District of Nebraska
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
November Grand JuryRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned 22 indictments charging 24 defendants. Indictments are charging documents that contain one or more individual counts that are merely accusations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
* Marlon Adid-Meza , age 32, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about October 11, 2013, after deportation or removal. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 2 years, a $250,000 fine, 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Michelle Adkins, age 42, of Plattsmouth, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges Adkins with embezzling funds from the Plattsmouth Post Office on or about April 4, 2013 through on or about May 31, 2013, in an amount in excess of $1000.00. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 10 years, a fine of $250,000, 3 years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment charges the defendant with making a false report relating to funds received at the post office during the same time period. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 10 years, a fine of $250,000, 3 years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment.
* Pablo Alvaro-Silos, age 37, of South Sioux City, Nebraska, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about July 13, 2013, following deportation as an aggravated felon. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 20 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Gilberto Antonio Baltazar, age 42, of Omaha, is charged in a four-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with misuse of a Social Security Number on or about January 9, 2013. The maximum possible penalty for this count is imprisonment of 5 years, a fine of $250,000, 3 years supervised release, and a special assessment of $100. Count II of the Indictment alleges on or about January 9, 2013, Baltazar made a false statement claiming to be a United States citizen with the intent to receive Federal and State benefits or to otherwise obtain employment in the United States. The maximum possible penalty for this count is imprisonment of 5 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III of the Indictment alleges that on or about January 9, 2013, Baltazar misused a Social Security Card and a State of Missouri Identification Card knowing that said documents were not issued lawfully for his use. The maximum possible penalty for this count is imprisonment of 5 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count IV of the Indictment charges the defendant with illegal reentry into the United States on or about October 17, 2013, after deportation or removal. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 2 years, a $250,000 fine, 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Christopher D. Brackett, age 36, of Bellevue, Nebraska, is charged with transportation of child pornography from on or about June 2013 through August 2013. If convicted, the maximum possible penalty is imprisonment of not less than 5 years nor more than 40 years, a fine of $250,000, 5 years up to life supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Juan Briseno-Hernandez, age 37, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about October 28, following deportation as an convicted felon. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 10 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Henry Ray Denney, age 37, of Niobrara, Nebraska, is charged with domestic assault by a habitual offender on or about August 26, 2013. The assault occurred on the Santee Sioux Indian Reservation. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 5 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Cossi Deugnon, age 32, a citizen of Benin, a country in West Africa, and Shantoria Valentine, a citizen of the United States, age 22, both of Omaha, are charged in a two-count Indictment. Both defendants are charged in Count I with conspiracy to defraud the United States government by giving false information to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services regarding their marriage. Count II of the Indictment charges Deugnon and Valentine with marriage fraud on or about February 1, 2011. The maximum possible penalty of each charge if convicted is imprisonment of 5 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. .
* Fabian Jones, age 26, and Jermaine Hall, age 38, are charged in a two-count indictment. Count I alleges that beginning on or about October 8, 2013, and continuing to on or about October 23, 2013, the defendants conspired together and with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of not less than 10 years and up to life, a $10 million fine, a 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II alleges that on or about October 8, 2013 and continuing to on or about October 23, 2013, the defendants conspired together and with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of not less than 5 years and up to 40 years, a $5 million fine, a 4 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Jose Lopez-Lara, age 45, address unknown, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about October 30, 2013, following deportation as an aggravated felon. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 20 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Eduardo Manuel-Bautista, age 24, address unknown, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about October 30, 2013, after deportation or removal. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 2 years, a $250,000 fine, 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Jorge Martinez-Noyola, aka Chino, age 39, address unknown, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about August 31, 2013, following deportation as an aggravated felon. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 20 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Miguel Angel Medrano-Alvarado, age 30, of Bellevue, Nebraska, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about October 25, 2013, after deportation or removal. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 2 years, a $250,000 fine, 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Alejandro Mendoza-Ailon, age 32, of South Sioux City, Iowa, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about November 4, 2013, following deportation as an aggravated felon. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 20 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Justen C. Meneses, age 39, of Plattsmouth, Nebraska, is charged with theft of United States mail by a United States Postal Service employee on or about August 28, 2013. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 5 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Ralph Moreno, age 53, of Gering, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I of the indictment charges Moreno with receipt and distribution of child pornography from on and before October 3, 2013. If convicted, the maximum possible penalty is imprisonment of not less than 5 years nor more than 20 years, a fine of $250,000, 5 years up to life supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Moreno is charged in Count II of the indictment with possession of child pornography from on or about November 12, 2013. The maximum possible penalty for this count if convicted is imprisonment of 10 years, a $250,000 fine, 5 years up to life supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Enrique Ochoa-Beltran, age 33, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about November 14, 2013, after deportation or removal. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 2 years, a $250,000 fine, 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Jorge Olvera-Trejo, age 32, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about October 30, 2013, after deportation or removal. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 2 years, a $250,000 fine, 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Jose Ortiz-Herrera, age 30, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about October 30, 2013, after deportation or removal. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 2 years, a $250,000 fine, 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Michael Quinlan, age 46, of Northglenn, Colorado, is charged with possession with intent to distribute a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of marijuana on or about October 23, 2013. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 20 years, a $1,000,00 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Julio Cesar Serrato-Tirado, age 26, of Bellevue, Nebraska, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about October 17, 2013, after deportation or removal. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 2 years, a $250,000 fine, 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Shane D. Sweeney, age 28, of Omaha, is charged with assaulting a Veterans Affairs police officer on or about October 27, 2013. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 8 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.Former Omaha Police Officer Sentenced for Improper Computer SearchesRead the Press Release
United States District Court Judge Joseph F. Bataillon, sentenced Kevin Cave, age 36 of Bellevue, Nebraska, following his conviction for Exceeding Authorized Access to a Protected Computer. Cave was sentenced to three years of probation and fined $8.000.00.
Cave worked as an Omaha Police Officer and, in that capacity, had been granted access to the NCJIS, (Nebraska Criminal Justice Information System), database. NCJIS is a protected database that links numerous databases together and provides law enforcement officers with a broad range of information on suspects and witnesses. Officers granted access to NCJIS are trained that the database contains sensitive information, is protected from unauthorized disclosures, and can only be searched for legitimate law enforcement purposes. Commencing in approximately March of 2010 and continuing up to August of 2012, Kevin Cave began conducting unauthorized searches of the NCJIS database looking for information that would assist car dealerships, owned by relatives of his, locate cars for repossession. Cave conducted the improper searches because he was being paid up to $200 for every successful lead he provided. In total, Cave received over $16,000.00 for having conducted the improper searches.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
New Jersey Man Sentenced for Failure to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that Stephen Tanner, age 35, formerly of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced for failing to register as a sex offender. The Honorable Joseph F. Bataillon sentenced Tanner to 12 months and 1 day in prison. After his release from prison Tanner will begin a 5 year term of supervised release.
Tanner was previously convicted in state court in Iowa of Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree. He received a sentence of not more than 10 years imprisonment and was required to register as a sex offender. Upon his release, Tanner moved to Nebraska and while he registered with authorities in Iowa, he was required by law to register in Nebraska within three days of moving here. He failed to do so. In March of this year when officers were doing a routine check of registrants, they found he wasn’t at the address where he said he would be when he moved from Iowa. A warrant was issued for his arrest and he was located in West Berlin, New Jersey in May. He claimed to have moved there in March.
The case was prosecuted as a part of Project Safe Childhood. Project Safe Childhood is an initiative of the United States Department of Justice designed to protect children from individuals who would exploit them online or offline and includes individuals who travel in interstate commerce and fail to register as sex offenders as required by law. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Grand Island Man Convicted of Drug Trafficking Sentenced to 5 YearsRead the Press Release
Noe Loera, 35, from Grand Island, Nebraska, was convicted of distribution of five grams or more of methamphetamine following a jury trial which concluded on August 1, 2013. Today, the Honorable Joseph Bataillon sentenced Loera to 5 years of imprisonment, to be followed by 4 years of supervised release, and was ordered him to pay a $100 special assessment.
The evidence presented at trial showed that a police informant contacted Noe Loera on September 22, 2010, to purchase about a half ounce of methamphetamine. The police then conducted surveillance while the informant met with Noe Loera and Jesus Samaniego at Noe Loera’s home in Grand Island. A transcription and translation of an audio recording of the meeting, prepared by an FBI linguist, provided key evidence of several incriminating statements made by Noe Loera. Jesus Samaniego pled guilty earlier to a related charge.
The case was investigated by Central Nebraska Drug and Safe Streets Task Force. That task force is comprised of the Adams County Sheriff’s Department, Hall County Sheriff’s Department, Buffalo County Sheriff’s Department, Hastings Police Department, Grand Island Police Department, Kearney Police Department, the Nebraska State Patrol, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Walthill Man Sentenced for BurglaryRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that William G. Hallowell, 28 of Walthill, Nebraska was sentenced in federal court in Omaha for a burglary on the Omaha Indian Reservation. The Honorable John H. Gerrard sentenced Hallowell to a 21 month term of imprisonment concurrent with his Omaha Tribal Court sentence for the same offense. After his release from prison Hallowell will begin a three year term of supervised release.
On July 7, 2012, the Walthill Police Department responded to a burglary. The residents returned to their home to find their dog shut in a bathroom and a computer and jewelry missing. Hallowell was arrested later that day after being in an altercation with another individual. The computer and bag of jewelry were in his possession at the time of his arrest.
This case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation and Walthill Police Department.
Walthill Man Sentenced for Statutory RapeRead the Press Release
Chief United States District Court Judge Laurie Smith Camp sentenced Newton Dale, age 27, of Walthill, Nebraska, for his conviction of statutory rape in Indian Country. Dale was sentenced to 41 months of imprisonment to be followed by five years of supervised release. His sentence was ordered to run consecutively to the sentence Dale is currently serving in Iowa for a controlled substance violation.
Dale is a member of the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska. Beginning in January of 2011 and continuing for a period of time thereafter, Dale began having consensual sex with a 15 year old female member of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Accountant Sentenced for Fraudulent ReturnRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that Donald Ray Ondrak, 61, of Lexington, Nebraska, was sentenced today in Lincoln, to 1 year and 1 day in prison by United States District Judge Laurie Smith-Camp, for aiding in the preparation of a false tax return. After prison, Ondrak will be required to serve 1 year of supervised release, and pay a fine in the amount of $5,000. Ondrak previously surrendered his CPA license.
Ondrak was a Certified Public Accountant in Lexington, Nebraska, who prepared tax returns for many farmers, businessmen, and businesses, in the central Nebraska area. In 2007, Ondrak filed a Form 1120 tax return for a medical equipment business that reflected a fraudulent $800,000 management fee expense as a “cost of labor”. This had the effect of lowering taxable income for the business, thereby reducing its tax liability by $254,715.
IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Sybil Smith said, “Tax return preparers have a duty to their clients to prepare tax returns that comply with the law and are accurate. IRS Criminal Investigation wants to make sure taxpayers do not pay good money for bad advice.”
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations Division.
Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found at www.justice.gov/tax.October Grand JuryRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned 24 indictments charging 24 defendants. Indictments are charging documents that contain one or more individual counts that are merely accusations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
* Oscar Aguilar-Pablo, age 28, of Lexington, Nebraska, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about October 16, 2013, after deportation or removal. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 2 years, a $250,000 fine, 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Aurelio Alanis-Morales, age 37, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about October 15, 2013, after deportation or removal. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 2 years, a $250,000 fine, 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Edgar Barajas, age 25, of Omaha, is charged in a two count indictment. Count I alleges that on or about September 26, 2013, the defendant possessed with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. The maximum possible penalty is imprisonment of not less than 10 years and up Life, a $10 million fine, a 5 year term of supervised release and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment alleges that on or about September 26, 2013, the defendant possessed with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine. The maximum possible penalty is imprisonment of not less than 5 years and up to 40 years, a $5 million fine, a 4 year team of supervised release and a $100 special assessment. The indictment also alleges any and all property constituting or derived from any proceeds obtained directly or indirectly as a result of the violation alleged in the indictment, including but not limited to $30,043 in United States currency, should be forfeited to the United States.
