District of Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS – A Rush City woman has pleaded guilty to mail fraud after participating in multiple schemes that defrauded individuals throughout the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, from 2017 through April 2022, Gayle Joyce Ferngren, 69, and others participated in a scheme to launder proceeds that were fraudulently obtained from victims throughout the United States, including the proceeds of romance fraud scams and schemes to defraud Federal Pandemic Assistance Programs.

According to her guilty plea, from approximately June 2020 through December 2020, Ferngren acknowledges that she received at least 68 debit cards containing approximately $1.3 million in fraudulent unemployment benefits from California and Nevada to which she was not entitled. After receiving the fraudulent proceeds, Ferngren kept a portion for herself and transmitted most of the funds to other scheme participants, including to individuals located overseas.  In total, Ferngren laundered at least $1.8 million in fraud proceeds. 

According to her guilty plea, on or about May 27, 2021, a scheme participant—not Ferngren—submitted an application in Ferngren's name seeking a PPP loan in the amount of approximately $20,833.00.  Among other falsehoods, the PPP application claimed that Ferngren had worked as an independent contractor doing residential remodeling since 2017 and included falsified tax records and income claims. Ferngren did not sign this application or fill out the information contained within it.  Based on the false information presented by another scheme participant, the fraudulent PPP loan application was approved and approximately $20,833 in fraudulent PPP proceeds were deposited into Fergren’s bank account in May 2021, which she knew she was not entitled to receive.

Ferngren pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court before Judge John R. Tunheim to one count of mail fraud. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later time. 

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Department of Labor–Office of Inspector General, and the FBI.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew S. Ebert and Allison K. Ethen are prosecuting the case.

A federal grand jury returned an indictment against Terry Martin for the theft of an object of cultural heritage from the care, custody, or control of a museum. Martin is charged with one count of theft of major artwork. The indictment was filed on May 16 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota in Minneapolis.

The Indictment alleges that in 2005, Martin stole an authentic pair of ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in the 1939 film, “The Wizard of Oz,” from the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. At the time of theft, the slippers were insured for $1 million but current fair market appraisal value the slippers at $3.5 million.

The ruby slippers, which were recovered by the FBI and Grand Rapids Police Department in July 2018, are one of the four remaining pairs and are widely viewed as among the most recognizable memorabilia in American film history.

The charges announced today are the result of a federal investigation into the initial theft of the ruby slippers. The investigation is being conducted by the FBI’s Minneapolis Division.  

An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter was assigned to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of North Dakota pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 515(a).

Because the case is ongoing, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of North Dakota will have no additional comment at this time.

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MINNEAPOLIS – A Savage man has pleaded guilty to illegally possessing a machine gun, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, in September of 2022, the FBI received tips from concerned citizens reporting disturbing behavior of a man at a firearm range, later identified as River William Smith, 21. In November and December 2022, Smith began communicating via a social media platform with an FBI confidential human source (the “CHS”). The FBI’s investigation revealed evidence that Smith was preparing for a violent exchange with police. Smith stated he is “pro mass shooting,” sympathized with the Parkland school shooter, and expressed admiration for the individual charged with the recent shooting at a Colorado Springs LGBTQ nightclub. The FBI also discovered Smith had access to an AR-style rifle, handguns, body armor, and a Kevlar helmet. In online messages, Smith discussed learning about his “enemy” by watching police bodycam shootings online.

According to court documents, on November 17, 2022, Smith asked a second CHS for auto sears to convert his AR-15 style rifle and his Glock handgun into fully automatic machine guns. The CHS told Smith that he could obtain the auto sears for him, and Smith provided the CHS with a down payment of $60. On November 28, 2022, Smith asked whether the CHS knew about M67 fragmentary grenades, which are hand grenades used by the U.S. military in close combat. Smith told the CHS that he wanted three hand grenades to outfit his tactical vest and discussed a plan to purchase the grenades. On December 5, 2022, Smith provided the CHS with a $200 down payment for three hand grenades, priced at $250 per hand grenade.

According to court documents, on December 14, 2022, under supervision of law enforcement, a meeting between Smith and the second CHS was arranged. At the meeting, Smith took possession of three auto sears and three inert hand grenades in exchange for $690 in cash. Smith was then placed under arrest by law enforcement.

Smith pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court before Senior Judge David S. Doty to one count of possession of a machine gun. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI and the Savage Police Department.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Manda Sertich and Andrew Winter, and Department of Justice Trial Attorney Justin Sher.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – U.S. District Judge Wilhelmina M. Wright has entered a judgment against Defendants Cameron-Ehlen Group, Inc. dba Precision Lens and its owner Paul Ehlen in the amount of $487,048,705.13.

On February 27, 2023, a federal civil jury concluded that the Defendants violated the False Claims Act and the Anti-Kickback Statute by paying kickbacks to ophthalmic surgeons to induce their use of the Defendants’ products in cataract surgeries reimbursed by Medicare. The jury found that 64,575 false claims were submitted to Medicare due to the Defendants’ conduct, which resulted in $43,694,641.71 in damages to Medicare.

Under the False Claims Act (FCA), a person or entity found to have violated the FCA is liable to the United States Government for a minimum civil penalty of $5,000 per false claim and three times the amount of damages sustained by the Government. In this matter, the amount included $358,445,780 in statutory penalties and an additional $131,083,925.13 in trebled damages, resulting in a total amount of $489,529,705.13, less $2,481,000 in proceeds from a previous settlement with Sightpath Medical.

As proven at trial, the Defendants provided kickbacks to physicians in various forms, including travel and entertainment. The United States identified multiple examples of trips, including high-end skiing, fishing, golfing, hunting, sporting, and entertainment vacations, often at exclusive destinations. For many of the trips, the Defendants transported physicians to luxury vacation destinations on private jets. These included trips to New York City to see a Broadway musical, the College Football National Championship Game in Miami, Florida, and the Masters golf tournament in Augusta, Georgia. The Defendants also sold frequent flyer miles to their physician customers at a significant discount, enabling the physicians to take personal and business trips at well below fair market value.

“This judgment affirms Congress’ intent to hold individuals and companies accountable when they use illegal kickbacks to defraud federal healthcare programs,” said Bahram Samie, Deputy Civil Chief for the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota. “Medicare beneficiaries are entitled to know with certainty that their physician’s decision-making has not been compromised by a private flight, expensive ski-trip, or any other unlawful inducement. This office is committed to investigating misconduct and recovering funds unlawfully obtained from federal healthcare programs.”

The United States also proved that Precision Lens maintained a fund, referred to internally at Precision Lens as a secret fund or slush fund, in furtherance of its kickback scheme. Precision Lens used money from the secret fund to finance multiple physician trips.

The United States previously announced a $12 million settlement of related allegations with Sightpath Medical, Inc. and TLC Vision Corporation (collectively Sightpath) and their former CEO, James Tiffany. Dr. Jitendra Swarup also resolved claims that he had accepted kickbacks in a settlement agreement of more than $2.9 million.

This civil lawsuit was originally brought by a Relator, or whistleblower, under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act, which allow private parties to bring suit on behalf of the government for false claims and to share in any recovery. The government often relies on whistleblowers to bring fraud schemes to light that might otherwise go undetected. The whistleblower in this matter, Kipp Fesenmaier, will receive a percentage of the amounts awarded at trial.

The case was handled by the Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota, including AUSAs Chad Blumenfield, Bahram Samie, and Andy Tweeten and paralegals Darcie Boschee and Laura Kolars. The case was investigated with assistance from the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

MINNEAPOLIS – Two St. Paul men have been indicted for conspiracy and assault of a federal law enforcement officer, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, on March 30, 2023, Dion Darnell Miller, 27, and Aaron Maurice Admir Harris, 29, conspired with each other to assault, intimidate, and interfere with a law enforcement agent, who was engaged in their official duties, by use of a deadly and dangerous weapon, namely a 9mm Taurus Model semi-automatic handgun.

The indictment charges Miller and Harris with one count of conspiracy to assault a federal law enforcement officer, one count of assault upon a federal law enforcement officer, and one count of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. The defendants made their initial appearances on April 3, 2023, in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge Tony N. Leung. They were ordered to remain in federal custody pending further court proceedings.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the Ramsey County Violent Crimes Enforcement Team, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and the St. Paul Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Allen A. Slaughter is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 

ST PAUL, Minn. – A Cottonwood County man has pleaded guilty to wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, between 2013 and 2021, James Clayton Wolf, 65, a certified organic farmer, engaged in a scheme to defraud grain purchasers by selling them non-GMO grains falsely represented as organic. In his guilty plea, Wolf admitted purchasing conventionally farmed grains from a supplier and reselling the grains labelled as organic. The scheme netted profits of more than $19.6 million, which Wolf used to purchase real estate, vehicles and farm equipment, and investments. As part of the agreement, Wolf will forfeit all the proceeds of the fraud.

Wolf pleaded guilty earlier today before U.S. District Judge Judge Katherine M. Menendez to one count of wire fraud. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Inspector General (USDA-OIG), the FBI, and the U.S. Marshals Service, with assistance from the Cottonwood County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert Lewis, Craig Baune, and Quinn Askew are prosecuting the case.

MINNEAPOLIS – A Burnsville man has been charged in a criminal complaint for illegal possession of machinegun conversion devices, or switches, and for possessing firearms as a felon, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, in March 2023, federal agents received information that Benjamin Jehle Zwack, 29, an employee at a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) business, was selling 3D-printed machinegun conversion devices, commonly known as “switches” or “auto sears.” These devices enable firearms to be fired as a fully automatic weapon by a single function of the trigger and qualify as machineguns under federal law.

According to court documents, on March 7, 2023, an undercover agent went to the FFL business and purchased eleven 3D-printed machinegun conversion devices designed to convert a semiautomatic AR-Type weapon to shoot automatically from Zwack. During the purchase, the undercover agent observed a firearm in Zwack’s waistband.

According to court documents, on March 30, 2023, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant on Zwack’s residence and vehicle. Officers recovered a Girsan-Regard, 9mm semi-automatic pistol from the center console of Zwack’s vehicle and a shotgun and ammunition from his residence. A search of Zwack’s storage locker revealed additional firearms, suspected homemade silencers, ammunition, and a suspected destructive device.

Because Zwack has a prior felony conviction he is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.

The complaint charges Zwack with one count of possession of machineguns and one count of possession of a firearm as a felon. Zwack made his initial appearance yesterday before Magistrate Judge Dulce J. Foster. He was ordered to remain in detention pending further court proceedings.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Dakota County Drug Task Force.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David P. Steinkamp is prosecuting the case.

A complaint is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

MINNEAPOLIS – A Minneapolis man was sentenced to 88 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for his role in three armed robberies of Minneapolis businesses, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger. 

According to court documents, on March 31, 2022, Matthew Dereck Howell, 23, entered Dollar City Plus, a retail store in Minneapolis, while an unidentified co-conspirator waited outside as a lookout. Howell pulled a handgun and aimed it at the store owner who was behind the counter and demanded money from the register. As Howell was ordering the employees to move faster, he fired the gun in the direction of the store owner causing a bullet to graze the store owner's neck. After firing the shot, Howell went behind the counter, opened the register, and took approximately $1,200. Howell left the store and fled on foot.

