Northern District of New York
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Rensselaer County Elections Commissioner IndictedRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Jason Schofield, age 42, of Troy, New York, was arraigned today on an indictment charging him with unlawfully using the names and dates of birth of voters to fraudulently apply for absentee ballots for elections held in Rensselaer County in 2021.
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).
Schofield is an Elections Commissioner at the Rensselaer County Board of Elections.
The indictment alleges that in 2021, Schofield unlawfully possessed and used the names and dates of birth of voters in connection with absentee ballot applications he submitted to a New York State Board of Elections web site.
The indictment alleges that Schofield applied for absentee ballots in the names of people who had no interest in voting in 2021; did not request absentee ballots, or Schofield’s assistance in voting or obtaining absentee ballots, in 2021; and/or did not know that Schofield was using their personal information. In some of these instances, according to the indictment, Schofield also took possession of the absentee ballots issued to these voters, brought the ballots to the voters, and had the voters sign absentee ballot envelopes but not actually vote; this allowed Schofield or another person to cast votes in these voters’ names, in Rensselaer County’s primary and general elections held in 2021.
The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Schofield was arraigned today before United States Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart, and was ordered released on his own recognizance pending a trial scheduled before United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino.
On each of 12 counts, if convicted, Schofield would face up to 5 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 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 prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett.
Georgia Man Indicted for Misuse of Social Security Number and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Gregory William Hill, whose aliases include Gregory Allen Davis, Gregory William Davis, and John Martin Hill, age 37, of Georgia, has been charged by indictment with two counts of misuse of a social security number and two counts of aggravated identity theft. The indictment was announced 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 indictment alleges that Hill impersonated a former graduate of Syracuse University and used that victim’s name and a false social security number for the purpose of obtaining information and documentation from Syracuse University by fraud.
The charges filed against Hill carry a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison for the social security fraud counts and mandatory two-year terms of imprisonment for the aggravated identity theft counts; a fine of up to $250,000 for each count; and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
The defendant was arraigned today by videoconference before United States Magistrate Judge Miroslav Lovric and has been ordered detained pending a trial to be scheduled before United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby.
The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
This case is being investigated by the FBI, and it is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael F. Perry.
Syracuse Man Sentenced to 51 Months for Committing Wire Fraud and Filing False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Glen Zinszer, age 52, of Liverpool, New York was sentenced today to serve 51 months in federal prison for committing wire fraud and filing false tax returns, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Thomas Fattorusso, Special Agent in Charge, New York Field Office, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (“IRS-CI”), and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
As part of his previous guilty plea, Zinszer admitted that he began operating the Brazzlebox company in 2012, which he represented to investors would be like Facebook for business. Beginning in April 2013 and continuing until approximately the summer of 2016, Zinszer made false representations to investors about how Brazzlebox was doing to cause them to invest more money and stay invested. For example, Zinszer inflated Brazzlebox’s user numbers and told employees to create fake user accounts to inflate those numbers, misrepresented purportedly revenue-generating strategic partnerships, forged documents to effectuate those falsehoods, and forged a letter of intent to purchase Brazzlebox for millions of dollars.
From 2012 through 2016, Zinszer used a substantial portion of the money invested in Brazzlebox to finance his lifestyle rather than to operate the business, including paying mortgages on his homes and purchasing concert tickets and jewelry. Although Zinszer used money from Brazzlebox to finance his lifestyle, he willfully filed false tax returns underreporting his income in tax years 2013-2016.
Senior United States District Judge Frederick J. Scullin, Jr. also imposed a 3 year term of supervised release, which will start after Zinszer is released from prison, and ordered him to pay restitution in the amount of $3,049,933 to his victims including the government, forfeiture in the amount of $2,763,811, and a $200 special assessment.
Zinszer’s case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (“IRS-CI”) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Michael D. Gadarian and Geoffrey J.L. Brown.
Syracuse Man Sentenced for Naturalization FraudRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - Fadl Mohamad Alharbi, age 51, of Syracuse, was sentenced today in federal court in Syracuse to a $10,000 fine and to two years of supervised release following his conviction for naturalizing contrary to law and submitting a false statement in a passport application. The sentence was announced by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Special Agent-in-Charge Keith J. Byrne, New York Field Office, U.S. Department of State-Diplomatic Security Service (DSS).
Alharbi was convicted following a jury trial in August 2021 in Binghamton, New York. The trial evidence revealed that Alharbi, a native of Yemen, used a false name and falsely posed as the son of his uncle, who was a U.S. citizen (and is now deceased), to obtain lawful permanent residency in the United States and, later, to naturalize as a U.S. citizen and to apply for a passport. The defendant later admitted in interviews with immigration and Department of State officials that he knew these facts about his identity were false and that he had submitted these false statements to naturalize and to obtain a passport.
Alharbi will also be denaturalized (lose his U.S. citizenship) as a result of his conviction.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of State-Diplomatic Security Service with assistance from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and it was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael F. Perry.
Former Utica Tax Preparer Indicted for Tax FraudRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Dianna Nolan, age 46, formerly of Utica, New York, has been charged by indictment with two counts of filing false income tax returns and 15 counts of aiding and assisting the filing of false income tax returns. The indictment was announced by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Thomas Fattorusso, Executive Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CI), New York Field Office.
The indictment alleges that Nolan worked as a professional tax return preparer in Oneida County, New York, between at least 2014 through 2018. Nolan is charged with filing false income tax returns on behalf of various clients during those years by falsely claiming losses for rental properties. Nolan is also charged with filing false tax returns on her own behalf for tax years 2017 and 2018 by failing to report all of the income she received from her tax preparation business.
The charges filed against Nolan carry a maximum sentence of 3 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, a term of supervised release of up to 1 year, and a special assessment of $100 per count of conviction. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
The defendant, who recently moved to Florida, was arraigned today by videoconference before United States Magistrate Judge Miroslav Lovric and released pending a trial to be scheduled before Senior United States District Court Judge Norman A. Mordue.
The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
This case is being investigated by Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CI), and it is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael F. Perry.
Four Charged in Capital Region Cocaine Distribution ConspiracyRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Four people have been indicted for conspiring to distribute cocaine that was mailed from Puerto Rico to the Capital Region, announced 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).
The indictment alleges that between June 2021 and December 2021, in Albany and Rensselaer Counties, the following four men engaged in a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine:
- Jan Lopez-Colon, age 28, of Troy, New York;
- Jesus Baez, age 32, of Loudonville, New York;
- Ilvin Batista-Figueroa, age 31, of Albany; and
- Sam Calderon, age 20, of Troy.
According to a complaint previously filed in the case, over the period of June to December 2021, the defendants obtained numerous packages shipped by U.S. Mail from Puerto Rico to addresses in the Capital Region, and each package contained approximately one kilogram of cocaine. The packages were then retrieved by the defendants and transported to Troy, where the cocaine was processed for distribution. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The four defendants are also each charged with possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and Baez is also charged with being a felon in possession of ammunition.
The charges filed against Lopez-Colon carry a minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum sentence of life in prison, a fine of up to $10 million, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. Baez, Batista-Figueroa, and Calderon each face a minimum sentence of 5 years and a maximum sentence 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.
Lopez-Colon and Baez were arraigned this week before United States Magistrate Judge Christian F. Hummel. Lopez-Colon is detained pending trial before Senior United States District Judge Gary L. Sharpe. Baez is detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for September 9. Batista-Figueroa and Calderon waived arraignment and are released pending trial.
This case is being 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, as well as the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin S. Clark.
Syracuse Man Sentenced to 150 Months for Distributing, Receiving and Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Ted Serr, 38, of Syracuse, was sentenced today to serve 150 months in federal prison for distributing, receiving and possessing child pornography, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Matthew Scarpino, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Buffalo, New York Field Office, and New York State Police Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen.
