District of Nevada
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Defendant Sentenced to over 26 Years in Prison for Armed Robbery of A Restaurant, Armed Carjacking, and Felon in Possession of A FirearmRead the Press Release
RENO, Nev. – Eric Romero-Lobato, 39, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Larry R. Hicks to a total of 26 years and seven months in federal prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, for committing two separate violent crimes involving firearms and being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trials:
- On March 4, 2018, Romero-Lobato and another individual attempted to rob a restaurant in Sparks, Nevada, while customers were dining inside. During the attempted robbery, Romero-Lobato — who was armed with a 9mm semi-automatic pistol — fired a shot into the ceiling. On November 19, 2019, a jury found Romero-Lobato guilty of conspiracy to commit interference with commerce by robbery, attempted interference with commerce by robbery, discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence, and felon in possession of a firearm.
- On May 14, 2018, after the attempted robbery, Romero-Lobato pointed a pistol at a victim’s head during an armed carjacking in Reno, and stole the victim’s car, wallet, and phone. He attempted to flee from law enforcement and led the police on a high speed chase before wrecking the stolen car. When the police apprehended Romero-Lobato, they recovered a 9mm semi-automatic pistol, which forensic analysis determined was the same firearm discharged in the March 4 robbery attempt. In a separate trial, on July 11, 2019, a jury found Romero-Lobato guilty of carjacking, use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and felon in possession of a firearm.
Romero-Lobato has a gross misdemeanor conviction for conspiracy to commit battery with a deadly weapon for stabbing a victim with a screwdriver, three felony convictions for unlawful reentry by a deported alien, and one felony conviction for eluding. As a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm.
The carjacking case was investigated by the Reno Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan Rachow and Steve Myhre. The attempted robbery case was investigated by the Sparks Police Department and the ATF; and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan Rachow and Penelope Brady.
These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide program by the Department of Justice that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, the Department announced the reinvigoration of PSN. For more information about PSN, visit www.justice.gov/usao-nv.
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Contract Mail Carrier Sentenced to Prison for Stealing and Opening Nearly 70 Pieces of MailRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — David Stephen Bangs II, 34, of Henderson, Nevada, was sentenced yesterday to six months in federal prison to be followed by one year of supervised release for stealing mail while employed as a contract mail carrier by the U.S. Postal Service, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge John D. Masters, Western Area Field Office, USPS Office of the Inspector General.
“Our office is proud to partner with the U.S. Postal Service to stop mail theft in our Nevada communities — including by holding accountable those who betray the public’s trust,” said U.S. Attorney Trutanich.
Special Agent in Charge Masters said, “The American public trusts that U.S. Postal Service employees will obey the law and honor the commitment to their duties. When that duty and trust is violated, the Postal Service Office of Inspector General (USPS OIG) investigates those matters. This sentencing sends a clear message that mail theft is a serious crime, which carries serious consequences. The USPS OIG, along the U.S. Attorney’s Office, remain committed to safeguarding the integrity of the U.S. Mail and ensuring the accountability and integrity of U.S. Postal Service employees.”
On February 4, 2020, Bangs pleaded guilty to one count of mail theft before U.S. District Judge Gloria M. Navarro, who sentenced him.
According to court documents, from April 1, 2018 to August 7, 2019, Bangs performed contract delivery services for the U.S. Postal Service. In June 2019, customers in one neighborhood complained about missing or opened mail to the USPS OIG. Bangs was identified as the letter carrier for that area. The USPS OIG conducted a test on his route, and Bangs was found to have stolen money from the test letter. During an interview, Bangs admitted that, between February 2019 and August 2019, he targeted customer mail that he believed contained cash. He admitted to stealing mail from at least 67 victims.
The charges resulted from an investigation by the USPS OIG. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy Robbins and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Fang prosecuted the case.
To report violations, employee misconduct, fraud, waste, abuse of authority, or theft involving U.S. Postal Service employees and contractors, please contact the USPS OIG Hotline at https://www.uspsoig.gov/form/file-online-complaint.
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Two Men Charged for Conspiracy and Possession with Intent to Distribute 60 Pounds of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Edgar Marin-Melendrez, 29, a citizen of Mexico, and Misael Elias, 22, of Bell, California, made their initial appearances in federal court yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cam Ferenbach for allegedly possessing with the intent to distribute more than 60 pounds of methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich of the District of Nevada and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Daniel Neill of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Marin-Melendrez and Elias were each charged in a criminal complaint with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cam Ferenbach for September 1, 2020.
As alleged in the complaint, on August 14, 2020, Marin-Melendrez and Elias met a buyer in a parking lot in North Las Vegas, with the intent to sell more than 60 pounds of methamphetamine. Law enforcement apprehended Marin-Melendrez and Elias in the parking lot. The trunk of their vehicle contained approximately 28,000 grams (62 pounds) of methamphetamine in a suitcase.
Marin-Melendrez and Elias each face a statutory maximum sentence of life in prison and a $10,000,000 fine for each count. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only.
A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct for purposes of establishing probable cause, not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
This case was the product of an investigation by the DEA.
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Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada Agrees to Pay over $200K to Resolve Claims It Fraudulently Billed the United States for Community Service GrantsRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS and PHILADELPHIA– United States Attorney for the District of Nevada Nicholas A. Trutanich and United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania William M. McSwain jointly announced that Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada (Catholic Charities) has agreed to pay $206,368.35 to resolve claims arising from its administration of community service grants funded through the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS).
From 2003 until 2018, Catholic Charities administered multiple grants in CNCS’s Senior Corps program. These grants included the Foster Grandparent Program, which places seniors in school and community settings to serve youth with exceptional needs, and the Senior Companion Program, which places seniors in community and residential settings to assist other seniors who have difficulty with tasks of daily living. These programs provide small hourly stipends to the volunteers performing these services.
The settlement resolves claims that in 2014 and 2015, Catholic Charities’ employees who oversaw the Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion programs falsified records for the stipend recipients. They also directed recipients to falsify records, leading to CNCS grant funds being used to pay stipends for hours that were never actually worked, were in violation of program requirements, or were inflated.
When Catholic Charities executive management discovered the fraudulent actions of its employees, it voluntarily disclosed them through the CNCS-OIG hotline. It terminated the employees who had perpetrated the fraud and cooperated fully in the United States’ investigation of its administration of these grants. In 2018, Catholic Charities relinquished the grants entirely.
“Each day, Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada feeds the hungry, provides shelter for the homeless, and supports families and seniors in need of assistance. The federal government relies on its non-profit partners to help ensure that federal grant funds are being used to assist their communities,” said U.S. Attorney Trutanich. “Today’s settlement is a reminder that everyone receiving federal grant funds must adhere to grant compliance requirements and self-report misuse of federal grant funds, as Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada did here.”
“Every federal grantee, including community service organizations, is required to honestly and openly report the service that its volunteers perform. Every dollar spent on an hour that was not actually served is one that is not available to support other community service efforts,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain. “Strict compliance with grant requirements ensures that federal funds reach those who need it most.”
“Catholic Charities acted responsibly upon discovering fraud, promptly reported the misconduct, cooperated actively with the investigation and willingly made the taxpayers whole,” said CNCS’s Inspector General Deborah J. Jeffrey. “As a result, Catholic Charities was appropriately spared substantial penalties and fines. We thank our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and Nevada for protecting the integrity of CNCS.”
United States Attorneys Trutanich and McSwain also praised Catholic Charities’ work in addressing the issues in these programs: “We commend Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada for promptly reporting these issues when they were discovered and for working with the Department of Justice and the Corporation for National and Community Service to make the government whole. We hope this settlement will serve as a message to other senior managers to be vigilant in overseeing government-funded programs and to ensure that their employees do not attempt to conceal any non-compliance. All organizations accepting federal funds should take their responsibility to the American taxpayers seriously to come forward promptly and cooperate fully if they discover that they have not lived up to their promises.”
This investigation was conducted jointly by the United States Attorney’s Offices for the District of Nevada and Eastern District of Pennsylvania with the Corporation for National and Community Service Office of Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorneys Troy Flake of the District of Nevada and Paul W. Kaufman and Veronica Finkelstein of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania handled the investigation and settlement. This case was initiated as a part of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania’s Affirmative Civil Enforcement Strike Force focus on grant fraud.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only; there has been no determination of liability.
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Defendant Sentenced to over Six Years in Prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Heroin from California to Las VegasRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Jose Alfredo Molina-Guerrero, 28, of Sinaloa, Mexico, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey to 76 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release for possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and heroin from California to Las Vegas, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich of the District of Nevada and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Daniel Neill of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Molina-Guerrero pleaded guilty on January 13, 2020, to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and one count each of possession with intent to distribute heroin and to distribute methamphetamine.
According to court documents, Molina conspired with others to distribute heroin and methamphetamine from California to Las Vegas. On or about July 24, 2019, Molina brought approximately 20 pounds of methamphetamine and one kilogram of heroin to Las Vegas to sell to another individual. In the trunk of the vehicle in which Molina was a passenger, law enforcement found: (a) 20 bags each containing approximately one pound of methamphetamine; and (b) one package containing one kilogram of brown and black tar heroin.
The charges resulted from an investigation by the DEA.
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Three California Residents Plead Guilty to Drug Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
RENO, Nev. — Three California men have pleaded guilty in federal court to possessing with the intent to distribute more than one pound of methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich of the District of Nevada.
Jesse Pina, 26, of Visalia, California; Daniel Mediano, 29, of Farmersville, California; and Nicholas Lucky Lozano, 19, of Farmersville, were charged by criminal complaint in June 2019.
• Yesterday, Pina pleaded guilty to one count of possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
• Mediano pleaded guilty yesterday to one count of conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with the intent to distribute a controlled substance.
• Today, Lozano pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with the intent to distribute a controlled substance.
According to court documents and admissions that the defendants made in court, on or about June 19, 2019, Pina, Mediano, and Lozano were staying in a motel room in downtown Reno and conspired to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. During the execution of a search warrant of the motel room, law enforcement recovered 595 grams (approximately 1.3 pounds) of methamphetamine, a scale, money from a drug sale conducted by Pina, and another $2,880 in cash.
Pina, Mediano, and Lozano are scheduled to be sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Miranda M. Du on November 16, 2020.
The maximum statutory penalties are: (a) life in prison and a $10,000,000 fine, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and (b) 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine, for conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with the intent to distribute a controlled substance. The sentencing of a defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Regional Crime Suppression Unit (which included, at the time of this investigation, the Reno Police Department and the Sparks Police Department). Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan Rachow and Peter Walkingshaw are prosecuting the case.
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Nevada Woman Charged with COVID-Relief FraudRead the Press Release
A Nevada woman was charged in a criminal complaint unsealed Wednesday with fraudulently seeking over $1 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian C. Rabbitt of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada.
Karen Chapon, aka Karen Hannafious, 50, of Las Vegas, Nevada, was charged by criminal complaint in the District of Nevada with one count of bank fraud and one count of making false statements to a financial institution. The complaint alleges that, in support of her six fraudulent loan applications, Chapon made numerous false and misleading statements about her companies’ respective business operations and payroll expenses, and falsely denied that she had been convicted of a felony in the past five years.
The complaint also alleges that, in further support of the fraudulent loan applications, Chapon submitted fake and altered documents, including fraudulent federal tax filings. For example, Chapon misrepresented to a lender that, in 2019, her company Heavenly Tahoe Properties paid several million dollars in employee wages. In support of Chapon’s loan application, she submitted a fraudulent IRS filing that appeared to be Heavenly Tahoe Properties’ 2019 Form 940 federal unemployment tax return showing that the company paid nearly $2.5 million in employee wages that year. In reality, the IRS has no record of the company filing any 2019 tax returns, and publicly available records show that the company’s Nevada corporate registration is no longer valid.
The government has executed seizure warrants recovering the majority of the nearly $600,000 in PPP loan proceeds that Chapon obtained in her alleged fraud, including more than $500,000 from the bank account of one of her companies and a Mercedes Benz SUV.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is a federal law enacted March 29. It is designed to provide emergency financial assistance to millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act is the authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses through the PPP. In April 2020, Congress authorized over $300 billion in additional PPP funding.
The PPP allows qualifying small businesses and other organizations to receive loans with a maturity of two years and an interest rate of one percent. Businesses must use PPP loan proceeds for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent and utilities. The PPP allows the interest and principal to be forgiven if businesses spend the proceeds on these expenses within a set time period and use at least a certain percentage of the loan towards payroll expenses.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This case was investigated by the FBI, the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, and the Small Business Administration’s Office of Inspector General. Trial Attorney Blake Goebel of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Oliva of the District of Nevada are prosecuting the case.
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 year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Nevada Woman Charged with COVID-Relief FraudRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A Nevada woman was charged in a criminal complaint unsealed Wednesday with fraudulently seeking over $1 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian C. Rabbitt of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada.
Karen Chapon, aka Karen Hannafious, 50, of Las Vegas, Nevada, was charged by criminal complaint in the District of Nevada with one count of bank fraud and one count of making false statements to a financial institution. The complaint alleges that, in support of her six fraudulent loan applications, Chapon made numerous false and misleading statements about her companies’ respective business operations and payroll expenses, and falsely denied that she had been convicted of a felony in the past five years.
