District of Nevada
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Felon Charged with Unlawful Possession of Firearms, Ammunition, and Body ArmorRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Timothy Anthony, 38, a prior convicted felon residing in Henderson, was charged Thursday in a federal criminal complaint with unlawfully possessing firearms, including an AR-15 style rifle, ammunition, and a body armor vest, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada, Special Agent in Charge Patrick Gorman for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and City of Henderson Police Chief Thedrick Andres.
As alleged in the complaint, on April 22, 2020, Henderson Police Department detectives executed a search warrant on Anthony’s vehicle and found a loaded .45 caliber handgun; a .45 caliber handgun magazine loaded with ammunition; a Point Blank Enterprises body armor vest with rifle plates; an AR-15 style rifle with a 13 inch barrel; nine rifle magazines with rifle ammunition; and a silencer for a rifle. The .45 caliber handgun and AR-15 style rifle appear to have been manufactured outside the normal process and are not registered. The body armor vest was reported stolen from the San Diego Police Department.
Later that day, detectives executed a search warrant at Anthony’s residence in Henderson. During the search, detectives found a Magnum Research .45 caliber handgun; a Remington 870 shotgun loaded with 13 shells; an AR-style pistol with no serial number; an AR-10 rifle; a CAI SKS rifle; dozens of shotgun shells and ammunition; an O-Mega taser; miscellaneous gun and machine parts; and gun manufacturing supplies. The Remington 870 shotgun was reported stolen from the San Diego Police Department.
Anthony had previously been convicted of felon in possession of a firearm in San Diego County. He also had previously been convicted of exhibiting a deadly weapon to police officer to resist arrest and possession for sale of a controlled substance in Los Angeles County.
Anthony was arrested, and a preliminary hearing will be scheduled before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daniel Albregts on a later date.
If convicted, Anthony faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for possession of a firearm not registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Act; 10 years in prison for felon in possession of a firearm; 10 years in prison for felon in possession of ammunition; and three years in prison for violent felon in possession of body armor. The 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. 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 ATF and Henderson Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Melanee Smith 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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Nevada U.S. Attorney Announces Nearly $7.4 Million Awarded to Nevada to Address COVID-19 PandemicRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada today announced that the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs has awarded $7,385,200 in grant funding to the Nevada Department of Public Safety to respond to the public safety challenges posed by the outbreak of COVID-19.
The grant is among the most recent to be awarded through the $850 million available under the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, authorized by the recent stimulus legislation signed by President Trump. This program allows eligible state, local and tribal governments to apply immediately for these critical funds. The Office of Justice Programs is moving quickly, aiming to have funds available for drawdown as soon as possible after receiving an application. In addition to statewide awards, many local jurisdictions within these states are eligible for direct awards. A list of all awards can be found at https://bja.ojp.gov/program/cesf/awards.
U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich stated: “We are thankful to the Office of Justice Programs for making over $7.3 million available to the Nevada Department of Public Safety. These funds will provide critical support and help ensure public safety throughout the state during this public health crisis.”
“The outbreak of COVID-19 and the public health emergency it created are sobering reminders that even the most routine duties performed by our nation’s public safety officials carry potentially grave risks,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “These funds will provide hard-hit communities with critical resources to help mitigate the impact of this crisis and give added protection to the brave professionals charged with keeping citizens safe.”
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security, or CARES, Act gives jurisdictions considerable latitude in the use of funds for dealing with COVID-19. 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.
The solicitation, posted by the Office of Justice Programs' Bureau of Justice Assistance, will remain open for at least 60 days. As a top priority, the Office of Justice Programs will fund successful applicants on a rolling basis as it receives applications. Grantees may apply the funds retroactively to January 20, 2020, subject to federal rules.
Agencies that were eligible for the fiscal year 2019 State and Local Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program are 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.
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 the Office of Justice Programs and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
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Department of Justice Commemorates National Crime Victims' Rights WeekRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich joins the Department of Justice and communities nationwide in observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, celebrating victims’ rights, protections and services throughout the week. This year’s observance takes place April 19-25 and features the theme, “Seek Justice | Ensure Victims' Rights | Inspire Hope.”
“Every year, millions of Americans suffer the shock and trauma of criminal victimization, affecting their well-being and sense of security and dignity,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “To these victims, we affirm our unwavering commitment to supporting them in their hour of need. We also commend the thousands of victim advocates and public safety professionals who labor tirelessly to secure victims’ rights and support survivors.”
“Our office continues to work every day to fight on behalf of victims and prosecute criminals who harm them,” said U.S. Attorney Trutanich. “All victims deserve justice, and National Crime Victims’ Rights Week recognizes survivors of crime and their rights, as well as advocates who provide support and assistance to victims.”
“While we have made tremendous progress driving down crime and violence across the country, far too many Americans continue to suffer the pain and loss of criminal victimization,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the Office of Justice Programs. “This week, we stand by these survivors and their families, and we pledge our ongoing support to the countless men and women who serve them with such extraordinary skill and compassion.”
Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first Victims’ Rights Week in 1981, putting crime victims' rights, needs, and concerns in a prominent spot on the American agenda. He also established the President's Task Force on Victims of Crime, which laid the groundwork for a national network of services and legal safeguards for crime victims. President Trump and his administration have implemented historic levels of support for victim assistance and victim compensation.
Some 3.3 million Americans age 12 and older were victims of violent crime in 2018, according to the National Crime Victimization Survey. The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), part of the Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs, supports more than 7,000 local victim assistance programs and victim compensation programs in every state and U.S. territory. Funds for these programs come from the Crime Victims Fund, which is made up of federal criminal fines, penalties and bond forfeitures.
During National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, victim advocacy organizations, community groups and state, local and tribal agencies traditionally host rallies, candlelight vigils, and other events to raise awareness of victims’ rights and services. This year, many communities are organizing virtual gatherings and online public awareness campaigns.
This year’s commemoration began yesterday, 25 years to the day when a truck bomb exploded in front of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, taking the lives of 168 people, including 19 children, as well as injuring hundreds of others. The mass murder remains the worst act of domestic terrorism in our nation’s history and led to the establishment of the Antiterrorism Emergency Reserve, which is administered by OVC, and has been used to provide direct services to hundreds of victims of mass violence and terrorism.
“Crime victims deserve to know that they have the encouragement and support of the American people,” said OVC Director Jessica E. Hart. “I hope that citizens throughout the nation will take the opportunity this week to remember all victims of crime and their heroic stories of survival. I encourage everyone to also find meaningful ways to express their appreciation to the many committed and compassionate service providers across the country who work tirelessly supporting these survivors.”
This year, the annual National Crime Victims’ Service Awards Ceremony will be postponed until a time when we can honor this year’s award recipients in person. During the ceremony, OVC will present awards recognizing individuals and organizations from across the nation for their outstanding service on behalf of crime victims. The awardees will be selected from public nominations in 11 categories, including federal service, special courage, public policy, and victim services. Visit www.ovc.gov/gallery to learn more about past recipients.
For more information on how to create your own public campaigns to raise awareness about crime victims’ rights online and at events throughout the year, please visit: https://ovc.ncjrs.gov/ncvrw2020/overview.html.
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U.S. Attorney Nicholas Trutanich and Attorney General Aaron Ford Form Nevada COVID-19 Task ForceRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Today, U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich and Nevada Attorney General Aaron D. Ford announced the formation of the Nevada 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 will share information and resources to protect Nevadans from those using the COVID-19 pandemic to take advantage of consumers.
All participating agencies will take information, tips and complaints from the public, as well as other local law enforcement agencies seeking the Task Force’s assistance. The Task Force will share resources to monitor, identify and investigate misconduct most effectively and efficiently as possible.
“Our top priority is protecting Nevadans during this public health crisis,” said U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich. “I am committed to marshalling the full spectrum of capabilities my office and our federal law enforcement partners can bring to support the Task Force’s important mission of protecting our vulnerable populations from fraudsters. I urge citizens to contact the Task Force with information and tips.”
“Sadly, it is all too common for fraudsters to take advantage of the public during times of great distress and hardship,” said Attorney General Aaron D. Ford. “From day one, I’ve focused on protecting Nevada families and consumers, and I’m proud that my office continues to be on the front lines of fighting fraud and helping Nevadans in need. With a united front, we’re showing fraudsters they have no business taking advantage of Nevadans.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Nevada Attorney General’s Office caution residents to be wary of potential scams such as these:
- Diagnosis Testing Scams: Scammers offer fake COVID-19 testing kits, particularly door-to-door.
- Treatment/Cure Scams: Scammers offer fake or unproven treatment regimens that are particularly dangerous because they have the potential to do more harm than good.
- Charity Scams: Virtually every time there is a disaster or emergency, scammers set up fake charities to solicit donations that they then spend on themselves.
- Overinflated prices: The Task Force will use every tool available to hold sellers accountable who unlawfully use the COVID-19 pandemic to unreasonably inflate prices.
- Investment Scams: Scammers make false claims about tests, cures and other matters related to COVID-19 in order to entice victims to make investment decisions based on those false claims that allow the scammer to steal money and assets from Nevadans.
- Cyber Scams: Scammers send victims emails related to COVID-19 that appear to be from the victims’ banks, health care providers, the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and others for the purpose of obtaining the victims’ personal identifying information and exploiting it for the scammers’ own benefit.
- App Scams: Scammers are creating and manipulating mobile apps designed to track the spread of COVID-19 to insert malware that will compromise users’ devices and personal information.
- Insurance, Workers’ Compensation and Medicaid Fraud: Businesses and government agencies are not immune to scams. They should also be vigilant to ensure scammers do not take advantage of their businesses or customers during this pandemic.
- Economic Impact Payment (Stimulus Check): Scammers pretend to be government officials offering false economic impact payments (stimulus checks) in order to obtain personal identifying information including social security and bank account numbers.
Fifteen agencies are a part of this Task Force including:
- U.S. Attorney’s Office
- Office of the Nevada Attorney General
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- U.S. Secret Service
- Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation
- Drug Enforcement Administration
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General
- Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office of Inspector General
- Department of Education Office of Inspector General
- Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General
- U.S. Postal Inspection Service
- Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration
- Nevada’s Secretary of State’s Office
- Washoe County Sheriff’s Office
- Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department
For tips on how to avoid falling victim to these scams, click here.
If you are in danger or experiencing a true emergency, please call 911. If you have been victimized by any crime related to the COVID-19 pandemic, please report your experience to the Attorney General’s Office (ag.nv.gov/Complaints/File_Complaint/) and the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) hotline at 1-866-720-5721 or by e-mailing the NCDF at [email protected]. In your email, please provide the following information:
- Your full name and contact information;
- The dates on which you were victimized;
- The location of the incident (including city and state);
- A brief description of the crime; and
- The name(s) and contact information of the perpetrator(s) (if known).
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Hundreds of Surgical Masks Stolen by Reno Man from Veterans' Affairs Medical CenterRead the Press Release
RENO, Nev. – Peter Lucas, 35, of Reno, was arrested yesterday and appeared in court today for allegedly stealing hundreds of surgical masks from a supply cart at the Ioannis A. Lougaris VA Medical Center (VA Medical Center) in Reno, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada.
