District of Minnesota
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Federal Jury Finds Twin Cities Felon Guilty of Illegal Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
DULUTH, Minn. – A federal jury found a Twin Cities man guilty of possessing a firearm as an armed career criminal, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to the evidence presented at trial, on July 7, 2023, Mille Lacs Tribal Police Department officers were dispatched to a residence in Onamia in response to a 911-call concerning a suspected drug overdose. Officers encountered Jeremy Jantile Burton, 36, lying unconscious on the floor of a bedroom in the residence, and began resuscitation efforts. After administering two doses of Narcan, the officers moved Burton from the floor of the bedroom to a nearby mattress and noticed a magazine of a handgun protruding from his shorts pocket. In order to secure the scene for EMS personnel, the officers recovered the handgun from Burton’s pocket, and also observed several items of drug paraphernalia in the bedroom. Burton was transported to the Onamia Hospital by ambulance and the officers obtained a search warrant. A subsequent search of the residence revealed several controlled substances including cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl, scales commonly used to weigh controlled substances, several items of drug paraphernalia, and 36 rounds of 9 mm ammunition.
Because Burton has multiple prior felony convictions in Hennepin, Ramsey, and Mille Lacs counties, as well as in the state of Georgia, including aggravated robbery, drug, and firearm possession, he is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.
Following a three-day trial before Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz in U.S. District Court in Duluth, a jury found Burton guilty on Friday of possession of a firearm as an armed career criminal. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Mille Lacs Tribal Police Department, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew Dunne and Michael P. McBride represented the United States at trial.
Waite Park Man Sentenced to Six Years in Prison for Armed Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
ST PAUL, Minn. – A Waite Park man has been sentenced to 78 months in prison, five years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $8,210 in restitution for the 2021 robbery of a St. Cloud bank, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, on May 6, 2021, Ray Reco McNeary, 39, entered a Wells Fargo Bank in St. Cloud and alleged that there was fraud on his bank account. After the bank manager was unable to locate any accounts belonging to McNeary, McNeary became enraged and demanded that $60,000 in cash be taken from the vault and placed in a bank bag. The bank manager activated the silent panic alarm, notifying law enforcement of a problem at the bank.
According to court documents, upon arrival, St. Cloud police officers learned that five employees of the bank were being held hostage by McNeary. Multiple times throughout the incident, McNeary held a pair of scissors against the bank manager’s neck and back. FBI hostage negotiators spoke with McNeary repeatedly during what turned out to be an eight-hour standoff. During the course of negotiations, four of the employees were allowed to leave the bank. The standoff ended at approximately 10:24 p.m. when the bank manager fled the bank and law enforcement moved in to arrest McNeary.
On March 29, 2024, McNeary pleaded guilty to one count of armed bank robbery. He was sentenced today in U.S. District Court before Judge Jeffrey M. Bryan.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the St. Cloud Police Department and the FBI.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David P. Steinkamp prosecuted the case.
Minneapolis Man Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Illegal Possession of MachinegunsRead the Press Release
ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Minneapolis man has been sentenced to 63 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for illegally possessing machineguns, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, on February 8, 2023, law enforcement observed a silver Mazda CX9 commit multiple traffic violations and attempted a traffic stop. The vehicle fled at a high rate of speed, abruptly stopped to allow three occupants to flee on foot, and then drove away. Antanie Syre Alonzo Johnson, 21, was one of the individuals that fled on foot. Law enforcement quickly located Johnson running through an adjacent parking lot. He ultimately surrendered and informed officers that he was armed. Law enforcement subsequently recovered two firearms, a stolen 9 mm Glock and a 9 mm “ghost gun” or a “privately made firearm” (PMF). Both weapons were fully loaded with extended magazines and equipped with “switches” that allowed the firearms to be fired as fully automatic weapons with the single pull of the trigger.
On November 8, 2023—after obtaining presentence release—law enforcement observed Johnson engaging in what appeared to be hand-to-hand drug transactions. The officers attempted to engage Johnson, who fled on foot through a covered parking garage. A witness in the parking garage indicated Johnson had dropped something while he ran. Law enforcement recovered a loaded 9 mm Glock equipped with a “switch.” In a subsequent search of Johnson’s backpack, agents also discovered 100 grams of marijuana, a digital scale, and cash.
On April 25, 2024, Johnson pleaded guilty to his unlawful possession of machineguns on both occasions. U.S. District Court Judge Eric C. Tostrud sentenced Johnson yesterday to a guidelines sentence and specifically admonished him for squandering the rare opportunity that presentence release had provided.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Minneapolis Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan L. Sing prosecuted the case.
Minneapolis Daycare Worker Charged with Producing Child Pornography After Taking Photos of Children in His CareRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A Minneapolis man has been charged with producing child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, between June 17, 2024, and June 18, 2024, Eric Phillip Allen, 39, of Minneapolis, used a minor to produce sexually explicit images. Allen also faces charges in Hennepin County related to these same allegations.
The federal complaint charges Allen with one count of production of child pornography. Allen made his initial appearance today in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge David T. Schultz. He was ordered to remain in custody pending a formal detention hearing on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, before Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Cowan Wright.
Investigators believe there may be other victims relevant to this investigation. If your minor dependent(s) have been in contact with Eric Phillip Allen, please contact the Minnesota BCA’s Tip Line at 1-877-996-6222 or email [email protected].
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. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melinda A. Williams and Thomas Calhoun-Lopez are prosecuting the case.
A complaint is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
allen_indictment.pdf allen_complaint.pdfRepeat Felon Sentenced to Eight Years in Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A Minneapolis felon has been sentenced to 100 months in prison followed by 48 months of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, on September 27, 2022, law enforcement received a tip that Keith Haywood, 52, possessed a gun and was selling narcotics. Officers obtained a warrant and conducted a search of Haywood’s residence in North Minneapolis. At his Minneapolis residence, they discovered 230 grams of heroin, over 100 grams of cocaine, a semi-automatic pistol, and $25,000 in cash. A subsequent search of Haywood’s person and vehicle revealed another firearm, approximately 29 grams of a fentanyl/heroin mixture, and 10 grams of cocaine in the console of his car.
On April 5, 2024, Haywood pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. He was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge R. Tunheim. In announcing the sentence, Judge Tunheim observed that Haywood’s “crime was serious, and the fact that fentanyl was involved made it especially dangerous.”
This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Minneapolis Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Green and Lindsey E. Middlecamp prosecuted the case.
Portland Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Sextortion of a MinorRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A Portland man has been sentenced to 180 months in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release for producing child sexual abuse material and sextorting a minor victim, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, in May 2022, Aaron Eugene Bjarnason, 25, of Portland, Oregon, used his Instagram account to message Minor Victim 1 and asked if she was “open to sugar daddies.” Bjarnason offered to pay the minor for sexually explicit images and videos and shared a screenshot of his purported bank account to prove he could provide payment. On several occasions, Bjarnason directed Minor Victim 1 to send him specific sexually explicit images and videos. Bjarnason became increasingly forceful in his demands and threatened Minor Victim 1 that he would share the images and videos with her father and her peers if she did not continue to comply with his demands.
On April 2, 2024, Bjarnason pleaded guilty to one count of production of child pornography. He was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge John R. Tunheim.
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.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Carver County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan B. Gilead prosecuted the case.
Moorhead Man Pleads Guilty to Methamphetamine Distribution ConspiracyRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A Moorhead man has pleaded guilty to his role in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, beginning in April 2023 through February 23, 2024, Jamie Richard White, 46, knowingly and willingly entered into an arrangement in which he would acquire over 500 grams of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it. On October 26, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant at his residence as part of investigating the alleged restraint of a woman in his basement. In his home, law enforcement found over 400 grams of powder fentanyl laced with the veterinary tranquilizer xylazine. Text messages on White’s cell phone confirmed that he planned to distribute the fentanyl/xylazine mixture. White was arrested, charged with several state crimes, taken into custody, and released on bond in December 2023.
While his state charges were pending, White continued to conspire to possess and distribute methamphetamine. On February 25, 2024, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service intercepted a parcel bound for an address in the Fargo-Moorhead area containing nine pounds of methamphetamine. Agents removed the methamphetamine and conducted a controlled delivery at the intended delivery address. Once delivered, law enforcement observed White’s co-conspirators retrieve and open the package and then leave. Shortly thereafter, law enforcement stopped the co-defendants and found one of them in possession of three additional pounds of methamphetamine. Law enforcement separately stopped White and found him in possession of an additional 125 grams of methamphetamine, digital scales, and other miscellaneous drug distribution materials. The investigation comprises the largest combined seizure of methamphetamine in Clay County, Minnesota.
White pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court before Judge Nancy E. Brasel to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Because he has multiple prior felonies, White is subject to a 15-year mandatory minimum prison term. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, the Moorhead Police Department, and other supporting agencies.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren O. Roso is prosecuting the case.
Rochester Man Indicted for Illegal Possession of a Firearm, Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Rochester man has been indicted on firearm and drug trafficking charges, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, on or about April 28, 2024, Liban Abdikadar Abdullahi, 29, knowingly possessed a 9mm Glock model 43 semiautomatic pistol. Abdullahi also possessed with the intent to distribute fentanyl and carried the Glock pistol to further his drug trafficking crime.
Because Abdullahi has prior felony convictions, he is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.
