Northern District of New York
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Las Vegas Man Sentenced for Conveying a Hoax and False Information by Sending White Powder LettersRead the Press Release
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.
Ballston Spa Felon Sentenced to More Than 10 Years on Drug Conspiracy and Firearm ConvictionsRead the Press Release
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.
Schenectady Man Pleads Guilty to Receipt and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
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.
Schenectady County Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing Precious Metals from VA Dental ClinicRead the Press Release
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.
Schenectady Sex Offender Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Entice a MinorRead the Press Release
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.
Vermont Man Sentenced to 10 Years Following Jury Conviction for Attempted Enticement of a MinorRead the Press Release
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/.
Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Role in Nationwide “Felony Lane Gang” ConspiracyRead the Press Release
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.
Herkimer County Man Pleads Guilty to Crop Insurance Fraud ChargesRead the Press Release
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.
Illinois Man Sentenced to Prison for Conspiring to Unlawfully Transport 10 AliensRead the Press Release
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.
California Man Sentenced to 87 Months for Methamphetamine Trafficking in Saratoga CountyRead the Press Release
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.
Schenectady Man Pleads Guilty to Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
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.
Canadian Man Pleads Guilty to Trafficking Large Quantities of Cocaine by Tractor TrailerRead the Press Release
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.
U.S. Citizen and Two Mexican Nationals Charged in Failed Smuggling EventRead the Press Release
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.
Mexican Citizen Sentenced to Prison for Assaulting a Border Patrol Agent and Illegally Entering the United StatesRead the Press Release
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.
Maine Man Sentenced to Prison for Defrauding ClientsRead the Press Release
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.
Troy Man Indicted for Stealing Six Firearms from Federally Licensed DealerRead the Press Release
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.
Schenectady Felon Sentenced for Firearms PossessionRead the Press Release
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.
Rome Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing with the Intent to Distribute FentanylRead the Press Release
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.
Louisiana Man Indicted for Shipping Firearms to New YorkRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Rodell Patterson, age 51, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was indicted today on charges that he engaged in the firearms business without a license, sold firearms to a person he knew to be a convicted felon, and unlawfully sold firearms to a resident of another state.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and John B. DeVito, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), made the announcement.
Patterson sent a package containing multiple handguns from Baton Rouge to the Capital Region in May 2022. Two of those firearms were recovered the following month in an apartment in Troy, New York. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The charges filed against Patterson carry 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.
United States Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart previously ordered Patterson detained pending trial before Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes.
ATF’s Albany Field Office is investigating the case with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Louisiana, ATF’s Baton Rouge Field Office, and the Rensselaer County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Reiner is prosecuting the case.
Herkimer County Man Sentenced to Prison for Possessing and Intending to Distribute “Bath Salts”Read the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Jordan Burks, a/k/a Justin Burts, age 32, of Ilion, New York, was sentenced today to 36 months in prison for possessing a drug, sometimes marketed as “bath salts,” with the intent to distribute it. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations, made the announcement.
On January 12, 2022, federal agents executed a search warrant at Burks’s home and recovered about 454 grams of alpha-Pyrrolidinohexiophenone, three digital scales, and $19,393 in cash. In the weeks leading up to the execution of the search warrant, agents seized five packages of alpha-Pyrrolidinohexiophenone—one of which contained more than a quarter-kilogram of the drug—bound for Burks’ home. Burks admitted that he intended to distribute the “bath salts.”
United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby also imposed 3 years of post-release supervision.
HSI investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Reiner prosecuted it.
Sex Offender Charged with Sexual Exploitation of a MinorRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Andrew Edick, age 36, of Mohawk, New York, was arrested and charged today with one count of sexual exploitation of a minor.
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.
Edick appeared today in Albany before United States Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart and was ordered detained after reserving his right to seek a detention hearing at a later date.
According to a criminal complaint, Edick, who is a registered sex offender in the State of New York, videotaped the genital region of a child, and shared the video recording over an internet social networking application in August 2022. Edick also shared numerous additional videos containing depictions of child pornography using the same social networking application. The charges in the complaint are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The charge filed against Edick carries a sentence of at least 25 years and up to 50 years in prison. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
HIS is investigating this case. Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin S. Clark 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.
Slingerlands Man Charged with Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a ChildRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Daniel Fuino, age 73, of Slingerlands, New York, was arrested yesterday and charged with one count of aggravated sexual abuse of a child less than 12 years old.
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 Steven A. Nigrelli, Acting Superintendent of the New York State Police, made the announcement.
Fuino appeared today in Albany before United States Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart and was ordered detained after reserving his right to seek a detention hearing at a later date.
According to a criminal complaint and statements made by prosecutors in court today, Fuino repeatedly molested a child. Fuino babysat the child at his home and brought her with him to Atlantic City, New Jersey, on weekends while the child’s mother worked. The complaint alleges that during those stays, Fuino photographed the child’s genitals, digitally penetrated her, and forced the girl to perform oral sex on him. The conduct is alleged to have occurred over the past 11 months, beginning when the child was 6 years old. Law enforcement has recovered, from Fuino’s electronic devices, images of the victim on depicting some of the abuse. The victim reported the abuse to her school last week after an elementary school presentation on inappropriate touching and sexual contact. The charge in the complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The charge filed against Fuino carries a sentence of at least 30 years and up to life in prison. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
This case is being investigated by the FBI Albany’s Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes members of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the Colonie Police Department, Rotterdam Police Department, Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, and the New York State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin S. Clark is prosecuting 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.