* Marisa Cardona, age 24, of Omaha, is charged in a two-count indictment. Count I of the Indictment alleges from on or about August 30, 2013, the defendant concealed a person from arrest. The maximum possible penalty for this count is imprisonment of 5 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment alleges that on or about August 30, 2013, Cardona provided a false statement to the U.S. Marshals Service. The maximum possible penalty for this count includes 5 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Toledo Domingo-Felipe, age 38, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about October 8, 2013, after deportation or removal. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 2 years, a $250,000 fine, 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Juan Manuel Hernandez-Valdez, age 23, of Bellevue, Nebraska, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about September 22, 2013, after deportation or removal. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 2 years, a $250,000 fine, 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.* Lori Jenkins, age 47, of Omaha, was charged with two counts of felon in possession of ammunition. Specifically on August 2, 2013, she possessed Brenneke 12 gauge classic magnum shells and on August 20, 2013 she possessed Remington 9 mm ammunition. The maximum possible penalty for each count is imprisonment of 10 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Raymond Kudera, age 37, of Omaha, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I of the indictment alleges from on or about May 2012 to on or about August 15, 2012, the defendant did receive and attempted to receive child pornography. If convicted, the maximum possible penalty is imprisonment of not less than 5 years or more than 20 years, a fine of $250,000, 5 years up to Life supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the indictment alleges from on or about May 2012 to on or about August 15, 2012 Kudera did knowingly access with intent to view a computer disk and any other material that contained an image of child pornography. The maximum possibly penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 10 years, $250,00 fine, 5 years up to Life supervised release and $100 special accessment.
* Justin Lauritsen, age 38, of Homer, Nebraska, is charged with four counts of uttering and possessing forged and counterfeit checks. Each of the four counts is punishable by 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both, and a $100 special assessment.
* Gustavo Puig Lopez, age 38, of Lincoln, Nebraska, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about October 8, 2013, following deportation as an aggravated felon. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 20 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Nicolas Mejia-Cruz, age 22, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about October 11, 2013, following deportation as an aggravated felon. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 20 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.* Antwan Mitchem, age 39, of Omaha, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine base (i.e., “crack cocaine”). The maximum possible penalty is not less than 5 years and up to 40 years, a $5 million fine, a 4 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. The indictment also alleges any and all property constituting or derived from any proceeds obtained directly or indirectly as a result of the violation alleged in the indictment, including but not limited to $22,480 in United States currency, should be forfeited to the United States.
* Gerardo Morales-Ramirez, age 26, of South Sioux City, Iowa, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about July 28, 2013, after deportation or removal. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 2 years, a $250,000 fine, 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Stanley Nixon, age 24, of Bellevue, Nebraska, is charged with two counts of uttering and possessing forged and counterfeit checks. Each of the two counts is punishable by 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both, and a $100 special assessment.
* Christian Ozuna-Pacheco, age 29, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about October 11, 2013, after deportation or removal. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 2 years, a $250,000 fine, 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Roberto Pablo-Lucas, age 37, of Fremont, Nebraska, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about September 27, 2013, following deportation as a felon. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 10 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Pedro Romero-DeLaCruz, age 27, of Grand Island, Nebraska, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about September 27, 2013, after deportation or removal. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 2 years, a $250,000 fine, 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Robert Salts, age 34, of Fremont, Nebraska, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of actual methamphetamine on or about September 18, 2013. The maximum penalty if convicted is imprisonment of not less than 5 years and up to 40 years, a $5 million fine, a 4 year term of supervised release and a $100 special assessment.
* Sergio Solache-Valle, age 37, of Holdrege, Nebraska, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about September 16, 2013, after deportation or removal. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 10 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Hector Tomas Galvez Quebodo, age 31, of Norfolk, Nebraska, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about September 20, 2013, following deportation as an aggravated felon. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 20 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Santiago Velasquez-Lopez, age 50, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about October 8, 2013, after deportation or removal. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 2 years, a $250,000 fine, 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Allen Williams, age 28, of Omaha, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine on or about September 24, 2013. The maximum possible penalty is imprisonment of not less than 10 years and up to Life, a $10 million fine, a 5 year term of supervised release and a $100 special assessment.
* Donald James Wilson, age 43, of Bothell, Washington, is charged with eight counts of wire fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud ConAgra. Donald Wilson, the defendant, was a Division Vice President of Sales and Marketing for ConAgra’s western region of the United States and worked out of Bothell, Washington. Wilson allegedly caused the submission of fraudulent invoices to ConAgra seeking payment for promotional activities purportedly performed on ConAgra’s behalf. The indictment alleges the promotional activity never took place. It is alleged that Wilson’s false claims caused losses to ConAgra in the approximate amount of $605,592.50. Each of the eight counts is punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both, and a $100 special assessment.
* Adan Zarate-Cobain, age 31, of Dodge City, Kansas, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine on or about August 9, 2013. The maximum possible penalty is imprisonment of not less than 5 years and up to 40 years, a $5 million fine, a 4 year term of supervised release and a $100 special assessment.Omaha Felon Convicted of Possessing a Firearm Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced today that the Honorable Laurie Smith Camp, U.S. District Court Judge, sentenced Thomas Ray Coonce, 58, to 24 months imprisonment to be followed by 3 years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment, following his conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
In July 2011, a cooperating witness working with law enforcement bought ½ gram of methamphetamine from Coonce. After Coonce asked the cooperator if he wanted to buy a gun, Omaha Police officers obtained a search warrant for Coonce’s residence. The warrant was served and officers located 13 firearms and one that had previously been reported stolen. Federal law makes it a felony for anyone who has been convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm.
The Omaha Police Department was responsible for the investigation of this case.
Insurance Agent Sentenced for Failing to Pay Withheld TaxesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that John Stanley Clabaugh, Jr., 69, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced today in Lincoln, to 6 months in prison by United States District Judge John M. Gerrard, for failing to pay over withholding and FICA taxes. After prison, Clabaugh will serve 3 years of supervised release, with an additional 6 months of home confinement. Judge Gerrard also ordered that Clabaugh pay restitution in the amount of $135,109.92.
Clabaugh was the owner/operator of an insurance agency located in Crete, Nebraska. He and a secretary were the only full time employees, although there have been occasional part time employees. Clabaugh always withheld the federal income tax and FICA taxes from his and his employees’ paychecks, until 2001 when he stopped paying these withheld funds over to the IRS. These taxes are required to be reported and paid to the IRS on a quarterly basis, and Clabaugh also stopped filing the required quarterly forms. The total ‘trust fund’ taxes withheld from employee paychecks for the period of time covered by the indictment was $135,330.
"Business owners have a responsibility to withhold income taxes for their employees and then remit those taxes to the Internal Revenue Service," said Sybil Smith, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation. “We are committed to pursuing those who violate the employment tax laws.”
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations Division.
Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found at www.justice.gov/tax.Lincoln Man Charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that on October 9, 2013, an indictment was unsealed charging Jamie Eugene Tuggle, age 38 of Lincoln, with possession with the intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine on June 30, 2013. The charge resulted from the execution of a search warrant at Tuggle’s Lincoln residence.
The possible penalty is not less than five years nor more than 40 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000,000. Following any prison term, there would be a term of supervised release of not less than four years. The indictment also seeks forfeiture of $301 in cash to the United States. Tuggle is scheduled to make his first appearance in federal court on Tuesday, October 15, 2013.
The matter was investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force, which includes officers of the Lincoln Police Department, the Lancaster County Sheriff=s Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, (FBI), and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Police Department, and by the Nebraska State Patrol.
California Truck Driver Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for Meat Theft ScamRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that Artak Medjbarian of Sherman Oaks, California, was sentenced to 18 months in prison by United States District Court Judge Laurie Smith Camp for his involvement in attempting to steal $163,000 worth of meat products from Nebraska Beef. In addition to his prison term, Medjbarian will also serve 3 years of supervised release.
Medjbarian, age 33, was charged in May of 2012 by a federal grand jury in a scheme with others to steal loads of meat cargo, by pretending to be the legitimate freight haulers to whom authority to transport the loads had been given. The Indictment specifically charged a conspiracy to commit wire fraud and to engage in the interstate transportation of stolen property.
The Indictment alleged that Medjbarian used the identity of a legitimate trucking company in Arizona to bid on hauling a load of meat from Nebraska Beef to California. Due to discrepancies with respect to the documentation forwarded by unknown co-conspirators on Medjbarian’s behalf, the freight brokers contacted the owners of the true Lopez Trucking, and determined that Lopez Trucking did not have trucks operating under their authority in the State of Nebraska on the day Medjbarian showed up at Nebraska Beef pretending to have the transport authority of Lopez Trucking. Omaha Police were contacted and Medjbarian was initially arrested on local charges which included possession of stolen property, due to the license plates on the tractor being plates to which the tractor was not registered.
Medjbarian had previously been detained by the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Medjbarian faced a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison on the conspiracy conviction.
In addition to the Omaha Police Department, the case was also investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol and by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Omaha Men Sentenced to Prison for Distributing Methamphetamine in Omaha, NebraskaRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced Friday that the Honorable Richard G. Kopf, U.S. District Court Judge, sentenced Carlos Navarro, 21, to 46 months imprisonment, and Erik Martinez, 22, to 57 months imprisonment, each to be followed by 3 years of supervised release. They were both also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment, following their conviction for distribution of methamphetamine.
On August 15, 2012, a cooperating witness bought 109 grams of methamphetamine from Martinez. Martinez contacted Navarro who made the actual delivery. On August 22, 2012, a meeting was set up between Martinez and the cooperator for the cooperator to pay for the methamphetamine. Both Martinez and Navarro showed up, Martinez was given the money and they were arrested.
Homeland Security Investigations and the Omaha Police Department were responsible for the investigation of this case.
Grand Jury for the District of NebraskaRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned 24 indictments charging 26 defendants. Indictments are charging documents that contain one or more individual counts that are merely accusations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
* Charles J. Baasch, age 54; James M. Holz, age 41, both of Grand Island, Nebraska and Justin Lee Orstad, age 46, of Bothel, Washington, are charged with conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of not less than 10 years and up to life, a $10 million fine, a 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. The indictment also alleges any and all property constituting or derived from any proceeds obtained directly or indirectly as a result of the violation alleged in the indictment, including but not limited to $3,786 in United States currency, should be forfeited to the United States.
* William Bell, Jr., age 53, of Emerson, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count indictment. Count I of the Indictment alleges from on or about March 16, 2011, and continuing through December 31, 2011, the defendant did embezzle funds from the Social Security Administration in the amount of approximately $7, 438.00. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 10 years, a fine of $250,000, 3 years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment. Count II alleges on or about March 16, 2011, and continuing through December 31, 2011, Mr. Bell intentionally concealed and failed to disclose income and royalties from oil and mineral rights on Indian Trust lands, in order to continue to receive Social Security benefits . The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 5 years, a fine of $250,000, 3 years supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.* Joseph J. Benz, age 52, of Kearney, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment alleges from on or about January 1, 2013, and continuing to on or about May 20, 2013, the defendant did knowingly receive and distribute child pornography. If convicted, the maximum possible penalty is imprisonment of not less than 5 years or more than 20 years, a fine of $250,000, supervised release for life, and a $100 special assessment. Benz is charged in Count II of the Indictment with possession of child pornography from on or about May 20, 2013. The maximum possible penalty is imprisonment of 10 years, a $250,000 fine, supervised release for life, and a $100 special assessment. The indictment also alleges any and all property constituting or derived from any proceeds obtained directly or indirectly as a result of the violations alleged in the indictment, should be forfeited to the United States.
* Robert O. Boyd, age 60, of Grand Island, Nebraska, is charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on or about September 13, 2013. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment is up to 20 years, a $1 million fine, a 3 year team of supervised release and a $100 special assessment. The indictment also alleges any and all property constituting or derived from any proceeds obtained directly or indirectly as a result of the violation alleged in the indictment, including but not limited to: $777 in United States currency seized on September 13, 2013, a 2012 Homemade Bobber motorcycle, and $7,622 of United States currency seized on September 16, 2013, should be forfeited to the United States.
* Alejandro Cortes-Guzman, age 32, of Bellevue, Nebraska is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about September 17, 2013, following deportation as an aggravated felon. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 20 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.* Glen Fischer, age 55, of Omaha, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of actual methamphetamine on or about August 28, 2013. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of not less than 5 years and up to 40 years, a $5 million fine, a 4 year term of supervised release and a $100 special assessment.
* Ricardo Flores-Dominguez, age 30, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about September 12, 2013, after deportation or removal. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 2 years, a $250,000 fine, 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Jamie Gomez-Bustamante, age 36, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about September 18, 2013, following deportation as an aggravated felon. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 20 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.* Mark Anthony Grant, age 21, of Winnebago, Nebraska, is charged with child abuse resulting in death on or about September 10, 2013. The maximum penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 20 years to Life, a fine of $250,000, 5 years of supervised release, and a special assessment of $100.
* Laron Hawkins, age 25, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm on or about September 13, 2013. The maximum penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 10 years, a fine of $250,000, 3 years supervised release, and a special assessment of $100.
