District of Minnesota

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of JARED ROSS BOSWELL, 33, to 145 months in prison for distributing child pornography. BOSWELL, who pleaded guilty on August 15, 2019, was sentenced today before Judge Donovan W. Frank in U.S. District Court in Bemidji, Minnesota.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea, from April 2018 through September 2018, BOSWELL used the internet to send obscene materials and distribute sexually explicit images. Specifically, on September 7, 2018, BOSWELL sent an image depicting child sexual abuse to a minor, who he knew to be 10 years old.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Red Lake Department of Public Safety, the Mille Lacs Tribal Police Department, the Bemidji Police Department, the Hubbard County Sheriff’s Office, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and the FBI.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Angela Munoz.

 

Defendant Information:

JARED ROSS BOSWELL, 33

Cass County, Minn.

Convicted:

• Distribution of child pornography, 1 count

Sentenced:

• 145 months in prison
• 15 years of supervised release

 

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of MICHAEL MATTHEWS, 58, to 180 months in prison for illegally possessing a firearm. MATTHEWS, who was charged on January 4, 2019, was sentenced yesterday before Judge Eric C. Tostrud in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, on January 3, 2019, officers from the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office Violent Offender Task Force (“VOTF”) observed MATTHEWS place an object into the trunk of a Cadillac sedan that was parked in front of his residence before getting into the vehicle and driving away. Officers conducted a traffic stop and recovered 7.6 grams of cocaine from his person and a loaded Glock, model 26, 9 mm handgun from the trunk. Because he has prior felony convictions in Hennepin County, MATTHEWS is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms at any time.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office Violent Offender Task Force. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that brings together federal, state, and local law enforcement to combat violent crime. This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samantha H. Bates and Amber M. Brennan prosecuted the case.

Defendant Information:

MICHAEL MATTHEWS, 58

Minneapolis, Minn.

Convicted:

• Felon in possession of a firearm - armed career criminal, 1 count

Sentenced:

• 180 months in prison
• Five years of supervised release

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced a federal indictment charging YURIDIA HERNANDEZ LINARES, 36, with conspiracy to commit visa fraud. LINARES made her initial appearance earlier today before Magistrate Judge Tony N. Leung in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

According to the allegations in the indictment, between August 20, 2019, and September 30, 2019, LINARES conspired with other individuals to defraud the United States by making false statements to fraudulently obtain U Nonimmigrant Visas (“U-Visas”), for four individuals. Victims of certain criminal activities that occur in the United States may be eligible to apply for and obtain a U Visa. A victim who obtains a U Visa may subsequently apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to adjust their status to become a lawful permanent resident of the United States.

According to the allegations in the indictment, LINARES devised and participated in a detailed scheme, whereby the four individuals each falsely reported to the Eden Prairie Police Department that they were victims of robberies committed in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. LINARES directed the individuals to file a police report stating that they were a victim of a fabricated assault, and to corroborate each other’s account of the assault. LINARES used a box cutter or other sharp object to cut the four individuals before they filed their false report with the Eden Prairie Police Department.  In exchange, LINARES collected a $2,000 fee from each individual.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and the Eden Prairie Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Angela M. Munoz is prosecuting the case.

 

Defendant Information:

YURIDIA HERNANDEZ LINARES, 36

City of residence unknown

Charges:

• Conspiracy to commit visa fraud, 1 count

 

 

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The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of RYAN THOMAS FEINE, 35, to 456 months in prison for production and attempted production of child pornography, followed by 20 years of supervised release. FEINE, who pleaded guilty on October 7, 2019, was sentenced today before Chief Judge John R. Tunheim in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota. During the sentencing hearing, Judge Tunheim described FEINE’s criminal conduct as “certainly horrendous,” and further noted that the case was, “among the worst I’ve ever seen.”

“This is one of the most egregious cases of child sexual abuse my office has prosecuted,” said U.S. Attorney Erica MacDonald. “We will never shy away from difficult cases such as this, we are committed to pursuing justice for innocent children.”

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, between February 10, 2013, and September 10, 2013, FEINE created multiple video recordings of his sexual abuse of Minor A, who was less than one year old at the time. During the same time period, FEINE also produced sexually explicit images of Minor B, who was approximately five years old at the time. FEINE came to the attention of law enforcement in August 2018, based on an allegation of ongoing sexual abuse.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, in August 2018, law enforcement executed a search warrant on several of FEINE’s electronic devices, which revealed more than 1,000 images and 150 videos of child pornography. The National Center for Missing or Exploited Children subsequently identified the defendant as the creator of a multi-part child pornography series that has been distributed across the country.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

If you know of any child who may have been a victim of exploitation, please call the National Center for Missing or Exploited Children (NCMEC) at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) or visit NCMEC’s web site at www.missingkids.com.

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

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jordan L. Sing and Melinda A. Williams prosecuted the case.

 

Defendant Information:

RYAN THOMAS FEINE, 35

Winona, Minn.

Convicted:

• Production and attempted production of child pornography, 2 counts

Sentenced:

• 456 months in prison
• 20 years of supervised release
• Restitution payable to each minor victim

 

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the guilty plea of WILLIAM KYLE SUTOR III, 37, to conspiracy to commit health care fraud. SUTOR, who was charged by felony Information on December 30, 2019, entered his plea today before Judge Nancy E. Brasel in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota. SUTOR will be sentenced at a later date.

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald stated, “This defendant, a personal injury attorney, participated in an all too common healthcare fraud scheme involving a network of chiropractors and runners. The #1 goal of the scheme was to steal money from insurance providers, resulting in higher premiums for Minnesota consumers. This is unacceptable. I applaud the diligent investigators and prosecutor who continue to pursue these cases.”

“The conduct perpetrated by Mr. Sutor makes it harder for the legitimate lawyers and health care providers to help Minnesotans who really are injured,” said Minnesota Department of Commerce Commissioner Steve Kelley. “The agents at the Minnesota Commerce Fraud Bureau will continue to investigate individuals who think they are above the law.”

“As demand for health benefits goes up, so do the losses from health care fraud like this,” said FBI Minneapolis Special Agent in Charge, Jill Sanborn. “Our special agents in partnership with Minnesota Commerce Fraud Bureau used every tool we have to dissect this scheme and stop this defendant before he could do more damage,” Sanborn said.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, between 2015 and 2016, SUTOR, a licensed personal injury attorney, engaged in a scheme to defraud providers of automobile insurance policies. SUTOR began working with chiropractors and patient recruiters, referred to as “runners.” As part of the scheme, the chiropractor would pay the runner a fee, typically between $1,000 and $1,500, for every individual that the runner brought to the chiropractor’s clinic to become a patient. In addition, SUTOR would pay the runner a fee, typically $300, for every individual that became a client of SUTOR’s. SUTOR, the chiropractors, and the runners took steps to conceal their scheme, including making kickback payments in cash or by checks written out to appear that they were payments for legitimate legal services.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Minnesota Commerce Fraud Bureau and the FBI.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. MacLaughlin is prosecuting the case.

 

Defendant Information:

WILLIAM KYLE SUTOR III, 37

Minnetonka, Minn.

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to commit health care fraud, 1 count

 

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the guilty plea of OLGA MARINA FRANCO DEL-CID, 36, to one count of illegal re-entry after removal and one count of false representation of social security account number. FRANCO DEL-CID, who was charged on December 12, 2019, entered her guilty plea earlier today before Judge Susan Richard Nelson in U.S. District Court, in St. Paul, Minnesota. A sentencing date has been set for June 11, 2020.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, FRANCO DEL-CID was previously removed from the United States on May 4, 2016, following a felony conviction on August 8, 2008, in Lyon County, for criminal vehicular homicide. On November 26, 2019, FRANCO DEL-CID was found in the United States in violation of the previous removal. FRANCO DEL-CID also admitted to falsely representing a social security number on an Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9.    

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura M. Provinzino is prosecuting the case.

 

Defendant Information:

OLGA MARINA FRANCO DEL-CID, 36

Inver Grove Heights, Minn.

Charges:

• Illegal re-entry after removal, 1 count
• False representation of social security account number, 1 count

 

 

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced a federal indictment charging DARNELL DESHAWN STENNIS, 28, with one count of sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion, and two counts of transporting individuals to engage in prostitution. STENNIS is scheduled to be arraigned on these charges on February 6, 2020, before Magistrate Judge Becky R. Thorson in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota.

According to the allegations in the indictment and documents filed in court, from January 2019 through March 2019, STENNIS recruited, harbored, advertised, solicited, and transported from Minnesota to North Dakota, a victim to engage in commercial sex acts by means of force, fraud, and coercion. From March 21, 2019, through March 25, 2019, STENNIS also transported a second victim from Minnesota to North Dakota with the intent that the victim would engage in commercial sex acts.

According to the allegations in the indictment and documents filed in court, on March 25, 2019, officers with the Bloomington Police Department were dispatched to the La Quinta Inn in Bloomington, Minnesota, following a report that a hotel guest heard yelling and what sounded like someone being thrown against a wall. Upon arrival, officers encountered STENNIS and two other individuals, identified as Victim A and Victim B. Officers checked the hotel room and observed obvious signs of a disturbance, including a toilet seat that was broken into multiple pieces and a towel rack that was bent. Victim A reported to officers that STENNIS had violently assaulted her. Victim A reported that STENNIS choked her, bashed her head into the towel rack, and pushed her down onto the toilet seat. STENNIS, who also had outstanding warrants, was arrested and placed into custody.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and the Bloomington Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan B. Gilead and Manda M. Sertich are prosecuting the case.

 

Defendant Information:

DARNELL DESHAWN STENNIS, 28

Charges:

• Sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion, 1 count
• Transporting individuals to engage in prostitution, 2 counts

 

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The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

“At midnight on February 6, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s temporary emergency prohibition of fentanyl analogues will expire, unless Congress acts to extend it. Fentanyl and its analogues are highly potent and extremely lethal. Fentanyl, which is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine, poses a significant threat to public safety, even a very small quantity can cause a fatal overdose. The DEA’s temporary emergency prohibition has served as a critical tool for law enforcement, allowing us to more effectively combat the illegal trafficking of these deadly substances, but it is only temporary. If the temporary emergency prohibition expires on February 6, the criminals trafficking in fentanyl analogues will operate with impunity and the lives of Minnesotans will be put at risk. My job as United States Attorney for the District of Minnesota is to keep individuals, families and communities safe; therefore, I implore Congress to act now and pass permanent legislation. American lives depend on it.”

