District of New Jersey

CAMDEN, N.J. – An Essex County, New Jersey, woman was sentenced today to 120 months in prison for possessing with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Selling announced.

Mahogany Hawkins, 32, of Newark, was previously convicted of one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine following a two-day trial before U.S. Circuit Judge Stephanos Bibas, who imposed the sentence today in Camden federal court.   

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

In March 2021, two FedEx parcels addressed to “John Brown” in Newark, were lawfully intercepted by law enforcement and found to contain cocaine. On March 15, 2021, an undercover officer dressed as a FedEx driver delivered the package to the addressee, and a woman – later identified as Mahogany J. Hawkins – answered the door and accepted the packages. Officers again knocked on Hawkins’s door, this time identifying themselves as law enforcement.  Hawkins said she was “getting dressed” but didn’t open the door. The officers forced entry and found Hawkins in the bedroom.

After obtaining a search warrant, the officers searched Hawkins’ apartment and entered a backroom – locked by a keypad – that was a workstation for packaging narcotics. The two FedEx packages from the controlled delivery were found inside a garbage can in the backroom, and the room also contained methamphetamine pills, two plastic bags containing additional cocaine, numerous empty vials used for packaging narcotics, and a heat sealer. Laboratory analysis confirmed substances were cocaine and methamphetamine. Officers also found a loaded handgun and an extended magazine. 

In addition to the prison term, Judge Bibas sentenced Hawkins to five years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of Homeland Security Investigations Newark, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge William S. Walker; Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Port Director TenaVel Thomas, and members of the Newark Department of Public Safety, under the direction of Director Fritz Fragé, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing. He also thanked the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz, and the FBI - Newark, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rebecca A. Sussman and Jake A. Nasar of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Newark.

NEWARK, NJ. –A Brooklyn man was sentenced today to 57 months in prison for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy to distribute 4 kilograms of fentanyl in Clifton, New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Juan De La Cruz Infante Torres, 52, of Brooklyn, New York, pleaded guilty on June 14, 2023, before U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp to a two-count information charging him with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, and with possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl. Judge Shipp imposed the sentence today in Trenton federal court. Infante’s conspirator, Billy Castro, pleaded guilty before Judge Shipp and is awaiting sentencing.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

In May and June 2021, Infante Torres conspired with Castro and others to distribute substantial quantities of fentanyl. On June 15, 2021, Infante and Castro took approximately 2 kilograms of fentanyl from Castro’s Queens, New York apartment to Clifton, New Jersey, where they were arrested trying to sell it. Law enforcement agents then searched Castro’s apartment and found approximately two additional kilograms of fentanyl.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Shipp sentenced Infante Torres to two years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark; special agents of IRS – Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan in Newark; special agents with the U.S. Postal Service – Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Matthew Modafferi, Northeast Area Field Office; and postal inspectors with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Newark, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Christopher A. Nielsen, Philadelphia Division, with the investigation leading to the sentencing. He also thanked the U.S. Department of Labor, Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, and New York Department of Labor.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark J. Pesce and Aja Espinosa of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.

TRENTON, N.J. – A Monmouth County, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 120 months in prison for illegally possessing methamphetamine for distribution and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Dywann Pugh, 44, of Asbury Park, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty before former-U.S. District Judge Peter G. Sheridan to one count of possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. U.S. District Judge Zahid N. Quraishi imposed the sentence today in Trenton federal court. 

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

On Nov. 21, 2022, law enforcement executed search warrants at Pugh’s residence and discovered over three kilograms of methamphetamine; over three kilograms of cocaine; approximately 150 grams of fentanyl; approximately $19,000 in cash; and various drug distribution paraphernalia, including a pill press and approximately seven kilograms of cutting agents used in connection with the processing of drugs. Law enforcement also recovered a Hi-Point .380 caliber pistol loaded with six rounds of ammunition.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Quraishi sentenced Pugh to five years of supervised release. Judge Sheridan previously ordered Pugh to forfeit the firearm and ammunition that law enforcement seized.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz; Homeland Security Investigations Newark, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge William S. Walker, and the Neptune Township Police Department, under the direction of Chief Anthony Gualario, with the investigation leading to the sentencing.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Belgiovine of the Criminal Division in Trenton.

NEWARK, N.J. – A federal jury today convicted the former chief executive officer of SCWorx Corp. (SCWorx), a publicly traded health care company, on two counts of securities fraud for his participation in a scheme to mislead investors about SCWorx’s procurement of COVID-19 rapid test kits in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial:

Marc Schessel, 64, of New Paltz, New York, caused SCWorx to make four false and misleading public statements, claiming that the company had a binding contract to acquire millions of needed COVID test kits during the very beginning of the pandemic from an Australian supplier. In reality, Schessel knew that the Australian supplier did not have FDA approval for the COVID test kits and that his company did not have nearly enough money to pay for them. Nevertheless, Schessel made four false and misleading statements during a five-day period: an April 13, 2020, press release, an April 15, 2020, investor conference call, an April 16, 2020, 8-K filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and an April 17, 2020, press release. Schessel made these false statements even though investors had started to raise questions about the accuracy of the statements and the legitimacy of SCWorx’s supposed contract to acquire the COVID test kits. Ultimately, Schessel and SCWorx did not obtain a single COVID test kit as part of the supposed transaction he had announced during the week.

In the wake of these public announcements, SCWorx’s share price surged, rising by over 400 percent, from approximately $2.25 to an intraday high of $14.88. After SCWorx announced that it was terminating these COVID-19 rapid test kit agreements without having acquired any tests, SCWorx’s share price quickly dropped below its pre-April 13, 2020, announcement price.

“This defendant took advantage of the global COVID pandemic by illegally pumping up the value of SCWorx’s stock by over 400 percent with multiple fraudulent public statements that he had binding contracts to obtain and resell COVID-19 test kits, when in reality the test kits did not have FDA authorization. When the truth came out, the value of the SCWorx stock crashed, causing investors to suffer substantial losses. Duping investors out of  millions of dollars in the middle of a serious health emergency to salvage a failing business is especially egregious. Working with our partners, we will continue to investigate and bring to justice anyone who tried to profit from this crisis.”

U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger

“If we think back to those very early days of the pandemic, the confusion and frustration about testing, the spread of the virus and social distancing had everyone frantically searching for answers,” FBI – Newark Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy said. “Schessel witnessed that chaos and chose to capitalize on it - promising a vital resource with rapid COVID tests that never existed. The passage of time dulls memories of traumatic events, but FBI Newark and our partners are methodically investigating and bringing to justice the fraudsters who mistakenly believe they'll escape unscathed.”

The jury convicted Schessel of two counts of securities fraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 17, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on count one and a maximum penalty of 25 years on count two.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger; Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; and Assistant Director Michael D. Nordwall of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division made the announcement.

The FBI’s Newark Division investigated the case. The Justice Department appreciates the assistance of FINRA’s Criminal Prosecution Assistance Group.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys George Brandley and Angelica Sinopole of the District of New Jersey Health Care Fraud Unit and Principal Assistant Deputy Chief Lucy Jennings and Trial Attorneys Kate McCarthy and Spencer Ryan of the Justice Department’s Fraud Section and are prosecuting the case.

The Fraud Section uses the Victim Notification System (VNS) to provide victims with case information and updates related to this case. Victims with questions may contact the Fraud Section’s Victim Assistance Unit by calling the Victim Assistance phone line at 1-888-549-3945 or by emailing [email protected]. To learn more about victims’ rights, please visit: https://www.justice.gov/criminal-vns/victim-rights-derechos-de-las-v-ctimas.

A federal jury in New Jersey convicted the former CEO of SCWorx Corp. (SCWorx), a publicly traded health care company, today for his role in a scheme to mislead investors about SCWorx’s procurement of COVID-19 rapid test kits in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Marc Schessel, 64, of New Paltz, New York, caused SCWorx to issue multiple public statements claiming that SCWorx was buying and reselling at least 48 million COVID-19 test kits, despite knowing that such statements were false and misleading. Specifically, Schessel made, or caused to be issued, four false and misleading statements during a five-day period in April 2020: an April 13 press release; an April 15 investor conference call; an April 16 8-K filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission; and an April 17 press release. All four announcements claimed that SCWorx would be receiving millions of COVID-19 rapid test kits within two weeks, but Schessel and SCWorx never acquired a single COVID-19 test kit as part of the announced transaction.

In the wake of these public announcements, SCWorx’s share price surged, rising by over 400%, from approximately $2.25 to an intraday high of $14.88. After SCWorx announced that it was terminating these COVID-19 rapid test kit agreements without having acquired any tests, SCWorx’s share price quickly dropped below its pre-April 13, 2020, announcement price.

The jury convicted Schessel of two counts of securities fraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 17 and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on count one and a maximum penalty of 25 years on count two. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger for the District of New Jersey; and Assistant Director Michael D. Nordwall of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division made the announcement.

The FBI Newark Field Office investigated the case. The Justice Department appreciates the assistance of FINRA’s Criminal Prosecution Assistance Group.

Principal Assistant Deputy Chief Lucy Jennings and Trial Attorneys Kate McCarthy and Spencer Ryan of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys George Brandley and Angelica Sinopole for the District of New Jersey are prosecuting the case.

The Fraud Section uses the Victim Notification System to provide victims with case information and updates related to this case. Victims with questions may contact the Fraud Section’s Victim Assistance Unit by calling the Victim Assistance phone line at 1-888-549-3945 or by emailing [email protected]. To learn more about victims’ rights, please visit www.justice.gov/criminal-vns/victim-rights-derechos-de-las-v-ctimas.

NEWARK, N.J. – An Egyptian citizen extradited to the United States on wire fraud and aggravated identity theft charges today admitted defrauding a peer-to-peer rideshare company out of hundreds of thousands of dollars in fraudulent referral fees, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.

Hatem Ghouneim, 35, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Stanley R. Chesler in Newark federal court to an indictment charging him with three counts of wire fraud.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

From January through December 2019, Ghouneim engaged in a scheme to defraud a technology company that operates a rideshare service. By creating fraudulent accounts and using stolen identities, Ghouneim induced the victim company to pay him referral fees for each new fraudulently created account. Through the scheme, Ghouneim defrauded the company of hundreds of thousands of dollars in referral fees.

The wire fraud charges each carry a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 13, 2024.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark, with the investigation leading to the guilty plea. He also thanked the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs and the FBI Attaché’s Office in Spain for their assistance, as well as the government of Spain for their substantial assistance arresting and extraditing Ghouneim to the United States.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shontae D. Gray of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.

ghouneim.indictment.pdf

TRENTON, N.J. – A Costa Rican man, illegally in the United States, was sentenced today to 97 months in prison for his role in laundering over $2 million in proceeds of a number of wire fraud schemes, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Esteban De Jesus Campos Chanto, 43, of Trenton, previously pleaded guilty before U.S.  District Judge Zahid N. Quraishi to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. Judge Quraishi imposed sentence today in Trenton federal court.

According to documents filed in the case:

Between August 2019 and October 2021, Chanto participated in a multimillion-dollar money laundering conspiracy operating out of Costa Rica that targeted elderly victims in the United States. Conspirators in Costa Rica called senior citizens in the United States over the phone and induced them to mail or wire money to Chanto by claiming that the victims needed to pay off taxes and fees on lottery winnings or taxes and penalties to the United States government. In total, Chanto received more than $2 million from elderly victims who had been defrauded by Chanto’s co-conspirators. Chanto then wired the majority of the funds to his co-conspirators in Costa Rica and retained approximately $400,000 for himself as payment for his money laundering services.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Quraishi sentenced Chanto to three years of supervised release and ordered him to pay restitution of $2.07 million.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, Newark Division, Trenton Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark, and special agents of the FBI, Cleveland Division, Youngstown Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory D. Nelsen, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander E. Ramey and Ashley Super Pitts of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Trenton.

CAMDEN, N.J. – An Atlantic County, New Jersey, man today admitted possessing four destructive devices, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Robert J. Moser, 32, of Mays Landing, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Edward S. Kiel to an information charging him with possessing destructive devices.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

On March 17, 2023, law enforcement officers responded to Moser’s residence to assist him after he overdosed on drugs. Officers recovered at least four destructive devices in Moser’s bedroom. All four destructive devices contained explosive powder with a fuse sticking out of each device. One of the destructive devices contained metal pieces, the second destructive device contained a metal nail and a protruding metal screw hook, the third destructive device contained a protruding metal screw hook, and the fourth destructive device contained five metal dart tips.  Moser admitted that the four destructive devices were operable weapons. 

The charge to which Moser pleaded guilty is punishable by a maximum of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for November 13, 2024.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Newark Field Division, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Ross A. Marchetti; officers of the Township of Hamilton Police Department, under the direction of Chief Gregory K. Ciambrone; members of the Atlantic City Police Department Bomb Squad, under the direction of Chief James A. Sarkos; and personnel from the Atlantic City Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor William Reynolds, with the investigation leading to today’s plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Bender of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Camden.

moser.information.pdf

NEWARK, N.J. – Two people were arrested Tuesday morning for shipping an Air Data Inertial Reference Unit (ADIRU) from New Jersey to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) without having obtained the required license and authorization, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.