* Dewayne K. Long, age 51, of Omaha, is charged with two counts of wire fraud and two counts of mail fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud investors doing business with Citywide Financial Services Corporation . Long, the President of Citywide, allegedly solicited funds under false pretenses by, among other things, representing that funds entrusted to him for investment purposes would earn returns ranging from 100-400 percent annually. The indictment alleges Long only invested a small amount of the investors’ funds and converted the rest to his own personal use. The indictment alleges three victims lost approximately $480,000. Each of the four counts is punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both, and a $100 special assessment.
* Long is charged in a separate indictment along with Leslie A. Schulz, age 66, of Omaha, with conspiracy to defraud the United States and nine counts of filing false claims against the United States. The indictment alleges Schulz, d/b/a Schulz Accounting and Tax Service in Omaha, conspired with Long to submit fraudulent IRS Forms 1099-OID falsely claiming that millions of dollars had been withheld from the income of various taxpayers who claimed they were entitled to refunds. According to the indictment Long referred clients to Schulz for the purpose of having Schulz prepare their tax returns. It is alleged Schulz filed nine separate federal income tax returns falsely claiming, in total, that $6,862,825 had been withheld which returns sought refunds in the amount of $4,701,010. The conspiracy count is punishable by up to 10 years in prison while the other nine counts are punishable by up to 5 years in prison. All ten counts also can be punished by up to a $250,000 fine.
* Jose Martinez-Rodriguez, age 41, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about September 18, 2013, after being deported following conviction for an aggravated felony. The maximum possible penalty if convicted, is imprisonment of 20 years, a fine of $250,000, 3 years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment.* Eduardo Medina, age 37, of Creston, Iowa, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about September 5, 2013, after being deported following conviction for an aggravated felony. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 20 years, a fine of $250,000, 3 years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment.
* Mariano Alberto Miranda-Quiroz, age 31, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about August 15, 2013, after deportation or removal. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 2 years, a $250,000 fine, 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Isaias Navarette-Diaz, age 27, of Omaha, Nebraska is charged in a three-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with misuse of a Social Security Number on or about October 15, 2012. The maximum possible penalty for this count is imprisonment of 5 years, a fine of $250,000, 3 years supervised release, and a special assessment of $100. Count II of the Indictment alleges on or about October 15, 2012, Navarette-Diaz made a false statement and claimed to be a United States citizen with the intent to receive Federal and State benefits and to be employed in the United States. The maximum possible penalty for this count is imprisonment of 5 years, a $250,000 fine, 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III of the Indictment alleges that on or about October 15, 2012, Navarette-Diaz misused a Social Security Card, a State of Colorado Certificate of Live Birth, and a State of Texas Identification Card knowing that said documents were not issued lawfully for his use. The maximum possible penalty for this count is imprisonment of 5 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Trent R. Nitzel, age 45, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges Nitzel with bank robbery resulting in the taking of approximately $5,027.00, from Centennial Bank, 6307 Center Street, Omaha, Nebraska, on or about October 24, 2011. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the indictment charges the defendant with bank robbery resulting in the taking of approximately $3,730.00, from First National Bank, 1601 Capitol Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska, on or about October 28, 2011. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Lois Louise Powell, age 73, of Kimball, Nebraska, is charged with theft of Government funds from the Social Security Administration on or about January 13, 1998, and continuing through on or about July 24, 2013, by receiving payments to which she knew she was not entitled, having a value of approximately $177,675.90. The maximum possible penalty if convicted, is imprisonment of 10 years, a fine of $250,000, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Jose Rodriguez-Bedolla, age 29, of Crete, Nebraska, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about September 5, 2013, after deportation or removal. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 2 years, a $250,000 fine, 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Paul Rosberg, age 62, of Randolph, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment alleges that the defendant solicited another person to threaten use of physical force against a witness on or about August 30, 2013. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 10 years, a $125,000 fine, 5 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment alleges that Rosberg did corruptly endeavor to influence, obstruct, and impede the due administration of the justice. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 10 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Estaban Ignacio Saligan, age 31, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about September 17, 2013, following deportation as an aggravated felon. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 20 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.* Hugo Sotelo-Gardeo, age 36, of Greeley, Colorado, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about February 29, 2013, after deportation or removal. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 10 years, a $250,000 fine, 5 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Matthew C. Steging, age 42, of Emerson, Nebraska, is charged in a three-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with production of child pornography from on or about July 6, 2013 and continuing on to July 15, 2013. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of not less than 15 years or more than 30 years, a $250,000 fine, 5 years to Life of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment charges the defendant with receipt and distribution of child pornography on and before August 26, 2013. If convicted, the maximum possible penalty is imprisonment of not less than 5 years or more than 20 years, a fine of $250,000, 5 years to Life of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Steging is charged in Count III with possession of child pornography from on and before August 26, 2013. The maximum possible penalty for this count if convicted is imprisonment of 10 years, a $250,000 fine, 5 years to Life supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Joaquin Urias-Barranco, age 40, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about August 20, 2013, following deportation as a felon. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 10 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.Indiana Man Sentenced for Mailing White PowderRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that David Naylor, 61, formerly of Perrysville, Indiana, was sentenced today in Lincoln, Nebraska, to 1 day in custody, 100 hours of community service and restitution in the amount of $1,847.89 by United States District Judge John M. Gerrard, for mailing a threatening communication to Mutual of Omaha. In addition, Naylor will serve a three year term of supervised release and pay a $100 special assessment. Naylor was previously incarcerated for 54 days in this case.
On May 14, 2012, the Mutual of Omaha mail processing facility in Blair, Nebraska received an envelope which had been mailed by Naylor for delivery by the United States Postal Service. When the envelope was opened, it was found to contain a white powder. The outside of the envelope stated “open carefully contains cornstarch.”
A standard protocol pertaining to ‘white powder incidents’ was put into effect: the air handling system was shut down, no one was permitted to enter or leave the facility, and employees in the immediate vicinity remained in place. Four employees remained in place, near the envelope, for approximately an hour until the white powder was found to be not hazardous. Reactions amongst these four people ranged from anger to fear.
The Omaha Fire Department hazardous materials unit responded and determined the powder was not harmful. Later testing at a lab confirmed that the substance was cornstarch.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Omaha Man Sentenced to Five Years for Receiving Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that Brian P. Stieren, 37, was sentenced in federal court in Omaha for receiving child pornography. The Honorable Joseph F. Bataillon imposed a sentence of 5 years of imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Stieren’s release from prison he will begin a five year term of supervised release. As a result of his child pornography conviction Stieren will be required to register as a sex offender.
The FBI Omaha Cyber Crimes Task Force executed a search warrant at Stieren’s Omaha residence on March 7, 2012. The warrant sought evidence of the receipt and distribution of child pornography. A forensic review of Stieren’s computer equipment revealed 320 videos of child pornography. The videos were almost all of prepubescent children engaged in sexual acts. Some of the children were as young as 2 years. Some of the videos involved the torture and bondage of young 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 United States Attorney’s= Offices and the Criminal Division's 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.projectsafechildhood.gov.This matter was investigated by the Omaha FBI=s Cyber Crime Task Force (CCTF), of which the Nebraska State Patrol, is a partner. The Omaha CCTF is a multi-jurisdictional task force consisting of eleven federal, state and local law enforcement agencies from Nebraska and Iowa. The mission of the Omaha CCTF is to investigate and apprehend high technology criminals and to protect our communities by preventing high technology crime and national security threats involving computers and computer networks. The Omaha CCTF was established on the premise that the capabilities of law enforcement agencies to investigate computer and high technology related crimes are enhanced in a task force setting involving the sharing of resources and expertise.
Omaha Woman Pleads Guilty to Prostitution and Money Laundering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that Tammy L. Schuck pled guilty today to three counts of a Superseding Indictment: conspiracy to promote a prostitution enterprise and to induce interstate travel to engage in prostitution; inducing or attempting to induce interstate travel to engage in prostitution; and a conspiracy to launder money. She also admitted a forfeiture allegation.
The counts to which Ms. Schuck pled guilty carry the following penalties: a maximum of 5 years imprisonment and $250,000 fine for the conspiracy to promote a prostitution enterprise and to induce interstate travel for prostitution; a maximum of 20 years imprisonment and $250,000 fine for inducing interstate travel to engage in prostitution; and a maximum of 20 years imprisonment and $500,000 fine for conspiracy to launder money.
Starting in approximately April 2008, and continuing to in or about January 2012, Ms. Schuck operated three “spas” in Omaha, Nebraska. Each of the spas was, in fact, a front for prostitution. The majority of customers received sex acts from workers, rather than legitimate spa services, in exchange for money. Ms. Schuck and other workers had “sessions” with customers during which they provided sex acts in exchange for money. Some customers traveled to the spas from Iowa and from other states to obtain sex acts for money. Customers paid a “door fee” depending on the length of the session and negotiated a separate “tip” with the workers for the sex act.
Ms. Schuck and others acting at her direction deposited cash generated by the operation of the spas into Defendant’s business and personal bank accounts. Ms. Schuck also arranged for credit card revenues from operation of the spas to be deposited into both accounts.
Ms. Schuck placed advertisements for the spas on the internet. Ms. Schuck also helped create a website for the spas accessible over the internet, and periodically updated the website. Established customers could access a “Members Only” section of the website to read about the female workers providing services and view provocative pictures of them.
During the time when Ms. Schuck owned and managed the spas, there were an overall total of more than twenty workers providing commercial sex acts. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Omaha Police Department and the Internal Revenue Service, under the auspices of the Child Exploitation Task Force, which also includes the Council Bluffs Police Department, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, the La Vista Police Department, the Mills County Sheriff’s Office and the Nebraska State Patrol.Former State Senator Enters a Plea of Guilty to Wire FraudRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that Brenda Council waived Indictment and entered a plea of guilty to a felony Information charging her with Wire Fraud. The plea was entered before the Honorable Lyle E. Strom, Senior United States District Court Judge, in Omaha. The Court ordered a presentence investigation and set sentencing for December 5, 2013.
The Information charged that Council, while a Nebraska State Senator, withdrew campaign funds and used those funds to place wagers at casinos in Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Council misappropriated approximately $63,000 from her campaign funds between January 2010 and July 2012.
Council solicited campaign contributions from individuals and businesses to facilitate her election and re-election to the Unicameral. Periodic campaign statements accounting for contributions and expenses were filed with the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission. The periodic campaign statements were false in that they failed to account for the electronic transfer of funds at various casinos for the purpose of wagering.
During the calendar years 2010 and 2011 Council placed wagers at casinos in Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Using an ATM card drawing off her election campaign account, she would withdraw campaign funds from her bank account in Nebraska. Withdrawals would be made from ATM machines in or near the casinos in Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. The electronically withdrawn funds would then be used to wager at the casinos.
Council entered into a plea agreement with the United States. The plea agreement contains a provision wherein the parties agree that the appropriate sentence is a term of probation. Should the Court accept the plea agreement the Court must impose a sentence of probation. The Court retains the discretion to set the length and terms of probation and impose a fine within the statutory limits. The Court may also order restitution.
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg expressed her appreciation to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their investigation. Ms. Gilg noted that the felony charge is an appropriate disposition that highlights the serious nature of her actions. Ms. Gilg further noted that Council violated the public trust through her misuse of campaign contributions.Mexican Sex Offender Sentenced for Failing to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that Bernardo Williams-Jauraqui was sentenced in federal court in Omaha for failing to register as a sex offender. The Honorable Laurie Smith Camp sentenced Williams-Jauraqui to 21 months in prison. After his release from prison Williams-Jauraqui will begin a 5 year term of supervised release.
Bernardo Williams-Jauraqui was convicted on March 15, 2005, of Third Degree Sexual Assault in Douglas County, Nebraska. After sentencing, he was released to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for deportation. Before he was deported, he signed his Nebraska Notification of Sex Offender Registration Responsibilities Form acknowledging his requirement to register as a sex offender until 2020. Williams-Jauraqui was deported to Mexico in December 2005, April 2006 and again in April 2008.
Bernardo Williams-Jauraqui was convicted in September 2007 for failing to register as a sex offender. He was then using the alias Jesus Salas.
On September 26, 2011, Bernardo Williams-Jauraqui was arrested by the Ralston Police Department for Driving Under Suspension. He was using the alias Ebaristo Casanova-Iniguez. Investigation by the United States Marshals Service determined that Williams-Jauraqui was working for a construction company under the name Moises Medina.
Bernardo Williams-Jauraqui had not registered his residence or employment with the Nebraska Sex Offender Registry upon returning to Nebraska. The Marshals Service obtained a complaint and warrant, but Williams-Jauraqui left Nebraska.