The indictment charges Abdullahi with one count of possessing a firearm as a felon, one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and one count of carrying a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Abdullahi made his initial appearance today in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge John F. Docherty.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Rochester Police Department, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan B. Gilead is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Federal Jury Convicts Eden Prairie Man of COVID Relief Fraud, Aggravated Identity Theft, and Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Following a ten-day trial, a federal jury convicted an Eden Prairie man of fraudulently applying for more than $2.1 million in COVID-19 relief funds and then spending the fraud proceeds on himself, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
As proven at trial, between March and May 2020, Harold Bennie Kaeding, 75, applied for at least $2,182,625 in loans through the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program. Kaeding used the name of his own close family members to submit the loan applications in the names of six different purported corporate entities. But these entities filed no tax returns and did not report the payment of wages to a single employee for calendar years 2019 and 2020. Kaeding instead fabricated tax documents, manufactured bank statements, and submitted other records to ensure the applications appeared legitimate. These false statements to lenders included the number of employees a given entity employed, the amount of average monthly payroll expenses, and false statements about the intended use of the loan proceeds.
As a result of his material falsehoods and omissions, Kaeding initially received approximately $1,642,670 in fraud proceeds before some banks detected irregularities and clawed back some of the money. This left Kaeding with $658,490 in fraud proceeds, which he transferred to bank accounts—often opened in the names of close family members—that he controlled. Kaeding then used his fraud proceeds to, among other things, get his personal residence out of impending foreclosure, purchase an SUV, and stockpile more than $80,000 in cash. In early 2021, Kaeding fled to Colombia in an apparent attempt to evade prosecution. Law enforcement eventually located Kaeding and successfully deported him back to the United States to face prosecution.
Following a ten-day trial before Judge Eric C. Tostrud in U.S. District Court, a jury found Kaeding guilty on August 2, 2024, of three counts of wire fraud, three counts of aggravated identity theft, and one count of money laundering. A sentencing hearing will take place at a later date.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI and IRS.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jordan L. Sing and Robert M. Lewis tried the case.
Cartel-Linked Minnesotan Indicted for Operating a Mexico-Based Drug Trafficking OperationRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – Fifteen individuals have been charged in a Mexico-based drug trafficking conspiracy that distributed methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl throughout the Twin Cities and surrounding areas, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
“Every year, thousands of Minnesotans die from illicit drugs trafficked into our communities, including methamphetamine, fentanyl, and other synthetic opioids,” said U.S. Attorney Luger. “Today’s indictment disrupts one of the most sophisticated and significant drug trafficking organizations we have prosecuted in my tenure as U.S. Attorney, and I am grateful to the DEA and FBI for their hard work bringing this operation to justice. The Department of Justice would also like to recognize the Mexican authorities for their assistance on this case.”
“While many people look for ways to improve and grow their communities, Clinton Ward aligned himself with two Mexican cartels thinking only of the profits lining his pocket,” Drug Enforcement Administration Omaha Division Special Agent in Charge Steven T. Bell said. “Ward’s organization left a trail of destruction in its wake. This investigation and today’s arrests are the result of exceptional teamwork. Never underestimate the unified strength of state, local and federal law enforcement agencies.”
"Drugs trafficked into our communities fuel violent crime and endanger the safety and well-being of our neighborhoods," said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. "Thanks to the strong partnership between local, state, and federal agencies, today's arrests have disrupted a significant drug trafficking network. The FBI remains committed to protecting our communities and bringing those who threaten them to justice."
According to court documents, on January 4, 2019, Clinton James Ward was arrested in the parking lot of a motel in Vadnais Heights with more than eight pounds of methamphetamine. At the time, Ward was selling methamphetamine from his hotel room to various customers. Within weeks of his arrest, Ward fled to Jalisco, Mexico, where he met up with Mexican and American drug traffickers who all had ties to the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
According to court documents, from January 2019 until his arrest in March 2024, Ward established and operated his own cartel-sourced Mexican-based drug trafficking organization that distributed thousands of pounds of methamphetamine to Minnesota through a network of drug traffickers. Using an existing cartel pipeline, Ward would transport large drug loads into the United States through various means including concealing shipments in semi-trailers crossing the border at various locations. The shipments were later broken down into smaller quantities and transported into Minnesota via private vehicles and semi-trailers.
Over the course of the investigation, more than 50 defendants with connections to Ward have been charged with methamphetamine trafficking and other drug trafficking offenses. In total, law enforcement has seized more than 1,600 pounds of methamphetamine, four kilograms of cocaine, two kilograms of fentanyl, 30,000 counterfeit fentanyl pills, 45 firearms, and more than $2.5 million in drug proceeds.
On March 11, 2024, Ward was taken into custody by Mexican authorities and returned to the United States to face prosecution.
The following thirteen members and associates of the Ward drug trafficking organization are in custody and have been charged in a federal superseding indictment:
- Clinton James Ward, 45, is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and distribution of methamphetamine.
- Shawnette Lynn Andreasen, 46, is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine.
- Jonathon Beau Bailey, 33, is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
- Vin Chanry, 37, is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Perry John Coyle, 65, is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine.
- James Joseph Graczyk, 51, is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine.
- Benjamin DeWayne Johnson, 40, is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine.
- Joseph Allen Pappenfus, 41, is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Breezie Lynn Pena, 46, is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine.
- Aaron Michael Teadt, 47, is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine.
- Jimmy Thithavong, 38, is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine.
- Peter Charles Watkins, 45, is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine.
- Nicole Marie Williams, 41, is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine.
All defendants made their initial appearances in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge John F. Docherty.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the DEA, FBI, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Minnesota Department of Corrections, Minnesota State Patrol, St. Paul Police Department, Mounds View Police Department, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Wright County Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Marshals Service.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas M. Hollenhorst is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Two Charged in Red Lake Fentanyl Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Two Bemidji individuals have been indicted for conspiring to distribute fentanyl in and around the Red Lake Indian Reservation, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, between October 2023 and November 2023, Derek Jon Paddy, 28, and Robyn Lea Lussier, 20, conspired to distribute fentanyl throughout the state of Minnesota. On November 2, 2023, Paddy and Lussier were found in possession of over 40 grams of fentanyl.
Paddy and Lussier made their initial appearances in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge John F. Docherty on August 2, 2024. They are both charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI and the Red Lake Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren O. Roso is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Volleyball Coach Indicted for Sexually Exploiting Minors on Social Media and Producing Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Minnetonka man has been indicted for the production and receipt of child sexual abuse material and coercing and enticing minors to engage in sexually explicit conduct, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, on multiple occasions between approximately October 2014 and March 2024, Dorian Christopher Barrs, 32, used Snapchat, text messaging, and social media to engage minor girls in sexually focused conversations. Additionally, while in his position of trust as a volleyball coach, Barrs coerced and persuaded minor girls to engage in sexual activity with him and produce and send him sexually explicit material. Further, Barrs produced child sexual abuse material in which he is depicted engaging in sexual activity with minors. Efforts to identify additional minor victims reflected in records are ongoing. Some of the minor victims Barrs solicited for sexually explicit material or sexual contact have self-identified in records as being as young as 13 years old.
Law enforcement is still working to identify and confirm the identity of many of the minor victims involved. If you believe you or your minor dependent(s) have been victimized by Dorian Barrs, please contact the FBI Tip Line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or tips.fbi.gov.
The indictment charges Barrs with four counts of production of child pornography, one count of receipt of child pornography, and four counts of coercion and enticement of a minor. Barrs made his initial appearance yesterday in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge John F. Docherty.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Carver County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Minnetonka Police Department, Maple Grove Police Department, and the FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. It 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. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Hillary A. Taylor is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Brainerd Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing Fentanyl in the Brainerd Lakes AreaRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A Brainerd man has pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute thousands of fentanyl pills, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, on August 1, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant at a storage unit in Brainerd that belonged to Dazaughn Ellis West, 28. Inside the unit, officers found between 13,000 and 15,000 pressed fentanyl pills, weighing approximately 2.8 pounds. Law enforcement also executed a search warrant at West’s home in Brainerd, where they found an additional 150 grams of fentanyl pills, a loaded semi-automatic pistol, a .22 caliber rifle, and distributable quantities of cocaine.
West pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court before Judge John R. Tunheim to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. West’s co-defendant, Devaughn Ellis West, is scheduled to plead guilty on August 19, 2024. Sentencing hearings will be scheduled at a later date.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office, Brainerd Police Department, and the Lakes Area Drug Investigative Division (LADID).
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren O. Roso is prosecuting the case.
Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Armed CarjackingRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A Texas man has pleaded guilty to an armed carjacking, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to his plea agreement and court documents, on June 30, 2023, Sean Ryan Kincaid, 29, approached an individual who was waiting in their vehicle in a parking lot near River Road in Dakota County. Kincaid opened the passenger door of the vehicle, climbed inside, and told the victim he was stealing the car while brandishing a firearm in his waistband. The victim fled the vehicle and Kincaid climbed into the driver’s seat and drove away. A bystander called 911 and officers from multiple agencies were dispatched to the area to find Kincaid. When officers located him, Kincaid ignored police commands and attempted to lose the officers by driving over 100 miles per hour on the interstate and driving onto incoming lanes of traffic. Officers were able to eventually stop Kincaid with stop sticks and took him into custody. Officers found a Heritage Rough Rider .22 caliber revolver with an obliterated serial number in Kincaid’s waistband.
Kincaid pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court before Judge Katherine M. Menendez to one count of carjacking. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Inver Grove Heights Police Department, the Mendota Heights Police Department, the Minnesota State Patrol, and the FBI.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan B. Gilead is prosecuting the case.
Bloods Gang Member Sentenced to Prison for Illegal Possession of Four FirearmsRead the Press Release
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Obuatawan Leon Holt, aka “Bone,” was sentenced to 46 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for possessing firearms as a felon, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, on November 16, 2021, approximately three months after Holt’s prior term of federal supervised release expired, officers with the Minneapolis Police Department searched the Holt’s residence in connection with a firearms investigation. Holt, 48, who is a known member and associate of the Minneapolis Bloods street gang, was found in possession of four firearms: two Smith & Wesson semi-automatic pistols, one CZ Arms semi-automatic pistol, and one Rock Armory semi-automatic pistol. Because Holt has multiple prior felony convictions, including a federal drug trafficking conviction, he is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.