The complaint also alleges that, in further support of the fraudulent loan applications, Chapon submitted fake and altered documents, including fraudulent federal tax filings. For example, Chapon misrepresented to a lender that, in 2019, her company Heavenly Tahoe Properties paid several million dollars in employee wages. In support of Chapon’s loan application, she submitted a fraudulent IRS filing that appeared to be Heavenly Tahoe Properties’ 2019 Form 940 federal unemployment tax return showing that the company paid nearly $2.5 million in employee wages that year. In reality, the IRS has no record of the company filing any 2019 tax returns, and publicly available records show that the company’s Nevada corporate registration is no longer valid.
The government has executed seizure warrants recovering the majority of the nearly $600,000 in PPP loan proceeds that Chapon obtained in her alleged fraud, including more than $500,000 from the bank account of one of her companies and a Mercedes Benz SUV.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is a federal law enacted March 29. It is designed to provide emergency financial assistance to millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act is the authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses through the PPP. In April 2020, Congress authorized over $300 billion in additional PPP funding.
The PPP allows qualifying small businesses and other organizations to receive loans with a maturity of two years and an interest rate of one percent. Businesses must use PPP loan proceeds for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent and utilities. The PPP allows the interest and principal to be forgiven if businesses spend the proceeds on these expenses within a set time period and use at least a certain percentage of the loan towards payroll expenses.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This case was investigated by the FBI, the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, and the Small Business Administration’s Office of Inspector General. Trial Attorney Blake Goebel of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Oliva of the District of Nevada are prosecuting the case.
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 year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
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Five Men Indicted for Using Skimming Devices on Gas Pumps in Nevada and Southern California to Steal Customers' Credit Card InformationRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A federal grand jury returned an indictment last week against five men for allegedly installing skimming devices on gas pumps in Nevada and Southern California to steal credit and debit card information from unsuspecting customers, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada, Special Agent in Charge Brian Spellacy of the U.S. Secret Service, and Sheriff Joseph Lombardo of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD).
Five defendants, all of whom live in Las Vegas, face charges related to access device fraud, conspiracy, and aggravated identity theft: Juan Luis Sosa Tamayo, 31; Adrian Leyva Tamayo, 31; Dayner Manuel Alarcon Rodriguez, 22; Alen Boucourt Diaz, 39; and Francisco Rodriguez Gonzalez, 34.
According to allegations in the indictment, from about June 2018 to about June 2020, the defendants and their co-conspirators placed skimmers at gas pump terminals that compromised at least 2,500 credit and debit card numbers. The defendants traveled to gas stations in and around Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada, as well as to various cities in Southern California, to install the skimmers. They subsequently recoded the stolen account information and other personal data onto counterfeit cards. Then the defendants made multiple ATM withdrawals and purchases using the stolen credit and debit card account information obtained from the skimmers.
Sosa Tamayo, Leyva Tamayo, and Rodriguez Gonzalez made their initial appearances on August 7, 2020 in federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Albregts. Boucourt Diaz made his initial appearance on August 10, 2020, and Alarcon Rodriguez made his initial appearance on August 12, 2020 in federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Brenda Weksler.
The statutory maximum penalty for the conspiracy charge is 5 years in prison and a $250,000 maximum fine. The statutory maximum penalty is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 maximum fine for each count of use or possession of unauthorized or counterfeit access devices. The aggravated identity theft charges carry a mandatory penalty of two years in prison. In addition to imprisonment and fines, each defendant also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties. The statutory maximum sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only.
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Secret Service and the LVMPD. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie Mickelson is prosecuting the case.
If you are a victim of identity theft, you may make a report to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) by calling 1-877-438-4338 or online at www.identitytheft.gov. For identity theft prevention tips and free resources visit www.ftc.gov/idtheft.
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Eight Las Vegas Residents Arrested for Drug Trafficking and Firearms-Related OffensesRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Eight defendants, who are all Las Vegas residents indicted on June 30, 2020, have been arrested in connection with firearms and drug trafficking (in addition to other firearms offenses) as part of “Operation Nora,” announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada, Special Agent in Charge Patrick Gorman of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Sheriff Joseph Lombardo of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD).
“Operation Nora exemplifies the kind of impactful multi-defendant prosecutions that play a critical role in our office’s strategy to reduce violent crime in our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Trutanich. “We appreciate the opportunity to work with ATF and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department to take drugs, ammo, and over two dozen guns off the streets through one investigation.”
“ATF is on the frontline in the fight against violent crime, particularly through the disruption and dismantling of firearms trafficking operations which are a large source and supply of crime guns to offenders,” said Special Agent in Charge Gorman. “Throughout Operation Nora, ATF worked side by side with our partners to fulfill ATF’s mission of protecting the public by investigating the criminal misuse and trafficking of firearms in Las Vegas. The trafficking of firearms to violent criminals, gangs and drug trafficking organizations presents a grave threat to public safety, and ATF remains dedicated to making this city a safer place.”
“This is a major win for law enforcement,” said Sheriff Joe Lombardo. “Metro will continue working hard to stop criminals from bringing drugs and violence into our neighborhoods. Because of multi-agency partnerships like this one, we are making it harder for violent criminals to do business.”
Operation Nora is a joint investigation by the ATF and the LVMPD, focusing on the Sherwood Forest and Naked City areas in Las Vegas. During the operation, ATF seized 30 guns, ammunition, over 50 grams of heroin, 117 grams of methamphetamine, 492 grams of cocaine, and 446 grams of crack cocaine.
According to the allegations in the indictments, the defendants sold a total of nearly 2.5 pounds of heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, and crack cocaine. They also sold firearms without a license. Further, four of the defendants — Alexander Fitwi, Durrell Melchor, Prentice Moreland, and Antione Thomas — unlawfully possessed firearms, including numerous semi-automatic handguns and rifles, despite prior felony convictions that prohibited them from owning or possessing guns.
Below is a list of the arrested defendants and the criminal charges they face:
- Alexander Fitwi, 32, of Las Vegas, is charged with two counts of felon in possession of a firearm. As a result, Fitwi faces an aggregate statutory maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment and a fine of not more than $500,000.
- Durrell Melchor, 33, of Nevada, is charged with one count of dealing in firearms without a license, two counts of felon in possession of a firearm, one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, and one count of distribution of a controlled substance. As a result, Melchor faces an aggregate statutory maximum penalty of 45 years imprisonment and a fine of not more than $1,750,000.
- Prentice Moreland, 55, of Las Vegas, is charged with two counts of distribution of a controlled substance-cocaine, four counts of distribution of a controlled substance-cocaine base, and one count of felon in possession of a firearm. As a result, Moreland faces an aggregate statutory maximum penalty of 210 years imprisonment and a fine of not more than $22,250,000.
- Ozzie Morrison, 33, of Las Vegas, is charged with one count of dealing in firearms without a license and two counts of distribution of a controlled substance-cocaine. As a result, Morrison faces a statutory maximum penalty of 45 years imprisonment and a fine of not more than $2,250,000.
- Antione Thomas, 47, of Las Vegas, is charged with one count of dealing in firearms without a license, four counts of felon in possession of a firearm, and one count of distribution of a controlled substance-crack cocaine. As a result, Thomas faces an aggregate statutory maximum penalty of 85 years imprisonment and a fine of not more than $6,250,000, with an aggregate statutory minimum penalty of five years imprisonment.
- Jose Wade, 37, of North Las Vegas, is charged with three counts of distribution of a controlled substance-cocaine. As a result, Wade faces an aggregate statutory maximum penalty of 60 years imprisonment and a fine of not more than $3,000,000.
- Brenton Williams, 38, of Nevada, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and one count of distribution of a controlled substance-cocaine. As a result, Williams faces an aggregate statutory maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment and a fine of not more than $1,000,000.
- Jessica Williams 28, of Las Vegas, is charged with one count of distribution of a controlled substance-methamphetamine and three counts of distribution of a controlled substance-crack cocaine. As a result, Williams faces an aggregate statutory maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of not more than $17,000,000, with an aggregate statutory minimum penalty of 15 years imprisonment.
The minimum and maximum statutory sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only. The sentencing of a defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This case is the product of an investigation by the ATF and LVMPD. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Allison Reese, Brett Ruff, and Melanee Smith are prosecuting the cases.
Operation Nora was conducted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide program by the Department of Justice that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, the Department announced the reinvigoration of PSN. For more information about PSN, visit www.justice.gov/usao-nv.
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Two Felons Indicted for Stealing Explosive Materials from Mining CompanyRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. —Two Las Vegas residents made their initial court appearance on Friday, August 7, 2020, on charges for allegedly stealing explosive materials from a mining company in Las Vegas, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada.
A federal grand jury returned an indictment on July 29, 2020, charging Sergio Bautista, aka “Ismael Cuevas-Flores,” 34, and Eric Golden, 54, each with one count of conspiracy to steal explosive materials; one count of theft of explosive materials moved in interstate commerce; one count of theft of explosive materials from licensee or permittee; one count of felon in possession of explosives; and one count of possession of stolen explosives. A jury trial has been scheduled before U.S. District Judge James C. Mahan on September 28, 2020.
According to the indictment, from about May 12 to May 13, 2020, Bautista and Golden conspired to steal and did steal a 50 pound bag of ammonium nitrate fuel oil (an industrial explosive) and 18 one-kilogram sticks of ammonium nitrate from Hinton Mining LLC.
Both Bautista and Golden are convicted felons. Bautista’s prior felony convictions include possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, identity theft, forgery, and unlawful possession of a controlled substance. Golden’s prior felony convictions include trafficking in a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, and conspiracy to commit grand larceny.
The statutory maximum sentence for each count of the indictment is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and ATF. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Ihler is prosecuting the case.
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Man Pleads Guilty to Straw Purchasing Ten RiflesRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Ethan Erhardt, 37, of Las Vegas, pleaded guilty in federal court today to making a straw purchase of ten semi-automatic rifles, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada.
According to court documents, on February 16, 2019, Erhardt straw purchased firearms from a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) in Henderson, Nevada, for another individual. He purchased ten semi-automatic rifles for approximately $88,000, using money obtained from the individual. At the time of purchase, Erhardt completed a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) form representing that he was the actual buyer of the firearms, despite knowing that he would be providing the firearms to the other individual.
This case was the product of an investigation by the ATF. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Clarkson is prosecuting the case.
Erhardt is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge James C. Mahan on November 13, 2020. The maximum statutory penalty for the illegal acquisition of a firearm is ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The sentencing of a defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the ATF when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.
For more information about Project Guardian, visit https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/attorney-general-william-p-barr-announces-launch-project-guardian-nationwide-strategic-plan.
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Four Las Vegas Residents Plead Guilty for Roles in Large Drug Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Two men and two women pleaded guilty on Thursday for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and counterfeit Oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich of the District of Nevada and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Daniel Neill of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Esperanza Sanabia-Araujo (61), Marla Mariscal-Sanabia (31), Armando Mariscal (62), and Fernando Bueno (29), all of Las Vegas, each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance before U.S. District Judge Gloria Navarro. Sentencing hearings are scheduled for December 16, 2020.
According to court documents, on October 2, 2019, law enforcement arrested Sanabia-Araujo, Mariscal-Sanabia, Mariscal, and Bueno during a delivery of 50 pounds of methamphetamine and 5,000 counterfeit Oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl. Law enforcement also recovered a firearm from the vehicle that the defendants used to deliver the drugs.
The mandatory minimum faced by each defendant is 10 years in prison, and the maximum statutory penalty is up to life in prison and a $10,000,000 fine. The sentencing of a defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
In addition to Sanabia-Araujo, Mariscal-Sanabia, Mariscal, and Bueno, four other individuals were each charged in the indictment, which was returned on October 2, 2019, by a federal grand jury: Victor Araujo, Reynaldo Sanabia-Araujo, and Renzo Mariscal-Sanabia. They are considered fugitives and a warrant remains outstanding for their arrests. Anyone with information as to their whereabouts is asked to contact your local law enforcement office. An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This case was the product of an investigation by the DEA.
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Department of Justice Awards Nearly $7 Million in Grant Funding to Assist Nevada Victims of Domestic ViolenceRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada announced today that the Department of Justice — through the Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Office of Violence Against Women (OVW), and the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is awarding nearly $7 million in grant funding and award opportunities to assist law enforcement agencies, tribes, victims of domestic violence, and local and state government within Nevada, as part of its efforts to curb domestic and sexual violence across the country.
Domestic violence continues to be a scourge in Nevada communities, and has long lasting effects not only on victims of domestic violence, but also on their families and friends. The grant awards announced today are being launched as “Project Veronica,” in honor of a local victim of domestic violence named Veronica Caldwell. In 2015, Veronica lost her life at the hands of her husband, who also shot and killed Veronica’s daughter Yvonne and her daughter’s boyfriend.
Veronica’s mother, Rose Floyd, expressed gratitude for the initiative and said: “My family is honored that the Department of Justice and our Nevada communities will be keeping my daughter’s name in their hearts. Veronica would be proud to know that her legacy will live on through a project that aims to save families from the senseless pain suffered at the hands of domestic violence.”
“The recent increase in domestic violence homicides in Nevada is alarming,” said OJP Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. “The Office of Justice Programs supports efforts by assisting state and local law enforcement and prosecutors in collaborating with U.S. Attorney Nick Trutanich’s office to help hold domestic violence offenders accountable and assist the victims of these crimes. We continue to applaud this Administration's determination to combat all violent crime.”
“We recognize that the increase in domestic violence as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic creates an urgent situation,” says Laura L. Rogers, Principal Deputy Director of OVW. “This funding will help support the victims of domestic violence, keep survivors safe, and provide resources for victim advocates.”