 

Background:  In an effort to combat this deadly drug epidemic, DEA issued a temporary emergency two-year order in February 2018 that made all fentanyl-related substances illegal. Our country has seen a marked supply impact from DEA’s temporary scheduling of fentanyl-related substances during the past two years, with a 50 percent decrease in fentanyl-related substances encountered across the United States. However, DEA’s emergency authority expires at midnight on February 6, 2020, unless Congress acts to extend it.

 

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of RANDAL SCOT BRINKMAN, 61, to 46 months in prison. BRINKMAN, who was found guilty on July 25, 2019, following a four-day jury trial, was sentenced today by Judge Joan N. Ericksen in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

As proven at trial, BRINKMAN owned and operated a Roseville-based construction company. From 1999 through 2018, BRINKMAN took steps to hide his income and to actively evade the assessment of taxes, including using sham businesses, closing his personal bank accounts, using money orders and cash to pay for daily expenses, and creating a fake religious organization in order to hide his income and assets. Following a 2007 IRS audit, BRINKMAN filed personal income tax returns for the calendar years 2002 through 2007, admitting that he owed more than $145,000 in federal income taxes for those years. Nevertheless, despite filing the returns, BRINKMAN didn’t pay any of the taxes he admitted he owed to the IRS. BRINKMAN also failed to file tax returns or pay any of his federal incomes taxes from 2012 through 2018.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Criminal Investigation Division of the IRS and the Minnesota Department of Revenue.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph H. Thompson and Alexander D. Chiquione.

Defendant Information:

RANDAL SCOT BRINKMAN, 61

Medina, Minn.

Convicted:

• Tax evasion, 6 counts

Sentenced:

• 46 months in prison
• 3 years supervised release

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the guilty plea of EDWARD LEE BELLANGER, 45, to three counts of assault of an intimate or dating partner. BELLANGER, who was initially charged on June 27, 2019, entered his plea today before Chief Judge John R. Tunheim in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota. BELLANGER is scheduled to be sentenced on May 26, 2020.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, between October 2018 and January 2019, BELLANGER violently assaulted the victim on three separate occasions. During one of the assaults, BELLANGER, who was driving his car, reached over to the victim, who was seated in the front passenger seat, and slammed her head into the windshield, cracking the windshield. Following the assaults, the victim sought medical attention and was treated for substantial bodily injuries.

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

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Gina L. Allery is prosecuting the case.

 

Defendant Information:

EDWARD LEE BELLANGER, 45

Red Lake, Minn.

Convicted:

• Assault resulting in substantial bodily injury to an intimate or dating partner, 3 counts

 

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During a ceremony today in Washington, D.C., United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald was appointed by Attorney General William P. Barr to the Presidential Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice. On October 28, 2019, President Donald J. Trump signed Executive Order No. 13896, authorizing and designating the Attorney General to create such a Commission that would explore modern issues affecting law enforcement that most impact the ability of American policing to reduce crime. The launch of the Commission was announced at today’s ceremony as well.

“There is no more noble and important profession than law enforcement. A free and safe society requires a trusted and capable police force to safeguard our rights to life and liberty,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “But as criminal threats and social conditions have changed the responsibilities and roles of police officers, there is a need for a modern study of how law enforcement can best protect and serve American communities. This is why the President instructed me to establish this critical Commission, whose members truly reflect the best there is in law enforcement. Together, we will examine, discuss, and debate how justice is administered in the United States and uncover opportunities for progress, improvement, and innovation.”

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald said, “I am honored to serve on this Commission alongside a group of incredible leaders who are dedicated to service and public safety. I undertake this responsibility fully cognizant that the Commission’s recommendations will impact our communities, law enforcement professionals and many components of the criminal justice system for decades into the future. My highest priority as United States Attorney for the District of Minnesota is keeping individuals, families and communities safe, which is the same priority I bring to this Commission.”

The Executive Order instructs the Commission to conduct its study by focusing on the law enforcement officers who are tasked with reducing crime on a daily basis. It also directs the Commission to research “important current issues facing law enforcement and the criminal justice system,” and recommends a variety of subjects for study, such as, but not limited to:

• The challenges to law enforcement associated with mental illness, homelessness, substance abuse, and other social factors that influence crime and strain criminal justice resources;
• The recruitment, hiring, training, and retention of law enforcement officers, including in rural and tribal communities;
• Refusals by State and local prosecutors to enforce laws or prosecute categories of crimes;
• The need to promote public confidence and respect for the law and law enforcement officers; and
• The effects of technological innovations on law enforcement and the criminal justice system, including the challenges and opportunities presented by such innovations.

The Commission will principally conduct its study through a series of hearings, panel presentations, field visits, and other public meetings. At these events, the Commission will hear from subject matter experts, public officials, private citizens, and other relevant stakeholders and institutions who can provide valuable insight into these issues.

The Commissioners, appointed by the Attorney General and announced today, are urban police chiefs, state prosecutors, county sheriffs, members of rural and tribal law enforcement, federal agents, a U.S. Attorney, and a state attorney general. In addition to their diverse experiences and backgrounds, each member brings to the Commission an expertise in formulating and shaping law enforcement policy and leading police departments and law enforcement organizations.

The Commission will meet monthly for the next year and then report its findings to the Attorney General, who will submit a final report to the President.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice.  Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

 

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of DILLON GEORGE TAYLOR, 21, to 52 months in prison for assaulting three individuals with a firearm and violating his supervised release conditions. TAYLOR, who pleaded guilty on October 22, 2019, was sentenced today before Chief Judge John R. Tunheim in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, on November 22, 2018, during a confrontation with two individuals, TAYLOR pointed a firearm at one of the individuals and threatened his life. When the two individuals left the scene in a vehicle driven by a third individual, TAYLOR pursued them and shot at the vehicle multiple times. When the vehicle pulled into the parking lot of a casino located on the Red Lake Indian Reservation, TAYLOR continued his pursuit, firing a shot towards the entrance of the casino where the three individuals and casino personnel were standing.

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 United States Attorney Alexander D. Chiquoine prosecuted the case.

Defendant Information:

 

DILLON GEORGE TAYLOR, 21

Red Lake, Minn.

Convicted:

• Assault with a dangerous weapon, 1 count

Sentenced:

• 52 months in prison
• Three years of supervised release

 

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of DOUGLAS RAY THOMAS, 49, to 51 months in prison for perpetrating a fraud scheme against a Duluth-based trucking company. THOMAS, who pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of failing to account for and pay over employment taxes on May 17, 2019, was sentenced on January 17, 2020, before Joan N. Ericksen in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, from September 2013 through June 2014, THOMAS devised and executed a fraud scheme to gain control over the assets and revenue of Northwoods Trucking, Inc., a transportation company located in Duluth, Minnesota. On October 18, 2013, THOMAS and the former owners of Northwoods Trucking entered into a stock purchase agreement in which THOMAS agreed to purchase all outstanding shares of the company for $730,000. As part of the agreement, THOMAS agreed to make an initial payment within five days of closing. Despite failing to make the initial payment, as well as subsequent payments pursuant to the purchase agreement, THOMAS assumed control of the company in December of 2013 and, shortly thereafter, began transferring Northwoods Trucking’s business revenue into a bank account that THOMAS alone controlled. 

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, while he owned and operated the company, THOMAS repeatedly failed to pay many of the company’s liabilities, including fuel and insurance for the company’s trucks, payroll to employees and employment taxes due to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Instead, THOMAS used a significant portion of Northwoods Trucking’s business revenue to pay personal expenses and debts, including housing, furniture and a family vacation. The total loss caused by THOMAS’s fraud scheme is approximately $730,000, in addition to $57,792.13 in employment taxes that he failed to pay to the IRS.   

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle E. Jones and former Assistant U.S. Attorney John Kokkinen prosecuted the case.

 

Defendant Information:

DOUGLAS RAY THOMAS, 49

Bloomington, Ind.

Convicted:

• Wire fraud, 1 count
• Failure to account for and pay over employment taxes, 1 count

Sentenced:

• 51 months in prison
• Two years of supervised release
• $692,457.13 in restitution

 

 

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of MARIO MARTELL SPENCER, 34, and AHMED OSMAN FARAH, 32, for the armed robbery of a Minneapolis convenience store. SPENCER and FARAH were convicted by a federal jury on June 17, 2019, and were sentenced to 156 months in prison and 120 months in prison, respectively. The sentences were handed down by Judge Wilhelmina M. Wright in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota.

United States Attorney Erica MacDonald said, “Armed robbery of a small business, high-speed flight from police through residential areas, significant property damage – this is unwelcome criminal activity in our communities. My office and our law enforcement partners are laser focused on making our streets safer and we will not hesitate to go after those who oppose that mission.”

As proven at trial, on March 23, 2018, around 8:30 p.m., SPENCER and FARAH entered Penn-Wood Market, located on Glenwood Avenue in Minneapolis, wearing masks and gloves. SPENCER held two employees at gunpoint while FARAH took money from the cash registers and stole one employee’s cell phone. The two defendants fled the scene in a vehicle. A witness called 911 as the robbery was in progress and, shortly after, responding officers were able to locate the defendants’ unoccupied vehicle, which had crashed into a garage. Law enforcement set up a perimeter around the area of the crash site and, following a foot chase, were able to apprehend and arrest FARAH. With the assistance of a K9, law enforcement officers initiated a systematic search inside the perimeter and eventually found SPENCER hiding on top of the roof of a garage.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Minneapolis Police Department. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that brings together federal, state, and local law enforcement to combat violent crime. This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathan H. Nelson and Justin A. Wesley prosecuted the case.

