Northern District of New York

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Rafael Rondon, age 25, of Watertown, New York, was sentenced today to 14 months in prison for possessing an unregistered sawed-off shotgun.

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Janeen DiGuiseppi, 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, Rondon admitted to possessing an unregistered Iver Johnson’s Arms & Cycle Works 12-gauge sawed-off shotgun. The shotgun, which had a barrel length of less than 18 inches and an overall length of less than 26 inches, was not registered to the defendant in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, as required by law.

Senior United States District Judge Frederick J. Scullin, Jr. also sentenced Rondon to a 3-year term of supervised release, to begin after his imprisonment, and ordered forfeiture of the sawed-off shotgun.

Rondon also pled guilty on December 5, 2022, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, to obstruction of an official proceeding, a felony, for his activities inside the U.S. Capitol Building on January 6, 2021. Sentencing in that case is scheduled for September 12, 2023 in Washington, D.C., at which time he 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.

The Northern District of New York case was investigated by the FBI Albany Joint Terrorism Task Force, with assistance from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the New York State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen Green and Richard Southwick prosecuted the case.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Shawn Wetzel, age 39, of Highland, New York, was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for possession of child pornography.  United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.

Wetzel previously pled guilty before Senior United States District Judge Gary L. Sharpe.  Wetzel admitted that he had previously pled guilty in Georgia to receipt of child pornography and was sentenced to 67 months of incarceration, to be followed by 5 years of post-release supervision.  In September 2021, approximately 16 months after his release from prison, and while he was under supervised release, Probation officers conducted an inspection of Wetzel’s residence in Ulster County.  In the course of that inspection, Wetzel was found to be in possession of approximately 10 child pornography image files and one child pornography video, depicting children as young as 7 years old.

After Wetzel is released from prison, he will be required to serve a 30-year term of post-release supervision.

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 New York State Police.  Former Assistant United States Attorney Rachel L. Williams and Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin S. Clark prosecuted the case as part of Project Safe Childhood.

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

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Jesus Baez, age 32, of Loudonville, New York, was sentenced today to 5 years in prison for his role in a Capital Region cocaine distribution conspiracy.  United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Postal Inspector in Charge Ketty Larco-Ward made the announcement.

Baez previously pled guilty before Senior United States District Judge Gary L. Sharpe to conspiracy to distribute cocaine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.  As part of his plea, Baez admitted that between June 2021 and December 2021, in Albany and Rensselaer Counties, he and three others engaged in a conspiracy to ship cocaine from Puerto Rico and distribute it in the Capital Region.  The cocaine was shipped via U.S. mail in one-kilogram bricks, and transported to a stash house maintained by Baez on Fifth Avenue in Troy, where it was processed for distribution, along with other drugs. 

Judge Sharpe also imposed a 4-year term of supervised release, to begin once Baez is released from prison.

Baez’s three co-defendants have also pled guilty for their roles in the conspiracy and are awaiting sentencing.  They are:

• Jan Lopez-Colon, age 28, of Troy;
• Ilvin Batista-Figueroa, 31, of Albany; and
• Sam Calderon, 20, of Troy.

This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and the Capital Region Task Force, led by the USPIS and including the Albany Police Department, the Albany County Sheriff’s Office, and the Schenectady Police Department, as well as the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin S. Clark is prosecuting the case.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Taquan Parker, age 26, of Rensselaer, New York, was sentenced today to 13 months in prison for engaging in a fraudulent scheme to obtain more than $60,000 in unemployment insurance benefits under the names of two other people, including benefits funded by the federal government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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); New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang; Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge, Northeast Region, United States Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (USDOL-OIG); and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the Boston Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).

As part of his previously entered guilty plea to conspiracy and mail fraud charges, Parker admitted that he provided Kahleke Taylor, a/k/a “Flex,” with the personal identifying information of two other people, which Taylor used to file false claims online with the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL).  Parker further admitted that as a result of the fraudulent applications submitted by Taylor, the NYSDOL paid out $60,132 in unemployment insurance benefits. 

United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino also imposed a 3-year term of supervised release, to begin after Parker is released from prison, and ordered him to pay $60,132 in restitution to the State of New York.

This case was investigated by HSI, the New York State Inspector General’s Office, USDOL-OIG, and USPIS, 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.

ALBANY, NEW YORK –Thomas Brace, a/k/a “Justice,” age 62, of Altoona, Pennsylvania, pled guilty today to conspiring to defraud the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) by obtaining unemployment insurance benefits under the names of seven other people, including benefits funded by the federal government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang; Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the Boston Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); and Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge, Northeast Region, United States Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (USDOL-OIG).

Brace admitted that he provided Jamie Johnson with the personal identifying information of seven other people, which Johnson used to file false claims via the NYSDOL website.  Brace further admitted that as a result of the seven fraudulent applications submitted by Johnson, the NYSDOL paid $299,553 in unemployment insurance benefits.  As part of his plea agreement, Brace agreed to pay $299,553 in restitution to the State of New York.  Johnson previously pled guilty to fraudulently obtaining $701,441 in unemployment insurance benefits as part of the scheme.  Brace’s two co-defendants, Taliek Lanier and Errol Murray, previously pled guilty to conspiring with Johnson to defraud the NYSDOL of $113,936 and $69,954 in unemployment insurance benefits, respectively.

Murray faces a maximum of 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 October 26, 2023 by Senior United States District Judge Lawrence E. Kahn. 

This case was investigated by the New York State Inspector General’s Office, HSI, USPIS, and USDOL-OIG, with assistance from the NYSDOL Office of Special Investigations, the Capital Region Crime Analysis Center, and the Albany County Department of Social Services.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua R. Rosenthal and Joseph S. Hartunian are prosecuting 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.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Movement Mortgage, LLC, has agreed to pay the United States $23.75 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act  by failing to comply with material program requirements when it originated and underwrote mortgages insured by the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Federal Housing Administration (FHA) or guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman announced today.  Movement Mortgage is headquartered in Indian Land, South Carolina, with loans underwritten across the United States, including in upstate New York.

“Lenders participating in mortgage programs backed by taxpayers must follow rules designed to protect both program integrity and homeowners,” said United States Attorney Freedman.  “Today’s settlement holds Movement Mortgage accountable for its past violations, while acknowledging that it has taken steps to strengthen its internal controls to ensure future compliance with FHA and VA requirements.”