Yonkers Man Pleads Guilty to Unemployment Insurance FraudRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Errol Murray, age 22, of Yonkers, New York, pled guilty today to conspiring to defraud the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) by obtaining unemployment insurance benefits under the names of 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).
Murray admitted that he provided Jamie Johnson with his personal identifying information and the personal identifying information of another person, which Johnson used to file false claims via the NYSDOL website. Murray further admitted that as a result of the two fraudulent applications submitted by Johnson, the NYSDOL paid $69,954 in unemployment insurance benefits. As part of his plea agreement, Murray agreed to pay $69,954 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.
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 September 14, 2023 by Senior U.S. 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.
Jury Convicts St. Lawrence County Sex Offender of Child Exploitation OffensesRead the Press Release
UTICA, NEW YORK – A jury on Friday voted to convict Jerod Schaffer, age 40, of Potsdam, New York, of sexual exploitation of a minor, committing a felony offense against a minor while being required to register as a sex offender, and receipt and possession of child pornography, following a 5-day trial in Utica.
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 trial evidence established that Schaffer was convicted in 2014 in Franklin County, New York, of attempted sexual abuse in the first degree and, as a result, was required to register as a sex offender. In November 2021, Schaffer met a 14-year-old girl on a social media site and began requesting and receiving child pornography from her. In early 2022, Schaffer traveled from New York to Ohio where he had sex with the victim on multiple occasions, recorded it, and posted a sex video online. When Schaffer’s house was searched in May 2022, he had dozens of sexually explicit files depicting the victim.
The jury voted to acquit Schaffer of one count of sexual exploitation of a child and failed to reach a verdict as to three other counts.
At sentencing scheduled for September 21, 2023, before United States District Judge David N. Hurd, Schaffer faces at least 35 years and a maximum term of 120 years in prison, restitution to the victim, and forfeiture of the electronic device involved in the commission of his offense. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the statutes the defendant violated, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
HSI and the Potsdam Police Department investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorneys Michael D. Gadarian and Adrian LaRochelle 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). Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Watertown Man Sentenced to 144 Months for Attempted Enticement of a Minor and Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Conner Spells, age 24, of Watertown, New York was sentenced yesterday to serve 144 months in prison and 10 years of supervised release for the attempted enticement of a minor he believed was 10 years old and for distribution 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.
When Spells pled guilty he admitted that, in October 2021, he exchanged multiple sexually explicit messages online with an undercover officer to arrange a sexual encounter with a 10-year-old child the undercover officer purported to have access to and could provide for sex. Spells also admitted that, during his text message communications with the undercover officer, he distributed child pornography to the officer and traveled from the Watertown, New York area to the Binghamton, New York area as arranged for the sexual encounter.
Spells’s case was investigated by the FBI Syracuse Mid-State Child Exploitation Task Force. This task force is comprised of FBI Special Agents and Investigators of the New York State Police, Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Gadarian as a part of Project Safe Childhood. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorneys’ 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.
Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Role in Nationwide “Felony Lane Gang” ConspiracyRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Tyrone Parker Jr., age 23, of Fort Lauderdale, 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.
Parker Jr. admitted that he was involved in a fraud scheme known as “Felony Lane Gang” between 2018 and 2020. Parker Jr. 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. Parker Jr. 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. Parker Jr. also helped rent cars that he and other members of the conspiracy used to travel around and commit their crimes. Parker Jr. admitted that the loss amount from the conspiracy attributable to him is approximately $81,737.
The charges to which Parker Jr. pled guilty carry a minimum sentence of 2 years in prison, a maximum sentence of 30 years, a fine of up to $1.25 million, and a supervised release term of up to 5 years. Parker Jr. will be sentenced on September 13, 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.
Parker Jr. 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; Terrell McDonald, age 32, of Troy, New York; Robert Natson, age 37, of Fort Lauderdale; and Tyrone Parker Sr. (the father of Tyrone Parker Jr.), age 40, of Fort Lauderdale, previously pled guilty. The remaining co-defendants are:
- CEDRIC LYNCH, a/k/a “City,” a/k/a “C,” age 37, of Orlando, Florida; and
- RANDALL TAYLOR, a/k/a “Gucci,” a/k/a “Guwop,” age 37, of Fort Lauderdale.
The two defendants awaiting trial are each charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft, and they are scheduled for trial in federal court in Albany on July 10, 2023. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants whose cases remain pending are 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.
Albany Woman and Troy Man Plead Guilty to Money Laundering and Marijuana TraffickingRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Latrice Mumphrey, age 42, of Albany, and Victor Turner, age 68, of Troy, New York, pled guilty today to conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to distribute marijuana, respectively.
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, Mumphrey and Turner admitted to being members of a marijuana/THC and money laundering organization that shipped marijuana and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) from Fresno, California, to locations throughout the United States, including the Capital Region.
Mumphrey admitted to conspiring with Dwight A. Singletary, aka “Nutt” and “Mike Jones,” and her husband, Lawrence Mumphrey, aka “L,” to launder the proceeds of marijuana and THC sales by purchasing cashier’s checks with cash drug proceeds.
Federal law requires financial institutions to complete a currency transaction report for cash transactions over $10,000.
To avoid the reporting requirement and otherwise conceal the cash drug proceeds, Walker purchased four cashier’s checks in amounts slightly below the reporting threshold with $37,150 in cash drug proceeds. The cashier’s checks were payable to Dwight Singletary; a law firm used by Singletary; a company from which Dwight Singletary and McKenzie Merrialice Coles, aka “Kenzie,” purchased real estate; and to a person from whom Dwight Singletary and his company, DAS Empire, Inc., purchased real estate.