A few days later, on April 3, 2022, Howell borrowed a white Cadillac sedan to drive to Sam's Market and Meat, located in Minneapolis. Howell entered the market and approached the counter as if to pay for an item. Howell pulled out a black handgun and pointed it at the clerk, demanded money from the cash register, and threatened to shoot. Howell reached over the counter into the register and took approximately $50. Howell then fled back to the Cadillac and drove away.

Later that same day, Howell entered Minneapolis Market, approached the counter, pulled out a handgun and pointed it at an employee, and demanded money from the register. Howell then reached over the counter and took approximately $700 before fleeing.

Howell was sentenced today in U.S. District Court before Judge Katherine M. Menendez. On November 8, 2022, he pleaded guilty to two counts of Hobbs Act robbery.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Minneapolis Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura M. Provinzino and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah E. Hudleston prosecuted the case.

MINNEAPOLIS – A Duluth man has pleaded guilty to wire fraud after pretending to operate a law firm and defrauding an individual out of thousands of dollars in legal fees, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, between March and April 2022, Gale Allen Rachuy, 73, devised and executed a scheme to defraud an individual (Victim A) by falsely representing that he could provide legal services in connection with Victim A’s post-conviction motion in exchange for $10,000. Rachuy told Victim A that he operated Midwest Legal Service, a Duluth-area law firm, for more than 38 years and claimed to employ several attorneys, including a retired federal judge who previously served on the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals (Judge A) and a retired Hennepin County District Court judge (Judge B).

According to court documents, on March 10, 2022, Rachuy sent a letter to Victim A on Midwest Legal Service letterhead falsely claiming that Judge A would assist in Victim A’s legal representation and enclosed a copy of a retainer agreement seeking a $2,500 payment. On March 15, 2022, Rachuy received the $2,500 retainer from Victim A. Shortly thereafter, Victim A became suspicious and confronted Rachuy because Victim A had not received a draft of the legal documents Rachuy had promised to file. Rachuy promised Victim A that he would promptly refund the money, but never did so. Instead, Rachuy continued to falsely assure Victim A that Judge A and Judge B were working on the case.

Rachuy pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court before Senior Judge Joan N. Ericksen to one count of wire fraud. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Duluth Police Department, and the Hermantown Police Department, with assistance from the St. Louis County Attorney’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chelsea A. Walcker and Harry M. Jacobs are prosecuting the case.

ST PAUL, Minn. – A Plymouth man has been indicted on one count of arson and one count of damage to religious property, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, on April 23, 2023, at approximately 7:00 p.m., Little, 36, started a fire in the bathroom of the Masjid Omar Islamic Center. On April 24, 2023, just before 7:00 p.m., Little was captured on surveillance video entering the Masjid Al Rahma. Shortly thereafter, a fire broke out on the third floor of the mosque, and the building was evacuated.

According to court documents, prior to the arson incidents, on January 5, 2023, Little was captured on surveillance video entering the Minneapolis district office of a U.S. Representative. Little spray-painted the text “500” on the front door of the U.S. Representative’s office and photographed the graffiti. Later that same day, Little spray-painted the same text (“500”) on the side of a patrol vehicle assigned to a Somali Minneapolis Police Department officer as well as in an entryway at a marketplace, colloquially referred to as the “Somali Mall.”

Little, who was arrested in Mankato on April 29, was arraigned this morning in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Cowan Wright. He was ordered to remain in detention pending further court proceedings.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Minneapolis Police Department, the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Justice Department’s Civil Rights and National Security Divisions, the Blue Earth County Sheriff’s Office, and the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Manda M. Sertich is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

MINNEAPOLIS – Two indictments were unsealed today in the District of Minnesota charging 30 members and associates of two Minneapolis-based street gangs – the Highs and the Bloods – with racketeering (RICO) conspiracy involving alleged murder, attempted murder, robbery, obstruction of justice, and drug trafficking. Additional charges include the use of a firearm to commit murder and drug trafficking. In addition to these indictments, separate charging documents have been brought against an additional 15 Highs or Bloods members on drug and gun charges. 

“Today’s announcement marks a fundamental change for federal law enforcement. We are now addressing gang violence for what it is: organized criminal activity,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger. “As alleged, these defendants engaged in an unrelenting trail of violence, resulting in today’s federal RICO charges and related charges. The aggregate nature of a RICO prosecution has a deeper impact and carries a stronger deterrence message, with the ultimate goal of reducing violence and returning peace to our communities.”

“Violent gangs wreak havoc on local residents, engaging in bloody street wars and peddling dangerous drugs that devastate communities and families,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “As today’s announcement demonstrates, the Criminal Division is deploying its resources and expertise in close coordination with our partners to target the specific drivers of violent crime and hold gang members and associates accountable for their offenses.” 

“When rival gangs declare war on each other in the streets in any city, it is the innocent bystanders that suffer the greatest consequences,” said Director Steven Dettelbach of the ATF. “I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, the Minneapolis Police Department, the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, and all of our law enforcement partners involved in bringing this case.”

“Today's indictment of numerous Highs and Bloods gang members is the result of an exhaustive investigation conducted with our local, state, and federal partners,” Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of the FBI Minneapolis Field Office. “No American should be forced to live in perpetual fear of being a victim of violent crime. These arrests demonstrate our efforts are turning the tide against organized crime in the Twin Cities and the upper Midwest.”

“For too long, criminal gangs have wreaked havoc on our streets, leaving in their wake tragedy and trauma that threatens to destroy families, neighborhoods, and communities. When we refrain from utilizing the full force of laws available to hold these bad actors accountable, we allow for this horrific behavior, and its impact on residents, to continue to be normalized. The behavior of these bad actors is outrageous and entirely unacceptable,” said Chief Brian O’Hara of the Minneapolis Police Department. “The most vulnerable in our communities are often those most impacted by gun violence and criminal gang activity. Our most vulnerable residents are entitled to the same protections and safety as everyone else in society. These arrests are just the beginning. For the first time ever, we have embedded Minneapolis police officers in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and we will continue to develop future cases. Today we are standing shoulder to shoulder with all of law enforcement and making clear that this behavior will not be tolerated. If you intend to engage in violent crimes in our city, we will find you, we will track you down, and we will bring you to justice.”

Highs Enterprise Indictments

Twenty members and associates of the Highs Enterprise are charged in a 12-count indictment with RICO conspiracy involving five separate murders, over 10 attempted murders, robbery, and drug trafficking. Five additional defendants are charged in this indictment with separate drug and gun charges.

As alleged in this indictment, the Highs have been operating primarily in the north side of Minneapolis since approximately 2008. The Highs congregated at specific businesses and residences located at or near the West Broadway Avenue and Lyndale Avenue North intersection. Prospective Highs members proved their loyalty to the gang by “putting in work,” i.e., committing acts of violence for the benefit of the gang or offering other benefits such as introducing a source for drugs or firearms. Highs members were expelled from the gang and physically assaulted for failing to “put in work.” The Highs leaders, or “shot callers,” determined the quantity of drugs bought and sold and the locations where members were permitted to sell the drugs. The shot callers sometimes took the lead in obtaining and distributing firearms to other Highs members.

The indictment alleges a years-long pattern of violence including murders, numerous shootings and acts of retaliation against rival gang members, dealing in fentanyl, and robberies. Between April and September 2021, Highs members are alleged to have committed five murders.

Minneapolis Bloods Enterprise Indictments

Five members and associates of the Minneapolis Bloods charged in a separate indictment, including two who are charged with RICO conspiracy involving two separate murders, over 10 attempted murders, robbery, and drug trafficking. The remaining three defendants are charged with separate drug and gun charges, including using a firearm in a killing for two separate murders.

As alleged in this indictment, the Minneapolis Bloods chapter has been in existence for several decades, controlling and operating territory on the south side of Minneapolis. The hierarchy of the Bloods includes a head or leader of the gang, senior leaders, street-level leaders, and other members or associates. New recruits (called “YGs” or young gangsters) must fight, shoot, or make money to gain respect and increase their position in the gang. The next level in the gang is “OG” (original gangsters), who are well-respected members of the gang, and the highest level is “double OG.” All OGs are equal in rank and can direct “shots” or orders. “Enforcers” carry out the OG’s “shots” or orders by beating or assaulting the offender. Members of the Bloods often wear red clothing, display gang signs, and obtain tattoos that identify the Bloods, its members, or territory.

This indictment alleges a pattern of violence, including a 2020 shootout and murder at the 200 Club in north Minneapolis. In April 2022, Bloods members physically attacked, shot at, and murdered an individual outside of William’s Pub in Uptown. The indictment also alleges other criminal acts, including numerous instances of narcotics trafficking.

The following defendants are charged in the Highs indictment, with all defendants being from Minneapolis, unless otherwise noted below.

• Montez Brown, aka Tez Blood, 31, is charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and possession of a machinegun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
• Dantrell Johnson, aka Trell Moe, 30, is charged with RICO conspiracy and with using and carrying a firearm in furtherance of murder.
• Gregory Hamilton, aka Lil’ Lord, 27, is charged with RICO conspiracy and using and carrying a firearm in furtherance of murder.
• Keon Pruitt, aka KenKen, 20, is charged with RICO conspiracy and using and carrying a firearm in furtherance of murder.
• Jovan Knight, aka 23, aka JoJo, 23, is charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
• Tyreese Giles, aka Reese, 22, is charged with RICO conspiracy.
• Josiah Taylor, aka Joker, 29, is charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
• Douglas Mobley, aka Nut, 35, of St. Paul, is charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
• Jarrett Robinson, aka Gator, 25, is charged with RICO conspiracy.
• Trevaun Robinson, aka Tricky Tre, 27, is charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
• Isaac Hodge, aka Ike, 46, is charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
• Christopher Finch, aka Twin, 22, is charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
• Tony Jelks, aka BD, 29, is charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
• Cortez Blakemore, aka Tez, 33, is charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
• Randy Tate, aka “Randy,” aka 32, is charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
• Trevoneia Felton, aka Tre, 21, of St. Paul, is charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
• Chase Robertson, aka Chase Loco, 25, of St. Paul, is charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
• Malcolm Samuels, aka Reggie, 24, is charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
• William Banks, aka Bear, 33, is charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
• Ronald Washington, aka Black, 36, is charged with RICO conspiracy.
• William Johnson, aka Lil’ Will, 32, is charged with using and carrying a firearm in furtherance of murder.
• Dashaun Morris, aka Mush, 21, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
• Ernest Boyd, aka Shaky Shawn, 42, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
• Maron Bailey, aka Boonie, 25, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
• Isaiah Bell, 20, of St. Paul, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.

Additionally, the following defendants are Highs members or associates who were charged in individual indictments:

• Montrell Shief, 23, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of a machinegun.
• Deon Williams, aka Ghost, 28, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
• Dennis Mobley, aka Diddy, 34, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

The following defendants are named in the Bloods indictment:

• Desean James Solomon, aka Black, 33, is charged with RICO conspiracy and two counts of using and carrying a firearm in furtherance of murder.
• Michael Allen Burrell, aka Skitz, 42, is charged with using and carrying a firearm in furtherance of murder.
• Leontawan Lentez Holt, aka Leon, aka Shotta, aka Shot Dog, 25, is charged with using and carrying a firearm in furtherance of murder.