Participants in FHA insurance and VA guarantee programs, like Movement Mortgage, have the authority to originate and underwrite mortgages without first having the government review the loans for compliance with the agency’s underwriting and origination requirements.  If an FHA insured or VA guaranteed loan defaults, the holder of the loan may submit a claim to the United States for certain losses.  Lenders are therefore required to follow FHA and VA rules designed to ensure that only mortgages that meet key credit and underwriting criteria are insured or guaranteed by the government. 

The settlement announced today resolves allegations that Movement Mortgage failed to comply with material program rules that require lenders to maintain quality control programs to prevent and correct underwriting deficiencies, self-report any materially deficient loans that they identify, and ensure that the underwriting process is free from conflicts of interest.

As part of the settlement, Movement Mortgage admitted that it certified for FHA mortgage insurance and VA home loan guarantees a material percentage of loans that did not meet applicable requirements and, therefore, were not eligible under those programs, despite inaccurately representing to HUD and the VA that such loans complied with applicable program requirements.  Movement Mortgage also acknowledged that HUD and the VA would not have insured or guaranteed the loans but for its submission of false certifications. Movement Mortgage further admitted that it failed to adhere to HUD and the VA’s applicable self-reporting requirements. 

The covered conduct stretched back as far as July 2008, including a period of rapid expansion by the company.  As Movement Mortgage took significant measures to stop the practices, both before and after being notified of the United States’ investigation, it received credit for doing so in connection with the settlement.

“HUD is committed to protecting public funds by ensuring that lenders follow the rules for origination of FHA-insured mortgages,” said Damon Smith, General Counsel for HUD. “Through this settlement, Movement Mortgage is accepting responsibility for its past actions by fully repaying the FHA insurance fund for its losses on defaulted loans that should not have been issued.”

“The integrity of the FHA loan program is essential to helping hard working citizens realize the American dream of homeownership,” said Special Agent in Charge Mark T. Kaminsky with HUD OIG Office of Investigation.  “This case demonstrates HUD OIG’s enduring commitment to working with the Northern District of New York USAO to investigate and hold accountable those who seek to jeopardize this program and the health and stability of our nation’s housing market.”

“VA’s Home Loan Guaranty program provides valuable assistance to our nation’s veterans when purchasing or repairing their homes, and vendors must adhere to critical quality standards in order to maintain the integrity of the program,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher F. Algieri with the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s Northeast Field Office. “The VA OIG appreciates the work of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners throughout this important investigation.”

This investigation was triggered by a whistleblower lawsuit filed under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act, which allow private persons, known as “relators,” to file civil actions on behalf of the government and share in any recovery.  The relators in this case, two former employees of Movement Mortgage, will receive a total of $4,037,566 of the settlement proceeds.  The case is docketed with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York under number 18-cv-848.

This matter was investigated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York, the Department of Justice’s Civil Division, HUD-OIG, HUD, and VA OIG.  The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Hoggan, with significant assistance from Adam E. Cearley, Deputy Assistant General Counsel in HUD’s Office of Program Enforcement.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Gregory William Hill, age 38, of Georgia, whose many aliases include Gregory Allen Davis, Gregory William Davis, Gregory Davis Dutton, and John Martin Hill, pled guilty today in federal court in Syracuse to misuse of a social security number and aggravated identity theft. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.

Hill 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 Syracuse 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 seven-year prison sentence in Georgia for a serial romance fraud scheme that led some news outlets to describe him as the “Sweetheart Swindler.”

The felony charges to which Hill pled guilty carry a maximum sentence of up to 7 years in prison, including up to 5 years for the social security fraud count, followed by a mandatory consecutive two-year term of imprisonment for the aggravated identity theft count. Hill also faces a fine of up to $500,000 and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. The defendant will be sentenced on November 2, 2023, by United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby, who presides over the case.

This case is being investigated by the FBI, and it is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael F. Perry.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Stephen Brisee, a/k/a Sage Brisee, age 29, of Albany, was arrested today for distributing child pornography.

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge of the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Buffalo Field Office, made the announcement.

The charge filed against Brisee carries a prison term of at least 15 years and up to 40 years; a fine of up to $250,000; and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

United States Magistrate Judge Christian F. Hummel ordered Brisee detained pending a detention hearing scheduled to take place next week.

The complaint charges Brisee with distributing videos of adults subjecting girls between the ages of six months and 10 years to sexual penetration.  At the time of the offense, Brisee was a registered sex offender on post-release supervision following a New York State conviction for promoting a sexual performance by a child.

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

HSI is investigating the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Reiner is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood.

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

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Calvin Bautista, age 37, of Richmond Hill, New York, pled guilty today to smuggling three Burmese pythons into the United States at the Champlain Port of Entry.

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Ryan Noel, Regional Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement, made the announcement.

Bautista admitted that on July 15, 2018, he smuggled the three snakes in his pants as he rode on a bus that crossed the U.S.-Canadian border at the Champlain Port of Entry. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers discovered the snakes while reviewing Bautista’s passport and conducting a border search. The young adult snakes were in bags attached to Bautista’s pants near his inner thigh.

Bautista did not obtain the permits required to import these snakes. As their name suggests, Burmese pythons are not native to North America, and are an invasive species.

Sentencing is scheduled for October 26, 2023, before Senior United States District Judge Lawrence E. Kahn. Bautista faces a maximum term of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and CBP investigated this case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander P. Wentworth-Ping is prosecuting this case.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – John Patrick Galusha, age 32, of Ilion, New York, was sentenced today to serve 138 months in prison for distributing and receiving child pornography. In addition to the prison term, Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes ordered Galusha to serve a term of supervised release of 15 years, to begin upon his release from prison, to pay restitution, and to forfeit the device he used to commit the offenses. Galusha also will have to register as a sex offender upon his release.

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Janeen DiGuiseppi, 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, Galusha admitted that, in January 2022, he traded child pornography with others over a social media messaging application on his phone, distributing approximately 35 files in exchange for 163 images and 7 videos depicting the sexual exploitation of children.

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) and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Gadarian.

This case was prosecuted 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 – Carlos Hernandez, age 54, of Albany, was sentenced today to 64 months in prison for distributing heroin and fentanyl on at least five occasions in April and May 2021.  United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), made the announcement.

