Northern District of New York
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Bronx Resident Pleads Guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute over Five Kilograms of CocaineRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Jevon Henry, age 42, of the Bronx, New York, pled guilty today to possession of cocaine with the 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 plea, Henry admitted that, on January 29, 2024, he travelled to Syracuse from New York City carrying approximately five and one-half kilograms of cocaine in two pieces of luggage. Henry also admitted that he intended to distribute the cocaine in Syracuse. Through investigation, DEA Agents were able to interdict Henry at a local hotel before he could distribute any of the cocaine.
Sentencing is scheduled for September 10, 2024, in Syracuse, at which time Henry faces a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 5 years and a maximum sentence of 40 years, a fine of up to $5,000,000, 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 United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is investigating the case with assistance from the Syracuse Police Department, Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, and Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica N. Carbone is prosecuting the case.
Albany Resident Indicted for Child Pornography CrimesRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Stephen Brisee a/k/a Sage Brisee, age 30, of Albany, was indicted earlier this week for distributing, receiving and possessing child pornography.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge of the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Buffalo, New York Field Office, made the announcement.
A criminal complaint, previously filed in this case, alleges that Brisee distributed videos depicting adults sexually abusing girls as young as infants. The charges in the indictment and complaint are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
If convicted on all charges, Brisee faces at least 15 years and up to 40 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. Brisee may also be ordered to forfeit the devices used to commit the crimes, and to pay restitution to victims. 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. Brisee would also be required to register as a sex offender upon release from prison.
Brisee has been ordered detained pending trial.
HSI is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Reiner 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.
Former Albany County Employee Sentenced for Stealing Government FundsRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – John T. Cox, age 62, of Schenectady, New York, was sentenced today to 2 years of probation, including 180 days of home confinement, for mail fraud and stealing money from a federally funded governmental agency.
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 Ryan T. Geach, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (DOJ OIG) Northeast Region, made the announcement.
As part of his previously entered guilty plea, Cox admitted that between June 2017 and February 2023, while employed as a Budget Analyst in the Albany County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO), he stole $122,251.25 by issuing 16 fraudulent checks drawn on funds in the care of the ACSO, an agency that received more than $10,000 in federal funding each year during this time period.
Cox used the checks to pay himself directly or to pay down his line of credit. Cox then tried to cover up his fraud by falsifying ACSO records to suggest that the funds were being used for legitimate purposes such as vehicle and equipment purchases. Cox stole some of the money from a Department of Justice program in which the federal government shares the proceeds of federal asset forfeitures with state and local law enforcement agencies.
United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino also imposed a $5,500 fine and ordered Cox to pay $122,251.25 in restitution to the ACSO.
The FBI, DOJ OIG, and ACSO investigated the case with valuable assistance from the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua R. Rosenthal prosecuted the case.
Troy Man Charged with Abusive Sexual Contact at the Albany Veterans Affairs Medical CenterRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Robert J. Seifert, Jr., age 65, of Troy, New York, was indicted today on a charge that he grabbed the breast and groin of a paramedic at the Albany Stratton Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC).
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Christopher Algieri, Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Field Office for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, made the announcement.
The charge in the indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The charge filed against Seifert carries a maximum term of 2 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release 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.
Seifert appeared in Albany before United States Magistrate Judge Christian F. Hummel on April 9, 2024, upon being charged by criminal complaint. Seifert has conditionally waived his right to a detention hearing and is detained pending further proceedings.
This case is being investigated by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General and the Veterans Affairs Police Service at the Albany VAMC. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua R. Rosenthal is prosecuting the case.
Greene County Felon Sentenced to 84 Months for Possessing Cocaine and Cocaine Base for Distribution, and Possessing Firearms in Furtherance of Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Atniel Pagan, age 24, of Catskill, New York, was sentenced today to 84 months in prison for possessing and intending to distribute cocaine and cocaine base, and for possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; David L. McNulty, United States Marshal for the Northern District of New York; Bryan Miller, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); and Albany Police Chief Eric Hawkins.
When he pled guilty in this case, Pagan admitted to possessing, at an apartment in Albany, 225 grams of cocaine and 22 grams of cocaine base that he intended to sell. Pagan, a previously convicted felon, further admitted to possessing a loaded, privately manufactured, semi-automatic, AR-style rifle, and a loaded privately manufactured, semi-automatic pistol (a/k/a “ghost guns”), in order to guard against the potential theft of his drugs and drug money. Pagan was arrested at his apartment by the Deputy U.S. Marshals executing a state arrest warrant.
United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci also ordered that Pagan forfeit the guns and $738 seized from his apartment, pay a $5,000 fine, and serve a 4-year term of supervised release following his release from prison.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Albany Police with assistance provided by ATF and the Greene County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Emmet O’Hanlon prosecuted this case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Brooklyn Woman Pleads Guilty to Nationwide Marijuana Trafficking and Money Laundering ConspiraciesRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Onisha Smith, age 41, of Brooklyn, New York, pled guilty today to conspiring to distribute marijuana and money laundering.
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 Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), made the announcement.
Smith admitted that she was a member of a marijuana and THC trafficking organization that shipped thousands of kilograms of marijuana and THC from Fresno, California, to locations throughout the United States, including New York City and the Capital Region, between 2017 and June 2022. She also admitted to laundering marijuana proceeds for the organization.
The packages of marijuana were shipped through UPS and FedEx from a shipping store in Fresno, Fast Pack & Ship, by Dwight A. Singletary II, aka “Nutt” and “Mike Jones,” and McKenzie Merrialice Coles, aka “Kenzie.” Smith received the packages of marijuana at, among other locations, her apartment and a neighboring apartment in Brooklyn; her brother, Lateek White, also received packages of marijuana at his residence in Brooklyn. In total, Smith and White received 71 packages containing approximately 294 kilograms, or 648 pounds, of marijuana.
Smith also laundered marijuana proceeds for the organization by purchasing cashier’s checks with cash marijuana proceeds for Singletary; depositing cash marijuana proceeds into her bank accounts and transferring the money to Singletary; and receiving payment for marijuana and transferring it to Singletary.
Smith faces up to 20 years in prison on each of the two counts to which she pled guilty, conspiring to distribute marijuana and conspiring to commit money laundering; fines of up to $1 million and $500,000, respectively, on each count; and a term of supervised release of between 3years 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.
Smith was charged in an indictment with Singletary, Coles, White and 20 other people charging marijuana distribution and money laundering conspiracies, firearms offenses, and other crimes. 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 Smith, White and seven other defendants, Rosemary Coles, Latrice Mumphrey, Sammy Olague, Victor Turner, Kristle Walker, Ruby Ledesma, and Jazell Shuler, previously pled guilty and are pending sentencing.
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.
Mexican Citizen Pleads Guilty to Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Shair Rodriguez-Mora, age 20, and a citizen of Mexico, pled guilty on Friday, May 3 to possession of child pornography.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Buffalo Field Office; and Chief Patrol Agent Robert N. Garcia, United States Border Patrol, Swanton Sector, made the announcement.
Rodriguez-Mora admitted to possessing 27 videos and 46 images depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct on his cell phone when he illegally entered the United States from Canada on July 28, 2023. Border Patrol arrested Rodriguez-Mora illegally entering the United States and during that investigation, discovered the child pornography on his phone. Rodriguez-Mora previously pled guilty to improper entry by an alien and was sentenced to 25 days in jail for that offense.
Rodriguez-Mora will be sentenced on September 6, 2024, by Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes. Under the terms of Rodriguez-Mora’s plea agreement, the parties have jointly recommended that Rodriguez-Mora receive a prison term of between 24 and 36 months. Rodriguez-Mora also faces a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. He must also register as a sex offender upon his release from prison, and also faces removal from the United States.
HSI and Border Patrol investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas Collyer 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.
New Hampshire Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Receiving Child PornographyRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Isaiah Lafoe, age 26, of Lancaster, New Hampshire, was sentenced today to 180 months (15 years) in prison for receiving child pornography. 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.
Lafoe previously pled guilty and admitted that on September 30, 2020, and between October 5, 2020, and February 15, 2021, he communicated with a girl in Troy, New York, and coerced her into sending him, via social media applications over the internet, images and videos depicting the child engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Lafoe received these images and videos on his cell phone.
United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino also imposed a 25-year term of post-imprisonment supervised release and ordered Lafoe to pay $3,000 in restitution to the victim. Lafoe will also be required to register as a sex offender after his release from prison.