Additionally, the following defendants are Bloods members or associates who were charged separately:

• Theodore Harold Bobo Jr., aka Boo, 37 of St. Paul, is charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, being a felon of possession of a firearm and ammunition, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
• Jordan Kenneth Edwards, aka J-Bird, 34, is charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, being a felon of possession of a firearm and ammunition, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
• Isaiah Lamuel Elisha Ferguson, 26, is charged with firearm conspiracy and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
• Josiah Ferguson, 24, is charged with firearm conspiracy and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
• Demarcus Cortez Garner, 24, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
• Andrew Dayjon Griffin, 32, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
• Obuatawan Holt, aka Bone, 47, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
• Latoya Bea Smith, 47, is charged with knowingly transferring firearms to a felon.
• John Eric Solomon, aka Eastside, 33 of Minneapolis, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
• Traigh Sean Tillman, 29, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
• Nathan Walz, aka Fat Nate, aka Fat Blood, aka Fat Boy, aka White Boy Nate, 34, of Prior Lake, is charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

If convicted, the defendants face a range of penalties, including up to life in prison for racketeering conspiracy involving acts of murder, using a firearm to commit murder, and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.

The ATF, FBI, Minneapolis Police Department, IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and Minnesota Department of Corrections are investigating the cases, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office. The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, Dakota County Sheriff’s Office, St. Paul Police Department, and numerous other law enforcement agencies contributed to this investigation through reports or evidence control.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samantha H. Bates, Justin A. Wesley, Esther Soria Mignanelli, and Joseph S. Teirab for the District of Minnesota and Trial Attorneys Brian W. Lynch and S. Benjamin Tonkin of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section are prosecuting the cases.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Two indictments were unsealed today in the District of Minnesota charging 30 members and associates of two Minneapolis-based street gangs – the Highs and the Bloods – with racketeering (RICO) conspiracy involving alleged murder, attempted murder, robbery, obstruction of justice, and drug trafficking. Additional charges include the use of a firearm to commit murder and drug trafficking. In addition to these indictments, separate charging documents have been brought against an additional 15 Highs or Bloods members on drug and gun charges. 

“Violent gangs wreak havoc on local residents, engaging in bloody street wars and peddling dangerous drugs that devastate communities and families,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “As today’s announcement demonstrates, the Criminal Division is deploying its resources and expertise in close coordination with our partners to target the specific drivers of violent crime and hold gang members and associates accountable for their offenses.” 

“Today’s announcement marks a fundamental change for federal law enforcement. We are now addressing gang violence for what it is: organized criminal activity,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger for the District of Minnesota. “As alleged, these defendants engaged in an unrelenting trail of violence, resulting in today’s federal RICO charges and related charges. The aggregate nature of a RICO prosecution has a deeper impact and carries a stronger deterrence message, with the ultimate goal of reducing violence and returning peace to our communities.”

“When rival gangs declare war on each other in the streets in any city, it is the innocent bystanders that suffer the greatest consequences,” said ATF Director Steven Dettelbach. “I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, the Minneapolis Police Department, the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, and all of our law enforcement partners involved in bringing this case.”

“Today's indictment of numerous Highs and Bloods gang members is the result of an exhaustive investigation conducted with our local, state, and federal partners,” Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of the FBI Minneapolis Field Office. “No American should be forced to live in perpetual fear of being a victim of violent crime. These arrests demonstrate our efforts are turning the tide against organized crime in the Twin Cities and the upper Midwest.”

“For too long, criminal gangs have wreaked havoc on our streets, leaving in their wake tragedy and trauma that threatens to destroy families, neighborhoods, and communities. When we refrain from utilizing the full force of laws available to hold these bad actors accountable, we allow for this horrific behavior, and its impact on residents, to continue to be normalized. The behaviors of these bad actors is outrageous and entirely unacceptable,” said Chief Brian O’Hara of the Minneapolis Police Department. “The most vulnerable in our communities are often those most impacted by gun violence and criminal gang activity. Our most vulnerable residents are entitled to the same protections and safety as everyone else in society. These arrests are just the beginning. For the first time ever, we have embedded Minneapolis police officers in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and we will continue to develop future cases. Today we are standing shoulder to shoulder with all of law enforcement, and making clear that this behavior will not be tolerated. If you intend to engage in violent crimes in our city, we will find you, we will track you down, and we will bring you to justice.”

Highs Enterprise Indictments

Twenty members and associates of the Highs Enterprise are charged in a 12-count indictment with RICO conspiracy involving five separate murders, over 10 attempted murders, robbery, and drug trafficking. Five additional defendants are charged in this indictment with separate drug and gun charges.

As alleged in this indictment, the Highs have been operating primarily in the north side of Minneapolis since approximately 2008. The Highs congregated at specific businesses and residences located at or near the West Broadway Avenue and Lyndale Avenue North intersection. Prospective Highs members proved their loyalty to the gang by “putting in work,” i.e., committing acts of violence for the benefit of the gang or offering other benefits such as introducing a source for drugs or firearms. Highs members were expelled from the gang and physically assaulted for failing to “put in work.” The Highs’ leaders, or “shot callers,” determined the quantity of drugs bought and sold and the locations where members were permitted to sell the drugs. The shot callers sometimes took the lead in obtaining and distributing firearms to other Highs members.

The indictment alleges a years-long pattern of violence including murders, numerous shootings and acts of retaliation against rival gang members, dealing in fentanyl, and robberies. Between April and September 2021, Highs members are alleged to have committed five murders.

Minneapolis Bloods Enterprise Indictments

Five members and associates of the Minneapolis Bloods charged in a separate indictment, including two who are charged with RICO conspiracy involving two separate murders, over 10 attempted murders, robbery, and drug trafficking. The remaining three defendants are charged with separate drug and gun charges, including using a firearm in a killing for two separate murders.

As alleged in this indictment, the Minneapolis Bloods chapter has been in existence for several decades, controlling and operating territory on the south side of Minneapolis. The hierarchy of the Bloods includes a head or leader of the gang, senior leaders, street-level leaders, and other members or associates. New recruits (called “YGs” or young gangsters) must fight, shoot, or make money to gain respect and increase their position in the gang. The next level in the gang is “OG” (original gangsters), who are well-respected members of the gang, and the highest level is “double OG.” All OGs are equal in rank and can direct “shots” or orders. “Enforcers” carry out the OG’s “shots” or orders by beating or assaulting the offender. Members of the Bloods often wear red clothing, display gang signs, and obtain tattoos that identify the Bloods, its members, or territory.

This indictment alleges a pattern of violence, including a 2020 shootout and murder at the 200 Club in north Minneapolis. In April 2022, Bloods members physically attacked, shot at, and murdered an individual outside of William’s Pub in Uptown. The indictment also alleges other criminal acts, including numerous instances of narcotics trafficking.

The following defendants are charged in the Highs indictment, with all defendants being from Minneapolis, unless otherwise noted below.

• Montez Brown, aka Tez Blood, 31, is charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and possession of a machinegun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
• Dantrell Johnson, aka Trell Moe, 30, is charged with RICO conspiracy and with using and carrying a firearm in furtherance of murder.
• Gregory Hamilton, aka Lil’ Lord, 27, is charged with RICO conspiracy and using and carrying a firearm in furtherance of murder.
• Keon Pruitt, aka KenKen, 20, is charged with RICO conspiracy and using and carrying a firearm in furtherance of murder.
• Jovan Knight, aka JoJo, 23, is charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
• Tyreese Giles, aka Reese, 22, is charged with RICO conspiracy.
• Josiah Taylor, aka Joker, 29, is charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
• Douglas Mobley, aka Nut, 35, of St. Paul, is charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
• Jarrett Robinson, aka Gator, 25, is charged with RICO conspiracy.
• Trevaun Robinson, aka Tricky Tre, 27, is charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
• Isaac Hodge, aka Ike, 46, is charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
• Christopher Finch, aka Twin, 22, is charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
• Tony Jelks, aka BD, 29, is charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
• Cortez Blakemore, aka Tez, 33, is charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
• Randy Tate, aka Randy, 32, is charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
• Trevoneia Felton, aka Tre, 21, of St. Paul, is charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
• Chase Robertson, aka Chase Loco, 25, of St. Paul, is charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
• Malcolm Samuels, aka Reggie, 24, is charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
• William Banks, aka Bear, 33, is charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
• Ronald Washington, aka Black, 36, is charged with RICO conspiracy.
• William Johnson, aka Lil’ Will, 32, is charged with using and carrying a firearm in furtherance of murder.
• Dashaun Morris, aka Mush, 21, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
• Ernest Boyd, aka Shaky Shawn, 42, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
• Maron Bailey, aka Boonie, 25, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
• Isaiah Bell, 20, of St. Paul, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.

Additionally, the following defendants are Highs members or associates who were charged in individual indictments:

• Montrell Shief, 23, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of a machinegun.
• Deon Williams, aka Ghost, 28, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
• Dennis Mobley, aka Diddy, 34, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

The following defendants are named in the Bloods indictment:

• Desean James Solomon, aka Black, 33, is charged with RICO conspiracy and two counts of using and carrying a firearm in furtherance of murder.
• Michael Allen Burrell, aka Skitz, 42, is charged with using and carrying a firearm in furtherance of murder.
• Leontawan Lentez Holt, aka Leon, aka Shotta, aka Shot Dog, 25, is charged with using and carrying a firearm in furtherance of murder.

Additionally, the following defendants are Bloods members or associates who were charged separately:

• Theodore Harold Bobo Jr., aka Boo, 37 of St. Paul, is charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, being a felon of possession of a firearm and ammunition, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
• Jordan Kenneth Edwards, aka J-Bird, 34, is charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, being a felon of possession of a firearm and ammunition, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
• Isaiah Lamuel Elisha Ferguson, 26, is charged with firearm conspiracy and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
• Josiah Ferguson, 24, is charged with firearm conspiracy and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
• Demarcus Cortez Garner, 24, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
• Andrew Dayjon Griffin, 32, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
• Obuatawan Holt, aka Bone, 47, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
• Latoya Bea Smith, 47, is charged with knowingly transferring firearms to a felon.
• John Eric Solomon, aka Eastside, 33 of Minneapolis, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
• Traigh Sean Tillman, 29, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
• Nathan Walz, aka Fat Nate, aka Fat Blood, aka Fat Boy, aka White Boy Nate, 34, of Prior Lake, is charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

If convicted, the defendants face a range of penalties, including up to life in prison for racketeering conspiracy involving acts of murder, using a firearm to commit murder, and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.

The ATF, FBI, Minneapolis Police Department, IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and Minnesota Department of Corrections are investigating the cases, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office. The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, Dakota County Sheriff’s Office, St. Paul Police Department, and numerous other law enforcement agencies contributed to this investigation through reports or evidence control.

Trial Attorneys Brian W. Lynch and S. Benjamin Tonkin of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samantha H. Bates, Justin A. Wesley, Esther Soria Mignanelli, and Joseph S. Teirab for the District of Minnesota are prosecuting the cases.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

MINNEAPOLIS – Jackie Rahm Little, aka Joel Arthur Tueting, has been arrested and charged in a federal criminal complaint with arson following fires at two Minneapolis mosques, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

Little was apprehended and arrested last night in Mankato by the Blue Earth County Sheriff’s Office and taken into federal custody today by FBI and ATF agents, with assistance from the Minneapolis and St. Paul Police Departments.

According to court documents, on April 23, 2023, at approximately 7:00 p.m., Little, 36, started a fire in the bathroom of the Masjid Omar Islamic Center. On April 24, 2023, just before 7:00 p.m., Little was captured on surveillance video entering the Masjid Al Rahma Mosque. Shortly thereafter, a fire broke out on the third floor of the mosque and the building was evacuated.

