Northern District of New York
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Schenectady Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Sexual Exploitation of a ChildRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Terence Wilson, age 40, of Schenectady, New York, was sentenced today to 360 months (30 years) in federal prison for his repeated 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.
As part of his prior guilty plea, Wilson admitted that he sexually exploited a child from the time the child was approximately 8 years old until the child was approximately 15 years old and that he created approximately 50 videos depicting the abuse.
Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes, also sentenced Wilson to serve a life term of supervised release to begin after Wilson is released from prison. Wilson also will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.
This case was investigated by the FBI and its Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes members of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, including the New York State Police. Assistant United States Attorneys Michael D. Gadarian and Adrian LaRochelle 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.
Otsego County Man Pleads Guilty to Sexual Exploitation of a ChildRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Charles Bodie, age 49, of Otsego County, New York, pled guilty yesterday to sexual exploitation of a child. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Buffalo Field Office, made the announcement.
Bodie admitted during his change of plea hearing yesterday that, from December 2021 through October 2022, he exchanged sexually explicit text messages with the victim, during which he persuaded and enticed her to produce and send him sexually explicit pictures of herself. Bodie admitted further to engaging in sexual intercourse with the same victim when the victim was approximately 13-15 years old.
The offense to which Bodie pled guilty carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years, with a maximum of 30 years imprisonment. If Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes accepts the parties’ agreed-upon disposition at sentencing on May 15, 2024, Bodie will receive an imprisonment term of between 210 to 262 months. Bodie’s sentence must also include a post-imprisonment term of supervised release of between five years and life, a fine of up to $250,000, restitution to the victim, and he 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 United States Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
This case was investigated by HSI, the Otsego County Sherriff’s Office, and the Delaware County Sherriff’s Office. Assistant United States 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.
Rensselaer Man Sentenced to 17 Years for Two Capital Region Armed Bank RobberiesRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Ulysses Jessie Walls, a/k/a “Guwala,” age 30, of Rensselaer, New York, was sentenced today to serve 204 months in federal prison for two 2019 armed bank robberies.
The announcement was made by 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); Dominick L. Chiumento, Acting Superintendent of the New York State Police (NYSP); Albany Police Chief Eric Hawkins; and Town of North Greenbush Police Chief David Keevern.
As part of his previously entered guilty pleas to armed bank robbery, firearms, and conspiracy charges, Walls admitted that he committed two armed robberies with Christopher Cohn a/k/a “Wolf.” On February 6, 2019, Walls and Cohn pulled up to an Albany Trustco Bank branch, where Cohn declared he was about to “go do this,” meaning that he planned to rob the bank. Walls and Cohn then entered the bank wearing ski masks. In the bank, Walls displayed a gun, and both men threatened to kill the bank’s employees, who surrendered approximately $150,000 to the pair.
Walls also admitted that on the morning of February 26, 2019, he and Cohn entered an M&T Bank branch in North Greenbush, each wearing a ski mask and brandishing a gun. During the robbery, Cohn fired multiple shots, including one that grazed a bank employee. According to court documents, law enforcement tracked Cohn, Walls, and their getaway driver to an Albany motel using a GPS device placed in the stolen money by a member of the bank’s staff. Cohn was apprehended by officers with more than $10,000 in cash and wearing red sneakers matching those captured by the bank’s surveillance cameras during the robbery. Walls was arrested in the motel’s lobby, where officers found him with several bags containing approximately $3,800 in cash along with ski masks and other clothing matching that worn by the robbers.
United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino also ordered Walls to serve a 5-year term of post-imprisonment supervised release, to pay $167,681 in restitution to his victims, and to forfeit $79,117.
After pleading guilty to firearms, armed bank robbery and conspiracy charges, Cohn was sentenced to 241 months in prison by Senior United States District Judge Lawrence E. Kahn.
This case was investigated by the FBI, the NYSP, the North Greenbush Police Department, and the Albany Police Department, with the assistance of the Albany County Sheriff’s Office and the Rensselaer County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua R. Rosenthal and Ashlyn Miranda prosecuted the case.
Niskayuna Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Aaron Griesche, age 40, of Niskayuna, New York, pled guilty today to possessing 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).
Griesche admitted that on July 11, 2021, he possessed child pornography on a USB flash memory stick found in his residence. Griesche admitted that he had purchased the memory stick from an online retailer and transferred videos of child pornography from the Internet to the device.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 10, 2024. Griesche faces 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. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors. The judge may also order Griesche to pay restitution to the victims of his offense and forfeit the device used in the offense. Griesche will also have to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.
The FBI and the New York State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force investigated this case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Dustin C. Segovia 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.
Former Albany County Employee Pleads Guilty to Stealing Government FundsRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – John T. Cox, age 61, of Schenectady, New York, pled guilty today to 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.
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.
Cox is scheduled to be sentenced on May 9, 2024 by United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino. The mail fraud conviction carries a maximum term of 20 years in prison and the federal program theft conviction carries a maximum term of 10 years in prison. Both charges carry a fine of up to $250,000 and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors. Cox has also agreed to pay $122,251.25 in restitution to the ACSO, and to a forfeiture money judgment in the amount of $113,301.25.
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 is prosecuting the case.
Oswego County Man Sentenced to 135 Months for Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Marcus Lombardo, age 40, of Hannibal, New York, was sentenced today to serve 135 months in federal prison for possessing 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 earlier guilty plea, Lombardo admitted that on February 18, 2021, during a visit at his home from his United States Probation Officer, Lombardo possessed at least 180 image and video files of child pornography on an SD card found inside a cell phone that he was prohibited from possessing under the conditions of his supervised release.
Lombardo was on federal supervision following a 2012 federal conviction for receipt and possession of child pornography and commission of a felony offense while on pretrial release. He was sentenced to a one-year term of imprisonment in 2019 for violating the conditions of his release on a prior occasion and was sentenced to 16-month term in 2021 for the violation that occurred on February 18, 2021.
United States District Judge David N. Hurd also imposed a 15-year term of supervised release, which will start after Lombardo is released from prison, and ordered him to pay a $100 special assessment and restitution in the amount of $12,000 to victims depicted in the images and videos he possessed. Lombardo will also be required to continue to register as a sex offender.
This case was investigated by the United States Probation Office (Syracuse) and 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 (BCI). The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Sutcliffe 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.
Delaware County Sex Offender Pleads Guilty to Failing to Register Email AddressRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Michael J. Frascatore, age 59, of Treadwell, New York, pled guilty yesterday to failing to register and update his registration as a sex offender to include an email address he failed to disclose. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and United States Marshal David L. McNulty made the announcement.
Frascatore admitted that he was designated as a Level I sex offender in New York after he was convicted in federal court in 2008 for distributing child pornography. Frascatore knew that as a registered sex offender he was required to report, among other things, all email addresses he used. Despite this requirement, he created an email address in April 2019, using his own name and home address, which he maintained for approximately four years without disclosing as required under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). Frascatore was on supervised release at the time of this offense, and he also did not disclose his email address to U.S. Probation. In addition to pleading guilty to violating SORNA, Frascatore admitted that he violated the terms of his supervised release by using an unauthorized internet-capable phone; maintaining the undisclosed email account; and knowingly communicating with minors online, including by sending explicit photos of himself to minors and requesting nude photos in return.
Frascatore will be sentenced for the SORNA offense and for his violations of supervised release on May 2, 2024, by United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci. The SORNA offense carries a maximum term of 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. The supervised release violations carry a maximum term of 2 years in prison. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
The United States Marshals Service investigated this case, which is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael F. Perry as part of Project Safe Childhood. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Albany Man Admits Stealing Nearly $1 Million in Federal FundsRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Asjid Parvez, age 37, of Albany, pled guilty today to stealing nearly $1 million in federal funds from a program that helped struggling farmers pay off their loans.