As part of his guilty plea, Serr admitted that he actively traded child pornography images and videos using a social media messaging application on his cellular telephone, and that on June 2, 2021, he distributed a video file depicting sexual conduct with a child who was between 8 and 11 years old. Serr further admitted that on June 8, 2021, he received a video file depicting sexual conduct with a child who was between 3 and 5 years old. Finally, Serr admitted that on June 10, 2021, he knowingly possessed 52 image files and 452 video files depicting child pornography on his cellular telephone.
Senior United States District Judge Norman A. Mordue also imposed a 15-year term of supervised release, which will start after Serr is released from prison, and ordered Serr to pay $6,000 in restitution and a $300 special assessment. Serr will also be required to register as a sex offender.
Serr’s case was investigated by United States Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and Investigators of the New York State Police, Computer Crimes Unit (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.
Broome County Business Owner Sentenced to Prison for Tax FraudRead the Press Release
BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK - Nezir “Nick” Boljevic, age 57, of Broome County, New York, was sentenced today in federal court in Utica to 12 months and 1 day in prison after previously pleading guilty to one felony count of willful failure to pay federal payroll taxes, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Thomas Fattorusso, Executive Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CI), New York Field Office.
In his guilty plea, Boljevic admitted that from 2007 through 2017, while he owned and operated Vestal Diner in Vestal, New York, he failed to make payroll tax payments to the government with respect to his employees, including for Social Security and Medicare taxes. Boljevic withheld the payroll taxes from his employees’ paychecks but did not report the withholdings or turn the money over to the Internal Revenue Service. To avoid IRS collection efforts, Boljevic repeatedly put Vestal Diner in the names of a series of nominee owners with different Employer Identification Numbers for tax purposes, even though Boljevic remained the true owner and operator of Vestal Diner. In total, Boljevic failed to pay approximately $322,516.51 in payroll taxes to the Internal Revenue Service between 2007 and 2017. Boljevic no longer owns or operates Vestal Diner.
The defendant will serve a three-year term of supervised release after he completes his prison sentence, and he was ordered to pay $322,516.51 in restitution to the IRS.
This case was investigated by Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CI), and it was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael F. Perry and former Assistant United States Attorney Andrew Beaty.
Delaware County Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Sexually Exploiting a Child, and Distributing and Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - Jeremie Hoyt, age 42, of Davenport, New York, was sentenced today to serve 25 years in federal prison for sexually exploiting a child and distributing and possessing child pornography, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Matthew Scarpino, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and New York State Police Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen.
As part of his previous guilty plea, Hoyt admitted that he used a child to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions of that conduct, and that in August of 2019 and November of 2020 he produced a sexually explicit photograph and video of the child. Hoyt further admitted that he later distributed the sexually explicit image and video over the Internet to other users on a messaging application and that he still possessed the sexually explicit image and video on his iPad when law enforcement searched his home in April 2021.
United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby also imposed a 30 year term of supervised release, which will start after Hoyt is released from prison, and ordered Hoyt to pay a $500 special assessment. Hoyt will also be required to register as a sex offender.
Hoyt’s case was investigated by U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Investigators of the New York State Police, Computer Crimes Unit (CCU), and the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey J. L. Brown as a part of Project Safe Childhood.
Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney's offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), 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.
Broome County Sex Offender Sentenced for Failing to Register Email AccountRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - Thomas E. Cargill, age 56, of Endicott, New York was sentenced today to 18 months in prison, to be followed by 20 years of supervised release, for failing to update his sex offender registration by maintaining an unregistered email account. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and David L. McNulty, United States Marshal for the Northern District of New York.
Cargill also was ordered to pay a special assessment of $100. In addition to the term of imprisonment for failing to update his sex offender registration, Cargill was sentenced to an 10 month consecutive term of imprisonment for violating the conditions of his supervised release by committing new criminal conduct, failing to answer truthfully questions from his probation officer, and possessing an undisclosed internet capable device.
As part of his previously entered plea agreement, Cargill admitted that from November 5, 2016, through November 13, 2021, he failed to register a Google email address he created on September 24, 2016, as required by the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (“SORNA”). Cargill was required to register as a sex offender because of his prior federal conviction in 2008 for possession of child pornography in Maryland. That conviction required Cargill to register as a sex offender and to keep that registration current with personal identifying information, including email accounts. Cargill admitted that although he maintained his registration as a sex offender in the State of New York he did not register one of the email accounts that he had created despite knowing that he has an obligation under law to do so.
This case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service Sex Offender Investigation Branch with assistance from the United States Probation Office for the Northern District of New York, and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Geoffrey J. L. Brown.
This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney's offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/.
Jury Convicts Albany Felon on Ammunition and Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Mikal Smith, age 28, of Albany, was convicted on August 31 of unlawfully possessing ammunition as a felon, and possessing and intending to distribute cocaine base, following a three-day trial. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division; and Albany Police Chief Eric Hawkins.
The evidence at trial established that on April 7, 2021, Smith possessed with the intent to distribute 83 grams of cocaine base and possessed a large-capacity magazine loaded with 20 rounds of LC 5.56 ammunition. Smith discarded the cocaine base and ammunition during a foot pursuit after members of the Albany Police Department’s Community Response Unit attempted to arrest him on a parole warrant. At the time, Smith had felony convictions for Attempted Robbery in the Second Degree and Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree. Under federal law, these convictions prevented Smith from lawfully possessing the ammunition.
When United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino sentences him on December 14, 2022, Smith faces a minimum of 5 years and up to 40 years in prison, and a term of post-imprisonment 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 Albany Police Department and DEA, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Allen J. Vickey and Katherine Kopita.
Three Men Arrested in Unemployment Insurance Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Thomas Brace a/k/a “Justice,” age 61, of Altoona, Pennsylvania, and formerly of Albany; Taliek Lanier, age 22, of Albany; and Errol Murray, age 21, of Yonkers, New York, were arrested this week on an indictment alleging their participation in a conspiracy to defraud the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL). The defendants allegedly conspired with Jamie Johnson, who previously pled guilty to fraudulently obtaining $701,441 in unemployment insurance benefits under the names of other people, including benefits funded by the federal government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang; Matthew Scarpino, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the Boston Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); and Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge, New York Region, United States Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (USDOL-OIG).
The indictment alleges that Brace, Lanier, and Murray provided Johnson with the personal identifying information of other people, which Johnson used to file false claims via the NYSDOL website. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Murray was arraigned yesterday before United States Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart and released with conditions pending trial. Brace also appeared yesterday before Judge Stewart and is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow. Lanier appeared today before a federal magistrate judge in the Middle District of Pennsylvania, was released with conditions, and will be arraigned before Judge Stewart on September 7.
The defendants are charged with mail and wire fraud, as well as aggravated identity theft. The mail and wire fraud charges carry a maximum term of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. The charges for aggravated identity theft carry a mandatory term of 2 years in prison, to be imposed consecutive to any other term of imprisonment. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
This case was investigated by the New York State Inspector General’s Office, HSI, USPIS, and USDOL-OIG, with assistance from the NYSDOL Office of Special Investigations, the Capital Region Crime Analysis Center, and the Albany County Department of Social Services. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Chisholm.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Syracuse Man Sentenced to Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Marquail Jones, age 33, of Syracuse, was sentenced yesterday to 96 months in prison for distributing cocaine, cocaine base and fentanyl. 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 Kevin P. Bruen, Superintendent of the New York State Police.
In previously pleading guilty, Jones admitted he trafficked cocaine, cocaine base and fentanyl from Syracuse to the areas of Glens Falls and Plattsburgh, New York. Jones admitted that when police pulled him over in Plattsburgh on December 18, 2020, he possessed 82 grams of cocaine, 8.8 grams of cocaine base and 38 grams of fentanyl that he intended to distribute. Jones also admitted that he had distributed another 82 grams of cocaine just before he was pulled over.
Senior United States District Judge Norman A. Mordue also imposed a 3-year term of supervised release, which will start after Jones is released from prison.
This case was investigated by the DEA and New York State Police, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas Collyer.