On February 29, 2024, Holt pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm as a felon. He was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court by Judge Susan Richard Nelson.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Minnesota Department of Corrections, and the Minneapolis Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Esther Soria Mignanelli and Kristian C. Weir prosecuted the case.
Steele County Man Pleads Guilty for International Sexual Exploitation of ChildrenRead the Press Release
ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Blooming Prairie man has pleaded guilty to sexually exploiting children outside the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, between April 2022 and September 2022, Steven John Sokel, 61, was engaged in the production of child pornography. He was also found to be in possession of sexually explicit images and videos of minors.
Sokel pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court before Judge Eric T. Tostrud to one count of sexual exploitation of children. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Campbell Warner is prosecuting the case.
Precision Lens Agrees to Pay $12 Million to the United States for Kickbacks to Doctors in Violation of the False Claims ActRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – Precision Lens and the estate of its former principal, Paul Ehlen, have agreed to pay the United States $12 million to resolve a case involving kickback payments to ophthalmic surgeons in violation of the False Claims Act and the Anti-Kickback Statute.
On February 27, 2023, a federal civil jury found that Precision Lens violated the False Claims Act and the Anti-Kickback Statute by paying kickbacks to ophthalmic surgeons to induce their use of Precision Lens products in cataract surgeries reimbursed by Medicare. Precision Lens provided kickbacks to physicians in the form of travel and entertainment, including high-end ski trips, fishing, golfing, hunting, sporting, and entertainment vacations, often at exclusive destinations. For many of the trips, physicians were transported to luxury vacation destinations on private jets, including trips to New York City to see a Broadway musical, the College Football National Championship Game in Miami, Florida, and the Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia. Precision Lens sold frequent flyer miles to its physician customers at a significant discount, enabling the physicians to take personal and business trips at well below fair market value.
The jury found that Precision Lens’s conduct resulted in $43,694,641.71 in fraudulent claims submitted to Medicare. By operation of the statute, the court entered a $487,048,705.13 judgment against the company and its owner, which included treble damages and civil penalties under the False Claims Act. Following post-trial motions, the court reduced the judgment to $216,675,248.55. After the United States conducted a review of the defendants’ financial position and ability to satisfy the judgment, the parties entered into a settlement agreement which requires Precision Lens and the estate to immediately pay $12 million to resolve the United States’s claims.
With this resolution, the United States has collected nearly $27 million as a result of the misconduct alleged in this case. The United States previously announced a $12 million settlement of related allegations with Sightpath Medical, Inc. and TLC Vision Corporation and their former CEO, James Tiffany. Dr. Jitendra Swarup also resolved claims that he had accepted kickbacks in a settlement agreement of more than $2.9 million.
The civil settlement arises from a case brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by Kipp Fesenmaier. Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of a recovery. The qui tam case is captioned United States of America, et al., ex rel. Fesenmaier v. The Cameron-Ehlen Group, Inc., d/b/a Precision Lens, et al., Case No. 13-cv-3003.
The resolution obtained in this case was the result of a coordinated effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota, the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bahram Samie and Andrew Tweeten represented the government at trial and settlement.
Mankato Felon Pleaded Guilty to Illegal Firearm Possession After Shooting at Police Officers During a Home InvasionRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A Mankato man has pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm as a felon after firing at police officers during a violent home invasion, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, on January 14, 2024, a woman called 911 to report that a man had broken into her apartment in south Minneapolis. The woman and her two children fled the apartment after the man, identified as Kamau Evans, 32, shattered a window and entered the woman’s bedroom. Evans then went to a second residence in north Minneapolis and broke into the home by shattering a sliding glass door. Once inside, Evans assaulted several of the residents.
According to court documents, officers of the Minneapolis Police Department arrived at the residence and were able to pull one of the victims out of the house to safety. Officers entered the home behind a ballistic shield and as they were walking upstairs, Evans appeared in the stairwell and fired a shot down the stairs in direction of the officers. Evans then leaped out of a bathroom window and tried to escape through the backyard but was apprehended and arrested. Officers recovered an SCCY model CPX-1 9mm semiautomatic pistol on the side of the garage where Evans was apprehended.
Because Evans has prior felony convictions, he is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.
Evans pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court before Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz to one count of possession of a firearm as an armed career criminal. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later time.This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI and the Minneapolis Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristian Weir and Thomas Calhoun-Lopez and are prosecuting the case.
Golden Valley Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing More Than 2,000 Fentanyl PillsRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A Golden Valley man has pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute more than 2,000 fentanyl pills, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, on February 1, 2024, Mason Harris Rosenblatt, 33, was the sole occupant of a hotel room in St. Louis Park when law enforcement executed a search warrant on the hotel room. As a result of the search, law enforcement seized 2,027 M-30 fentanyl pills that were in Rosenblatt’s possession.
Rosenblatt pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court before Judge David S. Doty to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later time.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and the St. Louis Park Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Garrett S. Fields and Syngen Kanassatega are prosecuting the case.
Carlton Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
DULUTH, Minn. – A Carlton man has been sentenced to 300 months in prison followed by 15 years of supervised release for the production and attempted production of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, between 2015 and 2022, Stephen Jeremiah Hansen, 30, engaged in a pattern of sexually abusing children, including at least six children between the ages of two and 12 years old. The abuse included removing the children’s clothing, touching their genitals, and capturing videos and photos of it on his cell phone. In total, at least 250 images of child pornography were discovered in Hansen’s possession, some of which he created and some of which were downloaded from the internet.
On September 26, 2023, Hansen pleaded guilty to one count of production and attempted production of child pornography. He was sentenced in U.S. District Court by Judge Jerry W. Blackwell on July 23, 2024.
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 in crimes involving child pornography, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
This case is the result of an investigation led by the FBI, the Carlton County Sheriff’s Office, and the St. Paul Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ruth S. Shnider prosecuted the case.
Shakopee Man Pleads Guilty to Feeding Our Future Jury Bribery SchemeRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A Shakopee man has pleaded guilty to his role in providing a $120,000 bribe to a juror in the Feeding Our Future trial, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, on April 22, 2024, seven defendants went to trial before U.S. District Judge Nancy E. Brasel for their roles in the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme. During the trial, Abdimajid Mohamed Nur, 23, and four others conspired with each other to provide a cash bribe to one of the jurors in exchange for the juror returning a not guilty verdict in the trial.
As part of the scheme, Nur and his co-defendants decided to target Juror 52 because she was the youngest juror and they believed her to be the only juror of color. Nur and his co-defendants conducted online research to obtain Juror 52’s personal information, including her home address and information about her background and family members. They conducted surveillance of Juror 52 to confirm her home address and obtain information about Juror 52’s daily habits. Nur recruited his co-defendant, Ladan Ali, to deliver the bribe money to Juror 52. During the trial and at Nur’s direction, Ali flew from Seattle to Minneapolis to meet with Nur and discuss the plan to bribe Juror 52. Ali agreed to deliver the bribe money to Juror 52 in exchange for a $150,000 cash payment.
According to court documents, on May 30, 2024, Ali flew from Seattle to Minneapolis to carry out the bribery scheme. On May 31, 2024, at the direction of Nur, Ali attempted to follow Juror 52 home as she left a downtown Minneapolis parking ramp at the conclusion of the first day of closing arguments in the trial. Nur had previously provided Ali with a photo of Juror 52’s car and a map of the parking ramp.
According to court documents, on June 1, 2024, Ali told Nur —falsely—that she had approached Juror 52 at a bar and that Juror 52 was interested in taking the bribe but wanted $500,000 in exchange for returning a not guilty verdict. Ali told Nur that Juror 52 wanted Ali to deliver the money at a specific time when Juror 52 would be home alone. In reality, Ali did not speak with Juror 52, and Juror 52 never agreed to accept a bribe. Nevertheless, Nur believed Ali and relayed the information to another co-defendant, Abdiaziz Farah, who said that he would obtain the bribe money. On June 2, 2024, Abdiaziz Farah instructed Nur to meet him at Said Farah’s business, Bushra Wholesalers, to pick up the bribe money. When Nur arrived, Said Farah brought him a cardboard box containing $200,000 in cash to bribe Juror 52. Later that day, Nur met Ali in a parking lot in Bloomington and gave her the cardboard box containing the $200,000 in cash. Ali took the cash out of the box and put it into a Hallmark gift bag. Nur then instructed Ali to meet Abdulkarim Farah at a location near Juror 52’s house. Nur understood that Abdulkarim Farah would accompany Ali to Juror 52’s house and video record her delivery of the bribe as proof that the bribe money was delivered and Juror 52’s acceptance of the bribe.
According to court documents, later that night, Nur received the video of Ali delivering the bribe money from Abdulkarim Farah via an encrypted messaging app. Nur later deleted the video in order to conceal his involvement in the bribery scheme. Nur also deleted the encrypted messaging app and other evidence of the scheme from his phone.
Nur pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court before Judge David S. Doty to one count of bribery of a juror. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later time.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI with assistance from IRS – Criminal Investigations, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph H. Thompson, Matthew Ebert, Harry Jacobs, Chelsea Walcker, and Daniel Bobier are prosecuting the case.
abdimajid_nur_plea_agreement.pdfMinneapolis Man Pleads Guilty to Bombing a Minneapolis Hair SalonRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A Minneapolis man has pleaded guilty for maliciously using explosives to damage a Minneapolis hair salon, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, on November 20, 2022, at approximately 2:49 AM, a homemade explosive device detonated at a hair salon located in Minneapolis, causing damage to the exterior and interior of the business. A Ring video camera recording from the salon showed an adult male, later identified as Michael Allen Francisco, 59, placing the explosive device on the window of the salon. Francisco fled the area in a vehicle after the device detonated.