“This initiative funds domestic violence service providers and law enforcement throughout our state at a critical time,” said U.S. Attorney Trutanich. “Together, our combined efforts will prevent and deter domestic violence, and save lives. For our part, with the help of these new resources, our office looks forward to working closely with our local, state, and federal partners to make a renewed push to prosecute domestic violence offenders who illegally possess guns.”
“While staying at home may keep Nevadans safe from the pandemic, for many domestic violence victims, staying at home can be dangerous and has resulted in more calls for help,” said Nevada Attorney General Aaron D. Ford. “I’m grateful to the Department of Justice for providing funding so that my office can help protect our victims and their families, and provide much needed additional services.”
“When multiple agencies coordinate efforts to combat a known problem, our success is exponential. The partnership between my office, the U.S. Attorney, the Nevada Attorney General, and multiple non-profits shows our commitment to protecting victims of Domestic Violence and gun violence, and aggressively prosecuting offenders. Additional financial resources provided by these federal grants helps to ensure our success,” said Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson.
“Our pledge to protect the public is one ATF takes very seriously,” said Special Agent in Charge Patrick Gorman, San Francisco Field Division. “Our special agents are working hard to prevent those individuals who are prohibited from possessing firearms. This includes investigating those who illegally possess a firearm after being convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence or who are subject to a domestic violence protective order. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a troubling increase in domestic violence cases. To combat this unacceptable trend, ATF has been working side by side with our prosecutorial and law enforcement partners to achieve a maximum impact with the investigation and prosecution of those domestic violence offenders who illegally possess firearms. It is critically important to prevent these abusers from having access to firearms and to reduce the threat of gun violence in our communities.”
Over the past few years, victim service providers and law enforcement agencies throughout Nevada have worked hard to help victims and hold abusers accountable. Domestic violence, however, remains a significant issue. For example, Nevada ranks among the highest in the country for the rate of women murdered by men. And in Southern Nevada, about one-fourth of all murders stem from domestic violence and disputes.
Offenders who have committed domestic violence pose a particularly high risk of murdering their partners. Accordingly, federal law prohibits individuals subject to certain domestic violence protective orders and those who have been convicted of domestic violence misdemeanors — and convicted felons — from possessing firearms. Research indicates that an abuser with a firearm at home is five times more likely to kill her or his partner, compared to an abuser who does not have the same access to a firearm.
Against this backdrop, to help reduce domestic violence in Nevada, the Department of Justice is providing the following grant awards and targeted invitations to strengthen services and resources for victims, as well as to prosecute abusers for both violence and gun crimes:
Grant Award Opportunities
·$600,000 from BJA, made available to the Clark County District Attorney’s Office; Initiative with U.S. Attorney’s Office to Prosecute Gun Crimes
o The Clark County District Attorney’s Office is receiving a targeted invitation to apply for up to three years of funding (for up to $600,000), to help prosecute domestic violence-related gun crimes.
·$300,000 from OVW to enhance relationships between law enforcement and a community-based victim service provider.
·Total: $900,000
Statewide Initiatives
·$1,704,832 from OVW to the Nevada Office of the Attorney General; STOP (Services, Training, Officers, Prosecutors) Violence Against Women
o The STOP program’s goal is to develop and strengthen law enforcement, prosecution, victim services, and court strategies to combat violent crimes against women, including community-based, culturally specific services, in cases involving domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
·$416,734 from OVW to the Nevada Office of the Attorney General; Sexual Assault Services Program
o The Sexual Assault Services Program directs grant dollars to states and territories to assist them in supporting rape crisis centers and nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations that provide core services, direct intervention, and related assistance to victims of sexual assault.
·$243,619 from OVW to the Nevada Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence; Support for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Victims
o This grant program helps the Nevada Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence provide support to rape crisis centers, domestic violence shelters, and other domestic violence victim services programs.
·Total: $2,365,185
Tribal Communities
·$663,004 from OVW to the Yerington Paiute Tribe; Tribal Governments Program
o With this funding, in collaboration with the Nevada Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence, the Yerington Paiute Tribe Victim Services Program will, among other things, support a violence prevention advocate and a victim services advocate who will provide legal advocacy and emergency services for primary and secondary victims of domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault.
·$325,212 from OVW to the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Indian Reservation; Tribal Sexual Assault Services Program
o This award will enable the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes to expand their Tribal Sexual Assault Services Program, such as increasing advocate staff hours and the availability of services for victims.
·Total: $988,216
Nevada’s Rural Communities
·$748,154 from OVW to the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office; Rural Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Dating Violence & Stalking Program
o With this award, the Douglas County Special Victims Response Team will enhance its ability to provide timely and thorough investigations of reported incidents of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking.
·$277,500 to No to Abuse – Nevada Outreach Training Organization; Transitional Housing
o This award will help No to Abuse provide both housing and supportive services to move survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking who are homeless to permanent housing. Additional services may include job training, education attainment, and safety planning.
·Total: $1,025,654
Nationwide Initiative
·$1,550,000 from OVW to the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges; Training & Technical Assistance
o These funds will, among other things, help build the capacity of the criminal and civil justice systems within Nevada and elsewhere to respond effectively to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking and to foster partnerships between organizations that have not traditionally worked together to address violence against women.
·Total: $1,550,000
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The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership in developing the nation’s capacity to prevent and control crime, administer justice and assist victims. OJP has six bureaus and offices: the Bureau of Justice Assistance; the Bureau of Justice Statistics; the National Institute of Justice; the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention; the Office for Victims of Crime; and the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering and Tracking. More information about OJP and its components can be found at: www.ojp.gov.
The Office on Violence Against Women provides federal leadership in developing the national capacity to reduce violence against women and administer justice for and strengthen services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
Anyone affected by abuse and wishes to seek support should please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text LOVEIS to 22522.
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U.S. Attorney Trutanich Announces Nearly $1 Million Awarded to Provide Housing to Victims of Human Trafficking in NevadaRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich of the District of Nevada announced today that the state of Nevada received a total of $998,714 from the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs and its component, the Office for Victims of Crime, to provide safe, stable housing and appropriate services to victims of human trafficking.
“Human trafficking is a barbaric criminal enterprise that subjects its victims to unspeakable cruelty and deprives them of the most basic of human needs, none more essential than a safe place to live,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “Throughout this Administration, the Department of Justice has fought aggressively to bring human traffickers to justice and to deliver critical aid to trafficking survivors. These new resources, announced today, expand on our efforts to offer those who have suffered the shelter and support they need to begin a new and better life.”
“The District of Nevada greatly appreciates the support from the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs to help survivors in Nevada,” said U.S. Attorney Trutanich. “These grant awards will assist trafficking victims in our communities with, among other things, finding housing and employment.”
The grants, awarded to the Rite of Passage Adolescent Treatment Centers and Schools, Inc. and Hookers for Jesus, Inc., will provide six to 24 months of transitional or short-term housing assistance for trafficking victims, including rental, utilities or related expenses, such as security deposits and relocation costs. The grants will also provide funding for support needed to help victims locate permanent housing, secure employment, as well as occupational training and counseling. These recipients are among 73 organizations receiving more than $35 million in OVC grants to support housing services for human trafficking survivors.
“Human traffickers dangle the threat of homelessness over those they have entrapped, playing a ruthless game of psychological manipulation that victims are never in a position to win,” said OJP Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Kathrine T. Sullivan. “These grants will empower survivors on their path to independence and a life of self-sufficiency and hope.”
Human trafficking offenses are among the most difficult crimes to identify, and the scope of human trafficking victimization may be much greater than the limited data reflect. A new report issued by the National Institute of Justice, another component of the Office of Justice Programs, found that the number of human trafficking cases captured in police reports may represent only a fraction of all such cases. Expanding housing and other services to trafficking victims remains a top Justice Department priority.
The Office for Victims of Crime, for example, hosted listening sessions and roundtable discussions with stakeholders in the field in 2018 and launched the Human Trafficking Capacity Building Center. From July 2018 through June 2019, 118 OVC human trafficking grantees reported serving 8,375 total clients including confirmed trafficking victims and individuals showing strong indicators of trafficking victimization.
For a complete list of individual award amounts and jurisdictions that will receive funding, visit: https://www.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh241/files/media/document/htvictimsfactheet.pdf
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The Office of Justice Programs, directed by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan, provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, assist victims and enhance the rule of law by strengthening the criminal and juvenile justice systems. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
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California Man Pleads Guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute FentanylRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Rigoberto Calderon-Molina, 40, of Earlimart, California, pleaded guilty Monday to possession with the intent to distribute nearly 2.9 pounds Fentanyl, a deadly synthetic opioid, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Daniel Neill of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Calderon-Molina was indicted by a federal grand jury in May 2018. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled before U.S. District Judge Jennifer Dorsey on November 16, 2020.
According to court documents, on April 25, 2018, Calderon-Molina met an individual in a North Las Vegas parking lot to sell 1.3 kilograms (nearly 2.9 pounds) of Fentanyl, which is a Schedule II controlled substance. Law enforcement arrested Calderon-Molina and seized approximately 13,000 Fentanyl pills.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid drug that is approximately 80-100 times more potent than morphine, and is commonly added to heroin to increase its potency. Fentanyl poses a high risk of death not only to users, but also to law enforcement since the drug may be ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin. A few milligrams, which is equivalent to a few grains of table salt, may be deadly. Users may believe that they are purchasing heroin without knowing that they are actually purchasing Fentanyl – which often results in overdose deaths.
Calderon-Molina faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine. The sentencing of a defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case was the product of an investigation by the DEA.
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Las Vegas Resident Charged with Illegally Possessing Unemployment Benefit Debit Cards Issued by DETRRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A Las Vegas resident was arrested on Friday, July 31, 2020, on charges related to identity theft and possession of fraudulent unemployment benefits cards, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada, Sheriff Joseph Lombardo of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and Special Agent in Charge Brian Spellacy of the U.S. Secret Service.
“Fraud against the Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR) is widespread in Nevada’s unemployment benefits system,” said U.S. Attorney Trutanich. “While the State begins to address vulnerabilities in its application and payment system, our office will continue working closely with our partners to prevent important federal resources from enriching fraudsters. This case is likely just the proverbial ‘tip of the iceberg’: we will track down and prosecute scammers who fraudulently obtain federal unemployment benefits.”
“The U.S. Secret Service and our law enforcement partners will continue to work with financial institutions and the state unemployment offices to pursue investigative leads associated with state unemployment identity theft,” said Special Agent in Charge Spellacy. “The U.S. Secret Service’s primary investigative priorities are to mitigate any attempt by criminals that target citizens for identity theft and cyber-enabled crimes as it relates to COVID-19.”
DETR is the agency that administers Nevada’s unemployment insurance program, which is designed to provide benefits to eligible workers who become unemployed through no fault on their own. DETR provides unemployment benefits to qualified applicants on debit cards.
Vincent Okoye, 38, of Las Vegas, was charged by criminal complaint with one count of possession of a counterfeit and unauthorized access device and one count of aggravated identity theft. Okoye’s initial court appearance in federal court has not yet been scheduled.
The complaint alleges that, on July 15, 2020, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Okoye’s residence in Las Vegas. They found:
- Over 100 credit and debit cards not issued in Okoye’s name, including at least 11 debit cards issued by DETR and at least 12 debit cards issued by Arizona’s Department of Economic Security (DES). DES administers the unemployment insurance program for Arizona.
Law enforcement found one of those DETR debit cards in Okoye’s wallet, which is pictured below:
- Over $100,000 in U.S. Currency and U.S. Money Orders.
- At least 24 pieces of mail from DETR, bearing various names and addresses.
- Over 100 pieces of mail, bearing names and addresses not belonging to Okoye.
- A forged Canadian passport.
- Postal mailbox master keys.
The minimum statutory penalty for aggravated identity theft is two years in prison and the maximum statutory penalty for all counts charged in the Complaint is 12 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The minimum and maximum statutory sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case was investigated by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and U.S. Secret Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Fang is prosecuting the case.
Individuals who believe that someone is fraudulently using their identity, as well as companies who believe that someone is fraudulently using the identity of their employees, to apply for unemployment benefits should file a complaint through the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at www.ic3.gov and to DETR’s Fraud Report at https://detr.nv.gov/Page/DETR_Unemployment_Insurance_Fraud_Reporting_Form.
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.
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Additional Charge, for Child Sexual Exploitation, Filed Against Las Vegas Man Who Allegedly Sought to Exploit Protests in Las Vegas and Incite ViolenceRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Stephen Thomas Parshall, aka “Kiwi,” 35, of Las Vegas — who was charged last month with violations of federal and state law for conspiracy to cause destruction during protests in Las Vegas, and possession of an unregistered destructive device (specifically, an improvised incendiary device commonly known as a Molotov cocktail) — was charged earlier today by a separate criminal complaint with one count of sexual exploitation of children, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada, Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse of the FBI, and Sheriff Joseph Lombardo of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Parshall’s initial appearance in federal court on the new criminal complaint has not yet been scheduled.
According to court documents, Parshall was arrested on May 30, 2020. Law enforcement had learned of Parshall’s alleged participation in a conspiracy to cause destruction during protests that evening in Las Vegas, and of his alleged membership in the “Boogaloo” movement, a term used by extremists to signify a coming civil war and/or collapse of society. When law enforcement officers executed search warrants after the arrest, they located 10 images of child pornography, as well as numerous images of child erotica, on Parshall’s cellular phone
The minimum statutory penalty for the offense of sexual exploitation of children is 15 years in prison, and the maximum statutory penalty is 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The minimum and maximum statutory sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case was investigated by the FBI and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bianca Pucci is prosecuting the case.
