conspirators then distributed the drugs in Aroostook County and other parts of central and northern Maine.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency investigated this case with the assistance of multiple state and local law enforcement agencies.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
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U.S. Attorney Darcie McElwee Appointed to Serve on Attorney General Merrick B. Garland’s Advisory CommitteeRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Attorney General Merrick B. Garland today announced the appointment of 12 U.S. Attorneys to serve on the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee of U.S. Attorneys (AGAC). Created in 1973, the AGAC advises the Attorney General on matters of policy, procedure, and management impacting the Offices of the U.S. Attorneys and elevates the voices of U.S. Attorneys in Department policies. The first meeting of the AGAC will take place later this spring.
The appointees include U.S. Attorney Damian Williams for the Southern District of New York; U.S. Attorney Cindy K. Chung for the Western District of Pennsylvania; U.S. Attorney Darcie McElwee for the District of Maine; U.S. Attorney Trini Ross for the Western District of New York; U.S. Attorney Sandra Hairston for the Middle District of North Carolina; U.S. Attorney Brandon Brown for the Western District of Louisiana; U.S. Attorney Dawn Ison for the Eastern District of Michigan; U.S. Attorney Gregory Harris for the Central District of Illinois; U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger for the District of Minnesota; U.S. Attorney Gary Restaino for the District of Arizona; U.S. Attorney Cole Finegan for the District of Colorado; and U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves for the District of Columbia. An appointee from a district within the jurisdiction of the Eleventh Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals will be announced at a later date, once the Senate has confirmed nominees.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams will serve as the Chair of the AGAC, and U.S. Attorney Cindy Chung will serve as the Vice Chair.
“These United States Attorneys will represent the views of dedicated federal prosecutors across the country and provide advice and insight into essential matters facing the Department,” said Attorney General Garland. “I look forward to working alongside them in carrying out the Department’s core priorities of upholding the rule of law, keeping our country safe, and protecting civil rights.”
"I am honored to have been chosen to serve on the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee of U.S. Attorneys,” Darcie McElwee, U.S. Attorney, District of Maine, said. “The work of the AGAC is vital to furthering our priorities of addressing hate crimes, stopping the flow of illegal drugs into our communities, preventing human trafficking and exploitation, and combatting corporate and other white-collar crime. This is a valuable opportunity to ensure that issues facing Mainers every day are heard at the highest level, and I look forward to working with the Attorney General and the committee to help make our country – and Maine – safer.”
A brief bio on each appointee is below:
Damian Williams (Chair)
The Senate confirmed Damian Williams’ appointment as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York in October 2021. Williams began his legal career as a law clerk to then-Judge Merrick Garland when he served in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit from 2007 to 2008. Williams then served as a law clerk for Justice John Paul Stevens of the U.S. Supreme Court from 2008 to 2009. From 2009 to 2012, he was a litigation associate at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison. From 2012 to 2021, he served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. In the role, he served as a chief of the securities and commodities fraud task force from 2018 to 2021. He received his Bachelor of Arts in economics from Harvard University in 2002, a Master of Philosophy in international relations from Emmanuel College at the University of Cambridge in 2003, and a Juris Doctor from Yale Law School in 2007, where he was also an editor of the Yale Law Journal.
Cindy K. Chung (Vice Chair)
The Senate confirmed Cindy K. Chung’s appointment as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania in November 2021. In 2002 and 2003, Chung served as a law clerk for Judge Myron H. Thompson in the Middle District of Alabama. She then joined the New York County District Attorney’s Office in 2003, serving as an assistant district attorney until 2007 and as investigation counsel in the Official Corruption Unit from 2007 to 2009. From 2009 to 2014, Chung served as a trial attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division. She later joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania, serving as deputy chief of the major crimes division. From 2014 to 2021, she served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney. Chung earned a Bachelor of Arts from Yale University in 1997 and a Juris Doctor from Columbia Law School in 2002.
Darcie McElwee
The Senate confirmed Darcie McElwee’s appointment as U.S. Attorney for the District of Maine in October 2021. McElwee began her legal career as an assistant district attorney for the Penobscot and Piscataquis counties in Maine from 1998 to 2002. Between 2005 and 2008, McElwee was an adjunct professor of advanced trial advocacy at the University of Maine School of Law. From 2002 to 2021, she served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine. Since 2005, she has been the coordinator of Project Safe Neighborhoods. McElwee received her Bachelor of Arts from Bowdoin College in 1995 and her Juris Doctor from the University of Maine School of Law in 1998.
