Northern District of New York
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Schenectady Man Sentenced to More Than 20 Years for Sexually Exploiting a ChildRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Keith Mussenden, age 39, of Schenectady, New York, was sentenced today to 262 months in prison for sexually exploiting 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, Mussenden admitted that between June 2019 and February 2020, he exchanged messages through multiple social media applications with the victim, a then-14-year-old girl who resided outside of New York. Through these messages, Mussenden persuaded, induced, and enticed the victim to take sexually explicit images of herself and send them to him over the Internet. Mussenden also sent the victim pictures of his penis in the hopes of obtaining sexually explicit images of the victim in return. Mussenden further engaged in livestreamed video chats with the victim during which he requested that the victim perform sexual acts while he also engaged in sexual acts.
United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino also imposed a 20-year term of supervised release, which will start after Mussenden is released from prison, and ordered total restitution in the amount of $3,057.35. Mussenden will also be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.
This case was investigated by the FBI and its Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes members of the Rotterdam Police Department and the New York State Police. The FBI’s Atlanta Field Office assisted in this investigation. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rachel L. Williams and Dustin C. Segovia 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.
Maryland Man Pleads Guilty to Unlawfully Transporting Three Illegal ImmigrantsRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Luis Madrigal-Grajales, age 35, of Baltimore, Maryland, pled guilty yesterday to unlawfully transporting three illegal immigrants.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Chief Patrol Agent Robert N. Garcia, United States Border Patrol, Swanton Sector.
As part of his guilty plea, Madrigal-Grajales admitted that, on a date prior to October 8, 2022, he was contacted by an individual who asked him to drive to Champlain, New York to pick up illegal immigrants and drive them back to Maryland. On October 8, 2022, Madrigal-Grajales drove to Champlain, New York from his home in Maryland, and picked up three illegal immigrants. His vehicle was subsequently stopped by police near Plattsburgh, New York. Madrigal-Grajales admitted that he planned to drive the individuals to Maryland, and that he expected to be paid approximately $1,500.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 20, 2023, before United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino. Madrigal-Grajales faces up to 10 years in prison, up to 3 years of supervised release, and up to a $250,000 fine. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
This case is being investigated by the United States Border Patrol and the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica N. Carbone.
Illinois Man Pleads Guilty to Unlawfully Transporting 10 AliensRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Cesar Batres-Recinos, age 26, pled guilty on Tuesday to unlawfully transporting 10 Mexican nationals illegally present in the United States.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Chief Patrol Agent Robert N. Garcia, United States Border Patrol, Swanton Sector.
Batres-Recinos admitted that on October 2, 2022, he drove his SUV from Illinois to Constable, New York, to pick up 10 Mexican citizens who had recently illegally crossed the international border from Canada into the United States. Batres-Recinos also admitted that he planned to drive the 10 people to various locations in the United States, including Chicago, Illinois. Batres-Recinos further admitted that he was to be paid $2,500 for his efforts in transporting the Mexican citizens.
Batres-Recinos faces up to 10 years in prison, a 3-year term of post-release supervision, and a fine up to $250,000, when he is sentenced on April 19, 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.
This case was investigated by the United States Border Patrol and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Belliss.
Albany and Bronx Men Sentenced to 120 Months on Fentanyl and Cocaine ConvictionsRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK - Ramion Burt, age 46, of Albany, and Marion Frampton, age 43, of the Bronx, New York, were each sentenced today to 120 months in prison for conspiring to distribute and possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; New York State Police Acting Superintendent Steven A. Nigrelli; and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
In pleading guilty, Burt and Frampton admitted to driving from Albany to New York City to pick up fentanyl and cocaine for distribution in February 2021. On the drive back to Albany, they were stopped by the New York State Police heading northbound on Interstate 87 in Catskill, New York, and 31 grams of fentanyl were discovered in a plastic bag in Frampton’s boot. In searching the vehicle, the New York State Police discovered an additional 53 grams of fentanyl and 496 grams of cocaine in the glove compartment. Burt and Frampton admitted to possessing the fentanyl and cocaine, and intending to distribute it.
In 2002, Burt and Frampton were respectively convicted of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York.
Burt and Frampton were also each sentenced to an 8-year term of post-release supervision.
This case was investigated by the New York State Police and FBI, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyrus P.W. Rieck
Two Men Charged in Bank Robbery ConspiracyRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Luke Kenna, age 43, of Johnstown, New York, and Michael Brown, Jr. a/k/a. “Doc Grimson,” age 40, of Exton, Pennsylvania, have been charged by criminal complaint for conspiring to commit bank robbery, 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).
The criminal complaint alleges that between November 14 and November 26, 2022, Kenna and Brown agreed to and planned to commit an armed bank robbery at a bank branch in Johnstown, and that Kenna, as part of that conspiracy, conducted surveillance of the bank and purchased items, including weapons, to commit the robbery.
The charges in the complaint are merely accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The 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.
Kenna appeared today in Albany, before United States Magistrate Judge Christian F. Hummel, and was ordered detained pending trial.
Last week, Brown made an initial appearance in Philadelphia, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and was ordered detained and transported to the Northern District of New York.
This case was investigated by the FBI Albany Field Office’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), which includes FBI Special Agents, and federal, state and local investigators, including from the New York State Police. The FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office and New York State Police Special Investigations Unit also provided assistance. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Wentworth-Ping.
Mexican Citizen Sentenced to 4 Months for Illegal Re-entry into the United StatesRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Salvador Hernandez-Hernandez, age 32, of DeKalb, Illinois, was sentenced today to serve 4-months in prison following his conviction for illegally reentering the United States following a prior deportation, announced United States Attorney Carla B Freedman and U.S. Border Patrol Swanton Sector Chief Patrol Agent Robert N. Garcia.
As a part of his prior guilty plea, Hernandez admitted that he was removed from the United States in July 2008, and that sometime after his removal he unlawfully reentered the United States without permission. On October 9, 2022, United States Border Patrol Agents stopped a vehicle that Hernandez was driving near Fort Covington, New York. Hernandez admitted that he had no legal right to be in the United States.
This case was investigated by the United States Border Patrol and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica N. Carbone.
Two Florida Men Plead Guilty to Roles in Nationwide “Felony Lane Gang” ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Joshua Mallory, age 37, and Gary Grier, age 36, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, pled guilty this week in federal court in Syracuse to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft, announced 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 (New York) Sheriff Kevin J. McConville.
In pleading guilty, Mallory and Grier admitted that they were involved in a fraud scheme known as “Felony Lane Gang” between 2015 and 2020. Mallory, Grier, and their co-conspirators traveled across the country breaking into cars, often targeting those parked by women at locations such as health and fitness centers, daycares, outdoor recreational parks, and dog parks. Mallory, Grier, 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 in drive-through bank lanes and cash checks. The recruited check cashers were almost always suffering from an addiction to controlled substances and were provided payment at least partially in narcotics. Mallory and Grier each admitted that the loss amount from the conspiracy attributable to them is at least $95,000.
The charges to which Mallory and Grier pled guilty carry a minimum sentence of 2 years in prison and a maximum sentence of 30 years, a fine of up to $1 million, and a supervised release term of up to 5 years. Mallory will be sentenced on May 1, 2023, and Grier will be sentenced on April 19, 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.
Mallory and Grier were two of nine men charged in a 13-count indictment for their roles in the scheme. Keyshawn Arnold, age 25, of Schenectady, New York; Terrell McDonald, age 32, of Troy, New York; and Tyrone Parker, age 40, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, previously pled guilty for their roles in the indictment. The remaining co-defendants are:
- TYRONE PARKER, JR. a/k/a “Ty,” a/k/a “Cheese,” a/k/a “Little Thigh,” age 22, of Fort Lauderdale;
- RANDALL TAYLOR, a/k/a “Gucci,” a/k/a “Guwop,” age 37, of Fort Lauderdale;
- CEDRIC LYNCH, a/k/a “City,” a/k/a “C,” age 37, of Orlando, Florida; and
- ROBERT NATSON, a/k/a “Big Rob,” age 36, of Fort Lauderdale.
Each of the remaining defendants is charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and/or aggravated identity theft, and they are scheduled for trial in federal court in Syracuse on January 24, 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.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew J. McCrobie and Michael F. Perry, and Special Assistant United States Attorney Paul Tuck, and it was initiated by former Assistant United States Attorney Andrew D. Beaty.
Syracuse Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearm ChargeRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Cedric L. Hudson, Jr., age 36, of Syracuse, pled guilty today to possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon, announced 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 Acting New York State Police Superintendent Steven A. Nigrelli.
Cedric Hudson was arrested in the Town of Dewitt, New York near Carrier Circle on October 17, 2022, when New York State Troopers observed him driving erratically. He was stopped near a local gas station when it was learned his driver’s license was suspended and a tow truck was called to remove his car. A search of the vehicle prior to it being towed located a .45 caliber semiautomatic handgun and seven rounds of .45 caliber ammunition in a magazine clip. Hudson was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition having been previously convicted in Onondaga County Court of a felony drug offense in 2014. When arrested on October 17, 2022, Cedric Hudson was also the subject of a parole violation warrant from the state of North Carolina.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 20, 2022, in Syracuse, New York, at which the defendant faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000,00, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
The case against Cedric L. Hudson, Jr. was adopted for federal prosecution after a joint review by the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, the United States Attorney’s Office, the FBI, and the New York State Police as part of gun violence reduction efforts in Onondaga County.
This case is being investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the New York State Police-Community Stabilization Unit (NYSP-CSU), with assistance from the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Southwick as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Schenectady Felon Sentenced for Illegally Possessing Loaded FirearmRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Thomas Hendricks Jr., age 41, of Schenectady, New York, was sentenced today to 46 months in prison for illegally possessing a loaded pistol as a felon.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and 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).
As part of his previously entered guilty plea, Hendricks admitted that on June 20, 2021, he brandished a 9mm semi-automatic pistol while live-streaming on his Facebook account. He further admitted that on June 28, 2021, he possessed the same loaded pistol in his residence in the city of Schenectady, at which time it was seized by the Schenectady Police Department pursuant to a search warrant. Two prior felony convictions, for criminal possession of a weapon and aggravated cruelty to animals, prevented Hendricks from legally possessing the firearm in New York.
United States District Mae A. D’Agostino also ordered Hendricks to serve a 3-year term of supervised release following his release from prison.
This case was investigated by ATF and the Schenectady Police Department with assistance provided by the Schenectady County District Attorney’s Office. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emmet O’Hanlon.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Miami Man Sentenced for his Role in a Nationwide Gas Station Skimming SchemeRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Arley Gonzalez, age 35, of Miami, Florida, was sentenced today to 27 months in prison for his role in an access device fraud conspiracy. The announcement was made by 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 Ketty Larco-Ward, Postal Inspector in Charge of the Boston Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).
As part of his guilty plea on May 20, 2021, Gonzalez admitted that between December 2015 and July 2019, he conspired with others to commit access device fraud by building skimming devices designed to steal gas station customer information, installing those devices inside gas pumps in Albany, Broome, and Montgomery Counties, and elsewhere, and then using the information collected by those devices to create fraudulent credit and debit cards. The fraudulent cards were used to obtain money orders, gift cards, cash, and other things of value. As part of his plea agreement, Gonzalez agreed to be subject to a forfeiture money judgment in the amount of $247,000.
Senior United States District Judge Gary L. Sharpe also imposed a three-year term of supervised release to follow Gonzalez’s term of incarceration.
This case was investigated by the FBI Albany Field Office and USPIS Boston Division, with assistance from the FBI Field Offices in Miami and Pittsburgh, the USPIS Miami Division, and the United States Secret Service Miami Field Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Belliss and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Powers.
Inmate Sentenced for Conspiring to Steal Government PropertyRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Irvis Jorge, age 44, was sentenced today to 364 days in jail for fraudulently applying for unemployment benefits while a state prisoner.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Anthony J. Annucci, Acting Commissioner of the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (NYSDOCCS); and New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) Commissioner Roberta Reardon.
Jorge worked with his girlfriend, Pamela Febo, to submit a fraudulent unemployment insurance claim to NYSDOL using Jorge’s personal identifying information, at time when Jorge was an inmate in NYSDOCCS custody. Febo submitted the application at Jorge’s direction in October 2020 and continued to re-certify Jorge’s benefits eligibility each week for approximately four months. Febo certified each week that Jorge was “able and available to start work immediately” even though Febo knew Jorge remained incarcerated and could not work. NYSDOL paid the defendants $27,348 based on the repeated false certifications.
Senior United States District Judge Gary L. Sharpe ordered the 364-day term of imprisonment to run consecutive to Jorge’s state term of imprisonment for criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree. He also imposed 3 years of supervised release, and ordered restitution in the amount of $27,348 and forfeiture in the amount of $12,444. Febo pled guilty on October 26, 2022, and is scheduled to be sentenced in February.
The case was investigated by the FBI, the NYSDOCCS Office of Special Investigations, and the NYSDOL Office of Special Investigations. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Reiner.
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.
Coxsackie Felon Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing AR-15Read the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Shawn Ubrich, age 50, of Coxsackie, New York, pled guilty today to illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; John B. DeVito, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); and Steven A. Nigrelli, Acting Superintendent of the New York State Police.
Ubrich, a convicted felon, admitted that he possessed an AR-15 in Greene County, New York on October 5, 2021, and agreed to forfeiture of the firearm.
Ubrich faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of up to 3 years when he is sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Brenda K. Sannes on April 27, 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.
This case is being investigated by ATF and the New York State Police, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin S. Clark.
Ballston Spa Felon Pleads Guilty to Drug Conspiracy and Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Maxwell Leiser, age 35, of Ballston Spa, New York, pled guilty today to drug and firearm charges, and admitted to conspiring with the leader of a Schenectady-based drug trafficking organization to distribute cocaine base and heroin in Saratoga County.
The announcement was made by 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.
Leiser admitted that between December 2020 and April 2021, he conspired with Terell M. Patrick aka “Lite,” to distribute approximately 465 grams of cocaine base and 198 grams of heroin in Saratoga County. Leiser further admitted that he unlawfully possessed three firearms and ammunition as a felon.
Leiser faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison, a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life, and a maximum fine of $10 million, when he is sentenced by United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino on April 20, 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.
The following defendants have also pled guilty in connection with the conspiracy, and were sentenced as follows:
Name
Age
Prison Term
Supervised Release Term
Donovan Milhouse
25
60 months
4 years
The following defendants have also pled guilty in connection with the conspiracy, and face the following penalties when they are sentenced:
Name
Age
Minimum
Maximum
Terell M. Patrick aka “Lite”
38
10 years
Life
Dequenton Slade
30
5 years
40 years
Alexis Bernadt
28
5 years
40 years
This case was investigated by the FBI and NYSP, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emmet J. O’Hanlon.
Syracuse Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Drug Trafficking and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Yoan Rodriguez, age 24, of Syracuse, was sentenced today to serve a total of 120 months incarceration based on his previous guilty plea to drug trafficking and firearms offenses, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino, III, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division, Special Agent in Charge Janeen DiGuiseppi, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Albany Field Office, and Chief of Police Joseph Cecile, Syracuse Police Department. Rodriguez was also ordered to serve a term of five-years supervised release following his release from prison, and to forfeit to the United States a handgun and a money judgment in the amount of $35,000.00, representing the value of unrecovered drug proceeds.
Rodriguez was one of 14 defendants charged and convicted in this case. The investigation revealed that members of the conspiracy brought kilogram quantities of heroin and fentanyl from Pennsylvania to Syracuse, where they packaged the drugs and distributed them over several months in 2020. During the investigation, law enforcement seized multiple kilograms of heroin and fentanyl, multiple firearms, several vehicles, and large sums of United States currency. The other defendants charged in this case, and the sentences they received, are listed below.
Defendant
Age
Residence
Prison Sentence
Alejandro De Jesus Tavarez
31
Syracuse
120 months
Alexander Tavarez Espinal
37
Syracuse
120 months
Jan Leonel Vazquez Familia
31
Hazelton, PA
68 months
Jahdier Dowdell
20
Syracuse
70 months
Maurice Graves
24
Syracuse
123 months
Kamiya Joe, aka “K-Joe”
24
Syracuse
36 months
Jonah Sutton, aka “Kunsa”
28
Syracuse
31 months
Dianisha Trapps, aka “Dutchess”
28
Syracuse
24 months
Tacarra Newton, aka “T-Newt”
26
Syracuse
60 months
Tywone Haskins, aka “Ty”
23
Syracuse
60 months
Joshua Stanley, aka “40”
27
Syracuse
30 months
Shateek Brown, aka “Teek” and “Stu”
27
Syracuse
41 months
Treyquwan Rucker
24
Syracuse
120 months
This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Syracuse Police Department-Gang Violence Task Force and Special Investigations Division (GVTF and SID), the New York State Police, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Immigration and Customs Enforcement/Enforcement Removal Operations (ICE-ERO), the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, the Auburn Police Department, and the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicolas Commandeur.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Oswego County Woman Indicted on Charges Related to Theft of Social Security BenefitsRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Lisa Waldron, age 44, of Palermo, New York, was arraigned Friday on a federal indictment charging her with multiple counts of Theft of Government Property and Social Security Fraud, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Sharon B. MacDermott, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, New York Field Office.
The charges in the 25-count indictment relate to Waldron’s misuse and theft of Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”) benefits intended for the care of Jordan Brooks, her disabled son. Waldron was Jordan Brooks’s representative payee at the time she committed the alleged offenses, which occurred both before and after Brooks’s death on May 9, 2021. A representative payee is a person or organization who received Social Security benefits on another person’s behalf and is tasked with ensuring the benefits are used only to support the beneficiary.
Waldron was released on existing conditions of supervision monitored by the Oswego County Probation Department from a pending case in Oswego County Court.
If convicted, 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. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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.
Bronx Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Delivery of More Than 1,000 Bricks of Fentanyl to SyracuseRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Marvin Antonio Lantigua, age 32, of the Bronx, New York, was sentenced today to serve 10 years in federal prison for possessing with intent to distribute a kilogram of fentanyl, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division, and Syracuse Police Chief Joseph Cecile.
As part of his previous guilty plea, Lantigua admitted that in early November 2021, he was in contact with a drug dealer in Syracuse via Facebook. After discussion, Lantigua agreed to deliver 1,000 bricks (50,000 bags) of fentanyl from New York City to Syracuse for $75,000.00. On November 8, 2021, DEA Special Agents, Syracuse Police Detectives, and Syracuse Police Patrol Officers stopped two vehicles on the Court Street exit of Route 81 North, one of which was being driven by Lantigua. A subsequent search of one of the vehicles located two large bags that were found to contain 1,007 bricks (50,350 bags) containing fentanyl that totaled approximately one kilogram in weight. After waiving his Miranda rights, Lantigua admitted that he was delivering the fentanyl to Syracuse from New York City as part of a drug deal. At the time of his arrest, Lantigua was under New York State Parole supervision in connection with a prior New York State drug felony conviction.
Lantigua was also sentenced to a 5-year term of supervised release following his release from federal prison.
This case was investigated by United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Syracuse Police Department-Special Investigations Division (SPD-SID), with assistance from Investigators of the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, Detectives of the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, and U.S. Border Patrol Agents, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Southwick.
Auburn Man Sentenced to 50 Years for Sexually Exploiting 2 Children and Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Devin Nau, age 28, of Auburn, New York, was sentenced today to serve 50-years in federal prison for sexually exploiting 2 children and distributing child pornography, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Buffalo, New York Field Office, and New York State Police Acting Superintendent Steven A. Nigrelli.
As part of his guilty plea, Nau admitted to engaging in sex acts with two minor victims that he filmed and photographed using his cellular telephone. Nau further admitted that after recording the sex acts, he used a social media messaging application on his cellular telephone to distribute the depictions to other individuals over the internet.
United States District Judge David N. Hurd also imposed a 20-year term of supervised release, which will start after Nau is released from prison, and a $400 special assessment. Nau will also be required to register as a sex offender.
Nau’s case was investigated by U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Investigators of the New York State Police-Computer Crimes Unit (NYSP-CCU), the Cayuga County District Attorney’s Office, and the Auburn City Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey J.L. Brown 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.
Cortland Man Sentenced to 9 Years in Prison for Distributing, Receiving and Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - Jon Burns, age 58, of Cortland, New York, was sentenced today to serve 9 years in federal prison for distributing, receiving, and possessing child pornography, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Buffalo, New York Field Office, and New York State Police Acting Superintendent Steven A. Nigrelli.
As part of his guilty plea, Burns admitted that he actively traded child pornography images and videos using a social media messaging application located on his electronic devices and that on January 4, 2022, he distributed a video file depicting sexual conduct with a child who was between 8 and 10 years old. Burns further admitted that on February 24, 2022, he received a video file depicting sexual conduct with a child who was approximately 6 years old. Finally, Burns admitted that on March 8, 2022, he knowingly possessed over 2000 image files and over 750 video files depicting child pornography on his cellular telephone, iPad, and two tablet computers.
Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes also imposed a 15-year term of supervised release, which will start after Burns is released from prison, and ordered him to pay $15,000 in restitution and a $600 special assessment. Burns will also be required to register as a sex offender.
Burns’ case was investigated by U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and Investigators of the New York State Police, Computer Crimes Unit (NYSP-CCU). The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey J.L. Brown 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.
Utica Man Admits to Possessing Cocaine for Distribution and Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Edgar Tejada, age 35, of Utica, New York, pled guilty today to possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, and to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division and Thomas Fattorusso, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), New York Field Office.
As part of his guilty plea, Tejada admitted to possessing over 500 grams of cocaine at his residence in Utica, as well as a loaded Ruger handgun. Tejada admitted that he possessed the firearm to protect himself and the cocaine he kept at his residence.
Tejeda faces at least five years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $1,000,000.00 and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least three years and up to life, when he is sentenced on April 19, 2022, by United States District Judge David N. Hurd. 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), U.S. Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), the New York State Police, the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, the Oneida County District Attorney’s Office, the City of Utica Police Department, the City of Syracuse Police Department, the City of Rome Police Department, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. 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 Village of Yorkville Police Department, and the Village of Whitesboro Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamara Thomson.
Schenectady County Felon Admits Unlawful Possession of Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Jason Seminary, age 44, of Duanesburg, New York, pled guilty today to unlawfully possessing a firearm and ammunition.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Guilderland Police Chief Daniel P. McNally.
Seminary admitted that on December 26, 2021, in Schenectady County, he possessed a loaded Ruger .22 caliber rifle. Guilderland Police Detectives located the rifle while executing a search warrant on a pickup truck Seminary had been driving. Seminary’s prior felony conviction, for burglary-second degree: causes physical injury, prevented him from legally possessing the rifle and ammunition.
Senior United States District Judge Frederick J. Scullin Jr. will sentence Seminary on April 15, 2023, at which time Seminary will face up to 10 years in prison and up to 3 years of post-imprisonment supervised release. Seminary also faces sentencing in Albany County Court on an unrelated charge of criminally negligent homicide; he has agreed that his state term of imprisonment, of 2 to 4 years, will run consecutive to his federal term of imprisonment.
This case was investigated by the Town of Guilderland Police Department, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) and the Town of Rotterdam Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett.
Oneida County Man Pleads Guilty to Trading Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Chad Srogi, age 39, of Vernon, New York pled guilty today to distributing, transporting, and possessing child pornography. 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), and New York State Police Acting Superintendent Steven A. Nigrelli.
During the change of plea hearing, Srogi admitted that he distributed and transported child pornography on multiple social media platforms in 2018 and possessed more than a hundred child pornography files in October 2019. He also admitted that, in 2007, he was convicted in Florida of Promoting the Sexual Performance of a Child and Possessing Material Depicting the Sexual Performance of a Child.
The possession of child pornography charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum of 20 years. The distribution and transportation of child pornography charges carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum sentence of 40 years. Srogi also faces a fine of up to $250,000, a term of supervised release of at least five years and up to life, forfeiture to the United States of property used to commit his offenses, restitution to identified victims, and will have 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.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 19, 2023, in Syracuse before United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby.
This case is being investigated by U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the New York State Police (Troop D Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), and the Computer Crimes Unit), and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Gadarian as part of Project Safe Childhood.
Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/.
Syracuse Man Indicted for Possession with Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - Michael Griswold, age 36, of Syracuse, was indicted yesterday for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division.
According to the indictment and a previously filed complaint, law enforcement agents from DEA and Syracuse Police Department executed a search warrant at Griswold’s home on November 9, 2022. During their search, they located a large bag containing what was later determined to be over 500 grams of crystal methamphetamine. The charge in the indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Griswold has been in custody since his arrest on November 9, 2022, and will be arraigned at a later date. The charge filed against Griswold carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum term of life, a fine of up to $10,000,000, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
This case is being investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), with assistance from the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Syracuse Police Department, and the Metro-Jefferson Drug Task Force, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica N. Carbone.
Schenectady Woman Pleads Guilty to Heroin ChargeRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Frances Myers, age 55, of Schenectady, New York, pled guilty today to possessing and intending to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Frank A. Tarantino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division.
Myers admitted that in August 2021, she drove to New York City to pick up narcotics that were intended for sale in the Capital Region. On her return trip, she was stopped on Interstate 87 and found to be in possession of more than 100 grams of heroin.
Myers pled guilty before United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby. Sentencing is scheduled for April 20, 2023. Myers faces a minimum of 5 years in prison, a maximum of 40 years in prison, a fine of up to $5 million, and a term of supervised release of at least 4 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
This case was investigated by the DEA and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin S. Clark.
Massachusetts Man Charged with Attempted Enticement of a MinorRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – James Macko, age 23, of North Adams, Massachusetts, was arrested today and charged with attempted coercion and enticement of a minor and attempting to transfer obscene material to a minor.
The announcement was made by 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).
The charges in the complaint are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The criminal complaint alleges that between November 16, 2022 and December 9, 2022, Macko exchanged text messages with another person in Albany. In these messages, Macko expressed interest in engaging in sexual conduct with an 11-year-old child. Macko and the other person discussed plans in which Macko would meet the other person at a prearranged location in order to engage in sexual acts with the child. On December 9, 2022, Macko left his home to meet the presumed child in North Adams, where he was encountered by law enforcement and arrested. Macko is also charged with transferring pornographic images to a person he believed to be 11 years old.
Macko appeared today before United States Magistrate Judge Christian F. Hummel, who ordered Macko detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for Tuesday, December 13.
The charges filed against Macko carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, a maximum sentence of 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 is being investigated by the FBI and its Child Exploitation Task Force, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin S. Clark.
This case is prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice/gov/psc/.
Jefferson County Man Pleads Guilty to Mailing Threatening LettersRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Jesse Bartlett, age 46, of LaFargeville, New York, pled guilty today to mailing threatening letters.
The announcement was made by 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).
Bartlett admitted that, using the alias of the “Chinese Zodiac Killer,” and from about April 2021 to May 2022, he mailed threatening communications to media outlets, government offices, houses of worship, and private businesses throughout New York, as well as in New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Vermont, and the District of Columbia. In the letters, which he signed as the “Chinese Zodiac Killer,” Bartlett wrote that he killed people, ate their flesh, and that he intended to kill more people, including an unnamed bus driver. Bartlett was arrested on May 19, 2022, and has been in custody since that date.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 13, 2022 before Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes. Bartlett faces up to 5 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to 3 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.
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), with assistance from the New York State Police and the United States Postal Inspection Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Wentworth-Ping.
Watervliet Felon Sentenced for Possessing a Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Calvin Strong, age 30, of Watervliet, New York, was sentenced today to 85 months in prison for possessing a handgun and ammunition as a previously convicted felon. The announcement was made by 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).
As part of his prior guilty plea, Strong admitted that on November 23, 2021, he possessed a Glock Model 23CGEN4, .40 caliber pistol and 15 rounds of ammunition that were recovered during a search of his Watervliet residence by the United States Probation Office for the Northern District of New York. Strong was prohibited from possessing the firearm and ammunition due to a previous felony conviction involving a firearm.
Senior United States District Judge Frederick J. Scullin Jr. also ordered Strong to pay a $7,500 fine and imposed a 3-year term of supervised release, which will start after Strong is released from prison.
This case was investigated by the ATF with assistance from the United States Probation Office for the Northern District of New York, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Watervliet Police Department, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Belliss.
Utica Man Pleads Guilty to Large Fentanyl Conspiracy and Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Ivan Jose Rodriguez, age 46, of Utica, New York, pled guilty yesterday to one count of conspiring to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and distribution of fentanyl, and one count of money laundering, announced United States Attorney Carla Freedman, Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division, and Thomas Fattorusso, Executive Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), New York Field Office.
As part of his guilty plea, Rodriguez admitted that from May 2020 through October 2021, he, together with his co-conspirators, acquired more than three (3) kilograms of fentanyl from a source of supply, which he and others acting on his behalf, redistributed in the Utica, New York area. Rodriguez also admitted using a straw purchaser to acquire numerous vehicles, including a 2021 BMW M4, with cash payments using money earned from the drug conspiracy.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 6, 2023, before United States District Judge David N. Hurd. Rodriguez faces a minimum of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life imprisonment, a fine of up to $10 million, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
This case is being investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the United States Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI), the New York State Police, the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, the Oneida County District Attorney’s Office, the City of Utica Police Department, the City of Syracuse Police Department, the City of Rome Police Department, United States Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE), the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, the New York Army National Guard Counter Drug Program, the Village of Yorkville Police Department, and the Village of Whitesboro Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamara Thomson.
Utica Man Pleads Guilty to Large Fentanyl ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Eric Ares, age 37, of Utica, New York, pled guilty yesterday to one count of conspiring to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and to distribute fentanyl, and one count of possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, announced United States Attorney Carla Freedman, Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division and Thomas Fattorusso, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), New York Field Office,
In pleading guilty, Ares admitted that from May 2020 through October 2021, he, together with his co-conspirators in the Rodriguez drug trafficking organization, possessed with intent to distribute and distributed fentanyl in the Utica, New York area. Ares admitted to making numerous trips to the New York City area to purchase fentanyl, which he then drove back to the Utica area where he and others re-distributed it. Ares admitted that on September 20, 2021, he drove to the New York City area and received 3 kilograms of fentanyl for redistribution. Law enforcement officers stopped the vehicle Ares was driving and recovered 3 kilograms of fentanyl hidden inside a speaker in the trunk.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 6, 2023, before United States District Judge David N. Hurd. Ares faces a minimum of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life imprisonment, a fine of up to $10 million, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
This case is being investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the United States Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI), the New York State Police, the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, the Oneida County District Attorney’s Office, the City of Utica Police Department, the City of Syracuse Police Department, the City of Rome Police Department, United States Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE), the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, the New York Army National Guard Counter Drug Program, the Village of Yorkville Police Department, and the Village of Whitesboro Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamara Thomson.
Saugerties Man Sentenced to 85 Months for Receiving and Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Robert Morales, age 73, of Saugerties, New York, was sentenced today to serve 85 months in prison for receipt and possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Michael Alfonso, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), New York.
United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby also sentenced Morales to 15 years of supervised release, to begin following his term of imprisonment, and ordered him to pay a $5,000 fine and $15,000 in restitution to five of the victims depicted in the materials he possessed. Morales will also be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.
Morales pled guilty on July 15, 2021. He admitted that between May 2014 and November 2017, he used a desktop computer equipped with a peer-to-peer file-sharing application to receive, and make available for download, child pornography. Morales also possessed child pornography on seven other devices that were seized from his residence. Morales’s desktop computer and external devices contained approximately 36 video files and 1,182 image files depicting child pornography.
This case was investigated by HSI. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Emmet O’Hanlon 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.
Jury Convicts Fayetteville Man of Lying to FAARead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Noah Felice, 71, was convicted yesterday of lying to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) following a two-day jury trial in the United States District Court in Syracuse, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Christopher A. Scharf, Special Agent in Charge, Northeastern Region of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General and Christopher F. Algieri, Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Field Office of the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General.
During the trial, evidence was presented that proved that in September 2017, Felice submitted to the FAA an application for an airman medical certificate, which is a certificate demonstrating that a pilot is medically fit to fly an aircraft. On the application, Felice stated that he had no history of criminal convictions and was not receiving medical disability benefits. In fact, Felice had four prior misdemeanor convictions, two of which were for lying about his criminal history on state and local forms. Felice also was receiving several thousand dollars a month from the Department of Veterans Affairs because he had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 19, 2023, in Syracuse, New York, at which time the defendant faces a term of imprisonment of up to 5 years, 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.
This case is being investigated by the Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General and the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas Sutcliffe and Paul Tuck.
Herkimer County Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Bath Salts with Intent to DistributeRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Jordan Burks a/k/a Justin Burts, age 32, of Ilion, New York, pled guilty today to possessing 860 grams of the drug commonly called “bath salts” with the intent to distribute it, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Buffalo Field Office.
Burks admitted that on January 12, 2022, he possessed at his home approximately 454 grams of alpha-Pyrrolidinohexiophenone, three digital scales, and $19,393 in cash. Burks admitted that he intended to sell the bath salts. He further admitted that between October 2021 and January 2022, law enforcement seized 5 packages containing additional bath salts that were supposed to be delivered to his apartment.
Burks pled guilty before United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby. Sentencing is scheduled for April 20, 2023. Burks faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million, and a term of supervised release of between 3 years and life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
This case was investigated by HSI and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Reiner.
Former Prattsville Town Supervisor Sentenced for Grant FraudRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Kory O’Hara, age 45, the former Town Supervisor of Prattsville, New York, was sentenced today to 1 year of probation, and ordered to pay a $5,000 fine and $24,915 in restitution to the State of New York, for committing wire fraud in connection with a grant extended to Prattsville in the wake of Hurricane Irene.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli; Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); John Pias, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office, Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector (DHS-OIG); and Christina Scaringi, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Region (HUD-OIG).
In August 2011, Hurricane Irene caused significant damage to Prattsville, resulting in the issuance of millions of dollars in rehabilitation grants to Prattsville and its residents. As Town Supervisor, O’Hara entered into various grant agreements, including with the New York State Housing Trust Fund Corporation.
In pleading guilty, O’Hara admitted that between 2013 and 2015, he obtained false invoices from a Prattsville-based modular home business, Moore’s Homes, purporting to reflect construction work on O’Hara’s automotive garage, O’Hara’s Service Station, which Moore’s Homes did not perform. O’Hara issued checks to Moore’s Homes reflecting payment on the invoices, but Moore’s Homes returned all of the money.
O’Hara, who was Town Supervisor at the time, then submitted the false invoices and fully reimbursed checks to Prattsville and the New York State Housing Trust Fund Corporation to fraudulently obtain $24,915 in grant proceeds under the New York Main Street Program.
This case was investigated by the Office of the New York State Comptroller, Division of Investigation; FBI; DHS-OIG; and HUD-OIG, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyrus P.W. Rieck.
Vermont Sex Offender Sentenced to More Than 20 Years on Attempted Enticement and Child Pornography ConvictionsRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Dennis Lavigne, age 57, of Derby, Vermont, was sentenced today to 250 months in prison for attempting to coerce and entice a minor, as well as transportation 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 prior guilty plea, Lavigne admitted that in 2000, he pled guilty to aggravated sexual assault of a victim less than 10 years of age and was sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison (suspended except for 90 days). He further admitted that between November 19-24, 2019, he exchanged sexually explicit text messages with someone he believed was the mother of an 11-year-old child. In these messages, Lavigne expressed a desire to engage in sexual acts with the child. On November 24, 2019, Lavigne traveled from Vermont to Albany, with the intent to engage in sexual acts with the presumed child. Lavigne was subsequently arrested and further admitted to transporting child pornography files, which law enforcement officials recovered from Lavigne’s phone. Many of the child pornography files featured the rape and sexual abuse of prepubescent minors, including infants.
United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino also imposed a life term of post-imprisonment supervised release and ordered Lavigne to pay restitution to the victims of the child pornography offenses.
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, Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, and the New York State Police. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rachel L. Williams 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.
Troy Felon Pleads Guilty to Unlawful Possession of AmmunitionRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Adam Middleton, age 40, of Troy, New York, pled guilty today to unlawfully possessing ammunition as a felon. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Ketty Larco-Ward, Postal Inspector in Charge of the Boston Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).
Middleton admitted that on December 7, 2021, he possessed a Glock magazine loaded with 17 rounds of 9 mm ammunition, in addition to numerous additional rounds of ammunition, at his residence in Troy. At the time, Middleton had a prior felony conviction for criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree. Under federal law, that conviction prevented Middleton from lawfully possessing the ammunition.
When Senior United States District Judge Gary L. Sharpe sentences Middleton on April 4, 2023, Middleton faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of up to 3 years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
This case was investigated by the 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. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) also assisted in this investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin S. Clark.
Maryland Man Pleads Guilty to Unlawfully Transporting Five AliensRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Alexander Guillen-Tamayo, age 32, of Lanham, Maryland, pled guilty today to unlawfully transporting five citizens of Mexico.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Acting Chief Patrol Agent Keith Hoops, United States Border Patrol, Swanton Sector.
Guillen-Tamayo admitted that on a date prior to October 8, 2022, he was contacted by an individual who asked him to drive to Champlain, New York, to pick up aliens and drive them back to Maryland. On October 8, he drove to Champlain from his home in Maryland, and picked up five Mexican citizens unlawfully present in the United States. The defendant’s vehicle was subsequently stopped near Plattsburgh, New York. He admitted that he planned to drive his passengers to Maryland, and that he expected to be paid approximately $3,000.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 4, 2023 before United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino. Guillen-Tamayo faces up to 10 years in prison, a 3-year term of post-release supervision, and a fine up to $250,000. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
This case was investigated by United States Border Patrol and the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica N. Carbone.
Indiana Man Pleads Guilty to Unlawfully Transporting Three AliensRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Jose Manuel Mejias-Ayala, age 46, of Washington, Indiana, pled guilty today to unlawfully transporting three aliens.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Acting Chief Patrol Agent Keith Hoops, United States Border Patrol, Swanton Sector.
Mejias-Ayala admitted that on September 25, 2022, he drove his SUV from Indiana to Mooers, New York, to pick up three Mexican citizens who had recently illegally crossed the international border from Canada into the United States. The defendant also admitted that he planned to drive the three people to Chicago, Illinois. Mejias-Ayala further admitted that he was to be paid $6,000 for his efforts in transporting the Mexican citizens.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 4, 2023 before United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino. Mejias-Ayala faces up to 10 years in prison, a 3-year term of post-release supervision, and a fine up to $250,000. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
This case was investigated by the United States Border Patrol and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Belliss.
“John Doe” Sentenced to 57 Months for Misusing a Social Security Number and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – “John Doe,” of Owego, New York, was sentenced today to 57 months in prison for aggravated identity theft and misuse of a social security number. Doe used the name, social security number and date of birth of a homeless U.S. Army veteran to fraudulently obtain $249,811.93 in Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits and an additional $588,645.85 in state benefits. Doe’s true identity has yet to be confirmed.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Gail. S. Ennis, Inspector General for the Social Security Administration (SSA).
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman stated: “We don’t yet know the defendant’s name, but we know what he did. Today’s sentence justly punishes him for stealing the identity of a homeless veteran to fraudulently obtain hundreds of thousands of dollars in government benefits. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of local, state and federal investigators, we were able to bring John Doe to justice in spite of not knowing his true identity.”
SSA Inspector General Gail S. Ennis stated: “This individual stole the identity of a U.S. Army veteran to fraudulently obtain Supplemental Security Income benefits, a critical safety net for those in need. This sentence holds him accountable for his unlawful actions. My office will continue to pursue those who steal another person’s identity and misuse a social security number for personal gain. I appreciate the work of our law enforcement partners in this complex investigation and I thank Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adrian S. LaRochelle and Michael Gadarian for prosecuting this case.”
Doe was found guilty following a 4-day trial in May 2022. The evidence established that from approximately 1999 until June 2021, Doe received SSI benefits under the name, date of birth, and Social Security number of a homeless U.S. Army veteran living in North Carolina. When Doe’s use of the veteran’s identity was ultimately discovered and Doe was questioned by federal agents, Doe continued to falsely claim the identity as his own and provided agents with a photocopy of the victim’s birth certificate and Social Security card, claiming these documents were his own. Agents located the veteran and established through fingerprint and DNA analysis that Doe is not the person he claims to be.
United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino also ordered Doe to serve a 3-year term of supervised release following his release from prison and ordered Doe to pay a total $838,457.78 in restitution in connection with the benefits he unlawfully received under the victim’s name.
This case was investigated by the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General, the Tioga County Sheriff’s Office, the Tioga County Department of Social Services, and the New York State Police, with assistance provided by the U.S. Marshals Service. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adrian S. LaRochelle and Michael D. Gadarian.
Troy Sex Offender Sentenced for Attempting to Entice a MinorRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Lawrence Belcher, age 37, of Troy, New York, was sentenced today to 188 months in prison for attempting to coerce and entice a child to engage in sexual acts with him. The announcement was made by 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).
In previously pleading guilty, Belcher admitted that between January and April 2022, he sent sexually explicit text messages to someone he believed to be a 13-year-old boy. Belcher asked to meet the child in person in order to engage in sexual acts with the child in his car. On April 14, 2022, Belcher traveled to a motel parking lot in Schenectady County in order to meet and have sex with the child. Belcher was encountered by law enforcement upon his arrival and arrested; he has been in custody since April 14.
Belcher has a prior misdemeanor conviction for sexually abusing a child younger than 14 years old, and was a registered sex offender at the time of his arrest in April. He also has two misdemeanor convictions for failing to comply with New York State sex offender registry requirements.
Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes also imposed a 15-year term of supervised release to begin after Belcher is released from prison. Belcher will also have to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.
This case was investigated by the FBI and its Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes FBI Special Agents and members of state and local law enforcement agencies, including the Rotterdam and Colonie Police Departments. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael Barnett 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.
Troy Man Sentenced for Possessing Firearms as a FelonRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Justin Smith, age 22, of Troy, New York, was sentenced today to 21 months in prison for possessing firearms as a previously convicted felon. The announcement was made by 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 prior guilty plea, Smith admitted that on March 4, 2021, he possessed a Smith & Wesson M&P 9 mm pistol and an HS Produkt 40 caliber pistol that were recovered after a search warrant was executed at a residence in Troy. Smith had posted, to SnapChat, photos and videos of himself handling the firearms the night before they were recovered. Smith was prohibited from possessing the firearms due to a previous felony conviction involving a firearm.
Senior United States District Judge Gary L. Sharpe also imposed a 3-year term of supervised release, which will start after Smith is released from prison.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Troy Police Department, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dustin Segovia.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Tioga County Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Timothy E. Deuel, age 64, of Tioga County, New York, was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for possessing child pornography. The announcement was made by 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 prior guilty plea, Deuel acknowledged that in March 2015, he was sentenced to 87 months in prison and 10 years of supervised release for distribution of child pornography. Deuel admitted that during the term of supervised release that followed his term of imprisonment, he possessed, at his residence, three digital storage devices that contained a total of approximately 1,000 images of child pornography and more than 200 video files of child pornography.
United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby also imposed a 15-year term of post-imprisonment supervised release, ordered forfeiture of the devices used as part of the offense, and ordered Deuel to pay a total of $45,000 restitution to victims of the offense.
This case was investigated by the FBI Syracuse Mid-State Child Exploitation Task Force, comprised of FBI Special Agents and Investigators of the New York State Police, Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. McCrobie 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.
Chenango County Man Sentenced to 87 Months for Drug and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Jonas Whaley, age 37, of Chenango County, New York, was sentenced today to 87 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; John B. Devito, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), New York Field Division; Chenango County District Attorney Michael D. Ferrarese; New York State Police Acting Superintendent Steven Nigrelli; Chenango County Sheriff Ernest R. Cutting Jr.; and Broome County Sheriff David E. Harder.
As part of his earlier guilty plea, Whaley admitted that he possessed with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine. Whaley further admitted that he possessed two pistols and a revolver, which he used in furtherance of his drug trafficking to protect himself, the drugs he planned to distribute, and drug proceeds.
United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby also ordered Whaley to serve a 4-year term of post-imprisonment supervised release and the forfeiture of $3,600 in drug proceeds.
This case was investigated by ATF, New York State Police Violent Gang and Narcotics Enforcement Team (VGNET), Chenango County Sheriff’s Office, and the Broome County Sheriff’s Office, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. McCrobie.
Syracuse Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Drug Conspiracy and DistributionRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Eric F. Jackson, aka “The Mexican,” aka “Pops,” age 49, of Syracuse, was sentenced Tuesday to 180 months in prison for his leadership of a drug-trafficking organization that distributed methamphetamine in Onondaga County and elsewhere in Central New York.