If you have information regarding possible child sexual exploitation, please make a report to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children by calling the 24-hour hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) or by making a report at www.cybertipline.com.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Department of Justice’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Las Vegas Felon Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Drug Possession and Unlawful Possession of A FirearmRead the Press Release
RENO, Nev. — Martane H. Wade, 39, of Las Vegas, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Miranda M. Du to ten years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute 500 or more grams of methamphetamine and for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Daniel Neill of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Wade, a five-time convicted felon, pleaded guilty in August 2019 to one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 or more grams of methamphetamine and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. He was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service following today’s sentencing hearing.
According to court documents, on May 3, 2018, law enforcement attempted to conduct a traffic stop of the vehicle Wade was driving. Wade attempted to escape by driving off, but was unsuccessful. He and a passenger were taken into custody.
During the execution of a search warrant, law enforcement found approximately two pounds of crystal methamphetamine in a purse inside the vehicle. Further, in a search of an apartment for Wade and the passenger, law enforcement found heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, packing materials, scales, a money counter, and two firearms: a Walther PPK 9mm semi-automatic pistol and a Colt .25 caliber semi-automatic pistol. Wade has prior felony convictions in Nevada and California, including possession with intent to sell cocaine, possession with intent to sell methamphetamine, trafficking in cocaine, and prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
The charges resulted from an investigation by the DEA.
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Nevada COVID-19 Task Force Provides Guidance for Victims of Unemployment Benefits FraudRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Nevada’s COVID-19 Task Force, formed by U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich and Attorney General Aaron D. Ford, has recently received reports suggesting that personal identifying information of some present and past Nevada residents is being used to file fraudulent applications for unemployment benefits.
Potential victims typically learn of these suspected unlawful activities when either they receive a letter from the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR) relating to an application for benefits they never sought, and/or their employer receives a similar notification from DETR.
“The COVID-19 Task Force is committed to protecting the integrity of the unemployment benefits program,” said U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich. “We will continue working closely with our law enforcement partners and colleagues on the Task Force to safeguard the program for Nevadans facing difficult situations who need our help.”
“This Task Force was formed to fight fraud and prosecute those using COVID-19 for their own financial gain,” said Attorney General Aaron D. Ford. “Thousands of Nevadans have lost their jobs and are facing extreme financial hardship. I urge Nevadans affected by or with information about fraudulent unemployment applications to file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center and DETR.”
Individuals who believe that someone is fraudulently using their identity to apply for unemployment benefits should file a complaint through the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at www.ic3.gov and to DETR’s Fraud Report. Nevada’s COVID-19 Task Force is working with DETR to assess the problem. Due to the fact that the investigation is ongoing, no further information about the details of the investigation will be provided at this time.
In April 2020, U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich and Nevada Attorney General Aaron D. Ford announced the formation of Nevada’s COVID-19 Task Force. The Task Force is comprised of local, state and federal investigators and prosecutors with significant experience in handling complaints and cases related to general fraud, heath care fraud, Medicaid fraud, insurance fraud, workers’ compensation fraud and cybercrime, among others. Together, they have been sharing information and resources to protect Nevadans from those using the COVID-19 pandemic to take advantage of consumers.
The following are some tips to protect yourself against unemployment scams and identity theft:
- Never give out personal or financial information over the phone.
- Thoroughly review all financial statements for any unusual activity. Immediately contact the company if an item looks suspicious.
- Shred or destroy credit card statements, bills, insurance papers or bank statements before throwing them out.
- Do not carry your Social Security Card in your wallet.
- Be wary of anyone calling to “confirm” personal or financial information. Often, these are criminals trying to obtain those facts under the guise of “confirmation”.
- Release your Social Security number only when absolutely necessary or when required by law.
- Ask how you can remove unnecessary information or information that is not required for the service you are receiving.
- Check credit reports, banking information, medical information that may have details that need to be removed or secured.
- Do not provide or validate your personal information from contacts not initiated by you.
- Protect and update passwords to your online accounts regularly.
- When creating passwords and PINS, do not use anything that could be discovered easily by thieves.
- Memorize all your passwords and PINS.
- Remove old accounts and passwords that are no longer in use.
- Use additional security measures provided for your accounts wherever available.
- Contact your local police department if you think your identity has been stolen.
- If you think an identity thief is using your Social Security number, call the Social Security Fraud Hotline at (800) 269-0271.
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Man Sentenced to Prison for Third Illegal Entry into the United StatesRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Pedro Morales-Carrillo, 32, a native and citizen of Mexico who has twice been convicted of drug trafficking in Nevada, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kent J. Dawson to seven years and three months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release for illegal reentry into the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada.
Morales-Carrillo, known by law enforcement to use at least four aliases, pleaded guilty in March 2020 to one count of being a deported alien found in the United States. Following today’s sentencing hearing, he was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
According to court documents and admissions that Morales-Carrillo made in court, in February 2009 and October 2010, Morales-Carrillo was deported from the United States to Mexico. In October 2010, he unlawfully reentered the United States and remained in the country until he was found and detained in June 2017. Morales-Carrillo has prior felony convictions in Clark County for trafficking in a controlled substance (methamphetamine), conspiracy to violate the Controlled Substance Act, trafficking in a controlled substance (cocaine and methamphetamine), and in Arizona for being a deported alien found in the United States.
The charges resulted from an investigation by the U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Frayn prosecuted the case.
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Thirteen Defendants, Including National Leadership of MS-13, Charged with Multiple Firearms and Drug Distribution Offenses and Violation of the "Kingpin" StatuteRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A 21-count indictment was unsealed yesterday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada, charging 13 leaders, members, and associates of the violent transnational criminal organization Mara Salvatrucha, also known as “MS-13,” with violation of the federal “Kingpin” statute and multiple drugs and firearms offenses, including transporting bulk quantities of methamphetamine from Los Angeles, California to Las Vegas, Nevada.
The indictment was returned under seal on July 8, 2020 by a federal grand jury sitting in Las Vegas. Yesterday morning, 11 of the 13 defendants were taken into custody: four defendants were arrested in the Los Angeles area, and seven defendants were arrested in Las Vegas. Those arrests were part of a national takedown coordinated between law enforcement agencies in the District of Nevada, Central District of California, Eastern District of New York, and Eastern District of Virginia.
Two other defendants — Juan Angel Reyes (also known as “Angel” and “Mysterio”) and Eder Cruz-Salguero (also known as “Edgar Manolo Ramirez-Salguero” and “Venado”) — are considered fugitives and a warrant remains outstanding for their arrests. Anyone with information as to their whereabouts is asked to contact your local law enforcement office or the Department of Homeland Security by calling 1-866-DHS-2-ICE.
This morning, Attorney General William P. Barr led a Joint Task Force Vulcan (JTFV) briefing to President Donald J. Trump in the Oval Office, which included several U.S. Attorneys and heads of law enforcement agencies. Following that briefing, the charges in Nevada were announced by U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada, Special Agent in Charge Francisco Burrola of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Sheriff Joseph Lombardo of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and Special Agent in Charge Patrick Gorman of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
“In 2017, the President directed the Department of Justice to go to war against MS-13, and we did just that,” said Attorney General Barr. “In coordination with our partners at the Department of Homeland Security, the Justice Department’s law enforcement components have successfully investigated, charged, and arrested command and control elements of MS-13 responsible for murder. Joint Task Force Vulcan’s operations have significantly degraded MS-13’s capabilities. While there is still work to be done, the Department of Justice remains committed to protecting Americans threatened by MS-13, and we will not rest until we have successfully defeated this transnational criminal organization.”
“Today’s announcements are the result of tremendous teamwork and coordination between prosecutors and law enforcement officers across the United States and Central America,” stated JTFV Director John Durham. “MS-13 is a violent transnational criminal organization, whose criminal activities respect no boundaries. The only way to defeat MS-13 is by targeting the organization as a whole, focusing on the leadership structure, and deploying a whole-of-government approach against a common enemy.”
“As a result of the hard work and substantial resources dedicated by our local and federal law enforcement partners, this collaborative effort has disrupted MS-13’s leadership and significantly undermines the gang’s ability to engage in violence and other criminal conduct in Nevada, California, and elsewhere throughout the country,” said U.S. Attorney Trutanich. “Our office is proud to contribute to making our streets safer and stopping MS-13 from using a well-worn path between Los Angeles and Las Vegas to develop a greater presence in Las Vegas. We are grateful to HSI, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and ATF: without their bravery, this prosecution would not be possible.”
“Gangs threaten the safety of our communities, not just in major metropolitan areas but in our suburbs and rural areas, too,” said Francisco Burrola, Special Agent in Charge for the HSI Las Vegas office. “Gang-related violence and criminal activity present an ongoing challenge for law enforcement everywhere. Our efforts to dismantle gangs are much more effective in areas where partnership with local law enforcement is strongest.”
“The magnitude of this operation will have a huge ripple effect on this criminal enterprise. Dangerous gangs like these contribute to the decay of our communities by bringing drugs and other violent crime to our streets. They threaten the safety of our neighborhoods and our way of life. These arrests are a real victory against gang violence,” said Clark County Sheriff Joseph Lombardo.
“Gangs are one of the nation’s key distributors of narcotics and are flagrant in their use of firearms to carry out violence and intimidation,” said Special Agent in Charge Patrick Gorman, San Francisco Field Division, ATF. “Through ATF’s collaborative Crime Gun Intelligence Model, local, state, and federal partners diligently pursue violent criminals and the sources of their crime guns to remove them from our communities. Throughout this investigation, ATF has worked side by side with our partners to fulfill ATF’s mission of protecting the public by investigating the criminal misuse and trafficking of firearms in Las Vegas. ATF remains committed to working hard and doing our part to make this city a safer place.”
As detailed in the indictment, MS-13 originated in Los Angeles and has since spread across the country. MS-13 is organized by subsets known as “cliques,” such as “Hollywood Locos” and “Fulton.” In the southwestern United States, the Hollywood Locos clique operates in several major cities, including Los Angeles and Las Vegas.
The organizational hierarchy of MS-13 cliques in Nevada is generally comprised of different ranks. A “Homeboy” is a fully initiated gang member who has undergone a “jumping in” ceremony. That ceremony involves passing a “beating test” where the prospective MS-13 member must survive a group of existing gang members beating him for 13 seconds. Once jumped in, MS-13 members are expected to participate in the gang’s criminal activities. Certain “Homeboys” also operate as “Palabreros” or “shot callers,” making the ultimate decisions affecting the clique.
The indictment charges three defendants who were “Homeboys” in the MS-13 Hollywood Locos and Fulton cliques:
- Adali Arnulfo Escalante-Trujillo, also known as “Buchaca,” 43, of Las Vegas, is charged with one count of engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise (commonly referred to as the “Kingpin” statute), one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, 15 counts of distribution of a controlled substance, and one count of conspiracy to deal in firearms without a license.
As alleged, Escalante-Trujillo was the Las Vegas-based “shot caller” of the Hollywood Locos clique, leading the Las Vegas sector of the gang, which was involved in narcotics and firearms distribution. He bragged about the violent acts committed by MS-13, boasted of connections between MS-13 and the Mexican Mafia, and bragged that MS-13 had come to work with nearly all Mexican Cartels. Reflecting his senior position within MS-13’s hierarchy, Escalante-Trujillo was in direct contact with an MS-13 founding member living in El Salvador.
Escalante-Trujillo brokered nearly every narcotics and firearms trafficking charge alleged in the indictment. Among other things, Escalante-Trujillo hosted MS-13 members from Los Angeles at his Las Vegas home, to enable their transportation of bulk quantities of methamphetamine from Los Angeles to Las Vegas.
- Jose Alfredo Ayala-Flores, also known as “Blackie,” 39, of Inglewood, California, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, five counts of distribution of a controlled substance, and one count of being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
As alleged, in addition to being a “Homeboy,” Ayala-Flores is a “shot caller.” He led the MS-13 “Los Angeles Program,” a leadership group that seeks to unify MS-13 decision-making throughout the United States.
In early 2020, Ayala-Flores and Escalante-Trujillo arranged numerous bulk methamphetamine deals in Las Vegas. Additionally, Ayala-Flores sent bulk pills, laced with fentanyl, through the mail. Ayala-Flores also possessed three rifles (bearing no serial numbers) illegally, due to his prior conviction for attempted murder.
- Alvaro Ernesto Perez Carias, also known as “Toro,” 50, of Los Angeles, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and one count of distribution of a controlled substance
As alleged, Perez Carias is a “shot caller” and a founding member of the Hollywood Locos clique. Due to supply issues as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Perez Carias personally delivered large quantities of methamphetamine from Los Angeles to Las Vegas this year.
Aside from Escalante-Trujillo, Ayala-Flores, and Perez Carias, the remaining ten defendants are charged with conspiring to distribute drugs (between July 2019 and the present) and conducting individual drug deals over the past 12 months. The indictment also charges defendants with illegally possessing and selling silencers, semiautomatic rifles, and semiautomatic handguns:
- Sebastian Ocadiz-Castro, 20, of Las Vegas, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, three counts of distribution of a controlled substance, and one count of conspiracy to deal in firearms without a license.
- Juan Luis-Rico, also known as “Pelon,” 46, of Las Vegas, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and one count of distribution of a controlled substance.
- Juan Angel Reyes, also known as “Angel” and “Mysterio,” 21, of Van Nuys, California, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and one count of distribution of a controlled substance.