“Our military veterans served on the front lines to protect our country, and now our health professionals are doing the same in our fight against COVID-19,” said U.S. Attorney Trutanich. “We will not allow the theft of personal protective equipment to go undeterred, endangering the safety of doctors, nurses, and other health professionals protecting our communities.”
Lucas is charged with one count of theft of health care property. He made his initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carla L. Baldwin.
According to the complaint and affidavit, police surveillance cameras at the VA Medical Center depicted that, between March 19 and March 23, 2020, Lucas stole at least four boxes of surgical masks from supply carts in his care, then concealed the boxes under his jacket before exiting the hospital. Each box contained 50 masks.
If convicted, the maximum statutory penalty is one year in prison and a $100,000 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.
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.
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 National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) hotline (1-866-720-5721) or by e-mailing the NCDF at [email protected] or directly to the U.S. Attorney’s Office at [email protected]. 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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Two Winnemucca Residents Charged with Conspiracy to Steal Multiple Firearms from Federal Firearms LicenseeRead the Press Release
RENO, Nev. — George Wyatt Elms and Travis Klyn made their initial appearances today for allegedly conspiring to steal dozens of firearms from a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL), announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada and Acting Special Agent in Charge Frederic D. Winston for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
As alleged in the complaint, on February 19, 2020, Elms, 31, and Klyn, 39, both Winnemucca residents, conspired to steal 25 firearms from an FFL in Winnemucca. Surveillance footage from that day depicted an individual — wearing what appears to be a clown mask — pacing back and forth, and shining a flashlight through a warehouse. According to video surveillance, three individuals were able to gain entry to the warehouse by first removing a panel in the roof. They dropped down approximately ten feet onto a nearby staircase, and then broke through a door. On surveillance video, one individual used a pickaxe to break the glass of a gun case, and the others loaded firearms into their backpacks.
Elms and Klyn are charged with one count of conspiracy to steal, take, or carry away firearms from the premises of an FFL. Elms is also charged with one count of theft of firearms from the premises of an FFL. Elms and Klyn appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carla Baldwin, who scheduled a preliminary hearing on April 16, 2020.
If convicted, the statutory maximum sentence for conspiracy to steal, take, or carry away firearms from the premises of an FFL is five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, and theft of firearms from the premises of an FFL is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The 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. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
This case is the product of an investigation by the ATF and the Winnemucca Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Rachow 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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Nevada U.S. Attorney Announces Nearly $60 Million in Grants Available to Support Prisoners' Successful Reentry into Their CommunitiesRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada today announced that nearly $60 million in Department of Justice grants is available to help communities across the country address public safety by supporting successful reentry of adult and juvenile offenders into their communities.
“Our nation is facing difficult public safety challenges that demand strong and immediate action. The high rate of recidivism poses a dire threat to community safety and is being met with a robust response by this Administration,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight to meet this persistent challenge. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions.”
“These grant opportunities demonstrate the Department of Justice’s commitment to providing a successful pathway for adult and juvenile offenders returning to their communities,” said U.S. Attorney Trutanich. “We know that effective reentry means safer communities and, therefore, I encourage our law enforcement and community partners to apply.”
The funding is available through OJP, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including adult and juvenile reentry initiatives and research projects designed to improve our knowledge of what works in reentry programming.
A number of funding opportunities are currently open, with several more opening in the near future.
- Correctional Adult Reentry Education, Employment, and Recidivism Reduction Strategies Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17104
Total Available: $7.2 million Deadline: 4/27/2020
- Improving Community Supervision Outcomes Through Swift, Certain, and Fair Responses
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17096
Total Available: $3 million Deadline: 4/28/2020
- Improving Reentry for People with Substance Use Disorders Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/SCASUD20
Total Available: $13.2 million Deadline: 4/27/2020
- Innovations in Reentry Initiative: Building System Capacity & Testing Strategies to Reduce Recidivism
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17281
Total Available: $4 million Deadline: 5/4/2020
- Research and Evaluation on Promising Reentry Initiatives
https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17295
Total Available: $6 million Deadline: 5/5/2020
- Review and Validation of the First Step Act Risk Assessment Tool https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-fsa
Total Available: Determined after selection Deadline: 4/10/2020
- Second Chance Act Community-Based Reentry Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17110
Total Available: $13.5 million Deadline: 5/4/2020
- Second Chance Act Evaluation Participation Support
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17680
Total Available: $4 million Deadline: 4/28/2020
- Second Chance Act Youth Offender Reentry Program
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh176/files/media/document/ojjdp-2020-17350.pdf
Total Available: $7 million Deadline: 4/28/2020
For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, visit https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities
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Nevada U.S. Attorney Announces More Than $83 Million Available to Support School SafetyRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada today announced that more than $83 million in Department of Justice grants is available to help communities across the country improve school security and protect students, teachers and faculty from threats of violence.
“School violence is no longer an abstract threat but has become a tragic reality in too many of America’s communities. Moving to meet this challenge is among the Administration’s top domestic priorities,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight to meet this challenge. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions.”
“Through these grant opportunities, the Department of Justice is further expanding its efforts to reduce school violence,” said U.S. Attorney Trutanich. “This new funding will help protect children, teachers, and faculty throughout Nevada.”
The funding is available through OJP, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including programs designed to tighten school security and improve the reporting of threats.
A number of funding opportunities for school safety are currently open, with another opening in the near future:
- Research and Evaluation on School Safety
https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17308
Total Available: $5 million Deadline: 4/13/2020
- STOP Act School Violence Program (FY20)
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17312
Total Available: $71.5 million Deadline: 6/9/2020
- Strategies to Support Children Exposed to Violence
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17926
Total Available: $7 million Deadline: 4/27/2020
For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, visit https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities.
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Nevada U.S. Attorney Announces More Than $163 Million Available to Fight Addiction CrisisRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada today announced that more than $163 million in Department of Justice grants is available to help communities address America’s addiction crisis.
“Our nation is facing the difficult challenge of curbing substance addiction, which threatens public safety and is among the Administration’s top domestic priorities,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight to meet this challenge. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions.”
“The cycle of addiction not only affects the individual and their loved ones, but also their community and public safety,” said U.S. Attorney Trutanich. “The OJP grant funds will provide assistance and needed resources to treatment providers, drug courts, and other organizations, serving as a lifeline to help stem the tide of substance addiction. These grants demonstrate the Department of Justice’s commitment to stopping the drug abuse and addiction cycle.”
The funding is available through OJP, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including programs designed to prevent overdose deaths and break the cycle of addiction and crime.
A number of funding opportunities that address the addiction crisis are currently open:
- Adult Drug Court and Veterans Treatment Court Discretionary Grant Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17098
Total Available: $1.75 million Deadline: 5/14/2020
- Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Site-based Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/COSSAP20
Total Available: $27 million Deadline: 5/21/2020
- Enhancing Community Responses to America's Addiction Crisis: Serving Our Youngest Crime Victims
https://www.ovc.gov/grants/pdftxt/fy-2020-enhancing-community-responses-to-drug-crisis.pdf
Total Available: $19 million Deadline: 5/4/2020
- Family Drug Court Program
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17090
Total Available: $18.2 million Deadline: 4/8/2020 (Extended)
- Harold Rogers Prescription Drug Monitoring Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17754
Total Available: $28.1 Deadline: 5/5/2020
- Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Program
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17051
Total Available: $7.2 million Deadline: 4/13/2020 (Extended)
- Mentoring Opportunities for Youth Initiative
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-16930
Total Available: $48 million Deadline: 4/13/2020
- Opioid Affected Youth Initiative
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17352
Total Available: $9 million Deadline: 4/20/2020
- Research and Evaluation on Drugs and Crime
https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17275
Total Available: $1 million Deadline: 4/20/2020
- Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners
https://bja.ojp.gov/RSAT20
Total Available: $4.5 million Deadline: 4/6/2020
For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, visit https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities
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Department of Justice Makes $850 Million Available to Help Public Safety Agencies Address COVID-19 PandemicRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – The Department of Justice today announced that it is making $850 million available to help public safety agencies respond to the challenges posed by the outbreak of COVID-19. The Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, authorized by the recent stimulus legislation signed by President Trump, will allow eligible state, local and tribal governments to apply immediately for these critical funds. The department is moving quickly to make awards, with the goal of having funds available for drawdown within days of the award.
“This is an unprecedented moment in our nation’s history and an especially dangerous one for our front-line law enforcement officers, corrections officials, and public safety professionals,” said Office of Justice Programs Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. “We are grateful to the Congress for making these resources available and for the show of support this program represents.”
U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich stated: “The Office of Justice has made over $7.3 million available to the Nevada Department of Public Safety to distribute throughout the state. Another nearly $4.2 million is available to Nevada municipal, county, and tribal agencies to be used to hire personnel, pay overtime costs, cover protective equipment and supplies, and other related activities. I encourage our partners to apply for this emergency funding, which will provide critical support as they tirelessly work to ensure public safety during this unprecedented time.”
The solicitation, posted by the Bureau of Justice Assistance in the Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP), will remain open for at least 60 days and be extended as necessary. OJP will fund successful applicants as a top priority on a rolling basis as applications are received. Funds may be used to hire personnel, pay overtime costs, cover protective equipment and supplies, address correctional inmates’ medical needs and defray expenses related to the distribution of resources to hard-hit areas, among other activities. Grant funds may be applied retroactively to Jan. 20, 2020, subject to federal supplanting rules.
Agencies that were eligible for the fiscal year 2019 State and Local Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program are candidates for this emergency funding. A complete list of eligible jurisdictions and their allocations can be found at https://bja.ojp.gov/program/fy20-cesf-allocations.
For more information about the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, please visit https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-18553. For more information about the Office of Justice Programs, please visit https://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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Las Vegas Man Charged with Threatening to Assault and Murder Nevada U.S. RepresentativeRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Louis Damato, 47, of Las Vegas, made his initial appearance today in connection with federal charges 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.
As alleged in the complaint, 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.
A preliminary hearing has been scheduled before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Albregts on April 17, 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.
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 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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Employee of Drug Testing Facility Charged with Accepting Bribes in Exchange for Falsifying Drug Test Results Sent to U.S. Probation OfficeRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Billy Joe West, 57, of Las Vegas, made his initial appearance Monday on a federal charge alleging that he misused his position as an employee at a federally contracted drug testing facility to solicit and accept bribes from individuals on federal probation, 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.
“Employees of federal contractors must put the public interest over their own self interests,” said U.S. Attorney Trutanich. “Our law enforcement partners and our office will continue to investigate violations of the public trust.”
“Obstructing justice by accepting bribes in exchange for false reporting is unacceptable,” said Special Agent in Charge Rouse. “The FBI will use every resource available to assist our law enforcement partners in holding individuals accountable for their actions.”
According to the complaint, West was an employee at WestCare Nevada, Inc., a federal contractor that conducted, among other services, court-ordered urinalysis drug testing of supervisees (on federal probation and supervised release). West’s responsibilities included administering that drug testing.