On February 1, 2013, Bernardo Williams-Jauraqui was arrested near Nogales, Arizona attempting to illegally enter the United States. He was interviewed by Deputies of the United States Marshals Service on February 5, 2013. He admitted that he was convicted of Third Degree Sexual Assault, was deported and returned to the United States. He admitted working at King Contracting in Lincoln from 2009-2011. He left upon learning that the Marshals Service was investigating him and returned to Mexico. He further acknowledged signing the Sex Offender Responsibilities Form and indicated he was aware of his duty to register as a sex offender.
The case was prosecuted as a part of Project Safe Childhood. Project Safe Childhood is an initiative of the United States Department of Justice designed to protect children from individuals who would exploit them online or offline and includes individuals who travel in interstate commerce and fail to register as sex offenders as required by law. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.Lincoln Man Found Guilty of Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that Ricardo Omar Hernandez, age 36 of Lincoln, Nebraska, was convicted by a federal jury on August 29, 2013, of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine mixture and 5 grams or more of pure methamphetamine after a trial of three-and-one-half days. The jury also found that Hernandez should forfeit $12,914.00 in cash to the United States.
Hernandez was indicted on the conspiracy charge in June of 2013. He is scheduled for sentencing on November 26, 2013. If he is found to have a prior felony drug conviction, he faces a sentence of at least 20 years to life imprisonment and a fine of up to $20,000,000. Otherwise, the potential penalty is 10 years to life imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000,000.
Evidence presented at trial indicated that between January of 2011 and February 23, 2013, Hernandez was involved with persons who were distributing methamphetamine in the Lincoln, Beatrice, and Omaha areas. Witnesses testified at trial that Hernandez obtained methamphetamine from sources in Omaha and Lincoln. He sold methamphetamine to persons in Lincoln. Some of Hernandez’s customers sold methamphetamine in Lincoln. One customer sold methamphetamine in Beatrice.
On February 23, 2013, a search warrant was served by the Lincoln Police Department at Hernandez’s Lincoln apartment. During that search, officers found 17.41 grams of methamphetamine which was determined to be at least 95% pure along with $12,914.00 in cash.
The matter was investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force, which includes the Lincoln Police Department Narcotics Unit and investigators from the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Department and the UNL Police Department, and assistance was also provided by the Nebraska State Patrol and the Federal Bureau Investigation, (FBI).Valley Man Sentenced to 87 Months for Receiving Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that Tanner D. Jurgens, 34, of Valley was sentenced in the United States District Court in Omaha for receiving and distributing child pornography. The Honorable John M. Gerrard sentenced Jurgens to 87 months of imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison Jurgens will begin a ten year term of supervised release and will be required to register as a sex offender.
On February 15, 2013, investigators with the FBI Cyber Crimes Task Force served a search warrant seeking evidence of child pornography at Jurgen’s home in Valley, Nebraska. Forty (40) videos and 800 images of child pornography were located on computers in the residence. The videos included a substantial number of prepubescent children engaged in sexual acts.
Jurgens admitted to downloading and deleting child pornography over a twenty (20) year period. A review of the search terms used by Jurgens to locate child pornography included terms seeking images of 3, 6, 7 and 10 year old 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 United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's 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.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Seventeen Arrested in Long-Term Methamphetamine InvestigationRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney, Deborah R. Gilg, announces the arrests of the following in Ogallala, Nebraska, Brule, Nebraska and surrounding cities in western Nebraska and eastern Colorado:
Luis Enrique Miramontes-Arteaga
Andres Barruza
J. Merced Rodriguez Barajas
Ruben Avila Barraza
Jesus German-Diaz
Johnny Martinez
Anisha Martinez
Anthony Weinrich
Mark Piper
Jacklynn Walker
Darren Relerford
Chris Hackbart
Bobby Griffin
Kirsten Griffin
Sharon Kay Tyler
Minnie Beth Donner
Linda Breese
All are charged with Conspiracy to distribute, and possess with the intent to distribute, methamphetamine. This investigation is the result of a long-term investigation by the FBI, Nebraska State Patrol, Ogallala Police Department, North Platte Police Department, CODE Task Force, WING Task Force, Keith County Sheriff’s Office, Keith County Attorney’s Office, Cheyenne County Attorney’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, Deuel County Sheriff’s Office, Phillips County Colorado Sheriff’s Office, Holyoke Colorado Police Department, Eastern Colorado Plains Drug Task Force and the United States Attorney’s Office. Law enforcement seized over three pounds of methamphetamine and $8,000 in U.S. Currency in connection with this investigation.Omaha Man Sentenced for Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that Jesus Acosta Robles, 49, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced in federal court in Omaha for Bank Robbery. The Honorable Joseph F. Bataillon sentenced Robles to 63 months in prison. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Robles will begin a three year term of supervised release.
On August 13, 2012, Robles robbed the Wells Fargo Bank, located at 4650 South 24th Street, Omaha, Nebraska. During the robbery, Robles took from Wells Fargo Bank an amount totaling approximately $297.00. Omaha Police responded to the robbery, at which time responding officers located Robles hiding in bushes approximately 1-2 blocks from the Wells Fargo Bank.
This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department.
Former Omaha Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Improperly Accessing a Protected ComputerRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that on August 27, 2013, Kevin Cave, age 37 of Bellevue, appeared before United States District Judge Joseph F. Bataillon and entered a plea of guilty to one count of Exceeding Authorized Access to a Protected Computer for Private Financial Gain. The charge carries a possible penalty of up to five years in prison, up to a $250,000 fine or both and can be followed by up to three years of supervised release.
Cave was employed as an officer with the Omaha Police Department. In that capacity he had access to the NCJIS, (Nebraska Criminal Justice Information System), database maintained by the Nebraska Crime Commission. NCJIS is linked to numerous other databases within the State of Nebraska and other states and can provide officers with information on suspects or witnesses to include criminal history information, drivers’ license information, employment information, and parole and probation information. Commencing in 2010 and continuing until August of 2012, Cave conducted unauthorized NCJIS searches on behalf of car dealerships seeking to repossess cars. He conducted the searches because he was being paid up to $200.00 for each lead that led to a successful repossession. Between on or about March 2, 2010, and August 21, 2012, Cave received at least $16,050.00 from the dealerships for having done so.
Sentencing is set for November 15, 2013. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Omaha Man Sentenced for Theft of U.S. Government Money and PropertyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that on August 21, 2013, Senior United States District Court Judge Lyle E. Strom sentenced Christopher Stevens, age 52, to 6 months imprisonment, following his conviction for Theft of U.S. Government Money and Property. Stevens was also ordered to serve a three year term of supervised release after serving his prison term and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment. He was also ordered to make restitution in the amount of $71,191.49.
During the period of March 18, 2007, through May 16, 2012, Christopher Stevens received approximately $43,722.00 in unentitled Social Security Disability benefits and $27,469.49 in unentitled Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services benefits in a fraudulent manner by failing to advise the Social Security Administration and Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services that, while receiving his benefits, he was employed as a counselor and property manager. On several occasions, Mr. Stevens provided false information and failed to advise the Social Security Administration and Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services regarding his true work status. Had the Social Security Administration and Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services known that he was employed as a counselor and property manager, he would not have been provided the amount of benefits received.
This case was investigated by the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General.
August Grand JuryRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned 28 indictments charging 29 defendants. Indictments are charging documents that contain one or more individual counts that are merely accusations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
* Antoinette Blackfish, age 22, of Winnebago, Nebraska, is charged with assaulting a Police Officer with the Bureau of Indian Affairs on or about July 24, 2013. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 20 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years supervised release, and a special assessment of $100.
* Latosha A. Bolton, also known as LaTosha A. Harlan, age 46, of Omaha, Nebraska , is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment alleges from on or about November 1993 and continuing through April, 2013, the defendant caused to be sent and delivered by the United States Postal Service a United States Treasury check based on false representations. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 20 years, a fine of $250,000, 3 years supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment alleges that on or about August 2008 and continuing thru on or about April 2013 the defendant stole money of the Social Security Administration by obtaining SSI payments to which she was not entitled. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 10 years, a fine of $250,000, 3 years supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.* Adolfo Chavez, age 52, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about July 31, 2013, following deportation as a felon. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 10 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Alex Isidro Cubas-Reyes, age 26, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about April 23, 2013, after deportation or removal. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 2 years, a $250,000 fine, 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Albert Dansby, age 59, of Beaumont, Texas, is charged in a three-count Indictment. Count 1 of the Indictment charges the defendant with bank robbery of US Bank, 1700 Farnam Street, Omaha, Nebraska, on or about July 24, 2013. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment charges the defendant with bank robbery of Bank of the West, 1921 Harney Street, Omaha, Nebraska, on or about August 9, 2013. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III of the Indictment charges the defendant with escape from federal custody on or about July 18, 2013. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.* Vicente De Lao-Olvera, also known as Gordo, age 24, and Jose Pablo Bojorquez-Quevedo, also known as Nitro, age 57 are charged in a seven-count indictment. Count I alleges that beginning at an unknown time but at least as early as on or about August 1, 2013 and continuing to on or about August 2, 2013, the defendants conspired together and with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine. The maximum possible penalty is imprisonment of not less than 10 years and up to life, a $10 million fine, a 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II alleges that on or about August 2, 2013, the defendants possessed with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. The maximum possible penalty is imprisonment of not less than 10 years and up to life, a $10 million fine, a 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III alleges that on or about March 20, 2013, Vicente De Lao-Olvera, also known as Gordo, did distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. The maximum possible penalty is imprisonment of not less than 10 years and up to life, a $10 million fine, a 5 year term of supervised release and a $100 special assessment. Counts IV, V, VI and VII allege that on or about April 8, 2013, on or about May 17, 2013, on or about June 12, 2013, and on or about June 27, 2013, Vicente De Lao-Olvera, also known as Gordo, did knowingly distribute a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. The maximum possible penalty is imprisonment of 20 years, a $1 million fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment for each count. The indictment also alleges any and all property constituting or derived from any proceeds obtained directly or indirectly as a result of the violations alleged in the indictment, including but not limited to: $154,730.00 in United States currency, 4 vehicles, 5 firearms, and ammunition, should be forfeited to the United States.
* Daniel Fuentes-Garcia, age 28, of Imperial, Nebraska, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about August 9, 2013, after deportation or removal. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 10 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Carlos Efrain Gallegos-Ruiz, age 31, of Lexington, Nebraska, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about July 23, 2013, after deportation or removal. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 2 years, a $250,000 fine, 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Juan Huerta-Navarrete, age 42, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about August 1, 2013, following deportation as an aggravated felon. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 20 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Milton J. LaRose, also known as Milton J. Drappeau, age 25, of Winnebago, Nebraska, is charged with assaulting a Police Officer with the Bureau of Indian Affairs on or about July 11, 2013. If convicted, he faces a maximum imprisonment of 20 years, a $250,000 fine, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and a special assessment of $100.
* Carlos Enrique Lopez-Hernandez, age 32, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about July 6, 2013, after deportation or removal. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 2 years, a $250,000 fine, 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Miguel Lucas-Bernabe, age 46, of Crete, Nebraska, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about January 7, 2013, following deportation as a felon. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 10 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Susana Mendez Jimenez, age 28, is charged in a three-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with misuse of a Social Security Number on or about April 7, 2013. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 5 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment alleges on or about April 7, 2013, Mendez Jimenez made a false statement and claimed to be a United States citizen with the intent to receive Federal and State benefits and to be employed in the United States. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 5 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III charges that on or about April 7, 2013, Mendez Jimenez misused a Social Security Card and a State of Nebraska Identification Card knowing that said documents were not issued lawfully for his use. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 5 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Luis Enrique Miramontes-Arteaga, age 19, is charged with distribution of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. The maximum possible penalty is imprisonment of 20 years, a $1 million fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Jorge Armando Moran-Aceituno, age 38, of Fremont, Nebraska, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about August 6, 2013, following deportation as a felon. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 10 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Fulgencio Morente-Tino, age 25, of Grand Island, Nebraska, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about August 10, 2013, after deportation or removal. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 2 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Gerardo Ortiz-Reyes , age 31, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about July 18, 2013, following deportation as an aggravated felon. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 20 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Arnoldo Perez-Melchor, age 32, of Omaha, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with illegal reentry into the United States on or about August 9, 2013, following deportation as a felon. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 10 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment charges the defendant with failure to register as a Sex Offender in the State of Nebraska on or about August 9, 2013. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 10 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Ramon Perez-Rea, age 32, of Kearney, Nebraska, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about May 19, 2013, after deportation or removal. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 2 years, a $250,000 fine, 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Davaughn Richard Lavell Perkins, age 23, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing cocaine base on or about July 23, 2013. The maximum possible penalty is imprisonment of not less than 5 years and up to 40 years, $5 million fine, a 5 year term of supervised release and a $100 special assessment. The indictment also alleges any and all property constituting or derived from any proceeds obtained directly or indirectly as a result of the violation alleged in the indictment, including but not limited to: $472.00 in United States currency, should be forfeited to the United States.