This case was investigated by the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force, comprised of FBI Special Agents, and state and local police investigators, including from the New York State Police and the Colonie Police Department. The Troy Police Department also provided assistance. 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.
Montgomery County Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl Conspiracy and Firearms OffenseRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Samuel Payano, age 24, of Amsterdam, New York, pled guilty today to engaging in a drug trafficking conspiracy involving fentanyl pills, cocaine, and methamphetamine, to distributing fentanyl pills, and to using a firearm during or in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division, and Bryan Miller, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), made the announcement.
Payano admitted that from May 2022 to December 2022, he conspired with Bernardo Tovar to distribute counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl, as well as cocaine and methamphetamine. Payano also admitted distributing fentanyl pills and a firearm to another person on October 12, 2022. He also admitted that he and his Tovar possessed fentanyl pills, cocaine, and methamphetamine, as well two firearms in their apartment, on December 7, 2022, when their apartment was searched.
Payano will be sentenced in Syracuse on September 6, 2024, by Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes. Payano faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $5 million, and a term of post-imprisonment 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.
Payano’s co-conspirator, Tovar, previously pled guilty and was sentenced to 181 months in prison.
The DEA and ATF investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Alexander P. Wentworth-Ping is prosecuting the case.
Three Men Plead Guilty to Drug Distribution ChargesRead the Press Release
UTICA, NEW YORK – Joseph Lastrina, age 38, of Norwalk, Connecticut, pled guilty today to conspiring to distribute methamphetamine.
As part of the same investigation, Thaddeus Price, age 47, of Albany, and Robert Sanger, age 59, of Rensselaer, New York, previously pled guilty to distributing methamphetamine and possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it, respectively.
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.
The charges to which the three men pled guilty carry a maximum term of 20 years in prison; a fine of up to $1 million; and a term of 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.
Lastrina admitted to directing both Sanger and Price to complete drug deals that he arranged in November 2022 in the Capital Region. Those transactions collectively involved 177 grams of pure methamphetamine. A search warrant executed at Sanger’s home led to the recovery of an additional 217 grams of pure methamphetamine in May 2023.
The DEA is investigating the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan S. Reiner and Ashlyn Miranda are prosecuting.
Son of Leader of Rodriguez Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced to 10 Years for His Role in Large Fentanyl ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK –Ivan Rodriguez, Jr., age 29, of Utica, New York, was sentenced yesterday to serve 120 months in federal prison for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and to distribute fentanyl announced United States Attorney Carla Freedman, Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division and Thomas Fattorusso, Executive Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), New York Field Office. Rodriguez was also ordered to serve a 5-year term of supervised release following his term of imprisonment, pay a $200 special assessment and a $75,000 money judgment representing profits he earned as part of the drug conspiracy.
Ivan Rodriguez, Jr. is the son of Ivan Rodriguez, Sr., the head of the Rodriguez drug trafficking organization, an organization that distributed heroin, fentanyl and cocaine throughout the Utica, New York area. As part of his guilty plea Rodriguez, Jr. admitted that from at least June 2021 through October 2021, he conspired with Ivan Rodriguez, Eric Ares, Jose Aponte, Jose Morales, Bernabe Lopez, Angel Calderon Ortiz, Harry Rodriguez, Jr. and others to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute fentanyl and a mixture of fentanyl/heroin in and around Oneida County and elsewhere. Rodriguez, Jr. admitted that he, together with his father and Eric Ares arranged for the purchase, pickup and delivery of 3 kilograms of fentanyl and a mixture of fentanyl/heroin from a source of supply, which he and others acting on his behalf, re-distributed in the Utica, New York area. Rodriguez, Jr. also admitted to distributing a quantity of fentanyl to a co-conspirator.
This case was investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the United States Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI), the New York State Police, the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, the Oneida County District Attorney’s Office, the City of Utica Police Department, the City of Syracuse Police Department, the City of Rome Police Department, United States Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE), the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, the New York Army National Guard Counter Drug Program, the Village of Yorkville Police Department, and the Village of Whitesboro Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamara Thomson.
Utica Man Sentenced for His Role in Large Fentanyl ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK –Eric Ares, age 38, of Utica, New York, was sentenced today to serve 120 months in federal prison for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and to distribute fentanyl, and possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, announced United States Attorney Carla Freedman, Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division and Thomas Fattorusso, Executive Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), New York Field Office. Ares was also ordered to serve a 5-year term of supervised release following his term of imprisonment and pay a $200 special assessment. The Court also imposed a $150,000 money judgment.
As part of his guilty plea, Ares admitted that from May 2020 through October 2021, he, together with his co-conspirators in the Rodriguez drug trafficking organization, possessed with intent to distribute and distributed fentanyl in the Utica, New York area. Ares admitted to making numerous trips to the New York City area to purchase fentanyl, which he then drove back to the Utica area where he and others distributed it. Ares admitted that on September 20, 2021, he drove to the New York City area and received 3 kilograms of fentanyl for distribution. Law enforcement officers stopped the vehicle Ares was driving and recovered 3 kilograms of fentanyl hidden inside a speaker in the trunk.
This case is being investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the United States Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI), the New York State Police, the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, the Oneida County District Attorney’s Office, the City of Utica Police Department, the City of Syracuse Police Department, the City of Rome Police Department, United States Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE), the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, the New York Army National Guard Counter Drug Program, the Village of Yorkville Police Department, and the Village of Whitesboro Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamara Thomson.
United States Attorney and New York State Attorney General Announce Substantial Recovery for the Beneficiaries of Defrauded EstatesRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and New York State Attorney General Letitia James announced today that nearly $6.3 million in restitution has been collected and distributed to the victims of Richard J. Sherwood and Thomas K. Lagan, who were sentenced to both federal and state prison for stealing approximately $11.8 million from the estates of three deceased sisters.
Nearly $5 million of the restitution came from criminally derived assets that were forfeited to the United States, and then approved by the Department of Justice to be directly applied to victim restitution. Of the funds restored to the victims, $3,559,426.90 was forfeited by Sherwood and $1,391,322.08 was forfeited by Lagan.
The victims, which have received restitution distributions, include churches, Ukrainian-American civic organizations, a local hospital and a local university scholarship fund. The United States Attorney’s Office’s Asset Recovery Unit is still working to recover the remainder of the restitution owed, approximately $5.5 million.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman stated: “This substantial recovery is the result of our efforts to make sure that crime does not pay. We will continue to use every available tool to enforce restitution judgments against Sherwood and Lagan and return as much money as possible to the victims of their fraudulent scheme.”
New York State Attorney General Letitia James stated: “New Yorkers should be able to trust that their financial advisors and attorneys are looking out for their best interests—not stealing their hard-earned money. Sherwood and Lagan defrauded a well-meaning family, and in the process, cheated local nonprofit organizations out of funds intended to support their missions. Thank you to U.S. Attorney Freedman for her partnership in rooting out fraud and stopping individuals who abuse the system.”
Lagan of Cooperstown, New York, was an investment advisor and attorney, and Sherwood of Guilderland, New York, was an attorney who served as Guilderland Town Justice, and practiced primarily in trusts and estates.
Starting in 2006, Sherwood and Lagan provided estate planning and related legal services to Capital Region philanthropists Warren and Pauline Bruggeman, and to Pauline’s sister, Anne Urban, all of Niskayuna, New York. They were advising the Bruggemans when, in 2006, the Bruggemans signed wills directing that all their assets go to churches, civic organizations, a local hospital, and a local university scholarship fund, aside from bequests to Urban and Julia Rentz, Pauline’s sisters.
Warren Bruggeman died in April 2009, and Pauline died in August 2011. At the time of her death, Pauline had personal and trust assets valued at approximately $20 million. In each pleading guilty, Sherwood and Lagan admitted that they conspired to steal, and did steal, millions of dollars from Pauline Bruggeman’s estate as well as from the estate of Urban, who died in 2013. Their conspiracy included the diversion and transfer to themselves of several million dollars belonging to Rentz, a resident of Ohio, who was suffering from dementia at the time of the thefts and died in 2013.
Sherwood and Lagan each admitted that they induced Urban to create a trust whose purpose, unknown to her, was to allow them to transfer Bruggeman/Urban assets to themselves. They also set up more than ten bank accounts, and created a limited liability company (Empire Capital Trust, LLC), to first conceal the theft of the money and then transfer the money to themselves.