Trini Ross
The Senate confirmed Trini Ross’s appointment as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York in September 2021. Ross began her career as an appellate attorney for the New York Supreme Court. She was an associate at Hiscock & Barclay LLC before joining the Office of Professional Responsibility as assistant counsel. From 1995 to 2018, Ross served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York. She has also been an adjunct professor of law at Buffalo Law School. She has also served as director of the investigations for the National Science Foundation Office of Inspector General since 2018. Ross earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the State University of New York at Fredonia in 1988, a Master of Arts from Rutgers University in 1990, and a Juris Doctor from the University at Buffalo Law School in 1992.
Sandra Hairston
The Senate confirmed Sandra Hairston as U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina in November 2021. Hairston previously served as an assistant district attorney in Columbus County, North Carolina, from 1987 to 1989 and as a special assistant district attorney in Guilford County, North Carolina from 1989 to 1990. From 1994 to 1996, she served as Chief of the Criminal Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina before returning to the Middle District of North Carolina in 1996. She joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of North Carolina in 1990 as an Assistant U.S. Attorney. Hairston previously held the position of First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina from 2014 to 2021. From March 1, 2021, until her Senate confirmation, she served as the Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina. Hairston received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 1981 and her Juris Doctor from North Carolina Central University School of Law in 1987.
Brandon Brown
The Senate confirmed Brandon Brown as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana in December 2021. From 2007 to 2012, Brown served as an assistant prosecuting attorney in the Ouachita Parish District Attorney’s Office. He was also an associate at Hammonds, Sills, Adkins & Guice LLP in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Since 2012, he has served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana. Brown earned a Bachelor of Arts in 2002 and a Master of Business Administration in 2004 from Louisiana Tech University, followed by a Juris Doctor in 2007 from the Southern University Law Center.
Dawn Ison
The Senate confirmed Dawn Ison as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan in December 2021. In 1989 and 1990, Ison was a prehearing attorney for the Michigan Court of Appeals. In 2002, Ison began serving as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan. She also served as chief of the Drug Enforcement Task Force Unit. Ison earned a Bachelor of Arts from Spelman College and a Juris Doctor from the Wayne State University Law School.
Gregory Harris
The Senate confirmed Gregory Harris as U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois in December 2021. Harris began his career as a lawyer for the Office of the State Appellate Defender in 1976 where he represented indigent criminal defendants on appeal. From 1979 to 1980, he served as legal counsel for the Illinois Governor’s Office of Manpower and Human Development and later as a staff attorney for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Development. From 1980 to 1988, he served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S Attorney’s Office for the Central District of Illinois. From 1988 to 2001, he was a lawyer for Giffin, Winning, Cohen & Bodewes in Springfield, Illinois. He later rejoined the Central District of Illinois in 2001, where he served as chief of the Criminal Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney. Harris was born in Washington, D.C. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Howard University in 1971 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law in 1976.
Andrew Luger
The Senate confirmed Andrew Luger as the U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota in March 2022. He previously served in that role during the Obama administration and briefly during the Trump administration from 2014 to 2017. Prior to his appointment, Luger was a partner in the Minneapolis office of Jones Day from 2017 – 2022. Luger has also served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, from 1989 to 1992, and for the District of Minnesota from 1992 to 1995, where he prosecuted a wide variety of narcotics and violent crimes, as well as complex white-collar frauds. In 1995, Luger joined the law firm of Greene Espel in Minneapolis, where he was a partner until 2014. Luger earned a bachelor’s degree from Amherst College and a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center.
Gary Restaino
The Senate confirmed Gary Restaino as U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona in November 2021. From 1991 to 1993, Restaino served in Paraguay with the Peace Corps. From 1996 to 1999, he provided legal services to seasonal farm workers as a lawyer with Community Legal Services. From 1999 to 2003, he served as a civil rights lawyer in the Arizona Attorney General's Office. He then served as a trial attorney in the Public Integrity Section of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Criminal Division. Restaino joined the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Arizona in 2003. He was nominated to serve as U.S. Attorney in October 2021. Restaino earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Haverford College in 1990 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1996.
Cole Finegan
The Senate confirmed Cole Finegan as U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado in November 2021. From 1991 to 1993, Finegan served both as Chief Legal Counsel and Director of Policy and Initiatives for Colorado Governor Roy Romer. From 1993 to 2003, Finegan was a partner for Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck’s Denver office. Finegan joined Hogan Lovells (then Hogan & Hartson) in 2007 as a partner. Finegan acted as an adviser to Governor Hickenlooper and U.S. Senator Michael Bennet. Finegan attended the University of Notre Dame from 1974 to 1978, earning a degree in English. Finegan earned a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center in 1986.