Turner admitted to regularly receiving packages of marijuana shipped from Fresno by Dwight Singletary and McKenzie Coles at his residence in Troy. Turner was notified of the shipments by Rosemary Coles, who texted Turner tracking information and shipping receipts for the packages of marijuana. The marijuana in the packages, which were often sealed with eBay packing tape, was concealed in dog food containers and suitcases. At times, Rosemary Coles and David Singletary, aka “DB,” picked up the marijuana from Turner at his residence; at other times, Turner delivered the marijuana to Rosemary Coles at her residence in Troy. Turner was paid between $300 and $400 for each package of marijuana he received.
Mumphrey faces up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $500,000, and may also be required to serve up to 3 years of supervised release. Turner faces up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million, and will be required to serve at least 3 years of supervised release.
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.
Mumphrey and Turner were charged in an indictment with Dwight and David Singletary, McKenzie and Rosemary Coles, Lawrence Mumphrey and 17 other people charging marijuana distribution and money laundering conspiracies, firearms offenses, and other crimes. Dwight Singletary, David Singletary, McKenzie Coles, Rosemary Coles, and Lawrence Mumphrey have pled not guilty and are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations.
Two other defendants, Kristle Walker and Sammy Olague, previously pled guilty and are pending sentencing.
The ATF, DEA, Troy Police Department, and HSI are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cyrus P.W. Rieck and Dustin C. Segovia are prosecuting the case.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Transportation and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Philip Koester, age 37, of Austin, Texas, formerly of Endicott, New York, pled guilty yesterday to transportation and possession of child pornography, announced 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).
As part of his guilty plea, Koester admitted that in January of 2016, he possessed thousands of images and videos of child pornography on a heavily encrypted homebuilt desktop computer that was seized by law enforcement during a search of Koester’s apartment. In addition to the child pornography Koester possessed, Koester’s homebuilt desktop computer also contained log files showing that, in March of 2011, Koester had uploaded videos of child pornography to a censorship-resistant, secure, and anonymous online peer-to-peer network called Freenet. As part of his guilty plea, Koester admitted to uploading the files to Freenet and then making the files available for other Freenet users to download.
Sentencing is scheduled for September 14, 2023, before United States District Judge David N. Hurd. Koester faces a mandatory minimum term of five years in prison, a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of between five years and life to begin after imprisonment. Koester will also be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
This case was investigated by the FBI Mid-State Child Exploitation Task Force, comprised of FBI Special Agents and Investigators of the New York State Police, Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adrian LaRochelle, Michael Gadarian, and Geoffrey Brown as a part of Project Safe Childhood.
Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Syracuse Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Distribution of “Molly”Read the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK –Rory R. Williams, aka “Wildman,” aka “Wild,” aka “Man,” aka “Shawn Carter,” age 45, of Syracuse, was sentenced yesterday to serve 120 months in prison for illegally distributing N-Ethylpentylone, also known as “molly,” a Schedule I controlled substance.
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), Lieutenant Timothy Pritchard of the Oswego County Drug Task Force, and Chief Joseph Cecile of the Syracuse Police Department.
As part of his previously entered guilty plea, Williams admitted that on November 30, 2021, he distributed approximately 267 grams (approximately 10 ounces) of N-Ethylpentylone, also known as “molly,” to a customer outside his residence in Syracuse, New York, in exchange for $2,500. Williams also admitted to distributing controlled substances on other occasions: on March 10, 2022, Williams gave another individual approximately 770 grams of N,N-dimethylpentylone (dipentylone), to deliver to a customer in Oswego, New York, and on December 21, 2020, the defendant distributed approximately 388 grams of eutylone to a customer outside his residence in Syracuse. Both dipentylone and eutylone are also known as “molly.” Williams further admitted that on March 10, 2022, he possessed at his residence approximately 7 kilograms of dipentylone, which he intended to distribute to others. Williams also admitted that $203,204 in cash found at his residence was drug proceeds and agreed to its forfeiture.
United States District Judge David N. Hurd also ordered Williams to serve a 3-year term of supervised release following his release from prison.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Oswego County Drug Task Force (comprised of Special Agents of HSI, members of the Oswego City Police Department, Fulton Police Department, Oswego County Sheriff’s Office, and U.S. Border Patrol), the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Syracuse Police Department, and United States Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. McCrobie.
Nedrow Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Ernest Shaw, Jr. pled guilty yesterday to possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, and possession of a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking crime, 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 guilty plea yesterday, Ernest Shaw, Jr. admitted that on September 25, 2019, he possessed 14 grams of cocaine base for distribution, and a loaded Glock .40 caliber handgun at his residence in Nedrow, New York. DEA Special Agents, assisted by other law enforcement agencies, executed a federal search warrant and seized the cocaine base and the loaded handgun from the defendant’s bedroom, along with scales and plastic bags.
Sentencing is scheduled for September 1, 2023, in Syracuse, New York, at which time Ernest Shaw, Jr. faces a maximum sentence of up to 20-years imprisonment for his possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, a 5-year mandatory consecutive sentence for his possession of a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking crime, a maximum fine of $1,000,000.00, and a post-prison 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 was investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Syracuse Resident Office, which includes Task Force Officers from the City of Auburn Police Department, the City of Syracuse Police Department, the New York State Police, and the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office. Other Agencies that assisted in this investigation included the New York State Police, the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, Investigators from the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Southwick and Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Sutcliffe.