The co-conspirators admitted that they stole $11,831,563, with Lagan admitting that that nearly $6.3 million was transferred outright to him. Sherwood admitted that nearly $3.6 million was transferred to him, with an additional $1.96 million transferred to Empire Capital Trust, LLC, an entity controlled by the co-conspirators. Sherwood also admitted that he transferred to himself the Bruggeman family camp located on Galway Lake, in Saratoga County.
In December 2019, Sherwood was sentenced to 54 months in federal prison, and to also serve 3 to 9 years in state prison. That same month, Lagan was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison and to also serve 4 to 12 years in state prison.
From prison, and notwithstanding his prior guilty pleas in federal and state court, Lagan then objected in New York State Surrogate’s Court to a petition filed by the New York Attorney General’s Office’s Charities Bureau to restore the appropriate trusts created by Anne Urban (before Lagan and Sherwood defrauded her). The Surrogate’s Court ultimately rejected Lagan’s challenge and granted summary judgment to the Charities Bureau, a decision that was affirmed on appeal. Assistant Attorney General Jennifer Allinson represented the Charities Bureau in the Surrogate’s Court case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth Conger and Melissa Rothbart represent the United States on the asset forfeiture and restitution matters in this case, with assistance from the Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section.
This case is part of the Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Initiative. The mission of the Elder Justice Initiative is to support and coordinate the Department’s enforcement and programmatic efforts to combat elder abuse, neglect and financial fraud and scams that target our nation’s older adults. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving elders can call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311.
Rensselaer Felon Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing FirearmRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Andrew Williams, age 38, of Rensselaer, New York, pled guilty today to illegally possessing a rifle as a previously convicted felon.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman 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.
Williams admitted that on May 2, 2023, he possessed the rifle and 15 other firearms, as well as ammunition, at his residence in Rensselaer. A prior felony conviction for burglary in the third degree prevented Williams from legally possessing the firearms and ammunition.
Williams will be sentenced on September 4, 2024, by United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino. Williams faces up to 15 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, 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 particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
This case was investigated by ATF and the East Greenbush Police Department, with the assistance of the Rensselaer County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emmet O’Hanlon and Mikayla Espinosa are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Saratoga Springs Man Pleads Guilty to Receiving Child PornographyRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Christopher Barry, age 42, of Saratoga Springs, New York, pled guilty today to receiving child pornography.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), made the announcement.
Barry admitted that between June 2021 and January 2022, he received child pornography, including images of prepubescent minors, and possessed two phones on February 9, 2023, containing child pornography.
Barry will be sentenced on August 27, 2024, by United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci. Barry faces at least 5 years and up to 20 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 court may also impose a fine, restitution, and forfeiture of the phones Barry used to commit his offenses. 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. Barry must also register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.
HSI investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander P. Wentworth-Ping 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). 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.
Watertown Resident Pleads Guilty to Attempted Possession of Controlled Substances with the Intent to DistributeRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Stuart Chambers, age 44, of Watertown, New York, pled guilty yesterday to attempted possession of methamphetamine and cocaine 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 guilty plea yesterday, Chambers admitted that, on January 30, 2024, he travelled to Syracuse from Watertown to purchase one pound of methamphetamine and nine ounces of cocaine, which he intended to distribute. Chambers was arrested as part of a drug interdiction operation conducted by DEA and other law enforcement agencies. He further admitted that, before he committed this offense, he had previously been convicted in federal court in the Middle District of Pennsylvania of possessing controlled substances with the intent to distribute.
Sentencing is scheduled for August 20, 2024, in Syracuse, at which time Chambers faces a mandatory minimum federal prison sentence of 10 years and a maximum sentence of life, a fine of up to $8,000,000, and a term of supervised release of at least 8 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 United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is investigating the case with assistance from Pennsylvania State Police, Metro-Jefferson Drug Task Force, and the New York State Police-Special Investigations Unit - Syracuse. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica N. Carbone is prosecuting the case.
Manhattan Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing and Intending to Distribute CocaineRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – William De La Rosa, age 29, of New York, New York, pled guilty yesterday to possessing with intent to distribute one kilogram of cocaine.
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.
De La Rosa admitted to driving to a hotel in Amsterdam, New York, on January 25, 2024, where he planned to distribute one kilogram of cocaine to another person. When he arrived, law enforcement searched his vehicle and discovered the cocaine.
De La Rosa faces at least 5 years and up to 40 years in prison, a fine of up to $5 million, and a term of post-release supervision of between 4 years and life, when United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci sentences him on August 16, 2024. 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 and the Johnstown Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mikayla Espinosa is prosecuting the case.
Bronx Resident Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy Targeting Credit UnionsRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Victor Barriera, age 63, of the Bronx, New York, pled guilty yesterday to his role in a bank fraud conspiracy that targeted credit unions all over the country since at least December 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.
Barriera admitted that between at least December 2021 and April 2023, he was a member of a bank fraud conspiracy that targeted credit unions insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund. Many of the credit unions were members of a shared branching network, which allowed customers of member credit unions to withdraw funds from their accounts at other member credit unions by presenting an identification with their photograph, their account number, and the last four digits of their Social Security number. The network was designed to allow customers of localized credit unions easier access to their accounts when traveling throughout the country. Barriera admitted that the conspirators exploited this network by creating fake identifications in the names of real credit union customers, but with photographs of other individuals, including Barriera, who conducted fraudulent transactions at shared branch member credit unions all over the country in exchange for drugs or a small portion of the stolen funds.
Barriera pled guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud. In total, Barriera, admitted to successfully withdrawing at least $148,352 and attempting to fraudulently obtain an additional $15,000 while working as a member of the conspiracy.
When Barriera is sentenced by United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino on August 22, 2024, he faces up to 30 years in prison, a term of supervised release of up to 5 years, and a fine of up to $1 million. Barriera will also be ordered to pay restitution to the victims of his crimes in the amount of $148,352. Barriera has also agreed to forfeit $10,000 in U.S. currency seized by Cohoes Police Department in May 2022 when Barriera was arrested with codefendants David Daniyan and Gaysha Kennedy after being caught attempting to defraud a local credit union.
The following defendants still have charges pending in this case:
- Oluwaseun Adekoya, age 38, of New Jersey, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft;
- David Daniyan, age 59, of Brooklyn, New York, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft;
- Gaysha Kennedy, age 45, of Brooklyn, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud;
- Danielle Cappetti, age 45, of the Bronx, is charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft;
- Lesley Lucchese, age 53, of Brooklyn, is charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft;
- Jerjuan Joyner, age 49, of Brooklyn, is charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud;
- Akeem Balogun, 53, of Brooklyn, is charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud.
The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. These defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The bank fraud conspiracy charges carry a maximum term of 30 years’ incarceration and each aggravated identity theft charge carries a mandatory term of 2 years, to be imposed consecutive to any prison term imposed on the bank fraud charge.
FBI Albany is investigating the case, with assistance from the FBI Field Offices in New York and Newark, and Resident Agencies in Westchester, New York; Garrett Mountain, New Jersey; and Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Additional assistance was provided by other law enforcement agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Enforcement & Removal Operations (New York Field Office & Albany sub-office); U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Service (Buffalo Field Office & St. Albans Resident Office); U.S. Social Security Administration – Office of the Inspector General, the New York State Police; Cohoes Police Department; Colonie Police Department; Elmira Police Department; Corning Police Department; Plattsburgh Police Department; Florida law enforcement agencies including the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and Escambia County Sheriff’s Office; law enforcement agencies in New Hampshire, including the Rochester Police Department, Manchester Police Department, Amherst Police Department; the Norwich, CT Police Department; law enforcement agencies in Massachusetts, including the Springfield, MA Police Department; the Pennsylvania State Police; the Delaware State Police; and law enforcement agencies in Maryland, including the Harford County Sheriff’s Office and Baltimore County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin S. Clark is prosecuting this case.
Amsterdam Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing Cocaine Base, Money Laundering and Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Angelo Dalmau, age 54, of Amsterdam, New York, pled guilty today to distributing cocaine base (a/k/a crack cocaine) in the Amsterdam area between September 2021 and March 2022. Dalmau also admitted to money laundering and possessing a pistol in furtherance of drug trafficking.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division, and Thomas Fattorusso, Executive Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), New York Field Office, made the announcement.
Dalmau admitted to selling a total of about 250 grams of crack cocaine to another person on five occasions between September 2021 and March 2022. Dalmau further admitted to delivering $149,500 in drug trafficking proceeds to another person in January 2022 for the purpose of laundering those funds. When investigators searched Dalmau’s residence pursuant to a warrant on April 14, 2022, they recovered approximately 100 grams of crack cocaine, drug paraphernalia, $191,843 in cash, and a pistol with ammunition. Dalmau was arrested on that date has remained in custody since that time.
