District of Maine
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Gorham Man Sentenced to 5 Years Probation for Wire Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A Gorham man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Portland for participating in a wire fraud conspiracy, U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced.
U.S. District Judge Nancy Torresen sentenced Michael Barden, 67, to probation for five years. In addition, Judge Torresen held Barden liable for restitution in an amount to be determined at a future proceeding. Barden pleaded guilty to a one-count information charging him with a wire fraud conspiracy on January 31, 2020.
According to information revealed in court, Barden met an individual online and began a virtual romance. Barden never met this individual in person. Beginning in August, this person used credit card accounts illegally obtained to make online purchases from retailers in Maine and elsewhere. Barden would pick up or accept delivery of the merchandise and then sell it through online marketplace websites. He would keep a small share of the proceeds and wire the rest of the proceeds overseas. In addition, he assisted this person in fraudulently purchasing a motor vehicle online by posing as the buyer and using the buyer’s identification to complete the purchase. It is estimated the conspiracy stole between $40,000 and $95,000.
“The defendant in this case was drawn into criminal activity through what he thought was an online relationship,” U.S. Attorney Frank said. “Maine residents need to be wary of any online solicitations for friendships or romances from people they do not know. Scammers overseas are using Mainers to assist in criminal activity that can lead to federal felony convictions for all involved.”
This prosecution was the result of a collaborative investigation conducted by the U.S. Secret Service and the Maine State Police.
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Burlington Woman Sentenced for Mailing Anthrax Threat to Sen. Susan CollinsRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Burlington, Maine woman was sentenced in federal court in Bangor today for mailing a threatening communication to Sen. Susan Collins, U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced.
U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Suzanne Muscara, 38, to 30 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. On November 4, 2019, following a one-day trial, a jury convicted Muscara of mailing a threatening communication.
According to evidence presented at trial, Muscara mailed a letter containing a white powder to Collins’ Bangor address in October 2018. The letter also contained a handwritten note indicating that the powder was anthrax. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service intercepted the letter at a mail sorting facility in Hampden, Maine. The FBI tested the white powder and found that it did not contain toxic substances. The FBI also matched a fingerprint found on the envelope with one of Muscara’s prints. When interviewed, Muscara made clear that she sent the note because she was upset with Collins because of one of her votes.
“American politics is premised on free speech and vigorous debate,” U.S. Attorney, District of Maine, Halsey Frank said. “True threats are not protected speech. They are a crime. Anthrax is a deadly substance that has been used to kill and terrorize. There is nothing funny about it, and the jury in this case rejected the defendant’s claim that her letter was intended as a joke. My thanks to the federal, state and local investigators who worked together as a team to identify this defendant and bring her to justice.”
The FBI, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Maine Office of State Fire Marshal, the Maine State Police and the Old Town Police Department investigated the case.
Sanford Man Sentenced for Transferring Obscene Material to a MinorRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: A Sanford man was sentenced in federal court in Portland for transferring obscene material to a minor, U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced.
U.S. District Judge Jon D. Levy sentenced Dylan Neill, 39, to 41 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Neill pleaded guilty in November 2019.
According to court records, in October 2018, Neill used a social media application to send a series of videos and images to a minor under 16 years old. Several of the videos depicted Neill repeatedly penetrating the anus of an adult female with his fingers.
The Sanford Police Department and the FBI investigated the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by 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.justice.gov/psc.
Maine Man Sentenced for Federal Hate Crime ConvictionsRead the Press Release
The Justice Department today announced the sentencing of Maurice Diggins, 36, of Biddeford, Maine, in federal court for his role in a series of racially motivated assaults against black men in Maine.
Diggins was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Nancy Torresen to 10 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. On March 10, 2020, following a three-day trial, a jury convicted Diggins of conspiring to commit hate crimes and of actually committing hate crimes.
“The defendant committed a series of unprovoked violent attacks on innocent men because of those men’s race,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband for the Civil Rights Division. “Today’s sentence, and the jury’s previous verdict in this case, demonstrate that the legal system will not tolerate such acts of racist violence. The Department of Justice will continue to prosecute race-based violations of our federal civil rights laws.”
“In addition to doing grievous harm to individuals, hate crimes engender fear in communities,” said U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank of the District of Maine. “Violence has no place in Maine, and that is especially true of violence that is motivated by hate. Maine citizens, regardless of skin color, ethnicity, or sexual orientation have a right to live their lives free of harassment, much less physical violence. Today’s sentencing should make clear that we have no tolerance for hate crimes. I would like to thank the victims for their courage to confront their assailant, and our law enforcement officers at both the state and federal level who helped prosecute this important case.”
“Mr. Diggins’ actions were cowardly and racially motivated. It is our hope that today’s sentence will help his victims and their families with the healing process while also making it crystal clear that we will not stand for violence, especially borne from hate,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Rest assured, the FBI and our law enforcement partners will aggressively pursue anyone who commits these violent acts to ensure the civil rights of all Americans are protected.”
According to evidence presented at trial, on April 15, 2018, defendant Diggins and his nephew, Dusty Leo (who previously pled guilty in connection with this case), committed two separate racially motivated assaults, one in Portland and one in Biddeford. In the Portland assault, which occurred just before 1:00 a.m., Diggins attacked a black Sudanese male without provocation, breaking the victim’s jaw. During that same incident, Diggins and Leo assaulted another black man who was standing nearby. Witnesses heard Diggins and Leo using racial epithets during the incidents.
In the second incident, which occurred approximately an hour later and approximately 20 miles away in Biddeford, defendant Diggins and Leo drove in Leo’s truck into the parking lot of a convenience store, where Diggins got out of the truck and approached a black man who was walking toward the store’s entrance. Diggins directed a racial slur at the man and distracted him while Leo got out of the truck and sucker-punched him in the jaw, knocking him to the ground. The unprovoked attack broke the victim’s jaw in several places.
The Biddeford Police Department and the FBI investigated the case. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sheila Sawyer and Civil Rights Division Trial Attorney Tim Visser.
Biddeford Man Sentenced for Federal Hate Crime ConvictionsRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: A Biddeford man was sentenced in federal court in Portland for his role in a series of racially motivated assaults against black men in Maine, U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced.
U.S. District Judge Nancy Torresen sentenced Maurice Diggins, 36, to 10 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. On March 10, 2020, following a three-day trial, a jury convicted Diggins of conspiring to commit hate crimes and of actually committing hate crimes.
“The defendant committed a series of unprovoked violent attacks on innocent men because of those men’s race,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband for the Civil Rights Division. “Today’s sentence, and the jury’s previous verdict in this case, demonstrate that the legal system will not tolerate such acts of racist violence. The Department of Justice will continue to prosecute race-based violations of our federal civil rights laws.”
“In addition to doing grievous harm to individuals, hate crimes engender fear in communities,” said U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank of the District of Maine. “Violence has no place in Maine, and that is especially true of violence that is motivated by hate. Maine citizens, regardless of skin color, ethnicity, or sexual orientation have a right to live their lives free of harassment, much less physical violence. Today’s sentencing should make clear that we have no tolerance for hate crimes. I would like to thank the victims for their courage to confront their assailant, and our law enforcement officers at both the state and federal level who helped prosecute this important case.”
“Mr. Diggins’ actions were cowardly and racially motivated. It is our hope that today’s sentence will help his victims and their families with the healing process while also making it crystal clear that we will not stand for violence, especially borne from hate,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Rest assured, the FBI and our law enforcement partners will aggressively pursue anyone who commits these violent acts to ensure the civil rights of all Americans are protected.”
According to evidence presented at trial, on April 15, 2018, defendant Diggins and his nephew, Dusty Leo (who previously pleaded guilty in connection with this case), committed two separate racially motivated assaults, one in Portland and one in Biddeford. In the Portland assault, which occurred just before 1:00 a.m., Diggins attacked a black Sudanese male without provocation, breaking the victim’s jaw. During that same incident, Diggins and Leo assaulted another black man who was standing nearby. Witnesses heard Diggins and Leo using racial epithets during the incidents.
In the second incident, which occurred approximately an hour later and approximately 20 miles away in Biddeford, defendant Diggins and Leo drove in Leo’s truck into the parking lot of a convenience store, where Diggins got out of the truck and approached a black man who was walking toward the store’s entrance. Diggins directed a racial slur at the man and distracted him while Leo got out of the truck and sucker-punched him in the jaw, knocking him to the ground. The unprovoked attack broke the victim’s jaw in several places.
The Biddeford Police Department and the FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sheila Sawyer and Civil Rights Division Trial Attorney Tim Visser prosecuted the case.
Augusta Man Sentenced to 8 Years for Gun and Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: An Augusta man was sentenced in federal court in Bangor for possessing fentanyl with intent to distribute and possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced.
U.S. District Court Judge Lance Walker sentenced Keith Holmes, 24, to three years imprisonment for the fentanyl charge, followed by a consecutive term of five years imprisonment for the firearms charge. Judge Walker also sentenced Holmes to three years of supervised release. Holmes pleaded guilty on January 10, 2020.
According to court records, Holmes was found in his Augusta apartment on May 14, 2019, with bags of a mixture containing fentanyl packed for individual sales, as well as cash and four firearms. Other evidence found in his apartment indicated he was causing drug proceeds to be sent to individuals in New York State. In imposing the sentence, Judge Walker described the crimes as a “morbid” business, and noted the danger such acts present to the community.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and the Augusta Police Department investigated the case.
Connecticut Man Sentenced on Federal Drug ChargeRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Waterbury, Connecticut man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Bangor for possessing heroin with intent to distribute, U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced.
U.S. District Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. sentenced Carlos Pemberton, a/k/a “Pepa,” 43, to 46 months in prison, three years of supervised release and a $5,000 fine. Pemberton pleaded guilty in January 2020.
According to court records, on March 26, 2018, officers with the Indian Township Police Department conducting a child welfare check at a residence in Indian Township discovered Pemberton in a bedroom. Pemberton was in possession of a backpack and a duffle bag that contained, among other items, heroin and drug paraphernalia. He was also in possession of $7,266.00 in cash.
The Indian Township Police Department and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case.
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U.S. Attorney Announces 19th National Prescription Drug Take Back DayRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: U.S. Attorney Halsey Frank announced today that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is holding its 19th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 24, 2020, at locations throughout the State of Maine. The nationwide event aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications.
Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.
Collection sites will adhere to local COVID-19 guidelines and regulations in order to maintain the safety of all participants and local law enforcement.
“This is a great opportunity for Maine citizens to help ensure they are not contributing to the State’s drug addiction crisis,” U.S. Attorney Frank said. “The misuse of prescription drugs contributes greatly to the addiction problems we are seeing in this state. Disposing of them in a controlled environment is an excellent way to ensure they are not abused, so I encourage everyone to take part in Prescription Drug Take Back Day.”
“The initiative – now in its tenth year – addresses a vital public safety and public health issue,” said DEA Acting Administrator Timothy Shea. “Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Together with our partners, we are not only holding National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, but offering other ways to dispose of unwanted, unused, and expired prescription medications.”
“Our take-back events highlight the problems associated to prescription drug abuse and gives our citizens an opportunity to contribute to the solution,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle. “These efforts help remove unwanted, expired and unused prescription pills that can be abused, stolen or resold which helps our continued dedication to combat the prescription pill, fentanyl and heroin epidemic of substance abuse and addiction.”
Given the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency, DEA wants to ensure that the public is aware of other ways they can dispose of unwanted prescription drugs without having to leave their homes. Both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency have tips on how to safely dispose of drugs at home.
In addition to DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, prescription drugs can be disposed of at any of the 11,000 DEA authorized collectors at any time throughout the year. For more information, visit: https://apps2.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubdispsearch/spring/main?execution=e1s1.
DEA also encourages the public to reach out to their local law enforcement agency to find out if they have any permanent drug disposal locations throughout their local community.
DEA and its partners will collect tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms. DEA will also accept vape pens or other e-cigarette devices from individual consumers, only after the batteries are removed from the devices. If the battery cannot be removed, individual consumers can check with large electronic chain stores who may accept the vape pen or e-cigarette devices for proper disposal. Liquids, including intravenous solutions, syringes and other sharps, and illegal drugs cannot be dropped off. This service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
For more information on DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, and to find a collection site in Maine, visit www.deatakeback.com.