On February 8, 2023, Hernandez pled guilty to distribution of a controlled substance.  He admitted that between April and May 2021, while he was on parole from a state prison term, he sold a total of 68 grams of fentanyl and 71 grams of heroin on at least five occasions in Albany.

Senior United States District Judge Lawrence E. Kahn also ordered Hernandez to serve a 4-year term of supervised release after he is released from prison.    

The DEA investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin S. Clark prosecuted the case.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Bram Fox, age 43, of Kerhonkson, New York, pled guilty today to unlawfully possessing a rifle as a previously convicted felon.  Fox also admitted to manufacturing and possessing several dozen firearms, which law enforcement seized from his Ulster County house earlier this year.

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.

Fox admitted that from about October 2020 until January 2023, he purchased firearms parts from numerous online retailers; had these items shipped to his residence in Kerhonkson; and then used these firearms parts to manufacture non-serialized handguns and rifles, which are sometimes called “ghost guns” due to the fact that this type of firearm does not contain a serial number imprinted by a manufacturer. 

Fox also acquired several serialized firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition, including an Aero Precision M5 rifle.  Fox has felony convictions in New York and Connecticut, including a 2009 conviction for an armed bank robbery, that prevents him from lawfully possessing the rifle, and other firearms and ammunition.

Fox has been in custody since his arrest on January 31, 2023.  He faces up to 15 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to 3 years of post-imprisonment supervised release, when United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino sentences him on October 26, 2023.   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.

Fox also agreed to abandon, to the ATF, all firearms, ammunition, firearms parts and related items that were seized from his residence and formerly in his possession, including more than 25 firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition.

The ATF and New York State Police investigated this case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett is prosecuting this case.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Ouida Cordell, age 47, of Watervliet, New York, was sentenced today to two years of probation for her submission of a fraudulent Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) application to the United States Small Business Administration (SBA).

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and Matthew Miraglia, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Buffalo Field Office, made the announcement.

As part of her previously entered guilty plea, Cordell admitted that on July 13, 2020, she submitted an online application to the SBA for an EIDL on behalf of her company, Bashment Entertainment LLC (Bashment), that falsely overstated Bashment’s annual revenues.  As a result of the fraud, Cordell and her company Bashment received an EIDL loan in the amount of $149,500 for which she and the company were not entitled.  EIDLs were low-interest, government-backed loans meant for businesses struggling with the financial effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby also sentenced Cordell to perform 100 hours of community service, and to pay restitution in the amount of $149,400.

The FBI, with assistance from the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, Office of Internal Affairs, and the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, investigated this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Belliss prosecuted this case.

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 – Ronnie Robinson, age 29, of Watervliet, New York, pled guilty today to possessing a firearm as a felon, possessing and intending to distribute marijuana, and to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

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

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 caught with the marijuana and the firearm in this case.

Sentencing is scheduled for October 26, 2023, before United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby.  Robinson faces a minimum sentence of 5 years and a maximum sentence of life in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a post-imprisonment term of supervised release of at least 2 years and up to life.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

This case was investigated by the FBI, New York State Police, and the United States Probation Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dustin C. Segovia and Cyrus P.W. Rieck are prosecuting the case.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Curtis D. Black, Jr., age 32, of Troy, New York, was sentenced today to 20 months in prison for possessing an unregistered short-barreled rifle.

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 Troy Police Chief Daniel DeWolf made the announcement.

As part of his previously entered guilty plea, Black, Jr. admitted to possessing an unregistered PA-15 Multi-Caliber Palmetto State Armory rifle. The rifle, which had a barrel length of less than 16 inches, was not registered to the defendant in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, as required.

United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby also sentenced Black, Jr. to a 3-year term of supervised release, to begin after his imprisonment.

ATF and Troy Police investigated the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Allen J. Vickey and Joshua Rosenthal prosecuted the case.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Michael E. Robbins, II, age 27, of Schenectady, New York, was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for attempted coercion and enticement of a minor.  United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.

Robbins previously pled guilty to the offense on February 13, 2023, the day his trial was scheduled to begin.  Robbins admitted that between February and March 2021, he exchanged sexually explicit messages online with an undercover officer posing as a 12-year old girl, in an attempt to entice the child into engaging in sexual acts with him.  Robbins admitted that he initiated the conversations with the minor after locating her in an online chat group for teens in the 518 area code.  Robbins further admitted that he arranged to meet the minor on March 18, 2021 at a bowling alley in Latham, New York, and he traveled to the bowling alley on that date with the intent to engage in sexual acts with the 12-year-old child.  Robbins was arrested by law enforcement shortly after arriving at the location.

Robbins will be required to register as a sex offender and will serve a 15-year term of post-release supervision when he is released 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 New York State Police.  Assistant United States Attorneys Benjamin S. Clark and 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 – David Feeney, age 57, of Bristol, Connecticut, was sentenced today to 327 months in prison for attempting to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity.  United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.

As part of his prior guilty plea, Feeney admitted that between March and April 2022, he exchanged sexually explicit messages online with people he believed were a father and a 10-year-old child, in an attempt to entice the child into engaging in sexual acts with him. Feeney also admitted that on April 24, 2022, he traveled from Connecticut and arrived unannounced at a residence in Albany County, New York, with the intent to engage in sexual acts with the 10-year-old child.  Feeney was arrested by law enforcement shortly after arriving at the location.  Feeney was a registered sex offender at the time of the offense; he had raped a child he had met online in 2011.

Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes also imposed a life term of post-imprisonment supervised release.

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 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.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Christopher Barry, age 41, of Saratoga Springs, New York, was arrested and arraigned yesterday on an indictment charging receipt and 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.

The indictment alleges that between June 2021 and January 2022, Barry received child pornography, and, on February 9, 2023, possessed two phones containing child pornography. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

If convicted, Barry would face at least 5 years and up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

Barry was arraigned yesterday in Albany before United States Magistrate Judge Christian F. Hummel and ordered detained pending trial.

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

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Michael Brown, Jr., a/k/a “Russ,” a/k/a “Doc Grimson,” age 41, of Exton, Pennsylvania, pled guilty today to conspiring to commit bank robbery. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.