Dalmau will be sentenced on August 23, 2024, by United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino. Under the terms of Dalmau’s plea agreement, the parties have jointly recommended that Dalmau receive a prison term of 93 months. Dalmau also faces a fine of up to $1 million, and a term of supervised release of at least 3 years and up to life.
A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
The DEA, IRS and Amsterdam Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dustin Segovia and Emmet O’Hanlon are prosecuting the case.
New York City Man Convicted of Drug and Gun OffensesRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Rasheed Mingues, age 44, a resident of New York City staying in the Utica, New York, area, pled guilty on Friday to possession of controlled substances with the intent to distribute them and possession of a firearm as a convicted felon. 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.
Mingues admitted that, between April and October 2022, he sold over 100 grams of methamphetamine and over 30 grams of fentanyl in the Utica, New York area. He also admitted that on December 9, 2022, he possessed over 700 grams of fentanyl, over 700 grams of methamphetamine, and over 100 grams of cocaine with the intent to distribute them, and that he possessed a loaded 9mm handgun in the same bag as the drugs. Federal law prohibits Mingues from possessing the firearm as a result of a prior felony conviction.
Sentencing is scheduled for August 23, 2024, in Syracuse, at which time Mingues faces a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 10 years and a maximum sentence of life, a fine of up to $10,000,000, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 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 and New York State Police are investigating the case with assistance from the Utica Police Department, Syracuse Police Department, Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, and the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica N. Carbone and Benjamin Gillis are prosecuting the case.
Oswego Vehicle Dealership Sentenced for Conspiracy to Violate Clean Air ActRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Matthew R. Talamo, age 38, of New Haven, New York, was sentenced today in federal court in Syracuse to 4 years of probation and a $50,000.00 fine, after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to violate the Clean Air Act related to his operation of Southern Diesel Truck Co. and Southern Diesel and Off-Road LLC (collectively “Southern Diesel”), in Oswego, New York. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Tyler Amon, Special Agent in Charge of the EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division (EPA-CID) in New York, made the announcement.
In pleading guilty previously, Talamo admitted that he is the owner and operator of Southern Diesel, which specializes in buying and reselling diesel vehicles and performing after-market modifications to diesel vehicles, particularly pickup trucks. In pleading guilty, Talamo admitted that he conspired and agreed with others to violate the Clean Air Act at Southern Diesel by tampering with emission control monitoring devices and methods on diesel pickup trucks, including both software and hardware modifications. The illegal software modifications involved “tuning” or “deleting” the trucks by tampering with the “on board diagnostic” (OBD) systems and disabling emission controls, which allowed the trucks to emit substantially more pollutants into the atmosphere. Talamo and his employees also made hardware modifications to diesel vehicles, including by removing tailpipes, mufflers, and other exhaust components and replacing them with so-called straight pipes that lacked diesel particulate filters and other systems designed to reduce harmful emissions.
Between January 2018 and November 2022, Southern Diesel tampered with the emission control monitoring devices and systems of approximately 244 diesel vehicles, often charging thousands of dollars per vehicle for the modifications. Despite the harm to the environment, diesel vehicle owners sometimes seek such illegal modifications to avoid the costs of maintaining and repairing emission control components and to increase speed and fuel efficiency.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brenda K. Sannes, who presided over the case, ordered Talamo to complete 150 hours of community service during his term of probation and ordered him to abide by terms of a compliance program agreed to as part of his plea agreement, including that Southern Diesel is subject to inspection at any time for potential Clean Air Act violations.
EPA-CID investigated the case with assistance from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael F. Perry prosecuted the case.
Auburn Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing a Firearm as a Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Jason P. Benedict, age 47, of Auburn, New York, pled guilty today in federal court in Syracuse to possessing a 20-gauge shotgun as a convicted felon, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Bryan DiGirolamo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division.
As part of his guilty plea today, Benedict admitted that on January 21, 2023, he possessed and then transferred a Hawk Industries 20-gauge shotgun to another person in Syracuse. The shotgun (as well as drugs, cash, and drug paraphernalia) was seized by ATF and DEA during the execution of a search warrant at the other person’s Syracuse residence in June 2023.[1] A search of telephone text messages revealed that Benedict previously possessed and delivered the shotgun to the other person on January 21, 2023. Jason Benedict admitted in court today that he knew he was previously convicted in 2011 in Onondaga County Court of Criminal Sex Act in the Second Degree, a felony for which he was sentenced to serve five years in prison.
Sentencing is scheduled for August 23, 2024, in Syracuse, at which time Benedict faces a maximum sentence of 15-years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and a term of post-incarceration 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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Southwick is prosecuting the case.
[1] The other person is charged with federal firearms and drug felony offenses. His case is currently pending in federal court, and he is presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty.
Tioga County Man Sentenced to More Than 13 Years for Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – David P. VanHousen, age 54, formerly of Newark Valley, New York, was sentenced today to 160 months (13 years, 4 months) in federal prison for possession of child pornography, announced 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).
As part of his prior guilty plea, VanHousen admitted that, while civilly committed at the Central New York Psychiatric Center in Marcy, New York following several sex offense and child pornography-related convictions, VanHousen possessed numerous images and videos of child pornography on a contraband cellular telephone.
VanHousen was previously convicted in 2001 of Sexual Misconduct and Rape in the Third Degree in New York State court and Transportation of Child Pornography in federal court.
United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby also sentenced VanHousen to serve a life term of supervised release following his release from prison, at which time VanHousen will also be required to register as a sex offender.
This case was investigated by the FBI Mid-State Child Exploitation Task Force, comprised of FBI Special Agents and Investigators of the New York State Police, Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NYSP-BCI). The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adrian S. LaRochelle and Jessica N. Carbone as a 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 Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Possessing and Intending to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Javier Bachiller, age 32, of Syracuse, was sentenced today to serve 10 years in federal prison for his conviction for possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced 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.
As part of his previous guilty plea, Bachiller admitted that on October 19, 2023, he possessed with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine in a Syracuse garage he was renting. At the time of his arrest, Bachiller also possessed quantities of cocaine, crack cocaine and heroin that he intended to distribute to others.
United States District Judge David N. Hurd also sentenced Bachiller to serve a 5-year term of post-release supervision and ordered him to pay a $100 special assessment.
This case was investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), with assistance from the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, the Syracuse Police Department, the Onondaga County Sherriff’s Office, and the New York State Police and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey J. L. Brown.
Oswego County Man Sentenced to 120 Months for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Tyler Ager, age 30, of Oswego County, New York, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby to serve 120 months in prison to be followed by 20 years of supervised release for possession of child pornography. 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.
During his change of plea hearing in December 2023, Ager admitted that, in May 2023 and June 2023, he possessed child pornography on his phone and uploaded a child pornography file to a public website where adults chat with other adults. He also admitted that, in April 2021, he was convicted of sexual abuse in the second degree in Parish Town Court. His offense conduct in that case involved him having a 4-year-old minor touch his penis. He received a term of probation for his state offense, which he was serving when he committed the offense for which he was sentenced today. Following his 120-month term of imprisonment, Ager will also be required to register as a sex offender.
This case was investigated by the FBI Mid-State Child Exploitation Task Force, comprised of FBI Special Agents and Investigators of the New York State Police, Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Gadarian 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.
Virginia Man Pleads Guilty to Bank Robbery ConspiracyRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Brian Tierney a.k.a “Wodanaz,” age 30, of Lynchburg, Virginia, pled guilty today to conspiring to commit bank robbery. 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.
Tierney admitted that between November 14 and November 27, 2022, he agreed to and planned to commit an armed bank robbery at a branch in Johnstown, New York, with two co-conspirators, Michael Brown, Jr. a.k.a. “Russ,” and Luke Kenna a.k.a. “Lt.” As part of that conspiracy, Kenna conducted surveillance of the bank and purchased items, including weapons, to commit the robbery; Tierney ordered handgun parts for use in the robbery and sent photographs of a handgun and a radio scanning and jamming device for use in robbing the bank to Kenna; and Brown drove to New York to conduct surveillance of the bank with Kenna.
Brown pled guilty to conspiracy to commit bank robbery on June 23, 2023. Kenna pled guilty to conspiracy to commit bank robbery and possession of a firearm as a prohibited person on August 17, 2023. Kenna and Brown are both scheduled to be sentenced on June 14, 2024.