Justice Department Announces Global Resolution of Criminal and Civil Investigations with Opioid Manufacturer Purdue Pharma and Civil Settlement with Members of the Sackler FamilyRead the Press Release
Today, the Department of Justice announced a global resolution of its criminal and civil investigations into the opioid manufacturer Purdue Pharma LP (Purdue), and a civil resolution of its civil investigation into individual shareholders from the Sackler family. The resolutions with Purdue are subject to the approval of the bankruptcy court.
“The abuse and diversion of prescription opioids has contributed to a national tragedy of addiction and deaths, in addition to those caused by illicit street opioids,” said Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey A. Rosen. “With criminal guilty pleas, a federal settlement of more than $8 billion, and the dissolution of a company and repurposing its assets entirely for the public’s benefit, the resolution in today’s announcement re-affirms that the Department of Justice will not relent in its multi-pronged efforts to combat the opioids crisis.”
“Today’s resolution is the result of years of hard work by the FBI and its partners to combat the opioid crisis in the U.S.,” said Steven M. D’Antuono, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office. “Purdue, through greed and violation of the law, prioritized money over the health and well-being of patients. The FBI remains committed to holding companies accountable for their illegal and inexcusable activity and to seeking justice, on behalf of the victims, for those who contributed to the opioid crisis.”
“The opioid epidemic remains a significant public health challenge that impacts the lives of men and women across the country,” said Gary L. Cantrell Deputy Inspector General for Investigations at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General. “Unfortunately, Purdue’s reckless actions and violation of the law senselessly risked patients’ health and well-being. With our law enforcement partners, we will continue to combat the opioid crisis, including holding the pharmaceutical industry and its executives accountable.”
“This resolution closes a particularly sad chapter in the ongoing battle against opioid addiction,” said Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Assistant Administrator Tim McDermott. “Purdue Pharma actively thwarted the United States’ efforts to ensure compliance and prevent diversion. The devastating ripple effect of Purdue’s actions left lives lost and others addicted. DEA will continue to work tirelessly with our partners and the pharmaceutical industry to address the damage that has been done, and bring an end to this epidemic that has gripped the nation for far too long.”
Purdue Pharma has agreed to plead guilty in federal court in New Jersey to a three-count felony information charging it with one count of dual-object conspiracy to defraud the United States and to violate the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and two counts of conspiracy to violate the Federal Anti-Kickback Statute. The criminal resolution includes the largest penalties ever levied against a pharmaceutical manufacturer, including a criminal fine of $3.544 billion and an additional $2 billion in criminal forfeiture. For the $2 billion forfeiture, the company will pay $225 million on the effective date of the bankruptcy, and, as further explained below, the department is willing to credit the value conferred by the company to State and local governments under the department’s anti-piling on and coordination policy. Purdue has also agreed to a civil settlement in the amount of $2.8 billion to resolve its civil liability under the False Claims Act. Separately, the Sackler family has agreed to pay $225 million in damages to resolve its civil False Claims Act liability.
The resolutions do not include the criminal release of any individuals, including members of the Sackler family, nor are any of the company’s executives or employees receiving civil releases.
While the global resolution with the company is subject to approval by the bankruptcy court in the Southern District of New York, one important condition in the resolution is that the company would cease to operate in its current form and would instead emerge from bankruptcy as a public benefit company (PBC) owned by a trust or similar entity designed for the benefit of the American public, to function entirely in the public interest. Indeed, not only will the PBC endeavor to deliver legitimate prescription drugs in a manner as safe as possible, but it will aim to donate, or provide steep discounts for, life-saving overdose rescue drugs and medically assisted treatment medications to communities, and the proceeds of the trust will be directed toward State and local opioid abatement programs. Based on the value that would be conferred to State and local governments through the PBC, the department is willing to credit up to $1.775 billion against the agreed $2 billion forfeiture amount. The department looks forward to working with the creditor groups in the bankruptcy in charting the path forward for this PBC so that its public health goals can be best accomplished.
The Criminal Pleas
As part of the plea, Purdue will admit that from May 2007 through at least March 2017, Purdue conspired to defraud the United States by impeding the lawful function of the DEA by representing to the DEA that Purdue maintained an effective anti-diversion program when, in fact, Purdue continued to market its opioid products to more than 100 health care providers whom the company had good reason to believe were diverting opioids and by reporting misleading information to the DEA to boost Purdue’s manufacturing quotas. The misleading information comprised prescription data that included prescriptions written by doctors that Purdue had good reason to believe were engaged in diversion. The conspiracy also involved aiding and abetting violations of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act by facilitating the dispensing of its opioid products, including OxyContin, without a legitimate medical purpose, and thus without lawful prescriptions.
In addition, Purdue will admit to conspiring to violate the Federal Anti-Kickback Statute. Between June 2009 and March 2017, Purdue made payments to two doctors through Purdue’s doctor speaker program to induce those doctors to write more prescriptions of Purdue’s opioid products. Similarly, from approximately April 2016 through December 2016, Purdue made payments to Practice Fusion Inc., an electronic health records company, in exchange for referring, recommending, and arranging for the ordering of Purdue’s extended release opioid products – OxyContin, Butrans, and Hysingla.
The Civil Settlements
The department’s civil settlements resolve the United States’ claims as to both Purdue and its individual shareholders, members of the Sackler family.
The civil settlement with Purdue provides the United States with an allowed, unsubordinated, general unsecured bankruptcy claim for recovery of $2.8 billion. This settlement resolves allegations that from 2010 to 2018, Purdue caused false claims to be submitted to federal health care programs, specifically Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, and the Indian Health Service. The government alleged that Purdue promoted its opioid drugs to health care providers it knew were prescribing opioids for uses that were unsafe, ineffective, and medically unnecessary, and that often led to abuse and diversion. For example, Purdue learned that one doctor was known by patients as “the Candyman” and was prescribing “crazy dosing of OxyContin,” yet Purdue had sales representatives meet with the doctor more than 300 times. It also resolves the government’s allegations that Purdue engaged in three different kickback schemes to induce prescriptions of its opioids. First, Purdue paid certain doctors ostensibly to provide educational talks to other health care professionals and serve as consultants, but in reality to induce them to prescribe more OxyContin. Second, Purdue paid kickbacks to Practice Fusion, as described above. Third, Purdue entered into contracts with certain specialty pharmacies to fill prescriptions for Purdue’s opioid drugs that other pharmacies had rejected as potentially lacking medical necessity.
Under a separate civil settlement, individual members of the Sackler family will pay the United States $225 million arising from the alleged conduct of Dr. Richard Sackler, David Sackler, Mortimer D.A. Sackler, Dr. Kathe Sackler, and Jonathan Sackler (the Named Sacklers). This settlement resolves allegations that, in 2012, the Named Sacklers knew that the legitimate market for Purdue’s opioids had contracted. Nevertheless, they requested that Purdue executives recapture lost sales and increase Purdue’s share of the opioid market. The Named Sacklers then approved a new marketing program beginning in 2013 called “Evolve to Excellence,” through which Purdue sales representatives intensified their marketing of OxyContin to extreme, high-volume prescribers who were already writing “25 times as many OxyContin scripts” as their peers, causing health care providers to prescribe opioids for uses that were unsafe, ineffective, and medically unnecessary, and that often led to abuse and diversion.
The civil settlement also resolves the government’s allegations that from approximately 2008 to 2018, at the Named Sacklers’ request, Purdue transferred assets into Sackler family holding companies and trusts that were made to hinder future creditors, and/or were otherwise voidable as fraudulent transfers.
Today’s resolution does not resolve claims that states may have against Purdue or members of the Sackler family, nor does it impede the debtors’ ability to recover any fraudulent transfers.
Today’s announcement was made by Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey A. Rosen; Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Civil Division Jeffrey Clark; U.S. Attorney for the District of Vermont Christina Nolan; and First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Rachael Honig. The criminal investigation was conducted by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Districts of New Jersey and Vermont, the Consumer Protection Branch of the Department of Justice’s Civil Division, and the FBI’s Washington, D.C. and Newark Field Offices, with assistance by DEA. The civil settlements were handled by the Fraud Section of the Commercial Litigation Branch of the Department of Justice’s Civil Division, and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Districts of New Jersey and Vermont, with assistance from the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of General Counsel and Office of Counsel to the Inspector General; the Defense Health Agency; and the Office of Personnel Management. The Purdue bankruptcy matter is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Corporate/Finance Section.
Except to the extent of Purdue’s admissions as part of its criminal resolution, the claims resolved by the civil settlements are allegations only. There has been no determination of liability in the civil matters.
U.S. Attorney Appoints Election Officers to Respond to Election Fraud or Voting Rights Complaints in MaineRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: U.S. Attorney Halsey Frank announced today that Assistant U.S. Attorneys (AUSAs) John Osborn and Andrew McCormack will lead the efforts of his office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 3 general election. AUSAs Osborn and McCormack have been appointed as the District Election Officers for the District of Maine. In that capacity they will be responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of complaints of election fraud and voting rights concerns in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
“Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted without it being stolen because of fraud,” U.S. Attorney Frank said. “The Department of Justice will always use whatever means are necessary to protect the integrity of the election process.”
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring election fraud and discrimination at the polls, and combating these violations whenever and wherever they occur. The Department’s long-standing Election Day Program furthers these goals, and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the election process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible election fraud and voting rights violations while the polls are open through Election Day.
Federal law protects against such crimes as intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from acts that intimidate or harass them. For example, actions of persons designed to interrupt or intimidate voters at polling places by questioning or challenging them, or by photographing or videotaping them, under the pretext that these are actions to uncover illegal voting may violate federal voting rights law. Further, federal law protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or illiteracy).
The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of election fraud or voting rights concerns during the voting period that ends on November 3, 2020, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSAs Osborn and McCormack will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. Osborn can be reached in Portland at 207-771-3214, and McCormack can be reached in Bangor at 207-262-4615.
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on Election Day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at 207-774-9322.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by phone at 800-253-3931 or by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/.
Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.
“Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the cooperation of the American electorate,” said U.S. Attorney Frank. “It is imperative that those who have specific information about discrimination or election fraud make that information available to my Office, the FBI, or the Civil Rights Division.”
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
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U.S. Attorney Halsey Frank Announces More than $1 Million in Justice Department Grants to Combat Addiction CrisisRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: U.S. Attorney Halsey Frank today announced awards of more than $1 million in Department of Justice grants to fight drug abuse and addiction in Maine. The grants were awarded by the Department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP) and are part of more than $341 million going to communities nationwide.
Cumberland County will receive $899,824 in funding, and the Maine Department of Public Safety will receive $149,915.
Illegal drugs and illicit drug use have claimed the lives of nearly 400,000 Americans since the turn of the century. Powerful synthetic opioids like fentanyl are exacting an enormous toll on families and communities, and an emergence in the use of methamphetamines and other psychostimulants is drawing drug traffickers and driving up overdose rates. Three years ago, President Trump declared a Public Health Emergency and initiated a whole-of-government approach dedicated to ending this national tragedy. The Department of Justice has invested unprecedented levels of funding in combating the addiction crisis. The awards announced today build on those earlier investments.
“The addiction crisis has taken an enormous toll on America’s families and communities, eroding public health, threatening public safety and claiming tens of thousands of lives year after year,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “Through comprehensive measures taken by this administration, we have been able to curtail the opioid epidemic, but new and powerful drugs are presenting exceptional challenges that we must be prepared to meet. The Justice Department’s substantial investments in enforcement, response, and treatment will help us overcome these challenges and work towards freeing Americans from abuse and addiction.”
“Maine has been particularly hard hit by the opioid crisis,” U.S. Attorney Frank said. “Last year, the state saw 380 overdose deaths—a seven percent increase over the previous year—and statistics indicate the numbers have been on the rise again during the pandemic. What the statistics don’t tell is the individual tragedies each of one these deaths represents: the loss of a Mainer’s father, mother, son, daughter, friend or neighbor. Our law enforcement partners and treatment facilities need all the resources at their disposal to fight this crisis, so I am pleased to announce this federal funding.”
“If we hope to defeat an enemy as powerful, persistent and adaptable as illicit drugs, we must be at least as determined and versatile, focusing our ingenuity and resources on curbing abuse and fighting addiction,” said OJP’s Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. “These grants will enable criminal justice officials and substance abuse, mental health and other medical professionals to pool their assets and bring the full weight of our public safety and treatment systems down on this epidemic that has already caused so much harm.”