New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation to Pay $500,000 for Falsely Certifying that Members of Former Governors’ Staff Worked on Federal Clean Water Act GrantRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – The New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (“EFC”) has agreed to pay $500,000 to resolve allegations that it falsely certified that several individuals were working at EFC in support of a federal water-quality improvement grant when, in fact, they were working directly for now-former Governors of New York in positions unrelated to that grant, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman. As part of the
settlement agreement , EFC admitted that former senior EFC officials caused the state to include in federal funding requests part of these individuals’ salaries and benefits without disclosing that they were hired by, and worked for, the Executive Chamber.United States Attorney Freedman stated: “The Environmental Facilities Corporation falsely certified that employees were supporting a clean water grant when they were actually working directly for former Governors in unrelated positions. I am pleased that current EFC leadership was willing to admit what happened, resolve EFC’s liability, and implement new compliance measures that should ensure ethical and legal behavior in the future. We will continue to use all of our resources to make sure that federal grant administrators follow the rules and that clean water grant money is used to improve water quality for all New Yorkers.”
EFC is a public benefit corporation that provides funding and technical assistance to municipalities, businesses, and state agencies for environmental and public health projects in New York State. During fiscal years 2009 through 2019 (the “Relevant Period”), New York State, through its Department of Environmental Conservation (“DEC”), submitted applications to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) for Clean Water State Revolving Fund (“CWSRF”) grants. During this same period, EPA awarded CWSRF grant funds to the state. EFC and DEC jointly administered New York’s CWSRF program.
The Executive Chamber is the Office of the Governor of the State of New York and includes staff who assist the Governor in managing state government. As part of the settlement agreement, EFC admitted that “during the Relevant Period, senior Executive Chamber staff asked (now-former) senior EFC officials for EFC to pay the salaries and benefits of several individuals who the then-Governors hired to work in the Executive Chamber in positions unrelated to the CWSRF program (the ‘Subject Employees’). During the Relevant Period, more than one former senior EFC official agreed to this arrangement.” EFC further admitted that “the individuals hired to work in the Executive Chamber pursuant to this arrangement were not hired specifically to work at EFC or to support the CWSRF program.” EFC acknowledged that “one individual whose salary and benefits EFC paid was hired by the Executive Chamber to work on the former Governor’s advance team while another was hired to help run the former Governor’s Washington, D.C. office.”
On eight occasions during the Relevant Period, EFC submitted certifications to EPA that identified one or more Subject Employee by name, title, and costs that EFC incurred to pay them, and falsely represented that such costs bore a “beneficial or causal relationship” to the CWSRF grant. EFC admitted in the settlement agreement that “it never informed EPA that those individuals worked for the Executive Chamber in positions unrelated to the CWSRF program.”
EFC represented in the settlement agreement that, upon learning of the United States’ investigation, it promptly took steps to ensure that all individuals listed as EFC staff in the CWSRF documentation submitted to EPA worked at EFC in positions related to those grants. It further represented that it has implemented safeguards in its internal controls to ensure the conduct covered by the settlement agreement will not recur in the future.
Special Agent in Charge Nic Evans of EPA’s Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) stated: “EFC knowingly submitted false information to EPA, resulting in the state accessing federal funds for unintended purposes. This settlement is an example of EPA OIG’s commitment to ensuring that all EPA grant administrators, including state actors, are held accountable when dealing with taxpayer funds so that the public can have confidence in the integrity of vital programs like the Clean Water State Revolving Fund.”
Special Agent in Charge Janeen DiGuiseppi of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) stated: “EFC falsely certified for a decade that individuals worked in support of the Clean Water State Revolving Fund federal grant, when their actual positions in the Executive Chamber were wholly unrelated. The FBI takes our responsibility to investigate and pursue those who commit fraud very seriously and we will continue to work with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to ensure the protection of these federally funded programs.”
The investigation and settlement were the result of a coordinated effort among the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York, EPA OIG, and the FBI. The United States was represented by Assistant United States Attorney Adam J. Katz.
Massachusetts Man Pleads Guilty to Unlawful Drug and Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
PLATTSBURGH, NEW YORK – Gerald Washington, age 29, of Springfield, Massachusetts, pled guilty today to possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and unlawful possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; New York State Police Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen; and Acting Chief Patrol Agent Keith Hoops, United States Border Patrol, Swanton Sector.
As part of his plea, Washington admitted that on July 1, 2020, he travelled from Springfield, Massachusetts, to Westville, New York, near the northern border, with a co-defendant, and acquired approximately 13 kilograms of marijuana that was intended for distribution in Massachusetts. Washington also admitted to possessing a handgun while being a convicted felon.
Washington faces a sentence of 70 months in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of post-imprisonment supervision of 2 years when he is sentenced on December 28, 2022, by United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino. This is a sentence jointly recommended by the Government and the defendant; if Judge D’Agostino rejects the recommendation, Washington can withdraw his guilty plea and proceed to trial.
This case was investigated by the United States Border Patrol and the New York State Police, Violent Gangs and Narcotics Enforcement Team (VGNET). This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Stitt.
Oswego County Man Sentenced for Drug Trafficking OffensesRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - Tyler Hull, age 39, of Fulton, New York, was sentenced yesterday to serve 33 months in federal prison for conspiring to unlawfully distribute and possess with the intent to distribute eutylone, a Schedule I controlled substance.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Matthew Scarpino, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
As part of his previously entered guilty plea, Hull admitted that from November of 2020, through December 22, 2020, he participated in a conspiracy to distribute eutylone to others throughout Oswego County. Eutylone is a synthetic cathinone and has pharmacological effects on the central nervous system similar to other schedule I or II substances such as methylone, pentylone, cocaine, methamphetamine, and MDMA.
United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby also imposed a 3-year term of supervised release, which will start after Hull is released from prison.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the U.S. Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), and the Oswego County Drug Task Force, comprised of Special Agents of HSI, members of the City of Oswego Police Department, the Oswego County Sheriff’s Office, Investigators from the Oswego County District Attorney’s Office, the SUNY Oswego Police Department, and Agents of the U.S. Border Patrol. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adrian LaRochelle.
Maine Tax Preparer Pleads Guilty to Defrauding ClientsRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK - Sean O’Hare, age 54, of South Portland, Maine, pled guilty today to committing wire fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud his tax preparation clients. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the Boston Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).
O’Hare, a former tax preparer and accountant, admitted that he defrauded his clients trusted him to prepare their tax filings and pay their taxes. From September 2015 through September 2016, O’Hare filed quarterly tax returns with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance on behalf of three companies; these returns understated the amount of taxes owed by the companies. O’Hare collected the full amount of taxes owed from the companies and stole the difference between the amount in taxes remitted to New York State and the amount he received from the companies. O’Hare admitted to fraudulently obtaining $131,758, which he has agreed to repay as restitution.
O’Hare’s wire fraud conviction carries a maximum term of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. O’Hare is scheduled to be sentenced on January 11, 2023, by Senior United States District Judge Lawrence E. Kahn. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
This case was investigated by USPIS, with assistance from the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander P. Wentworth-Ping.
Hogansburg Man Pleads Guilty to Alien SmugglingRead the Press Release
PLATTSBURGH, NEW YORK – Brian Lazore, age 45, of Hogansburg, New York, pled guilty today to conspiracy to commit alien smuggling and three counts of alien smuggling.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Acting Chief Patrol Agent Keith Hoops, United States Border Patrol, Swanton Sector.
Lazore admitted to smuggling six citizens of India from Cornwall, Ontario, into the United States using the St. Lawrence and St. Regis Rivers. During the smuggling event on April 28, 2022, Lazore’s boat sank in the St. Regis River, and Lazore and the Indian citizens were ultimately picked up by the St. Regis Mohawk Rescue Vessel. Lazore admitted to smuggling the aliens for his own financial gain.
Lazore faces a minimum of 5 years and up to 15 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of up to 3 years when he is sentenced on January 5, 2023 by United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes.
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 Homeland Security Investigations. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Stitt.