The announcement was made by 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 prior guilty plea, Jackson admitted that beginning no later than May 2020 through April 2021, he conspired with others to transport methamphetamine from California to locations in the Northern District of New York, including Syracuse, for distribution. Jackson admitted that in furtherance of the conspiracy, in December 2020, a coconspirator drove with approximately 4.6 kilograms of pure methamphetamine from California destined for Syracuse but was intercepted by police and arrested in Oklahoma City. Jackson also admitted that he arranged for methamphetamine to be shipped by a common carrier to addresses in the Syracuse area, which were provided by coconspirators. In addition to participating in the conspiracy, Jackson admitted that he personally distributed more than 50 grams of pure methamphetamine to another individual in Syracuse. Jackson further admitted that at the time of his arrest in April 2021, at a small convenience store on Park Street in Syracuse, New York, he possessed approximately $17,460 in drug proceeds, and more than 350 grams of pure methamphetamine, which he intended to distribute.
United States District Judge David N. Hurd also ordered Jackson to serve a 5-year term of supervised release to follow his release from prison, the forfeiture of the $17,460 of seized currency, and ordered Jackson to pay a money judgment of $1,300.
This case is being investigated by DEA, U.S. Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), New York State Police-Violent Gang and Narcotics Enforcement Team (NYSP-VGNET), Onondaga County (New York) Sheriff’s Office, Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, Syracuse Police Department, Oklahoma City Police Department, San Bernardino County (California) Sheriff’s Office, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. McCrobie.
Troy Felon Charged with Illegally Possessing AmmunitionRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Derbie Michel, age 31, of Troy, New York, was charged by indictment today with illegally possessing ammunition as a convicted felon.
The announcement was made by 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).
According to the indictment and other court filings, Michel, a convicted felon, threw five rounds of ammunition from a car while being pursued by members of the Troy Police Department on October 15, 2022. Michel also threw a privately made firearm, or “ghost gun,” from the car during the same pursuit. The charges in the indictment and complaint are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Michel was previously charged by criminal complaint and appeared yesterday before United States Magistrate Judge Christian F. Hummel, who ordered Michel detained pending trial.
The charge against Michel carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of up to 3 years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Capital District Safe Streets Gang Task Force, which includes FBI Special Agents and members of state and local law enforcement agencies, including the Troy Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Allen J. Vickey and Joshua R. Rosenthal. The U.S. Marshals Service provided valuable assistance with the defendant’s apprehension in this case.
New Jersey Man Pleads Guilty to Trafficking CocaineRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Robert “Bobby” Ingrao, age 75, of Lodi, New Jersey, pled guilty today to conspiring to distribute cocaine, and to possessing 9 kilograms of cocaine and intending to deliver it to co-conspirators in Schenectady, New York.
The announcement was made by 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.
Ingrao admitted that on March 31, 2021, he and co-conspirators drove to Schenectady in two cars in order to take possession of a third vehicle, a blue Jeep Grand Cherokee. The blue Jeep contained a hidden compartment, or “trap,” in its trunk area.
One of Ingrao’s co-conspirators then drove the blue Jeep from Schenectady to the New York City/northern New Jersey area. At some point between the evening of March 31 and the morning of April 2, Ingrao’s co-conspirators placed 9 kilograms of cocaine in the blue Jeep’s hidden compartment.
On the morning of April 2, 2021, Ingrao drove the blue Jeep north from the New York City/northern New Jersey area, knowing that its hidden compartment contained 9 kilograms of cocaine, and intending to deliver that cocaine to other co-conspirators in Schenectady.
New York State Police conducted a traffic stop of Ingrao in Greene County, as he was driving the blue Jeep alone, north on Interstate 87. Troopers then discovered 9 kilograms of cocaine in the blue Jeep’s hidden compartment.
Sentencing is scheduled for March 22, 2023. Ingrao 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.
Three defendants still face charges in this case:
- Richard “Richie” Sinde, age 57, of Fort Lee, New Jersey;
- Jeffrey C. Civitello Sr., age 51, of Schenectady; and
- Jeffrey C. Civitello Jr., age 23 of Schenectady.
They are scheduled to go on trial on April 17, 2023, before United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino. As to these remaining defendants, the charges in the indictment are merely accusations. These defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
This case is being 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, and the New York State Police. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett.
Pennsylvania Man Sentenced for Drug Conspiracy and MurderRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Kyle M. Leeper, age 38, of Palmyra, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to serve 40 years in federal prison for a murder committed during a drug trafficking conspiracy, conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Sheriff Mark E. Helms, Cortland County (New York) Sheriff’s Office, and Chief Andrew Espinoza Jr., City of Barstow (California) Police Department.
As part of his previous guilty plea, Leeper admitted he was part of a conspiracy that trafficked methamphetamine from Indiana and Southern California to Cortland County, New York, where Leeper distributed it to local residents and drug dealers. In the fall of 2018, co-defendant Crystal Stephens, of Groton, New York, who was incarcerated in Indiana on burglary charges, contacted Leeper by telephone with contact information for co-defendant John Rice, an Indiana-based methamphetamine dealer. Leeper communicated with Rice by telephone and then travelled to and from Indiana twice in late 2018 and early 2019, where he obtained crystal methamphetamine and a .380 caliber pistol from Rice. Leeper distributed this methamphetamine in the Cortland area.
After Rice was arrested in Indiana in early January 2019, Leeper arranged to travel to the Los Angeles area to purchase more methamphetamine. From jail Crystal Stephens provided Leeper with telephone numbers for possible methamphetamine sources in East Los Angeles. In mid-January 2019, Leeper and an associate, co-defendant Ramon Nieves-Cotto, drove from Cortland to Los Angeles, where Leeper contacted one of these sources. The source sought assistance from co-defendant Arlene Rodriguez, who introduced Leeper to a middleman. On January 17, 2019, this middleman arranged for Leeper to buy three pounds of crystal methamphetamine for $5,000 from co-defendant Jose Pimentel. But after the methamphetamine was delivered to a motel in El Monte, California, Leeper realized that he had been shortchanged on the quantity delivered. Leeper abducted the middleman and Arlene Rodriguez at gunpoint. Later that day, Nieves-Cotto purchased zip ties, which Leeper used to bind the middleman. On the night of January 17, 2019, in the desert in Barstow, California, Leeper shot the bound middleman eight times from behind with the .380 caliber pistol, killing him. Leeper and Nieves-Cotto, along with Rodriguez, then drove to Cortland, where Leeper distributed the methamphetamine he obtained on this trip to California.
In early February 2019, Leeper, Nieves-Cotto, and Rodriguez returned to Los Angeles, where Leeper purchased an additional six to eight pounds of methamphetamine and a 9 mm pistol from co-defendant Edgar Arredondo. Upon his return to Cortland, Leeper, assisted by Rodriguez, began to distribute this methamphetamine. On February 19, 2019, officers from the Cortland County Sheriff’s Office stopped Leeper and Rodriguez while they were driving in Leeper’s pickup truck, which had an expired registration and cracked windshield. Inside the truck, the officers found four pounds of high-purity methamphetamine, the loaded .380 caliber pistol Leeper had used to commit the murder, and ammunition. They arrested Leeper, who previously had been convicted of state and federal felony offenses in Pennsylvania, and Rodriguez.
United States Attorney Carla Freedman said, “Kyle Leeper’s sentence today is justice for his cold-blooded killing of a man in the California desert as part of a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy. After kidnapping and binding the victim, Leeper brutally shot him eight times in the back and then left him in Barstow, California. Leeper also brought pounds of methamphetamine to Cortland from Los Angeles and Indiana until state and federal investigators worked together to stop him and his co-conspirators. Leeper will spend the next 40 years in a federal prison to pay for the violence and suffering he inflicted.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Janeen DiGuiseppe said, “Today’s sentence is indicative of the success that can be attained when federal, state, and local agencies combine resources to remove violent offenders from our communities. Mr. Leeper was so committed to trafficking dangerous drugs into Cortland County he was willing to kill anyone who stood in his way. Thanks to the strong collaboration between our law enforcement partners in New York and California, he is now being held accountable for his despicable actions. The FBI is grateful to our law enforcement partners and we remain dedicated to working together to investigate and apprehend violent drug traffickers whose actions threaten the health and safety of our neighborhoods.”