Brown admitted that between November 14 and November 27, 2022, he agreed to and planned to commit an armed bank robbery at a bank branch in Johnstown, New York, with two co-conspirators, Luke Kenna a/k/a “Lt.,” and Brian Tierney a/k/a “Wodanaz.” Kenna, as part of that conspiracy, conducted surveillance of the bank and purchased items, including weapons, to commit the robbery, and Brown drove to New York to conduct surveillance of the bank with Kenna in November.

The charges remain pending against Kenna and Tierney, both of whom have been arrested and detained pending a trial currently scheduled for August 7, 2023. The charges in their indictment are merely accusations. They are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Brown has been in custody since his arrest on December 14, 2022.  Sentencing is scheduled for November 3, 2023, before Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes, when Brown faces a maximum term of 5 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a post-imprisonment term of supervised release of up to 3 years.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

This case was investigated by the FBI Albany Field Office’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), which includes FBI Special Agents, and federal, state, and local investigators, including from the New York State Police. The FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office, the FBI’s Richmond Field Office, and New York State Police Special Investigations Unit also provided assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Wentworth-Ping is prosecuting the case.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Cedric Lynch, age 38, of Orlando, Florida, pled guilty today to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Michael J. Driscoll, 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.

Lynch admitted that he was involved in a fraud scheme known as “Felony Lane Gang” between 2015 and 2020. Lynch and his 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. Lynch and other members of the conspiracy stole debit cards, credit cards, checkbooks, and photo identifications in these “smash-and-grab” vehicle thefts, and they used these stolen items to commit bank fraud by recruiting women to impersonate the smash-and-grab victims and cash checks in drive-through bank lanes. The recruited check cashers were almost always suffering from an addiction to drugs and were provided payment at least partially in narcotics. In February 2019, Lynch and co-defendant Randall Taylor used a victim’s stolen identity documents to open a bank account in the victim’s name in Chicago, which they subsequently used in furtherance of their criminal activities. Lynch admitted that the loss amount from the conspiracy that was foreseeable to him is between $40,000 and $95,000.

The charges to which Lynch pled guilty carry a minimum term of 2 years in prison and a maximum term of 30 years, a fine of up to $1.25 million, and a supervised release term of up to 5 years. Lynch will be sentenced on October 24, 2023, by United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino, who presides over the case. 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.

Lynch was one of nine men charged in a 13-count indictment for their roles in the scheme, and all nine men have now pled guilty and have either been sentenced or are awaiting sentencing:

• KEYSHAWN ARNOLD, age 25, of Schenectady, New York, pled guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft, and is scheduled to be sentenced on August 4, 2023;
• GARY GRIER, age 37, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, pled guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft, and is scheduled to be sentenced on August 25, 2023;
• JOSHUA MALLORY, age 37, of Fort Lauderdale, pled guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft, and is scheduled to be sentenced on August 25, 2023;
• ROBERT NATSON, age 36, of Fort Lauderdale, pled guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and is scheduled to be sentenced on August 10, 2023;
• TERRELL McDONALD, age 32, of Troy, New York, pled guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft, and was sentenced to 65 months in prison and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $133,190;
• TYRONE PARKER, age 40, of Fort Lauderdale, pled guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft, and was sentenced to 57 months in prison and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $132,990;
• TYRONE PARKER Jr., age 22, of Fort Lauderdale, pled guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft, and is scheduled to be sentenced on September 13, 2023; and
• RANDALL TAYLOR, age 37, of Fort Lauderdale, pled guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft, and is scheduled to be sentenced on October 2, 2023.

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 are prosecuting the case.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Kevin Walker, age 32, of Elmira, New York, was sentenced today to serve 130 months in federal prison for possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

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 Steven A. Nigrelli, Acting Superintendent of the New York State Police made the announcement.

As part of his previously entered guilty plea, Walker admitted that on February 12, 2022, he drove a rental vehicle from his residence in Elmira to Cortland, New York. He intended to meet another individual in the parking lot of a Cortland business to sell to that individual 447 grams of pure methamphetamine, which Walker had in the trunk of the vehicle. Walker further admitted that he also possessed 137 grams of cocaine in the vehicle.

Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes also sentenced Walker to a 5-year term of supervised release following his imprisonment.

DEA and New York State Police investigated the case, with assistance from the Elmira Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. McCrobie prosecuted the case.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Greene Pharma LLC, dba Greene Medical Arts Pharmacy (Greene Pharma), a pharmacy in Catskill, New York, agreed to pay $65,000 to resolve allegations that it failed to comply with the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). 

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

During a January 2022 inspection and controlled substance audit, DEA determined that Greene Pharma failed to keep adequate records pertaining to the receipt and disposition of various controlled substances, including oxycodone, hydrocodone, alprazolam, methylphenidate, and buprenorphine.  Greene Pharma subsequently performed a self-audit of its controlled substance records and was unable to account for 200 oxycodone tablets, 144 buprenorphine films, and 2 buprenorphine tablets, which the pharmacy concluded were likely stolen by an employee who had not been adequately screened before employment.  DEA also determined that Greene Pharma failed to maintain records required by the CSA, including pseudoephedrine logs and Controlled Substance Ordering System (CSOS) electronic order forms.  This settlement resolves the United States allegations that Greene Pharma caused controlled substances to be distributed without a valid prescription and failed to keep records required by the CSA. 

As part of this resolution, and as a condition of maintaining its DEA Certificate of Registration, Greene Pharma also agreed to a Memorandum of Agreement with the DEA, which requires the pharmacy to perform employee background checks and maintain complete and accurate records pertaining to the receipt and sale of controlled substances. 

This case was investigated by DEA Albany District Office’s Diversion Group.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Moran represented the United States in this matter.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Victor Aguero Vasquez, age 48, of Granville, New York, was sentenced today to 130 months in prison for conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute over 5 kilograms of cocaine, and possessing firearms in furtherance of his drug distribution operation. 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 previously entered guilty plea, Vasquez admitted that between November 2018 and September 2019, he obtained at least 5 kilograms of cocaine from his New York City-based drug supplier that he then sold to cocaine redistributors in the Northern District of New York. The defendant also admitted to possessing multiple firearms in a shed behind his home to protect over 1 kilogram of cocaine that was stored with the firearms.

Senior United States District Judge Frederick J. Scullin, Jr. also sentenced Vasquez to a 4-year term of supervised release to begin after imprisonment.