Matthew Graves
The Senate confirmed Matthew Graves as U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia in October 2021. After graduating law school, Graves began his legal career as a law clerk for Judge Richard W. Roberts of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. From 2002 to 2007, he was an associate at WilmerHale. From 2007 to 2016, Graves worked as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the District of Columbia, where he served in the office’s fraud and public corruption section, ultimately serving as the acting chief of the section. Since 2016, he has been a partner at DLA Piper. Graves earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Washington and Lee University in 1998 and a Juris Doctor from Yale Law School in 2001.
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Guatemalan National Sentenced for Entering the United States After a Prior RemovalRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Guatemalan national was sentenced today in federal court for entering the United States after a prior removal, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.
U.S. District Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. sentenced Nelson Obed Mendez-Gomez, 31, to a time-served sentence of three and half months. Mendez-Gomez pleaded guilty on February 9, 2022.
According to court records, in December 2021, Mendez-Gomez was a passenger in a truck driving in Rangeley. The vehicle refused to yield despite being followed by a U.S. Border Patrol Agent who was driving in a law enforcement vehicle with emergency lights and sirens. Once the truck stopped, Mendez-Gomez was removed along with the other vehicle occupants. A subsequent records check revealed that he had previously been deported from the United States on January 1, 2013, and July 12, 2017.
The U.S. Border Patrol investigated the case.
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Auburn Man Sentenced for Unlawfully Possessing FirearmRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: An Auburn man was sentenced today in federal court for being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.
U.S. District Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. sentenced John Edwards, 50, to 27 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Edwards’ criminal history includes a 2015 Ohio conviction for felony domestic violence; it is against federal law for a felon to possess a firearm.
According to court records, on November 14, 2020, an Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to the area of Sullivan Road in Greene for a report of a male walking outside a residence shooting a firearm. Upon arrival in the area, the deputy observed Edwards holding a shotgun and firing it. After multiple commands, Edwards dropped the weapon and put his hands above his head. The deputy also observed that Edwards was intoxicated.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
The prosecution is part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative. PSN is a nationwide initiative that brings together federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement officials, prosecutors, community leaders and other stakeholders to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in a community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. PSN is coordinated by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in the 94 federal judicial districts throughout the 50 states and U.S. territories. PSN is customized to account for local violent crime problems and resources. Across all districts, PSN follows four key design elements of successful violent crime reduction initiatives: community engagement, prevention and intervention, focused and strategic enforcement, and accountability.
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Kingfield Man Pleads Guilty to Child Sexual Exploitation OffensesRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Kingfield man pleaded guilty in federal court today to sexual exploitation of a child and possession of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.
According to court records, between May 2009 and April 2010, Richard Hinkley, 57, saved sexually explicit images from video chats with a person he knew to be a minor. In May 2020, a search warrant was executed at Hinkley’s home. The search revealed these and other images of child pornography on Hinkley’s electronic devices, some depicting children under 12 years of age.
Hinkley faces between 15 and 30 years in prison for sexual exploitation of a child and up to 20 years for possession of child pornography. He also faces a $250,000 fine on each count and from five years to a lifetime of supervised release. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.
Homeland Security Investigations, the Maine State Police Computer Crimes Unit and the FBI investigated the case.
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.
To report an incident involving the possession, distribution, receipt or production of child pornography, file a report with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at www.cybertipline.com or 1-800-843-5678. Your report will be forwarded to a law enforcement agency for investigation and action. If you have an emergency that requires an immediate law enforcement response, please call 911 or contact your local police or sheriff’s department.
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Presque Isle Woman Sentenced for Passing Counterfeit MoneyRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Presque Isle woman was sentenced today in federal court for passing counterfeit money, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.
U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Jessica Jones, 31, to two months in prison and two years of supervised release. Jones pleaded guilty on August 25, 2021.
According to court records, on July 23, 2018, Jones used counterfeit $20 bills at a Domino’s Pizza and a McDonald’s in Presque Isle. Jones later stated that she had received the counterfeit money from an individual who was trading counterfeit bills for drugs.
The Presque Isle Police Department and the U.S. Secret Service investigated the case.
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Former Prosecutor Pleads Guilty to Destroying EvidenceRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A former Franklin County assistant district attorney pleaded guilty in federal court today to the charge of Tampering with Documents, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.
According to court records, in July 2020, while Kayla Alves, 36, was employed as an assistant district attorney in the Farmington office of the Franklin County District Attorney’s Office, she deleted text message conversations between her and former Franklin County Deputy Sheriff Bradley Scovil. The deleted messages showed that Scovil had repeatedly asked Alves to use her professional position to find out if he was under investigation by law enforcement.
