Northern District of New York

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Evan Cutler, age 25, of Queensbury, New York, was sentenced today to 44 months in prison for his role as a ringleader of a bank fraud conspiracy targeting SEFCU.  United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), made the announcement. 

According to an indictment returned last year, court records, and statements made by prosecutors in court, between February 2022 and October 2022, Cutler, together with codefendant Allahson Allah, age 54, of Albany, managed a conspiracy targeting SEFCU in which the conspirators obtained customer personal identifying information (PII) and impersonated people to fraudulently obtain cash and credit from SEFCU.  The conspirators also applied for loans at SEFCU in the names of individuals whose identities they had stolen and withdrew the proceeds in cash.  In total, the conspiracy netted the conspirators $88,800, with intended losses of over $100,000.

Cutler’s sentence concludes the investigation and prosecution of the conspiracy.  Previously, the following coconspirators were sentenced as follows:

• Allah was sentenced to 57 months in prison followed by 3 years’ post-release supervision, with restitution ordered in the amount of $88,800;
• Caeshara Cannon, age 36, of Albany, was sentenced to 16 months in prison, followed by 2 years’ post-release supervision, with restitution ordered in the amount of $77,200;
• Davon Parson, age 20, of Albany, was sentenced to 15 months’ incarceration followed by 2 years’ post-release supervision, with restitution ordered in the amount of $9,000; and
• Dnauticah Taylor-Sterman, age 22, of Albany, was sentenced to 8 months’ imprisonment followed by 3 years’ post-release supervision, with restitution ordered in the amount of $25,000.

HSI investigated the case, with assistance from the Bethlehem Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin S. Clark prosecuted this case.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Xiomara Christian, age 37, of Amsterdam, The Netherlands, was sentenced yesterday to 33 months of incarceration following her guilty plea to conspiracy to commit money laundering. 

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division, made the announcement.

As part of her guilty plea on October 10, 2024, Christian admitted that from May 2017 to November 2018, she and a co-conspirator laundered drug proceeds from Europe and Australia through bank accounts in the Northern District of New York, intending to conceal the true source of the proceeds, and to make it appear as though the money was legally obtained through legitimate business transactions.

On October 4, 2018, Christian delivered €101,950 ($114,816.09) in drug proceeds to an undercover agent with the National Police of The Netherlands in The Netherlands. On October 5, 2018, an undercover agent with the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission picked up $85,000 AUD ($57,843 USD) in drug proceeds from another co-conspirator in Melbourne, Australia. Christian then had the money wired through a bank account in Latham, New York, and sent to bank accounts in Panama.

In addition to the term of imprisonment, Senior United States District Judge Lawrence E. Kahn also ordered the entry of a money judgment against Christian in the amount of $172,659. Christian faces removal from the United States following service of her term of imprisonment.

The DEA investigated this case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas Collyer prosecuted the case.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Jun Wang, age 62, a Chinese national and lawful permanent resident of the United States who has lived in Florida and Texas for most of the past 26 years, has been charged by indictment with conspiracy to commit money laundering. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Craig L. Tremaroli Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement. 

The indictment alleges that between June 2019 and June 2021 Wang received gift cards which had been obtained from victims of wire fraud schemes in the Northern District of New York and elsewhere and that he used the fraudulently obtained gift cards – totaling more than $2 million – at Walmart and Sam’s Club stores in Florida and other states to buy other gift cards and thereby disguise the source and nature of the funds obtained from the fraud victims.

The charge filed against Wang carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, a fine of up to twice the value of the allegedly laundered funds, or $4 million in this case, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

Wang was arrested several weeks ago at Los Angeles International Airport, and arraigned this week in Binghamton, New York, before Magistrate Judge Miroslav Lovric, after being transported to the Northern District of New York. Judge Lovric ordered Wang detained pending trial, which is expected to be held sometime in 2025 before Senior United States District Judge David N. Hurd.

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

The FBI is investigating the case, which is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tamara B. Thomson and Michael F. Perry.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Daion Morris, age 32, of Troy, New York, was arraigned today on an indictment charging him with wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); and Lucy Lang, New York State Inspector General (NYSIG), made the announcement.

The indictment alleges that Morris used a stolen identity to create an unemployment insurance claim in September 2020, and continually recertified the claim through March 2021.  Morris received over $29,000 in unemployment insurance benefits in the victim’s name.  The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Upon conviction on all counts, Morris would face at least 2 years and up to 22 years in prison; a fine of up to $250,000; and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

Morris was arraigned today in Albany, before United States Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart, and ordered released pending a trial before Senior United States District Judge Lawrence E. Kahn.

HSI, NYSIG, the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the New York State Department of Labor – Office of Special Investigations investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Reiner is prosecuting.

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 https://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: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form. 

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Martin Connearney, age 35, of Lenox, Massachusetts, was sentenced today to 151 months of incarceration, following his guilty plea earlier this year to traveling across state lines with the intent to engage in sexual acts with a minor.  United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.

As part of Connearney’s guilty plea last February, he admitted that between April 6, 2022 and May 5, 2022, he communicated with an individual to discuss and plan Connearney’s sexual abuse of a 10-year-old girl with speech and hearing difficulties who lived in the Capital Region.  The individual Connearney communicated with was actually an undercover agent (“UC”).  Connearney ultimately borrowed a car and on May 5, 2022, drove from Lenox to the Capital Region intending to meet with the UC and sexually abuse the child.  Connearney was encountered by law enforcement officials at a prearranged meeting location and arrested. 

In imposing sentence today, United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci found that Connearney was subject to an enhanced prison range under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines because he had intended to take advantage of a vulnerable victim.  According to court documents, while planning the sexual abuse of the child, Connearney repeatedly told the UC that there was less of a risk he would be caught because of the child’s hearing and speech difficulties.  As part of the sentence imposed today, Connearney must also serve a 20-year term of supervised release, which will begin after he is released from prison.  Connearney will also be required to register as a sex offender.

The FBI Albany Division’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force investigated the case.  The task force includes members of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the Colonie Police Department. 

Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin S. Clark prosecuted the case as part of Project Safe Childhood.

Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS).  Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Destiny Brown, age 45, of Schenectady, New York, was indicted this month on Social Security fraud charges. 

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Amy Connelly, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, New York Field Office, made the announcement.

The charges relate to Brown’s alleged misuse of her deceased wife’s children’s Social Security benefits that she applied for and received after Schenectady County Department of Social Services removed the children from her custody.The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Brown was arraigned on the indictment in Albany and ordered released pending further proceedings.

If convicted, Brown faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 5 years, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised of up to 3 years. Brown would also have to pay restitution to the victims of her criminal conduct. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

The Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General investigating this case and Special Assistant United States Attorney Paul Tuck is prosecuting this case.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Kevin Harrington, age 50, of Oneonta, New York, was sentenced to serve a three-year term of federal probation and ordered to pay over $150,000.00 in restitution to his former employer in relation to his previous guilty plea to two counts of mail fraud, United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced.