Almost a year later, on November 6, 2023, video footage captured Francisco vandalizing the same hair salon. Francisco threw a landscaping rock through the window of the salon, causing the window to break, before fleeing the scene. Investigators were able to collect DNA and other evidence that connected Francisco to both incidents. On March 28, 2024, officers and agents executed a search warrant at Francisco’s residence. Law enforcement recovered the jacket Francisco was wearing on November 6, 2023, during the brick incident; multiple explosive components including suspected energetic powders and fuses; a .32 caliber revolver, with ammunition; and methamphetamine.
Francisco pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court before Judge Ann D. Montgomery to one count of malicious use of explosive materials to damage and destroy, by means of fire and explosives, a Minneapolis-based property engaged in interstate commerce by means of an explosive device.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Minneapolis Police Department, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Bradley M. Endicott is prosecuting the case.
Milwaukee Man Pleads Guilty to Attempted Armed CarjackingRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A Milwaukee man has pleaded guilty to the attempted armed carjacking of an elderly victim, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, on September 1, 2023, William Jones, 32, attempted to carjack an elderly victim at gunpoint in south Minneapolis. Jones, and a co-conspirator who served as the get-away driver, drove to a market near the intersection of Chicago and Franklin Avenues. Jones approached the 79-year-old victim, who was sitting in the driver’s seat of his vehicle, placed a gun against the victim’s head and demanded the keys. The victim grabbed Jones’s gun and as the two wrestled over the gun, Jones discharged the gun, injuring the victim’s finger. The victim ran away after being injured and Jones took the victim’s keys and cell phone. Jones tried to start the victim’s vehicle but, unbeknownst to Jones, the keys he had taken from the victim did not include the key to the vehicle. Jones fled the scene in the get-away vehicle that was parked across the street. Jones discarded his gun and the victim’s cell phone in an alley several blocks away.
Jones pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court before Judge David S. Doty to one count of attempted carjacking. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later time.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI And the Minneapolis Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael P. McBride is prosecuting the case.Man Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Neglect Resulting in Death of a Child on the Red Lake ReservationRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A Red Lake man has been sentenced to five years in prison followed by two years of supervised release for child neglect following the death of a child on the reservation, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, between January 1, 2022, and December 25, 2022, Julius Fineday, Sr., 42, willfully deprived Minor A of necessary food, health care, and other basic needs, despite being reasonably able to make the necessary provisions. The neglect ultimately caused the death of Minor A.
Fineday pleaded guilty to one count of felony child neglect causing the death of a child on March 25, 2024. He was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Chief Judge Patrick J. Schlitz. His co-defendant, Sharon Rosebear, was convicted of felony child neglect following an April 2024 jury trial and is awaiting sentencing.
According to court documents, Minor A’s cause of death was determined to be the combined effects of malnutrition, and Group A Streptococcal infection, resulting from neglect. In sentencing Fineday, Chief Judge Schiltz emphasized that Fineday neglected Minor A in “nearly every way” a caretaker can neglect a child, noting that Fineday had deprived Minor A of necessary nutrition, had failed to address Minor A’s head lice, had kept Minor A from attending school where she would have received nutritious meals the school provided, and had failed to take the child to the doctor for three years other than for COVID vaccinations for which the household received cash incentives.
Chief Judge Schiltz also highlighted that the starvation of the child was not due to a lack of resources or inadequate food in the house, but instead, a lack of care, noting that Minor A was “not just thin, but skeletal” at the time of her death.
In issuing the sentence, the Court noted the severity of the neglect warranted an upward variance from the applicable sentencing guidelines, though the Court did acknowledge that Fineday’s demonstration of sincere remorse by pleading guilty in advance of trial and without a plea agreement was a significant mitigating factor which weighed against an even longer sentence. Chief Judge Schiltz also emphasized that the sentence of 60 months should signal to all those caring for children that “neglecting or abusing a child will result in negative consequences not only for the child, but also the responsible adult.” He expressed hope that others faced with a child whose basic needs are not being met will consider the risk of such consequences and, at a minimum, “pick up the phone” to seek help.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI and the Red Lake Tribal Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lindsey E. Middlecamp and Rachel L. Kraker prosecuted the case.
Stockton Woman Indicted for PIBCOA Franchise Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Stockton woman has been indicted for mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering after defrauding business owners of nearly $1 million through a multi-year sophisticated fraud scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, Tammy Schultz Wadsworth, 62, is the founder and owner of the Pain, Injury and Brain Centers of America (“PIBCOA”), a national franchise organization headquartered at Wadsworth’s residence, that purports to provide a microcurrent therapy called A.I. Myoneurvascular Therapy, to treat virtually any disease or condition, including Lupus, Crohn’s Disease, Depression, Infertility, Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s, Multiple Sclerosis, and Autism. Wadsworth trained franchise participants on use of PIBCOA’s equipment and treatment and claimed that the devices could treat the specific diseases themselves, and not merely the underlying conditions. Wadsworth also promised the franchise owners a “great source of revenue” in return for their franchise investments. In reliance on Wadsworth’s representations, the franchise owners paid Wadsworth approximately $60,000 to $250,000 each to open PIBCOA franchises.
As alleged, from May 2017 through January 2024, Wadsworth trained franchise participants on the use of the Myoneurvascular Therapy equipment and treatment, while claiming the devices treated the specific diseases themselves. On the contrary, the treatment was not only unsuccessful in treating the diseases as promised by Wadsworth, it caused additional injuries such as burns, scars, and severe nausea to the patients and franchise owners.
In total, Wadsworth knowingly and willfully obtained $950,579.88 from PIBCOA franchise owners, and then attempted to conceal her scheme by laundering significant portions of the money she fraudulently obtained.
The indictment charges Wadsworth with one count of mail fraud, one count of wire fraud, and one count of money laundering. She made her initial appearance today in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge David T. Schultz.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration – Criminal Investigations with assistance from the Winona County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Chelsea A. Walcker is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Virginia Man Indicted for Producing Sexually Explicit Videos of a Minor and Exploiting a Minor OnlineRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A Virginia man has been indicted for using social media to contact and coerce a minor to create sexually explicit material, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, between November 2023 and February 2024, Raymond Jung Woo Choi, 41, of Centreville, Virginia, used Instagram and other social media apps to engage in sexually-focused conversations with a 13–14-year-old girl. Choi, using the alias “Jason Lee,” knowingly enticed and coerced the minor victim to send him sexually explicit images and videos on Instagram. Choi also groomed and enticed the minor victim by providing gifts, which he sent via Amazon or mailed directly via the U.S. Postal Service.
According to court documents, on February 17, 2024, Choi flew from Virginia to Minnesota to attempt to meet the minor victim in person. Because of family and law enforcement intervention, Choi was unsuccessful in his meeting attempt and flew back to Virginia.
On July 13, 2024, Choi was arrested in Fairfax City, Virginia. On July 15, 2024, Choi made his initial appearance in U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Virginia before Magistrate Judge Lindsey R. Vaala. On July 17, 2024, Choi was ordered detained and will remain in custody pending further proceedings in the District of Minnesota. The indictment charges Choi with one count of production of child pornography, one count of receipt of child pornography, and one count of coercion and enticement of a minor.
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. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Hillary A. Taylor is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Three Twin Cities Men Sentenced to Prison for Trafficking Machineguns on SnapchatRead the Press Release
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Three Twin Cities men have been sentenced to prison for operating a social media-based machinegun distribution ring, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, in March 2023, law enforcement learned of a Snapchat group called “BLICCS&STICCS3.” Members Rafael Carter Wesley, 19, Kyrees Darius Johnson, 22, and Avont Akira Drayton, 21, used the group to facilitate the trafficking of machineguns, firearms, and controlled substances in the Twin Cities and outlying areas. Law enforcement obtained screenshots and videos of several individuals in the group selling, promoting, and operating machinegun conversion devices (MCDs, also commonly referred to as “switches” or “auto sears”) that convert a semi-automatic firearm—either a pistol or a rifle—into a fully automatic machinegun. These devices are classified as machineguns and are regulated under the National Firearms Act (NFA).
According to court documents, on March 20, 2023, an undercover law enforcement officer began monitoring the group. The undercover officer posted a picture of a prop firearm to the BLICCS&STICCS3 group. Shortly thereafter, Wesley reached out to the undercover officer and asked if he wanted to trade the firearm for what is commonly referred to as a Glock “switch” or a “button.” On or about March 26, 2023, the undercover officer continued conversations with Wesley on Snapchat about potentially purchasing Glock “switches.” Wesley indicated “switches” would cost $700 for two or $900 for three. The undercover officer agreed to purchase three switches for $900 and indicated he would pay an extra $100 if Wesley drove up to St. Cloud to deliver the switches. On March 27, 2023, Wesley met the undercover officer in St. Cloud and sold him three switches for $1,000.
On April 4, 2023, a second transaction was arranged through Wesley with a St. Paul meeting location. Johnson also arrived at the transaction with three switches, which Johnson and Wesley sold to the undercover officer for $900. At the time, Johnson had four prior felony convictions, which rendered him prohibited from possessing any firearms or ammunition. During the investigation, Johnson was observed by law enforcement posting images of large quantities of guns and MCDs to the Snapchat group and offering them for sale. Johnson also posted images and messages that showed him to be trafficking in controlled substances, including blue fentanyl pills.
On April 13, 2023, undercover officers met with Wesley in Minneapolis to purchase an unserialized Glock 17 for $700. Following the transaction, the undercover officers asked Wesley to install the switch previously purchased from Wesley onto the Glock 17. Wesley agreed and installed the switch.