* Lino Margarito Quintana-Morales , also known as Lino B. Prieto, approximately 30 years old, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about March 16, 2013, after deportation or removal. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 2 years, a $250,000 fine, 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Jose Sanchez Gamez , age 34, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about July 27, 2013, after deportation or removal. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 2 years, a $250,000 fine, 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Abel Sinfuegos-Aguirre, also known as Abel Martinez Aguirre, also known as Abel Martinez Guerra , age 35, of Jacinto City, Texas, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about July 1, 2013, following deportation as an aggravated felon. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 20 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Azucena Reyes, age 35, of Sioux City, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I charges the defendant with assault with a dangerous weapon on or about June 22, 2013. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 10 years, a fine of $250,000, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges Reyes with criminal mischief on or about June 22, 2013. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 1 year, a fine of $100,000, 1 year supervised release, and a $25 special assessment.
* Joseph H. Ronquillo, also known as Kilo, also known as Kenino, age 21, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I alleges that on or about July 23, 2013, the defendant possessed with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine. The maximum possible penalty is imprisonment of not less than 5 years and up to 40 years, a $5 million fine, a 5 year term of supervised release and a $100 special assessment. Count II alleges that on or about July 23, 2013, the defendant possessed a Taurus 1911 pistol in furtherance of the drug trafficking offense alleged in Count I. The maximum possible penalty is imprisonment of not less than 5 years and up to life to be served consecutive to any other sentence imposed, a $250,000 fine, a 5 year term of supervised release and a $100 special assessment. The indictment also alleges any and all property constituting or derived from any proceeds obtained directly or indirectly as a result of the violations alleged in the indictment, including, but not limited to $3,536.25 in United States currency seized from the defendant on July 23, 2013, should be forfeited to the United States.* Jesus Ruiz-Izaguirre, age 38, of Lincoln, Nebraska, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about August 5, 2013, following deportation as an aggravated felon. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 20 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Marcos Francisco Vasquez-Gomez, age 35, of Fremont, Nebraska, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about April 23, 2013, after deportation or removal. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 2 years, a $250,000 fine, 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.* Patricia Walker-Halstead, age 67, of Omaha, is charged with 11 counts of wire fraud as a result of her alleged involvement in a scheme to defraud a client of her business, Walker Investigations. The indictment alleges Walker-Halstead convinced a client who feared she was being stalked to give her money in exchange for providing security services. It is alleged Walker-Halstead falsely represented she had conducted an investigation yielding evidence sufficient to take the stalker to court. The indictment also alleges that Walker-Halstead told the client that she was working with a Captain with the Nebraska State Patrol and, further, that the Captain was a potential romantic suitor for the client. At various times Walker-Halstead represented that the Captain, (reportedly named “Scott), needed money for various purposes and asked the client to send her money which she would, in turn, give to “Scott.” In fact, according to the indictment, “Scott” did not exist and Walker-Halstead did not provide the services she represented she had performed. According to the indictment Walker-Halstead obtained approximately $856,080.22 from the client through her alleged misrepresentations. It is alleged Walker-Halstead used the money to make personal purchases and to pay for her personal gambling expenditures. Each of the wire fraud counts is punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine or both, along with a 5 year term of supervised release and a $100 special assessment. The indictment also seeks the forfeiture of a 2012 GMC Terrain and the contents of a bank account in the name of Walker Investigations.
Omaha Man Sentenced in Spa Prostitution CaseRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that William Knox, age 64, was sentenced today in Omaha by Chief United States District Judge Laurie Smith Camp to 12 months plus 1 day in federal prison, followed by 2 years of supervised release following his convictions on two counts of violating federal law. He was also fined $50,000 for each count. Mr. Knox had previously pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to use facilities in interstate commerce in aid of a racketeering enterprise, that is, a business enterprise involving prostitution, and to induce travel in interstate commerce with intent to engage in prostitution, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. Mr. Knox also forfeited a 2005 Ford Expedition, a 2004 Nissan Roadster and three bank accounts totaling $4,641.89. In addition, Mr. Knox paid $225,000.00 in satisfaction of a money judgment for proceeds of the offense.
Starting in the late 1990’s, and continuing to 2012, Mr. Knox owned and managed a “spa” in Omaha, Nebraska. The spa had different names over time, but was frequently referred to as the Ninety Third Street Spa.
Ninety Third Street Spa was, in fact, a front for prostitution. The majority of customers received sex acts from the workers, rather than legitimate spa services, in exchange for money. Some customers traveled to the spas from Iowa and from other states to obtain sex acts for money.
Mr. Knox generally hired someone to work at the front desk, take appointments, collect money and schedule workers. Customers paid a fee that varied by the length of the “session.” That fee was kept by Ninety Third Street Spa. Customers separately negotiated a “tip” with the worker, which the worker kept. Mr. Knox had “sessions” with workers, during which he obtained sex acts in exchange for money.Mr. Knox also negotiated agreements with others to buy Ninety Third Street Spa as an ongoing business and make payments to Mr. Knox over time. Mr. Knox never ultimately completed the sale of Ninety Third Street Spa.
Mr. Knox and others acting at his direction deposited revenue generated by the operation of Ninety Third Street Spa into a bank account which Mr. Knox opened and controlled, under the name NTS Spa, Ltd. dba Ninety Third Street Spa (“Spa Bank Account”). Mr. Knox wrote checks drawn on the Spa Bank Account for “management fees” and deposited them into another account he had opened, under the name Knox Contracting & Development, William R. Knox (“KCD Bank Account”). Mr. Knox wrote checks drawn on the KCD Bank Account for particular “pay periods” and deposited them into a personal checking account he had opened under his name.
Mr. Knox placed advertisements for Ninety Third Street Spa on the internet. Customers arranged appointments using cellular telephones and other facilities in interstate commerce.
During the time when Mr. Knox owned and managed Ninety Third Street Spa, there were five or more participants operating and managing it and an overall total of more than twenty workers providing commercial sex acts.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Omaha Police Department and the Internal Revenue Service, under the auspices of the Child Exploitation Task Force, which also includes the Council Bluffs Police Department, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, the La Vista Police Department, the Mills County Sheriff’s Office and the Nebraska State Patrol.
Three Sentenced in Major Drug Conspiracy & Money Laundering RingRead the Press Release
On June 3, 2013, Rosalina Gonzalez was sentenced by Chief Judge Laurie Smith Camp for Conspiracy to Distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine mixture and Money Laundering. She will serve a term of 135 months in prison for both charges to be served concurrently. In addition, she was sentenced to a term of Supervised Release of 5 years on the drug conspiracy charges and 3 years on the money laundering charges.
On August 12, 2013, Jose Flores-Garcia was sentenced by Chief Judge Laurie Smith Camp for Conspiracy to Distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine mixture and Money Laundering. He will serve a term of 210 months for the drug conspiracy and 210 months for the money laundering charge to be served concurrently, a term of Supervised Release of 5 years on the drug conspiracy charge and 3 years on the money laundering charges.
On August 12, 2013, Jorge Luis Flores Contreras was sentenced by Chief Judge Laurie Smith Camp for Conspiracy to Distribute 500 grams or more methamphetamine mixture and Money Laundering. He will serve a term of 108 months for the drug conspiracy and 108 months for the money laundering charge to be served concurrently, a term of Supervised Release 5 years for the drug conspiracy charges and 3 years on the money laundering charges.
The case involved wiretaps and an informant jointly handled by the Bellevue and Omaha Police Departments, the Internal Revenue Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement.
Grand Island Man Sentenced for Structuring Bank Transactions to Evade Reporting RequirementsRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that Senior United States District Court Judge Richard G. Kopf sentenced Randy Evans, age 60 of Grand Island, Nebraska, to 5 years of probation, a $50,000.00 fine, and ordered the forfeiture of $32,702.85. In addition, Evans must pay a $100 special assessment.
Randy L. Evans is the owner of RCE Investments, Inc., doing business as Randy Auto Sales, located in Grand Island, Nebraska. Between January 4, 2010 and February 28, 2012, Randy Evans deposited and directed currency deposits in a bank account of Randy’s Auto Sales at Five Points Bank, a financial institution as defined by federal law. Evans was aware of the financial institution’s legal obligation to report currency transactions in excess of $10,000. During the period set forth in the Indictment, Evans intentionally structured, and caused to be structured, currency deposits with Five Points Bank in amounts under $10,000, in order to evade the reporting requirements of federal law. During the period in question, Evans structured, and caused to be structured, currency transactions totaling between $1,000,000 and $2,030,322.22, including $32,702.85 seized by the United States from a bank account controlled by Evans at Five Points Bank during this investigation.
“The use of cash is legal, however, structuring cash transactions to evade federal reporting requirements is illegal,” said Sybil Smith, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation. “Individuals who engage in this type of activity run the risk of a possible prison sentence, a monetary forfeiture and/or fine.”
This case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigations.Walthill Man Sentenced for AssaultRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that Mark Phillips, age 60 of Walthill, Nebraska, was sentenced in the United States District Court in Omaha for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon. The Honorable Lyle E. Strom, Senior Judge, sentenced Phillips to 33 months of imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison Phillips will begin a 3 year term of supervised release.
On September 21, 2012, Phillips stabbed his adult son in the chest with a kitchen knife. The stabbing occurred within the family home in Walthill. The victim was treated for a 3 centimeter wound and released. Federal jurisdiction was based upon Phillips status as a Native American and the scene of the crime being within the Omaha Indian Reservation.
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg expressed her appreciation to the Omaha Tribal Police Department and the FBI for their investigation of this matter.
Hickman Couple Sentenced for Failing to Pay Federal TaxesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg and Sybil Smith, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation announced that Michael and Laurie Russell, of Hickman, Nebraska, were sentenced in Lincoln, Nebraska, by United States District Judge John M. Gerrard, for failing to pay employment taxes in 2006. Michael Russell was sentenced to 16 months in prison, followed by a 3 year term of supervised release. Laurie Russell was sentenced to 6 months in prison, followed by 6 months of house arrest as a condition of 3 years of supervised release. The Russells were also ordered to pay restitution, jointly, to the Internal Revenue Service, in the amount of $311,486.21.
The Russells jointly owned and operated a window installation business, North Country Windows. In 2006 they were withholding income and FICA taxes from employee paychecks, but paid none of it to the IRS. Despite failing to make any payments to the IRS, the Russells lived a comfortable lifestyle. The Russells had the financial ability to pay the taxes, and their failure to do so was willful.
“Business owners have a responsibility to withhold income taxes for employees and remit those taxes to the Internal Revenue Service,” said Sybil Smith, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation. “We are committed to pursuing those who violate the employment tax laws.”
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division.Central Nebraska Man Sentenced to 60 Months Imprisonment for Distributing Methamphetamine in Grand Island, NebraskaRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that yesterday the Honorable John M. Gerrard, U.S. District Court Judge, sentenced Luis Jordan, 36, to 60 months imprisonment, to be followed by 4 years of supervised release, and he was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment, following his conviction for distribution of methamphetamine.
On November 4, 2011, and November 8, 2011, Jordan sold a total of 20 grams (about ¾ of an ounce) of 95% pure methamphetamine to a cooperating witness who was working with law enforcement in Grand Island. On October 20, 2012, Jordan set up a deal to sell 5 ounces of methamphetamine to a cooperating witness in Duncan, Nebraska. As Jordan arrived at the meeting location, he was stopped by law enforcement. Officers located a stuffed animal in the cargo area of his Chevrolet Tahoe that contained a Crown Royal bag and inside the bag was the methamphetamine.
The Central Nebraska Drug and Safe Streets Task Force in Grand Island and Specialized Narcotics Abuse Reduction Effort (SNARE) Drug Task Force in Columbus was responsible for the investigation of this case.
Mexican National Sentenced to 7 Years for Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that Ricardo Reyes, 33, a Mexican national, was sentenced for receiving child pornography. The Honorable Richard G. Kopf, Senior United States District Court Judge, sentenced Reyes to seven years in prison. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, if not deported, Reyes will begin a five year term of supervised release.