As alleged in United States v. Sirois et al., 21-CR-0175, currently pending before U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker, Scovil was a ranking member of the Sirois Organization and a key participant in a conspiracy involving the illicit cultivation of marijuana, attendant financial crimes and public corruption offenses.
Alves, who ultimately did tip Scovil off to the existence of the federal probe that resulted in the Sirois indictment, admitted to deleting text messages to keep evidence of her own misconduct hidden from law enforcement.
Alves faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. She also faces up to three years of supervised release. She 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.
This was a joint investigation of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division, Portland Resident Office; the FBI’s Boston Division; and the Boston Field Office of IRS Criminal Investigation with the cooperation and support of local and state law enforcement partners.
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Portland Man Pleads Guilty to Drug and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: A Portland man pleaded guilty in federal court today to drug trafficking and firearm charges, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.
According to court records, on January 31, 2020, Hunter York, 23, distributed a mixture of cocaine and fentanyl to a Saco resident. The resident overdosed on the drugs obtained from York and died. On February 5, 2020, Portland police conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle York was driving. A search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of MDMA, fentanyl and a firearm. A search of York’s Portland apartment resulted in the recovery of over 800 additional grams of fentanyl and two firearms.
York faces a 15-year mandatory minimum prison sentence and maximum prison term of life. He also faces a $10,000,000 fine and a supervised release term of up to life. 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.
This was a joint investigation involving the Portland, Biddeford, and Saco Police Departments; the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency; the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
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Aroostook County Man Sentenced for Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: An Aroostook County man was sentenced in federal court today for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.
U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Jeff Curtis, 40, to five years in prison and three years of supervised release.
According to court records, between approximately July 2018 and May 2019, members of the conspiracy obtained methamphetamine in western and southern states from sources in Mexico. Curtis and his co-conspirators then distributed the drugs in Aroostook County and other parts of central and northern Maine.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency investigated this case with the assistance of multiple state and local law enforcement agencies.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
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Oakland Man Sentenced for Destroying Letter BoxesRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: An Oakland man was sentenced today in federal court for destruction of letter boxes, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.
U.S District Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. sentenced Jonathan Charles Michaud, 43, to five years of probation. Michaud pled guilty on May 24, 2021.
According to court records, in October 2018, law enforcement officers were called to an Oakland neighborhood where a fire had been set in a residential mailbox. Messages had been handwritten on bills addressed to different residences, and one of these handwritten messages contained the telephone number of Michaud’s mother, with whom he resided. Investigators learned that several other mailboxes in the neighborhood had also been vandalized. In addition, a handwritten note was found in one mailbox stating, “Jonathan Charles is dead at my home, will find me dead in my room, bye mom and dad.” A state search warrant was obtained for Michaud’s residence, and investigators found evidence linking him to the vandalized mailboxes, including fingerprint and handwriting matches.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Maine Office of State Fire Marshal; and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated the case.
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U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee Statement on the Honorable D. Brock Hornby Taking Inactive Senior StatusRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: U.S. District Judge D. Brock Hornby presided over his final proceeding this afternoon in the U.S. District Court in Portland. Following the proceeding, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee issued the following statement on Judge Hornby taking inactive senior status:
“Having served in the state and federal courts of Maine for now forty years, Judge Hornby possesses superior intellect, compassion, and fairness. He always treated the litigants and lawyers who appeared before him with patient consideration and respect. As a long-time leader among federal judges across the nation, he made us proud to call him ours. Judge Hornby’s extraordinary contributions have left a remarkable impression on the practice of law in Maine. My colleagues and I at the United States Attorney’s Office, as well as the many who served in the Office before us, are grateful for his service and example.”
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Lewiston Man Sentenced for Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: A Lewiston man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Portland for possessing child pornography, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.
U.S. District Judge Nancy Torresen sentenced Rodney Crowley, 33, to four years in prison and five years of supervised release. Crowley pleaded guilty on August 31, 2021.
According to court records, in August 2019, investigators with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) executed search warrants for Crowley’s residence and person. HSI had obtained information from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) regarding child pornography activity involving users of an internet messaging application. In an interview with investigators, Crowley admitted being a member of chat groups in which child pornography images were exchanged. Investigators later found several images and videos depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct on a memory card in Crowley’s cell phone.
HSI and the RCMP investigated the case.
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, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
To report an incident involving the possession, distribution, receipt, or production of child pornography, file a report with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at www.cybertipline.com or 1-800-843-5678. Your report will be forwarded to a law enforcement agency for investigation and action. If you have an emergency that requires an immediate law enforcement response, please call 911 or contact your local police or sheriff’s department.