The complaint alleges that West devised a scheme to solicit and accept payments from supervisees in exchange for reporting a false negative drug test to the U.S. Probation Office. During January and February 2020, in exchange for cash bribes, West helped an individual falsify drug testing results on at least three occasions. On the first two occasions, West received $400 in exchange for reporting a negative drug test even though the individual was not tested.
A preliminary hearing has been scheduled before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Albregts on April 13, 2020.
If convicted, West faces a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the honest services wire fraud charge. 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.
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Nevada U.S. Attorney's Office and FBI Share Tips for Avoiding COVID-19 Scams Targeting Vulnerable PopulationRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Today, U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse for the FBI warned of several new fraud schemes seeking to exploit the evolving coronavirus public health emergency.
Scammers have already devised numerous methods for defrauding people in connection with COVID-19. They are setting up websites, contacting people by phone and email, and posting disinformation on social media platforms. Some examples of scams linked to COVID-19 include:
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Testing scams: Scammers are selling fake at-home test kits or going door-to-door performing fake tests for money.
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Treatment scams: Scammers are offering to sell fake cures, vaccines, and advice on unproven treatments for COVID-19.
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Supply scams: Scammers are creating fake shops, websites, social media accounts, and email addresses claiming to sell medical supplies currently in high demand, such as surgical masks. When consumers attempt to purchase supplies through these channels, fraudsters pocket the money and never provide the promised supplies.
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Provider scams: Scammers are contacting people by phone and email, pretending to be doctors and hospitals that have treated a friend or relative for COVID-19, and demanding payment for that treatment.
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Charity scams: Scammers are soliciting donations for individuals, groups, and areas affected by COVID-19.
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Phishing scams: Scammers posing as national and global health authorities, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are sending phishing emails designed to trick recipients into downloading malware or providing personal identifying and financial information.
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App scams: Scammers are creating and manipulating mobile apps designed to track the spread of COVID-19 to insert malware that will compromise users’ devices and personal information.
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Investment scams: Scammers are offering online promotions on various platforms, including social media, claiming that the products or services of publicly traded companies can prevent, detect, or cure COVID-19, and that the stock of these companies will dramatically increase in value as a result. These promotions are often styled as “research reports,” make predictions of a specific “target price,” and relate to microcap stocks, or low-priced stocks issued by the smallest of companies with limited publicly available information.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office and FBI urge Nevadans to take the following precautionary measures to protect themselves from known and emerging scams:
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Independently verify the identity of any company, charity, or individual that contacts you regarding COVID-19.
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Check the websites and email addresses offering information, products, or services related to COVID-19. Be aware that scammers often employ addresses that differ only slightly from those belonging to the entities they are impersonating. For example, they might use “cdc.com” or “cdc.org” instead of “cdc.gov.”
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Be wary of unsolicited emails offering information, supplies, or treatment for COVID-19 or requesting your personal information for medical purposes. Legitimate health authorities will not contact the general public this way.
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Do not click on links or open email attachments from unknown or unverified sources. Doing so could download malware or a virus onto your computer or device.
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Make sure the anti-malware and anti-virus software on your computer is operating and up to date.
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Ignore unsolicited offers for a COVID-19 vaccine, cure, or treatment. Remember, if there is a medical breakthrough, you won’t hear about it for the first time through an email, online ad, or unsolicited sales pitch.
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Check online reviews of any company offering COVID-19 products or supplies. Avoid companies whose customers have complained about not receiving items.
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Research any charities or crowdfunding sites soliciting donations in connection with COVID-19 before giving. Remember, an organization may not be legitimate even if it uses words like “CDC” or “government” in its name or has seals or logos on its materials. For online resources on donating wisely, visit the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) website.
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Be wary of any business, charity, or individual requesting payments or donations in cash, by wire transfer, gift card, or through the mail. Don’t send money through any of these channels.
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Be cautious of “investment opportunities” tied to COVID-19, especially those based on claims that a small company’s products or services can help stop the virus. If you decide to invest, carefully research the investment beforehand. For information on how to avoid investment fraud, visit the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) website.
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For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, visit the CDC and WHO websites.
On March 18, 2020, U.S. Attorney Trutanich announced the appointment of a COVID-19 fraud coordinator to lead investigations into known and suspected occurrences of financial fraud related to the nation’s ongoing public health emergency.
If you or someone you know believe you’ve been the target or victim of an outbreak-related fraud scheme, please contact the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) by visiting www.IC3.gov.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office COVID-19 fraud coordinator will be notified of tips submitted via the above reporting method.
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Nevada U.S. Attorney Announces More Than $65 Million Available to Fight Human Trafficking and Help Trafficking VictimsRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada today announced that more than $65 million in Department of Justice grants is available to help communities combat human trafficking and serve victims of trafficking operations.
“Our nation is facing difficult challenges, none more pressing than the scourge of human trafficking. Human traffickers pose a dire threat to public safety and countering this threat remains one of the Administration’s top domestic priorities,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight against this insidious crime. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions.”
“On behalf of the District of Nevada, we are grateful for the Department of Justice’s support in bringing human traffickers to justice and helping victims in our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Trutanich. “Together with our law enforcement partners, the U.S. Attorney’s Office looks forward to effectively and creatively deploying the resources possible through this new grant funding.”
The funding is available through OJP, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including programs that support human trafficking task forces and services for human trafficking survivors.
A number of funding opportunities are currently open, with several more opportunities opening this week.
- Missing and Exploited Children Training and Technical Assistance Program
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17351
Total Available: $1.8 million Deadline: 4/6/2020
- Multidisciplinary Task Force Program to Combat Human Trafficking
Total Available: $22 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
- Preventing Trafficking of Girls
Total Available: $1.7 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
- Research and Evaluation on Trafficking in Persons
https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17324
Total Available: $2.5 million Deadline: 4/20/2020
- Services for Victims of Human Trafficking
Total Available: $16.5 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
- Specialized Training and Technical Assistance on Housing for Victims of Human Trafficking
Total Available: $2 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
- Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Program
Total Available: $5 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
- Improving Outcomes for Child and Youth Victims of Human Trafficking
Total Available: $6 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
- Integrated Services for Minor Victims of Labor Trafficking
Total Available: $8 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, please visit https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities
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Nevada U.S. Attorney Appoints Prosecutor to Fight COVID-19 FraudRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada today announced the appointment of a COVID-19 Fraud Coordinator to lead investigations and prosecutions of fraud related to the pandemic, and to work with our partners to develop strategies to detect and prevent fraud schemes.
“Wrongdoers seeking to take advantage of individuals – through fraud or force – during this health crisis are now on notice,” U.S. Attorney Trutanich stated. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office COVID-19 Fraud Coordinator will be working with law enforcement at all levels to investigate and prosecute those who exploit the fears of Nevadans for personal gain. This conduct will not be tolerated in Nevada.”
As the State of Nevada and this nation face the spread of COVID-19, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada wants to reinforce to the citizens of Nevada that law enforcement functions and our federal justice system continue to operate effectively during the crisis. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our partners are committed to upholding the rule of law and protecting the safety and security of Nevadans.
As this is an emerging, rapidly evolving situation, we have adapted operations for the health and safety of our personnel. We are executing on the guidance of the U.S. Attorney General, which makes clear that the critical mission of the Department of Justice — protecting the public — will continue. We are also working closely with the court and other stakeholders on appropriate precautions to protect the health of those who practice in and come before the court.
In addition to ensuring that the federal justice system continues to function, the U.S. Attorney’s Office remains vigilant in detecting, investigating, and prosecuting wrongdoing arising from the crisis. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has made a priority all criminal conduct related to the current pandemic. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will protect Nevadans from fraudsters and criminals who seek to exploit this crisis for their profit and personal advantage. We stand ready to hold accountable wrongdoers who take advantage of emergency response efforts and violate the public safety and other laws of the United States in connection with the manufacturing, distribution, or sale of public health products such as face masks, respirators, and diagnostics.
Nevadans are reminded that the best source of information for prevention and treatment of COVID-19 remains the CDC's website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/indcx.html.
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Las Vegas and Tennessee Residents Sentenced to Prison for Roles in Fraudulent Scheme Targeting Small Business OwnersRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Jason Demko, a Canadian national currently residing in Las Vegas, and Michael Guariglia, of Buffalo Valley, Tennessee, were sentenced today to 46 months in prison and five years of probation, respectively, for defrauding small business owners of nearly 12 million dollars, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse of the FBI.
“Small businesses are an important part of all communities in Nevada and across the country,” said U.S. Attorney Trutanich. “Among other things, they create meaningful jobs, support local neighborhoods, and provide opportunities for entrepreneurs. We appreciate the opportunity to partner with the FBI in bringing these defendants, who targeted small business owners, to justice.”
“The FBI will pursue those who plan, scheme and defraud innocent people for their own personal gain,” said Special Agent in Charge Rouse. “I'd like to thank the men and women of the FBI who work hard every day to identify and apprehend those responsible for taking advantage of trusting citizens; in this case small business owners."
Demko, 43, pleaded guilty on February 14, 2018, and Guariglia, 53, pleaded guilty on March 20, 2018. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Kent J. Dawson ordered both men to pay restitution (jointly and severally) in the amount of $11,509,087. Demko was also ordered to pay a criminal forfeiture money judgment in the amount of $307,060, and Guariglia was ordered to pay a criminal forfeiture money judgment in the amount of $68,666.
According to court documents, from about December 2009 to February 2014, Demko, Guariglia, their co-defendants, and others operated a telemarketing scam commonly known as the “grant-fee scam” targeting small business owners. In the grant-fee scam, criminals contact small business owners claiming to act as a broker for corporations, charitable foundations, or government agencies looking to give money away. The criminals ask the victims about their businesses, then claim to have found high dollar grants matching the victims’ businesses. For a substantial fee, the criminals offer to file the paperwork needed to obtain the grants, promising that the cost of their services will be covered by the grants the victims will assuredly receive. In reality, no such grants exist. The criminals simply take the victims’ money.
Often, criminals carrying out grant-fee scams then embark on a campaign of “lulling” and “reloading.” Lulling is a series of excuses and distractions designed to make the victims believe that the promised grants are imminent, if only this bit of paperwork or that action were completed. The main purpose of lulling is to delay the victims’ actions to recover the funds and delay the victims’ reports of the crime to law enforcement. Lulling is often done hand-in-hand with reloading, thus scamming more money from victims to pay additional sums for “unanticipated” documents or tax charges to obtain the promised grants. In reality, no such documents or tax charges are needed because no grants exist. Again, the criminals simply take the victims’ money.
Demko, sometimes using the alias Jeff Ross, together with Guariglia, their co-defendants, and others, defrauded hundreds of individuals and families out of nearly 12 million dollars. To carry out their scheme, Demko, Guariglia, their co-defendants, and others made false representations and promises to small business owners to persuade and induce them to pay initial fees, usually between $2,500 and $5,000, for goods and services the victims thought would help them obtain grants for their businesses. The small business owners were told that the total cost for obtaining a grant was between $10,000 and $15,000, depending on the total amount of funding requested, and that the remaining fees would not be charged until the owners received 100 percent of the grant funding. Among other things, Demko, Guariglia, and their co-defendants falsely stated that they had obtained grants for other clients, when in fact they had not done so. The defendants also re-solicited clients for additional fees, including fees for business plans, when they knew that the plans were not going to assist the clients in obtaining any grants. They knew that the true purpose of their solicitations was to obtain funds to personally enrich themselves.