In October 2012 Investigators with the Nebraska State Patrol and FBI Cyber Crimes Task Force downloaded several images of child pornography from a South Omaha residence. A federal search warrant seeking evidence of child pornography was served on January 15, 2013.
Forensic analysis of Reyes’s computer revealed approximately 100 videos of child pornography. The videos included children from 2 to 9 years of age engaged in various sexual acts. Reyes admitted to downloading child pornography and keeping the child pornography he downloaded.
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 United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's 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.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Woman Sentenced for Interstate Transportation to Promote ProstitutionRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that Jessica Alamina, age 27 of St. Robert, Missouri, was sentenced to 21 months imprisonment by United States District Judge Joseph F. Bataillon for transporting an individual with intent to promote prostitution. Following her release from incarceration, she will serve 3 years of supervised release. She will also forfeit to the United States $580 in United States currency, numerous cell phones, a camera, and computer equipment.
In late May of 2012, Ms. Alamina transported a young woman from Illinois to Missouri. After they arrived in Missouri, Ms. Alamina took photographs of the young woman. Ms. Alamina included the photographs in online advertisements she placed for locations in Missouri. The female had “dates” with customers who responded to the advertisements, during which the female engaged in prostitution.
Then in early June of 2012, Ms. Alamina transported the young woman from Missouri to Omaha, Nebraska. One purpose of the trip was for the young woman to engage in prostitution in the Omaha area. Ms. Alamina posted advertisements for the young woman in the “Escorts” section of Backpage.com for Omaha, Nebraska. The young woman had “dates” with customers who responded to the advertisements, during which she engaged in prostitution. The female provided money from the “dates” to Ms. Alamina.
This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the auspices of the Child Exploitation Task Force, which also includes the Council Bluffs Police Department, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, the La Vista Police Department, the Mills County Sheriff’s Office and the Nebraska State Patrol.Omaha Man Given 24 Month Prison Sentence for Pointing Laser at AircraftRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that Michael A. Smith, age 30 of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced in federal court in Omaha for shining a laser pointer at a police helicopter. The Honorable John Gerrard sentenced Smith to 24 months in prison to be followed by a 3 year term of supervised release.
On April 24, 2013, Smith was convicted by a federal jury, following a 2 day trial, for striking an Omaha Police Department helicopter with a laser pointer in Northwest Omaha. The police helicopter was responding to a Southwest Airlines commercial flight which reported that it had been struck by a laser one hour earlier.
Smith is the first person indicted in the District of Nebraska under a new federal law making it a federal crime to target aircrafts with lasers. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, lasers can temporarily blind a pilot and make it impossible to safely land an aircraft. Smith faced a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Air Marshal Service, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the Omaha Police Department.July Grand JuryRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned 24 indictments charging 32 defendants. Indictments are charging documents that contain one or more individual counts that are merely accusations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
* Jacqueline Alba, age 31, of Omaha, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine on or about November 2, 2012. The maximum possible penalty is imprisonment of not less than 10 years and up to life, a $10 million fine, a 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Dominic D. Alicea, age 36, of Bellevue, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of actual methamphetamine on or about April 16, 2013. The maximum possible penalty is imprisonment of not less than 5 years and up to 40 years, a $5 million fine, a 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Justin T. Boe, age 26, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm on or about May 21, 2013. The maximum possible penalty is imprisonment of 10 years, a fine of $250,000, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Lee Cary, age 34, of Omaha, is charged with possession and possession with intent to distribute gamma-butyrolactone, also known as “GBL”, a controlled substance analogue. The maximum possible penalty is imprisonment of 20 years, a $1 million fine, a 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Jesus Gomez, age 31, Marcial Corona, age 21, Daniel Alberto, also known as Daniel Padilla-Rodriguez, age 19, Rachel Galvan, age 28, and Alexander Studer, age 26, are charged in a two count indictment. Count I alleges that beginning on an unknown date, but at least as early as November 1, 2012, and continuing to on or about March 9, 2013, the defendants conspired together and with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. The maximum possible penalty is imprisonment of not less than 10 years and up to life, a $10 million fine, a 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II alleges that on or about, March 8, 2013, the defendants possessed with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. The maximum possible penalty is imprisonment of not less than 10 years and up to life, a $10 million fine, a 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Salvador Gonzalez-Luna, age 47, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about June 23, 2013, following deportation as an aggravated felon. The maximum possible penalty if convicted includes imprisonment of 20 years, a fine of $250,000, followed by 3 years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment.
* Zenon Gutierrez-Reyes, age 28, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about July 2, 2013, following deportation as an aggravated felon. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 20 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Francisco Mateo Juan, age 43, of Madison, Nebraska, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about May 23, 2013, after deportation or removal. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 2 years, a $250,000 fine, 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Paul Brooks Leetch, age 35, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm on or about June 6, 2013. The maximum possible penalty is imprisonment of 10 years, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a special assessment of $100.
* Yohan Noe Lopez-Acosta, age 27, Edgar Herberto Rodriguez-Morales, age 37, Juan Carlos Vargas-Garcia, age 35, all of Omaha, and Carlos Armando Corona-Sanchez, age 26, of Downey, California, are charged in a four count indictment. Count I alleges that beginning on or about November 27, 2012, and continuing to on or about July 16, 2013, the defendants conspired together and with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. The maximum possible penalty is imprisonment of not less than 10 years and up to life, a $10 million fine, a 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II alleges that on or about July 15, 2013, Yohan Noe Lopez-Acosta possessed with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. The maximum possible penalty is imprisonment of not less than 10 years and up to life, a $10 million fine, a 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III alleges that on or about July 16, 2013, Edgar Herberto Rodriguez-Morales possessed with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. The maximum possible penalty is imprisonment of not less than 10 years and up to life, a $10 million fine, a 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count IV alleges that on or about July 16, 2013, Juan Carlos Vargas-Garcia possessed with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. The maximum possible penalty is imprisonment of not less than 10 years and up to life, a $10 million fine, a 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. The indictment also alleges $17,400.00 in United States currency seized on July 16, 2013, should be forfeited to the United States.
* Jennifer Lovings, age 36, is charged in a five count indictment. Count I alleges that beginning on an unknown date, but at least as early as November 1, 2012, and continuing to on or about March 9, 2013, the defendant conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. The maximum possible penalty is imprisonment of not less than 10 years and up to life, a $10 million fine, a 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Counts II, III, and IV allege that on or about January 30, February 5, and February 20, 2013, the defendant distributed 5 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. The maximum possible penalty for each count is imprisonment of not less than 5 years and up to 40 years, a $5 million fine, a 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count V alleges that on or about March 8, 2013, the defendant possessed with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. The maximum possible penalty is imprisonment of not less than 10 years and up to life, a $10 million fine, a 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Alejandro Nieves-Osorio, age 31, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about July 12, 2013, after deportation or removal. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 2 years, a $250,000 fine, 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Hugo Ortega-Romero, age 35, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about April 29, 2013, after deportation or removal. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 2 years, a $250,000 fine, 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Michael Peitzmeier, age 48, of Fremont, is charged in a two count indictment. Count I alleges that from on or about October 18, 2011, through and including to on or about June 10, 2013, the defendant converted to his own use funds or property having a value in excess of $1,000, which came into his hands or under his control as an employee of the United States Postal Service. The maximum possible penalty includes imprisonment of 10 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II alleges that from on or about October 18, 2011, through and including to on or about June 10, 2013, the defendant, while an employee of the United States Postal Service and charged with the duty of receiving, holding, and paying over monies to and on behalf of the United States Postal Service made a false report of such monies. The maximum possible penalty includes imprisonment of 10 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Lawrence Pyle, age 30, of Omaha, is charged in a two count indictment. Count I alleges that on or about June 11, 2013, the defendant distributed 5 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. The maximum possible penalty is imprisonment of not less than 5 years and up to 40 years, a $5 million fine, a 5 year term of supervised release and a $100 special assessment. Count II alleges that on or about June 20, 2013, the defendant possessed with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. The maximum possible penalty is imprisonment of not less than 5 years and up to 40 years, a $5 million fine, a 5 year term of supervised release and a $100 special assessment.
* Jeffrey Ritchison, age 28, of Omaha, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm on or about June 13, 2013. The maximum possible penalty for this count is imprisonment of 15 years, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a special assessment of $100.
* Javier Rochin-Rochin and Uriel Guadalupe Chaparro-Acosta, are charged with conspiring together and with others to possess and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine beginning on an unknown date but at least from June 26, 2013, and continuing to June 27, 3013. The maximum possible penalty is imprisonment of not less than 10 years and up to life, a $10 million fine, a 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. The indictment also alleges $49,944.00 in United States currency seized on June 27, 2013, should be forfeited to the United States.
* David B. Romanski, age 39, of Lincoln, is charged in the first count of an indictment with receipt and distribution of child pornography from at least on or about October 8, 2008, and continuing to on or about May 18, 2013. If convicted, the maximum possible penalty includes imprisonment of not less than 5 years or more than 20 years, a fine of $250,000, supervised release for life, and a $100 special assessment. The defendant is charged in Count II with possession of child pornography on or about May 24, 2013. The maximum possible penalty for this count includes imprisonment of 10 years, a $250,000 fine, supervised release for life, and a $100 special assessment. The indictment also alleges property used or intended to be used as part of these violations should be forfeited to the United States.
* Pedro Salgado-Ocampo, age 33, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about June 2, 2013, following deportation as an aggravated felon. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 20 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Victor Sandoval-Venosa, age 34, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about April 23, 2013, after deportation or removal. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is imprisonment of 2 years, a $250,000 fine, 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Martin Tovar-Garcia, age 41, is charged in a two count indictment. Count I alleges that beginning on or about June 1, 2012, and continuing to on or about March 14, 2013, the defendant conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. The maximum possible penalty is imprisonment of not less than 5 years and up to 40 years, a $5 million fine, a 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II alleges that on or about March 14, 2013, the defendant possessed with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. The maximum possible penalty is imprisonment of not less than 5 years and up to 40 years, a $5 million fine, a 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Armando Velasquez-Ramirez, age 32, of Gering, Nebraska, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about April 28, 2013, after deportation or removal. The maximum possible penalty if convicted includes imprisonment of 2 years, a $250,000 fine, 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Chet Lee West, age 56, of Nebo, North Carolina, is charged in a three count indictment. Count I charges the defendant with tax evasion for calendar year 2007. Count II charges the defendant with tax evasion for calendar year 2008. Count III charges the defendant with tax evasion for calendar year 2009. The maximum possible penalty for each count includes imprisonment of 5 years, a fine of $250,000, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Stephen J. Wilson, age 31, of Bellevue, Nebraska, is charged with failure to register as a Sex Offender in the State of Nebraska from on or about May 7, 2013, and continuing until June 13, 2013. The maximum possible penalty for this count is imprisonment of 10 years, a fine of $250,000, a term of supervised release for life, and a special assessment of $100.Steinauer Woman Charged with Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that on July 16, 2013, an indictment was unsealed charging Angie Ray Shera, age 38 of Steinauer, with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine between January of 2011 and February of 2013.
The possible penalty is not less than 10 years and up to life in prison and a fine of up to $10,000,000. Following any prison term, there would be a term of supervised release of not less than five years.
Shera appeared in federal court in Lincoln on July 17, 2013, and was ordered held without bond. Trial is scheduled to begin on September 10, 2013.
The matter was investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force, which includes officers of the Lincoln Police Department, the Lancaster County Sheriff's Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, (FBI), and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Police Department, and by the Nebraska State Patrol.California Truck Driver Pleads Guilty to Meat Theft ScamRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that Artak Medjbarian of Sherman Oaks, California pled guilty to conspiring with others to attempt to steal $163,000 worth of beef products from a Nebraska Beef facility in Omaha, Nebraska. Medjbarian, age 33, was charged in May 2012 by a federal grand jury in a scheme with others to steal loads of meat cargo, by pretending to be the legitimate freight haulers to whom authority to transport the loads had been given. The Indictment specifically charged a conspiracy to commit wire fraud and to engage in the interstate transportation of stolen property.
The Indictment alleged that Medjbarian used the identity of a legitimate trucking company in Arizona to bid on hauling a load of meat from Nebraska Beef to California. Due to discrepancies with respect to the documentation forwarded by unknown co-conspirators on Medjbarian’s behalf, the freight brokers contacted the owners of the true Lopez Trucking, and determined that Lopez Trucking did not have trucks operating under their authority in the State of Nebraska on January 27, 2012, the day Medjbarian showed up at Nebraska Beef pretending to have the transport authority of Lopez Trucking. The Omaha Police were contacted and Medjbarian was initially arrested on local charges.