Funding is made available through OJP’s Bureau of Justice Assistance, National Institute of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime and Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
For a complete list of individual grant programs, award amounts, and jurisdictions that will receive funding, click here. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years
U.S. Attorney Halsey Frank Announces $750,000 to Support Mental Health Programs for Those in Contact with Justice Systems in Penobscot CountyRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: U.S. Attorney Halsey Frank today announced that the Department of Justice is providing Penobscot County with $750,000 in grants to support adult and juvenile justice initiatives designed to reduce crime and recidivism associated with mental illness and co-occurring disorders.
Provided through the Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP), the funding supports efforts that establish collaborative anti-recidivism comprehensive care before, during, and after incarceration for persons with serious mental illness. The funding also supports training and technical assistance to law enforcement, other criminal justice agencies and their partner mental health and substance abuse authorities to improve outcomes for youth with mental illness or co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders.
“I believe this funding will be of tremendous value to law enforcement in Penobscot County, the judicial system, and those who are coping with mental illness,” U.S. Attorney Frank said. “Too often, those who could have been helped with early mental health treatment find themselves intertwined with our legal system. Hopefully, this funding will make a difference.”
“More and more people with mental illness are coming into contact with the criminal justice system, straining law enforcement resources and placing exceptional demands on our jails and prisons,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. “By supporting partnerships between justice system professionals and treatment providers, we are making substantial investments in addressing the link between mental health and public safety.”
For a complete list of individual grant programs, award amounts and jurisdictions that will receive funding, click here. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years
United States Attorney Announces Update on Initiative to Reduce Gun ViolenceRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: Today U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank provided an update on the status of Project Guardian, a Department of Justice initiative designed to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws across the country. Project Guardian is a complement to the Department’s longstanding Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) anti-violence program, and focuses on investigating, prosecuting and preventing gun crimes.
“Reducing gun violence and enforcing federal firearms laws through PSN have always been among the highest priorities for the Department, but federal law enforcement represents only about 15 percent of all law enforcement resources nationwide,” said U.S. Attorney Frank. “Our ability to combat gun violence in Maine depends on our partnerships with state and local stakeholders, and Project Guardian enhances those partnerships.”
The Project Guardian initiative, launched in November 2019, promotes a multi-disciplinary approach to addressing gun violence involving those dealing with domestic violence and mental health issues. One of the initiative’s principles is regular consultation with relevant agencies and organizations to assess the feasibility of adopting disruption and early engagement programs. These programs focus on individuals prohibited from possessing firearms because of mental health issues and domestic abusers who attempt to acquire firearms.
“The strength of PSN Maine continues to be the involvement of dedicated and informed stakeholders who serve on a Task Force with representatives from throughout the State,” said U.S. Attorney Frank. “This year we welcomed an additional number of dedicated professionals from a variety of agencies and organizations to serve on our Project Guardian Working Group.” The working group will assist law enforcement in pursuit of a holistic response to potential gun violence involving individuals struggling with mental illness and/or domestic violence in Maine communities.
Representative agency/organizations serving on the Working Group include: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office; Cumberland County Violence Intervention Partnership; FBI; Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services; Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence; Maine Department of Education, Maine School Safety Center; Maine Drug Enforcement Agency; Maine State Forensic Service; Maine State Police; Muskie School of Public Service; National Alliance on Mental Illness; Northern Light, Acadia Hospital Community & Pediatric Services; Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office; Penobscot & Piscataquis County District Attorney; and United States Secret Service.
As part of the Project Guardian initiative, U.S. Attorney Frank is hosting a virtual meeting of the Working Group today. The meeting will focus on the preparation of a statewide list of mental health and domestic violence-related community resources that Maine law enforcement agencies can reference.
Rhode Island Man Sentenced to 23 Months for Fraudulently Acquiring Firearms from a Licensed DealerRead the Press Release
Portland, Maine: A Rhode Island man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Portland for providing false information in connection with the acquisition of firearms from a licensed dealer, U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced.
U.S. District Court Judge Nancy Torresen sentenced Salvador Rodrigues, 23, of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, to 23 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Rodrigues pleaded guilty on November 21, 2019.
According to court records, on five separate occasions between April 2018 and August 2018, Rodrigues purchased firearms from Kittery Trading Post. During each of the five purchases, Rodrigues presented an invalid Maine driver’s license and/or falsely claimed in writing that he had not been convicted of a felony offense. In fact, he had been convicted in Rhode Island of felony possession of a pistol without a license and a felony drug offense in May 2018.
The Pawtucket Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. For more information about PSN please visit www.justice.gov/psn.
DOJ Charges More Than 14,200 Defendants with Firearms-Related Crimes in Fiscal Year 2020Read the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: The Department of Justice announced that it has charged more than 14,200 defendants with firearms-related crimes during Fiscal Year (FY) 2020, despite the challenges of COVID-19 and its impact on the criminal justice process.
These cases have been a Department priority since November 2019 when Attorney General William P. Barr announced his commitment to investigating, prosecuting and combatting gun crimes as a critical part of the Department’s anti-violent crime strategy. These firearms-related charges are the result of the critical law enforcement partnership between United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, led by Acting Director Regina Lombardo, who has made firearms-related investigations a priority.
“The number one priority of government is to keep its citizens safe,” said Attorney General Barr. “By preventing firearms from falling into the hands of individuals who are prohibited from having them, we can stop violent crime before it happens. Violating federal firearms laws is a serious crime and offenders face serious consequences. The Department of Justice is committed to investigating and prosecuting individuals who illegally buy, sell, use or possess firearms. Reducing gun violence requires a coordinated effort, and we could not have charged more than 14,000 individuals with firearms-related crimes without the hard work of the dedicated law enforcement professionals at the ATF, our U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country, and especially all of our state and local law enforcement partners.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine charged 25 defendants with firearms-related crimes in FY 2020, U.S. Attorney Halsey Frank announced.
“Our office has always prioritized bringing to justice those who are in illegal possession of firearms, and will continue to so,” Frank said. “The prosecutions we have pursued here in Maine underscore our commitment to keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of those who are prohibited from having them.”
Under federal law, it is illegal to possess a firearm if you fall into one of nine prohibited categories including being a felon, illegal alien or unlawful user of a controlled substance. Further, it is unlawful to possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense or violent crime. It is also illegal to purchase—or even to attempt to illegally purchase—firearms if the buyer is a prohibited person or illegally purchasing a firearm on behalf of others. Lying on ATF Form 4473, which is used to lawfully purchase a firearm, is also a federal offense. The Department is committed to prosecuting these firearms offenses as well as using all modern technologies available to law enforcement such as the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, known as NIBIN, to promote gun crime intelligence. Keeping illegal firearms out of the hands of violent criminals will continue to be a priority of the Department of Justice and we will use all appropriate, available means to keep the law-abiding people of this country safe from gun crime.
For more information on the lawful purchasing of firearms, please see: https://www.atf.gov/qa-category/atf-form-4473.
U.S. Attorney Halsey Frank Informs Maine Voters About Potential Election Crimes Ahead of November 2020 ElectionRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: Fair elections are the foundation of our democracy in the United States, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine is committed to protecting the rights of all Americans to vote. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is issuing this press release to inform voters about federal election crimes and how to avoid them, and to encourage voters to report suspected violations.
“Voting is one of the foundational rights and responsibilities of all Americans,” said U.S. Attorney Halsey Frank. “Elections must remain free and fair to ensure voters' voices are truly heard. As Mainers get ready to vote, they should remain vigilant and report any suspected criminal scheme targeting voters to the FBI immediately.”
Election Crimes
Election crimes threaten the legitimacy of elections and undermine public confidence in our democracy. Election crimes fall into four broad categories:
- Ballot fraud
- Civil rights violations, such as voter suppression or voter intimidation
- Campaign finance violations
- Patronage offenses
While individual states and localities have the constitutional authority and responsibility to manage elections and have their own election laws, an election crime becomes a federal crime when one or more of the following occurs:
- A ballot includes one or more federal candidates
- Election or polling place officials abuse their office
- The conduct involves false voter registration
- The crime is motivated by hostility toward minority protected classes
- The activity violates federal campaign finance law
Examples of federal election crimes include, but are not limited to:
- Giving false information when registering to vote
- Voting more than once
- Changing ballot markings or otherwise tampering with ballots
- Compensating voters
- Threatening voters with physical or financial harm
- Intentionally lying about the time, manner or place of an election to prevent qualified voters from voting
- Political fundraising by federal employees
- Campaign contributions above legal limits
- Conduit contributions
- Contributions from foreign or other prohibited sources
- Use of campaign funds for personal or unauthorized purposes
Distinguishing between legal and criminal conduct is critical for ensuring the integrity of U.S. elections. The following activities are not federal election crimes:
- Giving voters rides to the polls or time off to vote
- Offering voters a stamp to mail a ballot
- Making false claims about oneself or another candidate
- Forging or faking nominating petitions
- Campaigning too close to polling places
The Department of Justice, through the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI, plays an important role in preventing violations of Mainers’ constitutional rights, including their right to vote. Report any instances of potential election crimes to your local FBI field office as soon as possible.
Voter Suppression
Intentionally deceiving qualified voters to prevent them from voting is voter suppression—and it is a federal crime.
Do you know when, where, and how you will vote? If not, there are many reputable places you can find this information, including eac.gov, usa.gov/how-to-vote and https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/voter-info/index.html. However, not all publicly available voting information is accurate, and some is deliberately designed to deceive you to suppress turnout.
Bad actors use various methods to spread disinformation about voting, such as social media platforms, texting, or peer-to-peer messaging applications on smartphones. These bad actors may provide misleading information about the time, manner or place of voting. This can include inaccurate election dates or false claims about voting qualifications or methods, such as false information suggesting that one may vote by text, which is not allowed in any jurisdiction.
Always consider the source of voting information. Ask yourself, “Can I trust this information?” Look for official notices from election offices and verify the information you found is accurate.
Help defend the right to vote by reporting any suspected instances of voter suppression— especially those received through a private communication channel like texting—to your local FBI field office.
Recommendations for Protecting Your Vote
- Know when, where, and how you will vote.
- Seek out election information from trustworthy sources, verify who produced the content, and consider their intent.
- Report potential election crimes—such as disinformation about the manner, time or place of voting—to the FBI.
- If appropriate, make use of in-platform tools offered by social media companies for reporting suspicious posts that appear to be spreading false or inconsistent information about voting and elections.
- Research individuals and entities to whom you are making political donations. If something seems suspicious, reconsider the donation.
Scam PACs
Making political contributions can be a powerful way to exercise your First Amendment rights. But some individuals and groups soliciting contributions are bad actors trying to enrich themselves at your expense.
The billions of dollars in political spending each election cycle attracts criminals who use deception to cheat Americans out of their hard-earned money. The FBI assesses that seniors are at a high risk of being targeted.
Scam PACs are fraudulent political action committees designed to reroute political contributions for personal financial gain. This is a federal crime. Signs that a PAC is a scam include the PAC and its website disappearing, and the phone number going out of service.
If you or someone you know has been targeted by a scam PAC, contact your local FBI field office and ask to speak to an election crimes coordinator.
Victim Reporting and Additional Information
Mainers should report information concerning suspicious or criminal activity to their local FBI field office. The telephone number for the FBI’s Boston field office, which covers Maine and several other states, is (857) 386-2000. For additional election-related assistance and resources, please visit the following FBI webpages:
- Election Crimes and Security
- Protected Voices
Maine to Receive More Than $600,000 in Federal Funding for Forensic ScienceRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: U.S. Attorney Halsey Frank today announced $639,654 in Department of Justice grants to the District of Maine to fund crime laboratories, decrease DNA backlogs, support basic and applied forensic research and help law enforcement identify missing persons. The grants, awarded by the Department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP), are part of $192 million in funding to advance forensic science nationwide.
The Maine Department of Public Safety will receive $264,698, and the Maine State Police will receive $374,956.
“Developments in forensic science have given investigators an extraordinary array of tools that can be enlisted to solve crimes and bring answers to victims and survivors, often after many years and even decades,” said OJP Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. “These investments in crime-fighting technology, from DNA analysis to drug toxicology to forensic anthropology, will help identify and convict perpetrators, ensure justice for innocent victims and keep communities safe by deterring future criminal activity.”