Demko, Guariglia, and their co-defendants operated their scam under JCD Business Services; Foundation Processing Center; Summit Business Consultants, Inc.; Inner Circle Corp., LLC; Sierra Investment Group, Inc.; Valley Business Development; Quid Corp.; Interlan Charitable Foundation; Interlan Financial Corporation; Compass National, LLC; Compass National, Inc.; Direct Business Company, Inc.; Goldcom LLC; and Company Planning LLC.
Co-defendants Lorraine Riddiough (Demko’s mother, a Canadian national residing in Las Vegas who also goes by the name Lorraine Ann Mader) and Lissette Alvarez (a Las Vegas resident) have pleaded guilty. Alvarez was sentenced to three years probation. Riddiough is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dawson on March 19, 2020.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI urge the public to be alert to potential scams. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. The Federal Trade Commission posts alerts describing many different types of scams on its website at https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/scam-alerts. If you or someone you know has been the victim of a scam, please contact law enforcement without delay.
The case is a result of an investigation by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel Cowhig and Kimberly Frayn prosecuted the case.
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Two Men Indicted for Vandalizing Archaeological ResourceRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A federal grand jury indicted two Elko residents for allegedly conspiring to vandalize U.S. government property, including an archaeological site, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada and Bureau of Land Management (BLM)-Nevada State Director Jon Raby.
Daniel Plata, 25, and Jonathan Pavon, 25, were each charged with one count of conspiracy, one count of destruction of government property, and one count of unauthorized damage, alteration or defacement of archaeological resources. The defendants made their initial court appearance on March 6, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carla Baldwin in Reno.
“This case reinforces the importance of law enforcement working together to maintain Nevada’s landscape, natural resources, and cultural artifacts for everyone to enjoy,” said U.S. Attorney Trutanich.
"I would like to thank all of our inter-agency partners for their continued efforts to protect the archaeological resources on public lands that are so critically important to our tribal nations and the American public, including the efforts to prosecute those who vandalize and destroy these important sites," said State Director Raby.
According to allegations contained in the indictment, on September 19, 2019, Pavon posted a video on his Instagram page showing Plata vandalizing: (a) property near the Schelbourne rest stop in White Pine County, Nevada; (b) property in McGill and Lund, Nevada; and (c) rock formations within the White River Narrows Archeological District in the Basin and Range National Monument. The indictment alleges that Pavon acted as a lookout while Plata spray-painted on rock formations that contained petroglyphs.
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 a product of an investigation by the BLM. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel Kent is prosecuting the case.
To report natural resources crimes on BLM-managed public lands, please call the BLM tip line at (833) 660-5771 or email [email protected].
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Two California Men Sentenced to Prison for Large-Scale Marijuana Grow Operation on Federal LandRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Jose Manuel Mendez-Ayala and Jordan Raymundo Torres were sentenced this week to 19 months and 12 months and a day in prison, respectively, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for their roles in cultivating marijuana in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada. A third codefendant, Eustacio Piedra-Robledo, was sentenced in November 2019 to 33 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release, for his involvement in the same marijuana grow operation.
Mendez-Ayala, 32, and Torres, 28, both of California, pleaded guilty in October 2019, to one count of manufacture of a controlled substance. U.S. District Judge Kent J. Dawson presided over the sentencing hearings and remanded the defendants to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
According to court documents, on July 18, 2018, a U.S. Forest Service employee conducting fieldwork in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest near Round Mountain, Nevada, came across an apparent large marijuana growing operation. An investigation revealed an active marijuana cultivation site in the area of Peavine Canyon. The cultivation site consisted of two plots that were each approximately two acres. Law enforcement seized about 8,300 marijuana plants from the cultivation site. Mendez-Ayala and Torres were arrested by law enforcement in September 2018.
The charges resulted from an investigation by the U.S. Forest Service.
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Nevada Man Charged with Sexual Assault Aboard Aircraft En Route to Las VegasRead the Press Release
RENO, Nev. – Daniel A. Parkhurst made his initial court appearance today related to a federal charge for abusive sexual contact during a flight from Seattle to Las Vegas, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse for the FBI.
“Sexual assault aboard an aircraft is when unwelcome inappropriate touching without consent occurs,” said Special Agent in Charge Rouse. “If you think you are a victim of sexual assault aboard an aircraft or you have witnessed an incident, report it to your flight crew and contact the FBI. Try to take note of what has happened to better inform the responding agent or officer at the airport upon landing.”
Parkhurst, 38, of Gardnerville, Nevada, was charged with one count of interference with flight crew members and attendants and one count of abusive sexual conduct. He was arrested without incident Thursday afternoon in Gardnerville. United States Magistrate Judge Carla Baldwin scheduled a trial on May 5, 2020.
According to the indictment, on October 31, 2019, Parkhurst intimidated flight crew members and flight attendants on a Southwest Airlines flight from Seattle to Las Vegas. He allegedly touched another person on the upper inner thigh without the person’s consent. As alleged, he created a disturbance by engaging in abusive sexual conduct and interfered with the performance of duties of the flight crew. As a result, the aircraft was diverted from its flight to Las Vegas and landed in Reno.
The total maximum statutory sentence is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Parkhurst 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 in a court of law.
The case is a product of an investigation by the FBI, the Reno-Tahoe International Airport Police Department, and the Office of the Nevada Attorney General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy St. Clair is prosecuting the case.
If you think you are a victim of sexual assault aboard an aircraft, report the incident to your flight crew and to the FBI at tips.fbi.gov or call 1-800-CALL-FBI, or contact your local FBI office.
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Reno Man Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for Threatening to Shoot Bank ManagerRead the Press Release
RENO, Nev. – A Reno resident was sentenced today to 18 months in prison and three years of supervised release for making phone calls in which he threatened to shoot a bank manager, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada.
In November 2019, a jury convicted Robert Liesse of two counts of interstate communications containing a threat to injure another person. U.S. District Judge Howard D. McKibben presided over the three-day jury trial and today’s sentencing hearing.
According to court documents, Liesse, 54, made two phone calls to Bank of America call centers on July 26 and 27, 2018, threatening to shoot a bank manager. Liesse, who was adamant that he was not joking, told the manager specific details of how and when he planned to carry out his threats. For example, Lisesse repeatedly made threats such as: “I want the money available tomorrow or that guy is not going to see his family. I’m telling you right now. I have a nine millimeter, sixteen rounds in it.” Further, he slipped threatening and derogatory notes under a bank door and threatened three different bank call center operators. He also took a BB gun resembling a real pistol to the bank and pointed it toward security cameras.
The case is a product of an investigation by the FBI and the Reno Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andolyn Johnson and James Keller prosecuted the case.
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Nevada Fraudster Sentenced to More Than Five Years in Prison for Role in Scheme to File False Tax Returns Using Stolen IdentitiesRead the Press Release
A Las Vegas resident was sentenced to 65 months in prison today for his role in a stolen identity tax fraud, 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 court documents and statements made in court, Josiah Ntekume engaged in a scheme to file false tax returns using stolen identities in order to obtain tax refunds. Coconspirators provided Ntekume with names, addresses, dates of birth, and social security numbers, and Ntekume used these stolen identities to establish prepaid debit card accounts. The coconspirators then caused refunds fraudulently obtained from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to be deposited into those accounts.
When Ntekume was arrested on March 13, 2012, he had in his backpack approximately 250 prepaid debit cards in the names of other individuals, on which more than more than $200,000 in fraudulent refunds had been loaded. The backpack also contained stolen identities for nearly 200 other individuals that were used either to file false returns or to establish additional prepaid debit cards.
On Dec. 4, 2019, Ntekume pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft, wire fraud, theft of government property, and fraud in connection with access devices.
In addition to the term of imprisonment, U.S. District Judge James C. Mahan ordered Ntekume to serve three years of supervised release and to pay approximately $221,599 in restitution to the United States.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman and U.S. Attorney Trutanich thanked special agents of IRS Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Tax Division Trial Attorneys Thomas W. Flynn, Stephen K. Moulton, and Arthur Ewenczyk, who are prosecuting the case.
Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found on the division’s website.
Las Vegas Fraudster Sentenced to More Than Five Years in Prison for Role in Scheme to File False Tax Returns Using Stolen IdentitiesRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A Las Vegas resident was sentenced to 65 months in prison today for his role in a stolen identity tax fraud, 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 court documents and statements made in court, Josiah O. Ntekume engaged in a scheme to file false tax returns using stolen identities in order to obtain tax refunds. Co-conspirators provided Ntekume with names, addresses, dates of birth, and social security numbers, and Ntekume used these stolen identities to establish prepaid debit card accounts. The co-conspirators then caused refunds fraudulently obtained from the IRS to be deposited into those accounts.
When Ntekume was arrested on March 13, 2012, he had in his backpack approximately 250 prepaid debit cards in the names of other individuals, on which more than more than $200,000 in fraudulent refunds had been loaded. The backpack also contained stolen identities for nearly 200 other individuals that were used either to file false returns or to establish additional prepaid debit cards.
On December 4, 2019, Ntekume pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft, wire fraud, theft of government property, and fraud in connection with access devices.
In addition to the term of imprisonment, U.S. District Judge James C. Mahan ordered Ntekume to serve three years of supervised release and to pay approximately $221,599 in restitution to the United States.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman and U.S. Attorney Trutanich thanked special agents of IRS Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Tax Division Trial Attorneys Thomas W. Flynn, Stephen K. Moulton, and Arthur Ewenczyk, who are prosecuting the case.
Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found on the division’s website.
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Identical Twin Brothers Sentenced to Decades in Prison for Multiple Child Sex Exploitation and Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Identical twin brothers who admitted to child sex exploitation and child pornography offenses were sentenced on Monday to 30 and 25 years in prison, respectively, to be followed by a lifetime term of supervised release, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse for the FBI’s Las Vegas Division.
Justin Anthony Fisher and Joshua Ray Fisher, both 35, of Las Vegas, pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of children, coercion and enticement, conspiracy to sexually exploit children, and distribution, possession, and receipt of child pornography. Additionally, Justin Fisher pleaded guilty to conspiracy to tamper with a victim. U.S. District Judge Andrew P. Gordon presided over Monday’s sentencing hearing. In addition to the terms of imprisonment and supervised release, the Fisher brothers agreed to pay full restitution to the victims of their crimes.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is honored to work alongside our law enforcement partners in bringing these two defendants to justice for their exploitation of underage victims,” said U.S. Attorney Trutanich. “The significant sentences that these defendants received appropriately reflect the devastating impact their crimes have had on their victims and our community.”
“Protecting the most vulnerable in our community is a high priority of the FBI,” said SAC Rouse. “I want to commend the members of our task force for their outstanding work in investigating these offenders and removing them from the community. The combined efforts of the task force exhibit the FBI’s commitment to our community and our partners.”