At his previous change of plea hearing, Harrington admitted that he was the former executive director at First Community Care of Bassett, LLC (an affiliate of Bassett Healthcare Network). During his employment, Harrington submitted fraudulent expense reports seeking reimbursement for the purchase of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines. As part of the scheme, Harrington provided invoices to his employer that falsely claimed he had paid thousands of dollars for medical equipment when no such equipment was ever purchased. Unaware that the invoices were fraudulent, First Community Care of Bassett issued and mailed checks to Harrington for reimbursement.  In total, Harrington admitted to stealing over $150,000.00 from his former employer.

In addition to his term of probation, Harrington was ordered to serve six months of home confinement and was fined $5,500.00.   

The FBI investigated the case, which was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Tuck.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Mark Tremblay, age 34, of Rensselaer, New York, was arrested today and charged with the sexual exploitation of a child.  United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Buffalo Field Office, made the announcement.

According to a criminal complaint, on or about November 13, 2024, Tremblay used a child, born in 2023, to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of creating child pornography.  Tremblay then distributed the produced images to another person with whom he was corresponding over the Internet.  The charges in the complaint are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Tremblay made an initial appearance today before United States Magistrate Judge Christian F. Hummel and was ordered detained.  He faces at least 15 years and up to 30 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a supervised release term of at least 5 years and up to life.  Tremblay may also be ordered to pay restitution to the victim of his offense and forfeit the device used in the offense.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors. Tremblay would also have to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.

HSI is investigating this case with assistance from the New York State Police (NYSP) and the NYSP Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.  Assistant United States Attorney Allen J. Vickey is prosecuting this case as part of Project Safe Childhood.

Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), and is designed to marshal 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 https://www.justice.gov/psc. 

ALBANY, NEW YORK – David Degrasse, age 54, of West Warwick, Rhode Island, was arraigned today on an indictment charging him with interstate transportation of stolen property. 

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James made the announcement.

The indictment alleges that on April 27, 2023, Degrasse transported, from Greene County to Connecticut, approximately $9,300 stolen from an ATM machine in Greene County.  The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. 

The charge filed against Degrasse carries a maximum term of 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

Degrasse was arraigned today in Albany, before United States Magistrate Judge Christian F. Hummel, and ordered detained pending a trial scheduled before Senior United States District Judge Frederick J. Scullin, Jr.

The FBI and State Police are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Reiner is prosecuting the case.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Lamont McWhite, age 51, of Gloversville, New York, was sentenced today to 120 months in prison for conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, cocaine base, and fentanyl.

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Field Division, made the announcement.

As part of his prior guilty plea, McWhite admitted that he distributed cocaine on four occasions between June and August 2022, and on December 14, 2022, possessed and intended to distribute approximately 292 grams of methamphetamine, 506 grams of cocaine, 49 grams of cocaine base, and 37 grams of fentanyl.

Senior United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby also imposed a 5-year term of post-imprisonment supervised release.

DEA investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashlyn Miranda prosecuted the case.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Toqwanda Ketchmore, aka “Quannie,” age 30, of Albany, pled guilty today to marijuana trafficking.

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Bryan Miller, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division; Troy Police Chief Daniel DeWolf; and Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), made the announcement.

Ketchmore admitted to being a member of a marijuana and tetrahydrocannabinols (THC) trafficking organization that cultivated marijuana on a commercial scale in Fresno, California, and shipped thousands of kilograms of marijuana and THC from Fresno to locations throughout the United States, including the Capital Region of New York.

Ketchmore admitted to receiving packages of marijuana shipped by Dwight A. Singletary, II, aka “Nutt” and “Mike Jones,” and McKenzie Merrialice Coles, aka “Kenzie,” from a shipping store in Fresno, Fast Pack & Ship, at her then-home in Troy.  Ketchmore was notified of the packages by Dwight Singletary and David Singletary, aka “DB,” and notified David Singletary, who retrieved the packages when they arrived. 

Ketchmore also admitted that Dwight Singletary sold marijuana branded as “Nutty Packs” and had an Instagram account in the name “nutty_packz,” which Ketchmore followed. The profile picture for the account depicted a peanut above marijuana leaves smoking a marijuana cigarette and holding cash, and the posts to the account included videos of marijuana plants, harvested marijuana buds, and packaging for marijuana, including “Nutty Pack” packaging.

Between November 2020 and May 2022, Ketchmore received 44 packages containing approximately 201 kilograms (443 pounds) of marijuana at her home in Troy. 

Ketchmore faces up to 20 years in prison; a fine of up to $1 million; and a term of supervised release of between 3 years and life.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

Ketchmore was charged in an indictment with Dwight Singletary, David Singletary, Coles, and 20 other people alleging marijuana distribution and money laundering conspiracies, firearms offenses, and other crimes.  Dwight Singletary, David Singletary, and Coles have pled not guilty and are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.  The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. 

In addition to Ketchmore, 16 other defendants, Rosemary Coles, Latrice Mumphrey, Lawrence Mumphrey, aka “L,” Sammy Olague, Victor Turner, Kristle Walker, Niara Banks, aka “Nie,” Ruby Ledesma, Lateek White, Onisha Smith, Jazell Shuler, Earnest Flood, aka “Pop,” Consanga Harris, aka “Sondy,” James Tyrell Daniels, aka “Red” and “Ghost,” LaFay Pearson, aka “Lala,” and Alyssa June White previously pled guilty. 

The ATF, DEA, Troy Police Department and HSI are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cyrus P.W. Rieck and Dustin C. Segovia are prosecuting the case.

This prosecution is 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.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Diquan Hall, age 26, of Syracuse, pled guilty yesterday to two federal drug distribution felony charges, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Bryan Miller, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).

As part of his guilty plea yesterday, Hall admitted to distributing 15 bricks (17 grams) of fentanyl and approximately 2 ounces (52.6 grams) of methamphetamine in Liverpool, New York, on February 7, 2024, during an ATF undercover enforcement operation.  Hall also admitted that he distributed 15 bricks of fentanyl (14.1 grams) and possessed with intent to distribute 19.8 grams of cocaine powder in Liverpool on February 15, 2024, at which time he was arrested by ATF and DEA Special Agents, SPD Detectives, and New York State Parole Officers. Hall was on New York State Parole at the time he distributed the controlled substances in this case and was wearing an electronic location monitoring device. 