Woodstock Dentist Sentenced to Probation and Pays $100,000 Civil Penalty for Fraudulently Acquiring OxycodoneRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Vivian Letizia, age 64, of Stone Ridge, New York, was sentenced today to one year of probation for acquiring and obtaining a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, deception or subterfuge. Letizia was also ordered to undergo drug treatment and pay a $5,000 fine.
Letizia has also paid the United States $100,000 to resolve her civil liability for the same conduct.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino III, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division.
Letizia was a dentist in Woodstock and authorized to prescribe controlled substances. Letizia admitted that on several occasions in 2019 and 2020, she sent electronic prescriptions for oxycodone to various pharmacies in her patients’ names. But these oxycodone prescriptions were not intended for the patients, as Letizia picked up the oxycodone and consumed it herself. Letizia also ordered oxycodone to her dental practice for her own consumption. As part of resolving this case, Letizia surrendered her DEA registration and is prohibited from re-applying for a new one. She also agreed to surrender her New York State medical license.
This case was investigated by the New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement, and DEA Albany District Office’s Diversion Group and Tactical Diversion Squad.
The criminal case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashlyn Miranda. The civil case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher R. Moran.
Greene County Man Sentenced for Tax Evasion ConspiracyRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Joseph D. Radcliffe, age 75, of Elka Park, New York, was sentenced today to three years of probation, and to spend four consecutive weekends in jail as a condition of his probation, for conspiring with others to evade taxes on income earned from stock sales.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Thomas Fattorusso, Special Agent in Charge, New York Field Office, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI).
Chief U.S. District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby also ordered Radcliffe to pay $109,106 in restitution to the IRS.
Radcliffe, a former Wall Street stockbroker, pled guilty in December 2021 and admitted that from at least 2013 through 2019, he conspired with two family members to receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in personal income that went unreported to the IRS, allowing him to defraud the IRS and evade the assessment and payment of taxes on approximately $500,000 in unreported income. At the time he was evading the payment of taxes, Radcliffe also owed more than $1 million to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), after settling fraud allegations with the SEC in 2011. Radcliffe has also failed to repay the SEC.
In imposing sentence, Chief Judge Suddaby called Radcliffe’s conduct “outrageous” and said Radcliffe had “doubled down” after his SEC fraud settlement in 2011, by subsequently defrauding the IRS.
Radcliffe’s unreported income originated from capital gains earned in brokerage accounts standing in the names of Crackerjack Classics LLC and Universal Consulting LLC. These companies made payments to Radcliffe, and for his benefit, including the following:
- $128,147 in mortgage payments and interest that the companies paid, from 2014 through 2019, to the bank that held the mortgage on Radcliffe’s house in Elka Park;
- $109,022 that the companies paid to a New Jersey law firm, in 2014, 2015 and 2017, to settle Radcliffe’s unpaid bills; and
- $99,675 that the companies paid, in 2015 and 2016, in checks made out to “Cash” and which Radcliffe negotiated for himself or had others negotiate for his benefit.
Radcliffe and his co-conspirators did not report Radcliffe’s income to the IRS. Radcliffe further admitted that he did not file a tax return for himself, or otherwise report his income to the IRS, for the tax years 2013 through 2019. He did not maintain any bank or brokerage accounts in his name, and he did not hold or trade any securities in his own name.
This case was investigated by IRS-CI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett.
Former State Employee Pleads Guilty in Unemployment Insurance Fraud CaseRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Former New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) employee Wendell Giles, age 52, of Albany, pled guilty today to mail fraud and aggravated identity theft charges.
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 Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge, New York Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (USDOL-OIG).
As part of his guilty plea, Giles admitted that he and another former NYSDOL employee, Carl J. DiVeglia III, abused their state computer systems access to create and approve false unemployment insurance (UI) applications in 2020 and 2021, including applications for the federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program.
Giles recruited relatives, friends and friends-of-friends to submit false benefits applications over the phone to DiVeglia after Giles had instructed them to lie in response to eligibility questions. Giles and DiVeglia then took a share of the benefits paid by NYSDOL on the false claims. Giles used his share to enrich himself, including by purchasing a three-wheeled motorcycle. In text messages, DiVeglia suggested a vanity license plate for Giles’s new vehicle, “TY PUA,” which Giles understood to mean “Thank You Pandemic Unemployment Assistance.” Giles responded, “Lol.” Giles had been employed as a Senior Employment Security Clerk, and DiVeglia as a Labor Services Representative.
Giles admitted responsibility for $826,530 in losses to pandemic-related UI benefits programs administered by the state. He has agreed to pay full restitution to NYSDOL. DiVeglia previously pled guilty to related charges and also agreed to pay restitution.
The mail fraud conviction carries a maximum term of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. The aggravated identity theft conviction carries a mandatory term of 2 years in prison, to be imposed consecutively to any other term of imprisonment. Giles is scheduled to be sentenced on January 5, 2023 by Chief United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
This case was investigated by the FBI and USDOL-OIG, with assistance from the NYSDOL Office of Special Investigations, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John T. Chisholm and Joshua R. Rosenthal.
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.
Amsterdam Woman Pleads Guilty to Sexually Exploiting a MinorRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Kristen Blair Hiltunen, age 37, of Amsterdam, New York, pled guilty today to sexual exploitation of 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).
Hiltunen admitted that between April 2021 and August 2021, she engaged in a sexual relationship with a minor victim who was under 16 years of age. During this period of time, Hiltunen exchanged thousands of messages with the victim over a social media application through which she persuaded, induced and enticed the victim to take sexually explicit images and send them to Hiltunen. Hiltunen further engaged in livestreamed video chats with the victim during which the victim engaged in sexual acts.
Hiltunen, who remains detained pending sentencing scheduled for January 5, 2023, faces at least 15 years and up to 30 years in prison. The Court will also impose a term of supervised release of between 5 years and life, and Hiltunen will be required to register as a sex offender as a result of this conviction. 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 was investigated by the FBI and its Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes FBI Special Agents, and state and local police investigators, including members of the Rotterdam Police Department. This case is being 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). Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Albany Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking OffensesRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Wakeem Ricks, age 31, of Albany, pled guilty today to four counts of distributing cocaine base.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division.
As part of his guilty plea, Ricks admitted that he sold cocaine base to another individual on four separate occasions in Albany in September 2021.
At his sentencing, scheduled for January 5, 2023, Ricks faces at least 5 years and up to 40 years in prison, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of between 5 years and life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
This case was investigated by the DEA, Albany Police Department, and Albany County Sheriff’s Office, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dustin Segovia.
Utica Woman Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Melisa Muminovic, age 25, of Utica, New York, pled guilty yesterday to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Oneida County District Attorney Scott McNamara, New York State Police Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen, Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division, John B. Devito, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) New York Field Division, and Chief Mark Williams, Utica Police Department.
As part of her guilty plea yesterday, Muminovic admitted from at least January 2021 through July 2021, she agreed with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of a mixture containing fentanyl to customers in the Utica, New York area. Muminovic further admitted that she accompanied co-conspirators to the New York City area to purchase fentanyl, which was then sold in the Utica area.
At her sentencing, currently scheduled for December 14, 2022, Muminovic faces a maximum potential sentence of 40 years’ imprisonment, with a mandatory minimum term of five years’ imprisonment a term of supervised release of between 5 years and life, and a maximum fine of $5,000,000. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
This case is being investigated by New York State Police-Special Investigations Unit (NYSP-SIU), investigators from the Oneida County District Attorney’s Office, members of the City of Utica Police Department, DEA, ATF, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew J. McCrobie and Richard Southwick.
Syracuse Woman Sentenced to 111 Months for Armed RobberyRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - Chantal Jaquez, age 20, of Syracuse, was sentenced yesterday to serve 111 months in federal prison for robbing a Syracuse convenience store and brandishing a semi-automatic rifle in furtherance of the robbery, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, John B. DeVito, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), United States Marshal David McNulty, Chief Joseph Cecile, City of Syracuse Police Department (SPD), and William Fitzpatrick, Onondaga County District Attorney.