According to court documents:
- Justin Fisher. From 2015 to 2016, Justin Fisher sexually exploited a 14-year-old girl and a 15-year-old girl. He communicated with the 14-year-old girl over Kik, an instant messaging application, and sent her text messages about sexual topics. He lied to the underage victim about his age, convinced her that they were in a romantic relationship, and directed the victim to take nude photos of herself to send to him. In August 2016, Justin Fisher had sex with the victim and produced pornographic images of their sexual encounters. Later, he conspired to and attempted to stop the victim from cooperating with law enforcement. Justin Fisher also admitted to having sex with a 15-year-old girl and producing pornographic bondage photos of her. Justin Fisher shared the sexually explicit images of both underage victims with his brother, Joshua Fisher, and others over on the internet. Justin Fisher used the alias “Sol Castle” on Kik when targeting underage girls.
- Joshua Fisher. Joshua Fisher admitted to sexually exploiting a 14-year-old girl. The abuse began when the victim was 11 years old. Joshua Fisher admitted that he instructed her on how to pose during live chats so that he could take screenshots of her engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Joshua Fisher shared these images with his brother, Justin Fisher. When law enforcement arrested Justin Fisher, Joshua Fisher directed the underage victim to destroy evidence implicating him, and cancelled a trip to have sex with her. Joshua Fisher used the alias “Ray” when targeting underage girls.
Further, while in custody pending trial, the brothers conspired to have family members destroy evidence of their child sex exploitation. A concerned citizen’s call allowed law enforcement to retrieve additional electronic devices, which revealed at least 50 additional unidentified victims.
The case is the product of a joint investigation by the Internet Crimes Against Children/Child Exploitation Task Force, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elham Roohani and Christopher Burton prosecuted the case.
If you have information regarding possible child sexual exploitation, any information regarding Justin and Joshua Fisher, aka “Sol Castle” and “Ray,” please make a report to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) 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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Domestic Violence Abuser Sentenced to 20 Months in Prison for Unlawful Possession of A FirearmRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A Las Vegas prohibited person who pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm, based on a prior conviction for domestic violence, was sentenced Monday to 20 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada and Acting Special Agent in Charge Frederic D. Winston for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) for the San Francisco Division.
“This case epitomizes our office’s ongoing violent crime reduction initiative, targeting the nexus between domestic violence and gun crimes,” said U.S. Attorney Trutanich. “Nevada’s domestic violence fatality rate remains far too high. We believe that cases like this one will help reduce the domestic violence fatality rate by taking guns out of the hands of domestic abusers. This case also sends the message to convicted domestic abusers that the Department of Justice is dedicated to prosecuting them for illegal firearm possession.”
“ATF and our partners will continue to work to protect our communities from gun violence,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Winston. “Reducing gun violence and enforcing federal firearms laws are at the forefront of the focus for Project Guardian. Project Guardian emphasizes close coordination by ATF, the United States Attorney’s Office and our state and local law enforcement partners so that those who possess firearms illegally are held accountable. ATF will continue to work with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and the United States Attorney’s Office to ensure the safety of the people of Las Vegas.”
Angelo Taylor, 31, pleaded guilty on November 26, 2019, to unlawful possession of a firearm. U.S. District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey presided over yesterday’s sentencing hearing.
According to court documents, on June 30, 2018, officers of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department responded to a domestic disturbance where Taylor allegedly threatened, if police were called, to kill his wife and their seven children and then commit suicide by cop. Through the investigation into the domestic disturbance, officers discovered that Taylor unlawfully possessed a Taurus 9mm handgun in his home. Taylor has a prior conviction for domestic battery in 2015.
The case is a product of an investigation by the ATF. Assistant U.S. Attorney Allison Reese prosecuted 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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Department of Justice Launches A National Nursing Home InitiativeRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada joined Attorney General William P. Barr in announcing today the Department of Justice’s National Nursing Home Initiative, which will coordinate and enhance civil and criminal efforts to pursue nursing homes that provide grossly substandard care to their residents.
This initiative is focusing on some of the worst nursing homes around the country and the Department has already initiated investigations into approximately thirty individual nursing facilities in nine states as part of this effort.
“Millions of seniors count on nursing homes to provide them with quality care, and to treat them with dignity and respect when they are most vulnerable,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “Yet, all too often, we have found nursing home owners or operators who put profits over patients, leading to instances of gross abuse and neglect. This national initiative will bring to justice those owners and operators who have profited at the expense of their residents, and help to ensure residents receive the care to which they are entitled.”
U.S. Attorney Trutanich stated: “Gross abuse and neglect of nursing home patients are obviously unacceptable in our communities, whether in Nevada or elsewhere across the country. Working with our law enforcement partners, our office will continue prioritizing the health and safety of vulnerable seniors.”
The department considers a number of factors in identifying the most problematic nursing homes. For example, the department looks for nursing homes that consistently fail to provide adequate nursing staff to care for their residents, fail to adhere to basic protocols of hygiene and infection control, fail to provide their residents with enough food to eat so that they become emaciated and weak, withhold pain medication, or use physical or chemical restraints to restrain or otherwise sedate their residents. These care failures cause residents to suffer in pain and to be exposed to the great indignities. Care failures cause residents to develop pressure sores down to the bone, to lie in their own waste for hours, to starve because they cannot reach the food on their trays and to remain unwashed for weeks at a time. Nursing homes that provide grossly substandard care also force vulnerable elderly residents who cannot leave the facilities to live in filthy and dangerous conditions where there are leaks in the roofs, mold is found growing and rodents found living in residents’ rooms. These are some of the actions and the inactions that the department intends to pursue.
The National Nursing Home Initiative reflects the department’s larger strategy and commitment to protecting our nation’s seniors, coordinated by the department’s Elder Justice Initiative in conjunction with the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices. The Elder Justice Initiative and the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices are essential to the department’s investigative and enforcement efforts against nursing homes and other long-term care entities that deliver grossly substandard care to Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. The Initiative and the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices also support the efforts of state and local prosecutors, law enforcement, and other elder justice professionals to combat elder abuse, neglect and financial exploitation, with the development of training, resources, and information. Learn more about the Justice Department’s Elder Justice Initiative at http://www.justice.gov/elderjustice/.
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Department of Justice Charges Unprecedented Number of Elder Fraud Defendants Nationwide and Launches Hotline to Assist Seniors Who May Be Victims of Financial FraudRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada joined Attorney General William P. Barr, FBI Director Christopher A. Wray, and Chief Postal Inspector Gary R. Barksdale today in announcing the largest coordinated sweep of elder fraud cases in history. Over the past year, prosecutors charged more than 400 defendants, far surpassing the 260 defendants charged in cases as part of last year’s sweep. In each case, offenders allegedly engaged in financial schemes that targeted or largely affected seniors. In total, the charged elder fraud schemes caused alleged losses of over a billion dollars.
Among the individuals prosecuted in the District of Nevada over the past year:
- U.S. v. Castro et al: Mario Castro, Jose Salud Castro, Salvador Castro, Miguel Castro, Jose Luis Mendez, and Andrea Burrow were charged with running a fraudulent mass-mailing scheme that defrauded hundreds of thousands of consumers into paying more than $10 million in fees for falsely promised cash prizes.
- U.S. v. Day et al: Rosanne Day, Robert Paul Davis, Genevieve Renee Frappier, and Miles Kelly, all of whom were executives at PacNet Services Ltd, a payment processing company based in Vancouver, Canada, were charged with engaging in a massive fraud scheme in which PacNet processed payments for companies that mailed fraudulent notifications to consumers in the United States and worldwide.
- U.S. v. Marcks et al: Gina Marcks, Ladda Boonlert, Charles Hill, Wendi A. Maryniak, and Roger Bond, all of Las Vegas, 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.
“Americans are fed up with the constant barrage of scams that maliciously target the elderly and other vulnerable citizens,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “This year, the Department of Justice prosecuted more than 400 defendants, whose schemes totaled more than a billion dollars. I want to thank the men and women of the department’s Consumer Protection Branch, which coordinated this effort, and all those in the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and Criminal Division who worked tirelessly to bring these cases. The department is committed to stopping the full range of criminal activities that exploit America’s seniors.”
U.S. Attorney Trutanich stated: “The District of Nevada appreciates the opportunity to contribute to the Department’s Elder Justice Initiative, which has been producing significant results. Going forward, our office will continue aggressively prosecuting criminals who target seniors, as well as conducting outreach sessions to raise awareness and providing guidance to help recognize financial fraud schemes.
This interactive map provides state by state information on the elder fraud cases and education and prevention community outreach efforts highlighted by today’s sweep announcement.
Elder Fraud Hotline
Attorney General Barr also announced the launch of a National Elder Fraud Hotline, which will provide services to seniors who may be victims of financial fraud. The Hotline will be staffed by experienced case managers who can provide personalized support to callers. Case managers will assist callers with reporting the suspected fraud to relevant agencies and by providing resources and referrals to other appropriate services as needed. When applicable, case managers will complete a complaint form with the Federal Bureau of Investigation Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) for Internet-facilitated crimes and submit a consumer complaint to the Federal Trade Commission on behalf of the caller. The Hotline’s toll free number is 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311).
For the second year, the Department of Justice and its law enforcement partners also took comprehensive action against the money mule network that facilitates foreign-based elder fraud. Generally, perpetrators use a “money mule” to transfer fraud proceeds from a victim to ringleaders of fraud schemes who often reside in other countries. Some of these money mules act unwittingly, and intervention can effectively end their involvement in the fraud. The FBI and the Postal Inspection Service took action against over 600 alleged money mules nationwide by conducting interviews, issuing warning letters, and bringing civil and criminal cases. Agents and prosecutors in more than 85 federal district participated in this effort to halt the money flow from victim to fraudster. These actions against money mules were in addition to the criminal and civil cases announced as part of this year’s elder fraud sweep.
These outreach efforts have helped to prevent seniors from falling prey to scams and have frustrated offenders’ efforts to obtain even more money from vulnerable elders.
The charges announced today are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking and Firearm ViolationsRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Brandon Patton, 28, of Minot, North Dakota, pleaded guilty today to possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking offense, and 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 for the DEA.
According to court documents, on May 31, 2019, a Nevada Highway Patrol officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in which Patton was a passenger. At the time of the traffic stop, Patton, a convicted felon, possessed two loaded firearms: a Taurus Millennium 9mm handgun and a Springfield Arms XD .40 handgun. In addition, he possessed 366 grams of marijuana, 149 grams of heroin, and approximately 3,000 grams of methamphetamine, all of which he intended to distribute. Patton has a previous conviction for delivery of a controlled substance in North Dakota.
This case was the product of an investigation by the DEA. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shaheen Torgoley is prosecuting the case.
Patton is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Andrew P. Gordon on June 9, 2020. Patton faces a total maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, with a five year minimum term, a lifetime period of supervised release, and a $750,000 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.
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Reno Doctor Pleads Guilty to Prescribing Oxycodone and Hydrocodone Not for A Legitimate Medical PurposeRead the Press Release
RENO, Nev. – Dr. Eric Math, M.D., 51, of Reno, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute hydrocodone and oxycodone, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse for the FBI’s Las Vegas Division.