Clay Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Eugene Gilbert, age 30, of Clay, New York pled guilty to distribution and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and possession of a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking crime, 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 guilty plea, Gilbert admitted that on November 4, 2021, he led DEA Special Agents and other law enforcement officers on a high-speed vehicular chase on Interstate 81 as they attempted to execute search warrants on his vehicle, his person, and his residence in Clay, New York. Pursuing agents broke off the chase for reasons of public safety near Parish, New York. A short time later, Gilbert’s Dodge Ram pickup truck was discovered abandoned near the Village of Parish. Gilbert left a bag containing 50 grams of cocaine, 39 grams of cocaine base, and 6 grams of fentanyl, as well as a loaded 9mm pistol in a nearby dumpster, where they were recovered by DEA Special Agents. The defendant was later arrested on December 17, 2021, after a second vehicle pursuit through Syracuse, Dewitt, and on Interstate 81 after he fled from a United States Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force. As part of his guilty plea, Gilbert also admitted distributing fentanyl on four separate instances between October 14, 2021, and November 2, 2021.
Sentencing is scheduled for September 13, 2023, in Syracuse, New York, at which time Eugene Gilbert faces a maximum sentence of up to 20-years imprisonment for his distribution and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, a 5-year mandatory consecutive sentence for his possession of a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking crime, a maximum fine of $1,000,000.00, and a post-prison 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.
The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, the Syracuse Police Department, and the Metro-Jefferson Drug Task Force, assisted by the U.S. Border Patrol, the New York State Police, and the Oswego County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Southwick is prosecuting the case.
Former Fulton High School Coach Arrested on Federal Charges for Receiving, Transporting, and Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Joshua Demars, age 37, of Fulton, New York, was arrested today on a federal complaint charging him with receiving, transporting, and possessing child pornography.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations.
The complaint alleges that, on March 19, 2023, the New York State Police (“NYSP”) and Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”) executed a search warrant at Demars’ residence in Fulton, New York. The search warrant was obtained, in part, because a CyberTipline Report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (“NCMEC”) indicated that Demars had uploaded child pornography to Dropbox. At the time of the search warrant execution, Demars worked as a teaching assistant and coach in the Fulton City School District.
As outlined in the criminal complaint, during the search of Demars’ residence, law enforcement located several electronic devices that contained hundreds of images and videos depicting child pornography. On those devices, law enforcement found evidence that Demars had indeed transported a video of a 5-7 year old female being sexually abused by an adult male to his Dropbox account, and dozens of recordings of Demars receiving live videos of children who were engaging in sexually explicit conduct. The charges in the complaint are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Demars appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Andrew T. Baxter today and was ordered detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for May 5, 2023. If convicted, Demars faces at least 5 years and up to 20 years in prison, a term of supervised release of up to life, and a fine of up to $250,000, and will be required to register as a sex offender after his release from prison. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
HSI and NYSP are investigating the case, and it is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul Tuck and Jessica Carbone as part of Project Safe Childhood. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Schenectady Man Charged with Producing Child Pornography and Communicating a ThreatRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Richard Nejame, age 27, of Schenectady, New York, was charged today with sexual exploitation of a child and communicating a threat to injure.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Special Agent in Charge Janeen DiGuiseppi, of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.
The criminal complaint alleges that between about October 2022 and May 1, 2023, Nejame communicated with several girls over a messaging application. During one series of communications, Nejame threatened a 14-year-old girl in Florida that if she did not take nude pictures of herself and send them to Nejame, bad people would come and harm her, or words to that effect. In another series of communications on the same messaging application, Nejame persuaded and coerced a 15-year-old girl in Virginia to take sexually explicit still images and videos of herself and send the images and videos to Nejame. The charges in the complaint are merely accusations. Nejame is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
If convicted of sexual exploitation of a child, Nejame would face at least 15 years and up to 30 years in prison. The interstate communication of a threat charge carries a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
Nejame had his initial appearance today and was ordered detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for May 3, 2023 before United States Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart.
The FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force is investigating this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Belliss 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.
Waterford Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Attempted Sex Trafficking of a ChildRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Bradley Boisen, age 26, of Waterford, New York, was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for attempted sex trafficking of a child, announced 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).
As part of his guilty plea, Boisen admitted that on April 21, 2021, he met someone over the internet and agreed to pay this person $100 to engage in sexual acts with a 14-year-old child. That same day, Boisen traveled to a location in Albany, where he was to meet and engage in sexual acts with the minor.
Upon arriving at the meeting location, Boisen informed an undercover law enforcement officer that he had only $60 and negotiated as to what sex acts he could engage in for $60. After coming to an agreement, Boisen handed the undercover officer $30, half of the agreed-upon price, and promised to provide the remaining $30 after he engaged in the sexual acts with the 14-year-old child. Boisen was then arrested.
United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino also sentenced Boisen to serve 15 years of supervised release, to begin following his term of imprisonment. Boisen will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.
This case was investigated by the FBI and its Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes members of the Colonie Police Department, Rotterdam Police Department, and the New York State Police, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel Williams as part of Project Safe Childhood.
Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by the United States Attorney’s offices and marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc
New Jersey Man Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud Kickback Conspiracy and Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Juller Perez Salcedo, age 44, of Garfield, New Jersey, pled guilty today to conspiring to commit wire fraud and honest services fraud, and also to tax evasion.