As part of her previous guilty plea to robbery of a business engaged in interstate commerce (the Hobbs Act) and using a firearm in furtherance of a federal crime of violence, Jaquez admitted that on December 21, 2020, at about 10:45 am, she and another person robbed a convenience store in Syracuse, NY. During the robbery, the other robber carried a handgun and Jaquez carried a rifle. Jaquez went behind the counter where the clerk was standing and pointed the rifle at the clerk. While fleeing the store, the other robber fired several rounds from his handgun at the store clerk. One of the bullets struck Jaquez in the leg.
Chief United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby also sentenced Jaquez to a five-year term of supervised release to begin after she serves her term of imprisonment.
This case was investigated by the Syracuse Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division (SPD-CID), the SPD Intelligence Section (SPD-Intel), the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, and the United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Sutcliffe.
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.
Oneonta Woman Sentenced to Prison for Drug Trafficking in North CountryRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Jillian Eckberg, age 43, of Oneonta, New York, was sentenced yesterday to serve 70 months in federal prison for trafficking methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl. 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 Kevin P. Bruen, Superintendent of the New York State Police.
As part of her previously entered guilty plea, Eckberg admitted she trafficked methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl from New York City to the areas of Tupper Lake, Saranac Lake and Lake Placid, New York, where she delivered the narcotics to customers who redistributed them. Eckberg admitted that throughout her involvement, she distributed approximately 900 grams of methamphetamine, approximately 54 grams of heroin and approximately 90 grams of fentanyl.
Chief United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby also imposed a 4-year term of supervised release, which will start after Eckberg is released from prison.
This case was investigated by DEA and New York State Police and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas Collyer.
Washington County Woman Pleads Guilty to Bank Fraud and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Renee Burnell, age 49, of Hudson Falls, New York, pled guilty today in connection with a scheme to defraud two banks using the personal information of the customers of her plumbing and heating business.
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).
Burnell pled guilty to bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. She admitted that between August 2019 and January 2020, she defrauded Synchrony Bank and The Bank of Missouri by applying for lines of credit with each bank using her customers’ personally identifiable information and then using the lines of credit to falsify purchases that benefitted her plumbing and heating business. Burnell admitted that her scheme resulted in a loss of $119,264.43 to The Bank of Missouri and a loss of $13,912.00 to Synchrony Bank.
The bank fraud conviction carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a maximum fine of up to $1 million. The aggravated identity theft conviction carries a mandatory term of 2 years in prison, to be imposed consecutively to any other term of imprisonment. The court may also require Burnell to serve a term of supervised release of up to 5 years to begin after imprisonment. Burnell is scheduled to be sentenced in January 2022, by Senior United States District Judge Lawrence E. Kahn. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
This case was investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander P. Wentworth-Ping.
New York City Man Pleads Guilty to Trafficking a Kilogram of Fentanyl to SyracuseRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Marvin Antonio Lantigua, age 31, of New York City, pled guilty today to 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 guilty plea today, 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 1000 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 1007 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 on New York State parole in connection with a prior drug felony conviction.
Sentencing is scheduled for December 15, 2022, in Syracuse, at which time the defendant faces a maximum sentence of life and a minimum sentence of ten years in prison, a fine of up to ten million dollars, and a post-imprisonment term of supervised release of between five 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 is being 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 is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Southwick.
New York City Man Sentenced for Possessing Ammunition as a FelonRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - Stephon Williams, age 38, of Brooklyn, New York, was sentenced yesterday to serve 41 months in federal prison for possessing ammunition as a previously convicted felon. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Matthew Scarpino, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Buffalo Field Office, and Timothy Walker, Port Director-Alexandria Bay Port of Entry, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
As part of his previous guilty plea in this case, Williams admitted that on September 24, 2021, a vehicle he was driving was stopped and searched by agents of United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) near Alexandria Bay, New York. During the search, Williams was found in possession of a Glock-style, 9mm semi-automatic pistol, with no serial number, also known as a “ghost gun.” At the time the pistol was located by CBP agents, the pistol contained a 30-round high-capacity magazine with 25 rounds of ammunition. Williams was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition due to a previous conviction for Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree, a Class C felony in the State of New York.
United States District Judge David N. Hurd also imposed a 3-year term of supervised release, which will start after Williams is released from prison.
The case was investigated by the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian LaRochelle.
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.
Maryland Men Sentenced to Prison Terms for Membership in Computer Fraud and Identity Theft Ring That Targeted State GovernmentsRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Guy Cuomo a/k/a “John Monaco,” age 54, of Frederick, Maryland, was sentenced today to 45 months in prison for computer fraud, misuse of a social security number, aggravated identity theft and related conspiracy charges for his role in a scheme to sell information unlawfully obtained from the New York State Department of Labor and workforce agencies in other states.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge, New York Region, United States Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (USDOL-OIG).
The evidence at Cuomo’s 5-day trial showed that Cuomo worked for and managed companies owned by Jason “J.R.” Trowbridge in Frederick, Maryland, including Paymerica Corporation. Paymerica researched where purported debtors worked and sold the employer information—called place-of-employment information or “POE”—to debt collectors and companies selling information to debt collectors. In the debt collecting industry, the process is known as “skiptracing.”
To obtain the place-of-employment information, Cuomo and other members of the conspiracy pretended to be the debtors, created thousands of online unemployment insurance applications in the debtors’ names and with the debtors’ personal identifiers, including social security numbers, and completed the applications to the point where each debtor’s last known place of employment appeared. After confirming that the debtors worked for the relevant employers, Paymerica sold the place-of-employment information for approximately $90 per debtor. Over the course of approximately three years, Paymerica made nearly $1 million selling the stolen place-of-employment information.
Cuomo, Trowbridge and other conspirators took a number of steps to hide their activities from state agencies and law enforcement, including using Virtual Private Networks, or VPNs, to mask the Internet Protocol addresses used to access and fill out the unemployment insurance applications in the debtors’ names. The evidence showed that the scheme involved attempts to obtain place-of-employment information for as many as 200,000 people from all 50 states and that Paymerica sold place-of-employment information for at least 12,000 people from 40 states.
United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino also ordered Cuomo to serve a 3-year term of supervised release, to begin after he is released from prison.
On March 10, 2022, Senior United States District Judge Thomas J. McAvoy accepted an agreed-upon sentence and ordered that Trowbridge—who pled guilty to conspiracy, misuse of social security number, and aggravated identity theft on November 9, 2021—serve 39 months in prison to be followed by a 2-year term of supervised release, and to pay a $30,000 fine. Trowbridge also agreed to forfeiture of $446,996.46 held in various bank accounts tied to the scheme.
Trowbridge and Cuomo’s five co-defendants previously pled guilty to the following charges and will be sentenced by Judge D’Agostino at a later date:
Defendant
Charge(s)
Maximum Prison Term
Robin Chapin a/k/a “Thomas Price,” age 64, of Frederick, Maryland
Conspiracy to commit computer fraud, accessing a protected computer and obtaining information, aggravated identity theft
Two years for aggravated identity theft, maximum term of 10 years on remaining charges
Rebecca Fogle a/k/a “Roxanne Morris” and “Jessica Felton,” age 28, of Woodsboro, Maryland
Conspiracy to commit computer fraud, accessing a protected computer and obtaining information, aggravated identity theft
Two years for aggravated identity theft, maximum term of 10 years on remaining charges
Shamair Brison a/k/a “Felicia Carter,” age 37, of Frederick, Maryland
Aggravated identity theft
Two years
Sarah Bromfield a/k/a “Nicole Wagner,” age 42, of Frederick, Maryland
Aggravated identity theft
Two years
Anna Hardy a/k/a “Sarah Thomas,” age 69, of Frederick, Maryland
Aggravated identity theft
Two 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 was investigated by USDOL-OIG, with assistance from the New York State Department of Labor, Office of Special Investigations, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua R. Rosenthal and Cyrus P.W. Rieck. The case was also prosecuted to indictment by Assistant U.S. Attorney Wayne A. Myers.