- Miguel Angel Nieto-Romero, also known as “Flaco,” 26, of Los Angeles, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and three counts of distribution of a controlled substance.
- Rosalio Andres Siguenza-Romero, also known as “Tweety,” 40, of Las Vegas, is charged with one count of conspiracy to deal in firearms without a license, one count of dealing in firearms without a license, and one count of possession of an unregistered firearm.
- Daniel Enrique Perez-Torres, also known as “Maliente,” 30, of Las Vegas, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and two counts of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
- Jose Gerardo Cortez-Diaz, also known as “Christian Axel Lopez-Cortez” and “Chiquilin,” 20, of Los Angeles, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and one count of distribution of a controlled substance.
- Eder Cruz-Salguero, also known as “Edgar Manolo Ramirez-Salguero” and “Venado,” 26 (city of residence unknown), is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and one count of distribution of a controlled substance.
- Carlos Lopez-Guzman, also known as “Troso,” 41, of Los Angeles, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and three counts of distribution of a controlled substance.
- Pedro Ernesto Montalvo, also known as “Cuba,” 35, of Hawthorne, California, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and one count of distribution of a controlled substance.
All defendants except Angel Reyes and Cruz-Salguero are in federal custody and awaiting their respective initial appearances. The charges in the indictment are merely allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shaheen Torgoley and Brett Ruff are prosecuting this case.
The maximum statutory sentences for each charge in the indictment are: (a) life imprisonment and a $2 million fine for engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise; (b) life imprisonment and a $10 million fine for distribution of controlled substance; (c) life imprisonment and a $10 million fine for conspiracy to distribute controlled substance; (d) five years imprisonment for conspiracy – deal in firearms without a license; (e) five years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine for dealing in firearms without a license; (f) ten years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine for prohibited person in possession of a firearm; and (g) ten years imprisonment for possession of unregistered firearm. The maximum statutory sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only. If convicted of any federal offense, the sentencing of a defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The charges are the result of a joint investigation by the HSI, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and the ATF, and coordinated at a national level by Joint Task Force Vulcan. In August 2019, Attorney General Barr created JTFV to carry out the recommendations of the MS-13 subcommittee formed under the Attorney General’s Transnational Organized Crime Task Force, which was the result of President Trump’s February 2017 Executive Order directing the Departments of Justice, State, and Homeland Security, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to coordinate a whole-of-government approach to dismantle transnational criminal organizations, such as MS-13, and restore safety for the American people. The principal purpose of JTFV is to coordinate and lead the efforts of the Justice Department and U.S. law enforcement agencies against MS-13 in order to dismantle the group.
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Man Sentenced to Prison for Assaulting Federal Officer in Owyhee, NevadaRead the Press Release
RENO, Nev. — Richard Frank Roa Jr., 36, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Larry R. Hicks to 37 months in prison for assaulting a federal officer and causing bodily injury to the officer while he was engaged in official duties, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada.
“This case illustrates how law enforcement officers put themselves in harm’s way at a moment’s notice to protect vulnerable members of the community,” said U.S. Attorney Trutanich. “Our office is grateful to the women and men who serve on the front lines in their mission to keep our communities safe.”
Roa pleaded guilty March 3, 2020, to one count of assault on a federal officer. Roa was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service after today’s sentencing hearing.
According to court documents, on November 12, 2017, Roa’s father called the police to report that Roa was causing a disturbance and damaging a vehicle at his father’s house, located in Owyhee, Nevada. A Bureau of Indian Affairs officer responded to the call. When the officer arrived, Roa’s father told the officer that he wanted Roa removed from the house. The officer attempted to arrest Roa, but he resisted, and assaulted and caused injury to the officer.
The charges resulted from an investigation by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Assistant U.S. Attorney Penelope Brady prosecuted the case.
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U.S. Attorney Announces Nearly $11.6 Million Awarded to Nevada to Help Address COVID-19Read the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada announced today that the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs has awarded nearly $11.6 million in grant funding to Nevada, including the City of Las Vegas, City of Reno, and Nevada Department of Public Safety.
“This funding will help Nevada respond to public safety challenges posed by COVID-19, including assisting agencies with meeting the needs of their officers and communities,” said U.S. Attorney Trutanich. “We appreciate OJP’s support in making these resources available to our state.”
The grants were recently awarded as part of the $850 million available under the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, authorized by the recent stimulus legislation signed by President Trump. This program allowed eligible state, local and tribal governments to apply for funding. A list of all awards can be found at https://bja.ojp.gov/program/cesf/awards. Below are the awardees in Nevada:
RecipientAward Amount
Nevada Department of Public Safety$7,385,200
City of North Las Vegas $537,416 Washoe County $36,862 City of Carson City $40,461 Henderson Police Department $128,895 City of Reno $376,434 Clark County $1,485,666City of Las Vegas
$1,485,666
Sparks Police Department $99,236The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security, or CARES, Act gives jurisdictions considerable latitude in the use of funds for responding to the COVID-19 situation. Potential uses include hiring personnel, paying overtime, purchasing protective equipment and distributing resources to hard-hit areas. Funds may also be used to help correctional facilities cover costs related to COVID-19, including, but not limited to, sanitation, contagion prevention and measures designed to address the related medical needs of inmates, detainees and correctional personnel.
Agencies that were eligible for the fiscal year 2019 State and Local Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program were candidates for the emergency funding. A complete list of eligible jurisdictions and their allocations is available at https://bja.ojp.gov/program/fy20-cesf-allocations. For more information, please visit https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-18553.
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Two Las Vegas Men Indicted for Distributing Opioids Resulting in A DeathRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Marco Cebrenos-Osuna, 29, of North Las Vegas, who is accused of distributing opioids resulting in the death of another person, made his initial court appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Albregts, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Daniel Neill for the DEA.
A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Cebrenos-Osuna and Daniel Anguiano, 41, of Las Vegas, with one count of conspiracy to distribute oxycodone and one count of distribution of fentanyl and acetyl fentanyl. Cebrenos-Osuna was arrested on June 30, 2020, and Anguiano was arrested on May 27, 2020. A jury trial has been scheduled before U.S. District Judge Andrew Gordon on August 21, 2020.
As alleged in the indictment, Anguiano and Cebrenos-Osuna conspired to and distributed oxycodone, fentanyl, and acetyl fentanyl, resulting in the death of a man who obtained opioids from them. Oxycodone and fentanyl are classified as Schedule II controlled substances, and acetyl fentanyl is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance:
- Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid drug that is approximately 80-100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin. Fentanyl poses a high risk of death not only to users, but to law enforcement since the drug may be ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin. A few milligrams of fentanyl, which is equivalent to a few grains of table salt, may be deadly.
- Acetyl fentanyl is an analog of fentanyl that is 10-15 times more potent than morphine. Acetyl fentanyl has never been approved for medical use and is not available by prescription.
- Oxycodone is a semi-synthetic opioid that is a common drug of abuse. It can be prescribed for managing moderate to severe pain when other treatments are not sufficient.
If convicted, Aguiano and Cebrenos-Osuna each face: (a) a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment and a $1,000,000 fine for the conspiracy to distribute oxycodone; and (b) a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment (with a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years imprisonment) and a $10,000,000 fine for distribution of fentanyl and acetyl fentanyl. In addition to imprisonment and fines, the defendants also each face a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This case is the product of an investigation by the DEA.
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Reno Resident Arrested and Charged for Breaking Windows at Reno Federal Courthouse During May 30 Civil UnrestRead the Press Release
RENO, Nev. — Keith Leroy Moreno, 27, of Reno, made his initial court appearance today for allegedly destroying federal property on May 30, 2020, in Reno, following a protest relating to George Floyd’s death, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada, Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse for the FBI, and U.S. Marshal Gary Schofield for the U.S. Marshals Service.
“Our office is committed to protecting the First Amendment right to peacefully protest and demonstrate,” said U.S. Attorney Trutanich. “But violence, destruction, and vandalism, including damage to federal property such as courthouses, will not be tolerated.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Rouse stated: “The FBI’s mission is to uphold the Constitution, which includes freedom of speech and the right to assemble. We will continue working with our federal, state and local partners to ensure individuals who destroy parts of our city will be held accountable.”
As alleged in court documents, in the late evening of May 30, 2020, Moreno threw a cigarette receptacle (weighing about 23 pounds) and two rocks through the first floor windows of the Bruce R. Thompson Federal Courthouse, located at 400 South Virginia Street in Reno. Moreno broke three of the courthouse’s windows.
Subsequently, Moreno allegedly boasted about having thrown the receptacle through a courthouse window on May 30. In addition, Moreno allegedly bragged that law enforcement was not smart enough to find him and claimed that, if there was further civil unrest or rioting, “I’d go right back to it.”
Moreno was arrested on Wednesday, July 1, and he had his initial appearance via video conference this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Deborah Barnes of the Eastern District of California.
If convicted, Moreno faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for destruction of government property. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only. If convicted of any offense, the sentencing of a defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct for purposes of establishing probable cause, not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
This case was the product of an investigation by the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Nevada Attorney General's Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Penelope Brady is prosecuting the case.
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Arizona Man Sentenced for Illegally Manufacturing Ammunition Without A LicenseRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Douglas Haig, 57, of Mesa, Arizona, was sentenced today to 13 months in federal prison for manufacturing ammunition without a license, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse of the FBI’s Las Vegas Division.
This case arose out of the investigation into the October 1, 2017 mass shooting at the Route 91 Harvest music festival in Las Vegas. In the hotel room from which the shooter staged his attack, investigators located a box with a shipping label setting forth Haig’s name and address.
According to court documents, from July 2016 to October 2017, Haig illegally manufactured various types of ammunition. Haig had operated “Specialized Military Ammunition,” an Internet business selling armor piercing (AP) ammunition, armor piercing incendiary (API), and high explosive armor piercing incendiary (HEAPI) ammunition. Business records showed that Haig sold such ammunition throughout the United States, including Nevada, Texas, Virginia, Wyoming, and South Carolina.
Beginning on October 2, 2017, agents from the FBI and ATF began a series of interviews with Haig, who admitted to meeting the October 1 shooter and selling him ammunition. Haig also admitted to traveling to gun shows to sell ammunition. Even though Haig’s website promoted his ability to “fabricate” and “manufacture” military style “mil spec” ammunition, including AP ammunition, API, and HEAPI ammunition, Haig told a witness to lie to the FBI and ATF agents about whether he sold the ammunition that he manufactured. Because Haig did not possess a federal firearms license, he was not authorized to manufacture ammunition.
On October 24, 2017, agents seized hundreds of pounds of ammunition and ammunition components when they executed a search warrant at Haig’s residence. Haig had ammunition or firearms-related equipment in nearly every room, and a workshop had been converted into a manufacturing operation for ammunition that he was in the process of automating.
A fingerprint examination established that Haig’s fingerprints were on two pieces of armor piercing ammunition removed from a magazine located in the October 1 shooter’s hotel room. A forensic firearms examination also revealed that armor piercing ammunition recovered inside of the shooter’s rooms had tool marks consistent with Haig’s reloading equipment.
Haig was indicted by a grand jury on August 22, 2018, and pleaded guilty to the illegally manufacturing ammunition charge on November 19, 2019. U.S. District Judge James Mahan ordered Haig to self-surrender to the Bureau of Prisons by October 2, 2020.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI with assistance from ATF and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Lopez and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Burns prosecuted the case.
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Three Men Indicted for Setting Fire to Police Vehicle During Protest in Las VegasRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Tyree Walker, 23, Devarian Haynes, 23, and Ricardo Densmore, 24, all of Las Vegas, were arraigned in federal court today on an indictment charging them for conspiring to and setting fire to a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department vehicle during a protest in Las Vegas three weeks ago, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada.
Walker, Haynes, and Densmore were each charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit arson and two counts of arson. The defendants made their initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cam Ferenbach who scheduled a jury trial for August 24, 2020, before U.S. District Judge Andrew Gordon.
According to allegations contained in court documents, on May 31, 2020, Walker, Haynes, and Densmore conspired with each other to damage a marked Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) patrol vehicle while protests relating to George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis were occurring in the vicinity. Shortly after midnight on May 31, Las Vegas Fire & Rescue responded to a fire involving a LVMPD patrol vehicle parked near the intersection of South Ninth St. and East Carson Avenue in downtown Las Vegas. A video posted to social media captured the event, leading LVMPD investigators to Walker, Haynes, and Densmore. The video, which was filmed by Densmore, showed Haynes pouring a flammable liquid from a gas can through a broken front passenger side window of the patrol vehicle. Walker lit an object to ignite the liquid, and then Haynes dropped the gas can into the patrol vehicle. All three defendants fled when they heard sirens from an approaching LVMPD vehicle.
If convicted, each defendant faces on each of the conspiracy and arson counts: (a) a mandatory minimum sentence of five years; (b) a mandatory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and (c) up to a $250,000 fine. The minimum and maximum statutory sentences are prescribed by Congress, and are provided here for informational purposes only. If convicted of any offense, the sentencing of a defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This case was the product of an investigation by the ATF, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Las Vegas Fire & Rescue, and the FBI-led Criminal Apprehension Team in conjunction with the Joint Terrorism Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lisa Cartier-Giroux and Stephanie Ihler are prosecuting the case.
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Las Vegas Man Pleads Guilty to Committing Bank Fraud by Cashing A Stolen Check Worth Nearly $400,000Read the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Jesse Caine Brocius, 40, of Las Vegas, pleaded guilty today to devising a bank fraud and money laundering scheme through which he stole nearly $400,000, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada.