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 Tammy L. Tomlins, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Newark Field Office of Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), made the announcement.
Perez Salcedo admitted that from at least 2015 to 2019, he co-owned a trucking company in New Jersey that transported products as a third-party contractor for a bedding company with a distribution facility in West Coxsackie, New York. As part of the fraudulent scheme, Perez paid kickbacks to the transportation manager of the bedding company in exchange for the use of the bedding company’s trucks and drivers to transport merchandise from West Coxsackie to Perez’s truck yard in Clifton, New Jersey, which allowed Perez to avoid certain transportation costs. Perez then fraudulently invoiced and received payment from the bedding company as if his trucking company had transported and delivered the merchandise from West Coxsackie when Perez and his trucking company did not in fact transport the merchandise from West Coxsackie. As a result of the scheme, the defendant caused $422,170.86 in losses to the bedding company.
Perez also evaded taxes between January 2014 and April 2018 by cashing gross receipts checks on behalf of his trucking business, providing false and incomplete information to tax preparers and omitting the cashed checks, and filing false federal income tax returns. Perez Salcedo evaded a total of $477,090 in taxes.
Perez Salcedo faces a maximum sentence 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 by United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino on September 5, 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. Perez Salcedo also agreed to a forfeiture money judgment, and to pay restitution to the bedding company and the IRS.
The FBI and IRS-CI investigated this case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Wentworth-Ping is prosecuting this case.
Washington County Man Admits to Stealing 32 Firearms from Hudson Falls Gun Store, and Using the Firearms in Relation to Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Jonathon Combs, age 43, of Granville, New York, pled guilty today to two counts of theft of firearms from a licensed dealer, and to using firearms during and in relation to 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); New York State Police (NYSP) Acting Superintendent Steven A. Nigrelli; and Washington County Sherriff Jeffrey J. Murphy made the announcement.
Combs admitted to stealing firearms from Calamity Jane’s Firearms and Fine Shoes, a federally licensed firearms dealer, in Hudson Falls, New York, on two separate dates in October 2022. On the second occasion, Combs and a co-conspirator used a sledgehammer to break into the store after hours and steal 31 semi-automatic pistols. Combs and the co-conspirator subsequently exchanged most of the stolen pistols to another individual in return for a supply of cocaine.
Combs faces at least 5 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of up to 5 years when he is sentenced by United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
The following defendants still face charges in this case, and face the following penalties:
Name
Age
Minimum
Maximum
Martin Taft
48
5 years
Life
Kwahpreme Mitchell
32
5 years
Life
These charges are merely accusations, and Taft and Mitchell are each presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
NYSP, ATF and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case with assistance provided by the Washington County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emmet O’Hanlon and Allen J. Vickey are prosecuting this case.
Vermonter Pleads Guilty to Attempted Enticement and Coercion of a MinorRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Scarlet Shadows, a/k/a “Dragongurl69,” age 32, of West Rutland, Vermont, pled guilty today to one count of attempted 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.
Shadows, formerly known as Randy Emillion Goodreau, admitted that she attempted to entice and coerce an individual, whom Shadows believed to be an 11-year-old girl, to have sex. After weeks of exchanging sexually explicit text messages with this individual and another person Shadows believed was the child’s guardian, Shadows traveled in January 2022 from Vermont to Warren County, New York, with an engagement ring, condoms, and gifts for the child, intending to have sex with the child.
Shadows faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison, a term of post-release supervision of at least 5 years and up to life, and a fine of up to $250,000 when she is sentenced on August 25, 2023 by United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors. Shadows will also be required to register as a sex offender upon her release from prison.
This case was investigated by the FBI and its Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes members of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the Colonie Police Department and the New York State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Joshua R. Rosenthal is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood.
Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Rensselaer County Officials Indicted for Civil Rights ConspiracyRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Richard W. Crist, age 55, of Nassau, New York; James R. Gordon, age 42, of North Greenbush, New York; and Leslie A. Wallace, age 35, of Troy, New York, were arrested and arraigned today on an indictment charging them with conspiring to violate the rights of Rensselaer County voters in connection with elections held in 2021.
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.
Crist is the Director of Operations for Rensselaer County, Gordon is the Director of the Bureau for Central Services of Rensselaer County, and Wallace works for the Rensselaer County Executive’s Office.
The indictment (copy attached) alleges that during local elections held in 2021, Crist, Gordon and Wallace conspired to use their official positions, and actual and apparent authority over Rensselaer County employees, to obtain absentee ballots in voters’ names through fraud and intimidation; these voters did not intend to request absentee ballots, nor did they seek voting assistance from Crist, Gordon or Wallace.
Crist, Gordon and Wallace then conspired to cast false and illegal votes in these voters’ names in primary and general elections held in Rensselaer County in 2021. Their conduct violated the constitutional rights of Rensselaer County voters to have their votes counted equally as compared to votes cast by other voters, and made it more likely that the defendants’ preferred candidates would win the elections.
Gordon is also charged with one count of witness tampering, and Wallace is also charged with one count of making false statements.
The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. Each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Crist, Gordon and Wallace were each arraigned today before Chief United States Magistrate Judge Andrew T. Baxter, and ordered released with conditions pending a trial before United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino.
If convicted of conspiracy to violate constitutional rights, each defendant faces up to 10 years in prison. If convicted of witness tampering, Gordon faces up to 20 years in prison. If convicted of making false statements, Wallace faces up to 5 years in prison. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
The FBI is investigating this case, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Barnett and Steven D. Clymer are prosecuting this case.