That same day, Wesley separately coordinated a meeting during which undercover officers met with Drayton, another member of the BLICCS&STICCS3 Snapchat group, to purchase a 3D-printed drop-in MCD for an AR-style rifle for $550. During the transaction, Drayton showed the undercover officers a video on his phone of Drayton shooting a firearm with a drop-in MCD inserted. Drayton commented to the undercover officers that the drop-in made the firearm shoot “way too [expletive] fast.” On May 11, 2023, an undercover officer directly arranged to meet with Drayton at a location in Eagan to purchase two drop-in MCDs for $800. However, when Drayton arrived at the meeting location, he stated that he had only had one MCD and sold it to the undercover officer for $400. On June 9, 2023, undercover officers again met with Drayton and purchased a Glock pistol and a “switch” for $1,300.
According to court documents, between March and June 2023, undercover law enforcement officers conducted approximately six controlled buys with multiple members of the BLICCS&STICCS3 group.
All three defendants pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of machineguns. Johnson was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court by Judge Donovan W. Frank to 95 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. On July 10, 2024, Wesley was sentenced to 14 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. On April 23, 2024, Drayton was sentenced to 24 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task Force, the St. Paul Police Department, the Minneapolis Police Department, and the Dakota County Drug Task Force.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ruth S. Shnider and Jordan L. Sing prosecuted the case.
St. Paul Man Pleads Guilty to Armed Robbery of a Tobacco StoreRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A St. Paul man has pleaded guilty to the armed robbery of a St. Paul tobacco store, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, on February 3, 2024, Derrick Lamont Powell, 33, walked into a tobacco store in St. Paul, pointed a handgun at the clerk, and said, “this is a stickup.” Powell pointed a semi-automatic handgun at the clerk, counted to five, and demanded cash and cigarettes from the clerk. Powell then fled the store with $810 in cash and several packs of cigarettes.
Powell pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court before Judge Ann D. Montgomery to one count of Hobbs Act Robbery.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI and the St. Paul Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Classen is prosecuting the case.
Minnesota Executives Sentenced to Prison for Orchestrating Multimillion Dollar Fraud SchemesRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – Two medical services company executives have been sentenced to prison and ordered to pay restitution to their victims for orchestrating a massive fraud scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, Khemwattie Singh, 53, was the chief executive officer of Global Medical Services, LLC and Minnesota International Medicine. Neeraj Chepuri, 55, was the chief medical officer of Global Medical Services. Global Medical Services was a Minnesota-based company that purported to provide accessible healthcare solutions and services worldwide. Minnesota International Medicine was an assumed name for a Minnesota-based medical concierge company that was acquired by Global Medical Services in June 2018.
Between June and October 2018, Singh, Chepuri, and others devised a fraud scheme by entering into factoring contracts with a Florida-based investment company to purchase the accounts receivable of Global Medical Services and Minnesota International Medicine for more than $2.6 million. Factoring is a form of short-term financing in which a business sells its accounts receivable to a third-party at a discount.
According to court documents, Singh and Chepuri defrauded the investment company by failing to pay over the receivables as they were collected and falsely represented that no funds had been received. Instead, Singh and Chepuri pocketed the money and wired more than $5 million overseas.
In addition, Singh was responsible for complying with all federal tax laws pertaining to Global Medical Services, LLC and Minnesota International Medicine as the chief executive officer, including the requirement that the business would withhold federal income taxes and Social Security and Medicare (“FICA”) taxes from employees’ pay and report and pay over the withheld amounts to the Internal Revenue Service. Beginning in approximately 2018, Singh willfully failed to file quarterly payroll tax returns or pay over the withheld amounts and the employer’s contribution to FICA.
On December 29, 2023, Singh pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of willful failure to account for and pay over payroll taxes for withholding federal taxes from employee payroll. She was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court by Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz to 27 months for the factoring fraud scheme and 12 months for the tax fraud, to be served concurrently. She was also ordered to pay $3,957,364.62 in restitution to her victims.
Chepuri pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud on December 29, 2023. He was sentenced today by Chief Judge Schiltz to 21 months in prison, one year of supervised release, and ordered to pay full restitution in the amount of $3,265,363.14.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Minnesota Commerce Fraud Bureau, and the IRS - Criminal Investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chelsea A. Walcker and Robert M. Lewis prosecuted the case.
Sauk Centre Man Sentenced to More Than 19 Years in Prison for Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A Sauk Centre man has been sentenced to 235 months in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release for coercing minors to produce sexually explicit images, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, Shawn Norbert Kulzer, 32, began chatting with a minor victim on Snapchat on or about January 2, 2023. Over the course of their conversation, Kulzer learned that the minor victim was under the age of 18, yet still pressured them to send nude photographs. In his plea agreement, Kulzer also admitted that he used and enticed a second minor victim to produce and send sexually explicit images over Snapchat. While on pretrial release for these charges, Kulzer obtained another cell phone and engaged in the same behavior with at least six additional victims.
On March 14, 2024, Kulzer pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court before Judge Nancy E. Brasel to one count of production and attempted production of child pornography. At sentencing, Judge Brasel noted that Kulzer’s offense is “the nightmare that every parent thinks of when they think of online behavior involving their children.”
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 in crimes involving child pornography, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
This case is the result of an investigation led by the FBI, the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office, and the Sauk Centre Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Polachek prosecuted the case.
Eden Prairie Man Charged with Arson After Setting Fire to a Townhome with Children InsideRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – An Eden Prairie man has been charged with arson after setting fire to a townhome with four children inside, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, on May 31, 2024, at 11:27 a.m., the Eden Prairie Fire Department responded to a fire in a townhome. When the fire started, there were five people in the house, including one adult man and four children. When emergency responders arrived, they met the adult male occupant and three children outside, but the fourth child, a nine-month-old baby (Minor A), was still in the burning house. Eden Prairie firefighters entered the residence and located Minor A, who survived the fire but needed to be transported by ambulance to the hospital.
After the fire, ATF investigators and Eden Prairie police officers learned that Minor A’s mother lived in the burned home and Abdirahman Abdi Abdullahi, 23, was on probation for violating a restraining order that prohibited him from contacting Minor A’s mother. Investigators also learned that two days before the fire, Abdullahi sent a threatening message to Minor A’s mother stating, “when I see u I’m smoke u.” Law enforcement obtained surveillance footage from a nearby business that showed Abdullahi shortly before the fire carrying a red gas can through a line of bushes towards the townhome. Minutes later, the footage showed Abdullahi emerge from the bushes with the gas can and return to his vehicle. Investigators determined that Abdullahi’s vehicle was a rental and were able to trace the rental agreement. Investigators also obtained surveillance footage from a nearby gas station that showed Abdullahi arrive in the rental vehicle and fill the red gas can with gasoline. Law enforcement located and arrested Abdullahi. At the time of his arrest, officers found clothing items that matched Abdullahi’s clothing in the surveillance footage.
The complaint charges Abdullahi with one count of arson causing injury. Abdullahi made his initial appearance on July 1, 2024, in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge Tony N. Leung. He was ordered to remain in custody pending a formal detention hearing scheduled for July 8, 2024.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Eden Prairie Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney William C. Mattessich is prosecuting the case.
A complaint is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Tareen Dermatology Agrees to Pay More Than $1.6 Million to Resolve Alleged False Claims Act ViolationsRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – Tareen Dermatology, P.A., Dr. Mohiba Tareen, and Basir Tareen, CEO (collectively, the “Defendants”) have agreed to pay the Unites States $1.63 million to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by submitting false claims to Medicare and other government payors for dermatology services and treatment.
The settlement resolves allegations that the Defendants caused false claims to be submitted to Medicare and VA-administered programs in connection with Mohs surgeries, services billed as though performed under the supervision of Dr. Tareen on days she was not physically present in the clinic, office visits for which Defendants inappropriately waived beneficiary co-pays, and the use of certain skin grafts in circumstances in which their usage was not justified as billed.
The civil settlement includes the resolution of claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by Carrie Cremin and Susanne Polzin. Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of a recovery. The qui tam case is captioned United States of America, et al., ex rel. Carrie Cremin and Susanne Polzin v. Tareen Dermatology P.A., Dr. Mohiba Tareen, and Dr. Basir Tareen, Case No. 19-cv-2457.
The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating healthcare fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, can be reported to HHS at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota, the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen E. Rau handled the matter.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only. There has been no determination of liability.
Man Sentenced to 95 Months in Prison for Role in Tobacco Store RobberyRead the Press Release
ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Twin Cities man has been sentenced to 95 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release for aiding and abetting a 2023 Hobbs Act robbery of a tobacco store in Apple Valley, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, on January 23, 2023, 32-year-old David Devor Harris aided and abetted Deshawn Terrell Johnson in the robbery of a tobacco store. After the robbery, Harris and Johnson fled in a black Dodge Charger, which Apple Valley Police officers were quickly able to locate in the vicinity. Johnson fled from the car and continued on foot, but Harris was immediately apprehended. Initially, Harris lied to law enforcement and positioned himself as the victim of a carjacking, but officers were quickly able to determine the two had been acquainted for years. A subsequent search of the black Dodge Charger revealed further evidence of their planned robbery scheme, including identification cards left behind, plastic gloves, and license plates that had been removed from the vehicle.
Harris was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court by Judge Jerry W. Blackwell. On January 9, 2024, Harris pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting interference with commerce by robbery.
On September 27, 2023, Johnson pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery, one count of attempted bank robbery, one count of interference with commerce by robbery, and one count of brandishing a firearm during an in relation to a crime of violence. He will be sentenced at a later date.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Apple Valley Police Department, the Lakeville Police Department, and the FBI.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jordan L. Sing and Evan B. Gilead prosecuted the case.
