District of Nevada
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Nevada U.S. Attorney's Office Recognizes World Elder Abuse Awareness DayRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – Ahead of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) on June 15, 2024, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada joins national, state, local, and Tribal leaders in increasing awareness and understanding the many forms of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
“Every year, millions of seniors experience some form of elder abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, or fraud,” said United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada. “Our Elder Justice Initiative brings together local, state, federal and Tribal law enforcement to share information and increase coordination in addressing elder abuse and fraud in Nevada. We know the partnership between law enforcement and the public are vital to combating these types of crimes and are important in raising awareness. We participate in community events and presentations to raise awareness on how to recognize and prevent abuse and fraud crimes against seniors.”
Elder abuse is an act that knowingly, intentionally, or negligently causes or creates a serious risk of harm to an older person by a family member, caregiver, or other person in a trust relationship. Such harm may be financial, physical, sexual, or psychological. The Justice Department maintains a variety of programs and initiatives to combat elder abuse.
The Transnational Elder Fraud Task Force marshals federal and state agencies working collaboratively to investigate and prosecute foreign-based schemes that target older Americans. In addition to aggressively investigating the individuals, organizations, and networks responsible for these crimes, this initiative provides the public with information to guard against both traditional scams, like tech support fraud, as well as trending schemes, such as romance scams.
Using one scam to perpetrate or conceal another, some fraudsters rely on money mules to move the proceeds of their illegal activity. Preying on the good will or financial vulnerability of their targets, scammers recruit people, many times older victims, to participate in schemes to move money in ways that avoid notice. The Money Mule Initiative identifies and addresses money mule activity to disrupt these fraud schemes, and helps people to recognize and avoid participation in perpetuating fraud.
To help older individuals and their families identify and avoid fraudulent activity, the Justice Department provides Senior Scam Alerts with information about the tactics used in specific schemes. For example, in Social Security Administration Impostor schemes, scammers impersonate government administrators and falsely reporting suspicious activity to request that the victims provide their Social Security number for confirmation. In Tech Support scams, fraudsters contact victims, sometimes through internet pop-up messages, to warn about non-existent computer problems, ask that the victim give them remote access to their computer, and identify a non-existent problem, then demand large sums of money for unnecessary services. In Lottery scams, telemarketers falsely notify victims that they have won a sweepstakes and tell them they must first pay fees for shipping, insurance, customs duties, or taxes before they can claim their prizes.
In addition to prosecuting elder abuse and fraud cases, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, through its Elder Justice Initiative, partners with law enforcement agencies, government entities, and community organizations to ensure that older adults, caretakers, and those who come in frequent contact with the elderly are educated on how to detect, prevent, and report elder fraud, neglect, and abuse.
If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This U.S. Department of Justice hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies, and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. English, Spanish, and other languages are available.
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Reno Resident Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Coercion and Enticement of A ChildRead the Press Release
RENO – A Reno resident was sentenced Monday to the mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison to be followed by lifetime term of supervised release for coercion and enticement of a child.
According to court documents, Carlos Heringer Concha (45), between December 20, 2022 and March 2, 2023, he communicated with a 14-year-old child on Discord. The chats revealed that Concha initiated sexual conversations, requested photos from the victim, and sent photos and videos of himself to the victim. On March 2, 2023, he traveled from Reno to Truckee, Calif., in order to meet and engage in sexual intercourse with the victim. He was arrested by law enforcement. Concha was indicted by a federal grand jury in March 2023, and he pleaded guilty in February 2024, to one count of coercion and enticement.
In a separate case in the Second Judicial District Court, on April 22, 2024, Concha was convicted of two counts of Luring/Attempting to Lure a Child with the Use of Computer Technology to Engage in Sexual Conduct for crimes he committed when he was on pretrial release for the federal case, and was sentenced on each count to 48 to 120 months imprisonment to run consecutive to each other. The sentence imposed in federal court was ordered to run partially consecutive to Concha’s state sentence. United States District Chief Judge Miranda M. Du ordered 84 months of his federal sentence to run consecutive to his state case.
In addition to imprisonment, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA), Concha must register as a sex offender and keep the registration current.
United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI made the announcement.
The FBI, the Regional HEAT team, and the Truckee Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Megan Rachow prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and 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 Justice.gov/PSC.
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Justice Department to Monitor Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance at Polling PlacesRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada will inspect several polling places in Washoe and Clark Counties for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits discrimination in voting based on disability, on Nevada Primary Election Day, June 11. The office has also sent written surveys to all Nevada county election officials to determine whether polling places in those counties are ADA compliant. The purpose of this initiative is to protect the rights of voters with disabilities by ensuring that counties select and provide accessible polling places that voters with disabilities can access independently.
The Department of Justice’s guide on The Americans with Disabilities Act and Other Federal Laws Protecting the Rights of Voters with Disabilities describes the legal protections designed to allow equal access to every aspect of elections, including registration and voting, for people with disabilities.
Individuals with questions or complaints related to the ADA may call the Department’s toll-free ADA information line at 800-514-0301 or 833-610-1264 (TTY) or submit a complaint through a link on the Department’s ADA website, at https://www.ada.gov/file-a-complaint/.
Learn more about the Department’s enforcement of federal civil and criminal laws related to voting at https://www.justice.gov/voting. You can also report other possible civil rights violations at www.civilrights.justice.gov/report/ or 1-800-253-3931. You can report suspected criminal activity regarding voting to the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or by filing an online complaint at tips.fbi.gov or by contacting local law enforcement.
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Final Defendant Sentenced for ATM BurglariesRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – The final defendant was sentenced Tuesday by United States District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey for his role in a conspiracy to burglarize multiple bank automatic teller machines by forcibly ripping them open with pry bars, hammers, hooks, and chains connected to stolen Ford F-250 pickup trucks.
According to court documents, from March 2020 to December 2020, Stanley Booker, Demarcus Dosewell, Dominique Owens, and Jecorian McCutcheon, all of Houston, and George Densley, of Las Vegas, conspired to burglarize ATMs and participate in three ATM burglaries in Las Vegas and one ATM burglary in Henderson. For the three Las Vegas ATM burglaries, defendants ripped apart the ATMs but were unable to open the safes containing cash. For the Henderson ATM burglary, Booker, Dosewell, and Densley stole $114,100. Booker, Dosewell, Owens, and McCutcheon also burglarized an ATM in Phoenix, stole $151,200, and transported that money to Las Vegas.
Owens pleaded guilty to three counts of bank burglary and one count of interstate transportation of stolen property; he was sentenced Tuesday to 51 months in prison. Dosewell pleaded guilty to one count of bank burglary; on February 21, 2023, he was sentenced to 41 months in prison. Booker pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank burglary, four counts of bank burglary, and one count of interstate transportation of stolen property; on March 11, 2024, he was sentenced to 84 months in prison. McCutcheon pleaded guilty to two counts of bank burglary and one count of interstate transportation of stolen property; on March 5, 2024, he was sentenced to 41 months in prison. After a five-day jury trial, Densley was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit bank burglary and two counts of bank burglary; on May 7, 2024, he was sentenced to 60 months in prison. In addition to imprisonment, the defendants were ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $485,554.77.
United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant United States Attorneys Joshua Brister and Steven Rose prosecuted the case.
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U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson Recognizes National Police WeekRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – In honor of National Police Week, U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson joins U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country to recognize the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement. The week will be observed Saturday, May 11 through Friday, May 17, 2024.
“As our country recognizes National Police Week, the Justice Department joins families and communities in remembering the members of the law enforcement community who made the ultimate sacrifice protecting the public,” said Attorney General Merrick Garland. “Policing is difficult and dangerous, yet time and time again, law enforcement officers answer the call, showing up for their communities when they are needed the most. Their devotion to duty is matched only by that of their loved ones who make daily sacrifices to support them. The Justice Department is committed to doing everything in our power to help provide our law enforcement partners with the resources they need to carry out their noble work on behalf of the public.”
“During National Police Week, we honor the service and sacrifice of the brave men and women on the frontlines of public safety,” said United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada. “We express gratitude to our state, local, federal, and Tribal law enforcement partners for their courage and dedication to the safety and protection of our communities.”
In 1962, President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices. Peace Officers Memorial Day, which every year falls on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.
Each year, during National Police Week, our nation celebrates the contributions of law enforcement from around the country, recognizing their hard work, dedication, loyalty and commitment to keeping our communities safe.
Earlier this month, U.S. Attorney Frierson paid tribute to those who have lost their lives in the line of duty. He attended the 27th Annual Nevada Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Carson City, the 37th Annual James D. Hoff Peace Officer Memorial in Reno, and the 2024 FBI Memorial Ceremony in Las Vegas.
On Monday, May 13, the names of more than 280 officers killed in the line of duty in 2024 who have been added to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial were read during a Candlelight Vigil. To view a recording of the livestream of this event, visit https://nleomf.org/memorial/programs/national-police-week-2024/candlelight-vigil/.
To learn more about National Police Week and the virtual candlelight vigil, please visit www.policeweek.org.
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Felon Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Armed Robberies of US Postal Mail CarriersRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas resident who has prior felony convictions was sentenced to 10 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for armed robbery of multiple United States Postal Service (USPS) mail carriers in 2023.
According to court documents, from January to March 2023, Robert Earl Thompson (31) brandished a firearm and robbed five USPS mail carriers while they were delivering mail. During one robbery, Thompson pointed a firearm at the mail carrier’s head while making his demand.
On March 9, 2023, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department arrested Thompson. At the time of his arrest, he unlawfully possessed a 9mm semiautomatic handgun and a .380 caliber semiautomatic handgun. Thompson has prior felony convictions including attempt leaving the scene of an accident, attempt ownership or possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, possession of stolen property, and attempt burglary, all in Clark County, Nev. He is prohibited by law from possessing a firearm due to his prior felony convictions.
“U.S. Postal Inspectors will relentlessly investigate all acts of violence against USPS employees. Letter carriers are servants of the community and not only deserve respect, but also be able to complete their job safely. This significant sentence sends a message that those who attack public servants will be brought to justice,” said Inspector in Charge Glen Henderson of the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Phoenix Division.
Thompson pleaded guilty to three counts of robbery of United States property with use of a dangerous weapon and two counts of felon in possession of a firearm. He was sentenced by United States District Judge Cristina D. Silva on April 22, 2024.
United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Inspector in Charge Glen Henderson of the USPIS, Phoenix Division made the announcement.
The USPIS and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Edward Veronda prosecuted the case.
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Felon Sentenced to Prison for Unlawful Possession of A Privately Manufactured FirearmRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas resident was sentenced today by United States District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey to 44 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for unlawful possession of a privately manufactured firearm (PMF), sometimes referred to as a “ghost gun,” after previous felony convictions.
Justin Edward Brown (37) pleaded guilty in February 2024 to one-count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.