According to court documents, prior to the arson incidents, on January 5, 2023, Little was captured on surveillance video entering the Minneapolis district office of a U.S. Representative. Little spray-painted the text “500” on the front door of the U.S. Representative’s office and photographed the graffiti. Later that same day, Little spray-painted the same text (“500”) on the side of a patrol vehicle assigned to a Somali Minneapolis Police Department officer as well as in an entryway at a marketplace, colloquially referred to as the “Somali Mall.”

Little will make his initial appearance in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Cowan Wright on Monday, May 1, 2023.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Minneapolis Police Department, the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, the Blue Earth County Sheriff’s Office, and the St. Paul Police Department, with assistance from the Justice Department’s Civil Rights and National Security Divisions, and the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Manda M. Sertich is prosecuting the case.

A complaint is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Brainerd man has been sentenced to 150 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, on April 26, 2022, a Minnesota State Patrol Trooper traffic stopped Kyle Vernon Elwell, 29, at a gas station in Motley, Minnesota. Elwell was arrested on an active warrant. Before his arrest, Elwell threw a pouch with approximately $7,995 onto the ground. The State Trooper also found a bag with 51 M-30 fentanyl pills on the ground. During a subsequent search of Elwell’s vehicle, law enforcement found approximately 834 grams of methamphetamine, a digital scale, and an unserialized “ghost” handgun.

Elwell pleaded guilty on September 2, 2022, to one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. He was sentenced yesterday before Senior U.S. District Judge Donovan W. Frank.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Minnesota State Patrol.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Bradley M. Endicott prosecuted the case.

MINNEAPOLIS – A Maple Grove man has pleaded guilty to an armed carjacking at a Blaine grocery store, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, on September 24, 2022, Justin Michael Kittleson, 20, targeted two victims as they left the Cub Foods grocery store in Blaine and loaded groceries into their car. Kittleson approached one of the victims at the trunk of the car and pointed a gun at them. The second victim attempted to intervene, and a struggle ensued. The gun discharged, and the shot is believed to have grazed the second victim’s ear. Kittleson took control of the car and drove away. A 9MM shell casing was recovered at the scene by officers with the Blaine Police Department. After reviewing surveillance video footage and with the assistance from other members of the public, officers were able to identify and locate Kittleson. On September 29, 2022, law enforcement executed a search warrant at a residence associated with Kittleson and recovered two 9MM firearms (the same caliber as the casing found at the scene of the carjacking) and a hooded sweatshirt that matched the sweatshirt Kittleson was seen wearing in the surveillance footage.

Kittleson pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court before Senior Judge Ann D. Montgomery to one count of carjacking and one count of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Kittleson is scheduled to be sentenced on August 16, 2023.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI and the Blaine Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey E. Middlecamp is prosecuting the case.

MINNEAPOLIS – The United States Attorney’s Office recognized members of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies at its fourth annual “Excellence in the Pursuit of Justice” Awards ceremony. The ceremony, held on April 25, 2023, honored law enforcement professionals who have gone above and beyond their duties to safeguard Minnesota’s communities.

“It is a great honor to recognize the exceptional work and unwavering dedication put forth by the law enforcement officials and victim advocates with whom we are fortunate to work on a daily basis,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger. “In conjunction with National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, I applaud our law enforcement partners for their outstanding service to our communities and their pursuit of justice for the victims as well as the offenders.”

The honorees are members of the following agencies:

• Bloomington Police Department
• U.S. Department of Labor – Office of the Inspector General
• Burnsville Police Department
• U.S. Postal Inspection Service
• Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of the Inspector General
• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
• Drug Enforcement Administration
• Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office
• Brooklyn Park Police Department
• Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
• Albert Lea Police Department
• Minnesota Department of Corrections

MINNEAPOLIS – A Maple Grove man has been sentenced to 30 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release for illegal possession of firearms, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger. 

According to court documents, in January of 2022, the brothers were both charged in Hennepin County District Court for possession of machineguns after they brought to the funeral of a known gang member firearms that had each been modified with auto sears. An auto sear, also known as a switch, is a device used to convert a semi-automatic firearm into a fully automatic firearm and is considered a machinegun under federal law. In the spring of 2022, both Cortez and Quantez Ward pleaded guilty to their Hennepin County charges and were released on terms of probation.

On May 6, 2022, the brothers were pulled over by the Maple Grove police department. During that traffic stop, Cortez Ward was in possession of an unserialized Polymer 80 pistol with a large-capacity magazine loaded with 19 rounds of ammunition on his person. Quantez Ward had an AK-style gun in a backpack in the car. On July 19, 2022, law enforcement executed a federal arrest warrant at the Ward brothers’ residence. Inside, law enforcement found multiple firearms, including a 9mm Ruger rifle, a H&K MP5 rifle and a Polymer 80 pistol with a switch.

On November 21, 2022, Quantez Ward pleaded guilty to one count of possession of firearms as a felon related to several of the firearms recovered on July 19, 2022. He was sentenced yesterday before Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz. Cortez Ward will be sentenced at a later date.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Minneapolis Police Department, and the Maple Grove Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey E. Middlecamp prosecuted the case.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Sumalee Intarathong also known as Alice Spencer Warren has been sentenced for her role in a large-scale international Thai sex trafficking organization, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger. 

According to court documents, the criminal organization conspired to make money by compelling hundreds of women from Bangkok, Thailand, to engage in commercial sex acts in various cities across the United States. Before her arrest in Belgium on August 5, 2016, Intarathong, 62, served as a visa broker for the sex trafficking organization. Each trafficked victim was “owned” by Intarathong and her co-conspirators, until the victim could repay an exorbitant “bondage debt” of between $40,000 and $60,000. Intarathong and other co-conspirators arranged for victims to travel from Thailand to the United States and placed the victims in a house of prostitution somewhere in the United States.

According to court documents, Intarathong and other co-conspirators in the organization engaged in widespread visa fraud to facilitate the international transportation of the victims. Members of the criminal organization assisted the victims in obtaining fraudulent visitor visas and travel documents. As a part of obtaining visa documents, members of the criminal conspiracy gathered personal information from the victims, including the location of the victims’ families in Thailand. This information was later used to threaten victims who became non-compliant or tried to flee the organization in the United States.

One of Intarathong’s victims wrote to the Court: “I am a victim of human trafficking and suffered psychologically because I was afraid that I would be arrested or the traffickers would come hurt or kill me. I was so scared even after the defendants in my case were arrested because I knew them directly. I did not dare go outside and was not able to sleep for a long time.”  That victim had to engaged in commercial sex acts with “about seven to eleven customers per day” until she paid off her bondage debt.

According to court documents, the organization dealt primarily in cash and engaged in rampant and sophisticated money laundering in order to promote and conceal illegal profits. Throughout the course of the conspiracy the criminal organization has moved tens of millions of dollars in illegal proceeds from the United States to Thailand and elsewhere.

Intarathong was arrested in Belgium in August 2016 and remained in custody there until she was extradited to the United States in February 2021. On November 29, 2022, she pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and one count of conspiracy to engage in money laundering. Intarathong, the last of the 38 defendants sentenced in the trafficking scheme, was sentenced today before Senior Judge Donovan W. Frank to time served since her arrest in 2016 and $500,000 in restitution to the victims. In addition, Intarathong agreed to be removed from the United States to Belgium or Thailand and will be turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement to carry out the Court’s order.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, Criminal Investigation Division of the IRS, Diplomatic Security Service, St. Paul Police Department, Anoka County Sheriff’s Office, and Cook County (Illinois) Sheriff’s Office, with the support of the International Organized Crime Intelligence and Operations Center (IOC-2). The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided critical assistance in securing the defendant’s extradition from Belgium.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melinda A. Williams and Laura M. Provinzino prosecuted the case with the assistance of the DOJ Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit and the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section.

MINNEAPOLIS – A California man has been charged in a federal criminal complaint with indecent exposure on an aircraft, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to a law enforcement affidavit, on April 17, 2023, Sidney Royel Selby III, 25, also known as “Desiigner,” was traveling on Delta Flight 120 from Tokyo, Japan, to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. While the flight was in the air, Selby, who was seated in the Delta One cabin, exposed his genitals multiple times. During one of the exposures, he masturbated. A flight attendant handed Selby an FAA violation card, which is a notice that states a passenger’s behavior “appears to be in violation of federal law.” At the request of flight attendants, Selby moved to the rear of the plane and was seated near two travel companions who agreed to monitor him. When Flight 120 arrived in Minneapolis, Selby was detained and interviewed by an FBI agent.

Selby is charged with one count of indecent exposure on an aircraft. The alleged offense is a misdemeanor punishable by no more than 90 days imprisonment and a $500 fine. Selby will make his initial appearance before a Magistrate Judge in U.S. District Court at a later date.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, with assistance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport Police.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew D. Forbes and Laura M. Provinzino are prosecuting the case.

A complaint is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

MINNEAPOLIS – A Rochester man has been sentenced to 235 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release for leading a methamphetamine trafficking ring, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, from September 2021 through February 2022, Jerry Lee Milliken, 40, led a large-scale methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy based in Rochester and operated throughout southeastern Minnesota and elsewhere. Milliken organized the delivery of methamphetamine from a supplier in Kansas City, Missouri, to sub-distributors in the Rochester area. Milliken also collected and received drug proceeds and facilitated communications in support of the conspiracy. Between the fall of 2021 and the winter of 2022, law enforcement seized approximately 80 pounds of methamphetamine from the conspiracy during various enforcement operations.

Milliken pleaded guilty on November 18, 2022, to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. He was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson.

Aaron Raymond Dombovy, 30, one of Milliken’s coconspirators, pleaded guilty on November 16, 2022, to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. He also faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Rochester Police Department, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Southeast Minnesota Violent Crimes Enforcement Team, and the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Allen A. Slaughter Jr. prosecuted the case.

MINNEAPOLIS – A Devils Lake, North Dakota man has been sentenced to 136 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for carjacking a man at gunpoint in Blaine, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger. 

According to court documents, on July 30, 2022, at approximately 3:52 a.m., Joshua Lee Sinawa, 27, approached a bakery delivery box truck in the parking lot of a Cub Foods in Blaine, Minnesota. While the delivery driver was in the vehicle’s driver seat, Sinawa approached the vehicle on the driver’s side, pointed a firearm at the victim, and demanded that the victim get out of the vehicle. Sinawa then forced him to walk into the Cub Foods store at gunpoint. Sinawa left the Cub Foods store while the victim remained inside and fled the scene in the stolen bakery delivery box truck.

Sinawa was sentenced yesterday before Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz to 52 months for carjacking and a consecutive 84 months for brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Blaine Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew S. Dunne and Craig R. Baune prosecuted the case.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Bemidji woman has been sentenced to 240 months in prison for her role in a murder and an assault that took place in August 2019 on the Red Lake Indian Reservation, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger. 

According to court documents, shortly before 1:00 a.m. on August 12, 2019, Alexia Gah Gi Gay Mary Cutbank, 21, Mia Faye Sumner, 21, of Duluth, and Daniel Charles Barrett, 31, of Redby, entered the garage of a Red Lake residence where Daniel Alan Johnson was known to reside. Cutbank, Sumner, and Barrett were masked and armed. Once inside, Cutbank fired multiple gunshots, fatally wounding Johnson and seriously injuring a second victim, T.B.S. The three defendants returned to the waiting vehicle and left the scene. To assist the defendants in avoiding arrest, Rose Celeste Siewert, 50, of Cass Lake, drove Cutbank, Barrett, and Sumner off the Red Lake Indian Reservation.