 

Defendant Information:

MARIO MARTELL SPENCER, 35

St. Paul, Minn.

Convicted:

• Interference with commerce by robbery, 1 count
• Using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, 1 count

Sentenced:

• 156 months in prison
• Four years of supervised release
• $2,800 in restitution

 

AHMED OSMAN FARAH, 33

Maplewood, Minn.

Convicted:

• Interference with commerce by robbery, 1 count
• Using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, 1 count

Sentenced:

• 120 months in prison
• Four years of supervised release
• $2,800 in restitution

 

 

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of RICHARD ALONZO WOODS, 36, to 98 months in prison for illegally possessing two firearms and for violating the terms of his supervised release. WOODS, who pleaded guilty on May 9, 2019, was sentenced today before Judge Wilhelmina M. Wright in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota. On August 1, 2019, WOODS’s co-defendant, DAMON TYRELL LEE ACON, 23, was sentenced to 60 months in prison for illegal possession of firearms.

According to his guilty plea and documents filed in court, on May 18, 2018, WOODS and ACON knowingly possessed two firearms, namely, a Magnum Research, Desert Eagle 9mm pistol, and a Cobra CA380, .380 caliber pistol. Because WOODS and ACON have prior felony convictions, they are prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms at any time.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Minneapolis Police Department. This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the St. Paul Police Department. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that brings together federal, state, and local law enforcement to combat violent crime. This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samantha H. Bates, W. Anders Folk, and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Surya Saxena.

 

Defendant Information:

RICHARD ALONZO WOODS, 36

Minneapolis, Minn.

Convicted:

• Felon in possession of a firearm, 1 count

Sentenced:

• 98 months in prison
• Three years of supervised release

 

DAMON TYRELL LEE ACON, 23,

St. Paul, Minn.

Convicted:

• Felon in possession of a firearm, 1 count

Sentenced:

• 60 months in prison
• Three years of supervised release

 

 

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of MATTHEW ERIC DOLVEN, 31, to 360 months in prison for producing and distributing images and videos depicting his sexual abuse of a minor. DOLVEN, who pleaded guilty to a two-count felony information on February 26, 2019, was sentenced today before Judge Susan R. Nelson in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota.

United States Attorney Erica MacDonald said, “Matthew Dolven’s egregious and despicable actions caused incalculable harm to the victim, harm that no child should ever have to endure. For his crimes, this child predator will spend the next 30 years in prison.”

According to the felony information and documents filed in court, between June 1, 2016, and June 27, 2018, DOLVEN sexually molested a minor victim and used a smartphone to record the abuse. DOLVEN used various social media platforms to distribute to others the child sexual abuse images and videos he produced.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

If you know of any child who may have been a victim of exploitation, please call the National Center for Missing or Exploited Children (NCMEC) at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) or visit NCMEC’s web site at www.missingkids.com.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office, and the Montevideo Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura M. Provinzino and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Carol M. Kayser prosecuted the case.

Defendant Information:

MATTHEW ERIC DOLVEN, a/k/a “VEECE07,” 31

Sherburne County Jail

Convicted:

• Production of child pornography, 1 count
• Distribution of child pornography, 1 count

Sentenced:

• 360 months in prison
• 20 years of supervised release

 

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600

 

 

 

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the guilty plea of ROBERT LEE JOURDAIN, SR., 26, to one count of robbery. JOURDAIN entered his plea today before Judge Wilhelmina M. Wright in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota. On December 19, 2019, JOURDAIN’s co-defendant COURTNEY JOHN BARRETT, JR., 30, also pleaded guilty to one count of robbery. The defendants will be sentenced at a later date.

According to the defendants’ guilty pleas and documents filed in court, on May 1, 2019, at approximately 9:30 pm, JOURDAIN and BARRETT entered the Snack Shack on the Red Lake Indian Reservation armed with weapons. BARRETT held his weapon to an employee’s head while JOURDAIN brandished his weapon. The defendants stole approximately $73 from the cash register and $83 from an employee’s purse.

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

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Gina L. Allery is prosecuting the case.

 

Defendant Information:

ROBERT LEE JOURDAIN, SR., 26

Red Lake, Minn.

Convicted:

• Robbery, 1 count

 

COURTNEY JOHN BARRETT, JR., 30

Red Lake, Minn.

Convicted:

• Robbery, 1 count

 

 

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced JOHN EDWIN KUHNEL, 40, was convicted on nine counts of receipt of child pornography and two counts of possession of child pornography. KUHNEL was found guilty following a two-day bench trial before Chief Judge John R. Tunheim in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota. KUHNEL will be sentenced at a later date.

“Mr. Kuhnel, a twice convicted child predator, must now face the consequences of his actions,” said U.S. Attorney Erica MacDonald. “Justice has prevailed in this case.”

As proven at trial, KUHNEL obtained and possessed child pornography images and videos while being supervised for a 2010 Hennepin County conviction for second-degree criminal sexual conduct. On November 29, 2016, following a meeting with his probation officer, KUHNEL admitted to unauthorized internet activity in violation of the terms of his supervision. Law enforcement’s forensic examination of KUHNEL’s two laptop computers revealed more than 33,000 child pornography images and videos. KUHNEL was instructed to return to the probation office the following day but, instead, KUHNEL fled the state and remained a fugitive until he was arrested in another state in 2017.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

If you know of any child who may have been a victim of exploitation, please call the National Center for Missing or Exploited Children (NCMEC) at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) or visit NCMEC’s web site at www.missingkids.com.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Minneapolis Police Department and the Hennepin County Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Manda M. Sertich and Emily A. Polachek.

 

Defendant Information:

JOHN EDWIN KUHNEL, 40

Minneapolis, Minn.

Convicted:

• Receipt of child pornography, 9 counts
• Possession of child pornography, 2 counts

 

 

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced two unrelated sentencings under the Project Safe Childhood initiative. Both defendants were sentenced earlier this week in United States District Court.

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald said, “We have seen a dramatic uptick in the number of cases involving the sexual abuse of minors. I am committed to using every available resource to combat this disturbing trend. One such resource is the Project Safe Childhood initiative which brings together child protection experts nationwide that are laser focused on bringing these predators to justice.”

MICHAEL CARLOS MITCHELL, 43, was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison for two counts of production of child pornography on December 19, 2019, by United States District Court Judge Wilhelmina M. Wright, in St. Paul. MITCHELL, who pleaded guilty on December 19, 2018, created hundreds of videos and thousands of images of himself sexually abusing a child under the age of 10 years old. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension in conjunction with assistance from the Minnetonka, Minnesota, Police Department.  

MARTY KEITH LARSON, 33, was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for production of child pornography and distribution of child pornography. LARSON was sentenced on December 17, 2019, by United States District Court Judge Patrick J. Schiltz, in Minneapolis. LARSON, who pleaded guilty to one count each, on August 29, 2019, created sexual abuse images of a minor under the age of 10 and distributed them using Kik Messenger application. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations with the assistance of the Itasca County, Minnesota, Sheriff’s Office.

The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Manda M. Sertich.

These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

If you know of any child who may have been a victim of exploitation, please call the National Center for Missing or Exploited Children (NCMEC) at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) or visit NCMEC’s web site at www.missingkids.com.

Defendant Information:

MICHAEL CARLOS MITCHELL, 43

Minnetonka, Minn.

Convicted:

• Production of Child Pornography, 2 counts

Sentenced:

• 40 years in prison
• 25 years supervised release

 

MARTY KEITH LARSON, 33

Keewatin, Minn.

Convicted:

• Production of Child Pornography, 1 count
• Distribution of Child Pornography, 1 count

Sentenced:

• 25 years in prison
• 10 years supervised release

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600

 

The Justice Department announced awards of more than $333 million to help communities affected by the opioid crisis. More than $12.5 million will help public safety and public health professionals in the District of Minnesota combat substance abuse and respond effectively to overdoses. Funds were awarded by the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs.

“The opioid crisis has destroyed far too many lives and left too many Americans feeling helpless and hopeless,” said Principle Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan for the Office of Justice Programs. “This epidemic—the most deadly in our nation’s history—is introducing new dangers and loading public health responsibilities onto the public safety duties of our law enforcement officers. The Department of Justice is here to support them during this unprecedented and extremely challenging time.”

United States Attorney Erica MacDonald said, “Everyday, families and communities are torn apart because of the opioid crisis. This funding will directly support communities throughout Minnesota that are working to combat the crisis and heal from its devastating impact.”

Awards will support an array of activities designed to reduce the harm inflicted by these dangerous drugs. Grants will help law enforcement officers, emergency responders and treatment professionals coordinate their response to overdoses. Funds will also provide services for children and youth affected by the crisis and will support the nationwide network of drug and treatment courts. Other awards will address prescription drug abuse, expand the capacity of forensic labs and support opioid-related research.

The following awards were made to organizations in the District of Minnesota:

Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Site-based Program: Category 1

Awardee:

Amount Awarded:

City of Minneapolis

$894,346

City of Duluth

$897,596

County of Itasca

$600,000

Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Site-based Program: Category 2

Awardee:

Amount Awarded:

Department of Public Safety – Bureau of Criminal Apprehension

$6,449,990

Enhancing Community Responses to the Opioid Crisis: Serving Our Youngest Crime Victims

Awardee:

Amount Awarded:

Native American Community Clinic

$750,000

Adult Drug Court and Veterans Treatment Courts Discretionary Grant Program: Category 1

Awardee:

Amount Awarded:

Carver County

$500,000

Judiciary Courts of the State of Minnesota

(Beltrami County Drug Court)

$499,979

Judiciary Courts of the State of  Minnesota

(Mille Lacs County Drug Treatment Court)

$500,000

Judiciary Courts of the State of Minnesota

(Third Judicial District Veterans Treatment Court)

$500,000

Scott County

$500,000

Adult Drug Court and Veterans Treatment Courts Discretionary Grant Program: Category 2

Awardee:

Amount Awarded:

Anoka County Court Administration

$499,996

 

Information about these programs and awards is available here. For more information about the Office of Justice Programs awards, visit the OJP Awards Data webpage. The Office of Justice Programs, directed by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan, provides federal leadership, grants, training and technical assistance, and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, assist victims and enhance the rule of law by strengthening the criminal and juvenile justice systems. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of MARTAVIS SHAWN DEMAR JAMES, 38, to 180 months in prison for the robbery and attempted robbery of 10 Twin Cities businesses. JAMES, who was convicted on May 17, 2019, was sentenced on December 17, 2019, by U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson.