According to court documents and admissions made by Brown in court, on June 14, 2022, he possessed a privately manufactured 9x19mm semiautomatic pistol incorporating a Polymer80 lower receiver and ammunition. Brown had previously been convicted of possession of a firearm by ex-felon in May 2014; assault with a deadly weapon in February 2013; and prohibited person in possession of a firearm in May 2018, all in Clark County, Nev. Brown is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to his prior felony convictions.
United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Cicolani for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the ATF and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Dan Cowhig prosecuted the case.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. For more information about PSN, visit www.justice.gov/usao-nv.
If you have information about illegal firearms activity, you are urged to submit a tip to ATF by calling the hotline at 1-800-ATF-GUNS (1-800-283-4867) or through the ReportIt mobile app.
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Justice Department Strengthens Efforts, Builds Partnerships to Address the Crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous PersonsRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – The Justice Department joins its partners across the federal government, as well as people throughout American Indian and Alaska Native communities, in recognizing May 5 as National Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Awareness Day.
In recognition of MMIP Awareness Day, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland highlighted ongoing efforts to tackle the MMIP and human trafficking crises in American Indian and Alaska Native communities, and other pressing public safety challenges, like the fentanyl crisis, in Tribal communities.
“There is still so much more to do in the face of persistently high levels of violence that Tribal communities have endured for generations, and that women and girls, particularly, have endured,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “In carrying out our work, we seek to honor those who are still missing, those who were stolen from their communities, and their loved ones who are left with unimaginable pain. Tribal communities deserve safety, and they deserve justice. This day challenges all of us at the Justice Department to double down on our efforts, and to be true partners with Tribal communities as we seek to end this crisis.”
“We know that government-to-government partnerships are critical to improving the safety and well-being of Tribal communities. This is why, throughout the year, our office meets with Tribal leadership, Tribal law enforcement, and community groups to hear challenges, share resources and information, and strengthen our relationships,” said U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada. “We remain dedicated in our commitment to address violence against indigenous women, fentanyl overdoses, human trafficking, and other public safety issues in Tribal communities. We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to help ensure that all people in Indian Country are safe in their communities.”
“The FBI remains unwavering in our pledge to work with our law enforcement partners to address the violence that has disproportionately harmed Tribal communities and families,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “We will continue to prioritize our support of victims and will steadfastly pursue investigations into the crime impacting American Indian and Alaska Native communities.”
“DEA’s top priority is protecting all communities from deadly drugs, like fentanyl, and drug related violent crime,” said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram. “We know that no community has been spared from these deadly threats and we are committed to keeping Tribal communities safe.”
Justice Department Prioritization of MMIP Cases
Last July, the Justice Department announced the creation of the Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Regional Outreach Program, which permanently places 10 attorneys and coordinators in five designated regions across the United States to aid in the prevention and response to missing or murdered Indigenous people. The five regions include the Northwest, Southwest, Great Plains, Great Lakes, and Southeast Regions.
The MMIP Regional Outreach Program prioritizes MMIP cases consistent with the Deputy Attorney General’s July 2022 directive to U.S. Attorneys’ offices promoting public safety in Indian Country. The program fulfills the Justice Department’s promise to dedicate new personnel to MMIP consistent with Executive Order 14053, Improving Public Safety and Criminal Justice for Native Americans and Addressing the Crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous People, and the Department’s Federal Law Enforcement Strategy to Prevent and respond to Violence Against American Indians and Alaska Natives, Including to Address Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons issued in July 2022.
Nevada is home to 28 federally recognized tribes, bands and communities located on 31 Indian reservations and colonies. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has resources, including a Tribal Liaison, dedicated to promoting safety and security on tribal lands and in tribal communities. Assistant U.S. Attorney Penelope Brady serves as the MMIP Coordinator for the District of Nevada. Information about resources may be found at: https://www.justice.gov/usao-nv/tribal-matters-indian-country-public-lands.
Last year, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada obtained a conviction after a jury trial:
- U.S. v. Michael Burciaga – In September 2023, Burciaga was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge Miranda M. Du to life in prison, plus 20 years in prison, for murdering his pregnant girlfriend, a registered member of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, on the Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation in December 2020.
Not Invisible Act Commission Response
The Department’s work to respond to the MMIP crisis is a whole-of-department effort. In March, the Departments of Justice and the Interior released their joint response to the Not Invisible Act Commission’s recommendations on how to combat the missing or murdered Indigenous peoples (MMIP) and human trafficking crisis. The NIAC response, announced by Attorney General Garland during a visit to the Crow Nation, recognizes that more must be done across the federal government to resolve this longstanding crisis and support healing from the generational traumas that Indigenous peoples have endured throughout the history of the United States.
Addressing Violent Crime and the Fentanyl Crisis in Indian Country
As noted in the joint response to the NIAC, research suggests that certain public safety challenges faced by many American Indian and Alaska Native communities—including disproportionate violence against women, families, and children; substance abuse; drug trafficking; and labor and sex trafficking—can influence the rates of missing AI/AN persons.
Further, fentanyl poisoning and overdose deaths are the leading cause of opioid deaths throughout the United States, including Indian County, where drug-related overdose death rates for Native Americans exceeds the national rate.
Therefore, federal law enforcement components are ramping up efforts to forge stronger partnerships with federal and Tribal law enforcement partners to address violent crime and the fentanyl crisis, which exposes already vulnerable communities to greater harm.
Accessing Department of Justice Resources
Over the past year, the Department awarded $268 million in grants to help enhance Tribal justice systems and strengthen law enforcement responses. These awards have also gone toward improving the handling of child abuse cases, combating domestic and sexual violence, supporting Tribal youth programs, and strengthening victim services in Tribal communities.
For additional information about the Department of Justice’s efforts to address the MMIP crisis, please visit the Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons section of the Tribal Safety and Justice website.
Click here for more information about reporting or identifying missing persons.
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Pennsylvania Man Convicted for Kidnapping and Death of Woman Whose Body Was Found in Nevada DesertRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A federal jury convicted a Pennsylvania resident today for kidnapping a woman in Pennsylvania then driving her to Nevada and killing her in the desert.
John Matthew Chapman, 44, was found guilty of one count of kidnapping resulting in death. United States District Judge James C. Mahan scheduled a sentencing hearing for August 2, 2024. Chapman faces the maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
According to court documents and evidence presented during the eight-day trial, on November 14, 2019, the Bethel Park Police Department in Pennsylvania conducted a welfare check on the victim at the request of a friend. During the welfare check, neighbors stated that they had not seen the victim in approximately two months, but they had observed a person whom they believed to be her boyfriend (Chapman) entering and leaving the victim’s residence. Inside the victim’s residence, officers found identification cards with Chapman’s name and photograph, the victim’s cellular telephone, multiple zip ties, and a roll of duct tape.
On November 15, 2019, Bethel Park Police Department detectives arrested and interviewed Chapman. 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 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 bondage photo shoot, Chapman bound the victim’s hands and feet with plastic zip ties and affixed her to a signpost. Then he applied duct tape to her mouth and nose and watched her die from asphyxiation.
The joint investigation revealed that Chapman returned to Pennsylvania. He pretended to be the victim, including using the victim’s Facebook messenger account, and he continuously used the victim’s residence and money following her death.
United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI Las Vegas Division made the announcement.
The FBI Las Vegas Division, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office in Nevada, and the Bethel Park Police Department in Pennsylvania investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Penelope Brady, Megan Rachow, and Steven Rose are prosecuting the case.
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Las Vegas Woman Sentenced to Prison for $1 Million Medicaid Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas woman, Henrietta Binford, 54, was sentenced Monday to 10 months in prison and ordered to pay $1,250,223.39 in restitution for defrauding the State of Nevada Medicaid healthcare benefit program by falsely billing for services not provided. United States District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey presided over the sentencing hearing. Binford had previously plead guilty in November 2023 to one count of Health Care Fraud.
According to court documents and admissions Binford made in court, from January 2017 to August 2017, she devised and executed a scheme to defraud the State of Nevada Medicaid (“Nevada Medicaid”). In connection with Binford’s application to enroll her company Shepherd’s Heart Services, as a medical provider, she did not disclose her criminal history, including prior misdemeanor and felony convictions. As a result of her false statements on the application, Shepherd’s Heart Services was enrolled in Nevada Medicaid. As part of her scheme, Binford submitted false bills to Nevada Medicaid for services, including counseling services and training, not rendered. In total, Nevada Medicaid paid Shepherd’s Heart Services in excess of $1,000,000 for services not provided to patients.
“Through her misrepresentations and fraudulent deeds, the defendant bilked over $1,000,000 from Nevada Medicaid,” said United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada. “Due to the diligent investigative and prosecutorial work by our partners and Assistant U.S. Attorneys, the defendant was brought to justice and will be held accountable for her crimes, along with others who seek to exploit health care programs for their own financial gain.”
“Nevada Medicaid is a critical health insurance program for eligible members of our community, providing access to medical care that would otherwise be unobtainable,” said Carissa Messick, Acting Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Phoenix Field Office. “IRS Criminal Investigation is dedicated to investigating anyone attempting to defraud this program and those who rely on it.”
“My office will always defend against efforts to defraud Nevada Medicaid. Attempts to game the system or con Nevada Medicaid for services are particularly despicable as this program allows members of our community to access health care that would otherwise be inaccessible,” said Nevada Attorney General Aaron D. Ford.
IRS Criminal Investigation and the Nevada Attorney General’s Office, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU), investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Justin Washburne and Steven W. Myhre prosecuted the case.
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Arizona Man Convicted of Operating A Jet Ski in A Negligent Manner at Lake Mead National Recreation AreaRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – An Arizona resident was found guilty on Thursday for operating a jet ski in a negligent manner that resulted in the death of a passenger at Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
United States Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Albregts presided over the two-day bench trial. Bryce Tyrone Verhonich, 47, was found guilty of operating a vessel in a negligent manner, failing to wear a personal flotation device, and failing to attach an engine cut-off switch lanyard. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for August 5, 2024.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, on June 30, 2022, Verhonich and a passenger traveled from his houseboat on a jet ski toward the Hoover Dam. As conditions worsened, Verhonich made a sharp turning maneuver that resulted in Verhonich and his passenger falling off the jet ski. Neither Verhonich nor the passenger were wearing life jackets at the time. The passenger’s body was ultimately recovered from Lake Mead National Recreation Area on July 6, 2022.
United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the National Park Service. Assistant United States Attorneys Edward D. Penetar and Brian Whang are prosecuting the case.
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Nevada U.S. Attorney's Office and HUD Office of Inspector General Co-Host Roundtable on Sexual Harassment in HousingRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada, the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Inspector General hosted a roundtable yesterday for community members and organizations on Sexual Harassment in Housing.
“Tenants should feel safe and not live in fear of sexual harassment, sexual assault or sexual exploitation by their landlord or other people who have control over housing,” said U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada. “We are committed to working together to enforce the Fair Housing Act, protect victims, and hold violators accountable.”