Sentencing for Tierney is scheduled for August 16, 2024, before Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes, when Tierney faces a maximum term of 5 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a post-imprisonment 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 Albany Field Office’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), which includes FBI Special Agents, and federal, state, and local investigators, including from the New York State Police, investigated the case. The FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office, the FBI’s Richmond Field Office, and the New York State Police Special Investigations Unit also provided assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Wentworth-Ping is prosecuting the case.
Montgomery County Felon Sentenced to 181 Months for Drug and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Bernardo Tovar, age 34, of Amsterdam, New York, was sentenced today to 181 months in prison for engaging in a drug trafficking conspiracy, for possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl pills, cocaine, and methamphetamine, and for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division, and John B. DeVito, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) made the announcement.
As part of his prior guilty plea, Tovar admitted that from May 2022 to December 2022, he conspired to distribute counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl, as well as cocaine and methamphetamine. Tovar, who has a prior violent felony conviction for attempted robbery, also admitted to possessing fentanyl pills, cocaine, and methamphetamine, as well as a loaded handgun to protect his drugs and drug proceeds, on December 7, 2022, when law enforcement searched his apartment.
Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes also imposed an 8-year term of post-imprisonment supervised release.
Tovar’s alleged co-conspirator, Samuel Payano, was arrested on December 7, 2022, and charged with distribution and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance (fentanyl). The charges against Payano remain pending and are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The DEA and ATF investigated this case, and Assistant United States Attorney Alexander P. Wentworth-Ping is prosecuting the case.
Bronx Man Sentenced to 42 Months for Bank Fraud and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Antonio Vargas, age 58, of the Bronx, New York, was sentenced today to 42 months in prison for defrauding five Capital Region banks by using fake identifications to withdraw funds from accounts.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), made the announcement.
Vargas previously pled guilty to bank fraud and aggravated identity theft charges. He admitted that in June and July 2022, he presented to bank tellers counterfeit U.S. passport cards and driver’s licenses with his photograph, but with the names and other personal information of real customers of Trustco Bank, Pioneer Bank, Broadview Federal Credit Union, Adirondack Trust Bank and Saratoga National Bank and Trust Company. He fraudulently withdrew a total of $58,000 from the customers’ accounts in Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga and Schenectady Counties. Vargas perpetrated the same fraudulent scheme in Louisiana and Connecticut before coming to New York.
Vargas was arrested by the Saratoga Springs Police Department on July 13, 2022, after he unsuccessfully attempted to withdraw funds from a Saratoga National Bank branch, and has remained in federal custody since then.
United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino also ordered that Vargas pay restitution to the banks in the amount of $58,000 and serve a 5-year term of supervised release following his release from prison.
HSI investigated this case with assistance from the U.S. Secret Service, Diplomatic Security Service, New York State Police, Bethlehem Police Department, North Greenbush Police Department, Rotterdam Police Department, Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, Saratoga Springs Police Department and Scotia Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Emmet O’Hanlon prosecuted this case.
Albany Man Indicted for Distribution, Receipt and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Taykwun Smoaks, age 32, of Albany, was arraigned on Friday, April 12, on charges that he distributed, received, and possessed child pornography. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Buffalo Field Office, and New York State Police (NYSP) Superintendent Steven G. James made the announcement.
The indictment filed against Smoaks alleges that, from February to March 2023, he distributed and received images and videos of child pornography over the internet, and that he possessed images of child pornography on his computer and external hard drive on April 5, 2023. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
If convicted of the charges, Smaoks faces at least 5 years and up to 20 years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least 5 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. Smoaks may also be ordered to pay restitution to the victims of his offenses and forfeit the devices used in the offenses. Smoaks would also have to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.
Smoaks was arraigned on Friday in Albany, before United States Magistrate Judge Christian F. Hummel, and detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for tomorrow, April 16. A trial will be scheduled before United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci.
HSI and NYSP are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander P. Wentworth-Ping is prosecuting the case.
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.
Pulaski Woman Indicted for Bank Fraud, Social Security Fraud, and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Wanda Gilpin, age 70, of Pulaski, New York, was arraigned today on a federal indictment charging her with six counts of bank fraud, two counts of misuse of a social security number, and one count of aggravated identity theft, United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Bradley Parker, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General (SSA-OIG), New York Field Office announced.
According to the indictment, Gilpin is accused of applying for multiple credit cards and loans using the personal identification information—including the social security number—of other individuals, including her deceased husband. She executed this scheme to obtain lines of credit and loans with no intention of ever re-paying them. Gilpin is accused of stealing thousands of dollars from several different financial institutions during the course of several years.
The bank fraud charges filed against Gilpin carry a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000. The misuse of a social security number charges carry a maximum sentence of 5 years and a fine of up to $250,000. Gilpin is also subject to a mandatory sentence of two years in prison, for the aggravated identity theft count, to be served in addition to any punishment for any other charges of conviction. If convicted, Gilpin will also be subject to a term of supervised release of up to five years after her release from 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 charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The SSA-OIG is investigating the case and the case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian LaRochelle and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Tuck.
Schenectady Man Pleads Guilty to Receiving Child PornographyRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Richard Nejame, age 29, of Schenectady, New York, pled guilty today to five counts of receiving and attempting to receive child pornography.
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.
Nejame admitted that between about October 2022 and May 1, 2023, he communicated with several girls over social media applications, including Snapchat, while pretending to be a teenage boy. During Nejame’s online communications with the minor females, he encouraged them to take nude pictures and videos of themselves, and to then send the pictures and videos to him. Once in receipt of the nude pictures and videos of the minor females, Nejame directed the girls to take more sexually explicit pictures and videos of themselves, and to send those sexually explicit pictures and videos to him. He also threatened that if the girls did not comply with his demands, Nejame would embarrass and expose the girls by publishing their pictures and videos on the Internet.
At sentencing on August 14, 2024, before United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino, Nejame faces at least 5 years and up to 20 years in prison. The judge will also be required to impose a term of post-release supervision of at least 5 years and up to life. The court may also impose a fine, restitution, and forfeiture of the phones and computers Nejame used to commit his offenses. 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. Nejame will also have to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.
The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rick Belliss and Benjamin S. Clark 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.
Clifton Park Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Attempted Enticement of a MinorRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Michael Kirkland, age 30, of Clifton Park, 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, Kirkland admitted that on August 11, 2022, 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. Kirkland also admitted that on August 11, 2022, he traveled to a hotel in Saratoga County, New York, with the intent to engage in sexual acts with the 12-year-old girl. Kirkland was arrested by law enforcement shortly after arriving at the location.
United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci also imposed a 10-year term of post-imprisonment supervised release. Kirkland will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.
The FBI’s Mid-State Child Exploitation Task Force and Capital Region Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force investigated the case. Each task force is comprised of FBI Special Agents, as well as state and local police investigators, including from the 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.
Former Cornell Student Pleads Guilty to Posting Online Threats Against Jewish Students on CampusRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Patrick Dai, age 21, formerly a junior at Cornell University and originally from Pittsford, New York, pled guilty today to posting threats to kill or injure another person using interstate communications.
“This defendant is being held accountable for vile, abhorrent, antisemitic threats of violence levied against members of the Cornell University Jewish community,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “In the elevated threat environment that we have seen since Oct. 7th, we have been vigilant and stand ready to hold perpetrators of hate crimes accountable. Antisemitic threats of violence are unacceptable in our society, and we will not tolerate this conduct. Particularly at institutions of higher learning, people should feel safe to pursue educational opportunities. The Justice Department takes seriously our obligation to protect students from hatred and harassment and will continue to use every tool available to ensure that students are able to feel safe and secure.”
“Patrick Dai used the internet to make horrific threats to kill and injure Jewish students attending Cornell University. The federal felony conviction he sustains today underscores that those who break the law by making violent threats will be found and prosecuted, even if they attempt to hide by posting anonymously,” said U.S. Attorney Carla Freedman for the Northern District of New York. “The rapid and coordinated investigation by the FBI, New York State Police and Cornell University Police led to Dai’s identification and arrest in a matter of days, bringing relief to both his classmates and the community he terrorized by his actions. His guilty plea today means he will be held accountable for his threats against members of his own Cornell University community.”