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 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act authorized the United States Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) to financially assist certain distressed borrowers who had fallen behind on repaying their federally guaranteed farm loans. Parvez was one such borrower, having defaulted on a loan that he had used to purchase a Maryland chicken farm in 2014.
In pleading guilty, Parvez admitted that in May 2023, the FSA sent him a United States Treasury check in the amount of $972,564.61. Parvez knew that he needed to use these funds to pay off the federally guaranteed farm loan on which he had defaulted. But instead, he stole the money, and used the funds to pay personal expenses and to fund real estate investments. Parvez stole the money by opening a bank account in the name of his lender, Horizon Farm Credit; depositing the Treasury check – which was jointly payable to the defendant and the lender – into that account; and then quickly transferring the Treasury funds to other accounts that he controlled.
Parvez pled guilty to one count of theft of government property. He faces up to 10 years in prison, up to 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000, when United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci sentences him on May 2, 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. Parvez has also agreed to pay $972,564.61 in restitution to the FSA.
Additionally, the FBI has already seized $516,974.54 traceable to the federal funds that Parvez stole, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Asset Recovery Unit has filed a civil action seeking the forfeiture of a residential property in Albany that was purchased using approximately $202,675 in stolen funds.
The FBI investigated this case, with assistance from the United States Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett is prosecuting this case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Conger is representing the United States in the asset forfeiture action.
Queens Couple Pleads Guilty to $380,000 COVID Unemployment Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – William Taylor, age 33, and Patricia Clarke, age 27, both of Jamaica, New York, pled guilty today to mail and wire fraud conspiracy. Taylor also pled guilty to aggravated identity theft.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge, Northeast Region, United States Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (USDOL-OIG); 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 New York State Inspector General (NYSIG) Lucy Lang.
Taylor and Clarke each admitted that they used stolen identities to fraudulently obtain pandemic unemployment insurance benefits from the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL). They used the names, dates of birth and social security numbers of at least 20 individuals to submit claims to NYSDOL. Based on those false claims, NYSDOL wired funds to accounts controlled by Taylor, Clarke, or both; and NYSDOL directed bank cards to be mailed to the addresses provided by Taylor and Clarke. In total, NYSDOL paid $381,815 on the claims submitted by Taylor and Clarke under the stolen identities.
The conspiracy conviction carries a maximum term of 20 years in prison; a fine of up to $250,000; and a term of supervised release of up 3 to years. For Taylor, the aggravated identity theft conviction carries a mandatory term of 2 years in prison that must run consecutively to the prison term imposed on the conspiracy conviction. 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.
Taylor and Clarke agreed to pay $381,815 in restitution to NYSDOL. In addition, Taylor agreed to forfeit $315,723 and Clarke agreed to forfeit $66,092.
USDOL-OIG, HSI, USPIS and NYSIG investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Reiner is prosecuting the case.
California Man Indicted for Shipping Methamphetamine to the Capital Region and Selling FentanylRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK –Michael Laudicina, age 46, of Santa Cruz, California, was arraigned today on an indictment charging him with distributing a controlled substance.
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 Saratoga County Sheriff Michael Zurlo made the announcement.
The indictment alleges that Laudicina shipped at least 50 grams of methamphetamine to New York on three occasions, once each in July 2022, August 2022 and November 2022. On a fourth occasion, in August 2022, Laudicina sold fentanyl. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The charges filed against Laudicina carry a term of imprisonment at least 10 years and up to life; a fine of up to $10 million; 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.
Laudicina was arraigned today in Albany, before United States Magistrate Judge Christian F. Hummel, and ordered detained pending a trial before Senior United States District Judge Gary L Sharpe.
The DEA and Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan S. Reiner and Ashlyn Miranda are prosecuting the case.
New Hampshire Man Pleads Guilty to Receiving Child PornographyRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Isaiah Lafoe, age 25, of Lancaster, New Hampshire, pled guilty today to 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 admitted that on September 30, 2020, and between October 5, 2020, and February 15, 2021, he communicated with a 13-year-old child in Troy, New York, and coerced that minor to send him, via social media applications over the internet, images and videos that depicted the child engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Lafoe received these images and videos on his phone.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 3, 2024, before United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino. Lafoe 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 between 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. 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. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Wentworth-Ping 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.
Ulster County Felon Sentenced to 70 Months for Unlawful Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Bram Fox, age 44, of Kerhonkson, New York, was sentenced today to 70 months in prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, for unlawfully possessing a rifle as a previously convicted felon.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman 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.
In previously pleading guilty, Fox admitted that on January 31, 2023, he possessed about 30 firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition in his house, including an Aero Precision M5 rifle. Fox has felony convictions in New York and Connecticut, including a 2009 conviction for an armed bank robbery in Connecticut, that prevented him from lawfully possessing the rifle.
Fox also admitted that from about October 2020 until January 2023, he purchased firearms parts from several dozen online retailers; had these items shipped to his residence in Kerhonkson; and then used these firearms parts to manufacture non-serialized handguns and rifles, which are sometimes called “ghost guns” due to the fact that this type of firearm does not contain a serial number imprinted by a manufacturer. Of the firearms that Fox possessed on January 31, 2023, most were non-serialized. ATF agents, who searched Fox’s house on January 31, 2023, also found him to be in possession of various tools that could be used to manufacture and modify firearms, as well as firearms parts and accessories such as frames, grips, scopes, sights, and slides.
The ATF and New York State Police investigated this case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett prosecuted this case.
Binghamton Man Pleads Guilty to Gun and Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Dupray Jordan, age 33, of Binghamton, New York pled guilty yesterday to possessing fentanyl and methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, John B. DeVito, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and Sergeant Daniel VanWie of the Broome County Special Investigations Unit Task Force (BCSIUTF).
In pleading guilty yesterday, Jordan admitted that he possessed for distribution methamphetamine and fentanyl, as well as a loaded .38 caliber revolver in a Binghamton apartment on November 12, 2021. Jordan threw the gun to the ground as police entered to execute a search warrant at the Binghamton apartment on that date. The defendant was at that time a convicted felon, having previously been convicted in New York state court of Assault in the Second Degree.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 8, 2024, in Syracuse, New York, at which time Jordan faces up to 20 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, as well as a fine of up to one million dollars. He faces a consecutive sentence of at least 5 years and up to life in prison, and a fine of up to $250,000.00 for possession of a firearm in connection with drug trafficking, and up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.00 for possession of a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. He will also be sentenced to a post-incarceration 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.
This case is being investigated by the Broome County Special Investigations Unit Task Force, (consisting of members of the City of Binghamton Police Department, the Broome County Sheriff’s Department, and the Johnson City Police Department), the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the United States Postal Inspection Service. The Broome County Metro SWAT Team assisted in the execution of the search warrant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Southwick is prosecuting this case as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Albany Felon Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing Loaded FirearmRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Alexander Wilson, age 30, of Albany, pled guilty today to illegally possessing a pistol as a convicted felon.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; United States Marshal David L. McNulty; John B. DeVito, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); and New York State Police (NYSP) Acting Superintendent Dominick L. Chiumento.
Wilson, who has two prior felony convictions, admitted that on March 16, 2023, he threw a loaded pistol from a vehicle while being pursued by a New York State Trooper on Interstate 90 in Albany.
Wilson 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 when he is sentenced by United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino on April 30, 2024. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
The United States Marshals Service, ATF and NYSP investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua R. Rosenthal is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Vermont Resident Sentenced to 135 Months for Attempted Enticement and Coercion of a MinorRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Scarlet Shadows, a/k/a “Dragongurl69,” age 33, of West Rutland, Vermont, was sentenced today to 135 months in prison for attempted enticement of a minor. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.