“There is no place in our society for sexual misconduct, including sexual assault, sexual harassment, and unwelcome advances – and there is certainly no place for such behavior in HUD-assisted housing. This type of misconduct threatens an individual’s right to a safe living environment,” said HUD Inspector General Rae Oliver Davis. “Efforts like the roundtable today with our partners in the Nevada U.S. Attorney’s Office help demonstrate our unified approach to improve the quality of life for these tenants. We are committed to vigorously enforcing fair housing laws and holding to account those that would seek to exploit this vulnerable population.”
Participants included representatives from the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Housing Section; the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General; the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada; Silver State Fair Housing Council and Northern Nevada Legal Aid. These organizations work with the most vulnerable populations, who are at risk of becoming victims of sexual harassment in housing. Some of the attendees included representatives from fair housing organizations, shelters and transitional housing providers.
The Department of Justice, through the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Civil Rights Division, enforces the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, and disability. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by the Act. Sexual harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, and others with power over housing often affects the most vulnerable populations – single parents, individuals who have financial difficulties, and people who have suffered sexual violence in the past. These individuals often do not know where to turn for assistance.
The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division launched the Sexual Harassment Initiative to combat sexual harassment in housing. The Justice Department’s initiative seeks to identify barriers to reporting sexual harassment in housing, increase awareness of its enforcement efforts – both among survivors and those they may report to – and collaborate with federal, state, and local partners to increase reporting and help survivors quickly and easily connect with federal resources.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is collaborating with the Civil Rights Division to raise awareness of the options that are available to help individuals experiencing sexual harassment. Community organizations, such as legal services offices, fair housing organizations, domestic violence advocates, shelters, and transitional housing providers, can identify the misconduct and recommend that individuals report sexual harassment to the Justice Department.
The Justice Department brings cases each year involving egregious conduct, including allegations that defendants have exposed themselves sexually to current or prospective tenants, requested sexual favors in exchange for reduced rents or making necessary repairs, made unrelenting and unwanted sexual advances to tenants, and evicted tenants who resisted their sexual overtures.
If you or someone you know has information about or has been a victim of sexual harassment, sexual assault, or sexual exploitation in housing—even if the events occurred years ago—report it to the HUD Office of Inspector General Hotline at 1-800-347-3735 or visit the website at www.hudoig.gov/hotline. You may also file a complaint with HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at https://www.hud.gov/fairhousing/fileacomplaint.
Additionally, you can contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office by calling 702-388-6336 or emailing [email protected]; or the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division by calling 844-380-6178, as well as emailing [email protected]. More information about the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at www.justice.gov/crt.
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Registered Sex Offender Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Possession of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas resident who is a registered sex offender was sentenced yesterday by United States District Judge Gloria M. Navarro to 10 years in prison to be followed by 35 years of supervised release for unlawful possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on his cell phone.
According to court documents, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) forwarded a CyberTip to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department that a user uploaded 30 files containing CSAM. On September 30, 2021, William Spahr – a sex offender who was convicted of lewdness with a child under the age of 14 in Clark County – was arrested for failing to register his current address which is required under the Sex Offender Registration Notification Act. A forensic examination of Spahr’s cell phone revealed that he had a total of 33 images of CSAM on the device.
In October 2023, Spahr pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography.
United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI made the announcement.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. An Assistant United States Attorney prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Justice Department. 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.
Anyone with information on suspected child sexual exploitation can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) or https://report.cybertip.org.
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Las Vegas Resident Sentenced to Prison for COVID-19 Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas woman was sentenced Wednesday by United States District Judge James C. Mahan to 30 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release for fraudulently seeking over $1 million in COVID-19 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans.
According to court documents, from April 2020 to July 2020, Karen Chapon, aka Karen Hannafious, made multiple false statements about her companies’ respective business operations and payroll expenses, and submitted false documents to support six fraudulent PPP loan applications, including false federal tax filings. As part of the fraudulent loan applications, Chapon falsely stated that she had not been convicted of a felony in the past five years, but in fact, she pleaded guilty to felony fraud offenses in 2016. She received four loans totaling approximately $596,931. Chapon used fraudulently obtained funds for her own benefit, including the purchase of a Mercedes Benz SUV.
In August 2023, Chapon pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud. In addition to the prison term, Chapon was ordered to pay $589,484.13 in restitution.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is a federal law enacted March 29, 2020. It is designed to provide emergency financial assistance to millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act is the authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses through the PPP. In April 2020, Congress authorized over $300 billion in additional PPP funding.
The PPP allows qualifying small businesses and other organizations to receive loans with a maturity of two years and an interest rate of one percent. Businesses must use PPP loan proceeds for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent and utilities. The PPP allows the interest and principal to be forgiven if businesses spend the proceeds on these expenses within a set time period and use at least a certain percentage of the loan towards payroll expenses.
United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada; Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI; Acting Inspector General Heather M. Hill for the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA); and Special Agent in Charge Weston King for the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General (SBA-OIG), Western Region made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the FBI, TIGTA, and SBA OIG. Assistant United States Attorney Jessica Oliva and Trial Attorneys Lucy Jennings and Jennifer Bilinkas of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case.
In May 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
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Final Defendant Sentenced to over 12 Years in Prison for Role in Conspiracy to Distribute over 1,000 Pounds of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
RENO – The final defendant involved in a large methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy was sentenced Monday by United States Chief District Judge Miranda M. Du to 145 months in prison for his role in a large methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy.
According to court documents, in 2014, Nassrollah Behmard fled to Mexico to avoid being arrested for his involvement in a Washoe County drug trafficking case. In March 2022, the FBI learned that Behmard, who was still in Mexico, was conspiring with co-conspirators located in Reno and Los Angeles to distribute multi-pound quantities of methamphetamine in the Reno area. From March 2022 to June 2022, Behmard and his co-conspirators were responsible for distributing over 140 pounds of methamphetamine.
On June 6, 2022, Behmard arranged with co-conspirator Ramon Guadalupe Sanchez Maldonado to deliver 100 pounds of methamphetamine from Los Angeles to Reno. Law enforcement intercepted the methamphetamine and traced it back to a clandestine lab located in the Los Angeles area. Law enforcement dismantled the lab and seized approximately 1,000 pounds of methamphetamine.
In June 2022, a federal grand jury in Reno charged Behmard, also known as “Benny” and “Michael Holt,” and his co-conspirators Sanchez Maldonado, Melissa Ann Longo, Owen Eugene Dick, and Jesus Sanchez Vargas with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and related offenses including money laundering. Maldonado was sentenced to 120 months in prison, Longo was sentenced to 57 months in prison, and Dick was sentenced to 57 months in prison.
United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI made the announcement.
The FBI Northern Nevada Safe Streets Task Force, comprised of the FBI, Reno Police Department, Carson City Sheriff’s Office, Nevada Gaming and Control Board, Nevada Department of Corrections, and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case with assistance by the FBI Los Angeles Field Office, the San Bernardino Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Andolyn Johnson prosecuted the case.
This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
If you have information of potential drug trafficking, call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or submit an anonymous tip online at TIPS.FBI.GOV.
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Las Vegas Man Sentenced to Eight Years in Prison for Money Laundering and Importing, Processing, and Distributing OpioidsRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas resident was sentenced Friday by United States District Judge Andrew P. Gordon to eight years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for importing, processing, and distributing nearly 300 pounds of Tapentadol (a Schedule II opioid) across the United States, and laundering drug sale proceeds using shell companies.
According to court documents, Christopher S. Housley, 51, used fraudulent identifications to rent postal boxes at several UPS stores in Las Vegas. In January 2021, law enforcement seized parcels containing Carisoprodol, Tadalafil, and Sildenafil inbound from India and addressed to addresses associated with Housley. In total, law enforcement seized nearly 300,000 Tapentadol pills weighing more than 300 pounds.
In July 2021, Housley and a co-conspirator obtained a large industrial pill press; and in October 2021, Housley sought to obtain a Hello Kitty die used to press pills with that logo. After importing and processing the drugs, Housley would distribute them throughout the country.
Furthermore, Housley created two shell companies to aid in paying for the drugs and receiving payments for the drug sales. Between September 2020 and October 2021, the shell companies wired a total of about $116,000 to accounts in India, China, and Singapore. Between July 2021 and January 2022, deposits into those accounts were about $350,000.
On May 3, 2022, law enforcement executed a search warrant at a storage unit rented by Housley under a fake name. The storage unit contained Tapentadol, Alprazolam, and other controlled substances.
Tapentadol, Alprazolam, and other controlled substances seized by law enforcement from a storage locker rented by Housley
Housley pleaded guilty to one-count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, Tapentadol and 20-counts of money laundering.
United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Kevin Adams for the DEA Las Vegas District Office made the announcement.
The case was investigated by the DEA and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. An Assistant United States Attorney in the District of Nevada prosecuted the case.
If you are aware of controlled substance violations in your community — which may include the growing, manufacture, distribution or trafficking of controlled substances — please submit your anonymous tip through the DEA Tip Line at https://www.dea.gov/submit-tip.
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Felon Sentenced to Prison for Unlawful Possession of Stolen FirearmsRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas resident who has prior felony convictions was sentenced Friday by United States District Judge Andrew P. Gordon to 30 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release for unlawful possession of two stolen firearms.
According to court documents, on August 2, 2023, a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officer approached Domineaq Marchell Wilson and three others in a parking area behind an apartment building. The officer saw that the ignition of two motorcycles had been torn out, and at least one of the motorcycles was running without a key. The officer saw the grip of a pistol protruding from the waistband of Wilson’s pants. When the officer directed Wilson not to reach for the firearm, Wilson grabbed the grip and ran from the officer. The firearm, a Browning Black Label .380 semiautomatic pistol, fell to the ground. Wilson threw down a backpack containing a loaded Glock G42 semiautomatic pistol as he ran. The officer caught Wilson as he tried to climb over a wall.
Wilson admitted that the Browning Black Label .380 semiautomatic pistol had been stolen from a Federal Firearms Licensee in Overton, Nev. and the Glock G42 semiautomatic pistol had been stolen from a private citizen in Henderson, Nev. At the time, Wilson was on state supervision in two separate felony convictions in Nevada.
Wilson, 24, also known as “Tension,” pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.
United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Cicolani for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the ATF and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Dan Cowhig prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Anyone with information about the unlawful purchase of firearms can call ATF at 1-888-ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477), email [email protected] or submit information anonymously at www.reportit.com/.
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Las Vegas Man Sentenced to Prison for COVID-19 Relief Loan Scheme Committed While on Supervised ReleaseRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man was sentenced today by United States District Judge Cristina D. Silva to two and a half years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release for devising a scheme to fraudulently obtain more than $550,000 in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) loan applications that the Small Business Administration (SBA) guaranteed under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
According to court documents, at the time of the fraud scheme, Arian Anthony Bailey, 34, was serving a term of federal supervised release for felony drug and gun convictions. While on release, Bailey devised a scheme to defraud the SBA. As part of the scheme, Bailey submitted on behalf of businesses – including a home health services business – that did not exist loan applications that contained false information, including: (a) false revenue amounts for non-existent companies, and (b) false certifications that Bailey would spend the loan money on business expenses, such as payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. He also provided fraudulent documentation in support of his loan applications. The loss caused by Bailey’s scheme was $46,731.39.