On September 20, 2022, Cutbank pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting murder in the second degree and one count of aiding and abetting assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Cutbank was sentenced yesterday before Senior U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson. Sumner was sentenced on March 9, 2023, to 120 months in prison and Siewert was sentenced on March 8, 2023, to 48 months in prison. Barrett will be sentenced at a later date.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Red Lake Tribal Police Department, the FBI, the FBI Headwaters Safe Trails Task Force, the Duluth Police Department, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and the Minnesota Department of Corrections.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Deidre Y. Aanstad prosecuted the case.

DULUTH, Minn. – A Red Lake man has been sentenced to 63 months in prison, followed by four years of supervised release, for possessing a firearm as a felon and possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, on June 22, 2022, after Matt Dion Sayers, 47, had escaped from Red Lake Police custody, agents began investigating Sayers for suspected ongoing drug distribution from a motel in Bemidji. Agents observed Sayers arrive and park his vehicle at the motel, and then enter and exit a silver van parked nearby. Law enforcement detained Sayers moments after he left the van for suspicion of controlled substance sales and driving without a valid driver's license. Sayers told agents that he was staying at a room inside the motel, for which agents had already obtained a search warrant. During a search, agents found approximately 46 grams of fentanyl powder in Sayers’ pants pocket. During a search of Sayers’ Chevy Impala, law enforcement located approximately $11,000 in cash, a small safe containing various packaged controlled substances (including but not limited to multiple additional fentanyl and methamphetamine in small baggies). Law enforcement also located a loaded UZI Pro Brand 9 x 19 mm caliber semi-automatic pistol, which was found on the front driver's side floorboard.

Sayers pleaded guilty on December 13, 2022, to one count of possessing a firearm as a felon and one count of possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl. He was sentenced on April 16, 2023, before U.S. District Judge John R. Tunheim.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the FBI Headwaters Safe Trails Task Force, the Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force, the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office, and the Red Lake Tribal Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Albania Concepcion and Allen A. Slaughter prosecuted the case.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Sauk Rapids man has been sentenced to the statutory maximum 60 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for unlicensed manufacturing and selling ghost guns, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

“Jay Olson was manufacturing and trafficking untraceable, unmarked firearms and accessories, including a fully automatic machinegun and a silencer. The proliferation of these ghost guns and machinegun conversion devices presents a serious threat to the safety of our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger. “To underscore the significance of his crimes, Mr. Olson has been handed the statutory maximum prison term.”

“A case like this demonstrates the immense value of collaborative law enforcement efforts in curbing gun violence in our communities,” said Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt. “I’m proud of the efforts of our West Metro Drug Taskforce and our Violent Offender Taskforce, who partnered with ATF and Stearns County Sheriff’s Office on this investigation. I would like to thank the U.S Attorney’s Office for our continued partnership as we all work to reduce violent crime in our communities.” 

“Firearms trafficking puts dangerous weapons in the hands of violent criminals and will absolutely not be tolerated,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge William McCrary, of the St. Paul Field Division. “We are pleased with the outcome of this case and are grateful to work beside law enforcement partners like Sheriff Witt who make the reduction of gun violence a top priority.”

According to court documents, between the fall of 2021 through April 2022, Jay James Olson, 22, willfully engaged in the business of manufacturing firearms for profit, despite the fact that he is not and has never been a federally licensed manufacturer of firearms. In the spring of 2022, Olson offered to sell numerous unserialized firearms, commonly referred to as “ghost guns,” and various firearms-related accessories, including a silencer, a machinegun conversion device, carbine conversion kits, and multiple high-capacity magazines, to an individual for $20,000. Unbeknownst to Olson, the individual was working with law enforcement as a confidential source. During their conversations, Olson touted the illicit benefits of unserialized firearms and told the confidential source that the price for each firearm would be going up because of the federal government’s then-recent initiative targeting ghost guns.

On April 26, 2022, at a residence in Waite Park, Olson sold the confidential source 16 ghost guns, nine high-capacity magazines, one silencer, a machinegun conversion device, and other firearms accessories. Immediately after the transaction, law enforcement arrested Olson and executed a search warrant at the residence. During the search, investigators recovered various firearm assembly kits, unserialized lower receivers, and multiple miscellaneous firearms parts and accessories. On May 4, 2022, investigators executed a search warrant at Olson’s Sauk Rapids residence, and recovered from the basement manufacturing tools, various firearm assembly kits, and a Glock firearm assembly diagram.  The investigation revealed that Olson was trafficking these firearms and offering to sell them to others whom he knew or had reason to know were otherwise prohibited from possessing firearms or intended to use them for unlawful purposes.

Olson plead guilty on September 28, 2022, before U.S. District Judge Eric C. Tostrud to one count of willfully engaging in the business of manufacturing firearms without a license. During Olson’s sentencing hearing yesterday, Judge Eric C. Tostrud said Olson’s actions posed a “grave danger” to the public.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, the Hennepin County Violent Offender Task Force, and the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Bejar prosecuted the case.

MINNEAPOLIS – Two Minneapolis men have been indicted for violently carjacking, kidnapping, and holding a victim at gunpoint for several hours, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, on the evening of February 14, 2023, a man called 911 to report that he had been kidnapped and robbed by three individuals, later identified as Jamal Timothy Funchess, 18, T’Shawn Teon Palton, 21, and a juvenile. The victim reported that he had made arrangements over Facebook Marketplace to buy a cell phone. The victim and the purported seller arranged to meet at a location in Columbia Heights. When the victim arrived at the location and was still in the car, Funchess and Palton approached, and one pointed a firearm at the victim. The men ordered the victim to the backseat of the car. The men then got into the victim’s car, drove a few blocks, and picked up the juvenile. The three individuals held the victim at gunpoint for the next several hours. Each of the three at some point held the firearm and pointed it at the victim. During this time, they demanded that the victim surrender his cell phone, wallet, credit cards, and banking information. They drove to several gas stations around the Twin Cities in an attempt to use the victim’s cards to withdraw money. At one point, one of the men struck the victim in the face with the firearm. Toward the end of the ordeal, the three men discussed what to do with the victim and openly talked about murdering him. Eventually, they dropped the victim on a road in St. Paul and drove away in the victim’s car. The victim ran to a nearby gas station and borrowed an employee’s cell phone to call 911.

Officers were able to use the location of the victim’s stolen cell phone to find Palton, Funchess, and the juvenile kidnapper, along with the victim’s stolen car and possessions.

The indictment charges Funchess and Palton with kidnapping, carjacking, and two counts of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. The defendants, who are currently in federal custody, previously made initial appearances on a related complaint in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge John F. Docherty.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Bloomington Police Department, and the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah E. Hudleston and Matthew D. Forbes are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – An Eagan man has been sentenced to 90 months in prison followed by 15 years of supervised release for receipt of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger. 

According to his guilty plea, Tyler Michael Sauve, 29, admitted to possessing thousands of images and videos depicting prepubescent minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

Sauve pleaded guilty on December 15, 2022, to one count of receipt of child pornography. Sauve was sentenced today in U.S. District Court before Judge Eric C. Tostrud.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) and the Eagan Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Manda M. Sertich prosecuted the case.

DULUTH, Minn. – A Red Lake man has been sentenced to 200 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for sexually assaulting a woman in her home on the Red Lake Reservation, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger. 

As proven at trial, on July 3, 2020, Descart Austin Begay, Jr., 38, knowingly raped and sexually assaulted a victim in her home until she was finally able to escape.

On September 6, 2022, Begay was found guilty on two counts of aggravated sexual abuse and two counts of sexual abuse. Begay was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge Nancy E. Brasel.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Red Lake Tribal Police Department and the FBI Headwaters Safe Trails Task Force.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan B. Gilead prosecuted the case.

MINNEAPOLIS – A Minneapolis man has been found guilty by a federal jury of orchestrating a sex trafficking conspiracy in which he trafficked multiple minor girls, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

Following a 10-day trial before Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz, Anton Joseph Lazzaro, a/k/a “Tony Lazzaro,” 32, was convicted on one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors and five counts of sex trafficking of minors. Lazzaro’s co-defendant, Gisela Castro Medina, 20, pleaded guilty on December 19, 2022, to one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors and one count of obstruction. Sentencing hearings for Lazzaro and Castro Medina will be scheduled at a later date.

The prosecution team, led by Assistant United States Attorneys Melinda Williams, Laura Provinzino and Emily Polachek, emphasized that this case “represents the face of modern-day sex trafficking.” They went on to state that, “today’s guilty verdict recognizes the bravery of the five young victims who were trafficked by Lazzaro. We are humbled by their courage and inspired by their journeys to regain their power.”

“Today, justice was served. This judgment of guilt means that Mr. Lazzaro will never again be able to use his fortune to manipulate young, vulnerable girls for his benefit. Few crimes are as heinous as the sexual exploitation of minors. The FBI and its law enforcement partners are dedicated to safeguarding the most vulnerable members of society and will continue to use all available resources to investigate anyone who engages in such predatory criminal activity.” said Alvin M. Winston, FBI Special Agent in Charge, Minneapolis Division.

“We hope the individuals Lazzaro victimized feel some sense of justice today, and that all sex trafficking survivors know we will continue to work to hold accountable the men and women who commit these terrible crimes. This verdict reinforces that no one is above the law. Lazzaro’s wealth and privilege helped him facilitate these crimes but did not shield him from justice,” said Superintendent Drew Evans of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

As proven at trial, Lazzaro conspired with Castro Medina to recruit young girls – 15-year-olds and 16-year-olds – to have sex with him in exchange for cash and other items of value. Lazzaro met Castro Medina in May of 2020 through the Seeking Arrangements website, which is known as a “sugar daddy” website. Lazzaro directed Castro Medina to identify girls she knew and others on social media who would have sex with him for money. Lazzaro specified that he was looking for young girls of a certain skin color, petite body type, and those who were considered vulnerable, referring to them as “broken girls.” Castro Medina would show Lazzaro photographs of minor girls and if Lazzaro “approved” Castro Medina would provide the minor’s contact information to Lazzaro. Castro Medina told the minors that Lazzaro was an older guy with a lot of money, and that he wanted to be a sugar daddy to younger girls. For her role in recruiting multiple minor girls, Lazzaro paid Castro Medina more than $50,000.

As proven at trial, Lazzaro often sent cars, typically Ubers, to transport the minor girls to his luxury condo in the Hotel Ivy in downtown Minneapolis. At one point, Lazzaro sent a driver to pick up a group of 14 and 15-year-olds from a slumber party in St. Michael, Minnesota. When minor girls came to his condo, Lazzaro would give them alcohol, flash stacks of cash, and offer the girls precise sums of money to perform various sex acts. Lazzaro would send the minor girls home with cash, vapes, alcohol, Plan B, cell phones, and other items of value. Lazzaro carried out this trafficking scheme from May 2020 through December 2020.

Following the execution of federal search warrants at Lazzaro’s condo on December 15, 2020, Lazzaro and Castro Medina discussed which of the minor victims spoke to law enforcement. As part of her guilty plea, Castro Medina admitted that in March 2021, she and Lazzaro agreed to pay off a 15-year-old victim to prevent her from talking to law enforcement about engaging in commercial sex with Lazzaro.