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Florida Man Sentenced to Five Years for Soliciting Child PornographyRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: A Florida man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Portland for soliciting child pornography, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.
Chief U.S. District Judge Jon D. Levy sentenced Cameron Eagle, 35, of Stuart, Florida, to five years in prison and five years of supervised release. Eagle pleaded guilty in September 2021.
According to court records, on May 9, 2020, while in Florida, Eagle used Cash App, a direct peer-to-peer payment system for mobile devices, to pay a female child in Maine to engage in sexually explicit conduct while he watched via livestream over the chat website Omegle. The child, who resided in Cumberland County, was 14 years old at the time. Financial records reflect that Eagle made several payments to the child on that date, and that he made other similar payments in small denominations to other Cash App accounts on the same day, as well as on other dates in May and June 2020.
The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, the Martin County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case, with assistance from the Fort Pierce office of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’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, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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Old Orchard Beach Man Sentenced in Connection with Fatal OverdosesRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: An Old Orchard Beach man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Portland for distributing fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.
U.S. District Judge George Z. Singal sentenced Corydon Mills, 33, to 10 years in prison and three years of supervised release. Mills pleaded guilty in August 2021.
According to court records, on January 23, 2017, Mills distributed fentanyl at a residence in Old Orchard Beach. Two people used this fentanyl and died as a result.
The Old Orchard Beach Police Department and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency investigated the case.
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Former Portland Man Pleads Guilty to Being a Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A former Portland resident pleaded guilty in federal court today to being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.
According to court records, on August 28, 2021, the Brewer Police Department was called to the Brewer Walmart parking lot due to a disturbance. Patrick Mullen, 52, was located in his truck in the parking lot. Law enforcement ran his information and determined that Mullen had three outstanding warrants. In addition, he was observed in his truck holding a firearm. After an hours-long standoff, Mullen was arrested. Mullen is prohibited from possessing firearms as a result of a 2017 conviction in the Washington County Unified Court for Domestic Violence Criminal Threatening (With a Dangerous Weapon).
Mullen faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He also faces 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 Brewer Police Department, the Holden Police Department, the Bangor Police Department, the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office, the Maine State Police, and the ATF investigated the case. The Penobscot County District Attorney’s Office also assisted with the case.
The prosecution is part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative. PSN is a nationwide initiative that brings together federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement officials, prosecutors, community leaders and other stakeholders to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in a community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. PSN is coordinated by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in the 94 federal judicial districts throughout the 50 states and U.S. territories. PSN is customized to account for local violent crime problems and resources. Across all districts, PSN follows four key design elements of successful violent crime reduction initiatives: community engagement, prevention and intervention, focused and strategic enforcement, and accountability.
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Guatemalan Man Pleads Guilty to Entering the United States After a Prior RemovalRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Guatemalan man pleaded guilty in federal court today to entering the United States after a prior removal, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.
According to court records, in December 2021, Nelson Obed Mendez-Gomez, 31, was a passenger in a truck driving in Rangeley. The vehicle refused to yield despite being followed by a U.S. Border Patrol Agent who was driving in a law enforcement vehicle with emergency lights and sirens. Once the truck stopped, Mendez-Gomez was removed along with the other vehicle occupants. A subsequent records check revealed that he had previously been deported from the United States on January 1, 2013, and July 12, 2017.
Mendez-Gomez faces up to two years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He also faces not more than 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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Bangor Woman Sentenced for Drug OffensesRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Bangor woman was sentenced today in federal court for maintaining a drug-involved premises and distributing fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.
U.S. District Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr., sentenced Brenda J. Shaboski, 65, of Bangor, to a term of 12 months and one day of imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release. Shaboski pleaded guilty on July 19, 2021.
According to court records, Shaboski owned 1702 Union Street in Bangor, a residence referred to locally as “the farm.” From June through December 2020, the location was used by Shaboski and others to buy, sell, and use heroin, fentanyl and cocaine base. Individuals renting from Shaboski or staying at her house sold and used drugs, and the vehicle and visitor traffic to the location was primarily drug related. The residence was used by drug distributers as a location to “cook” powder cocaine into crack. In March 2021, Shaboski also arranged fentanyl sales from her home.
In imposing the sentence, Judge Woodcock told the defendant, “There is no way to overstate the impact of these poisonous and addictive substances on this country and on Maine in particular.” The Court noted that Shaboski “had encouraged what amounts to a virus in the body politic of this community” with the “staggering amount of illegal drugs” involved at her home.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency investigated the case. The Financial Litigation Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office will receive $23,372 in sale proceeds resulting from the forfeiture of Shaboski’s residence.
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