As part of her previously entered guilty plea, Shadows, formerly known as Randy Emillion Goodreau, admitted that she attempted to entice and coerce an individual, whom Shadows believed to be an 11-year-old girl, to have sex. After weeks of exchanging sexually explicit text messages with this individual and another person Shadows believed was the child’s guardian, Shadows traveled in January 2022 from Vermont to Warren County, New York, with an engagement ring, condoms and gifts for the child, intending to have sex with the child.
United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci also imposed a 15-year term of post-imprisonment supervised release. Shadows is required to register as a sex offender upon release from prison.
This case was investigated by the FBI Albany’s Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes members of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the Colonie Police Department, Rotterdam Police Department, and the New York State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Joshua R. Rosenthal 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.
Rensselaer County Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of a MachinegunRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK –Ahmed AlSaadi, age 18, of Troy, New York, pled guilty today to possessing a machinegun. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; James Smith, Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); John B. DeVito, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); and Troy Police Chief Daniel DeWolf.
AlSaadi admitted that on August 2, 2023, he possessed three machinegun conversion devices and a Glock handgun that had been modified with a machinegun conversion device that allowed the Glock to shoot and function as a machinegun. AlSaadi also admitted to selling machinegun conversion devices from March to July 2023.
AlSaadi, who is in custody, is scheduled to be sentenced on April 16, 2024, in Albany, by United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino. He faces up to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of up to $250,000. The court may also require AlSaadi to serve a term of supervised release of up to 3 years to begin after imprisonment. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
ATF, FBI, and Troy Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Alexander Wentworth-Ping is 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.
Oswego Vehicle Dealership Owner Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Violate Clean Air ActRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Matthew R. Talamo, 38, of New Haven, New York, pled guilty today in federal court in Syracuse 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.
Talamo 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.
The charge to which Talamo pled guilty carries a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. The defendant will be sentenced on April 19, 2024, by Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes in Syracuse.
EPA-CID is investigating the case with assistance from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael F. Perry is prosecuting the case.
Oswego County Man Pleads Guilty to Receiving, Transporting and Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Joshua Demars, 38, of Fulton, New York, pled guilty today to multiple charges of receipt, transportation, and possession of child pornography. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Buffalo Field Office, and New York State Police (NYSP) Acting Superintendent Dominick L. Chiumento made the announcement.
As part of his guilty plea, Demars admitted that he communicated with minors on the application Snapchat to receive images and videos of child pornography. Demars also admitted that he used his Dropbox account to upload a video of a 5-7 year old female being sexually abused by an adult male. Moreover, Demars acknowledged that he possessed hundreds of videos and images of child pornography on several of his personal devices.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 19, 2023, before Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes. Demars faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of between five years and life, to begin after imprisonment. Demars 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.
HSI, the NYSP Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the NYSP Troop D Computer Crimes Unit investigated the case and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Tuck and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Carbone prosecuted Demars 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 Jersey Man to Pay $656,000 for Illegally Operating Ballston Spa Nursing HomeRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – The Justice Department, together with the New York State Office of the Attorney General, announced today that Chaim “Mutty” Scheinbaum has agreed to pay $656,000 to resolve allegations that he violated the False Claims Act by causing the submission of false claims to the Medicaid program for worthless services provided to residents at Saratoga Center for Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Care (Saratoga Center). Saratoga Center closed in February 2021, after this investigation was initiated. The United States and the State of New York previously settled with other individuals who agreed to pay a total sum of $7,168,000 to resolve similar allegations arising from misconduct at Saratoga Center.
“Nursing homes should protect the health and well-being of every resident,” said U.S. Attorney Carla Freedman for the Northern District of New York. “That did not happen at Saratoga Center. An individual with no lawful authority controlled the finances and failed to pay vendors. This unlawful arrangement resulted in false claims to Medicaid for worthless services. We will continue to hold responsible people accountable when they receive federal funds while providing substandard care. Thank you to Attorney General James and her office for collaborating on this case.”
“Ensuring nursing homes are safe and deliver quality care is a top priority for HHS-OIG,” said Naomi Gruchacz, Special Agent in Charge, of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General’s New York Regional Office. “As alleged this individual had no legal authority to operate Saratoga Center and mismanaged their control, resulting in residents suffering the consequences of unacceptable living conditions. Together with our law enforcement partners we will continue to relentlessly pursue owners and operators of nursing homes that egregiously disregard resident safety and quality-of-care.”
“Every resident of New York’s nursing homes deserves high-quality care and proper staffing to meet their needs. Rather than ensure vulnerable residents got the care they deserved, this individual mismanaged Saratoga Center’s finances and failed to adequately staff the facility, causing residents to suffer the consequences of neglect and unsanitary conditions. I want to thank United States Attorney Carla Freedman and our partners in law enforcement for their assistance in bringing this unacceptable situation to light and to justice. My office will continue to ensure nursing home residents are protected, and I encourage anyone who has witnessed alarming conditions, resident neglect, or abuse at a nursing home to contact my office.”
Scheinbaum acknowledged in the settlement agreement that, despite never obtaining a license that would have allowed him to legally operate Saratoga Center, beginning around April 2018, he controlled Saratoga Center’s finances, determined which vendor bills would be paid, maintained the financial books and records, and had the authority to hire and fire high level employees. Under New York State law, these responsibilities were vested exclusively in the licensed operators, who had previously relinquished control of Saratoga Center. While Scheinbaum was operating Saratoga Center, certain vendor bills went unpaid and some vendors refused to deliver goods and/or services, including making necessary repairs. Further, Saratoga Center failed to ensure that:
- residents had access at all times to hot water;
- the fire alarm system was properly maintained;
- the kitchen was clean and staff were able to serve hot food;
- there was a supply of linens to bathe and care for residents;
- garbage was collected;
- there was effective pest control; and
- water leaks were timely repaired.
This settlement resolves allegations that Scheinbaum submitted or caused the submission of false claims by (1) illegally operating Saratoga Center and (2) overseeing the provision of worthless services provided to residents of Saratoga Center.
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort among the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York, the Justice Department’s Civil Division Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, the New York State Office of the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher R. Moran and Civil Division Attorneys Carol Wallack and Lyle Gruby handled this matter for the United States.
The United States’ investigation was part of its Elder Justice Initiative, which supports the efforts of state and local prosecutors, law enforcement, and other elder justice professionals to combat elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation, with the development of training, resources and information. Learn more about the Justice Department’s Elder Justice Initiative at http://www.justice.gov/elderjustice.
Three Men Sentenced to Prison for Their Roles in Nationwide “Felony Lane Gang” ConspiracyRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Three men – Randall Taylor, age 37, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Cedric Lynch, age 38, of Orlando, Florida; and Keyshawn Arnold, age 27, of Schenectady, New York – have been sentenced to federal prison after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and to aggravated identity theft.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; James Smith, Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and Putnam County Sheriff Kevin J. McConville made the announcement.
In previously pleading guilty, the three defendants each admitted that they were involved in a fraud scheme known as “Felony Lane Gang” at various times between 2015 and 2020. To operate the scheme, these defendants and their co-conspirators traveled across the country breaking into cars, often targeting those parked by women at locations such as health and fitness centers, daycares, and parks. They stole purses containing debit cards, credit cards, checkbooks and photo identifications in these “smash-and-grab” vehicle thefts, and they recruited women to commit bank fraud by impersonating the smash-and-grab victims in drive-through bank lines in order to cash stolen checks. The check cashers were almost always suffering from an addiction to controlled substances and were provided payment at least partially in drugs. The total loss amount from the conspiracy was over $1 million, with individual co-conspirators responsible for portions of that loss.
Taylor, Lynch, and Arnold received the following sentences imposed by United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino:
- Taylor was sentenced on December 20, 2023 to 61 months’ imprisonment and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $54,967, along with a forfeiture money judgment of $11,240, and he was ordered to serve a 4-year term of supervised release after completing his term of imprisonment.