Albany Man Arraigned on Pandemic-Related Fraud ChargesRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Ibrahim K. Boyd, age 32, of Albany, appeared today on an indictment alleging he engaged in fraudulent schemes to obtain government benefits and other funds intended to help out-of-work New Yorkers and struggling small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang; Matthew Scarpino, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the Boston Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); and Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge, New York Region, United States Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (USDOL-OIG).
The indictment alleges that Boyd submitted a false unemployment insurance application using the personal information of another person to the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) and obtained more than $16,000 in benefits for his personal gain. Additionally, Boyd allegedly made up two fake businesses to obtain a Paycheck Protection Program loan and U.S. Small Business Administration disaster-related funding, totaling in excess of $28,000. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Boyd was arraigned today before United States Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart and ordered released pending trial.
The indictment, returned by a grand jury on July 28, 2022, alleges mail fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft offenses. The mail fraud and wire fraud charges each carry maximum terms of 20 years in prison, fines of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. The aggravated identity theft charge carries a mandatory term of 2 years in prison, to be imposed consecutive to any other term of imprisonment. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
The case is being investigated by the New York State Inspector General’s Office, HSI, USPIS, and USDOL-OIG, with assistance from the NYSDOL Office of Special Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Chisholm
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Albany Man Pleads Guilty to Unemployment Insurance FraudRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Kahleke Taylor, age 21, of Albany, pled guilty today to mail fraud, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft charges related to a scheme to obtain COVID-19 pandemic-related unemployment insurance benefits using the personal information of other people. Taylor admitted his fraud scheme resulted in a loss of $207,004 to the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL).
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Matthew Scarpino, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang; Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge, New York Region, United States Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (USDOL-OIG); and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the Boston Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).
In his plea, Taylor admitted to soliciting personal information from other people on social media. He used the information to make false unemployment insurance applications on NYSDOL’s website. On one application he filed in August 2020, for example, Taylor certified that a person had lost work at a hotel in Latham, New York in March 2020 due to “Lack of Work – COVID,” all of which was false. From September 2020 through June 2021, the applications Taylor admitted to filing as part of the fraud scheme resulted in benefits payments of $207,004. Taylor has agreed to pay full restitution to NYSDOL.
Taylor’s mail fraud and wire fraud convictions each carry maximum terms of 20 years in prison, fines of up to $250,000, and terms of supervised release of up to 3 years. The aggravated identity theft conviction carries a mandatory term of 2 years in prison, to be imposed consecutively to any other term of imprisonment. Taylor is scheduled to be sentenced on December 8, 2022, by United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
This case is being investigated by HSI, the New York State Inspector General’s Office, USDOL-OIG, and USPIS, with assistance from the NYSDOL Office of Special Investigations and the Schenectady County Department of Social Services, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Chisholm.
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.
Schenectady Felon Sentenced to 30 Months for Firearm, Marijuana ConvictionsRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Muhammad Coleman, age 42, of Schenectady, New York, was sentenced today to 30 months in prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, for unlawfully possessing a firearm as a felon, and for possessing and conspiring to distribute marijuana.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division.
In previously pleading guilty, Coleman admitted that he conspired to sell marijuana from his Schenectady residence from at least May to October 2021. He also admitted to possessing about 20 pounds of marijuana, and to possessing a 10 mm Caspian Arms handgun, when the DEA searched his house on October 21, 2021. Coleman was not permitted to possess this firearm as a result of a prior drug felony conviction.
Coleman agreed to forfeit, as proceeds of the marijuana conspiracy, $319,387 in U.S. currency, and nine items of jewelry collectively worth more than $100,000, which the DEA seized on October 21, 2021.
This case was investigated by the DEA’s Capital District Drug Enforcement Task Force, which includes DEA Special Agents and investigators from state and local law enforcement agencies, including the Saratoga Springs Police Department, the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett.
Long Island Woman Pleads Guilty to Prison-Based Unemployment Insurance FraudRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Briana Garland, age 29, of Uniondale, New York, pled guilty today to conspiring with a New York State prisoner to obtain unemployment insurance benefits by fraud. Garland’s plea is the fourth and final plea in related cases stemming from pandemic-related schemes involving prisoners at the Bare Hill Correctional Facility in Malone, New York.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge, New York Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (USDOL-OIG); Matthew Scarpino, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the Boston Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); Anthony J. Annucci, Acting Commissioner of the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (NYSDOCCS); and Roberta Reardon, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL).
In pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud, Garland admitted to submitting a false unemployment insurance claim to NYSDOL in the name of Bare Hill inmate Reginald Thornton. Prisoners were not eligible to receive unemployment insurance benefits. Garland agreed to pay restitution in the amount of $19,580 to the State of New York.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman stated: “These state prisoners were already incarcerated for other, serious crimes, and now they will serve more time for committing fraudulent schemes from behind bars. Thanks to the work of our federal and state partners, Briana Garland and the other defendants will not escape accountability for defrauding a program intended to help out-of-work New Yorkers put food on the table and pay their bills in the midst of a global public health crisis.”
USDOL-OIG Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Mellone stated: “Briana Garland and her coconspirators engaged in a scheme to defraud the New York State Department of Labor by filing for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits in the names of incarcerated individuals who were not entitled to such benefits. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to protect the integrity of the UI system from those who exploit these benefit programs.”
HSI Acting Special Agent in Charge Matthew Scarpino stated: “It is despicable that during such a difficult financial time in our history that Garland would attempt to fraudulently claim benefits meant for individuals who are struggling to find legitimate work during a pandemic. Her crimes were further exacerbated by her conspiring with a known, incarcerated criminal. HSI will continue to identify and hold accountable those that steal from the government and the pockets of American taxpayers.”
USPIS Inspector in Charge Ketty Larco-Ward stated: “Whenever criminals use the U.S. Mail to further pad their pockets at the expense of hard-working Americans, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service will be there to bring them to justice. Today’s plea highlights how proud we are of our law enforcement partnerships, and how we will continue to stand ready to assist in thwarting crimes like these.”
Garland’s mail fraud conviction carries a maximum term of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. She is scheduled to be sentenced on December 8, 2022 by Chief United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
Thornton previously pled guilty to participating in two prison-based unemployment insurance fraud conspiracies and was sentenced to 51 months in federal prison, to be served after his state prison term ends. Two other defendants, Rhasha Wright and Bare Hill inmate Lord Paulin, previously pled guilty to conspiring with Thornton to obtain unemployment insurance benefits in the names of Paulin and another inmate. Paulin was sentenced to 19 months in federal prison, to be served after his state sentence ends. Wright is awaiting sentencing.
New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said: “The New York State Department of Labor is committed to fighting unemployment fraud, because every dollar stolen is a dollar taken away from a law-abiding New Yorker who needs it. This case was uncovered through our ongoing partnership with the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, and I’m grateful to the United States Department of Justice for seeing that those who commit fraud are held accountable.”
The cases were investigated by USDOL-OIG, HSI, USPIS, and the Offices of Special Investigations of NYSDOCCS and NYSDOL. The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John T. Chisholm and Joshua R. Rosenthal.
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.
Watertown Medical Practice to Pay $850,000 to Resolve False Claims Act AllegationsRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – North Country Neurology, P.C., a physician-owned medical practice located in Watertown, New York, has agreed to pay $850,000 for what it admitted was “improper” and “reckless” billing to the federal government for medical services, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman.
“The integrity of our federal health care system depends on accurate and honest billing by medical providers,” said United States Attorney Freedman. “While North Country Neurology will pay a steep price for submitting false claims for payment to Medicare, I commend the practice and its management for accepting responsibility for its past actions and for implementing forward-looking compliance measures in response to our investigation to assure systems are in place to facilitate and promote ethical and legal conduct in the future.”