Sentencing is scheduled for April 16, 2024, at which time Diquan Hall faces a minimum sentence of 5-years in federal prison, a fine of up to $5 million, and a post-incarceration period of supervised release of at least 4-years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

The case was investigated by United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (NY DOCCS-Parole), and the Syracuse Police Department-Intelligence Section (SPD-Intel). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Southwick.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Jose Reyes-Acosta, age 49, of El Salvador, was sentenced today to serve 39 months imprisonment for illegally reentering the United States and fraudulently using the identifying information of a U.S. citizen to both obtain a U.S. passport and attempt to obtain a New York state identification card.

Carla B. Freedman, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York; Joshua S. Levy, U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts; Thomas P. Brophy, Field Office Director, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE-ERO), Buffalo, NY; and Matthew O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, Boston Field Office made the announcement.

As part of his guilty plea, Reyes-Acosta admitted to illegally re-entering the U.S. after a prior deportation and, after his entry, purchasing stolen identifying documents that belonged to a U.S. citizen. Reyes-Acosta then used those documents in Massachusetts to fraudulently obtain a U.S. passport and a Massachusetts REAL ID. In 2023, Reyes-Acosta again used the documents to apply for a New York state identification card but was detected by law enforcement before the card was issued.

Charges based on Reyes-Acosta’s Massachusetts conduct were indicted in the District of Massachusetts and later transferred to the Northern District of New York. Reyes-Acosta was sentenced to serve 39 months imprisonment and a $2,000.00 fine on five counts, including Illegal Re-Entry and Aggravated Identity Theft, which were charged in New York.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, ICE-ERO, and the U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service, investigated the case with the help of the New York Department of Motor Vehicles- Division of Field Investigation, and the Utica Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Gillis prosecuted the case.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Richard Hockersmith, age 65, of Plattsburgh, New York, pled guilty today to conspiring to receive and distribute child pornography and possession of child pornography announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

As part of his guilty plea, Hockersmith admitted that in August of 2022, he began conspiring with his co-defendant, Jack Kelly, about exchanging child pornography. Hockersmith further admitted that he and his co-defendant decided to exchange their child pornography by mailing an SD card containing the child pornography back and forth, which each of them did. Hockersmith also admitted that during a search of his residence on September 12, 2024, he still possessed the SD card he and his co-defendant used to receive and distribute child pornography via the U.S. mail, which still contained images and videos of child pornography.

At sentencing, which is currently scheduled for April 9, 2025, in Albany, New York before United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci, Hockersmith faces a term of imprisonment of at least 5 years and up to 20 years, a supervised release term of between 5 years and life, and a maximum fine of $250,000. Hockersmith will also be required to pay restitution to the victims of his offenses and will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.

The case is being investigated by HSI with assistance from the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office and the New York State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian S. LaRochelle is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood.

Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Richawn McClain, age 26, of Troy, New York, pled guilty today to possessing and intending to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, and to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino III of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division, made the announcement.

McClain faces a mandatory prison term of at least 10 years and up to life, a supervised release term of at least 3 years and up to life, and a maximum $1 million fine.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

McClain admitted that on January 9, 2024, he possessed a handgun that had been modified to make it into a machinegun, 32 grams of cocaine, and more than 900 fentanyl pills.  Inside of the same bag as the narcotics, McClain had $22,770, which he must forfeit as part of his plea. 

The DEA investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Reiner is prosecuting.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – David Gruber, age 39, of Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, was arrested last week and charged with traveling across state lines to the Capital Region with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor. 

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James made the announcement.

According to a criminal complaint, in November 2024 Gruber began communicating with an individual to discuss and plan his sexual abuse of a person he believed to be a 9-year-old child residing in Albany County, New York.  Gruber planned to drive from Pennsylvania to Albany County and pay $300 in order to sexually abuse the person he believed to be a child.  On December 5, 2024, Gruber was arrested after arriving in Albany at a prearranged meeting location. Gruber had $460 in cash on him at the time of his arrest. The charges in the complaint are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Gruber initially appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart on December 6 and was ordered detained.  He faces a maximum term of 30 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life, and mandatory registration as a sex offender.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

FBI and the New York State Police are investigating the case. Assistant United States Attorney Matthew M. Paulbeck is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood.

Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS).  Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Jason Schofield, age 45, of Troy, New York, was sentenced today to 1 year of probation, and to pay a $2,000 fine and a $1,200 special assessment, for unlawfully using the names and dates of birth of voters to fraudulently apply for absentee ballots for elections held in Rensselaer County in 2021. 

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.

Schofield was an Elections Commissioner at the Rensselaer County Board of Elections (“RCBOE”) from April 2018 until December 2022, when he resigned in anticipation of his guilty plea.

In pleading guilty to a 12-count indictment, Schofield admitted that in 2021, he unlawfully possessed and used the names and dates of birth of voters in connection with 12 absentee ballot applications he submitted in the voters’ names to the New York State Voter Absentee Ballot Application Request Portal. 

Schofield admitted that for each application, he falsely certified that he was the voter requesting the ballot.  He also admitted that he took personal possession of 9 of these ballots, while knowing and intending that RCBOE records would falsely reflect that the ballots had been mailed to the voters. 

The FBI investigated this case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett prosecuted it.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Brian Scott, age 44, of Albany, was sentenced today to 10 years in prison, to be followed by 5 years of supervised release, for conspiring to distribute at least 5 kilograms of cocaine and 100 kilograms of marijuana, and for distributing cocaine.

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James; and Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), made the announcement.

As part of his previously entered guilty plea, Scott admitted that between June 2020 and October 2023, he was a member of a drug trafficking organization that trafficked cocaine and marijuana in the Capital Region and the North Country. Scott admitted that he and a co-conspirator routinely sent drug couriers, whom they referred to as “horses,” between the Capital Region and the North Country to transport cocaine to the North Country and marijuana to the Capital Region. Scott also admitted that he trafficked at least 7 kilograms of cocaine, which he obtained from another co-conspirator, and that he sold over 400 grams of cocaine to another person.

Scott was also ordered to forfeit $4,865 in seized drug money and to pay a forfeiture money judgment in the amount of $17,180.

FBI, New York State Police, and HSI investigated the case, which was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cyrus P.W. Rieck and Joseph Hartunian.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Christopher Barry, age 42, of Saratoga Springs, New York, was sentenced today to 72 months in prison for receiving child pornography. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), made the announcement.

As part of his prior guilty plea, Barry admitted that between June 2021 and January 2022, he received child pornography, including images of prepubescent minors, and on February 9, 2023, possessed two phones containing child pornography. The offense involved more than 1,500 still images and at least four videos of child pornography.

United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci also ordered Barry to serve a 15-year term of post-incarceration supervised release, to forfeit the two phones involved in the offense, and to pay a total of $42,000 restitution to 14 victims. Barry will also be required to register as a sex offender after his release from prison.