United States Attorney Erica MacDonald said, “The defendant committed a series of robberies at businesses across the Twin Cities, terrifying its employees and customers. The outstanding collaboration between multiple law enforcement agencies to bring Mr. James to justice is another example of the work under our Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative.”   

As proven at trial, between March and June of 2018, JAMES robbed or attempted to rob at least 10 businesses located across the Twin Cities metro area, including locations in Anoka, Hennepin, and Ramsey Counties. The robberies mostly involved CVS Pharmacy stores across the Twin Cities metropolitan area, as well as a Dollar Tree Store in Coon Rapids and a Blaine BigLots store. In each successful robbery instance, JAMES wore a black hooded coat, a black mask and black gloves. He would point a perceived firearm at the store employee(s), demand access to the business safe, order the employee(s) to put the cash into a duffel bag, and order them to the ground before fleeing.

Law enforcement identified JAMES and began conducting surveillance on him. On June 1, 2018, law enforcement agents followed JAMES as he drove to a CVS store in Eden Prairie. Law enforcement agents and officers, as well as CVS security personnel, were able to lock the front doors of the CVS store prior to JAMES’ arrival, preventing him from gaining entry when he approached. When JAMES returned to his vehicle he was apprehended by law enforcement.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Minneapolis Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from multiple local agencies and departments that initially investigated the robberies that occurred in their jurisdictions.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that brings together federal, state, and local law enforcement to combat violent crime.

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

Defendant Information:

MARTAVIS SHAWN DEMAR JAMES, 38

Champlin, Minn.

Convicted:

• Hobbs Act Robbery, 8 counts
• Attempted Hobbs Act Robbery, 2 counts

Sentenced:

• 180 months in prison
• 3 years supervised release

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald announced the unsealing of a federal indictment charging DEMETRICE DEVON MILLER, 29, with being a felon in possession of two firearms.[1] On December 12, 2019, MILLER made his initial appearance before Magistrate Judge Katherine M. Menendez in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

According to the indictment, on November 23, 2019, MILLER was found to be in possession of two firearms, namely, a Hi-Point, model JHP, .45-caliber semiautomatic pistol, and a Taurus, model G2C, 9-millimeter semiautomatic pistol. Because MILLER has prior felony convictions, he is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time. If convicted of the charge, MILLER faces a mandatory-minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison based on his prior convictions.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the St. Paul Police Department. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that brings together federal, state, and local law enforcement to combat violent crime. This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Bejar is prosecuting the case.

 

Defendant Information:

DEMETRICE DEVON MILLER, 29

St. Paul, Minn.

Charges:

• Felon in possession of firearms- Armed career criminal, 1 count

 

 

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Charges contained in an indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced a federal indictment charging OLGA MARINA FRANCO DEL-CID, 35, with illegal re-entry, identification document fraud, and false representation of social security account number. FRANCO DEL-CID will appear on these charges on December 16, 2019, at 2:00 pm before Magistrate Judge Katherine M. Menendez in U.S. District Court, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

According to documents filed in court, FRANCO DEL-CID was previously removed from the United States on May 4, 2016, following a felony conviction on August 8, 2008, in Lyon County, for criminal vehicular homicide. On November 26, 2019, the defendant was found in the United States in violation of this previous removal. The defendant is further charged with identification fraud in the form of use of a false Permanent Resident Card (more commonly known as a “green card”) and social security fraud for falsely representing a social security number on an Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9.   

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura M. Provinzino is prosecuting the case.

 

Defendant Information:

OLGA MARINA FRANCO DEL-CID, 35

Inver Grove Heights, Minn.

Charges:

• Illegal re-entry after removal, 1 count
• Identification document fraud, 1 count
• False representation of social security account number, 1 count

 

 

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The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced a federal indictment charging RAIVON TREYSHAN BALENGER, 28, with being a felon in possession of a firearm. BALENGER will be arraigned on this charge before Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Cowan Wright in U.S. District Court at a later date.

According to documents filed in court, on November 9, 2019, St. Paul police officers were dispatched to an apartment complex on Concordia Avenue in St. Paul, Minnesota, following a 911 call reporting a man pacing back and forth holding a gun with a green laser sight. During the 911 call, the caller reported that the man had fired a shot. When officers arrived they saw a man, later identified as BALENGER, standing alone next to the apartment building. BALENGER, who appeared to be hiding, began to run when one officer turned on his spotlight. The officers pursued and were able to apprehend BALENGER, who had in his back pocket a Smith & Wesson model M&P Shield .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol with a green laser sight attached to it. The firearm had been reported stolen from Oakdale, Minnesota. Because BALENGER has prior felony convictions in Ramsey County, he is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms at any time.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the St. Paul Police Department. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that brings together federal, state, and local law enforcement to combat violent crime. This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Calhoun-Lopez is prosecuting the case.

 

Defendant Information:

RAIVON TREYSHAN BALENGER, 28

Clearwater, Fla.

Charges:

• Felon in possession of a firearm, 1 count

 

 

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The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of DWIGHT CADARIUS LABON, 32, to 94 months in prison for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin and illegally possessing firearms. LABON, who pleaded guilty on August 27, 2019, was sentenced on December 9, 2019, before Judge Eric C. Tostrud in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, from approximately December 1, 2017, through November 30, 2018, LABON conspired to buy and sell heroin to individuals throughout the Twin Cities. On August 27, 2018, law enforcement executed a search warrant on a vehicle and recovered a loaded Ruger SR9 semi-automatic pistol, which was later determined to have been stolen. LABON acquired the Ruger from one of his heroin customers, with the assistance of his co-Defendant.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, on October 25, 2018, LABON entered the Chick N’ Chips restaurant in St. Paul, Minnesota, with a loaded Smith & Wesson 9mm semi-automatic pistol with an obliterated serial number. LABON dropped the loaded Smith & Wesson in a trash can before exiting the restaurant. LABON then met with one of his heroin customers and arranged for the customer to retrieve the Smith & Wesson in exchange for heroin. Because he has prior felony convictions in Hennepin and Ramsey Counties, LABON is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms at any time.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Minneapolis Police Department, the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, and the Saint Paul Police Department. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that brings together federal, state, and local law enforcement to combat violent crime. This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samantha H. Bates and W. Anders Folk are prosecuting the case.

 

Defendant Information:

DWIGHT CADARIUS LABON, 32

St. Paul, Minn.

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin, 1 count
• Felon in possession of firearms, 1 count

Sentenced:

• 94 months in prison
• Four years of supervised release

 

 

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of CARLOS MENDOZA SERRATO, 35, to 265 months in prison for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine. SERRATO, who pleaded guilty on July 9, 2019, was sentenced earlier today before Judge Joan N. Ericksen in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, from at least June 2015 through October 2018, SERRATO acted as the facilitator and organizer of a drug trafficking organization. SERRATO conspired with his co-defendants and others to traffic methamphetamine and other controlled substances into and throughout Minnesota. In support of the organization, SERRATO delivered and arranged for the delivery of methamphetamine to his sub-distributors, collected funds, vehicles, and various other items from the sale of methamphetamine and other controlled substances. Throughout the course of the investigation into SERRATO’s drug trafficking organization, which affected multiple states, law enforcement seized more than 85 pounds of methamphetamine as well as additional quantities of cocaine, heroin, and marijuana.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, the Minneapolis Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

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

 

Defendant Information:

CARLOS MENDOZA SERRATO, a/k/a “Michoacan,” a/k/a “Micho,” 35

Minneapolis, Minn.

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, 1 count

Sentenced:

• 265 months in prison
• Five years of supervised release

 

 

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced a misdemeanor information charging BRETT JAMES STIMAC, 40, with wildlife trafficking and trespassing on Indian lands after shooting and killing a bear on the Red Lake Indian Reservation. STIMAC will make his initial appearance before Magistrate Judge Leo I. Brisbois in U.S. District Court at a later date.

According to the allegations in the information, on the evening of September 1, 2019, STIMAC, who is not an enrolled member of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians, willfully, knowingly and without authorization or permission, entered the Red Lake Indian Reservation for the purposes of hunting a bear. Using a compound bow, STIMAC shot and killed a large American black bear near the Reservation’s garbage dump.

According to the allegations in the information, on September 2, 2019, STIMAC posed for photographs with the bear’s carcass and later shared the photographs on Facebook. Because of the bear’s large size, STIMAC was unable to move the bear from the Reservation, and instead removed the bear’s head and paws, and harvested a small portion of the meat. STIMAC left the remainder of the carcass on the Reservation.

The Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians does not permit non-Indians to hunt bear, a clan animal, within the boundaries of the Red Lake Indian Reservation, due to the bear’s spiritual importance to the Band.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the Red Lake Department of Public Safety, the Red Lake Department of Natural Resources, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with assistance from the Beltrami County Attorney’s Office.

Assistant United States Attorneys Gina L. Allery and Emily A. Polachek are prosecuting the case.

 

Defendant Information:

BRETT JAMES STIMAC, 40

Brainerd, Minn.

Charges:

• Lacey Act wildlife trafficking, 1 count
• Trespass on Indian lands, 1 count

 

 

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of MARGURITE MARY COFELL, 62, to 96 months in prison for orchestrating a multimillion dollar credit union fraud scheme. COFELL, who pleaded guilty on April 3, 2019, to one count of credit union fraud, was sentenced on December 3, 2019, before Judge Wilhelmina M. Wright in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, from at least June 2006 through January 2014, COFELL was the Manager, Chief Operating Officer and/or President of the St. Francis Campus Credit Union located in Little Falls, Minnesota. In that capacity, COFELL was responsible for the oversight of the daily operations of the credit union, and ensuring proper documentation of the credit union transactions. COFELL used her access and position to fraudulently divert credit union funds to herself and other members of the credit union, including family members, friends and businesses in the Little Falls and Flensburg area. COFELL did so by authorizing fictitious loans or increasing the balances on existing, legitimate loans without the knowledge or authorization of the borrowers, issuing checks from the credit union despite the absence of any corresponding deposits into the credit union, making fictitious electronic deposits into the accounts of credit union members that they did not contribute but later withdrew from the credit union, including an account held in her name, and accounts in the names of various family members and friends, taking cash from the tellers’ cash drawers and the credit union’s vault, and recording fictitious cash payments on loans held by family members. In total, COFELL caused a loss amount of $2,513,360.77 to the St. Francis Campus Credit Union. As a result of COFELL’s fraud, the St. Francis Campus Credit Union, which had served the Little Falls community for more than 50 years, was placed into liquidation due to insolvency.

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

Assistant United States Attorney Michelle E. Jones prosecuted the case.

 

Defendant Information:

MARGURITE MARY COFELL, 62

Little Falls, Minn.

Convicted:

• Credit union fraud, 1 count

Sentenced:

• 96 months in prison
• Five years of supervised release
• $2,513,360.77 in restitution

 

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The Department of Justice today announced that it has awarded more than $376 million in grant funding to enhance state, local and tribal law enforcement operations and reinforce public safety efforts in jurisdictions across the United States. More than $77 million will support public safety activities in the District of Minnesota. The awards were made by the Department’s Office of Justice Programs.

“Crime and violence hold families, friends and neighborhoods hostage. They also rip those communities apart,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan for the Office of Justice Programs. “These programs simultaneously play a role in mending communities through preventing crime, apprehending and prosecuting perpetrators, facilitating appropriate sentencing and adjudication, and restoring communities and their residents.”

United States Attorney Erica MacDonald said, “My number one priority as U.S. Attorney is to keep individuals, families and communities safe. The Department of Justice has awarded more than $77 million in federal public safety grants to organizations dedicated to doing just that. These grants, awarded to public sector entities and nonprofits throughout the state of Minnesota, will support holistic efforts to fortify our communities and enhance public safety.”

The awards announced today support an array of crime-fighting initiatives, including the quarter-billion dollar Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grants Program, which funds public safety efforts in 929 state, local and tribal jurisdictions. Funding also supports sex offender registration and notification, law enforcement-based victim services, the testing of sexual assault kits, and programs designed to address youth with sexual behavioral problems. Other awards will focus on wrongful convictions, intellectual property enforcement, innovative prosecution strategies and the safety and effectiveness of corrections systems.

Information about the programs and awards announced today is available here. For more information about OJP awards, visit the OJP Awards Data webpage.

The Office of Justice Programs, directed by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan, provides federal leadership, grants, training and technical assistance, and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, assist victims and enhance the rule of law by strengthening the criminal and juvenile justice systems. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.

 

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of LENNIE DWAYNE BROOKS, 34, RANDY LORENZO BROOKS, 24, and AUTUMN MARIE NICHOLS, 21, to prison for their roles in a string of violent home invasion robberies. Senior Judge David S. Doty sentenced LENNIE BROOKS to 365 months in prison, RANDY BROOKS to 240 months in prison, and NICHOLS to 120 months in prison. On November 5, 2019, co-defendant ESPERANZA CARDENAS, 30, was sentenced to 50 months in prison.

United States Attorney Erica MacDonald stated, “Lennie and Randy Brooks carefully planned and carried out multiple violent home invasion robberies, one resulting in the death of a victim. Although nothing can replace the lost sense of safety and security of one’s home or the loss of a loved one, today’s sentencings offer some measure of justice for the victims.”

“After more than a year of investigation and court proceedings, the Brooks brothers’ victims have justice,” said Special Agent in Charge William Terry Henderson, of the ATF Saint Paul Field Division. “ATF has worked closely with the victims in this case to provide status updates, resources, and support to help recover from the traumatic experiences resulting from the brothers’ violent crime spree. No one deserves what these people went through, and our hope is that peace can be found in the finality of this sentencing. We are grateful to our many law enforcement partners whose efforts led to the apprehension of those responsible for these crimes and ultimately for the success of this case.”

According to the defendants’ guilty pleas and documents filed in court, LENNIE and RANDY BROOKS, on three separate occasions that are chargeable under the Hobbs Act, committed violent home invasion robberies and, in one incident, caused the death of a robbery victim. On October 6, 2018, LENNIE and RANDY BROOKS broke into a private residence located in Eden Prairie, Minnesota while NICHOLS waited in the getaway car. RANDY BROOKS held two victims at gunpoint while LENNIE BROOKS searched the house for money and valuables. During that time, one of the victims went into cardiac arrest, however neither defendant called for medical help nor did they allow the second victim to call for help. The defendants stole approximately $50,000 in cash, which was the business proceeds of the Shuang Hur Asian Markets located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. The defendants admitted that the victim who went into cardiac arrest died as a direct result of the home invasion.

On September 23, 2018, LENNIE and RANDY BROOKS broke into a private residence located in Ellendale, Minnesota while CARDENAS waited in the getaway car. RANDY BROOKS held two victims at gunpoint while LENNIE BROOKS searched the house for money and valuables. The defendants stole approximately $40,000 in cash, which was the business proceeds of the Holland Auction Company located in Ellendale, Minnesota.

On August 16, 2018, LENNIE and RANDY BROOKS broke into a private residence located in Waite Park, Minnesota. RANDY BROOKS held two victims at gunpoint while LENNIE BROOKS searched the house for money and valuables. The defendants stole approximately $180,000 in jewelry and gemstones, which belonged to Trisko Jewelry located in Waite Park, Minnesota.

The Hobbs Act, passed by Congress in 1946, prohibits actual or attempted robbery affecting interstate or foreign commerce “in any way or degree.”

This case was the result of a multi-jurisdictional investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”), Eden Prairie Police Department, Steele County Sheriff’s Office, Woodbury Police Department, Cottage Grove Police Department, St. Paul Police Department, Minneapolis Police Department, Winona Police Department, Wabasha Police Department, Prior Lake Police Department, Southeast Minnesota Violent Crime Enforcement Team, St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office, Wabasha County Sheriff’s Office, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Olmstead County Sheriff’s Office, Winona County Sheriff’s Office, Waite Park Police Department, Owatonna Police Department, Nisswa Police Department, Goodhue County Sheriff’s Office, Red Wing Police Department, Mason City Police Department, Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office, and the Albert Lea Police Department. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (“PSN”), an initiative that brings together federal, state and local law enforcement to combat violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone.

Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey S. Paulsen prosecuted the case.

 

Defendant Information:

LENNIE DWAYNE BROOKS, 34

Zumbro Falls, Minn.

Convicted:

• Aiding and abetting interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act), 3 counts

Sentenced:

• 365 months in prison
• Three years of supervised release
• $288,483.72 in restitution to victims

 

RANDY LORENZO BROOKS, 24

Wabasha, Minn.

Convicted:

• Aiding and abetting interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act), 3 counts

Sentenced:

• 240 months in prison
• Three years of supervised release
• $288,483.72 in restitution to victims

 

AUTUMN MARIE NICHOLS, 21

St. Paul, Minn.

Convicted:

• Aiding and abetting interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act), 1 count

Sentenced:

• 120 months in prison
• Three years of supervised release
• $50,000 in restitution to victims

 

ESPERANZA CARDENAS, 30

Conger, Minn.

Convicted:

• Aiding and abetting interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act), 1 count

Sentenced:

• 50 months in prison
• Three years of supervised release
• $238,483.72 in restitution to victims

 

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The United States Attorney’s Office, the Minneapolis Division of the FBI, the Duluth Police Department, and the St. Louis County Attorney’s Office and Sheriff’s Office will convene a community meeting on December 3, 2019, to talk about the issue of sextortion and the alarming increase that law enforcement is seeing in these types of cases. Sextortion is a type of online sexual exploitation where victims are coerced into providing sexually explicit images or videos often in compliance with a threat being made against them or their loved ones.

Join us for a panel discussion highlighting the issue of sextortion, trends in victimization, recent cases, prevention tips, and what to do if you or a loved one becomes a target. Parents, teachers, students, law enforcement, and community leaders are encouraged to attend.

This event is free and open to the public, however registration is strongly encouraged. The meeting will take place on Tuesday, December 3, 2019, from 5:30-7:45 p.m. at the Hermantown Police Department in Hermantown, Minnesota. For more information or to register, please email [email protected]

NOTE: This event is open press. All media must RSVP to [email protected] and present valid media credentials at the event.

 

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of LA VANG, 27, to 18 months in prison for stealing prescription pain medication from his patient. VANG, who pleaded guilty on May 28, 2019, was sentenced on November 26, 2019, before Judge Nancy E. Brasel in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota.

“As a registered nurse, Mr. Vang abused his position of trust and caused harm to a vulnerable victim only to feed his own addiction. This sentence, which is an upward departure from the sentencing guideline range, is appropriate for this defendant’s conduct,” said United States Attorney Erica MacDonald.

“Patients and their families rely on the knowledge that they will receive FDA-approved medications to manage their pain,” said Special Agent in Charge William P. Conway, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations, Chicago Field Office. “We will continue to pursue and bring to justice healthcare professionals who put their patients’ health at risk by tampering with their pain medications.”

“Temptation and addiction plague all professions,” U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Omaha Division Diversion Program Manager William Stockmann said. “A nurse taking advantage of those in need of home healthcare and medication is unbecoming and does significant harm to our communities. DEA continues to work with partners to identify individuals diverting medication and will prosecute them to the full extent of the law.”