In addition to the prison term, Bailey was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $46,731.39.
United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada, Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI, Western Region Special Agent in Charge Weston King for the Small Business Administration, Office of Inspector General (SBA OIG), and Special Agent in Charge Jon W. Ellwanger for the Western Region, Office of Inspector General for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (FRB-CFPB OIG) made the announcement.
The case was investigated by the FBI, the SBA OIG, and the FRB-CFPB OIG. Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly Frayn prosecuted the case.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
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Sparks Man Convicted of Multiple Child Exploitation OffensesRead the Press Release
RENO - A federal jury convicted a Nevada man yesterday for sexually exploiting multiple minors, and advertising and distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) that he coerced these minors into producing.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, between 2018 and 2021, James Patrick Burns, 55, of Sparks, sexually exploited multiple minors online via Omegle, Snapchat, Tiktok, and Mega.NZ. Burns, a registered sex offender, threatened these minors into producing CSAM and then posted the CSAM on dark web forums. At the time, Burns was the most prolific creator of illegal content on these forums. He victimized over 100 children, many of whom have yet to be identified. Burns’ offenses came to the attention of law enforcement when a mother of one of his victims saw threats on the victim’s phone and reported what she saw to the police.
The jury convicted Burns of eight counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, eight counts of coercion and enticement of a minor, and one count each of advertising, receiving, distributing, and possessing child pornography. In a separate trial, the jury also convicted Burns of committing specified felony offenses (from the first trial) while required to register as a sex offender.
Burns is scheduled to be sentenced on June 10. He faces a mandatory minimum of at least 25 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada, and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans of the FBI Las Vegas Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI-led Northern Nevada Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, which is comprised of detectives and investigators from the Sparks Police Department, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, Nevada Attorney General’s Office, and HSI, investigated the case. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office, HSI Chicago Field Office, and local law enforcement around the country provided substantial assistance.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andolyn R. Johnson for the District of Nevada and Trial Attorney Rachel L. Rothberg of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section are prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Justice Department. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the 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.
The FBI Las Vegas Field Office is seeking the help of anyone who may have been victimized by or have knowledge of sexual abuse of children involving James Patrick Burns. If you or a minor dependent has had contact with James Patrick Burns while using Omegle, Snapchat, Tiktok, and Mega.NZ between 2018 and 2021, you’re asked to contact the FBI by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI or at TIPS.FBI.GOV.
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Man Convicted of Multiple Child Exploitation OffensesRead the Press Release
A federal jury convicted a Nevada man yesterday for sexually exploiting multiple minors, and advertising and distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) that he coerced these minors into producing.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, between 2018 and 2021, James Patrick Burns, 55, of Sparks, sexually exploited multiple minors online via Omegle, Snapchat, Tiktok, and Mega.NZ. Burns, a registered sex offender, threatened these minors into producing CSAM and then posted the CSAM on dark web forums. At the time, Burns was the most prolific creator of illegal content on these forums. He victimized over 100 children, many of whom have yet to be identified. Burns’ offenses came to the attention of law enforcement when a mother of one of his victims saw threats on the victim’s phone and reported what she saw to the police.
The jury convicted Burns of eight counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, eight counts of coercion and enticement of a minor, and one count each of advertising, receiving, distributing, and possessing child pornography. In a separate trial, the jury also convicted Burns of committing specified felony offenses (from the first trial) while required to register as a sex offender.
Burns is scheduled to be sentenced on June 10. He faces a mandatory minimum of at least 25 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada, Assistant Director Michael Nordwall of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans of the FBI Las Vegas Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Christopher Miller of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Las Vegas made the announcement.
The FBI-led Northern Nevada Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, which is comprised of detectives and investigators from the Sparks Police Department, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, Nevada Attorney General’s Office, and HSI, investigated the case. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office, HSI Chicago Field Office, and local law enforcement around the country provided substantial assistance.
Trial Attorney Rachel L. Rothberg of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Andolyn R. Johnson for the District of Nevada are prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Justice Department. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the 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.
Repeat Offender Sentenced to Prison for Possession of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A Tonopah, Nev., man was sentenced today by United States District Judge Richard F. Boulware III to 10 years in prison to be followed by 15 years of supervised release for unlawful possession of child sexual abuse material while on federal supervision for a prior crime.
According to court documents, in January 2023, a United States probation officer conducted a visit at the residence of Jeff Richard Stewart (66) who was on federal supervised release for a 2012 conviction of receipt of child sexual abuse material. During the visit, the probation officer discovered several unauthorized electronic devices in Stewart’s possession and seized the devices. Stewart admitted that he possessed about 4,535 images and three videos of child sexual abuse material depicting children as young as infants on these devices.
In November 2023, Stewart pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography. In addition to imprisonment, he is required under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act to register as a sex offender and keep the registration current.
United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI made the announcement.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Nye County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Supriya Prasad prosecuted the case.
The 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 the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood and for information about internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Anyone with information on suspected child sexual exploitation can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) or https://report.cybertip.org.
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Las Vegas Resident Sentenced to Prison for COVID-19 Relief Loan Scheme Committed While on Supervised ReleaseRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man was sentenced today by United States District Judge Andrew P. Gordon to two years and six months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release for devising a scheme to fraudulently obtain more than $42,000 in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) loan applications that the Small Business Administration (SBA) guaranteed under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
According to court documents, in June 2020, Shavonte Hill (36) — while serving a term of federal supervised release for a 2017 felony conviction — devised a scheme to defraud the SBA. As part of the scheme, Hill submitted on behalf of businesses that did not exist loan applications that contained false information, including false revenue amounts for non-existent companies and false certifications that Hill would spend the loan money on business expenses, such as payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. He also provided fraudulent documentation in support of his loan applications. The loss caused by Hill’s scheme was about $42,082.
In November 2023, Hill pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud. In addition to imprisonment, Hill was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $42,082.
United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada; Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI; Special Agent in Charge Jon W. Ellwanger for the Western Region, Office of Inspector General for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (FRB-CFPB OIG); Western Region Special Agent in Charge Weston King for the Small Business Administration, Office of Inspector General (SBA OIG); and IRS CI Phoenix Field Office Acting Special Agent in Charge Carissa Messick for the IRS Criminal Investigation made the announcement.
The FBI, FRB-CFPB OIG, SBA OIG, IRS CI, and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Kimberly Frayn and Jessica Oliva prosecuted the case.
In May 2021 the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Justice Department in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The task force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
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Nevada U.S. Attorney's Office Collects Nearly $7.5 Million in Civil and Criminal Actions in Fiscal Year 2023Read the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson announced today that the District of Nevada collected $7,488,459.50 in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2023. Of this amount, $6,794,786.25 was collected in criminal actions and $693,673.25 was collected in civil actions.
Additionally, the District of Nevada worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect an additional $196,131.99 in cases pursued jointly by these offices. Of this amount, $56,131.99 was collected in criminal actions and $140,000 was collected in civil actions.
“This significant collection amount is a result of the diligent work by Assistant United States Attorneys and personnel in our Financial Litigation Program and Asset Forfeiture Unit,” said United States Attorney Frierson. “Throughout Fiscal Year 2023, we worked with partners to recover full amounts due to the United States and victims of crimes. These recovered funds will be used for direct victim compensation, victim assistance and state victim compensation grants. I thank our Civil Division team for their dedication and hard work in enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed.”
Highlights of the District of Nevada’s Fiscal Year 2023 collection efforts include:
- United States v. Michael Jones – Working jointly, several Assistant U.S. Attorneys of the U.S. Attorney’s Office secured the partial pre-payment of restitution from Michael Jones in the amount of $3,000,000. This combined effort ensured that payments would be made to the victims of Jones’ white collar fraud scheme which promised to secure small business grants from the government or other charitable organizations.
- United States v. Lance Kellow – Our office collected $273,375.40 from Lance Kellow as a result of targeted collection litigation. Kellow was convicted by a jury of mail, wire and bank fraud, and was ordered to pay over $800,000 to three financial institutions. The United States has collected and paid over $310,000 to the victims of Kellow’s crimes.
- United States v. Melissa Landgraf – Following the Landgraf’s conviction for wire fraud, the U.S. Attorney’s Office was advised that Landgraf and her husband were in the process of selling their home in a non-public sale. After advising the escrow company of the restitution lien in favor of Landgraf’s victims, the U.S. Attorney’s Office received the net proceeds of sale in the amount of $134,385.84 and was able to distribute it to Landgraf’s embezzlement victim, who was her prior employer.
The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims Fund, which distributes the funds collected to federal and state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.
Additionally, the U.S. Attorney’s Office working with partner agencies and divisions, collected $2,313,323 in asset forfeiture actions in FY 2023. Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes.
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Las Vegas Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Distributing Thousands of Fentanyl PillsRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas resident was sentenced Tuesday by United States District Judge Gloria M. Navarro to 10 years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release for distributing large quantities of fentanyl pills in Las Vegas.
According to court documents, Alphaeus Johnson (38) conspired with others to distribute fentanyl in Las Vegas. On March 21, 2022, he sold approximately 500 fentanyl pills in exchange for money. Then, in April on two separate occasions, he sold a combined total of approximately 4,000 fentanyl pills in exchange for money. Between April 29, 2022 and May 2, 2022, Johnson traveled to Arizona to be resupplied with fentanyl pills and on May 2, 2022, was stopped by Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department detectives while he was traveling to Las Vegas from Arizona. During the traffic stop, law enforcement discovered approximately 10,000 fentanyl pills in Johnson’s possession.
In October 2023, Johnson pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.
United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Kevin Adams for the DEA Las Vegas District Office made the announcement.
The case was investigated by the DEA and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Melanee Smith prosecuted the case.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles criminal organizations using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
If you are aware of controlled substance violations in your community — which may include the growing, manufacture, distribution or trafficking of controlled substances — please submit your anonymous tip through the DEA Tip Line at https://www.dea.gov/submit-tip.
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Nevada CPA Sentenced to Three Years in Prison in False Tax Return SchemeRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A Nevada man was sentenced Tuesday to three years in prison for willfully aiding and assisting the filing of false tax returns, in connection with a scheme to sell purported investment opportunities to clients that he falsely claimed would entitle them to IRS tax deductions.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Lance K. Bradford, of Henderson, was a certified public accountant and founder and manager of LL Bradford & Company (LLB). LLB performed accounting-related work, including tax preparation, audit and consulting services. Bradford also operated a real estate business that developed office buildings and other real property. In connection with Bradford’s real estate development activities, he operated and controlled a real estate investment partnership entity.