HSI investigated the case with assistance from the New York State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Wentworth-Ping prosecuted the case as part of Project Safe Childhood.  Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Jeffrey Doctor, age 52, of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Samuel Baker, age 46, of Laurinburg, North Carolina, were sentenced today in connection with a scheme to smuggle cut rag tobacco into Canada from the United States. Doctor was sentenced to 14 months in prison and Samuel Baker was sentenced to 30 months in prison.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); and Harry Chavis, Acting Executive Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), New York Field Office.

As part of their previously entered guilty pleas, Doctor and Samuel Baker each admitted that from approximately 2013 to 2016, they worked with co-conspirators to acquire cut rag tobacco and smuggle it into Canada, where it was used to make contraband cigarettes. Members of the conspiracy sold the contraband cigarettes, making substantial profits by avoiding taxes and duties, and used some of their profits to buy more cut rag tobacco that they sent into Canada. Cut rag tobacco is tobacco cut into fine strips and used to make smoking tobacco.

Funds to purchase the cut rag tobacco were sent from Canada, often through the Northern District of New York, to North Carolina.  Once purchased, the cut rag tobacco was delivered to warehouses and buildings in the Northeastern United States, including on the St. Regis Mohawk Akwesasne Reservation, where it was staged for smuggling into Canada.

Samuel Baker admitted that he laundered more than $19 million as part of the scheme, and previously agreed to an administrative forfeiture of $738,442 in proceeds from his crime. Samuel Baker was also fined $100,000.

Doctor admitted that he obtained more than $503,850.66 in unrecovered proceeds, which he agreed to forfeit as a money judgment.

Senior United States District Judge Frederick J. Scullin, Jr. also imposed a 2-year term of post-imprisonment supervised release on each defendant.

Edgar M. Baker, age 51, of Southern Pines, North Carolina, was sentenced today to three years of probation and a $75,000 fine following his prior guilty plea to misprision of a felony, for failing to report the conspiracy to authorities once he learned about it.

Carey Terrance, another co-conspirator involved in the same scheme, was previously sentenced to time served and to pay a $350,000 fine.

HSI and IRS-CI, along with the Canadian Border Services Agency and the Sûreté du Québec, investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Allen J. Vickey and Alexander P. Wentworth-Ping prosecuted this case.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Kamaro Campbell, age 42, of Albany, was sentenced today to 144 months in prison for possessing cocaine and fentanyl with the intent to distribute them and to possessing a firearm in furtherance of that drug trafficking crime.

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino III of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) New York Division, made the announcement.

Agents found 105 grams of fentanyl, 95 grams of cocaine, and a fanny pack containing a loaded pistol and $15,000 inside of Campbell’s bedroom closet when executing a search warrant on June 28, 2023.  A separate search of Campbell’s storage unit led to the recovery of an additional 105 grams of cocaine.  Campbell admitted to selling an additional 155 grams of cocaine and 74 grams of methamphetamine.

United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci also imposed a 5-year-term of supervised release and ordered Campbell to forfeit the pistol seized in his apartment.  

The DEA investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Reiner prosecuted.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Dyshawn Fisher, age 29, of Troy, New York, pled guilty today to escaping from the Horizon House Residential Reentry Center on October 1, 2024.   United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and David L. McNulty, United States Marshal for the Northern District of New York, made the announcement.

Fisher admitted that on November 25, 2020, he was sentenced in federal court to 75 months in prison following his conviction by guilty plea to numerous felonies, including possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.  On October 10, 2023, while serving that sentence, Fisher was transferred by the Bureau of Prisons to the Horizon House in Albany.  On October 1, 2024, Fisher left the Horizon House without the approval that he knew he needed and remained at large in the community until October 17, 2024, when he was arrested in Cohoes, New York. 

Fisher is scheduled to be sentenced by United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci on April 2, 2025.  He faces a maximum term of 5 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

The United States Marshals Service is investigating the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin S. Clark is prosecuting the case.  

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Omjasisa Kentu Felder, age 53, of Troy, New York, has been charged with marijuana trafficking and gun crimes.

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Bryan Miller, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division; Troy Police Chief Daniel DeWolf; and Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), made the announcement.

The indictment alleges that Felder possessed a 9mm handgun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, possessed the handgun as a convicted felon, and possessed marijuana with intent to distribute in November 2022, and conspired to distribute marijuana between 2021 and November 2022.  The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Felder was arraigned today in Albany, before United States Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart, and ordered detained pending trial.

Felder faces at least 5 years and up to life imprisonment for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; up to 15 years in prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; and up to 5 years in prison on each of the marijuana trafficking counts.  He also faces a fine of up to $250,000 on each count and a term of post release supervision of at least 2 years and up to life.

The ATF, DEA, Troy Police Department and HSI are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cyrus P.W. Rieck and Dustin C. Segovia are prosecuting the case.

This prosecution is 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.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Jesse Taber, age 46, of Rotterdam, New York, pled guilty today to unlawfully possessing a firearm.

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Bryan Miller, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), made the announcement. 

Taber admitted that on December 26, 2023, inside of his Rotterdam residence, he unlawfully possessed a 12-gauge Stoeger Coach Gun shotgun. A prior felony conviction prevented Taber from lawfully possessing the shotgun.

When he is sentenced on April 2, 2025, Taber faces a maximum term of 15 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release up to 3 years.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors. 

ATF investigated the case with the assistance of the Rotterdam Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Belliss is prosecuting the case.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Drew Caswell, age 26, of Cairo, New York, was sentenced today to 9 years in prison for distribution, receipt, and possession of child pornography.  United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and New York State Police (NYSP) Superintendent Steven G. James made the announcement.

As part of his previous guilty plea, Caswell admitted that he used a file-hosting service to download child pornography and then distributed multiple image and video files of child pornography by publicly posting them to a social media site.  Caswell also admitted that on August 7, 2023, he possessed child pornography on his cell phone, including nearly 300 images and videos of toddlers and infants being sexually abused.

United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci also ordered that Caswell serve a 20-year term of post-incarceration supervised release.  Caswell will be required to register as a sex offender after his release from prison.

The FBI and its Child Exploitation Task Force—which includes members of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including Troop F of the New York State Police and its Computer Crimes Unit—investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mikayla Espinosa prosecuted the case as part of Project Safe Childhood.

Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS).  Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Donald Jenkins, age 37, of Clarksville, Tennessee, was arrested yesterday and charged with traveling across state lines to the Capital Region with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor.  United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations, made the announcement.

According to a criminal complaint, in September 2024 Jenkins began communicating with an individual to discuss and plan his sexual abuse of an 11-year-old child residing in Clifton Park, New York.  Jenkins ultimately devised a plan to rent a car in Tennessee and drive to Clifton Park in order to sexually abuse the child.  On November 19, 2024, Jenkins was arrested after arriving in Clifton Park at a prearranged meeting location.  He allegedly took a sexually transmitted disease (STD) test earlier in the day and brought numerous pairs of child’s underwear as a gift for the minor.  The charges in the complaint are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Jenkins had his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart today and was ordered detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for Monday, November 25.  He faces a maximum term of 30 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life, and mandatory registration as a sex offender.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. 