“I am very pleased to share the news about this important federal funding,” U.S. Attorney Frank said. “The use of DNA for solving crimes has only been around for a few decades, but it’s already been an enormous game-changer, for police agencies here in Maine and across the nation. This ever-evolving science will be of tremendous benefit to crime investigations here in Maine, and to crime victims.”
Since 2004, OJP has received an annual appropriation for DNA and other forensic science activities. The funding, administered through OJP’s Bureau of Justice Assistance and National Institute of Justice, supports DNA analysis, laboratory capacity enhancement and forensic science research that provides knowledge and tools to improve the quality and practice of forensic science.
More information about the programs and awards announced today is available here: OJP Awards Data webpage.
OJP, directed by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan, provides federal leadership, grants, training and technical assistance, and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, assist victims and enhance the rule of law by strengthening the criminal and juvenile justice systems. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Turner Man Sentenced to Six Years in Prison for Cultivating Marijuana and Other OffensesRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: A Turner man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Portland for manufacturing 100 or more marijuana plants, possessing with intent to distribute marijuana, possessing an unregistered silencer and transferring property subject to forfeiture, U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced.
U.S. District Judge George Z. Singal sentenced Andrew Waite, 32, to six years in prison and four years of supervised release. Judge Singal also ordered Waite to pay a $10,000 fine. Waite pleaded guilty on October 16, 2019.
According to court records, on February 27, 2018, law enforcement officers searched Waite’s residence and two warehouses under his control. In the warehouses, agents seized more than 500 pounds of marijuana, 104 sheets of marijuana concentrate and more than 350 marijuana plants. In his residence, agents seized approximately 100 pounds of marijuana, approximately $216,000 in United States currency, a 2010 Ferrari, firearms, ammunition and a silencer with no markings or serial number.
On April 18, 2018, Waite transferred title of his residence to his brother in order to prevent or impair seizure of the property for criminal forfeiture. In May 2020, Judge Singal ordered that residence criminally forfeited for facilitating the drug offenses.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the IRS Criminal Investigation Division investigated the case.
The prosecution is a result of the ongoing efforts by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Program, a partnership between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The OCDETF mission is to identify, investigate, and prosecute high-level members of drug trafficking enterprises, bringing together the combined expertise and unique abilities of federal, state, and local law enforcement.
DOJ Charges 500+ Domestic Violence-Related Firearm Cases in FY20Read the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: The Department of Justice announced that it has charged more than 500 domestic violence cases involving firearms during Fiscal Year (FY) 2020. A Department priority since 2019 when Attorney General William P. Barr created the Department of Justice’s first ever-Domestic Violence Working Group, these charges are the result of the critical law enforcement partnership between United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, led by Acting Director Regina Lombardo, who has made domestic violence firearms-related investigations a priority.
“Keeping firearms out of the hands of dangerous criminal offenders is one of the Department of Justice’s top priorities,” said Attorney General Barr. “This is especially important when it comes to individuals with prior domestic violence convictions. The statistics are clear that when domestic violence offenders have access to guns, their partners and their families are at much greater risk of falling victim to gun violence. In fact, in some communities across America, roughly half of the homicides are related to domestic violence. The Department of Justice is committed to keeping guns out of the hands of those who are prohibited from having them, and we will continue investigating and prosecuting all domestic violence firearms related crimes.”
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine has always prioritized prosecuting firearms crimes related to domestic violence, and will continue to do so,” said U.S. Attorney Halsey Frank. “October is National Domestic Violence Awareness month, and it is a good time to reaffirm our commitment to having zero tolerance for the possession of firearms by those who have committed acts of domestic violence.”
“According to the CDC, data suggests that about one in six homicide victims are killed by an intimate partner,” said ATF Acting Director Lombardo. “Nearly half of female homicide victims in the U.S. are killed by a current or former male intimate partner. ATF is committed to aggressively pursuing prohibited possession of firearms due to domestic violence convictions and certain protective orders. It is another way we prevent violent gun crime within our communities.”
Under federal law, individuals with domestic violence misdemeanor and felony convictions, as well as individuals subject to domestic violence protective orders, are prohibited from possessing firearms. The data shows that offenders with domestic violence in their past pose a high risk of homicide. In fact, domestic violence abusers with a gun in the home are five times more likely to kill their partners.
The Working Group, chaired by U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox of the Northern District of Texas, disseminates legal guidance on keeping guns out of the hands of domestic violence abusers using three federal statutes:
- 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) — possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
- 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(8) — possession of a firearm by a person subject to a domestic violence protective order
- 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9) — possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence
Based on the Working Group’s guidance, in FY 2020, U.S. Attorneys’ Offices nationwide brought 337 domestic violence-related charges under § 922(g)(1), 54 charges under § 922(g)(8), and 142 charges under § 922(g)(9).
For more information on domestic violence or to get help, visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline website or call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
U.S. Attorney Halsey Frank Announces Federal Grants to Fight Violence against Women in MaineRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: U.S. Attorney Halsey Frank today announced the Department of Justice has awarded more than $5.5 million in federal funding for groups that are committed to ending violence against women in Maine.
The funding that was announced by the Department’s Office of Violence Against Women (OVW) will be distributed among almost a dozen groups around the state and is detailed in the table below:
Organization
Award Amount
Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault
$152,345
Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence
$91,274
University of Maine System
(acting through University of Southern Maine)
$600,000
University of Maine System
(acting through University of Maine at Farmington)
$299,735
New Hope for Women
$515,000
Caring Unlimited
$898,496
Partners for Peace
$510,253
Maine Department of Health & Human Services
$388,589
State of Maine
$1,082,160
Wabanaki Women’s Coalition
$353,615
U.S. Attorney Frank earlier this week announced the award of a $770,467 grant to the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township to battle domestic violence.
“I am very pleased to learn of the announcement of this funding,” Frank said. “Although great strides have been made in raising awareness about the problem of domestic violence in Maine, much more work remains to be done. It is my hope that this federal funding will help these Maine organizations in their ongoing efforts to end violence against women here in Maine.”
“It is absolutely essential, as a society, to work together to prevent violence,” said OVW Principal Deputy Director Laura Rogers. “We are proud to do our part to support the people of Maine as we all join together to keep victims safe and hold offenders accountable for their crimes.”
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
U.s. Attorney Announces Federal Grant to Fund Maine Organization That Supports Offenders Returning to CommunitiesRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: U.S. Attorney Halsey Frank today announced that Brunswick-based Volunteers of America, Northern New England has received a federal grant of $749,586 to help assist offenders reenter their communities after confinement.
The Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) awarded grants to jurisdictions, research institutions and other organizations in support of proven science-based approaches to reintegrate offenders into communities.
In 2018, President Trump signed into law the First Step Act, including reauthorization of the Second Chance Act, the biggest piece of criminal justice reform legislation to be enacted in more than a decade.
“Former offenders are ultimately responsible for their own successes and failures, but our criminal and juvenile justice systems have an important role to play in preparing them for the obstacles that lie before them,” said OJP Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. “I’m very pleased to make these resources available to help offenders get back on their feet and contribute to the prosperity of their communities and the betterment of our nation.”
“This grant to Volunteers of America, Northern New England will be of tremendous benefit to the organization and the communities it serves,” U.S. Attorney Frank said. “Too often, those who have been incarcerated lack the resources they need to succeed once they reenter society. It’s in everyone’s best interests to make sure these individuals have what they need to be productive members of society.”
Fiscal Year 2020 reentry and recidivism reduction grants awarded include the following:
- More than $71.4 million under BJA’s grant programs designed to help communities develop and implement comprehensive and collaborative strategies to address the challenges posed by reentry and recidivism.
- More than $11.2 million under OJJDP’s Second Chance Act suite of grant programs to support reentry services for detained juveniles and incarcerated parents with children under the age of 18.
- More than $9.3 million under NIJ’s reentry research and evaluation programs, which support rigorous research to advance understanding about reoffending and the success of reentry strategies, programs and practices. This includes evaluating innovative reentry initiatives that specifically focus on juveniles, young adults and adults with a moderate-to-high risk of reoffending.
For a complete list of individual grant programs, amounts to be awarded and the jurisdictions that will receive funding, visit: https://www.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh241/files/media/document/reentryfactsheet.pdf
Additional information about FY 2020 grant awards made by the Office of Justice Programs can be found online at the OJP Awards Data Webpage.
OJP, directed by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan, provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, assist victims and enhance the rule of law by strengthening the criminal and juvenile justice systems. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
U.s. Attorney Announces Federal Grant for Passamaquoddy Tribe to Address Violence Against WomenRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank has announced $770,467 in Department of Justice grants to the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township to battle domestic violence.
“American Indian and Alaska Native communities experience rates of violent crime and domestic abuse that are among the highest in the nation,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “The awards announced today underscore the Department of Justice’s deep commitment to improving public safety in tribal communities throughout the United States. This administration will continue to work closely with our tribal partners to guarantee that they have the resources they need to combat violence and bring criminals to justice.”
“Unfortunately, Maine is not immune from the scourge of domestic violence, and that includes our Native American populations,” U.S. Attorney Frank said. “My hope is that this funding will go a long way toward ensuring they have the resources they need to assist victims and bring those responsible for domestic violence to justice.”
A total of more than $103 million is being awarded to tribes across the country under the Justice Department’s Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation. CTAS supports activities that enhance law enforcement and tribal justice practices, expand victim services and sustain crime prevention and intervention efforts. CTAS grants are administered by the Department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP) ($41.5 million), Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) ($39.1 million) and Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) ($22.5 million).
An additional $113 million is being awarded to 133 applicants nationwide under the Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Program. This program, managed by OJP’s Office for Victims of Crime, is designed to help tribes develop, expand and improve services to victims of crime and promote other public safety initiatives.
“Public safety officials and victim service providers in Indian country face exceptional challenges, but they bring to their work an extraordinary array of skills and resources that enable them to meet and overcome any obstacle,” said OJP Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. “The Office of Justice Programs is proud to help fulfill Attorney General Barr’s strong commitment – and the federal government’s long-standing responsibility – to our tribal partners in the matter of their citizens' safety and wellbeing.”
In addition to the CTAS and Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside awards, OVW is making additional tribal awards of more than $31 million to support a wide range of efforts to address the crimes of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking and human trafficking.
Additional awards to support tribal public safety efforts are being made by OJP and the COPS Office. These grants will provide community policing training and other training and technical assistance. Awards will also address the needs of tribal youth, fund tribal reentry efforts, help tribes combat substance abuse and manage sex offenders, and support tribal research. In addition, funds support efforts in 17 tribal communities to address the challenges posed by the outbreak of COVID-19.
A full listing of all the announced CTAS awards is available here.
A full listing of all Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Program awards is available here.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
U.s. Attorney Halsey Frank Reports on Operation S.o.s. Two Years After Its LaunchRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine – In July 2018, the Department of Justice launched Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S), a program aimed at reducing the supply of synthetic opioids in 10 high-impact areas, including the District of Maine. Under Operation S.O.S., the United States Attorneys in 10 districts with some of the highest drug overdose death rates in the country designated a county where they would prosecute cases involving fentanyl, fentanyl analogues and other synthetic opioids, regardless of the drug quantity.
“The Justice Department’s commitment to fighting the opioids epidemic is stronger than ever, and we are using every tool in our arsenal to disrupt the supply of these drugs on our streets,” said Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey A. Rosen. “Operation S.O.S. has had a significant positive impact on the communities where it is being employed. The Department will continue to build on these successes and work to stop the drug traffickers who so callously wreck lives.”
“Operation S.O.S. Maine has helped the US Attorney’s Office play our role in the group effort to combat the opioid crisis that has so plagued our community by interdicting deadly synthetic opioids and prosecuting the individuals who distribute them in the State of Maine,” said U.S. Attorney Frank. “Every day our federal, state and local law enforcement partners are working together to bring these dealers to justice.”
For example, in Maine, a man was arrested in July 2020 for distributing counterfeit fentanyl pills marked as Percocet, in connection with a fatal fentanyl overdose that occurred in May 2020. In February 2020, another Maine man was sentenced to five years in prison for two counts of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, in connection with an incident where the defendant was found in possession of fentanyl less than 24 hours after he was released on a state summons for possession of fentanyl.
Overall, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine has prosecuted 75 individuals under Operation S.O.S. since the initiative began in 2018. Nationally, since 2018, Operation S.O.S. has resulted in approximately 750 defendants being charged in federal court, with 384 of those defendants charged thus far in FY 20.