In 2011, Bradford began offering LLB’s high-net-worth clients an “investment opportunity” through which the clients would make a payment to his partnership entity and, in exchange, receive a large tax deduction of approximately five to seven times the amount of money the client “invested.” Bradford advised that the clients’ payments would entitle them to claim the large tax deduction based on losses derived from the partnership entity, even though he knew the tax laws did not permit the sale of such deductions in exchange for an investment of money, and the partnership did not incur the losses or depreciation in the amounts represented by Bradford. Bradford also did not report the purported investments as losses on the clients’ tax returns as promised. Instead, he caused the clients’ returns to report large false deductions for cost of goods sold, professional and consulting fees or nonpassive losses. In total, Bradford’s scheme caused a tax loss to the IRS of at least $8 million.
As one example from his investment scheme, in 2014, Bradford asked a client to make a $417,780 “investment” to his partnership entity in exchange for purported depreciation-based losses to be placed on his client’s 2013 corporate tax return (Form 1120S). But instead of reporting depreciation related to the investment, Bradford caused LLB to prepare and file a Form 1120S that falsely inflated the company’s cost of goods sold by $2,110,000, causing a tax loss to the IRS of approximately $860,627.
In addition to the term of imprisonment, U.S. District Court Judge Gloria M. Navarro ordered Bradford to serve one year of supervised release and pay $6,734,338 in restitution to the United States.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada made the announcement.
IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case, with assistance from the FBI.
Trial Attorney Patrick Burns of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven W. Myhre for the District of Nevada prosecuted the case.
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Las Vegas Man Sentenced to 16 Years in Prison for Selling MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas resident who has prior felony convictions was sentenced Tuesday to 16 years in prison for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine.
According to court documents, between October 26, 2021 and December 30, 2021, Dean Romero (55) conspired with others to distribute methamphetamine. On October 26, 2021, Romero sold 143.5 grams of methamphetamine,7.9 grams of liquid fentanyl, and a .22 caliber handgun in a store parking lot. On December 1, 2021, in the same parking lot, he sold 357 grams of methamphetamine and a 9mm pistol with no serial number. On December 30, 2021, he sold 470.7 grams of methamphetamine and a privately made AR-15-style firearm equipped with an extended magazine and a silencer in a hotel casino parking lot.
Romero has been previously convicted of burglary, forgery, perjury, identity theft, possession or distribution of controlled substances, and firearms offenses. He pleaded guilty on July 6, 2023, to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. In addition to the term of imprisonment, United States District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey sentenced Romero to five years of supervised release.
“This prosecution exemplifies our outstanding partnership with the FBI in removing dangerous individuals who sell drugs and firearms from our communities,” said United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada. “Fentanyl and methamphetamine are deadly drugs that have taken too many lives. The two firearms sold did not have serial number markings which made them untraceable and even more dangerous for law enforcement.”
“Our community is safer today,” said Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI. “There is no doubt lives across our state were saved from the devastating impact of these dangerous drugs and firearms crimes. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate, disrupt, and hold accountable those who insist on sowing destruction in our neighborhoods.”
The case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant United States Attorneys Joshua Brister and Kimberly Sokolich prosecuted the case.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles criminal organizations using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
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Justice Department Sues Nevada to Protect Pension Rights of Military ServicemembersRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today that it has filed a lawsuit against the State of Nevada, Nevada Attorney General’s Office and Public Employees’ Retirement System of Nevada (NVPERS) to protect the employment pension rights of servicemembers who are called to serve their country on military service. The Justice Department alleges that when state employees are reemployed after military service, NVPERS violates the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Act of 1994 (USERRA) by overcharging those servicemembers when calculating their contribution to their pension plans.
“When rehiring servicemembers, the law requires employers to not only return the veterans to their rightful positions, but also to protect their pension rights,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department is committed to ensuring that those who sacrifice so much to protect this country do not have to sacrifice their civilian employment rights, including their pensions.”
“USERRA protects a servicemember’s reemployment rights after returning from military service to their civilian employment,” said U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada. “Every person who has served in our country’s uniformed services deserves the full protection of our employment laws and we will continue to work with the Civil Rights Division’s Employment Litigation Section to protect servicemembers’ rights.”
According to the complaint, when Nevada state employees pass their five-year employment anniversary, they can purchase pension credits in the state’s pension system operated by NVPERS. NVPERS charges the employee for these pension credits based on the employee’s age and salary at the time of the purchase. USERRA requires employers to restore returning servicemembers’ pension benefits as if they had not been called away to military service. Servicemembers who are away on military service when they pass their five-year anniversary cannot purchase pension credits until they have returned from military duty. As alleged in the complaint, NVPERS violated USERRA by charging reemployed servicemembers based on their age and salary when they were reemployed, rather than their age and salary when they passed their five-year anniversary.
As explained in the complaint, Major Charles Lehman was an employee in Nevada’s Office of the Attorney General who was called to active duty with the Nevada National Guard on a multi-year term of duty during which he passed his five-year anniversary with the Attorney General’s Office. When he was released from military service and returned to his civilian job, NVPERS overcharged him for his pension credits based on his increased age and salary, an amount that exceeded the amount he would have owed, had he not been away on military service, by more than $38,000. As alleged, NVPERS’ policy of overcharging for these pension credits impacted other state employees returning from military service. The Justice Department seeks to have NVPERS change its policy of overcharging servicemembers, and refund Lehman and any other affected reemployed servicemembers the amounts previously overcharged.
USERRA protects the rights of uniformed servicemembers to retain their civilian employment following absences due to military service obligations and provides that servicemembers shall not be discriminated against because of their military obligations. The Justice Department gives high priority to the enforcement of servicemembers’ rights under USERRA. Additional information about USERRA can be found on the Justice Department’s websites at www.justice.gov/servicemembers and www.justice.gov/crt-military/employment-rights-userra as well as on the Department of Labor’s (DOL) website at www.dol.gov/vets/programs/userra.
This case stems from a referral by the DOL after an investigation by the DOL’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service.
Senior Trial Attorney Jeffrey Morrison of the Civil Rights Division’s Employment Litigation Section is handling the case.
Justice Department Sues Nevada to Protect Pension Rights of Military ServicemembersRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – The Justice Department announced today that it has filed a lawsuit against the State of Nevada, Nevada Attorney General’s Office and Public Employees’ Retirement System of Nevada (NVPERS) to protect the employment pension rights of servicemembers who are called to serve their country on military service. The Justice Department alleges that when state employees are reemployed after military service, NVPERS violates the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Act of 1994 (USERRA) by overcharging those servicemembers when calculating their contribution to their pension plans.
“When rehiring servicemembers, the law requires employers to not only return the veterans to their rightful positions, but also to protect their pension rights,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department is committed to ensuring that those who sacrifice so much to protect this country do not have to sacrifice their civilian employment rights, including their pensions.”
“USERRA protects a servicemember’s reemployment rights after returning from military service to their civilian employment,” said U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada. “Every person who has served in our country’s uniformed services deserves the full protection of our employment laws and we will continue to work with the Civil Rights Division’s Employment Litigation Section to protect servicemembers’ rights.”
According to the complaint, when Nevada state employees pass their five-year employment anniversary, they can purchase pension credits in the state’s pension system operated by NVPERS. NVPERS charges the employee for these pension credits based on the employee’s age and salary at the time of the purchase. USERRA requires employers to restore returning servicemembers’ pension benefits as if they had not been called away to military service. Servicemembers who are away on military service when they pass their five-year anniversary cannot purchase pension credits until they have returned from military duty. As alleged in the complaint, NVPERS violated USERRA by charging reemployed servicemembers based on their age and salary when they were reemployed, rather than their age and salary when they passed their five-year anniversary.
As explained in the complaint, Major Charles Lehman was an employee in Nevada’s Office of the Attorney General who was called to active duty with the Nevada National Guard on a multi-year term of duty during which he passed his five-year anniversary with the Attorney General’s Office. When he was released from military service and returned to his civilian job, NVPERS overcharged him for his pension credits based on his increased age and salary, an amount that exceeded the amount he would have owed, had he not been away on military service, by more than $38,000. As alleged, NVPERS’ policy of overcharging for these pension credits impacted other state employees returning from military service. The Justice Department seeks to have NVPERS change its policy of overcharging servicemembers, and refund Lehman and any other affected reemployed servicemembers the amounts previously overcharged.
USERRA protects the rights of uniformed servicemembers to retain their civilian employment following absences due to military service obligations and provides that servicemembers shall not be discriminated against because of their military obligations. The Justice Department gives high priority to the enforcement of servicemembers’ rights under USERRA. Additional information about USERRA can be found on the Justice Department’s websites at www.justice.gov/servicemembers and www.justice.gov/crt-military/employment-rights-userra as well as on the Department of Labor’s (DOL) website at www.dol.gov/vets/programs/userra.
This case stems from a referral by the DOL after an investigation by the DOL’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service.
Senior Trial Attorney Jeffrey Morrison of the Civil Rights Division’s Employment Litigation Section and Assistant United States Attorney Ednin Martinez of the District of Nevada are handling the case.
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Las Vegas Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Trafficking Large Quantities of Fentanyl and Methamphetamine Near Elementary SchoolRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas resident was sentenced Thursday by United States District Judge Richard F. Boulware II to 10 years in prison for selling fentanyl and methamphetamine from his home, which was located across the street from an elementary school.
According to court documents, Daniel Thorndal, 51, conspired with others to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and five grams or more of methamphetamine in Las Vegas. On April 15, 2022, Thorndal sold methamphetamine and fentanyl at his residence. On April 21, 2022, Thorndal sold fentanyl at the same residence again. On May 6, 2022, the FBI executed a search warrant on the residence and recovered approximately 422 grams of methamphetamine and approximately 127 grams of fentanyl. In addition to the drugs, law enforcement officials also recovered a .380 caliber pistol that was possessed in furtherance of the drug conspiracy.
Thorndal pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine. In addition to imprisonment, he was sentenced to four years of supervised release.
United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI made the announcement.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jacob Operskalski prosecuted the case.
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North Las Vegas Resident Sentenced to Prison for Selling over 200 Firearms Without A Federal Firearms LicenseRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A North Las Vegas man was sentenced Monday by United States District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey to 32 months in prison for illegally buying and selling over 200 firearms without a Federal Firearms License.
In January 2023, after the Government rested its case-in-chief at trial, Charles Martin Ellis (69) pleaded guilty to one count of engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license and one count of the transfer or sale of a firearm to a non-resident.
According to court documents and admissions made in court, in February 2017, Ellis bought a Zastava 7.62mm caliber AK-47-style assault pistol and, in February 2017, he resold that firearm to an individual. In August 2017, a convicted felon used that firearm to kill a Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department Deputy and shot and wounded two California Highway Patrol Investigators who were investigating a stolen vehicle. An ATF investigation revealed guns sold by Ellis were used in other crimes in Nevada and California. In September 2017, Ellis bought a Century Arms International Rifle in Las Vegas and resold that firearm to an individual. Two years later, that firearm was used in a homicide in Guadalajara, Mexico.