Brocius pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey to an indictment charging him with one count of bank fraud and one count of money laundering. He is scheduled to be sentenced on September 21, 2020.
According to court documents and admissions that Brocius made in court, between January 12, 2015 and February 10, 2015, he obtained a stolen check made payable to a family trust, in the amount of $391,636. Before cashing the stolen check, Brocius had applied to the IRS for an employer identification number falsely claiming that he was a trustee of that family trust. He also created a false Living Trust Agreement identifying him as its trustee. On February 10, 2015, Brocius opened two bank accounts in the trust’s name, depositing the stolen check into those accounts. Within four months, Brocius depleted all of money he had stolen: between February 10, 2015 and June 8, 2015, he spent it on personal expenses, such as luxury hotels, or withdrew the funds as cash.
At sentencing, Brocius faces a maximum statutory penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine for bank fraud, and 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for money laundering. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
This case was the product of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Lopez is prosecuting the case.
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Las Vegas Dentist Indicted on Income and Employment Tax ChargesRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury in Las Vegas, Nevada, returned an indictment today charging a Las Vegas dentist with failing to pay over payroll taxes, file a tax return, and pay income taxes, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada.
According to the indictment, Timothy Wilson owned and operated Starsmiles Children’s Dentistry LLC (Starsmiles), located in North Las Vegas, Nevada. From 2013 through 2014, Wilson withheld payroll taxes from his employees, but allegedly did not pay more than $85,000 in withheld taxes over to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Wilson also allegedly did not file a tax return for 2014 and did not pay more than $100,000 in taxes that he owed for 2013 through 2018.
If convicted, Wilson faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison for each count of failure to pay over payroll taxes and one year in prison for each count of failure to file a tax returns or pay taxes. Wilson also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman and U.S. Attorney Trutanich commended special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, who investigated this case, and Trial Attorneys Valerie Preiss and J. Patrick Burns of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Levitt, who are prosecuting this case.
Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found on the Division’s website.
Las Vegas Dentist Indicted on Income and Employment Tax ChargesRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A federal grand jury in Las Vegas, Nevada, returned an indictment today charging a Las Vegas dentist with failing to pay over payroll taxes, file a tax return, and pay income taxes, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada, and Special Agent in Charge Tara Sullivan for the IRS-Criminal Investigation.
According to the indictment, Timothy Wilson owned and operated Starsmiles Children’s Dentistry, LLC (Starsmiles), located in North Las Vegas, Nevada. From 2013 through 2014, Wilson withheld payroll taxes from his employees, but allegedly did not pay more than $85,000 in withheld taxes over to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Wilson also allegedly did not file a tax return for 2014 and did not pay more than $100,000 in taxes that he owed for 2013 through 2018.
If convicted, Wilson faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison for each count of failure to pay over payroll taxes and one year in prison for each count of failure to file a tax returns or pay taxes. Wilson also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman, U.S. Attorney Trutanich, and SAC Sullivan commended special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, who investigated this case, and Trial Attorneys Valerie Preiss and J. Patrick Burns of the Tax Division, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Levitt, who are prosecuting this case.
Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found on the Division’s website.
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Federal Grand Jury Indicts Three Men for Seeking to Exploit Protests in Las Vegas and Incite ViolenceRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — A federal grand jury indicted Stephen T. Parshall, aka “Kiwi,” 35, Andrew Lynam, 23, and William L. Loomis, 40, all of Las Vegas, for violations of federal law for conspiracy to cause destruction during protests in Las Vegas and possession of an unregistered destructive device, specifically, a so-called “Molotov cocktail.”
U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada, Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse for the FBI, and Sheriff Joseph Lombardo of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department made the announcement.
According to allegations contained in the criminal complaint and indictment, Parshall, Lynam, and Loomis claimed to be members of the “Boogaloo” movement, a term used by extremists to signify a coming civil war and/or collapse of society. From April 2020 to May 30, 2020, the defendants conspired to damage and destroy — by fire and explosives — buildings and property owned by the U.S. Government, as well as a public utility installation. On May 30, the defendants possessed Molotov cocktails to throw at police in downtown Las Vegas, during a protest connected to George Floyd’s death.
Parshall, Lynam, and Loomis were all arrested on May 30, 2020, and have been ordered detained by U.S. Magistrate Judge Nancy J. Koppe.
If convicted, Parshall, Lynam, and Loomis each face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for conspiracy to damage and destroy by fire and explosive; and ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine for possession of unregistered firearms. The maximum statutory sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only. If convicted of any federal offense, the sentencing of a defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
An indictment alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
In addition to the federal charges, the Clark County District Attorney’s office has filed state charges against the defendants, including one count of Assist, Solicit or Conspire Conspiracy to Commit an Act of Terrorism; one count of Provide Material Support for use in the Commission of an Act of Terrorism; one count of Conspiracy to Damage or Destroy a Building by Means of Explosives; and one count of Possession of Component of Explosive or Incendiary Device with Intent to Manufacture Explosive Incendiary Device.
The federal charges stem from an investigation led by the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) in Las Vegas. JTTF members who participated in this investigation include the FBI, LVMPD, ATF, North Las Vegas Police Department, Henderson Police Department, Nye County Sheriff’s Office, City of Las Vegas Municipal Court Marshal’s Office, and the U.S. National Park Service. Each regional FBI JTTF brings together highly skilled investigators from federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to investigate and stop terrorism. As directed by Attorney General William P. Barr, law enforcement is using the existing network of 56 regional FBI JTTFs to identify and prosecute the violent criminal organizers and instigators who have taken over peaceful protests.
U.S. Attorney Nicholas D. Dickinson is prosecuting the federal case. Deputy District Attorney Michael Dickerson is prosecuting the state’s case.
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U.S. Attorney's Office, FBI, and AARP Nevada Partner to Protect Nevadans from COVID-19 Fraud ScamsRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – On Tuesday, June 16, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada and FBI Las Vegas Field Office will participate in a statewide telephonic town hall hosted by AARP Nevada to discuss fraud schemes related to the COVID-19 pandemic, along with tips on how to avoid becoming a victim.
The June 16 event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. PDT. During the town hall, U.S. Attorney Nicholas Trutanich and FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Ray Johnson will go over common scams and provide prevention tips. Following those presentations, callers may ask questions to a panel including an Assistant U.S. Attorney and Supervisory Special Agent.
Statistics collected by the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center show that victims of all ages lost over $3.5 billion to fraud in 2019, with victims over the age of 60 accounting for $835 million of those losses. So far this year, from January 1 through June 9, the Federal Trade Commission has received 67,805 reports about fraud related to COVID-19, corresponding to $49.43 million in losses.
AARP’s 340,000 members, and members of the community at large, may take part in the telephonic town hall on Tuesday morning. Instead of using a phone to dial into the town hall, AARP and community members can also participate online by going to the AARP Nevada Facebook page at facebook.com/aarpnv.
During the current health crisis, federal investigators and prosecutors continue to fulfill their critical mission of protecting public safety. Federal officials have prioritized the disruption, investigation, and prosecution of crimes related to COVID-19, including fraudulent schemes, unapproved treatments, and scams related to stimulus money.
If you or someone you know have been the victim of COVID-19 related fraud, please make a report to the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline by calling 1-866-720-5721 or by the NCDF web complaint form at www.justice.gov/DisasterComplaintForm. You can also report it to the FBI at www.ic3.gov or call 1-800-CALL-FBI.
Nevadans can also call AARP’s Fraud Watch Network helpline at 1-877-908-3360 to report a scam. You can also find tip sheets and sign up for fraud alerts at the Fraud Watch Network site, www.aarp.org/fraud.
To find out more about Department of Justice resources and information, please visit: www.justic.gov/coronavirus. AARP has resources and information at www.aarp.org/coronavirus.
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Department of Justice Observes the 15th Annual World Elder Abuse Awareness DayRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Today, U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada joins Attorney General William P. Barr and the Department of Justice in observing the 15th Annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada echoes voices around the world condemning elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
“Elder Abuse Awareness Day reinforces the importance of not only prosecuting criminals who target seniors, but also conducting outreach to raise awareness and providing guidance to help recognize fraud schemes,” said U.S. Attorney Trutanich. “Our office looks forward to continue working with our law enforcement partners to bring to justice those who prey on the elderly.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for our country and the world, but our senior citizens are among those most severely affected by the threat of the novel virus. During this time, when seniors are most vulnerable and isolated from their families and loved ones by social distancing and quarantine restrictions, bad actors have exploited this international tragedy to prey on the elderly through a host of scam and fraud schemes. As the world takes this day to remember the elderly, the Department of Justice remains committed to preventing and prosecuting fraud on America’s seniors, including through its Elder Justice Initiative.
The Department of Justice will aggressively prosecute fraudsters exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic and targeting seniors by, among other things, offering fake testing kits and fake help to obtain stimulus and Paycheck Protection Program Funds. On this day dedicated to recognizing our seniors, the Department sends the message that it will continue the fight to keep seniors safe.
Earlier this year, Attorney General Barr declared “Prevention and Disruption of Transnational Elder Fraud” to be an Agency Priority Goal, making it one of the Department’s four top priorities. Major strides have already been made to that end:
- National Elder Fraud Hotline (833-FRAUD-11): Earlier this year Attorney General Barr launched a National Elder Fraud Hotline. Staffed by experienced case managers who provide personalized support to callers, the hotline serves to assist elders and caretakers who believe they have been a victim of fraud by reporting and providing appropriate services.
- Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force: Established in June 2019 to combat foreign elder fraud schemes, the Strike Force is composed of the Department’s Consumer Protection Branch and six U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along with FBI special agents, Postal Inspectors, and numerous other law enforcement personnel. Since its inception, prosecutors in Strike Force districts brought cases against more than 140 sweep defendants.
- Annual Elder Justice Sweep: In March of this year, the Attorney General announced the largest coordinated sweep of elder fraud cases in department history. The Department, together with every U.S. Attorney’s office, charged more than 400 defendants, causing over $1 billion in loss through fraud schemes that largely affected seniors, including the following cases in the District of Nevada.
- U.S. v. Castro, et al.: Six Las Vegas-area residents with running a fraudulent mass-mailing scheme that defrauded hundreds of thousands of consumers — many of whom were elderly — into paying more than $10 million in fees for falsely promised cash prizes.
- U.S. v. Marcks, et al.: Five Las Vegas-area residents were charged in a 22-count indictment relating to an India-based telemarketing and email marketing conspiracy that targeted seniors. The defendants allegedly obtained over $2.4 million from victims residing throughout the United States.
- Money Mule Initiative: Since October 2018, the Department and its law enforcement partners began a concentrated effort across the country and around the world to disrupt, investigate, and prosecute money mule activity used to facilitate fraud schemes, especially those victimizing senior citizens. In 2019, the Money Mule Initiative halted the conduct of more than 600 domestic money mules, exceeding a similar effort against approximately 400 mules in the previous year.
- Holding foreign-based perpetrators and those that flee the United States accountable: Transnational criminal organizations are targeting our elder population in schemes including mass mailing fraud, grandparent scams, romance scams, lottery and sweepstakes scams, IRS and Social Security Administration imposter scams, and technical-support scams. For example, in 2019, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada charged four executives at PacNet Services Ltd, a payment processing company based in Vancouver, Canada, with engaging in a massive fraud scheme in which PacNet processed payments for companies that mailed fraudulent notifications to consumers (including many who were elderly or vulnerable) in the United States.
For more information on enforcement actions, training and resources, research, and victim services, please visit www.justice.gov/elderjustice.
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Health Technician Pleads Guilty to Hoax Threat at Veterans Affairs Southern Nevada Healthcare SystemRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Phuong Tang, 40, of Las Vegas, pleaded guilty today to placing envelopes containing a white powdery substance on his coworkers’ desks at the Veterans Affairs Southern Nevada Healthcare System, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada.
Tang pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Kent J. Dawson to an indictment charging one count of false information and hoax related to purported biological and chemical weapons. Tang is scheduled to be sentenced on June 23, 2020.
According to court documents and admissions that Tang made in court, on July 12, 2019, two envelopes containing an unknown white powdery substance were discovered at the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System. The North Las Vegas Police Department, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, a HAZMAT team, the ARMOR Section, and Counter-Terrorism teams responded and evacuated employees. A presumptive test determined that the white powder within the envelopes were non-hazardous.
During a search of Tang’s vehicle, white powder residue was present and visible. When interviewed by law enforcement, Tang admitted to putting the envelopes containing the white powder on two coworkers’ desks.
At sentencing, Tang faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, the North Las Vegas Police Department, and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel Kent is prosecuting the case.
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Reno Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing Hundreds of Surgical Masks from Veterans Affairs Medical CenterRead the Press Release
RENO, Nev. – Peter Lucas, 35, of Reno, pleaded guilty to stealing hundreds of surgical masks from a supply cart at the Ioannis A. Lougaris VA Medical Center in Reno, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada.
Lucas pleaded guilty Thursday before U.S. District Judge William G. Cobb to an information charging one count of theft in connection with health care. He is scheduled to be sentenced on September 9, 2020.
According to court documents and statements in open court, between March 19 and March 23, 2020, Lucas stole at least four boxes of surgical masks from the VA Medical Center. Officers of the Veterans Affairs Police Department obtained security footage that showed Lucas taking the boxes of surgical masks and concealing them under his clothes before exiting the building. Each box contained 50 masks. Lucas had been a compensated member of the Veteran Affairs’ work therapy program, which helps train, match, and support veterans for competitive jobs and to consult with business and industry regarding their specific employment needs.