Dr. Math and seven other co-defendants were charged by a federal grand jury indictment unsealed on May 24, 2019, in connection with their involvement in conspiring to distribute hydrocodone and oxycodone in the Reno area between October 2018 and May 2019. According to court documents, Dr. Math would write prescriptions to his co-conspirators not for a legitimate medical purpose and not in the usual course of professional practice. The co-conspirators would then fill the prescriptions and give some of the pills to co-defendant Myron Motley for further sales. On several occasions, Dr. Math was paid in cash for writing the illegal prescriptions. He would sometimes also write prescriptions for himself and have a co-conspirator fill the prescription for him.
This case was the product of a joint investigation by the FBI; the Reno Police Department; Nevada Highway Patrol, the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Welfare and Supportive Services; the Office of the Nevada Attorney General; the Carson City Sheriff’s Office; the Nevada Department of Corrections; the Nevada Gaming Control Board; the Sparks Police Department; the University of Nevada-Reno Police Department; and the IRS Criminal Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Walkingshaw.
Dr. Math is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Larry R. Hicks on June 1, 2020. Dr. Math faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison, up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. 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.
The defendants remaining in the case are: Myron Motley, 55, of Richmond, California; Michael Kwoka, 56, of Fair Oaks, California; Michael Slater, 42, of Reno; Joseph Jeannette, 51, of Reno; Ivy Elliott, 35, of Reno; and Alesia Sampson, 56, of Grass Valley, California. They are scheduled to appear for a jury trial on May 12, 2020. The charges against them merely are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Oxycodone and Hydrocodone are among the most common drugs involved in prescription opioid overdose deaths. Oxycodone and other Schedule II drugs have a high potential for abuse that can lead to addiction, overdose, and sometimes death.
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Man Charged in Kidnapping and Death of Pennsylvania Woman Whose Body Was Found in Nevada DesertRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A Pennsylvania resident has been charged for allegedly kidnapping and killing a woman whom he led to believe was his girlfriend, 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, was charged by criminal complaint in the District of Nevada on February 20, 2020 with one count of kidnapping resulting in death. Chapman is currently in state custody at Allegheny County jail in Pennsylvania, where he awaits his initial court appearance in federal court on the Nevada criminal complaint. The initial appearance is scheduled for March 2, 2020 in the Western District of Pennsylvania.
According to information contained in the criminal complaint, 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 or her van in approximately two months, but they had recently 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, he bound her hands and feet with plastic zip ties and affixed her to a signpost. He then applied duct tape to her mouth and nose, and watched her die from asphyxiation. After the victim’s body was later discovered, 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 following her death and passed it off as his own.
If convicted, Chapman faces the maximum penalty of life in prison or death. A complaint is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case is the product of an investigation by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lisa Cartier-Giroux and Allison Reese are prosecuting the case.
The publicly filed criminal complaint can be found here.
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Argentinian Man Pleads Guilty to Child Sexual Exploitation and Distribution of Child Pornography over the DarkwebRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Andres Rafael Viola, 36, an Argentine citizen who resides in Las Vegas, pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of children and possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Frank Burrola for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
According to court documents, in May 2019, Yahoo, Inc. reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that one of its users received 14 images of child pornography from Viola, who was using the darkweb Tor network to distribute child pornography.
On June 7, 2019, federal law enforcement arrested Viola at his Las Vegas residence. Law enforcement determined that Viola had supervisory control over the child victim. A forensic examination of electronic devices that were seized from Viola’s home revealed nearly 350 child pornography images and video, including Viola’s sexual exploitation of the victim and a curated collection of child pornography from other victims. Evidence showed that Viola had used the darkweb to distribute, trade, and share the child pornography he created of the child victim.
For the hands-on offenses related to the child victim, Viola pleaded guilty in Nevada state court to one count of Sexual Assault of a Child under the Age of 14.
This case was the product of an investigation by HSI and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elham Roohani is prosecuting the case.
Viola is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard F. Boulware II on May 28, 2020. As part of his guilty plea, Viola has agreed to 35 years of imprisonment and he may face deportation from the United States. The statutory mandatory minimum sentence for sexual exploitation of children is 15 years in prison. 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 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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Reno Man Sentenced to Prison for Possession of Nearly 2,200 Images and Videos of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
RENO, Nev. – A Reno resident who used a peer-to-peer file sharing network to download child pornography was sentenced today to three years in prison to be followed by lifetime supervised release, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada.
Randall Linscheid, 31, of Reno, pleaded guilty on October 3, 2019, to one count of possession of child pornography. Chief U.S. District Judge Miranda M. Du presided over the sentencing hearing today. In addition to the term of imprisonment followed by lifetime supervised release, Linscheid must register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).
According to court documents, between December 2018 and January 2019, law enforcement discovered that Linscheid had downloaded child pornography via a peer-to-peer file-sharing network. On March 26, 2019, HSI Special Agents and Northern Nevada Cyber Center Investigators executed a search warrant at Linscheid’s residence. Of the electronic devices seized by law enforcement, three contained images and videos of child pornography. All of these devices belonged to Linscheid. During an interview with law enforcement, Linscheid admitted that he had been downloading child pornography images for approximately 16 years and that he would save the images to an external hard drive. A forensic analysis of the three devices that were seized revealed 2,143 images and 39 videos of child pornography.
The case is a product of an investigation by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy St. Clair prosecuted the case.
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. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Las Vegas Man Sentenced to over Two Years in Prison Based on False Statement During the Purchase of 35 Firearms over the Course of One YearRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A Las Vegas man who was convicted of making a false statement when he purchased a firearm was sentenced yesterday to 28 months in prison, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Ray Roundtree of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) for the San Francisco Field Division.
“This case stems from the Department of Justice’s new gun violence reduction initiative,” said U.S. Attorney Trutanich. “Lying to a licensed firearms dealer and buying a gun for someone else is a serious offense. Our office will continue to work closely with ATF and local law enforcement to prosecute these crimes.”
“The goal of Project Guardian is to reduce the threat of gun violence throughout the country,” said Special Agent in Charge Roundtree. “Our focus is removing crime guns from our communities. Part of that focus encompasses identifying, investigating, and prosecuting those who lie on federal firearms transaction forms. ATF is happy to announce the continued success of the Project Guardian initiative through this conviction and our continued work and partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.”
In November 2019, a jury found James Williams Jr., 29, guilty of making a false statement during a purchase of a firearm. According to court documents, between May 2017 and May 2018, Williams purchased 35 firearms, mostly handguns, and many of the same make, model, and caliber from various Las Vegas firearms dealers over approximately a one-year period. In May 2018, when purchasing one of those firearms, Williams made a false statement to a licensed firearms dealer regarding his residential address in Las Vegas. As proven at trial, Williams in fact did not reside at the address that he falsely listed as his residence on the Firearms Transaction Record form. At sentencing, U.S. District Chief Judge Miranda M. Du noted that numerous firearms bought by Williams have been recovered by law enforcement officers at crime scenes in multiple states.
In addition to the term of imprisonment, Chief Judge Du sentenced Williams to three years of supervised release.
The case was the product of an investigation by the ATF, with the assistance of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jared Grimmer and Tony Lopez prosecuted 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 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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Lead Defendant Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Methamphetamine Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
RENO, Nev. – The lead defendant in a large drug trafficking ring was sentenced today to 14 years in prison, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse for the FBI’s Las Vegas Division.
Jose Valentin Mora, aka Cholo and Magic, 38, of Reno, previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. In a separate case, Mora pleaded guilty to one count of felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents, from January 25, 2018 to about June 14, 2018, Mora and his co-conspirators worked together to possess and distribute large amounts of methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin in Reno and elsewhere. On several occasions, Mora sold the drugs to his co-conspirators, who would then resell the drugs in Reno. Law enforcement seized over 12 pounds of methamphetamine from the drug trafficking ring.
On June 14, 2018, during the execution of a search warrant, investigators recovered a Bersa Thunder .380 caliber pistol in Mora’s dresser drawer. Mora is a felon with a conviction in Washoe County for trafficking in a controlled substance. Accordingly, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm.
In addition to the term of imprisonment, U.S. District Chief Judge Miranda M. Du sentenced Mora to five years of supervised release.
Sixteen other co-defendants were indicted by a federal grand jury in connection with the drug trafficking ring. With the exception of one defendant who remains a fugitive, each of those co-defendants pleaded guilty and either has been sentenced or is awaiting imposition of sentence. Mora’s co-defendants, whose guilty pleas correspond to the various roles they played in this drug conspiracy, face a maximum penalty of between four years and life in prison.
This case is the product of an investigation by the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force with significant assistance by federal, state, and local law enforcement partners including the Reno Police Department, Sparks Police Department, and the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys James Keller and Andolyn Johnson are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of its renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime. For more information about PSN, visit www.justice.gov/usao-nv.
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Las Vegas Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Bomb-Making ComponentsRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Conor Climo, 23, of Las Vegas, Nevada, pleaded guilty today to one count of possession of an unregistered firearm — specifically, the component parts of a destructive device.
“Law enforcement’s swift action on this case, and today’s resulting guilty plea, is part of DOJ’s national strategy to disrupt and proactively stop potential bias-motivated mass violence,” said U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada. “The defendant’s threats of violence — which were motivated by hate and intended to intimidate or coerce our faith-based and LGBTQ communities — have no place in this country. We remain fully committed to working with our law enforcement partners to assess threats and intervene before mass violence can occur.”
“The FBI’s Las Vegas Joint Terrorism Task Force is committed to protecting our community from any threat of domestic terrorism and I could not be more proud of the work they did in this case,” said Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse of the FBI Las Vegas Division. “The FBI will always be proactive to combat threats that cross a line from free speech to potential violence.”
According to court documents, Climo was communicating with individuals who identified with the white supremacist extremist group Feuerkrieg Division, which is an offshoot of the US-based white supremacist extremist group Atomwaffen Division. Feuerkrieg Division members share a common goal of challenging laws, social order, and the government via terrorism and other violent acts. The organization encourages attacks on the federal government, critical infrastructure, minorities, and members of the LGBTQ community.
Climo admitted that, during online conversations between May 2019 and July 15, 2019, he discussed setting fire to a Las Vegas synagogue, and making Molotov cocktails and improvised explosive devices. Climo further admitted that he conducted surveillance on a bar that he believed catered to the LGBTQ community, located on Fremont Street in Downtown Las Vegas, in preparation for a potential attack.
On August 8, 2019, the FBI-led Joint Terrorism Task Force executed a search warrant at Climo’s residence. During the search, law enforcement located components that could be readily assembled into a destructive device, strong oxidizing agents that can be used as fuels, and numerous hand drawn schematics to construct improvised explosive devices. Law enforcement also seized an AR-15 rifle and a bolt-action rifle from Climo’s bedroom.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Joint Terrorism Task Force, which includes law enforcement partners from local, state, and federal agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Dickinson of the District of Nevada is prosecuting this case, with assistance from the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice and the National Security Division.
Climo is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge James C. Mahan on May 14, 2020. Climo faces a faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
The Climo prosecution is part of the Department of Justice’s Disruption and Early Engagement Programs (DEEP), a national strategy to disrupt potential mass shootings and other rapidly mobilizing threats and the need to implement timely, effective and efficient responses.