Nestor Cordero-Hernandez pled guilty in March 2020 to conspiring with Vasquez to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine and more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, and was sentenced in July 2020 to 87 months in prison.

William Gonzalez pled guilty in August 2020 to conspiring with Vasquez to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine. Sentencing is scheduled for July 13, 2023 before United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby.  

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

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Tyquan Armstrong, aka “Moose,” age 44, of Rotterdam, New York, was sentenced today to 90 months in prison for conspiring to distribute and possessing with intent to distribute marijuana and possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

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

In pleading guilty, Armstrong admitted to being a member of a marijuana-trafficking organization that shipped large quantities of marijuana from Fresno, California, to locations throughout the United States, including the Capital Region of New York.  The marijuana was shipped from Fresno through UPS and FedEx and, to track the packages, Armstrong’s coconspirator text messaged him shipping receipts with tracking information.  Armstrong admitted to receiving at least 19 packages of marijuana from Fresno at his apartment in Rotterdam between July 2021 and June 2022, which he sold in and around Schenectady, New York.  The defendant also admitted that his participation in the conspiracy involved at least 50 kilograms, or 110 pounds, of marijuana. 

On June 15, 2022, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Armstrong’s apartment in Rotterdam and discovered seven (7) vacuum-sealed packages of marijuana weighing 10 pounds, which Armstrong planned to sell.  The apartment contained two money counters and $18,723 in cash, which was earned by the defendant selling marijuana.  Law enforcement also seized a loaded .357 revolver, a loaded .22 caliber “ghost gun,” and 125 rounds of .357 ammunition.  Armstrong possessed the revolver and “ghost gun” to protect his marijuana and marijuana proceeds. 

Armstrong’s apartment also contained a gold Rolex watch, gold chain with a diamond-encrusted cross pendant, and two gold rings encrusted with diamonds, all of which were purchased with marijuana proceeds. 

Senior United States District Judge Frederick J. Scullin, Jr. also imposed a 6-year term of supervised release and ordered forfeiture of the $18,723 in cash, jewelry, firearms, and ammunition.

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

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Carlos Pena Uceta, age 33, of Utica, New York, was indicted today for possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute, 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 United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division, made the announcement.

Pena Uceta was previously charged by a federal complaint on June 5, 2023.  He has been detained without bail since he made his initial appearance on June 5 before United States Magistrate Judge Miroslav Lovric.

The indictment and complaint allege that, on June 4, 2023, Pena Uceta possessed over 9 kilograms of cocaine with the intent to distribute.  The indictment also alleges that Pena Uceta possessed a 9mm handgun with no serial number (a “ghost gun”) with ammunition in furtherance of his drug trafficking crime. 

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

The charges filed against Pena Uceta carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life, a fine of up to $10,000,000, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is investigating the case with assistance from the New York State Police, the City of Utica Police Department, and the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica N. Carbone is prosecuting the case.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Mohamed Mahmoud, age 44, of Syracuse, was sentenced today to serve 84 months in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine, powder cocaine, and crack cocaine, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division.

As part of his previous guilty plea, Mahmoud admitted selling about 29 grams of pure methamphetamine, 12 grams of crack cocaine, and 11 grams of powder cocaine on April 14, 2021. He also was found at sentencing to have sold the same drugs on multiple prior occasions in the preceding months.  This was Mahmoud’s second federal drug conviction; in October 2012, he was sentenced in federal court to a 63-month term of imprisonment following his conviction for conspiring to distribute crack cocaine.

United States District Judge David N. Hurd further sentenced Mahmoud to a four-year term of supervised release to begin after imprisonment, imposed a $2,500 fine, and imposed a $2,400 judgment representing Mahmoud’s proceeds from a prior drug sale.

The case was investigated by the DEA-Syracuse Resident Office, the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, the Syracuse Police Department, and the New York State Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Sutcliffe.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Ocyris Morgan, age 35, of Schenectady, New York, was arraigned today on a 13-count indictment charging that he distributed and possessed with intent to distribute several controlled substances.

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

The indictment charges Morgan with distributing cocaine and methamphetamine over the course of 12 sales since August 2022.  On the day of his arrest, he possessed and intended to distribute additional quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine, as well as fentanyl.  The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Upon conviction, the charges filed against Morgan carry a term of imprisonment of at least 5 years and up to 40 years, a fine of up to $1 million, and a term of supervised release of at least 4 years and up to life.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

United States Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart arraigned Morgan today and ordered him detained pending a trial scheduled before Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes.

The FBI’s Capital District Safe Streets Task Force—which includes FBI Special Agents as well as members of other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies—is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Reiner is prosecuting the case.

BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK – Worth Brown, age 35, and Christina Martinez, age 31, both of Binghamton, pled guilty yesterday to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin.

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

In pleading guilty, Brown and Martinez admitted to being members of a heroin trafficking conspiracy in which large amounts of heroin were transported from the New York City area for distribution in and around the Broome County area.  Brown further admitted that he possessed over 200 grams of heroin and over $78,000 in drug proceeds during the conspiracy. 

Brown and Martinez are both scheduled for sentencing on October 11, 2023, before United States District Judge David N. Hurd.  Brown faces up to life with a mandatory minimum of imprisonment of ten years, a fine of up to $10,000,000, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least five years.  Martinez faces up to twenty years of imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000,000, and a post-incarceration term of supervised release of at least three years. 

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

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Broome County Special Investigation Unit Task Force, which is comprised of members of the Binghamton Police, Endicott Police, Johnson City Police and Broome County Sheriff’s Office. Additional assistance was provided by Detectives from the Binghamton Police Department, members of the New York State Police, and Special Agents from the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristen Grabowski, Rick Belliss, and Jonathan Reiner are prosecuting the case. 

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Frankie Rios, age 42, of Troy, New York, was sentenced today to 37 months in prison for illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, and for possessing and intending to distribute cocaine and cocaine base.  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. 

Rios, a convicted felon, pled guilty before United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino, on January 6, 2023.  Rios admitted that he possessed a .25 caliber Mauser handgun with six rounds of ammunition on March 30, 2019.  The handgun was recovered from Rios by Troy Police Officers responding to a stabbing at a bar on 4th Street in Troy.  Rios also admitted that on February 17, 2021, he possessed more than 100 grams of cocaine and cocaine base (a/k/a crack cocaine) with intent to distribute those substances, in Troy.  Rios is required to forfeit the firearm and ammunition as part of his plea, and will serve a 3-year term of post-imprisonment supervised release following his term of imprisonment. 