The maximum statutory penalty for theft in connection with health care is one year in prison and a $250,000 fine. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only. If convicted of any offense, the sentencing of a defendant will be determined by the Court, based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The case is a product of an investigation by the VA Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Walkingshaw is prosecuting this case.
The public is urged to report suspected fraud schemes related to COVID-19 by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 1-866-720-5721 or via the NCDF web complaint form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form. For information about the Department of Justice’s efforts to stop COVID-19 fraud, visit www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, you may visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and WHO websites.
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Three Men Face Federal Arson Charges for Setting Fire to Police Patrol Vehicle During Protest in Downtown Las VegasRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Three men were arrested Wednesday and charged today for conspiring to and setting fire to a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department patrol vehicle during a protest in Las Vegas, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada, Special Agent in Charge Patrick Gorman of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Tyree Walker (23), Devarian Haynes (23), and Ricardo Densmore (24), all of Las Vegas, were each charged in a federal criminal complaint with one count of conspiracy to commit arson and one count of arson. The defendants are scheduled to make their initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Brenda Weksler on June 5, 2020.
“Agitators who are using the camouflage of lawful protests to commit violence against law enforcement will be prosecuted,” said U.S. Attorney Trutanich. “Violence places protesters, first responders, and bystanders in danger, and steals focus away from the messages that peaceful protesters are striving to deliver.”
“Any individual that is engaging in an act of arson is engaging in extremely dangerous behavior,” said Special Agent in Charge Gorman for ATF. “In addition to the destruction of property, acts of arson put the lives of the public at great risk. ATF takes these acts of violence very seriously and is working alongside our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to protect the public and uphold the rule of law. We will continue to work diligently to ensure the safety of the community and prevent incidents like this from occurring.”
The criminal complaint alleges that, shortly after midnight on May 31, 2020, Las Vegas Fire & Rescue responded to a fire involving a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) patrol vehicle. The patrol vehicle was parked near the intersection of South Ninth St. and East Carson Avenue, during protests relating to Mr. Floyd’s death. A social media video captured the event, leading LVMPD investigators to Walker, Haynes, and Densmore. The video, which was filmed by Densmore, showed Haynes pouring a flammable liquid from a gas can through a broken or missing front passenger side window of the patrol vehicle. Walker lit an object to ignite the liquid, and then Haynes dropped the gas can into the patrol vehicle. All three defendants fled when they heard sirens from an approaching LVMPD vehicle.
If convicted, Walker, Haynes, and Densmore each face: (a) a mandatory minimum sentence of five years; (b) a mandatory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and (c) up to a $250,000 fine. The minimum and maximum statutory sentences are prescribed by Congress, and are provided here for informational purposes only. If convicted of any offense, the sentencing of a defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct for purposes of establishing probable cause, not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
This case was the product of an investigation by the ATF, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Las Vegas Fire & Rescue, and the FBI-led Criminal Apprehension Team in conjunction with the Joint Terrorism Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lisa Cartier-Giroux and Stephanie Ihler are prosecuting the case.
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Joint Terrorism Task Force Charges Three Men Who Allegedly Sought to Exploit Protests in Las Vegas and Incite ViolenceRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada, Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson, Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse for the FBI, and Sheriff Joseph Lombardo of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department announced today that three alleged members of the “Boogaloo” movement — a term used by extremists to signify a coming civil war and/or collapse of society — have been charged with violations of federal and state law for conspiracy to cause destruction during protests in Las Vegas, and possession of an unregistered destructive device (specifically, an improvised incendiary device commonly known as a Molotov cocktail).
“Violent instigators have hijacked peaceful protests and demonstrations across the country, including Nevada, exploiting the real and legitimate outrage over Mr. Floyd’s death for their own radical agendas,” said U.S. Attorney Trutanich. “Law enforcement is focused on keeping violence and destruction from interfering with free public expression and threatening lives.”
Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson stated: “My office is committed to aggressively prosecuting those who make it their mission to create chaos and destruction with total disregard for the safety and well-being of our citizens and the law enforcement officers sworn to protect and serve our community. This type of planning and intent on causing mayhem is terroristic and will not be tolerated. Thankfully, the Joint Terrorism Task Force is able to identify and stop such actions. Now it’s my job to hold these men accountable.”
“This quick and decisive action by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force underscores the exceptional partnership and professionalism of our diverse membership,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse. “Federal, state, and local agencies committed to stopping acts of terrorism before they can occur. Citizens of Nevada can take comfort that the law enforcement partnerships in this state continue to work together every day to protect them no matter the circumstances.”
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) Captain Chris Tomaino said: “The LVMPD worked together daily in the Joint Terrorism Task Force with the FBI, U.S. Attorney's Office, and Clark County District Attorney's Office in this investigation that helped protect Southern Nevada's citizens and officers from individuals looking to harm citizens for their own political ends.”
Stephen T. Parshall, aka “Kiwi,” 35, Andrew Lynam, 23, and William L. Loomis, 40, all of Las Vegas, were each charged in a federal criminal complaint with (a) one count of conspiracy to damage and destroy by fire and explosive; and (b) one count of possession of unregistered firearms, that is, a destructive device. A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct for purposes of establishing probable cause, not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
If convicted of federal charges, Parshall, Lynam, and Loomis each face a statutory maximum sentence of (a) 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for conspiracy to damage and destroy by fire and explosive; and (b) ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine for possession of unregistered firearms. The maximum statutory sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only. If convicted of any federal offense, the sentencing of a defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Parshall, Lynam, and Loomis were all arrested in Las Vegas on May 30, 2020, and are currently in state custody. In addition to the federal charges listed above, the Clark County District Attorney’s office has filed a state criminal complaint charging the defendants with (a) one count Assist, Solicit or Conspire Conspiracy to Commit an Act of Terrorism (potential sentence of ten years to life in prison with the possibility of parole); (b) one count of Provide Material Support for use in the Commission of an Act of Terrorism (potential sentence of ten years to life in prison with the possibility of parole); (c) one count of Conspiracy to Damage or Destroy a Building by Means of Explosives (potential sentence of two to ten years in prison); and (d) one count of Possession of Component of Explosive or Incendiary Device with Intent to Manufacture Explosive Incendiary Device (potential sentence of one to six years in prison).
The charges stem from an investigation led by the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) in Las Vegas, which includes the FBI, LVMPD, ATF, North Las Vegas Police Department, and the U.S. National Park Service. Each regional FBI JTTF brings together highly skilled investigators from federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to investigate and stop terrorism. As directed by Attorney General William P. Barr, law enforcement is using the existing network of 56 regional FBI JTTFs to identify and prosecute the violent criminal organizers and instigators who have taken over peaceful protests.
U.S. Attorney Nicholas D. Dickinson is prosecuting the federal case. Deputy District Attorney Michael Dickerson, who is the primary counter-terrorism prosecutor for the Clark County District Attorney’s office, is prosecuting the state’s case.
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Department of Justice Awards $750,000 in Funding to Three Law Enforcement Agencies in Nevada to Advance Community PolicingRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – The Department of Justice today announced $750,000 in funding was awarded to three law enforcement agencies in Nevada, as part of the Department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services’ COPS Hiring Program (CHP). The Attorney General announced funding awards to 596 law enforcement agencies across the nation, which allows those agencies to hire 2,732 additional full-time law enforcement professionals. The awards are inclusive of the $51 million announced in May as part of Operation Relentless Pursuit.
“The Department of Justice is committed to providing the police chiefs and sheriffs of our great nation with needed resources, tools, and support. The funding announced today will bolster their ranks and contribute to expanding community policing efforts nationwide,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “A law enforcement agency’s most valuable assets are the men and women who put their lives on the line every day in the name of protecting and serving their communities.”
“The District of Nevada is grateful to the Department of Justice for awarding funding to the North Las Vegas Police Department; University Police Services at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas; and the West Wendover Police Department,” said U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich. “These funds will help reduce crime in our communities, as police chiefs hire new officers to enhance their community policing efforts.”
The COPS Hiring Program is a competitive award program intended to reduce crime and advance public safety through community policing by providing direct funding for the hiring of career law enforcement officers. In addition to providing financial support for hiring, CHP provides funding to state, local, and tribal law enforcement to enhance local community policing strategies and tactics. In a changing economic climate, CHP funding helps law enforcement agencies maintain sufficient sworn personnel levels to promote safe communities. Funding through this program had been on hold since the spring of 2018 due to a nationwide injunction that was lifted earlier this year.
CHP applicants were required to identify a specific crime and disorder problem focus area and explain how the funding will be used to implement community policing approaches to that problem focus area. 43 percent of the awards announced today will focus on violent crime, while the remainder of the awards will focus on a variety of issues including school-based policing to fund school resource officer positions, building trust and respect, and opioid education, prevention, and intervention. The COPS Office received nearly 1,100 applications requesting more than 4,000 law enforcement positions.
The complete list of awards can be found here. To learn more about CHP, please visit https://cops.usdoj.gov/chp. For additional information about the COPS Office, please visit www.cops.usdoj.gov.
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Reno Resident Indicted for Possession, Receipt, and Distribution of Thousands of Images of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
RENO, Nev. – Brandon Eric Navarrete, 27, of Reno, was arraigned in federal court today on an indictment charging him for allegedly unlawfully possessing, receiving, and distributing approximately 17,000 images and videos of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada.
Navarrete was arrested Monday morning. He appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carla L. Baldwin who scheduled a jury trial before Chief U.S. District Judge Miranda M. Du on July 14, 2020.
According to allegations presented in the indictment and during today’s court proceedings, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a CyberTip from SmugMug Inc. — a paid image sharing, image hosting service, and online video platform — regarding possible child pornography on its servers. On the basis of that tip, a search warrant was executed at Navarrete’s residence in Reno. A forensic analysis of the electronic devices that were seized revealed approximately 14,000 images of child pornography and approximately 300 video files depicting child pornography. The images and videos included children under 12 years old.
If convicted, Navarrete faces a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000.00 fine. In addition to imprisonment and fines, Navarrete also faces a period of supervised release following any term of imprisonment imposed, restitution, and monetary penalties. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only. If convicted of an offense, the sentencing of a defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This case is the product of a joint investigation by the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the FBI's Northern Nevada Child Exploitation & Human Trafficking Task Force, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, the Sparks Police Department, the Reno Police Department, and the Nevada Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Randolph St. Clair is prosecuting the case.
If you have information regarding possible child sexual exploitation, please make a report to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children by calling the 24-hour hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) or by making a report at www.cybertipline.com.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Department of Justice’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Criminal Instigators Hijacking Peaceful Protests Could Face Federal ProsecutionRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Today, U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada and U.S. Marshal Gary G. Schofield for the U.S. Marshals Service announced that federal law enforcement will investigate, apprehend, and charge violent criminal instigators and organizers who have taken over peaceful protests and violated federal law.
These actions are in accordance with the directive from Attorney General William P. Barr, to coordinate federal resources with state and local partners and the regional FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) in Las Vegas. The intent is to protect the public, including those exercising their right to peaceful and legitimate protest, and uphold the rule of law.
“Last night, violence in Las Vegas resulted in the senseless shooting of a police officer while he was protecting our community,” said U.S. Attorney Trutanich. “Our thoughts are with the officer and his family. The right to peacefully protest and demonstrate is among the most fundamental rights held by all Americans. Violence and looting not only interferes with that right, but they also put lives at risk. Defying those peacefully exercising their First Amendment rights, and diverting focus away from the legitimate outrage over Mr. Floyd’s death, are unacceptable.”
U.S. Marshal Schofield said, “We have provided security to enforce federal laws and orders related to civil rights throughout our country’s history. After riots erupted over James Meredith's enrollment at Ole Miss in 1962, teams of Deputy U.S. Marshals protected him 24 hours a day for an entire year. In a similar circumstance, Ruby Bridges was also provided U.S. Marshals protection when she was one of the first students to integrate the New Orleans public schools. We continue to support peaceful protestors and reject what occurred after a peaceful protest over the death of Mr. Floyd last night. The violent criminal acts hijacked the message of the protest. We send our prayers to the officer and his family.”
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Supervisor of Drug Testing Facility Pleads Guilty to Accepting Bribes to Falsify Drug Test Results Sent to U.S. Probation OfficeRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Billy Joe West, 57, of Las Vegas, pleaded guilty today to misusing his position as a supervisor at a federally contracted drug testing facility to enrich himself by soliciting and accepting bribes from supervisees on federal supervision in exchange for concealing their positive and missed drug tests, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse of the FBI.
West pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey to an information charging one count of prevention of communication of supervised release and probation violation. He is scheduled to be sentenced on September 8, 2020.
According to court documents, West was a supervisor at WestCare Nevada, Inc., a federal contractor that conducted, among other services, court-ordered urinalysis drug testing of supervisees who are on federal probation and supervised release. His responsibilities included administering urinalysis drug testing.
West admitted that, between June 21, 2018, and March 19, 2020, he misled U.S. Probation Officers through a scheme to solicit and accept payments from supervisees in exchange for reporting a false negative drug test to the U.S. Probation Office. In one instance, in February 2020, in exchange for a $200 cash bribe, West falsely reported a negative drug test for a supervisee.
The scheme caused over 100 false reports to be made to the U.S. Probation Office. As a result of the false negative reports provided by West and other WestCare employees, the supervisees’ Probation Officers were deceived into believing that these supervisees were complying with court-ordered term of their supervised release. In fact, these supervisees had violated terms of their supervised release by either missing mandatory drug tests or testing positive for controlled substances.