“Patrick Dai’s disturbingly violent threats caused widespread panic and fear throughout Cornell University’s Jewish community,” said Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli of the FBI Albany Field Office. “I want to commend our Joint Terrorism Task Force and our outstanding partners from New York State Police and Cornell University Police Department for their swift coordination in identifying and arresting Dai. The FBI will not tolerate any individual who terrorizes our communities and will work closely with our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office to ensure our college campuses remain a safe space for students to continue their education free of fear and hate.”
New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “New York takes pride in its’ diversity. Mr. Dai committed a heinous bias related crime, rooted in hate that is not welcome. We will not tolerate the illegal behavior brought on by these acts. I thank the United States Attorney’s Office and our partners in law enforcement for their collaboration in obstructing these crimes.”
Chief Anthony G. Bellamy, Cornell University Police said, “We are grateful for the diligent work of our law enforcement partners involved in the investigation and legal process. The swift response and investigative efforts illustrate the commitment of Cornell Police and the Division of Public Safety to keep our community safe from threats of targeted violence. We are thankful this matter has come to a just conclusion without further impact and hope this plea and conviction provide some comfort to the affected members of our community.”
As part of his guilty plea, Dai admitted that, on Oct. 28 and 29, 2023, he posted threatening messages to the Cornell section of an online discussion forum, including posts that said “gonna shoot up 104 west” (a dining hall at Cornell University that caters predominantly to Kosher diets and is next to the Cornell Jewish Center that provides residential accommodations for students) and “gonna bomb jewish house.” In another post, Dai threatened to “stab” and “slit the throat” of any Jewish man he saw on campus, to rape and throw off a cliff any Jewish women he saw, and to behead any Jewish babies. In that same post, Dai threatened to “bring an assault rifle to campus and shoot all you pig jews.”
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Aug. 12, 2024 in Syracuse. Dai faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, restitution to victims and a maximum of three years of supervised release. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, which includes the New York State Police, is investigating this case, with assistance from the FBI Albany Field Office, Cornell University Police Department and Ithaca Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Geoffrey J. L. Brown, Stephen C. Green and Michael D. Gadarian for the Northern District of New York are prosecuting the case, with assistance from the Justice Department’s National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section and with assistance from the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section.
Former Cornell Student Pleads Guilty to Posting Online Threats Against Jewish Students on CampusRead the Press Release
Patrick Dai, 21, formerly a junior at Cornell University and originally from Pittsford, New York, pleaded guilty today to posting threats to kill or injure another person using interstate communications.
“This defendant is being held accountable for vile, abhorrent, antisemitic threats of violence levied against members of the Cornell University Jewish community,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “In the elevated threat environment that we have seen since Oct. 7th, we have been vigilant and stand ready to hold perpetrators of hate crimes accountable. Antisemitic threats of violence are unacceptable in our society, and we will not tolerate this conduct. Particularly at institutions of higher learning, people should feel safe to pursue educational opportunities. The Justice Department takes seriously our obligation to protect students from hatred and harassment and will continue to use every tool available to ensure that students are able to feel safe and secure.”
“Patrick Dai used the internet to make horrific threats to kill and injure Jewish students attending Cornell University. The federal felony conviction he sustains today underscores that those who break the law by making violent threats will be found and prosecuted, even if they attempt to hide by posting anonymously,” said U.S. Attorney Carla Freedman for the Northern District of New York. “The rapid and coordinated investigation by the FBI, New York State Police and Cornell University Police led to Dai’s identification and arrest in a matter of days, bringing relief to both his classmates and the community he terrorized by his actions. His guilty plea today means he will be held accountable for his threats against members of his own Cornell University community.”
"The threats Patrick Dai made towards the Jewish community are graphic and disturbing,” said Executive Assistant Director Larissa Knapp of the FBI’s National Security Branch. “Unfortunately, the FBI continues to see antisemitic sentiments across the violent extremist ideological spectrum. We work every day to make sure no one fears for their safety while simply going about their life, practicing their religion or attending class.”
As part of his guilty plea, Dai admitted that, on Oct. 28 and 29, 2023, he posted threatening messages to the Cornell section of an online discussion forum, including posts that said “gonna shoot up 104 west” (a dining hall at Cornell University that caters predominantly to Kosher diets and is next to the Cornell Jewish Center that provides residential accommodations for students) and “gonna bomb jewish house.” In another post, Dai threatened to “stab” and “slit the throat” of any Jewish man he saw on campus, to rape and throw off a cliff any Jewish women he saw, and to behead any Jewish babies. In that same post, Dai threatened to “bring an assault rifle to campus and shoot all you pig jews.”
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Aug. 12. Dai faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, restitution to victims and a maximum of three years of supervised release. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, which includes the New York State Police, is investigating this case, with assistance from the FBI Albany Field Office, Cornell University Police Department and Ithaca Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Geoffrey J. L. Brown, Stephen C. Green and Michael D. Gadarian for the Northern District of New York are prosecuting the case, with assistance from the Justice Department’s National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section and with assistance from the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section.
Brooklyn Man Pleads Guilty to Nationwide Marijuana Trafficking and Money Laundering ConspiraciesRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Lateek White, age 53, of Brooklyn, New York, pled guilty today to conspiring to distribute marijuana and money laundering.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; John B. DeVito, 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 Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), made the announcement.
White admitted that he was a member of a marijuana and THC trafficking organization that shipped thousands of kilograms of marijuana and THC from Fresno, California, to locations throughout the United States, including New York City and the Capital Region, between 2017 and June 2022. He also admitted to laundering marijuana proceeds for the organization.
The packages of marijuana were shipped through UPS and FedEx from a shipping store in Fresno, Fast Pack & Ship, by Dwight A. Singletary II, aka “Nutt” and “Mike Jones,” and McKenzie Merrialice Coles, aka “Kenzie.” White received the packages of marijuana at, among other locations, his residence in Brooklyn; his sister, Onisha Smith, also received packages of marijuana at her apartment and a neighboring apartment in Brooklyn. In total, White and Smith received 71 packages containing approximately 294 kilograms, or 648 pounds, of marijuana.
White also laundered marijuana proceeds for the organization by depositing cash into a bank account owned by Singletary in the name “Daddy Ds Boutique,” which was a purported clothing business. When he deposited the cash, White knew that Daddy Ds Boutique was not a real clothing business and deposited the cash to conceal the nature and source of the marijuana proceeds and to promote the marijuana trafficking conspiracy.
White faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison; up to $8.5 million in fines; and term of post-release supervision of between 8 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.
White was charged in an indictment with Singletary, Coles, Smith and 20 other people charging marijuana distribution and money laundering conspiracies, firearms offenses, and other crimes. Singletary, Coles, and Smith have pled not guilty and are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations.
In addition to White, seven other defendants, Rosemary Coles, Latrice Mumphrey, Sammy Olague, Victor Turner, Kristle Walker, Ruby Ledesma, and Jazell Shuler, previously pled guilty and are pending sentencing.
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.
Rensselaer County Man Pleads Guilty to Sexual Exploitation of a ChildRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Zachary Frye, age 28, of Rensselaer County, New York, pled guilty today to sexual exploitation of a child. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Buffalo made the announcement.
During Frye’s change of plea hearing, he admitted that, in October 2019 while required to register as a sex offender due to a 2017 conviction for promoting the sexual performance of a child, he took several sexually explicit photographs of an approximately 5-year-old child. The images that Frye created included depictions of the child’s genitals and of the child’s hand on Frye’s penis. Frye also admitted that, on the same day he created those images, he sent them to another person on social media with whom he had been discussing the sexual abuse of children.
At sentencing scheduled for August 7, 2024, before United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci, Frye faces a term of imprisonment of least 25 years and up to 50 years, a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least five years and up to life, a fine of up to $250,000, and restitution to the victim of his offense. Frye also will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the statute the defendant violated, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
HSI is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Gadarian 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), 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.
Utah Man Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison for Murder-for-Hire SchemeRead the Press Release
UTICA, NEW YORK – Christopher Pence, age 43, of Cedar City, Utah, was sentenced yesterday to 84 months in prison for using the Internet to solicit and pay for the murders of two Rensselaer County residents.
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, Pence admitted that between July 16 and August 9, 2021, from his computer at his home in Utah, he accessed a “darknet” website dedicated to arranging contract killings. Through the website, Pence arranged for the murder of two residents of Hoosick Falls, New York, and paid a website administrator approximately $16,000 worth of Bitcoin to facilitate the murders. Pence then provided the website administrator with the names, address and photographs of the intended victims, instructed the administrator to make the murders look like an accident or botched robbery, and requested that care be taken not to harm any of the children who resided with the victims.