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Attorney General William Barr Announces Significant Actions to Promote Public Safety and Enforce Federal Immigration LawsRead the Press Release
Today, Attorney General William P. Barr addressed the National Sheriff’s Association in Washington, D.C., announcing significant actions to facilitate the apprehension, prosecution, and removal of aliens who are in the United States illegally and have committed criminal acts. Attorney General Barr explained, among other things, that “sanctuary” policies jeopardize public safety by preventing local law enforcement from sharing information and honoring federal detention requests in the context of immigration crimes.
In the District of Nevada, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has successfully prosecuted criminal aliens who unlawfully returned to the country and committed significant crimes in the United States. “We appreciate the opportunity to work with our state, federal, and local law enforcement partners to keep our communities safe and to ensure our borders are protected,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of Nevada, Nicholas A. Trutanich. “Hampering federal enforcement efforts poses a risk to public safety.”
Ernesto M. Santacruz, Jr., Deputy Field Office Director, Nevada (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) stated: “We value the cooperation provided by the local law enforcement here in Nevada and know that the indispensable relationship ensures the safety of the people and communities in this state. We must continue to work together to make sure the criminal aliens are off our streets and not released back into the community to reoffend.”
As a recent example, on January 13, 2020, defendant Eric Yokani Moreno-Ochoa was sentenced to 50 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for unlawful reentry in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1326. Moreno-Ochoa — who previously had been removed three times from the United States within a five-year period — has prior felony convictions for burglary and trafficking in controlled substance, including 23.8g of methamphetamine.
Over the past two years, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada has prosecuted more than 180 illegal reentry cases, many of which involved convicted felons who repeatedly returned to the United States following deportation.
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Montana Broker Found Guilty in Multimillion-Dollar Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
A federal jury found a Montana man guilty yesterday for his role as a broker for a Swiss company involved in a multimillion-dollar international fraud scheme.
Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich of the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse of the FBI’s Las Vegas Field Office made the announcement.
Following a five-day trial, Sean Finn, 51, of Whitefish, Montana, was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and securities fraud, four counts of wire fraud and four counts of securities fraud. He was acquitted of one count of wire fraud. Sentencing has been scheduled for May 12, 2020, before U.S. District Judge Kent J. Dawson of the District of Nevada, who presided over the trial.
According to the evidence presented at trial, Finn conspired with others in the United States and Switzerland to promote investments and loan instruments that he knew to be fictitious. Finn and his co-conspirators told victims that, for an up-front payment ranging from $100,000 to $1 million, a Swiss company known as Malom Group AG (Malom), whose name stood for “Make A Lot Of Money,” would provide access to lucrative investment opportunities and substantial cash loans. The evidence showed that to effectuate this scheme, the defendant and his co-conspirators provided victims with fabricated bank documents purporting to show that Malom held hundreds of millions of dollars in overseas bank accounts, as well as documents falsely stating that Malom had previously closed similar deals. The evidence showed that when victims wired their money into an escrow account controlled by the co-conspirators, the money was released and disbursed to, among others, Finn for his own personal use. The evidence further showed that shortly before he was indicted in 2013, Finn fled to Canada, where he was arrested in 2014 and ultimately extradited back to the United States in 2018. According to the evidence presented at trial, losses to the victims from the scheme totaled approximately $4 million.
Finn was charged together with five other defendants. Two of these defendants, Anthony Brandel and James Warras, were found guilty of conspiracy and multiple counts of wire fraud and securities fraud following a jury trial in 2015. Brandel and Warras were each sentenced to 87 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, on Aug. 3, 2016. A third defendant, Joseph Micelli, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and securities fraud in 2015 and was sentenced to 60 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, on Feb. 23, 2016. The other two defendants, Martin Schlaepfer and Hans-Jurg Lips, remain at large outside the United States. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The FBI’s Las Vegas Field Office investigated the case. Assistant Deputy Chief Anna G. Kaminska and Trial Attorney Blake C. Goebel of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case with assistance from the Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada. Deputy Chief Brian Young of the Fraud Section previously handled the prosecution. The Securities and Exchange Commission’s Enforcement Division, which conducted a parallel civil-enforcement investigation, as well as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, also provided valuable assistance.
The Criminal Division’s Fraud Section plays a pivotal role in the Department of Justice’s fight against white-collar crime around the country.
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.
Montana Broker Found Guilty in Multimillion Dollar Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A federal jury found a Montana man guilty Tuesday for his role as a broker for a Swiss company involved in a multimillion-dollar international fraud scheme.
Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich of the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse of the FBI’s Las Vegas Field Office made the announcement.
Following a five-day trial, Sean Finn, 51, of Whitefish, Montana, was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and securities fraud, four counts of wire fraud and four counts of securities fraud. He was acquitted of one count of wire fraud. Sentencing has been scheduled for May 12, 2020, before U.S. District Judge Kent J. Dawson of the District of Nevada, who presided over the trial.
According to the evidence presented at trial, Finn conspired with others in the United States and Switzerland to promote investments and loan instruments that he knew to be fictitious. Finn and his co-conspirators told victims that, for an up-front payment ranging from $100,000 to $1 million, a Swiss company known as Malom Group AG (Malom), whose name stood for “Make A Lot Of Money,” would provide access to lucrative investment opportunities and substantial cash loans. The evidence showed that to effectuate this scheme, the defendant and his co-conspirators provided victims with fabricated bank documents purporting to show that Malom held hundreds of millions of dollars in overseas bank accounts, as well as documents falsely stating that Malom had previously closed similar deals. The evidence showed that when victims wired their money into an escrow account controlled by the co-conspirators, the money was released and disbursed to, among others, Finn for his own personal use. The evidence further showed that shortly before he was indicted in 2013, Finn fled to Canada, where he was arrested in 2014 and ultimately extradited back to the United States in 2018. According to the evidence presented at trial, losses to the victims from the scheme totaled approximately $4 million.
Finn was charged together with five other defendants. Two of these defendants, Anthony Brandel and James Warras, were found guilty of conspiracy and multiple counts of wire fraud and securities fraud following a jury trial in 2015. Brandel and Warras were each sentenced to 87 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, on Aug. 3, 2016. A third defendant, Joseph Micelli, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and securities fraud in 2015 and was sentenced to 60 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, on Feb. 23, 2016. The other two defendants, Martin Schlaepfer and Hans-Jurg Lips, remain at large outside the United States. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The FBI’s Las Vegas Field Office investigated the case. Assistant Deputy Chief Anna G. Kaminska and Trial Attorney Blake C. Goebel of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case with assistance from the Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada. Deputy Chief Brian Young of the Fraud Section previously handled the prosecution. The Securities and Exchange Commission’s Enforcement Division, which conducted a parallel civil-enforcement investigation, as well as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, also provided valuable assistance.
The Criminal Division’s Fraud Section plays a pivotal role in the Department of Justice’s fight against white-collar crime around the country.
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Last Defendant Sentenced for Methamphetamine Distribution ConspiracyRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – The last defendant in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy was sentenced today to 10 years and one month in prison, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada.
Kareen Anderson, also known as Webb, 55, of Las Vegas, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. In addition to the term of imprisonment, U.S. District Judge Kent J. Dawson also sentenced Anderson to five years of supervised release.
According to court documents, Anderson conspired with his co-defendants to sell methamphetamine. On several occasions between August 2016 and October 2016, Anderson negotiated the sale of and/or sold methamphetamine at a supermarket, an apartment complex, and a fast food restaurant. He sold a total of at least 150 grams of methamphetamine.
Anderson was previously convicted of possession of a firearm by a felon and has numerous arrests in California for assault with a firearm, carjacking, robbery, and burglary.
This case was the product of an investigation by the FBI.
Co-conspirators Londa Lynette Gates and Melanie Lowe both pleaded guilty and were sentenced to prison. Robert Smith, a separately charged co-conspirator, was sentenced to 14 years. Co-conspirator Derrick James Haywood was also charged separately and sentenced to 10 years in prison.
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Las Vegas Man Pleads Guilty to Selling Firearms Without A Federal Firearms LicenseRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – George Stone, 70, of Las Vegas, pleaded guilty today to one count of dealing in firearms without a Federal Firearms License (FFL), announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada.
According to court documents, Stone, an unlicensed firearms dealer, admitted that he sold dozens of firearms without an FFL. Stone sold some of those firearms to undercover law enforcement officers. A subsequent search warrant executed at Stone’s residence resulted in the seizure of 32 firearms, many bearing price tags and marked for sale.
The case was the product of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Burton is prosecuting the case.
Stone is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge James C. Mahan on May 5, 2020. Stone faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
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.
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Las Vegas Man Indicted for Child Exploitation ViolationsRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A federal grand jury indicted a Las Vegas man today for alleged federal child exploitation violations, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada.
Barry Allen Gabelman, 49, was charged with one count of coercion and enticement and one count of transferring obscene material to a minor. Gabelman is in federal custody pending his initial court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Albregts on February 11, 2020.
According to allegations contained in the complaint and indictment, from about October 31, 2019 to December 6, 2019, Gabelman exchanged sexually explicit messages and photos via his Skout social media account, as well as his WhatsApp messaging account, with individuals whom he believed to be an 11-year-old girl and her step-father. In reality, a law enforcement officer posed as both the girl and step-father. During their communications, Gabelman discussed having sex with the 11-year-old girl. On December 6, 2019, Gabelman traveled to a pre-determined location to have sex with the girl. Officers arrested Gabelman at the meeting place.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bianca Pucci is prosecuting the case.
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
If convicted, Gabelman faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison for coercion and enticement and a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for transfer of obscene material to a minor. The defendant also faces a period of supervised release.
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. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Felon with Extensive Criminal History Sentenced to Prison for Selling a Loaded Firearm and MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A felon who pleaded guilty to selling a loaded firearm and methamphetamine outside a fast-food restaurant was sentenced today to 10 years in prison, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada.
Michael Villareal, 42, of Las Vegas, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of a controlled substance and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Villareal has four prior felony convictions between 1996 and 2010, and he is prohibited from legally possessing a firearm.
According to court documents, on May 28, 2019, Villareal met a buyer outside a fast food restaurant and sold the buyer a loaded Glock 19 handgun and 27.4 grams of methamphetamine for $580. The handgun was loaded with 15 rounds.
In addition to the term of imprisonment, U.S. District Judge Andrew P. Gordon sentenced Villareal to four years of supervised release.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shaheen Torgoley 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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Pawn Shop Owner Pleads Guilty to Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Barbara Doutt Forbes, 58, of Las Vegas, pleaded guilty today to one count of tax evasion, announced 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 court documents, from 1997 to 2017, Forbes owned six pawn shops in North Dakota and South Dakota. From 2009 to 2012, she directed employees to delete gold jewelry from the stores’ electronic inventory and send that jewelry to her in Las Vegas. Forbes then sold the gold jewelry to a refining company in Philadelphia. In exchange, the refining company wired a total of $855,116 to Forbes’ personal bank accounts. Forbes failed to report this income on her tax returns. During an IRS audit of her tax returns, Forbes created and provided to the IRS false bank statements that omitted the wire transfers. As a result, Forbes owed $281,388 in income taxes to the United States. As part of her plea agreement, Forbes agreed to pay the full amount of owed income taxes back to the IRS.