- Lynch was sentenced on November 22, 2023 to 61 months’ imprisonment and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $80,464, along with a forfeiture money judgment of $11,740, and he was ordered to serve a 4-year term of supervised release.
- Arnold was sentenced on November 20, 2023 to 51 months’ imprisonment and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $142,670, along with a forfeiture money judgment of $19,810, and he was ordered to serve a 4-year term of supervised release.
Six other defendants were charged in the indictment as co-conspirators with Taylor, Lynch and Arnold, and they all pled guilty and were sentenced previously, as follows:
- Joshua Mallory, age 38, of Fort Lauderdale, was sentenced on October 27, 2023 to 80 months’ imprisonment and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $364,989.56, along with a forfeiture money judgment of $17,183.90, and he was ordered to serve a 5-year term of supervised release.
- Tyrone Parker Jr., age 24, of Fort Lauderdale, was sentenced on October 20, 2023 to 65 months’ imprisonment and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $81,737, along with a forfeiture money judgment of $8,630, and he was ordered to serve a 4-year term of supervised release.
- Robert Natson, age 37, of Fort Lauderdale, was sentenced on October 4, 2023 to 46 months’ imprisonment and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $34,400, along with a forfeiture money judgment of $4,352, and he was ordered to serve a 4-year term of supervised release.
- Gary Grier, age 37, of Fort Lauderdale, was sentenced on August 25, 2023 to 51 months’ imprisonment and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $163,964, along with a forfeiture money judgment of $1,880, and he was ordered to serve a 3-year term of supervised release.
- Terrell McDonald, age 33, of Troy, New York, was sentenced on March 13, 2023 to 65 months’ imprisonment and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $133,190, along with a forfeiture money judgment of $17,648.28, and he was ordered to serve a 3-year term of supervised release.
- Tyrone Parker (the father of co-defendant Tyrone Parker Jr.), age 42, of Fort Lauderdale, was sentenced on February 13, 2023 to 57 months’ imprisonment and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $132,990, along with a forfeiture money judgment of $7,202, and he was ordered to serve a 3-year term of supervised release.
This case was investigated by the FBI Westchester Resident Agency of the New York Field Office and the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, with assistance from the FBI Field Offices in Albany, Miami, and Salt Lake City, and Resident Agencies in Savannah, Georgia, and Portland, Maine, and from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine, the Saratoga County District Attorney’s Office, and the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office. Additional assistance was provided by numerous law enforcement agencies, including, within New York, the New York State Police; Columbia County Sheriff’s Office; Genesee County Sheriff’s Office; Monroe County Sheriff’s Office; Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office; Warren County Sheriff’s Office; and the police departments of the Town of Bethlehem; Glens Falls; Gloversville; Greenburgh; Greece; and Watervliet; and elsewhere, Connecticut State Police; Florida Department of Law Enforcement; Georgia State Patrol; Illinois State Police; Massachusetts State Police; Broward County, FL Sheriff’s Office; Northern York County, PA Regional Police; Southern Chester County, PA Regional Police; Utah County, UT Sheriff’s Office; and the police departments of Auburn, MA; Bath, ME; Biddeford, ME; Bozeman, MT; Brunswick, ME; Caernarvon Township, PA; Chester Township, PA; Cinnaminson, NJ; Darien, CT; East Norriton Township, PA; Easthampton, MA; Greenwich, CT; Lower Moreland Township, PA; Manheim Township, PA; Portland, ME; Portsmouth, NH; Saco, ME; Salisbury, MA; Sanford, ME; Scarborough, ME; Somersworth, NH; South Portland, ME; St. George, UT; Syracuse, UT; Tinicum, PA; Towamencin, PA; Tewksbury, MA; Wakefield, MA; Yarmouth, ME; and York, ME.
Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew J. McCrobie, Michael F. Perry and Paul Tuck prosecuted this case.
Columbia County Man Sentenced to 85 Months for Receiving and Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Christopher Stickles, age 35, of Copake, New York, was sentenced today to 85 months in prison for receiving and possessing 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.
As part of his previously entered guilty plea, Stickles admitted that between January 2021 and August, 2022, he accessed the Internet in order to visit file-sharing sites and websites that contained child pornography. Stickles further admitted that while on these sites, he downloaded numerous still image and video files that contained child pornography.
United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci also sentenced Stickles to a 15-year term of supervised release to begin after he serves his term of imprisonment, and to pay a total of $6,000 in restitution to two victims of the offenses of conviction. Stickles will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes Special Agents of the FBI, and state and local police investigators, including from the New York State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Belliss 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.
Bronx Man Pleads Guilty to Bank Fraud and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Antonio Vargas, age 58, of the Bronx, New York, pled guilty today in connection with a scheme to defraud five banks by using fake identifications to fraudulently withdraw funds at bank branches throughout the Capital Region.
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 pled guilty to bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. He admitted that in June and July 2022, he presented 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 was arrested by 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.
Vargas is scheduled to be sentenced on April 16, 2024, by United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino. The bank fraud conviction carries a maximum term of 30 years in prison and a maximum fine of up to $1 million. The aggravated identity theft conviction carries a mandatory term of 2 years in prison, to be imposed consecutively to any other term of imprisonment. The court may also require Vargas to serve a term of supervised release of up to 5 years to begin after imprisonment. 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.
This case was investigated by HSI with assistance from the New York State Police, the U.S. Secret Service, 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 J. O’Hanlon is prosecuting this case.
Syracuse Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearms ChargeRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Nyquest Robinson, 20, of Syracuse, New York, pled guilty today to possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, John B. DeVito, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Chief of Syracuse Police Joseph Cecile, and Onondaga County District Attorney William J. Fitzpatrick.
As part of his guilty plea today, Nyquest Robinson admitted that he was arrested on May 17, 2023, in Syracuse when he attempted to flee on foot from New York State Parole Officers who were speaking with him near a store. Robinson was under parole supervision from a prior felony conviction for Assault in the Second Degree. Syracuse Police assisting Parole Officers prevented Robinson from escaping and located in his clothing a Glock, Model 27, .40 caliber semiautomatic handgun loaded with thirteen (13) rounds of ammunition.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 18, 2023, in Syracuse, New York, at which the defendant faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000,00, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
The case against Nyquest Robinson was adopted for federal prosecution after a joint review by the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, the United States Attorney’s Office, and ATF as part of gun violence reduction efforts in Onondaga County.
This case is being investigated by the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Syracuse Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Southwick as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
New Jersey Man Sentenced to 168 Months for Cocaine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Richard “Richie” Sinde, age 59, of Fort Lee, New Jersey, was sentenced today to 168 months in prison, to be followed by 5 years of supervised release, for conspiring to traffic about 15 kilograms of cocaine in March and April 2021.
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.
Sinde, and Jeffrey Civitello Sr. and Jeffrey C. Civitello Jr., both of Schenectady, New York, were convicted on all counts following an 8-day trial in April 2023. Sinde has prior federal convictions for heroin trafficking and unauthorized use of stolen credit cards, and prior state convictions for arson, enterprise corruption, conspiracy, and criminal tax fraud.
The trial evidence demonstrated a conspiracy between five men: the three defendants on trial, as well as Christopher J. Kelly, of Brooklyn, New York, and Robert J. Ingrao, of Lodi, New Jersey.
As part of the conspiracy, Kelly and Sinde delivered 3 kilograms of cocaine to Civitello Sr. in Schenectady on March 29, and Kelly and Sinde an additional 3 kilograms to Civitello Sr. on March 31. Also on March 31, the Civitellos ordered more cocaine and suggested that Kelly use a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee owned by Civitello Jr., which contained, in its trunk, a sophisticated, hidden compartment, also known as a “trap.” Unbeknownst to the conspirators, the DEA had placed a court-authorized tracker on the Jeep several months prior, as part of an investigation of Civitello Jr.