The nine other participating districts and some of their successes are listed below:
- The Eastern District of California reported 60 active Operation S.O.S. investigations. Recently, the USAO charged one sentence-enhanced “death resulting” prosecution. In February 2020, another investigation resulted in the seizure of over 20,000 fentanyl-laced counterfeit oxycodone pills.
- The Eastern District of Kentucky reported that an S.O.S. investigation led to a residential search warrant and seizure of more than 1,300 grams of fentanyl, more than 500 grams of methamphetamine, $15,000 cash, two firearms, and paraphernalia used to traffic narcotics including a device for pressing fentanyl into a brick-like shape.
- The District of New Hampshire reported the October 2019 arrest of a man on a warrant for distributing fentanyl. Manchester Police detectives executed a search warrant on a local drug-house, where they located approximately 850 grams of methamphetamine and 56 grams of fentanyl, several assault-style rifles, a handgun, ammunition, scales, safes, cash and cellphones.
- The Northern District of Ohio reported a 10-defendant wire case involving a drug trafficking organization (DTO) operating out of Elyria and Sandusky, Ohio. The DTO purchased kilogram quantities of cocaine and oxycodone pills. Co-conspirators would later cook the cocaine and sell it as crack to local dealers in Elyria. During the conspiracy, agents seized approximately ½ kilo of cocaine, 100 grams of crack, oxycodone pills and five firearms.
- The Southern District of Ohio reported the arrest of an individual who had previously served a nine-year state prison sentence for drug trafficking. On October 22, 2019, after law enforcement observed activity consistent with drug transactions, including the delivery of what appeared to be a kilogram of narcotics by a courier, members of the FBI Safe Streets Task Force executed a search warrant at a residence in Dayton, Ohio. They located three firearms, 1,205 grams of methamphetamine, 1,716 grams of fentanyl, 305 grams of heroin, drug processing equipment and 12 cellular telephones. One of the recovered cellular telephones contained photographs of multiple kilograms of fentanyl and communications with a narcotics supplier. Through subsequent investigation, law enforcement recovered an additional 19.5 kilograms of fentanyl/carfentanil.
- The Western District of Pennsylvania reported prosecuting 98 S.O.S. cases thus far in FY 2020. Particularly noteworthy among them is the prosecution of Lynell Guyton. A jury found Guyton guilty of conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of cyclopropyl fentanyl and other charges, including firearms and money laundering violations. Guyton, who had been receiving shipments of fentanyl analogues from China, is both a Career Offender and an Armed Career Criminal. The case gained media attention when, during the execution of a search warrant in connection with the charges, the conspirators tipped over a table, sending cyclopropyl fentanyl into the air, sickening several law enforcement officers on the scene.
- The Eastern District of Tennessee reported multiple cases arising out of a single investigation involving a drug trafficking organization responsible for trafficking heroin and fentanyl from Michigan to various communities in the Eastern District of Tennessee. 29 defendants have been indicted on various charges, including drug trafficking conspiracy, overdose death enhancements, money-laundering conspiracy and various firearms offenses. More than 5.5 kilograms of heroin and/or fentanyl and 11 firearms were seized during the investigation.
- The Northern District of West Virginia reported a July 21, 2020 44-count indictment against 12 defendants. During the nearly yearlong investigation, law enforcement officers seized more than 280 grams of cocaine base and more than 40 grams of fentanyl from one of the defendants’ residences in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. Throughout the investigation, officers seized more than 280 grams of fentanyl, acetyl fentanyl, and heroin; more than 350 grams of cocaine base; more than one kilogram of liquid PCP; various amounts of cocaine; five firearms; and over $28,000.
- The Southern District of West Virginia reported that after a three-day trial, a jury convicted Steven McCallister of distribution of fentanyl, possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Officers conducted a 50-gram purchase of heroin from McCallister, which then led to the execution of a search warrant at McCallister’s home. Officers seized over one kilogram of fentanyl and a firearm.
Falmouth Man Charged with Fraud, Theft and Impersonating a Federal OfficerRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: A federal grand jury indicted a Falmouth man for federal program fraud, wire fraud, false personation and theft of government benefits, U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced today.
According to the indictment and a criminal complaint, between 2014 and 2017, Joshua Cory Frances, 43: (a) impersonated a Department of Homeland Security law enforcement official; (b) obtained by fraud, over $700,000 worth of excess equipment from the Department of Defense; (c) converted to his own use, a 44-foot sailing vessel named COURAGEOUS, and a 27‑foot Boston Whaler power boat and two Mercury Marine 150-horsepower outboard engines; (d) embezzled almost $21,000 from his employer to transport the boats and engines to Maine; (e) evaded more than $3,000 in state excise taxes on personally owned vehicles; and (f) stole $9,630 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to which he was not entitled.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General; the Defense Criminal Investigative Service; the Office of the Maine Attorney General; the Maine Department of the Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles; and the Maine Department of Health and Human Services investigated the case, with assistance provided by the FBI and the Falmouth and Brunswick Police Departments.
Criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusations and a defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt.
Auburn Man Sentenced for Possessing Firearm after Domestic Violence ConvictionRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: An Auburn man was sentenced today in federal court in Portland for possessing a firearm after being convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced.
U.S. District Judge D. Brock Hornby sentenced Willie Richard Minor, 59, to time served (two years, eight months and 10 days) and three years of supervised release. Minor was convicted following a two-day jury trial in February 2020.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, in June 2010, Minor was convicted of Assault in Maine Superior Court. The victim of the assault was his wife at the time. As a result of that conviction, Minor was prohibited from possessing firearms. In November 2016, Minor admitted to having a gun in an interview with the Auburn Police Department. The police subsequently recovered the gun he had described.
Minor was originally convicted and sentenced on the federal charge after a trial in December 2017. While the case was pending on appeal, the Supreme Court of the United States issued a decision, Rehaif v. United States, that changed what the government is required to prove in certain federal firearm possession cases. As a result, the parties agreed to have the original conviction vacated, and the case was remanded for a new trial. At the second trial, the government was required to prove not only that Minor had been convicted of assaulting his wife, but also that he knew he had been so convicted and was aware of certain details of the conviction.
The Auburn Police Department, the Mechanic Falls Police Department, the Maine State Police Crime Laboratory, the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case.
Maine School Districts to Receive Federal Funding for School Safety EnhancementRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced today that two Maine school districts will receive a total of $703,982 from the Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP). Nationally, the COPS Office SVPP awarded nearly $50 million in school safety funding. SVPP provides up to 75 percent funding for school safety measures in and around primary and secondary schools and school grounds.
Maine School Administrative District (MSAD) 30 in Lee will receive $230,985, and Regional School Unit (RSU) 14, the Windham Raymond School District, will receive $472,997.
“The complications of COVID-19 have presented numerous challenges to our school districts this year, but we cannot afford to overlook the importance of school safety,” Frank said. “For that reason, I am very pleased to learn that these two Maine school districts will receive significant funding to enhance their existing safety protocols.”
The Students, Teachers, and Officers Preventing School Violence Act of 2018 (STOP School Violence Act of 2018) gave the COPS Office authority to provide awards directly to states, units of local government, Indian tribes, and public agencies (such as school districts and law enforcement agencies) to improve security at schools and on school grounds in the jurisdiction of the grantee through evidence-based school safety programs. The two awards announced today can be used for coordination with law enforcement; training for local law enforcement officers to prevent student violence; metal detectors, locks, lighting, and other deterrent measures; technology for expedited notification of local law enforcement during an emergency; and other measures that provide a significant improvement in security.
In addition to the school safety grants announced today, the COPS Office School Safety Working Group, which is composed of representatives from eight national law enforcement organizations, has identified 10 essential actions that can be taken by schools, school districts, and law enforcement agencies to help prevent critical incidents involving the loss of life or injuries in our nation's schools and to respond rapidly and effectively when incidents do occur. The Ten Essential Actions to Improve School Safety are applicable to school shootings as well as to other areas of school safety, including natural disasters and traumatic events such as student suicide. Adopting policies and practices based on the recommendations in this publication can help make school communities safer and save lives.
The COPS Office is the federal component of the Department of Justice responsible for advancing community policing nationwide. Since 1994, the COPS Office has invested more than $14 billion to advance community policing, including grants awarded to more than 13,000 state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to fund the hiring and redeployment of more than 134,000 officers and provide a variety of knowledge resource products including publications, training and technical assistance.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
York County Receives Federal Grant to Promote Law Enforcement Mental Health and WellnessRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank today announced that the Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) has awarded the York County Sheriff’s Office with a grant of $111,603 for the office’s Peer Support Project.
The funding is part of $4.5 million in grants for the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act Program across the nation. These program funds are used to improve the delivery of and access to mental health and wellness services for law enforcement through training and technical assistance, demonstration projects, implementation of promising practices related to peer mentoring mental health and wellness, and suicide prevention programs.
“I am very pleased to announce the federal funding for this very important initiative,” Frank said. “Every day, our law enforcement officers are under an enormous amount of stress on the job in their heroic efforts to keep our communities safe. We simply cannot ignore the fact that these officers are human, too, and we must ensure that their mental health needs are being met.”
Good mental and psychological health is just as essential as good physical health for law enforcement officers to be effective in keeping our communities safe from crime and violence. As part of the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act of 2017, Congress authorized the COPS Office to establish peer mentoring mental health and wellness pilot programs within state, tribal, and local law enforcement agencies. The 41 awards announced today meet the goals of the 2017 Act and support the Department of Justice and the Administration’s commitment to law enforcement. The full list of awards is available here:
https://cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/2020AwardDocs/lemhwa/Award_List.pdf.
In addition to the grants announced today, the COPS Office recently published two reports regarding officer mental health and wellness. Those reports are available here:
Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act Report to Congress
Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Programs: Eleven Case Studies
The COPS Office is the federal component of the Department of Justice responsible for advancing community policing nationwide. Since 1994, the COPS Office has invested more than $14 billion to advance community policing, including grants awarded to more than 13,000 state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to fund the hiring and redeployment of more than 134,000 officers and provide a variety of knowledge resource products including publications, training and technical assistance.
Kittery Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Interstate Domestic Violence ChargesRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: A Kittery man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Portland to two counts of interstate travel to violate a protection order, U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced.
According to court documents, in April 2016, Nelson Jean Dion, 53, who resided in Maine, was arrested for felony aggravated assault involving his former live-in girlfriend, who was by then living in a domestic violence shelter in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. A few days later, Dion was released on bail and was subject to a protection order that prohibited his contact with his former girlfriend.
Between April and June 2016, Dion traveled from Maine to New Hampshire, and then from New Hampshire to Maine, to have contact with the girlfriend in violation of the protection order. On June 30, 2016, the girlfriend jumped from the Piscataqua River Bridge on Interstate 95 and died the next day.
Dion faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on each charge. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.
The Kittery, Berwick, and Eliot, Maine Police Departments; the York County District Attorney’s Office; the Portsmouth, New Hampshire Police Department; and the FBI investigated the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
South Berwick Man Sentenced for Possession of Fentanyl and CocaineRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: A South Berwick man was sentenced today in federal court in Portland for possession of fentanyl and cocaine with intent to distribute, U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced.
U.S. District Judge Nancy Torresen sentenced Stephen Kissh, 54, to three years in prison and three years of supervised release. Kissh pleaded guilty on January 27, 2020.
According to court records, on January, 2, 2019, Kissh was arrested at his residence, a camper in South Berwick, Maine. South Berwick police officers responded to the residence after receiving a request to conduct a welfare check on another person at the location who was believed to be under the influence of drugs. Officers were familiar with Kissh, and were aware that he was on bail for Maine drug trafficking charges. Upon arriving at the camper, officers discovered Kissh and several other individuals inside, one of whom appeared to be under the influence of drugs but did not require medical attention. Officers searched Kissh and found him to be in possession of four plastic bags containing fentanyl and cocaine. The officers searched Kissh’s camper and recovered a safe that contained multiple plastic bags of fentanyl and cocaine.
The South Berwick Police Department and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case as part of the Department of Justice’s Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge, a program designed to reduce the supply of deadly synthetic opioids.
Whitefield Man Sentenced for Illegally Possessing FirearmRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: A Whitefield man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Bangor for being a felon in possession of a firearm, United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced.