HSI and the New York State Police are investigating the case. Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin S. Clark is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood.

Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS).  Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Jamal Harris, age 45, of Syracuse, was sentenced today to serve 87 months in federal prison for his possession of methamphetamine and fentanyl with intent to distribute.  United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division, made the announcement.

As part of his prior plea, Harris admitted that, on November 8, 2023, he possessed approximately 1,199 grams of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine in his bedroom, and approximately 2 grams of fentanyl in his vehicle.  He further admitted that, before he committed this offense, he had previously been convicted in federal court in the Northern District of New York of Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and Distribution of heroin. 

In addition to the 87-month sentence, Harris was sentenced to serve an additional 46 months in prison for violating the conditions of supervised release from his prior drug offense.  Senior United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby also ordered Harris to serve a 6-year term of supervised release following his release from prison.

The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) investigated the case with assistance from the United States Probation Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica N. Carbone prosecuted the case.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Timothy (“Mitch”) Duell, age 48, of Schenectady County, New York, was sentenced today to serve 30 months’ imprisonment to be followed by 10 years of supervised release for possessing child pornography. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Special Agent in Charge Matthew Scarpino of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Buffalo, New York Field Office made the announcement.

When Duell pleaded guilty he admitted that he possessed sexually explicit images of a child under the age of 12 and participated in online chats where he discussed his interest in engaging in sex acts with that child. 

In addition to the imprisonment and supervised release terms, United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino also ordered Duell to pay the victim $3,000.00 in restitution and to forfeit the electronic device he used to commit the offense. Duell will also be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from imprisonment.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the New York State Police investigated this case, and Assistant United States Attorney Michael D. Gadarian prosecuted this case as part of Project Safe Childhood.

Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Robert Cutter, age 44, of Lake George, New York, was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for attempting to entice and coerce a 12-year-old child into sexual activity.

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.

As part of his previously entered guilty plea, Cutter admitted that on June 27, 2023, he exchanged sexually explicit text messages with someone he believed was an adult offering the sexual services of a 12-year-old girl, in an attempt to entice the child into engaging in sexual acts with him.  Cutter also admitted that on that same date, he traveled to a pre-determined location in Warren County, New York, with the intent to engage in sexual acts with the 12-year-old girl.  Cutter was arrested by law enforcement shortly after arriving at the location.

United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino also imposed a 15-year term of post-imprisonment supervised release.  Cutter will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.

The case was investigated by the FBI’s Albany Division Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force – comprised of FBI Special Agents, and state and local police investigators, including from the New York State Police, Rotterdam Police Department, Warren County Sheriff’s Office, and Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Allen J. Vickey prosecuted this case as part of Project Safe Childhood. 

Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS).  Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc. 

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Danning Lake, age 86, of Scotia, New York, pled guilty today to abusive sexual contact.

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Thomas Gibbons, Chief of the Department of Veterans Affairs Police at Stratton VA Medical Center; and Special Agent in Charge Christopher F. Algieri of the Northeast Field Office for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, made the announcement.

Lake admitted that on February 29, 2024, he grabbed the breast of a nursing student as she was giving him medical care.  Lake then asked the student nurse, “did you like that?” and told her “they feel nice.”  When the VA Police Officer spoke to Lake, he said that he would do the same thing again if he had the opportunity.  Lake’s mental status was not altered by medication, age, or illness.  He groped the nursing student for his own sexual gratification and without her consent. 

When he is sentenced on March 20, 2025, Lake faces up to 2 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 1 year.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. As a result of this conviction, Lake will also have to register as a sex offender. 

The Department of Veterans Affairs Police Department and Office of Inspector General investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan S. Reiner and Tamara B. Thomson are prosecuting.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Keemont Reynolds, age 25, of Manhattan, New York, was convicted yesterday of a drug conspiracy following a four-day jury trial. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), made the announcement. A second man from Brooklyn, New York, was acquitted of charges.

The evidence at trial established that on November 1, 2023, law enforcement stopped a Jeep Grand Cherokee in Malone, New York, as the result of a drug trafficking investigation. Tyrece Franklin was driving the Grand Cherokee; Roddrick Ingram, of Brooklyn, was seated in the front passenger seat and Reynolds was seated in the back seat. Police located a false compartment built within the front dash of the Grand Cherokee. Within the hidden compartment, police found approximately 424 grams of methamphetamine, approximately 564.89 grams of cocaine, approximately 545.77 grams of cocaine base, and approximately 4.87 grams of heroin and fentanyl. In all, the drugs had an approximate street value of $140,000 in Malone.

After three days of testimony, the jury deliberated for five hours before convicting Reynolds of the conspiracy charge but acquitting him of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. The jury acquitted Ingram of both charges.

Sentencing for Reynolds is scheduled for March 20, 2025, before Senior United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby in Albany, at which time the defendant faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a term of supervised release of at least 3 years. The defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

Franklin previously pled guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced on January 23, 2025. He faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison, as well as a term of supervised release of at least 5 years.

HSI and the New York State Police investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Douglas Collyer and Jeffrey Stitt are prosecuting the case.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Kristin Keeble, age 54, of Pageland, South Carolina, pled guilty today to transmitting a threat to injure another in interstate commerce.

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.

Keeble admitted that on October 26, 2023, she sent four threatening, profanity-laced and racially derogatory audio messages through Facebook Messenger to a man in Catskill, New York. Keeble threatened to kill the victim by hanging him, along with a woman the victim knew, and the woman’s children, from a tree. Keeble purported to be acting with members of the Ku Klux Klan. Keeble knew, from the victim’s Facebook profile photo, that the victim was Black.

At sentencing before United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci on March 7, 2025, Keeble will face a maximum term of 5 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

The FBI investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Wentworth-Ping is prosecuting.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Omar Wynn, age 31, of Schenectady, New York, pled guilty today to distribution of a controlled substance.  United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino III of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Field Division, made the announcement.

Wynn admitted to selling 1,500 fentanyl pills and 8.6 grams of cocaine base in 2023.  The fentanyl pills were stamped “M30” to make them appear as if they were oxycodone.  Wynn agreed to forfeit $3,000 as proceeds of his crime.

At sentencing on March 11, 2025, Wynn faces at least 5 years and up to 40 years in prison; a fine of up to $5 million; and a term of supervised release of at least 4 years and up to life.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

The DEA conducted the investigation with assistance from the Schenectady Police Department, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Reiner is prosecuting the case.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Joseph Nash, a/k/a “Nash Von Wicked” and “Nash Bridges,” age 45, of Port Ewen, New York, pled guilty today to failing to update his registration as a sex offender to include an email address that he failed to disclose.  United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and United States Marshal David L. McNulty made the announcement. 