Sinde then drove the Jeep from Schenectady to Fort Lee, and the following evening met Kelly in Breezy Point, New York, on the Rockaway Peninsula, where Kelly and Sinde loaded up the Jeep’s hidden compartment with 9 kilograms of cocaine to be delivered the following day to the Civitellos in Schenectady.
The following day, on April 2, 2021, Ingrao went to Sinde’s house and got into the blue Jeep, driving it north on Interstate 87. A New York State Police Trooper, at the DEA’s request, conducted a stop on Ingrao in Greene County. The Trooper then located 9 kilograms of cocaine in the Jeep’s hidden compartment.
As part of the conspiracy, the Civitellos were arranging for a “trap” to be installed in another Jeep used by Sinde, so that Sinde could continue to traffic drugs to the Civitellos after Kelly went to state prison for a prior cocaine case; they abandoned that plan following the seizure of 9 kilograms of cocaine from Civitello Jr.’s Jeep on April 2.
United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino previously imposed the following sentences in this case:
- Civitello Sr. was sentenced to 120 months in prison, to be followed by a 4-year term of supervised release.
- Kelly was sentenced to 41 months in prison, to be followed by a 4-year term of supervised release, and to pay a $25,000 fine.
- Ingrao was sentenced to 37 months in prison, to be followed by a 3-year term of supervised release.
Civitello Jr. is scheduled to be sentenced on March 5, 2024.
This case was 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 C. Segovia are prosecuting this case.
Louisiana Man Pleads Guilty to Unlawful Shipping of Firearms to New YorkRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Rodell Patterson, age 51, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, pled guilty today to engaging in the firearms business without a license.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman 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.
Patterson admitted to mailing eight packages containing a total of 10 firearms from Baton Rouge to the Capital Region in 2021 and 2022. Two of those firearms were recovered in June 2022 in the Troy, New York, apartment of a man on parole. Patterson acknowledged that he knew these transfers were unlawful, and he admitted to engaging in extensive conversations with the recipient of the packages about the types of firearms and the amount of payment.
At sentencing, Patterson 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. 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.
Patterson still faces a charge in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana for possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon. That charge is merely an accusation of which Patterson is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted of that charge, Patterson faces up to 15 years in prison.
ATF’s Albany Field Office investigated the case with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Louisiana and ATF’s Baton Rouge Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Reiner is prosecuting the case.
Albany Man Sentenced to 27 Months for Pandemic Unemployment Insurance FraudRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Kahleke Taylor, a/k/a “Flex,” age 23, of Albany, was sentenced today to 27 months in prison for a mail and wire fraud scheme that obtained more than $200,000 in COVID-19 pandemic-related unemployment insurance benefits using the personal information of other people.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge, Northeast Region, United States Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (USDOL-OIG); Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the Boston Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); and New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang.
As part of his previously entered guilty plea, Taylor admitted to soliciting personal information from other people on social media. He used the information to make false online unemployment insurance applications to the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL). On one application he filed in August 2020, for example, Taylor certified that a person had lost work at a hotel in Latham, New York, in March 2020 due to “Lack of Work – COVID,” all of which was false. From September 2020 through June 2021, the applications Taylor admitted to filing as part of the fraud scheme resulted in benefits payments of $207,004.
United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino also imposed a 2-year term of supervised release, to begin after Taylor is released from prison. Judge D’Agostino ordered Taylor to pay $207,004 in restitution to the State of New York and to forfeit a $192,731 money judgment to the United States.
Taylor’s co-defendants, Taquan Parker, age 27, of Rensselaer, New York, and Olajuwon Sutherland, a/k/a “Suave,” age 28, of Troy, New York, previously pled guilty to charges stemming from their roles in the scheme with Taylor. Parker was sentenced to 13 months in prison to be followed by a 3-year term of supervised release while Sutherland was sentenced to 3 years of probation.
This case was investigated by HSI, USDOL-OIG, USPIS, and the New York State Inspector General’s Office, with assistance from the NYSDOL Office of Special Investigations and the Schenectady County Department of Social Services. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua R. Rosenthal and Joseph S. Hartunian prosecuted the case.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit 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.
Syracuse Man Receives 78 Months in Prison for Drug and Firearm CrimesRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – James Bolds, age 36, of Syracuse, was sentenced yesterday to 78 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, and possession of body armor by a person convicted of a crime of violence.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and Syracuse Police Chief Joseph Cecile made the announcement.
As part of his prior guilty plea, Bolds admitted that in October 2022, he possessed in his Syracuse apartment approximately 27 grams of cocaine, which he intended to distribute to others. Bolds further admitted that he also possessed at his apartment a loaded handgun, knowing that he had previously been convicted of crimes punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year. Bolds acknowledged that he had prior convictions in North Carolina for robbery, assault inflicting serious bodily harm, and possession of a firearm by a felon. Bolds also admitted possessing in his apartment approximately 67 rounds of ammunition and a bulletproof vest.
United States District Judge David N. Hurd also sentenced Bolds to a 3-year term of supervised release, which will begin after his term of imprisonment.
The FBI and the Syracuse Police Department investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. McCrobie prosecuted the case.
Syracuse Man Receives 101 Months in Prison for Drug and Firearm CrimesRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Rodney Sumlin, age 37, of Syracuse, was sentenced today to 101 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and possession of a firearm 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.
As part of his prior guilty plea, Sumlin admitted that on November 8, 2022, he possessed 108 grams of cocaine at his residence in Syracuse, intending to distribute it to others. Sumlin also possessed a loaded .45 caliber pistol, which he possessed in furtherance of his drug trafficking activities.
Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes also imposed a 3-year term of supervised release to follow the prison term.
DEA investigated the case, with assistance from the Syracuse Police Department, the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, and the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. McCrobie prosecuted the case.
Canadian Man Sentenced for Conspiring to Smuggle 142 Kilograms of CocaineRead the Press Release
UTICA, NEW YORK – Guillaume Latour-Laitre, age 27, of Prevost, Quebec, was sentenced yesterday to 120 months in prison for conspiring to traffic 142 kilograms of cocaine.
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.
Latour-Laitre previously pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance. In doing so, he admitted that from November 2019 through December 7, 2019, as vice president of a commercial trucking company in Quebec, he trafficked cocaine from the United States to Canada via tractor trailer. On December 7, 2019, Latour-Laitre’s co-conspirator and employee at the trucking company, Jason Nelson, attempted to leave the United States for Canada at the Derby Line, Vermont Port of Entry. At the border, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers performed an outbound inspection on Nelson’s tractor trailer and discovered approximately 142 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a secret compartment in the trailer. Latour-Laitre was extradited from Canada in December 2022 to face the charges.
Nelson was sentenced, on April 27, 2022, to 72 months in prison and 5 years of supervised release.
United States District Judge David N. Hurd also imposed a 5-year term of supervised release, which will start when Latour-Laitre is released from prison. Upon his release from prison, Latour-Laitre may be removed/deported from the United States.
HSI and CBP investigated the case and Assistant United States Attorney Douglas Collyer prosecuted the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of Latour-Laitre.
Greene County Men Sentenced to Jail for Tax Evasion ConspiracyRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Dennis Radcliffe, age 52, and Kenneth Radcliffe, age 50, each of Elka Park, New York, were each sentenced today to 6 months in jail, and to pay a $40,000 fine, for conspiring to evade taxes on income earned from stock sales.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Thomas Fattorusso, Special Agent in Charge, New York Field Office, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), made the announcement.
Dennis Radcliffe and Kenneth Radcliffe, who are cousins, each previously pled guilty to two conspiracies. In the first conspiracy, they conspired with each other to avoid taxes on their personal income, by failing to report several million dollars of income earned principally from sales of penny stocks, from 2014 through 2017. The stock sales occurred in brokerage accounts that Dennis Radcliffe and Kenneth Radcliffe controlled, and which stood in the names of their companies Crackerjack Classics LLC (“Crackerjack”) and Universal Consulting LLC (“Universal”).
In the second conspiracy, Dennis Radcliffe and Kenneth Radcliffe conspired with each other and with Joseph Radcliffe, Dennis’s father, to avoid taxes on approximately $500,000 in compensation that Crackerjack and Universal paid to Joseph, from 2013 through 2019. Joseph Radcliffe was a former Wall Street stockbroker and at the time he was evading the payment of taxes, he owed more than $1 million to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), after settling fraud allegations with the SEC in 2011. Joseph Radcliffe has also failed to repay the SEC.
United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby also ordered Dennis Radcliffe to pay $77,552 in restitution to the IRS and ordered Kenneth Radcliffe to pay an additional $152,274 in restitution. In imposing sentence, Judge Suddaby noted that the defendants “come from good people” and that there was no excuse for their willful conduct. “This is just all about greed – pure, unadulterated greed,” said Judge Suddaby.
Joseph Radcliffe, age 76, of Elka Park, was sentenced in August 2022 to 3 years of probation, to include 4 weekends in jail, and to pay $109,106 in restitution to the IRS, following his guilty plea to tax evasion conspiracy.
IRS-CI investigated this case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett prosecuted this case.
Syracuse Man Pleads Guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
UTICA, NEW YORK – Javier Bachiller, age 32, of Syracuse, New York, pled guilty today to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Carla Freedman and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division.
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.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 11, 2024, in front of United States District Judge David N. Hurd. Bachiller faces a minimum of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life in prison, a fine of up to $10 million, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life.
This case is being investigated by the DEA, with assistance from the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, the Syracuse Police Department, the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, and the New York State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey J. L. Brown is prosecuting this case.
Oswego County Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Tyler Ager, age 30, of Oswego County, New York, pled guilty today to 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.
Ager admitted that in May 2023 and June 2023, he possessed child pornography on his phone and that he 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, which he was serving when he committed the offense to which he pled guilty today
Sentencing is scheduled for April 17, 2024, before United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby. Ager faces a mandatory minimum term of 10 years in prison, a maximum term of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of between 5 years and up to life. Ager also will have to pay restitution to any identified victims, forfeit the property he used to commit the offense, and will be required to register as a sex offender. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the statute the defendant violated, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
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.
Honduran Citizen Sentenced to 78 Months for Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
UTICA, NEW YORK – David Rivera-Mejia, age 33, a citizen of Honduras, was sentenced today to serve 78 months (6.5 years) in federal prison for possessing child pornography, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Chief Border Patrol Agent Robert N. Garcia, United States Border Patrol, Swanton Sector; and Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
As part of his previously entered guilty plea, Rivera-Mejia admitted that he is a citizen of Honduras, and on March 24, 2021, he illegally entered the United States from Canada by walking across the international border near Mooers, New York. United States Border Patrol apprehended Rivera-Mejia and seized his cell phone. Rivera-Mejia’s phone contained approximately 38 videos and 12 images depicting child pornography.
United States District Judge David N. Hurd also imposed a 5-year term of supervised release, which will start when Rivera-Mejia is released from prison, and ordered him to pay a $100 special assessment and restitution to victims in the amount of $6,000. Rivera-Mejia will also be required to register as a sex offender. Upon his release from prison, Rivera-Mejia may be removed/deported from the United States.
Border Patrol and HSI investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carling Dunham and Tamara Thomson prosecuted the case.
This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc/.
Former Ithaca Postal Employee Sentenced for Stealing Money OrdersRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Stephen Perrine, age 40, of King Ferry, New York, was sentenced today to 12 months of probation for stealing money orders from the United States Postal Service (USPS). United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Special Agent in Charge Matthew Modafferi, United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General (USPS-OIG), Northeast Area Field Office, made the announcement.
Perrine previously pled guilty and admitted that while working for the USPS in Ithaca, New York, he stole 10 money orders totaling $2,480, by issuing them to himself and entering fraudulent justifications in a USPS accounting system. For example, Perrine admitted that he stole and cashed a $400 money order on or about September 13, 2022, and that he documented the money order as having been issued as payment for “local transport.” Similarly, Perrine admitted that on November 15, 2022, he stole and cashed a $200 money order, which he fraudulently documented as having been issued as payment for “office supplies.”
Perrine was ordered to pay full restitution of $2,480 to the USPS. Perrine no longer works for USPS, as he resigned his position after he was charged in this case.
USPS-OIG investigated this case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael F. Perry prosecuted this case.
Eight People Indicted in Connection with Nationwide Conspiracy Targeting Credit UnionsRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Two leaders of a nationwide bank fraud conspiracy have been arrested in connection with a scheme that has 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.
According to the indictment, court filings, and statements made by prosecutors in court, beginning in at least December 2021, Oluwaseun Adekoya, a/k/a “John Calling,” age 38, a Nigerian citizen residing in Newark, New Jersey, and David Daniyan, a/k/a “Bamikole Laniyan,” a/k/a “David Enfield,” a/k/a “Tajudeen Dosunmu,” a/k/a “David James,” a/k/a “Tony James,” a/k/a “James Bush,” age 59, a Nigerian citizen residing in Brooklyn, New York, obtained the personal identifying information of scores of individuals who banked at credit unions throughout the United States.
The credit unions were members of a shared branching network that 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.
According to the indictment, the defendants exploited this network by creating fake identifications in the names of real credit union customers, but with photographs of other individuals, whom they employed to conduct fraudulent transactions at credit unions all over the country. In total, the indictment charges Adekoya and Daniyan with orchestrating over 200 fraudulent transactions, and fraudulently obtaining more than $900,000, which they allegedly used to purchase luxury items including watches, a vehicle, and high-end clothing and apparel. The fraud was perpetrated in Albany, Clinton, Rensselaer, and Saratoga Counties in the Northern District of New York, and all over the country.
The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Adekoya was arrested and appeared yesterday in federal court in the District of New Jersey. He was ordered detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for December 14, 2023. Daniyan was arrested and appeared yesterday in federal court in the Eastern District of New York, and was ordered detained pending transfer to the Northern District of New York.
Also arrested yesterday were Gaysha Kennedy, age 45, of Brooklyn, and Danielle Cappetti, 45, of the Bronx, New York. The arrests of four additional defendants are pending.
Law enforcement has seized over $45,000 in proceeds of the conspiracy, and an estimated tens of thousands of dollars in luxury jewelry and merchandise.
The following charges were unsealed yesterday:
- Adekoya is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft;
- Daniyan is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft;
- Kennedy is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud; and
- Cappetti is charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft.
The bank fraud conspiracy charges carry a maximum term of 30 years in prison and the aggravated identity theft charge carries a mandatory term of 2 years in prison, to be imposed consecutive to any term of imprisonment imposed on the bank fraud charge. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the statute the defendant violated, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
FBI is investigating this case. Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin S. Clark is prosecuting this case.
Tioga County Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – David P. VanHousen, age 54, formerly of Newark Valley, New York, pled guilty today to 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).
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, he possessed numerous images and videos of child pornography on a contraband phone.
VanHousen was previously convicted in 2001 of sexual misconduct and rape in the third degree in New York State and transportation of child pornography in federal court.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 18, 2024 before United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby. VanHousen faces a mandatory minimum term of 10 years in prison, a maximum term of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of between 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. VanHousen will also be required to register as a sex offender after his release from prison.