In total, Ellis bought and quickly resold over 200 firearms without a Federal Firearms License. Some of the guns have been seized by law enforcement in California, Nevada, Oregon, and Mexico.
United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Cicolani for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) made the announcement.
The case was investigated by the ATF. Assistant United States Attorneys Ed Veronda and Nadia Ahmed prosecuted the case.
Anyone with information about crimes that may be happening in your communities that involve firearms, explosives, arson, and violent crime can call ATF at 1-888-ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477), email [email protected] or submit information anonymously at www.reportit.com/.
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North Las Vegas Man Sentenced to Prison for $1.1 Million COVID-19 Relief FraudRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A North Las Vegas man was sentenced today by United States District Judge Gloria M. Navarro to 19 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release for submitting at least 56 fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications on behalf of himself and others totaling more than $1.1 million dollars over the course of more than six months.
According to court documents, on March 17, 2021, Jaquari Davonte Woodward (25) submitted a fraudulent loan application in his own name, and when he was successful in obtaining $20,833 in fraudulent funds (the maximum available), he advertised on social media by posting the amount of fraudulent proceeds he had received and offered to do the same for others in exchange for a $10,000 fee payment for each successful application. In each of these fraudulent applications, Woodward provided false financial information, often for fake companies or companies which did not exist during the qualifying time period, and he created fictitious IRS Form 1040 Schedules C. Altogether, from March 2021 to October 2021, Woodward submitted at least 56 fraudulent applications in his own name and the names of others, and he caused over $1.1 million in loss to PPP lenders and the Small Business Administration.
Woodward pleaded guilty to wire fraud. In addition to imprisonment, he was ordered to pay $1,264,252.02 in restitution to PPP lenders and the Small Business Administration.
United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada, Western Region Special Agent in Charge Weston King for the Small Business Administration, Office of Inspector General (SBA OIG), and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI made the announcement.
The SBA OIG and FBI investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Jessica Oliva prosecuted the case.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of fraud related to COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
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Nevada Owner of Three Mexican Restaurants Sentenced to Prison for Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A Nevada restaurant owner was sentenced today to 37 months in prison for skimming $5 million dollars in cash sales and filing false federal income tax returns with an overall tax loss of $1.6 million dollars over a five-year period.
According to court documents, Raul Gil, 64, owned and operated three Casa Don Juan restaurants in Las Vegas. From 2014 through 2018, Gil instructed his manager/internal bookkeeper to create false sales numbers for his restaurants that underreported cash sales at the restaurants by approximately $5.1 million. Then, Gil provided the false sales records to an outside tax return preparer who prepared his federal income tax returns.
In July 2018, during an audit, Gil instructed his accountant to provide to the IRS false profit and loss statements that matched the figures reported on the tax returns. Gil also directed his bookkeeper to provide to the IRS false daily cash and sales reports purportedly printed from the restaurants’ point-of-sale systems. During interviews with the IRS, Gil falsely stated to the revenue agent conducting the audit, and later to IRS-Criminal Investigation special agents, that the falsified daily cash reports and point-of-sale records were accurate. In total, Gil caused a tax loss to the IRS of approximately $1.6 million.
In addition to the prison sentence, United States District Judge Andrew P. Gordon ordered Gil to serve three years of supervised release and to pay $2,228,943.65 in restitution.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada, and IRS CI Phoenix Field Office Acting Special Agent in Charge Carissa Messick made the announcement.
The case was investigated by the IRS CI. Trial Attorney Thomas Flynn of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Lopez of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada prosecuted the case.
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North Las Vegas Man Pleads Guilty to Multiple Child Sex Trafficking Charges and Witness TamperingRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A North Las Vegas resident who recruited his victims over social media pleaded guilty Thursday to 10 federal charges related to child sex trafficking and exploitation.
According to court documents and statements made in court, beginning in April 2017 through December 2017, Jacques Anton Lanier, also known as “John Dupree,” coerced and solicited nine girls under the age of 18 years old to engage in sexual activities with him for money and drugs. Lanier engaged in commercial sex acts with at least four of the girls. He also requested and received sexual images from some of the victims and took a sexually explicit image of at least one victim constituting child pornography. Lanier traveled to California and engaged in sex acts with a victim.
In 2018, while Lanier was in custody pending related criminal charges, he tampered with one of the victims through intimidation and threats, and persuaded that victim to evade legal process, refrain from testifying, and prevent communication between the victim and law enforcement regarding federal offenses.
Lanier pleaded guilty to four counts of coercion and enticement; four counts of sex trafficking of children; one count of sexual exploitation of children; and one count of tampering with a witness, victim or informant.
United States District Judge Gloria M. Navarro scheduled sentencing for March 27, 2024. Lanier faces the maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI made the announcement.
The case was investigated by the FBI, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and the North Las Vegas Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Bianca R. Pucci and David Kiebler are prosecuting the case.
The 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 the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood and for information about internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Anyone with information on suspected child sexual exploitation can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) or https://report.cybertip.org.
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Las Vegas-Area Accountant Sentenced to Prison for Bribery and Tax FraudRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS - A Nevada man was sentenced Wednesday to 13 months in prison for his role in separate bribery and tax fraud conspiracies.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Dustin M. Lewis, of Henderson, was a certified public accountant employed by Las Vegas-based accounting firm L.L. Bradford & Company. Beginning in February 2015 through about February 2016, Lewis conspired with and paid a public official with the U.S. Department of Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) more than $150,000 in bribes and kickbacks. In exchange for those payments, Lewis’ co-conspirator, who was a member of a selection committee responsible for awarding government contracts to perform auditing services for USBR programs, steered an audit contract to L.L. Bradford.
Lewis and his co-conspirator also conspired to file a false 2013 corporate tax return and other tax forms on behalf of six business entities that collectively claimed over $11 million in fraudulent business deductions. Lewis’ conduct caused a tax loss to the IRS of more than $1.5 million.
In addition to his prison sentence, U.S. District Judge Andrew P. Gordon for the District of Nevada ordered Lewis to serve three years of supervised release and to pay approximately $704,002 in restitution. The court also imposed a criminal forfeiture money judgment against Lewis in the amount of $704,002.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada made the announcement.
IRS Criminal Investigation, the FBI and the U.S. Department of Interior’s Office of Inspector General investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Patrick Burns of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Myhre for the District of Nevada prosecuted the case.
Northern Nevada Man Sentenced to Prison for Assaulting A Tribal Police OfficerRead the Press Release
RENO – A Northern Nevada resident was sentenced Tuesday by United States District Judge Larry R. Hicks to 63 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release for assaulting a law enforcement officer with a dangerous weapon.
In September 2023, a jury convicted Gelasio Johnson Guerrero (36) of two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon within Indian Country.
According to court documents, on July 10, 2022, Guerrero assaulted a tribal law enforcement officer with a firearm and metal object while on the Walker River Indian Reservation. As a result of the assault, the Walker River Tribal Police Department officer suffered a gunshot wound to the leg.
United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI made the announcement.
The FBI investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Andrew Keenan and Penelope Brady prosecuted the case.
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Lead Defendant Sentenced to over 11 Years in Prison for Methamphetamine Distribution ConspiracyRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – An Arizona resident was sentenced Tuesday by United States District Judge Cristina D. Silva to 135 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
According to court documents, Mateo Vailon-Ramirez, aka Juan De Dios Yuen Felix, 38, conspired with others to distribute methamphetamine and launder monetary proceeds in Las Vegas. As part of the conspiracy, customers living in Las Vegas would place orders for methamphetamine with Vailon-Ramirez who lived in Arizona. Vailon-Ramirez would dispatch couriers to deliver the methamphetamine to these customers. In November 2020, during the execution of a search warrant at a residence in Las Vegas that was utilized by Vailon-Ramirez as a stash house, law enforcement recovered approximately 6.59 kilograms of methamphetamine.
Vailon-Ramirez further admitted that he directed couriers to deliver the money from the sale of the drugs to Claudia Perez-Contreras who worked at a money service business in Las Vegas. He directed Perez-Contreras to wire the cash proceeds to individuals in Mexico.
Vailon-Ramirez pleaded guilty in July 2023 to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance-Methamphetamine and money laundering conspiracy.
Six co-conspirators have been sentenced or await sentencing:
- Jasmin Arredondo pleaded guilty and sentencing is set for January 18, 2024;
- Maria Baltazar pleaded guilty and was sentenced to time served and three years of supervised release;
- Miguel Felix-Valdez pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 63 months in prison and 5 years of supervised release;
- Rey Munoz-Ambrocio pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 84 months in prison and 5 years of supervised release;
- Claudia Perez-Contreras pleaded guilty and was sentenced to one year in prison and two years of supervised release; and
- Francisco Tostado pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 48 months in prison and three years of supervised release.
Co-conspirator Wanda Soliai is currently in RISE Court and co-conspirator Christina Vasquez has successfully completed RISE Court. RISE (Recovery, Inspiration, Support & Excellence) is a pre-adjudication court-led initiative involving a comprehensive substance abuse use disorder program.
United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Kevin Adams of the DEA Las Vegas District Office made the announcement.
The case was investigated by the DEA and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Melanee Smith prosecuted the case.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States, using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
If you are aware of controlled substance violations in your community — which may include the growing, manufacture, distribution or trafficking of controlled substances — please submit your anonymous tip through the DEA Tip Line at https://www.dea.gov/submit-tip.
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Felon Pleads Guilty to Unlawful Possession of Stolen FirearmsRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas resident with prior felony convictions pleaded guilty Tuesday to unlawful possession of two stolen firearms after fleeing from law enforcement.
According to court documents, Domineaq Marchell Wilson, also known as “Tension,” 24, unlawfully possessed a loaded Browning Black Label .380 semiautomatic pistol and a loaded Glock G42 semiautomatic pistol. On August 2, 2023, a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officer approached Wilson and three others in a parking area behind an apartment building. The officer saw that the ignition of two motorcycles had been torn out, but at least one of the motorcycles was running without a key. The officer spotted the Browning Black Label .380 semiautomatic pistol protruding from Wilson’s waistband. Wilson admitted that he grabbed the grip of the gun and ran from the officer. During the pursuit, the loaded firearm fell to the ground and Wilson threw his backpack that contained the loaded Glock G42 firearm to the ground. He was taken into custody.
Wilson admitted that the Browning Black Label .380 semiautomatic pistol had been stolen from a Federal Firearms Licensee in Overton, Nev., on July 25, 2023; and the Glock G42 semiautomatic pistol had been stolen from a private citizen in Henderson, Nev. At the time, Wilson was on state supervision in two separate felony convictions in Nevada.
Wilson pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. Sentencing is set for March 6, 2024, before United States District Judge Andrew P. Gordon. Wilson faces the maximum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Cicolani for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the ATF and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Dan Cowhig is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Anyone with information about the unlawful purchase of firearms can call ATF at 1-888-ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477), email [email protected] or submit information anonymously at www.reportit.com/.