North Country Neurology employed physicians and a physician assistant who rendered care to Medicare beneficiaries. In certain circumstances, Medicare allows practices to bill for services rendered by a non-physician practitioner (NPP), including a physician assistant, “incident to” the services that are personally rendered by a physician. These services, even though not personally rendered by a physician, may be billed in a physician’s name if several requirements are met. One such requirement is that a physician directly supervise the NPP rendering the services, meaning that a physician is present in the office suite and immediately available to furnish assistance and direction throughout the procedure. Although Medicare will reimburse practices for certain procedures rendered by NPPs without a physician’s direct supervision, such services are reimbursed at a lesser rate than service rendered or directly supervised by a physician.
North Country Neurology admitted that, on 120 occasions from September 2015 through June 2019, it “submitted or caused to be submitted claims for payment to Medicare that improperly listed a physician as the rendering provider for services rendered by a physician assistant when no physician was physically present in the office and immediately available to furnish assistance and direction throughout the performance of the procedure.” The practice further admitted that it “knew or should have known the requirements of incident-to billing and that it was improper to submit claims to Medicare in a physician’s name for services rendered by an NPP when no physician was in the office” because, among other reasons, its billing company had informed the practice’s owner of separate incident-to billing violations several years earlier.
North Country Neurology also improperly billed Medicare for the drug Botox, even though the same Botox had already been paid for by other insurers. From March 2015 through February 2021, North Country Neurology purchased Botox for its Medicare patients, while its other patients purchased Botox at a specialty pharmacy and had it shipped to the practice. The practice admitted that on approximately 761 occasions during this period, its providers administered and the practice billed Medicare for Botox that was paid for by another insurer “in reckless disregard to the fact that Medicare reimbursement for the administration of Botox included reimbursement for the cost of the drug being administered.”
North Country Neurology acknowledged that, during the period covered by the settlement agreement, it “had an insufficient compliance program, and one that was not well-suited to identify fraud, waste, and abuse.” Shortly after learning of the United States’ investigation, the practice voluntarily retained a third-party compliance and practice-management consultant to help it develop and implement various practices and procedures to ensure compliance with federal rules and regulations going forward.
“This settlement is another example of our commitment to holding the health care industry accountable for proper billing practices,” said Special Agent in Charge Scott J. Lampert of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Office of Investigations. “Along with our law enforcement partners, HHS-OIG will continue to ensure that individuals and entities billing federal health care programs do so in an honest manner.”
The investigation and settlement were the result of a coordinated effort among the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York, HHS-OIG, and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service Northeast Field Office. The United States was represented by Assistant United States Attorney Adam J. Katz.
Vermont Sex Offender Pleads Guilty to Child Enticement and Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Dennis Lavigne, age 47, of Vermont, pled guilty today to attempting to coerce and entice a minor to engage in sexual acts with him and to transporting 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 guilty plea, Lavigne admitted that between November 19-24, 2019, he exchanged sexually explicit text messages with an undercover officer posing as the mother of an 11-year-old child. In these messages, Lavigne expressed a desire to engage in sexually explicit conduct with the child. On November 24, 2019, Lavigne traveled from Vermont to Albany, with the intent to engage in sexual acts with the purported 11-year-old 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.
Lavigne was a registered sex offender at the time of these crimes; he was previously convicted in Vermont of aggravated sexual assault of a victim under the age of 10.
Lavigne faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino will sentence him on December 6, 2022.
This case was investigated by the FBI and its Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes members of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the Colonie Police Department and New York State Police. This case is being 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). 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.
Oneida County Woman Indicted for Conspiracy and Distribution of Methamphetamine, Heroin and Fentanyl, and for Illegally Possessing Defaced FirearmsRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK - Alexis Miranda, age 27, of New Hartford, New York, was arraigned last week on charges relating to the distribution of methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl, and for possessing four pistols from which the serial numbers had been removed and obliterated.
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).
According to the indictment, Miranda conspired to distribute methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl between August 2019 and October 8, 2019, and distributed methamphetamine on September 12, 2019. The indictment also charges Miranda with possessing with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl on August 29, 2020 and possessing four defaced pistols. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Miranda had a detention hearing today before United States Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart and was released on conditions pending a trial before Chief United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby.
Miranda faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years, 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 was investigated by the ATF, the Schenectady County Sheriff’s Office, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, and the New York State Police, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alexander Wentworth-Ping.
Herkimer County Sex Offender Pleads Guilty to Failing to Update his RegistrationRead the Press Release
UTICA, NEW YORK – Eric L. Henderson, age 38, formerly of Ilion, New York, pled guilty today to failing to update his registration as a sex offender after he fled New York State parole supervision and moved to South Carolina, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and United States Marshal David L. McNulty.
Henderson must register as a sex offender because he was convicted of rape-third degree in 2020, in Herkimer County. In pleading guilty today, Henderson admitted that following his release from state prison in May 2021, he cut off contact with his state parole officer and fled to Kingstree, South Carolina, without updating his sex offender registration in New York or registering as a sex offender in South Carolina. Henderson was arrested on October 27, 2021, in South Carolina, by the United States Marshals Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force.
Henderson faces up to 10 years in prison, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life, when he is sentenced 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 was investigated by the United States Marshals Service NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force, with assistance from the Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett.
Cicero Man Pleads Guilty to Receiving Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Brian White, age 67, of Cicero, New York, pleaded guilty today to receipt of child pornography. 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 Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen.
As part of his guilty plea, White admitted that between June 2021 and January 2022, he knowingly downloaded approximately 264 images and 170 videos of child pornography using an internet peer-to-peer network. He further admitted that in January 2022 he possessed numerous images and video files depicting child pornography on several digital storage devices.
At sentencing, which is currently scheduled for December 7, 2022, White faces at least 5 years and up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life, and will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
This case is being 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.
California Man Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison for Traveling to Syracuse Intending to Engage in Sexual Conduct with a ChildRead the Press Release
UTICA, NEW YORK – Edward Mercado, age 35, of Los Angeles, California, was sentenced today to serve 7 years in federal prison for traveling to New York from California for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with a 10-year-old child. 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 previous guilty plea, Mercado admitted that from May of 2021 through June of 2021 he engaged in numerous telephone conversations and exchanged sexually explicit text messages with an undercover officer posing as the mother of 10-year-old girl. In these telephone calls and text messages, Mercado expressed a desire to engage in sexually explicit conduct with the child. Mercado further admitted that on June 3, 2021, he traveled from California to Syracuse, New York in order to meet with the child and engage in sexual conduct with her at a location in the Ithaca area. Mercado was arrested after arriving at the Syracuse airport and has been in custody since that date.
United States District Judge David N. Hurd also imposed a 15 year term of supervised release, which will start after Mercado is released from prison, and ordered him to pay a $3,000 fine and a $100 special assessment. Mercado will also be required to register as a sex offender.
This case was investigated by the FBI Mid-State Child Exploitation Task Force, comprised of FBI Special Agents and Investigators of the New York State Police, Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI). The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Brown as a part of Project Safe Childhood.
Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States 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 Sentenced to 15 Years for Receiving and Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – John Seiselmyer, age 50, of Utica, New York, was sentenced today to serve 15 years in federal prison for receiving and possessing 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), and New York State Police (NYSP) Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen.
As part of his previous guilty plea, Seiselmyer, admitted that from February 2020 to June 2020 he used a laptop computer to download child pornography over the internet using peer-to-peer file sharing software. A subsequent search of Seiselmyer’s apartment revealed that he was in possession of over 9,000 images and 955 video files depicting child pornography. Seiselmyer is a registered sex offender who was convicted in 2007 of Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree involving a victim who was less than 11 years old.
Chief United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby also imposed a 25 year term of supervised release, which will start after Seiselmyer is released from prison, and ordered him to pay a $200 special assessment and restitution in the amount of $30,000. Seiselmyer will also be required to continue to register as a sex offender.
Seiselmyer’s 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), with assistance from the Utica Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey J. L. Brown as a part of Project Safe Childhood.
Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States 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.