Fadi Nammas, 43, of Fairfax, Virginia, and Tara Jamhour, 24, of Rockaway, New Jersey, are charged by complaint with one count of conspiracy to export and smuggle goods from the United States, one count of unlawfully exporting goods from the United States without having first obtained the required license or authorization, and one count of smuggling goods from the United States. Nammas made his initial appearance on July 2, 2024, before U.S. Magistrate Judge William E. Fitzpatrick in federal court in the Eastern District of Virginia, and is scheduled to have a preliminary hearing, detention hearing, and identity hearing on July 3, 2024, before Judge Fitzpatrick. Jamhour made her initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jessica S. Allen in Newark federal court and was released on $100,000 unsecured bond.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

From November 2023 through March 2024, Nammas and Jamhour were working under the auspices of Star Aero, an aircraft service and part provider with a purported address in Garfield, New Jersey. The defendants obtained an ADIRU, a component that supplies air data and inertial reference information to pilots’ electronic flight instrument system displays, from a Vermont-based aviation company. Nammas and Jamhour arranged to have the ADIRU shipped to Star Aero’s purported Garfield address. In procuring the ADIRU, Nammas and Jamhour represented that the ADIRU was being purchased for Star Aero’s stock purposes and that Star Aero understood and would comply with United States export laws. The defendants did not disclose that they intended to ship the ADIRU to another company in the UAE. Once the defendants received the ADIRU, they repackaged it with false documentation that undervalued and falsely described the item and attempted to ship it to the UAE. Neither Nammas nor Jamhour obtained the required license or authorization to ship the ADIRU, which was controlled for missile technology and anti-terrorism reasons, to the UAE.

The charge of conspiracy is punishable by a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 fine. The charge of unlawfully exporting controlled goods is punishable by a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. The charge of smuggling is punishable by a maximum penalty of 10 years and a $250,000 fine.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of Homeland Security Investigations Newark, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge William S. Walker, with the investigation leading to the charges. He also thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, under the direction of U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber, and agents of the HSI Field Office in Fairfax, Virginia.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Vera Varshavsky of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s National Security Unit and Trial Attorney Monica Svetoslavov of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section of the National Security Division. 

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

nammasjamhour.complaint.pdf

NEWARK N.J. – A Sussex County, New Jersey, man was indicted today for fraudulently obtaining millions of dollars in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Nikenson Jean Mathurin, aka “Nik Mathurin,” aka “Jean Mathurin”, 44, of Sparta, New Jersey, is charged with three counts of wire fraud and one count of money laundering. Mathurin was previously charged by complaint in relation to the same scheme.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

From April 2020 through November 2022, Mathurin participated in a scheme to defraud a lender and the Small Business Administration to obtain federal COVID-19 emergency relief money by submitting several fraudulent PPP and EIDL applications on behalf of several purported businesses. Mathurin’s fraudulent applications included false information concerning, among other things, the applicant entities’ average monthly payroll, gross revenue, and number of employees, and fake supporting tax documents. As a result of his fraudulent applications, Mathurin unlawfully obtained millions of dollars in federal COVID-19 emergency relief money.

Each wire fraud charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and the money laundering charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Each charge also carries a maximum fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain to the defendant or gross loss to the victim, whichever is greatest.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the of the Northeast Region of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Robert Manchak, and special agents of IRS – Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan, with the investigation leading to the indictment.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Stark and Fatime Meka Cano of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark and Trial Attorney David D. Hamstra of the U.S Department of Justice’s Fraud Section.

The District of New Jersey COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Strike Force is one of five strike forces established throughout the United States by the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute COVID-19 fraud. The strike forces focus on large-scale, multi-state pandemic relief fraud perpetrated by criminal organizations and transnational actors. The strike forces are interagency law enforcement efforts, using prosecutor-led and data analyst-driven teams designed to identify and bring to justice those who stole pandemic relief funds.

Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

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

mathurin.indictment.pdf

NEWARK, N.J. – An Essex County, New Jersey, man admitted his role in embezzling federal benefits meant for the disabled child of his former girlfriend shortly after she went missing, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Asmar Earp, 37, of Newark, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Evelyn Padin in Newark federal court on June 26, 2024, to three counts of an indictment charging him with two counts of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. 

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Earp was in a romantic relationship and shared a house in Newark with V.W. Through a program administered by Social Security Administration, V.W. received monthly payments on behalf of her disabled minor son, who was not capable of managing these benefits on his own.  On Dec. 24, 2017, V.W. went missing and her whereabouts remain unknown. Six days after V.W.’s disappearance, Earp fraudulently gained control of V.W.’s son’s benefits by changing the PIN code on the debit card used to access those funds. In March and April 2018, Earp also fraudulently used V.W.’s name, date of birth, and Social Security number to receive a replacement debit card to continue accessing and using V.W.’s son’s benefits. From December 2017 through February 2020, Earp and others acting at his direction repeatedly and fraudulently took the money intended to help V.W.’s son and used it on themselves.

Each count of wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross loss to the victim or gain of the defendant, whichever is greatest.  The count of aggravated identity theft carries a statutory mandatory penalty of two years in prison, which run consecutively to any other term of imprisonment, and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross loss to the victim or gain of the defendant, whichever is greatest.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Bradley Parker of the New York Boston Field Division, and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the leadership of Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II, with the investigation.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel H. Rosenblum of the General Crimes Unit in Newark.

earp.indictment.pdf

NEWARK, N.J. – A Essex County, New Jersey, man admitted committing a spree of robberies and a carjacking, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.

Deion Nance, 28, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton on June 27, 2024, to a five-count information charging him with two counts of Hobbs Act robbery, one count of carjacking, and two counts of using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Nance admitted that on Dec. 30, 2020, he used a firearm to steal a 2016 Toyota Corolla from the occupant of the vehicle. He pointed a handgun at the victim, pulled the victim out of their vehicle and pushed the firearm into her face. He got into the driver's seat and drove away in the victim’s car.

Nance admitted that on Jan. 4, 2021, he robbed two restaurants. At the first restaurant, he pointed a loaded firearm at a restaurant employee and demanded money. The employee gave Nance $176. That same day, he attempted to rob a restaurant by threatening an employee and pointing a firearm at the employee.

The count of carjacking is punishable by a maximum of 15 years in prison; Hobbs Act Robbery is punishable by a maximum of 20 years in prison, and use of a firearm during a crime of violence is punishable by a maximum of life in prison. Each firearms offense carries a statutory minimum prison sentence of five years in prison, which must run consecutively to any other prison term imposed. All counts are also punishable by a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 29, 2024.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited law enforcement from the Newark and Harrison police departments, and special agents and task force officers with the FBI Newark Field Division, under the direction of James E. Dennehy, with the investigations leading to the plea hearing.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Linares of the Organized Crime and Gangs unit in Newark.

nance.information.pdf

NEWARK, N.J. – A Georgia chiropractor who owned or operated multiple durable medical equipment (DME) companies and a cancer genetic testing (CGx) company admitted her role in a health care fraud and illegal kickback conspiracy, Attorney for the United States Vikas Khanna announced today.

Tefylon Cameron, 57, of Powder Springs, Georgia, pleaded guilty on June 20, 2024, before U.S. District Judge Michael E. Farbiarz in Newark federal court to an information charging her with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and conspiracy to violate the Federal Anti-Kickback statute.

According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court:

Cameron and her conspirators owned, operated, and had a financial interest in DME companies through which they obtained doctors’ orders for durable medical equipment, namely orthotic braces, for Medicare beneficiaries without regard to medical necessity. Cameron and her conspirators obtained DME orders using marketing call centers and telemedicine companies (including multiple Florida-based companies), caused the submission of false and fraudulent claims to Medicare, and paid illegal kickbacks.  

Cameron and her conspirators also owned, operated, and had a financial interest in a CGx company through which she agreed to provide a clinical laboratory with leads of beneficiaries who were qualified to receive federal health care benefits for cancer genetic tests. Cameron submitted invoices to the clinical laboratory seeking payment on a per-lead basis, but entered into a sham agreement to disguise kickback and bribe payments.

In total, Cameron and her conspirators caused a loss to Medicare of more than $14.9 million.

Conspiracy to commit health care fraud is punishable by a maximum of 10 years in prison and conspiracy to violate the Federal Anti-Kickback Statute is punishable by a maximum of five years in prison. Both counts are also punishable by a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 29, 2024.

Attorney for the United States Khanna credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark; the Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Naomi Gruchacz; the U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Patrick J. Hegarty; and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Christopher F. Algieri with the investigation leading to the charge.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Specht of the Special Prosecutions Division.

cameron.information.pdf

NEWARK, N.J. – A resident of Florida was convicted of four counts of tax evasion, Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.

Jason Kronick, 50, of Boca Raton, Florida, was convicted by a federal jury on June 26, 2024, of four counts of tax evasion following a trial before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton in Newark federal court.

According to documents filed in this case and the evidence at trial:

From 2010 through 2017, Kronick evaded payment of more than $8.6 million in income and employment taxes, including penalties and interest, despite having earned more than $20 million in taxable income. Kronick also collected approximately $200,000 in payroll taxes from employees of his company, but failed to remit those withholdings to the IRS and evaded his obligation to do so. Kronick evaded these taxes by, among other things, using approximately $1.8 million from accounts controlled by him to buy more than 40 luxury watches; spending more than $4.7 million to pay for home renovations and interior decorating; transferring more than $1.8 million, including funds originating from business accounts, to various casinos, where he converted the money to chips, gambled, and then redeemed chips for approximately $1.8 million in cash; and cashed approximately $159,000 in checks at check-cashing businesses to conceal his income and assets from the IRS.

Each of the four counts of tax evasion carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Kronick’s sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 14, 2024.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan, with the investigation leading to the conviction.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rachelle M. Navarro and Christopher Fell of the Criminal Division in Newark.

NEWARK, N.J. – Today, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Selliniger, District of New Jersey,  announced criminal charges against 13 defendants in connection with alleged schemes to defraud Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, and private health insurers. The charges filed in federal court are part of the Department of Justice’s 2024 National Health Care Fraud Enforcement Action.

“It does not matter if you are a trafficker in a drug cartel or a corporate executive or medical professional employed by a health care company, if you profit from the unlawful distribution of controlled substances, you will be held accountable,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The Justice Department will bring to justice criminals who defraud Americans, steal from taxpayer-funded programs, and put people in danger for the sake of profits.”

“Patients rely on Medicare and other health insurers to cover the costs of necessary care, and the system is built on trust. Health care providers and others who take advantage of that system through fraud or illegal kickbacks reap unwarranted profits and undermine the system. The cases announced today – part of a nationwide action against 193 defendants allegedly resulting in over $2.75 billion in alleged false billings, and the seizure of over $231 million in cash, luxury vehicles, gold and other assets – allege a variety of misconduct, but they all seek to hold accountable those who put profits over patients. Along with our law enforcement partners, this office is committed to safeguarding Medicare and the health care system from fraud and illegal kickback schemes.”

U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger

The charges announced today by U.S. Attorney Sellinger are part of a strategically coordinated, two-week nationwide law enforcement action.

The Health Care Fraud Unit’s National Rapid Response, Florida, Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, Midwest, Northeast, and Texas Strike Forces; U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the District of New Jersey, the Southern District of Alabama, District of Arizona, Central District of California, Northern District of California, Southern District of California, District of Connecticut, Middle District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern District of Kentucky, Western District of Kentucky, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, Western District of Louisiana, Eastern District of Michigan, Western District of Michigan, Southern District of Mississippi, District of Montana, Eastern District of New York, Southern District of New York, Eastern District of North Carolina, Western District of Oklahoma, District of Rhode Island, Middle District of Tennessee, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas, Eastern District of Tennessee, Eastern District of Virginia, and Southern District of West Virginia; and the State Attorney Generals’ Offices for California, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, and South Dakota are prosecuting the cases in the National Enforcement Action, with assistance from the Health Care Fraud Unit’s Data Analytics Team. Descriptions of each case involved in today’s enforcement action are available on the Department's website here.

The District of New Jersey worked with the Department’s Criminal Division and other law enforcement organizations to investigate and prosecute the cases filed during the enforcement period.

“We will not tolerate fraud that preys on patients who need and deserve high quality health care,” said the Honorable Christi A. Grimm, the Department of Health and Human Services Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “The hard work of the HHS-OIG team and our outstanding law enforcement partners makes today’s action possible. We must protect taxpayer dollars and keep Americans safe from harms to their health, privacy, and financial well-being.”

“The Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), the law enforcement arm of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, is fully committed to working with our law enforcement partners and the Justice Department to hold those who engage in fraudulent activity at the expense of the U.S. military accountable for their actions,” Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Brian J. Solecki of the DCIS Northeast Field Office, said. “Protecting the integrity of the healthcare system utilized by our military members and their families is of the utmost importance and continues to be a top priority for DCIS.” 