California Man Pleads Guilty to Bringing over 65,000 Fentanyl Pills to Syracuse for DistributionRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Jose Orozco Acosta, age 22, of Bakersfield, California, pled guilty today to possessing over 65,000 fentanyl pills with the intent to distribute them.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) New York Division Frank A. Tarentino III, Acting Special Agent in Charge of U.S. DEA California Division Bob Beris, and New York State Police (NYSP) Acting Superintendent Steven A. Nigrelli made the announcement.
As part of his plea, Acosta admitted that, on April 4, 2022, he travelled from Bakersfield, CA to a storage unit in Syracuse, NY. Acosta transferred the contents of his storage unit, which included a black plastic tote, to a different storage unit in the city of Syracuse. The black plastic tote that Acosta transported contained over 65,000 fentanyl pills, weighing approximately 7.2 kilograms. The defendant possessed the fentanyl pills with the intent to distribute them throughout the Central New York area.
The investigation, which was coordinated primarily by NYSP Investigators in conjunction with DEA Special Agents in Bakersfield, CA, revealed that Acosta was transporting fentanyl and other narcotics from his home in Bakersfield to drug dealers in the Central New York area for further distribution. As part of the investigation, many of the local dealers that Acosta was supplying were arrested in August 2022 during what authorities called the largest drug seizure in Cayuga County in over 10 years.
As a result of his plea, Acosta faces a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison, a fine of up to $10,000,000, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. He is scheduled to be sentenced on August 22, 2023 by Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes in Syracuse, New York. 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.
NYSP Violent Gang and Narcotics Enforcement Team (NYSP-VGNET) and DEA Resident Offices in Syracuse, NY and Bakersfield, CA are investigating the case with assistance from the Finger Lakes Drug Task Force, Auburn Police Department, Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office, United States Marshal Service, United States Army National Guard Counterdrug Program, Cayuga County District Attorney’s Office, Cortland City Police Department, Bakersfield Police Department, Kern County Sheriff’s Office, and Kern County Probation Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica N. Carbone is prosecuting the case.
Jury Convicts Three Men of Trafficking Kilograms of Cocaine to SchenectadyRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – A jury voted today to convict three men of trafficking kilograms of cocaine to Schenectady, New York, in March and April 2021.
Jeffrey C. Civitello, Sr., age 51, of Schenectady, his son Jeffrey C. Civitello Jr., age 23, of Schenectady, and Richard D. Sinde, age 58, of Fort Lee, New Jersey, were convicted on all counts following an 8-day trial.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division, made the announcement.
The trial evidence demonstrated a conspiracy between five men: the three defendants on trial, as well as Christopher J. Kelly, age 56, of Brooklyn, New York, and Robert J. Ingrao, age 76, of Lodi, New Jersey.
As part of the conspiracy, Kelly delivered 3 kilograms of cocaine to Civitello Sr. in Schenectady on March 29, and Kelly and Sinde delivered an additional 3 kilograms of cocaine to Civitello Sr. on March 31.
Also on March 31, the Civitellos ordered more cocaine and suggested that Kelly and Sinde use, as a transportation vehicle, a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee owned by Civitello Jr., which contained, in its trunk, a sophisticated, hidden compartment, also known as a “trap.” Unbeknownst to the conspirators, the DEA had placed a court-authorized tracker on the Jeep several months prior, as part of an investigation of Civitello Jr.
On March 31, Sinde then drove the Jeep from Schenectady to his residence in Fort Lee, and the following evening met Kelly in Breezy Point, New York, on the Rockaway Peninsula, where Kelly and Sinde loaded up the Jeep’s hidden compartment with 9 kilograms of cocaine to be delivered the following day to the Civitellos in Schenectady. Sinde then drove the Jeep home to Fort Lee.
The following day, on April 2, 2021, Ingrao went to Sinde’s house and got into the Jeep, and drove it north on Interstate 87 toward Schenectady. A New York State Police Trooper, at the DEA’s request, conducted a stop on Ingrao in Greene County. The Trooper then located 9 kilograms of cocaine in the Jeep’s hidden compartment.
The jury voted to convict all defendants of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, as well as possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance for the 3 kilograms of cocaine delivered on March 31. The jury also voted to convict Sinde of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and the Civitellos of attempted possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, for the 9 kilograms of cocaine they tried to transport to Schenectady on April 2.
Following the jury’s verdict, Sinde and Civitello Sr. were remanded to custody. Civitello Jr. has been in custody since October 21, 2021, when he was arrested by the DEA in Schenectady on unrelated charges of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possessing and intending to distribute marijuana. Those charges are merely accusations, and as to those charges, Civitello Jr. is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino will sentence the Civitellos on September 6, and will sentence Sinde on September 8. Each man faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison, as well as at least 5 years of post-imprisonment supervised release. 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. Ingrao’s sentencing and Kelly’s sentencing are also pending.
This case was investigated by the DEA’s Capital District Drug Enforcement Task Force, which includes DEA Special Agents and investigators from state and local police agencies, including the Saratoga Springs Police Department, the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, and the New York State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Barnett and Dustin C. Segovia are prosecuting this case.
Albany Man Pleads Guilty in Capital Region Cocaine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Ilvin Figueroa Batista, age 32, of Albany, pled guilty today to conspiring to distribute cocaine in the Capital Region. 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.