Syracuse Man Sentenced to 84 Months for Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Carlos Esteras, 41, of Syracuse, NY was sentenced today to serve 84 months in prison following his conviction for conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and possessing fentanyl with the intent to distribute, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division.
As part of his prior guilty plea, Esteras admitted that between June and July 2021, he conspired with others to distribute fentanyl in the Syracuse, NY area. Esteras personally distributed or possessed with intent to distribute at least 124 grams of fentanyl. Esteras had previously been convicted of three felony and 15 misdemeanor offenses in state court.
Chief United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby also sentenced Esteras to a four-year term of supervised release to begin after he serves his term of imprisonment and ordered him to pay a forfeiture judgment in the amount of $5,760, which represented the proceeds from drug sales.
This case was investigated by the DEA-Syracuse Resident Office, which includes Task Force Officers from the City of Auburn Police Department, the City of Syracuse Police Department, the New York State Police, and the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office. Other agencies that assisted in this investigation included the New York State Police, the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Sutcliffe.
Schenectady Man Sentenced to 60 Months for Distributing Heroin and Cocaine BaseRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Gregory Sherrills, Jr., age 40, of Schenectady, New York, was sentenced today to 60 months in prison for distributing heroin and cocaine base.
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 pleading guilty, Sherrills Jr. admitted to selling heroin and cocaine base to another person on seven occasions between December 2019 and March 2021 at various locations in the city of Schenectady. In total, the defendant distributed approximately 120 grams of heroin and 60 grams of cocaine base. This conviction represented his fourth felony drug conviction.
United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino also ordered that Sherrills Jr. serve a 4-year term of supervised release following his release from prison,
This case was investigated by the FBI and the Schenectady Police Department, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emmet O’Hanlon.
Utica Woman Indicted for Theft and Misappropriation of Funds as a FiduciaryRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Trina Gigliotti, age 54, of Utica, New York, was indicted earlier this month for misappropriating the funds of the legally incompetent spouse of a deceased veteran, as well as stealing from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Christopher F. Algieri, Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Field Office for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General.
The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The charges filed against Gigliotti carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. The indictment also seeks forfeiture of $36,129.08, representing the amount allegedly stolen. 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.
Gigliotti was arraigned yesterday in Syracuse, before United States Magistrate Judge Andrew T. Baxter, and released on conditions of supervision pending further proceedings.
This case is being investigated by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian S. LaRochelle.
This case is part of the Elder Justice Initiative. The mission of the Elder Justice Initiative is to support and coordinate the Department’s enforcement and programmatic efforts to combat elder abuse, neglect and financial fraud and scams that target our nation’s older adults. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving elders can call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311.
Troy Sex Offender Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Entice a MinorRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Lawrence Belcher, age 37, of Troy, New York, pled guilty today to 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).
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 that day.
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.
Sentencing is scheduled for November 28, 2022 in Syracuse before United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes. Belcher faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
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 is being 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.
Coxsackie Felon Indicted for Illegally Possessing AR-15Read the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Shawn Ubrich, age 50, of Coxsackie, New York, was arraigned today on a charge of illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; John B. DeVito, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); and Kevin Bruen, Superintendent of the New York State Police.
According to the indictment, Ubrich, a convicted felon, possessed an AR-15 rifle in Greene County, New York, on October 5, 2021. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Ubrich was arraigned today in Albany, before United States Magistrate Judge Christian F. Hummel, and held in custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for July 29.
The charge against Ubrich carries 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. 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 ATF and the New York State Police, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin S. Clark.
Tioga County Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Timothy E. Deuel, age 63, of Tioga County, New York, pled guilty yesterday to three counts of possession of 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 guilty plea, Deuel acknowledged that in March 2015, Deuel was sentenced in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York to 87 months’ imprisonment and 10 years’ supervised release as a result of his conviction for distribution of child pornography. Deuel further admitted that during that term of supervised release, he possessed at his residence three digital storage devices which contained a total of approximately 1,000 images of child pornography and more than 200 video files of child pornography.
At sentencing, which is currently scheduled for November 29, 2022, on each of the three counts, Deuel faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
This case is being 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.
South Carolina Man Sentenced to Six Years in Prison for Sending Firearms to New York FelonRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Joshua Meighen, age 30, of Seneca, South Carolina, was sentenced yesterday to serve 72-months (six years) in federal prison for providing a firearm and ammunition to a convicted felon, and illegally transferring a firearm to an out of state resident, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and John B. DeVito, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).
In addition to his six-year prison sentence, Meighen was also ordered to a serve a three-year term of supervised release after he is released from custody.
As part of his previous guilty plea, Joshua Meighen admitted that while he was living in South Carolina he contacted a Central New York resident who was known to Meighen as a convicted felon and arranged for a sale through the U.S mails of a Taurus 9mm caliber semiautomatic pistol and 25 rounds of ammunition for $980.00. Meighen mailed the pistol and ammunition from South Carolina to Central New York, where it was recovered at a post office facility in Syracuse on October 14, 2021. After further investigation, ATF Special Agents executed a federal court search warrant at Meighen’s home in Seneca, South Carolina. He was arrested and returned to the Northern District of New York (Syracuse) for prosecution.
In pleading guilty, Meighen also admitted that he mailed a Phoenix Arms .22 caliber pistol and a Stoeger 9mm caliber pistol from South Carolina to a second New York felon in Binghamton, New York. Both firearms were seized on November 10, 2021, by the United States Postal Inspection Service through the execution of a federal search warrant.
Meighen, a former resident of New York State, has five previous felony convictions.
This case was investigated by the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Finger Lakes Drug Task Force, and the Broome County Special Investigations Unit Task Force, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard R. Southwick.
Rome Man Sentenced to 200 Months for Receiving and Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Michael Mayhew, age 56, of Rome, New York, was sentenced today to serve 200 months in federal prison for receiving and possessing child pornography, 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 New York State Police (NYSP) Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen.
As part of his guilty plea, Mayhew admitted that in December of 2018 he took photographs of a six-year-old child naked in a bathroom using a cellular telephone, including images that captured the child’s genitals. Mayhew also admitted that in 1993 and 1994 he secretly video recorded three children under the age of 12 in his home, again capturing videos of them naked and in two instances with their genitals visible. He further admitted that from 2010 to 2015 he downloaded from the internet numerous graphic video files of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Finally, Mayhew admitted that in March of 2019 he possessed 184 images of child pornography on an electronic storage device in his home, and he also possessed on two separate VHS tapes the sexually explicit videos he took in 1993 and 1994.
Chief United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby also imposed a 30 year term of supervised release, which will start after Mayhew is released from prison, and ordered Mayhew to pay a $400 special assessment, a $30,000 fine, an additional special assessment of $5,000 and a Child Pornography assessment of $17,000. Mayhew will also be required to register as a sex offender.
This case was investigated by the FBI, Oneida County Sherriff’s Office, Rome Police Department, Oneida County District Attorney’s Office, Oneida County Child Advocacy Center, New York State Police, and the United States Air Force Office of Special Investigations. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey J. L. Brown as a part of Project Safe Childhood.
Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov
Albany Man Sentenced to 148 Months for Distributing, Receiving and Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Christopher Pratt, age 58, of Albany, was sentenced today to 148 months in prison for distributing, receiving and possessing 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 before United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino, Pratt admitted that he distributed and received child pornography files over the internet through a peer-to-peer file sharing program. Pratt also admitted that he possessed numerous child pornography files on his personal laptop, and that he created a folder on his laptop – labeled “JB” for “jailbait” – in which he stored child pornography images that he downloaded from the internet. The files included depictions of the sexual abuse and rape of prepubescent children and toddlers.
United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino also imposed a 15-year term of supervised release, which will start after Pratt is released from prison, and ordered payment of $18,000 in restitution for the child victims of Pratt’s offenses.
This case was investigated by the FBI and its Child Exploitation Task Force, including investigators from the Albany County Sheriff’s Office and forensic analysts from the New York State Police Computer Crime Unit, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rachel Williams and Katherine Kopita.
This case is prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc