Northern District of New York

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.

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.

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.

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, 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.

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.

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, 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, 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, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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/.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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, 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, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Ramel Gulley, age 28, of Schenectady, New York, was sentenced yesterday to 240 months (20 years) in prison, to be followed by 15 years of supervised release, for possessing and intending to distribute 400 grams or more of a substance containing fentanyl and to possessing multiple firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

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 previous guilty plea in June 2023, Gulley admitted that on February 28, 2022, he possessed heroin-fentanyl mixtures weighing a total of 2,035 grams that he intended to distribute.  Gulley also admitted that he possessed four firearms in order to protect the drugs, $12,625 in drug proceeds, and his drug trafficking business.

This case was investigated by the FBI’s Capital District Safe Streets Gang Task Force, which includes FBI Special Agents and members of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dustin C. Segovia prosecuted the case.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Matthew Peters, age 49, of Schenectady, New York, was sentenced today to 300 months in prison for attempting to entice a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity and for committing a felony offense involving a minor while required to register as a sex offender. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.

As part of his guilty plea, Peters admitted that between October 2 and October 7, 2020, he initiated and exchanged sexually explicit text messages with someone he believed to be a 14-year-old child. After learning the apparent child was 14 years old, Peters repeatedly asked the minor for “nudes” and “live” pictures.  Peters also asked the minor to meet him on multiple occasions and discussed engaging in various sexual acts with the minor when they met.  On October 7, Peters arrived at the prearranged meeting location near Albany, where he was encountered by law enforcement officers and arrested. Peters was a registered sex offender at the time of the offense; he had three prior sex offense convictions, two felony convictions in 2000 and one in 2012, each involving the sexual abuse of a child he had met online.

Senior United States District Judge Gary L. Sharpe also imposed a life term of post-imprisonment supervised release. Peters will again have to register as a sex offender upon his 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 Alexander P. Wentworth-Ping prosecuted this case as part of Project Safe Childhood.

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

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Derbie Michel, age 32, formerly of Troy, New York, pled guilty today to illegally possessing ammunition as a convicted felon. 

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.

Michel, who has three prior felony convictions, admitted that he possessed five rounds of ammunition on October 15, 2022. According to court documents filed by the Government, Michel threw these rounds of ammunition from a car while fleeing from members of the Troy Police Department on October 15, 2022.  According to court documents, he also threw a privately made firearm, or “ghost gun,” from the car during the same pursuit. 

Michel 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 Senior U.S. District Judge Frederick J. Scullin, Jr., on June 20, 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 FBI’s Capital District Safe Streets Gang Task Force, which includes FBI Special Agents and members of state and local law enforcement agencies, including the Troy Police Department, investigated the case.  The U.S. Marshals Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) assisted in the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua R. Rosenthal and Allen J. Vickey are prosecuting the case.   

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Jason Burnash, age 43, of Albany, was sentenced today to a total of 28 months in prison for failing to update his sex offender registration information and violating his conditions of federal supervised release.

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and United States Marshal David L. McNulty made the announcement.

As part of his prior guilty plea on July 28, 2023, Burnash admitted that he was required to register as a sex offender because of his prior federal conviction in 2012 for receiving child pornography.  Burnash further admitted that between December 24, 2022 and March 1, 2023, he failed to advise the sex offender registry of a change in his residential address. This conduct both violated Burnash’s conditions of supervised release and was a new crime, specifically a violation of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci ordered Burnash to serve 18 months in prison for violating his supervised release conditions and an additional 10 months for the new criminal conduct. She also imposed a 5-year term of supervised release, which will start after Burnash is released from prison. Burnish will again have to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.

The United States Marshals Service investigated this case.  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.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Bernardo Tovar, age 34, of Amsterdam, New York, pled guilty today to a drug trafficking conspiracy, possessing and intending to distribute fentanyl pills, cocaine and methamphetamine, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

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

Tovar admitted that from May 2022 to December 2022, he conspired to distribute counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl, as well as cocaine and methamphetamine. Tovar admitted that the combined amount of fentanyl that he distributed exceeded 160 grams. Tovar, who has a prior violent felony conviction for attempted robbery, also admitted to possessing fentanyl pills, cocaine and methamphetamine, as well as a loaded handgun in his apartment to protect his drugs and drug proceeds, on December 7, 2022, when his apartment was searched.

Sentencing is scheduled for March 20, 2024, before Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes, at which time Tovar faces at least 15 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $8 million, and a term of supervised release of at least 8 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

The DEA and ATF investigated this case, and Assistant United States Attorney Alexander P. Wentworth-Ping is prosecuting the case.

PLATTSBURGH, NEW YORK – Stefan Chernev, age 49, and a citizen of Bulgaria, pled guilty today to conspiracy to commit international money laundering. 

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the Boston Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); and Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), made the announcement.

Chernev admitted that he worked with his brother, Ivan Chernev, and a third coconspirator to form shell companies, most of which had a variation of “Yellow Pages” in their name. 

From about 2011 to 2015, Stefan Chernev, Ivan Chernev, and the third coconspirator used the shell companies to steal money from medical providers, churches and small businesses throughout the United States, including some in the Northern District of New York, by sending false invoices to the victims indicating they had ordered online advertising services when no such services had ever been ordered or provided.  When the victims failed to pay the false bills, Stefan Chernev and his coconspirators sent them false collections notices.  They instructed the victims to mail checks to various Post Office Boxes throughout the United States that Stefan Chernev and his coconspirators rented. They then instructed the mail forwarding companies where they rented the Post Office Boxes to forward the checks to Post Office Boxes in Canada or mail forwarding businesses near the Canadian border in the Northern District of New York.

Once Stefan Chernev, Ivan Chernev and the third coconspirator received the checks, they deposited the checks in bank accounts they controlled in Canada.  In total, they stole at least $1.24 million from victims throughout the United States.

Chernev faces up to 20 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 on March 25, 2024 by Senior United States District Judge Frederick J. Scullin, Jr. Chernev will also be ordered to pay restitution to his victims.

Ivan Chernev pled guilty to the same charge and was sentenced, on December 3, 2020, to 68 months in prison.

USPIS, HSI, and the Federal Trade Commission investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katherine Kopita and Alexander Wentworth-Ping are prosecuting the case. Stefan Chernev was extradited from Germany to the United States in May 2022 with assistance from the Department of Justice Office of International Affairs.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - Michael Griswold, age 37, of Syracuse, was sentenced yesterday to serve 151 months in federal prison for possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.  United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division, made the announcement.

As part of his plea, Griswold admitted that, on November 9, 2022, he possessed over 500 grams of crystal methamphetamine hidden inside a bag in his bedroom closet. Griswold also admitted that he intended to distribute the methamphetamine to others.

United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby also ordered that Griswold serve a 5-year term of supervised release following his release from prison.

This case was investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Syracuse Police Department, and the Metro-Jefferson Drug Task Force.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica N. Carbone prosecuted the case.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Drew Caswell, age 25, of Cairo, New York, appeared in federal court yesterday on a charge that he possessed child pornography, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Alfred A. Watson, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

According to the criminal complaint, on August 7, 2022, Caswell possessed a phone that contained numerous electronic files depicting the sexual abuse of children. The charge in the criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Caswell is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

As part of yesterday’s initial appearance in which Caswell was detained, United States Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart scheduled a detention hearing for tomorrow, November 16.

If convicted of the charge in the complaint, Caswell faces a maximum term of 20 years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.  Caswell would also be required to register as a sex offender.

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

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Susan Salanitri, age 60, of New Paltz, New York, was sentenced today to 2 years of probation, and to pay $307,665 in restitution, for filing false tax returns.

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Thomas Fattorusso, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), New York Field Division, made the announcement.

Salanitri, the owner of two restaurants in New Paltz, previously pled guilty to five counts of filing false tax returns. She admitted that during each of the tax years 2015 through 2019, she deliberately under-reported her restaurants’ revenues on her individual tax return filed with the IRS, resulting in a total underpayment of taxes in the amount of $307,665.

IRS-CI investigated this case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett prosecuted this case.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Luke Steiner, age 35, of Woodbury, Minnesota, was sentenced today to 2 years of probation, and to pay nearly $13 million in restitution, for conspiring with former ValueWise CEO Michael T. Mann to defraud companies that loaned millions of dollars to ValueWise subsidiaries. 

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Alfred A. Watson, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.

Steiner, who previously pled guilty to one count of conspiring to commit wire fraud, had worked at Optum, a division of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated located in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. He admitted that between 2013 and September 2019, while working at Optum, he conspired with Mann and Derek Schwartz to fraudulently obtain millions of dollars in loans for Mann’s companies.  

Steiner admitted that he worked with Mann to induce financing companies to loan money on the basis of fake invoices purporting to show payments owed by his employer, Optum, to several of Mann’s companies.  Steiner’s role was to falsely represent to the financing companies that the fake invoices were valid and payable by Optum when, in fact, he knew that they were not.  He admitted that the conspiracy caused a total of $12,968,505.22 in losses to two financing companies, one based in New York and the other in Colorado.

Senior United States District Judge Lawrence E. Kahn ordered Steiner to pay $12,968,505.22 in restitution to the two financing companies, and to forfeit an additional $11,300 to the government, the latter amount representing the total value of Amazon gift cards that Mann periodically sent Steiner, between December 2017 and August 2019, as thank-yous for Steiner’s participation in the fraudulent scheme.

Mann, formerly of Saratoga County, New York, pled guilty to various crimes in connection with his fraudulent scheme, and was sentenced in August 2021 to 144 months in prison.  Schwartz, age 54, of Coppell, Texas, pled guilty to wire fraud conspiracy and wire fraud, on September 21, 2023, and is scheduled to be sentenced on January 24, 2024.

The FBI investigated this case, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Barnett and Cyrus P.W. Rieck are prosecuting this case.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Former New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) employee Wendell Giles, age 53, of Albany, was sentenced today to 36 months in prison for engaging in a fraudulent scheme to obtain more than $800,000 in unemployment insurance benefits by abusing his position with the NYSDOL.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Alfred A. Watson, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge, Northeast Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (USDOL-OIG).

As part of his previously entered guilty plea to conspiracy to commit mail fraud, Giles admitted that he and another former NYSDOL employee, Carl J. DiVeglia III, abused their state computer systems access to create and approve false unemployment insurance applications in 2020 and 2021, including applications for the federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program.

Giles recruited relatives, friends and friends-of-friends to submit false benefits applications over the phone to DiVeglia after Giles had instructed them to lie in response to eligibility questions. Giles and DiVeglia then took a share of the benefits paid by NYSDOL on the false claims.  Giles used his share to enrich himself, including by purchasing a three-wheeled motorcycle. In text messages, DiVeglia suggested a vanity license plate for Giles’s new vehicle, “TY PUA,” which Giles understood to mean “Thank You Pandemic Unemployment Assistance.” Giles responded, “Lol.”  Giles had been employed as a Senior Employment Security Clerk, and DiVeglia as a Labor Services Representative.

Giles admitted responsibility for $826,530 in losses to pandemic-related UI benefits programs administered by the state.  He has agreed to pay full restitution to NYSDOL. DiVeglia previously pled guilty to related charges and also agreed to pay restitution.

United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby also imposed a 2-year term of supervised release, to begin after Giles is released from prison.  Judge Suddaby also ordered Giles to pay $826,530 in restitution to the State of New York and to forfeit a $100,000 money judgment to the United States.

The FBI and USDOL-OIG investigated this case, with assistance from the NYSDOL Office of Special Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua R. Rosenthal and Joseph S. Hartunian prosecuted this case.

On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Michael Murray, age 71, of Sidney, New York, was sentenced today to 144 months in prison for 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, Murray admitted that in October 2021, he possessed images and videos of child pornography on two cell phones and possessed images and videos of child pornography within two email accounts he owned and controlled. At the time of these offenses, Murray had a previous conviction in New York related to the possession of child pornography.

Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes also sentenced Murray to 10 years of supervised release, to follow his term of imprisonment. Murray was also ordered to forfeit two electronic devices that he used to commit his crimes. Murray will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.

This case was investigated by HSI 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 Attorney Alexander Wentworth-Ping 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.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Jose Orozco Acosta, age 22, of Bakersfield, California, was sentenced to serve 132 months in federal prison for possessing over 65,000 fentanyl pills with the intent to distribute them.

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) New York Division Frank A. Tarentino III, Acting Special Agent in Charge of U.S. DEA California Division Bob Beris, and New York State Police (NYSP) Acting Superintendent Dominick L. Chiumento made the announcement.

In pleading guilty, Acosta admitted that on April 4, 2022, he travelled from Bakersfield, California  to a storage unit in Syracuse, NY.  Acosta transferred the contents of his storage unit, which included a black plastic tote, to a different storage unit in the city of Syracuse.  The black plastic tote that Acosta transported contained over 65,000 fentanyl pills, weighing approximately 7.2 kilograms.  The investigation revealed that Acosta was transporting fentanyl and other narcotics from his home in Bakersfield to drug dealers in the Central New York area for further distribution.  As part of the investigation, many of the local dealers that Acosta was supplying were arrested in August 2022.

Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes in Syracuse, New York also ordered that Acosta serve a 5-year term of supervised release following his release from prison.

NYSP Violent Gang and Narcotics Enforcement Team (NYSP-VGNET) and DEA Resident Offices in Syracuse, New York and Bakersfield, California investigated the case with assistance from the Finger Lakes Drug Task Force, Auburn Police Department, Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office, United States Marshal Service, United States Army National Guard Counterdrug Program, Cayuga County District Attorney’s Office, Cortland City Police Department, Bakersfield Police Department, Kern County Sheriff’s Office, and Kern County Probation Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica N. Carbone prosecuted the case.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Charles E. Williams, age 34, of Albany, pled guilty today to possessing a firearm as a prohibited person. 

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and United States Marshal David L. McNulty made the announcement.

On November 18, 2021, the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force tracked Williams to a hotel to arrest him for a kidnapping.  When searching his hotel room, the Marshals found a .357 caliber Smith & Wesson revolver. Williams is prohibited from possessing the firearm as a result of a prior New York State felony conviction for assault in the first degree.  Additionally, a jury convicted Williams of kidnapping in the second degree a few months ago, and he pled guilty to assault in the second degree in Rensselaer County last month. 

Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes will sentence Williams on March 4, 2024.  The conviction carries a maximum term of 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of post-release supervision of up to 3 years.  A judge imposes a defendant’s sentence based on the particular statute a defendant violated, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

The U.S. Marshals Service investigated the case with assistance from the North Greenbush Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Reiner is prosecuting the case.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Bernabe Lopez, age 58, of Utica, New York, pled guilty yesterday to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and distribution of fentanyl, announced United States Attorney Carla Freedman; Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division and Thomas Fattorusso, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), New York Field Office.

In pleading guilty yesterday, Lopez admitted that from May 2020 through October 2021, he acquired quantities of fentanyl from co-conspirators, which he then re-distributed to others in the Utica, New York area.  Lopez admitted that the combined amount of fentanyl that he distributed during this time frame exceeded 40 grams.  Lopez also admitted that during the conspiracy, he sold a cutting agent to member of the conspiracy for $10 a gram knowing that the co-conspirators were adulterating fentanyl with the cutting agent to increase volume for sales.   

Sentencing is scheduled for February 29, 2024, in front of United States District Judge David N. Hurd.  Lopez faces a minimum of 5 years in prison, a maximum of 40 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $5 million, and a term of supervised release of at least 4 years and up to life. 

This case is being investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations Division, Homeland Security Investigations, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations, New York State Police, Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, Oneida County District Attorney’s Office, Utica Police Department, Syracuse Police Department, Rome Police Department,  Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, New York Army National Guard Counter Drug Program, Yorkville Police Department, Whitesboro Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamara Thomson.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Arthur Hanvey, age 65, of Delanson, New York, was sentenced today to 1 year of probation and to pay restitution for his theft of government property. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Christopher Algieri, Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Field Office of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, made the announcement.

As part of his guilty plea, Hanvey admitted that while employed as a dental technician at the Albany Stratton Veterans Affairs Medical Center, between October 2017 and May 2021, he stole and converted to his own use precious metals and noble alloys that were intended to be recycled and used to manufacture crowns, bridges and other dental prostheses, and then sold those precious metals to a third-party refinery for a profit.

United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci ordered Hanvey to pay $13,533.04 in restitution, which he paid at sentencing.

The Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General investigated this case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander P. Wentworth-Ping prosecuted the case.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Atniel Pagan, age 24, of Catskill, New York, pled guilty today to possessing and intending to distribute cocaine and cocaine base, and to possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; David L. McNulty, United States Marshal for the Northern District of New York; John B. DeVito, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); and Albany Police Chief Eric Hawkins.

Pagan admitted to possessing 225 grams of cocaine and 22 grams of cocaine base that he intended to sell at an apartment in Albany. Pagan, a previously convicted felon, further admitted to possessing a loaded privately manufactured, semi-automatic, AR-style rifle, and a loaded privately manufactured, semi-automatic pistol (a/k/a “ghost guns”), in order to guard against the potential theft of his drugs and drug money.  Pagan was arrested at his apartment by the U.S. Marshals executing a state arrest warrant, and Albany Police subsequently obtained a warrant to search the apartment. 

Pagan faces at least 5 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $1 million, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least 3 years and up to life, when he is sentenced on March 1, 2024 by United States District Anne M. Nardacci.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and Albany Police Department, with assistance provided by ATF and the Greene County District Attorney’s Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Emmet O’Hanlon is prosecuting this case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – James Macko, age 23, of North Adams, Massachusetts, was sentenced today to 14 years in prison for the attempted coercion and enticement of an 11-year-old child.  United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Alfred A. Watson, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement. 

Macko previously pled guilty and admitted that between November 29, 2022 and December 9, 2022, he exchanged text messages and phone calls with someone he believed to be an 11-year-old child.  In those communications, Macko attempted to coerce and entice the child into sexual contact with him.  Macko ultimately planned to meet the child in a state park in Western Massachusetts, where he intended to perform sexual acts on the child in a cave.  On December 9, 2022, Macko left his home in North Adams to meet the child and was arrested shortly thereafter, carrying with him candy, liquor he planned to give the child, and a length of rope with which he intended to tie the child down.

United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci also imposed a 20-year term of post-imprisonment supervised release. He will also 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 Colonie Police Department and the New York State Police.  Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin S. Clark prosecuted the case as part of Project Safe Childhood.

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