Nash admitted that he became a Tier II sex offender after he pled guilty in federal court in 2009 to distributing child pornography.  Nash knew that as a registered sex offender, he was required to report, among other things, all email addresses he used to the New York Division of Criminal Justice Services.  Despite this requirement, he created an email address in August 2023 and failed to disclose it to New York authorities as required under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).  Nash, who was on federal supervised release at the time of this offense, further admitted he also did not disclose this email address and a contemporaneously created Facebook account to the U.S. Probation Office for the Northern District of New York. 

In addition to his guilty plea to failing to update his registration information as a sex offender, Nash also admitted today that his conduct violated the terms of supervised release imposed as a result of his child pornography conviction.

Sentencing is scheduled for March 7, 2025 before United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino. The SORNA offense carries a maximum term of 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life.  The supervised release violations carry a maximum term of 2 years in prison.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

The United States Marshals Service investigated this case.  Assistant United States Attorney Joshua R. Rosenthal is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Troy Alexander Mendez, age 25, a resident of Temple City, California, plead guilty on Tuesday to distribution of controlled substances. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.

As part of his guilty plea, Mendez admitted that, in August 2023, he sold and shipped over 300 grams of methamphetamine via the U.S. Postal Service to a customer in the Syracuse, New York area. Law enforcement intercepted the package and identified Mendez as the source of the shipment.

Sentencing is scheduled for February 11, 2025, in Syracuse, at which time Mendez faces a mandatory minimum federal prison sentence of 5 years and a maximum sentence of 40 years, a fine of up to $5,000,000.00, and a term of supervised release of at least 4 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the case, with assistance from the New York State Police and the United States Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Gillis is prosecuting the case.
 

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Radu-Lucian Grigoras, 45, and Gheorghe Nistor, 42, both nationals of Romania, were indicted on two charges of financial institution fraud and two charges of aggravated identity theft.

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.

Grigoras and Nistor were arraigned in federal court last week on a 4-count indictment alleging that from no later than April 2024 through at least August 2024, the defendants participated in a scheme to defraud financial institutions. The indictment alleges that the defendants installed skimming devices and pinhole cameras within ATMs belonging to financial institutions. Those devices captured and stored the debit card information of unsuspecting individuals who conducted transactions at those ATMs. The pinhole cameras recorded the customers entering their PINs to conduct the ATM transactions. The indictment further alleges that after installation of these devices, the defendants returned within five days to remove these devices and caused the stolen account information to be encoded onto the magnetic strips of other cards, which they used at ATMs to fraudulently withdraw money from customers’ accounts. The indictment alleges that the defendants executed the scheme in multiple states, including New York, Kansas, Missouri, and Pennsylvania. The indictment alleges that as a result of the scheme to defraud, the defendants fraudulently withdrew in excess of $175,543.00 The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Each of the fraud counts in the indictment carries a maximum sentence of 30 years’ imprisonment and a $1 million fine. The maximum sentence for aggravated identity theft is a mandatory consecutive 2 years’ imprisonment. The charges also carry a term of supervised release of up to 5 years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the case, with assistance from the New York State Police, Pennsylvania State Police, Town of Cicero Police Department, City of Auburn Police Department, Leavenworth, Kansas Police Department, St. Charles City, Missouri Police Department, and the St. Peters, Missouri Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew J. McCrobie and Paul Tuck are prosecuting the case.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Willie Mills, age 31, of Schenectady, New York, was ordered detained last week following his indictment and arrest for possession of a firearm as a prohibited person and distribution of cocaine and fentanyl.

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Bryan Miller, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Field Division, made the announcement.

According to the indictment, on April 27, 2023, Mills unlawfully possessed a firearm as a previously convicted felon. The indictment also charges that Mills distributed cocaine and fentanyl on four separate dates in 2023 and 2024. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The charges filed against Mills carry a prison term of at least 5 years and up to 40 years, a fine of up to $5 million, and a supervised release term of at least 4 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

Mills was arraigned in Albany on October 29 before United States Magistrate Judge Christian F. Hummel. Following a detention hearing on October 31, Mills was ordered detained pending trial.

DEA is investigating the case with assistance from the Schenectady Police Department and ATF. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Paulbeck is prosecuting the case.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Nekie Ricks, age 31, of Schenectady, New York, was ordered detained today following his indictment and arrest for possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and his possession of a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking.

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Bryan Miller, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), made the announcement.

According to the indictment, on August 24, 2022, Ricks possessed cocaine with the intent to distribute it, possessed a pistol in furtherance of that crime, and possessed that firearm even though he was a previously convicted felon. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The charges filed against Ricks carry a prison term of at least 5 years and up to life, a fine of up to $1 million, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least 3 years and up to life.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

Ricks was arraigned yesterday in Albany, before United States Magistrate Judge Christian F. Hummel. Following a detention hearing today, Ricks was ordered detained pending trial.

ATF is investigating the case with assistance from the Schenectady Police Department and New York State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Wentworth-Ping is prosecuting the case.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Kim McPherson, age 63, of Troy, New York, was sentenced today to 1 year of probation, and to pay a $1,500 fine, for identity theft in connection with her casting of absentee ballots in two other people’s names in elections held in 2021.

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.

McPherson successfully ran for re-election to the Troy City Council in 2021, first in the Working Families Party primary and then in the general election.  In pleading guilty in June 2022 to the unlawful possession and use of a means of identification of another person, she admitted that in the primary election, she unlawfully cast an absentee ballot in the name of another person, and that in the general election, she unlawfully cast absentee ballots in the names of two people other than herself.

As part of her plea agreement, McPherson resigned from the Troy City Council.

The FBI investigated this case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett prosecuted this case.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Frank Twing, Sr., age 33, of West Stockbridge, Massachusetts, pled guilty today to one count of sexual exploitation of a child involving a then-15-year-old victim and one count of travel with intent to engage in unlawful sexual conduct involving an approximately 12-year-old victim. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.

Twing admitted that he engaged in a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old child during which he created sexually explicit videos depicting that child. He also admitted to traveling from his home in Massachusetts to New York, planning to have sex with an approximately 12-year-old child.

At sentencing scheduled for March 6, 2025, before United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino, Twing faces a mandatory minimum imprisonment term of 15 years and a maximum imprisonment term of 60 years, post-release supervision of at least 5 years and up to life, a fine of up to $250,000, special assessments, restitution to the victims, and forfeiture of the property he used to commit he offenses. Twing also will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.

This case was investigated by the FBI’s Albany Division Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, the New York State Police, and the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Berkshire County District Attorney’s Office, which itself also assisted in the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael D. Gadarian and Benjamin A. Gillis are prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood.

Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS).  Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Scott Newcombe, age 40, of Plattsburgh, New York, pled guilty today to health care fraud. 

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and Naomi Gruchacz, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), New York Regional Office, made the announcement.

Newcombe admitted that from approximately April 2020 through April 2023, he acted as the office manager and health care claims biller for two physicians’ practices in Plattsburgh through a company that he formed called SJ Healthcare Management Services, LLC (SJHMS).  SJHMS charged a fixed monthly fee under which Newcombe performed various management, administrative, and billing services for the practices.  He admitted that he submitted false and fraudulent claims to public and private insurers on behalf of those practices for services that, in some instances, were never provided and, in other instances, were provided at lower reimbursement rates than the amounts billed.  For example, Newcombe admitted that he submitted claims to insurers for medical procedures that were purportedly performed by a provider on him but which, in fact, never occurred. 

Newcombe is scheduled for sentencing on February 28, 2025.  He faces up to 20 years in prison and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of up to 3 years.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the statute the defendant violated, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

The FBI and HHS investigated this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael D. Gadarian and Adam J. Katz are prosecuting the case.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – William Futrell, age 31, of Syracuse, was sentenced today to serve over 21 years (262 months) in federal prison following his previous conviction for ten counts of receipt of child pornography. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations, Buffalo Field Office, and New York State Police (NYSP) Superintendent Steven G. James made the announcement.

As part of his previous guilty plea, Futrell admitted that he used Snapchat to communicate with minors from across the country. In some instances, Futrell would offer to pay the minor children to entice them to send explicit images to him, but with no intention of ever paying them. On at least the 10 occasions charged, Futrell obtained, directly from minor children, images depicting the children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Futrell is a registered sex offender with a previous conviction for possession of child pornography in New York.

Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes also ordered that Futrell serve a 15-year term of post-incarceration supervised release. Futrell will be required to register as a sex offender after his release from prison.

United States Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) led the investigation with the assistance of the NYSP Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the NYSP Troop D Computer Crime Unit. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Tuck prosecuted Futrell as part of Project Safe Childhood. 

Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS).  Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Patrick Civitello, age 18, of Schenectady, New York, pled guilty today to witness retaliation, admitting that he assaulted a 15-year-old boy in retaliation for the boy’s mother testifying last year in a federal criminal trial.

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.

Patrick Civitello is the son of Jeffrey Civitello Sr. and the younger brother of Jeffrey Civitello Jr., both of whom were convicted of federal drug trafficking charges following a jury trial in Albany in April 2023. A witness, identified in the indictment as V-1, testified at that trial.

In pleading guilty, Patrick Civitello admitted that on the evening of May 19, 2024, while at a restaurant in Glenville, New York, he observed V-1, who was with her 15-year-old son (“V-2”). At the time he observed V-1, Patrick Civitello was speaking on the phone with Jeffrey Civitello Jr. (who was incarcerated), and Patrick Civitello told his brother that he had just seen V-1 walk into the restaurant. Patrick Civitello then said “I gotta rag this bitch, I gotta call you back,” meaning that he intended to retaliate against V-1 for her trial testimony. Jeffrey Civitello Jr. responded, “Ok run down, but do it away from everyone if you could.”

V-1 and V-2 then exited the restaurant and headed to their vehicle in the parking lot. Patrick Civitello, who was following V-1 and V-2 out of the restaurant, briefly stopped in the parking lot to remove his watch and a cross-body bag. Having placed those items on the ground of the parking lot, Patrick Civitello charged in the direction of V-1 and V-2. He punched V-2 in the head, and continued to punch and kick V-2 after V-2 fell to the ground. V-2 suffered minor abrasions and bruises, including to his head, neck, and hand. 

Patrick Civitello, who has been in custody since his arrest on June 13, 2024, will be sentenced on February 28, 2025. He faces up to life in prison and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of up to 5 years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

The FBI’s Capital District Safe Streets Gang Task Force investigated this case with assistance from the Glenville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Barnett and Dustin Segovia are prosecuting this case.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Uqoeon Lawrence, age 28, of Syracuse pled guilty today to four federal felony offenses that included possession and distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, possession of a firearm and ammunition  by a convicted felon, and interstate firearms trafficking, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Bryan Miller, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).

As part of his plea of guilty today, Uqoeon Lawrence admitted that he sold fentanyl and methamphetamine during two undercover law enforcement operations in June of 2023. He further admitted that he possessed with intent to distribute fentanyl and a loaded 20-gauge pump shotgun and ammunition recovered during the execution of a federal search warrant at his Syracuse apartment on June 26, 2023.  Lawrence also admitted he illegally possessed the shotgun and ammunition after previously being convicted of a felony.

Uqoeon Lawrence also pled guilty today to separately trafficking handguns sourced in Maine to Syracuse, where he sold them on the street in July 2023.

Sentencing is scheduled for February 25, 2025, at which time Lawrence faces a mandatory sentence of ten (10) years and up to life imprisonment for his conviction for distribution and possession with intent to distribute of at least 50 grams of methamphetamine and a quantity of fentanyl, as well as a fine of up to $10 million. He faces a mandatory consecutive sentence of 5 years and up to life in federal prison for his conviction for possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Lawrence also faces up to 15 years in federal prison for his convictions for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon, and interstate firearms trafficking as well as a term of at least 5 years of post-incarceration supervised release, and fines of up to $250,000.00.

A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

The United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Syracuse Police Department-Intelligence Unit (SPD-INTEL) are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Southwick is prosecuting the case.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK –Steven Valder, age 34, of Syracuse, and formerly of Cayuga County, was sentenced today to Life imprisonment plus 10 years following his trial conviction for sexual exploitation and child pornography offenses.  United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation made the announcement.

Following a jury trial in June, Valder was convicted of two counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Child for producing sexually explicit images of a 13-year-old boy in 2023, one count of Committing a Felony Offense Against a Minor as a Registered Sex Offender, and one count of Receipt of Child Pornography.  The jury also found that Valder committed the Sexual Exploitation offenses after a prior conviction for a sex offense against a minor. 

Today, he was sentenced to concurrent mandatory life sentences on each of the two sexual exploitation counts, a concurrent sentence of 40 years for his receipt of child pornography over the internet, and a mandatory consecutive 10 years for committing the exploitation offenses as a registered sex offender. 

The evidence at trial showed that approximately one year after being released from prison for 2010 convictions in Cayuga County Court for Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree (forcible anal sexual conduct with a 14-year-old child for which he received a 10 year sentence), and in Federal Court for transportation and possession of child pornography (for which he received a 15 year sentence), Valder produced sexually explicit images of a 13-year old boy, who he sexually abused multiple times over a period of months in multiple locations around the City of Syracuse.  Valder, who also downloaded child pornography over the Internet through Russian applications he had downloaded to his phone, was a registered sex offender on both federal supervised release and state parole at the time of his offenses. 