U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Samuel Caison, 36, to 105 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Caison pleaded guilty on January 7, 2020.
According to court records, on April 22, 2019, a Winthrop Police Department detective saw an individual, later identified as Caison, carrying what appeared to be a firearm wrapped up in material in Augusta. Caison placed the firearm in the trunk of a car. Officers with the Augusta Police Department later located Caison driving the car and pulled him over. Officers found a .22 caliber rifle in the trunk. Caison was prohibited from possessing the firearm due to multiple prior felony convictions, including convictions for robbery in 2005, aggravated assault and illegal possession of a firearm in 2010, and terrorizing in 2013.
The Augusta Police Department, the Winthrop Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. For more information about PSN, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psn.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Observes 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities ActRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced today that the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine is proud to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This landmark legislation was signed into law on July 26, 1990, and is the nation’s preeminent civil rights law for providing access and equal opportunity for people with disabilities. The Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office are committed to this work.
“Since its passage thirty years ago, the ADA has dramatically improved the lives of people with disabilities, ensuring them equal opportunity to fully participate in mainstream life without discriminatory barriers,” U.S. Attorney Frank said. “We are proud of our efforts in safeguarding the civil rights of persons with disabilities, but we recognize that our work is far from complete, and we still see unlawful barriers that prevent individuals with disabilities from fully participating in many aspects of society. As we mark the 30th anniversary of this historic civil rights law, the U.S. Attorney’s Office remains committed to enforcing the ADA.”
The promise of the ADA is its wide-ranging efforts to eliminate disability discrimination across the range of services, programs, and activities that most Americans take for granted, but for too long were largely inaccessible to individuals with disabilities. Whether in employment, areas of civic life, or in the day-to-day activities and access to goods and services that we all enjoy, the ADA requires that we take those steps necessary to ensure access for all.
Over the past 30 years, our country has undertaken the hard work of changing attitudes about disability, tearing down barriers to equality, and dismantling the systems that have historically excluded people with disabilities. Today, we commemorate the many ways that the ADA has transformed our society—by replacing exclusion with access, segregation with integration, and limitations with self-determination. The ADA has advanced the promise of the American dream, ensuring that people with disabilities can write their own stories. And as a society, we are better and stronger because of the contributions that people with disabilities make.
For more information about the 30th Anniversary of the ADA, please visit www.ada.gov. To file a complaint with the Department, please visit the Civil Rights Division’s portal at https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/. For more information about the ADA, call the Department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 (TTY).
U.S. Attorney and IRS Criminal Investigation Remind Taxpayers of Upcoming Tax Filing Deadline, Urge Taxpayers to be Aware of ScamsRead the Press Release
Portland, Maine: U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation division (CI) today reminded taxpayers of the July 15 filing and payment deadline and warned against an increase in tax and COVID-19 scams.
Due to COVID-19, the original filing deadline and tax payment due date for 2019 was postponed from April 15 to July 15. Taxpayers filing Form 1040 series returns must file Form 4868 by July 15 to obtain the automatic extension to Oct. 15.
“Although the extension provides additional time to file the tax return, it is not an extension to pay any taxes due,” said Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of IRS CI in New England. “For people facing hardships who cannot pay in full, including those affected by COVID-19, the IRS has several options available to help. The IRS encourages taxpayers to visit IRS.gov as soon as possible to explore these options and avoid accruing interest and penalties after the July 15 deadline.”
As the filing deadline approaches, taxpayers also should beware of tax and COVID-19-related scams. “Criminals use the tax filing deadline as an opportunity to steal personal and financial information,” said U.S. Attorney Frank. “Taxpayers should remain vigilant and know that the IRS will not initiate contact with them via phone, email or social media to request personal or financial information. I urge any Mainers who have been the target of these scams to contact law enforcement immediately.”
In the last few months, IRS CI has continued to see a tremendous increase in a variety of Economic Impact Payment scams and other financial schemes. CI continues to work with its law enforcement partners to put a stop to these schemes and bring criminals to justice.
Taxpayers can report COVID-19 scams to the National Center for Disaster Fraud. Taxpayers can also report fraud or theft of their Economic Impact Payments to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. Unsolicited (phishing) e-mails that appear to be from the IRS should be forwarded to [email protected].
For the most up-to-date information about the tax filing deadline and IRS impersonation scams, taxpayers can visit IRS.gov.
Mapleton Man Sentenced for Possession of FentanylRead the Press Release
Portland, Maine: A Mapleton man was sentenced today in federal court in Portland for possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced.
Chief U.S. District Judge Jon D. Levy sentenced Christopher Myshrall, 35, to two years in prison and three years of supervised release. Myshrall pleaded guilty on November 19, 2019.
According to court records, on November 1, 2018, Myshrall was a passenger in a vehicle pulled over by the Maine State Police for a traffic violation. A narcotics detection dog alerted to the presence of illegal drugs in the vehicle. Troopers located over 700 glassine envelopes of fentanyl in hidden compartments in the vehicle’s engine area. Further investigation revealed that Myshrall and the vehicle’s operator had obtained the fentanyl in Massachusetts for distribution in Maine.
The Maine State Police and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case as part of the Department of Justice’s Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge, a program designed to reduce the supply of deadly synthetic opioids.
U.S. Attorney Hosts Online Roundtable on Sexual Harassment in HousingRead the Press Release
Portland, Maine: The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine and the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division hosted an online roundtable today for community organizations to discuss the problem of sexual harassment in housing, U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced.
The event included representatives from local law enforcement agencies, legal aid offices, fair housing organizations, shelters and transitional housing providers, and other organizations that often work with vulnerable populations who are most likely to become victims of sexual harassment in housing.
“Sexual harassment in housing is often underreported, but it is an egregious violation of a person’s right to fair housing,” U.S. Attorney Frank said. “Landlords or superintendents using the power they have over tenants to extort sexual acts, or even commit assaults, is intolerable, particularly in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our office is dedicated to uncovering such violations where they exist and vigorously enforcing the law.”
The Department of Justice, through the U.S. Attorneys’ offices and the Civil Rights Division, enforces the federal Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin and disability. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by the Act.
The Justice Department’s Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative is an effort to combat sexual harassment in housing led by the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, in coordination with U.S. Attorneys’ offices across the country. The goal of the Initiative is to address sexual harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, loan officers, or other people who have control over housing.
Since the launch of the initiative in 2017, the Justice Department has filed 15 lawsuits alleging a pattern or practice of sexual harassment in housing and recovered millions of dollars in damages for harassment victims. The Justice Department’s investigations frequently uncover sexual harassment that has been ongoing for years or decades. Some victims do not know that being sexually harassed by a person in control of their housing can violate federal law.
The Department encourages anyone who has experienced sexual harassment in housing, or knows someone who has, to contact the Division by calling (844) 380-6178 or emailing [email protected].
Individuals who believe they may have been victims of discrimination may also file a complaint with the U.S. Attorney’s Office by emailing [email protected] or by calling (207) 780-3257 and asking for Civil Chief John G. Osborn or Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley E. Eiler.
Portland Man Charged for Assault on a Federal OfficerRead the Press Release
Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank today announced that Abdikareem Hassan, 32, of Portland was charged by criminal complaint with assaulting a federal officer.
According to the criminal complaint, in the late evening hours of July 5, 2020, Hassan was arrested by the Portland Police Department and taken to the police station. While there, he assaulted police officers and an FBI special agent who were working together on the joint investigation.
A charge in a criminal complaint is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
U.S. Attorney Warns Public about Fraudulent Face Mask DocumentsRead the Press Release
Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank today advised the public that cards and other documents bearing the Department of Justice seal and claiming that individuals are exempt from face mask requirements are fraudulent.
There have been reports of individuals in Maine handing out cards claiming that the bearer is exempt from face mask requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Department of Justice also is aware of postings or flyers on the internet making the same claims. Many of these documents include the Department’s seal. The following is an example of a card that has been distributed in Maine:
These documents were not issued by the Department, and the Department does not endorse them. The Department also has not granted permission for the use of its seal for this purpose. Misuse of the Department seal is a federal crime.
The Department urges the public not to rely on the information contained in these documents and to visit https://www.ada.gov/ for ADA information issued by the Department.
For more information and technical assistance about the ADA, please contact the ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 (voice) and 800-514-0383 (TTY).
Department of Justice Announces $42 Million to Combat Illegal Manufacture and Distribution of Opioids and MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank today announced that the Department of Justice‘s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) has awarded $42 million in funding to support state-level law enforcement agencies in combating the illegal manufacturing and distribution of methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, carfentanil and prescription opioids.
In the District of Maine, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency (MDEA) will receive $931,880 in funding to support investigations into trafficking in heroin, fentanyl, or carfentanil or the unlawful distribution of prescription opioids.
“Overdose deaths continue to plague Maine,” said U.S. Attorney Frank. “Law enforcement plays a crucial role in combatting this epidemic by working to take drug dealers off the streets. The funding the COPS Office is providing to MDEA will help our state and local partners continue the fight against the distribution of these poisons in our cities and towns.”
“The scourge of opioid and methamphetamine use continues to take a devastating toll on our nation’s communities,” said COPS Office Director Phil Keith. “By providing these resources to law enforcement to help combat the further spread, the COPS Office is demonstrating our commitment to this Administration’s priority of reducing drug use and protecting our citizens from this public health and safety crisis.”
Drug overdose deaths and opioid-involved deaths continue to increase in the United States. Deaths from drug overdose are up among both men and women, all races, and adults of nearly all ages, with more than three out of five drug overdose deaths involving an opioid. More than 130 people die every day in the United States after overdosing on opioids, while methamphetamine continues to be one of the most commonly misused stimulant drugs in the world and is the drug that most contributes to violent crime.
The COPS Office is awarding more than $29.7 million in grant funding to 14 state law enforcement agency task forces, including MDEA, through the Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF). AHTF provides three years of funding directly to state-level law enforcement agencies with multijurisdictional reach and interdisciplinary team (e.g., task force) structures, in states with high per capita rates of primary treatment admissions for heroin, fentanyl, carfentanil and other opioids. This funding will support the location or investigation of illicit activities through statewide collaboration related to the distribution of heroin, fentanyl, or carfentanil or the unlawful distribution of prescription opioids.
Through the COPS Anti-Methamphetamine Program (CAMP), the COPS Office is also awarding $12 million to 12 state law enforcement agencies. These state agencies have demonstrated numerous seizures of precursor chemicals, finished methamphetamine, laboratories, and laboratory dump seizures. State agencies are being awarded three years of funding through CAMP to support the location or investigation of illicit activities related to the manufacture and distribution of methamphetamine, including precursor diversion, laboratories, or methamphetamine trafficking.
The AHTF and CAMP funding has a tremendous impact on state investigative and seizure work. During the five-month period between October 2019 and February 2020, current AHTF grantees reported the seizure of over $4 million in cash and 1,213 firearms. Similarly, for CAMP, grantees reported seizures of more than $7 million in cash and 1,577 firearms.
The complete list of AHTF award recipients, including funding amounts, can be found here: https://cops.usdoj.gov/ahtf-award
The complete list of CAMP award recipients, including funding amounts, can be found here: https://cops.usdoj.gov/camp-award
The COPS Office is a federal agency responsible for advancing community policing nationwide. Since 1994, the COPS Office has invested more than $14 billion to advance community policing, including grants awarded to more than 13,000 state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to fund the hiring and redeployment of approximately 135,000 officers and provide a variety of knowledge resource products including publications, training and technical assistance. For additional information about the COPS Office, please visit www.cops.usdoj.gov.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
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U.S. Attorney Announces New Department of Justice Civil Rights Reporting PortalRead the Press Release
Portland, Maine: U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank today joined the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice in announcing a new Civil Rights Reporting Portal. This new online tool will make it easier for the public to report a civil rights violation.
“The department is committed to upholding the civil and constitutional rights of all people in the United States,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division. “The Civil Rights Reporting Portal will make it easier for the public to connect with us, which in turn makes us more effective at upholding these important rights. I encourage the public to use this portal to report civil rights violations.”
“Any Mainer who believes that their civil rights have been violated can report the violation using the new Civil Rights Reporting Portal,” said U.S. Attorney Frank. “The Portal will increase our awareness of such issues and improve our ability to vindicate violations of these fundamental rights.”