Guatemalan National Pleads Guilty to Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A man from Guatemala has pleaded guilty to drug trafficking, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, on September 27, 2021, as part of an ongoing investigation, law enforcement conducted a controlled operation, meeting Ramiro Guerra, 67, at a previously designated Twin Cities location. Guerra arrived in a semi-truck bound from California. The semi-truck was searched, and law enforcement recovered approximately 72 pounds of methamphetamine and 80 kilograms of cocaine from inside the cab of his semi-truck.
Guerra pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine yesterday in U.S. District Court before Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later time.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and several other supporting agencies.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Allen A. Slaughter is prosecuting the case.
Winona Man Pleads Guilty to Child Exploitation Charges After Targeting More Than 60 Young Girls in Online Sextortion SchemeRead the Press Release
ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Winona man has pleaded guilty for his online sextortion scheme that victimized more than 60 minor girls across the country and abroad, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, between April 2022 and June 2023, Valentin Silva Quintana, 30, used social media apps, including Snapchat and Instagram, to threaten, sexually manipulate, and exploit more than 60 young girls primarily between 9 and 12 years old in Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, New Zealand and elsewhere. Quintana, who knew that most of the girls were between 9 and 12 years of age, used fake identities and lied about his age in communications with the girls, posing as a minor girl himself. He used images and videos of youthful appearing girls to make his communications with other victims more believable.
According to court documents, Quintana used a wide range of tactics to coerce his victims, sometimes by convincing young girls that he was their friend or romantic partner, or by offering them money. But most frequently, he convinced young girls to send him a sexual photo or video or covertly recorded them engaging in sexually explicit conduct and then threatened to send the first image to their friends and family unless the girls produced ever more graphic sexual images and videos for him. He continued this type of sextortion even as his victims wept and begged him to stop.
Quintana pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court before Judge Jerry W. Blackwell to one count of production of child pornography, one count of distribution of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Winona County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael McBride is prosecuting the case.
Burnsville Man Charged with Defrauding Electronics Manufacturer of $1.2 MillionRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A Burnsville man has been charged with three counts of wire fraud after defrauding an electronics manufacturing business out of more than $1.2 million, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, between 2019 and 2020, Thomas Thanh Pham, 52, devised a scheme to defraud a California based company of approximately $1.2 million. Pham, who was the CEO of Enterprise Products, LLC, purported to provide consulting and financial services to commercial clients involved in engineering and manufacturing. Pham held himself out as a broker with supposed business relationships with large, well-known companies. As a supposed broker, Pham claimed he could arrange service agreements between an electronic manufacturing services company based in San Jose, California, (identified as Victim A) and his ostensible business affiliates in the electronics and technology sectors.
According to court documents, starting in June 2019, Pham began a series of discussions with Victim A, in which Pham pitched that Enterprise Products could facilitate multi-million-dollar manufacturing and repair contracts between Victim A and large electronics companies. Pham supplied Victim A with bogus documents, including fabricated contracts, correspondence, and business proposals. As part of the scheme, Pham first required Victim A to pay a “deposit bond” in the amount of $1,278,000. Pham’s fraudulent tactics resulted in Victim A agreeing to enter into a contract in September 2019, through which Victim A ostensibly would receive millions of dollars in exchange for repair services. Pham unsuccessfully pitched other phony deals to Victim A that purportedly involved even larger financial contracts deals with other companies.
As part of the scheme and to give the impression that he was fulfilling the fraudulent contract, Pham caused the initial delivery to Victim A in California of approximately 20 samples of electronic devices that supposedly required repairs by Victim A. However, Pham failed to disclose to Victim A that these 20 “sample” devices were, in fact, stolen property. It was additionally part of the scheme that Pham tried to lull Victim A into a false sense of security by offering a series of excuses and promises when Victim A either inquired about its money or demanded a refund. Rather than maintain the money securely in a refundable escrow as promised, Pham fraudulently misappropriate Victim A’s funds for a series of unauthorized uses and transactions.
The indictment charges Pham with three counts of wire fraud. Pham made his initial appearance today in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge Douglas L. Micko.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew S. Ebert and Rebecca E. Kline are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Twin Cities Felon Sentenced to 55 Months in Prison for Illegal Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A Twin Cities man has been sentenced to 55 months in prison and three years of supervised release for illegally possessing a firearm, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to his plea agreement and court documents, on October 7, 2022, a Minnesota State Patrol officer stopped Salvador Anthony Pacheco, 46, for multiple traffic violations. During the interaction, the officer smelled marijuana in the car and requested a drug-sniffing dog, which alerted officers to additional drugs in Pacheco’s vehicle. A search of the car and its contents revealed a Kahr .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol inside the defendant’s backpack. Because Pacheco has prior felony convictions, including murder, assault, and weapons violations, he is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.
Pacheco was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge Nancy E. Brasel. The sentence reflects an upward variance from the advisory sentencing guideline range Pacheco pleaded guilty on April 15, 2024, to one count of possession of a firearm as a felon.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and the Minnesota State Patrol.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Campbell Warner prosecuted the case.
Five Indicted in Feeding Our Future Jury Bribery SchemeRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – Five defendants have been indicted for their roles in a conspiracy to provide a $120,000 bribe to a juror in the Feeding Our Future trial, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, on April 22, 2024, seven defendants went to trial before U.S. District Judge Nancy E. Brasel for their roles in the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme. During the trial, Abdiaziz Shafii Farah, 35, of Savage, Abdimajid Mohamed Nur, 23, of Shakopee, Said Shafii Farah, 42, of Minneapolis, Abdulkarim Shafii Farah, 24, of Minneapolis, and Ladan Mohamed Ali, 31, of Seattle, Washington, conspired with each other to provide a cash bribe to one of the jurors in exchange for the juror returning a not guilty verdict in the trial.
As part of the scheme, the conspirators decided to target Juror 52 because she was the youngest juror and they believed her to be the only juror of color. The conspirators conducted online research to obtain Juror 52’s personal information, including her home address and information about her background and family members. They conducted surveillance of Juror 52 to confirm her home address and obtain information about Juror 52’s daily habits. One of the conspirators followed Juror 52 home as she left the courthouse during the trial, and they purchased a GPS tracking device to covertly install on Juror 52’s car in order to track her movements.
As part of the scheme, the conspirators obtained approximately $200,000 in cash to be delivered and paid to Juror 52 as a bribe in exchange for a not guilty verdict in the trial. The conspirators drafted a list of instructions for Juror 52 that included directions for her to vote “NOT GUILTY ON ALL COUNTS FOR ALL DEFENDANTS” and to “convince all the remaining jurors to mark NOT GUILTY for all defendants and all counts.” The conspirators compiled a list of “arguments to convince other jurors,” many of which appeared designed to convince Juror 52 that the prosecution was motivated by racial animus.
According to court documents, on May 30, 2024, Ali flew from Seattle to Minneapolis to carry out the bribery scheme. On May 31, 2024, Ali attempted to follow Juror 52 home as she left a downtown Minneapolis parking ramp at the conclusion of the first day of closing arguments in the trial. On June 2, 2024, Abdiaziz Farah instructed Nur to meet him at Said Farah’s business, Bushra Wholesalers, to pick up the bribe money. Later that day, Nur met with Ali and gave her a box containing the bribe money he had received from Said Farah. Ali took the money and put it inside a Hallmark gift bag. At approximately 8:50 p.m. that evening, Abdulkarim Farah and Ali drove to Juror 52’s house. Ali approached the house and handed the gift bag containing $120,000 in bribe money to a relative of Juror 52 and explained that the money was a present in exchange for a not guilty verdict. Ali promised that there would be more money if Juror 52 voted to acquit all the defendants. Abdulkarim Farah remained in the car and took a video recording of Ali dropping off the bribe money at Juror 52’s house. Abdulkarim Farah sent the video to his co-conspirators using an encrypted messaging app.
According to court documents, on June 3, 2024, after being ordered by Judge Brasel to surrender their phones to law enforcement, Abdiaziz Farah conducted a factory reset of his iPhone in order to delete the messages, video, and other evidence of the bribe attempt. Nur and Said Farah also deleted evidence of the bribe attempt from their phones.
The indictment charges all five defendants with conspiracy to bribe a juror, bribery of a juror, and corruptly influencing a juror. Abdiaziz Farah was also charged with obstruction of justice. The defendants will begin making their initial appearances this afternoon in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge Douglas L. Micko.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI with assistance from IRS – Criminal Investigations, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph H. Thompson, Matthew Ebert, Harry Jacobs, Chelsea Walcker, and Daniel Bobier are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
farah_et_al_indictment.pdfWoodbury Man Charged in Child Sextortion SchemeRead the Press Release
ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Woodbury man has been indicted for the production and possession of child pornography and coercing minors to engage in sexually explicit conduct, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, on multiple occasions between approximately July 10, 2021, and March 11, 2022, Timothy Lennard Gebhart, 37, coerced a 16-year-old child, Minor A, and a 14-year-old, Minor B, to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing pornographic videos. After obtaining the images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, Gebhart distributed the videos via computer and cellular phone. Gebhart then used the pornographic videos to extort money and other items of value from Minor A, threatening to damage the victim’s reputation by sending nude photos and videos to their family and friends.
The indictment charges Gebhart with two counts of production and attempted production of child pornography, one count of distribution of child pornography, and one count of interstate communications with intent to extort. Gebhart made his initial appearance on June 21, 2024, in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge Douglas L. Micko.