ATF and the Troy Police Department investigated this case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin S. Clark prosecuted this case.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Francisco Vidals-Escamilla, age 34, of Garfield, New Jersey, was sentenced today to time served (approximately 221 days in jail) for unlawfully transporting aliens, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Chief Patrol Agent Robert N. Garcia, United States Border Patrol, Swanton Sector.

As part of his earlier guilty plea, Vidals-Escamilla admitted that, on or about October 31, 2022, someone offered to pay Vidals-Escamilla $1,100 to pick up four people and bring them to New York City.  Vidals-Escamilla drove to a location in or near Churubusco, New York, within about 2.5 miles of the United States-Canadian border. When Vidals-Escamilla arrived, four people were waiting by the side of the road near a wooded area. All four were citizens of Mexico and had unlawfully entered the United States.  The people entered Vidals-Escamilla’s car and he drove away. Border Patrol agents stopped Vidals-Escamilla’s car and arrested him a few minutes later.

Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes also imposed a 1-year term of supervised release.

The United States Border Patrol investigated the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Sutcliffe prosecuted the case.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Ramel Gulley, age 28, of Schenectady, New York, pled guilty today to 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 Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.

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.

Sentencing is scheduled for October 11, 2023, before Senior United States District Judge Gary L. Sharpe.  Gulley faces a minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum sentence of life in prison, a fine of up to $10 million, and a post-imprisonment term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

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 is prosecuting the case.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - Marc L. Leonardis, age 50, of Skaneateles, New York, was sentenced today to serve 188 months in prison for receiving child pornography within online groups designed for trading images of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

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

As a part of his earlier guilty plea, Leonardis admitted that he surreptitiously took images of a child and posted the images, more than 200 times, to three online trading groups, receiving images depicting the sexual exploitation of children in return.  Leonardis also admitted chatting with members of the trading groups, including an undercover FBI agent, about his ongoing sexual abuse of the child whose pictures he shared.

In addition to the 188-month prison sentence, Hon. David N. Hurd sentenced to Leonardis to 15 years supervised release, which will commence upon his release from prison, ordered him to pay $5,000 in restitution to each of two victims of the pornography he received, and to pay a total of $5,100 in special assessments.  Leonardis will also be required to register as a sex offender. 

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Capital Area and Mid-State Child Exploitation Task Forces, in cooperation the Colonie Police Department, Rotterdam Police Department, and the New York State Police.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa M. Fletcher, Project Safe Childhood Coordinator for the Northern District of New York, prosecuted the case.

Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Brent Carter, age 73, of Las Vegas, Nevada, was sentenced yesterday to time served for conveying a hoax and false information in connection with his sending white powder letters to the New York State Gaming Commission.

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

Carter admitted that between October 2017 and November 2018, he left numerous voicemails for employees at the New York State Gaming Commission in Schenectady, New York, in which he used threatening language. Carter also admitted that between 2019 and 2021, he mailed four letters containing white powder and other substances to the Commission. He further admitted that he sent the letters and voicemails to the Commission as revenge for suspending his license for horse racing.  

United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino also ordered Carter to serve a 3-year term of supervised release.

This case was investigated by the FBI, Schenectady Police Department, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ashlyn Miranda and Richard Belliss.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Maxwell Leiser, age 36, of Ballston Spa, New York, was sentenced today to 130 months in prison for his role in a Schenectady-based drug trafficking organization and his unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition as a felon. 

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and New York State Police (NYSP) Acting Superintendent Steven A. Nigrelli made the announcement.

In connection with his previously entered plea, Leiser admitted that between December 2020 and April 2021, he conspired with Terell M. Patrick aka “Lite,” the leader of a Bloods-affiliated Schenectady-based drug trafficking organization, to distribute approximately 465 grams of cocaine base and 198 grams of heroin sourced from New York City to redistributors and users in Saratoga County.  Leiser further admitted that he unlawfully possessed three firearms and ammunition as a felon. 

United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino also ordered that Leiser serve a 4-year term of supervised release following his release from prison

The following defendants have also pled guilty in connection with the drug trafficking conspiracy, and were sentenced as follows:

Name

Age

Prison Term

Supervised Release Term

Donovan Milhouse

25

60 months

4 years

Gregory Sherills, Jr.

40

60 months

4 years

Dequenton Slade

30

18 months

3 years

The following defendants have also pled guilty in connection with the drug trafficking conspiracy, and face the following minimum and maximum terms of imprisonment:

Name

Age

Minimum

Maximum

Terell M. Patrick aka “Lite”

38

10 years

Life

Alexis Bernadt

28

5 years

40 years

The FBI and NYSP investigated this case, which is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emmet J. O’Hanlon.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Rodolpho Bogado, age 39, of Schenectady, New York, pled guilty today to receipt and 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.

Bogado admitted that from 2018 through January 2022, he used a file-sharing service to download and receive numerous video files depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. He also admitted that he possessed over 300 child pornography video and images files on his electronic devices when he was arrested on February 3, 2022.

At sentencing on October 11, 2023 before Senior United States District Judge Gary L. Sharpe, Bogado faces at least 5 years and up to 20 years in prison, and at least 5 years and up to a life term of post-imprisonment supervised release. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the statutes the defendant violated, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors. Bogado will also have to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.

HSI is investigating this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel L. Williams 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 – Arthur Hanvey, age 65, of Delanson, New York, pled guilty today to theft of government property. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Christopher Algieri, Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Field Office for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, made the announcement.

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 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. Hanvey admitted to obtaining $17,574 from the scheme.

Sentencing is scheduled for October 4, 2023, before United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci. Hanvey faces a maximum term of 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General investigated this case, which is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander P. Wentworth-Ping.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Matthew Peters, age 48, of Schenectady, New York, pled guilty today to attempting to entice a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity and to committing a felony offense involving a minor while required to register as a sex offender.

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

Peters admitted that between October 2 and October 7, 2020, he initiated and exchanged sexually explicit text messages with an undercover law enforcement officer posing as a 14-year-old child on a social networking site.  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 6, Peters arranged to meet the minor the following day in Menands, New York.  On October 7, Peters arrived at the prearranged meeting location in Menands, where he was encountered by law enforcement officers and arrested.