Batista admitted that between June 2021 and December 2021, in Albany and Rensselaer Counties, he conspired with others to receive cocaine shipped from Puerto Rico to distribute in the Capital Region. Batista’s role in the conspiracy was to receive cocaine from Puerto Rico shipped via U.S. mail and turn it over to other members of the conspiracy, who processed the cocaine and sold it.
Sentencing is scheduled for August 14, 2023 in front of Senior United States District Judge Gary L. Sharpe. Batista faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million, and a term of supervised release of at least 3 years and up to life. Batista also agreed to forfeit $2,300 in cash seized when he was arrested.
Three coconspirators previously pled guilty for their roles in the conspiracy, which involved the receipt and distribution of more than 5 kilograms of cocaine in the Capital Region:
- Jan Lopez-Colon, age 28, of Troy, New York;
- Jesus Baez, age 32, of Loudonville, New York; and
- Sam Calderon, age 20, of Troy.
USPIS and its 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, investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin S. Clark is prosecuting the case.
Schenectady Man Pleads Guilty to Failing to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Craig Foley, age 57, of Schenectady, New York, pled guilty today to failing to update his sex offender registration. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and United States Marshal David L. McNulty made the announcement.
Foley pled guilty to violating the federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (“SORNA”), which requires a convicted sex offender to register, and keep that registration current, wherever he resides. As part of his guilty plea, Foley admitted that he was previously convicted of Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree in Utica City Court, and because of that conviction was required to register as a sex offender. Foley further admitted that he moved from Pennsylvania to New York in or about November 2020 and, from then until he was arrested in this case, failed to register as a sex offender in New York or update his registration to reflect his place of residence.
Sentencing is scheduled for August 23, 2023 before District Court Judge Anne M. Nardacci. Foley faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and a term of supervised release of between five years and life to begin after he is released from prison. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the statute the defendant violated, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
This case was investigated by the United States Marshal Service and is being 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 Attorneys’ 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.
Cohoes Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug and Obstruction of Justice ChargesRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Andrew O’Connor, age 36, of Cohoes, New York pled guilty today to distributing methamphetamine in Cohoes, New York, and conspiracy to tamper with records.
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), and, Ketty Larco-Ward, Postal Inspector in Charge of the Boston Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), made the announcement.
As part of his guilty plea today, Andrew O’Connor admitted that he distributed ounce-quantities of methamphetamine in Cohoes in March, April, and June 2022, and had a shipment of over one pound of methamphetamine sent to him around June 15, 2022. Investigators with USPIS and FBI intercepted the package and seized the methamphetamine. O’Connor also admitted that, after his arrest, he contacted a co-conspirator to make arrangements to have the co-conspirator factory reset and remote wipe several of O’Connor’s cell phones.
Sentencing is scheduled for August 23, 2023, before U.S. District Judge Anne M. Nardacci. At sentencing, O’Connor faces a minimum sentence of ten years and maximum sentence of life in prison, a fine of up to $10 million dollars, and a post-imprisonment term of supervised release of at least five 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 USPIS, and 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.
Canadian Man Charged with Stolen Valor and Forging Military Discharge PaperworkRead the Press Release
PLATTSBURGH, NEW YORK – Randall J. Montour, age 44, a resident of Cornwall, Ontario, was arrested and charged today for violating the Stolen Valor Act of 2013 and for falsifying his military discharge certificate. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and United States Marshal David L. McNulty made the announcement.
Montour was charged by complaint and made his initial appearance in Plattsburgh, before United States Magistrate Judge Gary L. Favro. Montour was released pending a further court appearance.
The complaint alleges that Montour falsely altered his Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, Form DD-214, to reflect he received an honorable discharge from the United States Air Force and that he earned numerous decorations, medals, badges, citations or campaign ribbons, including the Purple Heart. The complaint further alleges that on three occasions, Montour used his altered Form DD-214 to purchase Purple Heart recipient license plates from the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, which he then affixed to his vehicle.
Military records show, however, that Montour served in the United States Air Force from 1999 until he was court-martialed in 2000 for impersonating an officer and making threats. Montour received a bad-conduct discharge and was separated from the Air Force on June 18, 2001. He is not a Purple Heart recipient.
The charges in the complaint are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The charges filed against Montour carry up to 1 year in jail, a fine of up to $100,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 1 year. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
The United States Marshals Service is investigating the case with assistance from the United States Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas G. Collyer is prosecuting the case.
Watervliet Woman Pleads Guilty to Making False StatementsRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Eunice Ting, age 69, of Watervliet, New York, pled guilty yesterday to making a false statement to obtain benefits from the United States Department of Labor, Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs.
This announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Special Agent in Charge Matthew Modafferi, United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General (USPS-OIG), Northeast Area Field Office.
In pleading guilty, Ting admitted that between December 2013, and March 2020, she submitted hundreds of materially false and fraudulent forms to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Worker’s Compensation Programs seeking reimbursement for travel in which she did not engage. Specifically, she falsely claimed workers compensation benefits for medically-related travel to and from a local YMCA for purported “aquatic therapy” when she had not received any such therapy and did not travel to the YMCA as claimed. In total, she received a total of $26,983 from the Department of Labor because of her fraudulent submissions.
Ting is scheduled to be sentenced on August 24, 2023, by Senior United States District Judge Frederick J. Scullin, Jr. in Albany, New York. Ting faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to three years. As part of her plea agreement, Ting has also agreed to pay full restitution. 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 USPS-OIG and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Wentworth-Ping.