This case was the product of an investigation by the IRS-Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie Mickelson is prosecuting the case.
Forbes is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey on May 11, 2020. Forbes faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in 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.
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Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Multiple Bank Robberies and Carjacking After Escaping from A Correctional FacilityRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — A Las Vegas resident who admitted to committing nine bank robberies after escaping from a correctional facility was sentenced today to 15 years in prison, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse for the FBI’s Las Vegas Division.
William Etheridge, 57, pleaded guilty in October 2019, to 11 counts of bank robbery, carjacking, and escape. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey sentenced Etheridge to three years of supervised release and ordered him to pay $18,397.90 in restitution.
According to court documents, on May 18, 2017, Etheridge escaped from the Northwest Regional Reentry Center, a contracted correctional facility of the Federal Bureau of Prisons in Oregon, where he was in custody for a federal bank robbery conviction. Shortly after his escape, between June 2, 2017 and July 19, 2017, Etheridge robbed nine banks in Oregon and Washington, and attempted to rob another bank in Oregon.
On July 25, 2017, Etheridge, who was armed, stole $18,120 from a credit union in Las Vegas. He demanded that one of the tellers leave the credit union with him, then carjacked a vehicle with two victims inside. At Etheridge’s request, the victims dropped him off at a motorcycle dealership to purchase a motorcycle for use as a getaway vehicle. Law enforcement arrested Etheridge while he was at the dealership.
This case was the product of an investigation by the FBI and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Dickinson prosecuted the case.
Etheridge was investigated in three federal jurisdictions for his crimes: the District of Nevada, the Western District of Washington, and the District of Oregon.
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Nevada Return Preparer Sentenced to More Than Three Years in Prison for Tax CrimesRead the Press Release
A Las Vegas, Nevada, tax return preparer was sentenced to 40 months in prison yesterday for tax fraud, 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 court documents and statements made in court, Michael A. Sandoval provided payroll and tax preparation services for individuals and companies through his Las Vegas business Nevada Financial Solutions Inc. (NFS). When two of Sandoval’s clients provided NFS with $471,178 in payments to be forwarded to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as money due for their quarterly employment taxes, Sandoval did not provide those payments to the IRS, but instead spent the funds for his personal benefit. At NFS, Sandoval also filed and caused the filing of false individual income tax returns for a substantial number of clients by reporting fraudulent deductions, including false Schedule C business losses, charitable contributions, and state and local tax deductions. These fraudulent deductions caused a tax loss of over $2.8 million. On his own individual tax returns, Sandoval fraudulently understated his income from NFS for the years 2010 through 2017, causing an additional tax loss of $100,138. In total, Sandoval caused a tax loss totaling $3,425,654 to the IRS.
Sandoval previously pleaded guilty to one count each of tax evasion, aiding and assisting in the preparation and filing of a false tax return, and making and subscribing a false tax return.
In addition to the term of imprisonment, U.S. District Court Judge Gloria M. Navarro ordered Sandoval to serve three years of supervised release and to pay restitution of $281,630 to a client and of $100,138 to the United States.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman and U.S. Attorney Trutanich thanked special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Trial Attorneys Thomas W. Flynn and Eric C. Schmale of the Tax Division, who prosecuted the case.
Additional information about the Tax Division’s enforcement efforts can be found on the division’s website.
Michigan Woman Pleads Guilty to Defrauding U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Out of $1.7 Million in Veterans BenefitsRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Claudia Ann Merrill, 61, of Farmington Hills, Michigan, pleaded guilty today to defrauding the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs out of more than $1.75 million in veterans benefits, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada.
According to court documents, from on or about January 1, 2014, through October 1, 2019, Merrill devised and executed a scheme to defraud and to obtain money and property from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Merrill admitted that she submitted false applications in the names of veterans, as well as the surviving spouses of veterans, in connection with VA health care programs known as Veterans Pension and VA Aid and Attendance. In furtherance of the scheme, Merrill altered medical records to ensure that the veteran or surviving spouse’s physical or mental condition rendered them eligible for the benefits. She then fraudulently directed benefit payments into bank accounts she controlled, and concealed the benefits from the veterans and surviving spouses. As a result of the scheme, Merrill fraudulently caused the VA to pay out $1,755,412 in benefits that it otherwise would not have paid but for the scheme.
This case was the product of a joint investigation by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General and the FBI’s Las Vegas Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Burns is prosecuting the case.
Merrill is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge James C. Mahan on May 15, 2020. Merrill faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. As part of her guilty plea, Merrill agreed to pay approximately $1,755,412 in restitution. 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.
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Las Vegas Tax Return Preparer Sentenced to More Than Three Years in Prison for Tax CrimesRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. - A Las Vegas, Nevada, tax return preparer was sentenced to 40 months in prison yesterday for tax fraud, 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 court documents and statements made in court, Michael A. Sandoval provided payroll and tax preparation services for individuals and companies through his Las Vegas business Nevada Financial Solutions Inc. (NFS). When two of Sandoval’s clients provided NFS with $471,178 in payments to be forwarded to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as money due for their quarterly employment taxes, Sandoval did not provide those payments to the IRS, but instead spent the funds for his personal benefit. At NFS, Sandoval also filed and caused the filing of false individual income tax returns for a substantial number of clients by reporting fraudulent deductions, including false Schedule C business losses, charitable contributions, and state and local tax deductions. These fraudulent deductions caused a tax loss of over $2.8 million. On his own individual tax returns, Sandoval fraudulently understated his income from NFS for the years 2010 through 2017, causing an additional tax loss of $100,138. In total, Sandoval caused a tax loss totaling $3,425,654 to the IRS.
Sandoval previously pleaded guilty to one count each of tax evasion, aiding and assisting in the preparation and filing of a false tax return, and making and subscribing a false tax return.
In addition to the term of imprisonment, U.S. District Court Judge Gloria M. Navarro ordered Sandoval to serve three years of supervised release and to pay restitution of $281,630 to a client and of $100,138 to the United States.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman and U.S. Attorney Trutanich thanked special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Trial Attorneys Thomas W. Flynn and Eric C. Schmale of the Tax Division, who prosecuted the case.
Additional information about the Tax Division’s enforcement efforts can be found on the division’s website.
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U.S. Attorney Trutanich's Statement on the Expiration of Fentanyl SchedulingRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich issued the following statement:
"Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is 40 to 60 times more potent than heroin. A small amount can cause a fatal overdose. The scheduling of fentanyl (and fentanyl-related substances) has assisted U.S. Attorney’s Offices nationwide with prosecuting drug traffickers who poison our streets and neighborhoods. Traffickers line their pockets at the expense of our mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, friends, and neighbors. In Nevada, for example, a drug trafficker was brought to justice after she sold a prescription pill laced with fentanyl to an individual who died from an overdose.
"The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to stem the opioid crisis. Law enforcement needs all the resources and tools available to combat this deadly drug epidemic. But without appropriate legislation before the DEA’s temporary scheduling of fentanyl analogues expires on February 6, 2020, prosecutors and law enforcement would lack a critical legal tool to attack the opioid crisis. The proposed Stopping Overdoses of Fentanyl Analogues legislation can help save thousands of American lives."
Tribe Member Indicted for First Degree Murder on Tribal LandRead the Press Release
RENO, Nev. – A tribe member today was arraigned in federal court before U.S. District Magistrate Judge Carla Baldwin for the murder of an individual on tribal land, announced Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse for the FBI.
Steven Bryan, 51, of Reno, was indicted with one count of murder in the first degree. According to the indictment, on or about December 13, 2019, on the Carson Indian Colony, Bryan allegedly shot and killed an individual in the head with a rifle.
Bryan was arrested this morning and remains in custody pending an April 7, 2020, trial date. If convicted, Bryan faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have 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 FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Penelope Brady and Richard Casper are prosecuting the case.
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Reno Man Sentenced for Trafficking Endangered Lion and Leopard PartsRead the Press Release
RENO, Nev. – Robert Barkman, of Reno, Nevada, was sentenced today to 60 days of intermittent confinement by the Bureau of Prisons during a one-year term of probation for illegally trafficking parts from endangered African lions and leopards, announced Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Bossert Clark for the Department of Justice’s Environment and Natural Resources Division and U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada.
Barkman, 51, pleaded guilty Tuesday to a one count information charging him with wildlife trafficking in violation of the Endangered Species Act. U.S. District Judge Robert C. Jones sentenced Barkman to 60 days of intermittent confinement during a one-year term of probation. As part of the terms of his probation, Barkman will be required to perform 100 hours of community service for a wildlife conservation organization, and will not be permitted to work for an organization that handles threatened or endangered species.
In court documents filed in federal court, between March 24, 2016 and April 2, 2016, Barkman admitted to selling and shipping a lion skull and leopard claws to Arongkron Malasukum, a resident of Woodside, New York, for $1,400. As part of the plea, Barkman further admitted that between January 2016 and October 2016, he received approximately $6,000 for the interstate sale of threatened or endangered wildlife in violation of United States law.
Malasukum previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced in August 2018 for his role in purchasing skulls and other parts from endangered wildlife, and then exporting them to Thailand. As part of his plea, Malasukum admitted that between April 9, 2015 and June 29, 2016, he exported approximately 68 packages containing skulls, claws, and parts from endangered and protected species, with a total fair market value in excess of $150,000. All of the exports were sent to Thailand.
“This investigation involved the international trafficking of the skulls, teeth, and claws from protected African lions and tigers and depicts just how appalling and widespread wildlife trafficking can be,” said Edward Grace, Assistant Director of the Office of Law Enforcement for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “I commend our federal partners at the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Nevada and the Department of Justice's Environmental Crimes Section in holding this individual accountable for his crime."
The investigation was handled by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Office of Law Enforcement, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada, and the Justice Department’s Environmental Crimes Section. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Walkingshaw and Trial Attorney Gary N. Donner of the Justice Department’s Environmental Crimes Section of the Environment and Natural Resources Division.
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Las Vegas Tax Preparer Pleads Guilty to Filing False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Martha L. Williams, 42, of Las Vegas, pleaded guilty today to two counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation and filing of a false tax return, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada.
According to court documents, Williams owns and operates MJW and Associated (formerly known as Across the Board Management), a tax preparation business in Las Vegas. Between 2009 and 2014, Williams prepared thousands of tax returns on behalf of clients of MJW and Associates. For more than 75% of her clients, Williams prepared a false tax return that inflated the taxpayer’s refund by including fictitious deductions related to businesses that did not actually exist. To make these businesses appear legitimate, Williams used the IRS’s website to apply for and receive Employer Identification Numbers for fictitious businesses. As a result of these fictitious tax returns, Williams caused at least $529,782 in tax loss by filing false returns on behalf of her clients.
This case was the product of an investigation by the IRS-Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Grimmer is prosecuting the case.
Williams is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Larry R. Hicks on May 13, 2020. Williams faces a maximum statutory penalty of three years in prison on each count, and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or gross loss resulting from the offenses, whichever is greatest. 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.
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