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, in April 2018, VANG, who was a registered nurse employed with Lifesprk Home Care, was assigned to work as a home healthcare nurse for an elderly woman in her 80’s who was recovering from multiple surgeries and prescribed controlled substance medication for her pain. Between April 2018 and August 2018, VANG fraudulently obtained from the patient oxycodone and hydrocodone by replacing her pain medication with similar-looking loratadine and acetaminophen tablets. During this time period the victim’s health declined precipitously. In July 2018, when the victim’s husband contacted Lifesprk to raise concerns, he learned that the period of care provided by the company ended on May 1, 2018, and that VANG was no longer employed by LifeSprk even though he had continued to visit the victim under the auspices of being a LifeSprk employee.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, following a report made by the victim’s family, law enforcement opened an investigation. On August 2, 2018, following VANG’s visit to the victim’s home, police conducted a traffic stop on VANG’s vehicle and found several empty prescription bottles for oxycodone in the victim’s name dated between April and June of 2018, as well as empty bottles of acetaminophen and Walgreen’s brand allergy medication (loratadine).

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Office of Criminal Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Columbia Heights Police Department, with assistance from the Anoka County Attorney’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathan H. Nelson prosecuted the case.

 

Defendant Information:

LA VANG, 27

Newport, Minn.

Convicted:

• Obtaining a controlled substance by fraud, 1 count

Sentenced:

• 18 months in prison
• One year of supervised release

 

 

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced a federal indictment charging DERWIN IDELL MOORE, 33, and KEVIN KAREEM WHITE, 36, with one count each of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The defendants will be arraigned on November 26, 2019, before Magistrate Judge Becky R. Thorson in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota.

According to the allegations in the indictment, on August 11, 2019, MOORE and WHITE were found to be in possession of firearms. MOORE possessed a Canik model TP9DA 9mm semi-automatic pistol and WHITE possessed a Smith & Wesson model M&P Shield 9mm semi-automatic pistol. Because MOORE and WHITE have prior felony convictions, they are prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms at any time.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the St. Paul Police Department. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that brings together federal, state, and local law enforcement to combat violent crime. This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Calhoun-Lopez is prosecuting the case.

 

Defendant Information:

DERWIN IDELL MOORE, 33

St. Paul, Minn.

Charges:

• Felon in possession of a firearm, 1 count

 

KEVIN KAREEM WHITE, 36

St. Paul, Minn.

Charges:

• Felon in possession of a firearm, 1 count

 

 

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The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Attorney General William P. Barr today launched a national strategy to address missing and murdered Native Americans. The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Initiative places MMIP coordinators in 11 U.S. Attorney’s offices including Minnesota who will develop protocols for a more coordinated law enforcement response to missing cases. The plan also calls for the deployment of the FBI’s most advanced response capabilities when needed, improved data collection and analysis, and training to support local response efforts. 

“American Indian and Alaska Native people suffer from unacceptable and disproportionately high levels of violence, which can have lasting impacts on families and communities. Native American women face particularly high rates of violence, with at least half suffering sexual or intimate-partner violence in their lifetime. Too many of these families have experienced the loss of loved ones who went missing or were murdered,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “This important initiative will further strengthen the federal, state, and tribal law enforcement response to these continuing problems.”

“The FBI recognizes the violence that tribal communities face and is fully committed to working with our federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners to provide support to those impacted by these crimes,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “We are dedicated to delivering justice and to the FBI’s mission to protect all the people we serve. We reaffirm our focus on allocating resources to serve Native American needs.”

“Minnesota ranks within the top 10 states with the highest number of MMIP cases. This is unacceptable,” said United States Attorney Erica MacDonald. “We are designating an MMIP coordinator who will develop and implement protocols and procedures to respond to MMIP cases. The addition of this critical resource will significantly enhance collaboration between tribal, state, and federal agencies and bring hope to families and communities that have lost a loved one.”

The strategy has three parts:

Establish MMIP coordinators: The Department of Justice is investing an initial $1.5 million to hire 11 MMIP coordinators in 11 states to serve with all U.S. Attorney’s offices in those states, and others who request assistance. The states are Alaska, Arizona, Montana, Oklahoma, Michigan, Utah, Nevada, Minnesota, Oregon, New Mexico, and Washington state. MMIP coordinators will work closely with federal, tribal, state and local agencies to develop common protocols and procedure for responding to reports of missing or murdered indigenous people. The first MMIP coordinator is already on board in Montana. 

Specialized FBI Rapid Deployment Teams: The strategy will bring needed tools and resources to law enforcement. Upon request by a tribal, state, or local law enforcement agency the FBI will provide expert assistance based upon the circumstances of a missing indigenous persons case. FBI resources and personnel which may be activated to assist with cases include: Child Abduction Rapid Deployment (CARD) teams, Cellular Analysis Support Teams, Evidence Response Teams, Cyber Agents for timely analysis of digital evidence/social media, Victim Services Division Response Teams, and others. MMIP coordinators will assist in developing protocols.

Comprehensive Data Analysis: The department will perform in-depth analysis of federally supported databases and analyze data collection practices to identify opportunities to improve missing persons data and share the results of this analysis with our partners in this effort.

More broadly, the MMIP Initiative will involve a coordinated effort by more than 50 U.S. Attorneys on the Attorney General’s Native American Issues Subcommittee (NAIS), the FBI, and the Office of Tribal Justice, with support from the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) and the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW).  

Today’s announcement follows the August NAIS meeting in New Mexico and OVW listening session in Michigan, where Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons and violence against women in Indian country were prevalent topics of discussion by U.S. Attorneys, OVW officials, and tribal representatives.

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of TYRONE JAMES NELSON, 39, to 77 months in prison for his role in a heroin distribution conspiracy that targeted the Mille Lakes Indian Reservation and the surrounding communities. NELSON and his seven co-defendants were charged in a 10-count indictment on February 13, 2019. NELSON pleaded guilty on July 19, 2019, and was sentenced today before Judge Eric C. Tostrud in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota.

According to his guilty plea and documents filed in court, between December 2017 and May 2018, NELSON obtained heroin from individuals in Minneapolis, Minnesota and then transported it to communities in and surrounding the Mille Lacs Indian Reservation. NELSON, who was the main source and distributor of heroin in the Mille Lacs area, befriended enrolled Mille Lacs members and utilized their homes to operate his business.

This case is the result of an investigation led by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Mille Lacs Tribal Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Deidre Y. Aanstad is prosecuting the case.

Defendant Information:

TYRONE JAMES NELSON, 39

City of residence unknown

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to distribute heroin, 1 count

Sentenced:

• 77 months in prison
• Four years of supervised release

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald announced the sentencing of two individuals for conspiring to possess and distribute methamphetamine. GONZALO JIMINEZ-PAZ, JR., 22, was sentenced to 168 months in prison and REY DAVID LUNA-SANTILLANES, 22, was sentenced to 63 months in prison. Both defendants were sentenced by Senior Judge David S. Doty in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

United States Erica MacDonald said, “Mr. Jiminez-Paz ran a significant drug trafficking operation here in Minnesota. He employed a network of distributors, including his co-defendant Mr. Luna-Santillanes, who helped push dangerous drugs into our cities. This type of criminal activity threatens the health and safety of our communities and will be met with lengthy prison sentences.”

According to the defendants’ guilty pleas and documents filed in court, beginning in January 2019, JIMINEZ-PAZ and LUNA-SANTILLANES entered into an agreement with each other and other individuals to distribute methamphetamine. On March 23, 2019, law enforcement officers with the Ramsey County Violent Crime Enforcement Team (VCET) executed a search warrant at a residence in the downtown area of Minneapolis. During execution of the search warrant, officers recovered approximately 64 pounds of methamphetamine, a large sum of U.S. currency, three pounds of heroin, a bag containing unidentified blue pills and two loaded handguns. The methamphetamine was found inside two suitcases in a bedroom closet, the heroin was hidden inside of a shoebox, and a large amount of cash was located in a kitchen cupboard.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the St. Paul Police Department, the Ramsey County VCET, the DEA, and the Minnesota State Patrol.

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

 

Defendant Information:

GONZALO JIMINEZ-PAZ, JR., 23

Minneapolis, Minn.

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, 1 count

Sentenced:

• 168 months in prison
• Five years of supervised release

 

REY DAVID LUNA-SANTILLANES, 23

Minneapolis, Minn.

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, 1 count

Sentenced:

• 63 months in prison
• Two years of supervised release

 

 

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced a felony information charging CLARISSA LYNN COMBS, 48, with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and false statements. COMBS will make her initial appearance in U.S. District Court at a later date. BRIDGIT YVETTE MICHAUD, 54, JALONDA LEEANN COMBS, 37, and AUDREY SEBILETTA HEATH, 34 were also charged via felony information with one count each of conspiracy to commit wire fraud for their roles in the conspiracy. [1] Five defendants previously pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to commit wire fraud for their roles in the conspiracy. 

According to the allegations in the information, between April 2012 and February 2019, COMBS, a former program manager for a Twin Cities non-profit organization that provides housing and related services to the homeless, devised and participated in a scheme to fraudulently obtain at least $684,081.90 in charitable funds from the organization. As part of the scheme, COMBS recruited other employees of the non-profit, as well as her family and friends, to pose as fictitious homeless clients. During the course of the investigation of the alleged conduct, COMBS made false statements to Special Agents of the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and a United States Postal Inspector, at the United States Attorney’s Office in Minneapolis, in the District of Minnesota. 

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General (HUD-OIG), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).

Assistant United States Attorney Miranda E. Dugi is prosecuting the case.

 

Defendant Information:

CLARISSA LYNN COMBS, 48

Brooklyn Park, Minn.

Charges:

• Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 1 count
• False statements, 1 count

 

BRIDGIT YVETTE MICHAUD, 54

Minneapolis, Minn.

Charges:

• Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 1 count

 

JALONDA LEEANN COMBS, 37

Brooklyn Park, Minn.

Charges:

• Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 1 count

 

AUDREY SEBILETTA HEATH, 34

Woodbury, Minn.

Charges:

• Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 1 count

 

 

 

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The charges contained in the information are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced a federal indictment charging SHELBY GENE BOSWELL, 28, a convicted felon, with possessing and discharging a firearm in a school zone.[1] BOSWELL will make his initial appearance today at 2:00 pm before Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Cowan Wright in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota.