This case is the result of a joint investigation by the FBI and the Minnesota Human Trafficking Investigators Task Force – led by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations, the Minneapolis Police Department, the West Hennepin Public Safety Department, and the Wright County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melinda A. Williams, Laura M. Provinzino, and Emily A. Polachek tried the case.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Coon Rapids man has been sentenced to one year and one day for making interstate threats against a U.S. Senator, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, on June 11, 2022, Brendon Michael Daugherty, 35, left two voicemail messages on the field office telephone of a U.S. Senator located outside the state of Minnesota. Both messages contained threats of violence directed at the U.S. Senator. In his first message, Daugherty stated, “You and the Republican Party should be proud that you’re pushing me to become a domestic terrorist. Have a nice [expletive] day; can’t wait to kill ya.” In his second message, Daugherty stated, “I also just wanted to note, thank God the Republican Party is against gun control laws because it would keep guns out of the hands of a person that was disabled and volatile like I am, but you guys are totally against that. So, I may actually get to carry out my nefarious goals.” Field office staff retrieved and recorded the messages and reported them to U.S. Capitol Police.

Daugherty pleaded guilty on November 1, 2022, to one count of interstate transmission of a threat to injure the person of another. Daugherty was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court before Judge Eric C. Tostrud. In handing down the sentence, Judge Tostrud emphasized that threats directed at elected officials pose a “pernicious threat to our democratic institutions.”

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI and the U.S. Capitol Police.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly A. Svendsen prosecuted the case.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Brooklyn Park man was sentenced to 87 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for possessing a firearm as a felon, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, on September 19, 2021, Marlin Lavar White, 27, possessed a Springfield Armory, model XDM-9, 9mm caliber, semiautomatic pistol while in downtown Minneapolis. When White saw police officers he ran and placed the firearm into a planter near a hotel. The firearm was later recovered from the planter.

Because White has several prior felony convictions in Hennepin County, he is prohibited from lawfully possessing any firearms or ammunition. White pleaded guilty on December 1, 2022, to one count of felon in possession of a firearm. He was sentenced yesterday by Senior Judge Ann D. Montgomery.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Minneapolis Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys David P. Steinkamp, Justin A. Wesley, and Craig R. Baune prosecuted the case.

MINNEAPOLIS – A Scott County man has been indicted on four counts of wire fraud for defrauding multiple homeowners in a swimming pool contracting scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, Charles Ray Workman, 37, was the owner of MN Crete Pools, LLC, a Minnesota company that marketed and sold concrete swimming pools to families and individuals in and throughout the Twin Cities area. Beginning in 2021 continuing through 2022, Workman knowingly devised a scheme to market and advertise concrete swimming pools and pool installation services to customers around Minnesota. In soliciting down payments for the swimming pools, Workman represented to his customers that in exchange for their down payments he could “secure” their spot in MN Crete Pool’s workload for the installation of a swimming pool the same year their down payment was provided.

According to court documents, between April 2021 and June 2021, Workman collected down payments from approximately one customer a month and subsequently failed to complete pool projects for any of those customers. Despite this, Workman increased the rate at which he signed up customers and collected down payments throughout the remaining summer months, despite knowing he had not fully utilized customer down payments for the completion of pool projects. Workman sometimes falsely represented to customers he only had one spot left available for a certain customer, before continuing to solicit and signup customers after making that representation.

According to court documents, Workman converted some or all of customers’ payments for his own personal use and benefit, including $3,000 in child support payments, $18,000 at a casino, and more than $6,000 on a horse and saddle. In total, Workman fraudulently solicited and received more than $750,000 in payments from customers for whom he did not construct and install a complete and operational concrete swimming pool.

Workman, who was arrested on March 27, 2023, in Nashville, Tennessee, made his initial appearance before Magistrate Judge Alistair E. Newbern, in U.S. District Court in the Middle District of Tennessee. He will appear for his arraignment on April 10, 2023, before Magistrate Judge David T. Schultz in U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Scott County Sheriff’s Office, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Esther Soria Mignanelli is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

MINNEAPOLIS – A St. Paul man has been sentenced to 24 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, on March 20, 2021, Clifton Earl Jiles, 31, purchased a Glock Model 27, 40 caliber, semi-automatic pistol, stating on the ATF Form 4473 that he was the actual buyer of the firearm, however he was not. Jiles admitted to making false statements to purchase at least nine firearms. Jiles also admitted he gave one of the firearms to an individual who was legally unable to possess it.

Jiles pleaded guilty on October 20, 2022, to one count of false statement during the purchase of a firearm. Jiles was sentenced yesterday before Senior Judge Michael J. Davis.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David P. Steinkamp.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Minneapolis man has been sentenced to 151 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for violently carjacking a woman outside her place of work in northeast Minneapolis as well as his involvement in two additional armed carjackings, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger. 

According to court documents, on June 9, 2022, Shamir Nathann Black, 19, and an unidentified accomplice approached a woman outside of her place of work and demanded her car keys. Black proceeded to push the victim to the ground and hit her on the head with a firearm. A bystander attempted to assist the victim but was also assaulted by Black. During the struggle, Black discharged the firearm in the bystander’s direction. Black and an accomplice then got into the victim’s vehicle, but surrounding witnesses pulled Black from the driver’s seat and put him on the ground. Black and his accomplice fled the scene on foot.

After arriving at the scene, officers with the Minneapolis Police Department located a Shadow Systems 9mm semiautomatic pistol wrapped in a gray sweatshirt. The firearm had been reported stolen in Prior Lake in April 2022. Investigators reviewed a social media video that showed Black waving around a handgun that matched the firearm recovered at the crime scene. Further investigation revealed that a Volkswagen Jetta had been taken in a Prior Lake home burglary on the same night the firearm was stolen. Law enforcement later recovered the stolen Jetta from Black’s Minneapolis residence. On June 24, 2022, Black was taken into custody.

Black pleaded guilty on September 20, 2022, to one count of carjacking and admitted to being involved in two additional armed carjackings in Golden Valley in the spring of 2022. Black was sentenced today before Judge Wilhelmina M. Wright.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Minneapolis Police Department, the Golden Valley Police Department, and the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren O. Roso prosecuted the case.

MINNEAPOLIS – A Cass County man has pleaded guilty to illegal possession of a short-barreled shotgun, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, on July 8, 2021, John Jarrod Jones, 44, illegally possessed a 12-gauge short-barreled shotgun. Jones took the firearm into a restroom at the Cedar Lakes Casino and Hotel on the Leech Lake Indian Reservation and hid it behind a garbage can along with a plastic bag containing shotgun shells and a knife. Jones left the restroom and was later arrested in the Casino on unrelated charges.

Because Jones has several prior felony convictions in Hennepin and Cass County, he is prohibited from lawfully possessing any firearms or ammunition. Jones pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court before Senior Judge Eric C. Tostrud to one count of possession of an unregistered firearm. A sentencing hearing has yet to be scheduled.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Leech Lake Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emily A. Polachek and LeeAnn K. Bell are prosecuting the case.

MINNEAPOLIS – A Coon Rapids man has been sentenced to 240 months in prison followed by 12 years of supervised release for a sextortion scheme that targeted minors through social media and an online gaming forum, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger. 

According to court documents, Glen Robert Anderson, 24, previously worked as a middle school paraprofessional in special education. Anderson used multiple internet applications and social media accounts for email, file sharing, and chatting with minors, including Snapchat and Grindr. Anderson also owned and administered an online gaming forum. To participate in the forum, users were required to submit an application, which included the age of the user. As Anderson knew, many of the users were minors. Between April 1, 2016, through August 20, 2021, Anderson used his position as the forum administrator to groom minors to produce child pornography and engage in sexual activity with him, including by providing minors with in-game perks, privileges, and other gifts. For example, Anderson coerced a 13-year-old victim to engage in sexually explicit acts for the purpose of producing images and videos. Anderson later threatened to release those sexually explicit images if the victim did not respond to Anderson’s demands.

Anderson pleaded guilty on June 28, 2022, to two counts of production of child pornography, one count of enticement of a minor, and one count of interstate communications with intent to extort. He was sentenced on March 15, 2023, before Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Anoka County Sheriff's Office, the Erie County (Ohio) Sheriff's Office, with assistance from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and Waterloo Regional Police Service in Ontario, Canada.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Angela M. Munoz and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Miranda E. Dugi prosecuted the case.

MINNEAPOLIS – An Anoka man has pleaded guilty to illegal possession of a machinegun and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, in April 2022, the FBI began investigating Darrian Mitchell Nguyen, 50, based on a tip from a Confidential Human Source (CHS) that Nguyen was in possession of explosive devices, firearms, and methamphetamine, and had expressed a desire to join the Three Percenter militia group, a loosely organized anti-government extremist movement. The CHS told law enforcement that Nguyen kept weapons, including rifles, shotguns, handguns, a grenade launcher, and pipe bombs in “secret” rooms built within the walls of his residence.

According to court documents, to correct a debt owed to the defendant, Nguyen asked the CHS to provide him with firearms, specifically a short-barreled rifle equipped with an auto sear. Through text messages, Nguyen arranged to meet with the CHS to receive four auto sears and a short-barreled rifle equipped with an auto sear. During conversations with the CHS about obtaining firearms, Nguyen discussed interest in a revolution or coup-d’état. At the arranged meeting on October 4, 2022, after Nguyen took possession of the machine gun and the auto sears, law enforcement arrested Nguyen and executed a search warrant at his residence. Law enforcement recovered several firearms from a hidden room and elsewhere inside the residence, including an additional short-barreled rifle and a short-barreled shotgun that Nguyen was not registered to possess.

Nguyen pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court before Senior Judge Donovan W. Frank to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of unlawful possession of a machinegun.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Manda M. Sertich and Department of Justice Trial Attorney Justin Sher are prosecuting the case.

MINNEAPOLIS – A federal jury found an Onamia man guilty of illegally possessing a firearm following a domestic assault, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

Following a four-day trial before Senior Judge Michael J. Davis, Justin Lyle Cutbank, 36, was convicted on one count of possessing a firearm as a felon. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date.

According to evidence presented at trial and court documents, on November 19, 2020, Leech Lake Tribal Police were dispatched to a residence following a report that Cutbank had physically assaulted a woman, held her at gunpoint, threatened to kill her, and then fled the residence into the woods. Shortly after officers arrived at the residence and took the victim’s statement, a neighbor reported that Cutbank was in their garage and refused to leave. Officers from multiple agencies responded to the location and found Cutbank barricaded in the garage. Several hours of negotiations followed with Cutbank retreating into the attic of the garage and refusing to surrender. Ultimately, officers were able to apprehend Cutbank, who continued to actively resist arrest. The following day, officers searched the wooded area where Cutbank had fled and found a Marlin Model 100 .22 caliber rifle with no serial number, a knife, and the victim’s cell phone.

Because Cutbank has multiple prior felony convictions, he is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.  

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Leech Lake Tribal Police Department, the Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force, and the Cass County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bradley M. Endicott and Ruth S. Shnider are prosecuting the case.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – A St. Paul man was sentenced to 15 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for possessing a firearm as an Armed Career Criminal, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, on March 17, 2022, Geraldo Jay Dilworth, 35, was in possession of a Springfield Armory .45 caliber pistol while waiting to board a train at the Union Depot Station in St. Paul. Because he has multiple prior felony convictions in Ramsey and Washington Counties, including domestic assault and terroristic threats, Dilworth is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.