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. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Woodbury Police Department, Greene County (Indiana) Sheriff’s Department, the Indiana State Police, and the FBI, with assistance from the Owatonna Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Classen is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Hutchinson Woman Sentenced to Prison for Embezzling More Than $2 Million from EmployerRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A Hutchinson woman has been sentenced to 41 months in prison, three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution in full for embezzling over $2 million from her employer, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, Jennifer Lee Rath, 53, worked as the financial controller at a heavy civil construction company located in Hutchinson, Minnesota. As the financial controller, Rath was responsible for managing the company’s payroll, accounts receivable, accounts payable, company credit cards, and corporate bank accounts. Over a six-year period, Rath used her position to embezzle funds and convert them to her own use and benefit. Rath routinely cut checks that appeared to cover the company’s liabilities, but then manipulated the checks to instead pay her own credit card debts, tax liabilities, and other personal expenses. Rath also processed electronic fund transfers from the company’s bank accounts to pay personal expenses and improperly charged personal expenses to company credit cards. Rath manipulated the company’s accounting software to conceal the money she stole, avoid detection, and prolong her fraud scheme.
In total, between August 2013 and December 2019, Rath knowingly and willfully embezzled $2,061,328.67 from her employer. Because of Rath’s embezzlement, the company’s business and reputation suffered, as employees lost their jobs, it could not pay vendors on time, and its credit suffered.
On September 7, 2023, Rath pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud. She was sentenced on June 18, 2024, in U.S. District Court by Judge Jerry W. Blackwell. In pronouncing the sentence, Judge Blackwell commented that he was particularly troubled that Rath exploited a longtime family friend who had put her in a position of trust over a small business.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI and the Hutchinson Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan L. Sing prosecuted the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Secord and Paralegal Specialist Jessica Scott handled the asset investigation and restitution enforcement.
St. Paul Man Sentenced to over Seven Years in Prison for Unlawfully Possessing Ammunition as a Felon and other ViolationsRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A St. Paul man has been sentenced to 77 months in prison for being a felon in possession of ammunition, and to a consecutive 10 months in prison for violating his conditions of federal supervised release, followed by three years of additional supervised release, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, on July 5, 2023, Nakia Marquire Martin, 31, a female acquaintance, and her seven-year-old daughter, went to a sporting goods store in Woodbury, MN. While at the store the female purchased a semiautomatic .40-caliber firearm, while Martin walked into the ammunition section, took a 50-round box of.40-caliber ammunition from the shelf, and left the store with the ammunition without paying for it. Martin was on federal supervised release at the time for a 2018 firearms conviction.
Because Martin has prior felony convictions, he is prohibited from lawfully possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.
Martin pleaded guilty on January 4, 2024, to one count of felon in possession of ammunition. He was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge Ann D. Montgomery. Martin was also sentenced to an additional 10 months, to be served consecutively to his 77 months in prison, for violating his supervised release terms and conditions resulting from the 2018 federal conviction.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Saint Paul Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Bejar prosecuted the case.
St. Paul Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Producing Child Pornography in Cyberstalking and Child Exploitation CaseRead the Press Release
ST. PAUL, Minn. – A St. Paul man has been sentenced to 240 months in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release for producing a video depicting his sexual abuse of a minor, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to the defendant’s guilty plea and court documents, beginning in July 2019 through February 2023, Chedor TV, 40, created multiple online personas on apps such as Discord and Snapchat to cyberstalk a minor victim. He used aliases such as “Chang Vang” and “Hailey Ly” to pose as a minor and communicate with the minor victim, sending her sexually explicit pictures. During this time, while the minor victim was unaware that TV was cyberstalking her using these online aliases, TV also secretly recorded the minor victim while she was naked in the shower at his residence. TV also recorded a sexually explicit video depicting the minor victim while she was asleep at his residence. When the minor victim tried to cease contact with TV’s online persona “Chang,” TV threatened to share publicly explicit videos and images he took of the minor victim without her knowledge, causing her substantial emotional distress.
TV was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge Eric C. Tostrud. During sentencing, Judge Tostrud remarked that all of TV’s conduct towards the minor victim “is just appalling” and that the produced sexual abuse imagery “reflects depravity.” Judge Tostrud also reflected that TV’s conduct was “likely to have a grave, lifelong impact” on the minor victim and her family. TV pleaded guilty on January 10, 2024, to one count of production of child pornography and admitted to cyberstalking the minor victim in his plea.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the St. Paul Police Department and the FBI. It 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. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Hillary A. Taylor prosecuted the case.
Robbinsdale Man Indicted for Illegal Possession of Machineguns, AmmunitionRead the Press Release
ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Robbinsdale man has been indicted for illegally possessing machineguns, firearms, and ammunition, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, on or about November 2, 2023, Ronnie Bila Shaka, 42, knowingly possessed three 9mm pistols and two pistols equipped with a machinegun conversion device commonly known as a “switch” or “auto sear,” which enables the weapon to be fired as a fully automatic by a single pull of the trigger. Shaka also possessed multiple rounds of ammunition.
Because Shaka has prior felony convictions in Hennepin and Ramsey Counties, he is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.
The indictment charges Shaka with one count of possessing firearms as a felon, one count of unlawful possession of machineguns, and one count of possessing ammunition as a felon. Shaka was arraigned yesterday in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge Douglas L. Micko.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Robbinsdale Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office and the Crystal Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ruth S. Shnider is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
10 Minneapolis Gang Members Charged with Illegal Possession of Firearms and Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – Ten members of a south Minneapolis street gang have been charged in federal court for various crimes including illegal possession of firearms, possession of a machinegun, and drug trafficking, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
“Violent criminals who carry guns pose a deadly threat to communities and, as recent tragedies show, to the law enforcement officers and first responders who are sworn to protect us all,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger. “Our federal resources are focused on holding accountable those who threaten the safety of our communities. My message to the community: We are working for you, for your families and your children, to make sure violent crime continues to drop and we can all enjoy our beautiful cities this summer.”
The Minneapolis street gang known as the 10z are involved in narcotics and firearms trafficking in south Minneapolis, as well as violent crime throughout the Minneapolis metropolitan area. The focal point of the 10z criminal activity is the area around Peavey Park at the intersection of Franklin and Chicago Avenues. The 10z are affiliated with another gang, the 20z, which operate in the same south Minneapolis territory.
The following ten members of the 10z/20z gang are charged with firearms violations and fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine trafficking:
- Don Buddie Austin, 32, is charged with possessing a firearm as a felon.
- Albert William Bratton, 28, is charged with possession a firearm as a felon.
- Paul Antonio Early, 32, is charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
- Toraus Marquis Eason, 44, is charged with possession of a firearm as a felon, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine, and MDMA, and possessing a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
- Billy Ismael Hawkins, 34, is charged with possession of a firearm as a felon.
- Jaquan Lavelle Jackson, 29, is charged with possession of a firearm as a felon, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and possessing a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
- Bernard Augusta Mack, 29, is charged with possession of a firearm as a felon, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and possessing a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
- Joshua Benjamin Scott, 37, is charged with possession of a firearm.
- Austin Joevon Toy, 22, is charged with possession of a machine gun.
- Armond Quinton Wright, 33, is charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine, and possessing a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
These cases are the result of investigations conducted by the Minneapolis Police Department and the FBI.
These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristian C.S. Weir.
An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
austin_indictment.pdf bratton_indictment.pdf early_indictment.pdf eason_indictment.pdf hawkins_indictment.pdf jackson_indictment.pdf mack_indictment.pdf scott_indictment.pdf toy_indictment.pdf wright_indictment.pdfPonemah Man Sentenced to Prison for Attempted Robbery of Red Lake HomeRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A Ponemah man has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison, three years of supervised release, and owes $500 in restitution for attempted robbery occurring within the boundary of the Red Lake Indian Reservation.
According to court documents, on September 24, 2022, Justice Edward Desjarlait, 27, attempted to rob a residence on the Red Lake Indian Reservation. Carrying an unloaded rifle, Desjarlait knocked on the front door of the residence, raised the rifle and demanded, “Give me all of your [expletive].” Desjarlait then attempted to open the storm door in order to enter the house, but the door was locked so he fled without taking anything from the home.
On February 5, 2024, Desjarlait pleaded guilty to one count of attempted robbery. He was sentenced in U.S. District Court by Judge Joan N. Ericksen on June 5, 2024.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Red Lake Tribal Police Department and the U.S. Border Patrol with assistance from the FBI.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily A. Polachek prosecuted the case.
Minnesota Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Providing Material Support to ISISRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A St. Louis Park man has been sentenced to 120 months in prison followed by 15 years of supervised release for providing material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, in June 2015, Abdelhamid Al-Madioum, 27, departed the United States with his family to Casablanca, Morocco, to visit extended family. Once in Morocco, Al-Madioum surreptitiously fled to Syria to join and fight for ISIS. During the following several months, Al-Madioum was administratively enrolled into ISIS, received military training from its members, and assigned to a battalion. Al-Madioum served as a soldier for ISIS until late 2015 when he was injured while conducting military activities on behalf of ISIS. Following his injury, Al-Madioum continued to provide assistance to ISIS as a personnel database administrator. He remained a member of ISIS until he was captured by Syrian Democratic Forces in March of 2019.
On September 16, 2020, Al-Madioum made his initial appearance in U.S. District Court in the District of Minnesota on an indictment charging him with providing material support to ISIS. On January 13, 2021, Al-Madioum pleaded guilty to one count of providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization. He was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Ann D. Montgomery. Based on the defendant’s cooperation, the government asked the court to give the defendant credit for providing substantial assistance.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew R. Winter for the District of Minnesota and Trial Attorney John Cella of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case.
Minnesota Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Providing Material Support to ISISRead the Press Release
A Minnesota man was sentenced to 120 months in prison followed by 15 years of supervised release for providing material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization. Based on the defendant’s cooperation, the government asked the court to give the defendant credit for providing substantial assistance.
According to court documents, in June 2015, Abdelhamid Al-Madioum, 27, of St. Louis Park, Minnesota, departed the United States with his family to Casablanca, Morocco, to visit extended family. Once in Morocco, Al-Madioum surreptitiously fled to Syria to join and fight for ISIS. During the following several months, Al-Madioum was administratively enrolled into ISIS, received military training from its members and assigned to a battalion. Al-Madioum served as a soldier for ISIS until late 2015 when he was injured while conducting military activities on behalf of ISIS. Following his injury, Al-Madioum continued to provide assistance to ISIS as a personnel database administrator. He remained a member of ISIS until he was captured by Syrian Democratic Forces in March of 2019.
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger for the District of Minnesota and Executive Assistant Director Larissa L. Knapp of the FBI’s National Security Branch made the announcement.
The FBI investigated the case.
Trial Attorney John Cella of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew R. Winter for the District of Minnesota prosecuted the case.
Fast Food Manager Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud After Embezzling More Than $140,000 from EmployerRead the Press Release
ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Woodbury man has pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $140,000 from his employer, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, Timothy Michael Hill, Jr., 36, was employed by Company A to manage a fast-food franchise restaurant at the Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport. In his position as manager, Hill was responsible for collecting and making daily cash deposits into a safe deposit box.
According to court documents, between September 2022 and October 2023, Hill collected the daily cash receipts from the restaurant and instead of depositing it into the safe deposit box, pocketed some or all of the cash. Hill attempted to conceal his embezzlement by using future cash receipts to cover his theft, creating a false impression that the cash deposits were delayed rather than stolen. To further conceal his embezzlement, Hill sent regular emails to Company A’s accounting personnel representing that he was belatedly depositing cash from earlier dates, when, in fact, he was using cash collected during the ensuing time period to conceal his embezzlement.
According to court documents, Hill spent the stolen cash on jewelry, online sports betting, and the adult website Only Fans, among other things. He also transferred thousands of dollars through CashApp to various individuals, including several female colleagues in exchange for personal photos and videos.
In total, Hill knowingly and willfully embezzled approximately $144,000 from Company A over a period of 13 months.
Hill pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court before Judge Paul A. Magnuson to one count of wire fraud. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later time.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI and the Minneapolis Airport Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew C. Murphy is prosecuting the case.
Five Defendants Found Guilty for Their Roles in $250 Million Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – Five individuals have been convicted by a federal jury for their roles in a $250 million fraud scheme that exploited a federally-funded child nutrition program, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
“I am extraordinarily proud of the prosecution team and our law enforcement partners who have spent years investigating this highly complex and widespread fraud scheme,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger.
“With today’s convictions, a total of 23 individuals have been held accountable for their roles in this egregious conspiracy to steal millions of taxpayer dollars.”
“Exploiting a program designed to feed underserved children during the COVID pandemic is reprehensible,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston of FBI Minneapolis. “Today's verdict is a clear warning to those who exploit the most vulnerable for personal gain. Justice will be swift and severe. The FBI, alongside our law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney's Office, stand united in condemning such acts and ensuring that those who prey on others face the consequences they deserve.”
“This verdict highlights the meticulous work of IRS Criminal Investigation special agents and their fellow law enforcement partners who brought to justice individuals who took advantage of food programs when children and families needed them the most,” said Jason Bushey, Acting Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Chicago Field Office. “This investigation is not over, and today’s verdict highlights the fact that a large-scale fraud of this scope and nature will not be ignored, and those who engage in fraud schemes like this will not evade justice.”
Inspector in Charge Bryan Musgrove of the Denver Division stated, “Today’s verdict reaffirms how critical a role the U.S. Postal Inspection Service plays in protecting the American consumer from these types of fraudulent schemes and in ensuring that the nation’s U.S. mail stream is not used by criminals to prey upon our citizens and government financial aid programs. The bold egregious nature in which these fraudsters abused government financial assistance programs designed to feed low-income children during the Covid pandemic illustrates their callous disregard for human decency and overall greed. This investigation is a tremendous example of how the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and our federal law enforcement partners can work side by side in an effort to bring these fraudsters to justice.”
Following a six-week trial in U.S. District Court before Judge Nancy E. Brasel, a federal jury convicted Abdiaziz Shafii Farah, 35, Mohamed Jama Ismail, 51, Abdimajid Mohamed Nur, 23, Mukhtar Mohamed Shariff, 33, and Hayat Mohamed Nur, 27, for their roles in the $250 million Feeding Our Future Fraud scheme. Sentencing hearings will be scheduled at a later date.
As proven at trial, the convicted defendants devised and carried out a $40 million fraud scheme to defraud the Federal Child Nutrition Program. The convicted defendants obtained, misappropriated, and laundered millions of dollars in program funds that were intended as reimbursements for the cost of serving meals to children. The convicted defendants exploited changes in the program intended to ensure underserved children received adequate nutrition during the COVID-19 pandemic. The convicted defendants also created and submitted false documentation. They submitted fraudulent meal count sheets purporting to document the number of children and meals served at each site and false invoices purporting to document the purchase of food to be served to children at the sites. The convicted defendants also submitted fake attendance rosters purporting to list the names and ages of the children receiving meals at the sites each day. These rosters were fabricated and created using fake names.
The Federal Child Nutrition Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), is a federally-funded program designed to provide free meals to children in need. The USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service administers the program throughout the nation by distributing federal funds to state governments. In Minnesota, the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) administers and oversees the Federal Child Nutrition Program. Meals funded by the Federal Child Nutrition Program are served by “sites.” Each site participating in the program must be sponsored by an authorized sponsoring organization. Sponsors must submit an application to MDE for each site. Sponsors are also responsible for monitoring each of their sites and preparing reimbursement claims for their sites. The USDA then provides MDE federal reimbursement funds on a per-meal basis. MDE provides those funds to the sponsoring agency who, in turn, pays the reimbursements to the sites under its sponsorship. The sponsoring agency retains 10 to 15 percent of the funds as an administrative fee.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the USDA waived some of the standard requirements for participation in the Federal Child Nutrition Program. Among other things, the USDA allowed for-profit restaurants to participate in the program, as well as allowed for off-site food distribution to children outside of educational programs.
In total, seventy defendants have been charged across 14 indictments and six criminal informations. To date, eighteen defendants have entered guilty pleas. The following five defendants, named in the United States v. Abdiaziz Shafii Farah, et al., 22-CR-124 (NEB/TNL) indictment, were found guilty by a federal jury:
- Abdiaziz Shafii Farah, of Savage, Minnesota, was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, six counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery, two counts of federal programs bribery, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, 11 counts of money laundering, and one count of false statements in a passport application. Abdiaziz Farah was an owner and operator of Empire Cuisine and Market LLC, a for-profit restaurant that participated in the scheme as a site, as a vendor for other sites, and as an entity to launder fraudulent proceeds. Empire Cuisine and Market and other affiliated sites received more than $28 million in fraudulent Federal Child Nutrition Program funds.
- Mohamed Jama Ismail, of Savage, Minnesota, was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, and one count of money laundering. Ismail was an owner and operator of Empire Cuisine and Market LLC, a for-profit restaurant that participated in the scheme as a site, as a vendor for other sites, and as an entity to launder fraudulent proceeds. Empire Cuisine and Market and other affiliated sites received more than $28 million in fraudulent Federal Child Nutrition Program funds.
- Abdimajid Mohamed Nur, of Shakopee, Minnesota, was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, four counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, and four counts of money laundering. Abdimajid Nur created Nur Consulting LLC to receive and launder Federal Child Nutrition Program funds from Empire Cuisine and Market, ThinkTechAct, and other entities involved in the scheme.
- Mukhtar Mohamed Shariff, of Bloomington, Minnesota, was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, one count of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, and one count of money laundering. Shariff was the chief executive officer of Afrique Hospitality Group, a company used to fraudulent obtain and launder Federal Child Nutrition Program funds.
- Hayat Mohamed Nur, of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and two counts of wire fraud. Hayat Nur, the sister of Abdimajid Nur, participated in the scheme by creating and submitting fraudulent meal count sheets, attendance rosters, and invoices.
United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger thanks the FBI, IRS – Criminal Investigations, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for their collaboration and skilled investigative work on this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Minnesota Joseph H. Thompson, Harry M. Jacobs, Matthew S. Ebert, Chelsea A. Walcker, and Daniel W. Bobier tried the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Baune is handling the seizure and forfeiture of assets.
Federal Jury Finds Man Guilty of Violent Assault on the Bois Forte Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A federal jury found a Bois Forte man guilty of two counts of assault resulting in serious and substantial bodily injury, respectively, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to evidence presented at trial and court documents, beginning on or about March 13, 2023, Mark Allen Isham, 61, repeatedly and violently assaulted an intimate partner staying at his residence within the exterior boundaries of the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa Indian Reservation. The physical assault escalated on March 19, 2023, when Isham became angry and started punching the victim with a closed fist. Isham kept his victim trapped inside the house for days without access to the victim’s wheelchair. On March 24, 2023, the victim managed to call 911 while Isham was outside chopping firewood. Two officers arrived at Isham’s home shortly afterwards. Isham initially denied the victim was inside, prompting the victim to eventually call out to responding officers. The victim’s visible injuries included a split lip, black eye, and bruising on their arms, legs, and head. An ambulance was called to transport the victim to a local hospital. The victim’s injuries required surgery to repair a broken jaw resulting from the violent assault at Isham’s residence.
Following a five-day trial in U.S. District Court before Judge Katherine M. Menendez, Isham was found guilty on one count of assault resulting in serious bodily injury and one count of assault resulting in substantial bodily injury. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI and the Bois Forte Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carla J. Baumel and Nichole J. Carter tried the case.