Schenectady Man Pleads Guilty to Sexual Exploitation of a MinorRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Jordan Valle, age 26, of Schenectady, New York, pled guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of a child and one count of possession of child pornography. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Special Agent in Charge Matthew Scarpino of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
As part of his guilty plea Valle admitted that, from at least October 2021 through December 2022, he pretended to be a hacker online and threatened to delete or takeover the social media accounts of multiple minor females aged approximately 10-15 years old if they did not send him sexually explicit material. Several children complied with his demands and sent him sexually explicit videos of themselves urinating or masturbating. In December 2022, Valle also had a collection of child pornography he obtained on the internet saved onto his computer at his home.
Sentencing is scheduled for August 17, 2023, in Albany, New York before United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci. Valle faces a minimum sentence of 15 years and up to 30 years in prison for the sexual exploitation of a child count and up to 20 years in prison for possessing child pornography. He also will also be required to serve at least 5 years and up to a life term on supervised release after his imprisonment term ends, at which time he will be required to register as a sex offender. Valle also will be required to forfeit the devices he used to commit the offenses to the United States and must pay restitution to his victims. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the statutes the defendant violated, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Upper Allen Township Police Department, and the New York State Police and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Gadarian.
This case is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorneys’ 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.
Former Utica Tax Preparer Pleads Guilty to Filing False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Dianna Nolan, age 47, formerly of Utica, New York, pled guilty yesterday in federal court in Utica to filing false income tax returns. The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Thomas Fattorusso, Executive Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CI), New York Field Office.
In pleading guilty, Nolan admitted that she worked as a professional tax return preparer in Oneida County, New York, between at least 2014 through 2018. On her personal income tax returns for tax years 2017 and 2018, Nolan intentionally did not report all the income she received as a tax return preparer. Nolan also filed income tax returns on behalf of clients that falsely claimed losses from rental properties, thereby reducing the total taxes owed by these clients and causing losses to the IRS. In a signed plea agreement, Nolan agreed to pay restitution to the IRS totaling $101,636 for tax years 2014 through 2018.
Nolan, who recently relocated to Florida, will be sentenced on August 17, 2023. The charge to which Nolan pled guilty carries a maximum sentence of 3 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, a term of supervised release of up to 1 year, and a special assessment of $100. 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 Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CI), and it is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael F. Perry and Melissa O. Rothbart.
Oswego County Woman Pleads Guilty to Charges Related to Theft of Social Security BenefitsRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Lisa Waldron, age 44, of Palermo, New York, pled guilty today to eleven counts of Theft of Government Property, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Sharon B. MacDermott, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration (SSA), Office of the Inspector General, New York Field Office.
The charges to which Waldron pled guilty relate to her theft of Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”) benefits intended for her disabled son, Jordan Brooks, while Waldron was acting as Brooks’s representative payee. A representative payee is a person or organization who receives Social Security benefits on another person’s behalf and is required to ensure the benefits are used only to support the beneficiary.
As part of her guilty plea, Waldron admitted that, after Brooks died on May 9, 2021, Waldron continued to receive SSI benefits intended for Brooks. Instead of properly notifying SSA of the issue and knowing she was not entitled to Brooks’s benefit payments, Waldron nonetheless used Brooks’s SSI benefits to pay her own personal expenses until SSA independently learned of the issue and terminated Brooks’s benefits.
Unrelated to the federal charges to which Waldron pled guilty today, Waldron is also facing state murder charges related to her involvement in Brooks’s death.
On the federal charges, Waldron faces a maximum term of imprisonment of ten years, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised of up to three years. As part of her plea agreement, Waldron has also agreed to pay full restitution. She is scheduled to be sentenced on August 22, 2023, by Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes in Syracuse, New York.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 Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian S. LaRochelle and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul J. Tuck.
Tompkins County Man Sentenced to 84 Months in Prison for Receipt and Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Timothy Buckley, age 55, of Groton, New York, was sentenced today to serve 84 months in federal prison for receiving and distributing child pornography announced 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).
As part of his previously entered guilty plea, Buckley admitted that in January of 2021, he received child pornography from another user on a social networking application. Buckley also admitted that in August of 2021, he distributed images of child pornography to an undercover law enforcement officer via the same social networking application.
United States District Judge David N. Hurd also sentenced Buckley to 15 years of supervised release, to begin following his term of imprisonment. Buckley will also be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.
This case was investigated by the FBI Mid-State Child Exploitation Task Force, comprised of FBI Special Agents and Investigators of the New York State Police, Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI). The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian LaRochelle as a part of Project Safe Childhood.
Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Arkansas Man Charged with Flying to Albany in Attempt to Meet 11-Year-Old for SexRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Kyle Biswell, age 37, of Fayetteville, Arkansas, was charged this week with one count of interstate travel for illicit sexual 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.
According to a federal complaint filed earlier this week, earlier this year Biswell engaged in a series of online conversations with a person in Albany whom he believed would allow him to engage in sexual contact with an 11-year old relative. On April 8, 2023, Biswell flew from Arkansas to Albany to engage in sexual contact with the minor, packing numerous Viagra pills in his suitcase. He was arrested at the airport, and later admitted he flew to Albany with the intent to engage in sexual contact with a minor. Biswell was detained pending a detention hearing later this week. The charge in the complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
If convicted of the charge, Biswell faces up to 30 years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
This case is being investigated by the FBI and its Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes members of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the Colonie Police Department and the New York State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin S. Clark 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.