The guilty plea was entered before the Honorable Laurie Smith Camp. Judge Smith Camp set the sentencing of this matter for October 7, 2013. Medjbarian is detained pending sentencing. Medjbarian faces a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison on the conspiracy conviction.
In addition to the Omaha Police Department, the case was also investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol and by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.Omaha Man Sentenced in Crack ConspiracyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that Diwancha Brown, 39, formerly of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in Lincoln, Nebraska, to 21 years and 10 months in prison by United States District Judge John M. Gerrard, for Conspiracy to distribute over 280 grams of cocaine base (crack cocaine). After completion of his prison sentence, Mr. Brown will serve a 5 year term of supervised release.
Brown sold crack cocaine from apartments in the near south are of Lincoln with, among others, his co-defendant, Teresa Liggins, from early 2011 to approximately May of 2012.
This case was investigated by the Lincoln Police Department.
Kansas City Woman Sentenced in Health Care Fraud CaseRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that Annette Crawley, also known as Kenya Sade Bryant, age 37 and formerly of Liberty, Missouri, was sentenced today in Lincoln, Nebraska, to 4 years in prison by United States District Judge Lyle E. Strom, for health care fraud and false claims. After completion of her prison sentence, Ms. Crawley will serve a 3 year term of supervised release.
Beginning in October, 2011, Ms. Crawley, using the name Kenya Sade Bryant, worked for Beneficial Behavioral Services (BBS) in Omaha, Nebraska. She falsely claimed to be a lawfully licensed psychologist and was hired to perform psychological services. While employed at BBS, she also obtained a Medicaid provider number from the state of Nebraska, and knew that Nebraska Medicaid would pay BBS for some of the examinations she conducted with Medicaid patients.
From December, 2011, through July, 2012, Ms. Crawley, again using the name Kenya Sade Bryant, worked for Capstone Behavioral Services in Omaha, Nebraska, by falsely claiming to be a lawfully licensed psychologist. Capstone conducted psychological evaluations for the United States Social Security Administration (SSA) of individuals seeking certain kinds of benefits. It is the policy of the SSA to only pay for evaluations performed by lawfully licensed psychologists. Ms. Crawley conducted evaluations and submitted paperwork to Capstone, which in turn, caused Capstone to submit a claim to the SSA. Ultimately, Crawley conducted a total of 220 such examinations for which the SSA paid a total of $40,442. The SSA also paid a total of $3,075 for examinations which didn’t take place because the person to be examined cancelled or failed to show up.
Additionally, between approximately December 2011 and January 2012, Ms. Crawley, again using the name Kenya Sade Bryant, worked for Behavioral Health Specialists (BHS), Norfolk, Nebraska, by falsely claiming to be a lawfully licensed psychologist. During this time period she conducted 38 psychological examinations of approximately 20 patients, most of whom were Region IV patients. The Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services provides mental health services statewide, and Norfolk is in Region IV. The state of Nebraska paid BHS $2,792.48 for the services provided to the Region IV patients. Ten of the patients seen by Crawley paid a total of approximately $186 of their own money to cover a portion of their examinations.
BHS is the local community health center for the Norfolk area of the state and its patients are described as a vulnerable, fragile population. Eleven of the patients seen by Crawley were intensive outpatient patients in an addiction service. Patients seen by Crawley were diagnosed with a variety of mental health disorders, including: impulse control disorders, depressive disorders, anxiety, alcoholism, drug dependence, bipolar disorder, child physical abuse, transient organic psychotic condition (depressive type), major depressive disorder (recurrent episodes), agoraphobia with panic disorder, and attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity.
Crawley committed her crimes through a variety of sophisticated means and was able to successfully pass herself off as a psychologist in a variety of circumstances to a variety of people. Crawley had a criminal history, and a professional disciplinary action was on file against her in Missouri under her true name. To circumvent being tracked when applying for a new license, she created a new identity – Kenya Sade Jessica Bryant - which she used to obtain a Nebraska license and to obtain employment. In order to construct this new identity Crawley created and used a variety of false ‘official’ documents, such as a birth certificate, educational transcripts and college degrees.
In June of 2011, she applied for and obtained a name change with the Social Security Administration. She kept the same social security number but her name changed from Annette Crawley to Kenya Sade Jessica Bryant. To accomplish the name change, she provided the SSA a fictitious document, purporting to be a court order from the Superior Court of California, which falsely represented that she had legally changed her name from Crawley to Bryant.
This case was investigated by the Office of Inspector General for Health and Human Services, the Social Security Administration and the Medicaid Fraud and Patient Abuse Unit of the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office.
Omaha Woman Sentenced for Bank FraudRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that Toni R. Walker, 54, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced by the Honorable Richard G. Kopf, United States District Judge, to 36 months imprisonment for her conviction for bank fraud. Following Ms. Walker’s release from incarceration, she will be placed on five years of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay $765,236.82 in restitution.
Ms. Walker had been the business manager for Royal Forwarding, Inc. since about 1998. From April 2005 to March, 2012, Ms. Walker forged and deposited into her own bank account a total of 169 Royal Forwarding checks which ranged in amount from about $2,000 to about $9,000. The total for all the checks is $765,236.82.
This case was investigation by the Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Kansas Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute Crack and Powder CocaineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that July 1, 2013, Jared Lance Howe, 29, of Topeka, Kansas, was sentenced to five years (60 months) in prison for his conviction for conspiracy to distribute cocaine base and powder cocaine. Howe will serve four years on supervised release after completion of the prison term.
Information provided to law enforcement indicated that between January of 2007 and June 14, 2011, Howe was involved with a group of persons who were transporting cocaine base, also known as crack cocaine, and powder cocaine from the Denver, Colorado area to the North Platte, Nebraska area and locations in Kansas. On two occasions in May and June of 2011, Howe and Megan Miller, of Denver, picked up crack cocaine from Howe’s co-defendant, Lavon Owens, in the Denver area. Howe then drove Miller to the North Platte area where Miller delivered the crack cocaine. Howe was held responsible for the distribution of at least 96 grams (approximately 3 ½ ounces) of cocaine base.
Owens also pled guilty to the conspiracy charge and was sentenced in December of 2012 to 78 months in prison. Miller was indicted separately for conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine and powder cocaine and was sentenced to 57 months in prison in April of 2012.
This case was investigated by the CODE Task Force which is made up of law enforcement agencies throughout a 22-county area in west-central/southwest Nebraska and includes the North Platte Police Department, Dawson County Sheriff=s Office, Lincoln County Sheriff=s Office, Red Willow County Sheriff=s Office, Frontier County Sheriff=s Office, Nebraska State Patrol, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Omaha Woman Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that on June 27, 2013, the Honorable Joseph F. Bataillon, U.S. District Court Judge, sentenced Maria Terrazas, age 38, of Omaha, to 156 months imprisonment for her role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Following the prison term, Terrazas will serve five years on supervised release.
In 2011, the Omaha Police Department began investigating Maria Terrazas for conspiring with others to distribute over 4000 grams of methamphetamine. In May, 2012, an undercover agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives began buying methamphetamine directly from Terrazas. During the execution of a search warrant on Terrazas’s residence on July 16, 2012, officers found over four pounds of methamphetamine. Terrazas was also in possession of a firearm at that time.
The matter was investigated by the Omaha Police Department and the ATF.June Grand JuryRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned 23 indictments charging 28 defendants. Indictments are charging documents that contain one or more individual counts that are merely accusations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
* Fernando Aguilar-Perez, age 28, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about June 4, 2013, after deportation or removal. The maximum possible penalty if convicted includes imprisonment of 2 years, a $250,000 fine, 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Jason Armstrong, age 35, and Tamika Payne, age 34, both of Omaha, Nebraska, are charged in a seven-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges both defendants with conspiracy to commit mail fraud by submitting fraudulent applications for benefits in the names of clients of the Nebraska Aids Project beginning on or about January 1, 2009, to on or about November 9, 2012. The maximum penalty for this count includes imprisonment of 5 years, a fine of $250,000, 3 years supervised release, and a special assessment of $100. Counts II thru VII alleges that on or about March 15, 2011 thru on or about May 30, 2012 the defendents caused checks to be issued in response to the fraudulent applications and sent through the United States mails to fraudulent landlord or property management companies they had created. The maximum possible penalty for these counts include imprisonment of 20 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Mateo Chay Citalan , age 32, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about June 11, 2013, after deportation or removal. The maximum possible penalty if convicted includes imprisonment of 2 years, a $250,000 fine, 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Camacho-Perez, Alejandro, age 30, of Scottsbluff, Nebraska, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about April 26, 2013, after deportation or removal. The maximum possible penalty if convicted includes imprisonment of 2 years, a $250,000 fine, 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Mark Fhuere, age 50, of Grand Island, is charged in the first count of an indictment with receipt and distribution of child pornography from at least on or about May 1, 2011, and continuing to on or about May 29, 2013. If convicted, the maximum possible penalty includes imprisonment of not less than 5 years or more than 20 years, a fine of $250,000, supervised release for life, and a $100 special assessment. Fhuere is charged in Count II with possession of child pornography from on or about May 29, 2013. The maximum possible penalty for this count includes imprisonment of 10 years, a $250,000 fine, supervised release for life, and a $100 special assessment. The indictment also alleges property used or intended to be used as part of this violation should be forfeited to the United States. The indictment also alleges any and all property constituting or derived from any proceeds obtained directly or indirectly as a result of the violation alleged in the indictment, including but not limited to:
a. One computer
b. One hard drive
should be forfeited to the United States.
* Osvin Javier Garcia-Cerrato , age 21, is charged with distribution of 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine on or about March 14, 2012. The maximum possible penalty is imprisonment of not less than 10 years and up to life, a $10 million fine, a 5 year term of supervised release and a $100 special assessment.
* David Garcia-Colimote, age 31, of Lexington, Nebraska, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about May 23, 2013, after deportation or removal. The maximum possible penalty if convicted includes imprisonment of 10 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Melfin Arcinio Garcia-Olivares , age 29, is charged in a two count indictment. Count I alleges that on or about December 28, 2011, the defendant distributed 5 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. The maximum possible penalty is imprisonment of not less than 5 years and up to 40 years, a $5 million fine, a 4 year term of supervised release and a $100 special assessment. Count II alleges that on or December 30, 2011, the defendant distributed 5 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. The maximum possible penalty is imprisonment of not less than 5 years and up to 40 years, a $5 million fine, a 4 year term of supervised release and a $100 special assessment.
* Alejandrino Gutierrez-Castellanos, age 52, of Madison, Nebraska, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about April 27, 2013, after deportation or removal. The maximum possible penalty if convicted includes imprisonment of 2 years, a $250,000 fine, 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Salvador Hernandez-Estrada, age 25, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about May 24, 2013, after deportation or removal. The maximum possible penalty if convicted
includes imprisonment of 2 years, a $250,000 fine, 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Marcus Jefferson, age 37, of Omaha, is charged in a two count indictment. Count 1 alleges that on or about August 1, 2010 and continuing until on or about September 26, 2012 the defendant possessed a .32 Smith and Wesson revolver after having been convicted of a felony. The maximum possible penalty for this count is imprisonment of 10 years, a fine of $250,000, followed by a term of supervised release of 3 years, and a special assessment of $100. Count II of the indictment alleges on or about September 26, 2012, the defendant possessed ammunition after having been convicted of a felony. The maximum possible penalty is imprisonment of up to 10 years, a fine of $250,000, a 3 year term of supervised release and a $100 special assessment.
* Johnny P. Jones, age 23, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm on or about May 29, 2013. The maximum penalty for this count is imprisonment of 10 years, a fine of $250,000, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a special assessment of $100.
* Jeffery Scott Kydney, age 26, of Niobrara, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm on or about May 27, 2013. The maximum penalty for this count is imprisonment of 10 years, a fine of $250,000, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a special assessment of $100.