Sentencing is scheduled for October 10, 2023 before Senior United States District Judge Gary L. Sharpe.  Due to Peters’ status as a convicted sex offender, Peters faces at least 20 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

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 Attorneys Rachel L. Williams and Alexander P. Wentworth-Ping are 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 – Thomas Cesiro, age 69, of Rutland, Vermont, was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for attempting to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity. 

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

After a three-day trial, the jury voted to convict Cesiro on October 13, 2022.  The trial evidence established that from October 10 to October 20, 2020, Cesiro exchanged more than 1,000 text messages and 9 phone calls with Albany-based investigators who were posing as both a 12-year-old girl and the adult mother of the girl.  During one phone call, Cesiro instructed the girl how to conduct a sexual act. 

On October 20, 2020, Cesiro traveled from his residence in Rutland to Bennington, Vermont, to meet the purported mother and 12-year-old child, and brought with him various sex devices and gifts for the child, including a vibrating Frozen-themed toothbrush.  Cesiro was encountered by law enforcement officials upon his arrival to the meeting location and arrested. 

United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino also imposed a 10-year term of post-imprisonment supervised release. 

This case was investigated by the FBI and its Child Exploitation Task Force, including investigators from the Colonie Police Department, Rotterdam Police Department, and New York State Police, and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Rachel Williams and Richard Belliss. 

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 located, 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/.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Randall Taylor, age 37, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, pled guilty today to conspiring to commit bank fraud and to aggravated identity theft. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Michael J. Driscoll, 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.

Taylor admitted that he was involved in a fraud scheme known as “Felony Lane Gang” between 2019 and 2020.  Taylor and his co-conspirators traveled across the country breaking into cars, often targeting those parked by women at health and fitness centers, daycares, and parks. Taylor and other members of the conspiracy stole debit cards, credit cards, checkbooks, and photo identifications in these “smash-and-grab” vehicle thefts, and they used these stolen items to commit bank fraud by recruiting women to impersonate the smash-and-grab victims and cash checks in drive-through bank lanes. The recruited check cashers were almost always suffering from an addiction to controlled substances and were provided payment at least partially in drugs. Taylor admitted that the loss amount from the conspiracy that was foreseeable to him is between $40,000 and $95,000.

The charges to which Taylor pled guilty carry a minimum term of 2 years in prison and a maximum term of 30 years, a fine of up to $1.25 million, and a supervised release term of up to 5 years. Taylor will be sentenced on October 2, 2023. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

Taylor was one of nine men charged in a 13-count indictment for their roles in the scheme. Keyshawn Arnold, age 25, of Schenectady, New York; Gary Grier, age 37, of Fort Lauderdale; Joshua Mallory, age 37, of Fort Lauderdale; Robert Natson, age 36, of Fort Lauderdale; Terrell McDonald, age 32, of Troy, New York; Tyrone Parker, Jr., age 22, of Fort Lauderdale; and Tyrone Parker, age 40, of Fort Lauderdale, previously pled guilty.

The ninth co-defendant is Cedric Lynch a/k/a “City,” a/k/a “C,” age 37, of Orlando, Florida. He is charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft, and is scheduled to stand trial in federal court in Albany on July 10, 2023.  The charges in the indictment as to Lynch are merely accusations, who is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This case is being 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 are prosecuting the case.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Craig Spofford, age 48, of Dolgeville, New York, pled guilty today to three counts of federal crop insurance fraud in connection with schemes in which he obtained more than $179,000 in crop insurance benefits for claimed losses on crops that he did not in fact suffer.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Bethanne M. Dinkins, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General.

In pleading guilty, Spofford admitted that he fraudulently obtained $179,051 in crop insurance benefits from the Rural Community Insurance Services a company that is reinsured by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation.  As part of his fraud scheme, Spofford claimed to lease and organically plant crops on three separate parcels totaling over 500 acres in Herkimer County that he did not in fact lease and plant.  He then falsely claimed to suffer losses on the 3 parcels totaling $179,051.

As part of his plea agreement, Spofford agreed to pay restitution in the amount of $179,051 to the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Risk Management Agency.

The fraud convictions each carry a maximum term of 30 years in prison, a fine of up to $1,000,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 5 years.  Spofford is scheduled to be sentenced on October 11, 2023 by United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby.  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 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Office of Inspector General, with assistance from the USDA Risk Management Agency, Eastern Regional Compliance Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey J. L. Brown.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Jorge Alberto Pacheco-Robles, age 35, of Illinois, was sentenced today to a year and a day in prison for conspiring to unlawfully transport 10 Mexican citizens who had illegally crossed the border into the United States.

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 guilty plea, Pacheco-Robles admitted that on October 2, 2022, he rode in an SUV with co-conspirator Cesar Batres-Recinos, from Illinois to Constable, New York, to pick up 10 Mexican citizens who recently illegally crossed the international border from Canada into the United States.  Pacheco-Robles also admitted that he and Batres-Recinos planned to drive these people to various locations inside of the United States, including Chicago, Illinois, and that he expected to be paid between $500-$1,300 per person transported.

On April 20, 2023, Batres-Recinos was sentenced to 13 months in prison.

The United States Border Patrol investigated this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Belliss prosecuted the case.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Roderick Meskell, age 53, of Sacramento, California, was sentenced today to 87 months in prison for his role in a drug trafficking organization that distributed crystal methamphetamine in Saratoga County in 2020. 

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

In previously pleading guilty, Meskell admitted that from June 2020 through October 2020, he worked with others, including co-conspirators Ali Hassan Ahmed III and Jordan D. Lopez, to transport and distribute Mexican cartel-sourced crystal methamphetamine from Sacramento to redistributors in Saratoga County.  In total, the organization trafficked approximately 5 kilograms of methamphetamine.

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

Lopez previously pled guilty in connection with the conspiracy and was sentenced to 78 months in prison.

Ahmed III has also pled guilty in connection with the conspiracy, and faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison, a term of supervised release between 5 years and life, and a maximum fine of $10 million.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

The FBI and the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Emmet O’Hanlon is prosecuting this case.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Daniel Quintero, age 38, of Schenectady, New York, pled guilty yesterday to receiving hundreds of images and videos of child pornography. 