The Department, through the Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, enforces a number of federal laws that protect people from discrimination in a variety of settings based on their race, color, national origin, disability status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, familial status and other characteristics.
The new Civil Rights Reporting Portal – located at www.civilrights.justice.gov – will consolidate over 30 unique reporting pathways. The portal will dramatically ease the burden on victims of civil rights violations to identify the proper reporting channel. The form is fully accessible to people with disabilities. It is also available in both English and Spanish, with more languages to be added over the next year.
If you believe that you or someone else has experienced unlawful discrimination, you can learn how to report a civil rights violation by visiting www.civilrights.justice.gov.
Federal law imposes criminal penalties for certain civil rights violations, including misconduct by law enforcement officers, hate crimes and human trafficking. If you believe that you are the victim of a criminal violation of your civil rights, please contact your local FBI office.
Department of Justice Observes the 15th Annual World Elder Abuse Awareness DayRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: Today, U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank joined Attorney General William P. Barr and the entire Department of Justice in observing the 15th Annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The Department echoes voices around the world condemning elder abuse, neglect and exploitation.
The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for our country and the world, but among those most severely affected by the threat of the novel virus are our senior citizens. During this time when seniors are most vulnerable and isolated from their families and loved ones by social distancing and quarantine restrictions, bad actors have immediately exploited this international tragedy to prey on the elderly through a whole host of scam and fraud schemes. As the world takes this day to remember the elderly during these uncertain times, the Department of Justice remains relentlessly committed, through its department-wide Elder Justice Initiative, to prevent and prosecute fraud on America’s seniors.
The Department will aggressively prosecute fraudsters exploiting the Covid-19 pandemic and targeting seniors by offering them fake testing kits and fake help obtaining stimulus and Paycheck Protection Program Funds. On this day dedicated to recognizing our seniors, the Department of Justice sends a strong message that we continue the fight to keep seniors safe a top priority.
“Every society has an obligation to protect its most vulnerable citizens,” said U.S. Attorney Frank. “Defrauding senior citizens, particularly in the midst of a deadly pandemic, is outrageous and despicable. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and its law enforcement partners are committed to investigating and prosecuting those who target Maine seniors.”
Earlier this year Attorney General Barr declared “Prevention and Disruption of Transnational Elder Fraud” to be an Agency Priority Goal, making it one of the Department’s four top priorities. Major strides have already been made to that end:
National Elder Fraud Hotline: 833-FRAUD-11
Earlier this year Attorney General Barr launched a National Elder Fraud Hotline. Staffed by experienced case managers who provide personalized support to callers, the hotline serves to assist elders and caretakers who believe they have been a victim of fraud by reporting and providing appropriate services.
Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force:
Established in June 2019 to combat foreign elder fraud schemes, the Strike Force is composed of the Department’s Consumer Protection Branch and six U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along with FBI special agents, Postal Inspectors, and numerous other law enforcement personnel. Since its inception, prosecutors in Strike Force districts brought cases against more than 140 sweep defendants.
Annual Elder Justice Sweep:
In March of this year, the Attorney General announced the largest coordinated sweep of elder fraud cases in department history. The Department, together with every U.S. Attorney’s office, charged more than 400 defendants, causing over $1 billion in loss through fraud schemes that largely affected seniors.
Money Mule Initiative:
Since October 2018, the Department and its law enforcement partners began a concentrated effort across the country and around the world to disrupt, investigate, and prosecute money mule activity used to facilitate fraud schemes, especially those victimizing senior citizens. In 2019, actions were taken to halt the conduct of more than 600 domestic money mules, exceeding a similar effort against approximately 400 mules in the previous year.
Holding foreign-based perpetrators and those that flee the United States accountable:
Transnational criminal organizations are targeting our elder population in schemes including mass mailing fraud, grandparent scams, romance scams, lottery and sweepstakes scams, IRS and Social Security Administration imposter scams, and technical-support scams.
For more information on enforcement actions, training and resources, research, and victim services, please visit www.justice.gov/elderjustice.
Cumberland County Awarded Funds to Address COVID-19 PandemicRead the Press Release
Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP) has awarded $58,008 to Cumberland County to address the public safety challenges posed by the outbreak of COVID-19.
OJP awarded the grants as part of $850 million available under the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, authorized by the stimulus legislation President Trump signed in March. Since the program’s launch in early April, OJP has awarded over $841 million to 1,773 state, local and tribal agencies and organizations. Eighteen Maine jurisdictions have received $4.4 million.
“I am gratified that every Maine jurisdiction that was eligible to receive these much-needed funds has now done so,” said U.S. Attorney Frank. “Going forward, the Department of Justice will continue to do all it can to support our state and local public safety professionals as they do their crucial work in the midst of this pandemic.”
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security, or CARES, Act gives jurisdictions considerable latitude in the use of funds for dealing with COVID-19. Potential uses include hiring personnel, paying overtime, purchasing protective equipment and distributing resources to hard-hit areas. Grant recipients may also use funds to help correctional facilities cover costs related to COVID-19, including, but not limited to, sanitation, contagion prevention and measures designed to address the related medical needs of inmates, detainees and correctional personnel.
OJP, directed by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan, provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, assist victims and enhance the rule of law by strengthening the criminal and juvenile justice systems. More information is at www.ojp.gov.
Sanford and Waterville Awarded Funds to Address COVID-19 PandemicRead the Press Release
Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP) has awarded $56,996 to the City of Sanford and $41,186 to the City of Waterville to address the public safety challenges posed by the outbreak of COVID-19.
OJP awarded the grants as part of $850 million available under the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, authorized by the stimulus legislation President Trump signed in March. Since the program’s launch in early April, OJP has awarded over $825 million to 1,739 state, local and tribal agencies and organizations. Seventeen Maine jurisdictions have received a total of $4.3 million.
“The coronavirus continues to affect the entire state of Maine,” said U.S. Attorney Frank. “The Department of Justice is committed to supporting our law enforcement partners as they keep us safe during this unprecedented time.”
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security, or CARES, Act gives jurisdictions considerable latitude in the use of funds for dealing with COVID-19. Potential uses include hiring personnel, paying overtime, purchasing protective equipment and distributing resources to hard-hit areas. Grant recipients may also use funds to help correctional facilities cover costs related to COVID-19, including, but not limited to, sanitation, contagion prevention and measures designed to address the related medical needs of inmates, detainees and correctional personnel.
OJP, directed by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan, provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, assist victims and enhance the rule of law by strengthening the criminal and juvenile justice systems. More information is at www.ojp.gov.
Portland Home Healthcare Company and Owner Settle False Claims Act AllegationsRead the Press Release
Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank today announced that a Portland home healthcare company and its owner have agreed to pay $111,200.46 to settle allegations that they violated the False Claims Act.
The civil settlement agreement with the United States and the State of Maine resolves allegations that Noble Home Health Care, Inc. (“Noble”) and its owner Mohamed A. Hassan (“Hassan”), submitted false claims to MaineCare (Maine’s Medicaid program) from May 2016 through September 2016. MaineCare is primarily funded by the United States, which pays approximately two-thirds of all reimbursed claims.
As alleged in a civil complaint filed today, Noble and Hassan submitted false claims for reimbursement to MaineCare for services provided to children with mental health diagnoses despite the fact that Noble did not hold the necessary mental health licensure to bill for such services. The United States and Maine contended that Maine Department of Health and Human Services (“Maine DHHS”) officials informed Hassan several times that Noble could neither provide nor bill for mental health services for its clients. Despite this, for nearly five months Noble and Hassan sought and received MaineCare funds for non-reimbursable, unlicensed services provided to 45 MaineCare members with mental health diagnoses. Hassan subsequently admitted to Maine DHHS that he had to pay MaineCare back for the services Noble had provided without a license.
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Inspector General; the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine; and the Office of the Maine Attorney General investigated the case. The civil action is docketed United States & State of Maine v. Noble Home Health Care, Inc. et al., 20-cv-00204-GZS (D. Me.).
Androscoggin and York Counties Awarded Funds to Address COVID-19 PandemicRead the Press Release
Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP) has awarded $58,008 each to Androscoggin County and York County to address the public safety challenges posed by the outbreak of COVID-19.
OJP awarded the grants as part of $850 million available under the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, authorized by the stimulus legislation President Trump signed in March. This program allows eligible state, local and tribal governments to apply immediately for these critical funds. Since the program’s launch in early April, OJP has awarded over $753 million to 1,367 state, local and tribal agencies and organizations. Fifteen Maine jurisdictions have received a total of $4.2 million.
“Androscoggin and York counties are among the areas in Maine most deeply affected by the coronavirus pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Frank. “I hope the funds the Department of Justice is able to provide through these grants assist the dedicated public safety professionals in those counties.”
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security, or CARES, Act gives jurisdictions considerable latitude in the use of funds for dealing with COVID-19. Potential uses include hiring personnel, paying overtime, purchasing protective equipment and distributing resources to hard-hit areas. Grant recipients may also use funds to help correctional facilities cover costs related to COVID-19, including, but not limited to, sanitation, contagion prevention and measures designed to address the related medical needs of inmates, detainees and correctional personnel.
OJP, directed by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan, provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, assist victims and enhance the rule of law by strengthening the criminal and juvenile justice systems. More information is at www.ojp.gov.
Department of Justice Awards Nearly $400 Million Nationwide, over $2 Million in Maine, for Law Enforcement Hiring to Advance Community PolicingRead the Press Release
Portland, Maine: U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that the Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) has awarded nearly $400 million to 596 law enforcement agencies across the nation, allowing those agencies to hire 2,732 additional full-time law enforcement professionals. The awards include over $2 million to 13 law enforcement agencies in Maine.
“The Department of Justice is committed to providing the police chiefs and sheriffs of our great nation with needed resources, tools, and support. The funding announced today will bolster their ranks and contribute to expanding community policing efforts nationwide,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “A law enforcement agency’s most valuable assets are the men and women who put their lives on the line every day in the name of protecting and serving their communities.”
“It is immensely gratifying to be able to announce these awards to our partner police departments and sheriff’s offices,” said U.S. Attorney Frank. “The awards will assist these agencies in making their communities safer through community policing initiatives.”
The following Maine law enforcement agencies received awards:
Law Enforcement Agency
Officers
Award Amt
Androscoggin County Sheriff's Department
2
$250,000
Biddeford Police Department
1
$125,000
Brewer, City of
1
$125,000
Eliot Police Department
1
$125,000
Fryeburg Police Department
1
$125,000
Mexico Police Department
1
$266,073
Old Orchard Beach Police Department
1
$125,000
Oxford Police Department
1
$125,000
Paris Police Department
1
$125,000
Rumford Police Department
1
$125,000
Washburn Police Department
1
$125,000
Windham Police Department
1
$125,000
York County Sheriff's Department
2
$250,000
The COPS Hiring Program (CHP) is a competitive award program intended to reduce crime and advance public safety through community policing by providing direct funding for the hiring of career law enforcement officers. In addition to providing financial support for hiring, CHP provides funding to state, local and tribal law enforcement to enhance local community policing strategies and tactics. In a changing economic climate, CHP funding helps law enforcement agencies maintain sufficient sworn personnel levels to promote safe communities. Funding through this program had been on hold since the spring of 2018 due to a nationwide injunction that was lifted earlier this year.
CHP applicants were required to identify a specific crime and disorder problem focus area and explain how the funding will be used to implement community policing approaches to that problem focus area. Forty-three percent of the awards announced today will focus on violent crime, while the remainder of the awards will focus on a variety of issues including school-based policing to fund school resource officer positions, building trust and respect, and opioid education, prevention, and intervention. The COPS Office received nearly 1,100 applications requesting more than 4,000 law enforcement positions.
The complete list of awards can be found here. To learn more about CHP, please visit https://cops.usdoj.gov/chp. For additional information about the COPS Office, please visit www.cops.usdoj.gov.
Lincoln and Penobscot Counties Awarded Funds to Address COVID-19 PandemicRead the Press Release
Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP) has awarded $34,565 to Lincoln County and $58,008 to Penobscot County to address the public safety challenges posed by the outbreak of COVID-19.
OJP awarded the grants as part of $850 million available under the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, authorized by the stimulus legislation President Trump signed in March. This program allows eligible state, local and tribal governments to apply immediately for these critical funds. Since the program’s launch in early April, OJP has awarded almost $695 million to 1,109 state, local and tribal agencies and organizations. Thirteen Maine jurisdictions have received a total of $4.1 million.