Cortland County Sheriff Mark E. Helms said, “I am extremely proud of both Sgt. Mike Winchell and Officer Peter Wright for turning what some would consider a routine traffic stop into a major multi-agency investigation. Additionally, I would like to thank all the other investigators from my office, as well as all the other officers and agencies that worked together and were able to put together this complex case resulting in the successful prosecution of Kyle Leeper and Arlene Rodriguez. This truly is a great example of local, state, and federal agencies working together.”
Barstow, California Chief of Police Andrew Espinoza, Jr. said, “Kyle Leeper committed a heinous crime in our city and today he was held accountable to the victim and his family. This investigation was complex and spanned across the country. I commend the collaborative effort of all the law enforcement agencies involved and for the federal prosecutors who handled this case. It was through their diligence and hard work that Kyle Leeper received justice today.”
Six (6) other co-defendants previously pled guilty to participating in the drug trafficking conspiracy with Kyle Leeper, and/or aiding and abetting the murder.
Ramon Nieves-Cotto, 30, of DeRuyter, New York, pled guilty to aiding and abetting a murder during a drug conspiracy, and conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. He was sentenced on October 7, 2022, to serve 156 months in federal prison, and a four-year term of supervised release.
Crystal J. Stephens, 34, of Groton, New York, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. She was sentenced on November 15, 2022, to serve 100 months in federal prison, and a four-year term of supervised release.
Arlene N. Rodriguez, 38, of Montebello, California, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking crime. She was sentenced on October 6, 2022, to serve 94 months in prison, to be followed by four- year term of supervised release.
Jose Pimentel, Jr., 31, of Los Angeles, California, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute, and posses with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. He is scheduled to be sentenced on December 1, 2022.
Edgar Arredondo, 35, of Los Angeles, California, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. He also pled guilty to charges based on his possession in the Central District of California of a shotgun ammunition, and 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. He is scheduled to be sentenced on December 1, 2022.
John Rice, 57, of Crawfordsville, Indiana, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. He is scheduled to be sentenced on January 12, 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.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Cortland County (New York) Sheriff’s Office, the Barstow (California) Police Department, and the San Bernadino (California) County Sheriff’s Department, with assistance from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Cortland County (New York) District Attorney’s Office, the Montgomery County (Indiana) Sheriff’s Department, the Montgomery County (Indiana) District Attorney’s Office, the Pomona (California) Police Department, and the El Monte (California) Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steven D. Clymer, Richard R. Southwick, and Thomas R. Sutcliffe.
Ellenville Felon Sentenced to 97 Months for Drug Trafficking Conspiracy and Unlawful Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Antonio Naveo, age 42, of Ellenville, New York, was sentenced today to 97 months in prison for his leadership of a drug trafficking organization that distributed cocaine base and fentanyl in Ulster County, as well as for his unlawful possession of a firearm.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Michael Alfonso, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), New York; and Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa, whose office leads the Ulster Regional Gang Enforcement Narcotics Team (URGENT).
As part of his previously entered guilty plea, Naveo admitted that between September 2017 and December 2018, he led an organization that trafficked over 500 grams of cocaine base, as well as fentanyl, from New York City and Pennsylvania, respectively, to Ellenville for redistribution at various locations in the Rondout Valley. Naveo further admitted that he unlawfully possessed a firearm as a previously convicted felon.
United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino also ordered Naveo to serve a 4-year term of supervised release following his release from prison.
The following defendants previously pled guilty in connection with the conspiracy, and were sentenced as follows:
Name
Prison Term
Supervised Release Term
Iqwan Mandiville, aka “Qwan”
70 months
4 years
Margaret Vandyke
60 months
3 years
Luis Curet
46 months
3 years
Randy Mandiville, aka “B-Murda”
42 months
6 years
Jennifer McCombs
24 months
3 years
Edwin Jorge
Time served
3 years
This case was investigated by HSI, the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with URGENT, an inter-agency taskforce targeting drug dealers and gang members in Ulster County, and the New York State Police, with assistance from the Village of Ellenville Police and the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emmet O’Hanlon.
Rensselaer County Man Sentenced to 130 Months for Drug and Firearm ConvictionsRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Justin Micheli, age 35, of Schodack, New York, was sentenced today to 130 months in prison for possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, possessing ammunition as a previously convicted felon, and possessing with the intent to distribute cocaine.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Frank A. Tarantino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division.
As part of his guilty plea, Micheli admitted that on March 16, 2021, he possessed more than 700 grams of cocaine with the intent to distribute it and possessed a loaded semi-automatic pistol made from component parts without a serial number, also known as a “ghost gun,” to protect his drugs and drug proceeds. Micheli also admitted to possessing ammunition as a previously convicted felon. Micheli had three prior felony convictions for drug offenses.
United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino also ordered Micheli to serve a 4-year term of post-imprisonment supervised release.
This case was investigated by the DEA and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alexander Wentworth-Ping. The case was prosecuted to indictment by Assistant United States Attorney Ashlyn Miranda.
Cohoes Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing a Stolen FirearmRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Zachary Adams, age 30, of Cohoes, New York, pled guilty today to possession of a stolen firearm.
The announcement was made by 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).
As part of his guilty plea, Adams, a former delivery driver, admitted that on May 25, 2019, he stole a rifle that he was supposed to deliver to a gun dealer in Hillsdale, New York. Adams further admitted that he sold the rifle to an acquaintance several days later.
Adams faces up to 10 years in prison, a 3-year term of post-release supervision, and a fine of up to $250,000. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
This case was investigated by ATF and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua R. Rosenthal.
Chicago Man Pleads Guilty to Attempted Enticement of a MinorRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Kevin Couture, age 41, of Chicago, Illinois, pled guilty today to attempted enticement and coercion of a minor, 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, Couture admitted that, between January and February 2022, he exchanged sexually explicit messages online with an undercover officer posing as a 9-year-old child in an attempt to entice the child into engaging in sexual acts with him. Couture also admitted that, on February 8, 2022, he traveled to a prearranged meeting location in Oneida County, New York, with the intent to engage in sexual acts with the 9-year-old child. Couture was arrested by law enforcement upon arrival at the location.
The charge against Couture carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, a maximum sentence of life, 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. Couture will also be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.
Couture’s sentencing is currently scheduled for March 22, 2023, in Syracuse before United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby.
This case was investigated by the FBI Syracuse Mid-State Child Exploitation Task Force, comprised of FBI Special Agents and Investigators of the New York State Police, Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and Computer Crimes Unit (CCU). This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adrian S. LaRochelle as part of Project Safe Childhood.
Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Albany Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Drug Distribution ConspiracyRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Wayne Myers, age 32, of Albany, was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for distributing and conspiring to distribute cocaine, cocaine base, methamphetamine, and amphetamine.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Frank A. Tarantino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division.
As part of his guilty plea, Myers admitted that between June 2020 and February 2021, he distributed cocaine, cocaine base, methamphetamine, and amphetamine. He admitted that, in coordination with his co-conspirators, he distributed at least 343.1 grams of cocaine base, 251 grams of cocaine, 145 grams of amphetamine, and 5.7 grams of methamphetamine. Myers further agreed to forfeit $40,050 as proceeds from drug sales.
Senior United States District Lawrence E. Kahn also ordered Myers to serve a 5-year term of post-imprisonment supervised release.
This case was investigated by the DEA and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashlyn Miranda.