The intended victims were not harmed and the FBI arrested Pence in Utah on October 27, 2021. He has remained in federal custody since that time. Following his arrest, Pence told investigators that he solicited the murders of the victims because of the fraught relationship between his family and the victims following Pence’s family’s adoption of several of the victims’ children.
United States District Judge David N. Hurd also ordered Pence to serve a 3-year term of supervised release following his release from prison.
The FBI investigated this case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Emmet J. O’Hanlon prosecuted this case.
Former Delaware County Teacher Indicted for Coercing, Transporting, and Sexually Abusing StudentsRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Paul Geer, 56, of Hancock, New York, was arraigned today on a federal indictment charging him with three counts of coercing and enticing three separate children to travel across state lines to engage in unlawful sexual activity, and three counts of transporting the children across state lines with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity with those children.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Craig Tremaroli made the announcement.
The indictment filed against Geer alleges that, while Geer was a teacher at the Family Foundation School in Hancock, New York, Geer imposed various disciplinary sanctions on students which were tantamount to torture. The sanctions Geer imposed on students included depriving children of food or forcing children to eat food that had been regurgitated, binding children in rugs and leaving them in isolated rooms for extended periods of time and forcing children to perform forced physical labor. The indictment further alleges that, in 1994, 2000, and 2001, Geer used his position of authority and his ability to impose these brutal sanctions to coerce three students to travel with him, on separate occasions, to Maine, Pennsylvania, and Toronto, Canada. The indictment also charges that Geer transported the students across state lines with the intent to engage in sexual activity with them. While on those trips, Geer raped or otherwise sexually abused each of the three children. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The three counts of coercion and enticement each carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 5 years. The three counts of transporting children across state lines each carry a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 5 years. If convicted, Geer will also be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from 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 FBI is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica N. Carbone and Adrian S. LaRochelle are prosecuting the case as a 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.
If you have any information about Paul Geer, the Family Foundation School, or other schools like it, which may have marketed themselves as part of the “Troubled Teen Industry,” please contact the FBI at [email protected].
Schenectady Man Sentenced on Drug ConvictionsRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Hason Harres, age 47, of Schenectady, New York, was sentenced today to serve 57 months in federal prison for possessing methamphetamine and fentanyl with the 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 previous guilty plea, Harres admitted to possessing and/or distributing more than 1,400 counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl, as well as 92 grams of methamphetamine. At the time of the offense, Harres was on post-release supervision for a state drug conviction. Senior U.S. District Judge Lawrence E. Kahn also imposed a 4-year term of supervised release and forfeiture of $13,800.00.
The DEA investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Reiner prosecuted the defendant.
Grant Administrator to Pay $500,000 to Resolve False Claims Act Investigation Involving Misuse of Federal Funds Intended for Combating Youth Substance AbuseRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Victoria Shaw, of Mahwah, New Jersey, the owner of Suffern, New York-based Wellcore, Inc., has agreed to pay $500,000 for her role in a scheme whereby she and a former Wellcore official forged signatures of community leaders on federal grant applications and then diverted for personal use federal funds intended to combat youth substance use, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman.
“Protecting taxpayer dollars from fraud and abuse is one of my top priorities,” said United States Attorney Freedman. “Under the False Claims Act, Victoria Shaw paid far more in damages and penalties than she misappropriated, showing the important deterrent effect that this law can have in combatting fraud on federal programs.”
Wellcore is a not-for-profit corporation that secures and administers Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program grants. DFC is a grant program that provides resources to community coalitions to prevent youth substance use. A “community coalition” consists of community leaders representing twelve sectors that organize to meet the local prevention needs of the youth and families in their communities. As part of the DFC grant-application process, applicants must submit to the federal government copies of signed agreements with representatives from each sector reflecting that the individual has agreed to represent their sector for purposes of the grant.
As part of the settlement agreement, Shaw admitted to the following:
In 2009, Wellcore applied to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for a DFC grant on behalf of the South Orangetown Community Awareness of Substance Abuse (SOCASA) coalition. Wellcore forged signatures of sector representatives and addended them to SOCASA’s application, including signatures of a local business owner (using the wrong first name), a physician (using the wrong spelling of the last name), and a school principal. Wellcore then submitted or caused the application to be submitted to the government, with the forgeries, to provide the false impression that each purported signatory had agreed to serve as a sector representative for SOCASA. SOCASA received the DFC grant in 2009, which Wellcore administered for SOCASA. Wellcore renewed the DFC grant on SOCASA’s behalf in 2011, 2013, and 2015.
In 2015, Wellcore applied to SAMHSA for a DFC grant on behalf of Suffern United Coalition Against Substance Abuse (SUCASA). Wellcore forged signatures of sector representatives and addended them to SUCASA’s application, including signatures of a law-enforcement official, a physician, and a school guidance counselor. Wellcore then submitted or caused the application to be submitted to the government, with the forgeries, to provide the false impression that each purported signatory had agreed to serve as a sector representative for SUCASA. SUCASA received the DFC grant in 2015, which Wellcore administered for SUCASA.
Wellcore officials also misappropriated funds from the SUCASA and SOCASA grants for unallowable costs. For example, Shaw admitted that she used SOCASA grant funds to pay $15,000 to a criminal-defense attorney to represent a family member in a personal matter and that she spent thousands of dollars of DFC grant funds to pay for gym memberships for herself and for her immediate family members. Shaw also provided evidence that an individual who was previously affiliated with Wellcore misappropriated DFC grant funds while so affiliated. Shaw provided examples of how this individual misappropriated DFC grant funds, including by spending such funds to purchase home furnishings, to pay for their child’s day camp expenses, to pay for their child’s birthday party, to pay a contractor to do home-improvement work, to pay for personal travel, and to pay for their swim club membership.
Wellcore officials had access to SOCASA and SUCASA grant funds and spent some such funds in the Northern District of New York, including for meals at several restaurants in Albany.
“This is an egregious example of misappropriating federal grant funds for personal use,” said Special Agent in Charge Naomi D. Gruchacz of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to preserve the integrity of HHS programs.”
The investigation and settlement were the result of a coordinated effort between the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York and HHS-OIG. The United States was represented by Assistant United States Attorney Adam J. Katz.
Schenectady Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Child ExploitationRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Thomas Ullman, age 47, of Schenectady, New York, was sentenced yesterday to 25 years in prison for sexual exploitation of a child. 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.
In previously pleading guilty, Ullman admitted that from at least March 2020 through June 16, 2021, he used the Internet to access a teen dating website, pretend to be a teenage boy, and persuade girls to communicate with him through video chat and messaging. Ullman admitted that he instructed the girls to engage in sexually explicit conduct during those chats, including a then-15-year-old girl. Ullman further admitted that he engaged in the same conduct with girls as young as 13.
United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci also sentenced Ullman to serve 15 years of post-imprisonment supervised release and ordered him to pay $5,000 in restitution to a victim. Ullman will also be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.
The FBI’s Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Rotterdam Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Kopita prosecuted the case as a 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.
Massachusetts Man Indicted for Stealing Postage Stamps Using Fraudulent ChecksRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – William Soto, age 32, of Springfield, Massachusetts, was arraigned yesterday on a federal indictment charging him with twelve counts of theft of government property, United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the Boston Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) announced.
According to the indictment, Soto used fraudulent checks to purchase more than $30,000 worth of United States Postal Service postage stamps over the course of two days in Oneida County, Oswego County, and Onondaga County in August 2023.
The charges filed against Soto carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to three 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 charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The USPIS is investigating the case with the help of the Fulton Police Department and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Tuck is prosecuting the case.
Iraqi Citizen Pleads Guilty to Lying to Federal OfficersRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Israa Sultan, age 43, of New York, New York, pled guilty today to making a false statement to federal authorities.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Port Director Timothy Walker of the Alexandria Bay Port of Entry, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), made the announcement.
On December 8, 2023, Sultan—an Iraqi national lawfully present in the United States—attempted to cross from New York into Canada using a United States passport. Canadian authorities refused to grant entry to Sultan, and they turned her over to CBP. Sultan falsely told a CBP Officer that she was the person depicted in the passport. When CBP searched Sultan, they recovered approximately 20 grams of cocaine.
Sultan faces up to 5 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years, when she is sentenced on July 26, 2024. 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.
CBP investigated this case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Reiner is prosecuting.
Former Healthcare Executive Director Indicted for Mail FraudRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Kevin Harrington, age 50, of Oneonta, New York, was arraigned yesterday on a federal indictment charging him with 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.