West faces a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
This case was the product of an investigation by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Oliva is prosecuting the case.
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Convicted Felon Indicted for Arson and Unlawful Possession of A Firearm After Discharging Handgun and Deliberately Setting Fire in Hotel RoomRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Eric Larsgaard, 29, of Las Vegas, was arraigned in federal court today on an indictment charging him for allegedly unlawfully possessing a firearm and deliberately setting fire in a hotel room, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Patrick Gorman for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Larsgaard has two prior criminal convictions in Clark County, including ownership or possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and unlawful possession of a controlled substance. A jury trial has been scheduled before U.S. District Judge Jennifer Dorsey on July 16, 2020.
According to allegations contained in the criminal complaint and indictment, on March 4, 2020, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officers responded to Sam’s Town Hotel and Gambling Hall after the fire alarm in Larsgaard’s hotel room was activated. Hotel security found that he had barricaded the door with a dresser and mattress. Guests staying in the hotel room next to Larsgaard’s room had also called hotel security to report that they heard three gunshots coming from his room. For safety reasons, officers evacuated all guests on the floor. After unsuccessfully attempting to make contact with Larsgaard for approximately four hours, responding law enforcement officers forced entry into the room and took Larsgaard into custody.
Officers executed a search warrant and located in Larsgaard’s room a Ruger handgun that previously had been reported stolen. The firearm’s safety was off, and the hammer was cocked in the firing position. Several bullet holes were located in the room. Further, an arson investigator with the Clark County Fire Investigation Division observed at least four different locations of deliberate ignition within the room. The arson investigator also noted that the smoke alarms had been tampered with and removed from the wall.
If convicted, Larsgaard faces (a) a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the charge of felon in possession of a firearm, and (b) between five to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the charge of arson. In addition to imprisonment and fines, Larsgaard also faces a period of supervised release following any term of imprisonment imposed, restitution, and monetary penalties. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only. If convicted of an offense, the sentencing of a defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This case is the product of an investigation by ATF, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and the Clark County Fire Investigation Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie N. Ihler is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide program by the Department of Justice that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, the Department announced the reinvigoration of PSN. For more information about PSN, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-nv/project-safe-neighborhoods-project-guardian.
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Las Vegas Man Indicted for Three Armed RobberiesRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Ryan Sanchez, 20, of Las Vegas, was arraigned in federal court today on an indictment charging him for allegedly committing armed robberies of three restaurants in Henderson and Las Vegas, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada.
Sanchez is charged with three counts of interference with commerce by robbery and three counts of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. A trial is scheduled for July 27, 2020.
According to allegations contained in the criminal complaint and indictment, from February 11, 2020 to April 14, 2020, Sanchez committed three armed robberies in Henderson and Las Vegas at three different sandwich shop locations. In the first robbery on February 11, Sanchez — brandishing a handgun and wearing a surgical mask — allegedly pointed a handgun at an employee and demanded money from the safe. Then on April 9, Sanchez allegedly entered a restaurant, climbed onto the counter while brandishing a handgun, and demanded money from the employee. Lastly, on April 14, Sanchez allegedly pointed a handgun at a restaurant employee and instructed the employee to open the cash register.
If convicted, Sanchez faces a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count of interference with commerce by robbery and a mandatory minimum sentence of not less than seven years imprisonment for each count of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. In addition to imprisonment and fines, Sanchez also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This case is the product of an investigation by the FBI, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and the Henderson Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett Ruff is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide program by the Department of Justice that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, the Department announced the reinvigoration of PSN. For more information about PSN, visit www.justice.gov/usao-nv.
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Statement from Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband and Nevada U.S. Attorney Nick Trutanich on Nevada Governor’s Decision to Adjust Reopening PlansRead the Press Release
Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Eric Dreiband and U.S. Attorney for Nevada Nick Trutanich issued the following statement:
"We thank Governor Steve Sisolak for considering the concerns about religious liberty in Nevada, and commend him for extending religious freedom protections to people of faith as part of Phase 2 of the Nevada United: Roadmap to Recovery. We look forward to continuing to work with the Governor as we work to balance civil liberties and public safety through the process of reopening. The Department of Justice will continue to prioritize Attorney General Barr’s Memorandum regarding Balancing Public Safety with the Preservation of Civil Rights."
Las Vegas Felon Sentenced in Federal "Lie and Buy" Prosecution for Illegally Acquiring 11 FirearmsRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Albert Raul Franco was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Andrew P. Gordon to three years in prison for illegally acquiring 11 firearms through a straw purchaser who made false statements on federal firearms transaction documents during the purchases, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Patrick Gorman for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
“Far too often, guns bought by straw purchasers end up in the hands of violent offenders and are recovered at crime scenes,” said U.S. Attorney Trutanich. “Together with the ATF, we will hold accountable individuals who lie on federal forms to buy guns illegally. Today’s sentence demonstrates our commitment to reducing gun violence, enforcing federal firearms laws through the Project Guardian initiative, and pursuing ‘Lie and Buy’ cases to make Nevada safer.”
Franco, 35, of Las Vegas, pleaded guilty in August 2019, to seven counts of illegal acquisition of a firearm. In addition to the prison term, Franco was sentenced to three years of supervised release.
According to court documents and admissions made in his plea agreement, on five separate occasions between July 28, 2017, and October 26, 2017, Franco directed co-defendant Tiffany Henderson to make false statements on the Firearms Transaction Record during the purchase of 11 handguns at different Federal Firearms Licensee businesses. On the Firearms Transaction Record, Henderson represented that she was the actual buyer of the firearms, when in fact these purchases were made on Franco’s behalf.
Franco, an admitted gang member and convicted felon, is prohibited from owning and possessing a firearm because of his prior convictions for multiple firearms and drug-related offenses and a conviction for assaulting a police officer. Franco’s pretrial release in this case was revoked after he failed to report an encounter with law enforcement during which he fled and was found to possess cocaine.
Co-defendant Henderson previously pleaded guilty to five counts of illegal acquisition of a firearm and aiding and abetting. She is scheduled to be sentenced on June 23, 2020.
The charges resulted from an investigation by the ATF. Assistant U.S. Attorney Simon Kung is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the U.S. Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the ATF when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.
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Pennsylvania Man Indicted in Kidnapping and Death of Woman Whose Body Was Found in Nevada DesertRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A Pennsylvania resident was indicted by a federal grand jury today for allegedly kidnapping a woman in Pennsylvania then driving her to Nevada and killing her in the desert, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse for the FBI.
John Matthew Chapman, 40, is charged with one count of kidnapping which resulted in the death of the victim. He was previously charged by a criminal complaint on February 20, 2020. Chapman is currently in federal custody in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he awaits his initial court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Albregts in U.S. District Court in Nevada on May 29, 2020.
According to allegations contained in the criminal complaint and indictment, on November 14, 2019, the Bethel Park Police Department in Pennsylvania conducted a welfare check on the victim at the request of a friend. During the welfare check, neighbors stated that they had not seen the victim in approximately two months, but they had observed a person whom they believed to be her boyfriend (Chapman) entering and leaving the victim’s residence. Inside the victim’s residence, officers found a fake CIA identification card with Chapman’s name and photograph, the victim’s cellular telephone, multiple zip ties, and a roll of duct tape.
A family member of the victim told investigators that she was communicating with the victim’s Facebook messenger account. Law enforcement determined that Chapman was pretending to be the victim, including responding to messages as the victim after her death.
On November 15, 2019, Chapman was arrested and interviewed by Bethel Park Police Department detectives. During the interview, Chapman admitted that in September 2019 he drove the victim from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania to Las Vegas, Nevada. He further admitted that he misled the victim to believe the trip was a vacation and they would potentially purchase a residence in Las Vegas. Chapman, however, had planned to kill the victim and had a “kill kit” ready before their departure to Nevada.
Chapman told investigators that he drove the victim out to the desert in Lincoln County, Nevada. Under the pretext of a photo shoot, the victim allowed Chapman to bind her hands and feet with plastic zip ties and affix her to a signpost. Chapman then applied duct tape to her mouth and nose, and watched her die from asphyxiation. The victim’s body was later discovered, and she was a “Jane Doe” unknown decedent until she was later positively identified by the Clark County Office of the Coroner/Medical Examiner through dental records.
The investigation revealed that Chapman returned to Pennsylvania afterwards, and continuously used the victim’s residence and money following her death and passed it off as his own.
If convicted, Chapman faces the maximum penalty of life in prison or death. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only. If convicted of the offense, the sentencing of a defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case is the product of an investigation by the FBI, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bethel Park Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lisa Cartier-Giroux and Allison Reese are prosecuting the case.
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Las Vegas Man Indicted for Unlawful Possession of A Firearm After Officers Respond to Domestic Violence CallRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — A federal grand jury returned an indictment today charging Akila Chappell-Hersh, of Las Vegas, for allegedly possessing a firearm after prior felony convictions following a domestic violence incident call to law enforcement, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Patrick Gorman for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
“During the COVID-19 situation, domestic violence reports increased as many victims have been trapped with their abusers at home,” said U.S. Attorney Trutanich. “Our office has continued working with our law enforcement partners throughout the pandemic to execute the Department of Justice’s Project Guardian initiative, reducing gun violence and enforcing federal firearms laws — especially in cases involving a history of intimate partner violence.”
The indictment charges Chappell-Hersh, 26, with two counts of felon in possession of a firearm. He was charged in a criminal complaint in April 2020. Chappell-Hersh is scheduled to make his initial court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Brenda Weksler on June 1, 2020.
According to the allegations in the complaint and indictment, on November 17, 2019, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officers responded to a call in reference to a domestic violence incident. The caller reported hearing arguing and yelling from the apartment. A search warrant was served and a Sig Sauer P229, .40 caliber, was found under the mattress in the bedroom. Chappell-Hersh is prohibited from possessing a firearm after having convictions in Clark County for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and possession of stolen property.
When Chappell-Hersh was located by Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officers, he had a Glock 30S (a .45 caliber semi-automatic firearm) with a 26-round extended magazine on his person.
If convicted, Chappell-Hersh faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine as to each count. Chappell-Hersh also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only. If convicted of the offense, the sentencing of a defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This case is the product of an investigation by ATF. Assistant U.S. Attorney Linda Mott is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the U.S. Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the ATF when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.
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Las Vegas Man Indicted for Threatening to Assault and Murder Nevada U.S. RepresentativeRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Louis Damato, 47, of Las Vegas, was indicted by a federal grand jury today for allegedly making threats to assault and murder a Nevada U.S. Representative, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse for the FBI.
Damato was previously charged in a criminal complaint on March 27, 2020. His initial court appearance is scheduled before U.S. Magistrate Judge Brenda Weksler on June 1, 2020.
As alleged in the complaint and indictment, on March 16, 2020, the office of U.S. Representative Dina Titus in Washington, D.C., received a threatening voicemail stating in pertinent part: “… I bought a f*cking gun ok I’m coming to DC to blow your f*cking head off!” Later that day, U.S. Capitol Police determined that the phone that left the threatening voicemail belonged to Damato. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department located Damato at a hotel casino, where he was arrested and read his Miranda rights. Damato allegedly admitted that he had been calling Representative Titus’ office for several days, and that he left the threatening message on the morning of March 16, 2020.
If convicted, Damato faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the threatening to assault and murder a public official charge and five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the interstate threats charge.
The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only. If convicted of the offense, the sentencing of a defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
An indictment merely alleges that a crime has been committed. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This case was the product of an investigation by the U.S. Capitol Police, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Dickinson is prosecuting the case.
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U.S. Attorney's Office Recognizes Police WeekRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — In honor of National Police Week, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada recognizes the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement. The week will be observed from Sunday, May 10 through Saturday, May 16, 2020.
“There is no more noble profession than serving as a police officer,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “The men and women who protect our communities each day have not just devoted their lives to public service, they’ve taken an oath to give their lives in order to ensure our safety. And they do so not only in the face of hostility from those who reject our nation’s commitment to the rule of law, but also in the face of evolving adversity – such as an unprecedented global health pandemic. This week, I ask all Americans to join me in saying ‘thank you’ to our nation’s federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officers. Their devotion and sacrifice to our peace and security will not be taken for granted.”
“This week, we celebrate the brave men and women who honorably serve their communities with courage, duty, and character,” said U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich. “Our office joins our colleagues in recognizing the law enforcement community’s service and sacrifices. In particular, we pay tribute to the 307 fallen officers whose names will be added to National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Thank you to our partners in blue and to their families.”
In 1962, President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices. Peace Officers Memorial Day, which every year falls on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.
Each year, during National Police Week, our nation celebrates the contributions of law enforcement from around the country, recognizing their hard work, dedication, loyalty and commitment to keeping our communities safe. This year, the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored law enforcement officers’ courage and unwavering devotion to the communities they swore to serve.
Based on data collected and analyzed by the FBI’s Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program, 89 law enforcement officers died nationwide in the line of duty in 2019.
Comprehensive data tables about these incidents and brief narratives describing most of the fatal attacks are included in the sections of Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted, 2019.
The names of the fallen officers who have been added in 2020 to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Memorial will be read on Wednesday, May 13, 2020, during a Virtual Annual Candlelight Vigil. Because public events have been suspended as a result of COVID-19, the vigil will be livestreamed to the public at 8:00 pm (EDT). The online event can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/user/TheNLEOMF.
To learn more about National Police Week and the virtual candlelight vigil, please visit www.policeweek.org.
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