Dilworth pleaded guilty on November 1, 2022, to one count of felon in possession of a firearm as an Armed Career Criminal. He was sentenced on March 14, 2023, by Senior Judge Susan Richard Nelson.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the St. Paul Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren O. Roso prosecuted the case.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – A St. Louis Park man has pleaded guilty to two counts of cyberstalking involving two victims, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and court documents, between September 2020 through December 2021, Julyen Alonzo Martin, 30, cyberstalked and threatened to kill, injure, and harass the victims. In violation of orders of protection issued against him, Martin sent numerous threats and unwanted messages via text message and social media applications to a victim. As a part of his cyberstalking scheme, Martin created social media accounts posing as one of the victims online and posted harmful allegations about the victims. According to court documents, Martin also contacted the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (“NCMEC”), falsely alleging that one of the victims was using their work computer to view child pornography. Martin emailed and called the victim’s employer several times claiming the victim was a pedophile being investigated for child endangerment. Also, Martin posed as a federal agent in furtherance of his cyberstalking scheme and claimed to be an FBI Special Agent intending to search the victim’s place of work for evidence.

Martin pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court before Senior Judge Susan Richard Nelson to two counts of cyberstalking. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for August 8, 2023.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Hillary A. Taylor is prosecuting the case.

MINNEAPOLIS – Two individuals have been charged in a federal criminal complaint for carjacking involving a robbery and holding a victim at gunpoint, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, on February 14, 2023, in Anoka County, Jamel Timothy Funchess, 18, and T’Shawn Teon Palton, 21, took a motor vehicle from the vehicle’s owner, by force, violence, and intimidation, with the intent to cause death and serious bodily harm.

According to a law enforcement affidavit, the victim had made arrangements over Facebook Marketplace to buy a cell phone. The victim and the purported seller arranged to meet at a location in Columbia Heights. When the victim arrived at the location and was still in the car, two men approached and one pointed a firearm at the victim. The men ordered the victim to the backseat of the car. The men then got into the victim’s car, drove a few blocks, and picked up a third male. The three individuals held the victim at gunpoint for the next several hours. During this time, the men demanded that the victim surrender their cell phone, wallet, and credit cards, and provide banking information. They drove to several gas stations around the Twin Cities in an attempt to use the victim’s cards to withdraw money. Each of the three men held the firearm during this time and pointed it at the victim. At one point, one of the men struck the victim in the face with the firearm. Toward the end of the ordeal, the three men discussed what to do with the victim and openly talked about murdering the victim. Eventually, they dropped the victim on a road in St. Paul and drove away in the victim’s car. The victim ran to a nearby gas station and borrowed an employee’s cell phone to call 911.

Officers were able to use the victim’s cell phone location to find Palton, Funchess, and the third kidnapper, along with the victim’s stolen car and items.

Both defendants are charged with one count of carjacking. They made their initial appearances today in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge John F. Docherty.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Bloomington Police Department, and the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas Calhoun-Lopez and Sarah Hudleston are prosecuting the case.

A complaint is merely an allegation and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

MINNEAPOLIS – A Minneapolis man has pleaded guilty to illegal possession of a firearm after engaging in a shootout in North Minneapolis, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, on December 20, 2021, Dominique Marquise McCaskel, 25, was in possession of a loaded Sig Sauer, model P365, 9mm semiautomatic pistol. According to the defendant’s plea agreement, surveillance footage from a nearby business showed a vehicle drive slowly past McCaskel, stopping momentarily in an alleyway. Upon seeing the vehicle, McCaskel pulled his Sig Sauer firearm from his pocket, ran towards the vehicle, and exchanged gunfire with individuals in the vehicle. McCaskel was shot and fell to the sidewalk, and the vehicle fled the area. Officers with the Minneapolis Police Department responded to the scene and recovered two 9mm discharged cartridge casings near McCaskel on the ground, and later recovered McCaskel’s firearm. The Minneapolis Police Forensics Division determined that the two recovered discharged cartridge casings were shot from McCaskel’s Sig Sauer firearm. The Forensics Division also found McCaskel’s thumbprint on the loaded magazine that was inserted into the firearm.

Because McCaskel has several prior felony convictions, he is prohibited from lawfully possessing any firearms or ammunition. McCaskel pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court before Senior Judge Ann D. Montgomery to one count of possession of a firearm as an armed career criminal felon. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for July 19, 2023.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Minneapolis Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Benjamin Bejar and Hillary A. Taylor are prosecuting the case.

MINNEAPOLIS – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota today announced federal criminal charges against 10 additional defendants for their alleged roles in the fraud scheme that exploited a federally-funded child nutrition program during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 10 defendants are charged across four separate indictments and two criminal informations with charges of conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering, and bribery.

As outlined in the charging documents, the defendants participated in a massive scheme to defraud the Federal Child Nutrition Program by obtaining, misappropriating, and laundering millions of dollars in program funds that were intended as reimbursements for the cost of serving meals to children. The defendants exploited changes in the program intended to ensure underserved children received adequate nutrition during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rather than feed children, the defendants enriched themselves by fraudulently misappropriating millions of dollars in Federal Child Nutrition Program funds.

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The following defendants are named in the four indictments:

• Kawsar Jama, 41, of Eagan, was the principal of Gedo Community Services and Ahlan Childcare Center, Inc., both of which Jama enrolled in the Federal Child Nutrition Program under the sponsorship of Feeding Our Future and Sponsor A. As alleged, between September 2020 through February 2022, Jama falsely claimed to have served approximately 1.46 million meals to needy children at sites in Pelican Rapids, Burnsville, and Minneapolis. In total, Jama submitted $3.7 million in fraudulent claims for Federal Child Nutrition Program funds, some of which she spent on living expenses, real estate, and vehicles, including a Tesla Model X and an Infiniti QX56 SUV. Jama is charged with five counts of wire fraud and four counts of money laundering. 22-CR-226 (NEB/TNL)
• Abdikadir Kadiye, 51, of Minneapolis, was the president of Hobyo Health Care Foundation, which he enrolled in the Federal Child Nutrition Program under the sponsorship of Sponsor A. As alleged, throughout 2021, Kadiye falsely claimed to have served at least 445,000 meals to needy children at his sites in Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, and Minneapolis. In total, Kadiye submitted more than $1.1 million in fraudulent claims for Federal Child Nutrition Program funds, some of which he spent on vehicles (including a $105,000 2022 BMW sport utility vehicle), airline tickets, real estate, and $20,000 towards the purchase of a laundromat. Kadiye is charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering and three counts of wire fraud. 22-CR-226 (NEB/TNL)
• Abdulkadir Awale, 50, of Bloomington, was the principal of Karmel Coffee, LLC and Sambusa King, Inc., and the CEO of Nawal Restaurant. All three of Awale’s businesses were enrolled in the Federal Child Nutrition Program under the sponsorship of Feeding Our Future and Sponsor A. As alleged, between April 2020 through January 2022, Awale falsely claimed that through his businesses he provided food for more than 3.6 million meals to various sites in Minnesota, totaling approximately $11.8 million in fraudulent Federal Child Nutrition Program funds. As part of the scheme, Awale also paid at least $83,000 in kickbacks to a Feeding Our Future employee. Awale used some of funds to make mortgage payments, cash withdrawals, and purchase vehicles, including a Freightliner Cascadia truck. Awale is charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering, five counts of money laundering, three counts of wire fraud, and four counts of federal programs bribery. 22-CR-226 (NEB/TNL)
• Khadra Abdi, 41, of Minneapolis, was the principal of Shafi’I Tutoring & Homework Help Center, which she enrolled in the Federal Child Nutrition Program under the sponsorship of Feeding Our Future. As alleged, between April 2020 through December 2021, Abdi falsely claimed to serve 1.1 million meals to needy children at her site in Hopkins. In total, Abdi submitted more than $3.4 million in fraudulent claims for Federal Child Nutrition Program funds. As part of the scheme, Abdi also paid at least $17,000 in kickbacks to a Feeding Our Future employee. Abdi used some of funds to make credit card payments, cash withdrawals, and purchase clothing. Abdi is charged with two counts of wire fraud and three counts of federal programs bribery. 22-CR-226 (NEB/TNL)
• Ayan Farah Abukar, 41, of Savage, was the founder and executive director of Action for East African People, a non-profit which she enrolled in the Federal Child Nutrition Program under the sponsorship of Feeding Our Future and Sponsor A. As alleged, between October 2020 through 2022, Abukar falsely claimed to be serving as many as 5,000 children a day at her various sites in Bloomington, Minneapolis, Savage, and St. Paul. In total, Abukar fraudulently received approximately $5.7 million in fraudulent Federal Child Nutrition Program funds. As part of the scheme, Abukar also paid more than $330,000 in kickbacks to a Feeding Our Future employee. Abukar spent millions on real estate, including a 37-acre commercial property in Lakeville and spent hundreds of thousands of dollars towards the purchase of an aircraft to be delivered to Nairobi, Kenya. Abukar is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery, three counts of federal programs bribery, and three counts of money laundering. 23-CR-80
• Sade Osman Hashi, 45, of Minneapolis, was the principal of Great Lakes Inc. and Safari Express, entities which he enrolled in the Federal Child Nutrition Program under the sponsorship of Feeding Our Future and Sponsor A. As alleged, between September 2020 through 2022, Hashi falsely claimed to be serving as many as 2,500 meals each day to needy children at his site in the Midtown Global Market in Minneapolis. In total, Hashi fraudulently received approximately $5.7 million in fraudulent Federal Child Nutrition Program funds. As part of the scheme, Hashi also paid more than $150,000 in kickbacks to a Feeding Our Future employee. Hashi used some of the funds to make cash withdrawals and converted approximately $133,000 to cryptocurrency. Hashi is charged with four counts of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery, three counts of federal programs bribery, and one count of money laundering. 23-CR-81
• Sharon Denise Ross, 52, of Big Lake, was the executive director of House of Refuge Twin Cities, a non-profit which she enrolled in the Federal Child Nutrition Program under the sponsorship of Feeding Our Future and Sponsor A. As alleged, between October 2021 and January 2022, Ross falsely claimed to be serving thousands of children each day at her House of Refuge sites. In total, Ross fraudulently received approximately $2.8 million in fraudulent Federal Child Nutrition Program funds, some of which she spent on real estate, vehicles, and payments to family members. Ross is charged with ten counts of wire fraud and two counts of money laundering. 23-CR-82

Criminal informations:

• Mohamed Ali Hussein, 53, and Lul Bashir Ali, 57, both of Faribault, enrolled their entities Somali American Faribault Education (SAFE) and Lido Restaurant in the Federal Child Nutrition Program under the sponsorship of Feeding Our Future. As alleged, Hussein falsely claimed that the SAFE site in Faribault was serving as many as 2,500 children a day, seven days a week. Lul Ali falsely claimed that the Lido Restaurant site in Faribault was serving as many as 1,600 children a day, seven days a week. In total, Hussein and Lul Ali received more than $5 million in fraudulent Federal Child Nutrition Program funds. As part of the scheme, Hussein also paid more than $100,000 in kickbacks to a Feeding Our Future employee. Hussein and Lul Ali are charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud. 23-CR-91
• Mulata Yusuf Ali, 38, of Minneapolis, is charged with theft of government funds involving the Federal Child Nutrition Program from December 2020 through January 2022. 23-CR-92

United States Attorney Andrew Luger thanks the FBI, IRS – Criminal Investigations, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for their collaboration and skilled investigative work in bringing these indictments.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Minnesota Matthew S. Ebert, Harry M. Jacobs, Chelsea A. Walcker, and Joseph H. Thompson are prosecuting the cases. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Baune is handling the seizure and forfeiture of assets.