According to the indictment and documents filed in court, on October 18, 2019, BOSWELL knowingly and with reckless disregard for the safety of others, discharged a firearm on the grounds of Fond du Lac Head Start which is within a distance of 1,000 feet of the grounds of Fond du Lac Ojibwe High School. Because he has prior felony convictions in Beltrami County, Carlton County, and in U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, BOSWELL 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 and the Fond du Lac Police Department. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that brings together federal, state, and local law enforcement to combat violent crime.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew R. Winter and Bradley M. Endicott are prosecuting the case.

 

Defendant Information:

SHELBY GENE BOSWELL, 28

Hugo, Minn.

Charges:

• Felon in possession of a firearm, 1 count
• Possession of a firearm in a school zone, 1 count
• Discharge of a firearm in a school zone, 1 count

 

 

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The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This afternoon, and at my request, I met with St. Paul Police Chief Todd Axtell along with the top leaders of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to discuss the pressing gun-violence issue in St. Paul. All agencies present, including the FBI, ATF, U.S. Marshals, BCA, and Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office offered their full support and dedicated resources to address the problem. It was the unanimous consensus of the group that reducing violent crime requires more than just enforcement, it also requires plans for treatment and prevention. It is my belief that the joint efforts of these federal, state and local agencies and their combined expertise and resources will ensure that every available resource is brought to bear to stem the violence and protect the community. I will continue to update the public on the progress we make in this coordinated fight to protect the safety of our communities.

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of LESSIE BEATRICE LINDSEY, 37, to one year and one day in prison for falsely claiming $1,151,585 in tax refunds. LINDSEY, who pleaded guilty on June 17, 2019, was sentenced on October 30, 2019, before Senior Judge David S. Doty in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

According to the defendant’s guilty pleas and documents filed in court, between January 2013 and March 2016, LINDSEY, who operated in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Chicago, Illinois, charged individual taxpayers a fee to prepare and file their federal income tax returns. LINDSEY routinely falsified information on the federal income tax returns she filed on behalf of her clients, including employment, income, and tax credits, in order to increase the clients’ tax refunds. In total, LINDSEY prepared approximately 192 false and fraudulent personal federal income tax returns which falsely claimed approximately $1,151,585.00 in tax refunds. LINDSEY’s conduct caused the United States Treasury to pay $995,966.00 to LINDSEY’s clients for tax years 2012, 2013, 2074, and 2015.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew S. Ebert prosecuted the case.

 

Defendant Information:                                                                                                                     

LESSIE BEATRICE LINDSEY, 37

Minneapolis, Minn.

Convicted:

• False claim to the United States, 1 count

Sentenced:

• One year and one day in prison
• Two years of supervised release
• $ 995,966 in restitution

 

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of HAKEEM MALIK DONTAE FLAX, a/k/a “Keem,” 33, to 220 months in prison for crimes related to violent gang activity, including conspiracy, distribution of heroin, and firearms violations. FLAX, who was convicted by a federal jury on February 14, 2019, was sentenced earlier today before Judge Wilhelmina M. Wright in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota. FLAX’s co-defendants DOMONICK DESHAY WRIGHT, BRIAN FUNTANOUS MACK, and JAMES LAVELL BROWN, have also been sentenced following their guilty pleas to conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

As proven at trial, FLAX and his co-defendants maintained active membership in the 1-9 Block Dipset Gang with the purpose of making money for the gang through criminal acts, including distribution of heroin. As part of the gang’s heroin distribution scheme, FLAX, WRIGHT, MACK, and BROWN and other members of the gang possessed, used and carried firearms in order to protect themselves from rival gang members and maintain their drug distribution territory.

As proven at trial, members of the 1-9 Block Dipset Gang were involved in a violent gang war with rival North Minneapolis gangs, including the Tre Tre Crips and the Young-N-Thuggin gangs, which resulted in the shooting deaths of gang members on both sides of the conflict. Disputes over gang territories and retaliation for prior acts of violence also contributed to the gun violence. As an example, on August 5, 2017, FLAX shot and killed a member of the rival Tre Tre Crips gang in a parking lot outside of a North Minneapolis restaurant.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Minneapolis Police Department. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, an initiative that brings together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Calhoun-Lopez.

 

Defendant Information:

HAKEEM MALIK DONTAE FLAX, a/k/a “Keem,” 33

Vadnais Heights, Minn.

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, 1 count
• Conspiracy to distribute heroin, 1 count
• Discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, 1 count
• Felon in possession of ammunition, 1 count

Sentenced:

• 220 months in prison
• Five years of supervised release

 

DOMONICK DESHAY WRIGHT, a/k/a “Freaky,” 31

Brooklyn Center, Minn.

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, 1 count

Sentenced:

• 120 months in prison
• Three years of supervised release

 

BRIAN FUNTANOUS MACK, a/k/a “B-Mack,” 34

Minneapolis, Minn.

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, 1 count

Sentenced:

• 120 months in prison
• Three years of supervised release

 

JAMES LAVELL BROWN, 34

St. Paul, Minn.

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, 1 count

Sentenced:

• 60 months in prison
• Three years of supervised release

 

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald announced the sentencing of MICHAEL CORTEZ REED, 27, to 110 months in prison for the violent attempted robbery of a Walgreens pharmacy, as well as drug-trafficking and firearms violations. REED, who pleaded guilty to five felony counts on June 21, 2019, was sentenced today before Senior Judge David S. Doty in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

According to his guilty plea and documents filed in court, on August 27, 2017, REED entered a Walgreens pharmacy in St. Paul, Minnesota, violently assaulted a store employee and forced the employee to open to store’s drug vault in an attempt to steal controlled substances. The employee told REED that the vault was on a time-delay and that it could not be opened. REED ran out of the store when the store manager confronted him. REED also admitted that between September 13, 2017 and September 5, 2018, he was in possession of over 25 grams of methamphetamine, small amounts of heroin and cocaine, and three firearms, including a Ruger model P95DC nine-millimeter semi-automatic firearm, a Phoenix Arms model Raven 25 .25-caliber semi-automatic pistol, and a Kahr Arms model P380 .380-caliber semi-automatic pistol. The Ruger firearm was loaded with an extended 30-round magazine attached to it, and the Kahr Arms firearm had been previously reported stolen. Because he is a felon, REED is prohibited under federal law from possessing any type of firearm or ammunition at any time.

The Hobbs Act, passed by Congress in 1946, allows federal prosecutors to prosecute individuals who commit robberies of businesses engaged in interstate commerce.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Saint Paul Police Department. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, an initiative that brings together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

Assistant United States Attorneys Benjamin Bejar and Thomas Calhoun-Lopez prosecuted the case.

 

Defendant Information:

MICHAEL CORTEZ REED, a/k/a “Hyphy,” 27

St. Paul, Minn.

Convicted:

• Attempted interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act), 1 count
• Felon in possession of a firearm, 3 counts
• Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, 1 count

Sentenced:

• 110 months in prison
• Five years of supervised release

 

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the conviction of TEVIN JAY MAURSTAD, 24, on six counts of drug trafficking and firearm charges. Following a two-day bench trial before Judge Susan Richard Nelson in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota, MAURSTAD was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, felon in possession of a firearm, and felon in possession of ammunition. Sentencing will be scheduled on a later date.   

MAURSTAD’s co-conspirator, MORNINGSTAR WEBSTER, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine on March 6, 2019, before Judge Susan Richard Nelson and was sentenced to 10 years in prison on July 25, 2019.

“The defendant has a history of violent crime and possessing firearms,” said United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald. “This case is another demonstration of how law enforcement is committed to working hand-in-hand to stop dangerous felons intent on bringing drugs into our communities.”

As proven at trial, on August 4, 2016, MAURSTAD was pulled over in Morrison County for a traffic violation. During a search of the vehicle, law enforcement found a loaded .45 caliber handgun and three large plastic bags containing methamphetamine. MAURSTAD is a convicted felon who is prohibited from possessing firearms. Subsequent forensic analysis confirmed the packages contained 334 grams of methamphetamine.

As proven at trial, on January 29, 2018, law enforcement pulled over a black Chrysler 300 for speeding. After MAURSTAD admitted possessing pain killers without a prescription, law enforcement searched the vehicle and found two packages containing 446 grams of methamphetamine.

As proven at trial, on February 13, 2018, federal law enforcement searched a storage unit rented by MAURSTAD. Law enforcement recovered a large quantity of ammunition and firearm accessories.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office, the Carlton County Sheriff’s Office, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and the Minnesota Department of Corrections.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew R. Winter and Bradley M. Endicott are prosecuting the case.

Defendant Information:                                                                                                                     

TEVIN JAY MAURSTAD, 24

Minneapolis, Minn.

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, 1 Count
• Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, 2 Counts
• Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, 1 Count
• Felon in Possession of a Firearm, 1 Count
• Felon in Possession of Ammunition, 1 Count

 

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600

 

 

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of ROBERT ANTHONY COLEMAN, 46, to one year and one day in prison and YOLANDA YVETTE COLEMAN a/k/a YOLANDA YVETTE PITTMAN, 51, to six months in prison for conspiring to defraud multiple government social services programs over the course of several years. The defendants, who pleaded guilty on May 8, 2019, were sentenced on October 23, 2019, before Senior Judge David S. Doty in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

According to the defendants’ guilty pleas and documents filed with the court, from 2002 through December 2016, PITTMAN was employed by the Hennepin County Human Services and Public Health Department (HSPHD). From at least October 2009, PITTMAN’s job duties gave her access to computer databases used in processing applications for government benefits intended to assist low-income persons with food, medical, and other living expenses, including Medical Assistance and SNAP food stamp benefits. During this time, PITTMAN became romantically involved with COLEMAN, who was a HSPHD client prior to and continuing into their relationship. PITTMAN and COLEMAN were married on August 17, 2014.