“We remain fully committed to bringing justice to those who steal from Amtrak’s resources, including these current and former Amtrak employees accused of defrauding Amtrak’s health care plans,” Amtrak’s Inspector General, Kevin H. Winters, said. “The alleged actions by these employees and health care providers drained millions in Amtrak’s funds – resources ultimately provided by American taxpayers – and we hope these charges will serve as a deterrent for those considering engaging in such schemes. Anyone who suspects or observes such fraud should report it to our investigators via our fraud, waste, and abuse hotline.”

The following individuals have been charged in District of New Jersey:

• Kimberlee Otero, 47, of Camden, New Jersey, was charged by information with conspiracy to unlawfully distribute and possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Nicholas K. Peone of the Northeast Strike Force and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Bender of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey.
• Hyunji Choi, aka “Regina Choi,” aka “Regina Beatrice,” 39, of Woodside, New York, was charged by information with conspiracy to commit health care fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud the Amtrak health care plan. As alleged in the information, Choi, a medical biller, submitted false and fraudulent claims to the Amtrak health care plan for services that were not provided, resulting in loss to the Amtrak health care plan of at least approximately $959,902.79. Choi paid cash bribes and kickbacks to co-conspirator Amtrak employees, in return for the employees’ agreement to allow their insurance to be used for false billing. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katherine M. Romano and Jessica R. Ecker of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey.
• Timothy Bogen, 59, of Hamden, Connecticut, Kevin Frink, 52, of Willingboro, New Jersey, Dion Jacob, 50, of Brooklyn, New York, Quinton Johnson, 52, of Irvington, New Jersey, David Lonergan, 64, of Rockaway Park, New York, David McBrien, 36, of Levittown, Pennsylvania, Gregory Richardson, 34, of Roosevelt, New York, Rodolfo Rivera, 41, of Clayton, Delaware, Michael Toal, 34, of Hazlet, New Jersey, and Damany Walker, 41, of Irvington, New Jersey, were charged by indictment with conspiracy to commit health care fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud the Amtrak health care plan, which resulted in a loss of approximately $11,054,831 to Amtrak. The defendants were Amtrak employees and participants in the Amtrak health care plan who allowed their personal and insurance information, and in some cases that of their dependents, to be used for false and medically unnecessary billing in return for cash kickbacks and bribes paid by co-conspirator health care providers. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katherine M. Romano and Jessica R. Ecker of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey.
• Elise Nocella, 54, of Naples, Florida, was charged by information with conspiring to violate the Anti-Kickback Statute by paying kickbacks for DME orders. As alleged in the information, Nocella, who owned and operated a marketing company that marketed DME, offered and paid physicians at a pain management practice kickbacks in exchange for DME orders. Nocella supplied the physicians with a variety of expensive items, including cash, full-season access to a suite for professional football games, expensive lunches and dinners at networking events and practice group meetings, and other expensive gifts, and subsequently billed Medicare and other health care benefit programs for the orders. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney DeNae Thomas of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey.

A complaint, information, or indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

TRENTON, N.J. – A Middlesex County, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 108 months in prison for his role in an attempted robbery in New Brunswick, New Jersey, where the victim was shot 14 times, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Jonathan Rosales, 23, of New Brunswick, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Robert Kirsch to an indictment charging him with conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery and attempted Hobbs Act robbery. Judge Kirsch imposed the sentence today in Trenton federal court.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

On Dec. 28, 2020, Rosales, along with his accomplices, Saul Peralta and Giovanni Hoyos-Jaimes, attempted to rob the victim in New Brunswick. During the struggle, the victim was shot 14 times causing him to sustain serious injuries. Peralta and Hoyos-Jaimes previously pleaded guilty before Judge Kirsch for their involvement in this incident.      

In addition to the prison term, Judge Kirsch sentenced Rosales to three years of supervised release.

Peralta was sentenced by Judge Kirsch on May 22, 2024, to 78 months in prison and Hoyos-Jaimes is scheduled to be sentenced on July 24, 2024.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI in Newark, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy; members of the New Brunswick Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Vincent Sabo; and members of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the leadership of Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Levin, Co-Chief of the General Crimes Unit in Newark.

NEWARK, N.J. – An Essex County, New Jersey, man today admitted engaging in multiyear schemes to defraud the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) by providing military equipment parts that were not authorized under the governing contracts and agreeing with another individual to rig bids for DoD contracts, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Alan Aranowitz, 75, of Roseland, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Julien X. Neals in Newark federal court to an information charging him with two counts of wire fraud conspiracy.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Count One

From 2015 through August 2018, Aranowitz conspired with others to defraud the DoD and one of its combat logistic support arms, the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), by engaging in a pattern of unlawful product substitution. Aranowitz owned and operated Arlo Corporation (Arlo), which entered into contracts with the DoD to supply replacement parts for the military, such as screws, nuts, and bolts. Aranowitz conspired with two owner/operators of two companies to provide cheaper counterfeit and/or non-conforming parts to the DoD.

For instance, Aranowitz sometimes falsely represented that the parts would be MIL-SPEC, that is, suitable for military use because the parts had met certain specific requirements—when in fact, he submitted such bids intending to provide parts that were not MIL-SPEC. Aranowitz sometimes falsely represented that the parts would be “Exact Product,” that is, that they derived from a particular manufacturer, when, in fact, he submitted such bids intending to provide parts that were not Exact Product. He also sometimes falsely represented that Arlo or one of the companies he conspired with would be the manufacturer of the parts, when in fact he knew that Arlo or that company would not be the manufacturer. Aranowitz sometimes submitted bids to the DoD in the name of one of the companies with the owner/operator’s knowledge and approval. By committing these acts, Aranowitz and his conspirators increased their own profits. DLA received numerous Product Quality Deficiency Reports (PQDRs) from U.S. military end users reporting that a particular part supplied by Arlo did not physically conform to the contract specifications.

As part of the plea, Aranowitz agreed to forfeit $684,168 in proceeds of the fraudulent scheme charged in Count One and to pay restitution in the amount of $878,644 to the DoD.

Count Two

From 2017 through August 2018, Aranowitz conspired with the owner operator of a company to defraud the DoD and DLA by coordinating bid prices, engaging in bid rigging, with another DoD contractor. Arlo, like all DoD contractors, was required to certify that it had arrived at its bids independently and without consulting or colluding with any other offeror or competitor. On the contrary, Aranowitz regularly consulted with another DoD contractor regarding the bids that each was submitting.

The charges of wire fraud conspiracy each carry a statutory maximum of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine, which could run consecutively. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 29, 2024.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of U.S. Department of Defense, Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Northeast Field Office, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Brian J. Solecki, and special agents of Homeland Security Investigations Newark, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge William S. Walker, with the investigation leading to the guilty plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elisa T. Wiygul of the Criminal Division in Camden.

aranowitz.information.pdf

NEWARK, N.J. – A Passaic County, New Jersey, man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for his role in seven gunpoint robberies of pharmacies in Passaic County, New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Onijee Burgess, 26, of Paterson, New Jersey, is charged in a nine-count indictment with one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, one count of conspiracy to use and carry a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, three counts of Hobbs Act robbery, one count of attempted Hobbs Act robbery, one count of using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and two counts of using, carrying, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Burgess, who was previously charged by complaint and was detained, will be arraigned on a date to be determined.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

From November 2022 through April 5, 2023, Burgess conspired with Antonio Rivera and others to commit seven separate armed robberies of five different pharmacies in Paterson and  Passaic, New Jersey. Law enforcement collected an extensive amount of video surveillance footage and cell phone data that ultimately linked Burgess and Rivera to the robberies. Rivera, Burgess’ conspirator, was previously charged by complaint and is detained. 

The Hobbs Act robbery, attempted Hobbs Act robbery, and conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery counts each carry a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison. The conspiracy to use and carry a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence count also carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison. The using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence counts each carry a maximum potential penalty of life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in prison, which must run consecutively to any other term of imprisonment imposed. The using, carrying, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence counts each carry a maximum potential penalty of life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, which also must run consecutively to any other term of imprisonment imposed. Each count also carries a fine of up to $250,000, or twice the gain or loss from the offenses, whichever is greatest.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited members of the FBI’s New Jersey field office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark, with the investigation leading to the charges. U.S. Attorney Sellinger also thanks members of the Paterson Police Department, under the leadership of Officer in Charge Isa M. Abbassi; members of the Passaic Police Department, under the leadership of Police Chief Luis Guzman; members of the Passaic County Sheriff's Office, under the leadership of Acting Sheriff Gary F. Giardina; members of the Clifton Police Department, under the leadership of Police Chief Thomas Rinaldi; members of the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office, under the leadership of Chief Jason Love; and members of the Cedar Grove Police Department, under the leadership of Police Chief John J. Kennedy.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariel Douek of the General Crimes Unit in Newark.

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

burgess.indictment.pdf

NEWARK, N.J. – Nine people have been charged for their respective roles in a drug trafficking organization that distributed large quantities of fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine in Essex County, U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger announced. 

Calvin Swinton, aka “40,” 32; Lance Yarbough, aka “L-Boog,” 42; Jahad Gorsuch, aka “Hadi Mu,” 47; Coyette Elliott, aka “Q,” 56; Derrick Davidson, aka “Lefty,” 55; Rashem Batts, aka “Dae Dae,” 48; Kiion Scovil, aka “Skrapp,” 35; Tishawn Scovil, aka “Ty,” 33; and Amanda Brown, aka “Manda,” 32, all of Essex County, New Jersey, were charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine. All defendants are in custody. Seven defendants are scheduled to make initial court appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cathy L. Waldor in Newark federal court; Elliott and Scovil are in state custody and will make their initial appearances at a later date.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

The defendants are members of a drug trafficking organization that operated an open-air narcotics market in the areas of West End and 18th avenues and Alexander Street in Newark. The West End and Alexander drug trafficking organization is affiliated with, and the defendants are members and associates of, the Sex, Money, Murder set of the Bloods street gang. For several months, law enforcement conducted extensive surveillance of the area, conducted numerous controlled purchases of narcotics, seized narcotics through enforcement action, and analyzed telephone records, all of which demonstrated extensive interactions between and among the charged defendants. The investigation has revealed that the organization distributed in excess of 400 grams of fentanyl.

The defendants face a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, maximum potential penalty of life in prison, and a $10 million fine. 

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI under the supervision of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark, with the investigation leading to the charges. He also thanked detectives of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Theodore N. Stephens II; special agents of Homeland Security Investigations in Newark under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge William S. Walker; officers of the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Armando B. Fontoura; police officers and detectives of the Irvington Police Department, under the direction of Director Tracy Bowers; police officers and detectives of the Newark Police Department, under the direction of Public Safety Director Fritz G. Fragé; police officers and detectives of the East Orange Police Department, under the direction of Chief William C. Robinson; officers of the New Jersey State Department of Corrections; and detectives of the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, for their assistance with the investigation.

The investigation was conducted as part of the Newark Violent Crime Initiative (VCI).  The Newark VCI was formed in August 2017 by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, and the City of Newark’s Department of Public Safety for the sole purpose of combatting violent crime in and around Newark. As part of this partnership, federal, state, county, and city agencies collaborate and pool resources to prosecute violent offenders who endanger the safety of the community. The VCI is composed of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, the ATF, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) New Jersey Division, Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Marshals, the Newark Department of Public Safety, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, New Jersey State Parole, Union County Jail, New Jersey State Police Regional Operations and Intelligence Center/Real Time Crime Center, New Jersey Department of Corrections, the East Orange Police Department, and the Irvington Police Department. 

The government is represented by Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force Unit Chief Samantha C. Fasanello and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Goldberg of the Criminal Division in Newark.

The charges and allegations contained in the complaints are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

swintonetal.complaint.pdf

NEWARK, N.J. – A Middlesex County, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 311 months in prison for persuading, inducing, and enticing women to travel in interstate commerce to engage in prostitution, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Jose Torres, 46, was previously convicted of all four counts of a second superseding indictment following a six-day trial before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti, who imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.  

According to the documents filed in this case and the evidence at trial:

From May 2015 to October 2019, Torres persuaded, induced and enticed female victims, often commercial sex workers, to travel from out of state locations, including Canada and New York, to engage in prostitution with him. In each instance, Torres trolled prostitution websites and targeted out-of-state sex workers. He lured them to New Jersey with promises of large sums of payment. Once the women were in New Jersey, Torres refused to pay them. When the victims asked for payment, Torres became aggressive, often assaulting and raping them. 

In addition to the prison term, Judge Martinotti sentenced Torres to 15 years of supervised release and imposed a $5,000 special assessment for trafficking.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark, and special agents of Homeland Security Investigations Newark, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge William S. Walker, with the investigation leading to the sentencing.

The government is represented by Bruce P. Keller, Special Counsel to the U.S. Attorney, in Newark.

TRENTON, N.J. –  A Mercer County, New Jersey, man today admitted possession of fentanyl and cocaine with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking offenses, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.

Jamal Wilson, aka “Vill,” 49, of Trenton, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Georgette Castner in Trenton federal court to a superseding information charging him with one count of possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, one count of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

In August 2022, Wilson and 12 other individuals were charged by criminal complaint with drug trafficking and firearms offenses.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

In July 2020, the FBI and other law enforcement agencies began an investigation of individuals engaged in unlawful drug-trafficking and firearms activities in the area of Garfield, Cleveland, and Logan avenues, a Trenton neighborhood known for high levels of narcotics activity and gun violence. The investigation revealed that Wilson was a significant drug trafficker of fentanyl and cocaine, including the area of the Grand Court Villas apartment building, East State Street and South Olden Avenue and the Garfield Avenue Playground. The investigation also revealed the scope of Wilson’s unlawful drug-trafficking activities, including Wilson’s customers and co-defendants. Law enforcement recovered from Wilson’s residence and his stash house 2,106 grams of cocaine, approximately 450 grams of cocaine base, 1,085 grams of fentanyl, four firearms, and two suppressors.

The charge of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, and a maximum fine of $10 million. The charge of possession with intent to distribute cocaine carries a statutory mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years in prison and a maximum fine of $5 million. The charge of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of life in prison, which must run consecutively to any term of imprisonment imposed on any other count, and a $250,000 fine. The charges of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon each carry a maximum of 15 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 6, 2024.

The status of the charges filed against Wilson’s co-defendants is as follows:

Defendant

 

Theodore Meekins, aka “Meech”

• Pleaded guilty on Nov. 16, 2023, to a three-count information, which charged him with two counts of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of unlawfully possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
• Sentenced on March 20, 2024, to 165 months in prison, three years of supervised release.

Louis Williams, aka “Bake”

• Pleaded guilty on Nov. 8, 2023, to an information, which charged him with three counts of possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl.
• Sentenced on May 22, 2024, to 18 months in prison, three years of supervised release.

Clinton Rodriguez, aka “C-Rod”

• Pleaded guilty on June 13, 2023, to a one-count Information, which charged him with possessing with intent to distribute cocaine.
• Sentenced on April 24, 2024, to 15 months’ imprisonment and three years’ supervised release.

Rashied McKines

• Pleaded guilty on May 24, 2023, to one-count Information, which charged him with distributing and possessing with intent to distribute cocaine.
• Sentenced on March 19, 2024, to time served and three years’ supervised release.

Michael Williams, aka “Ice”

• Pleaded guilty on September 7, 2023, to a one-count Information, which charged him with possessing with intent to distribute cocaine.
• Sentenced on March 20, 2024, to three years’ probation.

Derrick Jiles

• Pleaded guilty on June 7, 2023, to a three-count Information, which charged him with three counts of possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl.
• Sentenced on April 17, 2024, to 21 months’ imprisonment and three years’ supervised release.

Dion Morris

• Pleaded guilty on November 30, 2023, to an Information, which charged him with four counts of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute cocaine.
• Sentenced on April 30, 2024, to 8 months’ imprisonment and three years’ supervised release.

Jerry Farmer

• Pleaded guilty on June 6, 2023, to a one-count Information, which charged him with possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl.
• Sentencing scheduled for September 17, 2024, at 11:00 a.m.

James Edwards

• Pleaded guilty on June 27, 2023, to a one-count Information, which charged him with possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl.
• Sentencing scheduled for June 20, 2024, at 1:00 p.m.

Alterrick Livingston

• Pleaded guilty on June 7, 2023, to a one-count Information, which charged him with unlawful possession of ammunition as a convicted felon.
• Sentenced on December 13, 2023, to time served and three years’ supervised release.

Kai Bowman, Jr.

• One count of possessing with intent to distribute heroin, remains pending on criminal complaint.

Glenn Moore

• One count of possessing with intent to distribute heroin, remains pending on criminal complaint.

These convictions and sentences are the result of an investigation by the Greater Trenton Safe Streets Task Force. Led by the FBI, the Task Force is comprised of various federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, and its mission is to combine the resources and intelligence of the participating agencies to enhance the identification, apprehension, and prosecution of individuals involved in gang-related activities, violent crime, and drug distribution in and around the greater Trenton area.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, Newark Division, Trenton Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy; special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Newark Field Division, Trenton Satellite Office, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Ross A. Marchetti; officers of the Trenton Police Department, under the direction of Director Steve Wilson; and the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri, with the investigation leading to the conviction and sentencing.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ashley Super Pitts and Tracey Agnew of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Trenton.

The defendants for whom charges remain pending are presumed innocent, unless and until proven guilty.

wilson.sinformation.pdf

NEWARK, N.J. – A former city of Newark official who served as deputy mayor and director of the Newark Department Economic and Housing Development (DEHD) and served as executive vice president and chief real estate officer of the Newark Community Economic Development Corporation (NCEDC) today admitted conspiring with two Newark business owners to obtain corrupt payments intended to influence and reward him for assisting the business owners with the acquisition and redevelopment of various Newark-owned properties, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Carmelo G. Garcia, 49, of Hoboken, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo to three counts of an information charging him with conspiracy to defraud the city of Newark and the NCEDC of Garcia’s honest services, honest services wire fraud, and receiving bribes in connection with the business of a federally funded local government and organization.

“As he admitted in court, Carmelo Garcia set up a scheme to receive cash and jewelry in exchange for using his influence in favor of private business interests, defrauding the people of Newark of their right to his honest services. In doing so, he violated the public trust in order to line his own pockets. Our office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to make sure that the people of New Jersey are protected from public officials whose independent judgment is corrupted by greed.”

U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger

“We entrust public officials to act in the best interest of the people they serve, not to abuse their position for their own personal gain,” FBI – Newark Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy said. “Today, Carmelo Garcia admitted he violated the citizens of Newark’s trust when as deputy mayor he accepted bribes to advance and influence private real estate interests. FBI Newark will continue to see that corrupt public officials face the punishment they deserve in the criminal justice system.”

“Carmelo Garcia abused his position of trust to oversee HUD grant money that was intended to provide housing assistance and improve the community in which he served,” Special Agent in Charge Vicky Vazquez, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, said. “He willfully devised an egregious kickback scheme resulting in the theft of critical taxpayer dollars, placing the integrity of HUD’s programs at risk, and violating the trust of the communities who rely on them. HUD OIG will continue to work with its prosecutorial and law enforcement partners to vigorously pursue those who seek to profit by abusing HUD-funded programs.”

According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court:

From 2017 through April 2019, while serving as a high-level Newark official, and prior to that, as an executive officer of the NCEDC (now known as Invest Newark), Garcia sought and received significant monetary payments and other benefits from Frank Valvano Jr., Irwin Sablosky, and others in exchange for Garcia’s use of his official positions and influence within the city of Newark and the NCEDC to advance real estate development matters of interest to Valvano and Sablosky. These matters included obtaining preliminary designation letters for Valvano and Sablosky and securing Newark-approved redevelopment agreements (RDAs) that allowed them to purchase and acquire various Newark-owned properties for redevelopment, and to ensure that Garcia did not use his influence and authority to act against their interests. In addition to cash, Garcia also received jewelry, including multiple high-end watches and chains, from Valvano and Sablosky’s pawnbroker and jewelry business. 

Phone records and text messages obtained by law enforcement show extensive communication between Garcia, Valvano, Sablosky, and others throughout this period of time, including text messages in which Garcia arranged to personally collect cash provided by Valvano and Sablosky. In one instance, in June 2018, Garcia, then the city’s acting deputy mayor and director of the city’s DEHD, received an envelope containing $25,000 in cash, supplied by Valvano through an intermediary, in the restroom of a New Jersey restaurant.

E-mails obtained by law enforcement further show the official actions, assistance, and influence Garcia provided in violation of his duties in exchange for the cash and other non-cash benefits he received from Valvano and Sablosky and the actions that Valvano and Sablosky were seeking from Garcia in his capacity as a Newark official and NCEDC executive for those benefits. 

The honest services fraud conspiracy and honest services fraud charges in Counts One and Two each carry a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison. The bribery charge in Count Three carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. All charges are punishable by a fine of $250,000 or twice the amount of the pecuniary gain from the offense. As part of Garcia’s guilty plea, he agreed to criminal forfeiture of the $25,000 corrupt cash payment and administrative/civil forfeiture of the jewelry that he obtained from the scheme. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 12, 2024.

Garcia originally was charged by indictment in October 2021 with Valvano, 56, of Florham Park, New Jersey, and Sablosky, 64, of Springfield, New Jersey. Valvano and Sablosky’s case is pending before Judge Arleo, and they are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. 

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI’s Newark Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy; special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan and special agents of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Vazquez, with the investigation leading to today’s plea.

The government is represented by Elaine K. Lou, Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division, and Katherine J. Calle and Edeli Rivera of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Special Prosecutions Division.

garcia.information.pdf

CAMDEN, N.J. – A Florida man was sentenced today to 121 months in prison for receiving child pornography and enticement to travel for illicit sexual conduct, announced U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.

Andrew Drechsel, 35, of Saint Cloud, Florida, pleaded guilty on June 1, 2023, before Chief U.S. District Judge Renée M. Bumb to an information charging him with one count of receiving child pornography and one count of knowingly persuading, inducing, enticing and coercing a minor to travel interstate to engage in sexual activity for which the defendant can be charged with a crime. Judge Bumb imposed the sentence today in Camden federal court.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

From 2014 to Nov. 8, 2019, Drechsel lived in Hamden, Connecticut. His victim lived in New Jersey. On Nov. 8, 2019, law enforcement agents searched one of Drechsel’s phones and found images of child sexual abuse, including photos and videos of the victim when the victim was 14 and 15 years old. Drechsel admitted that he originally met the victim in 2014 through his activities in the parkour community as an “American Ninja Warrior.” Drechsel admitted texting the victim and discussing his plans to engage in sexual activity with the victim. At Drechsel's urging, the victim traveled across state lines in July 2015 so that Drechsel could have sexual relations with the victim.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Bumb sentenced Drechsel to 15 years of supervised release and ordered him to pay $100,000 in restitution to the victim.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI South Jersey Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge of FBI Philadelphia Special Agent in Charge Wayne A. Jacobs, with the investigation leading to the sentencing. He also thanked the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office; the Cherry Hill Police Department; the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut; special agents of the FBI New Haven Resident Agency; the Connecticut State’s Attorney’s Office, Hartford Judicial District; the Connecticut State’s Attorney’s Office, New Haven Judicial District; the Windsor Police Department; the Hamden Police Department; and special agents of the FBI Tampa Resident Agency.

The government is represented by Sara A. Aliabadi, Deputy Attorney in Charge of the Camden branch office, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alisa Shver of the Camden branch office.

NEWARK, N.J. – A New York man is alleged to have acted as a courier for a Dominican Republic-based “grandparent scam” that targeted elderly Americans.

Victor Anthony Valdez, 39, of the Bronx, New York, was charged by a federal grand jury with one count of wire fraud conspiracy for his role in the scam. According to the indictment, unsealed today in Newark, the scam operated from call centers in the Dominican Republic, making phone calls to elderly American victims purporting to be the victim’s grandchild, an attorney representing the grandchild in criminal proceedings, court personnel or other persons associated with the legal system. Conspirators told the victims that their grandchildren had been arrested and needed cash for bail or other expenses.  Once victims were convinced through lies and falsehoods, coconspirators instructed the victims to provide cash to couriers, including Valdez, who went to victims’ homes to pick up the money.

While acting as a courier for the scam between August 2020 and August 2021, Valdez is alleged to have retrieved, or attempted to retrieve, tens of thousands of dollars from defrauded victims at their homes in New York and New Jersey.

“The alleged perpetrators in these scams – including this defendant – target our vulnerable senior population. They count on the grandparents’ love and devotion to their families in order to convince them to put up money. As alleged in this indictment, the defendant today worked as a courier, traveling to the homes of the scam victims to pick up the money. My office will protect the rights of all victims, and we will relentlessly prosecute those who allegedly target the vulnerable to cheat them out of their savings.”

U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger

“The Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch and its law enforcement partners will vigorously pursue individuals who prey on vulnerable and elderly victims through fraudulent schemes,” Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, said. “We will continue to identify perpetrators of these schemes and prioritize the pursuit of those who deliberately target vulnerable consumers, whether located in the United States or abroad.”

“Mr. Valdez knowingly preyed upon the elderly for his own gain,” Inspector General Gail S. Ennis for the Social Security Administration (SSA) said. “We appreciate our law enforcement partners joining us in investigating and prosecuting these complex, international scams aimed at defrauding elderly Americans, many of whom rely on SSA benefits to make ends meet.”

If convicted of the offense in the indictment, Valdez faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.

Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General and the Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Carolyn Silane for the District of Jersey and Trial Attorney Joshua Ferrentino of the Civil Division's Consumer Protection Branch and are prosecuting the case.

If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has experienced financial fraud, experienced professionals are standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Justice Department hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), can provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. English, Spanish and other languages are available.

More information about the department’s efforts to help American seniors is available at its Elder Justice Initiative webpage. For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts, visit www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. Elder fraud complaints may be filed with the FTC at www.reportfraud.ftc.gov/ or at 877-FTC-HELP. The Justice Department provides a variety of resources relating to elder fraud victimization through OVC, which can be reached at www.ovc.gov.

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

A federal grand jury charged a New York man for having acted as a courier for a Dominican Republic-based “grandparent scam” that targeted elderly Americans.

Victor Anthony Valdez, 39, of the Bronx, was charged with one count of wire fraud conspiracy for his role in the scam. According to the indictment, unsealed today in Newark, New Jersey, the scam operated from call centers in the Dominican Republic, making phone calls to elderly American victims purporting to be the victim’s grandchild, an attorney representing the grandchild in criminal proceedings, court personnel or other persons associated with the legal system. Coconspirators told the victims that their grandchildren had been arrested and needed cash for bail or other expenses. Once victims were convinced through lies and falsehoods, coconspirators instructed the victims to provide cash to couriers, including Valdez, who went to victims’ homes to pick up the money.

While acting as a courier for the scam between August 2020 and August 2021, Valdez is alleged to have retrieved, or attempted to retrieve, tens of thousands of dollars from defrauded victims at their homes in New York and New Jersey.

“The Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch and its law enforcement partners will vigorously pursue individuals who prey on vulnerable and elderly victims through fraudulent schemes,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We will continue to identify perpetrators of these schemes and prioritize the pursuit of those who deliberately target vulnerable consumers, whether located in the United States or abroad.”

“The alleged perpetrators in these scams — including this defendant — target our vulnerable senior population,” said U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger for the District of New Jersey. “They count on the grandparents’ love and devotion to their families in order to convince them to put up money. As alleged in this indictment, the defendant today worked as a courier, traveling to the homes of the scam victims to pick up the money. My office will protect the rights of all victims, and we will relentlessly prosecute those who allegedly target the vulnerable to cheat them out of their savings.”

“Mr. Valdez knowingly preyed upon the elderly for his own gain,” said Inspector General Gail S. Ennis for the Social Security Administration (SSA). “We appreciate our law enforcement partners joining us in investigating and prosecuting these complex, international scams aimed at defrauding elderly Americans, many of whom rely on SSA benefits to make ends meet.”

If convicted, Valdez faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.

SSA’s Office of the Inspector General and Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case.

Trial Attorney Joshua Ferrentino of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch and Assistant U.S. Attorney Carolyn Silane for the District of Jersey are prosecuting the case.

If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has experienced financial fraud, experienced professionals are standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Justice Department hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), can provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. English, Spanish and other languages are available.

More information about the department’s efforts to help American seniors is available at its Elder Justice Initiative webpage. For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts, visit www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. Elder fraud complaints may be filed with the FTC at www.reportfraud.ftc.gov/ or at 877-FTC-HELP. The Justice Department provides a variety of resources relating to elder fraud victimization through OVC, which can be reached at www.ovc.gov.

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

NEWARK, N.J. – A member of the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips gang was sentenced today to 84 months in prison for his role in a racketeering conspiracy and for possessing firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Amir Warden, aka “Stamps,” aka “Killa,” 31, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton to a superseding information that charged him with Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) conspiracy and possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon. Judge Wigenton imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

From 2015 through Sept. 22, 2022, Warden was a member of the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips, a criminal enterprise responsible for acts of violence and the distribution of controlled substances in the District of New Jersey and elsewhere. Warden held a leadership role within the enterprise and conspired with other members and associates to distribute controlled substances. On Aug. 19, 2019, he distributed heroin. On Sept. 29, 2022, Warden, a convicted felon, knowingly possessed three loaded firearms, three high-capacity drum magazines, and approximately 1,300 rounds of assorted ammunition.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Wigenton sentenced Warden to three years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz; special agents of IRS - Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan; special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Ross A. Marchetti; investigators of the U.S. Marshals Service, under the direction of Marshal Juan Mattos; the Irvington Police Department, under the direction of Police Division Director Tracy Bowers; the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II; the Newark Police Department, under the direction of Public Safety Director Fritz Fragé; the Bloomfield Police Department, under the direction of Director of Public Safety Samuel A. DeMaio; the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Armando B. Fontoura; the East Orange Police Department, under the direction of Chief Phyllis L. Bindi; the Elizabeth Police Department, under the direction of Police Director Earl J. Graves; the Edison Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Tom Bryan; the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Col. Patrick J. Callahan; the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor William A. Daniel; the Spotswood Police Department, under the direction of Chief Philip Corbisiero; and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation Fugitive and Missing Person Task Force, which includes members of the FBI, with the investigations leading to the charges in the Rollin 60’s Neighborhood Crips investigation.

This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Francesca Liquori of the Special Prosecutions Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jake Nasar of the Organized Crime/Gangs Unit.

CAMDEN, N.J. – A New York man was sentenced today to 59 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Edgar Jesus Avila Alvarado, 46, of the Bronx, New York, previously pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Renée Marie Bumb to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl. Judge Bumb imposed the sentence today in Camden federal court.

According to documents filed in this case as well as statements made in court:

In July 2022, law enforcement observed Avila Alvarado exit a residence in New York City carrying a duffle bag and enter a vehicle. After conducting a lawful vehicle stop, law enforcement recovered approximately three kilograms of fentanyl within the bag and learned that Avilia Alvarado was on route to New Jersey to distribute the controlled substance to another individual. Shortly thereafter, law enforcement recovered an additional four kilograms of fentanyl inside of Avila Alvarado’s residence also located in New York City. In total, law enforcement recovered nearly 7.4 kilograms of fentanyl from Avila Alvarado.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Bumb sentenced Avila Alvarado to three years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New York Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge SAC Frank A. Tarentino III, with the investigation leading to the sentencing.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

The New York OCDETF Strike Force is housed at the DEA’s New York Division and includes agents and officers of the DEA; the New York City Police Department; the New York State Police; Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations; IRS - Criminal Investigation; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; the U.S. Marshals Service; New York National Guard; U.S. Coast Guard; Port Washington Police Department; and New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Vincent D. Romano of the OCDETF/Narcotics Unit in Newark.

NEWARK, N.J. – Four Passaic County, New Jersey, men have been charged in connection with their respective roles in a Paterson neighborhood street gang known as “100k” that distributed fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.

Jazmeir Reyes, aka “Baby Joe,” aka “Joe,” 19, Kyzeik Robinson, aka “Doo Doo,” aka “King Sparks,” aka “Sparks,” 18, Michael Davis, aka “Baby Three,” 27, and Jacim Pitts, 24, all of Paterson, New Jersey, are charged by complaint with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine. Reyes is charged in a separate complaint with attempted Hobbs Act robbery, assaulting or impeding certain United States officers or employees, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, in connection with his holding a U.S. Postal Service employee at gun point.

Davis and Pitts appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge James B. Clark III in Newark federal court and were detained. Reyes is scheduled to make his initial appearance on June 21, 2024. Robinson remains at large.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

From January 2022, law enforcement has been investigating the members and associates of a neighborhood street gang known as “100k” or “Down the Hill,” which operates primarily in the area of North Main and Jefferson streets in the First Ward of Paterson. Reyes, Robinson, and Davis are all known members of 100k and Pitts is a member of “So Icey,” a neighborhood street gang closely aligned with the 100k gang.

From August 2023 to April 2024, law enforcement used undercover officers to conduct controlled purchases of narcotics from Reyes and the other members and associates of 100k and seized in excess of 100 grams of fentanyl as well as quantities of heroin and cocaine.

On July 28, 2023, in Paterson, Reyes held a mail carrier at gun point in an attempt to steal the mail carrier’s arrow key, which is a key used to gain access to mailboxes within a certain geographic area or postal route.

The count of conspiracy charged in the complaint carries a mandatory minimum term of five years, a maximum of 40 years in prison, and a fine of at least $5 million.

On each of the counts of attempted Hobbs Act robbery and assaulting or impeding certain United States officers or employees, Reyes faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine, or twice the gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest. On the count of brandishing a firearm in connection with a crime of violence, Reyes faces a mandatory minimum term of seven years and a maximum term of life imprisonment, which must run consecutively to any other prison sentence imposed, and a fine of up to $250,000.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents and task force officers of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Newark Field Division, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Ross A. Marchetti; the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Col. Patrick J. Callahan; and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Christopher Nielsen; the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Acting Sheriff Gary Giardina; the Jersey City Police Department, under the direction of Director of Public Safety James Shea; and the Paterson Police Department, under the direction of Officer In Charge Isa Abbassi with the investigation leading to today’s charges.

This case is part of the Paterson Violent Crime Initiative (VCI), which was formed in 2020 by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, and the City of Paterson’s Department of Public Safety for the purpose of combatting violent crime in and around Paterson. As part of this partnership, federal, state, county, and city agencies collaborate and pool resources to prosecute violent offenders who endanger the safety of the community. The VCI is composed of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, the ATF, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Marshals, the Paterson Department of Public Safety, the Paterson Police Department, the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office, N.J. State Parole, Bergen County Jail, N.J. State Police Regional Operations and Intelligence Center/Real Time Crime Center, and N.J. Department of Corrections.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jake A. Nasar of the Organized Crime/Gang Unit in Newark.

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

reyesetal.complaint.pdf reyes.complaint.pdf

NEWARK, N.J. – An indictment was unsealed today charging four Vietnamese nationals for their involvement in a series of computer intrusions that caused victim companies to collectively suffer more than $71 million in losses, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

According to the indictment, Ta Van Tai, aka “Quynh Hoa,” aka “Bich Thuy;” Nguyen Viet Quoc, aka “Tien Nguyen;” Nguyen Trang Xuyen; and Nguyen Van Truong, aka “Chung Nguyen,” were members of a sophisticated international cybercrime group known as “FIN9.”  From at least May 2018 through October 2021, the defendants hacked the computer networks of victim companies throughout the United States and used their access to steal or attempt to steal non-public information, employee benefits, and funds. The defendants caused their victims to suffer more than $71 million in losses.

“The FIN9 defendants were prolific international hackers who, for years, allegedly used phishing campaigns, supply chain attacks and other hacking methods to steal millions from their victims. They did all of this while hiding behind keyboards, VPNs, and fake identities, and even then, the Department of Justice found them. My office remains committed to its pursuit of justice for victims, and cybercriminals everywhere should take notice.”

U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger

“Cyber actors cloak themselves in the virtual world, hiding in a space most people can't see and don't understand,” FBI – Newark Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy said. “However smart these hackers believe they are at disguising themselves, these members of the FIN9 group couldn’t conceal their exfiltration of data from their victims’ companies. FBI Newark’s Cyber Task Force and our law enforcement partners use precision and innovative techniques to expose these people for what they are –  simple thieves. We ask any business or company facing a similar attack to reach out to us immediately to protect your systems and to stop these criminals from moving on to the next victim.”

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Members of FIN9, including the defendants, obtained unauthorized access to the computer networks of victim companies through phishing campaigns or other methods, such as supply chain attacks – a type of cyberattack that seeks to damage an organization by targeting the computer networks of trusted third-party vendors who offer services or software vital to the supply chain. After gaining access to their victims’ networks, FIN9 members, including the defendants, used that access to exfiltrate or attempt to exfiltrate non-public information, employee benefits, and/or funds. For example, the defendants accessed employee benefit rewards programs maintained by their victims and re-directed digital employee benefits, such as gift cards, to accounts controlled by defendants. The defendants also stole gift card information stored on the computer networks of certain victims.

The defendants additionally stole personally identifiable information and credit card information associated with employees and customers of their victim companies. In an effort to hide their own identities, the defendants would, at times, use that information in furtherance of the conspiracy by, for example, registering online accounts at cryptocurrency exchanges or server hosting companies in the names of individuals whose identities were stolen. Tai, Xuyen, and Truong sold stolen gift cards to third parties, including through an account registered with a fake name on a peer-to-peer cryptocurrency marketplace, in order to conceal and disguise the source of the stolen money. 

Tai, Quoc, Xuyen, and Truong are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit fraud, extortion, and related activity in connection with computers; one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud; and two counts of intentional damage to a protected computer. If convicted, they face up to five years in prison for the conspiracy to commit fraud, extortion, and related activity in connection with computers; up to 20 years in prison for the conspiracy to commit wire fraud; and up to 10 years in prison on each count of intentional damage to a protected computer. Tai, Xuyen, and Truong were charged with one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a mandatory maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Tai and Quoc were also charged with one count of aggravated identity theft, which carries a mandatory consecutive term of two years in prison, and one count of conspiracy to commit identity fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. 

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited the FBI Newark’s Cyber squad, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark. He also thanked the FBI Little Rock Cyber squad, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Alicia D. Corder.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony P. Torntore and Vinay S. Limbachia of the U.S. Attorney’s Cybercrime Unit in Newark.  

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

fin9.indictment.pdf

NEWARK, N.J. – A Burlington County, New Jersey, man today admitted possessing multiple images and videos of child sexual abuse, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Dennis Nerolich, 68, of Burlington, New Jersey, and formerly of New Egypt, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti in Newark federal court to an information charging him with possession of child pornography.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

From March 2016 to May 1, 2018, Nerolich possessed multiple images and videos of child sexual abuse. Nerolich received the images and videos from his roommate or landlord at the time, Frank Maile.

On Sept. 6, 2023, Maile pleaded guilty before Judge Martinotti to Count Four of a five-count indictment, charging him with travelling in foreign commerce and engaging in illicit sexual conduct, that is, a sexual act with a person under 18 years of age, a commercial sex act, and production of child pornography. Maile is scheduled to be sentenced on June 27, 2024.

The charge of possession of child pornography carries a statutory maximum of 10 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 6, 2024.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of Homeland Security Investigations Newark, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge William S. Walker, with the investigation leading to the guilty plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elisa T. Wiygul of the Criminal Division in Camden.

nerolich.information.pdf

TRENTON, N.J. – A New Jersey man pleaded guilty today to engaging in an extensive, multi-year conspiracy to fraudulently obtain over $54.7 million in loans and to fraudulently acquire multifamily and commercial properties.

According to court documents, between 2016 and 2022, Aron Puretz, 53, conspired with others to deceive lenders into issuing multifamily and commercial mortgage loans. Puretz and his conspirators provided the lenders with fictitious documents, including purchase contracts with inflated purchase prices, fake financial statements, and other fraudulent documents. Puretz was an employee of Apex Equity Group, a real estate investment and advisory firm, and one of the owners of Maple Lawn in Eureka, Illinois, and Big Country Chateau in Little Rock, Arkansas, both multifamily properties, and Troy Technology Park in Troy, Michigan, a commercial property.

In February 2017, Maple Lawn was acquired for $4.1 million. However, Puretz and his conspirators from Apex Equity Group utilized the identity of a conspirator to present a lender and Freddie Mac with a purchase and sale contract for $5.8 million and other fraudulent documents. On Feb. 17, 2017, a title and settlement company based in Lakewood, New Jersey, performed two closings, one for the true $4.1 million sales price and another for the fraudulent $5.8 million sales price presented to the lender. Part of the conspiracy was to create a nonprofit entity, JPC Charities, for the purpose of receiving tax-exempt status for the properties owned by Puretz and co-conspirators. Puretz and his conspirators provided false statements to the city of Eureka, Illinois, to receive a property tax exception. 

In July 2019, Puretz and his conspirators acquired Big Country Chateau. However, Puretz knew the lender and Freddie Mac would not approve him as an owner, and used the identity of an associate instead of his own. Puretz hid his ownership and involvement with the property management company from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and other federal and state agencies. 

In September 2020, Troy Technology Park was acquired for $42.7 million. However, Puretz and his co-conspirators presented the lender with a fraudulent purchase and sale contract for $70 million. To support the inflated purchase price, Puretz and his conspirators submitted to the lender and appraiser a fraudulent letter of intent to purchase the property from another party for $68 million and other fraudulent documents. To conceal the fraudulent nature of the transaction, Puretz and his conspirators arranged for a short-term $30 million loan, which was used to make it appear that they had the funds needed to close on the loan. On Sept. 25, 2020, a title and settlement company based in Lakewood, New Jersey, performed two closings, one for the true $42.7 million sales price and another for the fraudulent $70 million sales price presented to the lender.

Puretz pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud affecting a financial institution. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 30, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger for the District of New Jersey; Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Inspector General Brian M. Tomney of the Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of Inspector General (FHFA-OIG); and Postal Inspector in Charge Eric Shen of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s (USPIS) Criminal Investigations Group made the announcement.

FHFA-OIG and USPIS are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Martha Nye for the District of New Jersey and Trial Attorney Siji Moore of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.

A New Jersey man pleaded guilty today to engaging in an extensive, multi-year conspiracy to fraudulently obtain over $54.7 million in loans and to fraudulently acquire multifamily and commercial properties.

According to court documents, between 2016 and 2022, Aron Puretz, 53, conspired with others to deceive lenders into issuing multifamily and commercial mortgage loans. Puretz and his co-conspirators provided the lenders with fictitious documents, including purchase contracts with inflated purchase prices, fake financial statements, and other fraudulent documents. Puretz was an employee of Apex Equity Group, a real estate investment and advisory firm, and one of the owners of Maple Lawn in Eureka, Illinois, and Big Country Chateau in Little Rock, Arkansas, both multifamily properties, and Troy Technology Park in Troy, Michigan, a commercial property.

In February 2017, Maple Lawn was acquired for $4.1 million. However, Puretz and his co-conspirators from Apex Equity Group utilized the identity of a co-conspirator to present a lender and Freddie Mac with a purchase and sale contract for $5.8 million and other fraudulent documents. On Feb. 17, 2017, a title and settlement company based in Lakewood, New Jersey, performed two closings, one for the true $4.1 million sales price and another for the fraudulent $5.8 million sales price presented to the lender. Furthermore, part of the conspiracy was to create a nonprofit entity, JPC Charities, for the purpose of receiving tax-exempt status for the properties owned by Puretz and co-conspirators. Puretz and co-conspirators provided false statements to the city of Eureka, Illinois, to receive a property tax exception. 

In July 2019, Puretz and his co-conspirators acquired Big Country Chateau. However, Puretz knew the lender and Freddie Mac would not approve him as an owner, and used the identity of an associate instead of his own. Furthermore, Puretz hid his ownership and involvement with the property management company from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and other federal and state agencies. 

In September 2020, Troy Technology Park was acquired for $42.7 million. However, Puretz and his co-conspirators presented the lender with a fraudulent purchase and sale contract for $70 million. Additionally, to support the inflated purchase price, Puretz and his co-conspirators submitted to the lender and appraiser a fraudulent letter of intent to purchase the property from another party for $68 million and other fraudulent documents. To conceal the fraudulent nature of the transaction, Puretz and his co-conspirators arranged for a short-term $30 million loan, which was used to make it appear that they had the funds needed to close on the loan. On Sept. 25, 2020, a title and settlement company based in Lakewood, New Jersey, performed two closings, one for the true $42.7 million sales price and another for the fraudulent $70 million sales price presented to the lender.

Puretz pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud affecting a financial institution. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 30 and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger for the District of New Jersey; Inspector General Brian M. Tomney of the Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of Inspector General (FHFA-OIG); and Postal Inspector in Charge Eric Shen of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s (USPIS) Criminal Investigations Group made the announcement.

FHFA-OIG and USPIS are investigating the case.

Trial Attorney Siji Moore of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Martha Nye for the District of New Jersey are prosecuting the case.

NEWARK, N.J. – A Hudson County, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 192 months in prison for drug distribution and weapons offenses, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Jabar Evans, 45, of Jersey City, New Jersey, was convicted on Oct. 20, 2023, of unlawful possession of a firearm, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

According to documents filed in this case and the evidence at trial:

In June 2021, Evans controlled a fentanyl manufacturing facility in a Jersey City hotel room. In the early morning hours of June 22, 2021, Evans moved his drug manufacturing facility from one hotel room into a new, larger room within the hotel. Surveillance video showed Evans’s belongings being moved from his old room to his new room in the middle of the night. After several hours of moving the drug operation, Evans inadvertently left two firearms in the safe of the old room, which hotel staff thereafter discovered and turned over to law enforcement. Law enforcement officers arrested Evans in his new room, where they also found – both in plain view and hidden in duffel bags in the ceiling – over 12,000 glassines of fentanyl, bags containing hundreds of grams of uncut fentanyl and methamphetamine, and narcotics packaging and manufacturing equipment.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited the Jersey City Police Department, under the direction of Public Safety Director James Shea, with the investigation leading to the sentencing. He also thanked special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark.

This investigation was conducted as part of the Jersey City Violent Crime Initiative (VCI). The VCI was formed in 2018 by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Jersey City Police Department, for the sole purpose of combatting violent crime in and around Jersey City. As part of this partnership, federal, state, county, and city agencies collaborate to strategize and prioritize the prosecution of violent offenders who endanger the safety of the community. The VCI is composed of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Jersey Division, the U.S. Marshals, the Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations, the Jersey City Police Department, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, New Jersey State Parole, the Hudson County Jail, and the New Jersey State Police Regional Operations and Intelligence Center/Real Time Crime Center.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Desiree Grace, Chief of the Criminal Division, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Goldberg of the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Unit in Newark.

TRENTON, N.J. – A Burlington County, New Jersey man was sentenced to 245 months in prison for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy that distributed more than one kilogram of heroin in Trenton and the surrounding area, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Jerome Roberts, aka “Righteous,” 53, was convicted in October 2021 of conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin and distribution of 100 grams or more of heroin. Roberts was convicted following a three-week trial before former then-Chief U.S. District Judge Freda L. Wolfson. U.S. District Judge Georgette Castner imposed the sentence on June 13, 2024, in Trenton federal court.

According to documents filed in the case and the evidence at trial:

From October 2017 to October 2018, Roberts and others engaged in a large narcotics conspiracy that operated in the areas of Martin Luther King Boulevard, Sanford Street, Middle Rose Street, Southard Street, Hoffman Avenue, and Coolidge Avenue in Trenton, and which sought to profit from the distribution of heroin and numerous other controlled substances. Roberts and his conspirator Jakir Taylor obtained regular supplies of hundreds of “bricks” of heroin from conspirator David Antonio, whom they referred to as “Papi.” Communications intercepted over court-authorized wiretaps showed that Taylor and Roberts agreed to obtain from Antonio what Roberts referred to as the “motherlode,” a supply of as many as 1,500 bricks – approximately 1.5 kilograms of heroin – in a single delivery. Taylor said that he intended to “flood the streets” of Trenton with this large supply. And Antonio said that “as long . . . as I keep it flowing, we never gonna stop.” Evidence in the case also showed that Roberts personally distributed large quantities of heroin to others during the conspiracy. For example, law enforcement surveillance, intercepted communications, and other physical evidence showed that on or about August 10, 2018, Roberts obtained a supply of 200 bricks of heroin from Antonio, which he redistributed to Taylor and others. During coordinated arrests on Oct. 25, 2018, law enforcement arrested Roberts, Taylor, Antonio, and other defendants, and recovered more than 1.4 kilograms of heroin from Antonio’s residence.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, Newark Division, Trenton Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark; special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Newark Field Division, Trenton Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ross A. Marchetti; officers of the Trenton Police Department, under the direction of Acting Police Director Steve Wilson; officers of the Princeton Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Nicholas Sutter; officers of the Ewing Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police John P. Stemler III; officers of the Burlington Township Police Department, under the direction of Police Director Bruce Painter; and detectives of the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, under the  direction of Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw, with the investigation leading to the sentencing.

He also thanked officers of the N.J. State Police, under the direction of Superintendent Col. Patrick J. Callahan; detectives of the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Angelo Onofri; officers of the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff John A. Kemler; and members of the N.J. State Board of Parole for their assistance in the case.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Ramey of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Trenton.

Antonio pleaded guilty to his role was sentenced in March 2020 to 204 months in prison. Taylor pleaded guilty to his role and was sentenced in January 2023 to 228 months in prison.

This case was conducted under the auspices of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) and the FBI’s Greater Trenton Safe Streets Task Force, a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to enhance the identification, apprehension, and prosecution of individuals involved in gang-related activities, violent crime, and drug distribution in and around the greater Trenton area. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking, and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.

NEWARK, N.J. – A Bergen County, New Jersey, man admitted that he fraudulently obtained an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and laundered the loan proceeds, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.

George Leguen, 51, of Paramus, New Jersey, pleaded guilty on June 12, 2024, before U.S. District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo in Newark federal court to an information charging him with one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

From August 2020 through January 2021, Leguen participated in a scheme to defraud to fraudulently receive COVID-19 emergency relief funds meant for distressed small businesses under the EIDL program. Leguen applied to the Small Business Administration (SBA) on behalf of a business he owned and controlled. He submitted fraudulent information in support of that application, including the number of employees, annual gross revenue figures, and fraudulent federal tax returns. Leguen received $149,900. After receiving the fraudulent funds, he diverted the proceeds for his personal gain.

The charge of wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain to the defendant or gross loss to the victim, whichever is greatest. The charge of money laundering carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000, or twice the value of the monetary instrument or funds involved in the laundering offense, whichever is greater. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 19, 2024.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents and task force officers of IRS – Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan in Newark: the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz of the New Jersey Field Division; special agents of the U.S. Secret Service, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Aaron Hatley, Newark Field Office; and special agents of the U.S. Department of Labor – Office of the Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Mellone, Northeast Region, with the investigation leading to the guilty plea.

The District of New Jersey COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Strike Force is one of five strike forces established throughout the United States by the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute COVID-19 fraud. The strike forces focus on large-scale, multi-state pandemic relief fraud perpetrated by criminal organizations and transnational actors. The strike forces are interagency law enforcement efforts, using prosecutor-led and data analyst-driven teams designed to identify and bring to justice those who stole pandemic relief funds.

Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Fatime Meka Cano and Aja Espinosa of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.

leguen.information.pdf

NEWARK, N.J. – A Passaic County, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 125  months in prison for possessing fentanyl for distribution and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Jessie Mayfield, 61, of Paterson, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Evelyn Padin in Newark federal court to an information charging him with one count of being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

On Aug. 24, 2021, Mayfield possessed a quantity of fentanyl that was packaged for distribution, with the intent to sell it. He also possessed a Ruger .22 caliber pistol, along with a box containing 95 .22 caliber long rifle cartridges.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Padin sentenced Mayfield to three years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited the members of the New Jersey State Parole Board, under the direction of Chairman Samuel J. Plumeri Jr.; Paterson Police Department, under the direction of Officer in Charge Isa Abbassi; and special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Ross A. Marchetti, Newark Field Division, with the investigation leading to the sentencing.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dong Joo Lee of the Cybercrimes Unit.

NEWARK, N.J. – A New York man was sentenced today to time already served – 25 months in prison – for distribution and possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Jose Migel Cleto, 65, of Manhattan, New York, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo in Newark federal court to an information charging him with one count of distribution and possession with the intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

In April 2022, Cleto distributed, and possessed with the intent to distribute, 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl to a man in a commercial parking lot in Fort Lee, New Jersey.  

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of Homeland Security Investigations Newark, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge William S. Walker, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Vincent D. Romano of the OCDETF Unit in Newark.

NEWARK, N.J. – A New York fund manager today admitted defrauding investors out of millions of dollars, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Joshua Goltry, 30, of New York pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Katharine S. Hayden in Newark federal court to an information charging him with one count of securities fraud.

“Joshua Goltry admitted making outlandish claims in falsifying the achievements of his purported investment fund. In doing so, he duped investors out of millions of dollars, money they thought they were investing carefully, but which, in reality, this defendant was using to repay other investors or spending on his own bills. The investing public needs to be protected from unscrupulous frauds like this, and our office will work with our law enforcement partners to make sure that happens.”

U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger

“Fraudsters operating what amounts to a Ponzi scheme shouldn't be shocked when the cash dries up,” FBI – Newark Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy said. “They’re usually spending exorbitant amounts of other people’s money on lavish lifestyles, with no thought to what happens next. Goltry admits lying to his clients, promising huge returns that he pulled out of thin air, and then lying several more times to secure funding so he could keep the scheme going. It should also come as no surprise that his criminal behavior led to the FBI investigating him and holding him accountable.”

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Beginning in 2020, Goltry operated and controlled JAG Cap LLC d/b/a JAG Capital, which purported to be an investment fund with a history of successful performance. From 2020 to September 2023, he solicited investments in JAG Capital by making material misrepresentations and omissions. For example, in late 2020, he sent potential investors marketing materials falsely claiming that JAG Capital’s track record included positive returns nearly every quarter from 2018 through mid-2020, with three of those quarters showing returns greater than 50 percent. He also claimed that JAG Capital outperformed three well-known stock indices nearly every quarter. In April 2021, in reliance on those and other misrepresentations, two victims invested a total of $700,000 in JAG Capital. 

Goltry also claimed to potential investors that JAG Capital’s performance exceeded 200 percent; at other times, he claimed its performance exceeded 1,000 percent. He also claimed that JAG Capital managed more than $20 million; at other times, he told potential investors that JAG Capital managed more than $50 million. Over the course of his scheme, Goltry obtained more than $3 million from investors.

Goltry claimed to investors that he would invest their money in securities for which he performed “extensive due diligence,” including “diversified tech opportunities” when in reality, he used investor money to repay previous investors and to pay for his own lifestyle, including paying for the rent on his Manhattan apartment, vacations, and personal credit card bills.  

In May 2023, after depleting nearly all investor money, Goltry sought a short-term loan from an investment company by submitting false and forged documents purporting to be from the Red Bank, New Jersey office of a national bank. In reliance on those false documents, the investment company transferred $150,000 to JAG Capital.

In a parallel action, the Securities and Exchange commission today charged Goltry and JAG Advisors with violating antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws. Goltry and JAG Advisors agreed to settle the charges against them. The settlement, which is subject to court approval, would permanently enjoin Goltry and JAG Advisors from violating the charged provisions of the federal securities laws and allows the court to decide the amounts of disgorgement, prejudgment interest, and civil penalties at a later date. 

The securities fraud charge to which Goltry pleaded guilty carries a maximum potential sentence of 20 years imprisonment and a fine equal to the greatest of $250,000 or twice the gain or loss resulting from the offense. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 19, 2024.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carolyn Silane of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.

goltry.information.pdf

NEWARK, N.J. – An Essex County, New Jersey, tax preparer was sentenced today to 57 months in prison for conspiring to obtain over $4.4 million by defrauding the IRS, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced

Omar Khater, 33, of Fairfield, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti in Newark federal court on Jan. 23, 2024, to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to defraud the IRS. Khater’s conspirator, Walid Khater, 38, of Arizona, pleaded guilty on May 23, 2024, to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to defraud the IRS.

“Omar Khater has admitted his role in an elaborate scheme that used stolen personal identifying information and fabricated tax returns to bilk the IRS of millions of dollars. He and a relative submitted tax documents falsely claiming that the taxpayers listed on those documents had earned certain income or won thousands – and in some cases millions – of dollars in gambling and lottery winnings. Working with our law enforcement partners, we will root out these illegal and dangerous schemes, and those who perpetrate them can expect the same result as this defendant.”

U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger

“Omar Khater used stolen identities to file fraudulent tax returns for illicit personal financial gain,” Jenifer L. Piovesan, Special Agent in Charge, IRS - Criminal Investigation, Newark Field Office, said. “He was caught and is now a convicted felon with a prison sentence to serve. IRS - Criminal Investigation will continue to vigorously investigate individuals who attempt to steal taxpayer money from the U.S. Treasury.”

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Omar and Walid Khater were relatives who worked together and with others to steal victims’ identities, which they used to file false tax returns and fraudulently receive tax refunds from the IRS. They electronically submitted tax documents to the IRS falsely claiming that the individual taxpayers listed on those documents had earned certain income or won thousands – and in some cases millions – of dollars in gambling and lottery winnings. The false filings also claimed tax withholdings on the purported income or gambling winnings that entitled the tax filer to refund payments from the IRS. The Khaters and others typically submitted these fraudulent tax filings using the names and personal identifying information of victims without the victims’ knowledge or permission. The fraudulent filings caused the IRS to pay lucrative tax refunds, which the Khaters and others directed to various bank accounts that they controlled.  This scheme caused the U.S. Treasury to issue tax refunds $4.49 million, which the Khaters and others diverted to bank accounts they controlled in New Jersey and elsewhere.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Martinotti sentenced Omar Khater to three years of supervised release and ordered restitution of $4.49 million.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Piovesan in Newark; and special agents of FBI-Newark, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Fatime Meka Cano of the Economic Crimes Unit and Katherine M. Romano of the Health Care Fraud Unit in Newark.

NEWARK, N.J. – An Essex County, New Jersey, man today admitted illegally possessing cocaine and heroin for distribution and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and in furtherance of drug trafficking, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Naiem Moore, 34, of Newark, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo in Newark federal court to an indictment charging him with two counts of being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

On Jan. 14, 2021, law enforcement recovered glassine envelopes containing heroin, jugs containing cocaine, and a Chrome Llama Max I firearm loaded with four rounds of ammunition and two controlled expansion rounds from Moore’s vehicle. On Sept. 28, 2020, Moore had used the same firearm in a shooting and attempted assault.

The narcotics offense carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison, and a fine of $1 million. The two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison. The count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime carries a statutory mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, which must run consecutively to any other sentence imposed, and a maximum potential penalty of life in prison. Each firearm count carries a maximum fine of $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 18, 2024.

This investigation was conducted as part of the Newark Violent Crimes Initiative (VCI). The VCI was formed in August 2017 by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, and the City of Newark’s Department of Public Safety to combat violent crime in and around Newark. As part of this partnership, federal, state, county, and city agencies collaborate and pool resources to prosecute violent offenders who endanger the safety of the community. The VCI is composed of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, the ATF, the DEA New Jersey Division, the U.S. Marshals, the Newark Department of Public Safety, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, N.J. State Board of Parole, Union County Jail, N.J. State Police Regional Operations and Intelligence Center/Real Time Crime Center, N.J. Department of Corrections, the East Orange Police Department, and the Irvington Police Department.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited officers of the Newark Police Division under the direction of Director Fritz Fragé; special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark; and the Bloomfield Police Department, under the direction of Public Safety Director Samuel A. DeMaio, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney DeNae Thomas of the Health Care Fraud Unit.

moore.indictment.pdf

NEWARK, N.J. – Eight people have been charged as members and associates of the “793 Bloods” street gang, a subset of the Bloods national gang, for their alleged roles in a drug trafficking organization that distributed fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine in Newark, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced. 

Muta Bell, 33, Ibn Foster, 19, Xavion Miller, 19, Corey Wade, 32, Bazair White, 20, Yusef Milliron, 28, and Alshakur Robinson, 29, all of Newark, are each charged by complaint with one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine. Robert Franklin, 29, of Newark, is charged in a separate complaint with one count of possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Bell, Foster, White and Robinson were arrested today and appeared this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate José R. Almonte in Newark federal court. Bell, Foster, and Robinson were detained; White was released on $100,000 unsecured bond. Wade and Franklin are currently detained in state custody and will make their appearances at a later date. Miller and Milliron remain at large.

According to the complaints:

The defendants are part of a drug trafficking organization that operates an open-air narcotics market in the area of South Orange and Isabella avenues in Newark. For several months, law enforcement conducted extensive surveillance of the area and conducted numerous controlled purchases of narcotics, all of which demonstrated extensive interactions related to drug trafficking between and among the members or the conspiracy.

During law enforcement’s investigation, Franklin engaged in a suspected narcotics transaction in the vicinity of Isabella Avenue and was soon thereafter found in possession of suspected cocaine base and a privately manufactured firearm, equipped with a high-capacity magazine, loaded with 16 rounds of 9mm ammunition.

The count of conspiracy charged in the complaint carries a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison and a fine of at least $5 million, with a mandatory minimum prison sentence of five years.

Franklin faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a fine of at least $250,000 on the possession of ammunition by a convicted felon; a maximum of 20 years in prison and a fine of $1 million, on the distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine; and a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and a maximum of life in prison, which must run consecutive to any other punishment, and a fine of $250, 0000, for the possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. 

As part of this same investigation, Fakhir Johnson, 20, and Samaj Collins, 20, both of Newark, New Jersey, were charged by complaint on Sept. 11, 2023. Johnson was charged with one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. Collins was charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents and task force officers of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Newark Division, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Ross A. Marchetti, and the Newark Police Department, under the direction of Director of Public Safety Fritz G. Fragé, with the investigation leading to the charges. He also thanked the U.S. Marshals Service, under the direction of Juan Mattos Jr.

The investigation was conducted as part of the Newark Violent Crime Initiative (VCI). The Newark VCI was formed in August 2017 by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, and the City of Newark’s Department of Public Safety for the sole purpose of combatting violent crime in and around Newark. As part of this partnership, federal, state, county, and city agencies collaborate and pool resources to prosecute violent offenders who endanger the safety of the community. The VCI is composed of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, the ATF, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) New Jersey Division, the Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Marshals, the Newark Department of Public Safety, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, New Jersey State Parole, Union County Jail, New Jersey State Police Regional Operations and Intelligence Center/Real Time Crime Center, New Jersey Department of Corrections, the East Orange Police Department, and the Irvington Police Department.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys James Graham of the Organized Crime and Gangs Unit and Rebecca Sussman of the OCDETF Unit in Newark.

The charges and allegations contained in the complaints are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

franklin.complaint.pdf belletal.complaint.pdf

CAMDEN, N.J. – A Camden County, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 33 months in prison for possessing images of child sexual abuse, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Robert Giles, 73, of Collingswood, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Renée Marie Bumb to an indictment charging him with one count of possession of child pornography. Judge Bumb imposed the sentence today in Camden federal court.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

On April 15, 2022, agents with FBI served a search warrant at Giles’s residence and discovered electronic devices that belonged to Giles. A forensic examination of those devices revealed over 45,000 unique files containing videos and images of children being sexually abused.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Bumb sentenced Giles to 10 years of supervised release and ordered him to pay $186,500 in fines.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Wayne A. Jacobs in Philadelphia, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea. He also thanked the Collingswood Police Department.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Johns of the Criminal Division in Camden.

CAMDEN, N.J. – A Burlington County, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 33 months in prison for illegally laundering the proceeds of a mail fraud scheme, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Pablo Estrada, 27, of Florence, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Renée Marie Bumb to an information charging him with one count of money laundering. Judge Bumb imposed the sentence today in Camden federal court.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

From August 2020 through January 2023, Estrada received money from victims of various scams, including a lottery scam – an advance fee fraud which begins with victims receiving an unexpected notification that they have won large sums of money in a lottery, but are required to pay various fees and expenses before their winnings can be released to them. Estrada deposited the money into various bank accounts that he maintained for purposes of receiving criminal proceeds. He transferred the funds to other bank accounts, keeping a percentage for himself. Estrada laundered more than $4 million in this manner.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Bumb sentenced Estrada to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay restitution of $4.21 million.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited postal inspectors with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Newark, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Christopher A. Nielsen, Philadelphia Division; special agents of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Thomas Mahoney; and special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing. He also thanked the Burlington County Prosecutors Office under the direction of LaChia L. Bradshaw and the Florence Township Police Department under the direction of Brian Boldizar.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel A. Friedman of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Camden.

NEWARK, N.J. – A Brooklyn, New York, man was sentenced today to 48 months in prison for transporting stolen jewelry across state lines, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Tony Newton, 62, of Brooklyn, New York, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Claire C. Cecchi to an indictment charging him with two counts of interstate transportation of stolen goods. Judge Cecchi imposed the sentenced today in Newark federal court. 

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

On June 1, 2022, and July 16, 2022, Newton transported stolen jewelry across state lines from Middlesex and Union counties, New Jersey, to New York. Newton admitted to two additional burglaries of mall jewelry stores in Bay Shore, New York, and Milford, Connecticut.  The four burglaries and thefts resulted in retail losses of $804,227.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Cecchi sentenced Newton to three years of supervised release, ordered restitution of $804,227 and forfeiture of $804,227.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited FBI Newark’s Transnational Organized Crime Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark; the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor William Daniel and Chief Harvey Barnwell; officers of the Edison Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Tom Bryan; and officers of the Elizabeth Police Department, under the direction of Director Earl Graves and Chief Giacomo Sacca, with the investigation.  He also thanked officers of the Suffolk County, New York, Police Department and the Milford, Connecticut, Police Department.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Farhana C. Melo of the OCDETF/Narcotic Unit in Newark.

NEWARK, N.J. – Two Hudson County, New Jersey, men admitted their involvement in a string of armed robberies of gas stations, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.

Wendell Bradley Jr., 27, of Bayonne, New Jersey pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo in Newark federal court to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, one count of Hobbs Act robbery, one count of attempted carjacking, and one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

Joseph Brown, 26, of Jersey City, New Jersey, pleaded guilty on May 9, 2024, before Judge Arleo to an information charging him with one count of attempted Hobbs Act robbery and one count of Hobbs Act robbery.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

From Jan. 3, 2022, to Feb. 4, 2022, Bradley, either alone or with Brown, would drive to a gas station, pull up to a gas pump, ask the gas station attendant to put gas in the car’s tank, and, while the tank was being filled, would pull a gun on the attendant and demand money. On Jan. 20, 2022, in Union, Brown pointed a gun at a gas station attendant, demanded money, and threated to kill him. Bradley then grabbed the attendant from behind, but the attendant was able to break free and escape into the gas station before Brown or Bradley could take any money from him.

The spree ended on Feb. 4, 2022, after Bradley and Brown robbed a gas station attendant at gunpoint in Secaucus, New Jersey. After the robbery, Bradley and Brown fled, and officers chased them from Secaucus to Newark, where Bradley crashed his car.

The conspiracy, robbery, and attempted robbery charges each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, or twice the gain or loss from the offenses, whichever is greatest. The carjacking charge carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, or twice the gain or loss from the offenses, whichever is greatest. The firearm possession charge carries a mandatory minimum prison sentence of seven years and a maximum penalty of life in prison. Sentencing for Bradley is scheduled for Oct. 10, 2024; sentencing for Brown is scheduled for Oct. 3, 2024.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Ross A. Marchetti; the Clifton Police Department, under the direction of Chief Thomas Rinaldi; the Hillside Police Department, under the direction of Chief Vincent P. Ricciardi Jr,; the Jersey City Department of Public Safety, under the direction of Public Safety Director James Shea; the Newark Police Department, under the direction of Public Safety Director Fritz Fragé; the North Bergan Police Department, under the direction of Chief Peter Fasilis; the Secaucus Police Department, under the direction of Chief Dennis Miller; and the Union Police Department, under the direction of Police Director Chris Donnelly, with the investigation.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Webman of the Opioid Abuse Prevention and Enforcement Unit in Newark.

bradleybrown.information.pdf

NEWARK, N.J. – A New Jersey orthopedic surgeon today admitted multiple counts of illegally prescribing pain medication to his patients, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Evangelos Megariotis, 72, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti in Newark federal court to seven counts of a 34-count indictment charging him with dispensing Oxycodone, Oxycontin, and Oxycodone-Acetaminophen to five patients outside of the usual course of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Megariotis was a New Jersey physician specializing in orthopedic surgery and practicing in Clifton, New Jersey. From March 2017 through November 2017, Megariotis issued prescriptions for Oxycodone, Oxycontin, and Oxycodone-Acetaminophen pills to five of his patients, and did so without a legitimate medical purpose and outside of the usual course of professional practice. Oxycodone, Oxycontin, and Oxycodone-Acetaminophen – Schedule II controlled substances – have a high potential for abuse that can lead to severe psychological and physical dependence and can result in fatal overdoses.

Megariotis faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 15, 2024. 

U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger credited special agents, diversion investigators and task force officers from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Jersey Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Mateo of the Opioid Abuse Prevention & Enforcement Unit.

megariotis.indictment.pdf

NEWARK, N.J. – Two Hudson County, New Jersey, men have been charged in connection with their respective roles in a Jersey City neighborhood street gang that distributed cocaine and heroin, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.

Anthony Phillips, aka “Ant,” aka “Little Ant,” 31, of Jersey City, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Michael A. Hammer in Newark federal court on June 6, 2024, and was detained. Phillips was charged by complaint on April 30, 2024, with conspiring with Shannon Tisdale, aka “Doonk,” 32, of Jersey City, New Jersey, to distribute heroin and cocaine. Phillips was also charged with possession with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Phillips pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter on June 11, 2015, in Hudson County Superior Court, New Jersey in connection with shooting and killing an individual in Jersey City. He was sentenced to 13 years in prison. Phillips was released from the Department of Corrections under parole supervision on March 14, 2024.

Tisdale appeared before U.S. Magistrate Leda Dunn Wettre in Newark federal court on May 17, 2024, and was detained.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

In December 2023, law enforcement began investigating individuals distributing narcotics in the area of Lexington and Bergen avenues in Jersey City, including members and associates of “Lex Mob,” a neighborhood street gang. On April 24, 2024, law enforcement observed Tisdale and Phillips distributing controlled substances in the Lexington Area. Law enforcement attempted to arrest Tisdale and Phillips, who both initially ran when law enforcement approached them. During the pursuit of Phillips, law enforcement observed Phillips remove and discard a firearm. Immediately after discarding the firearm, Phillips was apprehended. During a search of Phillips’s person, law enforcement recovered 12 orange containers of suspected cocaine and 13 orange glassine bags of suspected heroin. Law enforcement recovered the firearm that Phillips had discarded. That firearm was loaded with eight rounds of ammunition.

On the count of possession of a firearm as a convicted felon, Phillips faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. On the count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, Phillips faces a mandatory minimum prison sentence of five years, which must run consecutively to any other prison sentenced imposed. On the count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances crime, Phillips and Tisdale each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. 

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents and task force officers of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Newark Field Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ross A. Marchetti, and the Jersey City Police Department, under the direction of Public Safety Director James Shea.

This investigation was conducted as part of the Jersey City Violent Crime Initiative (VCI). The VCI was formed in 2018 by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Jersey City Police Department, for the sole purpose of combatting violent crime in and around Jersey City. As part of this partnership, federal, state, county, and city agencies collaborate to strategize and prioritize the prosecution of violent offenders who endanger the safety of the community. The VCI is composed of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the ATF, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Marshals, the Jersey City Police Department, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office, New Jersey State Parole, the Hudson County Jail, and the New Jersey State Police Regional Operations and Intelligence Center/Real Time Crime Center.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Linares of the Organized Crime/Gang Unit in Newark.

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

phillipstisdale.complaint.pdf

NEWARK, N.J. – Three Essex County, New Jersey, men were indicted by a federal grand jury today for their role in a January 2024 gunpoint robbery of a pharmacy in Orange, New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Reginald Ware, 54, Nyiron Williams, 22, and Jamon Crosby, 35, all of Newark, are charged in a three-count indictment with conspiracy to Commit Hobbs Act Robbery, Hobbs Act Robbery, and using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Ware, Williams and Crosby, who were previously charged by complaint and were detained, will be arraigned on a date to be determined.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

On Jan. 16, 2024, Ware, Williams, and Crosby drove together to a pharmacy and then entered the pharmacy within minutes of each other while wearing black masks. Once inside the pharmacy, Ware and Williams each brandished a handgun and demanded money. Crosby then entered the pharmacy, brandished a handgun, and the three men demanded that the store employees hand over their cell phones. Ware, Williams and Crosby then took cash and at least 10 bottles of prescription medication. Once they noticed that law enforcement had arrived, Ware, Williams and Crosby ran out of the store toward a parking lot. Ware was immediately apprehended in the parking lot, Williams was apprehended approximately two blocks away, and Crosby was apprehended after breaking into a nearby residence. The handguns that Ware and Williams brandished during the robbery were recovered by law enforcement.

The count of using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence carries a maximum potential penalty of life in prison and in this case, a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in prison for Williams and Crosby, and a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years  in prison for Ware because he was previously convicted of the same crime in 2012 in connection with four gunpoint robberies of pharmacies in New Jersey. The sentence on this charge must be consecutive to any other sentence imposed. The conspiracy to Commit Hobbs Act Robbery and Hobbs Act Robbery counts each carry a statutory maximum of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy, and members of the Orange Police Department, under the direction of Police Director Todd Warren, with the investigation leading to today’s charges.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariel Douek of the General Crimes Unit in Newark.

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

CAMDEN, N.J. – Several members of a gun manufacturing and trafficking network in Passaic and Hudson counties have been sentenced to prison terms for weapons offenses related to the fabrication and sale of personally made firearms (PMFs), commonly known as “ghost guns,” and other offenses, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Corey Jenkins Jr., 31, of Paterson, New Jersey, was sentenced today to 87 months in prison and three years of supervised release; Richard Mullane, 27, of Bayonne, New Jersey, was sentenced on June 5, 2024, to 72 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release; and Savion Clyburn, 21, of Paterson, was sentenced on May 30, 2024, to 60 months in prison and three years of supervised release.

The defendants previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Karen M. Williams to one count of conspiracy to engage in unlicensed dealing of firearms and one count of engaging in unlicensed dealing of firearms. In addition, Jenkins pleaded guilty to one count of possession of ammunition by a convicted felon and Mullane pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography.

According to documents filed in the cases, and statements made in court:

Beginning in December 2022, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), along with state and local law enforcement agencies, began investigating a firearms trafficking network, operating largely in Paterson and Bayonne, that included Clyburn, Jenkins, and Mullane, among others. During December 2022 and January 2023, law enforcement conducted controlled purchases which resulted in the recovery of over a dozen firearms. Law enforcement recovered additional firearms during the execution of search warrants on Jan. 30, 2023, including a loaded PMF that Jenkins threw out of a window of his home upon realizing that law enforcement was nearby.

While examining electronic devices seized from Mullane’s home on Jan. 30, 2023, pursuant to a court-authorized warrant, law enforcement officers discovered more than 600 images of child pornography.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of ATF, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Ross A. Marchetti in Newark; postal inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Newark, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Christopher A. Nielsen, Philadelphia Division; the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Acting Sheriff Gary F. Giardina; the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office; under the direction of Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes; the Passaic Police Department, under the direction of Chief Luis A. Guzman; and the Paterson Police Department, under the direction of Officer in Charge Isa Abbassi, with the investigation leading to the sentencings. He also thanked the Elizabeth, Plainfield, Hillside, Bayonne and East Orange police departments, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the New Jersey State Police, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office and the U.S. Marshals Service.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Belgiovine of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Trenton.

CAMDEN, N.J. – A Gloucester County, New Jersey, man admitted today that he defrauded the government of more than $200,000 in Social Security and Medicaid benefits, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Dennis Gaudette, 72, of Franklinville, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Christine P. O’Hearn in Camden federal court to an information charging him with Social Security fraud.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Beginning in March 2009, Gaudette used the identity of a deceased individual to apply for and receive Social Security and Medicaid benefits. Between 2009 and 2023, Gaudette collected $43,464 in Social Security Retirement Income Benefits and $85,332.50 in Supplemental Security Income benefits that he was not entitled to receive. During the same time period, the state of New Jersey paid $88,993 in Medicaid benefits for medical care, testing, and medications that Gaudette received using the name of the deceased individual. Over the course of the scheme, Gaudette concealed and failed to disclose that he was ineligible for these government benefits because he was not in fact the deceased individual and his actual age, income, and resources did not qualify him for these programs.

The Social Security fraud charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross profits or gross loss, whichever is greatest. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 15, 2024.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, New York Field Division, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Bradley Parker, and special agents of the U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service, Philadelphia Resident Office, under the direction of Resident Agent-in-Charge Robert Picco, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel A. Friedman of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Camden.

gaudette.information.pdf