Valder’s crimes were discovered after his United States Probation Officer found him in possession of an unauthorized smart phone on which the images of the child victim and internet child pornography were found.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Albany Division Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, the New York State Police, and the United States Probation Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa M. Fletcher, Project Safe Childhood Coordinator for the Northern District of New York, prosecuted the case.

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 identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov

Albany, NEW YORK – Kenneth Moore, age 41, of New Jersey, was convicted today of two counts of alien smuggling for private financial gain, following a 3-day jury trial.   

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Chief Patrol Agent Robert N. Garcia, United States Border Patrol, Swanton Sector, made the announcement.

The evidence at trial established that on June 20, 2023, Moore traveled from New Jersey to an area just south of the Canadian Border in Clinton County, New York, to pick up several people who had illegally crossed into the United States at a place other than a Port of Entry. Moore anticipated being paid $3,000 for his services but was quickly apprehended by agents from the United States Border Patrol.

Jurors could not reach a verdict on one count of conspiracy to commit alien smuggling.

Sentencing is scheduled for February 25, 2025, before United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino, at which time Moore faces a mandatory term of 3 years in prison and up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

United States Border Patrol investigated this case with assistance from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Allen J. Vickey and Joseph S. Hartunian are prosecuting this case.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Norbert Morgan, age 54, of Glens Falls, New York, was sentenced today to 25 years in prison for distribution of child pornography, possession of child pornography, and committing those offenses while under post-release supervision for prior child exploitation offenses. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Buffalo, New York Field Office, made the announcement.

According to documents filed in the case and statements made by prosecutors in court, Morgan is a registered sex offender in the State of New York, stemming from his 2006 convictions in the Northern District of New York for sexual exploitation of a minor and possession of child pornography. 

Between February 2023 and August 2023, following his release from imprisonment on his prior convictions, Morgan created and used multiple unauthorized accounts on numerous internet social networking applications to distribute hundreds of images of child pornography.  During a search of Morgan’s apartment, federal agents seized a tablet that contained thousands of images of child pornography and nearly 200 videos of child pornography. 

Earlier this year, Morgan pled guilty before United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci to one count each of distribution and possession of child pornography and also admitted to violating the terms of his supervised release by committing the new offenses. Following release, Morgan will be required to serve a term of 25 years of post-release supervision and will be required to register as a sex offender. Morgan was also ordered to pay restitution to the 13 identified victims of his crimes.   

HSI investigated this case.  Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin S. Clark prosecuted this case as part of Project Safe Childhood.

Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), and is designed to marshal 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 https://www.justice.gov/psc.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Allahson Allah, age 54, of Albany, and Caeshara Cannon, age 35, of Albany, were sentenced this week to federal prison for their roles in a bank fraud conspiracy targeting SEFCU.  United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), made the announcement. 

According to an indictment returned last year, court records, and statements made by prosecutors in court, between February 2022 and October 2022, Allah, together with codefendant Evan Cutler, age 25, of Queensbury, New York, managed a conspiracy targeting SEFCU in which the conspirators obtained customer personal identifying information and impersonated people to fraudulently obtain cash and credit from SEFCU.  Cannon was a Member Service Representative at SEFCU and provided Allah and Cutler with customer account information to use in creating counterfeit checks that were presented for negotiation at SEFCU branches all over the Capital Region.  The conspirators also applied for loans at SEFCU in the names of individuals whose identities they had stolen and withdrew the proceeds in cash. In total, the conspiracy netted the conspirators $88,800, with intended losses of over $100,000.

Yesterday, Allah was sentenced by United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci to a total term of imprisonment of 57 months, followed by 3 years’ post-release supervision, and was ordered to pay restitution to SEFCU in the amount of $88,800.   Today, Cannon was sentenced by Judge Nardacci to a term of imprisonment of 16 months, followed by 2 years’ post-release supervision.  Cannon was also ordered to pay restitution to SEFCU in the amount of $77,200.

Coconspirator Davon Parson, age 20, of Albany, was sentenced earlier this year to 15 months’ incarceration followed by 2 years’ post-release supervision, with restitution in the amount of $9,000, following his plea to bank fraud conspiracy and aggravated identity theft.  Coconspirators Cutler and Dnauticah Taylor-Sterman, age 21, of Albany, have also pled guilty to bank fraud conspiracy and aggravated identity theft and are scheduled to be sentenced later this year. 

HSI investigated the case, with assistance from the Bethlehem Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin S. Clark is prosecuting this case.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – William Seneca, Sr., age 64, of Syracuse, pled guilty today to sexual exploitation of a child and distribution of child pornography. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), made the announcement.

As part of his guilty plea, Seneca admitted that from approximately 2000 through 2008 he engaged in sexual conduct with V1, starting when V1 was about seven years old. On several different occasions during that period, Seneca created child pornography depicting V1. Seneca also admitted that, on at least one occasion, he distributed the material he created depicting V1 to someone in Canada.

Sentencing is scheduled for February 13, 2025, before Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes. Seneca faces a term of imprisonment of least 15 years and up to 50 years, post-release supervision of between five years and life, a fine of up to $250,000, and restitution to the victim. Seneca also will be required to register as a sex offender upon release.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with the assistance of the New York State Police and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael D. Gadarian as part of Project Safe Childhood.

Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Andrew Miller, age 38, of Schenectady, New York, was sentenced today to 14 months of imprisonment, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, for conspiring with Mufid Fawaz Alkhader to illegally purchase, from a gun shop, a shotgun for Alkhader.

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and Bryan Miller, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), made the announcement.

As part of his earlier guilty plea, Miller admitted that between October 1, 2023 and November 6, 2023, he and Alkhader conspired to lie to a firearms dealer in Albany County that he (Miller) was the actual buyer of a Kel-Tec 12-gauge pump shotgun, when in fact, Alkhader was the true buyer.  Miller and Alkhader came up with the plan because they believed that Alkhader could not lawfully purchase the shotgun himself.  Miller further admitted that on November 5, 2023, he lied on the Firearms Transaction Record (ATF Form 4473) submitted to the gun shop when he falsely stated that he was the true purchaser of the shotgun.  On November 6, 2023, Miller and Alkhader returned to the gun shop and Miller took possession of the shotgun.  Miller also admitted that later on November 6, he transferred the shotgun to Alkhader.  

According to a criminal complaint, Alkhader used the shotgun to fire shots outside of Temple Israel in Albany on December 7, 2023.  Alkhader is currently charged by criminal complaint alleging that he and Miller conspired to lie to a firearms dealer in Albany County surrounding the straw purchase of the Kel-Tec 12-gauge pump shotgun. The charges in the complaint against Alkhader are merely accusations. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.  

This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, the ATF, and the Albany Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rick Belliss and Alexander Wentworth-Ping are prosecuting this case.