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Las Vegas Doctor Convicted of Unlawful Distribution of Opioid MedicationsRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS — A federal jury in Las Vegas convicted a Las Vegas doctor Tuesday of unlawfully distributing opioid pain medications in violation of the Controlled Substances Act.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Dr. William Alvear (68), of Las Vegas, unlawfully distributed Hydrocodone without a legitimate medical purpose and outside the usual course of professional practice. Hydrocodone, a Schedule II controlled substance, has a high potential for abuse and can lead to severe psychological or physical dependence. In addition, Alvear unlawfully distributed and dispensed Alprazolam, common brand name Xanax. Alprazolam is a Schedule IV controlled substance that also has the potential for abuse and can lead to psychological or physical dependence.
The jury convicted Alvear of three-counts of distributing a controlled substance – Schedule II and five-counts of distributing or dispensing a controlled substance – Schedule IV. The six-day jury trial was held before U.S. District Judge Cristina D. Silva.
Alvear faces a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, a fine of $1,000,000, and three years of supervised release. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI made the announcement.
The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Supriya Prasad and Kimberly Sokolich are prosecuting the case.
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Nevada Man Indicted for Making Threats to United States SenatorsRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment on November 21, 2023, charging a Las Vegas man with threatening a United States Senator from Nevada and threatening family members of two United States Senators.
John Anthony Miller (43) is charged with one-count of threatening a federal official and two-counts of influencing, impeding, or retaliating against a federal official by threatening a family member. United States Magistrate Judge Elayna J. Youchah ordered that Miller remain in custody pending trial. A jury trial has been scheduled for January 23, 2024, before United States District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey.
According to allegations contained in court documents, on October 17, 2023, Miller left numerous threatening voicemails at the office of a United States Senator. Miller threatened to assault and murder the United States Senator with intent to impede, intimidate, and interfere with the United States Senator while engaged in the performance of official duties, or with intent to retaliate against the United States Senator on account of the performance of official duties.
Furthermore, the following week, on October 24 and October 25, Miller threatened to assault and murder a member of the immediate family of two United States Senators, with intent to impede, intimidate, and interfere with United States Senators while engaged in the performance of official duties, and with intent to retaliate against the United States Senators on account of the performance of official duties.
If convicted, the maximum statutory penalty is 10 years in prison.
Miller was arrested on October 26, 2023, and first appeared on an amended criminal complaint on October 27, 2023.
United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI Las Vegas Division made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the FBI Las Vegas Division with valuable assistance provided by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the U.S. Capitol Police. Assistant United States Attorney Jacob Operskalski is prosecuting the case.
To report suspected threats or violent acts, contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or file an online complaint at www.tips.fbi.gov. If someone is in imminent danger or risk of harm, contact 911 or your local police immediately.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Florida Resident Indicted in Murder-For-Hire Plot and Conspiracy to Witness TamperRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A Florida man was arrested and made his initial court appearance Tuesday in connection with an alleged murder-for-hire plot to kill a filmmaker and conspiracy to prevent a witness from testifying in his criminal trial.
Fereidoun Khalilian, also known as “Prince Fred” and “Fred,” 51, was charged by indictment with one count of use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire and one count of conspiracy to witness tamper. United States Magistrate Judge Elayna Youchah scheduled a trial date for February 5, 2024.
According to allegations contained in the indictment, from about March 16, 2023, to about March 21, 2023, Khalilian left multiple threatening voice messages for a filmmaker in part to stop the filmmaker from producing a documentary about him. Khalilian believed his ongoing business dealings would be undermined if the documentary was made. It is also alleged that, from about January 28, 2023, to about March 17, 2023, Khalilian employed his bodyguard and others to surveil and assault the filmmaker and steal the filmmaker’s documentary equipment. Khalilian then hired his bodyguard to kill the filmmaker in a murder-for-hire plot. The bodyguard resided in Clark County, Nev., and was expected to testify against Khalilian at his murder-for-hire trial in the Central District of California.
Further alleged, from about August 17, 2023, to about September 12, 2023, Khalilian — who was incarcerated pending his trial in California — instructed friends and family to persuade a witness to recant prior statements and to change the witness’ testimony.
If convicted, the maximum statutory penalty is 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $250,000, and a $100 special assessment, for use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire; and 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $250,000, and a $100 special assessment, for conspiracy to witness tamper.
United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant United States Attorneys Jeremiah Levine and Sara Vargas with the Central District of California, and an Assistant United States Attorney with the District of Nevada are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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California Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Attempted Coercion of A ChildRead the Press Release
RENO – A Berkeley, Calif., resident was sentenced yesterday by Chief United States District Judge Miranda M. Du to 10 years in prison to be followed by lifetime supervised release for attempting to coerce a child to engage in prostitution.
Dustin Michael Joseph (41) pleaded guilty in August 2023 to one-count of attempted coercion and enticement. In addition to imprisonment, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, Joseph must register as a sex offender and keep the registration current.
According to court documents and admissions made in court, Joseph used social media to message who he believed to be a teenage girl. He asked if she would be interested in filming content for a paid subscription service where a lot of content involves sexually related activities. Between March 14, 2021 through June 24, 2021, Joseph told the girl that he would pay her a couple of hundred of dollars per video; and he was going to train her to be a working girl so that she could work the various Reno events and make money, which she would have to split with him. On June 24, 2021, Joseph traveled from Berkeley to Reno and paid for a hotel room in Carson City, so he and the girl could film a pornographic video and have sex.
United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI made the announcement.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Regional Human Trafficking and Exploitation Unit which is comprised of members from the Reno Police Department, Sparks Police Department, and Washoe County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Megan Rachow prosecuted the case.
The 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 the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood and for information about internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Anyone with information on suspected child sexual exploitation can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) or https://report.cybertip.org.
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Two People Sentenced for Assaulting Court Security Officer at Federal CourthouseRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – Two individuals have been sentenced for assaulting a court security officer at the Lloyd D. George Federal Courthouse on October 3, 2022. The defendants approached the officer as he was guarding a private entrance to the Courthouse and instigated an altercation in which both individuals attempted to grab the officer’s firearm before being taken into custody.
Stephen Don Rhymes (22) was sentenced to 46 months in prison on November 8, 2023, for his role in the offense. Shi Kozulyn Bass (42) was sentenced to 20 months in prison on October 18, 2023. Rhymes and Bass each pleaded guilty to one count of assaulting, resisting or impeding a federal officer or employee. United States District Judge James C. Mahan presided over both sentencing hearings.
According to court documents, on October 3, 2022, a court security officer ordered both Rhymes and Bass to leave the entrance area of the courthouse. They refused to obey the orders and continued to approach the officer in a threatening manner. Rhymes punched the officer in the face. When the officer attempted to place Rhymes under arrest, both Rhymes and Bass attempted to grab and remove the firearm from the officer’s holster.
United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Marshal Gary Schofield for the United States Marshals Service made the announcement.
The case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service. The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada prosecuted the case.
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Reno Resident Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl and MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
RENO – A Reno man was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge Miranda M. Du to 10 years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release for possessing fentanyl and methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it to another person.
Alan James Morgan, also known as “AJ Morgan,” 38, pleaded guilty in August 2023 to one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. Morgan was sentenced on November 13, 2023.
According to court documents, law enforcement identified Morgan as a runner for a drug trafficking organization operating out of Woodland, California. On January 12, 2022, during a traffic stop of Morgan’s vehicle, Morgan ignored law enforcement’s orders and fled in his vehicle. During the car pursuit, Morgan tossed a backpack containing a “brick” of methamphetamine and 1,000 counterfeit M30 fentanyl pills out of the vehicle. He then crashed the vehicle into a fence, causing the vehicle to catch fire, and fled on foot. Law enforcement pursued Morgan and arrested him in a nearby restaurant parking lot.
Subsequent searches of Morgan’s storage unit and residence led to the seizure of several hundred counterfeit M30 fentanyl pills and approximately four pounds of methamphetamine. In total, law enforcement seized 1,011 grams of fentanyl and 3,343 grams of methamphetamine.
United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Kevin Adams for the DEA Las Vegas District Office made the announcement.
The Tri-NET Narcotic Task Force, DEA, and Regional Narcotics Unit investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Andolyn Johnson prosecuted the case.
If you are aware of controlled substance violations in your community — which may include the growing, manufacture, distribution or trafficking of controlled substances — please submit your anonymous tip through the DEA Tip Line at https://www.dea.gov/submit-tip.
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Nevada Man Sentenced for Destroying Petroglyph at National MonumentRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas resident was sentenced Tuesday by United States District Judge Richard F. Boulware II to six months in prison to be followed by one year of supervised release and $7.303.05 in restitution for damaging a centuries-old petroglyph at Gold Butte National Monument in southeastern Nevada.
Michael Shorter, 44, pleaded guilty in April 2023 to a felony violation of the Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA) for the unauthorized damage and removal of an archaeological resource.
According to court documents, on September 15, 2018, at the Mud Wash area of Gold Butte National Monument, Shorter climbed onto a ledge and kicked a petroglyph 15 feet onto the ground below, causing the petroglyph to be partially damaged. The petroglyph was created approximately 700 to 1500 years ago. This site is important to people of the Moapa Band of Paiutes, Southern Paiute tribes more broadly, and other indigenous people of the region.
The petroglyph, which was part of a larger panel of petroglyphs, was broken into multiple pieces. Shorter transported the broken petroglyph away from the Gold Butte National Monument to his home where it was displayed in a garden before being destroyed.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Land Management.
United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and State Director Jon Raby for the Bureau of Land Management in Nevada made the announcement.
ARPA prohibits the unauthorized excavation and removal of archaeological resources on federal lands as well as the unlawful sale, purchase, or exchange of such resources.
To report natural resources crimes on Bureau of Land Management-managed public lands, please call Bureau of Land Management’s Law Enforcement Dispatch at (800) 637-9152.
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Nevada Man Sentenced in Prize Notice SchemeRead the Press Release
A Nevada man was sentenced today in Las Vegas for perpetrating a prize-notification scheme that defrauded thousands of elderly and vulnerable victims. Edgar Del Rio, 56, of Las Vegas, was sentenced to 51 months in prison. Del Rio previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud.
According to court documents, Del Rio and other co-conspirators printed and mailed millions of fraudulent prize notices that led their victims to believe that they could claim a large cash prize if they paid a fee of $20 to $25. This was false; victims who paid the fees did not receive anything of value. Once victims fell prey to the scheme, Del Rio and his co-conspirators bombarded them with more fraudulent mail. Del Rio and his partners received millions of dollars from victims.
“Today’s sentence holds Edgar Del Rio accountable for using lies to steal from the elderly and vulnerable,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The department is committed to protecting consumers from predatory mass-mailing schemes.”
The scheme operated from 2010 to February 2018, when postal inspectors executed multiple search warrants and the Justice Department obtained a court order shutting down the fraudulent mail operation. Del Rio operated one of several printing and mailing businesses that sent the fraudulent mail and shared the profits from the fraudulent prize notices.