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

Quintero admitted that from on or about May 1, 2019 through March 2, 2022, he downloaded images and videos of child pornography. 

At sentencing, scheduled for September 26, 2023, Quintero faces at least 5 years and up to 20 years in prison, a term of supervised release of between 5 years and life, and a maximum fine of $250,000.  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. Quintero will also be required 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 Allen J. Vickey is prosecuting this case as part of Project Safe Childhood.

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

UTICA, NEW YORK – Guillaume Latour-Laitre, age 26, of Prevost, Quebec, pled guilty yesterday to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance. 

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 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.

At sentencing, scheduled for October 12, 2023, Latour-Laitre faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison, a term of supervised release of between 5 years and life, and a maximum fine of $10 million.  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.

HSI and CBP investigated this case.  Assistant United States Attorney Douglas Collyer is prosecuting the case.  The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of Latour-Laitre.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Karina Martinez, of New York, was charged yesterday with smuggling two citizens of Mexico from Canada into the United States across the St. Lawrence River in Clayton, New York.  United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Chief Patrol Agent Thomas G. Martin, United States Border Patrol, Buffalo Sector, made the announcement.

The criminal complaint filed in federal court alleges that on May 23, 2023, Martinez rented a boat from the Clayton Marina, in Clayton, and drove the boat illegally into Canadian waters where she picked up two Mexican citizens and returned with them to the United States illegally.  The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) notified U.S. law enforcement after they encountered the two Mexican citizens in Canada attempting to rent kayaks.

Upon conviction, the charges filed against Martinez carry a maximum term of 10 years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, as well as a post-incarceration term of supervised release of up to 3 years.  The two Mexican citizens, Jose Guadalupe Martinez-Peralta, and Kevin Martinez-Toral, were each charged with unlawfully entering the United States and if convicted face up to six months in jail, a fine of up to $5,000, and possible deportation and future exclusion from the United States.[1] A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

The charges in the criminal complaints are merely accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The case is being investigated by the United States Border Patrol—Wellesley Island Station including several operational teams and marine (boat) units, with assistance from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Stitt is prosecuting the case.

[1] Immigration proceedings related to removal or deportation are adjudicated in Immigration Court as a separate civil proceeding and not during the criminal prosecution described herein. 

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Nectar Alfonso-Ramirez, age 28, a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced today to 12 months in prison for unlawfully entering the United States and assaulting and resisting a federal agent, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Chief Patrol Agent Robert N. Garcia, United States Border Patrol, Swanton Sector.

As part of his prior guilty plea, Alfonso-Ramirez admitted that, on October 4, 2022, he entered the United States on foot from Canada at a location not authorized for the entrance of immigrants. Border Patrol Agents encountered Alfonso-Ramirez and ordered him to halt. Alfonso-Ramirez admitted that he initially stopped, but then fled into the nearby woods, causing a foot pursuit. While a border patrol agent attempted to place him under arrest, Alfonso-Ramirez tried to escape, yelling at the agent, thrashing his body, swinging his arms, and kicking his legs.

United States District Judge David N. Hurd did not order a term of supervised release, because Alfonso-Ramirez will likely be deported to Mexico upon his release from prison.

The United States Border Patrol investigated the case, and it was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica N. Carbone.

ALBANY, NEW YORK - Sean O’Hare, age 55, of South Portland, Maine, was sentenced today to a year and a day in prison in connection with a scheme to defraud his tax preparation clients. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the Boston Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), made the announcement.

In previously pleading guilty, O’Hare, a former tax preparer and accountant, admitted that he defrauded his clients who trusted him to prepare their tax filings and remit their tax payments. From March 2011 through September 2016, O’Hare filed quarterly sales and use tax returns with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance that understated the amount of sales and use tax owed by three companies. O’Hare collected the full amount of taxes owed from the companies and stole the difference between the amount of tax remitted to the State of New York and the amount he received from each company. O’Hare admitted to fraudulently obtaining $131,758 from the scheme.

Senior United States District Judge Lawrence E. Kahn also ordered O’Hare to serve a 2-year term of supervised release following his release from prison, and ordered full restitution, which O’Hare paid today.

The USPIS, with assistance from the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, investigated this case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander P. Wentworth-Ping prosecuted this case.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Michael C. McDermott, age 30, of Troy, New York, was arraigned today on an indictment charging him with theft of six firearms from a federally licensed dealer. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; 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 Chief Gina F. Cocchiara of the Bethlehem Police Department made the announcement.

The indictment alleges that on May 10, 2022, McDermott stole five shotguns and one rifle from the Walmart in Glenmont, New York.

The charge in the indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Earlier today, United States Magistrate Judge Christian F. Hummel ordered McDermott detained pending a trial scheduled for July 24, 2023 before United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci.

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

The ATF and the Bethlehem Police Department are investigating the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Reiner is prosecuting the case.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Larry Peterkin, age 46, of Schenectady, New York, was sentenced yesterday to 46 months in prison for the unlawful possession of a firearm.  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.

Peterkin admitted that on November 14, 2021, he possessed a 9mm Springfield Armory pistol and a .25 caliber Raven Arms MP25 pistol with a partially obliterated serial number, while driving in Rotterdam, New York.  At the time, Peterkin had several prior felony convictions, including for second-degree manslaughter; third-degree criminal possession of a weapon; and assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature.  Under federal law, those convictions prevented Peterkin from lawfully possessing the firearms.

Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes also ordered Peterkin to serve a 3-year term of supervised release when he is released from prison.  

ATF and the Rotterdam Police Department investigated this case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Dustin Segovia prosecuted this case.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK –Harry Rodriguez, Jr., age 43, of Rome, New York, pled guilty today to possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl, announced United States Attorney Carla Freedman; Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division and Thomas Fattorusso, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), New York Field Office.

In pleading guilty, Rodriguez, Jr. admitted that on July 21, 2021, he purchased approximately 36 grams of fentanyl for redistribution. He also admitted that on September 14, 2021, he purchased approximately 50 grams of fentanyl for redistribution.  

Sentencing is scheduled for October 11, 2023, before United States District Judge David N. Hurd.  Rodriguez faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, a fine of up to $1 million, and a term of supervised release of at least 3 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors. 

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