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. Attorneys Adrian S. LaRochelle and Jessica N. Carbone 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.
Oswego County Sex Offender Sentenced to 21 Months for Failing to Disclose his Email Address and Violating the Conditions of his Supervised ReleaseRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Anthony Charles Howe, Sr., age 60, of Oswego County, New York, was sentenced today to 21 months in prison, to be followed by 15 years of supervised release, for failing to disclose his email address to the New York Division of Criminal Justice Services, as required by the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (“SORNA”), and for violating the terms of his supervised release imposed as part of his 2012 conviction for distribution, receipt, and possession of child pornography.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and United States Marshal David L. McNulty made the announcement.
The imprisonment term, imposed by United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby, consists of 15 months in prison on the new criminal offense of failing to register the email account as required under SORNA, and a consecutive imprisonment term of 6 months for the supervised release violation of committing new criminal conduct, failing to truthfully answer questions from his probation officer, and having an undisclosed internet-capable device.
The United States Marshals Service investigated this case and Assistant United States Attorney Michael D. Gadarian prosecuted this case as part of Project Safe Childhood. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Georgia Man Sentenced for Misuse of a Social Security Number and for Stealing the Identity of a Syracuse University GraduateRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Gregory William Hill, age 39, of Georgia, whose many aliases include Gregory Allen Davis, Gregory William Davis, Gregory Davis Dutton, and John Martin Hill, was sentenced today to 45 months in prison after previously pleading guilty to misuse of a social security number and aggravated identity theft.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.
Hill previously pled guilty and admitted that in 2018 he impersonated a graduate of Syracuse University and fraudulently attempted to obtain copies of the victim’s final transcript and diploma from the university. In furtherance of his scheme, Hill sent the university a copy of a Virginia driver’s license displaying Hill’s picture and the victim’s name. Hill also fraudulently presented his own social security card as the victim’s and attempted to convince Syracuse University officials that the university needed to update its files with respect to the victim’s social security number. Hill also admitted that he applied for a job with a non-profit health care company based in Virginia while posing as the victim and falsely claiming to be a Syracuse University graduate. Hill never attended Syracuse University, and he is currently serving a 7-year prison sentence in Georgia for a serial romance fraud scheme that caused some to call him the “Sweetheart Swindler.”
Hill’s federal sentence will run consecutive to the 7-year prison term he is currently serving in Georgia. Hill will be on federal supervised release for 3 years following his release from imprisonment.
The FBI investigated this case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael F. Perry prosecuted this case.
Schenectady Man Charged with Second Firearms Crime in Connection with Shots Fired Outside of Temple IsraelRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Mufid Fawaz Alkhader, age 28, of Schenectady, New York, was charged today with a second firearms crime arising from his firing of a shotgun into the air outside of Temple Israel on December 7, 2023.
The announcement was made by 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); Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and Albany Police Chief Eric Hawkins.
Alkhader remains charged with possessing a firearm as a prohibited person, and today was additionally charged with conspiracy to make a false statement during the purchase of a firearm.
According to an amended criminal complaint, at approximately 2 p.m. on December 7, Alkhader stood outside of Temple Israel while possessing a Kel-Tec KS7 12-gauge pump-action shotgun. Alkhader twice fired the shotgun into the air. Albany Police Officers responded to the scene and arrested Alkhader.
As an unlawful user of a controlled substance (marijuana), Alkhader was prohibited under federal law from possessing the shotgun.
Additionally, Alkhader, believing he was potentially ineligible to purchase a firearm due to a prior order of protection or restraining order, obtained the shotgun about a month ago by giving a friend money to purchase it for him. On November 5, 2023, the friend purchased the shotgun for $599.99 at a licensed firearms dealer in Albany County and then gave it to Alkhader. The friend lied on an ATF Form 4473 when he checked the box “Yes” in response to a question asking him, in sum and substance, if he was buying the firearm for himself and warning him that it was federal crime to buy a firearm, from a licensed firearms dealer, for another person.
The charges in the complaint are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
If convicted of the charges alleged in the complaint, Alkhader faces up to 20 years in prison, up to 3 years of post-imprisonment supervised release, and a maximum fine of $250,000. 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 is being investigated by the ATF, the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, and the Albany Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rick Belliss and Alexander Wentworth-Ping are prosecuting this case.
Clifton Park Man Pleads Guilty to Attempted Online Enticement of a MinorRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Michael Kirkland, age 30, of Clifton Park, New York, pled guilty today to the attempted online enticement of a minor.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.
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 travelled 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.
At sentencing on April 11, 2024, before Senior United States District Judge Gary L. Sharpe, Kirkland faces at least 10 years and up to a life in prison, as well as 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 smartphone Kirkland used to commit his offense. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors. Kirkland will also have 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 is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Albany Man Pleads Guilty to Pandemic Relief FraudRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Scott Solomon, age 37, of Albany, pled guilty today to defrauding a loan program meant for businesses struggling with the financial effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
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.
Solomon admitted that in 2020, he fraudulently applied for and obtained Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans for two restaurants in Saratoga Springs, New York, that he had once operated. Solomon submitted false and forged tax documents as part of each loan application, and lied about each restaurant’s number of employees and payroll.
At the time Solomon applied for the loans, neither restaurant was operational, and Solomon used the loaned funds, totaling $163,993, in ways he knew were prohibited by the PPP. Solomon also fraudulently obtained forgiveness of one of the loans, in the amount of $87,500, by falsely telling the lender that he used most of the loaned funds for payroll.
PPP loans, which were issued by financial institutions in 2020 and 2021 and guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration, needed to be used by the borrowing businesses only on certain, permissible expenses, such as payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities.
Solomon pled guilty to two counts of bank fraud. He faces up to 30 years in prison, and up to 5 years of post-imprisonment supervised release, when he is sentenced on April 30, 2024 by Senior United States District Judge Gary L. Sharpe. 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. Solomon has also agreed to pay $163,993 in restitution and to forfeit that same amount as proceeds of his crimes.
The FBI investigated this case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett is prosecuting 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.
Albany County Man Pleads Guilty to Distribution and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Joshua White, age 46, of Albany County, pled guilty today to one count of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of 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.
White admitted that he distributed sexually explicit images of a minor known to him to another person over text message, and that when he met with police in July 2023, he possessed child pornography on his cellular telephone depicting other victims that he obtained from the Internet and social media messaging applications.
At sentencing scheduled for April 11, 2024, before Senior United States District Judge Gary L. Sharpe, White faces a mandatory minimum imprisonment term of 5 years and a combined statutory maximum imprisonment term of 40 years for the distribution and possession offenses. Additionally, White will be required to serve a post-imprisonment term of supervised release of between 5 years and life, must register as a sex offender upon release, pay restitution to the victims of his offenses, and forfeit the device he used to commit them. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the statutes the defendant violated, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
HSI and the New York State Police investigated this case, and Assistant United States Attorney Michael D. Gadarian prosecuted this case as part of Project Safe Childhood.
Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Schenectady Man Charged in Connection with Shots Fired Outside of Temple IsraelRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Mufid Fawaz Alkhader, age 28, of Schenectady, New York, appeared in federal court this morning on a charge of unlawfully possessing a firearm. Alkhader was arrested yesterday afternoon after he twice fired a shotgun into the air outside of Temple Israel, a synagogue in Albany.
The announcement was made by 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); Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and Albany Police Chief Eric Hawkins.
According to the criminal complaint, at approximately 2 p.m. on December 7, 2023, Alkhader stood outside of Temple Israel while possessing a Kel-Tec KS7 12-gauge pump-action shotgun. Alkhader twice fired the shotgun into the air. Albany Police Officers responded to the scene and arrested Alkhader. As an unlawful user of a controlled substance (marijuana), Alkhader was prohibited under federal law from possessing the shotgun. The charges in the complaint are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Alkhader appeared today before United States Magistrate Judge Christian F. Hummel, who ordered Alkhader detained pending trial after Alkhader waived his right to a detention hearing.