According to the indictment, Harrington was formally the executive director at First Community Care of Bassett, LLC (an affiliate of the Bassett Healthcare Network). During the course of 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.
The charges filed against Harrington carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to three 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 charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The FBI is investigating the case and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Tuck is prosecuting the case.
Schenectady Man Sentenced to 132 Months for Cocaine, Marijuana and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Jeffrey C. Civitello Jr., age 24, of Schenectady, New York, was sentenced today to a total of 132 months and a day in prison for conspiring to traffic more than 5 kilograms of cocaine and more than 100 kilograms of marijuana, and to possessing two firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
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.
In previously pleading guilty to marijuana and firearms offenses, Civitello Jr. admitted that from 2019 to 2021, he worked with others to acquire and sell more than 100 kilograms of marijuana. On October 21, 2021, the DEA executed a federal search warrant on Civitello’s penthouse apartment residence in Schenectady. Investigators located approximately 75 pounds of marijuana, mostly packaged in 1-pound bags, which Civitello Jr. intended to sell. Additionally, they found $407,545 in cash and a 14-karat Miami Cuban chain, all of which were proceeds of drug trafficking.
In Civitello Jr.’s bedroom, investigators located a loaded Taurus Judge Public Defender revolver and a Smith and Wesson M&P 15-22 rifle loaded with a high-capacity magazine containing numerous .22 caliber rounds, including a round in the chamber. Civitello Jr. admitted that he possessed these firearms to protect himself in the event that someone attempted to enter his apartment and steal his marijuana or his drug proceeds.
Additionally, Civitello Jr. was found guilty of cocaine offenses following an 8-day trial in April 2023. The trial evidence demonstrated a conspiracy to traffic about 15 kilograms of cocaine in March and April 2021, among Civitello Jr., his father Jeffrey C. Civitello, Sr., and three New York City-area men. Civitello Sr. was sentenced last year to 120 months in prison.
United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino also imposed on Civitello Jr. a 5-year term of post-imprisonment supervised release. Civitello Jr. has now forfeited the $407,545 in cash found in his safe, as well as the firearms, ammunition and the Miami Cuban chain, and agreed to entry of a $250,000 money judgment against him.
These cases were investigated by the DEA’s Capital District Drug Enforcement Task Force, which includes DEA Special Agents and investigators from state and local police agencies, including the Saratoga Springs Police Department, the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, and the New York State Police.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Barnett and Dustin Segovia prosecuted these cases.
These cases are 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.
Tompkins County Man Sentenced to More Than 12 Years in Federal Prison for Attempting to Coerce a Child to Engage in Unlawful Sexual Conduct and Possessing a Loaded Handgun as a Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Joel Cook, 49, of Ithaca, New York, was sentenced yesterday to serve 151 months in prison for Attempted Coercion and Enticement of a Minor, and a concurrent 151 months for possessing a loaded handgun as a prohibited person by virtue of a prior felony conviction. 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.
In his previous plea of guilty, Cook admitted that in March of 2023 he sent sexually explicit text messages to a 14-year-old child in an attempt to entice and coerce her into engaging in sexual conduct with him. The child did not respond to Cook’s messages. Instead, her family reported Cook to police, after which the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation assumed the child’s identity. Thereafter, for nearly a month Cook engaged in sexually explicit messaging with someone whom he thought was the child, explaining what type of sexual conduct they could engage in with one another, and asking her to send sexually explicit images to him. Cook was arrested on April 8, 2023, after arriving at a location where he had arranged to meet her.
Additional investigation led to the discovery of a loaded Hi Point, .380 caliber pistol hidden inside a hat in a dresser drawer in Cook’s bedroom. Cook was prohibited from possessing the firearm as a result of a 2022 Chemung County Court conviction for Grand Larceny in the Third Degree.
In addition to serving 151 months in prison, Hon. Anne M. Nardacci sentenced Cook to 15 years of supervised release upon his release from imprisonment, and he will be required to register as a sex offender.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Mid-State Child Exploitation Task Force and the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa M. Fletcher as a 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.
Brooklyn Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing a Handgun with an Obliterated Serial NumberRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Adam Gomez, age 26, of Brooklyn, New York, pled guilty today to unlawfully possessing a handgun with an obliterated serial number.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), made the announcement.
Gomez admitted that on September 8, 2022, in the parking lot of a shopping mall in Albany County, he unlawfully possessed a Glock 17 handgun with an obliterated serial number.
Gomez faces a maximum term of 5 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.
HSI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Belliss is prosecuting the case.
Albany Resident Sentenced to 41 Months for Unemployment Insurance FraudRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Jamie Johnson, age 38, of Albany, was sentenced today to 41 months in prison for filing false unemployment insurance applications online with the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) in order to fraudulently obtain $701,441 in benefits issued in the names of other people. The benefits included funds from federal programs intended to help out-of-work New Yorkers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang; Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the Boston Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); and Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge, New York Region, United States Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (USDOL-OIG).
Johnson pled guilty in February 2022 and admitted to receiving personal identifying information from other people and using it to file false unemployment insurance applications in other people’s names on NYSDOL’s online systems. She then collected the resulting unemployment insurance benefits, including by driving a Maserati sport utility vehicle to Capital Region banks and withdrawing cash using debit cards containing the benefits.
Senior United States District Judge Lawrence E. Kahn also imposed a 3-year term of supervised release, to begin after Johnson is released from prison, and ordered her to pay $701,441 in restitution to the State of New York. He also ordered Johnson to forfeit the Maserati, more than $200,000 in cash, and multiple jewelry items.
Judge Kahn had previously sentenced three of Johnson’s co-conspirators, Thomas Brace, Taliek Lanier, and Errol Murray, to terms of imprisonment of time served, 12 months, and 12 months, respectively. Johnson’s co-conspirators all admitted that they had provided her with personal information of others that Johnson used to file false unemployment insurance applications.
This case was investigated by the New York State Inspector General’s Office, HSI, USPIS and USDOL-OIG, with assistance from the NYSDOL Office of Special Investigations, the Capital Region Crime Analysis Center, the Albany County Department of Social Services, and the United States Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua R. Rosenthal and Joseph S. Hartunian prosecuted this case.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit 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.
Troy Felon Indicted for Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking CrimeRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Richawn McClain, age 25, of Troy, New York, was ordered detained today following an indictment filed last week alleging that he possessed 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 Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division, made the announcement.
McClain allegedly possessed a Glock .40 caliber handgun that had been modified into a machinegun, and a cocaine-fentanyl mixture and more than 900 oxycodone pills, which he intended to sell. The indictment also alleges that McClain unlawfully possessed the firearm as 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 McClain carry a mandatory prison term of at least 5 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.
United States Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart ordered McClain detained pending a trial before United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino.
The DEA is investigating the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Reiner is prosecuting.
Saratoga County Man Pleads Guilty to Drug and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK –Anthony Luizzi, age 24, of Halfmoon, New York, pled guilty today to drug and gun crimes in connection with his trafficking in large amounts of fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine, as well as his possession of nearly 40 firearms.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division; and John B. DeVito, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), made the announcement.
Luizzi pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl; possession with intent to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl; and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes.
He admitted that he conspired to distribute, and possessed with intent and distribute, cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl, from his residence in Halfmoon, and from an apartment on Western Avenue in Albany. On May 23, 2023, law enforcement searched his Halfmoon apartment where they found more than 11 kilograms of fentanyl pills, along with five firearms, including a defaced shotgun. Law enforcement also seized $2,616 in cash as drug proceeds. On that same day, law enforcement also searched the Western Avenue apartment and found 34 more firearms, as well as more than 400 grams of fentanyl pills, more than 7,000 grams of pills containing methamphetamine, and more than 700 grams of cocaine.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 16, 2024, before United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci. Luizzi faces at least 15 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $10 million, and a supervised release term of at least 5 years and up to life, to begin after he finishes his prison term. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
The following defendants, who were also arrested on May 23, 2023, still face charges in connection with this case:
- Brandon Bartley was charged by criminal complaint on May 23, 2023, with possession with intent to distribute cocaine. He has been ordered detained pending trial.
- Jabree Jones was charged with a violation of the terms of his supervised release on May 23, 2023, and has been detained pending the resolution of the supervised release violation petition.
The charges against Bartley and Jones are merely accusations. Both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The DEA and the ATF are investigating the case, with assistance from the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), and U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (USDOL-OIG). Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Wentworth-Ping is prosecuting the case.