An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

MINNEAPOLIS – A Chicago man has been sentenced to 70 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release for illegal possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger. 

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and court documents, on June 21, 2022, a St. Paul police officer responded to an apartment after receiving a 911 call reporting a domestic incident. The officer encountered Allen Denzel Oliver-Hall, 28, who attempted to get the officer to turn his back to him so that he could hide a gun, a stolen American Tactical 92 9mm pistol with an extended magazine. The officer saw the gun and tried to remove it from Oliver-Hall’s possession. During the struggle, the firearm was pointed towards the officer. Eventually, the officer was able to disarm Oliver-Hall.

Because Oliver-Hall has multiple prior felony convictions in Cook County, Illinois, he is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.

On October 25, 2022, Oliver-Hall pleaded guilty to one count of possessing a firearm as a felon.  Oliver-Hall was sentenced today in U.S. District Court before Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the St. Paul Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura M. Provinzino prosecuted the case.

MINNEAPOLIS – A California woman has pleaded guilty to wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and filing a false tax return after embezzling more than $1 million from her employer, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to the guilty plea and court documents, Mai Houa Xiong, 47, of Fresno, California, was employed as a financial manager for a Minneapolis-based property management company that provided financial services to homeowners’ associations (HOAs) throughout the Twin Cities metro area. Xiong’s duties included bookkeeping, and as a manager she had access to the victim associations’ financials, bank accounts, vendor and contractor payments, and bookkeeping systems. Between February 2015 and February 2022, Xiong devised and executed a fraud scheme to embezzle funds directly from the accounts to which she had access. These funds were HOA fees collected from residents intended to pay for maintenance, construction, and other costs incurred by the victim associations.

As part of the scheme, Xiong repeatedly accessed bank accounts and conducted electronic transfers of funds directly into her personal bank accounts. Xiong disguised these transfers by mislabeling them to make it appear as if they were legitimate homeowner association expenses. Xiong also used her authority as a signatory to make cash withdrawals directly from the HOAs’ accounts, including making withdrawals after she was fired from her position in July 2021. After her termination, Xiong began collecting Unemployment Insurance (UI) funds. However, even after Xiong found new employment, she continued to wrongfully obtain public UI benefits.

Xiong pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court before Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz to one count of wire fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft and one count of making and subscribing a false tax return. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later time.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the IRS – Criminal Investigations, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and the Minneapolis Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Allison K. Ethen is prosecuting the case.

MINNEAPOLIS – A Cottage Grove man has pleaded guilty to illegal possession of firearms, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger. 

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and court documents, on November 14, 2022, law enforcement encountered Jason Steven Kearns, 38, in the driver’s seat of a truck outside of a restaurant in Woodbury. Kearns was known to law enforcement and had previously identified himself as a member of the Aryan Brotherhood gang. The officers called for backup and two Woodbury Police squad vehicles arrived and attempted to stop Kearns by activating their lights. One squad vehicle stopped in front of Kearns’s truck and the other approached from the side. Kearns accelerated his truck forward, ramming the police vehicle head-on. Kearns reversed his truck and drove into a curb and was pinned by the two police vehicles. Kearns exited his vehicle and ran from officers on foot to a parking lot across the street. Officers saw that Kearns had his right hand on what appeared to be a semiautomatic pistol. Officers drew their firearms and issued multiple commands to Kearns to drop his firearm. Kearns continued walking through the parking lot and then stopped and knelt down, still refusing to drop the firearm. Kearns stated to officers that he had a firearm in his hand. Eventually, Kearns dropped the firearm and surrendered and was taken into custody. The firearm, a Smith & Wesson 9mm semiautomatic pistol, was loaded with a round chambered and 11 rounds in the magazine. Kearns was also carrying a large knife on his person. Kearns later expressed regret that he had not fired at the arresting officers.

Because Kearns has previous felony convictions in Chisago, St. Croix, and Pierce Counties, including assault and armed robbery, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition at any time.

Kearns pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court before Senior Judge Michael J. Davis to one count of possessing a firearm as a felon. A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the Woodbury Police Department, and the Cottage Grove Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily A Polachek is prosecuting the case.

MINNEAPOLIS – A Bemidji man has been indicted for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and illegal possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, on December 23, 2022, Kenneth Darnell Triplett, 35, possessed a distribution amount of methamphetamine and two firearms, a Taurus model G3 9mm pistol and a H&R model 732 .32 caliber revolver. Because Triplett has multiple prior felony convictions in Michigan and Illinois, including armed robbery and controlled substance delivery, he is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.

The indictment charges Triplett with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possessing a firearm as a felon. He made his initial appearance today in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge Jon T. Huseby. He was ordered to remain in custody pending further proceedings.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI Headwaters Safe Trails Task Force, the Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force, the Bemidji Police Department, and the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren O. Roso is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

MINNEAPOLIS – A Minneapolis man and woman have been indicted for violent Hobbs Act robberies, one of which involved the kidnapping of an Uber driver on Christmas Day, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, on December 25, 2022, Antwon Demondray Townsend-Davis, 23, and Kevena Takhyra Terry-Ford, 20, used force, violence, and fear of injury to carry out a Hobbs Act robbery by stealing a Nissan Rogue from an Uber driver who was using the vehicle for commercial business purposes. The two defendants also kidnapped the Uber driver for the purpose of accessing the victim’s ATM account.

On December 28, 2022, the defendants used force, violence, and fear of injury to carry out a Hobbs Act robbery at a Speedway gas station in Minneapolis.

Townsend-Davis and Terry-Ford are each charged with two counts of Hobbs Act robbery and one count of kidnapping. Both defendants made their initial appearances today in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge Dulce J. Foster.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Minneapolis Police Department, and the Anoka Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ruth S. Shnider is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

MINNEAPOLIS – Two men have been indicted for carjacking and firearms violations, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, on January 3, 2022, Jordan James Smith, 26, of Ramsey, used force, violence, and intimidation to steal a Nissan Juke. On February 3, 2022, Smith and his co-defendant Carson Thomas McCoy, 21, of Blaine, used force, violence, and intimidation to steal a Honda Accord. During the carjacking, Smith brandished a Glock 21, .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol with a red and black camouflage slide.

In November 2022, McCoy was charged in a federal criminal complaint after stealing a BMW sedan, breaking into a residence in Ham Lake, Minnesota, and stealing various items—including a firearm. McCoy was subsequently involved in a road rage incident and apprehended after fleeing law enforcement. A search of the vehicle revealed the firearm McCoy stole from the residential burglary and numerous other items of contraband.

Because Smith and McCoy both have prior felony convictions, they are prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.

The indictment charges Smith with two counts of carjacking, one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, and one count of possessing a firearm as a felon. McCoy is charged with one count of carjacking and one count of possessing a firearm as a felon. Smith had his initial appearance today in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge Dulce J. Foster and was ordered to remain in detention pending further court proceedings. McCoy has been detained since the November 2022 federal complaint.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Minneapolis Police Department, the Blaine Police Department, the Hennepin County Violent Offender Task Force (VOTF), and the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan L. Sing is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

MINNEAPOLIS – A Minneapolis man has been charged in a criminal complaint for an armed carjacking spree and illegal possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

“Let this be a lesson that we will not tolerate violent felons that prey on our community, especially those who endanger the police officers who courageously place their lives on the line in the protection of others,” said Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara. “I am thankful for the dozens of officers from multiple agencies who responded to swiftly bring this person to justice before he could cause any more harm in our community.”

United States Attorney Luger stated, “This is a snapshot of the violent acts we are seeing in the Twin Cities on a regular basis. The full force of the U.S. Attorney’s Office is focused on reducing the levels of violent crime and we will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to bring swift and certain accountability to violent criminals.”

“Callously putting multiple lives at risk while brandishing firearms, including at a responding law enforcement officer, it is completely unacceptable,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge William McCrary, of the St. Paul Field Division. “I appreciate the swift and decisive action of the brave agents and law enforcement officers who worked tirelessly to take this man into custody and prevent further danger to the public.”

According to court documents, on January 30, 2023, in Little Canada, a Ramsey County Sheriff’s Deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a Ford F150, which was later revealed to be stolen. The driver, Donovan Goodman, 33, fled the deputy, driving in the wrong lanes of traffic, above posted speed limits, and evading stop sticks. Law enforcement officers ultimately disabled the vehicle using a PIT maneuver. The driver of the vehicle—believed to be Goodman—fled the vehicle and jumped over a barrier separating the east and west lanes on Interstate 694. He approached an uninvolved vehicle, which had stopped in the westbound lanes of Interstate 694, pointed a firearm at the vehicle and yelled, “Get the [expletive] out of the car.” He then fled in the vehicle. The carjacked vehicle―which was subsequently recovered―had an installed dash camera that captured the entire incident.

On February 25, 2023, at approximately 4:23 a.m., officers with the Minneapolis Police Department attempted to conduct a traffic stop of a stolen vehicle parked in a parking lot. Goodman and another male, who were standing near the vehicle, immediately fled on foot and officers pursued. One officer deployed a taser to subdue Goodman, who initially fell to the ground, rolled over and then pointed a handgun with a red laser sight in the direction of the officer. The officer immediately took cover and Goodman escaped on foot.

Shortly thereafter, a carjacking victim flagged down responding law enforcement officers and reported that he was an Uber driver and had just picked up two passengers in downtown Minneapolis when a man approached the vehicle and offered the occupants $100 to let him join the Uber ride. One of the occupants agreed and opened the door. Once inside the vehicle, the man (later identified as Goodman) pulled out a firearm with a red laser and pointed it at the back of the driver’s head and ordered everyone out of the vehicle. The driver and the two occupants complied, and Goodman fled in the vehicle.

Later that day, after obtaining a search warrant for Goodman’s cell phone, law enforcement tracked Goodman to a residence in St. Paul. The St. Paul Police Department’s SWAT team executed a search warrant at the residence and, after law enforcement provided numerous loud commands for over an hour, Goodman exited the residence and was taken into custody.

Because Goodman has prior felony convictions, including burglary, assault, and drug sales, he is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.

The complaint charges Goodman with possession of a firearm as a felon and carjacking. Goodman made his initial appearance today in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge Dulce J. Foster. Goodman was ordered to remain in detention pending further court proceedings.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, FBI, the Minneapolis Police Department, the St. Paul Police Department, the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan L. Sing is prosecuting the case.

A complaint is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

MINNEAPOLIS – A Maplewood man has been sentenced to 30 months in federal prison followed by three years supervised release for illegal possession of a pipe bomb, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to the plea agreement and other court documents, on April 28, 2022, law enforcement executed a search warrant at the Maplewood residence of Dylan Raymond Orr, 27, after discovering photos of two pipe bombs sent from Orr’s phone to a third-party. The images showed small BBs affixed to the exterior casing of the pipe bombs. During the execution of the search warrant, law enforcement discovered two six-inch pipes —one with BBs affixed, four end caps, and explosive powder, components which could be readily converted to a destructive device. Orr did not have a registration to possess these devices from the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record as required by law.

Orr pleaded guilty on November 9, 2022, to one count of possession of an unregistered destructive device. Orr was sentenced today in U.S. District Court before Judge Nancy E. Brasel.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Savage Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney LeeAnn K. Bell prosecuted the case.