If convicted of the charge alleged in the complaint, Alkhader faces up to 15 years in prison, up to 3 years of post-imprisonment supervised release, and a maximum fine of $250,000. 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 is being investigated by the ATF, the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, and the Albany Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rick Belliss and Alexander Wentworth-Ping are prosecuting this case.
Mexican Citizen Sentenced to 46 Months for Transportation of Aliens and Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Ruben Altunar-Lopez, a/k/a “Hervin Lopez-Javier,” age 49, a citizen of Mexico who was residing in Indiana, was sentenced last week to 46 months in prison for the transportation of aliens and his illegal reentry to the United States subsequent to a felony conviction. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Chief Patrol Agent Robert N. Garcia, United States Border Patrol, Swanton Sector, made the announcement.
As part of his prior guilty plea, Altunar-Lopez admitted that in the early morning of February 19, 2023, he picked up four aliens in the area of Mooers, New York, in his pickup truck, knowing that they did not have authorization to be in the United States. Altunar-Lopez intended to transport those individuals to other locations in the United States, including Indiana. Altunar-Lopez further admitted that he had two prior felony convictions, including a conviction in United States District Court for the District of Arizona for illegal reentry, for which he was still serving a term of supervised release.
At sentencing on November 30, Senior United States District Judge Lawrence E. Kahn also revoked Altunar-Lopez’s previously imposed term of supervised release and sentenced him to a 6-month term of imprisonment on his supervised release violations, to run consecutive to the 46-month term Altunar-Lopez received for new criminal conduct.
United States Border Patrol investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. McCrobie prosecuted the case.
Utah Man Pleads Guilty to Murder-for-Hire SchemeRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Christopher Pence, age 43, of Cedar City, Utah, pled guilty today to 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.
Pence admitted that between July 16 and August 9, 2021, from his Internet-connected computer at his home in Utah, he accessed a website on the Darknet 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 murder 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.
Pence faces up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years when he is sentenced by United States District Judge David N. Hurd in Utica, New York, on April 2, 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 FBI investigated this case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Emmet J. O’Hanlon is prosecuting this case.
Clayton Man Pleads Guilty to Drug and Firearms CrimesRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Adam Cook, age 33, of Clayton, New York pled guilty yesterday to possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm in connection with a federal drug trafficking crime, and manufacturing and transferring illegal “ghost gun” rifles, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, John B. DeVito, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and Kristyna Mills, Jefferson County District Attorney
As part of his guilty plea yesterday, Adam Cook admitted that he possessed 285 grams of cocaine for distribution that was recovered during a search warrant executed at his Clayton, New York residence in September 2020. He also admitted that he possessed a 12-gauge shotgun in connection with his drug trafficking crime. In pleading guilty, Cook also admitted to manufacturing and transferring illegally short-barreled unregistered .223 caliber “ghost guns.” The guilty pleas stemmed from an investigation conducted by the Metro-Jefferson Drug Task Force and ATF into drug and firearms trafficking in the Watertown, New York area.
Sentencing is scheduled April 2, 2023, in Syracuse, at which time Adam Cook faces up to 20-years in prison for his conviction for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, a mandatory consecutive sentence of at least 5-years and up to life imprisonment for his conviction for possession of a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking crime, and up to 10-years imprisonment for making and transferring unregistered illegally short-barreled .223 caliber “ghost gun” rifles. He will also be sentenced to a term of at least 3-years of post-incarceration supervised release and may also be sentenced to fines of up to $1 million dollars. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
The case was investigated by the ATF and the Metro-Jefferson Drug Task Force, consisting of Special Agents from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Detectives from the City of Watertown Police Department and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, Investigators from the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, and U.S. Border Patrol Agents. Assistance was also provided by the City of Watertown Police Department, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, and the Village of Clayton Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Southwick.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Ithaca Man Sentenced to 150 Months for Attempted Enticement of a MinorRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Joseph Swansbrough, 34, of Ithaca New York, was sentenced today to 150 months (12.5 years) in federal prison for attempting to entice and coerce a minor to engage in sexual activity, 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 previously entered guilty plea, Swansbrough admitted that, between September and October 2021, he exchanged sexually explicit messages online with an undercover officer posing as a 10-year-old child in an attempt to entice the child into engaging in sexual acts with him. Swansbrough also admitted that, on October 12, 2021, he traveled from his home in Tioga County to a prearranged meeting location in Broome County, New York, with the intent to engage in sexual acts with the 10-year-old child. Swansbrough was arrested upon arrival at the location and was found in possession of candy he had promised to bring to the child.
United States District Judge, Glenn T. Suddaby, also sentenced Swansbrough to a 25-year term of supervised release to begin after he serves his term of imprisonment. Swansbrough also will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.
This case was investigated by the FBI Syracuse Mid-State Child Exploitation Task Force, comprised of FBI Special Agents and Investigators of the New York State Police, Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and Computer Crimes Unit (CCU). The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Geoffrey J. L. Brown, Jessica N. Carbone, and Adrian S. LaRochelle 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.
Watervliet Man Sentenced to 90 Months for Drug and Firearm CrimesRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Ronnie Robinson, age 29, of Watervliet, New York, was sentenced yesterday to 90 months in prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, for possessing a firearm as a felon, possessing and intending to distribute marijuana, and for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; James Smith, Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and New York State Police Acting Superintendent Dominick L. Chiumento made the announcement.
As part of his guilty plea in June 2023, Robinson admitted that on November 30, 2021, he possessed approximately 268 grams of marijuana that he intended to distribute and that he possessed a firearm in order to protect the marijuana, drug proceeds, and his marijuana trafficking business. Robinson had been previously convicted of three felonies and was on supervised release for a 2015 conviction for unlawfully possessing a firearm as a felon when he was apprehended with the marijuana and the firearm in this case.
This case was investigated by the New York State Police and the FBI’s Westchester Safe Streets Task Force, which includes FBI Special Agents and members of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dustin C. Segovia and Cyrus P.W. Rieck prosecuted the case.
Washington County Sex Offender Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Kevin Smurphat, age 35, of Whitehall, New York, pled guilty yesterday to charges of possessing, receiving, distributing and transporting 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.
Smurphat, a previously convicted sex offender, admitted that while on state parole in early November 2020, he used a cellphone to upload, to a file-hosting service, depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct and that he joined a group chat where he distributed child pornography to other individuals and received child pornography as well.
Smurphat faces a minimum of 15 years and up to 40 years in prison, a maximum $250,000 fine, 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. Smurphat, whose prior conviction was for attempted sexual contact with a minor younger than 11, will again have to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.
This case was investigated by the FBI and its Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes FBI Special Agents and state and local police investigators, including from the New York State Police. The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision initiated this investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dustin C. Segovia 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.
Slingerlands Man Indicted for Sexual Exploitation of a ChildRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Daniel Fuino, age 73, of Slingerlands, New York, was indicted earlier this month on five counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of 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.
According to the indictment and the previously filed complaint, Fuino repeatedly molested a child born in 2016 who was under his care, and photographed the child’s genitals, between 2022 and May 2023. The victim reported the abuse to her elementary school in May after a presentation on inappropriate touching and sexual contact. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Fuino, who has been in custody since May on the criminal complaint, waived his right to an arraignment and will remain detained pending trial before United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino.
The charges filed against Fuino carry a prison term of at least 15 years and up to life, as well as 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. If convicted, Fuino would also have to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.
This case is being investigated by the FBI Albany’s Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes members of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the Colonie Police Department, Rotterdam Police Department, Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office and the New York State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin S. Clark is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood.
Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), 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.