“The defendant is being held fully accountable for his role in perpetuating a multi-year fraud scheme and stealing millions of dollars from thousands of elderly victims,” said U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada. “Working together with the Consumer Protection Branch and U.S. Postal Inspection Service, we will pursue and shutdown perpetrators who prey on vulnerable citizens for financial gain and bring them to justice.”
“Thousands of vulnerable older Americans were scammed by Edgar Del Rio and his cohorts,” said Inspector in Charge Eric Shen of the U.S. Postal Inspection Services (USPIS) Criminal Investigations Group. “Postal inspectors work hard investigate and apprehend scammers, but also to prevent these scams. The best defense is to not respond to prize-winning correspondence in the first place, and if you have to pay money to claim a prize, you can be sure it’s a scam.”
Three other people previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud in connection with this prize notice scheme: Patti Kern, 66, of Henderson, Nevada; Andrea Burrow, 53, of Las Vegas; and Sean O’Connor, 54, of Las Vegas. Three other members of the scheme were found guilty by a jury and sentenced earlier this year. Mario Castro, 55, of Las Vegas, was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Miguel Castro, 58, of Las Vegas, was sentenced to 19 years and six months in prison. Jose Luis Mendez, 49, of Henderson, was sentenced to 14 years in prison.
USPIS investigated the case.
Trial Attorneys Timothy Finley and Daniel Zytnick of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mina Chang for the District of Nevada prosecuted the case.
If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has experienced financial fraud, experienced professionals are standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Justice Department hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, can provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies, and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. English, Spanish and other languages are available.
More information about the department’s efforts to help American seniors is available at its Elder Justice Initiative webpage at www.justice.gov/elderjustice. For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts, visit www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. Elder fraud complaints may be filed with the FTC at www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov or at 877-FTC-HELP. The Justice Department provides a variety of resources relating to elder fraud victimization through its Office for Victims of Crime, which can be reached at www.ovc.gov.
Nevada Man Sentenced in Prize Notice SchemeRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A Nevada man was sentenced today in Las Vegas for perpetrating a prize-notification scheme that defrauded thousands of elderly and vulnerable victims. Edgar Del Rio, 56, of Las Vegas, was sentenced to 51 months in prison. Del Rio previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud.
According to court documents, Del Rio and other co-conspirators printed and mailed millions of fraudulent prize notices that led their victims to believe that they could claim a large cash prize if they paid a fee of $20 to $25. This was false; victims who paid the fees did not receive anything of value. Once victims fell prey to the scheme, Del Rio and his co-conspirators bombarded them with more fraudulent mail. Del Rio and his partners received millions of dollars from victims.
“Today’s sentence holds Edgar Del Rio accountable for using lies to steal from the elderly and vulnerable,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The department is committed to protecting consumers from predatory mass-mailing schemes.”
The scheme operated from 2010 to February 2018, when postal inspectors executed multiple search warrants and the Justice Department obtained a court order shutting down the fraudulent mail operation. Del Rio operated one of several printing and mailing businesses that sent the fraudulent mail and shared the profits from the fraudulent prize notices.
“The defendant is being held fully accountable for his role in perpetuating a multi-year fraud scheme and stealing millions of dollars from thousands of elderly victims,” said U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada. “Working together with the Consumer Protection Branch and U.S. Postal Inspection Service, we will pursue and shutdown perpetrators who prey on vulnerable citizens for financial gain and bring them to justice.”
“Thousands of vulnerable older Americans were scammed by Edgar Del Rio and his cohorts,” said Inspector in Charge Eric Shen of the U.S. Postal Inspection Services (USPIS) Criminal Investigations Group. “Postal inspectors work hard investigate and apprehend scammers, but also to prevent these scams. The best defense is to not respond to prize-winning correspondence in the first place, and if you have to pay money to claim a prize, you can be sure it’s a scam.”
Three other people previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud in connection with this prize notice scheme: Patti Kern, 66, of Henderson, Nevada; Andrea Burrow, 53, of Las Vegas; and Sean O’Connor, 54, of Las Vegas. Three other members of the scheme were found guilty by a jury and sentenced earlier this year. Mario Castro, 55, of Las Vegas, was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Miguel Castro, 58, of Las Vegas, was sentenced to 19 years and six months in prison. Jose Luis Mendez, 49, of Henderson, was sentenced to 14 years in prison.
USPIS investigated the case.
Trial Attorneys Timothy Finley and Daniel Zytnick of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mina Chang for the District of Nevada prosecuted the case.
If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has experienced financial fraud, experienced professionals are standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Justice Department hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, can provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies, and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. English, Spanish and other languages are available.
More information about the department’s efforts to help American seniors is available at its Elder Justice Initiative webpage at www.justice.gov/elderjustice. For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts, visit www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. Elder fraud complaints may be filed with the FTC at www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov or at 877-FTC-HELP. The Justice Department provides a variety of resources relating to elder fraud victimization through its Office for Victims of Crime, which can be reached at www.ovc.gov.
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Las Vegas Real Estate Developer Sentenced to Prison for Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A Nevada man was sentenced today to 12 months and one day in prison for evading payment of his federal income taxes. Scott H. Lawrence, of Las Vegas, pleaded guilty to tax evasion on July 26, 2022.
According to court documents and statements made in court, from approximately 2009 through 2019, Lawrence owned and operated Turn Two Inc., a Nevada real estate company. In March 2010, the IRS levied Lawrence’s personal bank account in an attempt to satisfy an outstanding tax debt. After learning of the IRS levy, Lawrence began taking steps to thwart IRS collection efforts by, among other things, cashing large portions of his wife’s paycheck to keep the funds out of a bank account the IRS could levy. Beginning in 2011, Lawrence began depositing his wife’s entire paycheck and other earnings into a corporate bank account not subject to levy, held by Turn Two and used that account to pay most of his family’s personal living expenses.
Lawrence then directed his wife to create a new interior design business, D Lawrence Hospitality LLC (“DLH”), and to open a business bank account for DLH. Lawrence funneled much of his and his wife’s personal income through DLH to impede the IRS’s ability to collect the couple’s unpaid taxes. For years, Lawrence concealed the existence and personal use of DLH’s bank account from the IRS.
Lawrence also caused his attorney to send a materially misleading letter to the IRS and to pay his taxes using an intentionally overdrawn bank account.
In all, as a result of his evasive conduct, Lawrence prevented the IRS from collecting more than $1.9 million in federal income taxes.
In addition to the term of imprisonment, U.S. District Judge Anne R. Traum ordered Lawrence to serve two years of supervised release and to pay approximately $1,905,325 in restitution to the United States.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada made the announcement.
IRS-Criminal Investigation investigated the case.
Trial Attorneys Patrick Burns and Boris Bourget of the Tax Division prosecuted the case.
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Nevada Man Arrested and Charged for Making Threats to United States SenatorRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man made his initial appearance in federal court on October 27, 2023, for making threatening communications to a United States Senator from Nevada.
According to allegations contained in a criminal complaint, between October 11, 2023 and October 19, 2023, John Anthony Miller, 43, left numerous threatening voicemails at the office of a United States Senator. On October 17, 2023, Miller threatened to assault, kidnap, or murder the United States Senator with intent to impede, intimidate, or interfere with the United States Senator while engaged in the performance of official duties, or with intent to retaliate against the United States Senator on account of the performance of official duties.
Additionally, on October 18, 2023, at the Lloyd D. George Courthouse in Las Vegas, Miller stated that he was going to see the United States Senator. He refused to fully cooperate with a Court Security Officer and was denied entry into the courthouse. After being refused entry, he became agitated and started yelling and shouting profanities.
Miller was arrested on October 26, 2023. He is charged with one count of threatening a Federal official. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for November 13, 2023, before United States Magistrate Judge Elayna J. Youchah.
United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI Las Vegas Division made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the FBI Las Vegas Division with valuable assistance provided by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the U.S. Capitol Police. Assistant United States Attorney Jacob Operskalski is prosecuting the case.
To report suspected threats or violent acts, contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or file an online complaint at www.tips.fbi.gov. If someone is in imminent danger or risk of harm, contact 911 or your local police immediately.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Las Vegas Resident Sentenced to Prison for Possession and Distribution of Thousands of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man who committed an additional felony offense while on release was sentenced today by United States District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey to 111 months in prison followed by a 20 year term of supervised release for collecting and sharing thousands of child sexual abuse materials depicting children as young as infants to other people — including people who did not want to view the images.
Colby Matthew Olen (36) pleaded guilty in July 2023 to distribution of child pornography and possession of child pornography. In addition to imprisonment, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, Olen must register as a sex offender and keep the registration current.
According to court documents, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department received CyberTips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) about Olen’s involvement with child sexual abuse materials. In September 2020, a search warrant was executed at Olen’s residence. A forensic examination of electronic devices belonging to Olen found images and videos of child sexual abuse materials.
On November 25, 2020, a criminal complaint charged Olen with distribution of child pornography. Although the government moved for detention, Olen was released on a personal recognizance bond with conditions and was advised of potential enhanced penalties for committing another felony offense while on release. In June 2021, a second search warrant was executed at Olen’s residence after a report to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. A forensic examination of Olen’s electronic devices revealed child sexual abuse materials to include videos of children as young as infants. Olen was arrested and a federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment charging Olen with an additional felony offense committed while on release.
Olen admitted he distributed child sexual abuse materials depicting children as young as infants being sexually abused to others through an online cloud storage and file hosting service. In total, he distributed 2,716 videos and 5,203 images of child sexual abuse materials.
United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI made the announcement.
The case was investigated by the FBI and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Supriya Prasad prosecuted the case.
The 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 the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood and for information about internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Anyone with information on suspected child sexual exploitation can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) or https://report.cybertip.org.
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Las Vegas Man Sentenced to Prison for Receipt of Sexually Explicit Images of ChildrenRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas resident was sentenced today by United States District Judge Gloria M. Navarro to 97 months in prison followed by lifetime supervised release for receiving over 125 images of child exploitation on his cell phone.
According to court documents, on March 14, 2022, Joshua Kenneth Eshe (34) visited a website known for prostitution advertisements and contacted the poster of an advertisement entitled “Young and Tight.” He solicited who he believed was a 15-year-old child to have sex with him and agreed to pay $100 for sex with the child. Eshe arranged to meet the child at a hotel and he was arrested by law enforcement upon arriving at the room. During a search of Eshe’s cell phone, investigators discovered that Eshe had received 126 images and four videos of child pornography.
Eshe pleaded guilty in June 2023 to one count of receipt of child pornography. He is required to register as a sex offender and keep the registration current.
United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI made the announcement.
The case was investigated by the FBI and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Supriya Prasad prosecuted the case.
The 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 the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood and for information about internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Anyone with information on suspected child sexual exploitation can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) or https://report.cybertip.org.
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