According to the defendants’ guilty pleas and documents filed with the court, from October 2010 through August 2018, PITTMAN and COLEMAN conspired to fraudulently obtain Section 8 rental housing assistance subsidies, SNAP benefits, Medical Assistance benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits from the Social Security Administration, and other public assistance, by concealing information and submitting false applications to the government entities responsible for implementing these programs. For example, PITTMAN and COLEMAN failed to disclose that they resided together while COLEMAN received Section 8, SNAP, Medical Assistance, and SSI public assistance benefits. PITTMAN also acted as COLEMAN’S Personal Care Attendant (PCA) for several years, with COLEMAN’S Medical Assistance benefits paying for these PCA services. The total loss amount was $248,838.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of the Inspector General, Hennepin County Fraud Investigations Unit, and the Social Security Administration – Office of the Inspector General.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Hudleston and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey Middlecamp prosecuted the case.

 

Defendant Information:                                                                                                                     

ROBERT ANTHONY COLEMAN, 46

Minneapolis, Minn.

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to commit theft of government funds, 1 count

Sentenced:

• One year and one day in prison
• Three years of supervised release
   

YOLANDA YVETTE COLEMAN, a/k/a YOLANDA YVETTE PITTMAN, 51

Minneapolis, Minn. 

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to commit theft of government funds, 1 count

Sentenced:

• Six months in prison
• Two years of supervised release

 

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the guilty plea of DILLON GEORGE TAYLOR, 21, for assaulting three individuals with a firearm. TAYLOR pleaded guilty on October 22, 2019, before Chief Judge John R. Tunheim in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is scheduled to be sentenced on February 21, 2020.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, on November 22, 2018, during a confrontation with two individuals, TAYLOR pointed a firearm at one of the individuals and threatened his life. When the two individuals left the scene in a vehicle driven by a third individual, TAYLOR pursued them and shot at the vehicle multiple times. When the vehicle pulled into the parking lot of a casino located on the Red Lake Indian Reservation, TAYLOR continued his pursuit, firing a shot towards the entrance of the casino where the three individuals and casino personnel were standing.

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 United States Attorney Alexander D. Chiquoine is prosecuting the case. 

 

Defendant Information:

DILLON GEORGE TAYLOR, 21

Red Lake, Minn.

Convicted:

• Assault with a dangerous weapon, 1 count

 

 

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the guilty plea of GARY JAMES HEDIN, 41, former owner of Downtown Dental Care LLC, a dental practice located in Duluth, Minnesota, for failing to account for and pay over employment taxes to the Internal Revenue Service. HEDIN, who was charged on September 30, 2019, entered his guilty plea on October 22, 2019, before Judge Patrick J. Schiltz in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is scheduled to be sentenced on February 20, 2020.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, HEDIN failed to file required tax returns and pay employment taxes withheld from the wages of his employees for tax years 2012 through 2017. HEDIN instead used the money to fund a lavish lifestyle, including vacations, adult entertainment, memberships in private social clubs, and jewelry purchases. HEDIN admitted that he owes $158,958 in unpaid taxes to the IRS for the relevant tax years.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Criminal Investigation Division of the IRS.

Assistant United States Attorney Michelle E. Jones is prosecuting the case.

 

Defendant Information:

GARY JAMES HEDIN, 41

Duluth, Minn.

Convicted:

• Failure to account for and pay over employment taxes, 1 count

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of ADAM M. LASHINSKI, 41, to 15 months in prison for filing false tax returns. LASHINSKI, who pleaded guilty on June 25, 2019, was sentenced on October 21, 2019, before Senior Judge Paul A. Magnuson in U.S. District Court in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, LASHINSKI, who falsely claimed to be a certified public accountant, prepared and filed dozens of fraudulent federal and state individual income tax returns for his acquaintances between 2013 and 2015. LASHINSKI admitted to repeatedly filing returns in the names of the taxpayers that omitted taxable income and claimed false adjustments, deductions, and business expenses, which resulted in larger refunds than what the taxpayers were actually entitled to receive. The total tax loss was $208,550.00

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Criminal Investigation Division of the IRS, with assistance from the Minnesota Department of Revenue.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert M. Lewis prosecuted this case.

 

Defendant Information:

ADAM M. LASHINSKI, 41

Sauk Rapids, Minn.

Convicted:

• Filing false tax returns, 1 count

Sentenced:

• 15 months in prison
• One year of supervised release

 

 

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600

The Department of Justice announced today that it has awarded over $273.4 million in grants to improve public safety, serve victims of crime, combat violence against women and support youth programs in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.

“Violent crime and domestic abuse in American Indian and Alaska Native communities remain at unacceptably high levels, and they demand a response that is both clear and comprehensive,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “We will continue to work closely with our tribal partners to guarantee they have the resources they need to curb violence and bring healing to the victims most profoundly affected by it.”  

United States Attorney Erica MacDonald said, “Here in the District of Minnesota, the Department has awarded more than $4.6 million to five tribes in response to their most pressing public safety needs, including violence against women, opioids, and substance abuse. As U.S. Attorney, I am committed to working with our tribal leaders and law enforcement partners to address these very issues. Our Native American communities deserve to thrive in safety and stability.”

Five Tribes in the District of Minnesota were awarded a total of $4,655,998 in funding. The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe will receive a total of $810,821, the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe will receive a total of $624,180, the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians will receive a total of $1,544,538, the Upper Sioux Community will receive a total of $243,008, and the White Earth Reservation Tribal Council will receive a total of $1,433,451.

Nationwide, 236 grants were awarded to 149 American Indian tribes, Alaska Native villages and other tribal designees through the Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (“CTAS”), a streamlined application for tribal-specific grant programs. Of the $118 million awarded via CTAS, just over $62.6 million comes from the Office of Justice Programs, about $33.1 million from the Office on Violence Against Women and more than $23.2 million from the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. A portion of the funding will support tribal youth mentoring and intervention services, help native communities implement requirements of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, and provide training and technical assistance to tribal communities. Another $5.5 million was funded by OJP’s Bureau of Justice Assistance to provide training and technical assistance to CTAS awardees.

The Department also announced awards and other programming totaling $167.2 million in a set-aside program to serve victims of crime. The awards are intended to help tribes develop, expand and improve services to victims by supporting programming and technical assistance. About $25.6 million of these awards were awarded under CTAS and are included in the $118 million detailed above.

CTAS funding helps tribes develop and strengthen their justice systems’ response to crime, while expanding services to meet their communities’ public safety needs. The awards cover 10 purpose areas: public safety and community policing; justice systems planning; alcohol and substance abuse; corrections and correctional alternatives; children’s justice act partnerships; services for victims of crime; violence against women; juvenile justice; violent crime reduction; and tribal youth programs.

The Department also provided $6.1 million to help tribes to comply with federal law on sex offender registration and notification, $1.7 million in separate funding to assist tribal youth and nearly $500,000 to support tribal research on missing and murdered indigenous women and children and other public safety-related topics.

Today’s announcement is part of the Justice Department’s ongoing initiative to increase engagement, coordination and action on public safety in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.

A listing of today’s announced CTAS awards is available at: https://www.justice.gov/tribal/awards. A listing of all other announced tribal awards are available at: https://go.usa.gov/xVJuE.

 

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the guilty plea of LISA ANN SCHAFER, 57, for stealing $108,490.47 in federal disability benefits. SCHAFER, who was charged via felony information on September 24, 2019, entered her guilty plea before Judge Eric C. Tostrud in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, from September 18, 2015, through May 3, 2019, SCHAFER, at the time an employee of the United States Postal Service, knowingly claimed Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA) benefits by falsely asserting that a work-related injury prevented her from working in a full-time capacity. SCHAFER reported to her doctor that her medical condition required her to rest most of the day and that she could tolerate only sedentary work. SCHAFER’s doctor accordingly limited her to no more than two hours of office work a day, enabling SCHAFER to collect FECA benefits due to her purported work-related injury. However, during this time period, SCHAFER was observed participating in 30-40 dog-agility competitions where she is seen running, bending quickly at the waist, and using large arm movements to navigate dogs through a variety of exercises. In total, SCHAFER stole $108,490.47 in FECA benefits that she knew she was not entitled to receive.

Special Agent-in-Charge John D. Masters, Western Area Field Office, USPS Office of the Inspector General said, “The American public trusts that U.S. Postal Service employees will obey the law. When an employee of the Postal Service violates that trust, the Postal Service Office of Inspector General (USPS OIG) investigates those matters. Today’s plea sends a clear message that workers' compensation fraud is a federal crime, which carries serious consequences. The USPS OIG, along the U.S. Attorney's Office, remain committed to safeguarding the integrity of the workers’ compensation program and ensuring the accountability and integrity of U.S. Postal Service employees.”

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General (USPS-OIG).

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

 

Defendant Information:

LISA ANN SCHAFER, 57

Glenwood, Minn.

Convicted:

• Theft of government funds, 1 count

 

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced that more than $4.5 million in federal grant funds have been awarded to organizations throughout the state of Minnesota to combat human trafficking and provide support services to victims of trafficking. In announcing the grant awards, U.S. Attorney MacDonald also released a new human trafficking public service announcement aimed at raising awareness and reaching victims.

U.S. Attorney Erica MacDonald said, “Eradication of human trafficking is one of my top priorities as the United States Attorney. Here in Minnesota, we are attacking the problem of human trafficking strategically, through aggressive prosecution, strong multidisciplinary partnerships, and robust community outreach and education. This grant money will aid tremendously in our work. We must continue to speak up and speak out to help end human trafficking.”

Funding will be used to enhance the quality and quantity of services available, including to provide developmentally and culturally appropriate and tailored programming to best fit the needs of victims. Funds will also be used to strengthen statewide human trafficking policy and programming. 

Grantee

Amount Awarded

Regents of the University of Minnesota

$500,000

The Link

$590,847

Minnesota Department of Health

$1,499,999

Young Men’s Christian Association of the Greater Twin Cities

$446,685

Minnesota Indian Women’s Sexual Assault Coalition

$550,000

Young Men’s Christian Association of the Greater Twin Cities

$922,870

In 2019, the Department of Justice awarded more than $80 million in funding to support public safety efforts throughout the State of Minnesota. A full list of Minnesota grant awards is available at www.justice.gov/usao-mn.

 

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600