“Maine public safety professionals continue to rise to the challenge posed by the coronavirus outbreak," said U.S. Attorney Frank. “I am glad that the Department of Justice can provide resources to help our partners meet that challenge.”
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security, or CARES, Act gives jurisdictions considerable latitude in the use of funds for dealing with COVID-19. Potential uses include hiring personnel, paying overtime, purchasing protective equipment and distributing resources to hard-hit areas. Grant recipients may also use funds to help correctional facilities cover costs related to COVID-19, including, but not limited to, sanitation, contagion prevention and measures designed to address the related medical needs of inmates, detainees and correctional personnel.
OJP, directed by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan, provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, assist victims and enhance the rule of law by strengthening the criminal and juvenile justice systems. More information is at www.ojp.gov.
Department of Justice Files Statement of Interest Challenging the Constitutionality of Maine Governor’s COVID-19 Orders that Economically Harm Maine CampgroundsRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice today filed a statement of interest in a Maine federal court in support of a lawsuit filed by campgrounds in Maine—and New Hampshire residents who wish to enjoy them—challenging a measure by Governor Janet Mills in response to COVID‑19 that treats Maine residents more favorably than out-of-state residents when they seek to patronize campgrounds and RV parks within Maine.
The Statement of Interest is part of Attorney General William P. Barr’s April 27, 2020 initiative directing Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband for the Civil Rights Division, and the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, Matthew Schneider, to review state and local policies to ensure that civil liberties are protected during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The United States Constitution requires government to protect the privileges and immunities of all citizens in our nation,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division. “These privileges and immunities include the right of Americans to travel freely anywhere in our country, and state governments cannot limit the right of out-of-state Americans to travel to their state unless doing so is substantially related to protecting the public safety. The Department of Justice remains committed to defending the constitutional rights of all Americans no matter where they live. The department will continue to be especially vigilant of any infringement on the right to travel that unduly harms the ability of Americans to earn a living and support their families.”
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Governor of Maine has issued Executive Orders that have continued to inflict significant economic harm on campground businesses. On April 3, 2020, the Governor required campground and RV parks to close and also compelled “any person, resident or non-resident, traveling into Maine” to “immediately self-quarantine for 14 days” unless that person was engaged in “essential services.” On April 29, the Governor issued another Executive Order, which incorporates a “Restarting Plan.” The Restarting Plan provides that the State’s “Campgrounds/RV parks” will be “[o]pen to Maine residents only on May 22” and “[o]pen to out-of-state residents who have completed quarantine guidelines on June 1.”
Maine’s self-quarantine requirement has contributed to the significant economic harm being suffered by campground businesses that rely on out-of-state patrons each summer for their income. For example, the yearly revenue for plaintiff Little Ossipee Campground, a small family business in Waterboro, Maine has fallen by over $90,000. Similarly, plaintiff Bayley’s Campground has received over 700 reservation cancellations, refunded over $150,000 in reservation fees, and lost over $260,000 in revenue.
These campgrounds, along with New Hampshire residents who wish to enjoy them, brought a constitutional challenge on May 15 against various aspects of the Governor’s Orders. According to plaintiffs, requiring only out-of-state residents to self-quarantine before patronizing campgrounds in Maine violates the federal constitutional right to interstate travel.
In its statement of interest, the United States explains that Maine’s quarantine requirement discriminates between Maine residents and out-of-state residents. This discrimination appears to be inadequately tailored to further public safety and therefore does not comply with the Constitution. Maine’s Executive Orders are imposing devastating economic costs on the plaintiff campgrounds with a requirement that is both overinclusive and underinclusive to meet its objective and for which Maine could use less restrictive means to advance its interest in protecting public safety.
The federal case is Bayley’s Campground, Inc, d/b/a Bayley’s Camping Resort, et al. v. Mills, Civil Action No.: 2:20-cv-00176-LEW
Bangor Awarded over $65,000 to Address COVID-19 PandemicRead the Press Release
Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP) has awarded $65,825 to the City of Bangor to address the public safety challenges posed by the outbreak of COVID-19.
OJP awarded the grant as part of $850 million available under the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, authorized by the stimulus legislation President Trump signed in March. This program allows eligible state, local and tribal governments to apply immediately for these critical funds. Since the program’s launch in early April, OJP has awarded over $661 million to 963 state, local and tribal agencies and organizations. Eleven Maine jurisdictions have received a total of over $4 million. A list of all awards can be found here.
“My hope is that this grant will help Bangor combat the coronavirus that has so disrupted our lives,” U.S. Attorney Frank said in announcing the grant.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security, or CARES, Act gives jurisdictions considerable latitude in the use of funds for dealing with COVID-19. Potential uses include hiring personnel, paying overtime, purchasing protective equipment and distributing resources to hard-hit areas. Funds may also be used to help correctional facilities cover costs related to COVID-19, including, but not limited to, sanitation, contagion prevention and measures designed to address the related medical needs of inmates, detainees and correctional personnel.
Today is the deadline for jurisdictions to apply for grants. OJP will fund successful applicants on a rolling basis as it receives applications. Grantees may apply the funds retroactively to January 20, 2020, subject to federal rules.
Agencies that were eligible for the fiscal year 2019 State and Local Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program are candidates for the emergency funding. A complete list of eligible jurisdictions and their allocations is available at https://bja.ojp.gov/program/fy20-cesf-allocations. More information is at https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-18553.
OJP, directed by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan, provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, assist victims and enhance the rule of law by strengthening the criminal and juvenile justice systems. More information is at www.ojp.gov.
State and Federal Officials Urge Mainers to Report Unemployment FraudRead the Press Release
Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank, Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey and Maine Commissioner of Labor Laura Fortman warned that scammers are taking advantage of pandemic unemployment assistance programs to file fraudulent claims by using the personal information of other people, including Maine residents. They urged Mainers to notify the Maine Department of Labor if they believe that someone has used their identity to fraudulently apply for or obtain unemployment benefits. The online complaint form is at https://www.maine.gov/unemployment/idtheft/
The U.S. Attorney’s Office, Maine Department of Labor, Maine Attorney General’s Office, Maine State Police, Maine State Treasurer, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, U.S. Secret Service, Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI are working together to investigate and stop the fraudulent unemployment claims. In Maine, the U.S. Secret Service and U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General are spearheading the federal investigative effort.
“Although perhaps not surprising, it is outrageous that criminals are capitalizing on the current emergency to file fraudulent unemployment claims using stolen identity information,” said U.S. Attorney Frank. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is working closely with our state and federal partners to identify and halt this criminal behavior, and to bring to justice those who commit it. We ask anyone who believes they have been the victim of unemployment fraud to report it immediately.”
Maine Attorney General Frey added, “We will work with the Department of Labor to stop public funds from being released due to fraud, and we will coordinate with the U.S. Attorney’s Office on the prosecution of those individuals who apply for or obtain public funds using stolen identities.”
“The U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General is committed to ensuring the integrity of the unemployment insurance program. The CARES Act provides enhanced unemployment benefits during these unprecedented times. The Office of Inspector General will work closely with the U.S. Department of Justice, Maine Department of Labor, and our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to vigorously pursue those who seek to exploit the unemployment benefits our nation is providing to our fellow citizens in their time of need,” stated Michael Mikulka, Special Agent-in-Charge, New York Region, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.
With the unprecedented increase in unemployment insurance claims over the past two months due to COVID-19, many states, including Maine, are seeing an increase in reports of identity theft in applications for unemployment benefits. Victims often discover that their personal information has been stolen only when they file an application for benefits and learn that claims have already been submitted using their name and personal information.
“The Maine Department of Labor takes its responsibility to uphold the integrity of the unemployment program very seriously,” Commissioner Laura Fortman said. “MDOL will continue to work with our federal and state law enforcement partners to investigate and prevent fraud, while paying benefits to eligible Maine workers as quickly as possible.”
In addition to creating a state-federal task force to detect and prevent fraud, MDOL has taken the following additional steps:
• Coordinating with financial institutions to identify suspicious accounts;
• Reviewing system changes needed to increase fraud detection; and
• Blocking web addresses linked to fraud here in Maine and in other states.
If you believe that someone else has used your information to file a fraudulent unemployment application, please notify the Maine Department of Labor immediately at https://www.maine.gov/unemployment/idtheft/. Suspected fraud can also be reported to the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form or (866) 720-5721.
If you think someone is using your personal information to open accounts, file taxes or make purchases, visit https://www.identitytheft.gov to report and recover from identity theft. Additional identity theft resources can be found at https://www.maine.gov/ag/privacy/identity_theft.shtml or https://www.ftc.gov/faq/consumer-protection/report-identity-theft.
Portland, Biddeford and Auburn Awarded Funds to Address COVID-19 PandemicRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP) has awarded $219,535 to the City of Portland, $96,714 to the City of Biddeford, and $38,979 to the City of Auburn to address the public safety challenges posed by the outbreak of COVID-19.
OJP awarded the grants as part of $850 million available under the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, authorized by the stimulus legislation President Trump signed in March. This program allows eligible state, local and tribal governments to apply immediately for these critical funds. Since the program was launched in early April, OJP has awarded almost $596 million to state, local and tribal agencies and organizations.
“The Department of Justice has to date awarded almost $4 million to Maine jurisdictions to assist public safety professionals who are keeping us safe during this pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Frank. “Our state, local and tribal partners continue to step up in this unprecedented time, and I’m glad the Department can assist them.”
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security, or CARES, Act gives jurisdictions considerable latitude in the use of funds for dealing with COVID-19. Potential uses include hiring personnel, paying overtime, purchasing protective equipment and distributing resources to hard-hit areas. Funds may also be used to help correctional facilities cover costs related to COVID-19, including, but not limited to, sanitation, contagion prevention and measures designed to address the related medical needs of inmates, detainees and correctional personnel.
Jurisdictions that have not yet applied for funds may do so until May 29, 2020. OJP will fund successful applicants on a rolling basis as it receives applications. Grantees may apply the funds retroactively to January 20, 2020, subject to federal rules.
Agencies that were eligible for the fiscal year 2019 State and Local Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program are candidates for the emergency funding. A complete list of eligible jurisdictions and their allocations is available at https://bja.ojp.gov/program/fy20-cesf-allocations. For more information, please visit https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-18553.
OJP, directed by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan, provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, assist victims and enhance the rule of law by strengthening the criminal and juvenile justice systems. More information about OJP and its components is located at www.ojp.gov.
Several Maine Jurisdictions Awarded over $3.3 Million to Address COVID-19 PandemicRead the Press Release
Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP) has awarded $3,266,879 to the State of Maine, $47,070 to the City of Westbrook, $45,597 to the City of South Portland, and $36,405 to the City of Saco to address the public safety challenges posed by the outbreak of COVID-19.
OJP awarded the grants as part of $850 million available under the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, authorized by the stimulus legislation President Trump signed in March. This program allows eligible state, local and tribal governments to apply immediately for these critical funds. Since the program was launched in early April, OJP has awarded more than $566 million to state, local and tribal agencies and organizations. A list of all awards can be found here.
“Maine jurisdictions continue to receive needed funds to address the public safety challenges posted by this pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Frank. “I am pleased that the Department of Justice has been able to provide the state and local jurisdictions with resources they need to keep their personnel safe while they perform their crucial mission in this unprecedented time.”
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security, or CARES, Act gives jurisdictions considerable latitude in the use of funds for dealing with COVID-19. Potential uses include hiring personnel, paying overtime, purchasing protective equipment and distributing resources to hard-hit areas. Funds may also be used to help correctional facilities cover costs related to COVID-19, including, but not limited to, sanitation, contagion prevention and measures designed to address the related medical needs of inmates, detainees and correctional personnel.
Jurisdictions that have not yet applied for funds may do so until May 29, 2020. OJP will fund successful applicants on a rolling basis as it receives applications. Grantees may apply the funds retroactively to January 20, 2020, subject to federal rules.
Agencies that were eligible for the fiscal year 2019 State and Local Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program are candidates for the emergency funding. A complete list of eligible jurisdictions and their allocations is available at https://bja.ojp.gov/program/fy20-cesf-allocations. For more information, please visit https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-18553.
OJP, directed by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan, provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, assist victims and enhance the rule of law by strengthening the criminal and juvenile justice systems. More information about OJP and its components is located at www.ojp.gov.