* Diego Mejia-Aguilar of Omaha is charged with document fraud for selling forged and counterfeit Social Security Cards. The maximum possible penalty for this count includes imprisonment of 10 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Teodoro Molina-Navarrete, age 41, of Schuyler, Nebraska , is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about May 30, 2013, after deportation or removal. The maximum possible penalty if convicted includes imprisonment of 2 years, a $250,000 fine, 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Jorge Munoz-Roman, age 23; Froilan Cuevas, age 20; Luis Vallejo, age 31 and Luis Meza-Galvez, age 19, are charged in a four count indictment. Count I alleges that beginning on or about March 2013, and continuing to on or about May 24, 2013, the defendants Munoz-Roman, Vallejo, and Meza-Galvez conspired together and with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine. The maximum possible penalty is imprisonment of not less than 10 years and up to life, a $10 million fine, a 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II alleges that beginning on or about March 2013 and continuing to on or about May 24, 2013, defendant Froilan Cuevas conspired with others to distribute a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. The maximum possible penalty is imprisonment of not more than 20 years, a $2 million fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III alleges that on or about May 23, 2013, Meza-Galvez, possessed with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. The maximum possible penalty is imprisonment of not less 10 years and up to life, a $10 million fine, a 5 year term of supervised release and a $100 special assessment. Count IV alleges that on or about May 23, 2013, Luis Vallejo possessed with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. The maximum possible penalty is imprisonment of not less 10 years and up to life, a $10 million fine, a 5 year term of supervised release and a $100 special assessment. The indictment also alleges any and all property constituting or derived from any proceeds obtained directly or indirectly as a result of the violations alleged in the indictment should be forfeited to the United States, including but not limited to:
a. $396.00 in United States currency seized from the person of Jorge Munoz-Ramon on May 23, 2013;
b. $226.00 in United States currency seized from the person of Froilan Cuevas on May 23, 2013;
c. $772.00 and $4,000.00 in United States currency seized from the apartment at 4131 S. 25th Street, #12 on May 23, 2013; and
d. $4,000.00, $727.00 and $680.00 in United States currency seized from Luis Vallejo.
* Francisco Victor Ramon, age 34, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about May 18, 2013, after deportation or removal. The maximum possible penalty if convicted includes imprisonment of 2 years, a $250,000 fine, 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Luke Ross, age 27, and Robert Abbott, age 27, are charged in a four count indictment. Count I alleges that beginning on or about November 2012, and continuing to on or about May 22, 2013, the defendants conspired together and with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine. The maximum possible penalty includes imprisonment of not less than 10 years and up to life, a $10 million fine, a 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II alleges that on or about May 22, 2013, Luke Ross possessed with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. The maximum possible penalty is imprisonment of not less than 5 years and up to 40 years, a $5 million fine, a 5 year term of supervised release and a $100 special assessment. Count III of the indictment alleges Roger Abbott , distributed a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine on or about May 9, 2013. The maximum possible penalty is imprisonment of up to 20 years, a $2 million fine, a 5 year term of supervised release and a $100 special assessment. Count IV alleges that on or about May 9, 2013, Roger Abbott possessed a Beta Arms 9mm handgun during and in relation to, and in
furtherance of the drug trafficking offense alleged in Count I. The maximum possible penalty is imprisonment of not less than 5 years and up to life to be served consecutive to any other sentence imposed, a $250,000 fine, a 5 year term of supervised release and a $100 special assessment. The indictment also alleges any and all property constituting or derived from any proceeds obtained directly or indirectly as a result of the violations alleged in the indictment should be forfeited to the United States, including but not limited to:
a. $563.00 in United States currency seized from the person of Roger Abbott on May 9, 2013;
b. $8,326.00 in United States currency seized from the person of Luke Ross on May 22, 2013;
c. A bronze 2006 Jeep Commander VIN # 1J8HG58286C302444, driven and owned by Luke Ross.
* Rogelio Sotelo-Arizmendi, age 26, of Nampa, Idaho, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about June 4, 2013, following deportation as an aggravated felon. The maximum possible penalty if convicted includes imprisonment of 20 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Daniel Stratman, age 23, of Lincoln, is charged in a twelve count indictment. Counts I and II allege that on or about March 23, 2013 and on or about March 24, 2013, Stratman knowingly caused the transmission of a program, information, code, and command, and, as a result of such conduct, intentionally caused damage without authorization to a protected computer, to wit, the University of Nebraska and Nebraska State College Systems computer systems. The maximum possible penalty for these counts includes imprisonment of 10 years, a fine of $250,000, followed by a term of supervised release of 3 years, and a special assessment of $100. Counts III through XII of the indictment allege that on various dates the defendant intentionally exceeded authorized access to a computer, and thereby obtained information from a protected computer. The maximum possible penalty for each count includes
imprisonment of 1 year, a $100,000 fine, a 1 year term of supervised release and a $100 special assessment.
Manuel Vidal-Gomez, age 30, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about September 23, 2012, after deportation or removal. The maximum possible penalty if convicted includes imprisonment of 2 years, a $250,000 fine, 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
Contact Criminal Chief Jan Sharp at 402-661-3700 for further information.
* Cesar Verdusco-Lugo, age 39, of Grand Island, Nebraska, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about May 6, 2013, following deportation as a felon. The maximum possible penalty if convicted includes imprisonment of 10 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Matthew Wedlock , age 25, of Omaha, is charged with conspiring with others beginning on or about December, 2011 and continuing to on or about December, 2012, to distribute and possess with intent to distribute Oxycodone, a Schedule II narcotic controlled substance. The maximum possible penalty is imprisonment of up to 20 years, a $1,000,000 fine, a 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.Former Vice President of Bank Receives 42-Month Sentence for EmbezzlementRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that Matthew J. Monheiser, age 38 of Sidney, Nebraska, was sentenced today in Lincoln, Nebraska, to 42 months in prison by United States District Judge John G. Gerrard, for embezzling $1,364,953.66 from the First National Bank in Sidney Nebraska. In addition to the prison term, Mr. Monheiser was ordered to pay full restitution, ($500,000 of which has already been paid), and serve a 5 year term of supervised release upon his release from prison.
Monheiser began working for the First National Bank in Sidney, Nebraska, in 2001. The First National Bank became the Points West Community Bank in 2010. The deposits of both banks were at all times insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. At all times Monheiser was an employee of both banks, and became an executive vice president and branch manager of the Points West Community Bank.
Beginning by at least March 1, 2003, and continuing until approximately August, 2012, Monheiser embezzled and stole money from the bank. Monheiser accomplished the theft and embezzlement in three ways. Monheiser used funds from the loan accounts of bank customers to purchase cashier’s checks in the customers’ names, and would then use the proceeds for his own benefit. Monheiser also created loans in the names of bank customers, or increased the amount of existing loans, and used the proceeds for his own benefit. Lastly, he also removed a total of $82,000 in cash from the bank’s vault.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.Creston Man Sentenced to Probation for Bankruptcy FraudRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that on June 24, 2013, Ross Boydston, age 57 of Creston, Nebraska, was sentenced for his conviction for bankruptcy fraud. United States District Court Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Boydston to five years of probation and ordered him to pay restitution in the amount of $18, 044.61.
Boydston knowingly devised and executed a scheme to defraud American Mortgage Company (AMC) and subsequently filed a Chapter 12 bankruptcy to further the scheme. As part of the scheme, Boydston sold livestock which had been pledged as collateral to American Mortgage Company without notifying AMC of the sales and without remitting the proceeds of the sales to AMC. Boydston subsequently filed a Chapter 12 bankruptcy petition and made material false statements, representations and omissions in his Chapter 12 bankruptcy case in an attempt to conceal the fact that he had transferred and sold livestock collateral of AMC without remitting the proceeds of the sales to AMC. In this respect, the Boydston’s bankruptcy schedules failed to list all of the transfers and sales of pledged livestock collateral within the two years preceding the bankruptcy filing, and Boydston falsely testified at the first meeting of creditors that there had not been any sales of livestock in which the proceeds had not been turned over to the lien of AMC.“This prosecution underscores U.S. Attorney Deborah Gilg’s commitment to help preserve the integrity of the bankruptcy system in the District of Nebraska,” stated Nancy J. Gargula, United States Trustee for Nebraska, Missouri and Arkansas (Region 13). “We are grateful to her, her staff and all of our law enforcement partners.” The U.S. Trustee Program is the component of the Justice Department that protects the integrity of the bankruptcy system by overseeing case administration and litigating to enforce the bankruptcy laws. Region 13 is headquartered in Kansas City, with additional offices in Omaha, St. Louis and Little Rock.
The United States Trustee’s Office assisted the United States Attorney’s Office with the investigation of this matter.
Omaha Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Defraud the IRSRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that United States District Court Judge Joseph F. Bataillon sentenced Michael D. Haffke, age 50 of Omaha, Nebraska, to one year and one day of imprisonment following his conviction for conspiracy to defraud the Internal Revenue Service. Haffke was further ordered to serve two years of supervised release following his release from prison and to serve 100 hours of community service.
From January 1, 2000, through on or about December 31, 2007, Haffke participated in a conspiracy which was designed to hide or remove his name from income producing assets and to attempt to evade personal tax liabilities. As part of the conspiracy, Haffke created in excess of 40 nominee entities in order to purport to claim ownership of assets that were actually owned and controlled by Haffke. A limited partnership called The Rock Place was created and the partnership purported to lease equipment, real estate and improvements from the nominee entities for the purpose of artificially increasing costs in order to reduce income of the partnership which would have been attributed to Haffke for tax purposes. However, monies from these purported lease payments were deposited into nominee bank accounts in Colorado which funds were ultimately distributed to Haffke for his own personal use. As a further part of this scheme, Haffke did not file any personal tax returns during the years 2003 through 2008. The IRS determined the tax loss associated with this scheme was $422,350.00.
In 2012, Haffke did file personal tax returns with the IRS for tax years 2003 through 2007 and did pay the taxes owed. As part of the plea agreement, Haffke has agreed to work with the IRS to determine what additional taxes might be due and owing and to satisfy those tax liabilities.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division. With respect to this case, Sybil A. Smith, Special Agent in Charge, stated, “Placing income and property in the names of nominee corporations to conceal the true facts from the IRS is not tax planning; it’s criminal activity.”
Norfolk Man Sentenced to more than 12 Years Imprisonment for Selling MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that Adrian Barron-Valdez, was sentenced on June 10, 2013, to 151 months in prison by United States District Judge John M. Gerrard. Barron-Valdez had previously pled guilty for his involvement in a conspiracy to distribute multiple ounces of “ice” methamphetamine in the Norfolk, Nebraska, area from March 1, 2011, and continuing to October 24, 2012. Barron-Valdez will be deported after serving his sentence as he was in the country illegally at the time of the offense.
This case was the result of a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Nebraska State Patrol, and Homeland Security Investigations.
Falls City Corporation Sentenced for Asbestos OffenseRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that Vision 20-20 Inc., a Nebraska Corporation located in Falls City, Nebraska was sentenced in federal court in Omaha. Vision 20-20 entered a plea of guilty to an offense involving the illegal abatement and disposal of asbestos. The Honorable F.A. Gossett, United States Magistrate Judge, sentenced Vision 20-20 to a fine of $25,000. The Court further ordered restitution to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services in the sum of $6,855 for monitoring the asbestos clean-up from unauthorized disposal sites.
Vision 20-20 is a Nebraska corporation established to build a new motel in Falls City. The motel was built on the site of the Stephenson Motel. The existing structure had to be demolished in order to put up the new motel. Prior to its destruction, it was necessary that asbestos be abated from the roof and floors of the existing structure. An asbestos removal firm was hired and abated the roof of the building in October of 2010. This was done at an expense of approximately $24,000. That left the tile on the floors and the flooring underneath the tile to be abated. When the company returned a few months later to begin the asbestos abatement from the flooring, they found that the motel had been demolished. When demolished, the motel still had 4,814 square feet of asbestos tile and 336 square feet of flooring.
Investigation by the Nebraska State Patrol, and the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality determined that Vision 20-20 decided to remove the asbestos and demolish the building without the asbestos contractor to save the $14,000 in fees bid for the remainder of the job. The rubble, including the asbestos laden tile, was discovered in two places. Part of it was dumped in large piles at the Richardson County Department of Roads. The other was brought to a farm where it was dumped in a ditch. This particular ditch, although dry, leads to a tributary and was a violation of the Clean Water Act. The improper removal and disposal of asbestos was a violation of the Clean Air Act. Testing from both sites confirmed that the debris, mostly concrete and building materials, did contain asbestos from the tiles and flooring. Vision 20-20 hired a contractor to properly dispose of the piles of rubble left at both sites. The clean-up exceeded $50,000. The clean-up was monitored and confirmed by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.Lincoln Man Sentenced for Possession of PseudoephedrineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that Senior United States District Judge Richard G. Kopf sentenced Grady E. Gartman, age 50 of Lincoln, Nebraska, to 12 years and 7 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release for possession of pseudoephedrine with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine. Gartman entered a guilty plea to the charge in March.
Between October 12, 2010 and May 22, 2012, Grady Gartman purchased or attempted to purchase pseudoephedrine hydrochloride at least 181 times for a total of 399 grams of pseudoephedrine. On 41 occasions Grady Gartman traveled to more than one pharmacy on the same day to buy pseudoephedrine and on September 28, 2011, Gartman purchased pseudoephedrine 8 times in the Omaha and Lincoln area.
This case was investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Drug Task Force.